34 | OCTOBER 17 • 2019
continued from page 31
Legal Directory from page 31
Legal
religious marriage contract.
“Even though these were
different faiths, the concept
is still the same,” she said. “A
contract in a religious mar-
riage spells out the rights and
duties of the parties in the
marriage.”
JEWISH PERSPECTIVE
This Michigan appellate
decision caught the atten-
tion of Jewish
attorney William
Berlin of Berlin
Family Law
Group in Troy.
“The Michigan
ruling does
have relevance
to Jewish practice,” he said.
“We can use this case in
regard to ketuvot.”
Berlin noted, however, that
the issue of a ketubah rarely
arises in local civil divorce
proceedings. Monetary and
custody issues in Jewish
divorces are resolved in the
civil court, he said. But the
issue of a husband’
s refusal to
provide a get can become a
sticking point.
Rabbis say that under
Jewish law, forcing an
ex-husband to provide a
get by threat — either of
violence or by a civil court
order under threat of jail —
is not permitted; this would
be coercion, Berlin said.
But the rabbis found a way
around this situation to offer
relief for the former wife —
the husband is still required
under the ketubah to sup-
port his ex-wife.
A civil court can order
very large punitive compen-
sation from the husband
until he supplies a get, Berlin
said. Rabbis do not consid-
er this monetary incentive,
however steep, to be the
bodily coercion of physical
harm or confinement and
will recognize a get given in
response.
Berlin penned an article
in the December 2015 issue
of the Michigan Family Law
Journal advising attorneys
in Jewish divorce cases to
include a provision in the
divorce decree for this finan-
cial incentive for the hus-
band to provide a get.
“What we’
re also sug-
gesting now is doing more
prenuptial agreements that
require a get in the case of
divorce,” Berlin said. “It
makes it easier if there is a
divorce to get a get.”
William Berlin
yers bring results with excellence
and integrity. Recognized in Best
Lawyers, Super Lawyers and U.S.
News and World Report.
GEORGE LAW
444 S. Washington Ave.
Royal Oak, MI 48067
(248) 470-4300
georgelaw.com
Criminal defense, business law,
family law and DUI/OWI defense.
We help individuals and business-
es, navigate complex legal mat-
ters. To protect your reputation,
livelihood and family, you want the
most knowledgeable and strategic
legal counsel in Michigan. Sched-
ule a free consultation today.
HAUER & SNOVER
6905 Telegraph, Suite 350
Bloomfi
eld Hills, MI 48301
(248) 258-0800
hauersnover.com
The law fi
rm of Hauer & Snover
has represented clients through-
out Michigan for more than 40
years. Our attorneys specialize in
all areas of family law, including
complex divorce cases, business
valuations, prenuptial agreements,
spousal support and child custody
issues. The fi
rm is recognized by
U.S. News and World Report as a
“Best Law Firm” in family law.
Proudly Endorsed by State Senator Jeremy Moss and Oakland County
Treasurer Andy Meisner. Paid for by the Committee to Elect Tawnya Morris.
www.tawnyamorris.com
LEADERSHI
P
THAT
PRODUCES
RESULTS
RE-ELECT
TO SOUTHFIELD CITY COUNCIL
Comprehensi
ve
legal
counsel
f
or
busi
nesses,
organi
zati
ons,
muni
ci
pali
ti
es
&
i
ndi
vi
duals.
FOSTERSWIFT.
COM
Contact: JULIE
FERSHTMAN
P: 248-785-4731
E: jfershtman@fosterswift.com
Foster Swift is a state-wide,
full-service, client-focused law firm
committed to excellence.
Southfield • Detroit • Lansing
Grand Rapids • Holland • St. Joseph
6905 Telegraph Road, Suite 350
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
Telephone: 248-258-0800
Representing Families Throughout Michigan
in all Family Law Matters
Divorce
Prenuptial Agreements
Child and Spousal
Support Issues
Child Custody and
Parenting Time Issues