| Marriage as an institution has become more of a legal | | | | where the division of property and custody of the |
| contract than a religious ceremony. Since marriage is a | | | | children will be decided by a judge. |
| contract, the involved parties, i.e. the spouses can | | | | The role of lawyers is to help draft a separation |
| decide to break the marriage and go their separate | | | | agreement between the husband and wife. A |
| ways. | | | | separation agreement resolves issues related to |
| A divorce has many legal implications involving | | | | alimony, child custody, child support and the division of |
| property ownership, child custody and other matters. | | | | property. Under the Michigan statute, a judge considers |
| The state gets involved since properties have to have | | | | only the factors of standard of living and marital fault |
| legal titles and the proper care of children is another | | | | for deciding alimony. Similarly, for granting child custody, |
| legitimate legal matter. | | | | factors like statutory guidelines, childrens wishes, the |
| Separation can happen in many ways. It can be | | | | health of the child and domestic violence are |
| amicably settled between the spouses themselves, in | | | | considered. The judge may employ custody |
| propria persona in legal terms. A mediator can help | | | | evaluators. Also, child support is decided by factors like |
| spouses negotiate an agreement. The mediator can | | | | shared income, mandatory deduction for medical |
| be a lawyer, mental health professional or even an | | | | purposes and child care, college support and shared |
| accountant. Unbundling is a term that allows partners, | | | | parenting. |
| as general contractors, to negotiate between | | | | A separation agreement is a binding contract, and |
| themselves, bringing in the services of experts only | | | | therefore must be reviewed with care. Lawyers can |
| when needed. Alternatively, spouses can hire an | | | | be located through local bar associations and also |
| individual lawyer to create a win-win situation. Finally, if | | | | websites. In choosing the lawyer, trust and credentials |
| nothing helps, the couples can go for a court trial | | | | are very important to consider. |