Michigan Family Law Attorneys | Divorce, Custody, High-Asset Cases

Who We Represent

Real families. Real stakes.

Family law cases reshape daily life. The clients who come to us share one thing — they want preparation that matches the seriousness of what's at stake.

Business Owners & Executives

Spouses with closely-held companies, deferred compensation, RSUs, or complex compensation structures requiring careful valuation.

Medical & Professional Practices

Physicians, attorneys, dentists, and other professionals navigating the division of practice equity and goodwill.

High-Net-Worth Families

Couples with substantial real estate holdings, investment portfolios, inherited assets, and multi-state property interests.

Parents in Custody Disputes

Mothers and fathers facing contested custody, parenting time disputes, or international relocation issues.

Spouses Considering Divorce

Clients in the early stages — exploring options, understanding rights, and planning carefully before filing.

Post-Judgment Clients

Families needing modifications to existing orders — custody changes, support adjustments, enforcement of prior judgments.

Practice Depth

What we actually do.

Family law isn't one practice — it's a dozen. Here's what we handle, and what each one really involves.

01Divorce & Dissolution

From uncontested divorces handled through structured settlement to contested matters requiring full trial preparation. We handle no-fault divorces in Oakland, Wayne, Macomb, and surrounding counties.

02High-Asset Property Division

Business valuation, executive compensation analysis, real estate portfolio division, investment account separation, retirement asset division, and identification of separate vs. marital property.

03Child Custody & Parenting Time

Initial custody determinations, contested custody trials, parenting time disputes, custody evaluations, and the Michigan custody factors framework.

04Spousal Support (Alimony)

Calculation under Michigan factors, negotiation, modification of existing orders, and enforcement. Particular experience with cases involving variable income and deferred compensation.

05Child Support

Calculation under Michigan Child Support Formula, modifications based on changed circumstances, enforcement actions, and disputes involving self-employed or high-income payers.

06Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements

Drafting and negotiating agreements for executives, business owners, and families with multi-state assets. Review of agreements proposed by opposing counsel.

07Post-Judgment Modifications

Custody modifications, support adjustments, parenting time changes, and enforcement of existing orders. Motion practice in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb County circuit courts.

08International & Relocation Matters

Custody cases involving proposed relocation out of state or out of country, Hague Convention issues, and cross-border parenting time arrangements.

Our Process

How working with us actually goes.

No surprises. No bait-and-switch. Here's exactly what to expect from the first call to resolution.

Confidential Consultation

You speak directly with an attorney — not an intake screener. We listen, ask the questions that matter, and tell you honestly whether we're the right fit.

Strategy Memo

If we're a fit, we send a written engagement plan: what we recommend, what it costs, what timeline to expect, and what the realistic range of outcomes looks like.

Active Representation

You work with the same attorney from filing through resolution — not handed off to junior associates. Regular updates. Clear communication. Real preparation.

Resolution & Closing

Whether through settlement, mediation, or trial — we drive toward the resolution that protects what matters most to you and your family.

Theresa Rizer · P47582

Lead Attorney

Theresa Rizer

Senior Attorney · Family Law

Theresa Rizer has practiced Michigan family law for over three decades. Admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 1992, she has built a reputation in Oakland County for handling the cases other firms send away — high-asset divorces involving business valuations, contested custody matters with international components, and post-judgment disputes that require trial-ready preparation.

Her practice focuses exclusively on family law. That means every case file she opens benefits from the depth of someone who has only practiced this one area of law for the entire span of her career — not a generalist who occasionally handles divorces.

Theresa represents business owners, medical professionals, executives, and the spouses of all of the above. She has tried cases in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb County circuit courts, negotiated complex settlements involving multi-state assets, and guided hundreds of Michigan families through the most difficult periods of their lives.

Bar Admission State of Michigan, 1992 (P47582)

Practice Focus Family law exclusively — divorce, custody, high-asset matters

Court Experience Wayne, Oakland, Macomb County Circuit Courts

Tenure 33 years of Michigan family law practice

Read Full Biography →

Cases we've handled. Outcomes we've earned.

A representative sample of recent family law matters resolved by our firm. Client identifying details have been omitted to protect confidentiality.

