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Deborah L. Bennett Berecz

Family Attorney at Saint Joseph, MI

5.0   7 reviews
  • Licensed for 29 years
    State MI
    Acquired 1993
    Status
    Active in Good Standing No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

About Deborah

Learn Deborah’s areas of practice.

BERECZ & ASSOCIATES, PLC is a solutions-focused family law firm. We assist families confronted by divorce, custody and parenting time issues through litigation, mediation and collaborative law. We also work closely with LGBT clients and with individuals and families dealing with estate planning concerns. We particularly enjoy helping to create families through adoption. 

 

Our lawyers are involved in parenting and grandparenting children and serving on boards and in our communities. 

 

We look forward to talking about solutions which serve you and your family.

 

Deborah and Meghan 

Contact Deborah

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BERECZ & ASSOCIATES , PLC
1101 Broad street
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Reviews

5.0 / 5.0
  7 customer reviews
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Posted by Ed | December 22, 2019
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
Ed Crampton
I had a couple of consultations with Deborah who referred me to another lawyer in her office. She was very patient and insightful. Her insights helped me better understand my situation and proceed with the proper course of action. Her staff has provided me with a tremendous amount of support and encouragement throughout my process.
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Posted by Jo Ann | December 23, 2014
rating
Deb and her staff are knowledge in the 2 fields I hired them to handle for me, which was divorce and quick claim deed. They are very easy to work with and scheduling was never a problem
Posted by Jolene | December 15, 2014
Highly Recommended
Deborah did the mediation for my ex-husband and I for custody and I would recommend her to anyone going through this! She is extremely professional and does not show bias to either side. She is looking for the best result for everyone involved. We walked out of the mediation with all parties satisfied that we made the best agreement that will benefit our children the most.
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Posted by Jill | December 13, 2014
Difficult Season Meets Balanced Process and Compassionate Professionalism
It goes without saying that the process of divorce is overwhelming. Particularly when it is not your choice, it's painful, frustrating, bewildering, and consuming. There were a few things that carried me through the last year - the love of family, good friends, strong faith, the collaborative process, and a compassionate, knowledgeable, strong, professional attorney in Deborah L. Bennett Berecz. Deb's broad scope of knowledge and professionalism were critical through the rough waters of divorce. Her integrity and sense of justice and fairness were brought to negotiations at every turn. When I was tempted to "give in", she encouraged strength. When I was tempted to be too firm, she was able to present alternatives in ways that allowed me to see another direction. Her advocacy and intuitive ability to diffuse and neutralize emotional and potentially divisive conversations allowed for a just conclusion to the proceedings and the preservation of my own integrity and self-respect. Throughout the process I felt safe emotionally and legally. I am grateful for this particular process and deeply grateful for Deb's professional knowledge, advocacy, integrity, and skill. When asked to evaluate anything I'm usually hard-pressed to give full marks, but Deb and her team receive them from me. Divorce stinks, but having Deb journey through it with you will be one of the wisest decisions you will make.
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Posted by Joy | December 9, 2014
Professional Collaboration!
Having Deborah represent me in the collaborative divorce process was truly a gift. At a time when things can be very stressful and uncertain, she worked on my behalf and on the behalf of my then husband, to make sure we understood the process, had the information we needed and also listened intently to our wishes for our future and the future of our children. She was caring and extremely professional. I felt very cared for in the process. Deborah knows the law, understands the stress divorce can bring and works to alleviate the fears and anxieties in her clients through her caring approach. In addition to being an advocate for the collaborative process of divorce ( if it comes to that), I am very much an advocate for Deborah and have mentioned her to anyone I know who is going through a marriage dissolution.
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Posted by Chuck | December 9, 2014
Review for D. Berecz
We had an excellent experience with Deborah. She is a skilled professional with the personal touch, skilled in her work, sensitive to client needs and quite capable of guiding her clients through the mediation process in a fair and equitable manner. I would not hesitate to recommend Deborah to anyone considering mediation as their preferred option to resolution.
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Posted by anonymous | August 28, 2012
Excellent attorney!!
She is very helpful, and I greatly appreciated her wise counsel. She helped me to go through my divorce settlement with dignity and respect. I will recommend her whenever I have an opportunity to do so.
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Cost

Rates
  • Retainer Always
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 9.4 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Principal
  • BERECZ & ASSOCIATES, PLC
  • 2005 - Present
  • Partner
  • BERECZ & KLAWITER, PLC
  • 1997 - 2005
  • Associate Attorney
  • TROFF, PETZKE & AMMESON, PLC
  • 1993 - 2005

Education

  • Notre Dame Law School
  • Juris Doctor
  • 1993

Legal Cases

  • GIANCASPRO V. CONGLETON
  • Trial court awarded my client custody and appeals court affirmed.

Associations

  • Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan
  • Past President; Board Member
  • 2005 - Present
  • International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
  • Member
  • 2005 - Present
  • Collaborative Divorce Professionals of W. MI
  • Founding Member
  • 2005 - Present
  • State Bar of Michigan
  • Member
  • 1993 - Present
  • Berrien County Bar Association
  • Member
  • 1993 - Present
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • AV Peer Review Rating
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2014
  • AV Peer Review Rating
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2013
  • AV Peer Review Rating
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2012
  • AV Peer Review Rating
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2011
  • AV Peer Review Rating
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2010
  • AV Peer Review Rating
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2009
View all awards

Publications

  • Michigan Bar Journal
  • Mediation: A Horse of Many Colors
  • 2000

Speaking Engagements

  • Advanced Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Institute
  • Opening Pandora's Box: Effective Use of Emotions in ADR
  • 2011
  • Advanced Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Insititute
  • Understanding Your Own Negotiation Style and Using Negotiation Styles Effectively
  • 2010
  • Advanced Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Institute
  • Strategy for Debriefing a Collaborative Law Case
  • 2009
  • Advanced Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Institute
  • Collaborative Process: Navigating Your Way Through Conflicting Pressures
  • 2006
View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (1)
Given (1)
Endorse Deborah
Divorce and separation Attorney | Feb 21
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I endorse this lawyer. I have worked with Deborah on a number of Collaborative Divorce matters and find that she works hard to create settlement outcomes that work for the entire family, with a special emphasis on the interests of the children."

Avvo Contributions

This attorney hasn't created any legal answers in Q&A or legal guides recently on Avvo.

Saint Joseph Family Lawyer Deborah L. Bennett Berecz
Deborah L. Bennett Berecz
Family Attorney
Saint Joseph, MI
Licensed for 29 years