You told me very blatantly there are no options and I'm "in a pickle", you made no attempt at…read morehelping me. I have retained other legal counsel through this same plan for this exact matter, and several options were discussed and will be negotiated with the plaintiffs attorneys who brought this judgment to the county sheriff's office.

These people are the worst, the people you talk to when you call know nothing of the medical…read moreprofession. They know of no procedures and everything has to be explained to them. They ask the wrong questions and are not smart enough know that they are stupid. I have several things wrong with me performed by two doctors, they could not wrap thier heads around two doctors when all theier cases are one doctor. Stay away from these fools for your own good. RobertRRabideau

Eileen is wonderful! She made a hard time in my life as easy as she could. She is very prompt in…read moreher communication. You never have to deal with a paralegal or secretary. She is very hardworking and honest. I recommend her wholeheartedly!

She is very knowledgeable and helped me even though I couldn't afford her. Wish I had more money!read more

I am usually a positive person and rarely write a bad review. The information I am going to provide…read moreabout my case (case number 2023-518907-DM at Oakland county), handled by Mr Bernier can be verified on courtexplorer.oakgov.com I must first say that Mr Bernier is a very pleasant and respectful person, and used to always ask how I was doing. We kept good communications for the most part. My divorce was contested, mainly about parenting time, and when I interviewed Mr Bernier for the first time, I was very clear about my expectations to go to a trial not an arbitration, if an agreement can not be reached through mediations, and he agreed to represent me. I have a graduate degree and I have done extensive research about divorce before I spoke to him. I provided him with a USB and a binder that has all the exhibits and a written description of my position. Our first trial date was set 10/23/23, on 10/3/23, the opposing attorney filed 3 motions for spousal support, attorney fees and to exclude our witnesses and exhibits from trial. The opposing attorney indicated during the motion hearing, which anyone can watch at the media center in the county building, that he notified Mr Bernier about the motions over the phone and he served him the motion notice, and that he filed the motions because he never received our exhibits and witness list despite requesting them from Mr Bernier. The motions were heard by the judge and granted, since we weren't present, on 10/18/23. Mr Bernier, not only didn't answer the motions in writing and go to attend the hearing, but didn't even notify me about the motions till our scheduled meeting date to go over our trial strategy on 10/20/23. Since my attorney and I weren't present at the motions hearing; the judge postponed the trial date indicating that we weren't ready, despite being ready. When I met with Mr Bernier on 10/20/23 and for the following months, he kept insisting and pursuing me to go to arbitration, indicating that he agreed with the opposing attorney to do so, and the opposing attorney will let us use our exhibits and witnesses if we go to arbitration. I asked him to file the motion for reconsideration with the judge, and helped with the draft, but he filed on 11/07/23 a motion to compel discovery (discovery that I requested prior to hiring him) and asked the judge to allow us to use our exhibits in the motion, since the other party wasn't complaint with the discovery. Outside the court house, the opposing attorney indicated that we filed the wrong motion, and the judge will not hear the case of excluding our exhibits and witnesses in the motion to compel discovery, so Mr Bernier didn't have the motion heard by the judge. On 01/17/24, Mr Bernier filed a motion to compel discovery and a motion for relief from judgment (which I helped with the drafts), but he cancelled the motions on 01/23/24 WITHOUT consulting with me first. At that point, the due date to file any motion before our new court date was past. He told me again, that he reached another agreement with the opposing attorney to go to arbitration. I couldn't replace him at that point because the attorneys I contacted didn't want to take the case at that advanced point. I felt as if I was left without any options only to agree to arbitration, which took about 10 months from the point we all agreed to go to arbitration till we received the divorce judgment, and cost about 10,000$ for the arbitrator alone (rate 400$/hr) while the court would have been free, and I would have had the option to file an appeal if I deemed necessary (the grounds for filing an appeal to an arbitration award are extremely limited). There are other things that were missed by Mr Bernier and his staff, but I think I don't need to go into more details. I emailed Mr Bernier after I received an invitation from his office to write a review at the conclusion of my case, and asked him to explain to me why he ignored the first 3 motions, which led to my case being dragged way longer and cost way more money, but did not receive an answer.

Great firm! Joel Bernier is great attorney with morals, values, and operates with integrity. Highly…read morerecommend!

