Family Law

• Divorce
  At Vandervoort, Christ & Fisher, P.C., our divorce and family law attorneys have provided skilled divorce and family law services to the Battle Creek area for more than 70 years. Our team approach to the practice of law benefits our family law clients. Our lawyers work together in matters such as the tax implications of divorce, criminal issues such as domestic violence, or the sale of real estate to conclude a property settlement. Contact a Battle Creek divorce lawyer at Vandervoort, Christ & Fisher, P.C. You can be certain that we will represent you fairly and with dedication to your best interests.
• Child Support
  Child support is a phrase that generally refers to the amount of money one parent pays to the other to help support their common-children when the parents are not living together. The current state of the law takes most of the contention out of the child support issues. Child support guidelines in most states make it primarily formulaic to determine whom is ordered to pay support, and in what amount.
• Child Custody and Visitation
  Physical or legal custody and visitation are terms used when determining the amount of time children spend with each parent and how decision-making authority for major issues is assigned. For instance, a parent may have joint legal custody, the right to share in making decisions, such as in what religion the children will be raised, or what schools they will attend, whether or not they may get their driver license, join the military, or get married, but may have the children physically with them as little as every other weekend.
• Adoption
  In addition to helping people through a divorce, our family law attorneys provide services in other areas. These include paternity — our attorneys have become skilled at working with DNA testing. We arrange for private adoptions, including stepparent adoptions, and secure consent for termination of parental rights from the birth parent. We undertake annulments, prenuptial agreements, separate maintenance agreements, and name changes.
• Paternity
  When needed, our attorneys will litigate disputed estate matters. Some of the issues we have resolved through litigation include will contests, undue influence claims, disputed conservatorships, breach of fiduciary duty on the part of an estate executor, and paternity disputes.
• Premarital Agreement
  Prenuptial agreement is a legal term for a contract entered into by parties still contemplating marriage setting forth their intentions how their individual property will be divided should they ultimately separate. If not patently unfair to one party, most prenuptial agreements will be enforced in court so long as the court is convinced the parties entered into the agreement with full disclosure and no coercion, and if the agreement does not work a hardship on either of the parties.
• Guardianship
  If you should be injured in an accident, suffer a sudden onset of dementia, or otherwise become incapacitated prior to properly executing a power of attorney document or medical directive, your family may be required to initiate a guardianship proceeding or conservatorship proceeding in Probate Court, which could be expensive. Planning ahead now could save your family a tremendous amount of money, stress and acrimony in the future.
• Spousal Support
  Alimony, maintenance and spousal support are legal terms for payments, usually made monthly, from one spouse to the other, often for a certain number of years. Payments may be ordered on a temporary basis during the pendency of the divorce. They also may be permanent obligations. At present, in most states, spousal support payments are used as a means of catching up for those spouses whose circumstances have kept them out of the workplace for a significant period.
• Annulment
• Child Abuse
  A full change of custody is difficult to obtain, but if your child’s emotional or physical well-being is endangered by an existing custodial award, you may have a basis to obtain a change of custody. We have experience in cases where child abuse, neglect, chemical dependency and other factors may warrant a change of custody.

