Ann Arbor Child Support and Spousal Support Lawyers
For qualified representation in child support and spousal support matters, turn to a lawyer at the law office of Faupel, Fraser & Fessler. Our attorneys are highly-experienced advocates, representing the interests of clients throughout southeastern Michigan. We take the time to get to know our clients and their families. This understanding of each client's individual situation allows us to provide tailored information to meet their needs and better assist them in making educated decisions regarding their cases.
In addition to handling child support and spousal support matters, we also handle a wide range of family law issues, including divorce, high-asset divorce, child custody and property division.
Child Support
Whether you were married to the other parent of your child or not, child support is ordered to ensure that your child's best interests are served. It is important to remember that what serves your child's best interests may not necessarily serve yours - nonetheless, when determining child support obligations, courts ultimately decide in favor of the children. Child support awards are based on a statutory formula that takes into account a number of factors. These factors include the number of children involved, the income of the parties, expenses (such as day care and health care) and various other considerations, unique to your family, which may have an impact on your need to collect or your ability to pay child support.
We strive to help clients on either side of a child support matter understand their rights and obligations. Our attorneys can assist clients in seeking an initial child support order, a modification to an order or collection of child support arrearages.
Spousal Support
Sometimes known as alimony and/or spousal maintenance, spousal support is the monetary support paid by one spouse to the other in order to maintain the lifestyle to which the spouse had become accustomed during the marriage. Not everyone going through a divorce is eligible to receive spousal support.
The court takes several factors into consideration when determining if an alimony order is appropriate after a divorce. Since there are no statutory formulas for determining spousal support, the court has discretion in setting the amount and length of any payments awarded. Each case is handled individually and depends on the specific situation of the parties. The court may consider, among other things:
- Length of the marriage
- Each spouse's earnings
- Each spouse's abilities and disabilities
- Education level of each spouse
- Any domestic violence issues
- Work history of each
- Need for and length of any training necessary to return to the work force
- Career prospects in the geographical area
To learn more about your rights and options when seeking child or spousal support, contact an attorney at Faupel, Fraser & Fessler by calling 734.418.0958 today. A member of our legal team can meet with you to discuss your questions, concerns and possible avenues of resolution to your case. Visa and MasterCard accepted.
