Divorce can be one of the most difficult transitions a person experiences. Along with the emotional challenges of ending a marriage, spouses may need to resolve disputes involving property, finances, child custody, parenting time, and child support. When spouses disagree about these issues, the divorce process can become more complicated.
Every divorce is different. Some couples reach agreements relatively quickly, while others need negotiation, mediation, or court intervention to resolve their differences. Having knowledgeable legal guidance can help you understand your options, protect your interests, and make informed decisions about your future.
At The Kronzek Firm PLC, we help individuals and families navigate difficult legal matters, including divorce and related family-law disputes. If you are considering divorce or have already begun the process, contact us online or call (248) 479-6200 to discuss your situation during an initial consultation.
Expert Divorce Attorneys Serving Macomb County
Divorce often involves decisions that can affect several aspects of your life long after the case is over. An agreement concerning the family home, for example, may affect your financial circumstances, while decisions about parenting time can influence your children’s routines and relationships.
Before agreeing to proposed divorce terms, it is important to understand their potential legal and financial consequences. A decision that appears straightforward may affect property division, spousal support, child support, or other issues. An attorney can help you evaluate proposed agreements and identify concerns before you commit to a particular course of action.
At The Kronzek Firm PLC, we work with clients to understand their priorities, evaluate their options, and navigate the divorce process. We recognize that divorce can create considerable uncertainty, particularly when spouses disagree about important issues. Our goal is to provide clear legal guidance so that you can make informed decisions at every stage of your case.
Whether your divorce involves relatively few disputes or complicated financial and family issues, legal representation can help you understand the process and prepare for the decisions ahead.
No-Fault Divorce in Macomb County
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. Under Michigan law, a person seeking a divorce must allege that the marital relationship has broken down to the extent that the objects of matrimony have been destroyed and there is no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved. The law does not require a spouse to prove adultery, abandonment, or another specific act of misconduct to obtain a divorce. See MCL 552.6.
However, no-fault divorce does not mean that a spouse’s conduct is irrelevant to every issue in the case. Depending on the circumstances, marital conduct may be relevant to matters such as property division, spousal support, or child custody. The court’s consideration of these issues depends on the applicable law and the evidence presented.
Michigan also has residency requirements for divorce proceedings. Generally, at least one spouse must have lived in Michigan for 180 days immediately before filing and in the county where the complaint is filed for at least 10 days immediately before filing, subject to statutory exceptions. See MCL 552.9.
Understanding these requirements and the issues that may arise in your particular case can help you prepare for the divorce process.
Divorce and Custody
When a divorcing couple has minor children, the divorce may also involve decisions about legal custody, physical custody, parenting time, and child support.
Legal custody concerns the authority to make important decisions about a child’s upbringing, including education, health care, and other significant matters. Depending on the circumstances and the court’s orders, parents may share legal custody or one parent may have sole legal custody.
Physical custody concerns where a child lives and the arrangements for the child’s care. Parenting time establishes when a child spends time with each parent. These arrangements can take different forms depending on the child’s needs, the parents’ circumstances, and the applicable legal standards.
When parents cannot agree on custody, Michigan courts make custody decisions according to the child’s best interests. The Child Custody Act identifies 12 best-interest factors that courts must consider and evaluate. These include the child’s emotional ties with each parent, the stability of the proposed homes, each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs, domestic violence, and each parent’s willingness and ability to support the child’s relationship with the other parent, subject to the statutory protections for reasonable protective actions. See MCL 722.23.
The appropriate custody and parenting-time arrangements depend on the facts of each case. An attorney can help you understand the relevant factors, prepare for negotiations or court proceedings, and evaluate proposed parenting arrangements.
Child support is another important consideration. Michigan’s child support guidelines help determine support obligations based on relevant financial information and other factors specified by the guidelines.
Your Macomb County CPS Defense Attorneys
Some divorce and custody disputes involve allegations of child abuse or neglect. When allegations are reported to Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Child Protective Services (CPS) may investigate the circumstances.
A CPS investigation can create additional stress for a parent who is already dealing with a divorce or custody dispute. Depending on the circumstances, the investigation may involve interviews, requests for information, home visits, or other investigative steps. The potential consequences depend on the allegations, the evidence, and the stage of the matter.
It is important to take CPS allegations seriously, even when you believe they are inaccurate or exaggerated. Parents should understand their rights, respond carefully to investigative requests, and seek appropriate legal advice about their circumstances.
Divorce and CPS proceedings involve different legal processes, and a strategy for one matter may not address every concern in the other. The Kronzek Firm PLC handles family-law matters and CPS defense, allowing us to assist families facing related legal challenges.
If you are involved in a divorce or custody dispute and are also facing a CPS investigation, obtaining guidance about both matters may help you better understand your options and responsibilities.
Free Macomb County Divorce Consultation
We want to work with you, not just for you. To find out if we would be a good match, meet with us for a free and confidential consultation. In our experience, this type of team approach produces the best results.
TALK TO A FAMILY LAW LAWYER
CALL (248) 479-6200