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Best Detroit Divorce Lawyers
- Mark Bank
- Jeffery Cojocar
- Timothy Fryhoff
- Sandra Glazier
- James Harrington III
- Harvey Hauer
- Carlo Martina
- Donald McGinnis
- Michael Robbins
- Amy Spilman
Mark Bank
Mark Bank
MI Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to MI Bar
1993
Law School Attended
George Washington University School of Law
Active
1993
George Washington University School of Law
Mark Bank has dedicated his legal career to practicing divorce and family law for over 30 years. He is a fellow of the Oakland County Bar Association and a former adjunct professor at Michigan State University College of Law.
Bank is a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers and is a frequent speaker on topics involving divorce law. He was a trustee for the Bloomfield Hills Schools Board of Education and was on the Donor Advisory Board of Children’s Hospital of Michigan.
- Divorce
- Child custody
- Family law
- Admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia and Michigan
- Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Diplomate of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers
401 South Old Woodward Ave #410, Birmingham, MI 48009
Jeffery Cojocar
Timothy Fryhoff
Timothy Fryhoff
MI Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to MI Bar
1974
Law School Attended
University of Michigan School of Law
Active
1974
University of Michigan School of Law
Since graduating law school, Timothy Fryhoff has exclusively practiced family law. Fryhoff is a frequent lecturer on various family law topics and is a regular participant in an advanced level matrimonial law seminar. He is also a former president of the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
- Divorce
- Family law
- Child custody
- Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Past chair of the Attorney Discipline Board Hearing Panel
- Member of the Oakland County Bar Association
40701 Woodward Avenue, Suite 50, Bloomfield Hills MI 48304
Sandra Glazier
Sandra Glazier
MI Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to MI Bar
1982
Law School Attended
Wayne State University School of Law
Active
1982
Wayne State University School of Law
Sandra Glazier’s divorce law experience includes child support, custody and parenting time; valuation of closely held business interests; the impact of premarital, gifted and inherited property and the equitable division of marital estate and obligations.
Glazier is a frequent presenter on issues relating to valuation of property and the intersection of family and probate law for the Oakland County Bar Association and the Family Law section of the State Bar of Michigan. She served as chair of the Oakland Bar Family Court Committee and representative to the Family Court Division. Glazier served on the boards of Congregation Beth Ahm and the Jewish National Fund.
- Divorce
- Family law
- Probate
- Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America
- Legal advisor to Notre Dame Tax and Estate Planning Institute
- Recipient of the Oakland County Bar Association Distinguished Service Award
3910 Telegraph Road, Suite 200, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
James Harrington III
James Harrington III
MI Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to MI Bar
1973
Law School Attended
University of Michigan School of Law
Active
1973
University of Michigan School of Law
Over the last 50 years, James Harrington III has dedicated his law practice to family law and both amicable and contentious divorces. He has held every officer position that exists in the State Bar of Michigan Family Law Section, including being elected to the Family Law Council.
Harrington is the co-author of the “LexisNexis Practice Guide for Michigan Family Law.” He is also a frequent presenter for the Family Law Institute and the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers annual seminar.
- Family law
- Divorce
- Alternative dispute resolution
- Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Family Law Section, State Bar of Michigan
- Recipient of the Hall of Fame Award from Michigan Lawyers Weekly in 2021
- Member of the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
42400 Grand River Avenue, Suite 204, Novi, MI 48375
Harvey Hauer
Harvey Hauer
MI Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to MI Bar
1967
Law School Attended
Wayne State University School of Law
Active
1967
Wayne State University School of Law
Harvey Hauer has spent the last 50 years working on high-asset divorces and complex property divisions, pre- and postnuptial agreements and alimony issues. He writes a monthly column as “Professor Lex” in the Michigan Family Law Journal.
Hauer is a frequent seminar participant and is on the board of managers for the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He is a former chair of the State Bar of Michigan Family Law Section and the Michigan Supreme Court Domestic Relations Court Rule Committee. Hauer was named to the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.
