Michigan Family Law Attorneys

Last modified: August 19, 2026

Key Takeaways

Michigan family law cases can involve divorce, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, property division, parental relocation, and family law appeals.
Contested and high-asset divorces may require careful negotiation, financial analysis, and courtroom representation to protect your rights and financial interests.
Child custody and support matters can significantly affect your family’s future, making experienced legal guidance especially important when parents disagree.
Michigan family law attorneys can help you understand your legal options, develop a strategy, negotiate settlements, and represent you in court when necessary.
Kraayeveld Family Law focuses exclusively on family law and has more than 30 years of experience representing clients throughout West Michigan.
The firm provides personalized representation for complex and contentious family law matters and offers confidential consultations to discuss your case.

Few legal matters are more emotionally charged or as important to get right as those involving the family. Whether you are going through a high net worth divorce, asserting your parental rights, or involved in a contentious dispute over spousal support, you need an experienced attorney you can trust.

When you turn to Kraayeveld Family Law, you get a law firm that will zealously represent your needs, safeguard your interests, and deliver the results you desire and deserve. For over three decades, we have dedicated ourselves exclusively to the practice of family law. The successes we have had for our clients have earned us a reputation as an outstanding force in the field.

Our opponents and colleagues know us for our determination and tenacity on behalf of our clients. Moreover, we have a willingness to go to court, which gives us considerable leverage at the negotiating table.

We know that every client’s case we take is unique. That is why our lawyers approach each case with close attention to detail and the ability to develop creative, effective solutions to your problems. Our lawyers and support staff make it a point to respond to your calls and emails promptly; our one-business-day guarantee means you’ll never have to wait for answers to crucial questions.

Whatever family law issue you face right now, know that you do not have to do it alone. Let a skilled Michigan family law attorney from Kraayeveld Family Law fight for you and your future.

Contact us today or call us 24/7 at (616) 383-2679 for a confidential consultation so that we may discuss your family law claim.

Get directions to our Michigan Family Law Firm

Why You Need the Best Family Lawyer in Michigan for Your Case

Family law matters are often both legally complex and emotionally charged, so having a dedicated advocate on your site is crucial. A Michigan family law attorney with a solid reputation will safeguard your rights, champion your interests, and work relentlessly for a satisfying resolution to your issue.

These cases frequently involve delicate matters such as child custody, child support, and property division. Each of these issues can profoundly impact your life and the lives of your loved ones. One mistake now could affect you for years or even decades to come.

The seasoned attorneys at Kraayeveld Family Law know what is at stake. We will help you understand your options, formulate a strategic approach to meeting your goals, review and apply relevant statutes and case law, and represent you in court as necessary.

Client Reviews

The staff at Kraayeveld Family Law provided great comfort and clarity to me during an otherwise challenging divorce. The team is great to work with and very knowledgeable, as well as quick to respond to questions as they come up!

- Andrew on Google Review

I highly recommend Kraayeveld Family Law to anyone needing a family law attorney. The attorneys and staff fight hard to get the best possible outcome for your individual case. They are honest, trustworthy, and experienced, focusing solely on family law. I always know I am getting the best advice from attorneys Courtney Sierra and Jim Kraayeveld, and couldn’t imagine working with any other law firm. You will feel better knowing you have Kraayeveld Family Law in your corner.

- Wes on Google Review

Kraayeveld Family Law were extremely helpful! Jordan was working with me and my child time case. He was helpful, nice and responsive. He is very knowledgeable and explained information and the steps thoroughly.

- Jake on Google Review

Professionalism, Integrity and Rigor are a few words that best describe Kraayeveld Family Law. Jim is kind and hard working and gets the job done. I trust them to know their stuff.

- James on Google Review

The services that Kraayeveld Family Law are one of the best everyone who helped me there had a smile on their face, they also where very professional and right to the point they got everything resolved in a very timely manner i would highly recommend them.

- Julian on Google Review

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What Are the Most Common Family Law Matters?

Family law encompasses a wide range of legal issues that affect families. At Kraayeveld Family Law, we can help you with the following:

Contested Divorce

When spouses cannot agree on the terms of their divorce, they will need to negotiate and potentially even litigate to resolve any points of contention. Disputes commonly involve property division, child custody, and support issues.

Noncontested Divorce

In a noncontested divorce, both parties reach mutual agreements on all aspects of the divorce, such as property division, child custody, and support. This typically results in a faster and less costly process than contested divorces. Utilizing the correct terminology will ensure that your agreements are binding and enforceable.

Child Custody

Child custody determines where a family’s children will live and who will make important decisions about their upbringing. The two types of custody are legal custody (decision-making) and physical custody (where the child lives).

Parental Visitation

Typically, when one parent holds primary physical custody, the other parent gets visitation rights, also called parenting time. These visitation arrangements are mandated by the court, though the parents can mutually agree upon terms for the court to take into consideration.

