• Divorce
  • Child Custody
  • Parenting Time
  • Child Support
  • Spousal Support
  • Separation
  • Post-Judgment Disputes
  • Guardian Ad Litem for Children in Abuse & Neglect, Child Custody or Juvenile Delinquency Proceedings

Family Friendly Fees
Based on the experience of our own attorneys, D&O recognizes the financial strain that a separation or divorce can cause on a family. Accordingly, D&O works very hard to maintain low overhead so that its clients can reap the benefit in the form of lower, more reasonable hourly rates.

Life Transition Coach
D&O offers its clients the service of a life transition coach throughout its representation. The life transition coach can be used, at the discretion of the client, to serve as support in any and all non-legal aspects of a divorce, including the collection of documents and information, appearance and moral support at court proceedings, referrals to community resources, etc. D&O's coaches may attend the initial client meetings and can establish a regular schedule of communication with clients to meet their needs at any stage of the proceedings.

FREE Legal Seminars
D&O offers free legal seminars as a service to the public and to its clients. Our focus is on educating the public and potential clients on the alternatives that are available to decrease the financial and emotional turmoil typically experienced by families in the traditional litigated divorce. Each seminar navigates attendees through the common legal issues of a divorce or separation, including an overview of the basic proceedings of a divorce, alternatives to litigation, property division, spousal support, child custody, parenting time and child support. Attendees will be empowered with knowledge to help themselves or others make a successful transition through their separation or divorce. We offer our seminars at churches, divorce support groups, mental health clinics and at our offices. Please contact the firm for details on the location for the next seminar at 248.562.1276.

Facilitative Mediation through Advocates for Families
D&O offers its own alternative to litigating a separation or divorce through its facilitative mediation program, called Advocates for Families. This program was developed in response to the rising divorce rates in Michigan and the seemingly increasing adversarial nature of the litigation process. In short, the program allows couples to resolve family disputes in a non-adversarial environment that fosters communication, cooperation, honesty and respect. The program's goal is to reduce conflict that is inherent in the litigation process and help couples effectively communicate and negotiate their own resolution of the issues surrounding a separation or divorce as opposed to the court imposing one upon them. These resolutions are then incorporated into an appropriate Court approved document.

Professional Network of Affiliates to Address Non-legal Aspects of a Separation or Divorce
D&O recognizes that separation or divorce is not just a legal process and has affiliated with a team of professionals who specialize in various areas to assist clients with the overall process. D&O has interviewed and pre-screened these professionals to ensure that its clients are receiving a benefit from the professionals and that their philosophy is consistent with D&O's family-focused approach. D&O does not receive any referral fees based on these relationships - they exist solely to benefit its clients.