Family Lawyer Flint, MI

If you plan to get a divorce, you should consult a family lawyer in Flint, MI. A divorce can be filled with emotions and complexities, so having someone with knowledge and experience on your side is essential. A lawyer can guide you through the process and help you avoid making costly mistakes.

Important Things You Shouldn’t Forget in Your Divorce

A divorce can be one of the most difficult events of your life. There are so many tasks that you have to take care of that you may forget certain ones. Here are several things you shouldn’t forget to do when getting divorced:

• Preparing for your financial future. After you get divorced, you won’t be able to depend on the two incomes anymore. As such, you might not be able to afford the lifestyle you’re accustomed to. That’s why you should create a realistic budget as soon as possible and plan to stick to it. Think about the expenses you can realistically cut out, such as restaurant meals and cable bills. The sooner you prepare your finances, the better off you will be.

• Considering mediation. Not all divorces have to have drawn out court battles. Divorcing couples can choose mediation. During mediation, a trained mediator will help you and your spouse come to an agreement. If you and your spouse are willing to compromise and remain civil, mediation can help you save money and stress.

• Thinking about the best interest of your children. A common mistake a family lawyer in Flint, MI sees divorcing couples make is not giving enough consideration to their children. Divorces tend to be extra difficult on children, so you have to be even more sensitive towards them. Let your kids know that they can always come to you and try not to disrupt their regular routines too much. You should also avoid talking negatively about the other parent in front of them.

• Talking about your feelings. A divorce can cause you to feel a wide range of emotions. You shouldn’t keep these emotions bottled up inside you. Don’t be afraid to talk about how you are feeling with a trusted friend or family member. If you don’t want to do that, consider speaking to a mental health therapist.

If you are considering getting a divorce, you should schedule a consultation with a family lawyer in Flint, MI as soon as possible. Call Olesko Law Firm now.

Family law lawyers specialize in a wide variety of cases. From divorce, child custody and prenuptial agreements to domestic violence and child protection, these attorneys are in the business of keeping families safe and functional. A family lawyer Flint, MI from Olesko Law Firm, PLLC can help with a multitude of legal issues, so it is always worth going to a consultation to see if an attorney could help with your unique situation. 

Reasons to Hire a Family Lawyer

There are several different types of family disputes you may need to hire a lawyer to assist with. Some of them include:

• Alimony
• Change of name
• Child custody
• Child protection
• Child support
• Distribution of property
• Divorce and marriage dissolution
• Domestic violence
• Emancipation
• Equitable distribution
• Guardianship
• Paternity
• Prenuptial agreements
• Protection orders
• Termination of parental rights and adoptions
• Spousal support

It is important to have an expert on your side to navigate through family issues because they are often of serious nature and can have devastating results if the court decides against you. A lawyer who is familiar with family law will know how to navigate throughout the process by making sure important deadlines are met and the correct arguments are made in court.

Different Types of Divorce Cases Olesko Law Firm, PLLC Often Sees 

The divorce process can vary greatly depending on the individuals involved and the circumstances surrounding the divorce. Some couples realize they are not the right fit and split amicably. These couples can sometimes even use mediation instead of going to court.

Others are not so fortunate and have a messier process. Couples who are dealing with a large amount of assets, children, or are bitter with their soon-to-be ex-spouse will likely have a much longer road ahead of them. This will involve each spouse getting their own family lawyer, and going to court for a judge to decide how assets will be split and where the children will go, if applicable. Divorce can also be messier if there was a prenuptial agreement signed beforehand, but a good lawyer may be able to help find loopholes in the contract if there was infidelity or another breach.

Five Ways to Lessen the Stress of Your Divorce Process

As soon as you’ve made the decision to divorce, it’s important to connect with a family lawyer Flint, MI residents trust. As the experienced team at The Olesko Law Firm can attest, being as proactive as you can is one of the best ways to minimize the stresses traditionally associated with the divorce process. Here are a few additional ways to keep your divorce process as low-stress as it can be.

One: Be Conscious While Engaging on Social Media

Telling someone who is going through a divorce to stay off social media is not usually a realistic piece of advice. After all, when you are going through a major life transition, you need your people. But, if you post things or vent or even upload pictures that could be used by opposing counsel in your spouse’s argument against you, you may create trouble for yourself. Therefore, it is critically important to be conscious of how you are using social media while your divorce remains pending if you want to keep your stress levels lower than they might otherwise be.

Two: Consider Whether You Really NEED to Fight

As our Flint family lawyer team knows all too well, sometimes fighting is worth the stress of the effort it takes to risk an outcome that is truly precious to you. Some outcomes are, quite simply, worth fighting for. But, as collaborative divorce processes tend to be cheaper, quicker, and lower-stress than contentious divorce processes are, it is worth taking a good hard look at your priorities before deciding that you’re going to dig your heels in. Don’t let the emotions of the moment dictate your strategy. Fighting to keep your home because you want your kids to grow up there? Worth the fight. Fighting for your spouse’s sportscar that you hate because they love it? Probably not worth the stress of that effort.

