Experienced Contested Divorce Lawyer in Macomb County

Your future matters. We’ll help you protect it.

A contested divorce doesn’t mean chaos.
It means there are still decisions to be made  about your kids, your finances, your life.

We help you make those decisions with strategy, clarity, and support.

What Is a Contested Divorce?

A contested divorce happens when you and your spouse disagree on one or more key issues: custody, property, support  and need a judge to make the final call.

It’s more than just paperwork. It’s a legal case.
And it needs a plan.

How Long Does a Contested Divorce Take in Michigan?

Most contested divorces in Macomb County take 6 to 12 months  sometimes longer if the issues are complex or the other side fights everything.

Even if you agree on a few things, a single unresolved issue means it’s still contested.

What Happens After You File?

It starts when we file a Complaint for Divorce.
Your spouse then has 21 days to respond.

From there, the court may issue status quo orders ; freezing bank accounts, preventing asset transfers, and protecting your access to kids, money, and property.

These early steps are critical. If you suspect your spouse might hide assets or take drastic steps, we can act fast.

What Is the Friend of the Court?

If you have kids, you’ll be dealing with the Macomb County Friend of the Court (FOC).

They investigate and make recommendations on custody, support, and parenting time.

• They’ll interview both parents
• Sometimes, they talk to the kids
• They focus on Michigan’s “best interest of the child” factors

FOC recommendations carry serious weight. If you don’t object in time, they can become court orders  temporary or permanent.

We help you prepare for these interviews so you’re not caught off guard.

Can You Challenge a Friend of the Court Decision?

Yes.

If the FOC gets it wrong, we can file an objection. That sends the issue to the judge for a de novo (fresh) hearing.

But objections must be backed by solid facts and legal arguments and not just opinions.

What Is “Discovery” in a Contested Divorce?

Discovery is how we uncover the truth.

If your spouse controls the finances, we use tools like:

• Interrogatories (written questions under oath)
• Document Requests (bank records, taxes, assets)
• Subpoenas (for hidden info from banks or employers)
• Depositions (formal, recorded questioning)

It’s time-consuming, but critical.
You can’t divide what you don’t know exists.

Do You Have to Go to Trial?

Most contested divorces settle before trial.

You’ll likely be ordered to attend mediation, where a neutral third party tries to help you and your spouse reach a deal.

We’re there with you. We’ll help you weigh offers and push for fair terms.

You only go to trial if the other side won’t budge  and if that happens, we’re ready.

Why Settlement Is Often the Smarter Move

Judges are busy. They don’t know your family. They don’t care about your vacation home or your morning routines.

If you go to trial, you’re letting a stranger decide your future based on a few hours of testimony.

Settlements allow for creative solutions  parenting schedules that match your job, asset swaps that actually make sense. Court orders often don’t.

We fight hard in negotiations so you don’t have to fight in court.

What Are the Main Disputes in a Contested Divorce?

Most cases boil down to the Big Three:

1. Custody and Parenting Time

The court favors both parents being involved  unless there’s a serious issue like abuse or neglect.

That doesn’t always mean 50/50.
If one parent works 80 hours a week, that matters.

We help build a parenting plan based on what actually works, not just what looks equal on paper.

2. Spousal Support (Alimony)

There’s no exact formula. Michigan judges look at:

• Length of the marriage
• Income difference
• Career sacrifices
• Standard of living

Support isn’t automatic  but it’s negotiable.
We use tools and arguments to get (or avoid) fair support.

3. Property and Debt Division

Michigan follows equitable distribution  not always 50/50, but what’s fair.

We deal with:

• Hidden accounts
• Family businesses
• Commingled assets (like using joint funds on a premarital home)
• Retirement accounts (split through QDROs, not cash-outs)

We also dig into debt  because you shouldn’t be stuck with your spouse’s secret credit cards.

How Does the Macomb County Court Handle Contested Divorce?

The 16th Circuit Court in Mt. Clemens has its own procedures and strict deadlines.

We know:

• Which judges lean toward 50/50 custody
• Who tolerates discovery disputes
• What paperwork gets rejected or delayed

That local experience means fewer surprises  and better strategy.

Can Social Media Hurt Your Divorce Case?

Yes , massively.

We coach clients on “litigation behavior.”
That means: assume every text, post, and email could end up in court.

• Angry message at 2 AM? It will show up.
• Flashy vacation photo? Used to challenge your claims of financial stress.

We help you stay calm in public while we stay sharp behind the scenes.

How Much Does a Contested Divorce Cost?

It depends on the conflict.

If you and your spouse agree on 80% and fight over 20%, we keep costs down.
If everything becomes a battle between parenting time, holidays, furniture  it gets expensive fast.

We’ll always tell you when the cost to fight isn’t worth it.

Should I Try to Represent Myself?

We don’t recommend it.

Contested divorces are full of:

• Strict deadlines
• Complex motions
• Permanent consequences

One mistake could cost you spousal support, custody, or rights you didn’t know you were giving up.

We handle the legal weight so you can focus on getting your life back.

Ready to Protect Your Future?

Divorce is hard. Contested divorce is harder.

But you don’t have to go through it alone  or unprepared.

 Call the Law Offices of Julie A. Hlywa at (586) 415‑0093
Let’s sit down, review your case, and build a plan that puts you back in control.