Gutheinz Law Firm, LLP

Michael, Jim, and the entire team carried me and my three children through one of the most difficult seasons of our lives. I was battling stage IV cancer while enduring a nearly three-year, deeply contentious divorce. When my previous attorney became seriously ill and resigned, I felt especially vulnerable. From the moment Michael stepped in, he took on the legal burden so I could focus on my health and my children. He and his team were present at every mediation, hearing, and critical moment. Michael even came to the hospital to reassure me that I was not facing this alone. When I was too sick and overwhelmed to advocate for myself, he advocated for me. Within weeks, Michael secured a new temporary order, made important changes to protect my interests, and helped resolve the divorce within a few months. He would not allow the temporary arrangement to become permanent or work against me. Ultimately, he helped secure a significant portion of the marital property, spousal support, cash payments, and a solid increase in child support. One moment I will never forget was when my former spouse argued that the divorce should not proceed because I was dying and sought to remain under a temporary order that favored him. Michael immediately rejected that position and fought even harder. Michael was determined when it mattered most, yet compassionate throughout the process. He gave me more than financial security; he gave me protection, peace of mind, and the ability to move forward. Michael did not disappear once the divorce was finalized. I am still battling stage IV cancer, and my former spouse has continued creating difficulties involving child support and compliance with the court order. Michael has continued to stand beside me and protect my interests. His commitment did not end when the papers were signed. Michael became much more than my attorney; he became someone I deeply trust and consider a friend. His knowledge, determination, compassion, and humanity changed my life and my children’s lives. If you need an attorney who will fight for you, protect you, show up when it matters, and remain committed even after your case is over, I cannot recommend Michael, Jim, and their team highly enough. I will always be grateful for everything they have done for my family.

They were very personalable and down to earth. Going through a divorce is very complex and confusing and they were extremely knowlegable and patient with every question and detail i had. I would not have the good life i have now if it werent for God and their help.

My son is sick and was in the hospital for 8 months. Mike treated me with disrespect and told me I need a bank account then hung up on me. All I had was a little misdemeanor. Do not use these guys unless you want to sign a deal that you could probably represent yourself for.

I am sharing my experience to provide an objective account of the legal representation I received from Michael Gutheinz. During mediation, he recommended that I sign a document regarding a mediator-recommended CPA forensic firm, noting that the firm was reputable.
Based on my attorney's explanation, I was under the impression that this document was simply an agreement to give us an additional option for a financial solution. I was told that if my husband and I both decided to use this CPA forensic firm in the future, we would split the fees equally. I believed that we retained our full legal rights to choose other, more efficient methods—such as direct mutual negotiation—and that my husband and I still held the ultimate authority to decide how to divide our marital assets.
However, the document I signed was a binding, irrevocable court order. My attorney did not advise me that the document was irrevocable, nor did he inform me that I had the right to leave the mediation without signing anything.
ONE OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT IS THAT IT DRAGS THE ENTIRE DIVORCE CASE INTO A LONGER, MORE COMPLEX, AND MORE EXPENSIVE PROCESS. FURTHERMORE, IT STRIPS THE DIVORCING PARTY OF ANY OTHER FINANCIAL SETTLEMENT OPTIONS, LEAVING THEM WITH NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO BE COURT-ORDERED TO PROCEED WITH THIS SPECIFIC CPA FORENSIC FIRM WITHIN 7 DAYS IF MEDIATION FAILS.
Based on this experience, my advice to anyone undergoing mediation is to take any attorney-proposed documents home to read carefully before signing, especially if mediation has not been successful. You have the right to leave the mediation location without signing any documents on the spot, regardless of an attorney's STRONG recommendation.