Friend of the Court in Michigan: More Than Just Child Support Enforcement

Friend of the Court (FOC) services go beyond just helping you navigate custody and financial support. They can further assist you during separation by:

• Streamlining the Process: FOC professionals can guide you through the details of separation agreements, including child-rearing arrangements. 
• Reducing Conflict: By acting as a neutral mediator, the FOC can facilitate communication between you and your former partner. This can help you reach agreements that minimize conflict, benefiting both you and your children. 
• Ongoing Guidance: Even after your initial separation agreements are established, the FOC can provide ongoing guidance and support. They can help you with any future issues related to custody, parenting time, or support if your circumstances change.

By utilizing the resources offered by the Friend of the Court, you can navigate separation with more clarity, confidence, and a focus on what truly matters: your children's best interests. 

Learn more about how the Friend of the Court can help you if you’re facing a separation here.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

 

If you would like to learn more about Friend of the Court, contact us today! Our family law attorneys at Pear Sperling Eggan & Daniels, P.C., can help assist you with your case and everything in between. 

Our attorneys know how to get results for our clients and they’re dedicated to getting a satisfactory outcome. Contact us today at (734) 665-4441 for a no obligation consultation.

Facing Separation with Children in Michigan? Here's How the Friend of Court Can Help

You're not alone. Separating from your partner in Michigan, especially when there are children involved, is a common yet
emotional experience. Unwinding finances, living arrangements, and emotional ties is a complex process, but you don't have to navigate it alone.

The Friend of the Court (FOC) can be a valuable source of support during this challenging time. This department within the Family Division of the Circuit Court offers services specifically designed to help families facing separation with children.

Here's how the FOC can support you:

·       Creating a Roadmap for Shared Parenting: FOC professionals gather information and make recommendations for fair custody and parenting time arrangements. Their focus is on what's best for your children's well-being.

·       Ensuring Financial Security: The FOC helps enforce court-ordered child support and spousal support payments, providing financial stability for your family.

Learn more about how the Friend of the Court can help you if you’re facing a separation here.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

 

If you would like to learn more about Friend of the Court, contact us today! Our family law attorneys at Pear Sperling Eggan & Daniels, P.C., can help assist you with your case and everything in between. 

Our attorneys know how to get results for our clients and they’re dedicated to getting a satisfactory outcome. Contact us today at (734) 665-4441 for a no obligation consultation.

Navigating a Name Change Hearing in Michigan

The name change process in Michigan involves a court hearing. Here's what you can expect:

• Publication Notice: A notice of your name change will be published in a local newspaper.
• The Hearing: The judge will ask about your reasons for changing your name (not for fraudulent purposes).
• Minors Require Parental Consent: If you're changing a minor's name, permission from both parents is mandatory.

For expert guidance throughout the process, consider contacting a qualified attorney. They can help ensure a smooth transition and answer any questions you may have.

Learn more regarding changing your name in Michigan here.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you have questions or want more information and expert guidance, contact Steven Tramontin, criminal defense and family law attorney. He’ll make sure you know what to expect when it comes to changing your name.

Considering a Name Change in Michigan? Here's What You Need to Know

Thinking about changing your name? You're not alone. Many people choose a new name for various reasons, from personal preference to reflecting a new identity after a life change.

In Michigan, the process typically takes 4-6 months and varies slightly depending on your county. Here's a quick overview:

• It's a Multi-Step Process: Expect fees, filing a petition with the court, a background check, a hearing, and fingerprinting.
• Court Approval is Needed: A judge ensures your name change isn't fraudulent (avoiding debts or criminal history).
• Birth Certificate Update: Legal name change doesn't update your birth certificate. A separate application to Michigan DHHS is required.

Learn more regarding changing your name in Michigan here.

Stay tuned for our next post where we'll delve deeper into the specifics of the court process and what to expect at the hearing.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you have questions or want more information and expert guidance, contact Steven Tramontin, criminal defense and family law attorney. He’ll make sure you know what to expect when it comes to changing your name.

How Can I Get My Trust Across the Finish Line?

For each client, an excel spreadsheet of their assets is created. We review it with you throughout the process to make sure all your assets are on it. In the past, clients have forgotten about a vacant lot in Arizona, an undivided interest in a cabin or U.S Savings bonds sitting in a safe deposit box. If one asset is forgotten and not titled properly, probate will be looming in the future.

