JESSICA WOLL


With more than 25 years of family law experience, including her knowledge of crisis counseling, Jessica Woll is expertly qualified to guide her clients through the tumultuous experience of divorce and custody disputes. Her finesse at combining knowledge of the many facets of the law, with equal parts compassion, creativity and tenacity, has made her a formidable champion for her clients. Jessica is also a fierce advocate for the well-being of children and her mantra for divorcing parents to “remain child-centric at all times” has helped her clients to remember to keep the best interests of their children in the forefront.

In addition to her law degree from Wayne State University, Jessica holds a degree from the University of Michigan in International Relations and Economic Development, and has lived abroad in England, Japan and Thailand. Her love of travel and experiencing the many cultures of the world has given her a unique perspective both professionally and as an active member of the diverse community that makes up Metro Detroit. These skills have propelled Jessica to the forefront of her field.
July 3, 2014
Published by JESSICA WOLL on July 3, 2014
Categories

Divorce Wisdom: Divorce Challenges for Same Sex Couples

On the eve of the recent surge of states legalizing gay marriage, I was featured in a Detroit Legal News “Asked and Answered” article, where the discussion focused on the struggles that married, gay couples face when they want to divorce. Issues like the division of the marital estate, custody and support are challenges that many divorcing couples must face but same sex couples, living in a state that does not recognize the legality of their marriage, must confront these issues without the support of the family law court system. Gay marriage is not legal in Michigan but there are […]
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March 11, 2014
Published by JESSICA WOLL on March 11, 2014
Categories

Divorce Wisdom: Divorce in the Age of the Internet

In most counties, all court filings are now available on line. In this blog I will explore the impact of this on divorcing couples with minor children. As most people know, you begin a divorce action by filing a complaint for divorce. Once you file the complaint, your case is assigned to a judge and the information, meaning the contents of the documents you file with the court become available to purchase on line shortly thereafter. Since the information is public, the first encounter one may experience as a result of filing is that the non-filing spouse will receive a […]
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January 31, 2014
Published by JESSICA WOLL on January 31, 2014
Categories

Divorce Wisdom: Is it possible to stay friends with an ex after the heartbreak of divorce?

He or she was once your sweetheart, but that bond has been legally broken through divorce. Still, is it possible to stay friends with your ex? In my experience as a divorce and family law attorney for 20 years, I think it depends on the couple and whether children are involved. When there are no children from the marriage, former married couples sometimes remain friends, but usually go their separate ways, often not seeing each other again or letting years pass. However, it’s a different story with children involved. When ex-spouses are co-parents, they remain in contact with each other […]
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December 12, 2013
Published by JESSICA WOLL on December 12, 2013
Categories

Divorce Wisdom: All I want for Christmas is a Perfect Divorce

Usually around the holidays I write about survival tips for divorced parents and how to ensure that your children enjoy the season with as little post-divorce drama as possible. But for this December posting, I was thinking about how many people wait until after January 1st to file for divorce. So, if divorce is on your mind during the holidays, let’s take a look at what a best case scenario looks like. Understand that I do not take the issue of divorce lightly under any circumstance. I know the pain that is involved in making the decision to end a […]
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Read more
October 4, 2013
Published by JESSICA WOLL on October 4, 2013
Categories

Divorce Wisdom: Is He/She Cheating?

As a divorce attorney, many of my cases involve infidelity. Because of this fact, I see patterns of behavior displayed by cheating spouses. Here are nine (9) signs to look out for when you suspect your spouse is not being faithful: 1. Your spouse purchases new lingerie/under garments when the last time that occurred was on your honeymoon. 2. Your spouse carries his/her cellular phone with them always and freaks out when you casually pick up their telephone to make a quick call. 3. Your spouse adds a pass code to all of his/her electronic devises. 4. Your spouse seems […]
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July 23, 2013
Published by JESSICA WOLL on July 23, 2013
Categories