- Family law
- Divorce
- Child custody
- Former president of the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and member of the board of managers for the national organization
- Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation and the Oakland County Bar Foundation
- Past chair of the Michigan Supreme Court Domestic Relations Court Rule Committee
6905 Telegraph Road, Suite 350, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
Carlo Martina
Carlo Martina
MI Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to MI Bar
1979
Law School Attended
Wayne State University School of Law
Active
1979
Wayne State University School of Law
As an experienced trial and family law lawyer for over 40 years who himself has been divorced, Carlo Martina has represented clients in disputes over child and spousal support, parenting time, high-end asset division and other issues related to divorces. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Martina was an air intelligence operational specialist with the 191st Fighter Intelligence Group.
Martina has given lectures and seminars to the Judicial Institute of Michigan, the State Bar of Michigan and the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. He is chair of the State Bar of Michigan Family Law Section and its Family Law Council. He served as co-chair of the Wayne County Family Law Bar Association’s committees on traversing the family courts and alimony.
Martina has served on the National Council of Jewish Women Advisory Board of Legal Alternatives for Women (focusing on domestic violence) and the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services Coalition on Domestic Violence.
- Divorce
- Family law
- Child support
- Member of the Michigan Association for Justice
- Member of the Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan
- Former president of the Wayne County Family Law Bar Association
Carlo J. Martina, P.C., 409 Plymouth Road, Suite 205, Plymouth, MI 48170
Donald McGinnis Jr.
Donald McGinnis Jr.
MI Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to MI Bar
1973
Law School Attended
Michigan State University School of Law
Active
1973
Michigan State University School of Law
Donald McGinnis Jr. has practiced family law for the last 30 years. He is a frequent lecturer for the Michigan Trial Lawyers and has authored several articles regarding attorney standards. He is the former president of the School Board for the City of Troy and is acting chair of the Act 78 Commission for the Troy Police and Fire Departments.
- Divorce
- Child support
- Family law
- Former director and president of the Oakland County Bar Association
- Member of the Oakland County Community Trust
- Member of the Family Law Committee for the State Bar of Michigan
McGinnis Chiappelli, P.C., 2265 Livernois Road, Suite 350, Troy, MI 48083
Michael Robbins
Michael Robbins
MI Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to MI Bar
1982
Law School Attended
Wayne State University School of Law
Active
1982
Wayne State University School of Law
Michael Robbins has spent over 40 years practicing exclusively in family law. Robbins has appeared on “The Today Show,” “Good Morning America” and “CBS Good Morning.” He has taught and authored several articles about family law and also assists the family law courts as a mediator and arbitrator. He is former chair of the State Bar of Michigan Family Law Section and past president of the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
- Family law
- Divorce
- Child custody
- Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers
- Past president of the Michigan Interprofessional Association
3910 Telegraph Road, Suite 200, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Amy Spilman
Amy Spilman
MI Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to MI Bar
1994
Law School Attended
University of Michigan School of Law
Active
1994
University of Michigan School of Law
With 20 years of experience, Amy Spilman represents clients in a variety of family law issues including property division disputes, grandparents’ rights and paternity issues. Spilman is a member of the Family Law Council of the State Bar of Michigan.
She is a contributing author of a custody chapter in “LexisNexis Practice Guide: Michigan Family Law” and is co-editor of the Michigan Family Law Journal. Spilman is chair of the Family Court Committee of the Oakland County Bar Association.
- Family law
- Divorce
- Child custody
- Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Fellow of the Oakland County Bar Association
- Board member of the Michigan InterProfessional Association on Marriage, Divorce and the Family
600 South Adams Road Suite 100, Birmingham, MI 48009
Compare Top Detroit Divorce Attorneys
| Lawyer Name | MI Bar Association Status | Year Admitted to MI Bar | Law School Attended | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Bank | Active | 1993 | George Washington University School of Law | |
| Jeffery Cojocar | Active | 1997 | Florida State University School of Law | |
| Timothy Fryhoff | Active | 1974 | University of Michigan School of Law | |
| Sandra Glazier | Active | 1982 | Wayne State University School of Law | |
| James Harrington III | Active | 1973 | University of Michigan School of Law | |
| Harvey Hauer | Active | 1967 | Wayne State University School of Law | |
| Carlo Martina | Active | 1979 | Wayne State University School of Law | |
| Donald McGinnis Jr. | Active | 1973 | Michigan State University School of Law | |
| Michael Robbins | Active | 1982 | Wayne State University School of Law | |
| Amy Spilman | Active | 1994 | University of Michigan School of Law |
Filing for Divorce in Detroit, MI
If you choose to file for divorce in Michigan, you must meet both of the following the requirements:
- You or your spouse must live in the state 180 days before filing your divorce petition in court.
