Michigan Alimony Attorney
Going through a divorce in Michigan is never easy. Adding the stress of alimony and spousal support payments after a divorce can push people to their limits. If you’re in this boat, our Michigan Alimony Attorney team at Goldman & Associates Law Firm wants to help. We’re here to guide you through the divorce and Michigan alimony process, ensuring you get the high-quality legal service you deserve.
Whether you’re the one making payments or receiving them, the amount needs to be fair and sustainable. Too often, people either overpay or under-receive because they don’t have the right legal help. Don’t let this be you. Reach out to our Michigan Alimony Attorney team for expert advice, ensuring your financial future is built on solid ground.
Michigan Alimony and Spousal Support
Alimony, also known in Michigan as spousal support, is a legal obligation to financially support a spouse before or after divorce. Various factors like income difference, length of marriage, and even assignment of fault can impact this. If you’re navigating this complex area, having a seasoned Michigan Alimony Attorney can make a world of difference.
Why Choose Our Michigan Alimony Attorney?
The goal of Michigan alimony and spousal support is to balance income levels between spouses, especially if one has become economically dependent due to the marriage. Michigan courts have a lot of wiggle room when it comes to awarding alimony. Factors considered include marriage duration, income sources, ages, health, and more. As fault can influence property division and spousal support, having a skilled Michigan Alimony Attorney is crucial.
At Goldman & Associates Law Firm, our experienced MI alimony lawyer can assist you with the following, including but not limited to:
- Alimony support calculation
- Support modification
- Financial changes
- Income changes
- Re-marriage proceedings
Contact us at (877) 737-8800 for a free consultation with our Michigan Alimony Attorneys today.
Alimony Support Calculation
Though an award amount to a spouse is ultimately figured out by different calculations stemming from income, length of marriage, and quality of life, it is imperative to have a seasoned Michigan alimony attorney at your side to assure that you are being accurately represented during this process. Failure to do so may result in you being taken advantage of, making payments too high or not quite enough.
Support Modification
As with all aspects of the law, sometimes court ordered arrangements just aren’t conducive to the lifestyle we live. When child support payments become overbearing, it is possible to have them reduced or increased depending on the situation. The knowledge of our expert support modification attorneys will go a long way in a court of law, resulting in your desired outcomes in regard to a new and improved payment amount.
Financial Changes
If you are a parent paying child support in Michigan who has had significant financial changes, it is important to let the court know before you fall victim to back payments. Oftentimes, the courts will work with you to establish a new payment that is conducive to your new level of income. It is important to contact an experienced Michigan alimony attorney as soon as you recognize a significant change.
Re-marriage Proceedings
When a spouse remarries, there is a significant change to an alimony payment. In some cases, the payment is lowered or dissolved entirely. To understand your rights in greater detail, it is important to take advantage of our free legal consultation with an experienced Michigan alimony and spousal support attorney.
Because Michigan does not have any required legal guidelines for awarding alimony or spousal support, the knowledge and experience of your attorney is crucial in determining how much or how little support you receive. Successfully obtaining alimony or spousal support requires a comprehensive examination of marital finances, income and assets and an aggressive, skilled attorney fighting for your rights.
Conversely, having an aggressive, skilled attorney is vital in ensuring that you are not burdened by a spousal support order that will negatively affect your current standard of living and future financial well being.
Am I Going to Have to Pay?
Judges will evaluate the parties’ circumstances in determining whether spousal support is appropriate. There is no set formula. Judges must order spousal support only where it is just and reasonable, after considering the ability of either party to pay the character and situation of the parties, and all the other circumstances of the case. MCL 552.23. Some situations are going to be slam-dunk cases for spousal support such as where a marriage lasts for over 20 years, one party makes significant income while the other party is without a job, and also those situations where one party is unable to work due to a disability.
Arguments Against Alimony
As alluded to in the preceding paragraphs, judges will take a long look at whether the potential payee has the ability to work and what his/her background is like. If a spouse does not have a job, an argument must be made that he/she has the ability to work by pointing toward their health, age and educational background. If they have no educational background and rehabilitative support is ordered, it could be argued that they have an obligation to try to obtain work skills if they cannot find a job. Another argument to make is to shift the focus off of your spouse as the payee upon yourself as the payee. Showing a judge that there is an inability to pay as a result of a change in circumstances (such as losing a job, or retiring) will be considered very seriously.
Michigan Alimony and Spousal Support Law Facts
In Michigan, there are a number of factors that can influence the assignment of spousal support or alimony. Alimony is determined separately from the separation of property and has as its primary goal the balancing of the incomes and needs of the parties. Even though Michigan is a no-fault divorce state, the court can still consider the conduct of both parties during the marriage, as well as other factors, including the length of the marriage, the age of both parties and the present situation of the parties.
Contact a Spousal Support and Alimony Attorney Today
If you are facing an alimony or spousal support struggle in Southeast Michigan, contact one of our experienced, skilled, and knowledgeable attorneys today for a free, confidential consultation. Call our Michigan alimony and spousal support attorneys today at (248) 588-3333 or (877) 737-8800 for a free legal consultation. Some of our family law legal practice areas we can assist you with include: