No one can predict with any certainty that a marriage will end in divorce, but sometimes there are pretty clear indicators that might send you to a Michigan divorce attorney sooner rather than later. Cultural and legal changes and challenges can also predict the direction your divorce may take. Find out what you need to know about Michigan divorce for 2018.
New tax laws will mess with spousal support.
Even though the newest version of the recently passed tax law does not take effect until January 1, 2019, understanding what’s to come is critical. Unless modifications of prior orders or agreements state who and how spousal support payments will be taxed, there will be no tax deduction for the payor of spousal support, and the person receiving the support will receive the money tax-free. That could be a major loss for one-half of a divorcing couple and a major win for the other half.
Stay tuned on this topic and be sure to discuss the fine print with your Michigan divorce attorney when it comes to spousal support and child support payments, whether you’re in the middle of a divorce or have finalized your divorce.
Social media spells S-P-L-I-T.
Social media isn’t going anywhere, but marriages might be. Studies have been done that identify just how much social media can affect a relationship. Interestingly, in relationships where the wife uses social media more often than the husband, marital discord is no more or less likely. When the male half of a couple gets thumb-happy on Facebook and Twitter and does so more than his better half, the marriage could start to see cracks.
Nonworkaholics, beware.
A Harvard study found that a couple’s division of labor can affect their marriage more than finances. More specifically, if in a heterosexual marriage the husband does not work full time, couples have a greater chance of divorcing.
The wife’s employment status didn’t really impact marital stability, according to the study’s findings, which reinforces the stereotype that the “male breadwinner” way of life is still alive and well. Or maybe some women are just fed up with lazy men.
The #MeToo fallout strikes the middle class.
It stands to reason that with the number of sexual assault and harassment charges that have been made public regarding celebrities, the same kind of behavior is happening among private citizens. It may not be widely publicized in a community or company, but relationships will continue to go down in flames, not only because of illegal behavior but, as always, because of infidelity and inappropriate choices.
Prenups become popular.
More and more couples are realizing the benefits of prenuptial agreements. You don’t have to be wealthy to qualify for a prenup. You simply need to have something that you want to protect, whether that is money, property, ideas, or inheritances. A prenup can also be designed to outline couples’ behaviors in their union, from social media usage to how often they see the in-laws to how often they are intimate. Many couples are considering prenups an insurance policy for their relationship, and a deterrent of bad behavior to help them avoid divorce.
Keep in mind, of course, that not all divorce is bad – in fact, some people are better off being unmarried. The most important thing, if you do decide to pursue a Michigan divorce this year, is to connect yourself with a knowledgeable attorney who can help you navigate the entire divorce process. Schedule your no-cost consultation with Michigan Divorce Help in Macomb, MI.