Brighton Family Law Blog

Personal injury: Toddler's death blamed on reckless driver

On behalf of Law Offices of Harris & Literski posted in personal injury on Monday, September 10, 2018.

Multiple people were injured and a small child was killed in a recent accident. Michigan police suspect the person who caused the wreck was driving recklessly. When another person's negligence results in an accident, victims and their families can pursue compensation through either personal injury or wrongful death claims depending on the situation.

Shortly before 5 p.m., the driver of a minivan pulled onto U.S. 127 from a private driveway. However, the car was soon struck from behind by a car that was likely traveling well above the posted speed limit. Two adults and two toddlers were in the van at the time of the accident, only three of whom survived. The adults were transported to an area hospital where they were treated for minor injuries before being released. One of the 3-year-old toddlers was transported by air for treatment; the other child was also taken to the hospital, but did not survive.

Criminal defense: Michigan driver charged with DUI

On behalf of Law Offices of Harris & Literski posted in criminal defense on Tuesday, August 28, 2018.

A Michigan man was arrested after a traffic stop in the early hours of the morning. He was charged with drunk driving and possession of a firearm while intoxicated as well as resisting arrest. It is not clear if he has any criminal defense plans yet.

A police officer spotted the off-duty deputy driving at speeds of 90 mph on I-75 at around 1 a.m. The officer initiated a traffic stop after he noticed the driver almost hit another vehicle. It is not clear what caused the attending officers to suspect that the 27-year-old man was under the influence of alcohol or if they utilized any roadside tests, such as a Breathalyzer or field sobriety test. At some point before his arrest, the driver did tell the officers that he had a pistol on his person.

5 tips for creating a prenup before your second marriage

On behalf of Law Offices of Harris & Literski on Wednesday, August 22, 2018.

You may not have had a prenuptial agreement the first time around, but you are about to marry for the second time, and a prenup is strongly recommended. Here are five tips for putting together this important document:

1. Negotiate before the wedding

Can one's friends push one towards family law court?

On behalf of Law Offices of Harris & Literski posted in Family Law on Wednesday, August 15, 2018.

Having friends is an important part of the human experience. Most people in Michigan confide in their friends when things are not going so well and celebrate together when things are good. However, when someone has a friend that his or her spouse does not particularly care for, he or she could be more likely to end up in family law court.

Researchers from the University of Michigan looked back over 16 years of data before reaching the conclusion that bad friends can lead to a divorce. The study also involved a survey of 355 couples who were still in the newlywed phase of marriage and answered questions about their spouses' friends. Specifically, they answered question regarding if their spouse had any friends they did not care for or wished that their significant other did not hang out with.

Types of child custody in Michigan family law

On behalf of Law Offices of Harris & Literski posted in Family Law on Tuesday, August 7, 2018.

Parents who put off filing for divorce out of fear that they will no longer be as active of a parent are usually doing little more than dragging out a bad situation. This only makes matters worse for everyone in the long run. Having a better understanding of Michigan family law and how it applies to child custody matters can help ease some of these worries.

There are actually two types of custody -- physical and legal. People are usually most familiar with the concept of physical custody. This covers which parent a child lives with, at what times and when they see their other parent. Legal custody refers to decision making regarding serious matters, including religious upbringing, medical decisions and education.

Student loans have surprising family law repercussions

On behalf of Law Offices of Harris & Literski posted in Family Law on Tuesday, July 31, 2018.

Recent high school graduates about to head into their first year of college are probably acutely aware of just how much debt they are taking on. Without student loans, a college education is out of reach for the average Michigan student. While most understand that they will carry these loans for years or even decades after graduation, few may realize the impact this debt could have on their future family law needs.

A recent survey of over 800 divorced adults revealed that 13 percent of people say their student loans ended their marriages. That translates to about one in eight divorces. While financial stress is a known factor in divorces, most people did not realize how significantly stressful student loans can be for marriage.

Your rights as a person of interest

On behalf of Law Offices of Harris & Literski on Saturday, July 28, 2018.

You have never committed a criminal offense, so when the police ask you to come down to the station for questioning, it may not occur to you that doing so may cause problems. However, unbeknownst to you, the police may consider you a person of interest.

Is law enforcement's interest in you a problem?

4 tips for taking the high road during divorce

On behalf of Law Offices of Harris & Literski on Thursday, July 26, 2018.

When you are getting a divorce, your instinct may be to be vindictive. However, seeking revenge will only prolong the process and drain you financially and emotionally. While you should fight for your own interests and there are times to hold your ground, you should not spend every second being vengeful.

Taking the high road can lead to a more peaceful process and a favorable settlement. Here are some tips for having a respectful and healthy divorce.

Criminal defense: Driver arrested after fatal crash

On behalf of Law Offices of Harris & Literski posted in criminal defense on Tuesday, July 24, 2018.

A Michigan man is in police custody following an accident in which one person was killed. The driver believed to have caused the wreck was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, and as such is facing multiple serious charges. These types of allegations often require careful criminal defense action from defendants.

The 25-year-old driver was behind the wheel of his vehicle shortly before midnight. Police claim that he either did not notice or completely ignored a red light, and drove against the right of way. When proceeding through the intersection, he struck another vehicle that had the green light. That vehicle's 54-year-old occupant suffered fatal injuries in the wreck.

Personal injury: Wrongful death claims might follow fatal crash

On behalf of Law Offices of Harris & Literski posted in personal injury on Thursday, July 19, 2018.

According to police in Michigan, a 20-year-old man will likely be arraigned on charges related to a fatal car accident that occurred in the early morning hours of a recent Tuesday. The crash investigation is ongoing, but a preliminary report indicates that the driver fled the crash scene on foot. It is not known whether he suffered any personal injury, but his two passengers lost their lives.

Reportedly, the driver failed to maintain control of the vehicle, and it left the roadway. The car rolled over after crashing into a tree. Authorities say firefighters had to use mechanical equipment to get the two passengers out of the wreck. Sadly, they had both already succumbed to their injuries by the time the first responders arrived.

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