Michigan Legal Help

What Happens If I Received a PUA Overpayment Notice?

Katie York — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 18:55:31 +0000

What Happens If I Received a PUA Overpayment Notice? Katie York Mon, 03/21/2022 - 2:55 PM

Short-Term Pause on Collection of Overpayments

In late December 2022, Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) said it would temporarily stop trying to collect overpayments from people who filed for unemployment insurance since March 1, 2020. This means the UIA should stop sending collection letters or doing anything else to make people pay these overpayments.

We do not know how long this pause will last or when the UIA will start trying to collect these overpayments again. We will update this page if we get more information. Make sure to keep your contact information updated in your Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) account so you get any notices from the UIA.

This is a pause on collections only. The appeal process and deadlines are still the same. You may get notices about your case during the collections pause. It is very important to read the notices, and protest or appeal on time using the process below if you disagree with the UIA's decision.

In some cases, the UIA might send a refund of payments you have already made. If you get a refund, make sure you carefully read any notices or information you get explaining the refund. The refund might not mean that the case is over. If the UIA later decides that you still owe the overpayment, they might start trying to collect from you again.

If the UIA tries to collect from you during the pause, you can try contacting the UIA's Benefit Overpayment Collection unit at 1-866-500-0017. If you run into problems, you may want to try to contact a lawyer. You can use the Guide to Legal Help to get information about finding a lawyer.

What Is an Overpayment Notice?

An overpayment happens when you receive more unemployment money than you should have received. This may have happened for a few reasons, like if you made a mistake when certifying your benefits, were unable or unavailable to work, or you knowingly gave false or misleading information when filing a claim.

If you got unemployment benefits under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, you may have received a notice for overpayment. To get benefits under the PUA program, the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) must have determined that your unemployment was directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. If the UIA believes you were overpaid, they will send you a letter. Your next steps will depend on whether you agree or disagree with the UIA’s determination letter.

If You Disagree with the UIA’s Determination

If you got an overpayment notice and disagree with it, you can protest and ask the UIA to look at your claim again. The UIA must get your written protest within 30 days from the date it is issued. Each letter will have a due date printed on your determination for when the protest is due. If the UIA doesn’t get your protest within 30 days, you must show good cause why it was late.

Good cause can be very hard to prove. If you can’t show good cause, the decision that you were overpaid will become final. Some examples of good cause include:

An administrative or clerical error is discovered
You had a legitimate inability to act earlier
You did not receive notice of a decision
The notice or decision arrived late in the mail and you could not respond sooner
You were misled by incorrect information from the UIA

You can protest online through your Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM). Once you have logged into your account, click on the "Determination Status" tab, and then click on "file a protest."

If you have supporting evidence, like a doctor's note or proof of earnings, include them along with the protest. If you don't have the documents available, you can make the protest without them. If you find supporting documents later on, you can add them.

Protests can take 10 months or longer to be resolved. Check your MiWAM account once a week to make sure you do not miss any updates.

Appealing a Protest

If the UIA denies your protest, you can appeal. The UIA must get your appeal within 30 days from the date it is issued. Each letter will have a due date printed on it for when the appeal is due. If the UIA doesn’t get your appeal within 30 days, you must show good cause why it was late.

You can appeal online through your MiWAM account. Once you have logged into your account, click on the "Determination Status" tab, and then click on "file an appeal."

When you file your appeal, ask for a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). When the hearing is scheduled, the judge’s office will send a Notice of Telephone Hearing to you in the mail. At the hearing you will be able to explain why you believe you are eligible for the benefits you received and any good cause that you relied on.

The ALJ is not part of the UIA, so the judge won't have access to any of the documents you sent to the UIA. If you want the ALJ to see any documents, you will need to send it to the judge before the hearing. Your Notice of Telephone Hearing will have instructions on how to do this. If you lose your appeal in front of an ALJ, read “What If I Lose My Appeal?” below. After the UIA responds and issues a determination, you can protest or appeal a denial of the agency error waiver.

What If I Can’t Afford to Pay the Overpayment Amount?

If you can’t pay the overpayment amount that you owe, you can ask for a Financial Hardship Waiver by clicking on the Claimant Services Tab in your MiWAM account and filling out the application. If you disagree with the UIA and are protesting the overpayment, do not file the waiver until you have a final determination in your case. If your protests were filed on time, the UIA is not allowed to collect money before your case is final.

