Lawyers map
>1.8k
experienced lawyers
Filter by
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
12 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
She does not return emails or phone calls. Will NOT fight for you. Will not do what you request and will always look to take the easy way out. She doesn't care if you win or lose She just wants to get paid. Several times she has not returned emails or phone calls but NEVER misses that phone call for her monthly payment. Worst decision ever was hiring her!!
Read more
21 Oct, 2021 by Wb
Very Biased and one sided. Shouldn’t be an attorney if it were up to me. Extremely poor values
Read more
31 May, 2019 by Yongmei
I have gone through an extremely difficult divorcing process.... I have consulted five attorneys until I fund Angela through a referral. She is realistic, honest and professional. She has great personality and amazing medication skills. Very appreciate for all she has helped and guidance
Read more
07 Nov, 2024 by Anonymous
His office is Hard to get ahold of and he was not prepared the times I saw him in court.
Read more
19 Jun, 2024 by Skylar rowell
I have used Mr. Peterson as my attorney for child custody and child support for about the last 7 years. He has represented me each time I have found myself back in court. Over the years he has always been very pleasant to deal with. He does not only treat you with respect, but he treats you like a friend. He won’t steer you wrong, he won’t give you false hope, he will be very straight forward and tell you what to expect. He will always be realistic with you and explain what the laws allow and don’t allow, even if it’s something you won’t agree with. Even with his own personal life, he still has always reached out and informed me of what’s going on.
It is never fun finding yourself going to court, regardless of the situation. Mr. Peterson has always taken the stress off my shoulders. In my honest opinion, he is worth every penny spent.
Read more
14 Jun, 2022 by Jose cano
I am happy and grateful Jeffrey Peterson represented me in my divorce case. He is very knowledgeable, fair and honest man in my book.
He was very respectful with my concerns and my ex wife’s petition’s as well. He will treat you right, plus the ladies in the office are the best! I will definitely recommend Mr. Peterson Law Firm.
Read more
16 May, 2023 by La gymnastics staff
09 Nov, 2022 by Michael
CAUTION! Michelle Cohen- Huggies is NOT to be trusted. It is only a matter of time before the claims of her unethical tactics become proven and she is disbarred. I too, have experienced her attempt to win by default and lie that I was properly served for an unlawful detainer. filed for a motion to quash (must be within 5 days from when served) and was dismissed. If you are her opposing council, do not under estimate her willingness to lie, cheat or steal!
Read more
09 Aug, 2022 by Anonymous
Melissa is amazing, smart, and knows whats fair. She is one of the hardest working attorneys and hopefully will be a judge due to her ability to see through the BS that goes on when dealing with children.
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
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 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
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
30 Dec, 2024 by Juan r. lozano
Mr. Carson was very helpful in dealing with vacating a tenant of mine that was not paying the rent and trash the property . .. I am very thankful for that !
Read more
03 Oct, 2024 by Melissa swetland
Mr. Carson/ Newton was representing me on a DVRO case . I would need to be the one to reach out to him for him to message me back and anything that he did not want on record, he would tell me to call him and it would be about a 30 second to two minute phone call That way, nothing was traced. ( I caught on pretty early )
He is the type to keep you out of trouble, however, but still keep you in the loop with attorney fees and having him to represent you for ongoing court cases that get pushed & delayed . He is not for The people that pay him, he is for the money and that’s all that he looks at. This is a complete waste of time, worst attorney I have ever encountered with.
Read more
02 Aug, 2024 by Alyssa banchero
I rarely write reviews, but I felt compelled to share my experiences with Carson Newton.
I was in great need of a knowledgeable Lawyer when I was referred to Mr. Newton. I was a bit nervous, considering the gravity of my situation. Well, I’ve since used his services twice! He actually listened to my situation/needs. He told me the truth and cut to the bottom line of how things would go, so I had no surprises. He knows what he’s doing and helps you figure out the best course of action for your situation.
His pricing is very reasonable and he even helped me for FREE when I could not afford to pay!
In getting to know him a little, I’ve discovered that he is a humble, unsung hero to many. That doesn't even want credit for the positive impact he makes in people’s lives.
If you needed any reassurance in choosing him, please do. You won’t regret your decision! I highly recommend him and would use his services again.
Read more
12 Oct, 2024 by Anonymous
Hourly rates are much higher than other divorce attorneys in the Tri-City area and he over-charges hours for unnecessary work (extra hours). Mr. Lau also acted unethically by repeatedly pressuring the opposing counsel to transfer funds prior to the final divorce decree, which resulted in significantly more billable hours.
Read more
31 Jul, 2024 by Abel a lopezg
13 Dec, 2023 by Evans hsu
“Steve is truly remarkable as a family lawyer. His professionalism and efficiency in handling legal matters were exceptional, and I found his services to be reasonably priced. Additionally, during our court appearances, I felt completely at ease and confident with Steve representing me. I wholeheartedly recommend Steve for anyone seeking a competent and reassuring family lawyer.”
