FAMILY LAW
It's never easy and it's always emotional. At the Friedman Law Firm, our focus revolves around satisfying our clients and maximizing results. We want to meet with you, at no cost at all, so we can understand the specifics of your situation and establish an effective plan to assist you. As attorneys focused on family law issues, we are sensitive to the needs of our divorcing clients and understand that every case is unique and must be handled that way.
We will work closely with you to achieve your personal goals, providing you with seasoned counsel.
The divorce process can seem like an endless maze, with little hope of finding your way out. We will stand by you and guide you through this process. Whether you need a pep-talk or simply want to chat over a cup of coffee, we will take the time to listen to you and offer honest legal counsel. And while we will not back down from a tough legal battle, we always try to work with the other side to effectively get you the results you need.
Our experience and knowledge of divorce law allow us to confidently guide our clients through the divorce process in regard to:
- present and future financial needs
- resolving all issues concerning children
- alimony and child support
- medical coverage
- education expenses
- equitable distribution of property
Child custody is often the most contentious issue associated with divorce. We work closely with our clients to protect both your legal rights and the legal rights of your children. Understanding that great care needs to be taken when addressing matters involving children, the Friedman Law Firm takes the time to explain the legal process so that you make informed decisions.
Child support is primarily governed by each parent's income, the number of children and the number of overnights that each parent will have with the minor child(ren). However, there are often "hidden issues" that can result in inequitable support. In these cases, you need an attorney who is both skilled and empathic to take care of all your needs. The Friedman Law Firm carefully reviews each possible factor that impacts your child support case, then helps you deal with all the difficult issues.
- establishing child support
- preparing for a child support hearing
- challenging child support actions
- raising or lowering of the amount of child support due
The Friedman Law Firm is skillfully equipped to present appropriate and necessary legal arguments when fighting to gain spousal support within a difficult legal structure, such as the Michigan Spousal Support Guidelines, which takes into account:
- the ability of either party to pay
- length of the marriage
- character and situation of each party
- past relations and conduct of the parties
- ability of the parties to work
- ages
- needs and health of the parties
- sources and amount of property awarded
- current situation of each party
- prior standard of living
- the fault of either party in causing the divorce
The experienced Friedman Law Firm attorneys know how to navigate the rules in order to obtain the most favorable determination, and we have achieved successful results time and time again.
MODIFICATION OF EXISTING ORDERS/POST JUDGMENT MATTERS
Three issues relating to all minor children in a divorce:
- custody
- parenting time
- child support
As time passes and events occur, there are often appropriate reasons to modify the original Order or Judgment relating to one or more of these particular issues. The Friedman Law Firm has extensive knowledge and understanding of the law and the requisite "change of circumstances" threshold in order to effectively obtain more suitable results for our clients.
As the State of Michigan continues to endure a declining economy, many parents are forced to move out of state in order to find new employment and provide for themselves and their children. As a result, this particular issue is a fast-growing area of law as it encompasses the potential deprivation of and modification to a party's parenting time. Without permission from the Court, the party seeking to move out of state cannot do so with the children in tow. The Friedman Law Firm can greatly enhance your chances of either being allowed to move or preventing your former spouse from moving of state, as we thoroughly understand this area of law and the applicable arguments that can help us succeed.
When someone refers to a Legal Separation, they are actually referring to a Separate Maintenance action. The procedure for obtaining a Judgment of Separate Maintenance in Michigan is practically the same as the procedure for a divorce, but when a Judgment of Separate Maintenance is entered you are divorced from everything except the bounds of matrimony; therefore you cannot remarry. Most people who decide to pursue a Judgment of Separate Maintenance, rather than a Michigan Divorce, do so for religious, health care or immigration reasons. The attorneys at the Friedman Law Firm will take the time to meet with you and explain all of the considerations to help you decide what's best for you.
As nearly 50% of all marriages end in divorce, these agreements are designed to protect each person's own property and their rights to the property if the marriage ends. Necessary to designing these agreements are: the honest exchange and disclosure of all assets, fairness to both parties and fairness involved in enforcing the agreement. The Friedman Law Firm has drafted and reviewed numerous Pre-/Post-Nuptial Agreements and has the experience you need to feel confident that your Agreement will safeguard your assets and desires.
