Kline Legal Group, P.L.C.FindLaw IM Template2025-08-26T18:22:42Zhttps://www.michiganautoaccident.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1100458/2019/07/cropped-ID-32x32.jpgOn Behalf of Kline Legal Group, P.L.C.<![CDATA[3 tips for supporting yourself emotionally during divorce]]>https://www.michiganautoaccident.com/?p=485402021-04-20T14:03:44Z2021-04-20T14:03:34Zpost-divorce life.
1. Rely on a support group
Depression is common for many adults (the National Institute of Mental Health states that 17.3 million adults in the U.S. experienced at least one major depressive episode in 2017), and you may find yourself feeling depressed during your divorce. Talk to a therapist about how you are feeling and turn to friends and family members for emotional support.
2. Remember to care for your physical health
Your physical health can affect your mental and emotional health during your divorce. Try to get enough sleep, exercise regularly and eat a nutritious diet, so you feel prepared to cope with the demands of your divorce.
3. Look to the future
It is easy for your divorce to feel all-consuming. Try to remember that your divorce will eventually end, and your life will begin to feel normal once again.
Divorce is also an opportunity to reinvent yourself and try new things as a newly single person. Use this change in your life as a chance to try out a new hobby, go back to school or even change careers, for example.]]>On Behalf of Kline Legal Group, P.L.C.<![CDATA[Different types of custody arrangements]]>https://www.michiganautoaccident.com/?p=485372022-03-23T10:32:02Z2021-03-18T04:06:16ZCustody is a legal term that refers to your rights as a parent and your responsibility to care for your children. During your marriage, you and your spouse shared custody of the children you had together. Following your divorce, you must usually continue to share custody, but since you no longer live together, you must make alternative arrangements.A judge can decide on custody arrangements, or you and your spouse can work them out in mediation for a judge's approval. Because there are several types of custody, the arrangements can vary as well.
Physical versus legal custody
Arrangements must provide for both physical and legal custody of your children. Physical custody indicates where the children live and how much time they spend with each of their parents. Legal custody refers to your right to share in the making of important decisions regarding your children.
Sole versus joint custody
A judge has the option to grant physical or legal custody to one parent alone, which is sole custody, or to both parents, which is joint custody. If you have joint physical custody, your children spend roughly equal amounts of time with you and your ex-spouse. If your ex has sole physical custody, you typically get parenting time with your kids, but they live with the other parent.Joint legal custody grants both you and your ex-spouse authority to share in the process of making important decisions on your children's behalf, such as where they go to school and how often they see the doctor. It is typical to have joint legal custody even if either you or your ex has sole custody.There are many different custody arrangements possible. For a plan to be acceptable to the court, it must make your children's interests its primary concern.]]>On Behalf of Kline Legal Group, P.L.C.<![CDATA[When can you modify child custody in Michigan?]]>https://www.michiganautoaccident.com/?p=485342021-02-17T23:04:22Z2021-02-17T23:04:14ZYou can change your custody order when it no longer meets your family's needs. Even if you and your coparent agree on the changes, they do not become legally binding until you have a new court order.Review the requirements and process for requesting a child custody modification in Michigan.
When both parents agree
If you and the other parent agree on the change, you can submit a new custody plan and ask the court to approve it. You should request approval from the court where you received your original custody order. In this case, you do not need to file a motion or attend a hearing.
When parents disagree
If your child's other parent does not agree to your proposed custody change, you must file a Motion Regarding Parenting Time with the court that issued the original order. You must state the reason for your desired change and prepare to provide evidence to support your case.In some counties, you will meet with a court-appointed mediator who will make a custody recommendation based on your request. In other counties, the judge will make a determination.In either case, the court will review the status of the child's current home situation. Your child should have an environment in which a parent provides discipline, comfort, care, guidance, love, stability, safety and necessities. You must demonstrate that since the initial custody order, your family has experienced either a change in circumstances or proper cause for a custody change. Examples of proper cause include parental neglect, abuse or substance use.]]>On Behalf of Kline Legal Group, P.L.C.<![CDATA[What to consider when dividing a business in divorce]]>https://www.michiganautoaccident.com/?p=485292025-05-05T07:01:06Z2021-01-26T22:43:33Zfair distribution among the spouses.
Important questions to ask
Before looking into the value of a business, you must first establish whether the business is separate or marital property.
Was the business acquired before or during the marriage?
Where did the money to start the business come from?
What role did each spouse have in the operation of the business?
Even if one spouse started the business before the marriage, it may be marital property if the other spouse contributed to the success of the business during the marriage. They can contribute in any number of ways, including keeping the home running smoothly or making personal sacrifices that allowed the spouse to conduct the business.
What to consider in determining the value
There are many acceptable methods of determining the value of a business. Some methods are very straight forward and place weight on the monetary value of the assets minus their depreciation. The value of what an outside investor might pay for the business is also a valid method in determining its value. Taking the reputation of the business into account, and allowing for how it might perform as it continues to operate in the future, may yield a more ambitious value.
