Lawyers map
>1.8k
experienced lawyers
Filter by
18 Apr, 2024 by Evan
Going through a divorce is never easy, and it was no different for me. I needed a reliable attorney for my case, which involved more substantial assets, and thankfully, a trusted friend referred me to Tammy. From the beginning, she was incredibly supportive and knowledgeable.
Tammy was always available to answer any questions I had. I had a question about a bill once and I was worried from past experience that it would turn into a fight, but Tammy patiently resolved my concerns, drawing from a detailed record of the work she'd done to represent me.
Her expert handling of my case led to a satisfactory agreement with my ex-spouse. I am grateful for her guidance and professionalism during such a difficult time. I highly recommend Tammy to anyone looking for competent and compassionate legal support in a divorce.
Read more
14 Sep, 2022 by Anonymous
I hired Tammy for my divorce when I was in a very vulnerable time of mi life. She unethically overstated her expertise, overcharged, engaged in theft through intentional double billing, back-charged for conversations that happened prior to our engagement, then abandoned me (After billing $60k in only 2 months for no random stuff that did not in my case). She only wants to drain everything you have. Stay away!
Read more
14 Feb, 2022 by Scott
I hired Tammy Andrews for my divorce. I run a Healthcare company, so I've dealt with my fair share of lawyers. She unethically overstated her expertise, overcharged, engaged in theft through intentional double billing, back-charged for conversations that happened prior to our engagement, showed negligence in outsourcing of work, then abandoned me when I started asking questions (After spending $80k). Stay away!
Read more
03 Jun, 2017 by Anonymous
Nicole is professional and smart and I am able to sleep at night knowing she's on my side fighting for me. Having to retain an attorney for family matters involving children is never enjoyable but if you need someone who will truly listen and guide you correctly it's Nicole. She saved my future with my two kids and continues to make sure I have the best legal representation out there. I firmly believe she is one of the top lawyers out there. If you need one of the best give the firm a call and ask for Nicole. Ill continue to refer my family and friends her way.
Read more
19 May, 2017 by Anonymous
I hired Nicole not too long ago to represent me in a scary divorce & custody battle. She was very knowledgeable & experienced. She was very honest with me. She let me know what was worth fighting for & what was a waste of time & money. I felt like she held my hand the entire time. Everything came out great...better than I hoped. My child is happy & healthy. I just found out there was a website for reviews & wanted to thank her publicly for her patience.
Read more
08 May, 2017 by Anonymous
Nicole was pawned off on me, for lack of better words, I went in thinking I was hiring Ms Whyte, and ended up with Miss Schmidt. She was rude through most of the process, and really did not listen, it was much easier for her to handle things in a cookie cutter fashion than to think outside the box. My biggest mistake was not getting a new attorney after our first day in court when she negotiated, I had very little involvement wirh that and was told it was only a preliminary and that we could get it changed later. Come to find out that is actually a very difficult feat. She prefers only contact through email. Once your case is finished, she mmakes it clear that she is no longer your attorney, you can rehire her for $300 an hour to ask her about your specifics about what was agreed upon in your negotiation. There's no information given on preparation for the future and in what instances you are entitled to make negotiations. Now I am paying an even steeper price by financial loss through her settling instead of fighting the fight and by hiring a new attorney to review and inform me of all that was agreed upon.
Read more
19 Jun, 2023 by Lana
I’m writing this post in case it could save someone from having a similar experience that I had as a former employee.
In 2018 I worked for Michael Whitmarsh as a legal assistant, and it was the worst work experience I have ever had in my life. Working under Michael Whitmarsh made me realize the importance of working in a respectful, communicative and healthy environment for my quality of life. The sheer disrespect and aggression that Michael Whitmarsh displayed towards me on the regular deeply affected me during my time there and thereafter.
I have always had positive relationships with my employers and peers, and to this day, Michael Whitmarsh is the only employer I’ve ever had that left me with almost exclusively negative memories. I’m grateful that I mustered the courage to quit when I did and the lesson I learned to never let anyone treat me like that again.
Read more
06 Jan, 2021 by Anonymous
Horrible service. Felt like he was on my husbands side the whole time. Wasted $5000 on nothing. I had to keep calling to see what was happening with my case. Could not confine in him. Charged me for ridiculous work, calls and emails. I ended up going back with my husband and stopped the divorce/case. I suggest a real lawyer. My husbands, Gille Kaye Law Group, PC . Pasadena CA. Great people nice and actually wanna do the work and help. They even gave back my husband his half deposit back $2,700. Unlike these people rip off, there only in it for the money.
Read more
05 Jan, 2017 by Mike
I was referred to Michael in 2014 by my business lawyer when my wife of six years filed for divorce, demanded half of my business and an incredible amount of spousal support. I did not have a prenup. My divorce wrapped up at the end of 2015, and Michael recently circled back to ask for a review of my experience working with him. I told him that I would be happy to because of how much he helped me. The best part about hiring Michael to do my divorce was that he accurately predicted how long the entire process would take, how much I would end up having to pay my ex in spousal support, and how much the whole divorce would cost. I didn't want to hear it, but I'm glad that he told me straight. I am a small business owner. I have 5 employees who I've had for years, and Michael knew an incredible amount about business bookkeeping and accounting that saved me a lot of grief. Most of all, he calmed me down when my ex-spouse threatened my business or made unreasonable demands. If it had not been for Michael, I'm not sure that my business would have survived the divorce. Thanks again, Michael.
Read more
23 Mar, 2024 by Mary
I had an extraordinary experience with Ms. Loftin, her knowledge and expertise which resulted in charges being dropped by the DA. Stephanie is simply a great attorney!
Read more
01 Mar, 2024 by Anonymous
I hired her because she had the right ideas but she never did anything. I came in to her office multiple times and she never did anything. I also talked with her over the phone and she never took action in my case. I changed lawyers and my new lawyer took action of my case and closed it in 6 months!
