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26 Jul, 2018 by Michelle
After two years of unprofessional and uneducated legal representation by two other attorneys, we were referred to Attorney Giamaria. I cannot express enough how thorough, knowledgeable, and professional she was with our case. She returned all phone calls and emails, she took time to walk us through every step in our case. Due to her kind nature, diligence, and belief that the children should be the primary focus she was able to orchestrate an amicable solution. I cannot begin to explain how grateful our family is to her and would strongly recommend her for any of your legal needs. She will not disappoint!
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02 Aug, 2013 by Marcela
This attorney is very professional and informative. She finds the best solutions to your matters. This attorney helped me out at the last minute and I am very thankful for her efforts in assisting me with my legal matter.
This attorney didn't have to help me like that. But she did.
You wouldn't regret if you'd allow her to prove her professional skills
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23 Aug, 2024 by Mia
Hiring Melanie Walls is a no-brainer! She is professional, prepared, and more than reliable. She is human and caring and will do everything in her power to provide the ultimate level of support and guidance for your case.
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02 Aug, 2021 by Sabrina
Melanie Walls was our family’s legal representation for a step parent adoption. Melanie is professional, timely and knowledgeable, she will get you the outcome you desire. It was a pleasure to see first hand her demeanor in the court room. She is a confident and powerful presence. She was very patient and empathetic with me when I became frustrated with necessary legal processes. She was very familiar with the laws that were applicable and guided us through the process thoroughly. I would never hesitate to offer her contact information to anyone in my life who might need it and I would never hesitate to use her services again. Melanie, it was truly a pleasure working with you. Thank you for guiding my family through an emotional and sensitive time. You are truly a powerful, talented women and a god send.
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08 Oct, 2014 by Anonymous
Honest and truly cares. I have never experienced a lawyer that gave so much of their time without just thinking of their own personal gain. Mrs. Lowe is fair and truly cared about our family and what we were going through. She is unassuming, but watch out once you see her in court.
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11 May, 2010 by Rashida jones
Never would of expected a lawyer to represent me like she did. I thought they were all alike...out for their own gain. Mrs. Lowe caught me off guard with her compassion and integrity. WOW is all I can say. I will always be in debt to this woman. You stood up for ME and I will never forget that. Thank you Mrs. Gina.
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24 Nov, 2023 by Justice
Billy represented me on multiple different occasions, he was my very first court appointed lawyer on a case I was facing multiple years on, this was 7 years ago & even back then I walked in with a f3, a m3, a m4 & left that courtroom with one m4 that was a lesser charge than the orignal misdemeanors & no jail time. I definitely recommend him if you're looking for a lawyer
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09 Jun, 2023 by Anonymous
Billy is an exceptional one of a kind attorney. Billy communicates effectively and often! Billy will advise you about court proceedings and how to present and conduct yourself. If you are looking for an honest, professional, and effective attorney then call Billy. We plan to request Billy's representation on several other preceedings.
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13 Aug, 2019 by Cheryl
Carol helped me through a difficult divorce. She gave me sound advice and was always available to assist me. She was reasonably priced and very responsive. I highly recommend.
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22 Feb, 2018 by Robin
Carol has always been there for me. Even though I haven't made the move to file divorce, she was great at letting me know my options.
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22 Oct, 2016 by Araya
I was referred to Steve by the victims of crime program when I filed for a protection order. Steve is very professional and genuinely kind. He has been with me through every phase of this emotional and confusing court process. He has been a strong advocate for me and has worked selflessly to see my case through to the end.
There are a lot of crooked attorneys out there, but Steve is not one of them. My case should have been pretty cut and dry, but even when the opposition tried to make it seem a little more gray, Steve handled this case with poise and sensitivity to the subject. I could not have asked for a better attorney to represent me.
With Steve in my corner, the protection order was granted and I feel a lot safer because of his guidance. He's made my scary situation a lot less frightening.
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22 Oct, 2016 by Isaac
I decided to hire Stephen Szuch because I believed he would actually go up to bat for me and help me fight for my rights as a father. In todays society with all the negligent so called men who run around and knock up females then aren't interested in even acknowledging let alone being held responsible for their actions, most parenting rights are just given to the birthing mother. It becomes an uphill battle for a man who actually wants to raise his son if the mother of his son would rather not be a family. This is why I hired Stephen.
