Business value and divorce

The value of a business in divorce – part 2

In the  first part of this two part series on determining the value of a business in divorce we examined four definitions of value in a divorce.  The four definitions are Fair Market Value, Fair Value and Investment Value and Holders Interest Value. It does not matter if the business was started during the course[…]

The value of a business in divorce

Most businesses, small and large, have value and Michigan divorce property law requires a fair division of all property acquired by reason of the marriage.  It does not matter if the business was started during the course of the marriage or merely increased in value during the course of the marriage for the value of[…]

Child support

Child support statute of limitations.

Child support statute of limitations Suppose a parent has not paid child support in 10 years, is the child support order still enforceable? The answer is found in the current child support statute of limitations law. Michigan compiled Laws section 600.5809(4) provides that the child support statute of limitations is 10 years from the date[…]

Best interest of the child factor (g) – The parties health

Custody in Michigan – Best interest of the child factor (g)  Best Interest of the child factor (g) One of the twelve child custody factors set forth in the Child Custody Act is best interest of the child factor (g).  Best interest of the child factor (g) addresses the mental and physical health of the parties[…]

Marriage and divorce

Marriage is the chief cause of divorce

“Marriage is the chief cause of divorce.” The satirical title of this post, “Marriage is the chief cause of divorce” is credited to Julius Henry who is most commonly known as Groucho Marx the rapid fire comedian.  However, divorce is never funny. While marriage can be wonderful, it can also be problematic.  For many, marriage[…]

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How to prevent parental kidnapping in Michigan

How to prevent parental kidnapping in Michigan. It is not uncommon for a parent to kidnap their own child.  Maybe they lost custody or are angry and want to hurt the other parent.  Whatever the case, parental kidnapping is a federal crime and a crime in Michigan.  In many cases, parental kidnapping can be prevented.[…]

Waiting period

The statutory waiting period for a Michigan divorce

The Michigan divorce statutory waiting period The statutory waiting period for a Michigan divorce is dictated by statute.  The Law – Michigan Compiled Laws 552.9f (MCL 552.9f) The statutory waiting period for a Michigan divorce is found in Michigan Compiled Laws 552.9f.  MCL 552.9f provides that a Michigan divorce without a minor child must wait[…]

UCCJEA

The UCCJEA in Michigan: Transferring custody to Michigan

The UCCJEA in Michigan:  Transferring and enforcing an out of state custody determination The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act (“UCCJEA in Michigan”) provides that the home state of a child has exclusive and continuing jurisdiction for child custody litigation.  So what happens if the home state of the child changes? For example, if the parents[…]

Dependent tax exemption

Dependent child exemption and support – Is it worth fight over?

Dependent child exemption and support – Is it worth fight over? A dependent child exemption reduces a taxpayer’s adjusted gross income leaving more money in the taxpayers pocket by ensuring that not all of your income is taxed.  In 2014, the value of a dependent child exemption is $3,950.00 per child.  That is real money.[…]

Custody in Michigan – Best interest of the child factor (f)

Custody in Michigan – Best interest of the child factor (f) Best Interest of the Child Factor :      One of the twelve child custody factors set forth in the Child Custody Act is best interest of the child factor (f).                              Best[…]

Business value and divorce

K-1 business income and support

K-1 business income in Michigan divorce, alimony and support cases. (c) 2015  Many tax returns contain schedules.  If your spouse has business income, then the income is reported on schedule K-1.  Schedule K-1 provides information regarding a business owner or partner’s share of income, deductions and credits.  Schedule k-1 business income is an Internal Revenue Service form that[…]

Finding hidden income

Finding hidden income in Michigan divorce and support cases. (c) 2015  Finding hidden would be easy if everyone put cash under the mattress.  The fact is, finding hidden income is sometimes hard.  Discovering hidden income can impact child support, spousal support (alimony) and property division.  Here are some simple techniques to discovering hidden income: Look at[…]

Custody in Michigan – Best interest of the child factor (e)

