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23 Feb, 2020 by Holly krupke
16 Nov, 2019 by M james bunnell
Would definitely recommend.
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22 Dec, 2021 by Anonymous
Mrs. Dennis is the ultimate gaslighter. She never returns calls, files improper paperwork, if she files any at all. She will not fight for you. The other party will do all the talking. And she’ll tell you that’s the best your gonna get. Smack dead in the middle of your case she’ll request more money. She will postpone due to (any ex use she can) everything. She does not have an actual office, and honestly is the most difficult to contact. I truly wish we would have done way more research before hiring this attny. If you’re reading this run!! Do not even think about it. This will be a complete waste of your money and you will end up having to pay another attorney to fix everything she’s messed up.
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26 Jan, 2016 by Karen
Ms. Dennis handled my divorce/custody case and the results were great. I received everything I asked for which resulted in a fair and reasonable end for myself and the children. Thank you so much for all of your hard work!!
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06 Jul, 2015 by Felicia s.
I am so happy with the outcome of my case! I was in a huge mess with my children's father over visitation and child support when I decided to get an attorney. Ms. Dennis did more for me than I thought possible, if you're looking for an attorney that will fight for you then I highly recommend this attorney!
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25 Apr, 2018 by Saleem
I worked with Carol regarding my amicable divorce from my partner. We scheduled an appointment Jan 2017 and paid the consultation fee. After the appointment we shopped around, we thought their fee was a little on the high side however felt confident and safe hiring them.
On Oct 2017 I hired Carol, signed the welcome letter and retainer agreement, Paid my deposit. At first they failed to credit the consultation fee, after a reminder they made the correction. The next time I heard from Carol was a month later, only because of my emails to Rachael and Susan wondering what the next step was. She stated we should be completed by the end of the year, so I waited for the next step.
Finally middle Jan 2018 I sent an email, because no one followed up Iasking Carol for an update. At that point and I'm not sure why Carol waited so long but she sent out our Petition for Dissolution which we signed within 24 hours. Carol forgot our case which left us waiting another few weeks for the next step,
However, Come March 2018, I'm still waiting....I called, I emailed...on March 13th Rachael responded and looked into what we are waiting for...she couldnt offer anything besides an apology but assured to me Carol would have a settlement agreement by Friday end of working day. On Friday 7pm, no word. At this point I'm at my wits end, frustrated that my case has been forgotten, on the back burner, and I have had to consistently follow up wondering what the hold up is.....I emailed Carol asked for a refund and wanted to take my business elsewhere. Finally at 9:43pm Carol sent the settlement agreement, she apologized and stated she works late on Fridays.
March 27th we signed final papers, April 4th we picked a court date.
Court Day: I was instructed to arrive at 9:30am, which I did, even a little early because I was nervous. At 9:30am I called the firm I was told she should be there, what are you wearing?, Carol has not arrived. I thought to myself, has she forgotten me again? I checked in with the clerk and waited. Carol arrived (9:37am), it was the longest 7 minutes of my life. When she arrived we stepped outside spoke about what to expect and went back inside. Once inside the clerk stated she needed to get something signed or stamped, I wasn't sure what she was missing but she said the clerk was being difficult and she had to run to do something. I was left sitting, waiting. When Carol returned it was my turn with the judge, everything went smoothly (hence the one star) after that, she emailed me final court documents and we finished.
I'm disappointed with the organization and management of this law firm. It is unacceptable to require the client to follow up with the lawyer and keep tabs on their case. Also, its unacceptable to be late to court, I should have been given a follow up call saying "dont worry I'm running late." I understand court is an everyday event for a lawyer but for me it was a new experience and I was nervous.
Amicable divorces should not take 6-7 months, I know this is true because I have an email from Carol stating we should be completed by end of 2017. (I saved all emails) We were not delayed on my end, anything she needed from us was provided within 48 hours.
At first I felt confident with their abilities, in the end was greatly disappointed. Overall, when hiring this firm I would make sure you are ok with delays and being overlooked or being an after thought. Also, I would ask the firm if they has time for your case, maybe Carol was juggling more than what she could handle. I dont know. For now take a pass on hiring an attorney from this firm.
