Family Law

Family Law, also called Domestic Relations law, encompasses many aspects of law that can have a significant impact on the home and family life. For those who are contemplating divorce or struggling with custody disputes, it can be an emotionally difficult period that requires a delicate balance to protect your interests and to consider the needs your children now and into the future. Attorney Chatterton believes that his client’s children are without question the most important aspect of any domestic relations case. Attorney Chatterton helps clients work through sensitive issues and counsels clients on how to most effectively safeguard the interests of their children and cope with the emotional challenges they may encounter.

Attorney Chatterton has the required sensitivity and expertise to deal with any family situation that you may be dealing with. Visit the following pages to learn more:

At the Law Office of Patrick L. Chatterton, we also handle pre- and ante-nuptial agreements, guardianship, legal name changes, relocation of the custodial parent, and allocation of parental rights. All consultations are confidential and private. Call us at today at (810) 767-0407!

Divorce

A significant part of our Flint, MI family law practice deals with helping couples through a divorce and confronting the legal, emotional, and financial challenges that it may bring. It is important to consult with a Michigan divorce attorney early i… Read More

Separate Maintenance

Under Michigan law, when a couple is contemplating the termination of their marriage, they have two options: divorce or separation. In Michigan, the only way for a couple to obtain a legal separation is by filing a “Separate Maintenance”… Read More

Child Custody

Individuals may deal with custody issues during a divorce, after a divorce, or as part of a relationship that may not have included marriage. Attorney Chatterton has the experience and know-how to handle and counsel families through any family disput… Read More

Parenting Time

During divorce proceedings or when parents otherwise separate, visitation and the amount of time that parents are allowed to spend with their children is a very highly debated issue, ripe with emotion and fear. Parenting time is the time that a child… Read More

Child Support

Parents are often faced with the issue of child support or maintenance during divorce proceedings or upon termination of relationships that never contemplated marriage. In Michigan, the court will generally order the non-custodial parent to provide s… Read More

Spousal Support

In Michigan, courts have the ability to award spousal support during marriage, while divorce or separation is pending, or as part of a divorce decree or judgment of separate maintenance. The purpose of spousal support is to ensure an adequate income… Read More

Property Evaluation and Division

Going through a divorce proceeding or legal separation and dealing with the distribution of marital assets and property is a challenging process. Having competent legal representation is crucial to safeguarding your financial and proprietary interest… Read More

Division of Retirement Benefits

For couples who are going through a divorce or separation proceeding, particularly those who terminate a marriage later in life, a retirement plan or pension is often the largest asset after the family home. In Michigan, when courts seek to divide as… Read More

Division of Investments

In Michigan, assets and property of the marriage, also known as marital assets, are subject to equitable distribution. This means that the court has discretion to distribute the assets in any manner it sees fit, and in doing so, courts will take into… Read More

Paternity

Whether you are a mother seeking to establish the paternity of your children or a father wishing to prove or disprove paternity, the result can have a substantial impact on your life and the life of the child. The paternity of a child can affect a di… Read More

Grandparent Visitation

The Michigan Legislature has recognized the right of grandparents to visit their grandchildren under certain circumstances. In order for a grandparent to be entitled to visitation, the courts will look to the situation of the parties and determine if… Read More

Post-Judgment Disputes/Modifications

If you are not happy with the outcome of the decision that was reached in your case or if your circumstances have changed, we can counsel you on the legal options that are available to you. If a dispute arises regarding a provision in the original di… Read More