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04 Dec, 2024 by Linda marshall
My husband and I knew nothing about how to create wills and other legal documents involving medical, legal and estate decisions. We chose Seth Oakes because of numerous positive reviews, and we are completely pleased with his legal guidance and performance. He is very responsive and has provided us with answers and suggestions far beyond what we expected. We wholeheartedly recommend Oakes Law Firm.
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31 Oct, 2024 by Tabitha rogers
Didn’t catch her name but the receptionist that answered the phone today was beyond professional, compassionate and knowledgeable. I haven’t even done official business with them yet and I can already see why they have a 5 star rating!
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28 Oct, 2024 by Sharon friar
Brad Lewis and his staff were exceptional in every aspect of closing my mom's estate. Knowledgeable, timely, professional, and kind. We were treated with the utmost respect and care at every turn. Highly recommend!
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5.0
21 Reviews
15 Aug, 2024 by Austin
Mr. Crane made my adoption process simple answered all my questions to the fullest and always keeps a professional friendly tone with you. He was an excellent choice to carry out my daughters adoption as well as keeping everything affordable thank you Mr. crane
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29 Jan, 2024 by Chuck
Upon recommendation by a friend, we hired Stewart to prepare an estate plan and all related documents, including a Revocable Living Trust, Durable and General Power of Attorney and Last Will and Testament. My wife and I found Stewart to be knowledgeable, direct, sincere, honest and reliable. We met with him at our home for an initial consultation where he explained the process and gathered our information. We were impressed with his expertise and thoroughness and his ability to explain legal information in terms we could understand. Stewart then drew up all the Draft documents for us to review. After having answered all of our questions and making changes, a Final set of documents was drawn up for signing. Stewart was readily available to us throughout the process. What I initially thought would be a daunting painful process, turned out to be straight forward and simple. I give credit to Stewart for making it so. We also found his rates to be very reasonable.
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15 Nov, 2023 by Anonymous
I reached out to schedule time to go over my LLCs. Mr. Crane reached out the same day and helped me over the phone and never asked for a dime. Thats a kindness and integrity you dont see often these days. Would definitely recommend.
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08 Feb, 2024 by Donnie
Divorce and custody cases are painful, difficult, and seemingly hopeless. Mr. Barnett took my extremely complex and difficult case and achieved what I never believed possible. He has built a team of talented professionals that help you navigate this gut-wrenching journey with compassion and understanding of what you and your family are struggling to get through. He is a well-respected expert amongst other lawyers and members of the legal field, yet he never forgets to keep his client aware of what is transpiring and answers countless emails and calls in ways that help the average person understand what is occurring. He understands what everyone is going through and never stops trying to do what is right for the family. Because of him and his team's devotion and expertise, my sons are now thriving, and the trajectory of their lives has been changed for the better. I will never even consider any other lawyer to represent me. I could not ask for more from a lawyer. He has strong character, solid values, and an unrelenting work ethic that is not matched in his field. We owe him more than money could ever repay.
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11 Dec, 2019 by Blake
I hired Ben for a very long child custody battle for my daughter after hearing great things about him from a close family friend attorney. Throughout the whole process from the paternity test to the parenting plan, Ben was always doing whatever he could to make sure my little girl would have her daddy in her life. He led and guided me through the toughest time of my life; a time where I wasn't sure if I would get to see my little girl. Ben was always at peak performance no matter how big or small the issue was. Through the next 6 or so years of my daughter's life, I have used Ben many times and he has never let me down.
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10 Dec, 2019 by Frankie
I can't thank Ben Barnett enough for his hardwork and willingness to go the extra mile to help me. Ben is very well educated and a master of his craft. He got me the results I was looking for. In times like these you have to choose wisely when it comes to who will represent you. I couldn't have picked a better lawyer. I will recommend the Barnett Firm to everyone.
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18 Dec, 2024 by Carmen
Highly recommend! Rochelle fought a 2 year legal battle with us and won. Her presence in the courtroom is strong and professional. She took the time to study details of the case and create a great defense.
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03 Sep, 2024 by Courtney green
Rochelle did an AMAZING job!!! She's hands down the best lawyer I've ever had! My case was far from easy, but she still gave it her all and we ended up winning! She's hard working, communicative, and aggressive (when she needs to be). I felt like she genuinely cared about me and my family. I recommend her to ANYONE!!
