Westland MI Family Law Blog

Alimony is not ordered in every marital dissolution case, but when it is, the party ordered to pay it is expected to do just that per the terms set in the order of support. Unfortunately, some Michigan residents find themselves in the position of not receiving the money granted to them as part of their divorce settlements. What can these individuals do when this happens?

Thankfully, the state does not expect these individuals to deal with this type of situation on their own. There are enforcement options available if all other attempts to collect fail to produce results. They are the same as the enforcement options used to collect child support from a parent who is refusing to pay. Some of them include:

• Intercept tax refund
• Withhold income
• Suspend personal/professional licenses
• Report to credit agencies
• Hold in contempt of court

Having a good credit profile is necessary if one wishes to gain access to credit cards, loans and rental properties -- among various other things. The problem is, many Michigan residents have found themselves with less than stellar credit ratings due to debts, the inability to repay their debts and specific actions taken to clear their debts -- such as bankruptcy. Because of this, there are those who refuse to file bankruptcy or who will look for companies after the fact that can help them repair their credit, but if they are not careful, they may find themselves worse off.

To be clear, bankruptcy can be a very positive step when one is looking to gain financial freedom. It can, however, stay on one's credit report for quite some time. Those looking to have their bankruptcy filings removed from their credit profiles will be enticed by companies who promise new credit identities or the ability to remove negative comments or accounts from credit reports.

The thought of filing for bankruptcy is depressing for most Michigan residents. It is hard to admit one needs help getting personal finances in order. Here's the deal: When thought of as a tool for financial improvement, filing for bankruptcy law protections does not have to feel like the end of the world. It can serve a valuable purpose -- as it did for singer Lil Kim.

Like her or not, the Lil Kim case is a great example of how filing for Chapter 13 can help when a person is in economic trouble, so her story is worth a read. According to reports, the singer filed for bankruptcy in May 2018 in an effort to stop her mortgage lender from foreclosing on her home. The creditor asked for permission to put the home up for auction, but that request was ultimately denied and Ms. Kim was allowed to reorganize her debts and keep her property.

For a long while, statistics have shown millennials and those from Generation Z to be better at staying out of debt than Gen Xers or baby boomers. According to a recent report, that does not seem to be the case any longer. Younger adults in Michigan and elsewhere are now said to be having a serious issue with credit card debt. For these individuals, bankruptcy law may be able to help their situations.

Those who are between the ages of 18 and 29 have, for several years, been called the "We don't own generation." They were less likely to take on debt because of being raised during the Great Recession. They did not want to have the same financial struggles as their parents. What has changed?