A Metro Detroit Divorce Lawyer

Last updated on August 7, 2026

Divorce proceedings can be incredibly draining – both financially and emotionally. Considering the complex human dynamics involved, it can be difficult to make rational and objective decisions when you’re in the midst of such a tumultuous transition. Even worse, a needlessly prolonged divorce can leave your children with lasting emotional scars.

So how do you make the divorce process as stress-free and efficient as possible without jeopardizing what matters most to you? How do you protect your children while ensuring that you’re treated fairly? How do you get a fair share of the property and finances without devolving into a petty battle over every last penny?

The answer is to have an experienced divorce lawyer at your side at all times. Lisa D. Stern can handle your family law issues.

Shoulder The Legal Burdens So You Can Focus On Your Future

Divorce attorney Lisa D. Stern understands the difficult nature of divorce and the highly nuanced factors that go into it. The last thing you need is to struggle with legal complexities – complexities that, if mishandled, could lead to significant headaches down the road. Lisa will shoulder the legal process while giving you the room you need to address your family’s emotional concerns.

With her extensive negotiation skills, she can offer guidance throughout the divorce mediation process should you wish to reach an amicable agreement with your former spouse. Of course, should an agreement be impossible, she is also well-practiced in the courtroom and can provide the assistance you need to prove your case before a family law judge.

Lisa’s goal is to provide the advice you need to make informed decisions. Her family law practice strives to help you understand how the various approaches to divorce and child custody disputes will affect your family in the long term, allowing you to consider the future as well as your present situation. She also can assist with a collaborative or uncontested divorce.

Addressing All The Details Of Your Divorce

As a skilled divorce lawyer, Lisa has extensive experience in all areas related to Michigan divorce and family law matters, including:

• Divorce settlements and litigation
• Child custody arrangements
• Child support
• Spousal support (alimony)
• Property division, pensions and retirement assets
• Collaborative and uncontested divorce

If your situation – or that of your former spouse – changes after a divorce, Lisa can also help you seek a modification to the support or custody order.

High Net Worth Divorce In Oakland County

High-asset divorces in Oakland County and Bloomfield Hills require a strategic approach to complex asset division. When your marital estate includes closely held businesses, executive compensation packages, stock options, real estate portfolios or professional practices, accurate valuation becomes critical to achieving an equitable outcome.

Lisa works with forensic accountants and business valuation experts who analyze financial records, trace hidden assets and provide detailed reports the court can rely on. This process protects your financial interests by ensuring that all marital assets receive proper identification and fair division. Discretion matters in high net worth cases, and Lisa understands how to handle sensitive financial information while advocating for your best interests throughout the process.

Helping You Inside The Courtroom And At Home

Divorce becomes even more difficult when you have minor children. Perhaps you’re still living in the same home as your spouse, which can be confusing to the children. You may be struggling with how best to prepare them for the changes ahead.

Lisa D. Stern is sensitive to these concerns. In many cases, she will work with trusted psychologists, therapists and other professionals to help smooth out the transition for families and children. Lisa will assist you in creating a new living arrangement and provide talking points to help you through tough conversations with your children.

Focused On Your Children’s Best Interests

In Michigan, the court examines numerous factors when determining who is awarded primary physical custody and how legal custody of a child will be divided. When you come to Lisa for your divorce concerns, she will discuss the factors the court will examine regarding child custody arrangements, including:

• The emotional ties between parent and child
• The financial means and emotional ability to raise the child
• Existing home and school environments, as well as proposed living arrangements
• Mental and physical health of all involved
• The child’s preference, depending on his or her age
• The ability of both parents to continue to work amicably in raising the children

Lisa understands that the stakes are high when children are involved, so she dedicates herself to providing the responsive representation you deserve.

Michigan Divorce Laws You Need To Know

Understanding the specific laws governing divorce in Michigan can help you avoid costly mistakes:

• No-fault divorce system: In Michigan, you can dissolve the marriage without assigning blame to your partner. You only need to show the court that the marriage has broken down irretrievably and that there is no reasonable chance of reconciliation.
• Waiting period requirements: Once you file for divorce, Michigan law requires a 60-day waiting period before it can be finalized if you have no minor children. If minor children are involved, the waiting period typically extends to six months, though the court may shorten it in limited circumstances.
• Property division based on equitable distribution: Michigan follows the equitable distribution principle that aims to divide marital property fairly, though not 50/50. Judges usually consider factors such as the length of the marriage, each spouse’s financial contributions during the marriage, earning capacity, health, age and future needs.

Attorney Lisa Stern can help you understand how these laws apply to your unique situation.

Guide To Divorce In Detroit

While reasons for each divorce are unique, Michigan divorce cases follow a similar legal process as explained below:

• File a complaint: You must file a formal complaint outlining the grounds for divorce and the requested relief, such as custody, support or property division. Note that you or your spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days and in the specific county you are filing the divorce in for at least 10 days.
• Answer complaint: Your partner has 21 days to file an answer if personally served with the divorce papers, or 28 days if served by mail or while outside Michigan.
• A temporary order is issued: The court will issue a temporary order addressing child custody, spousal support and the use of the marital home during the process.
• Discovery phase: You present facts to help determine fair outcomes.
• Negotiations: You negotiate to reach mutually acceptable agreements.
• Settlement: If an agreement is reached, you wait for the final judgment.
• The final judgment: The judge signs the judgment, legally ending the marriage.

Lisa will offer you practical guidance at every stage. She is AV Preeminent* peer-review rated for very high legal ability and ethical standards, reflecting her prowess in representing divorce clients.

Common Questions About Divorce In Oakland County

Clients in Bloomfield Hills and throughout Oakland County often have specific questions about how Michigan divorce law applies to their unique circumstances. The firm answers some of them below:

How does Oakland county handle complex business asset division?

Oakland County courts follow Michigan’s equitable distribution principle when dividing business assets in divorce. This means the court divides marital property fairly based on multiple factors, not necessarily equally. When your marital estate includes a closely held business, professional practice or partnership interest, the court requires an accurate business valuation. Lisa works with forensic accountants who examine financial statements, tax returns, cash flow and comparable business sales to determine fair market value. This process identifies all business interests and ensures you receive an equitable share of the marital estate.

How is out-of-state property handled if we live in Bloomfield Hills?

Oakland County courts can divide out-of-state assets as part of your Michigan divorce. The court has jurisdiction over both spouses and can order the division of property located anywhere, including vacation homes, rental properties or investment real estate in other states. However, dividing multi-jurisdictional assets requires an attorney who understands how to handle property transfers across state lines and coordinate with out-of-state title companies and financial institutions. Lisa has experience managing these complex property division matters.

Can I keep my divorce details private in Metro Detroit?

While Michigan divorce court proceedings are public record, you have options to protect your privacy. Mediation and collaborative divorce processes keep financial details and settlement negotiations confidential. You can also request confidentiality agreements that prevent your spouse from disclosing sensitive financial information. Lisa’s discreet, white-glove service helps high net worth clients structure settlements that minimize public disclosure of business valuations, executive compensation and other private financial matters while still complying with Michigan court requirements.

Get In Touch With A Divorce Lawyer Who Is Committed To Your Future

Lisa D. Stern believes you deserve fair and honest advice that addresses all of your concerns. Throughout her relationship with you, she will work to ensure that your best interests and the best interests of your children are met at every turn, giving you peace of mind in knowing that your family’s future is in good hands.

Call 248-973-7842 or contact her through the website to set up a consultation. Lisa is based in Bloomfield Hills and serves clients statewide.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.

Related Blog Posts