Michigan Family Law

At Paul J. Tafelski, P.C., we believe in finding lasting solutions to our clients’ family law issues, providing them with quality, individualized representation that puts them on the right track for the future.

We provide legal counsel to clients from all walks of life and handle matters involving every aspect of family law, including:

• Divorce: Uncontested and Contested divorces.  In an uncontested divorce, the parties agree on matters such as the division of marital assets, spousal support and the custody and support of their children. The agreement is reached out of court, usually through mediation, which can save time, money and stress.
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• Change of Domicile:  If a party wishes to move a minor child subject to a prior court judgment out of the state of Michigan because of employment, transfer or other reasons, court approval must be obtained.  The rights of the other parent are taken very seriously in these situations.  It is very important to have experienced legal counsel handling your request for change of domicile.
• Asset division: If the parties cannot decide how to divide their marital property, a court will do it for them through “equitable distribution.” This can be an especially complex process when the marital estate includes real estate, stocks, pension plans and business assets.
• Child custody: When a marriage dissolves, generally one party will receive physical custody of any children, while the other will have visitation rights, or “parenting time.” The parties often share decision-making on education and medical care.   We provide experienced representation in negotiating these delicate issues.
• Child support: Parents, whether married or unmarried, are responsible for providing financial, medical and educational support for their children. The amount of child support varies and can always be modified based on a change in circumstances.  Child support continues until the child turns 18 and is no longer in school.
• Domestic violence: Domestic violence can shatter families and relationships. It can also lead to criminal punishment and have an impact on spousal support, child custody and child support. In some cases, a victim may be able to seek security through filing for a personal protective order.
• Spousal support: Often called “alimony,” spousal support is available to either a husband or wife in a separation and divorce. Spousal support can be awarded on a temporary or permanent basis through a lump sum or a periodic payment plan.
• Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements: A prenuptial agreement is a contract made between the parties before they marry, while a postnuptial agreement is reached after the marriage. These agreements can include provisions for spousal support and asset division.  Michigan law does recognize validly drafted agreement.

No matter which family law issue you face, our goal is to work tirelessly to resolve your case as successfully, efficiently and discretely as possible.

In our practice we emphasize mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. We believe those methods offer privacy and reduce the emotional toll on families while saving time and money. However, not every family law dispute can be resolved through mediation. That’s why we will always be prepared to go to court to protect our clients’ rights and interests.

Contact Us Today

If you are in need of an experienced Michigan divorce lawyer to counsel you through your family legal issues, call 248-918-4206 or contact us online today to schedule an  initial consultation and discuss your short-term and long-term plans. We assist family law clients in Oakland County, Troy, Novi, Royal Oak, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester Hills, Farmington Hills, West Bloomfield and Birmingham.