If the UIA denies your Financial Hardship Waiver, you can appeal to an ALJ. Read “Appealing a Protest” above to learn more. If the UIA denies your protest and appeal and still says you owe the money, you can use this waiver process to argue that even if there is an overpayment, you should not have to pay it back.

In some situations, the UIA may send you actual bills for an overpayment. If this happens, you can use the same Financial Hardship waiver process. To do this, go to your MiWAM account and click on the Claimant Services Tab. Select “Request Restitution Waiver for Financial Hardship” and fill out the application.

For more information on the Financial Hardship Waiver and how to find it on your MiWAM account, visit page 89 of the MiWAM Toolkit for Claimants.

What If I Lose My Appeal?

If you lose your appeal in front of an ALJ, you can appeal to the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Commission (UIAC). If you want to appeal to the UIAC, you may want to speak with a lawyer. Use the Guide to Legal Help to find a legal services office near you.

If you lose your appeal in front of an ALJ and you do not want to appeal your case again, you will need to repay the overpayment amount or ask for a waiver. The UIA is responsible for collecting overpayments of unemployment benefits. If you were overpaid benefits and you are currently employed, contact the UIA Benefit Overpayment Collection unit at 1-866-500-0017 or schedule an appointment online to arrange repayment. Interest accumulates very quickly on unemployment overpayments.

If you become unemployed and get unemployment benefits while you still owe an overpayment, 50 percent (or 100 percent if fraud was involved in the original overpayment) of your weekly unemployment benefit payment will be taken for repayment. There are other penalties for fraud, too.

What If I Don’t Repay an Overpayment?

If you don’t repay an overpayment, the UIA may:

Take your federal and/or Michigan income tax refund
Garnish your wages
Garnish your bank account

Unlike most other types of debt, the UIA can do all of these things without going to court. There are other actions that can be taken if fraud is suspected.

When you’re working, interest accumulates very quickly on unemployment overpayments. You may want to repay the overpayment as quickly as possible.

How Will the Overpayment Affect My Taxes?

If you owe past income taxes or money to the UIA, the Michigan Department of the Treasury can take all or part of your federal and/or state income tax refund to pay the debt. If this happens, you will get a Notice of Adjustment to Income Tax Refund. It has detailed information about the refund. If there is any money left in your refund after that debt is paid, you will get it.

You will not get a notice that your refund is being held to pay a debt to the state until you file your state income tax return.

Do You Need Legal Advice about your PUA Overpayments?

If you have low income, you may qualify for free legal services. Whether you have low income or not, you can use the Guide to Legal Help to find lawyers in your area.

Applying to Set Aside (Expunge) an Adult Criminal Conviction

Katie York — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 18:47:57 +0000

Applying to Set Aside (Expunge) an Adult Criminal Conviction Katie York Mon, 12/13/2021 - 1:47 PM

Applying to get your criminal conviction set aside can take about six months or more. This includes gathering your records, having a hearing, and having your conviction set aside.

Go to Expunging (Setting Aside) Adult Criminal Convictions to find step-by-step instructions. For more information, you can also read What Convictions Can You Expunge (Set Aside) with an Application?

Automatic Set Asides: No Applications Necessary

Some adult convictions will be automatically expunged without an application. There are different rules for the automatic expungement process. Read Automatic Expungement (Set Aside) of Adult Convictions to learn more.

The information below is just for expungement by application.

Get a Copy of Your Record

If you have questions about your record, use Michigan’s Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) to get a copy of your criminal history. You can download it from ICHAT for $10. Your ICHAT record will have three segments: arrest, charge, and judicial. Look at the judicial segment to find the information you need to see if you are eligible to set aside your convictions.

If you need more information, you can also go to the court where you were convicted to get a copy of your order of conviction. Your certified record will have all the information you need about that specific conviction. To learn more about this process, read Step 2 of the Instructions on the Expunging (Setting Aside) Adult Criminal Convictions page.

If you need to review your criminal history in other states, you can get a report from the FBI’s Criminal Background Check website. The cost is $18. You will need to submit a copy of your fingerprints.