- One of you must live in the county for a minimum of 10 days before filing.
There is an exception to the 10-day county requirement if one of the individuals is a citizen of or was born in another country, the couple has minor children and there is reason to believe that the child or children may be taken out of the country by the defendant spouse and kept in another country.
There is no separation requirement for couples who want to get divorced.
Types of Divorce and Separation in MI
Michigan is considered a no-fault state for a divorce matter. This means a party is not required to give a reason for the divorce or place fault on the other spouse. Instead “breakdown of the marriage” is the only reason needed.
There are two types of divorce in Michigan: uncontested and contested. In an uncontested divorce, both parties agree to the division of property debts, spousal support, child support and custody. Uncontested divorces move faster through the court system because both parties are in agreement. Parties might come to an agreement on their own or through the use of mediation or collaborative divorce.
In a contested divorce, parties disagree on at least one key point. If no agreement is reached, a judge will make decisions regarding unresolved issues. Contested divorces usually are more expensive and take longer to resolve.
An alternative to a divorce in Michigan is separate maintenance. This is essentially a legal separation in which both parties come to an agreement on key issues, like division of assets and liabilities, child custody and spousal support, but the couple remains legally married. If one of the parties wants to remarry, a divorce filing is required.
Child Custody, Support and Visitation in MI
In divorce cases where parties cannot agree on custody, the judge will look at the following factors to determine what is in the best interest of the children. Some factors that are evaluated are as follows:
- the love and emotional connection existing between each parent and the child
- each parent’s ability and capacity to give the child love, affection, guidance and education
- the moral fitness of each parent
- the mental, moral and physical fitness of each party involved
- the child’s home, school and community record
- the permanence of the proposed custodial home
- how long the child has lived in a stable environment
- the child’s preference, if they are old enough to express it
- each parent’s willingness and ability to foster the relationship between the child and the other parent
- domestic violence in the family
- any other factors the court finds relevant
Determining child support is based on the factors set out by the Michigan child support guidelines and calculated via a formula. The factors include:
- each parent’s income
- the number of children who need to be supported
- child care costs
- the number of overnights spent with each parent
- costs of healthcare and insurance
There is also a Michigan child support calculator that can help calculate estimated costs.
Visitation in Michigan, also known as parenting time, is the schedule of the time the noncustodial parent spends with their child. Michigan law advocates that children maintain a strong relationship with both parents as long as it is in their best interest. Parenting time is typically granted unless it may endanger the child.
Property Division in MI
Marital property is divided according to equitable distribution in Michigan. Equitable doesn’t necessarily mean equal, but a distribution that is fair to both parties. Factors that may govern this distribution include:
- duration of marriage
- contributions to the marital estate
- health, age and earning capacity of each party
- needs and circumstances of each spouse
- cause/fault of marital breakdown
- each spouse’s share of the debt
- contribution of one spouse to the other regarding career and education
Alimony can also be determined using some of the following factors:
- length of the marriage
- how marital assets are divided in the divorce
- each spouse’s ability to support themselves and current living situations
- the age, health, and financial condition of each spouse
- the conduct of each spouse during the marriage and separation
- each spouse’s share of the debt
- the standard of living established during the marriage
- needs and circumstances of each spouse
- whether the parties pay child support
- other equitable considerations
The court may grant temporary, permanent and lump-sum support.
Filing and Serving Your Divorce Papers
To file an uncontested divorce in Michigan, you need to file the following documents:
- divorce petition
- domestic violence screening form
- confidential case inventory form
- Proposed Consent Judgment/Order
If you have children, you may have to file additional paperwork.