Read more
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
07 Sep, 2024 by Sarah p. hernandez
I'm OP on a NINE MONTH MARRIAGE.. My even dumber Husband hired this clown of an attorney to get our divorce done.. this attorney sent me a Judgment which was completely wrong-I sent it back to them at the beginning of May to make corrections and changes. They finally sent it to me yesterday and it is still wrong. This office -Andrew R..is incompetent. Do not hire him. I've been a Family Law paralegal for 20 years and I can do this stuff in my sleep. I sent them a judgment that I prepared with all the mandatory forms, and they chose to send me back their judgment, which again was completely incorrect.
Read more
07 Sep, 2024 by Enzo villaparedes
He was very rude, and unprofessional, talked over me over the phone, we never met, DID NOT answer the petition in time, and did not respond to many of my emails about my concerns, one day, suddenly I found out that he quit my case and someone else from Marble Law ended up calling me to finish his paperwork... at some point, I thought he was working for the opposing party... definitely I wasted my money on this guy... PLEASE don't do the same.
Read more
22 May, 2024 by Juukai
A very odd and unprofessional experience. 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
05 Feb, 2011 by Anonymous
Pressured to agree to joint custody and shouldn't have done it. Didn't know once I did it would be almost impossible to change.
Read more
02 Sep, 2010 by Barbie
Do yourself a favor and hire Scott and save time and money. Make sure both parties agree on everything and just hire one attorney not two. Scott can handle the whole divorce and be done. Don't make it complicated. Take it from me been there done it....
Read more
14 Apr, 2010 by Anonymous
Mr. Finkbeiner did a great job on my divorce/custody case. He was very good in court, knew the law and was able to get me through a very complicated custody battle with my ex. Mr. Finkbener kept me informed on my case and was responsive to my questions. I definitely recommend him.
Read more
30 Jun, 2023 by Jessica veras
By far the most unprofessional attorneys I have ever met. He will lie under oath. My best friend hired him a year ago and she said he told her to lie to the courts. Definitely shady. He used to be a judge but couldn’t cut it so he was fired. Nobody likes him.
Read more
30 May, 2023 by Ken morgan
Super cool guy.
Read more
15 Mar, 2022 by David butterfield
03 Apr, 2021 by Mike
I hired him a few years ago. There was a lot of hidden assets he told me we would get in discovery . When we went to court he asked me if I minded waiting outside the courtroom because she my ex feared for her life. I thought it was odd but did it. When he came out he said for now I still had to pay 650 spousel support and if I sold the house I had to give her half and nothing would happen for a couple months to sign here. I didn't read what I signed I trusted him. A few days later he withdrew from being my attorney and I found out that was the final papers he had me sign. I got nothing after working fir 30 years
Read more
01 Aug, 2020 by Sean
Mr. Montgomery is the best family law attorney in SB county. After a 10 year custody battle he was able to get me full custody of my 3 children. Absolutely amazing after two previous attorneys failed completely. He also cleared out my child support case with absolute precision. I was referred to him by my close friend who he also helped get full custody of his daughter. After being in court over 100 times (no exaggeration) I’ve seen pretty much every attorney in SB county family law. His rate is extremely fair and his ladies who run his office Leslie and Luvia are wonderful! I’ve sent him every person I know who has had issues after they hear my successful story. Give him a call if you’re a father struggling in this unfair court system! Edmund and his staff is A-1.
Read more
12 Jun, 2019 by Anonymous
I wanted full custody and wanted to settle for 50/50 custody towards the end because I was tired of going to court .
I ended up with 45% custody and I still have to pay child support when he promised to write something for me and said more than likely I wasn’t gonna pay anything.
Mr. Montgomery had a chance to go against my ex without a layer and asked for an extension only because I had another case next door . Had we continued that day we would have won the case especially since my ex didn’t have the proper paper work and didn’t have a lawyer .
He did however helped me beat a restraining order that my ex wanted permanently.
Besides that I do not recommend this lawyer .
Sorry Ed it’s been a few years now and I regret asking for your services .
Read more
16 Feb, 2022 by Hector
Worst Attorney EVER. He will never contact you to give you any updates on your case. Good luck if you hire him. You will have to call 30 times before someone comes back to you with any information. All he cares about is money. Thanks to this Attorney my uncle lost his case because he never told him he had to go to court and neither him or my uncle showed up. Anyone else had the same issue contact me. I guess this is not the first case someone loses for not giving correct information. He is a lazy liar and will NOT FIGHT for your case. Like another review said. He will ONLY agree on everything. I will be getting signatures with proof of who else lost there case thanks to this thief not moving a finger. I actually had to get information on the other parties Attorney to tell ME my uncles attorney didn't fight for anything and that to be honest he was only taking my uncles money. It was an easy case he said because he didn't fight for my uncle. Don't tell me you didn't get my uncles case because I will expose EVERYTHING with proof on social media. Zero communication from you and when my uncle finally got ahold of you you would give him an attitude threatening you would leave the case. Yes of course after my uncle paid you for doing NOTHING.