The Set Aside (Expungement) Application Process

Go to Expunging (Setting Aside) Adult Criminal Convictions to find step-by-step instructions.

The first step in the process is to complete an Application to Set Aside Conviction and have it notarized. The easiest way to do this is to use the Do-It-Yourself Expungement (Adult Conviction) tool.

Then you will need to go to the court where you were convicted and get a certified record of conviction. Make five copies of your application and your certified record. To learn more about this process, read Step 2 of the Instructions on the Expunging (Setting Aside) Adult Criminal Convictions page.

Then you need to get fingerprinted. You can do this at a local police station or a Michigan State Police (MSP) post.

Next, file your application with the court where you were convicted. Then you will send a copy of your application, the certified record of conviction, and your fingerprints to the MSP, along with a $50 check or money order, made out to the State of Michigan.

Finally, you need to notify the Michigan Attorney General and the prosecutor who handled your conviction by sending them each a copy of your application and certified order of conviction. The court clerk will schedule a hearing. Read “Prepare for and Attend the Hearing” below to learn more. You can find detailed instructions in Expunging (Setting Aside) Adult Criminal Convictions.

Prepare for and Attend the Hearing

After your application is processed by the MSP, you will have to attend a hearing in the court where you were convicted. At the hearing, you will explain to a judge why your conviction should be set aside. It is helpful if you can testify that you haven’t been involved in criminal activity since your conviction. You may also want to explain how you have changed your life since your conviction. Some examples of positive changes include:

Doing community service or volunteering
Being involved in or completing a drug or alcohol treatment program
Participating in an educational or vocational program, or getting a degree, certificate, or license
Getting a new job or getting promoted at work
Improved relationships with family, or becoming a parent

It also helps to testify why you want to clear your public record, such as wanting to get a professional license or wanting more employment opportunities.

You may want to ask people close to you to write letters of support. Some examples of people you can ask to write letters of support are your family, friends, employer or work supervisor, church leaders, or other community members. The letters should include information about how they know you, how long they have known you, and positive information about you. Some examples of positive information about you can include how you are a:

Great and reliable parent, family member, or friend
Hard worker who is always on time and trustworthy
Devoted member of the church or community who is always quick to volunteer to help

One person’s letter may include all of these examples and other positive information. Letters that give specific examples of good things you have done are more meaningful than letters that just generally say that you are a good person.

Ask people to write letters with enough time so you can file copies with the court before your hearing. Also serve the prosecutor and Michigan Attorney General with copies. Be sure to keep copies of the letters for your records and take them with you to your hearing.

People who are not able to write letters but still want to support you could go to your hearing and testify as witnesses. If you have witnesses, be sure to let the judge know when your hearing starts.

Law enforcement officials and the victims of your crime may testify at the hearing to support your application or to object to it.

If the judge agrees that your conviction should be set aside, they will sign an order to set aside conviction. The court should then send a copy of it to the MSP and the police agency that arrested you. However, you may want to ask to make sure the court will send it and that you don’t have to.

What Happens to Your Records If the Judge Sets Aside Your Conviction

If the judge orders your conviction to be set aside, the court will send a copy of the Order On Application to Set Aside Conviction to the MSP. The MSP will keep a nonpublic copy of the order and other documents related to your conviction, like the arrest record, fingerprints, and sentence. The MSP will then remove the conviction from your record on ICHAT. You can check after about a month to verify that your record appears clear.

There are still some times when courts, law enforcement, or the government can see expunged records. Read An Overview of Michigan’s Expungement Laws to learn who can see an expunged conviction and what they can do with the information.

Unpaid Restitution, Fines, Costs, and Fees

During the Expungement Process

Unpaid fines, fees, court costs, or restitution from your conviction can sometimes complicate the expungement process. If you have unpaid fines, fees, court costs, or restitution, you may want to talk to a lawyer. Read Finding a Lawyer below for more information.

Unpaid Restitution After Expungement

Restitution is money paid to a crime victim to cover any financial losses from the crime. After a conviction is expunged, you must keep paying any restitution you owe for that conviction.

Denied Applications

If you applied to set aside a conviction and you were denied, you may have a few different options.