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29 Aug, 2024 by Tiffany salley
I would highly recommend Rochelle A. Oldfield. When you need someone to fight for you like they are defending their own family she is what you need! She is compassionate, intelligent, and a force in the court room.
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21 Jan, 2025 by Teona bryant
I would really recommend Nahon,
Saharovich & Trotz to anyone they really helped me out with my case. Please don't let the chance pass by you. Thanks
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20 Jan, 2025 by Migo bars
15 Jan, 2025 by Gnick saulsberry
One Of Tha Greatest ! I Stamp it
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07 Dec, 2024 by Logan o'rourke
Genuine, honest, hard working. Open communication throughout the entire process. Miles is an amazing attorney and a good man. I would recommend him to anyone!
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31 Jul, 2024 by Christina wallen
SMH
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06 Mar, 2024 by Sharon stout
He represented me in my case with my grandson and he is an excellent attorney. Very smart and professional. I highly recommend Mr Brinson.
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08 Nov, 2023 by Jonathan
When my career was altered by my company's decision to release me, I was devastated. I felt like it was wrong and reached out to an attorney friend of mine. She recommended Heather as an expert in the field. She could not have been more correct. Heather was amazing. She communicated with me in every aspect of the process and we ultimately got the outcome we desired. She was professional at every turn and always explained the situation as it developed. I would recommend her 100% She allowed me and my family to have peace with a very tough situation in our lives. I will always appreciate what she did for us. Thank you Heather.
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13 Mar, 2019 by Anonymous
I needed help with company policy and procedures and a few other HR issues. Heather did a great job at creating the company policy and procedures and gave great insight as to how to handle a few on going issues.
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29 Nov, 2018 by Anonymous
Heather is a fantastic attorney that I would highly recommend. She has assisted our company with business disputes, contract revision and general business matters. We have found her to be very knowledgeable in her practice area and a consummate professional. In the dispute she handled for our company, she showed herself to be a skilled negotiator working with the opposing side and other involved parties to achieve the outcome we had wanted. One of the things I appreciate most about working with Heather is her accessibility and quick response time. Her accessibility and constant contact during a dispute gave us the guidance we needed to resolve a very stressful and potentially costly situation. She definitely goes the extra mile for her clients.
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03 Feb, 2013 by Andrea
Mr. Roskind gave me hope when there was none. I went to see him from Greeneville,Tn, with 2 felony charges,aggravated demestic assault,felony reckless endangerment.I was so scared i didn't know were to turn,so i looked for a lawyer with a great rateing online.Andy's name popped right up thank God! Our first meeting i knew he was the right lawyer. I told him about my case and when I was done he told me to go home he would take care of it I would be fine. I left thinking could it be true, is he honest? Andy performed better then all my expectations! WOW he was amazing,he got my case DISMISSED! I am so thankful.He put the word trust back into lawyer for me. Andy Roskind is one great lawyer.! I
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27 Feb, 2024 by Jay smith
The closing of an estate in TN while living quite a distance away and having no experience with the process made me very fearful. Went to the internet for help and selected “Family Law Practice of David A. Montgomery”. Glad I did. I was panicking on the first phone call to David but his kind calm manner and patience put me at ease right away. Plus, I only had to travel 2 times throughout the year of closing. The second trip would not have been needed but there was a difficult bank. David’s guidance made my job as executor easy and stress free. He was very quick to answer emails. I also appreciated that he kept information and directions short and pointed. I highly recommend David A. Montgomery and would gladly have him as my attorney again.
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04 Jan, 2024 by Kay king
When my husband and I needed some estate planning and probate work done, we searched the internet and came up with David Montgomery. We went to our first meeting with high hopes of finding the right person who would understand our needs, address our concerns, and protect our interests all while charging a fair price. David has not only fulfilled our hopes, but exceeded our expectations. My husband has worked with more than 20 attorneys over the years and his biggest complaint has always been the responsiveness he has gotten. That is not the case with David. He might not have the answer right away, but he gets back to you in an expected amount of time and keeps you informed of his findings. That is huge to us! Our estate planning was not easy, but David dug deep with his research and, after every stone was turned, offered us the options he thought were best and we could not have agreed more. During probate, he exhibited professional and knowledgeable experience and knew how to interact effectively with the judge and other attorneys to get the best possible outcome for everyone involved, not just us.
