signing divorce paper with wedding rings

Navigate the End of Your Marriage With Compassion and Expertise From Our Grand Rapids Divorce Lawyers

Divorce can spin your entire life around. There is never a more pressing time to have an aggressive and knowledgeable law firm representing you. Everything you have acquired throughout your marriage – your assets, your children and, to a certain extent, your reputation – is on the line. Our Grand Rapids divorce lawyers have over 30 years of combined experience representing clients in complex and contentious divorces. We know each case is different for our divorce lawyer, so we work closely with our clients to create a strategy that is designed to bring about optimal results, whether that means negotiating an amicable resolution or going to trial. Our team is experienced in all aspects of family law matters.

The divorce process can be complicated and drawn out, especially for parents seeking custody of their children and high-net-worth individuals. Divorcing couples must take many steps to reach the final goal of separation and custody arrangements if necessary. If you are seeking a divorce lawyer for your divorce and child support, the Grand Rapids divorce lawyers at Kraayeveld Family Law can guide you through the process. Call us today!

Fault Vs. No-fault: Does It Matter in Michigan?

Unhappy married couple sitting on couch during a mediation session in Michigan.

Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. This means that you do not need to have a reason, such as adultery, domestic violence or mental cruelty, to file for divorce, even in Grand Rapids, MI. The only grounds required for obtaining a divorce in Michigan is “a breakdown in the marriage relationship to the extent that the objects of matrimony have been destroyed and there remains no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved.” An experienced divorce lawyer from Kraayveld Law can help you decide if you meet this minimum standard.

Still, allegations of fault can play a key role in other aspects of the divorce process. For instance, evidence of fault may be relevant when the court rules on issues such as division of property and alimony. If fault is a possible issue in your divorce, we encourage you to consult with one of our Grand Rapids divorce lawyers as soon as possible.

Spousal Support Laws in Grand Rapids, Michigan: Navigating Alimony Matters With a Grand Rapids Divorce Lawyer

When it comes to spousal support laws in Grand Rapids, Michigan, individuals facing the challenges of divorce can find valuable guidance from a skilled Grand Rapids divorce lawyer. The divorce attorneys practicing law in Grand Rapids, particularly those well-versed in spousal support matters, play a pivotal role in helping clients navigate this often complex and emotionally charged aspect of divorce. Spousal support, also commonly referred to as alimony, involves financial assistance from one spouse to another after divorce, and a knowledgeable divorce attorney can provide essential insights into the factors considered by the court in determining the appropriate amount and duration of support.

Client Reviews

The staff at Kraayeveld Family Law provided great comfort and clarity to me during an otherwise challenging divorce. The team is great to work with and very knowledgeable, as well as quick to respond to questions as they come up!

- Andrew on Google Review

My interactions with Kraayeveld Family Law have been a refreshing change of pace from other law firms. Abbey, who answers the phone, added positivity and humor to my day when I called. Jim, the owner, was insightful and easy to talk with. Additionally, Brooke Johnston is an approachable and knowledgeable attorney who advocates strategically for her clients.

- Darcy on Google Review

I am very satisfied with the assistance I have received from Kraayeveld Family Law. Communication has been very timely. Attitude and customer service has always been positive. Their expertise greatly increased my monetary settlement. What more could ask of my attorney? Very satisfied.

- Jeff on Google Review

This is an extremely hardworking and dedicated team. The attorneys and paralegals are responsive, knowledgeable, and friendly. I’d recommend their services to anyone.

- Drey on Google Review

Can’t say enough good about this firm, and Jordan Swears specifically. They give great advice based on your realistic chances of achieving what you’re going for, and warn you when it would likely be just wasted money. I greatly appreciate their values, especially being focused on the best outcome for my kids in my custody situation. If you’re looking for an honest, ethical, experienced, and profession law firm in family law, look no further!

- Asher on Google Review

Does it Matter Who Files the Divorce First in Michigan video image

Understanding the Michigan Divorce Process Including the Role of a Divorce Lawyer

Getting divorced is often complicated and stressful, especially if child custody is involved. We are here to answer your questions, guide you through the process, and help you secure a favorable result. We provide full-service legal representation and serve as staunch and caring advocates from the planning stages through final dissolution. While our Grand Rapids divorce lawyers help our clients achieve amicable resolutions whenever possible, we never rule out the option of going to trial.