Read more
09 Feb, 2022 by Anonymous
Mr.Garcia did a great job defending me in court and assisting me in receiving my Restraining Order. The only issue with his services was the time he took to file my court documents. Our last court date was in early December, when I was granted my restraining order, and he did not file it with the court until the first week of February. I know Holidays made things delayed, but he could've filed the documents the same day of our last hearing. His justification was that the court gave him issues filing, which I honestly don't believe. Mr.Garcia also took several days to respond to my emails and calls which made me feel lost and upset. For the amount of money, I paid I believe he could've done a better job.
Read more
02 Dec, 2021 by Anonymous
Hired to handle a case and he took the money and did nothing. The case has been working itself out without his assistance. He doesn't return calls and dodges your messages. Stay away from this guy. 0 stars.
Read more
07 Aug, 2024 by Mohammad al abdallat
Barry robbins he is the worst person I have seen in my entire life . He is not a real lawyer, always lying, creating stories not honest I was having a case with him since 2 years and tell today he didn't pay me my settlement I hire a lawyer for that and he will take care of him because I'm not the first person there's a lot of his clients he did with them this , he is not professional , he is not honest , he lying alot I don't recommend him at all I told you from experience , see you Barry at state's bar associations , you are scammmer
Read more
09 Jul, 2024 by P d
Kris Cirby been an outstanding advocate for me with my ongoing domestic abuse case. She has consistently gone above and beyond to ensure our best interests are represented. I am extremely grateful for her support. I cannot thank Kris Cirby enough for their exceptional support and dedication. She has stood by me through thick and thin, providing invaluable legal assistance . Her compassion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment have made a significant difference in my life. I am deeply grateful for her continued assistance.
Read more
11 Feb, 2024 by Amber pilling
Barry Robbins at Matthew Brekhus Attorney at Law offices did an amazing job in getting my personal injury case settled. I would definitely recommend him to anyone. Barry was polite and handled my case in a timely manner.
Read more
14 May, 2024 by Anonymous
He only cares about getting paid and nothing else
matt puts his own needs ahead of anyone else's and just leaves his clients high and dry once his option to get paid is on the table
Read more
02 Jan, 2024 by Mojgan ahrabli
01 Jun, 2021 by Sarah
I was really frustrated after reading some of these reviews. Leigh has been extremely supportive and encouraging during this difficult process. She is a matter of fact, tell it like it is kind of person but isn't that the kind of person you want standing up for you in court? Leigh's prices are so reasonable, I was so afraid I wouldn't be able to afford a lawyer and I prayed for a miracle. Leigh has been doing this for a long time and I am grateful for her knowledge, guidance and support. I am confident that walking into this courtroom with her by my side is the best choice I could have made.
Read more
27 Apr, 2018 by Justin
Leigh was not reliable nor did she provide the effort you would expect when dealing with legal issues. I was very open and upfront with her regarding my case and needs as a client, but Leigh couldn't provide the same respect back. After my consultation, which I thought was comforting, I spent money immediately to retain her due to the complication of my case. Leigh showed up to every court hearing either as court checked in or had already started, which left no time to consult with her going into a hearing about expectations, needs, and facts required for judge. During the hearing, due to lack of consultation, I consistently had to try to provide input or request things on an instant before hearing would be over. After hearings is when Leigh would communicate with us, in which she charged for. After I received my first invoice, not only did she charge the incorrect rate, but she would charge for simple communication (reading and responding to my emails). Not only was her hours spent on tasks appearing to be inflated, Leigh also didn't provide a receipt for a cash transaction, then wouldn't credit the money provided to her until I gave my bank statement reflecting my atm withdrawl. She blamed "personal" reason as means to not crediting me, but I had to advise her multiple times she didn't credit me. Now comes the unethical aspect, which occurred every hearing. I'm not sure if race played a role in her character judgment, but Leigh would tell my wife and I we couldn't afford her nor the effort to fight for my rights as a father. This was the single most disrespectful and inappropriate thing I've ever been told, from someone I looked to for counsel. There was no indication of my ability to pay, when I keep my terms to our contract regarding payment. Then when asked to actually make effort to progress the case, Leigh consistently told me she couldn't do anything. Therefore it left me with no other choice but to move on from her services. BE CAUTIOUS IN RETAINING THIS ATTORNEY, she will force you to do all the footwork, legal processes, and more while she collects your money. Also, if you can't afford her suggestions, don't expect her to fight for you in your case. I believe Leigh thought she had a money case because of the high conflict I'm involved in, but she didn't expect me to be as efficient as I am in my case. Just as stated from the anonymous reviewer, they were 100% correct about Leigh. Dont believe me, theres other sites that have reviews on her as well dating back to 2009 of her poor and unethical work, in a simple Google search, which I do regret not doing before retaining her. I would highly suggest you review your invoices and contract before you make a legal decision.
