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State research · Michigan

Child-centered divorce and custody lawyers in Michigan.

Three lawyers whose public records show meaningful child-focused work, substantial family-law depth, professional stature, and a useful first-party online presence.

Research reviewedAugust 17, 2026
01Editorial score96/100

Troy · Michigan

Keela P. Johnson

Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, P.C.

Johnson’s court-appointed work as both guardian ad litem and parenting-time coordinator is strong, direct evidence that judges and families trust her to address children’s interests in difficult custody cases. She pairs those roles with sophisticated divorce and custody litigation, including high-asset and high-conflict matters, so her child-centered perspective is backed by courtroom capacity. AAML fellowship, Best Lawyers recognition, and leadership as an equity shareholder and managing director add professional credibility. Her firm biography is detailed and provides immediate phone and email access. The remaining questions are case-specific rather than systemic: consumers should confirm her recent custody-trial volume, whether a prior neutral role creates a conflict, the team that would handle the case, fees, venue experience, and current Michigan status.

Why the children-first signal is real

Court-appointed guardian ad litem and parenting-time coordinator in complex, contentious custody matters.

Divorce and custody depth

Concentrates on domestic relations, high-asset divorce, custody litigation, guardianships, and related family matters.

Professional stature

AAML Fellow, equity shareholder and managing director, and Best Lawyers honoree for Family Law and Family Law Mediation.

Children 29/30Case depth 24/25Stature 20/20Online presence 15/15License confidence 8/10
Visit attorney profile ↗Custody practiceContact the firm
Verification note and limitations

Status note: Unable to capture an individual State Bar of Michigan directory result; current AAML, firm-leadership, and Best Lawyers sources support high confidence pending official confirmation.

Confirm State Bar status, appointment conflicts, current custody caseload, venue coverage, staffing, rates, and availability.

02Editorial score92/100

Ann Arbor · Michigan

Debra S. Keehn

Debra S. Keehn, PLLC

Keehn’s interdisciplinary background may be especially valuable when custody is complicated by mental illness, developmental needs, abuse allegations, or contested expert evaluations. Before law she trained and worked as a clinical social worker for more than twenty years; as a lawyer she serves as guardian ad litem and parenting coordinator and is consulted by other attorneys on mental-health issues. Her family practice since 2003 includes divorce, custody, juvenile, abuse/neglect, guardianship, and mediation matters. The website explains this expertise in meaningful detail and provides direct consultation access. Her public national honors are less extensive than Johnson’s, but the child-centered substance is exceptional. Verify official Michigan status, recent trial experience, expert strategy, fees, conflicts, and county coverage.

Why the children-first signal is real

Experienced guardian ad litem and parenting coordinator; trained clinical social worker with more than two decades of clinical experience and expertise in mental illness, special needs, and custody evaluations.

Divorce and custody depth

Family-law focus since 2003, including divorce, custody, parenting time, support, juvenile, abuse/neglect, guardianship, and mediation.

Professional stature

Frequently consulted by other family lawyers on mental-health issues in high-conflict proceedings and has prior university research and teaching experience.

Children 30/30Case depth 24/25Stature 16/20Online presence 14/15License confidence 8/10
Visit attorney profile ↗Custody practiceContact the firm
Verification note and limitations

Status note: Unable to capture an individual Michigan directory result; current first-party practice and professional materials support active-practice confidence, subject to official verification.

Confirm bar status, current custody-trial volume, role conflicts, county coverage, fees, and fit for the case's clinical issues.

03Editorial score90/100

Sterling Heights · Michigan

Sean A. Blume

Blume Law Group, PLLC

Blume’s child-centered credentials arise from years of direct representation, not only custody marketing. He previously served as appointed counsel for juveniles and as lawyer-guardian ad litem for children whose parents faced abuse or neglect proceedings. His private practice now combines divorce, custody, juvenile, adoption, and related litigation, while his published philosophy emphasizes peaceful resolution when possible and readiness to litigate when necessary. Family-law council and bar-foundation service add meaningful professional stature. The firm’s website is substantive, child-focused, and easy to contact. He ranks behind Johnson and Keehn because their specialist or interdisciplinary credentials are broader, but his direct child-representation record is unusually strong. Confirm current license status, custody-trial volume, geographic reach, fees, and conflicts.

Why the children-first signal is real

Career devoted to children and families; formerly appointed counsel for juveniles and lawyer-guardian ad litem for children in abuse/neglect proceedings.

Divorce and custody depth

Complex family and juvenile litigation since 2007, including divorce, custody, adoption, probate, and child-protection matters; firm philosophy favors peaceful resolution with litigation readiness.

Professional stature

Long family-law council service and county bar-foundation leadership, plus ICLE contributor status.

Children 30/30Case depth 22/25Stature 15/20Online presence 14/15License confidence 9/10
Visit attorney profile ↗Custody practiceContact the firm
Verification note and limitations

Status note: Michigan's official ReliaGuide indexes Sean Blume as a lawyer, but current status should still be opened and confirmed immediately before publication.

Confirm official status, current divorce/custody percentage, county coverage, case staffing, conflicts, fees, and availability.

Before you hire anyone

A shortlist is the beginning of diligence, not the end.

Kids First Divorce is an independent editorial publication. We do not represent you, refer you to counsel, certify any lawyer, or predict any result. Selection is based on publicly available information reviewed as of the date shown.

Confirm the lawyer’s current license and disciplinary history with the official state authority. Interview the lawyer about conflicts, fees, availability, geographic coverage, relevant experience, strategy, and whether their approach fits your family’s actual facts.

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