Melissa Heinig
Attorney · Cooley Law School
I Think My Ex Is Drinking Around the Kids: What Should I Do?
Co-parenting can be extremely difficult, especially if you disagree with your ex-spouse’s lifestyle choices. If you take issue with your ex’s behavior while with your children, you should try to communicate, but if that fails, you may need to ask the court for help. ... READ MORE
Post-Divorce Custody Rights of Grandparents and Stepparents
When couples divorce, one of the most contentious issues is how to handle custody and visitation between the parents, but what about grandparents and stepparents? Does the court consider the child's relationship with other family members? ... READ MORE
What Is the Legal Definition of a Parent Under the Uniform Parentage Act?
Learn more about the Uniform Parentage Act and how it's changing the definition of family. ... READ MORE
My Wife and I Just Got Married, But It Isn't Working. Can We Get an Annulment?
If you're considering ending your marriage after just a short time, can you ask for an annulment instead of a traditional divorce? Maybe. But only in limited circumstances. ... READ MORE
My Ex Got a Large Raise: Can I Ask for More Child Support?
Each party's income is a significant factor in child support calculations, so what happens when there's a change in income? Learn whether your ex's raise may provide a valid reason to ask for more child support. ... READ MORE
Preparing for a Child Custody Evaluation
If you have minor children, and you and the child's other parent can't agree on a custody arrangement, the court may order you to participate in a custody evaluation. Learn more about what you can expect from a custody evaluation. ... READ MORE
What is Collaborative Divorce?
More and more couples are choosing to arrive at a divorce settlement without involving the court. If you're willing to negotiate the terms of your divorce, you may benefit from the collaborative process. ... READ MORE
What is Alimony (Spousal Support) After a Divorce?
Whether you stayed at home to care for your children throughout your marriage, or you and your spouse both worked full-time, if you're facing a divorce, you'll need to address whether either will pay spousal support. The court's goal in divorce is to ensure that both spouses walk away with the same financial resources, but sometimes that's not possible with just a fair property division award. Do you need and qualify for spousal support? ... READ MORE
Workers' Compensation Benefits in Divorce
Property division in divorce can be contentious, time-consuming, and expensive. The more you and your spouse argue about who gets the living room set, the longer you'll drag out your divorce. But what happens if one spouse is injured on the job and receives income from a workers' compensation award? While you may think you're entitled to your workers' compensation award in a divorce, you might be surprised to find that the answer is not as simple as you think. ... READ MORE
Getting a Background Check before Getting Married
Nearly 50% of marriages end in divorce. If you and your spouse would like to beat the 50% divorce rate, it's essential that you're open and honest with each other about past relationships, your identity, and criminal history. If you've had a conversation with your soon-to-be-spouse but still aren't convinced you have all the information, it might be beneficial to explore your options for background checks. ... READ MORE