Read more
27 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
She was a lawyer bought off, she took my case and completely took advantage of my situation. She never did anything. She had my case for a year and never started the process for anything.
Read more
18 Sep, 2024 by Jonathan alcerro
I went in and out of the courts all by myself with no luck for 2 years. Served her several times and even though the mother never showed up, things didn’t change. They FINALLY helped me get custody but by the time I got it, it was too late. Mother took my daughter who knows where. Detectives are still looking for them. It’s been over 14 years since I have seen her. The family court system is broken, you really DO need someone by your side with experience navigating it. I only wish I knew about them and called earlier. Maybe I could have gotten custody before she disappeared. And they did it all for free.
Read more
06 Jul, 2024 by Daisy moreno
People is very nice, all of them
Read more
06 Jun, 2024 by Tv
As if it wasn't hard already being a victim of domestic violence, there Levitt & Quinn is to make it an even more grueling process. I applied for help over a month prior to my final court hearing. After jumping through many hoops: 1) traveling to and applying directly at the office 2) submitting additional paperwork that took much effort to collect detail behind 3) several delays in correspondence from L&Q and 4) needing to spend money on requested documentation, I wasn't able to even land a consultation. They were misleading with hope throughout the process. They could've told me "we are unable to help at this time," which would've sufficed instead of wasting the time and energy of someone who is already suffering.
Read more
28 Jan, 2024 by Tom bradrick
17 Jan, 2024 by Tai williamson
The secretary here is VERY RUDE. She answered the phone to tell me to “stop calling” because they were “lunch”. Why wouldn’t you just let the phone go to voicemail? I would never do business this place with a lady like this answering the phone.
Read more
28 Dec, 2023 by Siana cass
08 Aug, 2024 by Bob moss
Sloppy and slow.... you will lose your case because Daryl Lander takes too long.
He is lazy, unorganized, and turns into a puppy in court afraid to represent you!
Don't EVER trust a lawyer with an online degree to represent you in an important matter!
Read more
22 Mar, 2024 by Theresa zuppero
12 Mar, 2024 by Samantha hernandez
John Hughes is awesome!
I never had to worry he always had everything under control he bills fairly. Most of our communication (very little was needed) went through Nancy. I felt very taken advantage by a previous law firm but Mr Hughes took great care of my case and made it so stress free. Thank you John Hughes!
Read more
30 Jul, 2024 by Matt
I have to comment on how pleased I am with the extreme professionalism Jessica and her paralegal Gina exhibit. Together, they really care about help their clients get through once of the most trying times in a persons life. Jessica is amazing in court as she maintains a very calm, cool yet assertive nature about herself. Jessica is extremely knowledgeable and is very articulate when representing a person in court. Dealing with an ex that has a punishing personality, Jessica and Gina have been able to provide solutions that help move the case closer to resolution. Trying to imagine what it would have been like handling this case to save money would have been foolish. Divorce is not easy nor pleasant. I highly recommend Jessica Medina and her paralegal Gina. They truly care and have the best interest of their client at heart.
Read more
12 Feb, 2021 by Linda
Beatrice continues to provide excellent legal advices to me with my questions. She is the best abs with in-depth knowledge of all the various scenarios. I find comfort and confidence having Beatrice representation. Thank you.
Read more
18 Jun, 2019 by Jeffrey
I attempted to handle my own divorce but my ex-spouse retained an attorney known for bully tactics and proceeded to dismantle me. I met with Beatrice, Jessica, and Mareva and they immediately devised a plan and executed well. Jessica was kind and caring while dealing with me and polite, yet firm, with the opposing attorney when he would try to bully her as well. I was probably not an easy client, as I’m extremely disorganized and a chronic procrastinator, but with Jessica and Marevas help we were able to establish order from chaos. I highly recommend Beatrice and Jessica should you ever have the unfortunate task of resolving a family law matter.
Read more
18 Feb, 2024 by Jocelynn sanz
Jaimie and his team were amazing. They always kept me in the loop of my case. Whenever I had questions, Jaime answered right away. My case was resolved in less than 5 months with a very good settlement. Thank you for your hard work!
Read more
08 Nov, 2022 by Predator 7
With very low probabilities the attorney Jamie resolved my case in only 3 months.
Read more
22 Sep, 2022 by Lesther vazquez
Very unorganized, unreliable, unpunctial, attorney malpractice. Do not contact this attorney for service. Very poor in helping out client. Every time court schedule has been dialed in for me to appear he always comes with a late excuse to not proceed with hearing. Doesnt want to go the extra mile to head down to represent in court for physical appearance and he is also VERY RUDE!!!
Read more
04 Oct, 2024 by Anonymous
Mike assisted me in a time when I had no hope. He was proactive, knowledgeable, transparent but most importantly he always took a very honest approach. He never fed into game play or attacking by the other part and always kept everything factual. He was able to immediately and effectively bring safety and stability to me and my children in a situation where I had no voice and my children’s best interest was not being looked at. I will forever be grateful for his guidance during our darkest times giving my children and myself a very different future than the one we were headed to. He was caring and also direct about what needed to be done. I would recommend Mike to anyone.
Read more
03 Jun, 2019 by Alison
Mike represented me some years ago in a very painful divorce. He was kind, personable, and willing to listen to how I felt about what tactics to take. His son and law partner Mark is the same way. Both are quality attorneys and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone.
Read more
25 Apr, 2012 by Anonymous
In my case for divorce I paid out 100 thousand and when it came time for trial he wanted another 8 thousand. I couldn't afford it at the time. So through the whole trial he did not bearly speak to me, and wouldn't even go over the case. He's all about money and doesn't care about his clients
Read more
17 Sep, 2024 by Diego pineda
Really pathetic place in my opinion, total waste of time, came here for some general information, they didn’t help because I made too much money? Go figure, didn’t at least try to see why I was there or at least explain that I would have to pay if they help. Don’t even try and look somewhere else they would only help if you’re unemployed I guess not wonder Marin of full of homelessness
Read more
15 May, 2024 by Padme tatum
They turn away landlords. Only help tenants. Many landlords are very low income themselves. Doesn’t seem right.
