Sterling Heights Divorce Lawyers Protecting Your Rights Throughout Divorce Proceedings
The decisions that are made during a divorce can affect every aspect of a man’s life, including their financial stability and relationship with their children. The divorce attorneys at American Divorce Association for Men (ADAM) understand the impact these decisions will have on your future. That’s why we are committed to helping men in Sterling Heights protect what is most important to them.
Our team of divorce lawyers has been advocating for men since 1988. We will guide you through the process of getting divorced, making sure you are being treated fairly by the courts every step of the way. Let us work tirelessly to reach the best possible outcome in your divorce case.
What to Expect When Filing For Divorce in Sterling Heights
There are a number of different steps involved in the process of getting divorced in Sterling Heights. Here’s what you should expect:
- Either you will file divorce papers or your spouse will serve you with divorce papers. This is how a divorce is initiated in this state.
- If you filed the papers, you will receive a response to the complaint from your spouse. If your spouse filed, you will need to work with an attorney to respond to the complaint.
- There is a waiting period that is required by law. The waiting period starts the day the divorce complaint is filed. If you and your spouse have minor children, the waiting period is 180 days. But if you and your spouse do not have minor children, the waiting period is only 60 days.
- You and your spouse will need to resolve various issues prior to finalizing your divorce, including:
- Spousal Support
- Child Support
- Child Custody/Visitation
- Division of Property
- Division of Debts
These issues can be resolved in private negotiations or mediation, but if both parties cannot agree on a resolution, the case will go to court.
- The judge will sign the Judgment of Divorce, which will legally end your marriage and finalize your divorce.
Do You Need to Prove Fault to Get Divorced in Michigan?
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. This means you will not need to prove that your spouse was responsible for the end of your marriage in order to get a divorce in this state. Instead, the state allows spouses to file for divorce based on the statement that your marriage has broken down and there is no reasonable likelihood it can be preserved.
There is no need to prove fault to get divorced. But the issue of who is at fault for the breakdown of the marriage can arise during spousal support disputes. If your spouse asks for spousal support, the court will consider many different factors when determining whether or not support is warranted, and if so, how much. One of these factors is each spouse’s fault in causing the divorce. As a result, the role you played in causing the divorce could impact the outcome of the spousal support dispute.
What Should You Do Before Filing For Divorce in Sterling Heights?
There are several steps you can take before filing for divorce that will make the process much easier. Here’s what to do if you are preparing to file for divorce:
- Start gathering and making copies of financial documents, including bank accounts, vehicle titles, debts, tax returns, property deeds, credit card statements, mortgage statements, and any other type of financial document that shows assets or debts in you or your spouse’s name.
- If you plan on leaving the family home after filing for divorce, now is the time to figure out where you will stay once the papers have been served and to consider the many reasons why you should not move out.
- Talk to an attorney. You should seek legal representation as soon as possible so your attorney can assist you with every step in the divorce proceedings.
Taking these steps in advance will relieve some of the stress of getting divorced.
Contact Our Divorce Attorneys in Sterling Heights For A Free Phone Consultation
If you are ready to file for divorce—or if your spouse has already filed—it’s in your best interest to seek legal representation from the divorce attorneys at ADAM as soon as possible. Our attorneys are proud to help men in Sterling Heights protect their best interests throughout their divorce proceedings. We will work tirelessly to ensure that the court’s bias against men does not affect the outcome of your case.
Take the first step toward reaching a favorable outcome by contacting our law firm today. To schedule a free phone consultation, call 248-356-2326 or submit your information using the form on this website.