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20 Jan, 2015 by Anonymous
I engaged Jill Metz for litigation services and was a client of hers. Jill was not able to draft a complaint that the court would accept and required additional extra legal services. Jill did not deliver the level of service nor results she claimed to. I do not recommend Jill Metz be engaged for litigation services.
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09 Jun, 2013 by Local professional
Jill Metz and her team were great in helping us understand what to include in a living will, powers of attorney, and end of life planning. Her consultation also helped us understand the real estate holdings we had and the necessary paperwork updates required to put all our wishes together. Definitely recommend!
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02 Jan, 2025 by Cara cathcart
Terrible. Did nothing for me in a multi state custodial despute. Would send me little bills for NOTHING and charge me. Total SCAM. Stay away!!! Huge lawyer group based out of state that will steal any desperate Mother's money. Hasn't been my lawyer in 5 years/case is closed. STILL sending me multiple spam emails and day stating I owe money to the trust account. BBB needs to look into this company.
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08 Oct, 2024 by Anonymous
she was my exes lawyer in a divorce. she suppressed all my evidence of neglect of my son. now a few years later MOM is taking me to court for child support AFTER he turns 18 because he isnt going to graduate. BUT she was called fit and proper by this attorney. she will fight for you even if she knows she is WRONG!
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26 Sep, 2024 by Jmckean78
First time retaining an attorney and Stange Law was recommended by a friend. My attorney Chuk is very responsive to my questions, which is important when dealing with stressful legal matters. I appreciate his honest advice.
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24 May, 2024 by Joe kuhn
24 Dec, 2023 by Scott pruitt
Cynthia Smith reminds me of what you would get as a public defender in Mexico. She is the representation of alienating fathers. She has been admonished for playing the role of the judge. This place should not employ such people. Spend the money and get a good attorney.
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09 Dec, 2023 by Kenneth ashcraft
They have great attorneys and are there to help. Especially with evictions from Springfield Housing. Great staff!
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22 Oct, 2015 by David
Atty. King has helped me on several occasions and has always been up front and direct with regards to the expected outcome. He is an excellent litigator and is well respected by prosecutors, judges and fellow defense attorneys in the multiple counties in which he practices. I highly recommend him!
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06 Aug, 2015 by Anonymous
I have no feedback for his work as a lawyer, but his personal skills are beyond horrible. After my initial inquiry and multiple attempts to confirm receipt of my fax, he called me and yelled at me non-stop and lied about his calling me back multiple times (I got 1 call 4 days later). He would not let me say a single word for well over a minute. He then hung up on me and when I called him back, he told me to NEVER call his cell phone ever again. He did not return the emails I had sent, and he waited 4 days to tell me he did not receive my faxes and then complained that this all would be blamed on him because I didn't send the document! (Why would I NOT send the documents and then ask multiple times if you received them?!?!)
What a horrible representation and initial impression he gave us. Even if I were in the wrong completely, this is no way for reasonable humans to act. Engage this man with caution. He may be a wonderful lawyer, but I would never trust him.
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22 Nov, 2024 by Brandy laukaitis
After 11 months of gathering evidence, filing 18 police reports of being harassed, cyber-stalked & doxxed, this office determined, WITHOUT EVER speaking to me, determined that I am NOT a human being or American citizen (despite being born here) who can expect to be protected under the law.
Unless you're going to make them famous, they DO NOT care if you're the victim of a crime. You are not a human to them & how DARE you expect equal protection under the law!
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02 May, 2023 by Gina
Very helpful department
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15 Dec, 2022 by D d
11 Nov, 2024 by Pearl biggerstaff
16 Sep, 2024 by Gia lois
07 Oct, 2023 by Brandon johanson
This guy got on social media and started threatening to DOX people. Really professional attorney. I’ve got screenshots for proof. Stay far away.
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19 Nov, 2021 by Betsy gilmore
Went to him about my elderly father. He gave me the wrong information! If you need Legal advice Don't waste your money! I went to another law office not in canton.They didn't charge me for the visit because I was given such poor information.
