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28 Dec, 2017 by Anonymous
Felt like she was rushing to be finished talking with me, nor was she interested in listening to me, also came off kind of rude.
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02 Oct, 2015 by Betty
My dad died without a will or anything planned for his house. For years, my brother and I paid the mortgage and taxes without realizing we had to open a probate case to get our names on the house. Thankfully, we found Amanda and she was able to get our names on the house.
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25 Jun, 2015 by Anonymous
Mrs. Meyer was my attorney in a custody battle between me and my ex. In a case that I had a slim to none chance of winning, she got me so much more than anyone else thought that I would get in court. I would highly recommend this attorney to anyone that is in need of legal assistance.
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03 Jan, 2024 by Sarah
Beth was a highly effective and compassionate attorney! I always felt heard and supported during the divorce process (which was greatly appreciated since it was a difficult time personally). She also explained what could be complicated legal jargon in a way I clearly understood. Beth managed my expectations and always presented a very realistic picture of the situation. I could not recommend her enough!!!
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08 Sep, 2023 by Katelyn
I’m going to be honest. Upon consultation, I hated the hard truths about my situation. I’d much rather be told what I want to hear. Elizabeth, however, told me what I needed to hear. Upon hire, she went above and beyond. She went the extra mile to make my process quick and effective. She took it upon herself to keep my home address off of the court filing to further help protect my identity, which I did not ask her to do. It means so much to me that she did. My court case results were better than I anticipated. After that victory, I have since reached out to Cox & Koons about a separate issue that I was looking for representation on. Elizabeth and Collin clearly share the same morals because with many opportunities to take more money, they have been patient to explain expected results and why we should or shouldn’t pursue certain routes. Pursuing one direction would give them money, but because it wasn’t going to help me, they were honest about what our goals should be. I will always use them in the future. They have earned my complete respect by valuing my results over earning a dollar.
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22 Nov, 2019 by Anonymous
I really would never recommend this woman to anyone, not even my enemies. Absolutely HORRIBLE bedside manners, completely unprofessional in responding to emails - you are lucky if you get a response within a month - and incredibly condescending tone. Emails would take forever to respond and most of the times would be completely wrong and utterly rude since she wasn’t taking the time to read them properly.
This woman was willing to recommend against what the judge’s orders provided in my custody case, knowingly it would hurt my family just because she never consulted with the order. And I would have to pay for that... She has absolutely has NO idea about family law and is biased against minorities. She works for a low income firm and discussed “poor annoying people” in my consultation with her.
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16 Dec, 2020 by Anonymous
It was clear almost immediately that money was her primary focus. I do not feel she acted as my advocate at an incredibly vulnerable time in my life. She seemed to mediate during mediation rather than advocate for my best interests.
I was confused and vulnerable and found her compassion to be lacking. I was not adequately prepared by her for the very important mediation, and was required to correct many gross errors myself on mediation documents at the last minute under rushed circumstances.
Bonnie did not request a much-needed appraisal that cost me a lot of money.
The language in the final agreement was not clearly defined and resulted in additional arbitration or attorney effort and fees to clarify the provisions. I was ultimately required to hire another lawyer at much expense to try to fix some of the problems created. Essentially I felt "thrown under the bus" by this attorney.
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30 Jan, 2017 by Anonymous
I consulted with Bonnie about a child support case when I had lost my job and was trying to get an adjustment. She suggested I not pay until the court date that had been set for the adjustment. Following that advice cost me tens of thousands of dollars mostly due to a thrashing of my credit report, but also due to fees and interest the DES began charging. Do not trust Bonnie with anything related to child support.
She also brought up the fact that she wanted to be paid before I left the office more than three times throughout the one hour consultation. Once would have sufficed. If that's the sort of experience you want, definitely call Bonnie.
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25 Jun, 2015 by Anonymous
When you first enter into divorce proceedings the whole process can be intimidating and trust me YOU DO NOT KNOW THE LAWS (even if you think that you do)! We all think about money. I can tell you don't shop for a lawyer based on the cheapest as it will cost you more in the long run if you are not represented well. Bonnie is not the cheapest, but she is the BEST! I had been married over 30 years and my children are all adults. Bonnie worked with me for almost a year (yes mine was MESSY!) and in the end we were able to get a binding agreement with my Ex. You may say "So what?" It kept me from a judge deciding my fate which could have been much worse because they look at your last 5 years of annual income (they were very good years).
In divorce there are NO winners, however I can say that I wasn't a loser either and I am enjoying my life now! After you get through your divorce Bonnie will tell you one more thing..."Do not get married again without a PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT"! Words of wisdom! I HIGHLY recommend Bonnie Booden!
