How to Cope with Divorce

Choosing divorce means closing a major chapter in your life and making room for another to begin. Divorce is also a serious change, and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s important to check in with yourself and your emotional state during the process to make sure you’re doing alright.

If you’re currently going through a divorce or just beginning the process, we’d like to share a few key pieces of advice to help you through the Michigan divorce process.

1. Gather your support system. There are a lot of changes you may not consider when choosing divorce—aside from ending a marriage, you’re also likely to change residences, adjust finances and worry about a custody arrangement for your children. These are all major things that you need support with. Family and friends will be there for you, so be sure to utilize them when you need to talk.

2. Give yourself time. Time to reflect and time to decide what you want for your future. This isn’t the time to make rushed decisions. Instead, focus on the life you’re leaving behind and look to the future at where you’d like to go.

3. Determine how you feel. Taking time to feel your feelings is crucial in accepting your divorce and moving forward. If you feel sad, that’s ok! If you feel mad, that’s ok too. You’ll experience a spectrum of emotions during a divorce.

4. Do something for yourself. While going through a divorce can be time-consuming, it’s important to remember that you need to put yourself first—maybe something you didn’t do during your marriage. Take time to feel relaxed, centered and happy. This may mean starting a new hobby or simply spending more time with friends. Taking up exercise is also a great idea.

Need an Expert Michigan Attorney?

We’d love to help you during this trying time. To learn more about our services and how a family law attorney can help you, schedule your free, no obligation phone consultation today. We can’t wait to help reduce the amount of stress you’re experiencing by providing you he expert legal advice you deserve.

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Having more than 40 years of experience as a Michigan divorce attorney has allowed our firm to help thousands upon thousands of clients. Throughout each case, there are a few questions that always come up early on.

If you’re in the early stages of divorce and are wondering what you should know, we’d like to help.

Below, find the top three questions we’re asked about divorce to better prepare yourself for the process. If you have additional questions, we’re just a phone call away.

1. How long does it take to get a divorce in Michigan?

If you don’t have children, the minimum wait time for a divorce in Michigan is 60 days. If you do have children, the period of time is much longer—six months to be exact (at a minimum). The clock in either scenario begins when one party officially files for divorce. For a divorce to move quickly through the time frame, both parties must be willing to cooperate and give or take. Typically speaking, most divorces are finalized in Michigan in between three to nine months.

2. Do I have to go to court?

Yes, you will need to make an appearance in court, however, it’s likely that it won’t take up too much of your time. In a Michigan divorce, all of your paperwork and filing needs will be handled by your attorney, and you’ll only be requested to be present in court when the judge needs both spouses there.

3. What is an uncontested divorce?

An uncontested divorce includes proceedings in which both spouses agree to the terms without opposition or petition. You can think of an uncontested divorce as an “agreeable” divorce or one where full consent is given. This goes for things like property and debts, alimony, child visitation and custody as well as alimony or child support.

Learn How We Can Help You

We’d love to learn more about your case and how we can be of assistance when it comes to your divorce. We’re happy to offer new clients a free, no obligation consultation which we urge you to take advantage of.

Our expert Michigan attorneys can’t wait to help you finalize your divorce and get back to living your life.

Get started today!

One of the most critical, and often demanding or stressful, parts of divorce is the division of property. When both spouses can’t agree, legal experts need to get involved to manage the situation.

At our firm, we have years of experience helping clients just like yourself exit divorce with the property they’re seeking.

There are several things you should know about property and asset division before you jump into a divorce. To better help you learn the basics, check out these four things you should know.

1. Settlements of property are typically final. Things like child support, visitation, custody or alimony can be open to renegotiation down the line, however, when property has been divided, it’s usually cut and dry.

2. You must be honest about financial declarations. The value of your marital estate needs to be accurate and honest. Don’t try to hide things. If you do, and the judge finds out, it’s not going to bode well for you in a court of law. Also, don’t try to hide assets, whether monetary or physical objects.

3. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Remember that divorce can bring out the worst in both people—try not to behave out of spite or “just because”. The longer both parties’ argue will also result in higher legal bills.

