Boroja, Bernier & Associates’ Oakland County divorce attorneys bring 35+ years of combined experience and a client-first approach to helping Michigan families navigate custody, property division, and support matters through both contested and uncontested divorce proceedings.

Key Takeaways:

• Michigan follows equitable division rules for property and debt in divorce, meaning the court focuses on what is fair based on the circumstances rather than an automatic 50/50 split, and spouses always have the option to negotiate their own agreement before the court steps in.

• Child custody in Michigan is divided into legal custody, which covers major decision-making authority, and physical custody, which determines where the children primarily live, and both types can be awarded jointly or solely based on the best interests of the child.

• Divorces in Michigan can proceed as either contested or uncontested, and many couples who start out in disagreement are able to reach resolution through mediation, which saves time, reduces costs, and keeps the outcome in the hands of the spouses rather than a judge.

Divorce is already hard enough, but it can be downright unbearable when you have an attorney who doesn’t return your calls, leaves you in the dark, or generally seems uninterested in the difficult situation you’re in. When your family and your future are on the line, helpless is the last thing you want to feel. We get that, and that’s why we do things differently. 

At Boroja, Bernier & Associates, we know how discouraging and dehumanizing it can be when the legal team you’ve entrusted your case to treats you like you’re just another case file piled on top of their desk. Our dedicated Oakland County divorce attorneys go the extra mile to listen to your story, understand your concerns, and offer straightforward answers to the questions that have likely been keeping you up at night for weeks on end. 

You’ll get personal, one-on-one time with your attorney, rather than unanswered calls that lead to voicemails or cold emails. Take the first step toward the authentic legal representation you deserve and book your consultation today. We’re here and ready to take charge. 

Understanding the Divorce Process in Oakland County, Michigan

Most people think they understand what divorce involves until they’re going through one. The reality is a lot more layered than signing some papers and going your separate ways. Our goal is to make sure you are as informed as possible while navigating the process, so nothing surprises you or throws you off guard. Here are some of the key issues that our Oakland County divorce attorneys help you work through:

• Child Custody – If you have kids, this is probably one of your biggest concerns. In Michigan, custody is divided into two categories: legal (who makes the major decisions that impact the child’s life) and physical custody (where the children live most of the time). Both legal and physical custody can be shared by both parents in a joint custody arrangement, or allocated to only one parent in a sole custody arrangement. Parents always have the opportunity to come together and create an arrangement that works best for their family based on their unique priorities and dynamics, but if parents are unable to agree, the court will make the final decision based on what is in the best interests of the children. 

• Property Division – Contrary to popular belief, money and debt don’t just get split down the middle in a divorce – at least, not in Michigan. We are a state that practices equitable division, which means the court is much more interested in what is fair rather than what is equal. However, similar to custody, you and your spouse always have the opportunity to reach your own agreement on how you’ll divide things; if you can’t agree, then the court will step in to make the final decision. We believe the best arrangements are always the ones that both spouses have a say in, which is why our Oakland County divorce attorneys will dive deep into your finances to help you determine what’s worth fighting for and what might be better to compromise on. No matter what, we’ll fiercely protect your interests and ensure nothing you’re entitled to is left on the table.

• Support Matters – Child support in Michigan is calculated using a formula that takes into account both parents’ income and the custody arrangement. On the other hand, spousal support (typically referred to as alimony) is not automatic in every divorce. Whether you’re the party being asked to pay it or the party requesting it, we will make sure that both child and spousal support arrangements are fair and in line with Michigan law. 

Contested or Uncontested: We Handle Both With the Same Level of Care

Divorce can take two paths in Michigan: contested or uncontested. Simply put, an uncontested divorce is when both spouses agree on all the terms of their divorce—custody, property division, all of it. Sometimes this is because they were able to work together directly or negotiate through their attorneys, and other times they started the process in disagreement but were able to get on the same page through a process called mediation. 

In mediation, a neutral third party trained in conflict resolution helps spouses discuss their concerns and disagreements respectfully and productively with the hopeful goal of reaching a mutually beneficial solution. When mediation works, it saves time, saves money, and keeps things out of the courtroom. Our Oakland County divorce attorneys always help clients explore this path when it makes sense because dragging out a fight that doesn’t need to happen helps nobody, especially your kids.

That being said, the uncontested path is not in the cards for every couple. Maybe your spouse is being unreasonable about custody. Maybe they’re hiding assets or refusing to come to the table in good faith. When that happens, the divorce becomes contested, and that’s when you need attorneys who won’t flinch. We shift gears, dig into the details, and advocate aggressively for what you’re entitled to.

Here’s what stays the same regardless of which path your divorce takes: the level of attention you get from our team. We don’t treat uncontested cases like they’re on autopilot, and we don’t treat contested cases like billable hour opportunities. Every client gets the same honest communication, the same thorough preparation, and the same personalized strategy built around their actual situation. 

Let Our Oakland County Divorce Attorneys Help Build a Plan That Actually Works for Your Family

At BBA Law, we pride ourselves on doing things differently from your “typical” divorce firm. We treat our clients the way we would want ourselves or our loved ones to be treated: like family. We understand that this is a difficult turning point for you and your children (if you have them), and we go the extra mile to give you the assurance you need to end this chapter as positively as possible, and start the next one with hope for the future. 

Learn why having the right legal support can make all the difference in your experience. Book a consultation today and let our team step in and go to work on your behalf.