Divorce Lawyer Birmingham, MI

Every divorce represents a unique chapter in the life of the couple who goes through it. There is no way to predict exactly how your divorce will proceed, but there are some basic principles that generally apply and some things that you can do to help ensure that you obtain divorce terms that work for you and your children. If you are facing a divorce, one of the most important things you can do to help protect your financial and parental rights is to work closely with an experienced divorce lawyer in Birmingham, MI, from the outset. 

The Unique Terms of Your Divorce

The terms of your divorce will be unique to your family, but the basic issues you need to resolve under Michigan law remain constant and include:

• The division of your marital property
• Your child custody arrangements 
• Child support 
• Alimony (also called spousal support)

The most important point about these categories is that if you and your divorcing spouse can find a middle ground within each, you will set your own divorce terms – that the court is very likely to sign off on. If, however, there are one or more terms that you are unable to agree upon, the court will intervene and make the determination for you. One of the most important roles your divorce attorney will fill is helping you successfully negotiate terms with your soon-to-be-ex that you can both live with and that support your rights. 

The Division of Your Marital Property

Marital property references the assets you accumulate as a married couple, which are to be divided fairly and equitably (relative to your situation) in the event of divorce. Your separate property that you bring into the marriage with you and that you keep separate will typically remain separate, but there are wide-ranging complications that tend to apply. 

Your Child Custody Arrangements and Child Support

In the State of Michigan, child custody is divided into legal custody, which pertains to whether one or both parents will make important decisions on their children’s behalf moving forward, and physical custody (also called your parenting plan), which relates to the schedule that delineates when your children live with each of you. Sometimes, the children live primarily with one parent and have a visitation schedule with the other, and sometimes, their time is split more equally between both parents. 

Child support is the state’s financial tool for balancing both parents’ financial responsibilities to their shared children, and it is determined according to the Michigan Child Support Formula. 

Alimony

While many divorces do not address alimony, it is a financial tool that is deemed appropriate when one spouse faces a financial downturn with divorce, and the other spouse has the financial means to rectify the matter. 

Turn to an Experienced Divorce Lawyer in Birmingham, Michigan, Today

The accomplished divorce lawyers at the Law Offices of Robbins & Licavoli in Birmingham, Michigan, have the experience, resources, and legal insight to help you obtain divorce terms that will allow you to move forward with increased confidence in your post-divorce future. For more information about how we can help you, please do not hesitate to contact us today.