What practice areas does Stephens & Moore PLLC handle?
The firm handles family law — including divorce, child custody, child and spousal support, and parenting time — as well as estate planning and probate, personal injury, real estate, construction law, and workers' compensation matters. See the practice areas overview for detail.
Where are your offices and how do I reach them?
Caro: 121 West Grant Street, Caro, MI 48723 — (989) 672-4255. Oxford: 107 South Washington, Oxford, MI 48371 — (248) 969-7000. You can also email any member of the team directly from the contact page.
How do I schedule a consultation?
Call the office nearest you, or send us a message through the contact page. We give clients as much time as they need to speak with us, and we return phone calls promptly.
Which counties do you serve?
We regularly appear in courts across Huron, Tuscola, Lapeer, Oakland, Macomb, and Genesee counties, and serve clients throughout mid-Michigan and Metro Detroit. If your matter is elsewhere in Michigan, call us — we will tell you honestly whether we are the right fit.
How is child support calculated in Michigan?
Once custody is determined, the court analyzes the earning capacity of both parties and applies Michigan's child support formula. The guidelines can be modified for good reason — for example, a child's special needs or sporadic income — but the child's best interests always come before the financial interests of either parent. More detail is on our family law page.
What is the difference between joint legal and joint physical custody?
Joint physical custody involves parenting time with each parent; joint legal custody allows parents to share in making the important decisions affecting their children. Many Michigan families have some combination of both. The right arrangement depends on your situation and the best interests of your children.
What happens during probate?
Probate is the court proceeding through which a will is proved valid and the estate is administered. The process generally includes collecting the decedent's assets, liquidating liabilities, paying necessary taxes, and distributing property to heirs. See our estate planning page for how we help before and after.
What should I do after a workplace injury?
Report the injury to your employer in writing as soon as possible, get medical attention, and keep copies of every record. Call us before signing anything that waives your rights — Michigan law imposes strict deadlines. More detail is on our workers' compensation page.
Do I need a will if I don't own much?
Even modest estates benefit from a plan: a will names who raises your children and who handles your affairs, and documents like powers of attorney protect you during your lifetime. A short conversation with our estate planning team will show which documents actually matter in your situation.
Does contacting the firm make you my lawyer?
No. Viewing this site or sending a message does not create an attorney–client relationship. Please do not send confidential information until we have agreed in writing to represent you.
Your question isn't here?
Call either office — a short conversation usually answers more than any FAQ page can.