Legal Question in Family Law in Michigan

Re: spousal support

Unfortunately, he may be entitled to spousal support. Under Michigan law, he's also entitled to 50% of whatever pension and 401(k) contributions were made during the marriage. There may be ways to negotiate something different, but the advice the lawyer gave you was correct.

Re: spousal support

You're asking a lot of questions that have a lot of different possibilities in answers. Nobody can answer you specifically. However, I would be happy to meet with you and discuss your options.

Re: spousal support

Whether or not he is "entitled" to spousal support would be up to a Judge pursuant to a trial. Based on the facts you have presented what I can tell is that there is no guarantee. Spousal Support awards are based on many factors such has the disparity in income of the parties, the educational level of the parties, the parties ability to work, etc. These factors are weighed pursuant to the evidence and testimony presented by both parties should your case proceed to trial. It will certainly be subject to negotiation. However, in my experience, in over 10 years of practice in this area, I have yet to see an able bodied man capable of earning 50k per year awarded spousal support. The pension is another matter. The law says that the alternate beneficiary, your husband, is entitled to one half of the marital portion of the pension of the participant, you. Without knowing the rest of the facts in your case, I cannot tell you if his interest in your pension can be mitigated or offset in any way. I hope this helps. Feel free to contact my office if you wish to discuss you case further.