We feel that David's high morals and strong Christian beliefs are lived out in his daily practice and makes him our first choice for an attorney. Because of our confidence in David, even though our estate and probate work is done, we have decided to keep him on as our general counsel for our personal business matters and would highly recommend him to anyone.
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11 Dec, 2023 by Leo
David was great. I hired him to write our prenup and am really happy with that decision. The prenuptial agreement was well written, thorough, and accurately reflected my intent. The price was very reasonable for a top notch attorney
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20 Apr, 2023 by Annette
My husband and I contacted Nicole Uribe after we married to complete an adoption case. It was simple enough to get a consultation, comparable price, and she explained each step in the case. Any additional fee that came up was explained. Nicole is personable and she made sure we knew where we were in our case with time to plan ahead to attend court. Today we finalized our adoption and we could not be happier with whom we chose to champion our case. Thanks Nicole Uribe.
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08 Oct, 2024 by Alecia beeler
There are no words to express how grateful I am for this wonderful group of people!!! From the first answer of the phone (Michelle) to this minute these people have gone above and beyond to help me understand the process. I have received return calls, texts, and emails after hours simply to make sure I was ok. I’m a grandparent with this issue being my first ever legal case. I haven’t been an easy client but nobody has ever made me feel like my lack of experience was a burden to them!!!! I highly recommend LaFevor and Slaughter!!! They have all been a huge blessing to me and my family!!!!
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20 Sep, 2024 by Ellie bales
Clay is an amazing family law attorney who cares and fights for his clients. Can not recommend him more!
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18 Sep, 2024 by Robert chesser jr.
Josh Leach is an incredibly dedicated and knowledgeable attorney who does an amazing job for his clients. I highly recommend Josh and LaFevor and Slaughter.
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28 Apr, 2023 by Anonymous
Mr. Kern represented me in 2021. I wanted to wait until my case was settled before speaking about my experiences, so if you have found this review too late before experiencing the same please forgive me. These are my opinions of my experiences as a client.
I met with Mr. Kern and described my situation to him. He presented himself as a competent and experienced attorney with a specialty in family law. Reading through other reviews here, it appears his specialty is adoption and I'm sure he has done good work there and has helped a lot of people. He listened to my concerns and gave some feedback, and in my limited experience and knowledge it seemed like good feedback/advice at the time. I would go on to retain Mr. Kern , a mistake I would regret.
It wasn't until about a month later when I noticed something was off. Mr. Kern often did not respond to questions via email. When he did respond the answers were sometimes vague or even non-answers.
Having now been to a successful mediation I can confidently say the mediation with Mr. Kern was a mismanaged and mishandled disaster. Despite my pleas; from my perspective Mr. Kern did little to nothing to prepare me for mediation, did not provide useful feedback on my independent preparation for it, and otherwise did not represent me or my interests during mediation.
During mediation Mr. Kern asked the mediating attorney for advice and guidance concerning the matters at hand. This is when I found out he was not as competent in this area of practice as I needed him to be, during a mediation. Mr. Kern did not advocate for me, and at some points was openly ridiculing my lack of legal knowledge in front of the mediating attorney. Please bear in mind I had begged him to prepare and educate me beforehand in the months leading up to the mediation. The mediating attorney appeared far more knowledgeable and I received my education and advice during mediation.
A week after this predictable failure of a mediation, Mr. Kern contacted me to disclose he would no longer represent me as he didn't feel as though he could reach my goals. My opinion was Mr. Kern likely knew he could not reach my goals during our initial consultation months previously. From my perspective Mr. Kern knowingly accepted a retainer from me and wrote specific actions he was responsible for in a Representation Agreement (filing of contempt charges), with no intention of ever executing the agreed upon actions. I feel this way because had he intended to do what he said he would, he would have done it, and without me begging and nagging. I contacted Mr. Kern and made it clear I was not attacking him or his character as a person, but as an attorney he did not perform anywhere near to my expectations, he failed to execute the scope of our Representation Agreement, and I felt that I was entitled to be refunded some fees. His response to this was he would not be returning any fees.