4. Pets are property in a judge’s eyes. Determining which party is best suited to care for a pet can be a difficult task. If you end up letting go of your four legged friend to be cared for by your ex, realize there are plenty of adoptable pets at your local shelter that would love a home with you.

Get the Expert Help You Need

At Goldman & Associates law firm, our team of experienced Michigan family law attorneys can help you divide your property in a way that’s pleasing and desired by both parties. If you’d like to learn more about your options, we invite you to contact our firm to schedule a free, no obligation consultation today.

We look forward to speaking with you about your legal needs!

Divorce is a big step that solidifies the end of a relationship, and if you aren’t 100% certain it’s right for you, it’s worth exploring other options before going through with the process.

One such option is legal separation, which allows for a sort of “trial divorce” before anything is set in stone.

Let’s start by defining legal separation. Legal separation is nearly identical to divorce; however the marriage will not be completely dissolved until you decide divorce is right for you.

At our practice, we have years of experience helping individuals and couples just like yourself decide which option is best for them, and then can work with you to create a custom agreement that fits both spouses needs. Below, find some of the pros and cons of choosing legal separation over divorce.

The Pros

• It’s no secret that married couples receive federal tax breaks—with a legal separation, since you aren’t divorced, you’d continue to benefit from them.
• It’s possible you could reconcile your marriage. This is something you want to figure out before going through with a divorce!
• For religious reasons, some people choose legal separation instead of divorce.
• You’re simply not ready to finalize a divorce agreement. Maybe you need more time to think it over or get your ducks in a row. Whatever the case, legal separation affords you both this time to do so.
• Legal separation agreements can contain child support, custody arrangements, spousal support and property division just like a divorce.
• You or your spouse can remain on one another’s health insurance plan.

The Cons

• If you’re in a legal separation with your current spouse, you won’t be able to remarry until you are officially divorced.
• In terms of financial responsibility, you’ll still be tied to one another. If you’d like to cut financial ties, legal separation is not the best option.
• You’re certain you want a divorce. Starting with a legal separation will only make the process longer and more stressful.

What is Best For You?

Still not certain which option is best for you and your family? Our team would love to help you figure it out and is happy to offer you a free phone consultation to learn more about your case. To get started, please contact us for your no obligation consult.

We can’t wait to help you restore peace and happiness to your life.

No one ever believes it’s going to happen to them, but statistics don’t lie—today, nearly half of all marriages end in divorce.

If divorce happens to you, it’s a time to restart. At our law firm, we’ve helped many clients through their divorces only to see them thrive when the process is all said and done.

We want the same for you! Check out these helpful tips for beginning your new life after a divorce.

1. Remember who you are. In a marriage, it’s easy to lose a sense of who you are and adapt to what your partner wanted you to be. Now is your chance to get back to your roots and discover what you truly want in life and a relationship, while being your happy, healthy self.

2. It’s OK to grieve. Did you know that getting a divorce is one of the most stressful life experiences a person can go through second only to the death of a spouse? If you don’t properly grieve, you’ll bury harsh emotions and resentment that can make you angry. Allow yourself the time you need to “let go”.

3. Get a therapist or life coach. This will help you set yourself up for success in life and potential relationships following your divorce. A therapist or life coach can work with you to help you get over any resentment or negativity manifesting itself in your life post-divorce. They can also help you understand what your children may be going through, should you have them.

4. Try something new. This could be as simple as taking an art class or making new friends. It’s common for a divorce to leave you feeling anti-social, but do your best to fight those feelings and put yourself out there.

5. Most importantly, forgive. While this is definitely the hardest part of any divorce and starting over, it’s necessary. Remember, this isn’t something that’s going to happen overnight—you’ll need to work through forgiveness and learn to accept what’s happened in your life. You’re human, and so is your ex.

Get Help From a Michigan Divorce Attorney

We’d love to learn about your situation and how we can help you through the divorce process should you be seeking a trusted lawyer. At our firm, we have more than four decades of experience helping clients just like yourself.

Discover the Goldman & Associates difference—contact us today to schedule your free consultation. We look forward to hearing from you.

When you’re going through a divorce and have children, it’s important to make arrangements and agreements with your ex-spouse on how you’ll continue to co-parent your kids.

While many think a divorce involves simply setting child custody and support, there are other factors you should consider.

