Missaukee County Family Lawyers

Over 35 years of trial experience. Former prosecutor and public defender of criminal cases. Handle divorce, custody, child support, and paternity cases in the area of family law. Also, adoption, guardianship and conservatorship cases. Represent parents and/or children in juvenile court cases. Estates and estate planning.

T.J. was born and raised in Central Michigan, where he lives with his wife and three children. He is a proud Michigander, who was raised in a blue collar family and taught from the beginning the importance of hard work and giving back to the community. T.J. is a life member of the VFW, Military Order of Purple Heart and sits on the board of directors of a local non-profit organization. Shortly after graduating high school, T.J. enlisted in the Army where he would serve for nearly 11 years, retiring as a Staff Sergeant. Some of the more notable highlights...

I am a graduate of the Michigan Law School, JD '83 and the U of M business school, BBA '80. Best thing I got in Ann Arbor was my bride Rachel. We married in '84 and have raised 4 now adult children together. My father was a lawyer and we moved to Boyne City in 1961 from Detroit. I am a member of the Walloon Lake Community Church and have served there as board chairman since 1998. I coached baseball, softball and basketball for many years mostly so I could hang...

Almost anyone who has been through it will tell you that divorce is one of the most painful and stressful experiences a family will ever go through, fraught with uncertainty and negative emotions that can (and usually do) spill over into other areas of life. As a Family Law attorney, I dedicate myself to guiding clients through this difficult process and help them move forward in a positive, healthy and supportive manner. When it seems difficult to make decisions in this time of crisis, my job is to present creative solutions and help clients make the right decisions. During...

I am a late starter in law. I graduated from law school in 2020 when I was 59 years old. I have had several professions in my life, but I enjoy law the most, maybe second to law enforcement. I am a physician, a police officer, and a new attorney. I spent 23 years in the Army Reserve. What all that should tell you is that I like to help people. I want to help you. I do not have tremendous experience as an attorney. I am just now starting in practice. But my dedication, enthusiasm, and zeal for the law...

Erik S.H. Wallen graduated from Michigan State University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He received his Juris Doctor degree in 1989 from Thomas M. Cooley School of Law. He was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 1989 and was hired as an Associate with the Law firm of Patterson Gruber Kennedy Gill and Milster located in Bay City, Michigan concentrating in criminal defense and general civil litigation. In 1997 Erik was promoted to Partner, concentrating in Civil Litigation. In 2000, Erik joined the law firm of Kennedy Gill Wallen Rieman and Reyes as...

Groat Law is a boutique family law experience serving clients throughout Northern Michigan and beyond. With a nearly 20-year proven winning track record, let Travis be your warrior and fight for you and your family.

Over 30 years experience in Family Law.

Balgooyen Law Offices has been a general practice firm in Muskegon County for over 40 years, having represented three municipal governments, several area businesses, and multiple generations of Muskegon families. Fredric F. Balgooyen, sole practitioner, has experience as both a prosecuting and public defense attorney, is a member of the State Bar of Michigan's Criminal Law Section, Probate and Estate Planning Section and Master Lawyer Section. Practice areas include estate planning, Wills & Trusts, Probate and decedent estates, real estate, business law, business planning, commercial and civil litigation, Landlord-Tenant, family law, domestic issues, divorce, child support...

For over a decade, George Law has successfully represented people facing legal obstacles. As a client of George Law, you will work with experienced attorneys and staff who understand the impact a legal issue can have on your future. Our number one priority is standing up for clients’ rights and giving them a voice through our confident and competent representation. We have successfully helped our clients manage complex legal challenges in a broad variety of cases including DUI/OWI, Criminal Defense, White Collar Crimes, Sexual Assault, Family Law and other legal matters that otherwise could damage a person’s business efforts personal...

Every day I am in court fighting for someone just like you.

I am a real criminal defense attorney. I have tried cases to juries from East Lansing to Downriver and from Pontiac to Jackson.

Based in Ann Arbor, I have represented people on felonies and misdemeanors in 13 circuit courts and 39 district courts.

Many criminal defense attorneys advertise their past as prosecutors. The message from former prosecutors is they know the system well because they were a part of the system.

I advertise in the opposite way – I have never been a prosecutor. From the start I have been on your...

Our legal practice is focused on one thing, delivering results for our clients. Philip Vera is a lifelong resident of Macomb County, MI. He is a graduate of Eisenhower High School in Shelby Township, MI. It was around that time he decided that the practice of law was his calling. “I was completely fascinated by the court system and the role attorneys have in it,” says Mr. Vera. Upon graduating, Mr. Vera attended Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MI. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in psychology. From there, he enrolled at Thomas M. Cooley Law School...

I have been practicing family law for more than three decades. It is my goal for our legal team to provide each client with individual attention because each client and each case is different, and I enjoy the personal interaction with a client and working towards successful completion of each case to the benefit of each family. I have seen a need to specialize in parental alienation cases which has led to an overall greater experience in child custody cases. Secondly, I have specialized in complex divorce matters involving significant assets, business assets, determining complex income...

