Michigan Family Law Lawyer

Family Attorney

Forget about the reasons they tell you that you will not succeed; let's start by thinking about the reason you will...

Family Law encompasses a broad range of issues that occur between family members. Our team can help you in all of these areas, including:

  • Divorce
  • Spousal Support
  • Custody
  • Child Support
  • Parenting Time
  • Paternity
  • Domestic Violence

Family law issues are emotionally draining, time consuming and difficult to navigate. You want to work with an attorney who focuses on family law to ensure you receive the best possible resolution for your case in the most efficient way possible.

Property Settlement

An important aspect of a divorce proceeding is the division of the marital estate. Ensuring that the entire marital estate is properly valued is vital to achieve an appropriate settlement. You must also protect your separate property, and obtain the best possible settlement is our primary goal. If we cannot settle the case, then the alternative is an expensive time-consuming trial. The Nichols Law Firm shows our commitment to results by working closely with experts who can determine pension valuations, find separate property in investment accounts, and determine equitable value connected to real property and personal property.

Protecting your individual assets from falling into the wrong hands and determining property value are critical. We advise our clients on the legal nuances that can affect property division and alimony (spousal support) and ensure asset protection wherever possible.

Custody, Parenting Time and Child Support

Divorces that involve minor children are intense and generally the most difficult to navigate through the legal process. In custody cases, Michigan law presumes that it is in the best interests of a child to have a strong relationship with both parents (MCL 722.27a (1)). In addition, psychologists agree that, to prevent emotional trauma in children, equal access to both parents is critical unless there are issues connected to abuse, neglect or child endangerment. When two competent, loving parents are either divorcing or separating, we stand by these concepts, and advocate for shared parenting.

There are times when equalized custody and parenting time are inappropriate and not in the best interests of a child. When custody of your child is in dispute, you want to hire an attorney who relentlessly and tirelessly stand up for your rights as a parent. Our litigators will thoroughly investigate your case, talk to witnesses, subpoena documents, open discovery and demand answers. When you need someone who is committed to results, and will go into the courtroom with a willingness to fight for the best outcome for you, and demand justice for you and your child, contact The Nichols Law Firm, PLLC.

As trained and successful litigators, with experience in navigating the legal complexities present in family law issues, we can help you obtain the results you desire, and successfully put these stressful, and emotionally draining issues behind you.

Finding a way to solve your family problems

No matter how simple it may look to outsiders, divorce is stressful. For some of our clients, it is the darkest period of their lives. When dealing with this much emotional upheaval, you need a levelheaded attorney who knows family law. At The Nichols Law Firm, PLLC, we provide support and advice while protecting your parental rights and financial interests. If you are facing a divorce, or are thinking of filing, contact The Nichols Law Firm, PLLC to speak with a qualified and understanding family attorney.


Anatomy of a Divorce


Child Custody and Parenting Plans

Child custody is often the most difficult aspect of divorce law. In the midst of dealing with the emotional fallout of a failed marriage, divorcing spouses must also make decisions about caring for their children. Because child custody is such an emotionally charged issue in divorce, a family attorney is essential in creating parenting plans that support the children's best interests.

Our firm has experience creating fair, workable custody and parenting plans for divorcing parties. We work with parents in divorces that involve:

  • Complex child custody issues
  • Visitation schedule
  • Non custodial parent rights
  • Paternity issues
  • Child support

Property Division

Every divorce, from the largest estate to the simplest, involves dividing the marital property between the two spouses. Marital property can include

  • Real estate
  • 401(k) or pension plans
  • Personal property

With a few exceptions, anything that you and your spouse have acquired during the marriage is marital property. In order to determine the value of the estate, we work with appraisers and business valuators when necessary.


Alimony

Alimony, also known as spousal support, is not as common as it used to be. Usually, if one spouse has stayed at home, the court can award alimony temporarily, giving the stay at home spouse enough time to finish school or return to the workforce.


Other Family Law Matters

We also assist our clients with matters involving

  • Post- and prenuptial agreements
  • Post-judgment modifications
  • Domestic violence
  • Child support enforcement

Contact a Michigan divorce lawyer.

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Peer Recognition

Mike Nichols is a national leader in drunk driving defense. He is a member of the Forensic Committee and Michigan delegate to the National College for DUI Defense. He is also a Sustaining Member of the College. Nichols is also a founding member of the Michigan Association of OWI Attorneys; a member of the American Chemical Society; an associate member of he American Academy of Forensic Science, Adjunct Professor of Forensic Evidence in Criminal Law and OWI Law and Practice at Cooley Law School. He is also author of the West OWI Practice book and several chapters in other books on science and the law.

Mike Nichols is recognized by his peers in Michigan as a “SuperLawyer” in DUI/Criminal Defense. Nichols has also been asked to speak at conferences by groups such as the NCDD; Various Bar Associations in other states.