Business Details
14 Years
experience
Your Trusted Family Law Attorney in Grand Rapids
Schmitt Law is dedicated to providing skilled, compassionate, and experienced legal representation in family law matters. With over two decades of immersion in the court system as a paralegal and extensive advanced training in mediation and collaborative divorce, Laurie Schmitt focuses on resolving cases efficiently while prioritizing clients' needs. The firm emphasizes education, transparency, and personalized strategies, whether through negotiation, mediation, or aggressive courtroom advocacy.Services include divorce, child custody, paternity, spousal support, and collaborative law solutions. Schmitt Law maintains memberships in professional organizations such as the State Bar of Michigan and Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan, reinforcing its commitment to ethical standards and community engagement. The firm's approach balances legal expertise with empathy, ensuring clients understand their options and feel supported throughout complex legal processes.
Services
Divorce
Family Law
Child Custody
Paternity
Mediation
Collaborative Divorce
Spousal Support
Child Support
Post-Judgment Modification
Limited Scope Services
Details
- Year established: 2012
Highlights and features
- We offer over 20 years of court system experience as paralegal and attorney.
- We provide trained collaborative divorce and mediation services to reduce conflict.
- Our firm maintains memberships in leading legal and collaborative practice organizations.
- We guarantee transparent communication and timely document handling.
- We offer flat-rate pricing for uncontested divorce cases.
Associations and certifications
- Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan
- International Association of Collaborative Professionals
- State Bar of Michigan
What people say
Awesome
Up front and honest
Pit bull in the courtroom
Timely communication
Fantastic lawyer
Services
Divorce Representation
Schmitt Law provides comprehensive divorce representation focusing on protecting clients' rights to children and property. Services include court preparation, settlement negotiations, and aggressive litigation when necessary. The firm emphasizes minimizing emotional stress while achieving favorable legal outcomes through personalized strategies tailored to each client's unique circumstances.
Collaborative Divorce
This alternative dispute resolution method emphasizes cooperation over litigation. Trained professionals facilitate respectful negotiations to create fair outcomes for all family members, particularly children. The process maintains dignity, reduces conflict, and allows parties to control their legal outcomes while avoiding court intervention whenever possible.
Child Custody
Specialized legal guidance for custody arrangements and parenting time decisions. The firm addresses complex issues including visitation rights, custody modifications, and supervised parenting time protocols. Services focus on children's best interests while protecting parental rights through both negotiation and courtroom advocacy.
Mediation Services
Trained mediator facilitates mutually acceptable resolutions for family law disputes. This confidential process reduces litigation costs while maintaining client control over outcomes. Services cover custody, property division, and support issues through structured negotiations that preserve relationships and promote long-term compliance with agreements.
Spousal Support
Comprehensive legal counsel regarding spousal support determinations and modifications. The firm addresses factors including income disparities, living standards, and health considerations to achieve equitable financial arrangements. Services include court representation for initial determinations and post-judgment modifications based on changing circumstances.
People
Laurie Schmitt
Attorney at Law
Laurie Schmitt is a Michigan-licensed family law attorney with over two decades of court system experience. She specializes in divorce, child custody, and collaborative law, emphasizing client education and conflict resolution. Her practice combines courtroom advocacy with mediation expertise to provide tailored legal solutions.
Questions
What is collaborative divorce?
Collaborative divorce is a cooperative process where parties resolve disputes outside court with professional guidance, maintaining control over outcomes while reducing conflict.
How does mediation work?
Mediation involves a neutral third party facilitating negotiations to reach mutually acceptable agreements on family law issues like custody, support, and property division.
Can I modify existing child support orders?
Yes, modifications are possible when there are significant changes in income or living circumstances affecting the original support arrangement.
What if my spouse refuses divorce?
Michigan law allows divorce even without mutual consent. The court will proceed with legal requirements regardless of one party's objections.
Do I need an attorney for uncontested divorce?
While not mandatory, legal guidance ensures proper documentation and protects your interests during the uncontested divorce process.
How are spousal support amounts determined?
Courts consider factors including marriage duration, income disparities, health, and living standards when determining spousal support arrangements.
