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Have experience on Your Side

Families going through a divorce must confront a host of very complicated issues. For most people, a divorce is one of the most emotionally challenging times of their lives. An experienced divorce lawyer will guide you through all the difficult decisions associated with a marital dissolution or separation. Contact us at the Shimmell Law Offices, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to learn more about your legal options.

The legal process has the potential of dramatically increasing tensions between you and your spouse. Attorney Dennis Shimmell will attempt to resolve major issues in your divorce through mediation. We understand that sometimes you will need the power of the court to enforce what's best for you and your children.

Since 1993, our firm has guided people through the process concerning:

• Child Custody and Visitation: Child custody refers to both legal and physical custody. A non-custodial parent is generally granted visitation time with a child.
• Child Support: Michigan's child support guidelines help determine the award of child support. The court determines the incomes of both you and your spouse, and factors in such things as custody, a special need, and visitation time.
• Alimony / Spousal Support: The court may award alimony that varies from temporary to permanent. It also may come in the form of a monthly payment or a lump sum.
• Property Settlement: Spouses must equitably divide any property of the marriage. Property obtained before the marriage is considered separate property, and not subject to property division.
• Modification and Enforcement: Things often change in the lives of a family following a divorce. Terms of agreements that once made sense, now need modification. Parties, who were once responsible, now have fallen behind in their child support payments.
• Prenuptial and Marital Agreement: You and your spouse can agree upon a variety of things prior to or during a marriage that will help establish each other's rights.
• Paternity: Whether you are a father seeking to establish your parental rights, or a mother seeking a child support award, you need to establish paternity.
• Stepparent Adoption: Stepparents must adopt their stepchildren in order to obtain parental rights. This process involves terminating the rights of the biological parent, either voluntarily or involuntarily.

To speak to a lawyer about your divorce, contact us at the Shimmell Law Offices for a free initial consultation. Our firm represents people throughout Michigan, including people living in Holland, Muskegon, and Grand Haven.