Mike Fenerty primarily concentrates his practice in domestic relations or family law. Mike also represents clients in probate and estate administration matters as well as preparing wills and other necessary estate planning documents. He is an accomplished litigator with considerable success in many areas of the law.
In domestic relations matters, Mike counsels and represents husbands and wives in divorce, separation, spousal support, alimony and equitable distribution matters. He represents fathers and mothers, grandparents and third parties in child custody and custody relocation cases. He represents parents and caregivers in child support cases. Mike handles many adoptions including step-parent and second parent adoptions. Mike has also had great success prosecuting and defending clients in protection from abuse matters.
In probate or estate administration matters, Mike represents families in the administration of the estate of a deceased person from immediate consultation after the passing of a party through the entire probate process and including the preparation and filing of the Inheritance Tax Return. In Guardianship matters, Mike represents families in securing guardianship over incapacitated relatives who can no longer manage their own affairs.
In furtherance of the firm’s social mission and its tradition of giving back to the profession and the community, Mike serves as pro bono corporate counsel to several non-profit organizations. He has also accepted pro bono court appointments as a Guardian Ad Litem or Child Advocate in complex custody cases in order to protect the interests of children whose families are in crises. Mike has been a presenter and panelist in the Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s continuing legal education seminar, “Handling Your First Divorce Case.” He also authored portions of the seminar’s companion publication, “Your First Divorce Case” (Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2010). In 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 he was honored as a member of the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania's Pro Bono Honor Roll.
WHAT INSPIRES ME ABOUT MY WORK
“The most inspiring thing about my practice is the knowledge that when my clients first contact me, they are often are overwhelmed or scared and experiencing the worst moments of their lives. In Family Law matters, clients may be facing the loss of their family, their marriage, custody of their kids, their home, their income, their retirement assets; basically, many of the things that may define their identity and their family life. In Estate and Probate matters, they are usually dealing with the death of a spouse or a parent or other loved one and all of the legal and financial complexities which such an event creates. In Guardianship cases, they have hit the point where they can no longer protect a loved one and need immediate help. Therefore, I want my clients know that I will fight hard for them and be there for them every step of the way; and most importantly, they should know that their case is just as important to me as it is to them.”
AWAY FROM WORK
Mike is a native Philadelphian with deep roots in his River Wards community. He founded and served as president of his local civic association. He is also an active father who coaches baseball for the Taney Dragons and the Philadelphia Thunder Baseball Club. When he isn’t coaching baseball or watching his son play sports, Mike is a long-suffering Philadelphia sports fan. He is also a passionate fan of many types of music. He lives with his wife, his son and a Golden Retriever named “Boomer.”