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07 Oct, 2017 by Anonymous
Very knowledgeable and response quickly. Well informed and always prepared. Easy to work with and always explains every single detail that seems unclear. I highly recommend Elena M. Duarte.
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11 Apr, 2018 by Anonymous
Mr. Smith got me out of a mess with a family law case. I really wish i had hired him first.
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01 May, 2017 by Rodney
We engaged Vernadette for advice a particularly painful situation we were experiencing. We paid her the retainer and she successfully guided us through the minefield. With her help, we decided on a course of action and moved on agreeing that we would call her if something else came up with this case. Nothing did and three years later she came back to us offering a refund on our unused retainer. I was floored by the exception show of integrity. I would highly recommend Vernadette to anyone interested in a smart, compassionate and reputable lawyer.
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27 Jul, 2012 by Anonymous
Scott has been very competent, compassionate, and efficient. He wants to be helpful and he's made sure I understand the legal portion of my case whenever I have contact with him. No question is stupid, or ignored. I really liked the fact that he wasn't afraid to admit he needed to verify some things before he could answer. He's very detailed and made sure all the i's were dotted, and t's were crossed so there was no delay. My biggest relief was his compassionate and human approach to my situation. I didn't feel like I was 'just a case number' as is rumored most attorneys treat their clients.
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13 Oct, 2016 by James
When it comes to my son, I want the very best for him. So when his mother and I needed a court to settle our differences I was worried that like most fathers in Indiana, I would get the raw end of the deal. But instead the team at H&Z understood my needs, they know the law and have relationships within the legal community that were VITAL to getting the fair treatment I deserve as a loving father, from the court. Hollingsworth and Zivits, and their staff have the experience, reputation and a proven track record you absolutely need when going to court is unavoidable! I would recommend their services to anyone trying to navigate their case in a family court room!!
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10 May, 2014 by Kcarab amabo
Stephen is an honest, affable, precise, considerate, and an excellent counsel. He is very well acquainted with many cultures and very reasonably priced. He also, holds to his end of commitment and guarantee to delivery steadfastly. In 2009 he made my divorce proceedings extremely easy, and quick. I highly recommend him
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22 Jul, 2009 by Anonymous
Helen is a sound attorney with a deep knowledge of the law and the procedures and applications in the practie of lawyering. She is a client advocate and attentive counsel to her clients in the community, but also in the coourt room. Additionally, Helen is a professor of law at the Southern California Institute of Law where she teached Family Law, Civil Procedure, and Evidence. Needless to say she is intelligent. I would highly recommend Helen as a lawyer.
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14 Jul, 2015 by Ashley
Has a Ferocious court presense, exellent and well informed legal representation. I went to every court date well informed and confident. I would gladly call upon him for any future legal matters :) (though I hope it doesn't come to that)
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22 Mar, 2017 by Tasha
Sandra Myers has been my attorney for several years now and has helped me and my son tremendously. She has always gone above and beyond, and shown a high level of commitment to helping us. In addition, she conducts herself with such a high degree of integrity and class...I am so happy I found her years ago. Recently Alexandra Myers took over my case and represented me throughout the course of a trial. She was very organized, focused and diligent, and showed enthusiasm that inspired me to stay optimistic throughout the entire process. She was also extremely resourceful in gathering information and prepping for the trial. In the courtroom she too conducted herself with professionalism and grace, and to say that I am grateful to have her as my attorney is an understatement. I would absolutely recommend both Sandra and Alexandra. They are smart, knowledgeable, dedicated attorneys who provide their clients with the best advice and service!
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20 Aug, 2020 by Anonymous
I am a practicing attorney and I hired Rachel to get me through my divorce. She was outstanding - patient, thorough, prompt, and professional. I couldn’t have asked for better.
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26 Apr, 2023 by Dan
Laura Voegli is an excellent attorney. She cares about her cases and works at a lightning pace. I'm astounded by the turnaround she's had in the short time that I've worked with her. If you need a family-law attorney in Southern Illinois, I highly recommend her.
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19 Mar, 2018 by Tifanie "ruggiero"
Mrs. Withrow was extremely professional and companionate. She answered all my questions and helped me to understand the process as it unfolded. She was also genuinely concerned for the well being of my son. I would highly recommend Megan Withrow for any legal family related issues you may have.
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13 Jan, 2013 by Anonymous
I was apprehensive at first but Mr. Varchetto came highly recommended from another attorney I know very well so I thought I would trust. He came into my case after two lawyers before him wasted time and money getting no where. When he first met the appointed guardian et litem for my kids they greeted each other with a hug. She applauded my choice at new counsel which really put me at ease. Mr. Varchetto resolved the case in the shortest time possible and kept me emotionally in check during the process.... which helped me to make the best decisions based on getting divorced rather then serving my personal vendetta for my ex that I might have pursued otherwise. I felt he genuinely cared about me and my case... and put me at ease when things got really stressful. I thought his rates were very fair particularly with someone with his experience.
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19 Jul, 2009 by Anonymous
This attorney, one of very few in my experience, looks at cost compared to return in any litigation. Takes the emotion out of it, Very competent.
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02 Apr, 2013 by Anonymous
Mike is an awesome family law attonrey. He helped me tremondously after having a terrible attorney. He is honet, trustworthy, compassionate and understands the difficulities of a divorce. I highly recommend him as a divorce attorney.
