Divorce

Lorain R. Kuhn – Divorce Attorney in Michigan

Loraine R. Kuhn, a Michigan divorce lawyer with over 30 years of experience, knows that going through a divorce is stressful.  Mindful of this, and unlike many other divorce lawyers in Michigan, she attempts to reduce your stress level by educating you about the divorce process in Michigan and keeping you advised of the progress of your case.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT DIVORCE IN MICHGAN

• Michigan is a no-fault divorce state.  As such, if you want a divorce, and meet other statutory requirements, a court will grant you a divorce.  Your spouse does not have to agree to “give you a divorce”.
• To file for divorce, you must have been a resident of Michigan for 180 days and the County where you intend to file for divorce 10 days prior to filing your Complaint for Divorce.
• You do not need to allege specific “grounds” for a divorce.  All you are required to state is that there has been a breakdown of the marriage relationship to the extent that the objects of matrimony have been destroyed and there are no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved.
• A Complaint is the pleading you file to start a divorce case.  In it you must state such things as the names of the parties; where, when and by whom you were married; the names and dates of birth of your minor children; that the marriage has broken down; and that there is property (and debts) to divide.  The Complaint will also state the relief you are requesting on the issues of custody and parenting time, child support, spousal support and property.
• Your spouse is served with the Complaint for Divorce.  This is done by having a person, over 18, or a process server, deliver the papers to the person.  You can also serve papers by way of certified mail, return receipt requested.
• Once your spouse is served with the Complaint for Divorce, he or she must file a pleading called an “Answer”.  In the Answer, your spouse responds to the allegations made in your Complaint.  If your spouse does not file an Answer within 21 days of service, a default may be entered.
• Discovery is a process in which you find out information about the other party. This can be anything from information about assets and liabilities to whether the other party has been cheating.  This is done by way of depositions, interrogatories and requests for documents.
• The Friend of the Court is the Court’s friend, NOT your friend.  Its purpose is to help the Court resolve issues related to your children and to enforce non-payment of support.
• Michigan State Disbursement Unit (MISDU) is an agency where child support and spousal support is paid by the payer or his/her employer, by income withholding, and disbursed to the payee. Most payments are handled electronically.
• While Michigan is a no-fault divorce state, fault can be used as a factor in determining spousal support and property settlement.
• Most divorce cases are resolved without trial by the parties with the help of attorneys or through Mediation or Arbitration.
• There is no such thing as a quick divorce in Michigan.  A judgment of divorce in a case without children cannot be entered prior to 60 days from the date of filing of the Complaint for Divorce.  In cases with children, a judgment of divorce cannot be entered prior to 180 days from the date of filing of the Complaint for Divorce, unless a court finds, that good cause exists to waive the 180 day requirement.  In these cases, a judgment can be entered after 60 days from the date of filing of the Complaint for Divorce.

Michigan divorce attorney, Loraine R. Kuhn is a “no nonsense” lawyer. She is honest and direct with her clients and expects the same from them. While she is compassionate, she does not “sugarcoat” the situation to make her client’s feel better. While most cases can be resolved amicably through negotiation or mediation, she is not afraid to go to court and fight for her clients.

Michigan divorce lawyer, Loraine R. Kuhn, is conveniently located in Farmington Hills, Oakland County Michigan near Southfield, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, West Bloomfield, Bingham Farms, Livonia, Northville and Novi.

Contact Loraine R. Kuhn at (248) 862-3933 to schedule a free initial consultation on divorce or any matter related to all Family Law Practice Areas.

Please visit Family Law Practice Area to see a full list of practice areas Loraine R. Kuhn specializes in. You will find helpful descriptions of each practice area, how they pertain to Michigan Family Law, and how I can assist you as your Oakland County Family Lawyer.