Top review highlights

AI generated excerpts from the customers reviews
Pros
1
Cristin Lowe is a highly skilled and knowledgeable family law attorney who specializes in the field
“Cristin is a true professional in the family law business. She's on the expensive side, but specializes in the field and was totally worth the fees paid.”
2
Cristin and her team provide compassionate and caring representation, with a focus on the client's well-being
“Cristin and her team of professionals is the right choice. Cristin and her team are compassionate, caring, and cost conscience while providing specialized legal expertise in family law.”
3
Cristin is a highly respected attorney, even among her peers, and is known for her strong advocacy and ability to achieve positive outcomes for her clients
“When Cristin and my ex's attorney went outside to talk, the other attorney came back up to me and whispered 'You got really lucky with your attorney. She's one of the best in the county.'”
4
Cristin and her team are responsive and keep their clients informed throughout the legal process
“Prompt answers to phone and email messages.”
Cons
1
Cristin Lowe's legal fees can be expensive, with high hourly rates and additional charges for basic communication
“She's on the expensive side, but specializes in the field and was totally worth the fees paid." and "Every email costs $30 or more. Even when you're asking one simple question and the question only requires a yes or no answer.”
2
Cristin Lowe does not always personally handle her clients' cases and may delegate them to other attorneys in her firm who may not be as experienced or aggressive
“She doesn't handle all her cases. Cristine hands it off to her other lawyers who work for her. These lawyers are not very aggressive. They don't take the time to understand your case and charge way too much.”
3
Some clients have reported issues with communication and responsiveness, with Cristin Lowe or her team failing to provide updates or timely responses to inquiries
“Cristine never handles my case and I rarely ever get a response back from her.”