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  Vandervoort, Christ & Fisher, P.C., defends people against a number of criminal charges. Because our roster of lawyers includes two who are former prosecutors, our firm differs from criminal defense law firms. We understand how prosecutors think, and we use that knowledge to help our clients. For a skilled criminal defense attorney who will work to protect your rights and secure the best possible outcome, contact Vandervoort, Christ & Fisher, P.C. Call our Battle Creek office at (269) 965-7000.
• DUI/DWI
  Michigan has tough laws against drunk driving. If you are convicted of OWI (operating while intoxicated), you could face the possibility of jail time, probation, driver’s license suspension, court fees and other adverse penalties.
• Traffic Violations
  Our lawyers defend people against traffic charges, including speeding and other civil infractions. If you are an out-of-state driver with a speeding ticket, or a trucker caught in a speed trap or random logbook inspection, contact our experienced Calhoun County traffic offenses lawyers. We also handle traffic offenses in Branch County. We have the experience and knowledge to help minimize the penalties of a traffic stop for reckless driving or driving under a revoked license. We have the know-how to begin the process of getting your driving privileges restored.
• Sex Crimes
• Fraud
• Theft
• Misdemeanors
  It is important that you have an experienced criminal defense attorney who will vigorously defend your rights and seek the best possible result in your case. At Vandervoort, Christ & Fisher, P.C., we defend clients against misdemeanor and felony criminal charges, including OWI and related offenses. In addition to handling all criminal charges, we defend clients in matters relating to potential driver’s license suspensions and assist clients with driver’s license reinstatement.
• Drug Crimes
  Criminal defense: As former prosecutors, our criminal defense attorneys know what it takes to achieve the best possible outcome for clients accused of OWI/DUI, drug charges, theft offenses, violent crimes and other misdemeanor and felony offenses. We also assist clients with traffic violations and driver's license reinstatement.
• Assault
• Murder
  Our law firm has been in Battle Creek for more than 70 years. We use our understanding of this community to help defend individuals charged with crimes, from DUI to murder. Contact a criminal defense attorney who will work hard to defend you and secure the best possible outcome. Call our Battle Creek office at (269) 965-7000.
• Identity Theft
• Homicide
• Arson
• Shoplifting
• Restraining Order
• Manslaughter

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law
  Our business and corporate law attorneys have many years of experience helping businesses of all sizes. We represent well-established organizations with multiple owners. We also provide services to individuals starting a new business operation, and everything in between.
• Business Formation
  To speak with a Battle Creek business formation attorney, contact Vandervoort, Christ & Fisher, P.C., today. For assistance, call (269) 965-7000 or contact us by email.
• Business Disputes
  A successful business venture usually grows from a simple idea into greater commercial possibility. One of an entrepreneur’s first and most crucial business decisions is to determine what legal form the new enterprise should take. If you are starting a company, a skilled business law attorney can help you weigh the pros and cons of each available business entity, considering the laws of your jurisdiction; your goals; and issues like flexibility, taxation, legal liability, size and potential profitability.
• Business Transactions
  Joint ventures are specific business projects carried out by two or more persons. Joint venturers share financing, management, liabilities and profits from limited commercial transactions, as opposed to having ongoing general business relationships. Legally, joint ventures are usually treated similarly to partnerships.
• Limited Liability Companies
  Limited liability companies, also known as LLCs, offer members restricted personal responsibility for company debts and obligations. LLCs usually exist for a specified number of years. Like corporations, LLCs must file documents with state agencies to establish and maintain their status. LLCs only came into being beginning in the 1970s and function in several ways like partnerships.

Employment Law

• Wrongful Termination
• Employment Litigation
  Corporate and business law: We represent a wide range of business clients, from well-established, broadly held businesses to small, family-owned operations. Our corporate and business law practice is expansive in nature and includes both transactions and litigation. Some of the matters we handle include contracts, business formation, real estate transactions, construction defect disputes, employment claims defense, business disputes, liquor license issues, landlord tenant disputes and business transactions.

Property Law

• Real Estate Litigation
  Nelson’s practice is primarily in real estate, municipal law including zoning and development work, estate and business planning, trust, probate administration. He has worked on numerous civil litigation matters in a variety of courts including commercial and real estate matters.
• Premises Liability
  Personal injury: We represent clients who have been injured by the negligence and wrongdoing of others. Some of the personal injury claims we handle include car accidents, aviation accidents, boating accidents, truck accidents, dog attacks, defective products, premises liability and motorcycle accidents.
• Construction Litigation
  Vandervoort, Christ & Fisher is known for its ability to assist clients in a wide range of business and commercial transactions. The firm offers a tremendous litigation team as well. Some of the corporate and business law matters handled by the firm include business disputes, real estate transactions, business formations, business and commercial litigation, business purchase and sales, tax planning, employment claims defense, construction defect disputes and landlord tenant matters.
• Real Estate Transactions
  Are you buying or selling a home in the Battle Creek or surrounding areas? Contact the experienced real estate attorneys at Vandervoort, Christ & Fisher, P.C., for assistance. We provide comprehensive assistance on behalf of buyers and sellers of residential property. We also assist clients with commercial real estate transactions.
• Land Use and Zoning
  Our Battle Creek real estate lawyers have many years of experience representing individuals and businesses in real estate matters. Our real estate practice is broad, including zoning and land use, development, construction, and water rights. For an experienced real estate attorney, contact us at Vandervoort, Christ & Fisher, P.C.
• Landlord-Tenant Disputes
• Condominium Law
  Michigan’s Land Division Act governs the splitting or dividing of land. There are many ways to divide a larger parcel of land into smaller parcels. The owner could create a plat, dividing the large parcel into lots. The owner could create a site condominium development under the Condominium Act, dividing the large parcel into condominium units. Creating either a plat or a condominium development is complex. For those desiring to create only a few smaller parcels out of a larger parcel, the Land Division Act provides a simpler method of dividing a large parcel into smaller parcels.

