Divorce Fast & Easy In Michigan

#ChooseGoldman Parental kidnapping in Michigan is a serious offense where a parent takes a child in violation of a court order. Understanding this law is crucial to avoid severe legal consequences, including criminal charges and the loss of custody. • Parental kidnapping is often a parent taking a child without legal permission, not a stranger abduction. • It becomes a serious crime when a parent'...

#ChooseGoldman If your ex-spouse loses their job, their alimony obligation does not automatically stop. A formal court process must be initiated to modify the existing alimony order based on the change in circumstances. • Alimony continues until a further order of the court; a job loss does not grant permission to stop paying. • To modify payments, the payer must demonstrate a significant financia...

#ChooseGoldman Deciding between mediation and litigation can be challenging. Learn the key advantages of mediation, which can offer a quicker, more private, and less hostile path to resolving divorce issues compared to a lengthy and expensive court battle. Cost and Speed: Litigation is expensive and time-consuming, while mediation is a faster and more cost-effective process. Privacy: Mediation is...

#ChooseGoldman When navigating a divorce, the well-being of your children is paramount. This discussion covers essential rules every parent should follow to protect their children and ensure their actions are viewed favorably by the court. •Your children must come first. The court will always look to ensure you have this attitude and are prioritizing their needs above your own. •Routine helps chil...

#ChooseGoldman When facing a divorce, many people consider altering their financial strategies, including stopping 401k contributions. In this episode, our attorneys discuss why this might be a detrimental move and how courts view such actions. • Stopping your 401k contributions can be viewed by the court as an attempt to manipulate your income in anticipation of divorce. • The money that is not c...

#ChooseGoldman In this episode, we break down the critical factors that influence child custody decisions. Learn the actionable steps you can take to present the strongest possible case to the court. • Stay consistently involved with your children. • Avoid conflict with the other parent to show you can co-parent. • Document everything: visits, punctuality, and any no-shows. • Provide a stable home...

#ChooseGoldman One of the most complex issues in a divorce is the division of joint debt. In this episode, we explore how courts determine who is responsible for credit card payments and reveal the critical difference between a court order and your contractual obligation to a bank. • Debts from during the marriage are considered marital property, regardless of whose name is on the account. • Court...

#ChooseGoldman Discover the serious impact domestic violence allegations can have on your child custody case. Even without a conviction, a court's focus on child safety can drastically change custody and parenting time arrangements. • Domestic violence allegations can affect custody, even without a criminal conviction. • The court's primary concern is always the safety and well-being of the childr...

#ChooseGoldman In a divorce, your behavior can be your best asset or your worst enemy. Discover the critical mistakes parents often make in court and how to avoid them to protect your custody case. • Never badmouth the other parent, especially in front of your children. • Control your emotions; angry outbursts can make you look unstable to the judge. • Always put your child's best interests before...

Discover why a judge's ruling is the ultimate authority and why, as a parent, your legal obligation is to follow that order until it is formally changed. We explore the limited weight a child's preference holds in court, the parent's responsibility to enforce the current schedule, and the proper legal steps to take if you believe a modification is necessary for your child's best interests. This ep...

#ChooseGoldman Discovering strange withdrawals from your bank account during a separation can be alarming. Learn the immediate actions you should take to protect your finances and prevent your joint accounts from being drained. If you notice strange withdrawals, notify your bank about the suspicious activity immediately. Consider moving half of the funds from a joint account into a new, separate a...

#ChooseGoldman In a divorce, the legal duty of "full disclosure" often clashes with your desire for privacy. This episode explores the practical, self-help measures you can take to protect your sensitive information, digital accounts, and personal documents. • Your privacy is limited by the legal requirement of full disclosure, meaning you must share all assets and relevant information. • The most...

#ChooseGoldman When parents disagree on crucial medical decisions for their child, mediation offers a constructive alternative to court. This episode explores how a neutral third party can help parents find common ground on difficult topics, using a real-world scenario to illustrate the process. • Mediation is a valuable tool for resolving disputes over a child's medical care, not just property or...