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20 Dec, 2023 by Anonymous
I PAID THIS LAWYER ALMOST $3,000 & HE DIDNT DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME IN MY CUSTODY CASE ONLY SIDE WITH THE PLAINTIFF & MAKE ME LOOK BAD. HE HARDLY EVER COMMUNICATED , ANSWERED MY CALLS OR EMAILS. HE NEVER USED ANY OF MY EVIDENCE TO HELP MY CASE OR FILED MOTION ON MY BEHAVE. LAST CONVO HE PROMISED TO FIX MY VISITATION ORDER TO ONLY BE HIT WITH A MOTION PAPER FROM HIM TO WITHDRAW MY CASE WHEN I WAS HIT WITH HEARING AROUND THE CORNER & LEFT ME TO DRY. HE HAS NO EMOTION OR COMPASSION FOR HIS CLIENTS AT ALL . I SWEAR TO YOU HE WAS ABOUT TO MAKE ME LOOSE MY KIDS. WORST EXPERIENCE EVER. PLEASE DONT HIRE THIS LAWYER TAKE YOUR MONEY. IM DISTRAUGHT FROM THIS SITUATION.
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23 Jul, 2020 by Robert
I haven’t ever written a review on anything or anyone in my life.
Mr. Ceruzzi deserves to have some light she’d on the caliber of individual he is. My children were abducted, and removed from the state. This was the result of a highly contentious divorce, spanning over 3 states, foreign custody orders, and enough drama to require weeks for trial prep. I hired Mr. Ceruzzi on a Friday, he represented me on a Monday! He took the time to hear me out, and he’s the first of 4 lawyers in this process that truly cared.
He never mentioned the bias towards men getting custody of children, never uttered one negative outlook on the case, and that’s not a common trait these days.
Mr. Ceruzzi placed my daughters well being above other cases that were more pressing I’m sure! Mr. Ceruzzi is the reason I have full custody of my daughters. He’s the reason they have their own beds to sleep in. He’s the reason I wasn’t forced out of my daughter’s lives.
Words can’t describe how much the acts this man did for my family meant to me.
If you want someone who identifies and is just as passionate as you are about the case at hand... I’d say there is no better option than Mr. Ceruzzi.
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15 Mar, 2018 by Anonymous
Mr. Ceruzzi has assisted in helping my family members in several matters; traffic, eviction, will, and several more. Thanks for a job well done.
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07 Nov, 2017 by Anonymous
Erin was very attentive and knowledgeable during my divorce process. She was supportive and kind as well which is important during a divorce. She took time to calmly explain things that were happening during the entire process when things were confusing and stressful. She was willing to listen and was responsive to emails, messages and phone calls. She was a much needed voice of reason during a very difficult time for myself and my family. I would highly recommend her services. Her office and support staff are also friendly and professional.
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01 Jul, 2014 by S
After years of working with Erin on grand parenting rights ,she did get them for me. However after tens of thousands of dollars in attorney and court fees ,Erin would not file my stayed order of con-tempt on the other party that would"nt follow the court order.Erin sent me a letter of withdrawal of counsel notice. My on going battle with other party still a nightmare, broke without counsel.
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10 Oct, 2013 by Linda
If I had to pick just a couple words for Erin I'd choose intelligent, strategic, and honest. She was incredibly thoughtful about picking strategies that worked in my case--she knew when and how hard to push, when to wait and not "take the bait," and when to change approaches. I had an ex who was abusive and continued those tactics through the legal system, to the extent possible, and she kept me calm through what was a really dark time, I am lucky she was my guide and advocate through it. And we won! I'd recommend her to anyone in a child custody/child support case.
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29 Jan, 2024 by Robert boyer
If your public defender is David L. Beyer
Assistant Public Defender, best of luck. This guy is a joke. I swear his law degree came from a cracker jack box. Was never present, always had to have another lawyer stand in. I swear he was more against me then the DA themselves were. Beyer, you're a shameful excuse for a lawyer. I would have been better off on my own.
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03 Sep, 2019 by David gehret
Great site all the info I was looking for.
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16 Apr, 2017 by Daniel kiss
After Passarello Law, next best criminal defense attorneys in town
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13 Nov, 2023 by Anonymous
Worst person ever she goes against the system does not follow any of the guidelines or laws she makes it impossible for a mother to be reunified with her kids she during court sessions she tries to manipulate the plane have to say what she wants the messiah last in the same question many different ways she should be ashamed of herself she pulls up criminal records from 23 years so that the child would not be with family she’s a very corrupted attorney and she should be removed from her post
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24 Jan, 2023 by Marsha
She's caused enough trouble in the community. I wouldn't believe a bad thing about CYS. Until this lawyer turned on me. After court I was sobbing and she was smiling. As if I was a problem.