High-asset divorce involving business valuation $10M+ marital estate including multiple medical practices. Required forensic accounting, valuation experts, and structured settlement protecting both spouses' continued professional operations.
Contested custody case with international relocation issue Favorable resolution through motion practice in Wayne County Circuit Court. Cross-border parenting time arrangement preserving the client's substantive relationship with the children.
Post-judgment modification protecting parenting time Client retained primary custody after opposing party sought to modify the existing arrangement. Required evidentiary hearing and full preparation of best-interest factors.
Prenuptial agreement for executive with multi-state assets Drafted and negotiated comprehensive prenuptial agreement addressing business equity, deferred compensation, real estate holdings across three states, and inheritance provisions.
Complex spousal support case involving deferred compensation Negotiated spousal support structure addressing irregular income from RSU vesting schedule, performance bonuses, and carried interest distributions.

All matters described are real cases handled by Haque Legal, PLC. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes in future cases. Every family law matter is fact-specific and outcomes depend on the particular circumstances.

Common Questions

Michigan family law, answered honestly.

The questions Michigan families ask most often. Direct answers, no legalese.

How long does a divorce take in Michigan?

Michigan imposes a 60-day waiting period for divorces without minor children, and 180 days for divorces involving minor children — these are statutory minimums, not typical timelines. In practice, uncontested divorces typically resolve in 4–6 months. Contested divorces involving custody disputes, business valuations, or significant assets often take 9–18 months. Cases that go to trial can extend longer. The honest answer is that timeline depends heavily on how cooperative the other spouse is and how complex the marital estate is.

How is property divided in a Michigan divorce?

Michigan is an "equitable distribution" state, which means marital property is divided fairly — not necessarily equally. Courts consider factors including the length of the marriage, each spouse's contributions, age and health, earning capacity, and fault. Separate property (assets owned before marriage or received as inheritance/gifts) is generally not divided, but it can become marital if commingled. High-asset cases often turn on whether specific assets are properly characterized as separate or marital.

What happens to a business in a Michigan divorce?

A business owned by either spouse is typically subject to valuation and equitable distribution, even if only one spouse operates it. The court will consider when the business was acquired, whether marital funds or efforts contributed to its growth, and the current value. Common approaches include buying out the non-owner spouse's interest, dividing future income streams, or in some cases selling the business. Proper valuation often requires forensic accountants and business valuation experts.

Can my spouse hide assets during divorce?

Spouses are required to provide complete financial disclosure during divorce proceedings. Hidden assets are a real risk in high-asset cases, particularly where one spouse has controlled finances or operated a business. Indicators include unusual cash flows, transfers to third parties, undisclosed accounts, or sudden lifestyle changes. Forensic accounting, depositions, and subpoenas of financial records can uncover hidden assets. Courts can sanction parties who fail to disclose, including awarding the hidden assets entirely to the non-concealing spouse.

How does Michigan calculate spousal support?

Unlike child support, Michigan does not use a formula for spousal support. Courts consider 14 statutory factors including length of the marriage, ability to pay, needs of each party, age and health, prior standard of living, and fault. The result is a fact-intensive analysis that varies significantly by judge and county. Cases involving variable income (commissions, bonuses, deferred compensation) require particular care to structure support that reflects the actual income stream.

Can I move out of state with my children?

Michigan law generally prohibits a parent with custody from moving children more than 100 miles from their current residence without either the other parent's consent or court approval. Courts consider whether the move improves the children's quality of life, the motivation behind the move, the ability to preserve the relationship with the non-moving parent, and similar factors. Relocation cases often require evidentiary hearings and can result in custody modification if the moving parent proceeds without proper authorization.

What's the difference between legal and physical custody?

Legal custody refers to decision-making authority over major issues — education, healthcare, religious upbringing. Physical custody refers to where the children primarily live and the parenting time schedule. Michigan courts can award sole or joint legal custody, and sole or joint physical custody. Joint legal custody is common; joint physical custody (roughly equal time) requires the parents to demonstrate they can cooperate effectively.

How much does a Michigan divorce cost?

Cost depends heavily on whether the divorce is contested and how complex the marital estate is. Uncontested divorces with simple assets can be resolved for a few thousand dollars in legal fees. Contested divorces involving custody disputes, business valuations, or significant property issues typically cost $10,000–$40,000 or more per side. High-asset cases involving extensive expert testimony and trial preparation can cost substantially more. We provide written engagement plans that outline expected costs at the outset.

Do I need a prenuptial agreement?

Prenuptial agreements are particularly important for individuals who own businesses, have significant pre-marital assets, expect inheritance, or are entering second marriages with children from prior relationships. A properly drafted prenup clarifies what happens to specific assets in the event of divorce or death, reducing future conflict. Both parties must have separate counsel, full financial disclosure must occur, and the agreement must be entered without coercion to be enforceable in Michigan.

Michigan family law that protects what matters most.