The Selfless Divorce

The Selfless Divorce.  By:  Daniel Findling Divorce is sometimes described as a selfish act, especially when children are involved.  How many times have you heard or been a participant in a conversation like this: “Did you hear  ______ is getting a divorce . . . I feel so bad for the children . . .[…]

motion to change custody

Child custody laws in MI

The following guide is provided as an outline of child custody laws in MI.  Our Michigan divorce attorneys have provided the following guide to help you understand what every parent should know about child custody laws in MI.  When a child is involved in a divorce the energy often rises.  Parents have to deal with[…]

Spying on Spouse

Michigan divorce and domestic spying

Michigan divorce and domestic spying Is somebody watching me or am I just paranoid?  Michigan divorce and domestic spying.  By:  Daniel Findling In Michigan, fault can play a role in an alimony award, property division and even child custody cases.   Our Michigan divorce team has written several articles on the issue of fault: Michigan divorce[…]

legal

Joint legal custody in Michigan

Joint Legal custody in Michigan:  By: Daniel Findling Physical custody and joint legal custody in Michigan explained. Unlike physical custody, sometimes called the custodial parent which defines where a child lives on a day to day basis, legal custody defines the right to make legal decisions for the child regarding education, health care, religion, and[…]

Self employed child support

Michigan child support and the self employed

I received a phone call from an attorney (not related to my firm) this morning requesting assistance on determining income for child support purposes from a self employed individual.  His client’s ex-husband was a self employed truck driver grossing $160,000.00 per year.  However, after deductions, his income was significantly less. One deduction appeared questionable, the[…]

Spying on Spouse

Private Investigator and Michigan divorce

Something is not right . . . should I hire a private investigator?  By:  Daniel Findling (c) 2014 When people think of a private investigator they might think of Magnum PI or an anonymous looking person sitting in a car, eating a cheese burger while trying to catch a cheating spouse in the act.  Reality[…]

immoral

The moral fitness of the parties – Michigan custody and Parenting Time

Michigan child custody and parenting time – The moral fitness of the parties.  By:  Daniel Findling In every parenting time and custody case in Michigan, the court is required to evaluate the best interest of the children.  Michigan adopted the Child Custody Act and requires a court to consider the best interest of a child.[…]

Michigan Custody and Support in Divorce Cases

Michigan legal custody – What to do when you cannot agree?

Michigan legal custody – What to do when you cannot agree?  By:  Daniel Findling Most divorce cases end with both parents being awarded joint legal custody.  “Joint legal custody” means both parents are entitled to equal access and input to the educational, medical, religious needs of the child.  With joint legal custody parents must jointly[…]

Income witholding

Michigan income withholding order – How much can the court take?

Michigan income withholding order – How much can the court take? By:  Daniel Findling When a Michigan divorce court or Michigan custody judge enters an Order for a party to pay alimony (spousal support) or child support, the payor is required to pay the money or suffer the consequences of enforcement.  The most common enforcement mechanism[…]

Security for support

Support security – Securing the future payment of child support and alimony

Support security – Securing the future payment of support:  By Daniel Findling –  Divorce always involves change and an important change in almost every Michigan divorce or legal separation in Michigan is financial. For many, child support payments and alimony payments (spousal support) are an important financial component in moving forward after a divorce or[…]

The case of Fault in Michigan divorce – Property division

The case of fault in Michigan divorce.  By Daniel Findling:  In prior articles we explored the notion of fault in Michigan.  Fault in Michigan is relevant.  Michigan is both a fault and a no fault State.  The grounds for a divorce in Michigan are no-fault, however fault can play a role in addressing issues of[…]

change mind

Michigan divorce settlement agreement – When can you change your mind?

