Who will get custody of the kids? How will the property be divided up? Family law is one of the most personal areas of the law, addressing some of the most sensitive questions the law governs. These are not matters you should leave to chance. If you have a family law matter to resolve in Dearborn, Michigan, you need the help of an attorney who is a good listener, a skilled negotiator, and a fearless litigator.
The Smith Law Offices PC has helped people in Wayne County, Michigan, with their legal issues since 2010. We can help with issues such as:
As a small family law firm, we offer the personal attention you need to resolve your situation.
We represent clients going through a divorce in Dearborn, Michigan, handling cases like these:
Whatever your situation, we will do our best to represent you cost-effectively, fighting for your rights in court without unnecessary expense. Some divorces are much more complex than others. For instance, a high-asset divorce is more complex due to the need to divide extensive assets, while a military divorce is more complex due to the Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act and other military regulations. An uncontested divorce, where both spouses agree on the fundamental issues, will always be less complex and less expensive than a contested divorce. We have the experience and the knowledge to handle all divorce cases effectively.
What if you live outside of Michigan, but your spouse has filed for divorce here in Wayne County? Or perhaps you live in Wayne County, but your spouse lives outside the state or overseas? We frequently handle this sort of divorce case.
Whatever the details of your divorce, we will listen compassionately and advocate zealously for your rights.
Which parent will have primary custody of the children? This is often one of the most contested issues in a divorce. While every divorce is different, the court will ultimately base its decision on the children’s best interests. According to the Michigan Custody Guidelines, the court can assign custody in several different ways:
As a parent, you don’t want to lose your right to participate in parenting your children, so child custody issues are among the most emotional issues to be resolved in a divorce. In Michigan, the court will consider multiple factors when granting custody, including:
When you’re fighting for custody or parenting time with your children, it helps to have an experienced and passionate advocate on your side. We will help you negotiate a child custody agreement that is genuinely in your children’s best interests. We can also help you pursue a modification of an existing child custody arrangement.
Child support in Michigan is determined according to “the formula.” Courts are legally obligated to award support according to the formula unless doing so would be unjust or inappropriate, in which case Michigan law allows an exception. If both parents agree to an arrangement that differs from the amount the Child Support Guideline would normally require, the court can allow it.
We can review any existing or proposed child support order to determine whether it meets the Michigan Child Support Guideline. If necessary, we can file a petition to modify the child support order.
It’s always better when a divorcing couple can negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement with each other instead of fighting it out in court. Mediation is one way to do this. Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution process where a neutral third-party mediator can help you negotiate a solution with your spouse to all the outstanding issues in the divorce, including child custody and property division. We can attend mediation with you to help you reach a settlement while still ensuring that your rights are protected.
Michigan courts can order either party in a divorce to pay spousal support or alimony payments to the other. We can advise you on whether you are entitled to alimony, and we can help you enforce a spousal support order if your former spouse is not making the payments.
Family law doesn’t always involve divorce. Other matters we handle at The Smith Law Offices PC include:
If you have any family law matter, whether part of a divorce case or not, contact us for a free consultation, and we’ll let you know if we can help.
If you need a family law firm serving Dearborn, Michigan, or anywhere else in Wayne County, sit down with us for a free consultation to discuss your case and find out what we can do for you.
The Smith Law Offices PC was founded by Attorney Samantha Smith in 2010. We have earned a reputation as skilled negotiators and litigators. Our clients praise us for our compassionate approach and our dedication to fighting for their rights. Contact us online today.
