Grounds for Divorce in Michigan
As a no-fault state, it is not necessary in Michigan to allege a specific fault to file for divorce. There is only one ground for seeking a divorce: that the aims of marriage have failed, and the marriage is irreparable.
This one ground is essentially the reason all divorces in Michigan are granted. It is straightforward, relatively simple, and easy to plead in a Complaint. However, the seemingly solid ground created by those words gives no indication of the unsteady ground that lies behind every divorce process—in Michigan or elsewhere. In fact, that one ground is about the only sure thing about divorce.
Unless you have experienced divorce before, it is difficult to understand the strange process lying at the heart of every legal action for divorce: dissolution. Experienced divorce attorneys in Macomb County or anywhere else understand the road ahead and how to avoid pitfalls hidden there.
Following are some important points to consider about divorce in Michigan:
Attitude is everything. Uncontested divorce is easier on all parties, less expensive, and more likely to yield positive, long-term agreements. Amicable agreements can be worked out privately with your spouse, with attorneys, with a mediator, or within the collaborative divorce process.
Litigation is expensive. Emotionally and financially costly, a contested, litigated divorce or custody matter can cut a swath of destruction between couples, their children, and extended families that lasts a lifetime. Unfortunately, for some couples, litigation is the only realistic option.
Equitable not equal. Michigan is an equitable distribution state where courts try to distribute assets fairly—not necessary equally.
If you have not been through divorce before—remember, an experienced divorce lawyer has. Good advice and strong legal representation can help you through the divorce process and help you move on with your life.
Contact us for help with family law
Whether you are considering divorce or ready to file in eastern Michigan, contact divorce attorneys in Macomb County for effective, skilled, and affordable legal representation.
The Law Offices of Joseph P. Ciaramitaro, P.C.
42850 Garfield
Suite 104
Clinton Township, Michigan 48038
586.630.5761
Victim of Dental Malpractice Receives Two Million
Dental malpractice claims are not as common as claims for medical malpractice and the awards victims receive are usually not as high. This is simply because dental procedures are less likely than medical procedures to cause major and irreparable harm. However, victims of dental and medical malpractice receive the same types of compensation: medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and, in some extreme cases, punitive damages. Experienced Montgomery County dentist malpractice attorneys understand malpractice laws and can counsel clients as to the viability and potential value of their claims.
Some dental malpractice awards, however, can be quite substantial. This is especially true in cases involving punitive damages for reckless conduct by a dental professional. In one such case in 2009, a South Carolina jury awarded a victim of dental malpractice two million dollars, consisting mostly of punitive damages designed to punish the dental provider for its egregious conduct.
In that case, a 28-year-old woman scheduled to have three teeth removed awoke to find the dentist had removed all 13 of her upper teeth by mistake. The jury found not only that there was no medical basis for the procedure, but also that following the surgery the clinic altered patient records and charts to cover up the mistake. The jury awarded the patient $500,000 to compensate her for her losses—including medical bills for restorative surgery, lost wages, and pain and suffering—and $1.5 million in punitive damages against the clinic.
Montgomery County dentist malpractice attorneys can help
While this is an unusual case involving particularly egregious conduct on the part of a dental professional, other victims of dental malpractice can still receive substantial rewards. Corrective procedures following dental malpractice can be costly and many patients may be unable to afford such procedures without receiving compensation. Simply having a Montgomery County dentist malpractice attorney involved may make a negligent provider more willing to offer a fair out-of-court settlement. In other cases, an investigation by an experienced attorney may uncover the true extent of the misconduct of a dental professional not immediately apparent to the victim.
Contact an experienced malpractice attorney today
For 35 years, attorney Paul R. Wiesenfeld has represented personal injury victims throughout Maryland. His practice includes automobile and other road accidents, as well as medical and dental malpractice cases. He maintains offices at Jackson Place South, Suite 20, 932 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850. He offers free initial consultations and is available by phone at 301-760-4666 or through his online contact page.
Keys to Successful Immigration
Dealing with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can be intimidating. What follows are some hints and tips to make dealing with USCIS less stressful and more successful.
Keep records of everything
Keep copies of every document you send to USCIS, including supporting documentation—e.g., photocopies of your passport and birth certificate—as well as USCIS forms you submit. Keep the original and copies of every letter or document USCIS sends to you, as well.
Bring records and documentation with you when you go for immigration interviews or visit USCIS
Bring all of your records with you when you go. You do not have to memorize the content of every document, but you should have an idea of the type of information each document contains and know where to find it every time you interact with USCIS—at your immigration interview, on phone calls, and on all other occasions on which you interact with an Immigration Officer.
Mind your manners
No matter how rudely an Immigration Officer treats you, or how poorly he or she understands you, never lose your cool or your patience with any USCIS official. You need to make a good impression at all times, no matter what else occurs.
Be early
Be early for everything. Plan to submit all forms and petitions ahead of the deadline, which will give you a chance to find any missing documentation. Arrive for any appointments or interviews with at least thirty minutes to spare—you do not want to risk missing an appointment or irritating a USCIS official.
Always tell the truth
Even if it seems like the truth will work against you or USCIS will never find out about it, tell the truth. The consequences for lying on any immigration-related documents include deportation and bans on reentering the country—better to deal with whatever it is up front. If you do not know the answer to a question or do not remember, be honest with the Immigration Officer about that as well. Never guess.
Work with a skilled Orange County immigration lawyer
Seasoned immigration lawyers can ensure that you never miss deadlines, never accidentally omit required forms or fail to pay required fees, and that the Immigration Officer understands your story and works with you.
Respected Orange County immigration lawyers working for you
The skilled immigration lawyers at Wilner & O’Reilly, APLC have dedicated their professional lives to helping immigrants of all stripes fulfill their goals, whether that means a brief stay as a working professional or permanent immigration and naturalization. With conveniently-located offices in Cerritos, Santa Ana, and Riverside as well as Salt Lake City, Utah, they are available to help you address any immigration issue you may face.
Contact us today by phone at 888.862.5905 or through our website to arrange an initial consultation about your cased with a dedicated, caring Orange County immigration attorney.