Being a father is one of the most important things a man can do with his life and just because my sons mother didn't want to be a family with me, I refused to just let her run the show and try to tell me how my son would be raised. I took a proactive approach and took her to court.
Doing so is proving to be well worth it because I no longer have to fall in line with my sons mothers' actions. I have my rights established through the court of law. Unfortunately this step needs to be taken because many women out here who have evil mentalities want to kick the man to the curb and get the government to raise their children through "FREE MONEY" as I call it. The system is being perverted by those who have a "dog eat dog" mind frame.
After hiring Stephen he was always on point in getting back to me and advising me throughout the case. He was very diligent with his work and wasn't afraid to put the necessary leg work in to getting a proper end result. He wrote up numerous drafts in a timely manner and was excellent at networking with me and others throughout. I have joint custody and school residency. He understood how important it was for me to have these things because I want to give my son the best shot at being prosperous in this world by building bridges rather than burning them and "Getting Over" and to teach him to treat people in a respectful and proper manner. I strongly recommend him for anyone who would like to obtain proper parenting rights.
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10 Mar, 2018 by Kendra
My husband and I have worked with several attorneys over the years. Mike is thorough and to the point. He has given us sound advice. We decided to hire him to defend my husband against his ex-wife.
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12 Jun, 2017 by Erin
Michael was very personable and we were able to develop a great rapport. He is well educated and was able to thoroughly answer the endless amount of questions I presented to him. I had two particular cases in which I worked with Michael each one yielding great results thanks to his hard work. I highly recommend him as an attorney, and if the situation arises I will hire him again.
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16 Dec, 2016 by Heidi
I have spoke to Mr Delzeith several times on the phone for child support matters and he is always on top of calling me back and answering any and all questions I have...very trusting and caring attorney
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26 Feb, 2015 by Anonymous
Mr. Delzeith treated me with the utmost respect during a very difficult time in my life. He was very well prepared and helped me obtain a lot more than I ever dreamed I would get. He kept me informed throughout the whole process and answered all of my questions. I highly recommend using him for any legal needs.
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27 Jan, 2020 by Walter
A few years ago I found myself facing a contentious divorce. Richard was a relatively new attorney. His warmth, professionalism and attention to detail comforted me.
I later learned my estranged wife’s attorney was a seasoned veteran and local prosecutor. I looked Richard in the eye (at our next meeting) asking if he was in over his head? His response was similar to “From what we’ve seen so far I’m confident the opposition isn’t on top of his game”.
Sometime later I found myself fighting for my financial life. After intense negotiations I walked away with all my assets, and less than $50.00 in additional court cost.
This counselor is by far the finest attorney I’ve ever known!!!
I recommend him every time a friend or family needs such representation!!!
I will forever be a member of his fan club!!!
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20 May, 2015 by Kathy
Awesome attorney. He kept me informed of the entire process. Made me feel very comfortable, respected and represented. He was very professional and knowledgeable. I felt very comfortable talking about my issues, very nice and friendly attorney. I will highly recommend him.
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15 Feb, 2021 by Matthew
I not only recommend attorney Katie Crow, but I guarantee once you have used her service you too will look no further. She responds in an extreme timely matter, she is a very educated, and trustworthy person. There is no other attorney that will work as hard for you. I used Katie Crow for custody, she is a wonderful attorney. I could not have been happier and I will never go anywhere else. She was able to get everything we needed done in a timely matter.
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07 Oct, 2014 by Debbie
Words can not express what Katie has done for me. She really cares about helping people! Katie was my attorney for 9 months. She went over and beyond the call of duty. She believed in me and the truth, and the truth was finally exposed. She returned all phone calls and emails. She worked tirelessly for me on this case and won it. I am very satisfied with her knowledge and expertise in family law. Thank you Katie!
Also, I want to give God the Glory for using Katie as His vessel to help me! I could not have traveled this journey without both of them.