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18 Jun, 2018 by Nick wolford
Chris is amazing. He is very insightful, truthful, and quick on his feet. I have used him more than once and will continue to use him in the future.
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13 Jun, 2018 by Shawn siders
I worked with Mr. Walters and his staff for about 6 months, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Both Mr. Walters and his staff were very professional and helped me out when I needed it the most. Most importantly to me, they showed me compassion and explained every step of the process I was going through. I have recommended his services to both family and friends, and I plan on using his firm again. What a great team they have, and it was great having them on mine!
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02 Jan, 2025 by Cara cathcart
Terrible. Did nothing for me in a multi state custodial despute. Would send me little bills for NOTHING and charge me. Total SCAM. Stay away!!! Huge lawyer group based out of state that will steal any desperate Mother's money. Hasn't been my lawyer in 5 years/case is closed. STILL sending me multiple spam emails and day stating I owe money to the trust account. BBB needs to look into this company.
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26 Sep, 2024 by Jmckean78
First time retaining an attorney and Stange Law was recommended by a friend. My attorney Chuk is very responsive to my questions, which is important when dealing with stressful legal matters. I appreciate his honest advice.
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16 Sep, 2022 by Anonymous
I have nothing good to say about this attorney. Could not argue his way out of a paper bag.
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15 Dec, 2021 by Jane meginnes
I still have a open adoption case and not getting anywhere. I have paid the money and wont return my calls or texts.
Jane Meginnes
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07 Jul, 2021 by Anonymous
I have met this attorney once with my daughter who has been in an abusive marriage for some time now. He was payed a retainer, but it seems my daughter has done the work. She has had a lot go on since this attorney has been hired and it just seems like nothing can get done. She has called, messaged him and I have also messaged him with no reply back. It seems to me that if it was his daughter he would want something done as I do. This needs to be over. I would not recommend hiring Saleem unless you have the time to wait forever.
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04 Jan, 2018 by Susan
Salem simply stopped working on my case because it was going to involve doing some research in another state. He stopped returning emails or calls.
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18 Nov, 2024 by Wendy alexander
Worst place to go to. Took over $1200 and didn't do a thing on my case then sent me a phony list of where all my money went when I couldn't get anyone on the phone even. Don't waste your money! Rip off.
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01 Feb, 2024 by Cory clark
This law office should be investigated and fined to the highest extent of the law. Know your rights when they call you, because they will try to pressure and violate you out of them. Stand your ground and report to the state. EVERYONE should be held accountable, especially attorneys.
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25 Jan, 2024 by D. l.
C. Martin gouged me for my money out of my deposit i paid. It was a simple case, i just asked him to look over the proposal and then help me mediate the terms. It was a short process but yet used all of my deposit. Straightup gouged me. Do not go to this guy. I dunno who shaw is, but i would completely avoid hiring any lawyers from this office.
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16 Nov, 2017 by Anonymous
Brian Gabor and his secretary are very unprofessional!!! I hate that I even hired him as a lawyer!!! Brian never return calls and he’s not on top of his game. Brian doesn’t even deserve one star I was better off representing myself . I would never recommend him for lawyer Ever!!!! I’m highly disappointed
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24 Nov, 2016 by James
I am working with Mr. Gabor on a divorce case and I am extremely pleased with what he is doing. Yes Mr. Gabor is very busy but he always gets back with me and let's me know what is going on. Would highly recommend Mr. Gabor
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18 Apr, 2016 by Anonymous
