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According to a recent study, the profession with the lowest divorce rates was actuaries, with a rate of 17%. Other professions with low divorce rates were physical scientists, life scientists, clergy, and software developers.

The study found that people who make less money are in general more likely to get divorced. Gaming managers have the highest divorce rate, at 52.9%, followed by bartenders, flight attendants, gaming service workers, rolling machine setters, and machine operators.

If you find yourself in the latter category, and are considering divorce, contact our office for a free consultation at (586) 264-3756.

A collaborative divorce is one in which a couple hires attorneys, solely for the purpose of settling the case. Generally, a team of professionals assists the couple in dividing their assets, creating a parenting plan, and working together to come to an amicable resolution of any outstanding issues. In addition to the attorneys, the other professionals may include a financial advisor, child specialist, and/or therapist.

It can be extremely helpful, especially for couples that have minor children, to start off their new lives in a cooperative manor. These individuals tend to be happier in the long term. It is also best for the children to be able to have both of their parents at all of their games, school events, birthdays, and big life events, without having to worry about conflict.

If you are interested in learning more about the collaborative divorce process, contact our office at (586) 264-3756.

You may have seen the article in the news regarding a mother that was jailed for failing to vaccinate her son.

Oakland County Judge Karen McDonald found that Rebecca Bredow was in contempt of court, for failing to vaccinate her son, despite her prior agreement that her son would be vaccinated. As a result, she was sentenced to five (5) days in jail, and her son was vaccinated.

In addition, based upon Ms. Bredow’s conduct and failure to vaccinate her son, she lost primary physical custody, and will now share joint custody, with her ex-husband.

1.) Child support Exemption. Child support is neither deductible, nor taxable. That being said, the dependency exemption can only be used by one parent. Generally, the parent that has primary physical custody, can claim the exemption; or, the parties can alternate the exemption each year.

2.) Spousal Support. Spousal support is deductible to the payer, to the extent that it is included in the gross income of the payee.

3.) Tax-Free Exchanges Between Spouses. Spouses can transfer property amongst each other, without tax consequences. Thus, property received in connection with a divorce will not be taxed.

In the news recently is an article that Rob Kardashian agreed to pay $20,000 per month in child support, ending a heavily contested battle with ex-fiancee Blac Chyna.

We frequently hear from clients that a friend of theirs is receiving a substantial amount of support, or not enough support, and they want to know what they are entitled to.

Child support will vary for everyone. Support is based upon the amount of overnights each parent has with the child, the income of both parents, child care payments, and health insurance payments. All of the aforementioned information is put into the Michigan Child Support Formula, and the amount of support is generated. Unless there is a very good reason to do so, the parties cannot deviate from the formula. Thus, you most likely will not receive $20,000 per month in support, but based upon the circumstances, you will receive the amount that the court finds appropriate based upon the aforementioned information.

A Chapter 13 is a reorganization, and is for individuals who have regular income and can pay back at least a portion of their debt/creditors, through a repayment plan. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a complete discharge of your debts (with certain exclusions), for those individuals whose monthly expenses exceed their income.

If you are considering filing for bankruptcy, you should bring the following documents to your free consultation:

1.) 3-6 months of paystubs;

2.) past two (2) years of income tax returns;

Section 362 of the United States Bankruptcy code provides for a stay of collection proceedings from the moment a bankruptcy proceeding is filed. An automatic stay is an automatic injunction that prevents any creditor action (with some exceptions), from continuing any collection activity against a debtor that has filed for bankruptcy. The stay is the reason that creditors must stop their harassing calls after you have filed your bankruptcy petition.

For more information on automatic stays and bankruptcy, contact our office at (586) 264-3756 to schedule a free consultation.

A qualified domestic relations order, or QDRO, is a court order that allows the transfer of funds from a 401(k), or other qualified retirement account, to a spouse, pursuant to a judgment of divorce. A QDRO is one of the few instances that money can be withdrawn from a 401(k), without paying an early withdrawal penalty.

If the money is withdrawn and deposited into a bank account, or other non-retirement account, it will be taxed as income; however, if it is rolled into an individual retirement account, then it will not be taxed.

For more information regarding QDRO’s, contact our office at (586) 264-3756.

One of the most common questions we receive is “how long do I have to wait until my divorce is final?” The statutory minimum for a divorce without minor children is sixty (60) days. The statutory minimum for a divorce with minor children is six (6) months.

That being said, the actual time that your particular case will conclude is dependent on numerous factors. One of the main factors is how disputed your case is. If you and your spouse do not agree on anything, then your case could continue on for at least a year. Another factor is the court’s schedule. Even if you have an agreement on all of the terms of your divorce, the judge may not have a hearing date available for several months.

Although the court cannot waive the sixty (60) day waiting period, the judge can waive the six (6) month waiting period, for good cause. Thus, if you have minor children, but you have an agreement on all of the issues, and it is in the best interest of the minor children, the judge can grant a divorce after sixty (60) days.