Call Us (616) 742-6732
Family Law
Let the Mark F. Haslem PC Team help you understand effective methods of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and provide experienced legal guidance and advocacy throughout the process.
At Mark F. Haslem PC, we provide strategic and aggressive representation to protect the rights and financial security of our clients involved in child support disputes.
Let the Mark F. Haslem PC Team help you understand effective methods of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and provide experienced legal guidance and advocacy throughout the process.
At Mark F. Haslem PC, we offer experienced advocacy provided by a highly experienced child custody and visitation rights attorney.
If you are involved in a family legal dispute involving custody or visitation of a minor, Mark F. Haslem PC has the experience and skill to provide effective legal counsel in this emotionally stressful time.
Grandparents’ rights involve a complex body of law that demands the attention of an experienced attorney. Let the Mark F. Halsem PC Team help you protect your rights and pursue the successful outcome of your case.
Estate Planning
It takes experience to create effective comprehensive estate planning goals and tax-saving strategies. Our skilled legal team can help you direct the transfer of your assets according to your wishes—keeping the estate out of probate court and taxes & expenses to a minimum.
Have peace of mind knowing your affairs will be taken care of properly without leaving any unnecessary burdens on the ones you leave behind.
- Wills
- Lifetime gifts
- Revocable living trusts
- Irrevocable trusts
- Durable or general powers of attorney
- Medical powers of attorney
- Living wills
- Naming a guardian for children
- Educational trusts
- Charitable giving and private foundations
- Irrevocable life insurance trusts
- Tax planning, including estate, gift generation skipping transfer tax planning
Wills
A will is a legal declaration by which a person, the testator, names one or more persons to manage his/her estate and provides for the transfer of his/her property at death.
Anyone over the age of 18 and of sound mind (having appropriate mental capacity) can draft his/her own will with or without the aid of a lawyer. There is no legal requirement that a will be drawn up by a lawyer—although there are many problems associated with home-made wills. For example, the person who makes a will is not available to explain himself, or to correct any technical deficiency or error in expression, when it comes into effect on that person’s death thus leading to a lot of misunderstandings and complications.
Contact the Mark F. Haslem PC Team today to talk about your options concerning wills so that your exact wishes are carried out in the most difficult of times.
Trusts
A trust is a relationship whereby property (including real, tangible and intangible) is managed by one person (or persons, or organizations) for the benefit of another. A trust is created by a settlor (also known as grantor, or archaically feoffor to uses), who entrusts some or all of their property to people of their choice (the trustees or feoffee to uses).
The trustee may be either a individual, a company or a public body. There may be a single trustee or multiple co-trustees. The trust is governed by the terms under which it was created and in most jurisdictions—requires a contractual trust agreement or deed.
Take Note: There are strong restrictions regarding a trustee with conflict of interests. Courts can reverse a trustee’s actions, order profits returned and impose other sanctions if it finds a trustee has failed in any of their requirements. Such a failure is termed a breach of trust—and can leave a neglectful or dishonest trustee with severe liabilities for their failures. It is highly advisable for both settlors and trustees to seek qualified legal counsel before entering into a trust agreement.
The Mark F. Haslem PC Team is here to help you navigate your trust situation—no matter how simple or complicated it might be.
Employment Law
Our legal team specializes in a wide variety of employment law issues including:
- employment discrimination
- sexual harassment
- employee benefits
- wrongful discharge
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
Contact the Mark F. Haslem PC Team today to discuss your options if you are involved in a employment matter or dispute concerning any of these issues.
Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, our legal team offers experience, knowledge and dedication. We focus on helping our clients navigate the legal system and resolve their family disputes with dignity, respect and sound financial footing. From your initial consultation through the final resolution, the Mark F. Haslem, PC Team is attentive to your needs & aggressive in protecting your rights and interests—whether through negotiation or at trial.
WE PROMISE TO PROVIDE
Family Law
Employment Law and other litigation
Practice Devoted to Litigation
Mark F. Haslem, PC
Mark Haslem practices family, estate planning, and employment law. With over two decades of experience handling complex legal matters at the trial court and appellate level successfully, Mark and his team specialize in domestic relation issues such as divorce matters, child custody and parenting/grandparenting time disputes. His individualized approach has led to successful outcomes for alimony/spousal support, child support, cases involving hidden or secreted assets and separate, inherited and/or gifted assets. Mark also has experience in bankruptcy and complex business valuation issues in multiple sectors including professional practices. Having tried to conclusion various multi-million dollar cases, Mark has a breadth of trial and litigation experience at both state and federal trial courts.
Mark is married with two young children. Mark and his wife are active in the West Michigan community where they have lived for over a quarter of a century. They have coached children’s soccer teams and are also dedicated “hockey parents” to their teenage son. Mark is an avid runner, cyclist, and racquet sports player who cannot resist a challenge at any level.
Certificate / Honors / Affiliations
Awards:
“10 Best” Family Law Attorneys by the American Institution of Family Law Attorneys
Client Distinction Award
Professional Affiliations:
Member – Grand Rapids Bar Association
Member – Grand Rapids Bar Association Family Law Section
Member – State Bar of Michigan
Honors:
Trustee – Grand Rapids Bar Association Family Law Section – 1999-2000
Guest Speaker – “Michigan Child Custody Update” – 2000
Family Law Certificate:
Mr. Haslem holds the Certificate of Completion in Family Law issued by theInstitute of Continued Legal Education and the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan.
