B. Andrew Rifkin

As a family law attorney with more than 24 years of experience, I have helped many clients make life-altering decisions and have guided them through the most challenging periods of their lives. My goal always is to serve as a problem-solver for my clients, who routinely come to me with difficult issues surrounding divorce, property valuation and division, child custody, financial support, and many other family law concerns. I offer all of my clients a place where they can be heard, receive practical advice based on their goals and objectives, and develop a sound plan for moving through their divorces and forward with the next phases of their lives. I realize that every family and every case is unique, and I tailor my approach accordingly. My overarching belief is that busy family court judges do not have time to fully understand and creatively solve complex problems, making public courtroom litigation often a poor choice for resolving difficult issues. Since litigation also is acrimonious and expensive, it rarely leads to a lasting peace or a thorough, cost-effective result. For that reason, I frequently work with my clients (and often one or more other specialists from our team of carefully-selected professionals) to resolve their disputes privately and confidentially, outside of the courtroom. Sometimes, for example, I am able to work with an experienced counselor to put a couple on a path to reconciliation; other times, I use private negotiation or mediation to help resolve difficult issues. In those cases where courtroom litigation is unavoidable, I use my experience and expertise to advocate zealously on behalf of my clients. I have tried cases to judges and juries in federal and state courts throughout Michigan, and I successfully have represented clients in proceedings in Michigan, Illinois, California, and Colorado.