All reviews

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01 Aug, 2022 by Amanda
Attorney's fees were found to be unconscionable so much as the judge wrote it in herself and initialed it on the FAOH. Once the request for fees were dismissed by the court, Cristin's office got busy and started calling me daily to collect. I paid them for every overcharged penny they billed for. They even billed me for time spent to attempt to remove the "unconscionable" note from the judge from the FAOH in which they were unsuccessful. Also, they were constantly changing staff and charging me hourly to update them on my case. Please run from the offices of Cristin Lowe, they are crooks and she couldn't care less about you and the vulnerable situation you are in.
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01 Jun, 2022 by Sarah
DO NOT USE CRISTIN LOWE...EVER! I hired her in March 2021 for an extremely simple, non-contested, EASY Legal Separation from my husband. (We're still married but not "been together" for over a decade but live part time. get along, vacation together, raised our boys, and a fantastic platonic fun relationship). She did an initial consult for 400 an hour. I hired her. I literally NEVER HEARD from her again! Not even being exaggerated. She filed the initial separation in S.F. Superior Court and there is a 6 month wait period in CA. Early November 2021 (6 month wait period ended). Did I get my Legal Separation Agreement that I needed so I could then get the QDRO's done and all filed to Superior Court? NO. Mind you this was a NON CONTESTED, AGREEABLE Legal Separation. All we needed was the Agreement so then QDROs could be completed by a QDRO Attorney I already consulted with. Tick Tock...month rolls on....I tried contacting her. She committed CLIENT ABANDONMENT! December. 2021...January 2022...still NOTHING. February 2022...nope...March 2022...nil. In meantime, my Separation Agreement could've been done MONTHS ago. I would've already been paid out by the retirement 401/457 of my husband as my settlement for 21 years of marriage. I wasn't going after any spouse support, there's no custody issue, no CALPERS pension so this was quick. My husband is getting more impatient as months pass because of the legal separation, there is "hold" on the accounts so he can't contribute to his retirement accounts which brings his "net" TAXABLE income bracket higher. Her long delay not doing anything, we both have lost THOUSANDS (15k combined) in our accounts which impacts me greatly since its MY FINAL SETTLEMENT with my husband and I would've had the cash before all the losses if she DID HER JOB I HIRED HER FOR! She NEVER RESPONDED to ANY email after initial hiring. Her paralegal kept saying I have it on her calendar to "catch up" and hopefully you'll get your agreement soon. March 2022 rolls by and I had enough! It's already been a YEAR since the initial filing of our separation in Superior Court. All I need is the Legal Separation Agreement. This isn't rocket science! There aren't lawyers involved on both sides, there's no arguments with my spouse. VERY AMICABLE. I waited 5 MONTHS for a simple painless, non-complicated Legal Separation Agreement. I terminated her at end of March 2022. Did she apologize? NO. Did she even bother to try to explain herself? NO. Just crickets as usual from her. I hired another attorney April 1, 2022 who completed my Legal Separation Agreement in 3 DAYS! Got my QDRO's done right after and within a week I had everything needed. Cristin Lowe didn't even KNOW that my husband's 401/457 company Mission Square are managers just like Fidelity or TRowe. They aren't even CALPERS or have anything to do with CALPERS which I already told her I wasn't going to touch his pension, so her filing a joinder in Superior Court for CALPERS in 2021 was stupid and unnecessary and cost me fees I didn't have to pay to begin with. She will initially give "great advice" and be good in the consultation but after that? You'll never hear from her again. NOT ONE UPDATE about your case, not one email to let you know the progress or next step. She should've had my Legal Separation Agreement READY TO GO and COMPLETED right when the 6 month wait period was over. I had to call her office to make an appointment just to discuss the financial arrangement my husband I agreed upon. That is HER JOB TO CONTACT ME TO GET THE DETAILS so she could FINISH the legal separation agreement she didn't even bother to start. Junk attorney. Cristin Lowe is the absolute worst and too expensive for the little she did. Charging for every email or phone call that you're forced to make to try to get any answer on the progress of your case. Horrid. DO NOT HIRE HER. YOU WILL REGRET IT.
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25 Oct, 2021 by Anonymous
Cristin is a true professional in the family law business. She’s on the expensive side, but specializes in the field and was totally worth the fees paid. Prompt answers to phone and email messages. Please remember attorneys can not guarantee results, and they’re not responsible for the circumstances of the case. All they can do is act within the law and advocate your position in a court hearing. Family law judges have a lot of discretion, it’s not always the attorney’s fault if it doesn’t go your way.
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16 Feb, 2020 by Anonymous
She knows family laws and will go the extra mile to help out! She’s very accommodating, thorough , and Efficient! I HIGHLY recommend her !
star star star star star
26 Aug, 2016 by Marvin
Thank you so much!!! There is no way I could have even showed up without Cristin's support! It was like a world-wind effect! I swear, I couldn't help it but I was holding my breath for a majority of time while in court, she (the EX) brought my two kids to court for what reason I don't know. She said they have a right to know what is going on. She knows I always wanted to keep them out of this. But I'm sure it was to stress me, it worked. I was a basket case. She made sure to sit by me and discuss her version of case with my kids, every once in awhile I would hear her giggle. I just sat in the court room with my head down praying. Then Cristin walks in and it was all about game on! The relief I felt just seeing her enter the court room could not be measured. The ex presented the role on non-English speak poor ex-wife, tried to submit documentation without disclosure and a host of other things, neither the Judge or Cristin was allowing it, by now I was ready to pass-out, Cristin kept reassuring me everything was going to be ok and to just trust her and I did. Before you know it was over, no long delays or stalling the case like in previous hearings. I am so serious when I say that my thinking in life before meeting Cristin and her team was, there was no life for me, I had simple made too many mistakes in life. I couldn't even imagine a future without this case hanging over my head. I owe Cristin and her team so much, thank you for giving me hope and being there when I needed you most. What Cristin and her team does is so much more than just practicing law, you cant put a price tag on all she does. The whole team's dedication and professionalism is just simply amazing, THANK YOU!!!
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What Questions Should I Ask Before Hiring a Lawyer?

