As family law and divorce attorneys, we are frequently asked: what do I do if I am served with a complaint for divorce? How does Michigan handle divorce? How long do I have to respond? What is default?
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In the shadow of a failing marriage and the accompanying emotional pain, divorce is often the only solution to a better life. It is a very consequential decision to make and one that should not be taken lightly. Before a woman files for divorce, she should ask herself seven key questions.
You’ve heard of the expression: “Jack of all trades, master of none.” It applies to the practice of law, now, more than ever. As time goes on, the laws change and procedures change. The need to deal with a specialist is paramount as there is a separate body of law for each legal subject that the practitioner must know. With family law, there is even a separate division of the Circuit Court (Family Court Division) to handle the cases. An attorney will also have to deal with the Friend of the Court personnel for each county in which they practice. If an attorney is out of their element, how effective can he or she be? If the matter is highly contested and/or there are complex issues, the answer becomes even more obvious.
In Michigan, legal separation is referred to as “Separate Maintenance”. A separate maintenance agreement is not appropriate for every situation. You can physically separate on your own without any legal intervention. However, if you want to ensure that certain protections such as bills getting paid or that you receive support for you and your children, you will need to have the involvement of the Family Court.