Compassionate Divorce & Family Law Attorney in Westland & Southfield, MI
Family law matters are deeply personal and often emotional, which is why you need compassionate and experienced legal representation on your side. At The Farhat Law Firm, founding attorney Bill Farhat provides support in all areas of family law, helping clients in Wayne County, Oakland County, and throughout Southeast Michigan navigate divorce, child custody, spousal support, and other sensitive legal issues with dignity and determination.
We understand that every family situation is unique. Whether you are going through an amicable divorce or facing a contentious custody battle, Attorney Farhat will work closely with you to protect your rights and your children’s best interests while pursuing the most favorable resolution possible.
Call (734) 932-7428 today for a free, confidential consultation.
Family Law Matters We Handle
Divorce
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state, meaning neither spouse needs to prove wrongdoing to end the marriage. However, the divorce process itself can be complex, particularly when significant assets, business interests, retirement accounts, or real estate are involved. The Farhat Law Firm guides clients through every phase of divorce, including filing the complaint, temporary orders for custody and support, discovery and financial disclosure, property division negotiations, and final judgment. Whether your divorce is uncontested or highly disputed, we work to protect your financial interests and reach a resolution as efficiently as possible.
Child Custody and Parenting Time
Michigan courts make custody decisions based on the best interests of the child, evaluating factors set out in Michigan’s Child Custody Act including the emotional ties between parent and child, each parent’s capacity to provide love and guidance, the stability of each home environment, and the child’s established custodial environment. We help clients pursue both legal custody (decision-making authority for major life decisions) and physical custody (where the child lives). Attorney Farhat advocates aggressively for parenting arrangements that serve your child’s well-being while protecting your parental rights.
Child Support
Michigan uses the Michigan Child Support Formula to calculate support obligations based on both parents’ incomes, the number of overnights each parent has, childcare costs, and health insurance expenses. Whether you are seeking child support or defending against an unreasonable support request, The Farhat Law Firm ensures that calculations are accurate and that all relevant income and expenses are properly accounted for. We also handle child support modifications when a significant change in circumstances — such as job loss, income change, or change in custody — warrants an adjustment.
Spousal Support (Alimony)
Michigan courts may award spousal support based on factors including the length of the marriage, each spouse’s earning capacity, the standard of living established during the marriage, each party’s age and health, and the property division in the divorce. Spousal support can be temporary (during the divorce process), rehabilitative (to help a spouse become self-supporting), or permanent in long-term marriages. We advocate for fair spousal support arrangements whether you are the paying or receiving spouse.
Property Division
Michigan follows an equitable distribution model for dividing marital property in divorce, which means assets and debts are divided fairly — though not necessarily equally. Marital property includes the family home, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement accounts (401k, pension, IRA), investment portfolios, business interests, and debts accumulated during the marriage. Separate property — assets owned before the marriage or received as gifts or inheritance — is generally not subject to division, though commingling can complicate these distinctions. Attorney Farhat works with financial professionals when necessary to ensure accurate valuation of complex assets.
Personal Protection Orders (PPOs)
If you are experiencing domestic violence, stalking, or harassment, Michigan law provides for personal protection orders that legally prohibit the abuser from contacting you, coming near your home or workplace, or engaging in other threatening behavior. The Farhat Law Firm helps clients obtain emergency and long-term PPOs quickly and effectively. We also defend clients who have been wrongfully accused and are facing a PPO that could affect their custody rights, employment, or reputation.
Paternity
Establishing paternity is an important step for unmarried parents seeking to formalize custody, parenting time, and child support arrangements. Michigan law provides several methods for establishing paternity, including voluntary acknowledgment and court-ordered genetic testing. Once paternity is established, both parents have legal rights and responsibilities regarding the child. The Farhat Law Firm assists both mothers and fathers in paternity proceedings.
Custody Modifications
Life circumstances change, and custody orders sometimes need to be updated to reflect new realities. Michigan law allows modification of custody orders when there has been a change in circumstances or proper cause, and when modification serves the child’s best interests. Common reasons for modification include a parent’s relocation, changes in a child’s needs, a parent’s substance abuse, or a significant change in either parent’s living situation. We help clients pursue modifications and defend against unwarranted modification requests.
The Michigan Divorce Process
Understanding the divorce timeline in Michigan helps you plan and make informed decisions:
Filing. One spouse files a Complaint for Divorce with the circuit court in the county where either spouse resides. Michigan requires that at least one spouse has lived in the state for 180 days and in the filing county for at least 10 days.
Waiting period. Michigan imposes a mandatory waiting period of 60 days for divorces without minor children and six months for divorces involving minor children (though the court can shorten this to 60 days in some circumstances).
Temporary orders. The court may issue temporary orders for custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, and exclusive use of the marital home while the divorce is pending.
Discovery and negotiation. Both sides exchange financial information and other relevant documents. Many divorces are resolved through negotiation or mediation without the need for trial.
Trial or settlement. If the parties cannot reach agreement, the case goes to trial where a judge makes the final decisions on all disputed issues.
Judgment of Divorce. Once all issues are resolved, the court enters a final Judgment of Divorce that governs property division, custody, support, and all other terms.
Why Choose The Farhat Law Firm for Your Family Law Matter?
Balanced approach. Attorney Farhat understands that family law cases affect real people and real relationships. He pursues aggressive advocacy when necessary while always looking for opportunities to resolve matters without unnecessary conflict and expense.
Child-focused advocacy. In every custody case, our priority is the well-being of the children involved. We present compelling evidence of what custody arrangement truly serves your child’s best interests.
Financial diligence. Divorce often involves complex financial issues. We work to ensure complete financial disclosure and accurate valuation of all assets so that property division is truly equitable.
Recognized excellence. Attorney Bill Farhat has been named a Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2021 through 2024 and is a Top 40 Under 40 attorney.
Serving Families Across Southeast Michigan
The Farhat Law Firm represents family law clients from Westland, Southfield, Livonia, Canton, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, Inkster, Redford, Plymouth, Farmington Hills, Royal Oak, Ferndale, Detroit, and surrounding communities. We file cases in Wayne County Circuit Court, Oakland County Circuit Court, and family courts throughout the region.
Contact a Westland & Southfield Family Law Attorney Today
If you are facing a divorce, custody dispute, or any other family law matter, The Farhat Law Firm is ready to help. Attorney Bill Farhat offers free, confidential consultations to discuss your situation and your legal options.
Call (734) 932-7428 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. Our Westland office is located at 917 S Merriman Rd, Westland, MI 48186.