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23 Apr, 2013 by Anonymous
Erin represented a relative of mine a few years back. She was very honest with her (us) about what could be expected, speaking in terms that were easy for those of us without her background to understand. She's tough, but compassionate, and a hard worker.
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08 Dec, 2020 by Ethan
At the lowest point of my life, Mr. Stansell
Helped me pick up the pieces. He was always communicative, answering calls or emails from me well outside regular hours. He offered wonderful advice and truly helped make this divorce and child custody process bearable. I cannot recommend enough.
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02 Oct, 2017 by Anonymous
Talked a good talk, but did very little. I never received communication, documents, returned phone calls. Was not informed of a court date, nor was the opposing counsel! Billed several thousand dollars for nothing. Left firm abruptly (I assume he was fired) which was the only positive thing that happened.
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13 Jun, 2017 by Tyler
Being faced with a divorce while on deployment, Mr. Stansell took excellent care and represented me throughout the process. He was attentive, responsive, and a calming force during a very hard time in my life. He answered all my questions and helped me to make sense of divorce proceedings when I wasn't even in the country. He helped me find contractors to do work on my home so it could be put on the market, appraisers for cars and jewelry - he really was an outstanding attorney. I highly recommend Zachariah to anyone who is looking for someone who knows their stuff, is aggressive when necessary and will represent you and your interests well, and also give honest feedback throughout the process. He is a five star attorney and worth every penny. Cannot thank him enough for what he did for me and my family.
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14 Jun, 2018 by Michelle
After having a difficult time (and that’s being nice) being able to see his kids, my boyfriend and I decided to seek legal help. He was told about Mary Napier, and we decided to go for a consultation because it couldn’t hurt to see if she could help. After having a horrible experience with another law firm he was not expecting much. From day 1, Mary has been able to answer any and all questions we’ve had (and I have a lot as I’ve never gone through anything like this before). My boyfriends ex was something else at the beginning of all this, and all he wanted to do was be a father. Mary actually spoke up for him in court, which he didn’t have before with his former lawyer. She listened to what we had to say and didn’t sugar coat things..which I appreciate! I’ve been extremely happy with Mary’s willingness to explain things to me. Let’s be honest, child support and custody is a difficult process. She made it as painless and easy as possible. The only issue I had was sometimes my emails would go unanswered, and I completely understand she is a very busy person! Maybe having an assistant help out with emails could help her out some. We are very, very thankful and happy with our outcome. He gets to be the best father to his 2 girls..co-parenting is actually happening with his ex (hallelujah!) and I get to be a “step” mom to the most precious and sweetest girls. Our little family thanks Mary Napier for everything she’s done for us!
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31 Jan, 2017 by Anonymous
Just typing her name gives me awful anxiety. Mary Napier doesn't understand the impact her poor decisions have on her clients. After working with her for nearly an entire year, she went to our first court date completely unprepared, not even understanding the basic facts of our case. She consistently ignores her emails, and when asked about the lack of communication she told me I have to schedule a phone conference if I want speedy communication. That isn't much to ask, so i started setting up phone appointments. We live out of state so we couldn't meet in person. She missed 4 appointments in a row on the phone after telling us that it was the best way to contact her. Additionally, any time we asked a question she would snicker or chuckle like we were asking a silly question. She never reassured us of anything when we had concerns. The answers all sounded the same. "Well I can't say either way," "well it COULD work for you, but I can't say for certain," "I mean I honestly can't really say." These are just a few examples of her terrible responses to our questions. After our first hearing, she sent us an email saying it went great. As we read the email, it turns out every single thing our "opponent" asked for was granted. How exactly did you come to the conclusion that court went well, when you failed to explain to the judge even the most basic and essential points of our side? It's like we spent $1500 on a lawyer for the other party. Mary is condescending and useless in the courtroom. In fact, I'm confident that I could have represented myself with better results than we had with this lawyer.
Mary doesn't keep track of important points, she doesn't take the time to understand the full story, she is terrible at communicating, and she lacks the passion necessary to defend people in cases that change their entire lives. She doesn't understand that as a lawyer, it is her duty to zealously represent her clients. She also doesn't understand that if she isn't performing her job well, she is impacting the client for the rest of their life. To her, it's like the paycheck is all that matters.
We decided we were fed up when Mary thought it would be appropriate to HANG UP on us after we told her we feel she lacks empathy and compassion for our case.
