Getting a divorce in Michigan affects many aspects of your life, including your finances. To help with the financial burden that can accompany divorce, family law courts in the state may order one spouse to make support payments to the other spouse for a set period during or after the dissolution of their marriage. Whether you live near Kingswood Lake or have grown accustomed to life along Manorwood Drive, a Bloomfield Hills spousal support lawyer can represent you.
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Get Support From Nichols, Sacks, Slank, Sendelbach, Buiteweg & Solomon, P.C.
For years, Nichols, Sacks, Slank, Sendelbach, Buiteweg & Solomon, P.C., has been helping people across Bloomfield Hills maintain the standard of living they had in their marriage. Whether you are the spouse seeking support or the individual who may be required to make payments, we can advocate for your rights and interests. Our firm can make sure your financial safety and future are secured.
At Nichols, Sacks, Slank, Sendelbach, Buiteweg & Solomon, P.C., we’re passionate about helping spouses reach amicable resolutions through alternative dispute methods, like mediation or arbitration. However, we are also well-versed in litigation and can petition the family court judge on your behalf. Whatever your spousal support case might entail, our attorneys can provide you with the compassionate guidance you deserve to make well-informed decisions.
Types of Spousal Support Available in Michigan
Michigan sees an annual divorce rate of 2.2 per 1,000 residents. In many of these cases, especially situations where the couple shares a high net worth, spousal support can quickly become a contentious issue.
At Nichols, Sacks, Slank, Sendelbach, Buiteweg & Solomon, P.C., our attorneys can review your case and determine which kind of spousal support you might be entitled to or required to pay. The four kinds of spousal support available to Michigan couples include:
Periodic Spousal Support
In Michigan, this is the most common kind of spousal support. The courts involved in your case can award this support for a short period of time or on a long-term basis. It generally lasts until the spouse receiving payments can:
- Complete their education.
- Find a job that allows them to become self-sustainable.
- Learn a new skill, such as a trade.
Temporary Spousal Support
This kind of spousal support is available for individuals who cannot cover their own financial expenses during the divorce proceedings. In these cases, the courts may order that the spouse who has historically handled the utility bills, car payments, and home mortgage continue to do so until the divorce has been finalized.
Permanent Spousal Support
In rare cases, spousal support may be awarded on a permanent basis. This can occur when couples have been married for a long time. Often, the spouse seeking support cannot become self-sustainable due to a health condition, their advanced age, or a disability. Nearly 36% of U.S. adults undergoing divorce are over the age of 50, and spousal support is common in these cases.
Lump-Sum Spousal Support
This kind of support is available when the spouse who is required to pay support can do so in a single payment. In some cases, rather than monetary payments, the support can come in the form of real or personal property.
How Nichols, Sacks, Slank, Sendelbach, Buiteweg & Solomon, P.C., Can Protect You
Whether you are seeking spousal support payments or defending against them, a skilled Bloomfield Hills attorney from Nichols, Sacks, Slank, Sendelbach, Buiteweg & Solomon, P.C., can protect your interests. If you are seeking it, our team can demonstrate to the court that you have a real financial need for spousal support.
If you want to prevent these payments, we can show that your ex-spouse does not need spousal support, whether because they have sufficient income or they have begun cohabitating with someone else.
No matter the situation, our firm can meet your needs. We’ve helped locals in Birmingham, Clawson, and the surrounding areas. To support your spousal support case goals, we also use and work with objective parties, mental health professionals, coaches, therapists, and guardian ad litems for your family’s benefit during your underlying divorce. Reach out to discuss our comprehensive legal support.
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FAQs
Q: Can a Prenuptial Agreement Prevent Spousal Support?
A: Yes, having a valid prenuptial agreement can prevent you from having to pay spousal support in the event of a divorce. However, Michigan’s spousal support laws have set certain requirements that must be met to make sure your marital agreement is enforceable. In spousal support cases, it is highly likely that one spouse will try to challenge the agreement, so hiring a Bloomfield Hills spousal support attorney will prove necessary.
Q: Can You Modify a Spousal Support Order in Michigan?
A: Yes, you could seek the modification of an existing spousal support order in Michigan, especially if certain changes in your circumstances arise. These can include the following situations:
- The supported spouse remarries or begins cohabitating with a new romantic partner.
- There has been a change to either party’s health or income level.
Q: How Do I Enforce Spousal Support Orders?
A: If you are owed spousal support in Michigan and your ex-spouse does not meet their obligations, you are allowed to take legal action to enforce support orders. To do so, it is important to first hire an attorney who can draft the necessary documents and file the correct paperwork. You can then ask a judge to order your spouse to make the payments you’re due. If they still do not, you can then file a motion for contempt.
Q: What Mistakes Can Be Made in a Spousal Support Case?
A: An individual can make several mistakes in a spousal support case, no matter what side of the case they’re on. One of the biggest mistakes is attempting to pay less by hiding money. Around 40% of couples admit to some kind of financial infidelity, including the hiding of assets during a divorce. Other common mistakes include not hiring a lawyer and opting for short-term payments.
Hire a Spousal Support Lawyer Serving Bloomfield Hills Today
If you are facing an issue related to divorce and spousal support, Nichols, Sacks, Slank, Sendelbach, Buiteweg & Solomon, P.C., can advocate for your rights. When you hire a spousal support lawyer from our firm, you gain the confidence that comes from having the right attorneys on your side. We have assisted locals in Washtenaw County, Madison Heights, Troy, and the neighboring communities near Bloomfield Hills.
We can protect your rights and interests, whether you are seeking support or trying to prevent it. Contact our offices today to learn more.