Child Support

Both parents are legally obligated to financially support their children. The state calculates child support based on each parent’s income and the time the child spends with each parent.

Parental Relocation

If a custodial parent wants to move with the child, they will need permission from the court before they can do so. The parents may agree to a court order or litigate to get a court order. The court will consider the child’s best interests in making its decision.

School Choice

Parents sometimes disagree about where their child should attend school. In such cases, the court may need to be involved and decide based on the child’s best interests.

Minor Guardianship Litigation

Guardianship is a legal arrangement in which a person petitions or is chosen by a court to be in charge of decision-making on behalf of a child. The sensitivity of these matters often leads to disputes between involved parties, which can sometimes require litigation to resolve.

Alimony or Spousal Support

Following a divorce, or during divorce proceedings, a court might mandate that one spouse provide financial support to the other. The duration and amount of this support hinge on various factors, including the marriage’s duration and each spouse’s financial capabilities.

Grandparent Visitation Rights

Grandparents may have the right to visitation with their grandchildren under specific circumstances. These include the incarceration of a parent or one parent’s death.

Prenuptial Agreements

A prenuptial agreement is a contract signed before marriage that outlines how to divide assets in the event of a divorce. High net worth individuals often use them to protect themselves from financial exposure. These agreements are common and highly recommended for second marriages, especially those happening later in life.

Asset Division

Divorces entail the separation of shared assets between the spouses. This can include real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, investments, business interests, and personal property.

Parental Alienation

Parental alienation occurs when one parent attempts to turn a shared child against the other parent. This can seriously affect the child’s emotional well-being and the parent-child relationship.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a serious issue that impacts divorce and child custody matters. If you are suffering from domestic violence, seek help from a qualified attorney immediately.

Paternity Issues

Paternity refers to the legal relationship between a father and child. Establishing paternity is critical when determining parental rights and obligations.

Annulment

An annulment is a procedure that declares a marriage null and void, as though it never happened. Grounds for annulment in Michigan include fraud, bigamy, and incapacity.

If I Am Getting Divorced, Will My Spouse and I Each Need to Pay for an Attorney?

Typically, each spouse must hire their own attorney to represent their interests in the divorce. Attorneys have a legal and ethical obligation to advocate for their client’s best interests. It would be a conflict of interest for one attorney to represent both parties involved.

You may find it tempting to hire just one attorney as a way of saving money. However, doing so could end up costing you much more down the road if the attorney’s principal allegiance was to your ex-spouse.

What Are Family Law Matters That May Require an Appeal?

If you suspect the court made an error during your family law case, you may appeal the decision. Some common family law matters that may require an appeal include the following:

Divorce
Child custody and visitation orders
Property division orders
Spousal support orders
Domestic violence restraining orders, also known as personal protection orders
Change of school or change of domicile orders
Parental alienation

To appeal a family court decision, you must file a notice of appeal within a specific timeframe (usually 21 days in Michigan). Having an experienced family law attorney handle your appeal is important, as the appeals process can be complex and requires specific legal knowledge and skills.

What Property/Asset Division Issues Often Arise in a High Net Worth Divorce in Michigan?

High net worth divorces can be particularly complex regarding property and asset division.

Disputes often arise over valuable assets, including the following:

Homes – High-net-worth couples often own multiple homes, including vacation properties. Placing a fair value on these properties is crucial to a fair division of marital assets.
Closely Held Business Interests – If one or both spouses own a business, or a spouse is part owner of a business, the couple will need to appraise the company’s value and include that in the division of assets. One spouse may need to buy out the other or arrange for the sale of the business.
Real Estate Ventures – High net worth couples may have investments in real estate, such as rental properties or timeshares. Real estate professionals may need to review these properties to determine their fair value.
Cars – Luxury vehicles and classic cars can be significant assets in a high-net-worth divorce while also holding sentimental value, potentially leading to disputes during asset division.
Jewelry and Art – Divorcing spouses may need to hire specialists to appraise the current value of jewelry, artwork, and other collectibles in their possession.
Stock Options and Retirement Assets – Stock options, 401(k) accounts, pensions, and other retirement accounts can be complex to value and divide in a divorce.
Inheritance – An inheritance is commonly intended for just one spouse and is considered a separate asset. But in instances where inherited assets are commingled with marital assets, a judge could rule that they become marital property subject to division.
Separate Property – Usually, separate property is not subject to equitable division. But like inheritance, it could be if it’s commingled with marital assets. In addition, the court could order the property to be relinquished if the spouse who owns it has significantly more assets or a higher net worth than the other, or if the other spouse contributed to the increase in value during the marriage.

Collaborating with a seasoned Michigan family law attorney with extensive experience managing high-net-worth divorces is crucial. They will know how to identify and evaluate complicated marital assets and often have connections to experts who can help them do so.

When the stakes are this high, having a battle-tested advocate from Kraayeveld Family Law on your side is important.

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