The saddest part of this for Mary Napier is that our son is only 3 years old now, and we will likely be needing a lawyer until he is 18 due to the difficult relationship with his birth mother. We were looking for a lawyer we could maintain a working relationship with and return to for cases in the future. Unfortunately, Mary wasted almost a year of our lives that we will never get back, and at a critical time in the development of our son.
It is blatantly obvious that this attorney doesn't know what she's doing. Save yourself the time and money and heartache and find somebody else!!
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01 Sep, 2016 by Anonymous
Mary Napier went above and beyond for me with my child custody case. I was asking for 50/50 joint custody, however she managing to get me primary physical and legal custody. She was very professional and always knew the answer to any legal questions I asked. I felt like the odds were against me going into court but during court her professionalism and experience made me optimistic before the judge decided. I would recommend her to anyone in a child custody battle especially a father.
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01 Feb, 2023 by Alex
I have been working with Atty. Saull for going on 9 years. I never go in to court doubting her knowledge or abilities. Phone and office visits happen for updates, communication is fairly easy, and if you aren’t sure what something means, she gladly informs. Each time working with her, the problem is solved with the most positive outcome. I would, and do, 100% recommend Kelle.
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03 Oct, 2022 by Anonymous
She didn't listen, didn't care and just wanted to finish it up. Worst experience ever. She didn't communicate and just swooped in to finish up the case after 2 years of work. She didn't care about my child or the situation. She probably doesn't even know my kids name. She doesn't know how to talk to someone unless its condescending.
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13 Nov, 2020 by Anonymous
Had an appointment set up to speak with this attorney only to be called two hours prior to appointment, with appointment set up for days before Appointment time, telling him that there was a conflict of interest. I don’t feel this was very professional nor did they do their due diligence if there was a conflict and the days prior before the appointment time!
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06 Jun, 2023 by Barb
Mr. Sharp worked with us and quickly filed the paperwork to get my husband and I custody of a young relative. He was communicative and helped us with any concerns. He explained the process in a way that we felt like we understood what our options were and could make the best decisions. I would hire him again but hope I won't have to.
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28 Jan, 2023 by Amanda
Mr. Matthew Sharp has been fired. He took money for both his personal fee and filing fee to take someone to court, but he never did. He was hired for about two years to do this simple job instead all he did was file with the court after a year when he was about to be dismissed and assume his resignation for not doing his job and not communicating for months at a time...he pocked the serv papers money and never served the papers...I gave him several more months to give him a chance...but he showed me he was just pulling my leg. So he has been fired and stole my funds. He also never gave me my file or showed what work he performed.
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18 Sep, 2015 by Anonymous
I sent Robin an email for potential representation and she responded immediately. She was very knowledgable about the process and fair in her pricing structure.
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04 Sep, 2014 by Suzanne
She was suppose to represent us as Intended parent and she does not return emails or phone calls within 48 hours! What kind of attorney does that? Whether she's good or not, there are other attorneys who are better! Don't go to her! She may be good before but this is 2014 and she's no good and her reviews are outdated.
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09 Dec, 2023 by Shaquana
At the height of the pandemic I was a newly admitted lawyer attempting to navigate my new profession on my own in my own law firm. Attorney Geddings and I were opposing counsel but even then he helped me which most wouldn't have done . Since then he's been a constant source of knowledge, assistance , and a pure friend . There aren't too many areas of law that he is not familiar with and he is always willing to help. I would not be half the lawyer I am without him!
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25 May, 2019 by Brenda
Paid lawyer $5000 to get land subdivided and taxes reimbursed. After 3 year neither request was completed. New lawyer came on board and completed same job within 30 days. Have yet to be refunded money. Please be careful have all documentation to show.
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21 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
One star is too many, zero should be an option. The amount of damage Tamara did to my case is unforgivable. She made glaring errors, completely forgot to file orders, would ignore emails/calls/texts for months and months on end, and gave advice that has harmed the lives of many, including children.
She made no efforts to take accountability for what she did or try and fix the damage done, withdrawing when the full scope of her mistakes became apparent. It will take years to attempt to undo what she did, and more money than I can imagine.
Tamara should not be a licensed attorney. She has been reported to the office of professional misconduct with hundreds of pages of documented evidence. I will take all necessary steps to hold her accountable for her actions so she cannot do this to another unsuspecting client.
Do not consider her in your search for an attorney if you are looking for competency and professionalism, or even just an attorney you’d like to be able to get a hold of within a month two. There are bad attorneys, then there are attorneys who will ruin your life. Tamara is the latter.