I have had time to think about this situation and how it could have worked out differently or had a better outcome. The only solution I could imagine working was to avoid Ted Kern. I have also had a lot of time to work on forgiveness and giving Mr. Kern the benefit of the doubt. In this situation I cannot give him the benefit of the doubt. He is a nice man and sells himself well, but he did not instill confidence in his abilities to me and did not perform to a level congruent with his hourly rate. When someone knowingly does some of the things Mr. Kern did (or failed to do), gets called out for them politely, and refuses to apologize or offer reparations for their actions we can deduce the issue may be related to issues of character versus a mistake made. My opinion I've developed is he is of poor character professionally. Be careful who you choose in custody matters, some attorneys are more engaged than others. In my case, he felt like controlled opposition and I was often in disbelief regarding his conduct.
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29 Jun, 2020 by Michael
My wife and I retained Mr. Kern's services for a custody dispute involving a family member we had been caring for. He was patient with us the whole way, explaining what we could and could not expect. When the situation turned less contentious, he pivoted to help us with the (ultimately successful) adoption process. We have never once regretted our decision to hire Mr. Kern; he is a good, ethical lawyer, and we are so thankful for his services.
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22 Jan, 2020 by Ember
Ted was there every step of the way during my divorce. It was an ugly and stressful divorce but I knew that any time I talked to Ted he would bring a well reasoned and patient response to all of my questions. He is a fighter and he will help you to make the best possible decisions during such challenging times. I will be retaining his services for many years to come.
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23 Dec, 2024 by Andy timan
Sam English is an absolute bulldog in the courtroom!! He knows the law well and protects his clients. If you are fortunate enough to have him as your attorney, you are in good hands. Sam will fight hard for you. He is gifted at what he does!! For over 4 years Sam has been my attorney and has done an incredible job protecting my children and I in a highly contested, difficult custody situation. I am deeply grateful for how he has helped my family. Without his help, I would not be enjoying the life with my kids that I do today!!!!!!!
Sam has a wealth of experience and will give you good advice. Listen to him. Also, he will not overcharge you. Sam is very honest and straightforward. You can trust him and his staff. They do a fantastic job. If you need an exceptional attorney, look no further.
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21 Dec, 2024 by Aaron green
Sam did an outstanding job representing me in my divorce! It was a difficult divorce and he handled every situation that come up during the process head on! He's a bulldog, and would highly recommend Sam if you are currently in a divorce situation.
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13 Dec, 2024 by Alan kidwell
Sam English is the best attorney and an absolute bulldog in the courtroom. Having worked with Sam for the last 12 years, I can assure you, he is the person you want by your side. Sam cares about his clients like family and will fight for what is right and in their best interest. Sam is an honest and fierce lawyer who will always be in your corner when you need him. I am forever grateful for everything that he has done for me and my children.
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18 Nov, 2024 by Morgan atchley
the front office lady I spoke to was WONDERFUL and helped me so much.
BUT Jennifer was awful. I waited 2 hours 3 different times to speak with her and she never called. She finally did call and the 30 minute phone call was only 11 minutes because she didn't know anything about getting custody and had to talk to one of her other supervisors. I was needing help, I was desperate and she did not have the urge to do anything she had told me. She was EXTREMELY rude on the phone call and it was unacceptable. I then days later after waiting got told that she couldn't help me and recommended me to just do it on my own. I do NOT recommend this law firm or better yet Jennifer. She was not good at all.
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05 Nov, 2024 by Tori guyer
Melanie Hogg very patiently walked me through the difficult process of my divorce. I’m grateful for her tenacity and expertise.
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24 Sep, 2024 by Taylor cress
I would recommend Melanie Hogg to anyone needing legal representation. She helped me navigate through my case with professionalism and care. When in doubt, call Melanie!
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10 Jan, 2025 by Paula frater
15 Oct, 2024 by Matthew williams
Shelley breeding is awesome! So helpful and supportive and professional. Thank you Shelley your the best!!!
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15 Oct, 2024 by Bethany heins
Did not look out for her clients best interest and extremely unprofessional. Put us in the worst situation, had to hire a new lawyer.
