The filing of a divorce complaint or responding to a divorce complaint can be a devastating process. Divorce in Michigan, whether it is in Oakland County or elsewhere in the state, is especially difficult if it involves children under 18 years of age. In this situation, the parents involved in a divorce will need to also factor in custody of children, parenting time( which at one time was called visitation), child support, where the children live and the distribution of both assets and liabilities.
In Michigan, a person filing a complaint has to be a resident of the state for 180 days and a resident in the county for 10 days before filing. If there are no children involved in the divorce, 60 days has to pass before a judgment can be issued. When there are minor children, the wait time for a judgement to be issued increases to180 days.
Most cases in Michigan are resolved through some sort of negotiation or mediation, rather than trial. However, if parties cannot agree on a resolution, a trial is necessary and a judge will make the ultimate determination of divorce proceedings. When minor children are involved, the Friend of the Court (which is an arm of the Circuit Court) will help the judge make determinations if necessary concerning custody, parenting time, child support and spousal support.
Merrill Gordon is an Oakland County attorney with more than 35 years’ experience in divorce and family court proceedings along with all manners of civil actions. He is also a court-appointed mediator in Oakland and Wayne counties and has received an AV peer review rating, the highest available.
He is a graduate of Michigan State University and the Thomas Cooley Law School. He was admitted to State Bar of Michigan and all Michigan State and Federal Courts in 1981, and the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1985. He is also a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Oakland Country Bar Association, American Bar Association and the Mediation Tribunal Association.
For a free initial consultation, contact Merrill Gordon at (248) 626-3000 or via email at mgordon@merrillgordon.com.
Merrill Gordon—Oakland County and Southeast Michigan’s Family Law Attorney
