Category Archives: Blog

legal rights of unmarried couples

Attorney Stereotype Not Accurate

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There are few professions more vilified than that of the divorce attorney (except maybe used car salesman.) Insulting lawyers is practically a sport. We hear lawyer jokes in line at the grocery store. There are comics and Facebook pages designed to malign attorneys. The interesting dichotomy is that if you listen to our clients, you hear exactly the opposite – that we were there for them during one of the hardest times of their lives. We supported them. Answered their questions. Advocated for them in the courtroom and genuinely cared about them. We gave them their best chance at moving Continue Reading…

college funding

After Divorce: College Funding Responsibility

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Who’s responsible for college funding post divorce? Although child support payments typically end when children turn 18, divorcing couples often agree to college funding as part of their settlement.  There are many considerations to discuss with your family law attorney regarding paying for college after divorce. The first place to start is whether the supporting party will be paying for college and, if so, how much. “For some divorcing couples, the answer is uncomplicated.  Money has been earmarked for college, Johnny’s interests come first, everybody can agree on who will pay what,” writes Jeffrey A. Landers in his article “One Continue Reading…

gender expansive youth

Gender Expansive Youth May Face Potential Legal Issues

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Gender Expansive Youth Legal Matters An interesting article in the Michigan Bar Journal, December 2017 edition titled “Legal Issues Facing Transgender and Gender Expansive Youth,” by Angie Martell brings to light many current and potential legal considerations for children and teens. The article reads, “Transgender and gender-expansive individuals face more and more hidden barriers and injustices. Is the strict adherence to a two- sex paradigm not only inconsistent with science but discriminatory?” Family Law Attorney Kathryn Wayne-Spindler has been practicing in Michigan for more than 20 years and finds many of the article’s topics fascinating and pertinent. “So many legal issues Continue Reading…

mid michigan divorce lawyer

Mid-Michigan Divorce Lawyer

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Kathryn Wayne-Spindler now representing new Divorce clients in four Mid-Michigan counties Mid-Michigan Divorce Lawyer has more than two decades of Michigan divorce experience Experienced Michigan Divorce Lawyer Kathryn Wayne-Spindler has added new counties to her practice area. She is now accepting new divorce clients in Clare, Gladwin, Ogemaw and Roscommon counties. She has been successfully practicing family law in Southeastern Michigan for more than 20 years. For representation in a new divorce matter, contact the law office of Kathryn Wayne-Spindler & Associates at 248-676-1000.

undiagnosed mental illness

Silent Marriage Killer: Undiagnosed Mental Illness

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This blog about marriage with a spouse who has undiagnosed mental illness is part two in a three-part series on Functionality and Marriage. We discussed functional alcoholism in the first part. Check out the blog “Silent Marriage Killer: The Functional Alcoholic” if you missed it. In the blog about functional alcoholism, we used the pronoun “he” when referring to the drinker and “she” for the spouse. Since this blog references postpartum depression that primarily impacts women, we’ll refer to the afflicted person as “she” and the spouse as “he.” We also recognize that using gender-specific pronouns is not inclusive to the broad Continue Reading…

Functional Alcoholic

Silent Marriage Killer: The Functional Alcoholic

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This is part one of a three-part series of blogs about some of the common causes of divorce. For the purposes of this blog about marriage to the functional alcoholic, we’ll refer to the drinker as “he” and the spouse as “she” or “the spouse”. We fully realize that although in the past more functional alcoholics were men, research shows the gender gap is closing. So we recognize that the drinking spouse in this scenario is almost as likely to be a woman, but for the sake of editorial clarity, please forgive the gender-specific pronouns.  In our busy Michigan law Continue Reading…

Grandparent Rights

Grandparent Rights: Three Standards

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We field many calls in our busy family law practice about grandparent rights. Some want to know if they can collect child support payments if they are helping raise their grandkids. Some grandparents want to know the options if they disapprove of parents’ decisions. Others wonder how to protect their relationship with the grandchildren after the parents divorce. The possible scenarios are so varied it’s difficult to address them all in one blog but there are three standards that Michigan courts take into account when considering a grandparent rights case. For more detailed information about specific cases, contact the Law Continue Reading…

divorce decision

Divorce Decision

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Arriving at a divorce decision from an alcoholic or mentally ill spouse can be complex, emotional and ongoing but separating can be a relief in the long run. This is the third part of a three-part series on causes of divorce and the divorce decision. We discussed functional alcoholism in the first part and undiagnosed mental illness in the second. This third blog addresses the divorce decision from an alcoholic or someone with mental illness. Divorce Decision is Complex Every plaintiff in every divorce has a last straw. That moment when they realize their health or sanity is at risk if they Continue Reading…

limited scope representation

Limited Scope Representation Makes Sense in Michigan

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It’s the right time for Limited Scope Representation in Michigan Currently, Michigan Legal Ethics standards do not allow attorneys to represent clients for parts of their cases. In other states, Limited Scope Representation enables clients to get help with just certain parts of their legal matters. For instance, in Missouri, a potential client could handle most of the document filing themselves and only work with an attorney for court appearances. According to the Missouri Lawyers Help article, 7 Things you should know about Limited Scope Representation, “LSR is an efficient way for clients who cannot afford the cost of hiring Continue Reading…

Military Divorce

Military Divorce Tips from Experienced Divorce Attorney

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Experienced Michigan Family Law Attorney Kathryn Wayne-Spindler recently completed continuing legal education at an ICLE Family Law Seminar. The seminar included a session on Military Divorce titled, “Top Tips for Handling Military Divorces” by Peter M. Kulas-Dominguez, Warner Norcross & Judd LLP; and COL John J. Wojcik of the Michigan National Guard. A Military Divorce involves one or both spouses serving with the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or National Guard. There are certain specific considerations for Military Divorces that may not be applicable to civilian splits. This blog is designed to introduce potential clients to some of the specialized Continue Reading…