Blog
Divorce is a common occurrence that can stem from a wide variety of factors, including family, money, career, personal and other issues. For some reason, however, couples seem to be calling it quits more frequently in one area of Michigan than elsewhere. More than 20 percent of all residents 15 or older in the City […]
The separation of church and state is a principle that dates back to the early days of the United States and is often mistakenly believed to be part of the First Amendment of the Constitution. The concept stands for the proposition that government should not be intertwined with religion by putting its stamp of approval […]
Michigan legislators recently introduced a package of nine bills to overhaul the state’s cash bail system, including for people who have child support arrears. Proponents of the legislation and the lawmakers introducing the legislation argue that the current law, which often requires people charged with a crime to put up significant amounts of cash if they want […]
A joint custody bill that died in the Michigan legislature last year could get another look in 2019. That’s likely to prompt a new debate about the possible impact on victims of domestic abuse. The Michigan Shared Custody Act would create a presumption that divorcing parents will share custody of their children. State Senator Jim Runestad (White […]
A bill to support shared custody arrangements following divorce stalled in the Michigan legislature last year, but could very well have new life in 2019. A last minute push wasn’t enough to get the Michigan Shared Parenting Act across the goal line last year. The bill, sponsored by former state representative Jim Runestad (R), would generally require […]
Same-sex couples looking to have children often consider turning to services like adoption or in vitro fertilization. What’s out of the ordinary is when a sperm donor demands that he has parental rights. Jermaine Walker is locked in a court battle with Dian Stephens and Connie Brown over a nine-year-old girl. Walker and Stephens were […]
It turns out the second time was the charm for one pair of Michigan “newlyweds.” Philip Timmer and Trisha Stewart, of Montcalm Company, in December went before a local judge to be married. It was the second time the couple said their vows in two years. That’s because sometime after they initially married in 2016, […]
When a child is born to married parents, the husband is legally the father of the child, unless the court determines otherwise during litigation. If parents are not married, the father can become the legal father of the child when the judge orders that he is the father (after the opportunity for DNA testing and a […]
February 11-17 is Children of Alcoholics week. During this week, we and the National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NCADD) would like to bring awareness to the hidden problem of alcoholism and the support available to those families. When one parent abuses alcohol or other substances, it will take a toll on the relationship between the […]
If you are getting ready to file your taxes for the first time after your divorce or final custody order, there are important things to consider such as the child credit, transfer taxes on real estate and retirement accounts and deductions for spousal support. Read on to see what information we’ve gathered for you. First, we […]