Mr Gabor started out with the best interest of the estate, but that quickly changed. He was never available when he said he would be. He didn't return our calls in a timely matter...more so ... not at all. When the house in the estate was finally sold, the signing of those papers had to wait until after Mr. Gabor returned from vacation. Things didn't happen when he said they would. When everything was done with the estate and all papers were turned into him on Dec 28th, for closing of the estate, it took many phone calls from us and three months for a court date to be set and that only got done when it did because his secretary took charge and set up the court date only after talking to her and telling her that we looked into hiring another attorney to get the estate closed. I informed her that on the Friday before presidents day, Mr. Gabor told my husband that the court house was closed on Monday because of the holiday and so Tuesday would be the earliest he could get something set up. He gave us plenty of excuses! Going into the third month of waiting and talking to his secretary about our frustrations and concerns... all his secretary would say is " well, im not the attorney". She was nice about the whole deal, and understood how frustrated we were at closing this estate. Once the court date was set, and all reports were completed and sent out...we discovered, from my accountant, that mothers 2014 taxes should have been filed and that our attorney should have told us that. when asked mr gabor about it...all he could says was "well...." . ALSO, when I was going through the final report, I noticed that part of the will was missing. Section two that stated an entitlement of an item was left out. I asked Mr. Gabor about that section and how that was to play out. He responsed... " oh, I guess I didn't pay attention to that. I must have overlooked that." I HAD TO HIRE ANOTHER LAWYER TO GET THIS SECTION OF THE WILL COMPLETED!! MR GABOR SEEMED TO NOT CARE OR NOT UNDERSTAND HOW TO DO WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE ....I THINK BOTH!! we had to hire another attorney!!! we were told by this other attorney that if this issue was not addressed before closing, things would have been a big mess and potentially caused legal problems down the road. Fair warning to all who need things done in a timely manner, without excuses, and done COMPLETELY...THE RIGHT WAY! IF it wasn't for all my questions and inquiries....my husband and I would be out MORE than the $600, out of our own pocket, it cost us to fix things and get them done like they should have been!
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13 Apr, 2023 by Kelita 0027
03 Aug, 2021 by Axelle touchard
#justiceforariel !!!
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03 Aug, 2021 by Cael low
#JUSTICEFORARIEL
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06 Mar, 2021 by Randy
I paid this man to review my documents to see if I could achieve my goals. He told me that I could, so I paid him an additional retainer fee. I called him a month after he cashed my check, and he neglected to return my call. I finally reached him by phone and he said there was a problem, some clause, that might prevent the attainment of my goal. He said he would look into it. Why didn’t this come up when I first paid him to review my documents? I spoke with him once more, and he told me that he was still looking into it. From that time on, he never returned my calls or letters, nor did I receive any refund of my retainer. Purely unprofessional behavior. If someone makes a mistake, they should own up to it.
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23 Jul, 2020 by Tony
When I initially went into Joe's office I was taken back by his confidence and charisma, and though I was skeptical of hiring a lawyer, he put my mind at ease telling me that my case should be easy. I explained to him that the last time I hired an attorney, it cost me close to 14k and he reassured me that it shouldn't be close. Well my horror began after receiving my first billing statement, He had somehow blown through my entire $2500 retainer and an additional $850 without even setting foot in a court room. His fee agreement clearly outlines, that the costs for paralegal services at $125 an hour, but not once during the ten months I had him hired as counsel did I see a charge on my bill to reflect this. He wrote motions that were never addressed as promised, He charged me repeatedly for sending and reviewing similar and same documents. He told me twice, once on the phone, and once via email that this would be the final bill, and neither time was it. I eventually had to give up on my original reason for entering his office because the costs of modifying my child support, which he assured me would be a no brainer, became staggering. I started to feel like him and the other attorney were working together to run up our bills. I would have rather given that money to my ex. At the end of the day, it cost me $15,000 to save about $4,000 in child support. So I feel like I threw a staggering $11,000 into a paper shredder. Oh, but unlike other attorneys he'll return your calls.
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07 Jul, 2013 by Sue
He returned about 10% of my calls, he asked me for numerous documents that I spent countless hours on providing and he basically did nothing with them. I feel he did not inform me on my options and did what he felt. I am the one paying the bills, so I certainly wanted to make the calls after being properly informed, which didn't happen. He did not follow my directions as I plainly indicated via email or directly handing them to him. I document everything! So, if you hire this guy......save all your emails. But, at that point....when you realize he is just stringing you along for the long haul.....it will be too late :( Mine was a simple divorce that took over 2 years, I was strung along thinking it was about over till I finally got smart and got another attorney and we had a trial withing 2-3 months. She was very good and listened and acted to my concerns.
