If you are in an unhappy marriage, you might have considered filing for divorce. Filing for divorce is a big step, but sometimes, it is the best option for a couple who has tried and failed to repair the problems in their marriage. This is true even for couples who have children, who might be dissuaded from considering divorce because of the impact it would have on the children. The truth is, it is better for children to have divorced parents who can co-parent effectively than it is to grow up in a household where conflict and resentment are constantly present.
In Michigan, an individual must have resided in the state for at least 180 days in order to file for divorce. A divorce are filed with the circuit court of the county where at least one of the spouses lives and he or she must have lived in that county for at least 10 days prior to filing, unless he or she meets the following criteria:
Couples divorce for a variety of reasons. One of the most commonly-cited reasons for divorce is an inability to effectively resolve conflicts, especially concerning money. Other reasons why couples divorce include:
In Michigan, all divorces are no-fault divorces, which means that an individual is not required to give a reason why he or she is seeking the divorce when he or she files.
When you end your marriage, there are numerous issues you and your spouse need to work through with the court to ensure a fair outcome. These issues include:
Not every couple has to work through all of these issues. The fewer issues you have to determine, the quicker your divorce can be finalized. For example, a couple without children can divorce relatively quickly because they do not have to go through the process of determining custody and support arrangements.
A divorce lawyer can advocate for you throughout the divorce process. He or she can guide you through each interaction with the court and advise you about how to handle these interactions, such as what to expect and what to say.
Although divorce lawyers can be expensive, working with one to streamline the divorce process can actually save you money in the long run.
If you are unhappy in your marriage and you feel there is no way to rectify your issues, consider filing for a divorce to end your marriage. This is not an option that should be taken lightly, but it is also an option that you should not be afraid to think and talk about. To discuss the divorce process in greater detail, schedule your free legal consultation with a member of our team of St. Clair Shores divorce lawyers at Iafrate & Salassa, P.C.
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