Laurie Schmitt Family Law

W. Michigan family law specializing in Collaborative Divorce

616.608.4634

Divorce Attorney

What Your Divorce Attorney Cannot Do For You

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If you are about to file for divorce, it’s important you to know what your divorce attorney can’t do for you. The following are things your divorce attorney can’t do for you.

CHANGE THE MICHIGAN LAW

Simply put, your divorce attorney doesn’t have a magic wand to change the law as it relates to your divorce case. You may love what position the Michigan law supports, or not. But your divorce attorney can’t change the law.

SPEED UP YOUR CASE

Your divorce attorney can’t change the mandatory waiting period in your divorce case.  Michigan law establishes waiting periods depending on the individual circumstances.

What Attorneys can't do for you
  • If you do not have minor children of the marriage: There is a two-month waiting period after the filing of the Verified Complaint for Divorce has been filed.
  • If you have minor children of the marriage: There is a six-month waiting period after the after the filing of the Verified Complaint for Divorce has been filed.

A Judgment of Divorce cannot be entered earlier than these established times.

ACT UNETHICALLY

When your divorce attorney represents you, they must do so within the applicable parameters of Michigan law. This means your divorce attorney can’t be required to engage in conduct that is illegal, unethical, or fraudulent. If your divorce attorney can’t ethically abide by your requests, they must withdraw from representing you.

TAKE ACTION AGAINST THE BEST INTEREST OF YOUR CHILD(REN)

If your divorce involves minor children, your divorce attorney will refuse to engage in conduct that, in their professional judgment and knowledge of the law, would be contrary to the best interests of Client’s minor child(ren). This means your attorney can’t assert any position or engage in any action that they deem contrary to the minor child(ren)’s best interests. 

COMMUNICATE WITH THIRD PARTIES

Your divorce attorney can’t talk to third parties, and must protect information relating to the representation of you from disclosure to third parties. If you wish for your divorce attorney to speak to third parties such as family members, you must provide them with specific consent to do so.

MAKE PROMISES ABOUT THE OUTCOME OF YOUR CASE

Your divorce attorney can’t make any representation to you, nor any assurances as to the favorable or successful resolution of your case. This means your divorce attorney can’t promise you a specific outcome, nor make promises as to the nature or amount of any awards or distributions of property, attorney’s fees, costs, or any other aspect in your divorce. It’s important to note that your divorce attorney can’t promise you particular results as the court has the sole power to decide all issues. 

GRAND RAPIDS COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE ATTORNEY SERVING KENT, OTTAWA, AND ALLEGAN COUNTY.

If you are contemplating or in the process of a divorce or separation, contact the Michigan divorce attorney, Schmitt Law, PLLC. Our office understands that family law matters often involve complex relationships and dynamics that can enhance decision-making stress. We provide clients with the security to approach these challenges with confidence. Our dedicated attorney will provide clients with individualized attention and strategic case preparation to address all parts of their cases. We invite you to contact Schmitt Law, PLLC today by completing our online contact form, or calling us at (616) 608-4634 to schedule a consultation.

What Should Your Divorce Attorney Do For You?

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If an attorney agrees to represent you in your divorce case, they have obligations to you. What are those obligations?

COMMITMENT:

 Your divorce attorney should commit to giving you their very best effort in representing you. Note, that you walk in the door of a law office with a specific set of facts and issues. No divorce attorney can change your facts.  But they do owe you their commitment to represent you to the best of their ability and within the limits of the Michigan law.

COMMUNICATE: 

Divorce Attorney

It’s important that your divorce attorney respond promptly to your communications. At the onset of your relationship with your divorce attorney, ask them what you should expect for return calls and emails. Frustration happens in your relationship with your divorce attorney when you don’t know what to expect in the communication process.

BE HONEST:

Your divorce attorney should tell you the truth about your case. After all, you are paying your attorney to tell you the truth, not tell you what you want to hear. And remember, don’t shoot the messenger. 

KEEP YOU INFORMED:

There is nothing worse than being frustrated because you have no idea what is going on in your divorce case. Don’t be shy about asking your divorce attorney for updates on your divorce case.  And expect that your divorce attorney will keep you keep you informed of progress and developments in your case. Informed clients make for happy clients.

EXPLAIN THE LAW IN MICHIGAN: 

You are paying your divorce attorney for their expertise in the area of family law. Make sure you have your specific questions answered, and that you understand the law as it applies to your case.

EXPLAIN PROCEDURE:

Ask your divorce attorney about procedural questions as it relates to your divorce. Divorce attorneys are more than happy to explain the steps in the divorce process.

ALLOW YOUR ATTORNEY TO DO THEIR JOB:

 If you’re having issues with your spouse, let your divorce attorney know. Don’t take matters into your own hands. An issue cannot be addressed by your divorce attorney if they don’t know about it. If you allow your divorce attorney to do what they have been hired to do, it will reduce your stress and anxiety through the divorce process.

GET HELP FINALIZING YOUR DIVORCE. GRAND RAPIDS DIVORCE ATTORNEY SERVING KENT, OTTAWA, AND ALLEGAN COUNTY.

Divorce in Michigan is a complicated procedure with long-term implications. It’s important to understand your rights and duties at each stage of the proceeding so that you will be in the best position to move forward during and after the divorce. Advice from an experienced divorce attorney can make all the difference in your outcome.

At Schmitt Law, PLLC, we work to ensure that our clients have the information and guidance they need to make the right decisions for their family and their future. Contact Schmitt Law, PLLC today by completing our online contact form, or calling us at (616) 608-4634 to schedule a consultation.

What You Should “DO” In Your Relationship With Your Divorce Attorney

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In order for Schmitt Law, PLLC to provide you with the best service possible, my expectations of my clients are simple and common sense: 

  • BE HONEST

I just ask one thing from all of my clients: tell me the truth. In order for me to represent you to the best of my ability, I need to know the real story. Even if the real story is unpleasant for you to share, or embarrassing to admit, our success in your case depends on me having accurate information from you.

  • COMMUNICATE
Relationship with divorce attorney

If I call you, or I email you, I must need something from you. During our relationship, I request that you return my calls and respond to my emails in a timely manner. This allows me to do my job in a timely manner, and provide you with the best legal assistance possible.

  • ASK QUESTIONS

I encourage you to ask questions.  It’s important that you understand what is taking place in your case, and that you understand the terms you may be agreeing to. If you do not understand something, ask the question! The only stupid question is the one you failed to ask me.

  • LISTEN AND ACT ACCORDINGLY

The key to a successful attorney/client relationship is that we both listen to each other.  As you are paying for my legal advice, I assume you want the truth.  I will always tell you the truth, and what’s in your best interest.  And now that we have discussed your issues, and I have shared my legal opinion with you, it’s important that you act accordingly. By doing so, we can obtain the best result possible in your case.

  • PAY YOUR BILLS

Pay your outstanding invoice in a timely manner. When you hire me, your commitment to me is payment, and my commitment to you is to provide you with a specific legal service. Remember, I have a business to run, and rely on timely payments from my clients. 

AN ATTORNEY WHO UNDERSTANDS YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.  GRAND RAPIDS COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE ATTORNEY SERVING KENT, OTTAWA, AND ALLEGAN COUNTY.

At Schmitt Law, PLLC, our clients benefit from years of experience. We treat every client as an individual, taking the time to understand your unique situation, so as to best advise you on the steps you should take.  Whatever stage your life is at, you can trust Schmitt Law, PLLC to guide you through the legal process with expertise and compassion, because we understand that family comes first.  Contact Schmitt Law, PLLC today by completing our online contact form, or calling us at (616) 608-4634 to schedule a consultation.