Because of our strong reputation for providing knowledgeable and attentive legal representation, many of our new cases come to us as referrals from former or current clients.
Divorce – Our goal is to zealously, yet cost-effectively, represent you in your divorce proceedings. We represent individuals in divorces with and without minor children. Additionally, we frequently represent parties who reside outside out of state and are defending a divorce action filed in southeast Michigan or those parties who wish to commence proceedings against an individual who resides outside Michigan or the country.
Military Divorce – Military divorces, those involving a party in active military duty, differ from other divorce actions, in the sense that there are more stringent standards and required compliance with unique military rules. We can assist you in navigating this unique area of law and successfully entering a Judgment of Divorce.
Annulments – An annulment is granted in very limited circumstances where a valid marriage is found to be void or voidable. Where an annulment cannot be granted, a divorce action is your next option. The Smith Law Offices, P.C., offers free consultations to determine if your present circumstances show grounds for an annulment.
Spousal Support (Alimony) – In your divorce action, we will help you determine whether spousal support (alimony) is warranted and, if so, how much should be paid and for how long. Additionally, we can assist you in enforcing the non-payment of spousal support and in modifying an existing spousal support order.
Child Custody – The Smith Law Offices, P.C., will help you put custody and parenting time orders in place, which are in the best interests of your children, while protecting your rights as a parent. Additionally, we can assist you in the modification of current child custody orders.
Parenting Time – Our attorneys can assist you in the initial determination of parenting time, post-judgment modifications of parenting time and in filing petitions to enforce your currently ordered parenting time provisions.
Child Support – The Smith Law Offices, P.C., will review all proposed and existing child support orders for compliance with state guidelines. Additionally, we can assist you in the filing of the proper petitions to modify current child support orders or to abate child support arrears.
Paternity – Our attorneys assist both mothers and fathers in paternity proceedings. Paternity actions are most commonly commenced to initiate child support for a minor child born out of wedlock. Once paternity is established, either voluntarily or through the use of genetic testing, the court will enter a judgment which establishes custody, parenting time and child support.
Post-judgment matters – Following the entry of an Order or Judgment, our attorneys can assist you in modifying provisions in regards to child support, child custody and parenting time. Provisions in regards to minor children are always modifiable upon a change of circumstances or with proper cause shown. Additionally, although property provisions in a divorce proceeding are rarely modifiable, we can assist you in enforcement of property provisions that are contained within the Judgment of Divorce.
Mediation – Prior to any matter proceeding to trial, parties frequently attend mediation, a form of alternative dispute resolution. Our attorneys frequently attend mediations with clients, where we assist them in reaching settlements, while still protecting their parental rights and with the goal of an equitable property distribution, so as to avoid the financial and emotional stress of courtroom litigation.
Change of Domicile – Following the entry of an Order or Judgment which governs the Custody of a minor child, a parent cannot move that minor child more than 100 miles from their legal residence at the time of the initial court proceeding with permission of the Court or the consent of the other party, except in very limited circumstances. The Smith Law Offices, P.C. can assist you in the filing of the proper petition to achieve your desired move in excess of 100 miles or from the State of Michigan.
Stepparent Adoption – Our attorneys can assist custodial parents and his/her spouse when the stepparent wishes to adopt his/her stepchild. Termination of the rights of the parental rights of the noncustodial legal parent, the putative (alleged) father, or the unknown father must occur before the adoption is granted, either on a voluntary or involuntary basis.
We understand your concerns about the cost of legal proceedings. We strive to provide affordable representation, while always looking for ways to achieve your desired outcome in the most cost-effective manner.
