Michigan Divorce Legal Questions

I answered a very similar question earlier this afternoon. Your best bet is to retain an experienced family law attorney, who can review the facts in much greater detail than this site can deal with. In any case, the length of the marriage is significant both as to property division and maintenance. There are a number of other factors, but in my experience, length of the marriage usually has a high priority.... Read Answer

First things first: consult an experienced family law attorney in your area. They can make things much easier for you. The lawyer will ask you some questions about yourself, your spouse and the marriage (not usually embarrassing questions, y the way). S/he will then draft a petition and probably some other papers, file them with the court and have them served (= officially delivered) on your spouse. This can be done even if he is in Mexico. I hope this helps. Good Luck.... Read Answer

The length of the marriage is one of about a dozen factors which a court must consider when awarding spousal support: the longer the marriage the more likely that the requesting spouse is entitled to support. A three-year marriage is regarded by nearly all courts as a 'short' marriage. The requesting spouse would have to make an awfully strong case for maintenance to get any. Find a good marital lawyer. Good Luck.... Read Answer

First things first: retain a skilled matrimonial lawyer in your area. Since the divorce was already filed, your lawyer can use one or another instrument, such as an Order to Show Cause, or Motion for a Temporary Order, to require him to account for every item he took, and restore it, or its value, to you. In a contested final hearing, this kind of behaviour can tell against him. You would be well advised to list every single item you know that he took. You would also be well advised to take photos of every thing in your home, with a newspaper carrying today's headline in each photo. You could also try using a videocam to do the same thing. Good Luck.... Read Answer

First things first: it's almost always worth your while to have a lawyer advise and represent you in serious matters before a court. In Wisconsin it takes a minimum of 120 days from the time you serve the other spouse with the summons and complaint. As a practical matter, it will take at least two months more. If the other spouse wants to make trouble or drag his or her heels, it can take considerably longer. Generally having a (good) lawyer speeds the process along.... Read Answer

You have identified divorce-related issues that are too complex for most non-lawyers to handle. Contact an experienced divorce lawyer in your area. There are numerous attorney directories on the internet that can assist your search. Note that you have a limited amount of time to file a formal Answer to the divorce Petition, so do not delay.... Read Answer