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A Note From Your Children About Divorce
Divorce is stressful for everyone. Often, you are ending one of your longest and closest relationships and splitting apart everything you own into mine and his (or hers). Imagine for a moment what your...
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Is 50/50 Custody Best for the Kids?
Fathers’ rights advocates are making news, pushing for 50/50 parenting time splits in most cases. But does this kind of legal presumption serve the children or just the fathers? The fathers’ rights...
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“Favorite Child” May Mean More Than You Think
Most parents will deny having a favorite child. They’ll say “I love them all equally” or “in their own way.” But research shows that how your children perceive favoritism could affect their education...
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Should Spanking Be Illegal?
The nation is in an uproar over NFL running back Adrian Peterson’s criminal conviction for “spanking” his 4-year-old son. As reporters, psychologists, and sports casters weigh in on when and how and if...
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Domestic Violence and Parenting Time: The Control Game
In honor of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I want to address one of the most painful parts of family law: the intersection of abuse and parenting time. When domestic violence and custody...
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It Takes a Village To Keep Kids In School
Politicians and educators have been trying to keep students from dropping out for years. Now a study from Johns Hopkins University suggests we need to focus outside the classroom to keep kids in. There...
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‘Til Retirement Do Us Part? The Rise of Gray Divorce
The Internet is filled with stories of happily married old couples. But a growing number of older adults are getting divorced. What is causing this rise of the “gray divorce”? A recent report reveals...
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Should Surrogacy be Legal?
Is surrogacy like prostitution? Should it be regulated or does it inherently exploit the surrogate mother? Should Michigan change its law banning surrogacy for compensation? Check out the arguments and...
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Before Your Family Lawyer Initial Consultation
A lot of law firms, including Schmidt Law Services, PLLC, offer free initial consultations in family law cases. But what you get out of that consultation will depend on how you prepare for the...
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Your Vote Tomorrow Could Change Marriage Equality
The President may not be up for a vote, but with governors, representatives, and judges on the ballot, tomorrow’s election could change the climate of marriage equality in Michigan. Find out where they...
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6th Circuit Judges Won’t Rule for Marriage Equality, But They Might Vote For It
Late on Thursday, November 6th, 2014, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals made history by being the first court of appeals to uphold a gay marriage ban since the Supreme Court struck down DOMA. The...
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In Revocation of Paternity Cases, Conception Date is Key
What does it matter whether a child was conceived during or after a marriage? Doesn’t the Revocation of Paternity Act erase that difference? A recent Court of Appeals decision says the conception date...
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Is It Okay to Say “No Thanks” to Custody?
A divorce without kids is all about dividing assets and debts, but as soon as kids get involved, custody inevitably becomes the big issue. So what do you do if you are a parent who doesn’t want...
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How Do Elementary Age Children React to Divorce?
Divorce can be hard on children at any age. But for elementary age children, the process can cause developmental delays and significant emotional distress. This second in a four part series will tell...
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How Do Tweens React to Divorce?
Later elementary aged children or “Tweens” pose special problems for parents going through divorce. This third in a four part series will help you learn the do’s and don’ts for this transitional age to...
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Michigan’s RFRA and Adoption Agencies Bills OK Discrimination
In the past week, the Michigan House of Representatives has approved 4 different bills, each of which allows discrimination and refusal of service to anyone based on the religious beliefs of the one...
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Michigan Senate Approves Cyberbullying Ban
The Michigan House of Representatives hasn’t given civil rights advocates much to smile about recently. But the Michigan Senate has just passed a bill that would, if approved by the house, strengthen...
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What’s the Big Deal with No-Fault Divorce?
Once again, Michigan law-makers have thrown in a last minute bill to undo Michigan’s no-fault divorce law. But why? What’s the big deal with no-fault divorce? On December 9, 2014, Republican...
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Am I Allowed to Attend School Board Meetings?
As a parent, you are probably very invested in your child’s education. If something unpleasant happens in the school district, you may even want to get involved. But could the administrators tell you...
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Breaking Free From Domestic Violence Takes a Team
If you know someone in a domestic violence relationship it can be hard to understand why the person won’t simply leave. But many times a successful break requires much more support than any one person,...
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