Randall L. Velzen

Randall L. Velzen exclusively practices in the area of family law (including estate planning). He helps his clients through the often complicated divorce process and is highly experienced with such sensitive matters as custody issues, property divisions and support.

Randy was one of the first attorneys in West Michigan to complete Collaborative law training through the Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan ("CPIM"), which is the state board for Collaborative professionals. He was the Board of Director's Chair of CPIM. In addition, Randy is part of the training team PRISM, LLC which trains professionals for Collaborative divorce. Randy is a founding member of the Collaborative Divorce Professionals of West Michigan. In a Collaborative divorce, the parties and attorneys sign a contract committing to try to settle the case. All issues are settled without any court involvement. The primary benefit of Collaborative law is that from the onset of the divorce process all parties are committed to settling the case, rather than pursuing litigation. Only attorneys trained in the Collaborative process can handle a truly Collaborative case. Randy is of the strong conviction that this process of resolving marital disputes with dignity is usually a better and less damaging approach for the families involved.

Currently Randy’s divorce-related practice is about ⅓ Collaborative, ⅓ mediation/arbitration, and ⅓ litigation. There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to dissolving a marriage.
 
Randy's estate planning consists primarily of simple estates with or without children. If there are minor children then there is usually a trust involved. A complete estate plan almost always includes a Durable Power of Attorney and a Patient Advocate form, along with the wills.

Randy is married to Laurie Velzen and they have two sons, Andrew and Benjamin.  Also, they have their first grandchild, Theo.