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18 Dec, 2024 by Wendy burleson
Working with Valerie has been FANTASTIC. She went way beyond to help out my family sort out the legality concerning our Family Estate. Thank you so very much!!!
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04 Dec, 2024 by Cody sawyer
Mario helped me through my divorce. He made sure that I understood everything that was going on. If you need a bulldog lawyer that won't back down he is the go to. I am very happy with his professionalism and the hard work that he put into my case.
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23 Aug, 2024 by Diana fitzgerld
Very professional, and extremely helpful . Highly Respect them and everything they do for their clients. Definitely recommend.
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23 Aug, 2024 by Dolores monroe
Ms. Clark made us so comfortable right from the beginning. She listened to us, answered every question we had & put us at ease immediately. She was very knowledgeable, direct & did exactly as she stated to us. We felt as if she truly had our back & it was such a huge relief! If we ever need a lawyer again, she'll be the 1st one we call on for assistance. Thank you Ms. Clark!
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14 Jul, 2024 by Brudda
Helped with divorce and most importantly child custody with a parent trying to use the children as pawns. She fights for what's best for the children; not what the parents want. Ms. Barbara Clark is awesome
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19 Dec, 2023 by Teresa porter
She has done much for me and my family. Her excellence and knowledge has served us well.
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04 Aug, 2020 by Laura
Meghan Bodie was very compassionate, professional and made my divorce process smoother than I could have ever imagined. She took time to answer any questions I had and helped me every step of the way. I moved during the process, and she was able to complete my filing and finish everything across the distance. I highly recommend - couldn't have done it without her!
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30 Jul, 2020 by Mandy
I am a single mother of 2 children, father showed very little interest in our children and had many addictions . After father tested positive for drugs and proof of how mentally unstable dad was she made an agreement to allow our children to be supervised by grandpa who left them alone with father while he was intoxicated. Ms. Bodie, gave me terrible advise and put my infant and toddler in harm's way. She did not show up for court and sent her paralegal who told the judge " I dont know the case well enough to answer that question" even the judge responded "then why are you here" I was also wondering the same thing. I was still charged for that day also. Many emails of not being responded to. Ms. Bodie has no idea what she is doing and charged me for a bunch of paperwork that she never showed or had signed by a judge so therefore, I could not use a single document in future court situations. She was not bold, she had very little knowledge of what my rights were, and did not fight for me or my children. Honestly,
this lady is heartless and money hungry. Shame on you for taking advantage of me and my children knowing our situation Meghan... After almost 4,000 dollars later, she did not help me further my case but actually set me back almost a year and a half and STILL have not established child support and father is still playing games and not responsible for following anything court or lawyers requested. It seemed like Meghan was not for me but for the father. I also know another family that she screwed over big time and put their foster child in harm's way when they wanted to adopt and give this child a better life. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND HER OR HER LAW FIRM. I'm surprised that she had positive reviews.
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13 Nov, 2016 by Jason
It's been a hard couple of months on my family. Without a doubt, the service that Meghan Bodie provided uplifted us in our time of need. While the ebbs and flows of the case didn't always go our way, Meghan always fought for us and our family's needs.
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03 Apr, 2023 by Tamara
On 6.15.21 I hired Ashley to handle the adoption of my grandson that I already had legal guardianship of. I know she sent a processor in 11.21 to find the bio-father to sign over custody. From that point on she didn't do anything else on my case until I filed a complaint with the State board. Finally on 1.19.23 we went to court and she didn't have the proper paperwork. I didn't hear from her again until I hired another lawyer to finish what she started. On 3.8 she called said she was on her way to court to have the judge sign and pick up my certified copies to mail to me. I've reached out several times and as of today, 4.3.23 I still haven't gotten my copies of the adoption. Please...don't use this attorney!
