Farmington Hills Divorce Lawyer

Experienced lawyer frequently handles complex cases involving high net worth couples

If you have been served with a divorce petition or are contemplating ending your marriage, Rosenbaum, Bloom, Meyerson & Galinsky, P.C. can help you understand your options and safeguard your interests. Louis Galinsky is a Farmington Hills divorce lawyer who has assisted Michigan clients for more than 40 years. We can handle the toughest divorce cases, including cases marked by serious conflicts over child custody, spousal support and family business valuations. Due to our decades of experience, we have been retained to handle many high-asset divorce cases involving complex property division issues. However, as a firm that believes in the importance of accessible legal representation, we serve clients of all personal and economic backgrounds in divorce cases, as well as in custody disputes, modification proceedings and enforcement actions.

Grounds for divorce in Michigan

Divorces are not granted in Michigan based on marital misconduct. Under the state’s no-fault system, marriages are dissolved only on the basis that the relationship between the spouses is irretrievably broken. However, abusive conduct, adultery and other behavior associated with traditional fault grounds might be relevant in decisions relating to parenting and financial terms.

Michigan divorce process explained

Before you file for divorce, we can outline the eligibility requirements and the legal process that lies ahead. You or your spouse must have at least six months of residency in Michigan and at least 10 days of residency in the county where the Complaint is filed. After the Complaint is filed and served, the responding party provides their Answer. Often, couples have worked out a marital settlement agreement prior to filing, so if this is the case, you can include the terms of the agreement and move forward with an uncontested divorce. A final divorce order can be issued in as soon as 60 days if you and your spouse have no minor children and 180 days if you do.

If there is no settlement, you and your spouse will attempt to resolve your divorce terms with the assistance of a qualified family law mediator. Meanwhile, your case will head toward trial even as negotiations continue. You and your spouse will exchange information through the discovery process and we will file any necessary pretrial motions. Most divorces are settled before they reach the trial stage, but if your case is decided in court, Louis Galinsky is a skillful advocate who will effectively present a comprehensive legal argument on your behalf.

Property division laws in Michigan

When spouses cannot agree on how to divide their marital assets and debts, Michigan courts review the facts under the state’s equitable distribution law. A judge examines the information he or she believes to be pertinent, possibly including each spouse’s financial status and the length of the marriage, and makes their decision based on what he or she thinks is fair. You should know that the result does not have to be a 50-50 split in value. Louis Galinsky is particularly well versed in the property division challenges that accompany high net worth divorces, such as ways to address ownership of the family home if both parties want to remain there.

Child custody and visitation in Michigan

As an experienced Farmington Hills family lawyer, Louis Galinsky is committed to preserving strong relationships by developing personalized child custody and visitation plans. We look at all of the relevant information to find the best way to create a supportive environment for young people and a framework that respects the needs of both parents.

How child support and spousal support work

Michigan uses a formula to serve as a guideline for child support when parents of minors live apart. Factors that are considered in this calculation include each parent’s income, responsibility for payment of the child’s health insurance premiums and childcare expenses. Though many child support decisions reflect the result of the formula, a judge can deviate from this figure if warranted by the specific circumstances in a given case. Courts do not have a similar guideline for spousal support. If the parties cannot agree on alimony terms, the judge decides if payments can be ordered and, if so, the amount and duration of those payments. Most alimony cases hinge on the ability of the party seeking payments to earn a suitable living and the ability of the other party to provide spousal support.

Contact a proven Michigan divorce lawyer to schedule a free consultation

Rosenbaum, Bloom, Meyerson & Galinsky, P.C. advocates on behalf of divorcing spouses throughout Wayne, Macomb and Oakland Counties. For a free consultation at our Farmington Hills office, please call 248-200-2240 or contact us online