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21 Dec, 2015 by Joolee
Jason Pappas is an excellent lawyer. He is very familiar with the intricacies of the law and--perhaps more importantly--he genuinely cares about his clients' best interests. Jason's rates are extremely reasonable, and once you hand over your case to him, you can be confident that you are in good hands.
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26 Jun, 2024 by Christine
I had a chance to work opposite Sara a few years ago. I have worked with many lawyers in the past, but Sara stands out as the one of most professional, ethical, knowledgeable, and intelligent lawyers out there. She is sharp, quick on her feet, and she puts her client best interest above anything else. She is a fierce advocate and at the same time a fair and reasonable negotiator. It was my pleasure to work with her and I highly recommend her. She's not only a top-notch lawyer but also a great human being. She is the one who gives lawyers a good name. You can't go wrong with Sara.
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07 May, 2013 by Kitty
Mr. McNicol is an awesome attorney. Mr. McNicol handled my divorce from my ex and he did an excellent job! I would recommend him to any one and I have recommended him to my grand daughter! Great job, Randy!!!
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01 Aug, 2012 by Michael
Darren Miller did an excellent job at representing me against a case of a vendor that wanted to charge me thousands of dollars for work not done (a broken construction contract due to incompetence). Not only did he address the other lawyer in a very professional way, he asked good questions and did not give up. I won my case. I have a rule, that my attorney has to be very intelligent and competent and Darren Miller fits the bill. I would use him for larger cases as well.
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02 Dec, 2016 by Michael
Attorney Rogelio Lopez has been my lawyer of choice since about 2006. I have retained his firm and his representation on various family law matter. When other lawyers failed me, Mr. Lopez was there to clean the mess up and prevail on the issues and properly represent the facts. Superb, outstanding, ethical, and friendly! I can go on and on as to how much I trust Mr. Lopez to fully represent my and my children's interests. I most strongly recommend his legal expertise and representation should you are shopping around for an excellent family law attorney!
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20 Aug, 2008 by Anonymous
Simona Bezman helped me and my spouse in our quest for my wife's immigration status. Immigration law is a constantly changing area of the law, which requires an expertise of someone knowledgeable like Ms. Bezman. Ms. Bezman always returned our phone calls or e-mails promptly, was always responsive to our concerns. Thanks for all the great work!
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01 May, 2021 by Ullyses
Look no further, Mr. William Falik is the lawyer for you! After receiving a speeding ticket, I was referred to Mr. Falik for legal consultation and his colleagues also spoke very highly of him. Mr. Falik is very professional, knowledgeable, and always there when you call. He offered clear guidance as I took my ticket to court and instilled confidence from the start. The outcome? Withhold of adjudication, no points, no driver improvement course, and I only paid the ticket. Phenomenal work! Thank you Mr. Falik. Continue to help those in your community!
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05 Nov, 2015 by Anonymous
Joe was my divorce lawyer. I'd had two prior lawyers working on my divorce before who had made a mess of my case. I had a highly contested divorce and Joe successfully turned my case around and was able to keep focused on the things that were most important to me. He always had my back. In that way, he changed my life. His vast knowledge of the intricacies of the law and experience within the legal system and knowledge of the judges benefited me immensely. I would highly recommend Joe.
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17 Sep, 2015 by Diana
Mr. Kelley was my lawyer during my divorce and custody battle. Let's just say in the end I was awarded full custody to my son
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30 Oct, 2022 by Estela
Megan is a great attorney! She is very nice and is a very knowledgeable about family law. She took the time to make sure I understood the process and helped me feel confident throughout. Having to go to family court is never easy but Megan made it as easy as it could be. She really listened to me and my goals. I highly recommend Megan for your family law needs.
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19 Aug, 2016 by Madison, ms
Teri is very knowledgeable about the law and rights of the non-custodial parent. Unmarried custody and visitation case where parents did not get along. She went over and beyond the call of duty and ended up reaching a settlement out of court with other party involved. Our best interest as well as the child's was taken into consideration. Spending time with my child makes it all worth while not to mention both of us as parents now get along for our child's best interest.
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19 Jun, 2018 by Mark
Paulette Turner and her staff have been very responsive, supportive and swift in completing filings and providing guidance and support to several members of our family through this difficult custody process that spans two countries! She and her staff have advocated and fought for us and with us like family members! Thank you so much!
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14 Jul, 2017 by David
Ron was astute, ethical and did a great job. He took the time to explain things clearly, his billing practices were fair and he is consummate gentleman. I work with attorneys all the time in real estate and would would highly recommend Ron to anyone seeking counsel for family or business.
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05 Oct, 2016 by Anonymous
We retained Mr. Lemcke to help us navigate through challenging post-divorce child support, child custody and decree enforcement litigation. Paul is an absolute professional in every sense. He is the kind of attorney you want to represent you; highly respected by fellow attorneys and judges alike. I trusted him implicitly as he guided us through the emotional ups and downs of our family court system and he never failed. If you need an honest, knowledgeable attorney of the highest caliber, Paul is the attorney for you.
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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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. What is the likelihood of success in my case?
    Ask for an honest assessment of your case, including potential challenges and expected outcomes.
  4. How long will the process take?
    Inquire about the expected timeline from filing the petition to reaching an agreement or going to trial.
  5. Will you personally handle my case?
    Ensure you know who will be managing your case and representing you in court.
  6. 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.

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