Three: Keep Your Focus on the Future

It is understandably easy to get mired in the emotions of the moment and the hurts of the past as you process your divorce. It is critically important to process both in healthy ways. But, when you are attempting to resolve the legal aspects of your divorce case, it is important to look to the future. Don’t act upon what has hurt you before, act upon what will make you happier and healthier later on. This is the best way to approach a property division strategy and it will likely help you keep your emotions calmer if you are in a position to be navigating child custody issues as well.

Four: Keep a Picture of Your Kid Next to You When You Call Their Other Parent

Want to keep from screaming at your child’s other parent but you just don’t know how to remain calm? It may sound silly, but keeping a photograph of your child in front of you will help you to keep your voice lower and to keep your focus on the subject of the conversation. Just as you wouldn’t want your child to hear you yelling if they were really right in front of you keeping that physical reminder close can help during contentious child custody and parenting conversations.

Five: Work with a Good Attorney

Attempting to DIY your divorce is generally a bad idea. The stakes of this life transition are far too high to leave the process so vulnerable to missteps. Instead, connect with the efficient, effective legal team at Olesko Law Firm for compassionate, focused, and client-driven representation. Our Flint family lawyer team will treat both you and your case with the respect each deserves.

Why You Need an Attorney

Divorce is expensive, but it is far more expensive to lose everything in court than it is to hire an experienced lawyer in the Flint area who will be able to get every benefit possible from the process. Your lawyer will know what to look for in divorce papers, what to avoid signing, and how to interact with the judge in court.

It is crucial that you hire someone knowledgeable about family law if you are going through any family-related legal battles. He or she will prioritize your wellbeing and will be able to guide you through the entire process, step by step. It may be your first time dealing with the law, but it is certainly not theirs, and an attorney will always have your best interest at heart. He or she will be able to think clearly and go through the process using logic, rather than basing decisions off of the emotions you may be feeling in the moment.

Contact Olesko Law Firm, PLLC 

Contact a family law lawyer, like a family lawyer Flint, MI from Olesko Law Firm, PLLC, today for more information on how he or she can help you with your case.

Five Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce In Michigan

If you find yourself in need of a divorce lawyer, one of the best decisions you can make is to hire a family lawyer Flint MI residents trust to handle this most sensitive issue. While you work on scheduling a consultation, here are some frequently asked questions–and answers pertaining to divorce in Michigan.

 

• What is the process of filing for divorce in Michigan? 

First, couples must meet the three criteria for divorce in Michigan as outlined in law. Those criteria are: 1) the couple must have lived in Michigan for at least six months; 2) they must file for divorce in the local court of their residence; and 3) at least one party must testify that the marriage cannot be saved. After filing for divorce, the spouse who did not file will be served a Summons and Complaint. Sometimes there is other paperwork needed as well and your Flint family lawyer can advise you on what other documents might be needed in your case.

 

• Who usually gets the property in a Michigan divorce? 

Every case is different. Obviously the best outcome is that spouses agree on how to divide the property, but this is not always realistic. Michigan law requires property to be divided fairly, but the court also takes into consideration if there are any children and where they will be living. Additionally, the court will also consider if the property was owned before the marriage, in which case it will likely not be divided up in the divorce settlement. Since each situation is so unique, it is best to consult your Flint family lawyer for their opinion on the likely outcome in your case.

 

• How is retirement divided under Michigan law? 

Like other assets, the simple answer is that retirement savings are divided equally in the divorce. The more complicated answer is that it depends. For instance, in a divorce where both parties have worked outside the home and been saving for their retirement, they may agree to each keep their own. If one spouse was not working, retirement savings during the period of the marriage are typically split between both parties. Another important point to note is that retirement savings can include pensions as well.

 

• How long do you need to be separated before divorce in Michigan? 

It is understandable that after having made the thoughtful decision to get a divorce that you might be ready for that change immediately, however, in the state of Michigan you are required to have at least a 60 day separation before you can file for divorce. An annulment is a quicker option, but only applicable in very specific circumstances. Annulments are granted in situations where there was some kind of fraud or coercion by one of the parties. If you think your situation would fit into the annulment category, you can always consult your lawyer for advice.

 

• How long does it take to get a divorce in Michigan? 

Technically after the 60 day waiting period, you could get divorced that day. In practice, however, it usually takes longer. Uncontested divorces can usually be wrapped up in three to nine months. Contested divorces can be drawn out much longer. For divorces with children, the process often takes longer, usually anywhere from six months to a year due to the complexities and the time it usually takes to reach a settlement.

 

5 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DIVORCE IN MICHIGAN INFOGRAPHIC

 

If you need a family lawyer, contact Oleska Law Firm today for a consultation about your case.