Check out these five tips that parents often overlook when it comes to parenting provisions during divorce.

1. No stealing time. Though it can seem petty, sometimes, parents may sign children up for extracurricular activities scheduled during the ex-partner’s time. Before doing something like this, make sure to talk to your ex about the activity your child wants to participate in and get the “all clear” from them.

2. Consider weekend time. Let’s face it, life happens and sometimes it’s difficult to stick exactly to your set parenting plan. Things pop up on weekends—sometimes, events that you’d like to take your children to. This could frustrate the other parent. Consider adding a provision that states neither parent is able to go three consecutive weekends without seeing the child(ren).

3. Try to settle things out of court when possible. It’s possible to include a provision in your custody arrangement that states both parties will first attempt to work out any new difficulties through a third-party mediator before going to court. Because court can leave a sour taste in one another’s mouth, this could be a good idea for you.

4. Think about electronic time. In today’s world, kids often find themselves glued to a screen—be it a computer, tablet or smartphone. Make sure you and your ex are on the same page when it comes to electronic time so that one parent isn’t allowing for too much while the other is stricter.

5. Don’t badmouth one another. It’s no secret that not all marriages end on great terms. If you think it might take a while to develop a healthy co-parenting relationship with your ex-partner, consider adding a “no badmouthing” provision to your child custody arrangement. This way, both parents will be legally obligated to focus on the children only while refraining from nasty comments about one another.

Need Help With Your Divorce?

We’d love to speak with you about exactly what we can do. Contact an expert Michigan family law attorney to learn more about your options.

We’ll do everything we can to help you and your family reach the outcomes you desire.

Schedule your free, no obligation consultation with us today by calling (248) 588-3333.

Whether it’s been on your mind for years or yourself or your partner is just now considering it, divorce should never be taken lightly.

Sometimes, divorce feels rushed into. If you’re struggling with whether or not divorce is right for your relationship, we want to help. Before filing paperwork to begin the process, ask yourself if you’ve done all you could to save the relationship.

Here are five things to consider.

1. Come up with a plan of action. Instead of moping around or panicking, it’s time to focus on what you can do. First and foremost, you’ll need to come up with a plan of action which might include some of the steps below.

2. Don’t play the victim. Whether you’re the partner who initially sparked the idea of divorce or you feel you’ve been blindsided, it’s important to not play the victim. Remind yourself of the good qualities you bring to your partner and yourself. Have gratitude for yourself and your partner.

3. Uncover what needs to change. Whether you feel you’ve just “lost that lovin’ feeling” or you need to do some digging and reflection, deciding what needs to change for you both to remain in a happy, healthy relationship is key. Try not to focus only on what the other person needs to do, but what you can do as well.

4. Be confident. It’s important to believe in yourself whether you’re facing divorce or any type of stress in your life. If you know that you deserve love and happiness, it will find you or come back to you.

5. Consider counseling. Talk to a marriage counselor either by yourself or ideally with your partner. Some people benefit from both individual treatment and couples’ therapy.

Is It Time to Let Go?

If you’ve done all you can to stop your divorce from happening but believe there’s no saving your relationship, we understand the position you’re in and we’d love to help.

Contact our practice today to schedule your free, no obligation consultation with our expert Michigan family law attorneys today.

We can’t wait to help you get through this trying time and set up your future for success.

Going through a divorce is never easy. When you have children, tensions can rise even more when trying to set a child custody arrangement that works for the both of you.

To help you make the best decisions and avoid additional unneeded stress, take a look at some of the common mistakes people make during a child custody battle and do your best to avoid them.

1. Respect the temporary custody order in place, if there is one. Before a divorce or child custody schedule is finalized, a court may sometimes implement a temporary one. Respect this court order without problem and things will work more smoothly in your favor for the permanent order. This will also give each parent time to figure out what works for them and what doesn’t, which you can then bring in front of the judge or mediator.

2. Do not bash your ex on social media. Let’s face it, everyone has a Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. While these platforms should be used for sharing fun moments happening in your life, some people decide to bash others. It’s especially important to refrain from any poor choices of judgement regarding social media and your ex. If you feel the need to rant, keep a personal diary or journal instead of making a public plea.