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28 Nov, 2023 by Anonymous
While you can hire any domestic attorney to represent you and be billed for services, Harvey is well-known and respected in the community, his fees were reasonable, and he listened to my wishes to remain amicable or hold the line as necessitated. He cared about my circumstances and children. Harvey provided sage wisdom and guidance that I am forever grateful for. I have recommended him and made referrals,a nd will continue to do so. Best of the best!
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09 Jul, 2018 by Anonymous
Harvey was a life saver! I found him using Avvo and consulted with him regarding moving a child support case from MD to OH. He was responsive, and provided great advice! When an emergency happened with my kids, he called me back right away, listened to what I had to say and provided a list of attorney's that could help immediately, since he was busy for the emergency hearing. I would hire him in an instant if the situation were changed just a little bit! It was great that he what honest with his workload and did not try to take on too much, but also recommended an outstanding lawyer as well. I highly recommend him to anyone in the Akron area!
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04 Sep, 2019 by Russell
When I first spoke with Attorney Rini my wife and I were in a tough place. We did not understand what had just happened with our case and thought it was going to be possible to lose custody of a child we had raised for over 3 years.
Attorney Rini helped us understand the law as it applied to our situation, showed great patience with us and was tenacious for our case.
At the time my wife and I had just moved out of the state and we're forced into a legal battle due to a previous negligent attorney. Attorney Rini came in and quickly cleaned up the mess that was left and began to turn the case in our favor. She wrote exceptional briefs that articulated sound arguments to the court.
During the process, she was always accessible. She responded to our questions, often within hours and kept us updated on the process. This was much different than what we were used to. I always felt that we were in great hands with her in our corner.
I cannot recommend Attorney Rini more highly! If I could give more than 5 stars I would. I also must emphasize how important it is to hire an attorney who actively practices within the area of law you need. We needed her expertise in Family Law, specifically a custody issue. She was able to navigate us through what we thought was murky waters while being aggressive towards our opponent.
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25 Mar, 2011 by Rory
I recommend this attorney. Denise is proficient in all areas of family and juvenile law, and she works hard to get the best results for all of her clients. I work directly under her on a daily basis, and I see the hard work she puts in to her work.
Denise understands all types of problems, and works well with all types of people. Her open-minded approach to her clients and her profession brings her much success as an attorney.
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06 Jul, 2015 by Tyr
I am a father in Seattle Washington wanting custody of my son whom lives in Cleveland Ohio. Finding a lawyer to take my case wasn't easy.
Andrew and James not only took my case, they won it decisively allowing me to take my son home on the final day.
Their price is fair, their commitment and professionalism is without question. I would highly recommend them to anyone.
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29 Jun, 2015 by Cindy
Andrew has assisted me in a variety of legal matters. He is always thoughtful, caring and responsive. I have a tremendous amount of confidence in Andrew's knowledge and skill as an attorney. I definitely recommend him to anyone in need of a good attorney.
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20 Aug, 2013 by Angie
Richard is a wonderful lawyer! He went above and beyond to help me with my case. He is incredibly knowledgable and understanding. I would recommend him to anyone who needs a lawyer to not only protect you, but lead you to success with your case or circumstance.
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19 Dec, 2012 by Mitch
Richard Neal is a very trustworthy, helpful, and active in the case he's handling. He keeps me well informed in changes, and I participate in my case more than I ever have with any other attorney. He is at the professional level of comfort, but when you get to know him as long as I have, it gets personal and he's like family. I will always call Richard Neal when I need out of a bind, need legal advice, or personal advise. He's honestly a great person and a great attorney.
I would recommend him to anyone and everyone.
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06 Feb, 2020 by Amanda powers
I can not say enough good about Lisa, being a single mom and coming to her with a case that looked like a lost hope from a earlier lawyer who just did not care about me, my children or my case and just wanted my retainer. She stepped up, and treated me as if my case was the only one she was even working on. She proved how hard she was working on my case by informing me of changes within a hour or a day of a update to my case, broke down legal terms so i could understand them and not be overwhelmed and gave me hope with my case even when I felt there was nothing left due to council I had at the beginning. She not only won what I was asking for but fought for even more and exceeded my expectations I even asked. She is now my go to lawyer and I highly recommend her! It is rare to find someone who has compassion for your personal needs or business or anything you need to get done. I highly recommend her for any case. In the end my children and me are very happy and she succeeded as a lawyer and beyond. Thank you Lisa for all you did for me and my family ! God Bless!