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01 Feb, 2021 by Ashley
She helped me through some incredibly hard times this last year. I have PTSD and she did everything for me concerning my ex so I didn’t even have to speak directly to him. She helped my divorce go through and made me feel incredibly comfortable the entire time. She listens attentively and was always comforting and never judgmental. I can never thank her enough for all that she has done for me and my family.
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06 Mar, 2024 by Donna
Working with Ms. Miller was a joy. She promptly answered all my calls and emails. The case was disposed of quickly. Would definitely recommend!
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07 Dec, 2023 by Kerry
This law firm is very disorganized. Additionally, Gabriella Miller was extremely rude and disrespectful. I would not retain this law firm or her at all.
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05 Dec, 2023 by Unbelievable
I can’t believe the amount of funds you charge for a simple divorce, I would never recommend you or your firm to represent anyone I know,
Unbelievable
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21 Aug, 2013 by Lisa
Wonderful experience during a difficult time. Quality representation at an affordable cost. Was able to obtain joint custody, when my ex wanted full custody. Kept me informed and was sensitive to all parties involved. Made me feel secure and comfortable about my case. Did not sugar coat anything. Went to her desperate and left feeling much stronger!
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31 Jul, 2023 by Crystal sellers
You can't get the man to call you back you can never leave a message cuz the mailbox is full apparently he doesn't have a secretary he's very unprofessional at this point
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03 Dec, 2020 by Stephanie graska-casdorph
31 Jul, 2023 by Crystal sellers
You can't get the man to call you back you can never leave a message cuz the mailbox is full apparently he doesn't have a secretary he's very unprofessional at this point
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03 Dec, 2020 by Stephanie graska-casdorph
10 Aug, 2015 by Anonymous
Our case was very time sensitive and i feel like he did nothing but waste our time. We talked to him at the beginning of may. Paid him the money he asked for that day and the next time we heard him was the beginning of July. We called all the time, tried to get a hold of him every chance we could, but he was too busy doing other things. He never called us back never emailed us back never made any attempts to contacts us about what to do. He wasted the time that was precious to us. When we found another lawyer he apologized for being busy and told us he would get us a refund of some of the money he gave us. We waited a week before calling him because the check hadn't come yet. He forgot to send it. My mother in law had to drive and pick up the check personally from him to get it. I think he was a horrible lawyer.
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10 Sep, 2009 by Amanda
Mr. henderson did my bankruptcy and my divorce. He did a good job. I would recommend him to a friend.
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12 Jun, 2018 by Christin
Ms. Marquez-Kelly was an amazing advocate for our families needs at a time when we really needed assistance. Her professionalism and style was very reassuring at the precise time. She was very easy to discuss our case with and we really appreciated the free consultation we had prior to hiring her. I felt at ease and was confident after meeting with her that she was the right attorney for my case. As it turns out, she was definitely the right attorney for us.
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01 Nov, 2016 by Anonymous
She promised me the world and delivered nothing. Charges for everything! A simple 2 minute call to forwarding an email to you will run you a minimum of $50. Retainer gone within a couple weeks and nothing accomplished.
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07 Jun, 2023 by Anonymous
Had to hire another Attorney to undo the mess that was created. I ended up completely broke due to the extensive legal fees.
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23 May, 2017 by Andrew
Andrea Wells represented me for my divorce and was very professional, knowledgeable and pleasant to work with. My calls were returned promptly, we collaborated well and she did a great job negotiating the divorce agreement. I highly recommend her.
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28 Dec, 2023 by Roberto
I honestly was very disappointed with this experience. On the time we worked, she was very distracted with various cases, returning very disoriented, forgetting things we already discussed and not really focus on my case but charging premium money. She missed a few deadlines, made several mistakes on
simple paperwork and charge for work that she did not do. At the end, she refused to give the documents that she created for me, really bad lawyer, but karma is there for all of us, so all the best Lisa.
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25 Jun, 2018 by Luis
I was very happy with the services provided to me. I would recommend anyone to hire her
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01 Apr, 2018 by Lisa wen sen
My attorney didn't do anything. Didn't try or put any effort in my case. He was a replacement for my previous court appointed attorney. Did the least amount of effort. Took the side of the prosecutor. Was bias. Prejudice.
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07 Feb, 2017 by Tosha
Needed a real estate attorney to prepared a deed in a urgent situation due to a terminal illness with my grandmother, Kerry and his wife prepared the deed and came to the hospital to notarize the deed within 3 hours of my call! They were wonderful kind and very friendly. My family and I greatly appreciated their time and understanding! I would recommend Kerry to everyone!