Request a Rehearing

You can ask the judge to reconsider their decision within 21 days of the date of the order, by preparing and filing a Notice of Hearing and Motion. Title your motion “Motion for Rehearing.” The body of the Motion will need to explain why the judge's decision is wrong. File your forms at the court clerk's office and ask the clerk for a hearing date. You will also need to send a copy to the prosecuting official.

Appeal the Decision

You can appeal the judge’s order to the next highest court. If you are in a state district court, you will need to appeal to the county circuit court for your area. If you are in a state circuit court, you will need to appeal to the Court of Appeals. The rules for each appeal are different depending on whether you are appealing a district court decision or a circuit court decision. There are fees for both kinds of appeals.

You may want to talk with a lawyer if you decide to ask for a rehearing or appeal your case. Read Finding a Lawyer below for more information.

Wait Three Years

If you applied to set aside a conviction and you were denied, you must wait three years from the date of denial to apply again. However, a judge can allow you to apply sooner than the three-year period. If a judge denies your application at a hearing, you may want to ask that they include a statement in the order that you will be allowed to reapply in less than three years.

Other Options

If you do not qualify to set aside your conviction or the judge did not order your conviction to be set aside, you can ask the governor for a pardon. For more information about this option, visit the Michigan Parole Board Information webpage.

Finding a Lawyer

In some cases, setting aside a conviction can be complicated. If you need help, you may want to talk to a lawyer. Many counties around Michigan have free expungement fair events where you can talk with a lawyer who will help you fill out your application. Visit the Legal Clinics and Events webpage or the state Expungement Fairs page, or do an internet search to find expungement events.

Some counties have also created an intake process to help people looking for assistance. Visit Safe and Just Michigan to see the list of resources available in your county. Scroll to the bottom of the page for a list.

If you have low income, you may qualify for free legal services. Whether you have low income or not, you can use the Guide to Legal Help to find lawyers in your area.

Access to Bankruptcy Court

Michael Kiehne — Mon, 03 May 2021 19:48:56 +0000

Access to Bankruptcy Court Michael Kiehne Mon, 05/03/2021 - 3:48 PM

Access to Bankruptcy Court provides an experienced bankruptcy attorney, free of charge, to low income individuals seeking relief under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code. Access to Bankruptcy Court is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization supported by grants from charitable foundations and donations from the local insolvency community.

You can apply for help online through their website.

abcbkassistant@gmail.com

https://www.accesstobankruptcycourt.com/

(248) 727-1543

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Filing for a Personal Protection Order — Non-Domestic Sexual Assault

Christine Rogers — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 16:50:38 +0000

Filing for a Personal Protection Order — Non-Domestic Sexual Assault Christine Rogers Wed, 07/22/2015 - 12:50 PM

Learn about getting a personal protection order (PPO) against someone who has sexually assaulted or threatened to sexually assault you.

Personal Protection Orders

Abuse and Neglect of Adults

Personal Safety

Nondomestic Sexual Assault Personal Protection Orders

A nondomestic sexual assault personal protection order (PPO) is a court order to stop someone from threatening, stalking, or harassing you. A nondomestic sexual assault PPO can protect you from someone who sexually assaulted you, threatened to sexually assault you, or gave you obscene material (if you are a minor). Read this article to learn more.

Overview of Personal Protection Orders

A Personal Protection Order (PPO) is a court order to stop threats or violence against you. A PPO can help protect you from someone who is threatening, hurting, harassing, or stalking you.

What Is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse happens when someone harms or threatens to harm an older adult’s health or welfare. To learn more about the signs of elder abuse and how to prevent it, read more.

Serving Your Personal Protection Order

This article will tell you about properly serving Personal Protection Orders, and what can happen if you don't. To serve someone means to give that person notice that court papers have been filed against them.

Personal Protection Order Violations and Enforcement

Enforcing your Personal Protection Order (PPO) is important to your safety. Read this article to learn about PPO violations and enforcement.

Responding to a Motion Regarding Your Personal Protection Order

Once a PPO is filed, the Respondent (the person the PPO protects you from) can ask the judge to change or end it. Read this article to learn more about that process.

Extending a Personal Protection Order Before it Expires

Maybe your Personal Protection Order (PPO) is going to expire soon, and you still want to be protected from the Respondent. If so, you can file an ex parte motion asking the judge to extend the PPO’s expiration date. Read this article to learn how to extend your PPO before it expires.

