Bloomfield Hills Divorce Lawyer

Getting divorced can be a complicated process and even in the best-case scenario, it is stressful and emotional for all parties involved. Working with a competent Bloomfield Hills divorce lawyer can reduce the amount of stress you feel as you work through the divorce process and potentially increase your likelihood of achieving your divorce goals.

Laws Governing Michigan Divorces

Michigan, like every other state in the country, has specific laws that govern divorces. Although divorces are handled at the county level, statewide rules apply to all divorces filed and completed in Michigan. These rules include:

• Michigan’s residency requirement. To divorce in Michigan, either of the spouses must have been a resident of the state for at least 180 days prior. He or she may file for divorce in the county where he or she or the spouse lives, provided they have lived in that county for at least 10 days;
• In Michigan, each divorcing couple’s marital asset pool is divided according to the doctrine of equitable distribution; and
• Every divorce filed in Michigan is a no-fault divorce, which means the couple may only state the “irretrievable breakdown” of their marriage as the reason for their divorce.

Elements of a Divorce

A divorce will involve the distribution of the couple’s marital assets, which include the assets the couple obtained during their marriage. Assets obtained by one party through inheritance or as gifts, and assets owned prior to entering the marriage, are known as separate assets and remain with their original owners. The only exception to this is when an initially separate asset changes in value during the marriage due to the effort from the other spouse, like a home increasing in value as a spouse helps to pay down its mortgage and improve the property.

Depending on the couple’s circumstances, their divorce order may also include:

• A child custody order;
• A child support order; and
• A spousal support order.

Completing the Divorce Process

When you are working through a divorce, your lawyer is your advocate. He or she will help you gather and use the evidence you need to support your positions on issues related to your children’s custody and how your assets are broken down. Your lawyer may also advise you to complete your divorce outside of the courtroom through mediation or collaboration if he or she feels you are a good fit for one of these methods.

Work with an Experienced Bloomfield Hills Divorce Lawyer

When you know you are ready to file for divorce, your next step should be to discuss your case in detail with an experienced Michigan divorce lawyer. Contact our team at Iafrate & Salassa, P.C. today to set up your free legal consultation in our office, during which we can go over your case in detail to determine the most effective course of action for your divorce.