Waldenburg Divorce Attorney

Getting divorced can be a complicated process. The best way to ensure that your rights are protected and your interests are promoted during your divorce is to work with an experienced divorce lawyer.

Getting Divorced in Michigan

Every state has specific rules for the divorce process. These are Michigan’s divorce rules and requirements:

• Michigan is a “no-fault” state when it comes to divorce. This means that you cannot cite a reason, or a “ground,” for your divorce. Instead, you may only cite “irreconcilable differences;”
• To file for divorce in Michigan, an individual must have been a resident of the state for at least 180 days. In most cases, he or she must also have been a resident of the county where he or she filed the petition for at least 10 days; and
• If a couple has no minor children, their divorce can be finalized in 60 days. If they have children, their divorce cannot be granted until six months have passed from the date it was filed.

Components of a Divorce Settlement

A divorce settlement is a set of court orders the couple must follow after the divorce is finalized. Depending on a couple’s circumstances, including how willing they are to work together to negotiate the terms of their divorce settlement, reaching a final settlement can be a fairly straightforward or drawn-out process.

Every divorce settlement includes a property division order. This is how the court divides a couple’s marital assets between them. In Michigan, marital assets and debts are divided according to the doctrine of equitable distribution.

If a couple has minor children, a child custody order and a child support order are part of their divorce settlement. A child custody order is a document that outlines the time the children will spend with each parent and each parent’s responsibilities toward the children after their divorce. Child support is the money one parent pays to the other to help with the expenses related to raising their children.

In cases in which one spouse opted out of the workforce or worked part-time to care for the couple’s home and children, a spousal support order may also be part of their divorce settlement.

What to Know Before You File for Divorce

Every divorce is unique. Although a close friend or relative can help you prepare for the divorce process by telling you about his or her experience with it, you cannot expect to have the exact same experience.

If you and your spouse can cooperate with each other, negotiating your divorce settlement out of court could be an option. In high-conflict situations and marriages where domestic violence and hiding assets are present, though, you are better off having the court handle your divorce.

Work with an Experienced Waldenburg Divorce Attorney

When you know your marriage is over, start working on your divorce with an experienced divorce attorneys. Contact our team at Iafrate & Salassa, P.C. today to set up your free initial consultation in our office today.