Clik here to view.
Attorney Lisa J. Schmidt Wrote the Book on Hearsay
Lawyers and law students everywhere shudder when they think about hearsay. This complex evidence rule excludes “he said/she said” evidence unless the circumstances of the statement prove that it is...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Schmidt Law Services Comes to Ferndale
Family Law Firm Moves to Ferndale to be closer to clients, business community.Schmidt Law Services, PLLC, is starting 2015 off in a big way: by moving the office to Ferndale! Attorney Lisa J. Schmidt...
View ArticleClik here to view.
One Lawyer's Take on Restorative Practices
Last week, I had an opportunity to attend a four day training on Restorative Practices. This alternative supplement to traditional disciplinary structures is gaining popularity among schools and courts...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Why I Can't Answer "How Much Will My Divorce Cost?"
If you are shopping for a lawyer, you may be getting a little frustrated that none of us attorneys will give you a straight answer on how much your will your divorce cost. Here’s why: there isn’t...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Michigan's New Sentencing Rules Aren't Better for Defendants
Michigan defendants face a new level of uncertainty when they walk into criminal court for sentencing. The state Supreme Court’s decision may have been based on defendants’ right to a jury trial, but...
View ArticleClik here to view.
School Shootings and the Problem With School Security
Over the last two weeks the news once again was filled with stories of yet another school shooting. A gunman brought several weapons to Umpqua Community College where he killed 10 students and injured...
View ArticleClik here to view.
After the Divorce: Financial Beneficiaries
Once your Judgment of Divorce has been signed and the case is closed, you may be ready to move on with your life. But neglecting the final steps of putting your divorce into action could be a...
View ArticleDisrupting Class or Resisting Arrest?
Last week, social media was enraged by the conduct of one police officer in one school with one student. But despite the statement of the Sheriff who fired him, this wasn’t ultimately about policy....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Why LGBT Couples Need Adoptions
The case is over! Marriage Equality advocates won! But that doesn’t mean that LGBT couples don’t still need to protect themselves and their families. If you are a gay or lesbian couple in Michigan you...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Court Grants Equitable Parent Rights to Married Lesbian Couple
Now that LGBT couples are guaranteed the same fundamental right to marry as straight couples, lawyers and courts across the country are wrestling with what that means for the families of gay and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Give Your Kids the Gift of a Better Co-Parent
The holiday season can be especially tough on children of divorced or separated parents. This Christmas, give them a gift they don’t even know they need. Be a better co-parent to make the holidays more...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Michigan Senate Approves Rape Victim Protections
It seems unthinkable – that a rapist could actually seek and be awarded custody of the child their crime created. Right now, the law in Michigan allows it unless the person has been criminal convicted....
View ArticleClik here to view.
3 New Year’s Resolutions for a Smoother Divorce
‘Tis the season for turning over new leaves and resolving to be a better person. This can be especially difficult if you are separated or going through a divorce. Here are 3 New Year’s Resolutions that...
View ArticleGrandparenting Time in Complicated Families
Custody law is almost always about families who don’t work as well as they once did. When the families involved become multi-generational, custody cases can get even more complicated. When families...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Parents Demand Right to Know About Guns in Schools
Do you have a right to know if another student brings a gun to your child’s school? That’s the debated happening in Belleville, Michigan right now after administrators kept a student’s arrest and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Is Grief Affecting Your Divorce Settlement?
Every divorce includes loss: separation from a life partner, division of assets, and often relocating to a new home. With loss comes grief. While everyone experiences divorce and grief differently,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Domestic Violence Advocates Push for Brain Injury Screenings
The last thing a domestic violence victim want to take with them as they leave an abusive relationship is a lasting injury. Unfortunately, advocates are now realizing that many survivors suffer...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Distributing Pensions Is About More Than the Money
When you think about your assets, after your home, the next most valuable thing you own is probably your retirement. Despite what you may have been told, there is a big difference between a 401(k) and...
View ArticleBeing a Parent is More Important than Winning Your Case
When you are in the midst of a hotly contested divorce or custody case, it can be easy to get so wrapped up in the fight and forget the bigger picture. The next time conflict with your co-parent heats...
View ArticleChild Support Calculations: What You Need to Know
One of the first questions many people ask their family lawyer is “Will I have to pay child support?” Child support calculations are one of the most straight-forward parts of a custody case or a...
View Article
