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Michigan Divorce Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Divorce and Family Law for Michigan on
Q: My ex is on the deed, the mortgage is in my name alone and I bought the house prior to us being married.

Per our divorce degree I agreed to pay the house till my last child was 18. At which point I plan on retiring. What can I do to make sure I don’t have to pay any more.

David Soble
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David Soble
answered on Nov 23, 2023

The divorce decree is a court order that is binding on both parties. However, the mortgage will need to be paid by someone if it has not matured by the time your last child turns 18. So if the provisions of the divorce decree fail to address this issue, or does not provide that your ex- spouse is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Michigan on
Q: I am trying to locate a legal aid attorney .for divorce

My ex is in for life prison.i am very afraid still and need to break all ties to him.the judge has given me until Nov 4th to serve the paper to him.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 18, 2023

Sounds like you've already filed for the divorce. What you need now to do is serve the paperwork. For someone in prison, that is typically done through the warden of the prison he is housed in. You certainly could look into qualifying for a legal aid attorney, but that person would have to do... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Divorce and Family Law for Michigan on
Q: How does marital property work in chapter 13 bankruptcy if only one spouse filed for bankruptcy.

Married in august 2019, brought home September 2019, he filed for chapter 13 bankruptcy in March 2023, he filed for divorce in July 2023

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 5, 2023

In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy where only one spouse has filed, the individual's portion of marital property can be included in the bankruptcy estate. This means that the debtor's share of jointly owned property may be affected by the repayment plan. The non-filing spouse's separate... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Divorce and Family Law for Michigan on
Q: How does marital property work in chapter 13 bankruptcy if only one spouse filed for bankruptcy.

Married in august 2019, brought home September 2019, he filed for chapter 13 bankruptcy in March 2023, he filed for divorce in July 2023

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Oct 12, 2023

In Michigan, marital property is divided equally between the spouses in the event of a divorce. However, this rule can be modified by the court based on a number of factors, including the length of the marriage, the contributions of each spouse, and the needs of the children. In the case you... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Michigan on
Q: Does interest on a post divorce related money judgment accrue from the divorce date or judgment date?

Michigan Divorce was 5/2017 and 401k was part of settlement. However neither of us pursued the QDRO for over 2 years. 2019 I became unemployed at which point I had to access the 401k funds. As a result my x spouse filed a motion and a money judgment was awarded to her for half of the original 401k... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 11, 2023

Typically, judgment interest accrues from the date judgment is entered. In your case, the judgment that matters is the divorce judgment. The QDRO is simply a mechanism to enforce or effectuate the judgment, so it's date does not matter.

Judgment interest is intended of course to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce and Family Law for Michigan on
Q: Divorced 50/50 custody. Got a drunk driving almost 3 years ago and now he is taking me back to court about this. Can he

What can he do in court? He is trying to take custody away from me and move. He said he has a lawyer and that she is going.to file a couple of motions. I don't know what they are but he said he wants to change our divorce decree because I violated it by drinking. First time that nothing... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Sep 13, 2023

I think you've hit his motivation spot-on: he wants to change custody to leverage more money from you in child support. Can he file whatever motion? Certainly. Issues of custody, parenting time, and support remain so long as the child is a minor. Will he succeed? Who knows. He would need to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Child Custody and Communications Law for Michigan on
Q: Can I use my own recordings of conversations between my ex-wife and I in Michigan court if she did not give permission.

Michigan appears to be, essentially, one party consent so long as the call is recorded by one of the participants.

I also told her numerous times I was recording all of our interactions to serve as a blanket statement.

She is consistently threatening to intentionally violate our... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Sep 12, 2023

If you have a custody agreement, then the only thing that matters is whether she - and you - are complying with its terms. If you two are making further agreements, that's cool, but understand that an agreement isn't an agreement unless both parties agree. When one party says "we... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Michigan on
Q: Can I go back to my house in the middle of a divorce. The home is in my name and was a gift from my mother.
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Sep 5, 2023

During a divorce, the rules regarding access to the marital home can vary depending on the specific circumstances and the laws of your jurisdiction. Since the home is in your name and was a gift from your mother, it could potentially be considered separate property rather than marital property,... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Libel & Slander for Michigan on
Q: Can I file suit for defamation or slander/libel against the attorney who called me "lazy" in my divorce proceedings?

The judge warned that "lazy" was not a reason for divorce. Additionally, I have been disabled by chronic illness since childhood. This was known to my ex-husband, who had accompanied my parents to 2 major surgeries I had while we were engaged.

I've realized through therapy... View More

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Aug 18, 2023

In Michigan, the ability to file a defamation or slander/libel lawsuit against an attorney who called you "lazy" during your divorce proceedings may be limited by legal privileges related to statements made within the context of litigation. Statements made within legal proceedings could... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence, Divorce and Family Law for Michigan on
Q: I want to sue my husband for domestic violence. I have proof of pics, voice, police report. but how do I start?

I was just thinking about divorce with him but, now I want to sue him for mental, physical as well as financial abuse. I moved from 30 years home town NJ to Michigan 2 years ago just to support he's new job. He hated my entire families and friends and end up I kind of stop talking to them and... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jul 3, 2023

Best way to get started is to consult with a local divorce attorney and get the process started. While there is some precedent for suing a spouse for intentional torts, your situation may better support a cause for spousal support.

Keep in mind that Michigan is a "no fault" state...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Michigan on
Q: I just found out a CNA/RN at my kid’s pediatrician office is having an affair with my husband. What to do?

