By David R. Dawson | Published May 15, 2020 | Posted in Divorce | Tagged Tags: estate planning, life insurance, marital property, retirement plans, trusts, wills |
How Divorce Can Affect Michigan Estate Planning
When a marriage doesn’t last until “death do us part,” the spouse’s estate plans will likely need updating. Property division, alimony and child support orders during a divorce can leave each spouse with a substantially different financial position than existed during the marriage. A divorcing person may also have a change of heart about who Read More
Read MoreWill the U.S. See its Divorce Rate Spike After the COVID-19 Quarantine Ends?
With so many American residents stuck at home with their families, prognosticators have predicted that several months down the road, the country could experience a baby boom and a divorce deluge. Unlike a cozy blizzard that keeps you home from work for a few days, a global pandemic that triggers shelter-in-place orders spreading over multiple Read More
Read MoreCommunicating With Your Ex About COVID-19 Custody Issues
During a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic, family becomes more important than ever, especially for children whose schedules have been disrupted by long-term school closures and the cancellation of other activities. Parents who are divorced or live apart for other reasons know the importance of maintaining healthy communication through difficult situations. Though this situation Read More
Read MoreWho Gets the Stimulus Check When Spouses Are Separated or Divorcing?
Going through a divorce is stressful enough, but the coronavirus pandemic spreading throughout the United States presents additional complications for spouses who have decided to split. In addition to changes that might need to be made regarding custody and visitation arrangements while travel is restricted, negotiations over property division need to address any new economic Read More
Read MoreFinding Hidden Assets in a Michigan Divorce
It is crucial to obtain full disclosure of your spouse’s assets if you hope for a fair court order regarding alimony and property division during a divorce. Though Michigan law requires both spouses to reveal all of their assets and liabilities, some people still try to skirt the law in the hope that it will Read More
Read MoreHow Social Media and Texting Can Affect Michigan Divorce Cases
Emotions tend to run high during a divorce, but it’s best to think twice before you take to social media to vent your frustrations or send a text fueled by anger. A rant written in the heat of the moment could have long-term consequences for you and your family. Social media posts and text messages Read More
Read MoreMarital Property in Michigan: Who Owns What After a Divorce?
In 2019, a Michigan appeals court affirmed an earlier court decision that a man who won $80 million in the lottery while going through a divorce owed half of the winnings to his ex-wife. Why? Although the couple had split up two years before the man purchased the lottery ticket, their divorce had not yet Read More
Read MoreHow Do Child Custody and Parenting Time Settlements Deal with Holidays?
Having to miss holidays with your child due to shared custody can be a difficult reality to face, but with a carefully prepared parenting plan, you can still be there for the important ones. The State of Michigan and Macomb County, along with many other counties, provide model parenting time guidelines. The “best practices” included Read More
Read MoreWhat Happens at a Michigan Mediation Hearing?
Compared to traditional litigation, mediation is often less time-consuming, more cost-effective and more civil. In addition, participants have a better opportunity for their voices and perspectives to be considered. The mediation process can be used to address a wide range of civil disputes, including those related to divorce. In fact, the majority of divorces in Read More
Read MoreIs Income From Separately Owned Property Considered Marital Property in a Michigan Divorce?
When ruling on property distribution during a divorce, Michigan courts must decide whether given assets are “marital” or “separate” in nature. Marital property is divided up as the court determines to be “equitable” based on a number of factors, With few exceptions, all property or income acquired by the spouses from their wedding day up Read More
Read More
