Michigan Divorce Attorney Jannelle Zawaideh

When you have issues like those noted herein, you should contact a Birmingham attorney experienced in family law. If you are an adult and reside in Michigan, you have the right to represent yourself as a "pro se," but this option is most strongly discouraged. Instead, hire a qualified, experienced attorney familiar with Birmingham family law to protect yourself.

Unlike some US jurisdictions, Birmingham does not have a true family court. In Michigan, the family division of Circuit Court hears divorce and other family law matters with its 57 courts throughout the state.

Birmingham Profile Data

Birmingham recently celebrated its 70th anniversary of its incorporation as a city. Although smaller in size, Birmingham is known as a city that offers residents a "high quality of life."

According to the 2000 census, its almost 20,000 residents tend to be younger adults, with around 35 percent being in the 25 to 44 age group, with another 26 percent aged 45 to 64. Birmingham is affluent, with many observers predicting a slight population decline over coming decades, although the number of households should remain steady.

If you consider yourself to be well-educated, you are similar to much of the population. Around 38 percent of residents have a bachelor's degree, while another 30 percent of those age 25 and older having earned graduate degrees.

Family Division Jurisdiction

In Michigan, the Circuit Court has jurisdiction over most family law actions, including juvenile offenses or delinquency. The following issues are matters the Family Division of Circuit Court primarily handles.

Divorce,
Child custody,
Property division,
Spousal support,
Prenuptial agreements,
Child support,
Annulment,
Paternity,
Adoptions,
Child abuse and/or neglect, and
Other domestic relations matters.

Selecting Your Attorney

Although Birmingham is a somewhat smaller city, over 25 family law attorneys are based there. This gives clients multiple experienced family law professionals to find the best local legal advice for every domestic relations issue.

Although there are situations that indicate "black or white' solutions, most family law issues reside in the "gray" area of the legal arena. Michigan courts have attempted to move more issues to the "black and white" category to minimize the volume of arbitrary decisions.

For example, the state guidelines for calculating child support levels requires family division courts to employ the formula to set (or change) child support obligation amounts. Assigning fairness and equitability to mathematical formulas can be challenging, but this calculation provides guidance the court craves to save time and debate when deciding on and generating orders for child support. To clarify and expedite the child support process, family law attorneys can consult the " Michigan Child Support Formula Manual. "

Other issues, such as child custody decisions, still require thought, analysis and investigative information to help family division courts make fair and equitable decisions. Since these "gray" areas are more common than using simple calculations, contact an attorney with experience in Birmingham family law to have the best representation. When you're a party to a family division case, retain a proven family law attorney. Contact Jannelle today for FREE consultation.