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Oakland County Family Law Attorneys Serving Clients Throughout Michigan

At Robbins and Licavoli, we are committed to helping our clients find the best legal solution by providing the best representation possible. Our attorneys take great pride in providing a high level of individualized attention to each of our clients. We take the time to fully understand your situation, provide an honest assessment of your options and advocate for the best possible outcomes at every step. Our Oakland County family law attorneys are known not only for their ability to litigate contested matters, but also for effective use of their experience, knowledge and talents to achieve negotiated settlements.

Roadmap to Divorce in Michigan

Find Out If You Qualify For Divorce

You must be a Michigan resident for at least 180 days.

1
File a Complaint

File a complaint, which is a legal document that’s served to the spouse.

2
Respond to the Complaint

The defendant has 21 days to confirm or deny all statements.

3
Issue a Temporary Order

This order is typically for couples with minor children.

4
Discovery Phase

We gather relevant information based on what might be contested.

5
Begin Negotiations

Settlement negotiations begin through proposals or in-person meetings.

6
Mediation

Both parties may choose mediation at any stage of the divorce.

7
Appearing in Court

If a divorce goes to court, we will help you prepare.

8
Schedule a Settlement Conference

Both parties attend a conference to solve relevant issues.

9
Final Judgment Is Issued

The Judgement of Divorce is issued, which formally grants the divorce.

10

Oakland County Lawyers Answer Frequently Asked Questions about Divorce and Custody

DIVORCE FAQs

If you are facing divorce, you likely have many questions during this difficult time. Here, we address some common concerns people have
when they come to our conveniently located offices in Bloomfield Hills.

There is a required waiting period before a divorce judgment can be entered in Michigan, which begins when the divorce is filed. This can be 60 or 180 days, depending on whether minor children are involved. A judge can choose to shorten the waiting period in some cases, but the total waiting period will remain at least 60 days.

This is the minimum amount of time it takes to grant a Michigan divorce, and there is no standard timeframe for these cases. The specific circumstances of your case will determine how long the process takes. The experienced family law attorneys at Robbins & Licavoli can assess all the factors in your situation and help you know what to expect as your case proceeds.

An attorney may be able to help you uncover these assets in a process known as discovery. This can be done by sending your spouse interrogatories (a list of questions that are answered under oath) or issuing subpoenas. At Robbins & Licavoli, we know that every case is different. Our attorneys are here to make sure you completely understand your case. We have experience with complex property division and can help you decide what course of action is in your best interest.

Michigan is a “no-fault” state for divorce, which means it is not necessary to prove issues such as cheating, abandonment or abuse in order to be granted a divorce. However, these factors can be taken into consideration when deciding child custody, property division, and spousal support matters.

A fair or equitable division of assets is required by law in Michigan. This often means a 50/50 split, but not always. If there is a dispute over how to divide marital property, a judge or mediator may consider factors such as the spouses’ age and health, contributions of each spouse, fault and earning ability in determining an equitable split. Property acquired before the marriage may be considered separate property, and usually only marital property will be considered as part of the divorce. The attorneys at Robbins & Licavoli can assist you in establishing what constitutes separate property and what is considered marital property, and help you protect your interests before and after the divorce.

Alimony, also known as spousal support, is available in Michigan for either spouse. The court will consider several factors before awarding spousal support, including the length of the marriage, other assets to be divided, age, and ability to work just to name a few. A knowledgeable divorce lawyer can help you determine if requesting alimony is appropriate in your situation. The attorneys at Robbins & Licavoli have helped many clients successfully resolve alimony requests. To discuss your situation, set up a consultation today.

The cost associated with a divorce can vary widely. Potential costs include attorney’s fees and court costs, and in some cases hiring a real estate appraiser, business valuator or tax advisor may be necessary. You may choose to hire an attorney for consultation purposes only, or full representation throughout your case, and this will also have an impact on the total cost of your divorce.

Generally, each spouse pays for their own legal fees. However, exceptions are made, for example, when one spouse earns significantly more than the other, or if one spouse is uncooperative with the proceedings and creates unnecessary legal fees for the other party. The judge may also order that some marital property be liquidated in order to cover the costs of the divorce. If you believe your spouse should cover a portion of your legal fees, it’s best to discuss this with your lawyer early in the process.

Same-sex couples may exercise their right to separate and to divorce in Michigan courts. This may include making decisions about child custody and support, property division and all other critical issues that are addressed in family law cases.

Deciding to end a marriage is difficult for any couple and should be handled with compassion and understanding by the lawyer you choose to represent you. Each case is unique, and the attorneys at Robbins & Licavoli can provide clients with options to achieve the best possible outcome for you and your family.

If you and your spouse are willing to negotiate and agree on most issues surrounding the divorce, a legal process known as collaborative divorce may be a good option. This may involve both spouses sitting down with a mediator to discuss the divorce agreement. Collaborative divorce can help some couples avoid going to court, but it is still strongly recommended that you consult with an attorney to review any agreements and offer legal guidance to help protect your interests. To learn more and find out if collaborative divorce is a good option for you, contact Robbins & Licavoli to schedule a consultation.

Meet Our Attorneys

Bryan M. Robbins

Founding Partner of Robbins
and Licavoli, PLLC.

Bryan M. Robbins is a Founding Partner of Robbins and Licavoli, PLLC. Mr. Robbins practice focuses exclusively on Family Law, with an emphasis on divorce and child custody matters…

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Matthew H. Licavoli

Founding Partner of Robbins
and Licavoli, PLLC.

Matthew H. Licavoli is a Founding Partner of Robbins and Licavoli, PLLC. Mr. Licavoli’s practice focuses in the area of Family Law with attention to divorce, child custody and spousal support…

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Get in Touch with Robbins & Licavoli