Changing or Ending a Personal Protection Order When You Are the Petitioner

You may have a Personal Protection Order (PPO) you want to end before it expires. Or, you may want to keep the PPO but change one or more of its protections. In either situation, you can file a motion to ask the judge to change or end the PPO. Read this article to learn how.

Crossing State Lines With a Personal Protection Order

Your Michigan Personal Protection Order (PPO) can be enforced outside of Michigan. If you have a protection order issued by another state, it can also be enforced in Michigan. Read this article to learn more.

Minors and Personal Protection Orders

If you are under 18 years old, you can ask the court for a personal protection order (PPO). You can also get a PPO against someone who is a minor. In both of these situations, there are special steps you must follow. Read this article to learn about the PPO process when the petitioner or respondent is a minor.

Breaking a Lease in Domestic Violence Situations

If you’re afraid of violence and moving might make you safer, you may be able to break your lease. This article tells you how.

Safety and Privacy When Using Electronic Devices for Legal Matters

If you are using a computer, smartphone, or other device to find information related to legal matters, you may want to keep this private for many reasons. You might be concerned for your safety, or you may just prefer to keep your legal issue to yourself. Read this article to learn more about how to keep your information private and safe.

Do-It-Yourself Personal Protection Order (PPO)

Use this tool to prepare a Petition for Personal Protection Order and a proposed Personal Protection Order.

Domestic Violence Alert

E-Filing Alert

Filing for a Personal Protection Order — Non-Domestic Stalking

Christine Rogers — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 13:49:35 +0000

Filing for a Personal Protection Order — Non-Domestic Stalking Christine Rogers Wed, 07/22/2015 - 9:49 AM

Learn about getting a nondomestic stalking personal protection order (PPO) against someone with whom you do not have a domestic relationship - someone you have not dated, lived with, or married, and is not a parent of your child.

Personal Protection Orders

Abuse and Neglect of Adults

Personal Safety

Nondomestic (Stalking) Personal Protection Orders

A nondomestic personal protection order (PPO) is a court order to stop someone from threatening, stalking, or harassing you. A nondomestic PPO can protect you from someone who has threatened, stalked, or harassed you in the past. Read this article to learn more about nondomestic personal protection orders.

Overview of Personal Protection Orders

A Personal Protection Order (PPO) is a court order to stop threats or violence against you. A PPO can help protect you from someone who is threatening, hurting, harassing, or stalking you.

What Is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse happens when someone harms or threatens to harm an older adult’s health or welfare. To learn more about the signs of elder abuse and how to prevent it, read more.

Serving Your Personal Protection Order

Personal Protection Order Violations and Enforcement

Enforcing your Personal Protection Order (PPO) is important to your safety. Read this article to learn about PPO violations and enforcement.

Responding to a Motion Regarding Your Personal Protection Order

Once a PPO is filed, the Respondent (the person the PPO protects you from) can ask the judge to change or end it. Read this article to learn more about that process.

Extending a Personal Protection Order Before it Expires

Changing or Ending a Personal Protection Order When You Are the Petitioner

Crossing State Lines With a Personal Protection Order

Minors and Personal Protection Orders

Breaking a Lease in Domestic Violence Situations

If you’re afraid of violence and moving might make you safer, you may be able to break your lease. This article tells you how.

Safety and Privacy When Using Electronic Devices for Legal Matters

Do-It-Yourself Personal Protection Order (PPO)

Use this tool to prepare a Petition for Personal Protection Order and a proposed Personal Protection Order.

Domestic Violence Alert

E-Filing Alert

Filing for a Personal Protection Order — Domestic Relationship

Christine Rogers — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 14:56:27 +0000

Filing for a Personal Protection Order — Domestic Relationship Christine Rogers Tue, 04/01/2014 - 10:56 AM

Learn about getting a personal protection order (PPO) against someone with whom you had a domestic relationship (someone you dated, lived with, or married, or who is a parent of your child.)

Personal Protection Orders

Domestic Violence

Abuse and Neglect of Adults

Personal Safety

Domestic Relationship Personal Protection Orders

A Domestic Relationship Personal Protection Order (PPO) is a court order to stop threats or violence against you by a person with whom you have a domestic relationship. This could be your current or ex-spouse, your child's other parent, someone you live with or used to live with, or someone you have dated.