3. Don’t make communication difficult. When children are involved in your divorce, they should be your number one focus. You’re going to need to communicate with your ex until your kids are 18 years old and probably beyond. Act with the intent of a responsible and cooperative adult when it comes to communicating with your ex. Remember, it’s all for the best interest of your children.

Need an Expert Michigan Attorney?

One way you can avoid making mistakes during a child custody battle? Hiring us.

We’d love to help you learn more about how we can assist you and your family during this trying time. To schedule your free, no obligation consultation with an experienced Michigan child custody attorney, call us today at (248) 588-3333.

We look forward to helping you!

When you’re considering divorce, chances are everyone in your life has an opinion. While some will be valid and helpful, others may drag you down.

As expert Michigan attorneys who have helped thousands of people in your shoes before, we want to offer a bit of help and advice for those considering divorce.

1. Put your kids first. If you have children, divorce can be harder on them that it is on you. Remember to consider their needs first and foremost as they didn’t ask to be in this situation. Make it clear to your partner that what’s in the best interest of the children should be put first always.

2. Educate yourself on the divorce process. It’s helpful to know about the timeline of a Michigan divorce and what you can expect along the way. The best way to do this is to contact a Michigan divorce lawyer who offers free, no obligation consultations. We’re happy to provide this for you—simply give us a call at (248) 588-3333.

3. Get your financial documents in a row. If a divorce is amicable, it tends to not be too difficult to get copies of important paperwork that you’ll need during the process. However, if you feel your divorce could get messy, it’s best to get ahead of it and make copies of your important paperwork before it suddenly “goes missing”.

4. Consider your options for divorce before you file. A divorce doesn’t always have to end up in court followed by a grueling custody battle. Instead, explore your options like mediation or even collaborative divorce, which you can settle without ever having to step foot in a court room. If you’d like to learn more about these options, contact our firm and we’d be happy to discuss them with you and why they’re beneficial.

5. Hire an experienced family law attorney. There’s no reason to tackle a divorce by yourself, and chances are if you try, it won’t end up in your favor. The legal system can be taxing and stressful, and it’s difficult to navigate by yourself. At our law firm, we have a team of lawyers who have helped individuals just like you.

Need Help With Your Divorce?

Let our expert Michigan divorce lawyers be a sounding board for your legal troubles. Schedule your free, no obligation consultation today by giving us a call.

We look forward to learning more about your needs and doing all that we can to ensure a positive outcome for your entire family.

Get started today!

If you’re going through a divorce, you know there are a lot of factors to consider—if you have children, you’ll be setting up child custody or visitation schedules. If you own property together, you’ll have to figure out who gets what.

Another common actor of divorce is alimony, also known as spousal support.

By definition, alimony is a type of financial support provided to a spouse during and/or after a divorce or legal separation.

So, how do you know if you’re entitled to alimony, or if your spouse may be? Here are a few things to consider when it comes to spousal support in Michigan.

Marriage length: If you’ve been married for less than five years, it’s unlikely that a court will grant either spouse alimony, however, that is not absolute. There are, of course, extenuating circumstances that may sway the courts opinion.

Earning capacity and workforce re-entry: When a marriage comes to an end and one spouse has supported the other for a while, a judge may deem spousal support necessary until thee supported spouse has the ability to re-enter the workforce. In this situation, the other spouse has been working for years, so a judge may feel it’s necessary for alimony to be paid to the other party for a set amount of time.

Financial resources: Whether or not the husband or wife has the ability to live on their own while supporting themselves and children will be taken into consideration. If a spouse didn’t work for some time yet has a great deal of money in his or her savings account, this is considered a financial resource that could be tapped into with alimony not necessarily being granted.

Marriage contribution: A judge will likely consider how each party has financially contributed to the marriage when determining alimony. In the case of a stay at home spouse, the judge will consider this a form of ‘work and support’ that was contributed to the household.

Schedule Your Family Law Consultation

If you have questions about spousal support or are going through a divorce and need proper legal assistance, we’d love to help. Contact our law firm today to schedule your free, no obligation consultation by calling (248) 588-3333 when you’re ready.

We look forward to working with you and fighting for your rights every step of the way.