Today was a decent day in divorce court. Imagine that. I was satisfied with the outcome, especially…read moreafter 5 months of ups & downs dealing with the opposing party. Hiring Ms. Starla Zehr was a wise investment. IN SHORT: From our first consult in the spring at her conveniently located office in Waterford, Michigan, Starla took her time with me, asked many relevant questions and recorded lots of details on my situation. She explained my best and worst case scenario options and potential related expenses. During the final settlement conference, she threw down hard when warranted and both parties ended up agreeing well enough. Divorce ain't perfect, but it can be reasonable in the end with the right level heads to direct you. IN LONG: When I was ready to roll and file, Starla continued with the same approach and ultimately left me to make informed decisions. Not knowing what to expect with the divorce process (being fortunate enough to have my first husband die), Starla & her office manager/paralegal, Polly, made it an easier experience to understand and go through overall. They also actively worked directly with the opposing attorney and their office personnel to keep the negotiation process on track. Starla also knew when to put me in check and take a breath when things 'got real' and the Bronx girl came out in me here and there. Ultimately, I was so glad to be hands off and let them do the legal dirty work. On a personal note, I found Starla to be very kind and understanding to my particular situation with 2 small children and being in all kinds of transition. She provided much insight to what-if's and what-will's down the road in addition to very helpful practical advice for the future. After the court proceedings were over today she gave me an unexpected hug and we had a really nice chat on the loose ends. On a general, random Oakland County MI Court side note, the assigned judge overseeing my divorce (Matis) was a really happy guy despite bringing down the final ax on love gone bad x100. Like, genuinely, internally, smiling-ly throughout happy. I half-expected to be invited back for coffee and donuts and mingle amongst all the new divorcees after it was over. Weird, but pleasant considering the collective situation of everyone in the room. Anyway, SOME BEGINNER BEST DIVORCE LAWYER TIPS FOR YOU: Okay, so I was not the most ideal financial position to hire an attorney, but I managed to come up with some cash for the retainer. Let me tell you, if you are in the same position and are set to divorce, it is WELL WORTH IT to hire someone to represent your best interests and cut through the crap...your ex's and Michigan law, in general. My ex said I had absolutely no need for an attorney *insert hearty laugh here*. Seriously, get a second job and hustle in the short term if you have to and make ongoing payments. I tried to do so even while the retainer was till in effect. That tidy bundle is not going to last forever if things go sideways. You will typically get a statement every month itemizing how your retainer has been used and, and once used up, what you owe to date. Make sure to not get overly involved in emotional exchanges with the soon-to-be-ex as best as possible to keep progress alive & always try to stick to the facts at hand (it will save you on attorney fees). I tried to keep verbal exchanges to a minimum and got as much in writing as possible (email/text). I used to be a medical biller and the mantra in my department was: "If you don't get it in writing, it didn't happen". Lastly, just because you may not be getting constant updates, it doesn't mean things aren't in the works in the background. Starla & Polly were really good about replying back in a timely manner to update / FYI emails I would send. Be concise with your emails. Respond quickly when needed. Get all your paperwork, photos, copies, supporting documentation together. Sign up for Google Voice. It saves texts in perpetuity and transcribes voicemail messages that may be necessary to your case. Keep copies of everything for yourself. Sometimes some clarification and re-clarification has to take place, but that is a good thing so that everyone is on the same page in the end. Obviously, you should do your research and see a few attorneys to explore their opinions on your particular situation (lots of assets/no assets/kids/no kids/craziness/no craziness). You should feel comfortable in the bones with who you pick. Credit goes to the ex's 1st wife for the Starla "referral". When Starla's name drew a little snarl periodically throughout the relationship, I knew I had put her on my short list of attorney consultations & book an appointment. Plus, I thought it would be kind of funny. Now that YOU may be ready to put the garbage in the garbage can where it belongs, it's time to give Starla or Polly a call & cut your divorce stress in half (at least). Now, off to find my 3rd husband! J/k :-D Much love and stay strong, Luna #68Seconds

Some "post divorce" issues came up in my divorce, after I moved out of state. I really did not want…read moreto have to come back to Michigan to take care of these legal matters. Starla is a life saver. She listens to what you need done and gets it handled right away and also affordably. I talked to a few other lawyers and Starla's prices were better than theirs. I can't speak highly enough of her family law services. She genuinely seemed to care and is a great negotiator. Everything got resolved and I did not have to return to Michigan. I highly recommend Starla as an excellent divorce attorney.