Overview of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a pattern of threatening or violent behaviors combined with other kinds of abuse. This pattern of behavior is used to control another person. Read this article to learn about different kinds of abusive behaviors and how you can get help.

Overview of Personal Protection Orders

A Personal Protection Order (PPO) is a court order to stop threats or violence against you. A PPO can help protect you from someone who is threatening, hurting, harassing, or stalking you.

Serving Your Personal Protection Order

Personal Protection Order Violations and Enforcement

Enforcing your Personal Protection Order (PPO) is important to your safety. Read this article to learn about PPO violations and enforcement.

Responding to a Motion Regarding Your Personal Protection Order

Once a PPO is filed, the Respondent (the person the PPO protects you from) can ask the judge to change or end it. Read this article to learn more about that process.

Crossing State Lines With a Personal Protection Order

Minors and Personal Protection Orders

What Is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse happens when someone harms or threatens to harm an older adult’s health or welfare. To learn more about the signs of elder abuse and how to prevent it, read more.

Breaking a Lease in Domestic Violence Situations

If you’re afraid of violence and moving might make you safer, you may be able to break your lease. This article tells you how.

Extending a Personal Protection Order Before it Expires

Changing or Ending a Personal Protection Order When You Are the Petitioner

Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry

The State of Michigan keeps a list of people who have abused or neglected children, called the Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry. Read this article to learn more about how names get on or off this list.

Domestic Violence and Divorce

Has your spouse or the other party in your family court case been emotionally, verbally or physically abusive to you? Domestic violence is serious and can affect many issues in your case. This article explains how.

CPS and Your Family

When Child Protective Services (CPS) gets involved with your family, it’s important to understand your rights and responsibilities. Read this article to learn more about the role of CPS and about the child removal process.

Safety and Privacy When Using Electronic Devices for Legal Matters

Do-It-Yourself Personal Protection Order (PPO)

Use this tool to prepare a Petition for Personal Protection Order and a proposed Personal Protection Order.

Domestic Violence Alert

E-Filing Alert

Filing for Divorce without Children

Christine Rogers — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 19:05:04 +0000

Filing for Divorce without Children Christine Rogers Mon, 03/31/2014 - 3:05 PM

Learn about divorce when you and your spouse do not have minor children.

Introduction to Divorce without Children

This article explains the process for getting a divorce in Michigan if you and your spouse do not have any minor children.

Preparing for the Do-It-Yourself Divorce tool

This article provides a summary of how the Do-It-Yourself Divorce tool works, and lists information you need to complete it. You will save time if you know what to expect and have the information you need.

Domestic Violence and Divorce

How to Serve Divorce Papers

If you filed for divorce, you must have copies of your court papers served on (given to) your spouse.

Real Estate and Divorce

This article distinguishes real property from personal property and explains how real property gets divided in divorce.

Divorce Basics: Dividing Your Property and Debt

An important part of your divorce is dividing your property and debt between you and your spouse. This article gives an overview of that process.

Spousal Support (Alimony) in a Nutshell

While child support is calculated using a formula, spousal support (alimony) is decided on a case-by-case basis. The judge considers many factors to determine whether spousal support is appropriate.

Mediation and Other Forms of Settlement

Mediation is a settlement process that can help you resolve “contested” issues (things you and the other party don’t agree on) in your court case.

Settlement and Negotiation Strategies

Are you interested in settling your legal dispute outside of the courtroom? This article will give you some information about the settlement process and simple tips for communicating and negotiating with the other party (or their lawyer).

Finishing Your Michigan Divorce without Minor Children

One of the most important steps in the divorce process is completing your final documents and finalizing your divorce. This article gives an overview of that process.

Testimony in Final Divorce Hearing

Print this script to use when you testify at your final divorce hearing. Some judges ask you all of the necessary questions. Other judges require you to put on your own "proofs" (testimony). This script will help you do that.

Post-Divorce Judgment Issues – Property and Spousal Support

If your ex-spouse doesn’t obey the property terms of your Judgment of Divorce (JOD), you can file a motion asking the judge to enforce the JOD. This article talks about JOD enforcement issues you might face. It also talks about how to ask for a change in spousal support.

