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