We’re in the process of divorce because he was caught cheating. She’s been around my children because she recognized them at their appointment, which made her realize who I was. My children didn’t recognize her so they didn’t tell me who she was (they’re only 5 and 6 y/o). We’re not... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 26, 2023

Short of complaining to the pediatrician about the RN - which there may be some ethical violations related to her licensing, and certainly bad business in any regard, but I don't think there's anything else you can do about her. The wrongdoing here is obviously with your husband, and with... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Native American Law, Divorce and Family Law for Michigan on
Q: Does MI 100 mile law apply to native primary parent needing to move to reservation to afford stable life

Native enrolled mom and 4 kids. I have been a stay at home mom for 11 years. Non native husband/father has worked out of state, has only been in the home 1 week a month, he only provides income and health insurance the entire 11 years. Our reservation is in the upper peninsula. I have raised the... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 25, 2023

Assuming you are in the midst of a divorce, you should negotiate this arrangement now. Otherwise, you can later file a motion to change domicile if it becomes necessary to relocate. However, there is a whole host of criteria a judge would need to consider at that time other than just it makes... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Collections for Michigan on
Q: My fiance (from michigan) was served papers in the mail by collectors saying he hasn't been paying back a loan

So what we have discovered is his ex-wife (divorced in 2018) took out a loan of $30,000 in his name and got him to sign the papers. She just told him to sign the papers. He didn't check what he was signing (I've told him how stupid he is) and she co-signed the loan. However, she... View More

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Jun 12, 2023

First, make sure the papers are not ignored (obviously you are not ignoring them as you posted this question). Make sure a proper response is served and filed with the court in the time required.

Although he may be responsible for the debt, he has a counter-claim against the ex for the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce and Family Law for Michigan on
Q: what kind of lawyer would be best able to find and request custody documents from a divorce done back in the 1980s?

My father passed recently and I've come to find that he's not listed on my birth certificate. I need to prove my status as next of kin. I have gone through all Vital Records and public records for the courts (county and probate), for the county I was born in and the county I lived in and... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 11, 2023

You don't necessarily need a lawyer for this, but where you'll probably want to look is the circuit court in the county your parents were divorced in. Ask for a copy of the "judgement of divorce".

Not to be funny or imply anything untoward, but I've seen it happen...
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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property, Divorce and Family Law for Michigan on
Q: Are food recipes considered a marital asset if used in a business.

I came up with the recipes and started a salsa company with my husband. The LLC and company logo are in his name and any contracts with stores, manufacturers and distributors are in my name. Since I came up with the recipes myself after years of trial and error can these be considered martial... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 2, 2023

In a divorce, all assets acquired during the marriage are generally considered marital property, regardless of who came up with the idea or made the initial investment. This includes any intellectual property, such as recipes, that were developed during the marriage and used in a business. However,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Michigan on
Q: How can a judge make you pay half for a item that you don't own to the other party in a divorce? Other party has noproof

Other party has lied so many times and switching her story. That now I have to pay for things I don't have any the judge is giving me 45 days. It is not a little bit of money it's over $40,000. I don't even have that much.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 1, 2023

Divorce is a civil action heard in courts of equity. To oversimplify things: a divorce is intended to equitably divide a couple's assets and debts. It is common, for example, for one party to pay the other party his or her share of a home's equity that they are keeping.

As to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Tax Law for Michigan on
Q: What can i do?

I have two kids 17, and 18. I am divorced, my ex and I have 50/50 custody. My house is the kids primary residence. My kids are both in school and live at home. We have an agreement that we each claim one child when filing out taxes. She claimed both this year. She claims it's her right,... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 4, 2023

If you and your ex-spouse have a written agreement regarding claiming your children as dependents for tax purposes, and your ex-spouse violated that agreement by claiming both children, you may be able to resolve the issue by taking the following steps:

Talk to your ex-spouse: Start by...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Immigration Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Michigan on
Q: Hi I been married to my Indian husband who is a green card holder for 4 years we have a 2 year old son recently he’s

Been threatening to take my son away and leave with him to India so his parents can raise him. My son has never met them people yet my question is IS THIS POSSIBLE CAN YOU TAKE MY SON WITHOUT MY PERMISSION? 2nd question is IF I DIVORCE HIM WILL HE HAVE TO GIVE ME SPOUSAL SUPPORT &CHILD SUPPORT?... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 26, 2023

I'm sorry to hear about the difficult situation you are facing. To answer your questions:

Generally, a parent cannot take a child out of the country without the other parent's permission, especially if there is a custody agreement in place. If your husband takes your son to India...
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1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Child Support for Michigan on
Q: Hi, I’ve been married to my Indian husband green card holderfor 4years we have a 2 year old son together, recently

He’s Been threatening to take my son to India for his family can raise him,I now think he used me for a green card can he get deported if we divorce??my question is Is this possible for him to steal my son without my permission? 2nd question is If i divorce him will he have to give me spousal... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 26, 2023

I'm sorry to hear about the difficulties you're facing. To answer your first question, if both parents have legal custody of a child, it is generally not permissible for one parent to take the child out of the country without the other parent's permission. If your husband were to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Michigan on
Q: Hello! A family member who is serving time in a Michigan prison just got his divorce finalized and his settlement

is through a Quadro order. Based on the fact that the funds are coming to him from his spouse's retirement account, does he have to pay taxes on his end?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Feb 14, 2023

He would not, assuming his settlement goes into another qualified account. If he takes all or a portion, or receives payments, those could be subject to tax 9and a potential 10% penalty unless he is otherwise eligible to withdraw.

More concerning for someone in prison: The attorney general...
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