Family Law:
Law Office of Erwin F. Meiers, III, Flint, Michigan

Understanding Family Law Terms:

Prenuptial/Antenuptial Agreements: A prenuptial agreement is valid only if it is completed prior to marriage. There are five things that are required for it to be valid:
1) Must be written
2) Must be voluntarily exedcuted
3) Full and/or fair disclosure at time of execution
4) The agreement can't be unconscionable
5) Must be acknowledged by both parties before a notary public.

Power of Attorney (POA): is a written authorization to act or represent on another's behalf in private affairs, business, or some other legal matter.

Legal Guardian: A person who has legal authority to care for the personal and property intrests of another person. Normally, a person has the status of guardian because the ward is incapable of caring for their own interest because of infancy, incapacity, or disability.

Paternity: In law, paternity is the legal acknowledgment between a man and a child.

Child Support: is an ongoing, periodic payment made by a parent for the financial benefit of a child.

Obtaining Child Support:
The process of filing a motion for court ordered child support typically has several steps.
1) One parent, or their attorney, must appear at the local magistrate or courthouse to file an application or complaint for the establishment of child support.
2) The other parent is located, and served a court summons.
3) In cases where paternity of a child is denied, has not been established or listed on the birth certificate, or where paternity fraud is suspected, courts may order or require establishment of paternity.
4) After the responsibility for child support is established, the court will notify the obligor and order the parent to make timely child support payments and establish any other provisions.