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25 May, 2021 by David
Ms. Serlis has assisted me with several legal matters over the years and I have always been very pleased with her work. She always stayed in close contact with me, always informed me of any new developments, wrote excellent documents and had great trial skills. Just recently, she successfully helped me with a family law matter, for which I am very grateful to her. I would recommend her without any reservation.
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29 Jun, 2020 by Anonymous
She was never dressed professionally, did not keep in contact, and I had to ask her to send the remainder of my funds instead of them automatically being forwarded to me. I paid a huge amount of fees for calls and emails. I never ended up going to family court and Irene Serlis took 80% of my retainer. Overall unprofessional, I do not recommend.
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18 Sep, 2019 by Anonymous
Mrs. Williams is a honest and did a excellent job representing me on a family matter for time share and support. She is very honest and direct and will do what is best for the child. She is compassionate and available for questions related to your case. If you are unable to reach her by phone, she is just as fast with emails. I would recommend her for anyone who has a legal matter. I definitely will hire her again if in need of a lawyer.
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24 Apr, 2016 by Anonymous
She was horrible I hired her and she barely saw me and never talked to me yet she overcharged me and my family.
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10 Nov, 2020 by Paula
My father had gotten to the age where he repeated himself constantly. He knew exactly what he wanted and exactly what he was doing but he was just telling it over and over again. So he needed to be treated a little more lovingly then he used to be. And Jennifer was extremely nice and kind and worked with us as he told her stories over and over again
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03 Mar, 2019 by Randall
Jennifer Hildebrand is the worse she withdrew as my appeal attorney and left me in the middle of appeal and my whole case got dismissed never trust this Attorney !
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12 Aug, 2016 by Anonymous
Month after month passed, and each time I met with him he would scribble on his notepad but not offer me legal advice. I felt like I was paying for a very expensive scribe rather than a divorce attorney. He did not show any compassion or consideration for my case, and at times I felt he was working on my wife's behalf with his advice. I had to fire him and seek another attorney which was like night and day.
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20 Dec, 2010 by Anonymous
I was very happy with Blake & Allen, P.C. They not only showed professionalism but made me feel "at ease" when discussing my legal matter. I found my needs to be handled appropriately. If and when I need a law firm again, Blake & Allen would be my choice. Thank you for everything.
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07 Apr, 2024 by Joshua
I was involved in a dependency case with my 2 children that stemmed from an incident where their mother was arrested for child neglect. We had been separated for going on 2 years, and this particular incident was kept from me. We had been time sharing with the children for over a year, and I had my children with me every week. Mr Cserep was my court appointed attorney, and I do not recommend him after what I've experienced. Mr Cserep did the same thing to me that he was publicly reprimanded for in 2018, failing to communicate with his clients. I tried to reach Mr. Cserep for a month almost with no response. He was available though at our first court date through zoom in the courtroom, but was only available through audio since his camera was "broken". Mr. Cserep claimed he had been trying to reach me and wasn't able to. When I produced a list of all the times and ways I had tried to contact Mr. Cserep, the judge questioned him about whether or not he had received emails from me on certain dates, and Mr. Cserep admitted he did receive my communications, and neglected to respond. This is just one instance of the absurdity and aversion that I encountered throughout my family court experience. Mr. Cserep continued to disappoint me throughout this process until I ultimately decided to remove myself from the proceedings. I thought I would find justice and logic going before a judge, but instead I only found absurdity and aversion. My relationship with my children has suffered so much throughout this process and has ultimately caused irreversible damage. I have been hurt more than you could imagine, and ultimately alienated from my children. My children's mother was given custody after being convicted of felony child neglect, and I lost my rights as a parent. Very eye opening and very sad experience.
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08 Oct, 2020 by Shelly
Mr. Richard stepped in for a brief moment and helped me so much he bought me more time to perfect our situation thank you so much
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25 Mar, 2014 by Caron
Ms. Schnur picked up my child support modification case at virtually the last minute after my former attorney had a unavoidable issue which prevented him from being in court. Ms. Schnur was very personable, attentive, and helpful out of court, and very professional and knowledgeable in court. The result of my case was exactly what I had hoped for (child support remained the same). I could not have asked for better representation.
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06 Nov, 2013 by Sharon
Lesia seemed interested in the divorce case when I hired her and that interest lasted only a few months. I am aware that she had some difficulty with the husband's stalling antics since he would not sign anything. But let me make it very clear that she was disappeared and while we may have access to her text messages she has not returned our messages or phone calls. She left with the case up in the air. So very unprofessional and was a tremendous letdown for us as we had already paid her to file the paperwork. I feel that once she discovered how difficult the husband was going to be, it would have been most professional of her to let us know that she wanted off the case.