My mission is to assist clients in making informed and educated decisions with no false representation, and to provide realistic expectations for their outcomes. Over the course of the last several years, I have represented thousands of clients, handled multi-million dollar trusts, and provided pro-bono work for select local residents in need.

BRENDAN N. GUILFORD was born and raised in Kalamazoo County, attending Vicksburg High School. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts undergraduate degree in Political Science from Alma College in 2005. After moving to Florida with his wife, Brendan received his law degree from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. While attending law school, he clerked for the community association firm Kahan Shir, PL in Boca Raton, FL. After graduating from law school, he relocated to the Tampa Bay region with his family in mid-2009. While working in and around Tampa, Brendan worked...

Michael A. Robbins is past president of the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, past chairperson of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan and past president of the Michigan Interprofessional Association. Mr. Robbins has not only been named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" in family law, but was also showcased in Newsweek as one of the Eight Leaders in Family Law in the United States. He has also been named one of the top 100 lawyers in Michigan by the New York Times and Super Lawyers. He is a frequent lecturer...

Channelle Kizy-White has over a decade of legal experience and a winning record of success with helping people in their time of greatest need. If you’re looking for an attorney you can trust and a fighter who won’t give up, that attorney is Channelle Kizy-White.

If there’s one word that describes Channelle, that word is “advocate.” She sees her clients’ problems as her own problems—their fight is her fight. Channelle is a listener, a counselor, and an experienced voice who stands up for you when other attorneys might sit down. And for Channelle, family law is more than just about...

Mara Kent (she/her/hers) is a life-long resident of Ann Arbor, Michigan and a licensed attorney since 1996. Mara’s practice areas include estate planning, probate and trust administration, elder law and long-term care planning, special needs planning, estate planning for surrogacy, same-sex adoptions and step-parent adoptions, and prenuptial agreements. Mara loves working with people and making personal connections with her clients, doing what she generally considers to be “happy law.” Mara counsels her clients on how to plan for major life events by anticipating common (and not-so-common) problems before they arise, so her clients can strategize about how to minimize court involvement,...

Attorney, Eric L. Pernie is a true state native, born and raised in MI. He attended Ferris State University and graduated Summa Cum Laude. While he was there, he worked hard for his criminal justice degree while simultaneously being an active member of the Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society. Upon graduating, Eric received his police certification from Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES). Shortly afterward, he started working at the Bloomfield Township Police Dept. as a road patrol officer.

Eric worked diligently as a police officer for well over a decade and gained numerous skills during his...

Born and raised in Mishawaka, Spence joined the firm in 1979. He counsels clients in the areas of domestic and family law, commercial litigation, mediation and personal injury and wrongful death cases. During his career, he’s served as President of the St. Joseph County and Indiana State Bar Associations. He sits on the Mishawaka Education Foundation, and received the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash Award from Governor O’Bannon in 2002.

From guiding you through issues concerning the impact on your children, division of assets and debt responsibilities of each party, legal requirements and rights, martial contracts, retirement account division, valuation of business interest and farm, commercial and residential real estate. I offer legal counsel in such domestic law matters as: Divorce Adoption Paternity Marriage Custody and Parenting Time Mediation Services Prenuptial Agreements

An award-winning law firm with offices in Novi, Ann Arbor and Plymouth.

The law practice is led by attorney Edward Shaw, who has 30 years of experience. Mr. Shaw is joined by several professional and long time assistants who help guide our clients through the legal process. He is a member of the State Bar Association, the Washtenaw Bar Association and President of the Plymouth Bar Association.

As a student of law, Jim Kolosowsky recieved the highest student honors in Family Law and Interviewing and Counseling. His academic achievements earned him a position as the Senior Associate Editor of Law Review at Thomas M. Cooley Law School; several honors scholarships; and a graduate ranking in the top 12% of his law school class. As a trial attorney, Jim Kolosowsky has represented numerous clients in both misdemeanor and serious felony cases. Jim has received not guilty jury verdicts in cases ranging from armed robbery to murder.

Goldman & Associates Law Firm is owned and led by Akiva Goldman, a highly acclaimed family law attorney in Michigan. With a wealth of experience in handling thousands of family law cases, he has garnered numerous awards and recognition for his legal expertise. He also serves as a mediator for hundreds of cases and has been featured in various media outlets, including Fox 2 News, WDIV, and MLive. Goldman's approach is to save marriages whenever possible. He offers resources, such as videos on Reasons Not To Get Divorced, to help clients consider factors before filing for divorce. Alternatives to divorce are...

Lisa D. Stern is a dedicated family law attorney, providing comprehensive representation for couples involved in various aspects of domestic relations, including pre-nuptial agreements, divorce, custody cases, and post-judgment proceedings. Her expertise extends to managing the equitable division of assets, with a particular focus on closely held businesses and substantial marital estates. Recognized for her assertive advocacy, Lisa collaborates closely with local psychologists, mediators, drug and alcohol assessors, private investigators, and other reputable professionals to ensure her clients receive optimal representation. Understanding the intricate financial and business complexities that accompany marital dissolution, Lisa offers valuable guidance on decisions related to the...