Pre- & Post-Divorce Issues
Prenuptial Agreements • Modification and Enforcement of Court Orders
The Dorn Law Firm aims for fair and lasting divorce settlements. But unforeseen circumstances may force you to revisit child custody or child support. We can assert your interests in contested proceedings.
For aggressive representation in post-divorce modifications or enforcement, contact our Southfield, Michigan law office or call 248.438.8716. Our family law attorney can assist with modifications as well as provide sophisticated premarital planning (prenuptial agreements).
Post-Divorce Changes to Custody or Financial Support
Attorney Heather Dorn has practiced in divorce and family law for 14 years, representing clients in Southfield and throughout the metro Detroit area. She can advance your interests in all hearings related to custody, parenting time, child support or spousal support, whether you are seeking or fighting the change.
- Sole custody because of abuse or criminal conduct
- A teenager who will live with the other parent
- Altering the parenting plan to reflect work schedules or the child's needs
- Relocation with the children outside of Michigan
- Increasing or decreasing child support if there is a substantial change in either party's income
- Ending child support or alimony
- Getting your ex-spouse's name off the mortgage
Where possible, she works to resolve these issues out of court. If the other party is strongly opposed to modification of the decree, she can present a compelling case to the judge.
Enforcement Actions
If the other parent is not living up to the child support order or parenting plan, The Dorn Law Firm works to enforce your rights. Attorney Dorn will file contempt of court charges to force the ex-spouse to answer for bad behavior. The court can authorize wage garnishment, license suspension and other means to collect child support arrears. If a custodial parent is interfering with the other's parenting time out of spite, a judge can impose jail, award make-up time with the child or even alter custody.
Prenuptial Agreements
It is not a reflection on the marriage to prepare for the possibility of divorce. The Dorn Law Firm can draft or review a pre-marital agreement to clarify property division if the marriage does end. A "prenup" could address who gets certain assets (or debts), who keeps the house and whether there will be alimony. It cannot dictate child custody or child support.
Prenuptial agreements are common in second marriages, to maintain the assets each spouse brings to the marriage and to preserve inheritance rights for children from the first marriage. A prenup also makes sense if one party has substantial assets that would otherwise be exposed to equitable distribution in divorce. Heather Dorn can make sure that the document covers everything and that it is fair under the law.
Contact The Dorn Law Firm to discuss your pre-marital planning or post-divorce dispute. We offer a confidential consultation, with evening and weekend meetings by appointment. Call 248.438.8716.
