Livonia MI Divorce Law Blog

When getting a divorce, Michigan couples may benefit by first trying to work it out on their own. While the relationship may not be able to be saved, maybe some money and a little bit of time and effort still can be. It is possible to settle a divorce case outside of court, and it is almost always beneficial to both spouses if this can be accomplished. However, this means that couples must agree on what they are getting and giving. This can't always be done, which is when the divorce case goes to trial.

When a divorce proceeding goes to trial, individuals are no longer trying to convince their spouse to give something up and instead are trying to convince the judge. The judge needs to see that the spouse requesting something that could not be agreed upon deserves to receive it and that the other spouse does not. In addition, litigants will want to be on their best behavior. Bad behavior -- slumping, sulking, huffing, puffing or rolling your eyes -- will not win any points with the judge. In fact, it could make you lose points.

Sometimes, a marriage simply does not work out. People change over time, and two people may no longer be right for each other as the years go on. In a few cases, there may even be emotional or physical abuse within the marriage, making divorce a necessity. Yet, even though a divorce may be the best option, many Michigan residents know firsthand just how stressful it can still be.

The stress, both emotional and financial, that a divorce might bring may help to explain the results of a new study. Released on April 20, the study found that the well-being of divorcees or separated couples was lower than that of married spouses. To assess well-being, the study looked at a set of six broad indicators ranging from physical health to work environment.

In Michigan and elsewhere, divorce can become a quagmire as couples battle over issues relating to child custody and property division. However, some divorcing couples manage to work through their issues amicably, determining arrangements that work well for both them and their children. In this vein, readers may be interested in the divorce of Heidi Klum and Seal, who share four children.

The two announced they were separating three months ago, although Klum did not officially file for divorce until April 6. In the filing, she listed "irreconcilable differences" as the grounds for the divorce. In addition, court documents also indicate that she is seeking primary physical custody of the children.

As a social networking tool, Facebook has proven itself invaluable to many Michigan residents. However, the website may be used in unexpected ways, such as in uncovering an extra-marital relationship. In fact, a friend suggestion on Facebook recently revealed to one woman that her husband recently married a second woman. While that may not necessarily seem unusual, the two spouses in this case never sought a divorce, meaning that the husband was carrying on a bigamous relationship.

In 2009, the first wife and the husband separated, and have apparently not been living together ever since. Nonetheless, the two never filed for divorce. Yet in December of last year, the man allegedly married a second woman.