Read more
08 May, 2024 by Tatiania margules
I love Virginia so much and her tattoos. Everyone that’s hating she won my case case closed
Read more
5.0
3 Reviews
3.5
31 Reviews
08 Aug, 2024 by Bob moss
Sloppy and slow.... you will lose your case because Daryl Lander takes too long.
He is lazy, unorganized, and turns into a puppy in court afraid to represent you!
Don't EVER trust a lawyer with an online degree to represent you in an important matter!
Read more
22 Mar, 2024 by Theresa zuppero
12 Mar, 2024 by Samantha hernandez
John Hughes is awesome!
I never had to worry he always had everything under control he bills fairly. Most of our communication (very little was needed) went through Nancy. I felt very taken advantage by a previous law firm but Mr Hughes took great care of my case and made it so stress free. Thank you John Hughes!
Read more
22 Dec, 2023 by Sina taneh
Professional lawyers and excellent service!
Read more
21 Aug, 2023 by Younas aihi
No comment
Read more
28 Mar, 2023 by Anonymous
Hired a forensic accountant but failed to apply the findings to help my case. Lost a Million Dollars. Old case, but one that deserves remembering. He made over $50,000 but was more concerned about his fees than my case. All of my settlement was in retirement annuities when I had children to raise and retirement was over 20 years away.
Read more
27 Apr, 2024 by Dan perkins
Ed sada did an outstanding job defending my family several years ago. He kept his eye on the ball and was on point. I recommend him.
Read more
13 Jan, 2021 by Anonymous
I hired Scott Tepper for a case filed against me for parental rights/custody and visitation. I interviewed another lawyer who told me I had no chance to get what I wanted. When I went to interview him he said... well is this what you want or are you settling? Let’s fight for what you want, you have a strong case. He is a very knowledgeable experienced attorney that brushed off the other “attorney’s” silly views and attempts at submitting paperwork. He stepped up when he had to, but also knew when to allow the other “attorney” to destroy himself, which he did for the most part. And we won my case and I got everything I wanted. I won’t go to anyone else for legal advice except him. Thank you Scott!!!
Read more
05 Sep, 2020 by Anonymous
He never filed my Dissolution of marriage. He allowed a default marriage to go through where I lost everything. I could not go after him because he had no ENO insurance and no attorney would take the case. He promised to give me my money back. I never saw the money.
Read more
30 May, 2024 by Anonymous
My child literally needed help with the situation he was in and she completely made it worse for him . Showed up to court seething with anger you could feel it she was so mad tried to stare down the opposition the entire time . Truly sad when a lawyer only cares about money and doesnt care about ppl
Read more
30 Mar, 2023 by Ken
She was a good attorney at one time. When she lost her assistant, she lost it. If you want an attorney that doesn’t respond to your requests, calls, emails and does not communicate important things to you, by all means, hire her.
Read more
09 Feb, 2021 by Peter
Carmel D’Amato is an outstanding family law attorney and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with her and her team at Seinturier and D’Amato. Of particular importance to me, she listens carefully to her clients and asks good questions in order to understand their goals and needs. She provided me with excellent advice based on the facts of my case and what I told her my goals were. Of particular importance, she helped me understand the difference between what I wanted and thought was fair, based on what I read about California family law, and what were likely outcomes given the reality of California family law and the family law system in Shasta county. I was very impressed by Carmel’s ability to maintain her integrity, composure, and good humor despite the difficulties of this flawed system and the challenges of dealing with opponents who are willing to sacrifice their integrity and constantly mislead the court to gain an advantage. In the end, I got what I consider to be an excellent settlement that allowed me to move on with my life.
Read more
22 May, 2024 by Ash
I was referred to Andrew by Legal Shield. The initial call was great, and I sent him the file on my case. After review, we spoke again, and instead of taking the case on contingency, Andrew wanted to do a retainer with hourly plus contingency, which I agreed to, and even insisted on increasing the contingency percentage. I told him I could fund the retainer and start the case in about three weeks. At this point, his demeanor changed significantly, and it got awkward. He then told me to call him back when I was ready to start and that he wouldn't sent the agreement to be reviewed until then. Odd, but I agreed.
I called him back sooner than originally forecast, 20 days later, ready to start the case and fund the retainer, but it went to voice mail. Over the next few days I left several voicemails and texts until I finally got a text reply that he wasn't interested in working with me. I said I was sorry to hear that, and asked why but did not receive a reply. I sent a follow-up asking for the reason, but still no reply. Very unprofessional; should have believed the other reviews.
Read more
24 May, 2018 by Patrick
From our first conversation, I knew right away Andy was going to have a positive impact on my case. He exceeded my expectations and I had little to worry about throughout the entire time leading up to and on my court date. He was professional, knowledgeable and assertive with every aspect of my family law matter. He was always available to answer any question I had and made me feel more at ease when I worried or was in doubt. I would recommend Andy to any parent that is looking to spend more time with their child and wants a fair amount of support to be ordered. Thank you Andy for all your efforts and for a successful outcome!
Read more
17 Nov, 2017 by Beau
I hired Mr. Rosenfeld for a child support case in California. I live in Texas. Mr. Rosenfeld charged a fair price and communicated amazingly. I would recommend Mr. Rosenfeld to anybody. One of the best experiences I have ever had with an Attorney. Thank you for all of your help!