For contested divorces, the process is similar but requires a few additional steps. You will need to file a petition for divorce and a summons document. After filing the paperwork, you are required to notify your spouse about the divorce by serving (delivering) copies of the documents filed with the court to your spouse. In Michigan, these documents must be served within 90 days of filing the complaint.
If you are in agreement you can arrange a time and place with your spouse to sign the Acknowledgement of Service (second page of the summons). You then file this paperwork with the court clerk.
If your spouse refuses to sign, you may need a process server (third-party) to serve the divorce papers. The server can either personally deliver the documents or send them via registered or certified mail with a return receipt requested. After serving the papers, the server must complete and sign a Proof of Service form (found on the second page of the Summons). The signed and notarized Proof of Service should then be filed with the court.
Finalizing Your Divorce
In Michigan there is a waiting period before your divorce becomes final. If it is an uncontested divorce, you must wait 60 days to schedule a hearing. For divorces that involve children, you have to wait 180 days to schedule a hearing.
Keep in mind that hearing availability depends on the court’s docket and how many cases are scheduled. Chances are if the court is busy you may have to wait longer than the waiting period to schedule your case on the docket. Be prepared for an uncontested divorce case to take three to six months to be final and a case with children to take at least six months to a year. If there are several contested issues, it may take longer than a year.
How an Attorney Can Help You
An attorney can be an ally in your divorce case and can help you in several ways. In a legal case, there is paperwork and documents that need review. An attorney can help you understand the significance of this paperwork and help you decide if you need to file a response to certain motions and meet deadlines.
If you have children, a divorce attorney can help you with child support, custody arrangements and visitation. The attorney will help you secure your parental rights during the divorce.
A divorce may involve dividing assets. The attorney can help you with a fair division of your assets including checking and savings accounts, retirement benefits, real estate, investments and other property.
An attorney can represent you in court and communicate with opposing counsel during negotiations. Most importantly, a divorce attorney can help you navigate the nuances of your case so that you have the freedom to focus on processing your emotional well-being.
How To Find the Best Divorce Lawyer in Detroit, MI
A divorce can be overwhelming and emotional, and you may not be in the best frame of mind to make the clearest decisions about your future. You can start putting your mind to ease by finding a divorce lawyer to help you. Here are a few tips to help you narrow your search:
- Ask family and friends for recommendations. Chances are you know people who have been divorced. A word of mouth recommendation is sometimes the best way to find your divorce lawyer. Friends and family can comment on the lawyer’s personality, communication skills and staff.
- Check the Michigan bar website for grievances. The Michigan bar website provides information on whether an attorney is in good standing and if there are potential grievances against your lawyer. The website will verify the year a lawyer was admitted to practice law.
- Request a consultation. Sometimes you don’t know how you will get along with a lawyer without a face-to-face meeting. Most lawyers will arrange for a free consultation (but ask to be sure), and this is your opportunity to check if the lawyer’s personality and demeanor will work for you.
Our Methodology for Finding the Best Detroit Divorce Attorneys
Forbes Advisor considered many factors to determine the best personal injury lawyers in Detroit of 2024. Our mathematical analysis considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.
Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:
- Legal experience
- Special licenses and certifications
- Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
- Legal thought leadership
- Education and employment background
- Scholarly lectures and writings
- Awards and honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. However, this information should not be considered comprehensive. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.
As Hard As Divorce Might Be, An Online Divorce Service Can Make It Easy
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Divorce in Detroit
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Detroit?
Depending on whether you have an uncontested or contested divorce, the cost could range from several hundred to thousands of dollars. Before you request that a lawyer represent you, verify the fees and estimated cost of your divorce.
What are the filing fees for a divorce in Detroit?
The 2024 filing fee for a divorce is $175 but can be more if child custody or support issues are involved.
Do couples have to separate before filing for divorce?
No. Michigan doesn’t have a separation requirement for couples who want to file for divorce.
The information on this page does not
The information on this page does not constitute legal advice, nor does use of or access to this page create an attorney-client relationship between any parties. Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for informational purposes only. Your legal situation is unique and the attorneys and services we rank may not be right for your circumstances. Consult with an attorney to obtain advice on your particular legal matter.