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01 Jan, 2013 by Jennifer & bryan
My husband and I felt it necessary to hire new counsel to deal with the termination of his spousal support due to cohabitation. We were referred to The Law Offices of Anthony Greco and after meeting with Tony and Lisa we knew it was the team to represent us. We have been working with Lisa since April 2012 and she has been amazing in guiding us through a very difficult and stressful situation. She is motivated, detailed oriented, available when needed and does what she needs to do to get the job done. I highly recommend Lisa Meier to handle any legal needs that you may have.
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14 Nov, 2023 by Ashley
Had the pleasure to have Ken Goldberg as my attorney this past 6 months. He was very professional, thorough and lestioned to all my concerns during court. He brought light to a very difficult time for my family. Kens organization and communication in the court was a A+. Highly recommend if your looking for a straightforward and honest attorney.
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21 Sep, 2013 by Connie
I would suggest Mr. Goldberg to anyone who is seeking a divorce. He is very kind and caring. He understands the emotional and financial toll of a divorce. He always returned calls and keep me up to date and informed about everything. And he always had my best interest in mind during the whole divorce process.
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15 Feb, 2018 by Ashley
I hired John the very day that I decided to file for my divorce. He was the very first attorney that I spoke with, and after speaking to him for just moments I knew that he was a good fit for what I was looking for. Through my two plus years of this process, John has been understanding of my needs, highly responsive, educational, empathetic, and a great listening ear for me. John was always well prepared for our court dates and also for the day of my trial. I appreciate John more than he will understand. I feel that he had myself but also my child’s needs and wellbeing at heart. He fought hard and with his assistance and representation I was able to get just about every single thing that I asked for during my divorce; most importantly sole custody of my child. John, from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU for everything!
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07 Feb, 2017 by Vickie
I hired John midway through my divorce because I was not pleased with my first lawyer. John was able to get up to speed quickly and jump in,right in the middle of negotiations. The dynamics in each divorce are different and John took the time to listen to my situation and focused on my needs. He helped me understand what to expect if the court were to decide our case vs. us coming to an agreement which helped me as I was asked to make decisions. He negotiated with the opposing council and was able to bring our divorce to a resolution much quicker than I anticipated. When the stress of the divorce was at its highest, John showed compassion but also re-focused my energy to the legal aspects needed to finalize the divorce. At the last minute when it looked like our deal was about to fall apart, John again worked effectively with opposing council to get over the last hurdle and move the case to resolution.
I also felt that John was very respectful of my money. He worked hard and efficiently to quickly resolve the case and keep my costs to a minimum.
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15 May, 2017 by Anonymous
Needed a cease and desist - after I finally gave her the correct address of the person, the letter went out and I have heard nothing more.
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28 Feb, 2017 by Mary
My attorney stepped in when I was injured, she took control of my case and protected my legal rights.
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24 Feb, 2015 by Anonymous
Eric is a very professional and concerned attorney. We have used his services a few times and each encounter has been a pleasant and efficient experience
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01 Mar, 2013 by Mindy
I have had Eric as an attorney since 2004. He is a very great Lawyer. I have reffered many friends and family members to him.
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26 Jul, 2017 by Anonymous
Keith Jones has been the most ethical, realistic, and smartest attorney I've ever met. He lets me know what to expect, breaks down processes in detail, and works hard to do his job right. I don't like going tp court with all the strangers, MY EX HUSBAND, and the emotional charge that's generally accompanied with custody battles, but Keith Jones makes me feel comfident and secure in my decisions and most of all the decision to ask for his help. I believe he's a man that can lay his head on his pillow at night with a clear conscience and peace of mind because he has morals. I haven't known him long and my custody case isn't over, but I have a strong feeling that I don't have to worry. I wish there were more attorneys like him so justice can be served the right way for good people out there than need help and don't have the right words to say. Thanks mr. Jones. With all my heart.
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22 Mar, 2015 by Andrew.