Read more
17 Jun, 2019 by Roberto
Steve was the only attorney I called who answered some basic questions and spoke to me like a person even before the retainer fee. We had a flat fee for my uncontested divorce. He had me provide some information and a basis for our divorce agreement and even provided an example template for me to use. After I gave him all the information he needed he filled out and submitted all of the forms for my divorce and even answered some questions for me after the entire process was over. He’s an honest attorney and made the confusing process of getting a divorce simple and pain free. Thanks again Steve.
Read more
24 Feb, 2016 by Jasmine
The positive Yelp reviews made me think that I would receive exceptional legal service. Unfortunately, I didn't realize I had been wrong until after I had paid the retainer.
- He did not make a good faith effort to contain our legal fees.
- His technology (software) was outdated and thus incompatible with my computer, making transmission and use of crucial documents impossible.
Read more
17 Feb, 2015 by Caleb
Mr. Larrabee handled my divorce case and did an excellent job. He was always available to answer my calls, was very knowledgeable about the law and made the entire process much easier to handle, and affordable. He aggressively handled the other attorney and truly fought for my rights and obtaind a very good result for me, without an undue ependiture of time and money. If you want the best in family law, he's your man. I highly recommend him. He is very friendly and helpful thoughout the entire process.
Read more
23 Jan, 2018 by Courtney
Ms. Beckman did nothing to fight for me. She never called to tell me that the divorce was finalized. I called for an update one day and she screamed at me...not raised her voice, not yelled but screamed. The next day she sent me a bill for her services.
Read more
11 May, 2015 by Anthony
Karen is an EXCELLENT Attorney. She is well versed, well spoken and detail oriented. She thinks of the unthinkable as it relates to defending her client. Keeping her client well informed of all possible outcomes appears to be a motto of hers. Then she strategically and systematically fights for you with everything she has. As a client, her rating should be changed to 9.9 without question.
Read more
24 Apr, 2015 by Trish
I had a one year marriage and two year divorce. This happened a decade ago. I never doubted that Karen was on my side and doing her very best for me and my child.
Read more
23 Aug, 2019 by Gordon
she showed up 15 min. late for court , date.
and told me she had a trial to do, and tried to hand it off to ,
a " associate " .
he was someone i had never met or talked to ever.
and he knew almost nothing about the case.
i asked for a continuance to seek a Qualified counsel.
the request was granted.
i asked her to give me the apposing counsel Name & phone #
at 10 am. its now 5;20 pm.
and no text. , or call.
she tries to do everything by text message...
she talks the game ,
but frankly you should not fall for it.
" Caution "
do not hire this woman.
she is a train wreck.
hand wrote my declaration , and what a disaster.!
Read more
01 Apr, 2017 by Anonymous
After talking with her and getting advice, she was very passionate in her craft and considers it an art form of what she does, thus making me fully trusted in her.
Read more
31 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
I trust Mackenzie. She has always given me great advice and consultation.
Read more
07 Aug, 2022 by Anonymous
Do not hire this firm. They turn my divorce into a blood bath. They lied and fabricated at evidence and made my ex wife’s life and misery for no reason. They caused me to go broke and my ex-wife as well. All they care about is profits profits profits.
They don’t care about what’s in the best interest of the family. They don’t care about what’s in the best interest of the children. All they care about is profits profits profits. I have no idea why the other two named partners want to be associated with this type of abuse of lawyers behaving bad. Especially Ksenya (Gity) Kogan and Avi Lecy - watch out
Read more
20 Apr, 2022 by Dana
Avi and his team are outstanding attorneys. Avi was great from the moment I met him. I knew he would have my children’s best interest at heart and that he would work hard for me. He is very knowledgeable and is amazing in Court. I really needed a strategy, and the strategy he and his team came up with paid off in my case. I cannot thank Avi and his team enough and recommend them without any reservations. Avi and his team are truly the best of the best out there.
Read more
03 Jun, 2020 by Bryan
SIMPLY THE BEST FAMILY LAW FIRM!!! I have worked with Trabolsi Levy Gabbard LLP, in particular Avi Levy, from the very beginning of one of the worst times in my life-divorce. Avi was not only an advisor in my legal matter but a shoulder to lean on and provided me with the most accurate information as it relates to my legal matter. He was honest, upfront, appropriately aggressive when necessary, hard working, available when needed, quickly responds, treated me as more than a client, comforting, expert in knowing and understanding the law, very highly regarded by his colleagues, and goes above and beyond the “call of duty.” His knowledge and confidence put my mind at ease at a time when it was very needed.
Avi’s reputation in and around the family law community is unsurpassed. From the time i entered this period of my life, I realized that when i made my first court appearance and speaking to other family law attorneys that Avi was at the “top of his game.” Furthermore, Mr. Levy, holds many accolades within his expertise and has proven in front of his colleagues, judges, etc to lead the way in his line of work. In addition to the aforementioned, he leads California in legislating on Family law issues, which proves to me as a client that he is highly recommended by people in the family law community. The term that is used is,”He is a lawyer’s lawyer!!”
Avi demonstrated professionalism in dealing with the various judges, attorneys, and other parties involved in my case. It is clear to me that he is highly respected by ALL individuals whether it be forensic accountants, judges, opposing counsel, appraisers, etc. It is apparent that when other people in different lines of work comment positively about your attorney, you realize the person you hired!!
Lastly, Mr. Levy’s partners and associates have also provided the same service and level of confidence Avi has provided. Larisa, Jaimee, Nathan, Yael, and the entire staff at Trabolsi Levy Gabbard earned and proved that they are SIMPLY THE BEST FAMILY LAW FIRM in Los Angeles!!! I will continue to spread the word about this firm and continue to refer them business should someone i know who is looking for an EXEMPLARY family law firm.
Read more
11 Sep, 2019 by Anonymous
Mr. Gerald Maggio is very polite during consultations, and he made me believe that he could help me with my case. I paid twice for his consultations. He said he was going to take on my case, but when I went to sign the agreement another lawyer was waiting for me. This was a meeting that Mr. Maggio agreed to and was supposed to show up at, in HIS offices.
