Dedicated and Trustworthy Divorce Attorneys Fighting for Women’s Futures

It is common for women to remain in unhappy marriages for years due to worries about their children’s well-being and their own financial and emotional stability as single women. Leaving a marriage, even an unhappy one, is a scary prospect. That is why it is important to have the support of a dedicated divorce lawyer who can guide you through the process and protect your rights.

At Woodford Sathappan McGee, our divorce lawyers exclusively represent women. Our goal is for you to have the support you need to feel confident in your life after divorce. We will help you navigate all of the important decisions relating to your divorce such as child custody, property division, and child support, so that you can transition into a bright future.

We are proud of our approach to the attorney-client relationship, which is built on trust and empathy. We will ensure that your voice is heard and that you are kept informed and engaged at every stage.

Every attorney at our law firm has skills in both negotiation and litigation. Regardless of what direction your case takes or its complexity, we have the tools to help.

To arrange a free consultation with an experienced divorce attorney, contact Woodford Sathappan McGee today at 380-212-3731.

Property Division in Oakland County, MI

If you have been married to your spouse for a long time, then dividing your property will be complex. How your property is divided will impact you for many years to come, and so it is essential that your right to an equitable division of marital property is upheld. Your attorney from Woodford Sathappan McGee will make sure that happens.

The first thing that your attorney will help you to do is figure out what separate assets you own. Separate property is any assets you owned before you were married or anything that was gifted or inherited to you at any time. Your separate property belongs to you and will not be divided upon divorce.

The next step is to assess what marital property you and your spouse own. Marital property is all assets that either spouse acquired while they were married, including bank accounts, debts, real estate, investments, retirement accounts, and more. Michigan is an equitable distribution state which means that marital property must be divided in a just and fair way.

Your attorney will help ensure that you receive a just and fair division of property and that important considerations are taken into account, including:

• The custody arrangement.
• How long the marriage lasted.
• The needs of each spouse.
• The contributions of each spouse.
• How much separate property each spouse has.
• The ability of each spouse to earn money.
• How much each spouse contributed to the marital debt.
• Whether you sacrificed work opportunities to care for children.

High-Asset Divorce

A high-asset divorce is one that involves significant assets involved, such as multiple properties, high-value investments or retirement accounts, or self-owned businesses. These cases are highly complex and require the help of an attorney with this niche experience.

High-asset divorce cases may also involve child support payments that exceed legal guidelines, which may be necessary to help meet your child’s additional needs, such as private education.

Woodford Sathappan McGee can provide you with the representation you need to obtain a just outcome in a high-asset divorce, one which protects your rights and supports your future.

Spousal Support Payments in Oakland County, MI

In Michigan, spousal support is only awarded in limited circumstances and usually as a temporary order. Spousal support could be awarded for a limited time, which could start during the divorce process or after the divorce has been finalized. When this happens, it is to ensure that the receiving spouse can maintain a standard of living and has the opportunity to undergo training or find employment and become financially independent.

There are also times when a permanent spousal support order could be issued in Michigan. However, this is reserved for cases where a couple is separating after a long marriage, and the receiving spouse is not able to become financially independent due to old age, disability, or poor health.

We have worked with numerous women who sacrificed career opportunities to care for their children and are left concerned about how they will manage after divorce. Your sacrifices should be considered, and you should not be left in financial hardship for leaving your marriage. If you are owed spousal support, then our attorneys will advocate on your behalf and fight for an agreement that gives you the opportunity to become financially independent.

Physical and Legal Custody in Oakland County, MI

In Michigan, parents may be granted legal custody and physical custody. If a parent is granted legal custody, it means that they have the right to make important decisions on their child’s behalf, such as those that involve education, medical care, and religious practices. Legal custody could be given to one parent, or if a joint legal custody arrangement is put in place, then parents will need to work together to make decisions on their child’s behalf.

If a parent is granted physical custody, it means that they have the right to spend time with their child as their primary caregiver. Physical custody could be shared equally, which means that parents would spend equal time with their children. However, it is also common for one parent to become the custodial parent, while the noncustodial parent is granted visitation rights. This could be a more practical arrangement when considering both parents’ work schedules and the child‘s school and social life.

How Are Custody Decisions Made?

In accordance with Michigan law, all family law matters must be decided based on the best interests of children. That usually means finding a balance between prioritizing stability in a child’s life and protecting strong relationships with both parents.

When determining what is in a child’s best interests, important considerations include:

• The child’s access to their community, such as family members and friends.
• Maintaining stability in a child’s life.
• The child’s wishes.
• The wishes of both parents.
• How involved each parent has been in the child’s life up until now.
• Each parent’s ability to meet their child’s ongoing needs.
• Potential harm to the child’s well-being from either parent.

At Woodford Sathappan McGee, we will help you and your former spouse negotiate a parenting plan that prioritizes the best interests of your children while considering your needs. If this is not possible, then we will also be prepared to present your case to a Judge.

Usually, both parents will retain the right to spend time with their child. The only reason why a sole custody arrangement would be approved by a Judge is if one parent poses a risk to their child’s well-being. For example, if the other parent has been abusive or neglectful, then it may be in the child’s best interests for them not to have a relationship. If this is the case, then your attorney can help you evidence your claims and will ensure that the Judge considers them when making decisions regarding your children.

Child Support Payments in Oakland County, MI

Parents have a right to spend time with their children, and they also have a responsibility to provide for them financially. If you are the custodial parent for your children, then it is likely that you will be owed child support.

Child support will help the custodial parent meet their child’s daily needs, such as food, shelter, and toys. The amount of child support that will be ordered is usually based on state guidelines which take into account monthly gross income, the parenting schedule, and how many children there are.

High Conflict Divorce in Oakland County, MI

A high-conflict divorce is usually a result of abusive patterns that exist in the marriage. If you suffered emotional, physical, or sexual abuse from your spouse, then divorcing them is likely to be incredibly difficult. Thanks to our dedication to women, we have created a space where they feel supported to share their experiences. If your divorce involves domestic violence or is likely to involve a lot of conflict, then we can help protect you.

If necessary, we will file for a protection order which will keep your spouse away from you while your divorce is finalized. We will ensure that your spouse cannot manipulate the situation and that boundaries are put in place that will give you the space you need to make decisions from a place of clarity.

We will also help you evidence your experiences to a Judge so that they are considered in every decision. Our high-conflict divorce attorneys have the experience and resources necessary to support you.

Oakland County Divorce Lawyer for Women FAQ