Quitclaim Deeds and Divorce

Read this article if you or your ex-spouse got a house, land, or other real property in your divorce or separate maintenance. You may need a quitclaim deed to transfer the property. This is true if both of your names are on the current deed or if the current deed is not in the name of the person keeping the property. Where this article mentions divorce and a Judgment of Divorce, assume that the information also applies to separate maintenance and a Judgment of Separate Maintenance.

Alternatives to Divorce: Separate Maintenance and Annulment

Sometimes people want to end their relationship with their spouse, but do not want a divorce. Read this article to learn more about separate maintenance and annulment.

Do-It-Yourself Divorce

Use this tool to prepare forms to file for divorce in Michigan.

Do-It-Yourself Judgment of Divorce

Use this tool to prepare the forms to finish your divorce in Michigan. Use this tool if all you need is a Judgment of Divorce and the forms that go with it.

Do-It-Yourself Quitclaim Deed (after Divorce)

Use this tool to prepare a quitclaim deed to transfer Michigan real estate that was awarded to you or your ex-spouse in your divorce or separate maintenance case. You will go to the LawHelp Interactive website to do this interview.

Do-It-Yourself Divorce Dismissal

This tool will help you create a form to ask a judge to dismiss your divorce.

E-Filing Alert

Filing for Divorce with Children

Christine Rogers — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 18:58:30 +0000

Filing for Divorce with Children Christine Rogers Mon, 03/31/2014 - 2:58 PM

Learn about divorce when you and your spouse have minor children.

Introduction to Divorce with Minor Children

Read this article to learn about getting a divorce in Michigan when you have minor children.

Preparing for the Do-It-Yourself Divorce tool

Domestic Violence and Divorce

How to Serve Divorce Papers

If you filed for divorce, you must have copies of your court papers served on (given to) your spouse.

Custody and Parenting Time

A custody and parenting time order may be granted as part of a divorce case, custody case, or other type of family court case. Custody and parenting time are important decisions that affect where your children live, how often they see each parent, and who makes important decisions for them. Read this article to learn how custody and parenting time decisions are made.

The "Best Interests of the Child" Factors

There are 12 factors for judges to use when deciding what custody arrangements are in the best interests of the child. These factors are called the "best interests of the child" factors. Judges use these factors to decide who children live with, who makes decisions for children, and how much time children spend with each parent.

Child Support in a Nutshell

Child support is a parent’s court-ordered payment to help with the costs of raising a child. Child support normally includes a base amount, plus amounts for health and child care costs. Child support can be ordered in a paternity or custody case (if the parents were never married), in a divorce case, or as a support case.

Friend of the Court Overview

Do you have children and are getting a divorce? Or are you involved in a child support, paternity, or custody case with your child’s other parent? If so, you will probably be involved with the Friend of the Court. This article explains what the Friend of the Court is, when it may become involved in your case, and what to expect when it does.

Non-Marital Children Born or Conceived During a Marriage

A non-marital child is a child whose biological parents weren’t married to each other when that child was born or conceived. This includes a child born to a woman who is married but whose husband is not the biological father. This article talks about what to do if you are getting a divorce, and a non-marital child was born or conceived during your marriage.

Real Estate and Divorce

This article distinguishes real property from personal property and explains how real property gets divided in divorce.

Divorce Basics: Dividing Your Property and Debt

An important part of your divorce is dividing your property and debt between you and your spouse. This article gives an overview of that process.

Spousal Support (Alimony) in a Nutshell

While child support is calculated using a formula, spousal support (alimony) is decided on a case-by-case basis. The judge considers many factors to determine whether spousal support is appropriate.

Mediation and Other Forms of Settlement

Mediation is a settlement process that can help you resolve “contested” issues (things you and the other party don’t agree on) in your court case.

Finishing Your Michigan Divorce with Minor Children

One of the most important steps in the divorce process is completing your final documents and finalizing your divorce. This article provides an overview of that process.

Testimony in Final Divorce Hearing

Post-Divorce Judgment Issues – Property and Spousal Support

Enforcing Orders for Custody, Parenting Time, and Child Support

If your child’s other parent doesn’t obey the court order for child support, custody, or parenting time, you can file a motion to ask the court to enforce it or change it. This article talks about enforcement of these issues.