Julie Ringquist was waiting for me, who apologized for his absence and explained that she could help me. I didn't think that he would approve for anyone for a meeting in his offices who was not a part of his company. I was misled, I ended up hiring her being. She ruined my case, I lost so much time and money. When I confronted her about her misleading me, she completely denied that she did anything like that. She did nothing for my case; she wasted my time, money, and ruined my case. She was unresponsive for weeks at a time. She used her entire retainer toward emailing back and forth what I already knew. She was supposed to prepare a counter offer for the settlement the opposing side sent. After months, she still didn't do it. All she had to do was edit the problems with the already drafted settlement. She claims she's spent 5 hours on my case doing absolutely nothing. I am worse off than when I hired her. Do not hire her. If you want to waste your time, money and add extra stress also trouble in your case you could hire her.
Read more
27 Jun, 2013 by James
Julie took over my complex case from another attorney who didn't represent me well and she has done a wonderful job sorting it out. She is impeccably professional and ethical. She truly cares about her clients and has their best interests in mind. She is very detail oriented and focuses on doing the things that matter most to progress your case to settlement or conclusion. If I could give her 10 stars I would!
Read more
18 Sep, 2011 by Anonymous
I retained Julie three weeks before the settlement conference day because of a friend's recommendation.
My case had lasted more than a year and half and my former lawyer didn't do anything and did not respond to requests from me or the attorney from other side. My case was in a mess. Julie quickly assessed my case and came up a plan that is practical and with my best interest in mind.
She reviewed my case documents and contacted opposing attorney before the settlement conference day.
The original one afternoon settlement conference session dragged on to became a day and half back and forth intense negotiation. Julie handled the whole process with professionalism and passion for fairness in practice law. She used many negotiation techniques and ultimately reached the settlement for me.
Julie also uses technologies to make her business practice cost effective. I am very pleased with her service and will recommend her to anybody in Orange County who needs a family lawyer in a heartbeat.
Read more
09 May, 2023 by Anonymous
Geoffrey was hired to help with a family matter. There were times where the court should be aware of things that did matter to me and would have greatly informed the court of what was going on. He would refuse to show the court the evidence. No logical reasons why. He also would refuse to look up laws and evaluate said laws which related to information pertained to the case and talk about them with me. There was also was a time where the other party wrote up an order which I objected to I was repeatedly ignored and he did not object to it so it became law/submitted by the other party and signed by a judge!. There was also times where he would ignore contact for months which ended up being detrimental later on which then caused more issues to the our family. He /Firm will come off initially as caring but when it came down to it they did not care about anything and you could tell they did not consider your point of view or what you want to present to the court. Billing issues was another think Geoffrey would ignore and not want to address which would also end up going months without being addressed.
It was a very disappointing and very frustrating experience.
Read more
24 Mar, 2019 by Ramon
He helped me with my case was there to listen answered all my calls and took actions to help me with my case not scared of no lawyer he will fight for u and wanted the best for my child will hire again and will recommend to my friends
Read more
05 Feb, 2015 by Anonymous
He helped me get custody of my son. He always told me what to be prepared for and walked me though every step. He returned my calls and answered all my questions quickly.
Read more
02 Aug, 2023 by Anonymous
Kimberly (and her boss Bonnie) made big promises. But they came to Court unprepared and lost. they judge even asked them if they needed to reschedule the hearing for later they were so unprepared. On top of this they were very rude once they got my retainer payment.
Read more
14 Sep, 2021 by Anonymous
This woman is horrible!! She lies in court, says she didn’t receive papers when she did. She is a complete liar and doesn’t think about the children in cases at all! Would never recommend her
Read more
15 Dec, 2020 by Denise glover
3.3
12 Reviews
5.0
1 Reviews
20 May, 2024 by Rosecici1
Lisa and her firm handled my divorce. ..I got passed from lawyer to lawyer about 7...they all seemed to leave her firm....they dragged the case out until it cost me , yes $50.000.00 what a sin... not only dealing with my x and her lawyer. ...my lawyer and her firm overcharged me....they did not keep me informed very well over the two years they represented me.
Read more
19 Nov, 2023 by Patrick mccormick
Expert on caring and competent.
Read more
31 Jan, 2019 by Anonymous
This firm lured me in with a free consultation and a promise to relieve my support payments instantly by $10k/month. Elated I hired them on the spot.Afterpaying them $15k, I saw that they did nothing to help my case except billing me for every one in their firm to touch my file. And yet when I ask anyone questions nobody seems to be able to know my case or give any advice. When I said I’d have enough, they sent me another bill for $24k. I really don’t know how they sleep at night
Read more
14 Feb, 2024 by Ravyn
BEWARE!! HARASSING, HORRIBLE AND MONEY HUNGRY ATTORNEY FOR SERVICES HE DID NOT DO!!
I continue to be harassed by the law office for a bill they did not render services for! Mr. Young was already paid and received payment from the respondent almost a year ago. For which he stats to me you n front of 2 witnesses that I did not owe him any more money. In his exact words "we are square. You owe me nothing." My witnesses wrote out affidavits and submitted them. I had to FIRE this attorney due to him making back door negotiations with Opposing Counsel withOUT my knowledge or consent. He did nothing for me! And still got paid over $16,000 and continues to bill me for services not rendered! See his yelp reviews! He's a 2.8 on Yelp!
Read more
14 May, 2019 by Anonymous
I would give Mr. Young 0 stars if that were an option.
Mr. Young was my second attorney on my divorce case because I was seeking a strong custody lawyer and he was suggested to me as a custody attorney. I have nothing positive to say and deeply regret using him. He charged a lot of money for absolutely no benefit, I literally would have gotten the same result if I had represented myself. I say that confidently as I am now three years post divorce and have represented myself at numerous hearings over the years.
