Michigan Divorce Options -- Danielle A. Smith PLLC

The Law Office of Danielle A. Smith PLLC – Michigan Divorce Options is dedicated to serving clients’ legal needs with professionalism, expedience, and understanding. We know emotional and financial issues involving families in crisis are difficult for clients and require immediate attention. Our goal is to assist clients through this stressful phase in their lives with an emphasis on providing options for successful resolution and a positive future.

Danielle A. Smith, Esq.

Danielle Smith is educated in facilitative mediation and collaborative practice. She was  a founding member of Gornbein Smith Peskin-Shepherd PLLC. Prior to that, Smith was with Dykema Gossett PLLC of Southeastern Michigan.

Smith’s practice focuses on family law, divorce, analyzing the financial and psychological impact of divorce, collaborative practice, facilitative mediation, child custody, child support, parenting rights, paternity, prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements, and step-parent adoptions.

Her background in social work is tantamount to entry into family law. Her focus is on helping people restructure relationships and assisting children with the adjustment by putting children first and diminishing the animosity between parents.

Philosophy

The use of alternative dispute resolution in family law matters is a strong belief advocated to clients. We are specially educated in Collaborative Practice and Facilitative Mediation. Clients are offered these alternative resolution processes to stay out of court.

Alternative dispute resolution processes eliminate unnecessary legal fees, useless court appearances, and provide individuals with valuable tools for solving potential problems later.

An association with collateral professionals allows assistance to clients not only with the legal issues arising in matters, but also with the financial and psychological aspects of divorce and afterward. This attention provides clients a better and more comprehensive outcome.

When children are involved, resolutions are sought in an amicable fashion. Families will have the opportunity to restructure and co-parent, learning communication and negotiation skills as they go forward. The financial and emotional expense of harsh litigation should always be a last resort.

As a last resort, experience in litigation affords full preparation to represent clients in court. Litigated divorces, however, often negatively impact future family life; each time an issue arises it is more likely to require a return to third party decision-makers, i.e., the courts.

In keeping with the firm principle: “The Options You Choose Today Shape the Success of Your Family Tomorrow,” this experience allows assistance to clients with making personal choices for resolving disputes presently and prospectively. The clients' choices allow for more durable settlements.

Legal Services

• Collaborative Practice
• Mediation
• Arbitration
• Litigation
• Child Custody/Parenting
• Child Support
• Paternity
• Spousal Support/Alimony
• Prenuptial Agreements
• Children's Domicile
• Efficient Communication
• Domestic Violence

Affiliations

Ms. Smith was past president of the Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan in 2008 and has served on the Board of Directors of the organization since 2005. She is currently a supporting Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation; a member of the American Bar Association - Family and Alternative Dispute Sections; Oakland County Bar Association - Family and Alternative Dispute Sections; the Michigan Inter-Professional Association on Marriage, Divorce, and Family – Oakland County; Michigan Council for Family and Divorce Mediation – Oakland and Wayne County Chapters; Women Lawyers Association of Michigan; and the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association.

Smith serves on the Board of Directors for “Homes for Autism” and she has participated in the organizing committee for the association’s black tie fundraiser in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

Smith believes that by concentrating only on domestic relations law, she can be more effective in helping people deal with the stress of reorganizing family structure and accommodating the needs of their children. Michigan Divorce Options has allowed Ms. Smith to realize her passion for helping people, whether through alternative choices for dissolution of marriage or litigation.

Ms. Smith spoke on family law to incoming lawyers for the Federal Bar, New Lawyers Seminar in November 2008, 2007, 2004, and 2003. In 2007, she lectured on the issues of child custody and collaborative practice for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (“ICLE”). Smith strongly believes in treating every client with dignity and respect. She encourages divorcing clients to “take the high road” and “never forget to put children first.”

Professional Organizations and Governmental Agencies

• Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan
• International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
• Oakland - Macomb - Wayne County Collaborative Professionals
• Family Mediation Council
• Oakland County Bar Association
• State Bar of Michigan - Family Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution Sections
• American Bar Association - Family Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution Sections
• Michigan Inter-Professional Association - Oakland County
• Michigan State Bar Foundation
• Women Lawyers Association

Lawyers

Danielle Smith

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Location : Bloomfield Hills, MI

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