Macomb County
Family Lawyer
In family law matters, the stakes are often very high, and the issues tend to be deeply personal. The decisions you make in your case could affect you, your children, and finances for many years. Whether you are considering entering a marital agreement, establishing the paternity of your child, or facing a divorce, your case is important.
If you are in a legal situation involving your loved ones, seek skilled guidance from a Macomb County family lawyer. Our firm’s experienced attorneys represent families in a broad range of legal disputes and will work to find solutions that meet your current and long-term goals.
Families Involved in a Divorce
Divorce is a complicated legal matter that involves not just the couple but also their children and extended families. The process can be frustrating and full of unpleasant surprises for anyone who is not familiar with it.
While each case is unique, a divorce always begins with one spouse filing a Complaint for Divorce in the county where either spouse has lived for at least 10 days. The other spouse is then served with the divorce papers and must file a response within 21 days if they live in Michigan, or 28 days if they reside out of state. The parties may negotiate their divorce terms and, if they reach an agreement, present it to a judge and finalize their marriage dissolution.
If the spouses do not resolve their case, they may proceed to a contested divorce trial before a Macomb County circuit court judge. The judge will listen to their evidence and legal arguments and render a final decision on all issues, including child custody, spousal support, and the division of the parties’ marital assets. An experienced family lawyer could prepare the divorce pleadings, participate in settlement negotiations, and represent a party in court.
While our attorneys routinely handle divorce and cases involving the care and custody of children, they can also assist with a myriad of other family law matters. For example, if a developmentally disabled child needs continuing care after turning 18, or an elderly loved one can no longer care for themselves and needs someone to manage their affairs, one of our lawyers can help a family member file for guardianship. Guardianship proceedings can be complex, especially if the vulnerable family member does not want a guardian. Because guardianship removes some fundamental rights from a vulnerable person, the family member seeking to step in as a guardian should consider working with a local attorney experienced in guardianship cases.
Collecting Child Support with a Family Attorney’s Help
Under Michigan’s Support and Parenting Time Enforcement Act, both parents are required to provide financial support for their children. The noncustodial parent must generally make child support payments to the custodial parent to help cover childcare costs. The support amount is set by the Michigan Child Support Formula (MCSF), a mathematical calculation that factors the parents’ incomes, the number of children, and the amount of time they spend with each parent.
Accurately determining child support under the MCSF can be challenging, especially if a child has special educational or medical needs. A knowledgeable family lawyer at our firm understands the applicable child support guidelines in Macomb County and could assist a parent with calculating and collecting the correct support amount.
Call a Macomb County Family Law Attorney to Learn More
Family law cases are among the most difficult to resolve due to the personal nature and legal complexity of the issues involved. A compassionate Macomb County family lawyer understands the emotions that often accompany legal matters involving family members and can approach these cases objectively and compassionately for your benefit. Our attorneys strive to resolve each family’s legal issues in a way that allows them to move beyond the conflict and on with their lives, so call today to get started.