Category: Divorce

Divorce in Michigan – Articles and Videos – Michigan divorce attorneys

legal residence

How far away can you move after a divorce with a minor child?

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There are two legal restrictions on how far you can move after a divorce with a minor child. First, MCL 722.31(1) prohibits a parent from moving after divorce with a minor child to another home more than 100 miles (as the crow flies) from your current residence without court permission. However, MCL 722.31(2) provides that this restriction does not apply if a parent is awarded sole legal custody. Second, Michigan Court Rule 3.211(C)(1) prohibits a parent from moving outside of the State of Michigan without approval from the Judge who awarded custody.

Warning – Before you settle your divorce. A deal is a deal.

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Court’s will not rewrite an unambiguous agreement negotiated and signed (or placed on the record) by consenting adults absent, fraud or duress.

Child Custody

Changing custody

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A trial court can enter and order changing custody, however, before a court may consider modification, the party requesting the change must demonstrate proper cause or a change of circumstances since the entry of the last custody order.

Parenting Time

Parenting time agreement

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MCL 722.27a(2): If the parents of a child agree on parenting time terms, the court shall order the parenting time terms unless the court determines on the record by clear and convincing evidence that the parenting time terms are not in the best interests of the child.

Alimony in Michigan Spousal support

Different types of alimony and spousal support payments

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There are different types of alimony and spousal support payments. A trial court may award either periodic alimony / spousal support, or alimony / spousal support in gross. Periodic spousal support payments “are subject to any contingency, such as death or remarriage of a spouse . . . .” In contrast, spousal support in gross[…]

Established custodial environment

Is there an established custodial environment?

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A determination of an established custodial environment is important because a court cannot enter an order for child custody (or modify an existing order) without first determining if an established custodial environment exists and the trial court must make clear findings on this issue before deciding custody.

Best Interest Factor

The most important best interest of the child factor.

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The willingness and ability of each of the parties to encourage a continuing parent-child relationship with the other parent is the most important best interest of the child factor.

divorce and love

Divorce and separation. What if you still love each other?

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Do you love your spouse but at the same time realize you cannot be with each other? Many marriages are filled with disfunction in communication, sex, fidelity or how you spend money and no matter how much work you put into the marriage, your not sure you can make things workout. Divorce and separation are[…]

Custody in Michigan

Proper cause to modify custody

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On August 26, 2021, the Michigan Court of Appeals issued its opinion in the case of Shipley v. Shipley In this case, the father appeals the trial court’s order to modify custody and decided that there was proper cause to modify custody. The first step in modifying an existing child custody award is for the[…]

adultery in Michigan

Remedies for a cheating spouse in a Michigan divorce.

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Adultery (when your spouse cheats is the ultimate betrayal in a marriage. In many circumstances a couple can find a way to move past the betrayal. However, in many situations, the damage is done and fixing the problem is not an option. When God gave Moses the 10 Commandments it is no surprise that one[…]

Divorce myths

Divorce myths. A video of truth.

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In this article, we cover the top 10 divorce myths. When it comes to Michigan divorce law, everyone has a story about a ‘friend’ who went through a divorce and (fill in the blank) happened. Further complicating matters are the countless television shows and tabloid articles regarding divorce. While gossip, television shows and tabloid articles[…]

Custody in Michigan

What exactly is joint custody in Michigan?

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Michigan Compiled Laws section 722.26a, requires parents to be advised of joint custody and the court must consider an award of joint custody at the request of either party.

Objection to Friend of the Court

Relief from a Judgment of divorce

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When property is divided in a Judgment of Divorce is typically final and non-modifiable. However, a party can petition the court for relief from a Judgment of Divorce under MCR 2.612 in certain instances.

Oakland County Divorce

Divorce in Oakland County

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You may think that there is no difference in the divorce laws by County and you are right, sort of. Divorce law is uniform throughout the state, a divorce in Oakland County is different for a number of reasons.

Is it Ok to date before divorce?

Michigan adultery law – it is a crime.

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Adultery under Michigan adultery law is never enforced. However, the adultery statute provides: “Adultery is the sexual intercourse of 2 persons, either of whom is married to a third person.” Michigan Compiled Laws 750.29 The punishment for the crime of adultery is severe. Adultery is a felony, which means adultery is punishable by more than[…]

Property in Michigan

What is separate property in a Michigan divorce?

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When love and respect run out and a divorce is pending, it is important to understand what is separate property because under most circumstances separate property is not divided in a divorce case. Typically, separate property is identified as: “[p]roperty that a spouse owned before marriage or acquired during marriage by inheritance or by gift from a[…]

Property in Michigan

Divorce, property and a real estate commission

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When negotiating a Michigan divorce, is it appropriate to deduct an unrealized real estate commission? In this case, the Michigan Court of Appeals decided that it is not appropriate to do so. When a marital home is at issue in a Michigan divorce, a court has three choices. The court can either award the home[…]

inherited property

Divorce and inherited property – how to keep it.

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Michigan compiled law 552.19 provides that inherited property is separate property because it is not acquired “by reason of the marriage”, however there are exceptions.

Custody in Michigan

What is a custodial parent in Michigan?

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In Michigan, a custodial parent is the the parent with whom a child spends the majority of overnights with during the course of a year. This definition is similar to that used by the Internal Revenue Service when determining dependent status for tax purposes.

statute of limitations

Determining Income for support

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Determining income for child support or alimony purposes in Michigan often requires looking beyond the tax returns. So what is considered income for support in Michigan? Income for support and the 2021 Michigan Child Support Formula Manual Chapter 2 of the 2021 Michigan Child Support Formula Manual is a good resource in how to determine[…]

Custody in Michigan

The role of the custodial parent in Michigan Divorce.

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The phrase custodial parent is not defined in Michigan divorce or custody law. However, the term has evolved to mean the parent that is awarded the majority of parenting time in a specific Michigan divorce or custody case. Michigan statutes and case law have defined two types of custody in Michigan. Legal custody and physical[…]

Custody in Michigan

Proper cause or change of circumstances

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There is a barrier to modification of custody, child support, spousal support (alimony) and parenting time. The barrier is proper cause or change of circumstances. In a prior article, we examined the seminal case on the subject, Vodvarka v. Grassmeyer which defines both proper cause and change of circumstances in the context of a child[…]

move on

Can you move with kids now that you can work from anywhere?

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In Michigan, several key legal provisions govern with respect to where you can live and move with your kids including Michigan Compiled Laws section 723.31(1). and Michigan Compiled Laws section 723.31(4)

Lorie Savin

Lorie Savin – Oakland County’s New Family Court Judge

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I have tried many cases before referee Lorie Savin and find her compassionate, knowledgeable and fair. Three wonderful qualities for a Michigan Divorce and Family Court Judge.

Michigan divorce process

The Michigan Divorce Education Series.

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In 2012, we envisioned a divorce video education series which evolved into the The Michigan Divorce Education Series by Findling Law. The idea was to provide quality information (more than just the basics with case law and statutory support) on Michigan Divorce, Custody, Alimony and support.

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