Custody in Michigan – Best interest of the child factor (e) One of the twelve child custody factors set forth in the Child Custody Act is best interest of the child factor (e). Best interest of the child factor (e) examines the permanence, as a family unit of the proposed custodial home or homes.  Best interest[…]

Taxes and divorce

Taxes and divorce  April is tax season and questions about taxes and divorce are numerous in our Michigan divorce and family law practice.  Here are some key tax  considerations in preparing your 2014 tax return.  Divorce or separation brings many changes. Some of the changes have tax and divorce issues. Change of name: If you restored[…]

Divorce tricks

The top five dirty divorce tricks

   The top five dirty divorce tricks Divorce can be coupled with anger, jealousy and other deep emotional triggers.  These triggers can result in revengeful gamesmanship or greed.  Some spouses will use every trick in the book to win at all costs. 1.  Conflicting out top attorneys: It is important to hire a top attorney[…]

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The right to travel, passport confiscation and child support? 

Can a court take a passport to enforce child support?  The answer may surprise you. Every U.S. citizen has a fundamental right to travel.  The fundamental right to travel was first addressed by the Supreme Court in 1920 in the landmark case of United States v. Wheeler 254, U.S. 281 (1920) when the Court held[…]

Cause of divorce

The “real” number one cause of divorce will surprise you.

What is the number one cause of divorce? As a divorce attorney in practice for almost 20 years, I have a unique perspective in answering the question as I have asked virtually every client I have represented why they are getting divorced.   In fact, under Michigan divorce law, the answer to the question can have important[…]

Custody in Michigan – Best interest of the child factor (d)

Custody in Michigan – Best interest of the child factor (d) One of the twelve child custody factors set forth in the Child Custody Act is best interest of the child factor (d).  Best interest of the child factor (d) examines the length of time a child has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment, and[…]

The Friend of the Court Referee

The Friend of the Court Referee A Friend of the court referee is appointed by the chief Judge to assist in Michigan divorce, custody and domestic relations cases.  A Michigan Friend of the Court Referee power is defined in Michigan Compiled Laws Section 552.507. Michigan law (MCL 552.507) provides that a Friend of the Court[…]

role of fault

Fault and Alimony in Michigan

Fault and Alimony in Michigan This article discusses the role of fault and alimony in Michigan divorce cases.  Fault is one of 11 factors a court should consider when deciding if an award of alimony in Michigan is appropriate.  When the legislature changed divorce law in Michigan in 1971 from a fault based system to[…]

Michigan Divorce Evidence – The Rules of Evidence

Michigan divorce evidence – The Michigan Rules of Evidence The introduction of Michigan divorce evidence is governed by the Michigan rules of evidence.  The Michigan rules of evidence apply in every Michigan divorce case that goes to court from a simple motion to a complex trial.  Imagine wanting to introduce very important evidence only to[…]

Custody in Michigan – Best interest of the child factor (c)

Custody in Michigan – Best interest of the child factor (c) One of the twelve child custody factors set forth in the Child Custody Act is best interest of the child factor (c) is .  Best interest of the child factor (c) examines the capacity and disposition of the parties involved to provide the child[…]

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Parenting time bracket

Parenting time bracket By:  Daniel Findling (c) 2015 Most people are familiar with a sports bracket but what about a parenting time bracket?  A sports bracket often accompanies a tournament and is a tree diagram matching different teams in a tournament such as the NCAA basketball tournament. A parenting time bracket can be used to[…]

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Changes in Macomb County divorce court

Changes at Macomb County divorce court Change is the law of life.  Judge Kathryn Vivano of the Macomb County divorce court is leaving the Macomb County Divorce court and she will be serving the Macomb County business court.  The Michigan Supreme Court in which her brother serves as a Supreme Court Justice, issued Administrative Order[…]

Custody in Michigan – Best interest of the child factor (b)

Custody in Michigan – Best interest of the child factor (b) One of the twelve “best interest of the child” child custody factors set forth in the Child Custody Act is best interest of the child factor (b).  Best interest of the child factor (b) examines the capacity and disposition of the parties involved to[…]

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