Ladies dealing with domestic abuse situations in particular do not use this attorney. My ex was abusive. I asked for some basic things in my custody agreement such as doing custody exchanges at a public place. Mr. Young scoffed and asked if that was really necessary stating I would find it to be an inconvenience down the road. Three years later, my ex is still abusive and I am so grateful I insisted on adding this language despite his "advice" not to.
I was the primary supporter financially of our family and asked Mr. Young to fight on my behalf to reduce my alimony obligation based on the fact that our marriage did not contribute to my ex's inability to support himself. He said there was nothing he could do about alimony. Three years later, I've had three different attorneys tell me I should have fought the alimony originally and that it's harder to change later. I am currently going back to court to get it reduced.
He made no effort on the custody agreement. He simply wrote into the agreement the items I provided to him. I am regularly finding errors which has caused a lot of difficulty in coordinating visitation exchanges. For the amount of money I paid him, and because he's marketed himself as a custody attorney, I would have expected the custody agreement to be air tight.
Mr. Young was my second lawyer so my paperwork had already been filed, however, his office insisted on refiling. I found numerous errors they needed to correct. I was charged a lot for them to do something i had never asked and for them to do it incorrectly.
Every step of the way, the work Mr. Young and his office provided was incorrect, unhelpful, and cost a ridiculous amount. I can not strongly enough urge people, especially women, to not use Mr. Young's services.
Read more
07 Jun, 2018 by Therese
I have found Mr. Young to be experienced and highly skilled as well as a caring and concerned advocate. My experience with Mr. Young and his staff has been exceptional and I could not be more pleased. I would recommend Mr. Young without hesitation.
Read more
16 Jan, 2024 by Ari
This man is awful and his practice is unethical. He got a free 1000 from scamming my family. Didn’t even bother to look up my father’s case we literally paid him 1000 for him to see my father in person and demand more money. He did not look up his case or offer any type of consultation on how we can help my father. BEWARE of this awful unethical attorney that’s ok with scamming families out of their hard earned money.
Read more
06 May, 2023 by Robert hill
27 Apr, 2023 by Monique
Joel assisted me with my divorce and my violent ex trying to get his rights back. When Joel decided to take on my case it was based of an extensive consultation. This man is not looking to represent anybody just for the compensation. He is selective and genuinely invested once he decides to represent you. He made this painstaking process easier and I felt supported legally and as a mother protecting her children. Time went by (about a year) and he checked in on me and my kids. Passing the bar is one thing but having a heart and a passion for what you do is another.
Read more
19 Jul, 2023 by Anonymous
I has assumed my daughter would get advice and assurance when we hired Ron it’s seems these days he so busy he can barely return phone calls or emails. Have had two appointments by phone both of which I had to call because he apparently was running late. My daughter has been left without communication and a timeline we have spend our retainer and nothing has been finalized and have no direction as to how this might end. Frustrated and sorry my daughter retained Ron when he is so busy with his other cases. We hired him expecting advice assurance and resolution. Still waiting in limbo. He’s a nice man and other reviews appreciate his skills . I had hope for similar experiences.
Read more
28 Oct, 2020 by Anonymous
Ron Marquez was assign by the court to be the Child's Advocate Attorney for my 2 pre-teen kids. This was a heavily litigated case over the past 2.5 years. Ron barley glanced at the court files and spent less than 20 minutes with my children.
On the date of the trial Ron was reprimanded multiple times by the judge for not knowing the details of the case. Ron simply wanted to maintain a 50/50 custody timeshare. Ron made no attempt to represent the wants or needs of the children he was hired to advocate for.
At the end of the trial the judge relieved him of his duties involving the case.
I have seen many child custody cases of the years and Ron was the least prepared and knowledgeable lawyer I have seen to date. He was unconcerned for the wants and needs of the children he was suppose to represent.
Read more
17 Oct, 2017 by Anonymous
Mr. Marquez seemed to have the right things to say but it was obvious that he takes the short road to end a case. Frivolous meetings, expensive email and phone charges and change of venue at court time make it very expensive and fruitless. He did not support the case when it was court time, manipulating his client with nonsense and pressuring his client to settle in the opposing clients agenda. Attempts to talk to his boss or anyone in his office was impossible, no return calls or emails to resolve this issue. He also has a pending issue with the CA State Bar that he did not disclose.
Read more
25 Dec, 2022 by Hung nguyen
12 Sep, 2022 by Travler garvey
DO NOT CALL, Receptionist is the worst! She answered in a very quiet voice "May I help you?" I asked "Is this a paralegal?" She said "No" then she just sat quietly. I said "You asked if you could help me who am I calling. She said I'm the receptionist. Never mentioned their business name amd has the worst demeanor ever. Guess who isn't getting my business. Yep Favaro and friends.
Read more
25 Feb, 2022 by Brian brisco
08 Mar, 2022 by Anonymous
Perhaps if you are looking for someone to escalate, increase conflict and wreak havoc on the other party, Kate is worth your hire. But, she was assigned as our child's minor counsel in a high-conflict divorce and she caused irreparable harm to my child. Immediately siding with the charming, manipulative abuser, she filed false allegations against the protective parent, which shifted custody in the abuser's favor and never reverted back, despite evaluations proving her allegations were unfounded. She in no way represented our child's best interests and instead didn't invest the time, energy into fully understanding our admittedly complex case. She is a shame to the system and should not be serving as minor's counsel for any child.
Read more
09 Mar, 2020 by Marco
Kate and her team including Danielle have been my rock throughout this process. Would not have accomplished what I have accomplished with them. Worth every cent! Caring and compassionate! Definite passion for family law and doing what is right!
Read more
29 Aug, 2019 by Amber
Kate has been a great help. She is sensitive to my situation, but also honest and straight forward with what needs to happen. I am currently going through a custody battle and Kate has helped me through it. She gave me guidance when I felt completely lost. Her advice and insight are priceless.
