Family Law

Our Family Law Attorney Team Understands Your Challenges

Family law issues can be especially difficult for the people involved simply due to the emotional nature of each case and situation. We understand that no one wants to face legal intervention related to family conflicts. An experienced family law attorney can guide you through the legal process and address your questions and concerns while providing you with the legal representation you need.

Our compassionate and empathetic attorneys will take the time necessary to fully understand your situation. We will work with you to provide a strong, effective legal strategy aligning with your goals and interests.

We Are Here to Help You With All Types of Family Law Issues and Concerns

Our attorneys are here to assist you in the following areas of family law:

• Grandparenting Time
• Equitable Distributions
• Guardianships (Family Law)
• Adoptions
• Prenuptial Agreements
• Postnuptial Agreements
• Paternity
• Revocation of Paternity
• Annulment
• Legal Separation
• Divorce
• Spousal Support (Alimony)
• Property Division
• Child Custody
• Child Support
• Child Protective Proceedings
• Temporary Orders

These cases can be incredibly delicate and emotional. Our dedicated team of attorneys provides compassionate legal service during your time of need.

We are here for you now, throughout the process, and long after your legal situation has concluded. Contact our family court lawyer team at LaBre Law Office today to schedule a consultation.

Divorce

Navigating a divorce in Michigan can be complex. Michigan is a no-fault divorce state, requiring no ground for divorce beyond irreconcilable differences. Key factors include property division — typically equitable but not necessarily equal — and potential spousal support, determined case by case.

If children are involved, their interests are paramount, influencing custody and support outcomes. The process duration varies, but a minimum 60-day waiting period applies, extending to 6 months when minor children are involved.

Child Custody, Child Support, Parenting Time, & Grandparenting Time

Michigan determines child custody based on the child’s interests, considering factors like emotional ties and stability. The law determines child support on both parents’ income, the number of children, and the custody arrangement. Parenting time denotes how much time each parent spends with their child; it’s designed to maintain a strong relationship between the child and both parents. Under certain conditions, Grandparenting time also specifies time for grandparents’ visitation rights.

Equitable Distribution & Spousal Support (aka Alimony)

Equitable distribution is not a 50/50 split but a fair division of marital property based on various factors like each spouse’s contribution to the marital estate, the duration of the marriage, and the parties’ needs. It includes both assets and debts acquired during the marriage.

Spousal support, or alimony, is not automatic in Michigan. It’s awarded after considering factors such as the parties’ ability to work, the source and amount of property awarded to the parties, the length of the marriage, the ability to pay spousal support, the parties’ current situation, and the parties’ needs.

Every situation is unique, and the complexity of these aspects can be difficult to understand. If you’re navigating these issues, it’s crucial to consult with a seasoned Michigan family attorney to ensure your rights are protected.

Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements

Prenuptial agreements, also known as premarital agreements or prenups, are contracts entered into before marriage. They allow couples to determine how their assets and debts will be divided in the event of divorce or death. Spouses often prepare prenups to protect one another in case these issues ever arise. To be valid in Michigan, a prenup must be in writing, signed by both parties and made with full disclosure of each party’s financial situation.

Postnuptial agreements are similar to prenuptial agreements, but couples enter into them after they are already married. These agreements can address the same issues as a prenuptial agreement, like property division and spousal support, but they must not encourage divorce. You and your spouse may wish to seek a postnuptial agreement in response to changing conditions or issues you anticipate.

While prenuptial and postnuptial agreements can provide peace of mind and clarity, they can also be complex and contentious. Your family law lawyer can ensure your rights are protected and that the agreement is fair and enforceable.

Legal Separations & Annulments

Legal separation, known as a “separate maintenance” action in Michigan, allows couples to live separately while remaining legally married. You may wish to choose this option for religious reasons, to retain certain benefits, or to allow time for reconciliation. It involves similar processes to divorce, such as the division of property and the determination of child custody and support.

Annulment, on the other hand, declares a marriage void from the beginning, as if it never occurred. Annulments are rare and granted only under specific circumstances, such as when a marriage was entered into under duress, fraud, or if one party was already legally married.

The implications of legal separations and annulments can be complex. Your family law attorney can assess your unique situation and guide you in your next steps.

Adoption & Guardianships

Adoption is a legal process that creates a new, permanent parent-child relationship. In Michigan, individuals, couples, and even stepparents or relatives can adopt. The process is often very involved, including home studies, court hearings, and post-placement visits to ensure a child’s well-being.

Guardianship, on the other hand, is a legal relationship where a person (the guardian) is appointed by the court to make decisions for another (the ward) who is unable to do so themselves. This could be due to the ward being a minor or an incapacitated adult. Guardianship may cover personal, medical, and financial decisions, depending on the specific case.

Paternity & Revocation of Paternity

Paternity refers to the legal recognition of a man as a child’s father. In Michigan, a man is presumed to be the legal father if he is married to the mother when the child is born. Establishing paternity in Michigan can be done voluntarily by both parents signing an Affidavit of Parentage or through a court order. It is important because it affects issues like child custody, visitation rights, and child support.

Revocation of paternity, on the other hand, is a legal action that allows a man to disestablish paternity if he is not the biological father. In Michigan, this can be done under certain circumstances, such as when new evidence comes to light after the initial paternity establishment. Michigan’s Revocation of Paternity Act (ROPA) informs the procedures for these cases.

Navigating paternity issues can be complex and emotionally charged. Whether you’re looking to establish paternity or you are considering revocation of paternity, an experienced family court attorney can ensure your rights are protected and guide you through these intricate legal processes.

Child Protective Proceedings

Child Protective Proceedings are initiated when there are allegations of child abuse or neglect. While these proceedings aim to ensure the child’s safety and well-being, they can be incredibly stressful and complex, and they have high stakes for everyone involved.

In Michigan, when a report is made, the Department of Health and Human Services investigates. If they believe the child is at risk, they may file a petition with the court.

The court then determines whether the child should be removed from their home or if other protective measures should be taken. Parents have the right to an attorney in these proceedings, and the goal is typically to reunify the family whenever safely possible.

At LaBre Law Office, We Will Work Closely With You To Strategize The Next Steps For Your Family’s Future

Every family faces a unique set of circumstances that can make family law issues stressful and intimidating for the parties involved, missteps threaten to contribute further to family difficulties. You need guidance from an experienced legal team that has navigated these issues under many different scenarios while clearly addressing relevant implications with clients’ interests in mind.

At LaBre Law Office, we have over four decades of experience helping families like yours. We serve clients throughout the “Michiana” area, as we are licensed on both sides of the Michigan-Indiana border. Contact our knowledgeable family law attorney team today to schedule a consultation. We will assess your family law issues, which in many cases, are interconnected. Together, we will devise an appropriate strategic legal plan for your family and your future.

LaBre Law Office — Excellence is Our Standard