B. Andrew Rifkin
Bank | RifkinAs a family law attorney with more than 24 years of experience, I have helped many clients make life-altering decisions and have guided them through the most challenging periods of their lives. My goal always is to serve as a problem-solver for my clients, who routinely come to me with difficult issues surrounding divorce, property valuation and division, child custody, financial support, and many other family law concerns. I offer all of my clients a place where they can be heard, receive practical advice based on their goals and objectives, and develop a sound plan for moving through their divorces and forward with the next phases of their lives. I realize that every family and every case is unique, and I tailor my approach accordingly. My overarching belief is that busy family court judges do not have time to fully understand and creatively solve complex problems, making public courtroom litigation often a poor choice for resolving difficult issues. Since litigation also is acrimonious and expensive, it rarely leads to a lasting peace or a thorough, cost-effective result. For that reason, I frequently work with my clients (and often one or more other specialists from our team of carefully-selected professionals) to resolve their disputes privately and confidentially, outside of the courtroom. Sometimes, for example, I am able to work with an experienced counselor to put a couple on a path to reconciliation; other times, I use private negotiation or mediation to help resolve difficult issues. In those cases where courtroom litigation is unavoidable, I use my experience and expertise to advocate zealously on behalf of my clients. I have tried cases to judges and juries in federal and state courts throughout Michigan, and I successfully have represented clients in proceedings in Michigan, Illinois, California, and Colorado.
- Divorce
- Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
- Family Law
- Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
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Free Consultation
(120 minutes) - Credit Cards Accepted
- Colorado
- Michigan
- Partner
- Bank | Rifkin
- - Current
- Adjunct Professor
- - Current
- The Law Firm of John F. Schaefer
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- Adjunct Professor
- University Of Detroit Mercy School Of Law
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- University of Michigan Law School
- J.D. | Law
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- Honors: Winner of the Henry M. Campbell Moot Court Competition, 1990-91 Outstanding Legal Writing Instructor Award, 1991 Book Award: Legal Research and Writing , 1990
- Activities: University of Michigan Law School Clinical Law Program; Moot Court Competition Program Board Member
- University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
- B.A. | Economics
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- Honors: Bachelor of Arts with Distinction and Honors in Economics, May 1987 Honors Thesis: Medical Malpractice Insurance Prices: A Study of Rate Variance Diploma with Distinction, 1987 Honors in Economics, 1987 College Honors Program in Economics, 1986 University of Michigan Class Honors, 1985
- Best Lawyers in America
- Best Lawyers in America
- Super Lawyer
- Superlawyers
- Preeminent 5.0 out of 5
- Martindale-Hubbell
- Top Lawyers
- DBusiness
- Best Lawyers in America
- Best Lawyers in America
- Oakland County Bar Foundation
- Fellow
- - Current
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Fellow
- - Current
- Colorado State Bar  # 22511
- Member
- - Current
- Oakland County Bar Association
- Family Law Bench-Bar Committee
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- Activities: Oakland County Bench-Bar Conference Family Law Committee: Served as committee member organizing meeting, preparing issues for discussion and written materials, and moderating annual family law conference between Oakland County attorneys and judges
- Oakland and Wayne County Circuit Courts
- Court-Appointed Mediator
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- Matrimonial Attorney Took a Different Route
- Oakland Legal News
- Chapter 1 Update, Family Law Practice Issues
- ICLE Michigan Family Law Practice
- Beyond Rinvelt: Where Do Prenuptial Agreements Go from Here?
- LACHES
- Full Protection for the Injured Ward: Ensuring That Guardian and Conservator Fees Are Paid by the PIP Insurance Carrier
- MICH. BAR J., July 2000, Volume 79 No. 7
- Shop with Care: Choosing a Forum in Recreational Accident Cases
- LACHES, January 1999
- Prenupital and Postnuptial Marital Agreements, Guest Lecturer, Nuts and Bolts of Estate Planning, University of Michigan Law School
- The Ultimate Evidence Refresher, ICLE Family Law Institute - 2014
- From Vodvarka to Shade and Everything In Between, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Michigan Advanced Family Law Seminar - 2014
- Discovery in Divorce Cases, Fundamentals of Divorce Practice & Procedure - 2013
- Double Dipping: What is the Right Approach?, Family Law Institute, 12th Annual - 2013
- Website
- www.bankrifkinlaw.com