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14 May, 2017 by Anonymous
When you think of Donna K. Rose, you can think and know Donna has a strong and long history of harassing a qualified disabled person, in league with her attorney buddies. The student at St. Pete College, where Donna hides out and refuses to represent public clients b/c she is too scared, requested that Donna allow him to bring in a friend to a classroom of a non-law class Donna was newly teaching. The student came into class with no assistance for his disabilities because Donna denied him that reasonable right to follow discussions in class, then a student bothered the disabled male, to which Donna later started working with SPC attorneys to follow the disabled person around Pinellas county and get him into legal trouble, more harassment, and definite conflict of interest, fraudulent cases involving other SPC faculty and staff Donna hides behind because she is just too damn scared to file her own party cases. If you know what's good and earnest, you'd do best to keep far away from Donna K. Rose, who is a meek, slimey, greedy, and worthless attorney.
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11 Mar, 2009 by Anonymous
I had to get a separation agreement, and had Attorney Rose do it for me. I knew very little about how I should protect myself for later. She listened to my story and figured out the agreement. This was about 4 years ago. I have to say that at the time I did not realized the great work she had done, but as time went by every time I had a concern or my ex came up with a new "trick" I looked at the agreement and she had covered the subject. I cannot say enough about her honesty and truly caring and professional treatment she delivered to me.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What an Adoption Lawyer Can Do for You
An adoption lawyer specializes in navigating the legal complexities of the adoption process, ensuring that the rights of all parties involved - the adoptive parents, birth parents, and the child - are protected. They assist families through the different types of adoption, such as domestic, international, foster care, stepparent, and private adoptions. Adoption lawyers ensure that the adoption process complies with state, federal, and international laws, and handle any legal issues that may arise during the process, such as terminating parental rights, conducting home studies, and finalizing the adoption.
If you're looking to adopt or if you're a birth parent considering placing your child for adoption, an adoption lawyer can guide you through the legal requirements and ensure the process goes smoothly.
When Should I Hire an Adoption Lawyer?
You should consider hiring an adoption lawyer in the following situations:
- Private or independent adoption: If you’re adopting a child directly from the birth parents without the involvement of an adoption agency, a lawyer is essential to draft and review all legal documents, including consent forms and parental rights termination agreements.
- Foster care adoption: If you’re adopting a child from foster care, a lawyer can help navigate the legal process, ensure the child’s eligibility for adoption, and represent you in court to finalize the adoption.
- Stepparent or relative adoption: If you’re adopting a stepchild or a relative, a lawyer can assist in terminating the parental rights of the biological parent and ensure the adoption is completed legally and efficiently.
- International adoption: International adoptions are complex, involving multiple layers of laws from the U.S. and the child’s birth country. A lawyer can help navigate immigration requirements and ensure compliance with international treaties like the Hague Convention.
- Contested adoptions: If a birth parent changes their mind about the adoption or there is a dispute over parental rights, a lawyer can represent you in court and ensure that the adoption proceeds legally.
- Adoption for same-sex couples: If you're a same-sex couple looking to adopt, a lawyer can help ensure that your adoption complies with state laws and that both parents have equal legal rights to the child.
- Birth parent representation: If you’re a birth parent considering adoption, a lawyer can ensure that your rights are protected, help you understand the legal implications of terminating parental rights, and ensure that your decision is legally sound.
Hiring a lawyer early in the process can help avoid legal complications and ensure that the adoption is legally finalized as smoothly as possible.
What Does an Adoption Lawyer Do?
An adoption lawyer provides a variety of legal services, ensuring that the adoption process is completed in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Their responsibilities often include:
- Filing legal paperwork: Adoption lawyers handle all the necessary paperwork, including petitions to terminate parental rights, consent forms, and final adoption decrees. They ensure that the adoption is in line with state, federal, and international laws.
- Conducting home studies: Some adoptions require a home study to evaluate the prospective adoptive family. While a social worker usually conducts the study, a lawyer can ensure that the process complies with legal requirements and that the report is submitted correctly.
- Terminating parental rights: Lawyers assist in terminating the legal rights of the biological parents, either voluntarily through signed consent or involuntarily through court proceedings if necessary.
- Representing clients in court: Adoption lawyers represent adoptive parents, birth parents, or other parties in court hearings to finalize the adoption or resolve disputes.
- Navigating international adoption laws: For international adoptions, a lawyer helps ensure that all legal requirements, both in the U.S. and the child’s home country, are met, including securing the child’s visa and citizenship.
