When you decide you’re going to divorce your spouse, you may think you know what to expect from the experience but that isn’t always the case. Some elements of the process will be fair and easy, other parts will feel dark and disastrous. Here are some of the most common tricks and treats of the Michigan divorce process.
Trick: Parenting Time
If you’ve been the primary caregiver and parent in your marriage, you may assume the kids will be with you most of the time because that is your right. Unfortunately, there’s the trick. The best interests of the children, according to the courts, typically involve splitting parenting time as close to 50/50 as possible. You can argue with the help of your attorney why it’s better for you to see your kids more often and on certain holidays and hope for the best.
Treat: Child Custody
If you don’t think your ex can make major decisions where your children are concerned, or you think he or she will make every decision a nightmare, talk to your Michigan divorce lawyer about the pros and cons of full child custody. Quite often, the court encourages shared custody for the good of the children – but this choice isn’t always best for the kids, or for you.
Trick: No-Fault State
Michigan may identify as a no-fault state in the Michigan divorce process but that doesn’t mean your ex’s behavior doesn’t matter. When it comes to spousal support, parenting time, and child custody, your ex’s infidelity, gambling, or addiction are relevant. For example, you can argue about how much time they get with the children, especially if you fear exposure to unsavory behaviors or people.
Treat: Mediation
Divorce mediation is a gift for many couples who are entering their divorce amicably, are interested in avoiding the conventional divorce court process, and are prepared to be fair about all financial, custody, and parenting time matters. The treat, in short, is that if you can work together in an adult way and both have full understanding of your circumstances, the informal third-party mediator makes it possible to dismantle a marriage with grace.
Trick: Assets and Debts
Just discovered your ex has massive debt? That they opened credit cards in your name or added another person to your cell phone bill? That they haven’t paid household bills for months? Even if you aren’t responsible for opening new accounts, you share your ex’s debts and are just as responsible for paying them. On the contrary, if you discover your ex has unexpected assets, you may benefit from a windfall. Assets and debts can be positive and negative and you need a good divorce lawyer on your side to ensure that you get what’s yours.
Don’t Let the Michigan Divorce Process Haunt You
You don’t have to know every detail about a Michigan divorce going into the process. Retain an experienced divorce lawyer at Femminineo Attorneys in Mt. Clemens, MI, to help you through it all. Schedule a consultation.