divorce & Family Law
Divorce is a reality for so many people.
Having to discuss the splitting of assets adds complications and considerations to an already difficult change. We understand emotions are highly charged, which is why Swartz & Wilson P.L.C. in Michigan is here to help. Our divorce lawyers keep communication between partners at a minimum, and both would be able to walk away with a legally binding contractual agreement as to division of property and such issues.
Child Support & Custody
Our firm can represent you if you are seeking a child support agreement with the other parent of your child. We work to ensure that your rights are protected, and that the court has the proper information to determine a fair, equitable child support agreement.
Spousal Support & Alimony
We help clients set up a fair and equitable alimony agreement after the dissolution of a marriage. We work with men and women in the Saginaw, Michigan and surrounding areas to put together a spousal support and maintenance arrangement. Many times alimony is necessary, as couples live a more financially secure life under one roof, and can struggle if living alone. The amount of alimony payed out depends on a variety of different factors which a judge may determine, or can be agreed upon during mediation. Those factors include:
- Earning Potential
- Income
- Financial Resources
- Age and Health of Each Spouse
- Standard/Quality of Living
- Marriage Duration
Paternity
We work with both parties when a child a born out of wedlock to legally establish paternity, so that the appropriate legal actions in a family court can be determined. We can set up a voluntary acknowledgement of paternity, or file for an administrative order for genetic testing or a DNA test.
Property Division
When ending a marriage, all of the property must be divided between the spouses. This can be complicated, depending on the nature of the assets, when the assets were acquired, and how and why the assets increased in value. We help with:
- Real estate
- Retirement accounts
- Investments
- Business assets
Grandparents Rights
Grandparents often seek visitation in instances where their own child, the parent, does not have frequent visitation with the child or in cases where their own child has died. In considering whether to award time-sharing rights to a grandparent, the court will assess a number of factors to determine if it is in the child's best interest. These include:
- The relationship between the child and the grandparent or grandparents
- The amount of time the grandparents spent with the child prior to filing for time-sharing rights
- The willingness of the grandparent or grandparents to encourage a close relationship between the child and the parent or parents.
- The child's preference if the child is deemed old enough to express it.
- The mental and physical health of the grandparent or grandparents
Prenuptial Agreements
A Prenuptial Agreement is the type of legal document that is put into place prior to getting married, which spells out what each party’s rights and responsibilities are in the event of separation, divorce and even death. If you are thinking of getting married and may need a Prenuptial Agreement, Swartz & Wilson P.L.C. is there to discuss the benefits of this type of agreement.
Visitation Modification
Our family law team can work with you to modify an existing child visitation order, and will investigate a variety of different factors before advocating on your behalf. Factors that can impact a child support modification may include if there is a stable environment for the child, occurrence of domestic violence, the finances of the parent, the child’s educational and medical needs, as well as distance between the parent and the child.