Litigation and Appeals

Almost no divorcing couple wants to end up in court, but sometimes need a judge to decide their issues.

When circumstances indicate that a trial is the best option, you can rely on the courtroom skills of our attorneys to present your case in a thoughtful, forceful manner with maximum civility.

Our Michigan divorce attorneys will represent you in appealing the trial court’s decision or will refer you to a good appellate lawyer.

Advantages of litigation

• It may be the only remaining option if previous settlement efforts have failed.
• Decisions can be appealed.
• Parties feel they’ve had their day in court.

Disadvantages of litigation

• Trials can be extremely costly.
• Trials are open to the public.
• Trials can drag on. If the judge has a full calendar, decisions may be postponed.
• A trial potentially exposes children to unpleasant accusations between their parents.
• Trials polarize. Parties focus on all the bad things about the other, often using witnesses to back up the accusations.
• Parties remain focused on the past, instead of planning for their future.
• It takes a long time for the family to heal after a trial, and some people never forget the negative things the other spouse said about them.