Quitclaim Deeds and Divorce

Settlement and Negotiation Strategies

Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry

CPS and Your Family

Alternatives to Divorce: Separate Maintenance and Annulment

Sometimes people want to end their relationship with their spouse, but do not want a divorce. Read this article to learn more about separate maintenance and annulment.

Ex Parte Orders in Family Court

Read this article if you need an emergency order in family court, or if an ex parte order was entered against you and you want to object to it.

Getting a Child Support Order

This article is about how to get a child support order if you do not have one yet.

Do-It-Yourself Divorce

Use this tool to prepare forms to file for divorce in Michigan.

Do-It-Yourself Judgment of Divorce

Use this tool to prepare the forms to finish your divorce in Michigan. Use this tool if all you need is a Judgment of Divorce and the forms that go with it.

Do-It-Yourself Quitclaim Deed (after Divorce)

Do-It-Yourself Revoke Parentage Established by Marriage

Use this tool to get forms to revoke (undo) the legal parentage of a mother's spouse or ex-spouse if the child was conceived and/or born during the marriage, and the spouse or ex-spouse is not the child's biological parent. You can use this tool if you are the mother, the spouse or ex-spouse, or the alleged father.

Do-It-Yourself Divorce Dismissal

This tool will help you create a form to ask a judge to dismiss your divorce.

E-Filing Alert

Legal Services of South Central Michigan - Monroe

ang — Fri, 18 May 2012 18:34:34 +0000

Legal Services of South Central Michigan - Monroe ang Fri, 05/18/2012 - 2:34 PM

LSSCM provides free civil legal assistance to low-income persons with emphasis on homelessness prevention, domestic violence prevention, assisting in accessing health care, food, and needs-based income programs. To see if LSSCM can help you, use the Guide to Legal Help or call (888) 251-1598 or (734) 241-8310.

In addition to representation in individual cases, LSSCM is part of a network of agencies providing services to the community’s most vulnerable members. LSSCM engages in systemic advocacy to help alleviate the barriers and hurdles faced by low-income individuals.

LSSCM provides general civil legal services to low-income persons and senior citizens in 13 counties in south and central Michigan. They have staffed offices in Lansing, Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Jackson and Monroe. They also have smaller satellite offices to meet with clients in several other counties.

1118A South Telegraph
Monroe, MI 48161
United States

Lenawee

Monroe

Family

Personal Safety

Housing

Money, Debt, and Consumer Issues

Public Assistance

Crime and Traffic

Employment

Local LSC Legal Aid Programs

Find a Lawyer

LSSCM's Monroe office provides free representation in civil matters to low-income people in Monroe and Lenawee counties. They may be able to help you with your case, but you need to go through the screening process first to further determine your eligibility and clarify the facts of your case. To do this, apply online anytime or call (888) 251-1598 or (734) 241-8310. It may take up to 2 business days to hear back from us if you apply online.

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Legal Services of South Central Michigan - Jackson

ang — Fri, 18 May 2012 18:29:32 +0000

Legal Services of South Central Michigan - Jackson ang Fri, 05/18/2012 - 2:29 PM

LSSCM provides general civil legal services to low-income persons and senior citizens in 13 counties in south and central Michigan. They have staffed offices in Lansing, Ypsilanti, Battle Creek, Jackson and Monroe. They also have smaller satellite offices to meet with clients in several other counties.

540 N. Jackson Street
Jackson, MI 49201
United States

https://lsscm.org/

(517) 787-5805

(517) 787-6111

Hillsdale

Jackson

Family

Personal Safety

Housing

Money, Debt, and Consumer Issues

Public Assistance

Crime and Traffic

Employment

Local LSC Legal Aid Programs

Find a Lawyer

LSSCM's Jackson office provides free representation in civil matters to low-income people and seniors in Jackson and Hillsdale counties. They may be able to help you with your case, but you need to go through the intake process first to further determine your eligibility and clarify the facts of your case. To do this, apply online anytime or call (517) 787-6111 Monday - Friday, between 9am - 5pm. It may take up to 2 business days to hear back from us if you apply online.

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