Navigating Divorce in Michigan: How a Grand Rapids Divorce Lawyer Can Help

From the moment you start considering divorce through to the final decree, a qualified Grand Rapids divorce lawyer can make every step easier. Divorce is always hard, but having experienced help makes it as easy and quick as it can be.

Establishing Realistic Expectations and a Strategic Plan

One of the early hurdles in a divorce is thinking carefully through the potential outcomes, legal and procedural deadlines, and what your decisions may end up meaning for your future. A Grand Rapids divorce lawyer excels at helping clients in setting realistic expectations and dispelling misconceptions.

Your lawyer will break down the stages involved, the various factors that should be influencing your decisions, and the potential for either contested or uncontested divorce proceedings. After laying this critical baseline, your attorney will then work proactively with you to develop a personalized and strategic plan. This roadmap will be designed around your unique situation, priorities, and any specific areas of concern for you, like child custody, dealing with substantial assets, or splitting up a business ownership.

Gathering and Protecting of Financial Information

Finances are often a central point of tension in divorce, so your lawyer will be there to guide you through the collection, assessment, and protection of financial documentation. They know exactly what the Michigan courts will require and can help you build a complete and useful picture of your marital assets and debts.

Your attorney can also be instrumental in protecting you from any attempts by your spouse to hide assets or manipulate the financial disclosure process. They can identify red flags and, when necessary, even collaborate with forensic accountants to uncover any financial discrepancies or suspicious activity.

Handling the Valuation of Assets and Negotiating Property Division

The task of valuing assets, especially if you and your spouse have complex holdings like businesses or real estate, is difficult for any lay person to do accurately. A lawyer will help you understand and then work to advocate for the valuations that best serve your interests.

Armed with clear asset values, your lawyer then enters the property distribution negotiation phase. Michigan is an equitable distribution state, meaning assets aren’t necessarily split 50/50. Instead, factors such as earning capacity, contribution to asset acquisition, fault, and length of the marriage are all considered to make a “fair” distribution. Your lawyer will represent your position in negotiations or mediation sessions and fight to secure you a property settlement that positions you well for financial stability.

Determining and Advocating for Alimony

In some Michigan divorces, spousal support, or alimony, may be appropriate. To determine alimony, the courts will look at disparities in income, earning potential, the needs of each spouse, and the duration of the marriage. Your lawyer will help you here by looking through your specific circumstances and determining whether a strong argument for spousal support exists in your case or defend you against unfair claims on your income from your spouse looking for support.

These are just a few things that your lawyer can do for you. If you’re facing a divorce, get experienced help by contacting the Van Den Heuvel Law Office online, where we represent people in Grand Rapids and across the state.