Keith for me has been my legal go-to for many years. His Knowledge of family law in my divorce and even years after has helped me to weather the often frustrating and helpless feelings that come with a divorce. He has more than once shown me that a quick reaction is often the wrong way to handle conflicts and that a soft touch in some cases helps to reflect some positive light towards me as a person in a tough situation. I would recommend Keith jones for his deeply rooted beliefs in justice and also in the integral concept of family. Because at some point with kids there will be plenty of opportunities to be the bigger person and not have to wish that things had been handled differently.
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05 Jun, 2018 by Mike
Mr. Willis represented me in a criminal matter. After he received my discovery in my case, he sat down and went over all the paperwork and explained the law involved in my case. I had never been in trouble and felt I wasn't guilty and Mr. Willis was able to get my case dismissed.
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13 Feb, 2016 by Laura
Mr. Willis represented me against the father of our daughter in a custody fight. My ex had me arrested for using his debit card for buying things for our daughter after telling me to leave the house. He got temporary custody when I was arrested, but at trial Mr. Willis did an excellent job in showing what a controlling and deceitful man my ex is. Mr. Willis was well prepared and was really aggressive in the Courtroom. I now have custody of my little girl back and am grateful to Mr. Willis and the Court for the outcome.
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19 Apr, 2016 by Anonymous
I hired David in 2014, a year and a half we had our trial. The long wait was just circumstances, not David.
He is not a dirty lawyer, no tricks etc. He was extremely honest with me, with the other party, the judge and other lawyers.
I'm a father, I had joint custody from 2008 forward. We had a GAL. In 2015 we had a two day trial. I received sole physical and legal custody. The mother also had to pay $8000 of my legal fees.
There was a lot of manipulation, lots of badmouthing. Patients is key in all this. David was very good at keeping me calm, giving me advice, sometimes what seemed like daily. He answered my calls way more often than most lawyers would. Very personal relationship with David was established.
David far exceeded my expectations, he earned every penny I gave him and then some. He was always on time, always called when he said he would.
This was a long painful experience but David made it pleasant from time to time. Thank you David for all you have done for me and our family!!!!
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13 Oct, 2012 by Nadine
I hired David Walk to write my Last Will & Testament, Living Will, and Power of Attorney, and I had a very positive experience. Mr. Walk explained the process and legal language in simple terms, which was important to me because English is my second language. I felt that he really listened to what I wanted and he made me feel like an important client. I am happy with the Will Package and would definitely hire Mr. Walk again.
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04 Dec, 2018 by Jeriah
Amy was very thorough and detailed. She stood and fought for me in the courtroom and helped get things right and in the best interest of my case. She has a DHS background which is a great asset in family law. Amy is very personable, passionate and driven. The end results of my case went far better than I ever dreamed possible thanks to Amy and her guidance. Would highly recommend!!
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04 Dec, 2018 by Chrissy
Amy has taken such care to our case and kills it in court. She is always two steps ahead of the other side and prepares for trial in great detail. With her background at DHS she knows the system with child support as well, which proved to be helpful for us.
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02 Apr, 2017 by Shawn a.
I was a father fighting for sole custody of my daughter. I used Mr. Carroll along with Jim Feamster for my child custody case. It was VERY complicated. It took 2 years & a 6 day trial to be awarded sole custody of my daughter. It was a father vs. mother in the state of OK. We all know that is very difficult.
It was a long difficult process. But, they advised me through EVERY step along the way. At times I have to admit I thought OMG this can't be right :( But, everything they advised was EXACTLY what I need to do to win my case.
I will FOREVER me grateful to them for the hard work & perseverance that it took for my WIN!
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20 Jul, 2016 by Anonymous
I have been a client of Ms Gold's since April of 2014. She has,in my mind, been very helpful and knowlegable explaining the law as regards to divorce. She has advised me and helped through this trying time. She has gone out of her way to be accomodating with my night shift schedule. Ms. Gold did a tremendous job in my first hearing for post sepperation, alimony, and lawyer fees, which I won. My divorce is still pending, but soon to be over. My only complaint is that on a couple occasions she was late for my appointments.
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17 Feb, 2022 by Sadaf w.
