Divorce Advice in Grand Rapids and Surrounding Counties (including Grand Haven, Muskegon, White Cloud, Stanton, Ionia, Hastings and Allegan)

Divorce laws in these counties make divorce no fault.  The court grants a divorce even if one of the spouses does not want a divorce.  The Grand Rapids Law Offices of Robert B. Ralph has helped clients in uncontested and contested divorces for decades.

Contested divorce in Grand Rapids and Surrounding Counties

A contested divorce is a divorce in which the parties are unable to come to agreements in marital issues including:

• Property/debt division
• Child custody/parenting time/child support
• Spousal support

Issues in dispute are resolved through settlement discussions, mediation, or by the judge.  If agreements cannot be reached the parties go to court to litigate unresolved issues.

Even in contested divorces, many of the issues can be resolved without the time and expense of testimony in court, as the judge can often given the attorneys advice in chambers about what the judge will do in any given case.  

Uncontested Divorce in Grand Rapids and Surrounding Counties

An uncontested divorce is a divorce in which the parties have reached an agreement on all issues of the marriage.  If an agreement is reached before filing or shortly after filing, the divorce process can be substantially shortened.  The steps for an uncontested divorce basically involve the filing of appropriate documents with the court system, including agreements of the parties, and obtaining the judge’s signature on the final judgment of divorce.

Default divorce

If the served spouse (defendant) fails to file an answer to the divorce, the filing spouse (plaintiff) may request a default be entered against the defendant.  The default waives the right to trial and relieves the plaintiff of having to enter into a settlement.  A default results in a severe loss of negotiating strength for the defendant, and likely will result in the plaintiff finalizing the case without the consent of the defendant.  If the defendant fails to file a motion to set aside the default or his/her motion is denied, the plaintiff may finalize the case without the consent of the defendant.  

Obtaining divorce help for a case in Grand Rapids or surrounding counties

Robert B. Relph provides valuable divorce help in either an uncontested or contested divorce in Grand Rapids and surrounding counties.  Contact us today or call 616-647-3204 to schedule a consultation.