#ChooseGoldman In this episode, Akiva Goldman discusses the significant impact of domestic violence on child custody cases in Michigan. Learn how the courts view these situations, the importance of documentation, and what is at stake for your parental rights. • The court takes domestic violence very seriously, with modern statutes offering strong protection for spouses and children. • Even a minor...

#ChooseGoldman If you've experienced a drop in income, you might be able to lower your child support payments. Learn about the factors the court considers, including whether your income loss was voluntary, and why acting in good faith is crucial to your case. Your child support payment can be lowered if you have a legitimate drop in income. The court will not approve a change if you voluntarily qu...

#ChooseGoldman If you're an unmarried father, you have rights, but you must take the first step. Learn how establishing paternity is the key to securing your right to custody and parenting time in Michigan. An unmarried father's rights are not automatic; he must first legally establish paternity. Once confirmed as the father, he can petition the court for custody and parenting time. A father's rig...

#ChooseGoldman When divorce and bankruptcy intersect, it creates a complex financial situation. This discussion covers whether you are obligated to file for bankruptcy if your spouse does and how to handle individual versus joint debt. • You cannot be forced to file for bankruptcy; it is a personal decision, even during a divorce. • If debt is solely in one spouse's name, their bankruptcy may reso...

#ChooseGoldman If you feel you're not seeing your child enough, you have the right to ask the court to modify the schedule. This discussion covers how Michigan courts evaluate these requests based on the child's best interest and why a sincere approach is often successful. • You can always ask the court for more parenting time if the current schedule isn't working. • The court's final decision wil...

#ChooseGoldman As children mature, their needs and schedules evolve, often requiring adjustments to existing parenting plans. This discussion explores how these plans can adapt to support a child's development and changing activities. • Parenting plans are designed to be flexible and should be revisited as a child's circumstances change. • A child's age is a primary factor in determining appropria...

#ChooseGoldman If you're a stay-at-home parent in a long-term marriage, you may worry about losing your home in a divorce. This discussion explains that while you won't be forced to get a job right away, the house is a marital asset that may need to be sold to ensure a fair settlement for both parties. • The family home is a marital asset that often needs to be sold and split in a divorce. • Being...

#ChooseGoldman In this episode, we tackle a complex and common question in divorce proceedings: Can your spouse hire a lawyer you've already had a consultation with? We break down the ethical rules that govern this situation and explain what truly creates a conflict of interest. • A simple phone call or consultation does not automatically disqualify a lawyer from representing your spouse. • The ke...

#ChooseGoldman Does a change in your home's value after a divorce affect your settlement? This discussion covers why the value at the time of the agreement is what matters and how the court views future market changes. • A home's value is a "moving target" and can go up or down after a divorce is finalized. • The property settlement is based on the home's value at the time of the appraisal during...

#ChooseGoldman Understanding the timeline for a divorce in Michigan is crucial. This discussion covers the mandatory waiting periods and the various factors that can impact how quickly your divorce can be finalized. • The minimum waiting period for a divorce without children is 60 days. • For a divorce involving minor children, the minimum waiting period is 180 days. • The waiting period officiall...

#ChooseGoldman In this episode, we explore the legal pathways to challenge a guardianship order. We discuss what you must prove to the court to terminate a guardianship and the specific considerations for cases involving both adults and children. • A guardianship order can be fought by filing a petition to terminate it. • The key to success is proving the original conditions that required the guar...

#ChooseGoldman What if My Ex Threatens to Call CPS on Me Just to be Spiteful? This episode explains how to respond if an ex threatens to involve Child Protective Services just to cause trouble. Learn practical steps to protect yourself and your children. • Understand why an ex might make false CPS threats. • Learn how to document interactions for protection. • Know your rights when dealing with CP...