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25 Jan, 2017 by Steve libby
She refused to go to trial. The day of the trial she said she would quit if I didn't accept horrendous settlement. Helen did not seek maintenance schedule that Illinois law allows? She refused to fight for premarital assets. I take a lot of responsibility for this situation, however was really counting on attorney that would fight for what is right. Worthless. Don't walk from this attorney, run.
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11 May, 2023 by Anonymous
Does dirty, shady work. Is never compassionate. Does not send proper notification, never mails statements, goes behind your back. Don't hire, don't patronize his business.
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21 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
I wish I could leave 0 stars. Huffman was a very incompetent lawyer. My husband used him for a family lawyer for two and a half years. I can count on my two hands how many times we actually spoke to Huffman, even during emergencies he was extremely hard to contact.
He barely got anything done, dragging out the court process an excessive amount of time. And then drop my husband as a client as soon as he could, without any warning.
We are just know finding out, over a year after he resigned as my husbands attorney, that he never properly filed the documents correctly with the judge. Putting us back 4 years of progress, which we now have to start over.
I would never recommend him.
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19 Apr, 2018 by Anonymous
I hired Attorney Dorsam some years ago for a new paternity/child support case. As other reviewers have noted, I chose attorney Dorsam because of her credentials as a guardian ad litem and because I wanted a smaller office vs a larger firm. When I hired attorney Dorsam I believe the office consisted of Attorney Dorsam, her legal secretary, and her paralegal. She was fine during the consultation and the initial filing seemed fair. Once she got in contact with the opposing attorney she became completely unresponsive. I would call her office and she or her paralegal would not return call the call. She would forward documents to me from opposing counsel with no guidance and in some cases unopened. While her hourly rate was reasonable she will grossly overbill as other reviewers have stated. My ex told me that the opposing counsel and Rhea Dorsam were good friends so I just assumed that was the reason but it appears that other reviewers have also had the same experience. My experience with every attorney reviewed on Avvo so far has been excellent. Unfortunately, Avvo reviews were not prevalent when I hired her. Her rate may seem attractive but I would not recommend hiring Attorney Dorsam.
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17 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
Rhea was my attorney. She was outrageously expensive. She ruined my family. She picked sides in my divorce and did all She could to distance my children from me. Rhea makes judgement calls that are not grounded in evidence. If you use Rhea Dorsam as your attorney you will end up poor and heartbroken. I really wish I could rate her the zero rating she deserves.
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15 Apr, 2015 by Anonymous
Rhea was my attorney for almost an entire year. It was the most frustrating year on my life. Rhea never informed me that I could ask for a 215 evaluation for my prescription drug addicted spouse. She did not put in an order for child support. Rhea never attempted to obtain my ex's mandatory financial disclosure statement. She had me waiving my right to financial disclosure and would not change it even though I asked her repeatedly. She had the wrong addresses and cars in the initial agreement as well. Rhea rarely would return calls and when she did, she would bill me $75 for a three minute conversation. The final straw came when she made changes to the marital settlement agreement without my consent or knowledge. I retained another attorney that finalized the divorce in only 10 weeks. I choose Rhea because she is a guardian ad litem and thought she would have our best interests at heart. I'm posting this review as a public service. I wish Ms. Dorsam the best, but I can not recommend her as a divorce attorney.
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23 Apr, 2015 by Bill
She was fairly knowledgeable on divorce law, but did not send opposing counsel our settlement offers. She was not very well organized and became harder and harder to contact and get a response from her. Did not receive my first bill until about 45 days after I retained her and I was way over my retainer at that point.
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18 Jul, 2011 by Anonymous
Did not communicate, rarely answered calls , did not have details of my case correct when we were before the judge, very rude, accepted payments then said she never agreed to them and wanted to be paid in full or she would not go to court for me. Court was in 5 days. When I did manage to meet with her she didn't know why I was there and said I needed to spoon feed her. Overall do not hire her , you will end up in debt and wondering if she presented your case or someone elses to the judge.
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16 May, 2018 by Anonymous
Showed up ninety minutes late for first court appearance because she booked two clients at the same time in different courthouses.
Lost my three letters of office because she lost her mail.
