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Divorce Lawyers Shelby Township

HomeDivorce Lawyers Shelby Township

Divorce Lawyers Shelby Township

Throughout Shelby Township, MI, there are plenty of lawyers to help when you have a legal problem, but not all of them are going to be right for you. At Lucido & Manzella, P.C. , we want to make sure you have all the information so you can make an informed choice about who will represent you through what may be one of the most difficult and emotionally challenging events of your life – your divorce. Here is what you should understand about filing for divorce in Michigan.

The Complaint for Divorce

Chapter 552 of the Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) governs divorce. Whether you plan to litigate your divorce to trial or quietly and peacefully mediate your divorce out of court, someone must still file an actual complaint, seeking a court’s approval. This is called the complaint.

Grounds Not Needed

Michigan is a pure no-fault state. This means that neither party is required to allege that the other party did something wrong (e.g., cheating, cruelty, abandonment, etc.). Instead, you just have to allege that the marriage is broken and beyond repair.

Jurisdiction

If you and your spouse married in Michigan and you have shared a home together for a long time, you should not have to worry about jurisdiction because your county of residence is the appropriate place to file. If there are unique circumstances, you will want to discuss jurisdiction with an attorney. In general:

  • One spouse has to have lived in the state for six months or longer.
  • If you are going to file the complaint, then you have to file it in either (a) your county of residence or (b) the county where your spouse has lived for at least ten days.

This may seem clear, but it can get a bit tricky.

Due Process

Due process is not just a term used in law enforcement or criminal cases. It is a constitutional doctrine that says you have to give people notice and an opportunity to be heard before a court can assert jurisdiction and begin affecting their rights. Once you file the complaint, you will need to have your spouse “served” with a copy. He or she then has 21 days to respond.

Litigation / Discovery

One of the most complex and often expensive parts of a divorce is the discovery process. This is where each side exchanges information, records, financial documents, and so forth. It is also when attorneys take depositions and can even subpoena witnesses, like family, friends, and coworkers.

Trial

If you and your spouse can not agree and can not negotiate a settlement agreement, your case may have to be decided through a trial. This is a highly public process, and many divorcing couples describe it as traumatic and painful. Nevertheless, if you have no other choice, you want an experienced and devoted litigation attorney by your side. 

Hire the Best Oakland County Divorce Attorney Today

No attorney can guarantee a perfect outcome or even promise a specific result, but with experience comes the ability to predict with clarity how judges may react to certain things or how well received a particular request may be. If you are worried about your divorce, call Lucido & Manzella, P.C., today.

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We offer a free initial consultation so you will get an opportunity to meet us, and we will have an opportunity to learn more about your legal issue.

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