The end of a marriage is emotionally and mentally taxing. It is also the end of what was partially a business deal. The financial ties you have with each other must be separated and parenting time must also be fairly parceled out. It’s a challenge to know where to begin when it comes to a Michigan divorce, but the dos and don’ts below offer a starting point.
Do Hire a Michigan Divorce Lawyer Immediately
You need help when you decide it’s time to divorce. Your split may be straightforward if you haven’t been married long and do not have children, but if you have spent years together and created a family, divorce will be more complex. No matter the circumstances, your divorce lawyer will protect your rights from day one, help you make informed decisions, and fight on your behalf on every issue.
Don’t Try to Share an Attorney
You’re not the only divorcing pair who wants to minimize costs of Michigan divorce, but sharing an attorney is not cost-effective, let alone ethical or acceptable. Michigan rules of professional conduct prohibit attorneys from representing two clients with conflicting interests. Ultimately, your divorce involves two opposing parties in a lawsuit and you need an expert working only on your behalf.
Do Know Michigan’s Jurisdiction Divorce Rules
From residency requirements to jurisdiction, Michigan divorce begins with where you and your spouse showed legal residency during marriage and where you live now. The person who files for divorce sets the stage for where hearings will be held. If you and your ex live far away from each other, the one who files for divorce could make a difference in the convenience or inconvenience of your split.
Don’t Assume There Is Only One Way to Get Divorced
You get to decide what kind of divorce process you want:
- Uncontested or contested. A contested divorce has its issues decided by the court. An uncontested divorce is when you and your ex agree on the grounds for divorce and address key issues in the settlement you draft. Uncooperative spouses, or a union where abuse was present, can make simple, uncontested divorces impossible.
- Mediation. Divorce mediation works best for couples willing to be amicable even though they’re splitting up. An impartial third party helps couples reach agreements about all things divorce-related, particularly finances, child custody, and parenting time. If you can both be diplomatic and disagree in a fair way, mediation can work.
Do Think About the Future
It’s easy to get caught up in the here-and-now when you’re working through a divorce. Where will you live, how will the kids manage, is the parenting time split fair, should you be doing this at all, are you losing your mind? There will always seem to be more questions than answers, but don’t let the needs of the present mask the future. This means talking to your lawyer about retirement accounts, pensions, real estate, who will pay for college for the kids, and so on.
If you are ready to file for divorce, contact Michigan Divorce Help in Mt. Clemens, MI, to schedule your consultation.
This blog post is not a substitute for legal advice.