- Providing legal advice: Adoption lawyers guide clients through each step of the adoption process, advising them on their rights and obligations, as well as any potential legal issues that may arise.
- Drafting post-adoption agreements: In some cases, especially open adoptions, a lawyer can help draft post-adoption agreements that specify the level of contact between the adoptive and birth parents.
How Are Adoption Lawyers Paid?
Adoption lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the adoption and the time involved. Common payment structures include:
- Flat fee: Many adoption lawyers charge a flat fee for handling the entire adoption process. This is common for straightforward adoptions, such as stepparent or foster care adoptions, where the legal work is relatively predictable.
- Hourly rate: For more complex adoptions, such as contested or international adoptions, some lawyers charge by the hour, with rates typically ranging from $200 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and location.
- Retainer: In cases where the adoption process may take longer or involve more legal work (e.g., termination of parental rights or court disputes), a lawyer may require a retainer, which is an upfront payment that is billed against as the lawyer works on the case.
It’s important to discuss fees with your lawyer upfront, so you understand the total cost of the adoption and any additional expenses that may arise during the process.
How Much Does an Adoption Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring an adoption lawyer depends on the type of adoption and the complexity of the case. General cost estimates include:
- Stepparent or relative adoption: Legal fees for these types of adoptions typically range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on whether the adoption is contested or requires a court hearing.
- Domestic private adoption: The legal fees for a private adoption usually range from $5,000 to $10,000, including drafting documents, terminating parental rights, and finalizing the adoption in court.
- International adoption: International adoptions are generally more expensive, with legal fees ranging from $7,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the adoption and the child’s country of origin.
- Contested adoption: If the adoption is contested and involves court disputes, legal fees may range from $10,000 to $20,000 or more, depending on the length and complexity of the court proceedings.
In addition to lawyer fees, adoptive parents should also be aware of additional costs such as court filing fees, home study fees, and travel expenses (for international adoptions).
Top Questions to Ask an Adoption Lawyer
Before hiring an adoption lawyer, it’s important to ask key questions to ensure they have the experience and knowledge to handle your case effectively. Key questions to ask include:
-
What experience do you have with adoptions?
Ensure the lawyer has experience with the specific type of adoption you’re pursuing, whether it’s domestic, international, foster care, or stepparent adoption. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges a flat fee or hourly rate and ask for a detailed breakdown of the costs involved in your adoption. -
What are the legal requirements for my adoption?
Ask the lawyer to explain the legal steps involved in your adoption and any specific requirements that may apply to your case, such as home studies or parental consent. -
How long will the adoption process take?
Adoption timelines can vary depending on the type of adoption, so ask the lawyer for an estimate of how long the process will take, including any potential delays. -
What are the common challenges in adoption cases?
Ask about any potential legal challenges that could arise during the adoption process and how the lawyer plans to address them. -
Will I need to go to court?
Depending on the adoption, you may need to attend court hearings. Ask the lawyer whether your presence will be required and what to expect during these hearings. -
Can you help with post-adoption issues?
Ask the lawyer if they can assist with any post-adoption issues, such as obtaining the child’s birth certificate, finalizing the child’s U.S. citizenship (for international adoptions), or drafting post-adoption contact agreements.
How to Check the Credibility of an Adoption Lawyer
To ensure you are hiring a reputable adoption lawyer, take the following steps to verify their credentials and experience:
- Verify their bar status: Check with your state bar association to confirm that the lawyer is licensed to practice law and has no disciplinary actions on their record.
- Look for adoption experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in adoption law and have experience handling cases similar to yours.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for client reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients have said about their experience with the lawyer.
- Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have worked with them on adoption cases.
- Check for memberships in relevant organizations: Look for lawyers who are members of adoption-focused organizations like the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys (AAAA), which can indicate their expertise in this field.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most of your first consultation with an adoption lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:
- Information about the child and birth parents: Provide any available information about the child you’re adopting (e.g., age, country of origin, current living situation) and the birth parents, if applicable.
- Adoption preferences: Be clear about the type of adoption you’re pursuing - whether it’s domestic, international, foster care, stepparent, or private - and discuss any preferences you have regarding the child’s age, background, or special needs.
- Legal documents (if applicable): If you’ve already begun the adoption process or have signed any agreements, bring copies of all relevant legal documents, such as consent forms or agency agreements.
- Questions about the adoption process: Prepare a list of questions about the legal steps involved in your adoption, potential timelines, and any concerns you may have about the process.
- Financial considerations: Be ready to discuss your budget for legal fees and any additional costs, such as home studies, court fees, and travel expenses (for international adoptions).
By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your situation more effectively and provide the best possible legal advice for your adoption journey.