Mr. David Levy is the best lawyer I have met in Norther Virginia area. I had multiple consultation with other firms before hiring Mr. Levy. He simply listens to all your concerns & then goes from there looking for solutions rather than his fees like other lawyers. He is a true human being who goes way & beyond to help his client. He has been in law field with lots of experience, pretty much everyone at Fairfax county courts know him very well. He is very professional, understanding and ethical. He understands his client's financial situation 1st then gives reasonable rates. Mr. Levy is very professional & knowledgeable with any legal matter in his field. I highly recommend him to any kind of case.
Mr. Levy handles my complicated case very well and served me justice that I deserved and so did the opposition party. I would recommend him in any matter!
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05 Aug, 2022 by Sandy
You couldn't find a more professional, yet caring lawyer in the NOVA area! She definitely knows the law and uses this vast knowledge to help her clients, all the while being kind, considerate and understanding.
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05 Aug, 2017 by Judy
Mr. David Carr is a very caring and patient attorney. He gives you his undivided attention. He always has an open ear for your questions and concerns. I have truly never met a professional with his very caring attitude. I would highly recommend him. He is also super knowledgeable.
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02 Nov, 2012 by Mike
I have had the opportunity to have Mr. Shultz as my Attorney and I am throughly impressed. I would reccomend Nathan to anyone.
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26 Nov, 2012 by Corinna
After years of lousy efforts and money wasted by previous attorneys we have hired in the past, we received a referral to Jamie Foster. Best decision my husband and I had ever made. Instantly we were finally seeing results in our custody case. We actually got what we were seeking in court and then some, and we owe every bit of it to Jamie, her hard work and professional work ethic. We are treated like people, not just another client. She truly cares about her work and is VERY thorough and detailed when handeling her cases.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Child Custody Lawyer Can Do for You
A child custody lawyer specializes in helping parents navigate legal matters related to the custody and care of their children, particularly in the context of divorce, separation, or other family disputes. These lawyers assist with determining custody arrangements, drafting parenting plans, and advocating for your rights in court. They also help resolve disputes over physical custody (where the child lives), legal custody (who makes decisions for the child), visitation rights, and modifications to existing custody orders.
Whether you're going through a divorce or need to change an existing custody arrangement, a child custody lawyer can help you understand your rights and protect your child's best interests throughout the legal process.
When Should I Hire a Child Custody Lawyer?
You should consider hiring a child custody lawyer in several situations, especially when disputes arise or complex legal issues affect your parental rights. Some common reasons to hire a child custody lawyer include:
- Divorce or separation: If you're going through a divorce or separation and need to establish custody and visitation arrangements, a lawyer can help ensure the custody order reflects your child's best interests.
- Disputed custody cases: If you and the other parent cannot agree on custody or visitation terms, a lawyer can advocate for your rights in court and help you develop a strong case.
- Modification of custody orders: If you need to change an existing custody arrangement due to changes in circumstances (e.g., relocation, changes in the child’s needs), a lawyer can help file a modification request.
- Parental alienation: If the other parent is interfering with your relationship with your child, a lawyer can help address these issues through legal action.
- Domestic violence or abuse: If there is a history of domestic violence or abuse, a lawyer can help protect you and your child by requesting restraining orders and advocating for appropriate custody arrangements.
- Grandparent or third-party custody: If you are a grandparent or another relative seeking custody or visitation rights, a lawyer can guide you through the legal process.
- Paternity disputes: In cases where paternity is in question, a lawyer can assist with establishing or challenging paternity, which may affect custody and visitation rights.
Hiring a lawyer early in the process can help protect your parental rights and ensure that the custody arrangement is in your child's best interests.
What Does a Child Custody Lawyer Do?
A child custody lawyer provides a variety of legal services to help parents resolve custody disputes and secure favorable custody arrangements for their children. Their responsibilities often include:
- Filing custody petitions: Helping you file the necessary paperwork to request custody or visitation rights and ensuring all legal procedures are followed.
- Negotiating custody agreements: Assisting in negotiating custody and visitation arrangements, often working toward a mutually beneficial parenting plan without going to court.
- Representing you in court: If you and the other parent cannot agree on custody terms, representing you in court by presenting evidence and making legal arguments to support your case.