Is There a Residential Requirement When Filing for a Michigan Divorce?

In order to file for divorce in Michigan, you must have resided in the state for a minimum of 180 days and in the county in which you file your divorce claim for a minimum of 10 days.

A Complaint is the First Step to Your Divorce

A divorce action is initiated once a spouse decides to file a legal document petitioning to dissolve the marriage. This document is called a complaint. The spouse who files the complaint is considered the plaintiff in the case; the other spouse is considered the defendant. The complaint must be filed with the Family Division of the Circuit County in the county in which you reside. Your complaint must also clearly state some legal basis under which you are petitioning for a divorce. For example, your complaint might allege irreconcilable differences, infidelity, or some other reason.

Once a spouse has filed the complaint and the summons is served to the defendant, a defendant has 21 or 28 days to file their response, depending on whether the defendant is served by mail or is located out of state. The answer must admit or deny each allegation contained within the complaint. Defendants should always file a timely answer to the complaint to preserve their rights to defendn themselves in the divorce action. Consulting with and hiring an experienced divorce attorney is an important step to ensure that the answer is filed timely and provides the most advantageous responses.

Entering a Temporary Order

Many spouses are in need of a temporary order which provides relief while the divorce is pending. Temporary orders can cover a variety of topics, including an order prohibiting a party from dissipating assets, orders pertaining to the children, including child custody, visitation and parenting time.

Your Grand Rapids Divorce Lawyers Will Then Assist With Your Discovery, Negotiations and Mediation

In a divorce claim, the discovery phase can be quite contentious. Generally, each party will be required to produce documents that attest to their net worth and outlines the assets acquired in their divorce. Witnesses may be called to testify in a deposition as to the ultimate facts contained within the complaint. Additionally, skilled Grand Rapids divorce lawyers will frequently call on appraisers, accountants, psychological professionals, and financial advisers to get a full picture of a couple’s assets, including child custody and retirement assets.

Then, the negotiation and mediation phase will begin. This is a period when parties’ can collaborate towards an agreement. This process can be as smooth or as contentious as the parties wish it to be, especially if child custody is involved. Generally, each party’s attorney will prepare for mediation, discuss the range of outcomes with their attorney and attend mediation with their client. The goal of mediation is to walk away with a favorable settlement that avoids the cost or emotional toll of going to trial.

The Settlement Conference

After the parties have attended mediation and reached an agreement, the attorneys will draft a final Judgment of Divorce and have it entered with the court. If the parties were not able to agree at mediation, the clients and their Grand Rapids divorce lawyers will appear in court for a settlement conference. During the settlement conference, the judge will assist the parties and their attorneys in settlement negotiations. This is the final settlement opportunity before trial.

If the parties are unable to reach an agreement at the settlement conference, then the case will proceed to trial to handle any family law issues and make legal separation official.

How Long Will It Take for My Divorce to Become Finalized?

Michigan requires a waiting period before a divorce judgment may be entered. Couples without children must wait a minimum of 60 days before the divorce becomes final; couples with children will need to wait 180 days before they can consider the marriage officially nullified. However, these are minimum waiting periods and contested divorces often take longer.

What Your Grand Rapids Divorce Lawyers Want You to Know

Outside of the emotional strain that divorce places on the people going through the process, dealing with family law cases and the costs associated with divorce seem to pile on one after another. While a divorce can feel like running a marathon without training, there are several different things that you can do yourself to not only help lower the cost of your divorce representation but also lower the stress of the legal process on everyone involved. Reach out to an experienced Grand Rapids divorce attorney at Kraayeveld Family Law to learn what we can do to help you in a difficult time of your life. We have been helping Michigan residents, particularly West Michigan residents for over 30 years.

Tasks You Can Complete Without a Divorce Attorney Representation

One of the best things you can do to get the most out of your legal representation is to take care of any task that does not necessarily have to be done by your divorce attorney. Usually, your Grand Rapids divorce attorneys will assign certain tasks to you, and it is important for you to complete these tasks as quickly as possible. If your attorney must follow up due to your inactivity, you will be spending divorce attorney fees unnecessarily.

