Westland MI Family Law Blog

Divorcing when children are in the picture can be a nasty affair. Parents do not always agree on what is best for the kids. In Michigan and elsewhere, family law courts often have to get involved when this happens. This seems to be what is going on in the Jolie-Pitt divorce case.

According to report, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have been working toward a divorce settlement for well over a year and a half now. They have yet to agree on numerous things, including how much time the children should get with each parent. Their current child custody arrangement grants Jolie sole physical custody, while Pitt has only been awarded visitation. However, it is believed that this may soon change.

Thinking about filing for divorce? Wondering how long the process will take from beginning to end? In Michigan and elsewhere, the divorce timeline really depends on how one chooses to approach it. No matter how one goes about it, a divorce law attorney can help one finalize the dissolution as swiftly as possible.

How can one approach the divorce process? There are several ways, actually. In Michigan, it is possible to file a DIY divorce. This means that a person can file and wait for the dissolution to be accepted in court, which usually takes a couple of months. The DIY approach may sound appealing, but it may result in a settlement agreement that is lopsided and only benefits one party -- which doesn't really make it the smartest choice.

Every year, numerous families in Michigan are affected by divorce. This leaves parents trying to figure out the best way to handle the custody issue. Many courts are leaning toward joint custody arrangements. What does that mean? Who can get it and how can a family law attorney help resolve custody matters?

Joint custody is where both parents are awarded some level of both physical and legal custody of their children. The goal is to try for as close to a 50/50 split as possible. Meaning, each parent should get about equal time with the children, and both parents should have a say when it comes to important life decisions that affect their kids.

Over time, personal debt can pile up higher and higher, making it nearly impossible for anyone to stay on top of it all, even those with significant incomes. If you have substantial income and are looking for financial relief and protection from creditors, filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy may be a tool that meets your needs,. However, you must be willing to follow the process through to the end and remain within its rigid guidelines.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy offers debtors the opportunity to halt collection efforts and repay their debts at a manageable rate using their existing incomes. Under Chapter 13, courts can compel creditors and other collecting parties to cease all collection efforts immediately and present debtors with structured paths to financial freedom. In return for this breathing room, debtors must comply with certain financial restrictions for a set period of time.