PRACTICE
AREAS
ADOPTIONS
We work hard to build families through adoptions.
GUARDIANSHIP ADOPTIONS
We often convert guardianships into adoptions to provide permanency for children.
DIRECT PLACEMENT ADOPTIONS
Also known as private adoption, or independent adoption. We do many of these.
INTERSTATE ADOPTIONS
We often do adoptions from Michigan to other states, and sometimes from other states to Michigan. We are very familiar with ICPC procedures.
ADOPTIONS OF ABUSED & NEGLECTED CHILDREN
We often get involved in foster care adoptions-- especially when there are competing parties who want to adopt the same child.
RELATIVE ADOPTIONS
Often, the best solution for a child is to be adopted by a relative. We do many of these.
READOPTIONS
Many people who adopt in a foreign country need a Michigan birth certificate. We often assist with registration of a foreign birth to accomplish this.
STEPPARENT ADOPTIONS
This can be a very positive experience for everyone including the former parent whose rights are terminated.
ESTATE PLANNING
Our philosophy is to keep estate plans simple and keep them out of court! We can assist you with a will, a trust, durable or medical power of attorney, and other estate planning documents.
Rathert Law Offices
Michigan Adoption Attorneys -- Assisting clients with private, infant, direct, relative, stepparent, interstate (ICPC), foster care, and other types of adoptions.
OUR PRACTICE
Rathert Law Offices provides prompt, friendly, high-quality legal services for individuals and families throughout Michigan. We also assist individuals and married couples residing outside Michigan who wish to adopt a child born in Michigan.
We concentrate our practice in Adoptions, Appeals, Minor Guardianships, Probate, and Estate Planning. Our adoption practice includes: infant, private, direct placement, relative, interstate (ICPC), stepparent, and foster care adoptions. We also assist guardians who want to adopt their ward and married, same-sex couples, as well as single persons who want to adopt.
Please call us at 269-349-6808 or email us at to inquire about how we can help you!
OUR ATTORNEYS
KEN RATHERT
OWNER/ATTORNEY
Tel: 269.349.6808
Ken Rathert has been practicing law in Michigan since 1976. Ken has a wide variety of experience and is a Fellow in the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. Ken served as a mediator in civil cases for the Kalamazoo County Circuit Court for over 20 years. Ken has been a Michigan Adoption Attorney since 1987.
JENNIFER GRAHEK
ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY
Tel: 269.349.6808
Jennifer Grahek began working for Rathert Law Offices in 2001 as a paralegal. She received her Juris Doctor from Cooley Law School in 2007. Jennifer works closely with Ken in a variety of areas, including adoptions, appeals, and estate planning. Jennifer holds a Certificate of Completion in Family Law. Jennifer has been a Michigan Adoption Attorney since 2007.
CONTACT
RATHERT LAW OFFICES
OUR ADDRESS
137 North Park Street Suite 201, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Email:
Tel: 269.349.6808
Fax: 866-571-9807
For any general inquiries, please fill in the following contact form:
