Michigan Divorce Lawyer

Compassionate & Experienced Representation

Few things are as emotionally difficult as going through a divorce. Divorces affect every member of the family and have a lasting impact on those involved. Even in the most amicable of situations, divorces are complicated and many spouses find that they feel as though they are on an emotional rollercoaster. Having an experienced Michigan divorce attorney on your side can make the process easier.

At Grewal Law PLLC, our divorce lawyers in Michigan have more than 100 years of combined experience navigating all types of family law issues. While every divorcing couple hopes to have a relatively easy, uncontested divorce, we understand that this is seldom the case. The legal process can become complex very easily, but our divorce attorneys are prepared to handle any situation that may arise.

Reach our firm online or at (888) 211-5798 for a free consultation. With offices in Grand Rapids, Okemos, and Northville, we serve clients across Michigan.

Assisting You with All Aspects of Your Divorce in Michigan

There are many factors involved in any divorce. The length of your marriage, whether or not you have any children, if you own a home, and other issues will come into play. Although Michigan is a no-fault divorce state, meaning you do not have to prove fault in order to file for divorce, the family court may still make certain decisions based on the idea of fault. For instance, if a wife files for divorce from an abusive husband, the husband will likely be unable to secure custody of their shared children.

At Grewal Law PLLC, we can help you navigate all aspects of your divorce, including but not limited to:

• Property and asset division
• Divorce and taxes
• Alimony/spousal support
• Child support
• Child custody
• LGBTQ divorce
• Mediation
• Post-judgment modifications
• Paternity
• Visitation

At Grewal Law PLLC, we take the time to listen to you, learn your goals, and help you gain a clear picture of the divorce process. We understand how emotionally fraught divorces can be, which is why we strive to provide compassionate but objective counsel, honest advice, and sound legal representation aimed at protecting your best interests.

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Divorce in Michigan?

While you are not required to have an attorney for a divorce – the long-lasting implications of what arises from a divorce requires a careful examination of your circumstances. Divorce proceedings can be expensive – but many times the old adage “Penny wise – Dollar foolish” is very applicable.

Divorces are often emotional and stressful experiences that having a trained professional to help you through is worth it from not only financial considerations – but also just peace of mind.

Selecting the Right Michigan Divorce Attorney

Moving forward with a divorce can be very difficult to handle. Besides all the things you are facing in your personal life, you also have to make the tough decision on who to hire as a divorce attorney to represent you in your case.

Some tips for finding the best divorce lawyer for your situation include: 

• Research and identify potential attorneys. Take time to research attorneys before reaching out to potential counsel. Besides general searches online, utilize resources such as the State Bar of Michigan’s attorney search tool. It will help you narrow your search and will help you generate a list of potential divorce lawyers in the area. Remember every firm is different and depending on your needs, you may find one firm will work better for you compared to another.
• Talk to your friends and family to see if they have any recommendations for attorneys.
• Decide what you want. Before talking to an attorney start to think about what is the ideal outcome for you in your case. There are some things which will need to be settled according to state law. Do not assume an attorney will be able to get you more than what is legally allowed. Putting unrealistic expectations on the outcome of the divorce can put stress on you and can make you feel like your attorney is not fairly representing you.
• Look for potential red flags. Some attorneys will promise you unrealistic outcomes. Remember he or she will only be able to operate within the framework of state law and should not promise things beyond what Michigan law dictates.
• Take time when making a decision. A divorce is a major life-changing event. Do not jump into making any decisions regarding who will be your Michigan family law lawyer. Take a few days to consider the options you have explored and go with the firm that makes you the most comfortable as your case moves forward.

Once you have a list of potential law firms call them to ask questions you have concerning how they work with clients, their fees and how much experience they have handling similar cases. At Grewal Law, we provide free quotes because we want anyone who becomes our client to feel comfortable and to know up front the potential costs in a case.

It is our goal to provide compassionate legal representation. We want our clients to know their case is important to us and that we will do everything within our power to represent their needs in the best way possible.

How to Prepare Before Filing for Divorce

There are a lot of things you should consider when preparing for a divorce. Make plans before you file to save you time and headaches down the road. Since Michigan is a no-fault divorce state you will not need to prove any fault by one party in order to file for divorce.

Some things you need to do to prepare yourself for the process include:

• Gathering Paperwork: One of the first things you should do is gather copies of important documents including Social Security numbers for all members of the family, copies of tax returns for several years, bank account information, and paperwork for assets including stocks, mortgages and retirement accounts along with credit card numbers. You should also gather legal documents including prenuptial agreements, wills, and deeds for real estate. Other supporting documents which can be helpful when facing a potential divorce include titles for cars, bank statements, and copies of pay stubs. Keep copies of these documents outside the family home in case you are required to move out by court order.
• Documenting Assets and Property: Make an inventory of all the items in your house. Take photos or videos to document everything in the family home. Documenting these possessions will protect you if your spouse tries to get rid of any items from the home during the divorce process. You should also write out the current monthly expenses for your household. These include the cost of rent or the mortgage payment for the family home, utilities, cable, cell phones, food, insurance and expenses related to any children.
• Knowing Your Finances: Divorces have the potential to have a major impact on your credit. You should start looking for ways to start establishing personal finances. Set up individual bank accounts and start to build up a reserve of cash. These funds can be used to help pay for a divorce lawyer or to pay for living arrangements outside the family home. Determine an amount of money to save by calculating your individual expenses while taking into account any potential child support or alimony.
• Establish Your Individual Identity: In addition to setting up a bank account, you should have an alternative mailing address. Have mail sent to a P.O. Box or to a friend or relative’s home in order to ensure your spouse does not see any documentation related to a divorce.
• Sorting Out Your Living Arrangements: Depending on the home your family has shared you may be required to allow one spouse to retain ownership or it may be placed for sale. You should start to consider where you may want to live after the divorce is finalized and where you will live during the divorce proceedings.

Schedule a Free, Confidential Consultation Today

Our Michigan divorce lawyers can help you work toward a swift resolution to all divorce-related issues. When certain issues are contested—your right to alimony or a child custody schedule, for instance—our legal team can fight aggressively for you. We offer dedicated, one-on-one communication and tireless advocacy from start to finish. We have three office locations in Grand Rapids, Northville, and Okemos; reach out to us today to schedule a free consultation.

We can be reached online or by phone at (888) 211-5798.