Family Law and Divorce

Smith Haughey's Family Law attorneys in Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, and Traverse City have the experience, competence, and compassion to assist clients with the difficult and often complex issues surrounding divorce, separation, adoption, and other matters for families and couples.

Divorce Services

Our divorce lawyers find family-friendly solutions that recognize the client's wishes and serve the best interests of the children. Divorce and issues related to domestic relations, for example, can involve custody disputes, alimony claims, prenuptial agreements, real estate ownership, will interpretation, business valuation, insurance coverage, pension plan distribution or division, and more. We not only counsel clients through each step of the process, we also strive to ease the emotional impact on families.

Our depth of family law and divorce services include:

Pre- and Postnuptial Agreements

Our family law attorneys prepare, review, and negotiate prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. These agreements can be designed to anticipate how premarital, inherited and separate assets will be allocated in the event of divorce. They may also address concerns specific to families with children from previous marriages. 

Other issues in the agreements may include:

• Identification and definition of marital versus separate assets and income
• Inheritance and estate planning considerations
• Future support of spouse and children
• Full disclosure of existing assets and debts

For many couples, a caring, open, and thoughtful approach to these issues contributes to a positive pre- or post-marital experience. Our attorneys are adept at assisting with those sensitive communications and negotiations.

Adoption

Our lawyers work hand-in-hand with clients to create and maintain family bonds through adoption, guardianship, and conservatorship. We have significant experience arranging stepparent adoption, single parent adoption, intrastate adoption, international adoption, adult child adoption, and the termination of parental rights.

Since all these issues can be complex, it is beneficial for our clients to have the support of a full-service firm such as Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge, where sharp legal skills and compassionate hearts meet.