Divorce Representation in Michigan
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state, which means that neither spouse needs to prove wrongdoing to end a marriage — they must show only that the marital relationship has broken down with no reasonable likelihood it can be preserved. However, in any divorce action, the outcome of property division, support, and parenting arrangements all carry lasting financial and personal consequences.
Over the years Paige has handled countless divorce and legal separations, ranging from cooperative amicable matters, to high-conflict litigation cases involving significant assets and/or custody issues.
What to Expect in a Michigan Divorce
Every Michigan divorce begins with a complaint filed in circuit court. Michigan law imposes a minimum 60-day waiting period before a divorce can be finalized, which extends to six months when minor children are involved (though courts may waive these timeframes based upon a showing of proper cause).
Most divorces settle in mediation. Paige believes in order to have the most productive mediation, adequate information and financial disclosures are crucial for negotiation purposes. Also, understanding the law and maintaining realistic expectations as to the outcome of a case is key to reaching a fair settlement.
The devil is in the details. If a case is resolved in mediation, the next step is to draft the final consent judgment that will be entered with the court. The final consent judgment contains the settlement terms, including the rights and responsibilities of each party. This is arguably one of the most important parts of a divorce or legal separation, as the terms contained in this document are expected to be adhered to indefinitely by the parties, absent limited circumstances that may permit modification of certain terms in the future. When drafting a consent judgment, Paige ensures the agreement is thorough, enforceable, and properly addresses and resolves all issues to avoid conflict from resurfacing.
Based in Birmingham, Ryterski Law represents clients in divorce and legal separation cases throughout Metro Detroit, serving Oakland, Macomb & St. Clair Counties.
Serving clients in Birmingham, Troy, Royal Oak, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester Hills, Southfield, Sterling Heights, Shelby Township, Warren, Clinton Township, Macomb Township, St. Clair Shores, Port Huron, and surrounding communities.