The Divorce Attorney Journal

Here’s the reality: You may not like your ex all that much anymore but, presumably, your child still loves him or her. While your 50/50 custody arrangement – or otherwise – may be amenable to your work schedule, social calendar, and preferences, have you stopped to consider how your days on and off the clock as a parent impact the lives of your children? Joint custody arrangements do work out well for many families but, for some kids, limited time with the non-custodial parent just isn’t enough. (more…)

Your marriage is over. The divorce is final (or almost final). You’ve worked out a parenting plan. But you just can’t seem to shake the bugger from your life once and for all. Even if he or she is the one who initiated the divorce and moved out, old habits die hard. Don’t be surprised if your ex comes calling or finds new ways to annoy you during the holiday season. (more…)

Child support, custody, and parenting time are of utmost importance to divorcing parents. However, one area that may be neglected during the settlement is how life will continue to pan out when it comes to your children’s schooling. If you thought it was difficult to juggle school responsibilities when you were a two-parent household, it will become even more challenging post-divorce.  (more…)

One of the worst things about divorcing with children is the upheaval kids experience in their lives. Shuffling from house to house, needing two of everything, missing their pets or their familiar surroundings, schedule changes – it’s a lot for anyone to manage, let alone a kid whose parents are splitting up and causing enough chaos as it is. Enter the bird nesting trend.  (more…)

For many kids, their parents’ divorce may come as no surprise. Children are pretty observant, whether you and your spouse are openly arguing, not communicating at all, or giving off vibes of dislike and disgust. Nevertheless, the finality of hearing, “We’re getting a divorce,” from your mouths can be gut-wrenching to a child, no matter their age.

Telling the kids you’re getting a divorce isn’t easy, and it’s a conversation that any parent dreads. Take the time to practice your delivery and prepare yourself for a variety of responses – and questions – from your children. (more…)

You’re divorced or preparing to divorce. Your child is preparing to go college. Money is inevitably on your mind. Your divorce will affect your child’s chances of receiving college financial aid, but whether your split works in your favor depends on many factors, including the school your child chooses, the type of financial aid forms that school requires, and who the custodial parent is.  (more…)

Parenting time can be fraught with complications. Ideally, you and your former spouse have worked out a fluid system that allows you both to spend a reasonable amount of time with your children during the week, on weekends, and on holidays. But there may be one unexpected speed bump to overcome: where to exchange the children. (more…)

If you thought it was tough managing a successful co-parenting schedule during the summer, September will initiate newly divorced Michigan parents into the reality of a really-can’t-be-altered back-to-school routine. Even if you’ve been divorced for some time, these tips can help you cope with the complicated school schedule so that you don’t go crazy and your kids don’t get shortchanged in the process. (more…)

Is it ever a good idea – let alone actually possible – to be friends with your ex’s new spouse? When you divorce someone in Michigan, there are usually plenty of reasons why you no longer care to share your life with them. But that doesn’t mean you can wash your hands of them completely, especially if you have children together. And, eventually, a new stepmom or stepfather is likely to be in the picture. (more…)

Divorce can be a rocky road, and the Michigan divorce process can lead people to act in ways that might be completely out of character. There are some situations that can’t be helped during the legal dissolution of a marriage, but there are some behaviors that are hard to forgive, hard to ignore, and hard to wiggle out of legally. Take heed. (more…)