She's not true to her mission that she has on Google. She was assigned as a public defender to my…read moreson's case. A. She treated us like we were two-headed nickel. She wanted nothing to know about where we came from what we were about. My son had never been in trouble before. I wouldn't let her handle my case. I wouldn't trust her with my life

Ms. Gracey has been very patience and professional in handling our court cases. I highly recommend…read moreher and her staff.

Erica Cicchelli, is very unprofessional. I contacted her to handle a case for me through GM UAW Law…read moreServices.She immediately sent me a form via email to pay her 1,500. I paid the amount immediately. The next communication she requested the paperwork to proceed with the complaint, this was on Friday. I dropped off paperwork needed to proceed with my case on the following Monday In her office door drop box. I never got any call, text or email stating she had received it, l then texted her about it and she replied," I will be out of the office until the 20th of January. I paid her in full on the 6th of January. The 20th of January came and went and she never was able to be contacted again by text, phone or email. She ghosted me deliberately. I had to contact the GM UAW to complain about her conduct after leaving a voice message in anger about my not being able to contact her. After I fired her, through email and voice mail, because she proved to me to be untrustworthy she started emailing, calling and texting. Be aware of this one. I am still waiting for a return of my money.

Erica is great, she helps explain the process and truly listens to your needs. I am very thankful…read morefor all of the work she did for me and my son

Lori Henderson was our mediator, selected through attorneys…read more Lori Henderson was proactive, attentive and a highly qualified premier mediator in Oakland County and surrounding counties. Her knowledge of the law, negotiating, and also her knowledge of human psychology of people at their lowest, she is an expert. Her elite network is definitely a plus ! Lori' s interaction with attorneys is very professional and very down to earth. Her firm is competitive in pricing and definitely worth the value for her professionalism. If you need a mediator , this is the person you want in your corner !!

Attorney Lori Henderson handled my divorce over 4 years ago. Let me tell you if you want an…read moreattorney who will fight for you, get you exactly what you deserve to get then call her. She's easy to talk to and "pulls no punches". I highly recommend her!! The girls in the office are really nice too.

Richard Smutek is a great attorney. I'm the family member that my Ex-wife Bridget R., who left an…read moreuntrue scatthing review about Richard is talking about. I divorced my ex and pissed her off. She filed false accusations with Macomb Probate Court about me, saying I was stealing funds from my disabled son who has a brain injury. Richard Smutek represented me to defend against her serious accusations after the Probate court appointed an investigator to find proof against me of her allegations. The Court wanted everything going back seven years, Bank statements, receipts, registrations, etc. all documents were given by me to Richard Smutek and he presented them to the investigator. After two plus years of giving this court appointed investigator everything he wanted time and time again, all complaints/charges against me were proven to be false and dismissed by the Macomb County Probate Judge. Richard has been my personal attorney, and my business attorney since 1993. He even represented my ex-wife on a false domestic assault charge she tried to do against me. The police looked at the security video when they arrived to arrest me after SHE called them and said I was beating her. They saw she was the DRUNK AGGRESSOR in the footage who attacked me. She even went into my garage and used one of my razor knifes to make a cut above her eye so she was bleeding when the police got there. Thats what a nut she turned into after getting into heavy drinking and things that altered her thinking. Thats why I said enough and filed for a divorce. And thanks to her false crap once again, the Probate Court appointed investigator got to bill my sons trust account for EXORBITANT HOURS at $300.00 per hour and wiped out his acount of over $9,000.00 in billings for looking at bank statements and receipts. Good job Bridget the asshole! I'm sorry I had Richard represent her and get her off the domestic assault charges and filing a false police report with just a disorderly person charge. She was mad at Richard because he did a fantastic job keeping her from inflecting more pain in my life. He's an attorney with good morals and integrity, which is hard to find these days!

If there was a zero star option thats what it would be. Richard was our family attorney for 10 plus…read moreyears. Needed an attorney so naturally you call the attorney who has represented the family, explaining the issue in detail, he says thats not his field, shows up to court representing another family member using all confidential knowledge against us stating he doesnt recall ever representing us. Appears in front of the judge with almost every docket with his name as our attorney. A snake and embarasement to the judicial court!!