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  Contact our Battle Creek or Coldwater offices to discuss your case. We offer a free initial consultation in personal injury matters, with no obligation to you. We accept personal injury cases on a contingency basis, meaning that we charge no attorney’s fee until we recover compensation for you.
• Auto Accidents
• Medicaid Planning
  Estate planning and probate: We help people plan for the proper disposition of their assets after their death, and can help with the administration of your estate, ensuring your wishes are carried out. Our estate planning and probate lawyers offer comprehensive assistance, including wills, trusts, Medicaid planning, powers of attorney, asset protection, living wills, probate administration, will contests and trust disputes.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  When people think about estate planning, they typically think about wills, trusts and other documents designed to distribute their assets upon death. While estate planning certainly fulfills these goals, it can also provide a measure of security to you and your family during your life.
• Wills
  The experienced estate planning attorneys at Vandervoort, Christ & Fisher, P.C., draft and review trust documents on behalf of clients throughout the Battle Creek area. Wills and trusts are a core component of estate planning and can provide a tremendous measure of protection for you and your family. We are also pleased to provide trust administration advice to trustees and litigation support for beneficiaries whose rights have been violated.
• Trusts
  For assistance with trust preparation and estate planning, trust administration advice or a trust dispute, contact Vandervoort, Christ & Fisher, P.C., in Battle Creek, Michigan. For assistance, call (269) 965-7000 or contact us by email to speak with a lawyer.
• Power of Attorney
  Through a power of attorney, you can designate an individual to make financial or medical decisions in the event that you are incapacitated, or otherwise unable to make key decisions for yourself. Since a Durable Power of Attorney document continues in effect in the event that you become incapacitated, it offers a significant source of protection to you and your family. People use a general Durable Power of Attorney to designate an individual who will make decisions about their financial affairs.
• Probate
  We serve a diverse client base, ranging from individuals to small business owners and large corporations. Many of our clients come to us for estate planning and probate services. We also have a strong family law and criminal law practice. Many business owners and business professionals rely on our firm for help with contracts, transactions, advice and dispute resolution. We are known for our skilled litigators, both in business and commercial litigation, as well as general civil litigation. We have a strong record of success in personal injury litigation and have tremendous experience in real estate law. To learn more about our legal services, visit our practice overview page.

Finance Law

• Bankruptcy
  At Vandervoort, Christ & Fisher, P.C., our knowledgeable and experienced bankruptcy attorneys can help you make sense of the Bankruptcy Code so that you can make informed decisions when filing for personal or business bankruptcy. Our team of bankruptcy lawyers stand ready to help you.
• Foreclosure
  With so many different forms of bankruptcy and bankruptcy codes, many people seeking bankruptcy protection quickly get overwhelmed with questions. What is the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy? Is Chapter 11 or Chapter 13 better for my business? Can bankruptcy stop foreclosure? What do I qualify for, and what happens when I declare bankruptcy?
• Tax Law
  Now may be one of the best times in recent history for property tax appeals. With the recent downturn in the real estate market, the fair market value of property has decreased in communities throughout Michigan.
• Debt Collection
  A basic understanding of debtor and creditor law is vital whether you are a creditor, a business owner or a borrower. Credit allows people to buy or borrow in the present in exchange for a promise to pay in the future. Today, most credit transactions are facilitated through the use of credit cards or loans that are issued through banks or other financial lending organizations. However, some businesses still offer direct financing and credit to their customers. If a business offers credit it must comply with applicable federal and state debt collection and credit laws.