Divorce

Division Of Property In Michigan

In a Michigan divorce, the parties involved in a divorce are generally each awarded half of the assets and half of the debts that accrued during the marriage. There are many exceptions to this general statement, including exceptions regarding non-marital property, inheritance, and property owned prior to the marriage. Another exception to this general statement is the issue of fault. In a Michigan divorce, the issue of fault in the breakdown of the marriage may cause a court to award more of the assets to one party. Due to these exceptions, and some others, you will need to discuss the particulars in your specific case with a Michigan divorce attorney to determine what your potential settlement may be.

In a Michigan divorce, the parties to a divorce usually settle their property rights after negotiation. Negotiations may be done between the spouses themselves, with the assistance or their attorneys, or with the assistance of their attorneys and a neutral third party mediator. If the parties come to an agreement as to how to divide their property, they must be absolutely sure that they understand and agree to the settlement, because in Michigan, once the judgment of divorce is entered, the property settlement may not be modified, except in cases of fraud or clerical error.

If a settlement cannot be reached, the matter will be decided at binding arbitration or by the Court after a trial. In determining property issues at arbitration or trial, a Michigan Family Court Judge will usually consider the following:

1. Length of the marriage
2. Contributions of the parties to the marital estate
3. Age of the parties
4. Health of the parties
5. Life status of the parties
6. Necessities and circumstances of the parties
7. Earning abilities of the parties
8. Past relations and conduct of the parties
9. General principles of equity