Division of the marital estate
Our experienced lawyers will help you maximize or minimize (as the case may be) what composes your marital estate.
Category: Property Division
Property division and divorce in Michigan – Michigan Divorce Attorney – Articles and Videos
One Minute Michigan Divorce
The Michigan divorce process may seem complicated, however, in this video we summarize the process in less than a minute. The Michigan Divorce Process Step 1: The first step in every divorce is to file a Complaint for Divorce. The Complaint for Divorce sets forth the statutory requirements to divorce in Michigan. These requirements include[…]
Who pays attorney fees in divorce?
There are three different laws governing who pays attorney fees in divorce. MCR 3.206(D), MCL 552.13 and Common Law.
Is Michigan a 50/50 state in divorce?
Take two long term marriages with the exact same marital estate. The first marriage is 30 years and the parties lived as husband and wife. The second marriage is 30 years and the parties have not seen each other for 29 years. Obviously it would not be equitable (fair) to treat both of these cases the same. In the first example, a 50/50 division would seem appropriate, but not in the second example.
Divorce in Michigan – Everything you need to know
Marriage struggles are real and sometimes things just don’t work out the way you plan. If your unhappy and are considering a divorce in Michigan, here is everything you need to know. Sometimes things don’t get better. However, the proverb “knowledge is power” can help you take control of your situation with a fresh start[…]
Dividing unvested stock options in divorce
You or your spouse worked hard and it has finally paid off with the right to purchase stocks at a discount from your employer. When stock options are granted they typically provide an opportunity to purchase shares of stock in the future at a fixed price and can be highly valuable. The future date is[…]
Separate property can be invaded in divorce.
Michigan statutory law authorizes a court to divide property in a divorce that was acquired “by reason of the marriage” MCL 552.19. Generally speaking, property acquired by reason of the marriage is considered marital property whereas property acquired before or after marriage is considered separate property. Simply put, a court will divide marital property (See: Byington v Byington ) and not divide separate property (See: Reeves vs. Reeves , providing that: “each party takes away from the marriage that party’s own separate estate with no invasion by the other party”). However, there are certain circumstances when separate property can be invaded.
Divorce mediation – How it works, when to settle.
The majority of Michigan divorce cases settle and divorce mediation is one of the most common forms of alternative dispute resolution where a neutral third party tries to facilitate a fair settlement outside of the courtroom, avoiding the formalities of trial and saving costs. Court ordered divorce mediation Divorce mediation is usually court ordered and[…]
Warning – Before you settle your divorce. A deal is a deal.
Court’s will not rewrite an unambiguous agreement negotiated and signed (or placed on the record) by consenting adults absent, fraud or duress.
Can you contract a cheating penalty? Divorce alternative video.
Fidelity is an obligation in almost every marriage vow. However, many marriages end because someone cheated. Which begs the question, can you contract a cheating penalty? It appears the answer is no.
Remedies for a cheating spouse in a Michigan divorce.
Adultery (when your spouse cheats is the ultimate betrayal in a marriage. In many circumstances a couple can find a way to move past the betrayal. However, in many situations, the damage is done and fixing the problem is not an option. When God gave Moses the 10 Commandments it is no surprise that one[…]
Divorce myths. A video of truth.
In this article, we cover the top 10 divorce myths. When it comes to Michigan divorce law, everyone has a story about a ‘friend’ who went through a divorce and (fill in the blank) happened. Further complicating matters are the countless television shows and tabloid articles regarding divorce. While gossip, television shows and tabloid articles[…]
Relief from a Judgment of divorce
When property is divided in a Judgment of Divorce is typically final and non-modifiable. However, a party can petition the court for relief from a Judgment of Divorce under MCR 2.612 in certain instances.
Divorce in Oakland County
You may think that there is no difference in the divorce laws by County and you are right, sort of. Divorce law is uniform throughout the state, a divorce in Oakland County is different for a number of reasons.
What is separate property in a Michigan divorce?
When love and respect run out and a divorce is pending, it is important to understand what is separate property because under most circumstances separate property is not divided in a divorce case. Typically, separate property is identified as: “[p]roperty that a spouse owned before marriage or acquired during marriage by inheritance or by gift from a[…]
Divorce, property and a real estate commission
When negotiating a Michigan divorce, is it appropriate to deduct an unrealized real estate commission? In this case, the Michigan Court of Appeals decided that it is not appropriate to do so. When a marital home is at issue in a Michigan divorce, a court has three choices. The court can either award the home[…]
Divorce and inherited property – how to keep it.
Michigan compiled law 552.19 provides that inherited property is separate property because it is not acquired “by reason of the marriage”, however there are exceptions.
The Michigan Divorce Education Series.
In 2012, we envisioned a divorce video education series which evolved into the The Michigan Divorce Education Series by Findling Law. The idea was to provide quality information (more than just the basics with case law and statutory support) on Michigan Divorce, Custody, Alimony and support.
Division of 401(k) plans in divorce. Passive and active appreciation.
Michigan divorce law distinguishes between active and passive appreciation when dividing retirement accounts in divorce. The seminal case on point is Reeves vs. Reeves.
Michigan Divorce Laws – Everything there is to know.
There are two paths in every divorce, the emotional path and the legal path. We trust that you understand how you feel. We help you understand the law.
The 2020 Judges of Oakland County Divorce Court
Oakland County Circuit Court – Family Division: At Findling Law, we have the great privilege of appearing before divorce courts throughout the state of Michigan. One of these courts is the Oakland County Circuit Court. The Oakland County Circuit Court – Family Division is simply known as the Oakland County Divorce Court. The Oakland[…]
Can a court force you to stay in business with your ex?
There is an old adage in Michigan Divorce and Family Law cases. “You do not want your ex as a business partner”. However, in a recent Houghton Circuit Court case, that is exactly what the trial court ordered. On Appeal, the Michigan Court of Appeals address the issue if a divorce court can force you[…]
The CARES stimulus in a Michigan divorce – who gets the money?
As you are almost certainly aware, President Trump signed the CARES act on Friday, March 27, 2020. This act provides that individuals with an income lower than $75,000.00 and couples filing joint tax returns with incomes lower than $150,000.00 total are entitled to a “stimulus credit” in the amount of $1,200.00 and $2,400.00 respectively. Additionally,[…]
Are Zoom hearings in Michigan legal?
M.C.L.A. 600.1420 provides: “The sittings of every court within this state shall be public. . .” Zoom hearings are private.
How to divide property in divorce video.
This How to divide property in divorce video provides a detailed explanation of property division and Michigan divorce law in an easy to understand format. Under Michigan law, property consists of both assets and liabilities. The core focus to divide in divorce is on property (assets and liabilities) acquired during the course of the marriage.[…]