- Drafting parenting plans: Helping you draft a comprehensive parenting plan that outlines the schedule for physical custody, decision-making responsibilities, and visitation.
- Handling child support issues: Assisting with related issues such as child support, ensuring that financial obligations are properly calculated and enforced.
- Modifying custody orders: Helping you request a modification from the court if you need to change an existing custody arrangement due to significant life changes.
- Mediating custody disputes: Acting as a mediator to help both parents reach an agreement on custody and visitation without the need for litigation.
How Are Child Custody Lawyers Paid?
Child custody lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the case, the time involved, and the nature of the legal work. Common payment methods include:
- Hourly rate: Most child custody lawyers charge by the hour, with rates ranging from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer's experience and location. The total cost depends on the time spent preparing documents, negotiating, and representing you in court.
- Flat fee: For simple custody matters or uncontested custody agreements, some lawyers may offer a flat fee for specific services, such as drafting a parenting plan or filing a custody petition.
- Retainer: Many lawyers require an upfront retainer fee, which is billed against as the lawyer works on your case. The amount varies based on the expected complexity and duration of the case.
- Sliding scale or pro bono services: Some lawyers may offer reduced fees or pro bono (free) services for clients with limited financial means, particularly in cases involving domestic violence or other serious issues.
It’s important to discuss fees and payment arrangements with your lawyer during the initial consultation to understand how much you will be charged and what services are included.
How Much Does a Child Custody Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a child custody lawyer depends on various factors, including the complexity of the case, whether it’s contested or uncontested, and the lawyer’s experience. General cost estimates include:
- Uncontested custody cases: Legal fees may range from $1,500 to $5,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the paperwork and any negotiations.
- Contested custody cases: Legal fees can range from $5,000 to $40,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the issues, the need for expert testimony, and the time spent in litigation.
- Hourly rates: Lawyers typically charge between $150 and $500 per hour, with higher rates for more experienced attorneys or complex custody disputes.
- Mediation services: If both parents agree to work through mediation, costs typically range from $1,000 to $5,000 or more for the mediation process.
Always ask for a clear cost estimate during your consultation to ensure that you understand the total legal fees and payment structure.
Top Questions to Ask a Child Custody Lawyer
Before hiring a child custody lawyer, it’s essential to ask the right questions to ensure they are the best fit for your case. Some key questions to ask include:
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What experience do you have with child custody cases?
Ensure the lawyer has experience handling cases similar to yours, especially if your case involves complex issues like domestic violence, relocation, or paternity disputes. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, offers flat fees for certain services, or requires a retainer, and ask for an estimate of the total cost. -
What is the likelihood of success in my case?
Ask for an honest assessment of your case, including potential challenges and expected outcomes. -
How long will the process take?
Inquire about the expected timeline from filing the petition to reaching an agreement or going to trial. -
Will you personally handle my case?
Ensure you know who will be managing your case and representing you in court. -
Can we pursue mediation or alternative dispute resolution?
Ask whether the lawyer recommends mediation or other forms of dispute resolution to avoid a lengthy court battle.
How to Check the Credibility of a Child Custody Lawyer
To ensure you are hiring a reputable child custody lawyer, follow these 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 and has no history of disciplinary actions.
- Look for family law experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in family law and child custody cases.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for client reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to gauge the lawyer’s professionalism and success in child custody matters.
- Ask for references: A credible lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have worked with them on custody cases.
- Check for certifications: Look for lawyers who are board-certified in family law or have memberships in organizations like the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) or local family law sections.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To get the most out of your first consultation with a child custody lawyer, come prepared with relevant documents and information:
- Court orders or existing custody agreements: Bring copies of any existing custody or visitation orders for the lawyer to review.
- Communication with the other parent: Provide copies of emails, texts, or letters regarding custody, visitation, or disputes.
- List of your child’s needs: Prepare a list of your child’s specific needs, such as medical care, education, and extracurricular activities.
- Timeline of the case: Outline key events related to your custody case, including changes in living situations or parental involvement.
- Questions for the lawyer: Write down any questions about the custody process, legal fees, and the lawyer’s strategy for your case.
By being well-prepared, you can help the lawyer assess your situation effectively and receive the best possible advice for protecting your rights and your child’s well-being.
