Birmingham Divorce Lawyers

In Michigan, the following are true for every divorce:

• All divorces are filed as no-fault divorces, which means that the filing spouse does not need to provide a “ground,” or reason, for the divorce;
• To file for divorce in Michigan, the filing spouse must have resided in the state for at least 180 days and the county in which he or she files for at least 10 days;
• If an individual does not live in the same county as his or her spouse, he or she may file for divorce in the county where the spouse resides; and
• If the non-filing spouse is a citizen of another country and there is a reasonable concern that he or she will take the couple’s minor child out of the United States and detain him or her in the other country, the filing spouse is not held to the 10 day filing requirement.

Why Do Couples Divorce?

Simply put, couples divorce because they are incompatible. Common issues that drive couples to divorce include:

• Consistent arguing with no resolution;
• Differences in ideology about the lifestyle they will follow;
• Domestic violence; and
• Infidelity.

Issues to Determine During the Divorce Process

During the divorce process, the court works to reach a settlement that is fair to both parties. The issues that may be included in a couple’s divorce settlement include:

• Their child custody and child support agreements;
• Their spousal support agreement; and
• The division of the couple’s marital property, such as their home, their bank accounts, and any other assets.

Sometimes, an issue finalized in a couple’s divorce settlement needs to be revisited and resettled at a later date. For example, if a spouse who receives spousal support remarries, he or she is not longer entitled to receive spousal support from a former spouse.

How a Divorce Lawyer Can Help You

It is true that you can complete the divorce process without a lawyer. However, it is not advised. Even in a divorce where the parties agree to the terms of their settlement, it is still in each party’s best interest to retain an experienced divorce lawyers to guide them through each step of the process and handle any problems that arise.

For example, your spouse could attempt to hide assets to keep them out of the divorce division. If you are not the one who handles your financial matters, you might have no idea if your spouse does this. A lawyer can protect your rights by investigating all aspects of your marriage completely and ensure you receive a fair settlement.

Work with an Experienced Birmingham Divorce Lawyer

If your marriage has reached the point where it cannot be repaired, do not take it as a personal failure. Sometimes, people simply are not compatible, even if they once were quite compatible and were able to make their marriage work for many years. Speak with one of the experienced Birmingham divorce lawyers at Iafrate & Salassa, P.C. to learn more about your rights and the divorce process. Contact our firm today to schedule your free legal consultation.