Mackensen Law: Divorce Lawyer in Birmingham, MI
As a Birmingham divorce attorney, Logan Mackensen is well-versed in the nuances of Michigan divorce law. She serves Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Washtenaw, Ingham, Genesee and other counties throughout Michigan with her broad range of expertise in family law from traditional litigation to collaborative divorce.
Schedule a free Michigan divorce consultation with Mackensen Law to get started.
Getting a Divorce in Michigan
Going through a divorce is difficult for so many reasons: it’s emotionally draining, physical exhausting, and can be financially overwhelming. The right divorce attorney is one that supports you the way you need to be supported; alleviating some of the difficulty rather than compounding it. You will have common goals and your strategies will be in line with one another’s.
At Mackensen Law, our approach to divorce is not one-size-fits-all. We aim to be your partner - understanding your unique needs and challenges and identifying the best path forward for you and your family. We walk with you side-by-side, ensuring you are informed every step of the way and crafting a tailored legal strategy that reflects your desired approach.
Every divorce is unique. You may be facing an uphill battle with a contentious partner where you need an aggressive legal advocate. Your divorce may be amicable, even friendly, necessitating a lighter-touch, collaborative approach. You may be somewhere in the nuanced middle. Whatever your circumstances, Mackensen Law offers a confident, empathic approach, personality and grit, that will meet you where you are and get you the results you desire.
Understanding Your Options
You have options when it comes to getting a divorce in Michigan. At Mackensen Law, we provide both traditional and collaborative divorce services, or often a hybrid of the two, and will help you determine which option(s) best fits your circumstances and which positions you to get the outcome you desire or need.
What is traditional divorce?
In a traditional divorce, matters such as asset division, child custody, child support and alimony are litigated in court by divorce lawyers for both parties. This type of divorce can be acrimonious or amicable but with the use of motions, hearings, orders, and the like, is handled in the context of the court system in accordance with Michigan divorce law.
What is collaborative divorce?
A collaborative divorce in Michigan is an alternative to the traditional divorce process that takes the case and the parties out of the often-intimidating court system and prioritizes collaboration between the parties involved. The role of collaborative divorce attorneys is to work together with their clients, the other party’s attorney, and any third-party neutrals, to negotiate a fair and equitable divorce settlement that works for both parties, and to do so without stepping foot in a courtroom.
Logan Mackensen has expertise in traditional and collaborative divorce and is an active member of several professional associations including MIPA (Michigan Inter-Professional Association on Marriage, Divorce and the Family), AFCC (Association of Family and Conciliation Courts), IACP (International Academy of Collaborative Professionals) and CPIM (Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan).
Let Mackensen Law help you choose the right approach to the divorce process in Michigan; the one that is best suited for you and your family.
Divorce Law in Michigan
Divorce laws vary considerably state-by-state. As an Oakland County divorce attorney, Mackensen Law is prepared to guide you through the specific issues pertaining to Michigan divorce laws including:
No-Fault Divorce: Michigan is a no-fault divorce state, which means that no specific reason for a divorce needs to be established. Either spouse can file for divorce simply by stating that the marriage is irretrievably broken and there is no reasonable likelihood that it can be preserved, avoiding unnecessary finger pointing, simplifying and shortening what could otherwise be a drawn-out legal process.
Residency Requirements: Specific residency requirements must be met to meet jurisdictional requirements and to file for divorce in Michigan. At least one party to the divorce must be a Michigan resident and a resident in the county in which the divorce is filed for specific periods of time.
Marital Property Division: Under Michigan divorce law, property must be divided according to “equitable distribution,” which does not necessarily mean 50/50. It is presumed that marital assets and debts will be distributed fairly based on a set of factors including the length of the marriage, ages of the parties, earning potential of the parties, and conduct of the parties, among others.
Mackensen Law can help you navigate the complexities of Michigan divorce law to ensure you meet the necessary requirements for filing as well as to position you to achieve the best possible outcome.
Key Issues in Divorce
There are several important issues that are likely at the forefront of your mind as you contemplate or prepare for the divorce process. Matters involving children and spousal support are among the critical determinations that impact your future and quality of life:
Child Custody: Michigan prioritizes the best interests of the children when determining physical and legal custody. The best interest factors utilized in this analysis include but are not limited to existence of emotional ties between the parent and child, capacity of the parties to love and/or parent the child, moral fitness of the parties, the health of the parties, and depending upon age, sometimes the preference of the child.
Child Support: The purpose of child support is to consistently and fairly provide for the needs of children, post-divorce. This should cover what is necessary for everyday, child-related essentials and even extend to the costs of and involving healthcare and childcare. Child support decisions are calculated based on factors such as how many children are involved, parental income, number of overnights, and who is responsible for healthcare and childcare and at what cost.
Alimony (Spousal Support): Alimony in divorce is awarded on a case-by-case basis and depends on factors like earning ability, the length of the marriage, age of the parties, specific needs of the parties, and other considerations related to finances, health and well-being.
Logan Mackensen of Mackensen Law is here to guide you and advocate for you in these monumentally important aspects of your divorce.
Divorce Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a divorce cost in Michigan?
The cost of a divorce in Michigan varies depending on the specifics of your case. The level of complexity, your specific needs and desires, the type and number of outside experts or additional professionals required, and the course of action chosen are all considerations that determine cost. At Mackensen Law, we aim to be sensitive to your financial situation and transparent with you regarding our pricing structure and will do our best to work with you to find the best solution for your individual circumstances.
What questions should I ask a divorce attorney?
Questions that you ask a prospective divorce lawyer should help you decide whether they are the right fit to represent you and get you the outcome you deserve. Are your styles aligned? Do you share the same goals? Will she meet your expectations? Here are some questions that can help you determine if a particular divorce attorney is the best match for your needs:
What is your approach to divorce cases?
What is your experience with cases like mine?
What are your strategies for negotiation, litigation, and settlement?
How will you communicate with me throughout the divorce process?
What are the steps to getting a divorce in Michigan?
Working with a licensed divorce attorney in Michigan is the best way to successfully navigate the divorce filing process. Filing for a divorce in Michigan starts with ensuring you meet the jurisdictional requirements and involves preparing and filing a divorce complaint, serving the other party involved, and either proceeding to trial or negotiating a settlement in or out-of-court. If your divorce is amicable, you may also opt for a collaborative divorce (or a quasi-collaborative divorce) which is handled completely out-of-court.
If you have more questions about getting a divorce in Michigan, get in touch with us to get your questions answered and schedule a free consultation.