Hiring the right lawyer is crucial for the success of your case. Here are some important questions to ask during your initial consultation:

  1. What experience do you have with cases similar to mine?
    Ensure the lawyer has relevant experience in the specific area of law pertaining to your case.
  2. How do you charge for your services, and what are the estimated costs?
    Understand the fee structure, including hourly rates, flat fees, retainer fees, and any additional expenses.
  3. Who will be handling my case?
    Find out if the lawyer will handle your case personally or delegate tasks to other attorneys or paralegals.
  4. What is your approach to resolving cases like mine?
    Learn about their strategy, whether they prefer negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
  5. What potential outcomes can I expect?
    While no lawyer can guarantee results, they can provide an assessment of possible scenarios based on their experience.
  6. How will you communicate with me throughout the process?
    Establish expectations for updates, preferred communication methods, and response times.
  7. What is the expected timeline for my case?
    Get an estimate of how long the process may take from start to finish.
  8. Do you have references from past clients?
    Testimonials or references can provide insight into the lawyer's professionalism and effectiveness.
  9. What challenges do you foresee in my case?
    Understanding potential obstacles helps you prepare and sets realistic expectations.
  10. Are there alternative ways to resolve my legal issue?
    Discuss options like mediation, arbitration, or settlement to resolve the issue efficiently.

Can a Lawyer Represent Me in Courts Outside of San Ramon, California?

Whether a lawyer can represent you in courts outside of your city or state depends on their licensure and the jurisdiction of the court:

  • Within the Same State:
    Lawyers licensed in a particular state can typically practice anywhere within that state, including all cities and counties. They can represent you in both state and federal courts located in that state.
  • Outside of Their Licensed State:
    If your case is in a different state, the lawyer must be licensed in that state to represent you. However, there are exceptions:
    • Pro Hac Vice Admission: An out-of-state lawyer can request special permission to represent a client in a specific case in another state. This requires filing a motion with the court and often working in conjunction with a local attorney.
    • Federal Courts: If your case is in federal court, a lawyer licensed in any state may be able to represent you, provided they are admitted to practice in that particular federal court.
  • International Representation:
    For cases outside the United States, different rules apply, and the lawyer may need to comply with the foreign country's legal requirements or collaborate with local counsel.

It's important to discuss your specific situation with the lawyer to determine if they can represent you in the desired jurisdiction and what steps may be necessary to do so.

How to Check the Credibility of a Lawyer

Before hiring a lawyer, it's crucial to verify their credibility and ensure they're qualified to handle your case:

  • Verify Their License:
    Check with your state's bar association to confirm the lawyer is licensed and in good standing. Most state bar websites have an online directory for this purpose.
  • Experience and Specialization:
    Ensure the lawyer specializes in the area of law relevant to your case. Review their website, professional profiles, and case history.
  • Disciplinary Record:
    Look up any history of disciplinary actions or complaints through the state bar association's records.
  • Client Reviews and Testimonials:
    Read reviews on legal directories like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Google, or Yelp to gauge client satisfaction and experiences.
  • Professional Memberships:
    Membership in professional organizations or specialty bar associations can indicate a commitment to their field and adherence to high ethical standards.
  • Awards and Recognitions:
    Honors from reputable organizations reflect expertise and a positive reputation in the legal community.
  • Consultation Assessment:
    Use the initial consultation to evaluate their communication skills, responsiveness, and willingness to address your concerns.
  • Ask for References:
    A credible lawyer should be willing to provide references from past clients who can speak to their abilities and professionalism.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To make the most of your initial meeting with a lawyer, come prepared with:

  • Relevant Documents:
    Bring all documents related to your case, such as:
    • Contracts or agreements
    • Correspondence (emails, letters, texts)
    • Legal notices or court papers
    • Financial records (if applicable)
    • Evidence (photos, videos, receipts)
  • Written Summary:
    Prepare a concise written summary of your situation, including key dates, events, and parties involved. This helps the lawyer quickly understand the context.
  • List of Questions:
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  • Financial Information:
    If your case involves financial matters, bring relevant documents like pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, or invoices.
  • Contact Information:
    Provide details of any witnesses or other parties relevant to your case, including their names and contact information.
  • Personal Identification:
    Bring a valid photo ID for verification purposes.
  • Pen and Notebook:
    Take notes during the consultation to remember important points discussed.
  • Budget Constraints:
    Be ready to discuss your budget and any financial limitations so the lawyer can provide appropriate guidance on fees and payment options.
  • Openness and Honesty:
    Be prepared to discuss your case candidly. Full disclosure allows the lawyer to give accurate advice and anticipate potential challenges.
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