Are you going through a divorce in Redford, Wayne County? If so, you’re probably worried about how the outcome will affect you in the years to come. From the division of property and assessment of spousal support to matters like child custody and parenting time, the crucial aspects of your divorce agreement will shape the contours of your life for the foreseeable future. It’s important to get these things right now, which is why you want an attorney who can advocate effectively on your behalf and assert your rights throughout the divorce process.
At The Smith Law Offices, P.C., we’re committed to helping Redford residents achieve positive outcomes in their divorce so that they can move on to the next stage of their lives with confidence and optimism. Contact us today for a free consultation with a divorce lawyer serving Redford, and let’s discuss your goals and concerns together.
The Smith Law Offices, P.C., has been helping people in Michigan resolve their most personal legal matters since 2010. Founding partner Samantha Smith Dickinson has more than a decade and a half of experience at the bar, focusing primarily on family law and related matters. She has consistently been named a Super Lawyer Rising Star for the success she’s had on behalf of her clients and the care with which she handles their cases. As a divorced and remarried mother herself, she understands what her clients are going through and how to serve them effectively.
We know that when you face the most pressing legal problems, you want an attorney who listens to your concerns, develops creative strategies to meet your goals, and supports you throughout the process. Let us provide the help and guidance you deserve during this difficult time.
Even the most amicable divorces involve matters that must be resolved before the court will approve an agreement. These issues can include:
Dividing Assets: The assets that the couple owns jointly will need to be distributed to each spouse separately. This process involves identifying, valuing, and distributing marital property equitably—a term that means fairly but not necessarily equally. The court considers factors like each spouse’s contributions, financial needs, and earning capacity.
Establishing Child Custody: Child custody involves both large decisions about a child’s upbringing (legal custody) and their day-to-day care (physical custody). Noncustodial parents typically have the right to parenting time, or what used to be called visitation. Michigan courts prioritize the child’s best interests, evaluating factors such as emotional bonds, stability, and each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs.
Setting Child Support: Each parent is responsible for the financial maintenance of their shared children. For the noncustodial parent, this means paying the custodial parent for their share of the child’s food, housing, education, medical care, and personal needs. Michigan uses a formula to compute support obligations.
Agreeing on Spousal Support: Spousal support, or alimony, provides financial assistance to a lower-earning spouse. Unlike child support, Michigan does not use a formula to set spousal support, nor does it consider it mandatory. Rather, courts consider factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse’s income, and their behavior during the marriage to determine if support is justified and, if so, how much payments should be.
At The Smith Law Offices, P.C., we’re prepared to help you with a wide range of divorce-related matters, including the following.
Uncontested Divorce
Uncontested divorces are those in which the divorcing spouses can agree to the major issues without needing to ask the courts to step in and settle disputes. As such, they are generally faster, less expensive, and less acrimonious than other divorces. Even if you and your soon-to-be-ex are on the same page, you should have an attorney representing your interests and verifying that the agreement meets them.
Contested Divorce
A contested divorce is one in which the divorcing spouses reach an impasse in one or more of the matters that must be resolved before a divorce can be finalized. As such, a family law judge will need to review their case. This involves presenting evidence and testimony before the judge, something best left to an experienced Michigan divorce attorney.
While all divorces are complicated in their own ways, those involving substantial assets are particularly complex. The Smith Law Offices, P.C., has particular experience with these cases and knows how to resolve them effectively. This process might involve navigating pre- and postnuptial agreements, valuing assets like businesses and collections, and locating hidden assets.
Annulments
In rare cases, a court can rule that a marriage was never valid and should never have been granted. Such a marriage can be voided through annulment rather than divorce, which makes it so that, legally speaking, the divorce never existed. Our divorce attorneys can determine if you have grounds for an annulment and advise you on your path forward.
Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution method that allows a couple to pursue their divorce in a more constructive, less confrontational manner than that provided by the usual court process. As a certified family law mediator, Samantha Smith Dickinson can act as a neutral third party who facilitates discussions and helps reach a mutually acceptable agreement on this critical decision.
When you come to The Smith Law Offices, P.C., for help with your divorce case in Redford, you can expect us to:
Going through a divorce can be an overwhelming experience in even the best of circumstances. You deserve a tireless advocate to represent your needs and assert your rights so that you can concentrate on moving forward with your life. Let The Smith Law Offices, P.C. provide you with this advocacy and representation. Contact us today for a free initial consultation with a divorce lawyer serving Redford so we can talk about your case together.
When you’re ready, we’d love to meet you at our offices at 5885 N Wayne Rd, Westland, MI. Here’s how you can get here.
From the North:
Take I-275 S toward Westland. Exit at Ford Rd and turn left onto Ford Rd. Turn left onto N Wayne Rd, and continue to 5885 N Wayne Rd. The destination will be on your left.
From the South:
Take I-275 N toward Westland. Exit at Ford Rd and turn right onto Ford Rd. Turn left onto N Wayne Rd, and continue to 5885 N Wayne Rd. The destination will be on your left.
From the East:
Take I-94 W toward Westland. Exit onto Ford Rd and continue west on Ford Rd. Turn right onto N Wayne Rd, and continue to 5885 N Wayne Rd. The destination will be on your left.
From the West:
Take I-96 E toward Westland. Exit onto I-275 S, then take the exit for Ford Rd. Turn left onto Ford Rd, and then left onto N Wayne Rd. Continue to 5885 N Wayne Rd. The destination will be on your left.