Divorce Wisdom: Pre-Nups and Debts

You hear an awful lot about people obtaining prenuptial agreements before their wedding to protect their money, but what about a prenup to protect you from your spouse’s debt? Ever since the economy went down hill, people have been more pragmatic about the accumulation of debt, especially debt created by another, even if that debt is created by the person they love. As I stated in a prior Blog, a couple engaged to be married can include in their marriage contract (a/k/a “the prenuptial agreement”), basically anything that is legal. An agreement to travel the world or even jump out […]
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June 28, 2013
Published by JESSICA WOLL on June 28, 2013
Categories

Divorce Wisdom: The Pros and Cons of Signing a Prenuptial Agreement

It’s June – the most popular month for a couple to get married. As a divorce attorney, the wedding season typically brings in clients in need of a prenuptial agreement. But I can tell you from experience, prenuptial agreements are not for everyone. Therefore, this blog posting will explore the pros and cons of prenuptial agreements based upon my personal knowledge of drafting them, enforcing them and having them set aside. However, before I begin my list, a basis understanding of what a prenuptial agreement actually is needs to be discussed. A prenuptial agreement (sometimes referred to as an antenuptial […]
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June 5, 2013
Published by JESSICA WOLL on June 5, 2013
Categories

Divorce Wisdom: A Word for Divorcing Parents

I recently came across an excerpt from a hearing held by a Minnesota Family Law Judge, Michael Haas, on the topic of divorcing parents. I read Judge Hass’ statement before as it has been circulating amongst family law practitioners for some time, since the judge’s statements were made in 2001. Despite being over a decade old, Judge Haas’ wise words will forever remain timely. In 2001, Judge Haas had the following to say to a divorcing couple about their minor children: “Your children have come into this world because of the two of you. Perhaps you two made lousy choices […]
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May 15, 2013
Published by JESSICA WOLL on May 15, 2013
Categories

Divorce Wisdom: The Pre-Divorce Checklist

I am often asked by potential clients what he or she can do to get ready for divorce before they are actually ready to push that button. Here are 6 things you can do to better prepare for your divorce: 1. Marriage Counseling: Any couple contemplating divorce might benefit from counseling, if both parties are committed to trying to make counseling work. If marriage counseling is not successful, you may be able to switch from marriage counseling to divorce counseling. If a counselor can help you and your spouse remain civil while you work on a settlement, you will save […]
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Read more
July 3, 2014
Published by JESSICA WOLL on July 3, 2014
Categories

Divorce Wisdom: Divorce Challenges for Same Sex Couples

On the eve of the recent surge of states legalizing gay marriage, I was featured in a Detroit Legal News “Asked and Answered” article, where the discussion focused on the struggles that married, gay couples face when they want to divorce. Issues like the division of the marital estate, custody and support are challenges that many divorcing couples must face but same sex couples, living in a state that does not recognize the legality of their marriage, must confront these issues without the support of the family law court system. Gay marriage is not legal in Michigan but there are […]
Do you like it?
Read more
March 11, 2014
Published by JESSICA WOLL on March 11, 2014
Categories

Divorce Wisdom: Divorce in the Age of the Internet

In most counties, all court filings are now available on line. In this blog I will explore the impact of this on divorcing couples with minor children. As most people know, you begin a divorce action by filing a complaint for divorce. Once you file the complaint, your case is assigned to a judge and the information, meaning the contents of the documents you file with the court become available to purchase on line shortly thereafter. Since the information is public, the first encounter one may experience as a result of filing is that the non-filing spouse will receive a […]
Do you like it?
Read more
January 31, 2014
Published by JESSICA WOLL on January 31, 2014
Categories

Divorce Wisdom: Is it possible to stay friends with an ex after the heartbreak of divorce?

