Andrea Banfield

For a Confidential Consultation, Message or Call Andrea: (517) 552-2459

Family matters.

Andrea has a profound respect for her clients and the role she plays in some of the most difficult chapters of their lives. From thoughtful estate planning and out-of-court settlements to the most intensely-litigated cases, Andrea seeks to help clients find fair resolutions and reduce unnecessary conflict for their families. Andrea is uniquely qualified to handle your case with the optimal combination of personal attention, integrity and efficiency needed during your difficult time.

Andrea’s practice areas include:

  • Divorce and Family Law

  • Child Support and Spousal Support

  • Custody and Parenting Time

  • Mediation and Collaborative Law

  • Estate Planning

  • Estate Administration and Probate Litigation

  • Guardianship and Conservatorship 

She is qualified in both Mediation and Collaborative Divorce law and has more than a decade of experience serving Livingston County and the surrounding counties. Collaborative, Mediation Services, and Streamline Divorce matters are available in Genesee, Oakland, and Washtenaw counties, by advance agreement.

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Andrea’s Background

Andrea has deep ties to Livingston County. Her mother spent her summers vacationing on Briggs Lake in Brighton in the 1950s. Her parents moved the family to Brighton in 1978, and she attended Brighton Area Schools from grade school through high school. Her mother raised Andrea and her brother while her father worked the midnight shift as a union assembly line worker at the Ford Rouge Steel Plant in Dearborn, often commuting seven days a week to enable them to raise their family in this county.

Andrea earned her Bachelor of Science from Eastern Michigan University and her law degree from the Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University. After spreading her wings and exploring bigger cities, she felt pulled back to Livingston County, where she chose to raise her own family. Andrea may be a Brighton Bulldog, but her children became Howell Highlanders, following their father’s path. This personal connection to family and community influenced how she designed her practice — balancing professional excellence with the ability to remain present for her children.

As a mother, business owner and lifelong Livingston County resident from a working class background, Andrea has a deep understanding of the complex issues facing families in the region. She knows the extraordinary sacrifices that families go through and works hard to vigorously advance each client’s interests while being mindful of the harm that extended litigation can have on families if the wrong approach is taken to resolve family law and estate matters.  That’s why Andrea approaches every case with the end result in mind — strategically planning each step to achieve the strongest possible outcome while minimizing unnecessary conflict for clients already navigating significant personal and professional change.

Community Involvement

In addition to her legal acumen, Andrea is known as a respected leader in Livingston County. She has served as a board member of both the Livingston County Child Abuse Prevention Council and Women’s Resource Center (which later merged with LACASA). She was appointed by the Livingston County Board of Commissioners to the Livingston County Friend of the Court Advisory Board, serving for nearly a decade. 

She has been elected to the Brighton Downtown Development Authority, helping implement projects to support Brighton businesses and beautification of her hometown. In addition to her local elected roles, Andrea was elected to a three-year term to State Bar of Michigan Family Law Council and asked to fill a recent vacancy on the State Bar of Michigan’s Representative Assembly as the Representative for Livingston County. These two roles have paired her up with legal leaders across the state to advocate for better systems within our courts.

Andrea is also a long-time member of Mediate First Michigan, an organization that shares her commitment to guiding families toward resolving legal matters using mediation and other out-of-court options, when possible.

Accolades

Andrea is passionate about her role as an advocate and adviser for her clients and believes in the importance of open communication and taking innovative approaches to resolving conflicts. That approach has had a profoundly positive impact on the lives of her clients and their families. Just one year after it was founded, Banfield Couling Law and Mediation was voted Livingston’s Best Law Firm in 2021. Andrea herself has consistently been voted Livingston County's "Best Lawyer" (2014, 2015 and 2016) and “Best Divorce Attorney” (2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023), proof of her track record as one of the most highly respected and effective family law and estate planning attorneys in the region, and a testament to the integrity and deep level of trust that Banfield Couling Law and Mediation has built in the community. 

For Michigan Family Law Representation or Mediation Services, Contact Andrea

Andrea M. Banfield, Attorney at Law, welcomes your inquiries. Click below to schedule a consultation with an experienced Livingston County lawyer handling divorce, estate planning and more.

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Testimonials

“I used Andrea for my divorce and she was so friendly and attentive. If there were a 10 star rating I would give Andrea a 10 star rating. Andrea is very professional and always greets you with a smile. Andrea made me feel so comfortable from the start to finish. I would definitely recommend Andrea to anyone who needs her services.”

-Mother (Livingston County, MI)

“In my opinion, Andrea is the best divorce lawyer in Livingston County. You will not find a better person to represent you. Andrea’s integrity is off the charts. Andrea and her staff are topnotch professionals that will treat you and your situation with kindness and respect, and correctly guide you through your difficult times.”

—Father (Livingston County, MI)

“I would not trust your divorce with anyone else! She is professional, caring goes above and beyond! My divorce was handled with respect and she did everything and more that I needed or could even think of needing. Her office staff was always helpful if I needed to run in and get any documents or just had questions. I am so glad I had Mrs. Banfield on my side! She is truly the best out there!”

—Mother (Livingston County, MI)

“Andrea has been amazing! Her and her staff are great with quick responses, work ethic, and keeping up on current law. I am so glad I chose them to represent me!”

—Wife (Livingston County, MI)

“Andrea is a fantastic, professional and brilliant attorney. Every client of hers who I have spoken with has mentioned that she does great work and provides exceptional service. I continue to refer my clients to her for family law needs, and I have known her for 20 years.”

—Jesse Sweeney (Attorney)