Southeast Michigan Divorce Lawyers   

Sterling Heights firm represents spouses from Macomb and Oakland Counties

Many people have described their divorce as one of the most traumatic events of their lives. This can be especially true if you have children. However, an experienced attorney can relieve your burden while advocating for a favorable legal resolution. Goetting Corrado Law Group, P.C. in Sterling Heights gives residents of Macomb and Oakland Counties the comprehensive legal support they deserve when dealing with issues related to child custody, alimony, child support and property division. Whether your divorce is reasonably straightforward or highly complex, our lawyers are dedicated to making a positive difference for you during a difficult time.

Requirements for divorce under Michigan law

Michigan is a no-fault divorce state, which means that you do not have to allege any type of misconduct on your spouse’s part to dissolve your marriage. You simply need to declare that the marital relationship has broken down and there is no likelihood that you and your spouse will get back together. However, the improper behavior of a spouse could have an effect on a judge when making decisions on parenting and financial matters. To file for divorce, you or your spouse must have lived in the state for at least six months. The Complaint has to be submitted to the court in Macomb County or the county where you have lived for at least 10 days. 

Skillful guidance through each stage of the marriage dissolution process

Divorce is never easy, but hiring the right family lawyer gives you the best chance to achieve a fair resolution while avoiding mistakes and unnecessary conflict that can make a difficult situation much worse. Throughout Macomb and Oakland Counties, we provide effective counsel at every stage of the divorce process, such as:

• Preparing legal documents — Our firm drafts and files the legal documents required to commence the marriage dissolution process, such as the Complaint and Answer. We also handle the service of papers because you are not permitted to do this yourself. From there, our lawyers request a suitable temporary order to address custody, alimony and child support issues while the divorce case is pending.   
• Negotiation and mediation — Even when emotions run high, our attorneys are skillful negotiators who frequently find solutions that allow spouses to settle divorce terms outside of court. Sometimes, we represent parties before third-party mediators if assistance is needed to complete a marital settlement agreement. 
• Discovery, motions and trial — When a fair resolution cannot be reached, our attorneys conduct discovery and engage in motion practice to prepare the strongest possible case for trial. We are effective trial advocates who deliver persuasive arguments in court.

Taking the first step can be very difficult when it is time to end your marriage, but we offer compassionate, knowledgeable counsel that helps you understand the legal process and make a successful transition.

Factors that can affect a divorce

Like each marriage, each divorce is slightly different, so there is never absolute certainty regarding the legal process, but there are some general guidelines that can help you make important decisions. Whether you and your spouse share minor children is a key consideration. Michigan’s standard two-month waiting period to finalize a divorce is extended to six months when the parties are parents, and disputes over custody and visitation could make the process much longer. Working to resolve issues relating to custody, child support, alimony and property division at the outset can save everyone time and money. Our firm strives to help clients reach a comprehensive marital settlement agreement whenever possible through negotiation or with the assistance of a neutral mediator. It is important to remember that, while the divorce decree ends your marriage, changes in circumstances could necessitate motions to modify custody, alimony or child support terms for years after the order is entered.

How property is divided when a marriage ends

Typically, assets that either spouse acquires during the course of a marriage are considered marital property and are divided between the parties upon their divorce. Exceptions might apply to gifts or inheritances directed to an individual spouse, as well as property covered by a valid prenuptial agreement. Our firm works to negotiate fair divisions of marital assets and debts so that each party can move forward on a sound financial foundation. However, if an appropriate settlement cannot be reached, Michigan uses the equitable distribution method to allocate marital property. This means that the judge determines what is fair based on statutory factors and any other information they deem to be relevant. Though many decisions divide the value of the marital estate fairly evenly, this is not required, and a stay-at-home spouse at the end of a long marriage might receive a larger share because they do not have the same earning ability as their ex. Whatever your situation entails, we will work diligently to achieve a favorable division of property for you based on the specific circumstances.

Contact a divorce lawyer serving Macomb and Oakland Counties for a free consultation

Goetting Corrado Law Group, P.C. in Sterling Heights represents Michigan residents throughout the divorce process. Please call 586-544-7825 or contact us online to schedule free consultation with an accomplished family law attorney.