There is no one correct established method for assigning a value to a business. As each spouse may take a different method in determining the value, your position on the value of the business must be clearly explained, presented and supported when you present your case. The court will determine if the value is fair and accurate when dividing business assets.]]>On Behalf of Kline Legal Group, P.L.C.<![CDATA[Get organized before filing for divorce]]>https://www.michiganautoaccident.com/?p=485272021-01-06T21:53:18Z2021-01-06T21:53:18ZThree steps to help you prepare for divorce
Much of the apprehension over ending a marriage stems from uncertainty over your financial situation when you are on your own. In order to start your new life in the best possible position, take these steps well before the process begins:
Inventory all assets: First, identify all assets owned by both spouses, and have documentation to back it up. This includes:
Bank and investment statements
Mortgage documents
Real estate deeds
Personal loan paperwork
Credit card statements
Copies of wills or trusts
Insurance policies
Retirement accounts
Business ownership documents
All property owned individually and jointly
You should also make copies of nonfinancial items, such as funeral arrangements, long-term care insurance policies, premarital agreements and estate planning documents.
Organize documents: Once you have a comprehensive list of all assets, you can save time and money by putting similar documents together, such as all homeownership paperwork in one section, grouping income-related items and so forth. Doing so helps your lawyer get a more accurate picture of you and your spouse’s net worth and helps expedite the process.
Classify assets: Once you have discovered and organized assets, go one step further and separate them according to whether they are owned by one or both spouses. If you are unsure how pensions or other complicated accounts are divided, your attorney will help you sort that out.
Knowledge provides comfort during divorce
Yes, divorce is stressful, and no one ever wants to believe they’ll have to take steps to end their once-loving marriage. But when divorce becomes the best or only option, knowing how your financial situation will be affected can provide some much-needed relief.]]>On Behalf of Kline Legal Group, P.L.C.<![CDATA[How to set yourself up for success when mediating divorce]]>https://www.michiganautoaccident.com/?p=482712022-02-25T07:40:12Z2020-11-17T17:44:41ZIf you plan to file for divorce, one of the last things you might be expecting from the process is cooperation. After all, divorcing spouses are often angry and hurt, and they do not see eye-to-eye on all the issues that demand resolution.
However, most people will resolve at least some divorce-related matters in mediation. If mediation is likely in your future, consider the following suggestions for navigating the process more easily.
Recognize the benefits
You may have expected to go to court for your divorce; you might have even hoped for it. However, this alternative to litigation has numerous benefits, including being less costly and faster.Mediation can also make it easier to part ways amicably because it requires parties to work together. When people do this, they retain control over the outcome and often reach more satisfactory solutions that reflect their specific situation. Further, it avoids pitting spouses against each other.
Know what to expect
When you know what to expect from mediation, you can better prepare for the process and avoid unpleasant surprises. Generally, the process will consist of:
Choosing a mediator
Establishing ground rules for the sessions
Having each party share their story
Identifying matters to resolve
Proposing resolutions
Reaching agreements
For more detailed information on this process, you can read this article from the Michigan Supreme Court.Note that the mediator is there to help facilitate conversations and may offer solutions. However, he or she will not act as a lawyer or provide legal advice. For these areas, parties will want to have their own attorney.
Keeping emotions in check
Divorce is emotional, but it is essential not to let your emotions take precedence over your best interests. Too often, people hurt their case, their families and their future by lashing out at an ex or making false allegations. And refusing to consider reasonable requests because you are angry can ultimately land your case in court, where you could receive a much less satisfactory outcome than you would have received in mediation.
Keep your eye on the future
Divorce is a complicated process, but it will come to an end. When you keep this in perspective and remember that there is a future waiting for you, it can be easier to navigate mediation in a way that sets you up for success in the next chapter.]]>On Behalf of Kline Legal Group, P.L.C.<![CDATA[Why is gray divorce becoming more common?]]>https://www.michiganautoaccident.com/?p=482662020-09-25T15:35:59Z2020-09-25T15:35:59ZSociologists have researched this phenomenon and have identified several factors that may be contributing to this increased divorce rate in older adults.
Shared drama: While every married couple has suffered the ups and downs of life together, those married for 20 or 30 years are now carrying a great deal of emotional baggage. However, sociologists caution, this isn’t generally about significant life events such as a house fire or a bankruptcy in your past. This is more about the years of built-up frustration over how your husband slurps his soup or how your wife leaves her dirty dishes on the table. Older couples realize they can’t change each other, and they don’t have to remain in the relationship any longer.
Evaporating stigma: Simply put, the stigma of divorce is disappearing. It is common for couples to reevaluate the direction of their lives and decide to end a marriage to live independently or try again with a different spouse. Society is more accepting of divorce as a realistic decision. Even certain religious groups have been known to relax their stance on divorce in recent years.
