Divorce is one of life’s most difficult transitions, impacting your family, finances, and future. You may feel overwhelmed, uncertain, and in need of guidance. The experienced and compassionate divorce attorneys at Smith Law Offices PC can provide the clarity and support you need to understand your options and make informed decisions every step of the way. We’re here to meet all your family law needs, both now and in the future. That’s why we offer personalized service, meet face-to-face whenever possible, and take the time to learn about your goals so we can help you achieve them.
In many states, you can choose between a no-fault divorce and a divorce in which you allege some fault on the part of your spouse, such as infidelity or cruelty. Michigan divorce law only recognizes one ground for divorce: the marriage has broken down and cannot be preserved. This means that all divorces in Michigan are no-fault.
The advantage of Michigan’s no-fault divorce law is that you don’t have to prove your spouse did something wrong to get a divorce. You need to file a petition asserting that the marriage has broken down and pay the relevant court fee. In Wayne County, the fee is $175 for a marriage with no children and $255 for one with children.
To file for divorce in Dearborn, Michigan:
Some divorces are uncontested, but in other cases, the divorcing couple does not agree on how to divide property, who should have custody of the children, whether one spouse should receive financial support payments, and other issues. This is where an experienced divorce attorney can help make sure your voice is heard.
We can help you resolve issues in your divorce through mediation with a neutral third party and negotiation with your spouse’s attorney. We’ll do our best to reach a settlement agreement you’re happy with. If the other side doesn’t offer a settlement you can agree to, we’ll go to court and fight for your interests.
Child custody issues in Michigan are resolved in accordance with state guidelines. The court will try to preserve a strong relationship between the child and both parents unless it’s convinced that doing so would harm the child. When determining whether to award sole custody to one parent or joint physical and legal custody to both parents, the court will be guided by the child’s best interest. If you have a loving relationship with your child and can offer a stable home environment, the court will most likely split custody between you and your spouse or offer regularly scheduled parenting time.
The court will also order the noncustodial parent to pay child support. The Michigan Child Support Guideline sets the amount of child support, but you can ask the court to modify the amount if your circumstances change. A lawyer experienced with child custody and child support issues can help.
In Michigan, a divorce court can order one spouse to pay alimony to the other spouse. Also known as spousal support, alimony payments can be temporary or permanent, though alimony is usually terminated if the recipient remarries. It’s up to the court’s discretion whether to award alimony or not, and how much the payments should be if the court does award alimony. If you’re filing for divorce, your attorney can help you determine whether to request alimony or not. Your attorney can also help you request modification or termination of a spousal support order.
Divorce gets much more complicated when you own many high-value assets together. Dividing all those complex assets is a challenging task, and you can’t even start the process until you’re sure you know everything you and your spouse own. A high-asset divorce is one in which:
A high-value divorce can have many issues that are less likely to arise in a typical divorce, including:
Michigan is an equitable division state, meaning the court will seek to divide assets equitably rather than necessarily equally. Your spouse may fight to keep as much property as possible, making it even more essential to have a skilled negotiator and litigator on your side. Smith Law Offices PC can negotiate for the best results possible in a high-asset divorce, and if your spouse isn’t willing to make a fair settlement offer, we are not afraid to litigate. High-value divorces can be incredibly stressful, but your lawyer can help you fight for your future and refuse to settle for less than you deserve.
How much does it cost to get the help of a divorce lawyer serving Dearborn, Michigan? That depends on several factors, including the complexity of your divorce case. At Smith Law Offices PC, we believe everyone deserves professional legal help when they need it. For this reason, we do everything we can to make our services cost-effective for you. We offer a free consultation so you can tell us about your situation and goals without worrying about making a financial commitment. If we decide to work together, our firm will do everything we can to help you as efficiently as possible.
Don’t leave crucial issues like child custody, property division, or spousal support up to your ex or the courts. Going through a divorce is always challenging, but it’s much easier with the help of a skilled, experienced attorney. Smith Law Offices PC can be your voice in emotionally challenging situations, making sure your concerns are heard and your needs are met. Contact us today for help with divorce proceedings in Dearborn and greater Wayne County.
