Navigating Tough Issues for Kids in a Divorce
Divorce doesn’t just end a marriage—it divides lives and nowhere is that more evident than when children are caught in the middle. You may have thought that sorting out custody and finances was hard enough, but the reality is that the real challenges often surface afterward. It’s the day-to-day decisions—the ones you never even considered […]
Child Custody for Fathers in Michigan: Protect Your Parental Rights
In almost every case involving a minor child, the father’s most important issue is protecting his rights. This happens in cases when the parents are married and when the parents were never married. What needs to be done to secure custody for fathers? What is equitable parenting time? Every case is different and has different […]
Property Division in Divorce – Insights from a Novi Divorce Attorney
Divorce can be an emotional and complex process, especially when it comes to dividing assets. As a Novi divorce attorney, I recently worked with a client whose situation sheds light on the unique challenges of property division in short-term marriages. Their story provides valuable lessons for anyone navigating similar circumstances in Novi, particularly regarding real […]
Your First Call to a Divorce Lawyer in Michigan
People have told us that the hardest part of their entire divorce process was making that FIRST call to a divorce lawyer in Michigan. That’s understandable because it’s SUCH a big first step. But that first call is the beginning of clarity. The first part of the solution. The action item that will move you […]
Your Bank Accounts and Your Divorce
For many people that come to The Smart Law Group to talk about divorce financial worries are at the forefront. Because especially if you’ve been married to a controlling spouse, abuser or a narcissist, you may not have control over your share, or even your own personal finances. So safeguarding your financial well-being becomes as […]
Your Divorce and Your Inheritance
Inheritance Issues in Divorce A common question in many divorces is: “what is going to happen with the inheritance?”. Those questions usually fall into three categories: (1) the inheritance that was received before the marriage; (2) the inheritance received during the marriage, and (3) the inheritance that might be received in the future. Special rules […]
What is your “real” question?
It’s more than just answers, it’s a conversation. It’s more than just a conversation, it’s communicating. It’s easy to answer your questions. It’s easy to have an answer for everything. However, the best part of answering questions for you is knowing what questions to ask you. You haven’t done this before. You aren’t supposed to […]
Counseling, Therapy and Parenting Time
It is in the best interest of a child to have a strong relationship with both of his or her parents however, the right to parenting time is not absolute… yes, that is Michigan law. The Court has a broad range of “tools” to protect the “best interest” and safety of minor children. Counseling and […]
Good Information and Smart Choices
You have questions. You need answers. You deserve answers. One of the biggest problems people have when they are forced to think about the possibility of divorce is the lack of information. Far too often, people rely on friends, family and sometimes even strangers for advice because they are afraid to call an attorney. Many […]
Family Law, Child Custody and “The Best Interest of the Child”
What are the child’s “best interests”? One of the biggest areas of misunderstanding in a divorce involving minor children is how the Court determines who is awarded custody of the minor children. There are a lot of non-lawyers that give their friends and family advice about what happens, but there is no single rule and […]
