What is Family Law?
“Family law” is an umbrella term that covers areas of the law that relate to family relationships. The first thing that comes to mind when most people hear the term “family law” is divorce. Divorce in families with children or without children is certainly a large part of what family law attorneys do, and much of family law is connected with divorce or the dissolution of romantic relationships.
For instance, almost all family law attorneys handle divorce litigation, and many help people divorce using alternative dispute resolution processes such as divorce mediation or Collaborative divorce. Of course, family law attorneys also address legal issues that are a part of divorce, such as division of marital property and spousal support (alimony).
Much of family law also relates to children whose parents are divorcing or ending their relationship. Family law attorneys help their clients to resolve child custody, parenting time, and child support disputes. In Michigan, that means that family law attorneys guide their clients in navigating the Friend of the Court system that makes recommendations to the court on those issues. Many family law attorneys also serve as Guardians ad Litem or Lawyer Guardians ad Litem who help to make sure that the interests of children are represented in family law cases.
Family law covers a wide range of other topics as well, including:
- Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
- Separate maintenance (the closest thing Michigan has to “legal separation”)
- Adoption, including step-parent adoption
- Paternity and filiation
Family law attorneys are often referred to as “divorce attorneys,” but most of us are focused on much more than just ending marriages; we want to help families as they evolve and change.
Families going through transitions deserve not only sound legal advice, but compassionate personal service during what is usually the most stressful time that a family can experience. Blume Law Group offers both to clients in Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and St. Clair counties as they navigate family changes.