Kingsley Divorce Lawyers

Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers in Kingsley, Michigan

The divorce lawyers in Kingsley, Michigan at the Neumann Law Group are here to help you file for divorce, and get your divorce settled. We understand that no one wants a long, drawn-out divorce. Yet, divorce can sometimes raise some complicated issues involving a couple’s finances and debts—and child custody. A divorce lawyer in Kingsley, Michigan at the Neumann Law Group can help you and your former spouse divide your assets, debts, retirement accounts, and create a parenting plan that works. We are here to help you reach a divorce settlement that is best for you and your family.

How Do Debts Get Divided in Divorce in Kingsley, Michigan?

In many instances, the courts will divide marital debts evenly during your divorce. Marital debts are any debts you got into during your marriage. These can include credit card debts, mortgage loans, lines of credit, and more. When dividing debts, the court will first determine whether the debt is a marital debt, or a debt taken out before you were married. Debts that were incurred prior to a couple getting married are not considered martial debts and are not divided during a divorce. The courts might also consider other factors, like who took out the debt during the marriage, and each partner’s contribution to the marriage. Debt doesn’t have to be divided 50-50 during a divorce. Instead, the courts will divide debts equitably, based on all relevant factors, including the length of your marriage, each partner’s earning capacity after the marriage, and each partner’s financial situation.

Other factors can also impact how marital debt is divided. If one partner wracks up credit card debts or takes out lines of credit right before filing for divorce, the timing of these debts could be seen as suspect, and these debts might be the sole responsibility of the person talking out these debts. Then again, if one spouse is wealthier and owns the family home, the less wealthy spouse may need to get into debt to get their own place and pay the bills before the divorce is finalized, and these debts may be permissible. Yet, a debt that one partner takes out to take a new girlfriend or boyfriend on vacation or out to dinner would generally be considered wasting marital funds, and these debts might be the sole responsibility of the partner taking out the debt.  

Other debts that might need to be considered during your divorce is any student loan debt your partner got into during your marriage. If the money was used to pay for living expenses, you both might be on the hook for this debt after you get divorced. But if the debt paid solely for educational expenses, then you might want to speak to your divorce lawyer in Kingsley, Michigan at the Neumann Law Group. Many factors will be considered when it comes to dividing debt during a divorce.

Important Things to Think About If You’re Thinking of Divorce in Kingsley, Michigan

If you’re thinking of filing for divorce in Kingsley, Michigan, it is important to organize your documents and get some personal things in order. For example, do you have a clear picture of you and your spouse’s financial life—including shared debts and assets, retirement accounts, and more? Sometimes one partner handles all the couple’s finances. Before you file for divorce, you might want to get records of shared bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts, and credit reports. Having this picture before you file for divorce can be important later if money starts disappearing or if your spouse’s financial statement during the discovery process doesn’t make sense.

You’ll also want to give some thought to how you’ll want to handle child custody and co-parenting if you have children. When one person files for divorce, one person will often move out of the family home. The decisions you make regarding temporary custody can set a precedent for what will happen with custody going forward. If you suspect that your spouse might fight you for custody, when you file for custody, you may want to file for temporary custody orders while you and your former partner work through your parenting plan. If you leave the family home or leave your children when you file for divorce, this could impact your custody if a custody fight should occur.

These are just some things to consider if you’re thinking of getting divorced. A divorce lawyer in Kingsley, Michigan at the Neumann Law Group can take the time to understand your unique situation and help you gather necessary documents before you file for divorce or take the next step. You don’t have to navigate filing for divorce on your own. The divorce lawyers in Kingsley, Michigan at the Neumann Law Group are here to help.

Child Custody Lawyers in Kingsley, Michigan

If you are getting divorced, and have children, child custody will be an important aspect of your divorce. To finalize a divorce if you have minor children, you and your co-parent will need to submit a parenting plan to the court. A parenting plan will contain information about how you plan to co-parent your children and make parenting decisions. It will include information about how you plan to split parenting time, how you plan to go about making major medical or educational decisions for your children, and how you will handle disagreements, and other matters. A child custody lawyer in Kingsley, Michigan can help you create a parenting plan that works for your family. Our child custody attorneys in Kinglsey, Michigan can take the time to learn more about your family and help you create a parenting plan that is in the best interests of your children.

How Do Judges Make Child Custody Decisions in Kingsley, Michigan?

In general, judges don’t want to make child custody decisions. The courts typically encourage parents to decide about child custody outside of court. Judges might order mediation to help couples make these decisions. In most situations, the courts also tend to favor arrangements that preserve both parents’ relationship with their children. Rarely will the court award one parent sole custody. This is important to keep in mind when thinking about child custody.

If the court ends up having to make child custody decisions, the judge will consider several factors when making custody decisions. These factors include:

• The existing relationship each parent has with the child.
• Each parent’s capacity to give the child “love, affection, and guidance” and to support the child’s education.
• Each parent’s capacity to provide for the child’s basic needs (including food, clothing, and medical care).
• The court will look at where the child has resided and for how long and will typically favor an arrangement that preserves the child’s stability and continuity of living arrangements.
• Each parent’s home and living situation, and the stability of their living situation.
• Each parent’s “moral fitness.”
• Each parent’s “mental and physical health.”
• The child’s existing ties to home and school, and how each custody situation might affect those ties.
• If the child is considered old enough, the court will consider the child’s preferences.
• Each parent’s willingness to support the child’s relationship with the other parent. Again, the courts tend to support arrangements where the children continue to have a close bond with both parents. In some situations, fighting for sole custody could be seen as unwillingness to facilitate the child’s relationship with the other parent.
• History of domestic violence.
• Other relevant factors.

Many of these considerations are very broad and subjective. After all, what might be “morally fit” to one judge, might not be acceptable to another. Moral fitness often involves a range of things including personal values, religion, and more. The people best situated to make decisions about what’s in a child’s best interests are usually the child’s parents.

A child’s parents are often best positioned to make decisions regarding child custody. When parents put their child custody dispute before a judge, there’s always a risk that the judge will make a decision neither partner wants. Child custody lawyers and the courts will often take steps to encourage parents to reach child custody decisions outside of court, like ordering or suggesting mediation. If you need help working out a parenting plan or child custody arrangement, consider speaking to the child custody attorneys in Kingsley, Michigan at the Neumann Law Group today. Our child custody lawyers are here to help.

How Can I Contact a Divorce Lawyer or Child Custody Lawyer in Kingsley, Michigan?

The child custody lawyers and divorce lawyers at the Neumann Law Group in Kingsley, Michigan can be reached by phone at 800-525-6386. We have someone available to take your call and to learn more about your situation. Divorce can be a highly emotional time, but you don’t have to navigate the legal aspects of your divorce alone. The divorce attorneys in Kingsley, Michigan are here to help you separate the legal aspects from the emotional, so that you can make wise decisions about your finances and children going forward. We are here to help. Contact us at 800-525-6386 today to learn more and take the next steps.