One task that your attorneys might ask you to perform is to look up the value of your assets, and you can start this process yourself. Collect account statements, look up Kelly Blue Book values for cars, and if you have valuable personal property, check the sales prices online. You can even take this idea a step further and organize all your known assets and debts to the best of your ability into an easy-to-read spreadsheet that you can then submit to your attorney. Not only will this save you money by not being charged an hourly rate for someone at the law firm to do this work, but it will also free up your attorney’s and the support staff’s time to focus on more important parts of your case such as formulating arguments for hearings or writing crucial motions that will have an impact on your matter. Tasks such as these are the ones truly worth your hard-earned money. By taking care of simpler tasks yourself, such as gathering documents or valuing personal property, you lessen the burden on not only your attorney but also your wallet.

Be Completely Honest With Your Grand Rapids Divorce Lawyer

Another tip is to be completely honest with your Grand Rapids divorce lawyer, even if you believe that the information is harmful to you and your case. Doing this allows our attorneys to be prepared when the opposing party argues this negative point at a hearing. This preparation will allow your divorce to portray you in a positive light or at least control the damage. If you attempt to hide information or seem as if you are, your image with the judge, referee, or investigator will be negatively impacted, which, in turn, could negatively impact several aspects of your divorce, including child custody or parenting time.

While these two tips can help lower the stress and cost of the legal experience of your divorce and child custody, there will always be certain tasks that must be performed by your divorce attorney. It is crucial to your divorce to consult with your attorney about what you can and cannot do to help lower the stress of your divorce proceedings and save yourself money.

From Kent County to Statewide: Analyzing Michigan’s Divorce Trends From 2000 to 2022

In today’s ever-changing landscape of relationships, gaining a deeper understanding of divorce trends in Michigan is more crucial than ever. At Kraayeveld Family Law, we are dedicated to empowering and informing individuals facing the possibility of divorce. Join us in exploring these trends as we help illuminate the path forward during these challenging times.

Are Divorce Rates Rising or Falling in Michigan?

The divorce rate decreased between 2000 and 2022 in Michigan and Kent County. Overall, fewer couples in Michigan choose to dissolve their marriages by divorce, as indicated by this trend, which shows a decline in the number of divorces per capita over the given period.

Why Are Divorces Declining in Michigan?

In recent years, Michigan’s divorce rate has decreased. Several variables, such as the shifting marriage demographics—younger individuals marrying later and choosing their spouses more carefully—contribute to this reduction. Marriage is becoming less common due to postponing marriage and taking more time to be married. This has also made marriage environments more stable. Reducing the number of marriages has also affected the divorce rate due to economic issues, such as the need for financial security before marriage.

What Year Had the Lowest Number of Divorces in Michigan?

2020 had the lowest number of divorces. There are various reasons for the low divorce rate in 2020. According to recent survey data, some couples were made closer by the COVID-19 pandemic despite early indications that the stress of lockdowns would hasten divorces. According to the American Family Survey, most married Americans (58%) claimed that the epidemic increased their appreciation for their spouse.

Does Kent County Have a Higher or Lower Divorce Rate Compared to Michigan?

Overall, Kent County (and it’s largest city, Grand Rapids) have higher divorce rates than the rest of Michigan.

Child Custody Law in Grand Rapids, Michigan: Navigating Legal Matters With Kraayeveld Family Law

In Grand Rapids, Michigan, divorces that involve a child custody dispute are a crucial aspect of family law. Residents of Michigan facing such circumstances can benefit from the expertise of a Grand Rapids divorce lawyer at Kraayeveld Family Law. The divorce attorneys at Kraayeveld Family Law have a deep understanding of the intricacies of child custody law in Grand Rapids. They strive to provide comprehensive legal support to parents, ensuring their rights and the best interests of the children are protected throughout the legal process, including addressing matters related to child support.

Grand Rapids Divorce Attorney: Advocating for Families in Child Custody Matters With a Focus on Child Support

A Grand Rapids divorce attorney from Kraayeveld Family Law plays a vital role in advocating for clients in child custody cases, with a specific focus on child support. The experienced legal professionals at Kraayeveld Family Law are well-versed in Michigan child custody laws and the intricacies of child support calculations. They are dedicated to helping families find resolutions that prioritize the well-being of the children involved. Whether it involves negotiating parenting plans, addressing child support concerns, or representing clients in court, Kraayeveld Family Law is committed to providing compassionate and strategic legal guidance for Michigan residents facing child custody matters within the broader context of divorce cases.

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Grand Rapids Divorce Lawyers