Divorce heralds the coming of a very difficult and challenging time in one’s life. Along with the emotional and financial burden it brings, you also have to contend with a process that’s going to demand a lot from you.
At the offices of Sean Patrick Cox, we have top divorce lawyers Grand Rapids MI who have spearheaded a plethora of divorce cases over the years. Trust us when we tell you just how overwhelming these proceedings can become and the toll it can take on someone who isn’t properly prepared.
As such, we want to use this article to familiarize you with the divorce process as it pertains to the state of Michigan.
So, without much further ado, let’s dive in.
What a Typical Divorce Process entails in Grand Rapids, MI.
Divorce laws vary from state to state across the United States of America. If you are a resident of Michigan, you should know that it is a “no-fault” state. This means you don’t have to prove any wrongdoing by your spouse to file for divorce. However, a court might consider fault or wrongdoing to determine certain judgments concerning child custody, alimony, or property division.
You can only file for divorce in Michigan if you and your spouse have been living in the state for at least 180 days. We suggest consulting the attorneys at Sean Patrick Cox P.L.L.C for in-depth knowledge of divorce in Michigan. After all, we are the first name that pops up when you Google – “top divorce lawyers near me”.
Understanding the Divorce Process: One Step at a Time
If you are considering divorce, you should know where to begin and what to expect along the way. We would highly recommend navigating this process with the best divorce lawyer in Michigan by your side.
1. Filing for Divorce
A divorce process will officially kickstart when one spouse files a complaint for divorce. The complaint should include the names of both spouses. Names of any minor children the spouses share must also be mentioned. The complaint will also mention that the marriage has completely broken down.
Furthermore, the spouse filing for divorce must state that they and their spouse were a resident of Michigan for at least 180 days as well as a resident of the county they are filing in for 10 days. The spouse filing the complaint will be known as the plaintiff whereas the other spouse will be labeled as the defendant.
2. Serving the Papers
Once filed, the plaintiff must serve this divorce paper to the defendant, who will be the other spouse. The defendant will have 21 days to respond to this complaint in person. They’ll have 28 days to respond if the papers were sent to them via mail.
3. Issuance of Temporary Orders
The court will have the authority to issue temporary orders about child custody, alimony, or marital assets. For example, the court might pass a temporary order that states which spouse will have the legal or physical custody of a child until a final judgment is reached. This helps the court maintain some semblance of order until they’ve arrived at the final judgment.
4. Discovery
This is the stage where valuable information regarding finances, income, and assets is exchanged between the divorcing parties. In Michigan, both parties are required to fully disclose their financial standing with regard to how much they earn and what their assets are worth.
This information is usually gathered through interrogation or depositions. The best divorce lawyer in Michigan will use subpoenas to acquire information from companies and banks. According to Michigan’s divorce law, failure to disclose assets can prove costly. In such circumstances, a Michigan court will reward entire assets to the opposing party.
This could happen even if the assets were discovered after the final judgment was reached. It will be in your best interest to have a reliable attorney handle the discovery process. A reliable attorney is what you get when you join hands with the office of Sean Patrick Cox, the top answer to the often-asked question – “top divorce lawyers near me.”
5. Mediation
A good attorney will do everything in their power to settle a divorce proceeding out of court. Peaceful mediations help the divorcing parties find common ground and resolve their issues without a lengthy court battle. You stand to save a lot of money and time by sitting face-to-face with the opposing party.
Divorce lawyers make for great mediators. They can put your stance forward and make sure a settlement is reached that you can deem fair. The terms of the agreement that were arrived at during the mediation will be drafted into a Settlement Agreement.
6. A Possible Trial
Sometimes negotiations fail and you have no option but to fight the divorce case in court. If that happens, you’ll need a great attorney by your side. They’ll devise strategies, counter the arguments made by the opposing party, and aggressively advocate in your best interest to ensure you have a fair day in court.
7. The Judgment
A judge will consider the marriage dissolved once all issues are addressed and resolved. The judge will officially end the marriage by signing a Judgment of Divorce. This document will contain terms regarding child custody, alimony, property division, visitation rights, etc. that both parties have to honor.
Again, we would suggest hiring the best legal help possible to help you navigate Michigan’s divorce laws. Grand Rapids divorce lawyers aren’t that hard to find these days and you don’t have to look any further than the offices of Sean Patrick Cox.
Why Hire the Law Firm of Sean Patrick Cox
As we mentioned before, divorce itself is a devastating event in one’s life. You do not want to add to that stress by navigating the legal process associated with it by yourself. Most folks avoid seeking any help as they can’t find affordable divorce lawyers. However, they need to realize that not having proper legal representation will only end up costing them a lot.
You could try reaching out to us at the offices of Sean Patrick Cox for the best legal representation at a reasonable fee. Our law firm is home to the best divorce lawyers in town. This is why we always crack the first spot when someone Googles – “best divorce lawyers near me”.
Our head lawyer – Sean Patrick Cox, has an experience of more than 30 years. In that time, he has represented clients in a variety of divorce and family law cases with astounding success.
Our spotless track record aside, we treat each of our clients with the patience and compassion they deserve. We avoid using legal jargon when consulting our clients to make sure they understand their rights and options clearly.
Whether it is through mediation or court battles, you can count on us to work in your best interest from the moment your divorce is filed until the final judgment is reached and beyond.
Initial consultation with our lawyers is free. Get in touch with us and learn why we are at the top whenever you Google – “best divorce lawyers near me”.
FAQ
The Law Offices of Sean Patrick Cox is a lawyer. Sean practices in two main areas, family law, and elder law. he has represented clients in complex divorce cases since 1994.