Was confused during court appearances and had to repeatedly ask questions from other attorneys and court staff and was disrespectful to the court recorder who questioned her on something.
Accused me of not informing her of information she needed but denied the fact that I had called numerous times and left messages with her secretary and then accused me of being insensitive because she was sick with the flu and couldn’t respond to my calls.
Showed up to court and complained the entire time how sick she was.
Billed me for two thirds of the entire cost she had quoted me after eight weeks of representation. She had originally agreed to represent me for what she anticipated to take three years.
When I questioned her about all of the mistakes she made, her response was “I told you I’ve never done this before”
She took advantage of me, a grieving, emotionally distraught widow, one month after losing my spouse.
Several other complaints... too many to list...
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12 Jul, 2022 by Anonymous
Jennifer should NEVER be in FAMILY law. She is easily paid and foolishly easy. She does MORE DAMAGE to a child. She is close minded about PARENT ALIENATING. She always gets it wrong. As long as you have a big house and look good on Facebook. That is where the most abused children come from. Jennifer speak with the child away from parents. Jennifer be open minded to a bigger picture and for the love of god do not repeat what the child is telling you. As you know now it caused him more abuse at the big house. He suffers from PTSD. She abused him and you with her pictures and name drops. Now you know. She divorced him as soon as she could not play mind control games. He is back HOME safe and happy WITHOUT your help!!
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23 Apr, 2022 by Anonymous
John Barr: This attorney has ten counts of misconduct. Please be careful in giving your business to this attorney. Get a real description of his license
.
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20 Mar, 2012 by Anonymous
Mr. Wrigley handled my divorce. He did not address the issue of college tuition and when I questioned the decision I was told we would need to go back to court when my daughter reached college age. She was 16 at the time of the divorce. I have talked to other people who have very young children and this was still addressed in their settlement. I was billed for numerous hours every time our case was scheduled for court even when it was cancelled. It was as if he had to start preparing from scratch each time court dates were cancelled. I can understand the need to review the case, but not the number of hours I was billed each and every time. I was charged from the minute I saw him before court until the end of the appearance although he left for long periods of time to appear in other courtrooms for other clients during that time. I felt overbilled by this attorney.
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26 Jan, 2015 by Kevin
I hired David to meet with my client about a will. He talked a good game until i gave him authority to contact the client. When he arrived at the retirement community he refused to get on the elevator because he weighed too much. He pressured her into giving him a check for $850.00.. He demanded a 90 year old widow talk about her private information in a public restaurant that all her neighbors eat at. He wrote down her name and her beneficiaries grab the check and took off. She asked how are you going to do a will if you haven't talked to the guy who handles my financial accounts. He said this is a very simple will. She felt like she got scammed. When I called the office to talk about the unfortunate event that happened he asked me "who I was" I responded by saying I am the one that hired you for $150.00 to meet with my client and you pressured her into giving you a check for $850.00 he said I don't talk about my clients personal affairs and hung up. After calling him for 2 weeks he finally returned the widow's call. She instructed him to speak with me and to apologize for being rude. He disappeared again for many days. When he did call her back he said he had the will done and he was not going to work with the man that hired him. She told him she was seeking other representation and he intimidated her to tears. He called her until we told him every time she calls us crying about him we are recording the calls he finally stopped. We still have not seen the money returned. Beware of this guy he prayed on the elderly and he wanted to charge her $850 to write down her name and her beneficiaries.
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21 Jan, 2025 by Shea
I wouldn’t recommend her to my worse enemy!! She was appointed by the court to represent our child which I’m not even sure exactly what she even got paid for, besides a couple visits nothing else was done. She will however harass you for money, charged $75 for a 3 min phone call once , pretend like she had appointments scheduled when didn’t so she can stack on extra fees per her negligence. Threatened to take our case to trial like we weren’t aware of that being unlawful because she didn’t get payment at her convenience. And that’s not even all! She’s a horrible person and horrible Attorney her best interest is Greed!! I highly would not recommend I would give no stars if I could!! If I had the time and patience I would sue her for lack of doing her job!
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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:
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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.