Although I hope to never have to hire Kate again and be in this situation, I would hire her in a heartbeat.
Read more
05 Jan, 2022 by Csp
At first she was sweet and I believed that she had my best interest. But once I paid her the money she asked for she became Angry and told me that if I didn’t respond to her text within an hour she would fire me. I just left the first attorney who was failing miserably for this lady. She also worked with the other side and was getting paid under the table and when asked what was going on She denied it .But few days went buy .that 14000 bill we owed said paid in full. She has no loyalty and does not honor her word.please understand that anybody who had a good review of Roz I’m sure somehow someway was cocoo for coco pops
Read more
05 Jan, 2021 by Joev
We went to court unprepared. I received a restraining order, my new attorney said Roz would have filed a form it would have gotten dropped. She went to court with me and did not say anything and let court run it’s course. I agree with other reviews, you get what you pay for.
Read more
16 Dec, 2017 by A.b.c.
I hired Roz Bateman-Smith, Esq. for an extremely complicated and contentious divorce involving domestic violence/restraining order with a shared child/custody. She was extremely easy to communicate and work with and solidly reliable in my most troubling times. Her demeanor in a heated exchange in nothing short of composed and professional.
One of the most important things to me is that I knew she truly cared about the safety of me and my children.
After the divorce was finalized, I hired her once more. She represented me again in court after it was revealed my ex committed a horrible crime against a child. Once I knew I needed a lawyer she was the first and only lawyer I called! She helped prove that we needed even more protection in the form of strict supervised visitation, confidentiality of our location and a maximum term protective order.
For the past two years, she's been invaluable and I will always be grateful for the role she played in the lives of me and my children.
Read more
Browse lawyers
Cities in California - Find a Lawyer Near Me
-
Los Angeles
-
San Francisco
-
San Diego
-
Sacramento
-
Irvine
-
Oakland
-
San Jose
-
Beverly Hills
-
Newport Beach
-
Palo Alto
-
Pasadena
-
Santa Monica
-
Santa Ana
-
Fresno
-
Walnut Creek
-
Long Beach
-
Glendale
-
Encino
-
Woodland Hills
-
Costa Mesa
-
Riverside
-
Redwood City
-
Santa Rosa
-
Menlo Park
-
Santa Barbara
-
Sherman Oaks
-
Orange
-
Torrance
-
Berkeley
-
Westlake Village
-
Burbank
-
Mountain View
-
Carlsbad
-
San Rafael
-
Bakersfield
-
San Mateo
-
Ventura
-
El Segundo
-
Roseville
-
Santa Clara
-
Calabasas
-
Tustin
-
Culver City
-
Stockton
-
La Jolla
-
Huntington Beach
-
Modesto
-
Pleasanton
-
Manhattan Beach
-
Anaheim
-
San Luis Obispo
-
Santa Cruz
-
Van Nuys
-
Sunnyvale
-
Burlingame
-
Fullerton
-
San Ramon
-
Rancho Cucamonga
-
Ontario
-
Salinas
-
San Bernardino
-
Encinitas
-
Napa
-
Monterey
-
Cupertino
-
Fremont
-
Thousand Oaks
-
West Hollywood
-
Los Gatos
-
Redding
-
Redondo Beach
-
Alameda
-
Monterey Park
-
Palm Desert
-
Cerritos
-
Folsom
-
Agoura Hills
-
Chico
-
Visalia
-
Mission Viejo
-
Marina Del Rey
-
Temecula
-
Oxnard
-
Aliso Viejo
-
Laguna Hills
-
Davis
-
Brea
-
Chula Vista
Browse lawyers
Practice Areas in California
-
Business
-
Litigation
-
Real Estate
-
Intellectual Property
-
Personal Injury
-
Estate Planning
-
Criminal Defense
-
Family Law
-
Tax
-
Workers Compensation
-
Civil Rights
-
Insurance
-
Consumer Protection
-
Immigration
-
Government
-
Appeals
-
Probate
-
Trusts
-
Car Accident
-
Mediation
-
Entertainment
-
Class Action
-
Child Custody
-
Lawsuit / Dispute
-
Domestic Violence
-
Wrongful Death
-
Bankruptcy
-
Medical Malpractice
-
Child Support
-
Elder Law
-
Discrimination
-
Financial Markets And Services
-
Wrongful Termination
-
Juvenile Law
-
Sexual Harassment
-
Debt Collection
-
Employment / Labor
-
Copyright Application
-
Divorce
-
Social Security & Disability
-
Federal Crime
-
Sex Crime
-
Foreclosure
-
Adoption
-
DUI / DWI
-
Debt Settlement
-
Landlord & Tenant
-
Drug Crime
-
Construction
-
Cannabis Law
-
Credit Repair
-
Life Insurance
-
Constitutional Law
-
Education Law
-
Environmental Law
-
Contracts
-
Admiralty / Maritime
-
Corporate
Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Child Custody Lawyer Can Do for You
A child custody lawyer specializes in helping parents navigate legal matters related to the custody and care of their children, particularly in the context of divorce, separation, or other family disputes. These lawyers assist with determining custody arrangements, drafting parenting plans, and advocating for your rights in court. They also help resolve disputes over physical custody (where the child lives), legal custody (who makes decisions for the child), visitation rights, and modifications to existing custody orders.
Whether you're going through a divorce or need to change an existing custody arrangement, a child custody lawyer can help you understand your rights and protect your child's best interests throughout the legal process.
When Should I Hire a Child Custody Lawyer?
You should consider hiring a child custody lawyer in several situations, especially when disputes arise or complex legal issues affect your parental rights. Some common reasons to hire a child custody lawyer include:
- Divorce or separation: If you're going through a divorce or separation and need to establish custody and visitation arrangements, a lawyer can help ensure the custody order reflects your child's best interests.
