“When two people decide to get a divorce, it isn’t a sign that they ‘don’t understand’ one another, but a sign that they have, at last, begun to.” – Helen Rowland
Awards and Affiliations | Decades of experience; awards to prove it.
We know what you’re going through. We will help you make informed, practical decisions.
With over 60 years of combined experience among Rotter & Stone’s principals, Harriet B. Rotter and Nancy K. Stone, Rotter & Stone is one of the most recognized Michigan family law firms in Oakland County.
We provide comfort, compassion, patience, understanding, and a high level of discretion to help you make informed, practical decisions. We are well-established trial attorneys, negotiators, and mediators with a vast understanding of complex marital estates and custody issues. We are often sought after by those with high-net worth estates and complex issues because of our skills, business acumen, and excellent reputation developed over the years in and out of the courtroom. We often coordinate a team of highly-skilled professionals from a variety of disciplines to obtain the best result for your case.
Our reputation and skills are recognized by many in the industry, as evidenced by the frequent referrals we receive from other attorneys, financial experts, judges, therapists, and our own past clients. In fact, spouses on the opposite side of cases have referred clients to us as they were impressed by our skills and the results achieved. What sets Rotter & Stone apart and why we receive countless awards each year is not only due to our proven track record, but it’s our method of making each client feel part of our own “family” throughout the process and beyond.
Our motto is “the day the final divorce decree is entered is the first day of the rest of your life.” We will do everything we can to make you feel whole again and prepared for the future. Please contact us today to set up a confidential consultation to see how we can help you. Your privacy will always be of utmost importance to us.
40%
of divorces are couples with children.
50%
of First Marriages end in divorce.
STEP BY STEP | WE WILL MAKE YOU WHOLE AGAIN
The proven Rotter & Stone divorce process.
1. CHOICE
One of the most important decisions you will make when contemplating divorce is the selection of an attorney. At Rotter & Stone, we understand this, which is why we never charge for an initial consultation. We will listen to you, answer your questions, and help develop an initial legal strategy uniquely suited to your needs. Your privacy and confidentiality will always be of utmost importance to us.
2. FILING
A divorce proceeding begins with the filing of a summons and complaint. We will also guide you through the process of how to let your spouse know you have filed and how to have your spouse served with the complaint. If you are the defendant, and there has already been a filing, we will help you prepare and file an answer to the complaint, and a counter-complaint.
3. DISCOVERY
Rotter & Stone will use its 60+ years of experience to gather or “discover” all of the necessary financial information we will need to properly assess your marital estate. If there is a business to be valued, we will help you select the best financial expert to match your business. We will also determine the available cash flow for child support and spousal support/alimony. If there are children involved, we will help you determine a favorable parenting time schedule in the best interest of the children. Discovery is a key phase of the divorce process, and we will guide you every step of the way. We always use a results-oriented approach and work in a thorough, yet cost-efficient manner.
4. NEGOTIATION / MEDIATION
Increasingly, our clients prefer to settle their divorce matters privately outside of the courtroom. We will use our decades of experience to negotiate the best outcome for you. If the parties cannot agree on a negotiated settlement, the Court will order that your divorce case go through a mediation process using a third-party mediator. We will choose the most advantageous mediator for your case, and select the professionals needed so that you have the finest team working for your needs. You can trust Rotter & Stone to achieve the most beneficial result possible.
5. TRIAL
When a trial is necessary and appropriate, we are seasoned advocates with a track record of courtroom success. We have tried some of the largest, most complex divorce matters in Southeastern Michigan. We fight to win
6. POST-JUDGMENT
Rotter & Stone will be with you every step of the way, and that means helping with issues that may arise after the divorce is final. For example, we can assist you with attempts to change child custody and parenting time, modify child support, modify spousal support when permitted in the Judgment of Divorce, and enforcement of property settlements and divorce agreements. We will use the same tenacity and experience to fight for your rights post-judgment as we did throughout your case.