Divorce Attorney in Farmington Hills, Michigan

Even if your marriage has been on the rocks for the past years, you may not be fully prepared for the divorce process. Ending a marriage can be stressful, emotionally charged, and financially straining. In many cases, divorce turns into a contentious and delicate issue that requires legal guidance. 

Attorney Blake P. Lipman can help you feel at ease navigating your divorce. The divorce attorney in Farmington Hills, Michigan, will work closely with you through every stage of your divorce case to help you find efficient resolutions for any issues and obstacles you may encounter. Law Office of Blake P. Lipman serves clients in the Tri-County Area of Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland as well as throughout the Detroit Metropolitan Area.  

Eligibility to File for Divorce in Michigan  

Before initiating divorce proceedings, you must meet the residency requirements in Michigan. Under state law, either spouse must have resided in Michigan for no less than 180 days before the filing date. If neither you nor your spouse has lived in the state for so long, you cannot file for divorce in Michigan.  

If you meet the residency requirements, you can proceed with filing a complaint for divorce in the circuit court in the county where you or your spouse has lived 10 days or longer. Unlike some other states, Michigan does not require spouses to be separated or living apart to initiate divorce proceedings.  

While residency requirements require at least one spouse to live in Michigan to be able to file for divorce in the state, complications may arise if one of the spouses has never lived in the state. In that case, the court may have limited jurisdiction over the case. In other words, while the court can grant a divorce, it generally cannot decide on issues such as property division, child support, and parenting time.  

Grounds for Divorce in Michigan  

In divorce law, the term “grounds” refers to legally acceptable reasons to end a marriage. Grounds for divorce differ from one state to another. Unlike other states, Michigan has only one ground for divorce: irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. Basically, it means that the marriage is broken beyond repair and there is no reasonable chance of getting back together.  

When filing for divorce, the spouse initiating the divorce proceeding must state in the complaint that their marriage is irretrievably broken. The other spouse – known as the respondent – must then submit their answer to the complaint and either agree or disagree with the grounds. However, the judge will not grant a divorce immediately as there is a 60-day waiting period in Michigan. In other words, spouses must wait 60 days from the date the complaint was filed before their divorce can be finalized. The mandatory waiting period is increased from 60 to 180 days if the divorce involves minor children.  

Why You Need a Divorce Attorney 

If you are thinking of ending your marriage or have been served with divorce papers, you might want to consider speaking with an attorney before proceeding on your own. Having a divorce attorney on your side has a number of benefits, including: 

• You will have someone in your corner. Having someone on your side you can rely on is priceless, especially during such an emotionally-charged and stressful time of your life. Your attorney will provide you with the emotional support and attention you need at times when it might seem that your whole world is falling apart.  

• You will get legal advice. The divorce process is filled with legal nuances that should be considered at the early stages of the case. Your attorney will provide you with knowledgeable legal advice so that you can make informed decisions at every stage of the process.  

• You will be able to communicate with your spouse. Many divorces are resolved amicably without any court involvement. However, this requires a consistent line of communication between the spouses. Your attorney can facilitate the communication and help you and your soon-to-be-former spouse find common ground.  

• You will be able to remain more objective. Often, divorcing couples cannot set their emotions aside to make rational decisions when getting a divorce. When emotions run high, it can be difficult to stay level-headed. Your attorney can help you remain objective and composed throughout the process so you can make better decisions.  

These are just some of the many advantages of being represented by an attorney when going through a divorce. Overall, with an attorney, you can protect your rights, keep the playing field fair, and work with the goal that you receive the best possible outcome in your case. No matter your situation, don't face this alone; reach out today for support.