- Disputed custody cases: If you and the other parent cannot agree on custody or visitation terms, a lawyer can advocate for your rights in court and help you develop a strong case.
- Modification of custody orders: If you need to change an existing custody arrangement due to changes in circumstances (e.g., relocation, changes in the child’s needs), a lawyer can help file a modification request.
- Parental alienation: If the other parent is interfering with your relationship with your child, a lawyer can help address these issues through legal action.
- Domestic violence or abuse: If there is a history of domestic violence or abuse, a lawyer can help protect you and your child by requesting restraining orders and advocating for appropriate custody arrangements.
- Grandparent or third-party custody: If you are a grandparent or another relative seeking custody or visitation rights, a lawyer can guide you through the legal process.
- Paternity disputes: In cases where paternity is in question, a lawyer can assist with establishing or challenging paternity, which may affect custody and visitation rights.
Hiring a lawyer early in the process can help protect your parental rights and ensure that the custody arrangement is in your child's best interests.
What Does a Child Custody Lawyer Do?
A child custody lawyer provides a variety of legal services to help parents resolve custody disputes and secure favorable custody arrangements for their children. Their responsibilities often include:
- Filing custody petitions: Helping you file the necessary paperwork to request custody or visitation rights and ensuring all legal procedures are followed.
- Negotiating custody agreements: Assisting in negotiating custody and visitation arrangements, often working toward a mutually beneficial parenting plan without going to court.
- Representing you in court: If you and the other parent cannot agree on custody terms, representing you in court by presenting evidence and making legal arguments to support your case.
- Drafting parenting plans: Helping you draft a comprehensive parenting plan that outlines the schedule for physical custody, decision-making responsibilities, and visitation.
- Handling child support issues: Assisting with related issues such as child support, ensuring that financial obligations are properly calculated and enforced.
- Modifying custody orders: Helping you request a modification from the court if you need to change an existing custody arrangement due to significant life changes.
- Mediating custody disputes: Acting as a mediator to help both parents reach an agreement on custody and visitation without the need for litigation.
How Are Child Custody Lawyers Paid?
Child custody lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the case, the time involved, and the nature of the legal work. Common payment methods include:
- Hourly rate: Most child custody lawyers charge by the hour, with rates ranging from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer's experience and location. The total cost depends on the time spent preparing documents, negotiating, and representing you in court.
- Flat fee: For simple custody matters or uncontested custody agreements, some lawyers may offer a flat fee for specific services, such as drafting a parenting plan or filing a custody petition.
- Retainer: Many lawyers require an upfront retainer fee, which is billed against as the lawyer works on your case. The amount varies based on the expected complexity and duration of the case.
- Sliding scale or pro bono services: Some lawyers may offer reduced fees or pro bono (free) services for clients with limited financial means, particularly in cases involving domestic violence or other serious issues.
It’s important to discuss fees and payment arrangements with your lawyer during the initial consultation to understand how much you will be charged and what services are included.
How Much Does a Child Custody Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a child custody lawyer depends on various factors, including the complexity of the case, whether it’s contested or uncontested, and the lawyer’s experience. General cost estimates include:
- Uncontested custody cases: Legal fees may range from $1,500 to $5,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the paperwork and any negotiations.
- Contested custody cases: Legal fees can range from $5,000 to $40,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the issues, the need for expert testimony, and the time spent in litigation.
- Hourly rates: Lawyers typically charge between $150 and $500 per hour, with higher rates for more experienced attorneys or complex custody disputes.
- Mediation services: If both parents agree to work through mediation, costs typically range from $1,000 to $5,000 or more for the mediation process.
Always ask for a clear cost estimate during your consultation to ensure that you understand the total legal fees and payment structure.
Top Questions to Ask a Child Custody Lawyer
Before hiring a child custody lawyer, it’s essential to ask the right questions to ensure they are the best fit for your case. Some key questions to ask include:
-
What experience do you have with child custody cases?
Ensure the lawyer has experience handling cases similar to yours, especially if your case involves complex issues like domestic violence, relocation, or paternity disputes. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, offers flat fees for certain services, or requires a retainer, and ask for an estimate of the total cost. -
What is the likelihood of success in my case?
Ask for an honest assessment of your case, including potential challenges and expected outcomes. -
How long will the process take?
Inquire about the expected timeline from filing the petition to reaching an agreement or going to trial. -
Will you personally handle my case?
Ensure you know who will be managing your case and representing you in court. -
Can we pursue mediation or alternative dispute resolution?
Ask whether the lawyer recommends mediation or other forms of dispute resolution to avoid a lengthy court battle.
How to Check the Credibility of a Child Custody Lawyer
To ensure you are hiring a reputable child custody lawyer, follow these steps to verify their credentials and experience:
- Verify their bar status: Check with your state bar association to confirm that the lawyer is licensed to practice and has no history of disciplinary actions.
- Look for family law experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in family law and child custody cases.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for client reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to gauge the lawyer’s professionalism and success in child custody matters.
- Ask for references: A credible lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have worked with them on custody cases.
- Check for certifications: Look for lawyers who are board-certified in family law or have memberships in organizations like the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) or local family law sections.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To get the most out of your first consultation with a child custody lawyer, come prepared with relevant documents and information:
- Court orders or existing custody agreements: Bring copies of any existing custody or visitation orders for the lawyer to review.
- Communication with the other parent: Provide copies of emails, texts, or letters regarding custody, visitation, or disputes.
- List of your child’s needs: Prepare a list of your child’s specific needs, such as medical care, education, and extracurricular activities.
- Timeline of the case: Outline key events related to your custody case, including changes in living situations or parental involvement.
- Questions for the lawyer: Write down any questions about the custody process, legal fees, and the lawyer’s strategy for your case.
By being well-prepared, you can help the lawyer assess your situation effectively and receive the best possible advice for protecting your rights and your child’s well-being.