He or she was once your sweetheart, but that bond has been legally broken through divorce. Still, is it possible to stay friends with your ex? In my experience as a divorce and family law attorney for 20 years, I think it depends on the couple and whether children are involved. When there are no children from the marriage, former married couples sometimes remain friends, but usually go their separate ways, often not seeing each other again or letting years pass. However, it’s a different story with children involved. When ex-spouses are co-parents, they remain in contact with each other […]
Do you like it?
Read more
December 12, 2013
Published by JESSICA WOLL on December 12, 2013
Categories

Divorce Wisdom: All I want for Christmas is a Perfect Divorce

Usually around the holidays I write about survival tips for divorced parents and how to ensure that your children enjoy the season with as little post-divorce drama as possible. But for this December posting, I was thinking about how many people wait until after January 1st to file for divorce. So, if divorce is on your mind during the holidays, let’s take a look at what a best case scenario looks like. Understand that I do not take the issue of divorce lightly under any circumstance. I know the pain that is involved in making the decision to end a […]
Do you like it?
Read more
October 4, 2013
Published by JESSICA WOLL on October 4, 2013
Categories

Divorce Wisdom: Is He/She Cheating?

As a divorce attorney, many of my cases involve infidelity. Because of this fact, I see patterns of behavior displayed by cheating spouses. Here are nine (9) signs to look out for when you suspect your spouse is not being faithful: 1. Your spouse purchases new lingerie/under garments when the last time that occurred was on your honeymoon. 2. Your spouse carries his/her cellular phone with them always and freaks out when you casually pick up their telephone to make a quick call. 3. Your spouse adds a pass code to all of his/her electronic devises. 4. Your spouse seems […]
Do you like it?
Read more
July 23, 2013
Published by JESSICA WOLL on July 23, 2013
Categories

Divorce Wisdom: Pre-Nups and Debts

You hear an awful lot about people obtaining prenuptial agreements before their wedding to protect their money, but what about a prenup to protect you from your spouse’s debt? Ever since the economy went down hill, people have been more pragmatic about the accumulation of debt, especially debt created by another, even if that debt is created by the person they love. As I stated in a prior Blog, a couple engaged to be married can include in their marriage contract (a/k/a “the prenuptial agreement”), basically anything that is legal. An agreement to travel the world or even jump out […]
Do you like it?
Read more
June 28, 2013
Published by JESSICA WOLL on June 28, 2013
Categories

Divorce Wisdom: The Pros and Cons of Signing a Prenuptial Agreement

It’s June – the most popular month for a couple to get married. As a divorce attorney, the wedding season typically brings in clients in need of a prenuptial agreement. But I can tell you from experience, prenuptial agreements are not for everyone. Therefore, this blog posting will explore the pros and cons of prenuptial agreements based upon my personal knowledge of drafting them, enforcing them and having them set aside. However, before I begin my list, a basis understanding of what a prenuptial agreement actually is needs to be discussed. A prenuptial agreement (sometimes referred to as an antenuptial […]
Do you like it?
Read more
June 5, 2013
Published by JESSICA WOLL on June 5, 2013
Categories

Divorce Wisdom: A Word for Divorcing Parents

I recently came across an excerpt from a hearing held by a Minnesota Family Law Judge, Michael Haas, on the topic of divorcing parents. I read Judge Hass’ statement before as it has been circulating amongst family law practitioners for some time, since the judge’s statements were made in 2001. Despite being over a decade old, Judge Haas’ wise words will forever remain timely. In 2001, Judge Haas had the following to say to a divorcing couple about their minor children: “Your children have come into this world because of the two of you. Perhaps you two made lousy choices […]
Do you like it?
Read more
May 15, 2013
Published by JESSICA WOLL on May 15, 2013
Categories

Divorce Wisdom: The Pre-Divorce Checklist

I am often asked by potential clients what he or she can do to get ready for divorce before they are actually ready to push that button. Here are 6 things you can do to better prepare for your divorce: 1. Marriage Counseling: Any couple contemplating divorce might benefit from counseling, if both parties are committed to trying to make counseling work. If marriage counseling is not successful, you may be able to switch from marriage counseling to divorce counseling. If a counselor can help you and your spouse remain civil while you work on a settlement, you will save […]
Do you like it?
Read more
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