We Can Help You Through Your Trying Times

The divorce process is hard on everyone involved. Sarnacki Law Firm specializes in helping those who are going through a divorce lighten their load by handling all of the legal aspects of the divorce proceedings. Our mission is to work diligently for you in order to receive the most favorable outcome possible. Let us handle your divorce, so you can focus on healing. Contact us today to get started!

Divorce and Family Law

The divorce process is hard on everyone involved. Sarnacki Law Firm in Grand Rapids specializes in helping those who are going through a divorce to lighten their load by handling all of the legal aspects of the divorce proceedings. Our mission is to work diligently for you in order to help you receive the most favorable outcome possible. Let us handle your divorce, so you can focus on healing. Contact us today to get started!

The decision to divorce is as important as the decision to marry. No one should think that after a divorce all of life’s problems will magically disappear. They won’t.

For most people facing this decision, there are reasons for and against a divorce. Each reason should be seriously considered before proceeding with a divorce, and you don’t have to go through this decision-making process alone. There are many resources available to help you decide if divorce is the best option for you and your spouse. These include:

Ultimately, when it comes to whether or not to get a divorce, the decision is up to you; other people may be able to help, but you are the one who is going to have to journey into your future. In addition, it is important to remember that not all divorces look the same. Visit our Types of Divorce page to learn about the different divorce options available.

Note: If you are currently experiencing domestic violence, it is important to get help as soon as possible. Reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-723 or get in touch with a Grand Rapids domestic violence shelter today.

Aspects of Divorce

Unfortunately, divorces are never straightforward, especially aspects such as children, home and cottage ownership, retirement accounts, business ownership, and changes in income and standards of living can make them even more difficult to navigate. Thankfully, Sarnacki Law Firm is here to help. Dave Sarnacki has more than three decades of experience in divorce and family law, including high-conflict custody matters and high-income, high-assets divorces. Some aspects to consider when deciding whether or not to divorce include:

Child support:

Both parents have an obligation to support their minor children. In Michigan, child support obligations are evaluated in light of numerous factors, including the incomes of both parents as well as family size. The Michigan Child Support Formula (also known as “the guidelines”) is used as a presumptive determination of how the parents will share financial responsibility and how much one parent will contribute to the other. Child support will continue to age 18, or up to 19 ½ when the child is regularly attending high school full time with a reasonable expectation of graduating. Learn more here.

Property division:

Most property acquired during a marriage is considered marital property regardless of how it is titled, and is therefore subject to division. However, a spouse generally will be awarded property that that spouse brought into the marriage, inherited, or received as a gift, as long as that property has been kept separate from marital property. Property issues can be complicated, especially in cases involving home and cottage ownership, retirement accounts, business ownership, changes in income and standards of living, high income, high asset, and high net worth matters. Spouses can either reach an agreement concerning the division of property or allow a judge to make the decision after the attorneys present evidence on the relevant issues. Learn more here.

How Long Does a Divorce Take?

Without children, the minimum waiting period for a divorce in Michigan is 60 days. When minor children are involved, the waiting period is six months. If, after the waiting period, all issues are not resolved by agreement, entry of judgment must await trial by the court. In this event, the minimum waiting period of 60 days or six months may be extended considerably. Divorces in Michigan typically take anywhere from 60 days to a year, depending on the circumstances. The more dependents and assets involved, the longer the case will typically take.

Legal fees result from time spent by an attorney in protecting the rights of the client and responding to actions of the other spouse. The more effective the problem-solving and the advocacy, the better for the client, and the better the funds were spent. The more misguided the endeavors, the more unnecessary the litigation activities, or the more mischief by either party, the more expensive for the client.

Because future human conduct cannot be predicted, estimating fees and litigation expenses remains more a matter of management than mathematics. In some cases, the fees may be relatively low because each party acts reasonably and promotes an early agreement. In others, the stakes may be sufficiently greater if a spouse believes an issue in the case is worth the cost in time, money, and emotional investment to litigate the issue. In any event, you should feel free to openly discuss legal fees with your attorney at your initial conference and as the case develops.

Although it is impossible to predetermine how much a divorce will cost in terms of legal fees, there are several things you can do to help keep costs to a minimum, including providing your attorney with the whole story from the beginning and the important information and documents as soon as they are requested.

Great attorneys become your guide through the strange new world of divorce proceedings. You can help yourself by keeping in mind these five simple ways to avoid unnecessary delay, fees, cost, and emotional turmoil as the proceedings develop:

1. Do not take unreasonable positions.
2. Do not hide assets or create fraudulent evidence.
3. Do not involve all your friends, relatives, neighbors, and co-workers in your divorce unless your attorney directs you to do so.
4. Do not make your child(ren) choose sides.
5. Do not play parenting games with the other parent.

Overall, you should try to maintain good relations with your spouse, your children, and anyone who may become a witness in the proceedings. If you would not want the judge to hear about what you did or say, don’t do it and don’t say it.

Honesty. Diligence. Compassion.

When you choose Sarnacki Law Firm in Grand Rapids for your divorce and family law needs, you choose honest advice, diligent research, and compassionate representation. David Sarnacki is proud to be among Michigan’s top divorce and family law attorneys, having dedicated more than half of his life to giving people the representation that they deserve.

At Sarnacki Law Firm, we know that divorce is never easy. But with our help, you don’t have to go through it alone. Whether you’re considering a divorce, starting the divorce process, or are in the midst of a divorce and need a new lawyer, Sarnacki Law Firm is here to help. We are currently accepting new clients. Get in touch with us now to discuss how we can best serve your needs.