Michigan Divorce Laws

Michigan Divorce Laws regarding Child Support

The State friend of the Court Bureau has developed the Michigan Child Support Formula. This formula is applied by the Court to decide the amount of child support. The Court never grants child support after the child completes 19 years and 6 months. When the child consistently attends high school full-time with an intention of gaining enough credits to graduate from high school and stays full-time in an institution or with the recipient of support, then the Court might issue orders of support. Sections 552.605b, 552.605 and 552.604 of the revised statutes of this state are adhered to by the Court.

Michigan Divorce Laws regarding Child Custody

In this state, there is encouragement for Joint custody. The best interests of the child are kept in mind by the Court while considering the following factors –

• Presence of domestic violence irrespective of the fact if the violence was witnessed by or was directed against the child
• The readiness and capacity of the partners to promote and facilitate a continued and close relation amongst the other partner and the child
• If the Court concludes that the child is of enough age to form a preference, then the reasonable preference of the child is taken into account
• The record of the child in community, in school and at home
• The physical and mental health of the partners
• The moral fitness of the partners
• The permanency of the proposed or existing custodial residence
• The duration for which the child has resided in a satisfactory and stable environment and the wish to continue the same ambience
• The temperament and ability of the partners to offer the child clothing, food, material needs, medical attention and other remedial care in substitute of medical care that is allowed as per the laws of this state
• The nature and capacity of the partners to shower the child with guidance, affection and love
• The disposition and ability of the partners to raise the child in his or her creed or religion, if any and continue the education of the child
• The emotional ties, affection and love amongst the child and the partners

Alimony

In case of a separation or a divorce, the Court might issue orders to either party to offer spousal support for the suitable maintenance of the adverse party. Using the amount of money paid as alimony, the adverse party must be able to conserve any personal or real property owned by the party. If the party receiving alimony remarries, then the Court terminates the award of alimony. However, this alimony is continued if there is a specific agreement mentioned in the judgment of divorce. Section 552.13 of the revised statutes is the basis of the alimony award.

Change in name

When the Court grants the decree of divorce, if a woman (defendant or complainant) requests to change her name, the Court passes a decree with the following possibilities –

• Restoration of maiden name
• Restoration to name held prior to the marriage
• Adoption of another surname with no evil or fraudulent intention

Divorce Papers