Kurt E. Schnelz

Kurt E. Schnelz

3.9
Rating: 9.9

Licensed for 40 years

Family Lawyer at Birmingham, MI
Practice Areas: Family, Divorce & Separation, Child Custody ... +3 more

280 North Old Woodward Suite 250, Birmingham, MI

About Kurt

Biography

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Michigan for 40 years

State: Michigan

Acquired: 1985

Active in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Schnelz Wells PC

280 North Old Woodward Suite 250, Birmingham, MI, 48009

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Kurt E. Schnelz's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

3.9 /5.0

7 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (7) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by anonymous | December 26, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Extremely disappointing experience! Stay Away!

My Ex-wife and I hired Mr. Schnelz in 2018 to help us with one remaining item on our divorce agreement. Prior to meeting with him, we had amicably and mutually agreed to all other terms and desired a fairness opinion on one last issue. We had an absolutely awful experience with Kurt Schnelz. I i...ntentionally did not write a negative review at that time because I am a very positive person and do not like to spend energy focusing on the negative aspects of life. I have now chosen to write this review because unfortunately one of my friends also hired Mr. Schnelz and had a very similar and extremely disappointing experience. I now realize that I have an important responsibility to share my experience to help prevent others from getting hurt by hiring Kurt. Mr. Schnelz did not listen to what we wanted and why we were hiring him, he acted as a bully, he intentionally did not tell the truth to both parties, and he certainly was not objective and impartial. I later learned that Mr. Schnelz was not included on the 2018 Oakland County Approved Civil Mediator List. Out of curiosity, I just checked and he is also not listed on the 2025 Oakland County Approved Civil Mediator List. Based on our experience (and my friends experience), I would strongly recommend that you NOT hire Mr. Kurt Schnelz.

Posted by anonymous | February 13, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Kurt Is The Best!

When my ex unexpectedly filed for divorce and full custody of my young boys, I had no idea what to do. Thankfully, a friend of mine recommended I talk to Kurt. He said that Kurt was one of the best attorneys in the state. I went to Kurt and I’ve been thankful for that decision ever since. Kurt kn...ows the law inside and out, but just as importantly, he understands the process and how things work. He didn’t waste my time or money on insignificant items. He asked what was important to me and focused on making that happen. My priority was the well-being of my kids and I have no doubt that was Kurt’s priority as well. He cared about me and he cared about what happened to my kids. Kurt’s hard work resulted in me getting custody of my sons and they are happy, well-adjusted, young men today because of that outcome. I have no doubt that the outcome would have been different if Kurt had not been my attorney. It has been 7 years since Kurt settled my divorce and he has helped me countless times since and I have no doubt that my friend’s opinion of him was correct. Kurt is the best!

Posted by anonymous | February 08, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Very satisfied

When I needed an attorney to help me through a divorce from an abusive marriage, my niece recommended Kurt Schnelz and I am very glad I chose to follow her recommendation. Right at the start, Kurt said he liked to handle situations like mine in the most gentlemanly way possible and he favored a perso...nal phone call from him to inform my husband of my filing rather than having him served. Kurt also told me I would be entitled to be recompensed for the monetary difference of our social security benefits going forward which was something I did not know I could ask for. My husband chose a young, budget-priced, inexperienced attorney, a choice he later told me he much regretted. Throughout the process, Kurt was supportive to my situation and encouraging to me. He was diligent in working through the delays caused by my husband and his attorney. The outcome was a settlement that was amiable to both parties. I feel Mr. Schnelz is thoroughly knowledgeable and did an excellent job in handling my case. He kept me informed and always responded to my calls or emails. He explained my options to me and made excellent recommendations. I could not have asked for a better attorney.

Posted by Laurie | February 05, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Excellent choice for family legal matters

Schnelz Wells did a fantastic job helping me and my family through a challenging divorce and custody dispute. Consistently, Kurt Schnelz and his team demonstrated a fair-minded and caring approach that encouraged the best possible outcome for the family, while protecting my financial and legal inter...ests. I highly recommend Schnelz Wells for family matters.

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Kurt E. Schnelz's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Kurt
James O. Elliott headshot
James Elliott

Family lawyer | Mar 23

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements

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This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Experience

Rating:  9.9 (Superb)

Honors

2020

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2013

Roberts P. Hudson Award, State Bar of Michigan

Work Experience

1999 - 2020

Principal, Schnelz Wells, PC

Associations

2004 - Present

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

President Michigan Chapter

2000 - Present

Michigan Inter-Professional Association

Past Trustee

2000 - Present

American Inns of Court

Master

1995 - Present

Oakland County Bar Foundation

Past Trustee

1990 - Present

State Bar of Michigan Foundation

Fellow

1985 - Present

State Bar of Michigan

Master

1985 - Present

Oakland County Bar Association

Past President

1985 - Present

American Bar Association

Member

Education

1985

Detroit College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1979

Alma College

BA - Bachelor of Arts

1973

University of Strassbourg-Strassbourg France

Certificate of Merit

Speaking Engagements

2018

Advanced Family Law Seminar

Practice Pointers

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution