Some couples decide to stay married and divide their lives and possessions without actually filing for divorce; this is called an action for separate maintenance when filed with the court. Since 1974, the rule for separate maintenance actions allowed re-litigating certain aspects of a court order for separate maintenance if one of the spouses decides to later file for divorce. On September 12, 2025, that law changed. Johnson v Johnson,___ Mich App ___;  ___ NW2d ___ (2025 ...

In many ways, this feeling represents something real. Getting divorced is stressful and difficult when the couple gets along relatively well, to say nothing of high-conflict cases that may have had significant motion practice, difficult mediations, or even gone through trial or binding arbitration. But for a divorcing couple with children, the pre-judgment period is just the first phase. Along with the judgment comes an entirely new set of problems to ...

In the event of Obergefell being overturned, it could leave same-sex couples in states like Michigan uncertain about their legal standing ...

A family-owned small business that is part of one spouse’s family fabric may even serve as revenue for more than just the divorcing couple. During a divorce, analyzing the business’ books may feel akin to analyzing the lives of the business owners and their family.

With years of experience helping clients navigate separations, our family law team at Foster Swift have put together some important things to know when it comes to divorces that involve a business. 

You know that you want to see your child, but are uncertain of whether that is the right thing to do. Following the law means following orders. Co-parenting in today’s world means that orders include not only the Judge’s orders related to custody and parenting time in your case, but the Executive Orders of our Governor. Can doing what is right still mean doing something different?

When a couple’s divorce is finalized, both parties receive a court document known as a “judgment of divorce” that states the provisions of the divorce. While a judgment is enforceable by law and must be followed by both parties, it is by no means absolute and can be changed given the right circumstances. As children grow older and jobs change, a judgment may need to be modified in order to accommodate for such changes. If you are in need of a post-divorce modification, attorneys at Foster Swift have the experience to walk you step-by-step through the associated legal processes and advocate for a favorable result on your behalf.