Divorce, custody, support, and property division — handled by attorneys who understand what's at stake for your family and your future.
Schedule a Free ConsultationFamily law matters carry consequences that last decades. Whether you are navigating a divorce, fighting for custody of your children, or protecting assets you built over a lifetime, the quality of your representation matters from day one.
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state, meaning either spouse can file without proving wrongdoing. The sole ground required is that the marriage has broken down to the point where it cannot be preserved. While the standard is straightforward, the process itself is anything but — particularly when significant assets, business interests, or children are involved.
Whether your divorce is contested or uncontested, the decisions made during the proceeding will shape your financial reality and your relationship with your children for years to come. Temporary orders set early in the case often establish patterns that courts are reluctant to change. Property division, support, and custody arrangements all require careful analysis and strategic positioning from the outset.
We represent clients in divorces at every level of complexity, from straightforward dissolutions to cases involving executive compensation, business valuations, and contested custody. Our goal is to resolve your case efficiently and on terms that protect your interests — through negotiation where possible, and through litigation when necessary.
Read more: How Divorce Works in MichiganMichigan courts determine custody and parenting time based on the best interest of the child standard, evaluating twelve statutory factors under MCL 722.23. These factors include each parent's capacity to provide love and guidance, the emotional ties between parent and child, the stability of each home environment, and the reasonable preference of the child if old enough to express one.
Custody in Michigan is divided into two components: legal custody, which governs decision-making authority over major issues such as education, healthcare, and religious upbringing, and physical custody, which determines where the child lives. Joint legal custody is common; physical custody arrangements vary widely depending on the circumstances.
Custody disputes are among the most emotionally charged areas of family law. They are also among the most consequential — the parenting time schedule established in your case will define your relationship with your children going forward. We approach these cases with the seriousness they demand and the preparation required to present your case effectively.
Read more: How Michigan Courts Decide Child CustodyMichigan calculates child support using the Michigan Child Support Formula, a detailed set of guidelines that considers each parent's income, the number of overnights each parent has, childcare costs, healthcare expenses, and other factors. The formula produces a presumptive support amount that courts will order unless deviation is justified by specific circumstances.
While the formula is intended to standardize outcomes, the inputs that drive the calculation are frequently contested. Disputes over income — particularly where a parent is self-employed, has variable compensation, or is voluntarily underemployed — can significantly affect the support amount. Accurate financial disclosure and competent analysis of income are critical to ensuring the formula produces a fair result.
Child support orders are also modifiable. If there has been a material change in circumstances — a significant change in income, a change in the parenting time schedule, or a change in the child's needs — either parent may petition the court for a modification. We handle both initial support determinations and modification proceedings.
Read more: Modifying Child Support in MichiganUnlike child support, Michigan does not use a formula to calculate spousal support (alimony). Courts have broad discretion, weighing a range of factors including the length of the marriage, the age and health of each party, their respective earning capacities, the standard of living established during the marriage, and the conduct of the parties.
Spousal support in Michigan can take several forms. Temporary support is awarded during the pendency of the divorce to maintain stability. Periodic support involves ongoing payments for a defined or indefinite period after the divorce is finalized. Lump-sum support may be awarded in certain circumstances as a one-time payment. The type and duration of support depend heavily on the specific facts of the case.
Because the analysis is discretionary rather than formulaic, the outcome in spousal support cases is highly dependent on how the facts are presented. Effective advocacy requires thorough preparation, including detailed financial analysis and, where appropriate, expert testimony regarding earning capacity or vocational rehabilitation.
Read more: Spousal Support in MichiganMichigan follows the principle of equitable distribution — marital property is divided fairly, though not necessarily equally. The court considers multiple factors under MCL 552.23, including each party's contribution to the marital estate, the duration of the marriage, the needs and earning ability of each spouse, and the cause of the divorce where relevant to property allocation.
A threshold issue in any property division case is the classification of assets as marital or separate. Assets acquired during the marriage are generally marital property subject to division. Assets owned before the marriage, or received by gift or inheritance, may be classified as separate property — but commingling, appreciation, and other factors can blur these lines. Proper tracing and valuation of assets is essential.
Complex property division cases — those involving business interests, professional practices, real estate portfolios, stock options, or retirement accounts — require attorneys who understand both the legal standards and the financial mechanics. We work with forensic accountants and business valuators when the case demands it, ensuring that the division is based on accurate information rather than estimates.
Read more: Property Division in Michigan DivorceA prenuptial agreement is a contract entered into before marriage that defines how assets, debts, and support obligations will be handled in the event of divorce. In Michigan, prenuptial agreements are generally enforceable if they are entered into voluntarily, with full financial disclosure, and without terms that are unconscionable at the time of enforcement.
Prenuptial agreements are particularly important for individuals entering a marriage with significant pre-marital assets, business interests, professional practices, or children from a prior relationship. A well-drafted agreement provides clarity and predictability, reducing the cost and uncertainty of litigation if the marriage does not last.
We draft and review prenuptial agreements that are designed to withstand judicial scrutiny. This means agreements that reflect genuine negotiation, full transparency, and terms that a court will uphold years or decades later. We also represent clients who are asked to sign a prenuptial agreement presented by the other party, ensuring that you understand the implications before signing.
Read more: Prenuptial Agreements in MichiganA significant portion of our family law cases come from referrals by other attorneys — lawyers who know the quality of representation their clients need and trust us to deliver it. Peer referrals reflect a level of confidence that advertising cannot replicate.
We regularly represent executives, physicians, business owners, and professionals whose divorces involve complex compensation structures, significant assets, and reputational considerations. We understand the financial and personal dimensions of these cases.
Not every case settles, and not every settlement offer is acceptable. When litigation is necessary, we have the courtroom experience to try your case effectively — and the appellate experience to protect a favorable result or challenge an unfavorable one.
If you are facing a divorce, custody dispute, or any family law matter in Oakland County or Southeast Michigan, we are available to discuss your situation and explain your options. There is no cost and no obligation for the initial consultation.
Call (248) 712-1462Consultations are confidential. Evening and weekend appointments available.