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12 Jan, 2020 by Meghan
Ashley was truly a god send to our family! When our private adoption got a little sticky and the hospital was doing/saying conflicting things to the birth mother, whom had made her choice of a private adoption and chose my husband and I, Ashley truly went to bat for us! In the most respectful, tactful, but productive way she contacted the appropriate hospital attorneys and authority's to make sure our sons custody arrangement and his safety, best interest, and well-being was the number one thing everyone focused on. When our son was three days old and in the NICU, Ashley was able to meet with a judge to get us emergency custody of our son, per the birth parents wishes, so we could make appropriate medical decisions for him, visit him, and begin to bond with him before bringing him home from the hospital. Throughout our entire adoption process, Ashley made sure we were informed, prepared, and also had everything done exactly as needed for the legal side of this adoption. Our case was very unusual and we always had a million questions, emailed her pretty much weekly, spoke on the phone often, and visited her in the office with our son and no matter how many times she had answered the question before, she always explained things to us again. Aside from being an amazing attorney, who communicated often with us and kept us in the loop of where we were at in the filing process, she always showed us that she truly cared. She took interest in our personal story, why we were adopted, and she truly loves our son and he loves her even more. Any time we saw her, he was reaching for her. I’m not sure that without Ashley’s tenacity, tact, strength, and persistence that we would have our son; seeing as the hospital had some conflicting thoughts when he was born and until he was three days old. My husband and I cannot speak more highly of Ashley (and everyone At the Barnett Firm) as they truly fought not only for us, but with us to become parents. There will never be enough thanks and praise to show and tell her!
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04 Jan, 2020 by Anonymous
With my case I didn’t know what to do or how to handle it but Ashley was very clear and she understood how I felt. When I hired Ashley, she was on top of everything for my case and she answered any questions I had. If I emailed her with anything, she responded within a day or two. I absolutely love Ashely and how she handled my child support case.
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24 Jul, 2024 by Aaron judzewitsch
If you can't get Jo Ann, Blair is your next pick. Even though she couldn't figure it out she was also in the wrong jurisdiction. Blair was the opposing counsel. She also had the same tendencies where they don't care to take dads away who haven't done nearly as bad as other dads. This firm is NOT for dads. Though they are bulldogs. You may be able to get them to fight for you. Now if you're a woman, you'll get what you want in court with this firm. Blair gets 2 stars because Jo Ann got 3. It's half personal and professional.
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29 May, 2024 by Chelsey weaver
Blair was fantastic. She made our dreams come true. She's kind, down to earth but stern and GETS IT DONE. I've been through a couple other lawyers prior and she blew them out of the water. Highly recommend.
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21 Mar, 2024 by Larry mcleod
I will forever be grateful for Knoxville Family Law! They helped me get custody of my kids, and my ex’s lies were exposed. Thank you for all of your hard work and belief in the father.
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08 Dec, 2020 by Ethan
At the lowest point of my life, Mr. Stansell
Helped me pick up the pieces. He was always communicative, answering calls or emails from me well outside regular hours. He offered wonderful advice and truly helped make this divorce and child custody process bearable. I cannot recommend enough.
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02 Oct, 2017 by Anonymous
Talked a good talk, but did very little. I never received communication, documents, returned phone calls. Was not informed of a court date, nor was the opposing counsel! Billed several thousand dollars for nothing. Left firm abruptly (I assume he was fired) which was the only positive thing that happened.
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13 Jun, 2017 by Tyler
Being faced with a divorce while on deployment, Mr. Stansell took excellent care and represented me throughout the process. He was attentive, responsive, and a calming force during a very hard time in my life. He answered all my questions and helped me to make sense of divorce proceedings when I wasn't even in the country. He helped me find contractors to do work on my home so it could be put on the market, appraisers for cars and jewelry - he really was an outstanding attorney. I highly recommend Zachariah to anyone who is looking for someone who knows their stuff, is aggressive when necessary and will represent you and your interests well, and also give honest feedback throughout the process. He is a five star attorney and worth every penny. Cannot thank him enough for what he did for me and my family.
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18 Oct, 2024 by Lynn morgan
Excellent referral and very quick response.
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27 Sep, 2024 by Ben edwards
Only giving one Star because I'm really just using this to try and get ahold of someone. Everytime I call it says my call can not be completed. Someone said y'all help with local tyrants. I need that help. Please contact me.
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27 Sep, 2024 by Knox foodie
Attorneys are who made it so that it is so incredibly difficult to represent yourself or sue anyone else and so exceptionally expensive to obtain an attorney, creating defined lines between the Capital and Districts.
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FAQs
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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.