Learn more here!

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you’re interested in learning more about funding your trust and crossing the “goal line,” please call Marty Bodnar, Ann Arbor estate planning attorney at 734-665-4441 or email him at mbodnar@psedlaw.com.

Property Owners Beware! One Year Left to Preserve “Older” Property Interests

Last year, the Legislature amended the 40 Year Marketable Title Act (the Act), and created a two year window during which holders of “older” property interests could preserve those interests by recording a notice of those interests with the Register of Deeds.  That window ends March 29, 2021, leaving about one year left to record such a notice.

By way of background, the purpose of the Act is to simplify and facilitate land title transactions by creating a statutory basis for “marketable title.”  The Act accomplishes this by extinguishing by operation of law certain interests which arise out of any act or document that precedes the applicable 40 year period. The recent amendment provides an opportunity for people benefiting from these “older” interests to preserve them by recording the notice; otherwise, they may well be extinguished by operation of the Act.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you would like to learn more, contact Scott Munzel, a real estate lawyer at PSED today! Attorneys at Pear Sperling Eggan & Daniels, P.C., can help assist you with virtually everything law related. Consult your attorney for details.

Estate Planning Tools for Special Needs Child

Over the years, the primary estate planning tool for parents with a special needs child was an Amenities Trust. This trust allows parents to provide an inheritance to their child without impacting their child’s eligibility of certain government benefits.

During the Obama administration, the federal government added another tool for parents with a special needs child called Achieve A Better Life Experience (“ABLE”) Act. An ABLE account is a tax-advantaged account (much like a 529 college savings plan) that helps parents and children save funds for qualified disability expenses. 

Learn more here!

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you would like to learn more about estate planning services and special needs planning options, contact an estate planning attorney in Ann Arbor today! Attorneys at Pear Sperling Eggan & Daniels, P.C., can help assist you with virtually everything law related. Consult your attorney for details.

What exactly is Considered Remarriage?

If a remarriage is a change in circumstances for either modifying or terminating spousal support, what exactly is considered remarriage? That may seem like a straightforward question, but it was a question that went to the Michigan Court of Appeals in the case of Lueck v Lueck, a published case decided in May 2019.

In Lueck, the husband and wife agreed in their divorce judgment that spousal support would continue for a set amount of time or “until wife remarries.” After the divorce, the wife met someone special and had a religious commitment ceremony at her church where they exchanged traditional vows and rings. However, there were no witnesses and they didn’t apply for a marriage license.

Find out what happened in this case here.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you would like to learn more about divorce in Ann Arbor, contact Wendy Alton at PSED today! Schedule an initial consultation. 734-665-4441

Does Remarriage Terminate Spousal Support?

One of the most frequent questions our divorce clients ask is: “Does spousal support automatically end if the person receiving support remarries?” 

The law states that unless you agree to other terms in your divorce judgment, a remarriage is considered a change in circumstances. The court may terminate spousal support if the person receiving support remarries. MCL 552.13. It’s not an automatic termination, but remarriage is a change in circumstances that authorizes the court to end spousal support if the court chooses to do so.

Learn more here!

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you would like to learn more about divorce in Ann Arbor, contact us today! Attorneys at Pear Sperling Eggan & Daniels, P.C., can help assist you with your case and everything in between. Consult Wendy Alton for details.

Our attorneys know how to get results for our clients and they’re dedicated to getting a satisfactory outcome. Contact our attorney for divorce in Ann Arbor today at (734) 665-4441 for a no obligation consultation.

New Tax Changes Will Affect Your Divorce in 2019

While we’re not tax professionals, we’re paying attention to some significant tax changes that are in effect now and are also effective as of January 2019.  These changes will have quite an effect on how settlements are negotiated in divorce, custody and support cases.

If you would like to learn more about new tax changes effecting divorce, contact PSED Law today! Attorneys at Pear, Sperling, Eggan, & Daniels, P.C., can help assist you with divorce and everything in between. 

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

Our attorneys know how to get results for our clients and they’re dedicated to getting a satisfactory outcome. Contact our divorce attorney in Ann Arbor today at (734) 665-4441 for a no obligation consultation.