Longer life expectancy: Firmly tied to the first point, people are simply living longer. The prospect of living for decades in an empty marriage does not bode well for many people.
Economic independence: Decades ago, women might have felt pressured to stay in an empty marriage for fear of personal poverty. Perhaps she had been a homemaker or had a part time job and worried about making ends meet on her own. Now, women have a much stronger financial outlook with many marriages relying on dual incomes. Additionally, these women have likely built up their own credit rating and retirement funds.
Meeting new people: It is no secret that many people simply do not like to be alone. The prospect of staying in a bad marriage outweighed the fear of living a lonely life. Now, however, the ease of online dating has softened that fear. With so many clubs, groups and dating services to choose from, older individuals can choose to divorce and explore new relationships soon thereafter.
It is not uncommon for older adults to fall out of love. The accumulated life history shared between two people might be enough to convince them to start over. If you are considering divorce, it is wise to discuss your options and the process with an experienced divorce lawyer.]]>On Behalf of Kline Legal Group, P.L.C.<![CDATA[Why it’s important your divorce attorney knows the local court system]]>https://www.michiganautoaccident.com/?p=482602021-05-06T12:09:42Z2020-09-18T16:41:48Zchild custody will work and if you’ll get the assets you deserve in your divorce.
One advantage of working with an experienced Ann Arbor-based divorce attorney is that your attorney will know the local court system. Here are the ways that can benefit you so that you’ll receive the divorce settlement you need to move forward:
• Your attorney will understand Michigan divorce laws and local procedural rules.
• Your attorney will have handled divorce cases similar to yours and be able to give you an idea of what assets you may receive and how child support works in Michigan.
• Your attorney also will have worked closely with local judges, earning their respect, and understand how they rule on child support, property division and even spousal support in high-asset divorces.
• Your attorney will have worked with other local divorce lawyers and understand how they approach cases.
• You can easily meet with your attorney at their local office, saving you time and allowing you to get your questions answered when you need to.
Going through a divorce can become complicated, frustrating and feel overwhelming. Having a strong advocate on your side is important. Having an attorney advocate who knows the local court system can help your divorce resolve smoothly and most effectively.]]>On Behalf of Kline Legal Group, P.L.C.<![CDATA[Child custody options beyond the standard]]>https://www.michiganautoaccident.com/?p=482552021-05-06T12:09:32Z2020-07-20T02:20:11Zunusual child custody arrangements, such as:
Bird nesting
In this arrangement, the child lives in one home full-time. Their parents shuffle in and out of the home according to when it is their turn to be with the child. This makes things more stable for the child, though bird nesting also requires a lot of flexibility on the parents' part.
Three-day 'weekend' visits
It is common for parenting time visits to last the weekend. But some parents arrange for the noncustodial parent to have parenting time through Monday evening instead of Sunday. This gives the noncustodial parent more time with the child, and give the custodial parent a little more time off from being the sole caregiver.
Midweek visits
Similarly, the noncustodial parent can have short parenting time visits during the week. For example, they could pick up the child from school on Wednesdays and have dinner with them. This shortens the length of time between weekend visits. And because they are not overnight visits, they require less packing and other disruptions.
Finding out what custody arrangement is right for your family
Your children are unique. They deserve a child custody plan that is tailored to their lives, personalities and needs. Working with an experienced personal injury attorney can help you figure out what that plan should look like, and negotiate a solution with your ex.]]>On Behalf of Kline Legal Group, P.L.C.<![CDATA[How does child support work in Michigan?]]>https://www.michiganautoaccident.com/?p=482522020-07-03T21:49:25Z2020-07-03T21:49:25ZMichigan’s laws
In Michigan, you must pay child support until your children turn 18. Yet, they may not have completed high school by this age. So long as they remain a student and continue living with your spouse, you may have to provide it until they turn 19 1/2.
Your support obligation depends on a variety of factors, which the court will account for in a formula. Once a judge determines your obligation, you will receive a Uniform Child Support Order demanding you pay it each month. The factors that hold weight in their ruling include:
The number of children you have
The disparity between you and your spouse’s incomes
The division of custody and parenting time between you and your spouse
The number of overnights you have your children for each year
Your children’s childcare and medical expenses
Possible concerns
Once your support order is effective, you must be diligent about making payments every month. Failure to pay could lead to penalties, including garnishment of your wages or your state or federal tax refunds. If you develop a reputation for delinquency, you could face contempt of court charges for nonpayment. Yet, payment issues can also stem from financial challenges or rising living expenses. If your finances do not reflect your support order, you can motion to modify it. Doing so will not change the amount of any payments past due. But it could ease any barriers to payment going forward.
By working within Michigan’s laws, you can find a way for your children to survive and thrive without putting your finances at risk. An attorney with family law experience can help you reach a fair support obligation.]]>