Michigan Family Law Firm

Eisenberg & Spilman, PLLC Attorneys Eisenberg & Spilman, PLLC Attorneys  Eisenberg & Spilman, PLLC Eisenberg & Spilman, PLLC Attorneys  Eisenberg & Spilman, PLLC
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It is natural to feel stressed and overwhelmed by your divorce or other family law conflict. For one thing, you must deal with the emotions involved with ending your marriage, changing your children’s living arrangements, and other matters that profoundly affect the lives of yourself and your kids. Then there are the legal details of a Michigan family law proceeding, which must be done correctly to achieve your intended result, but can be confusing for most people.

The attorneys at Eisenberg & Spilman, PLLC, are here to guide you through this challenging time. Our all-female team works together to produce positive, sustainable outcomes for every case we take, no matter how complex. We will do everything possible to leave you on a firm long-term financial footing and with your parent-child bonds reaffirmed.

Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation with one of our experienced divorce attorneys.

Your Go-To Divorce Law Firm

We handle all types of divorce, including:

  • Uncontested divorce: If you and your spouse are able to agree on all divorce-related issues before filing, we can help you save time and money by assisting with the necessary paperwork and court filings.
  • Contested divorce: Our attorneys will build the strongest possible case and use every tool at our disposal to help you get what you need to start your next chapter.
  • High-asset divorce: Dividing valuable assets like a business, real estate, and retirement accounts requires careful investigation, along with strong negotiation and courtroom skills.
  • Gray divorce: Divorce after age 50 comes with its own challenges. We are equipped to help make sure getting divorced does not take away your retirement.
  • High-conflict divorce: If you and your spouse are on particularly bad terms, we can act decisively to minimize unnecessary delays, uncover hidden assets, and work toward a fair resolution. We will go to trial, if necessary.

Even if you believe your divorce is relatively simple and free from conflict, you need to understand your financial and parental rights before you can reach a fair settlement. We will go over the details of your case, step by step, in clear language, so you will be empowered to make the important decisions. And we have the resources and experience to provide you with sound advice and strong advocacy for the most complicated disputes — matters like property division, spousal support and child custody.

Areas We Serve

Our office is located in Birmingham, Michigan, and we represent clients throughout Southeast Michigan in divorce and complex family law matters. Our attorneys serve clients in communities including:
 

We also serve clients throughout Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Washtenaw and Livingston counties. Our attorneys are well-known and respected by mediators, judges and fellow family law attorneys throughout the region.

What Documents Do I Need To Collect?

Information is power when it comes to asset and debt division in divorce. The more you and your attorney know about your household income, assets, and debts, the easier it will be to leverage an equitable settlement. This is especially important information to have if your spouse was always the “money person” in the marriage. Documents we recommend you get copies of as soon as possible after deciding to seek a divorce (or finding out your spouse is thinking about divorce) include:

  • Proof of your and your spouse’s income, such as paycheck stubs from the past year and income tax returns from the past five years
  • A list of all jointly or separately owned assets, including real estate, ownership interest in a business, investment portfolios, and valuable collections
  • A list of all jointly owned debts and those in your or your spouse’s name separately, such as mortgages, business loans, credit card debt, and student loans
  • Statements from all bank accounts
  • A list of any pensions earned by you or your spouse

Documentation like this gives us a good starting point for establishing what your fair share of the marital assets are and work toward assuring a comfortable life for you and your children.

Post-Decree Modifications

An unfair or impractical divorce decree is not necessarily something you just have to live with. Whether you need to change something in a recent decree or one from years ago, we can help you seek a post-decree modification for things like:

  • Child custody: Changing a joint custody plan to sole custody, or vice versa
  • Child support: Altering the amount paid or ending support
  • Alimony: ending or adjusting the amount of spousal support
  • Property division: changing the terms of the property division order

Our firm also represents clients who need to oppose their ex’s modification attempt. This is a specific process that not all divorce attorneys are experienced in. You can continue counting on us even after your divorce is final.

Family Law FAQ

Questions about how family law works in Michigan? We have heard them all and are eager to give you the answers. Here are answers to a few commonly-asked questions.

Not necessarily. Michigan is an equitable property distribution state, which means the law requires that a property division order in a divorce be “fair.” Couples therefore have more options for negotiating a settlement that fits their individuals needs. Also, nonmarital assets that belong to one spouse only typically stay with them after divorce.

When parents cannot agree on a reasonable child custody plan, Michigan law requires family law judges to make the best interests of the child the primary factor when deciding what to do. When determining a particular child’s best interests, judges consider factors like:
  • The child’s relationship with each parent
  • Each parent’s ability to care for the child and provide them a good home
  • Each parent’s physical and mental health
  • The child’s educational and medical needs
  • Whether either parent has committed domestic violence, either against the child or another household member
  • The willingness of each parent to facilitate the child’s continued relationship with the other parent
Each child custody case is unique, and some factors sometimes will be more relevant than others, depending on the evidence.

Either spouse can file for divorce in Michigan as long as they meet the state’s residency requirements. Before you can file in a county court, you must have lived in the state for at least 180 days, and in the county you are filing in for at least 10 days.

The first step to resolving your divorce, child custody dispute or other family law conflict as quickly and fairly as possible is finding the right attorney to work with. Contact Eisenberg & Spilman, PLLC, today to schedule a confidential legal consultation. Call 248-988-9767.