Community Volunteer Work:
C-SNIP (Community Spay-Neuter Initiative Program), Board of Directors- Treasurer, 2007 – 2012
Published
Anderson v. Anderson, 467 Mich 870 (Michigan Supreme Court 2002)
Smith v. Smith, 278 Mich App 198 (Michigan Court of Appeals 2008)
Zerrenner v. Zerrenner, 474 Mich 1103 (Michigan Supreme Courts 2006)
Published Works:
Tulane Journal of Law & Sexuality, Managing Editor, 1990-1991
Education
Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Michigan, B.A.
Honors: Dean’s List
Major: Economics
Bar Admissions
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, 1991
Amy Springfield, Paralegal
Experience
- Extensive trial preparation of discovery documents, subpoenas, interrogatories, witnesses and exhibits.
- Experience in child custody procedures, Pre‑Nuptial and Post‑Nuptial. Agreements, adoption procedures, post judgment parenting time issues, child support issues and retirement plan distributions and Qualified Domestic Relations Orders.
- Extensive client contact, including meetings and phone conferences regarding procedures and family law issues.
- Preparation of documents: Court pleadings, Friend of the Court forms, correspondence and memoranda.
- Research case law and statutes on child custody, parenting time, spousal support, domicile, personal property, real property, retirement plans, name change, assets and liabilities, and business valuations.
- Preparation and analysis of Michigan Child Support Guidelines, Michigan Spousal Support Guidelines, asset and liability spreadsheets and Qualified Domestic Relation Orders.
- Extensive case and file management.
- Scheduling of mediations, arbitrations, hearings and trials.
- Research case law and statutes on child custody, parenting time, spousal support, domicile, personal property, real property, retirement plans, name change, assets and liabilities, and business valuations.
Education
Amy’s specializes in helping with the following and much more:
- parenting time
- child support
- child custody
- complicated financial issues
- alimony and spousal support
- property settlement and distribution issues
- abuse and neglect issues
Dedicated Legal Team COMMITTED to Securing Your Rights
Mark F. Haslem, PC has over 20 years of extensive legal experience. We have successfully guided clients through litigation and alternative dispute resolutions (such as mediation or arbitration) to resolve their legal problems. We represents clients in trial courts, state appellate and supreme courts, and federal courts.
Contact Our Law Office
Call us weekdays from 8:30am – 5:00pm at (616) 742-6732 or email us 24/7 using the form.
Grand Plaza Place Suite 550, 220 Lyon Street NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2208
(616) 742-6732
mark@haslemlaw.com
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Awards
Client Distinction Award
Congratulations to Mark for receiving the Client Distinction Award from Martindale-Hubbell®, the world’s largest and most comprehensive source of lawyer ratings. The Client Distinction Award is given by clients to lawyers who receive an 4.5 average rating (out of 5.0) in the following areas:
- Quality of Service
- Overall Value
- Responsiveness
- Communication Ability
Less than 1% of the 900,000+ attorneys listed on martindale.com and lawyers.com have been awarded this Martindale-Hubbell honor of distinction.
AIOFLA 2015
Congratulations to the Mark F. Haslem PC Team for being honored as one of “10 Best” Family Law Attorneys by the American Institution of Family Law Attorneys. Each award is presented by state and based on client satisfaction. American Institute Group is an impartial third-party attorney rating organization with the goal to provide potential clients, free of charge, the “10 Best”.
Digital Advocacy: Enhancing Your Law Firm’s Reach Through SEO
Having a robust online presence is crucial for law firms aiming to expand their reach and attract more clients. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) emerges as a powerful tool in this endeavor, serving as a form of digital advocacy that can significantly enhance a law firm’s visibility online. Understanding SEO in … Continue reading
What is mediation or ADR?
The divorce process can be very emotionally draining for everyone involved. The added stress of resentful disputes can cause additional strain that makes the process even more emotionally destructive, particularly if children are involved. Divorce mediation and other methods of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) can aid in the successful resolution … Continue reading
Grandparents’ Rights
The area of law that broadly encompasses legal issues related to custody and visitation time for grandparents is called grandparents’ rights. Grandparents in Michigan may seek the assistance of the courts to obtain custody or visitation if certain conditions are met. Grandparents’ rights involve a complex body of law that … Continue reading
Alimony (Spousal Support)
At the time of your divorce, you may need additional financial assistance to ensure your financial well-being. Conversely, you may be obligated to pay additional support depending on your income and the income of your spouse. You can protect your rights and ensure your financial security after a divorce. Seek … Continue reading
Custody & Child Support
Custody and financial support before, during and after a divorce can be of grave concern for all parties. Disputes between parties most deeply affect the lives of the children. For courts, custody and child support issues involve a careful consideration of the individual circumstances of each case in light of the best … Continue reading
Considering Divorce?
When you and your spouse make the final decision to divorce, many things will be affected by that choice and you will be dealing with divorce emotions. You need a dedicated, experienced team to help you identify your goals and objectives—and articulate your important needs to the court. From child … Continue reading
Family Law Resources
Typically, family law attorneys assist people in making and breaking family relationships. This might include marriage and relationship planning, divorce, paternity, child custody, and child support. Some family law attorneys even provide assistance in the area of adoption. When you are faced with an important life decision regarding a key family relationship, … Continue reading
What is Marriage?
Marriage, by definition, is when two people decide to come together to share love, life and often possessions. Throughout history, marriage enabled varying expectations and obligations—some insanely bizarre. Today, in order to receive certain rights and benefits, a couple must be married legally. Rules and regulations vary by state. See below for a few examples then contact the … Continue reading