Michigan divorce settlement agreement: – When can you change your mind? Careful consideration should be taken before entering into a settlement agreement.  As once a settlement agreement is reached you usually cannot disavow it merely because you have a change of heart.   Courts must uphold divorce property settlements reached through negotiation and agreement of the[…]

Fundamental Right

The fundamental right to parent

Is the right to parent a fundamental right?  The answer is yes! The 14th Amendment’s due process clause of the U.S. Constitution protects “life, liberty or property”.  Fundamental rights are rights so important that the U.S. Constitution provides for heightened protection against government interference.  Without this heightened protection against government interference, States could could infringe on “life,[…]

Tracking device

I have this GPS tracking device . . . and Michigan divorce law

I have this tracking device . . . and Michigan divorce law:   As a Michigan divorce lawyer, I recognize that it is not uncommon for a spouse to use a GPS tracking device to validate their suspicions of an affair.  Consumers can now have access to devices previously only accessible by governmental agencies, the police[…]

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We are just living together – Common law marriages and Michigan divorce law

We are just living together – Common law marriages and Michigan divorce law:  More people are choosing not to marry, and well, just live together.  For some, marriage is the end of freedom – after all, marriage is supposed to be forever.  Others choose to live together in monogamous relationships and consider marriage merely a[…]

recording spouse

I have this recording of my spouse . . . and Michigan divorce law

I have this recording of my spouse . . . and Michigan divorce law:   As a Michigan divorce lawyer, I recognize that it is not uncommon for someone to engage in recording a conversation to obtain evidence in contemplation of or in the middle of a divorce.  Maybe your spouse is a habitual liar, or[…]

moving out

Moving out of the house

Moving out – The decision can have an effect on your divorce.  We added a new page to website addressing the considerations in almost every Michigan divorce, when to move out (or should you move out)?  The answer to the question involves safety, children, timing and other considerations. To view the new page on moving out[…]

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Tax exemptions, tax deductions and Michigan divorce

Tax exemptions, tax deductions and Michigan divorce:  The most comprehensive publication on tax considerations applicable to Michigan divorced or separated individuals is published by the Department of the Treasury – Internal Revenue Service Publication 504 for use in preparing tax returns.  A link to the publication can be found at:  http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p504.pdf This IRS publication addresses[…]

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Conscious uncoupling: “spirit”, “soul” and divorce

Conscious uncoupling:  “spirit”, “soul” and divorce:  According to People magazine, Gwyneth Paltrow’s mentor, Dr. Habib Sadeghi introduced her to the notion of conscious uncoupling which apparently introduces the term “spirit” or “soul” into a divorce and her recent announcement of conscious uncoupling with her husband of 10 years, Chris Martin, has made headlines, both praising[…]

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Non-modifiable alimony

Non-modifiable alimony Under Michigan divorce law the parties have a statutory right to modify alimony or spousal support.  This statutory right can be found in MCL 552.28.  This statute specifically allows on the petition of a party that a court may revise an alimony award. Notwithstanding the statutory right to modify alimony, your Michigan divorce[…]

Paying for college

Who pays for college? – Post majority child support

Who pays for college? – Post majority child support:  The birth of a child brings joy and responsibility.  For many families the responsibility includes college or even graduate school, for other families, once a child reaches the age of 18, the responsibility to provide financial support for a child ends. Under Michigan law, both natural[…]

Dependent tax exemption

Taxes and divorce or separation

Taxes and divorce or separation:  The tax rules that apply to divorce and separated individuals can be complex.  In fact, the Internal Revenue Service has a 29 page publication on the subject.  The publication for use in preparing your 2013 income tax returns can be found here:  http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p504.pdf. Most Michigan divorce lawyers get nervous when[…]

adultery in Michigan

Adultery and Michigan divorce

Section 750.30 of the Michigan Compiled laws and provides:
“Any person who shall commit adultery shall be guilty of a felony; and when the crime is committed between a married woman and a man who is unmarried, the man shall be guilty of adultery, and liable for the same punishment.” 
However, the crime is never enforced.

Custody

Custody Modification – How to Modify a Child Custody Award

Custody modification. In Michigan, a child custody determination can be modified.  The statutory authority for a court to modify a custody determination is found in Michigan Compiled Laws section 722.27(c).  In order to modify a Michigan child custody determination, the party seeking to change child custody must first provide a good basis for the modification.[…]

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Michigan Child Support Statute of Limitations

Michigan Child Support Statute of Limitations:   Yes, there a Statute of limitations for Michigan child support. The current statute of limitations on unpaid Michigan child support is 10 years from the date that the last payment is due.   This Statute of limitations is set forth in Michigan Compiled Laws section 600.5809(4) and was effective[…]

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