Family Law

 

Rhonda Ives has handled family law cases throughout Michigan including Battle Creek, Coldwater, and Hillsdale. While the courts may differ on the protocol and manner in which hearings are held, the law in Michigan is the same whether you are in any county including Branch, Hillsdale, or Calhoun County.

 

The main advantage of hiring Rhonda Ives is that you know exactly who will be working on your case (in bigger firms, the lawyer you speak with initially may not be the same one working on the bulk of your case). Instead, you will have the opportunity of getting to know Rhonda which helps make office visits or phone conversations more comfortable.

 

Having a one-on-one relationship with your lawyer is very important. Divorce can be a very personal and psychological thing. Having a close connection with a family lawyer allows a client to feel comfortable while offering him/her the chance to provide help and guidance towards the resolution of larger problems. A sole practitioner is usually less expensive than a big family law firm, but much depends on the time and dedication they offer to finalize your case.

 

Divorce cases can be very trying and emotionally difficult. One of the most contentious issues in divorce is usually the custody of children. Courts encourage a close relationship between both parents and the child(ren). If the parties involved can agree on a custodial arrangement, the court, under most circumstances will adopt the agreement. In the state of Michigan, there are two types of custody that must be addressed: legal and physical custody.

 

Legal custody gives the parent (sole) or both parents (joint legal custody) the right to make legal decisions for a child regarding education, health care, and religion, along with his/her general welfare.

 

Physical custody defines where a child lives on a day-to-day basis. Typically, one parent is granted sole physical custody (a child(ren) living with a single parent). However, both parents can be granted joint physical custody and share (close to equal) time spent with the child(ren).