Read more
02 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
She's very good on billing you for hours that she probably never did considering on how badly she arranged my file. I deeply regret that I had to deal with her. Please do a favor to yourself and AVOID this attorney. Good luck!
Read more
14 May, 2023 by Kim
Hi neglect caused me to loose one of my cases and my home. Had he been prepared I would have won hands down. And instead of being ethical he double bills, is neglectful and pretty much a bad guy. He asked me to break the law which I refused and lied about communication only to extend my case, increase my billing for himself and Glenn Mehner who by the way never completed work and lied to the court.
Read more
28 Sep, 2019 by Allison
No one wants to say they have a family law attorney on retainer, but if you need some serious representation, you've got to hire John R. Schilling (who my father-in-law has dubbed, "The Orange County Baracuda"). John has been my family law attorney for years, always offering sound advisement for a myriad of divorce, and custody-related issues. John's office and staff (Tara Villa and Vickie Conner) have been so personal and kind during some of the darkest times of my family's life. With his unrelenting determination to seek a just and fair outcome for his client, John was able to gain "client control" over my petulant ex-husband that even HIS own attorney could not. John is very confident and commanding in the courtroom, and has decades of experience with all the judges and any fellow attorney worth their salt.
THANK YOU, John, Tara, and Vickie!
Read more
18 Sep, 2019 by Davis r.
If you want great results - then you must hire John. He has handled two of my divorces and each time he exceeded my expectations.
Read more
28 Jul, 2019 by Clay singleton
Ben Ramsey is the consummate professional. I had a very complex case and he sorted the many interwoven issues and was able to focus our time, and the opposing counsel's time, on only the most important items. He has a great understanding of the law, but relates to clients very well.
Read more
14 Apr, 2019 by Anthony
Very unprofessional. Does a decent job in Susanville only because there is such low standards in Susanville. Doesn’t do much more then take your money.
Read more
14 Dec, 2018 by Rita antram
Mr. Ramsey was great to work with, he spent all the time necessary to put my mind at ease and answer all my questions.
Read more
03 Jun, 2024 by Doug foster
This is a long overdue recommendation for Becker Nelson Center & James. Our LLC has been a client for several years and we've always received top quality counsel and service. We've worked with Crystal Center and she has done a variety of projects for us ranging from tenant leases to litigation. She does a super job balancing practical needs with getting what's best for our business. I highly recommend this practice for others!
Read more
14 Feb, 2024 by A r
Crystal Center gave my case all the attention it needed and constantly kept me updated on how things were progressing along the way. As a client, you are certain that your needs, concerns and case will be handled with the utmost care and professionalism. Crystsl went above and beyond to help my case in anyway she possibly could. It was clear she cared deeply about me and my case. The firms office is welcoming and professional. I highly recommend Becker Nelson Center and James
Read more
29 Sep, 2023 by Tracie whitney
I have called twice, left a message, and have not gotten a call back.
Read more
09 Nov, 2024 by Imelda pantoja
I received a recommendation to Rogelio Lopez. He assisted me with a legal matter. He is fantastic. He charges a flat fee and you are able to reach out with questions at any time and he replies promptly. He goes out of his way to get your case completed as quickly as possible. I would highly recommend him.
Read more
18 May, 2024 by Angelica alberts
Truly enjoyed working with Roxanne. She is prompt with requests. Roxanne took the time to let me vent and always kept me in the driver seat while guiding me to make the best decision possible for my case and ultimately won my case. Thank you Roxanne for your support. Definitely recommend her to help with custody issues. - Angelica Wade.
Read more
18 Jan, 2024 by L m
I am so grateful for Attorney Rogelio. I needed help asap. I was given a referral to this law office and I am so happy to feel looked out for and guided. He listened and assisted me as much as he could to help with my requests. There were times I was so mentally drained , but attorney Rogelio would address things I could have easily over looked. Thanks Attorney Rogelio. His staff also accomadeted me when I got the appt time wrong. I felt, this law group was so much more to me than just " representing." Thank you. Thank you.
-L.M
Read more
02 May, 2024 by John
My experience with Christian Schank was great. I needed last minute representation for a domestic violence restraining order trial and so I called into his office. After doing a consultation, I hired him and he successfully defended the restraining order and was legit in court. He is a very skilled attorney. He was very aggressive in court and I could tell that is where he excels. All in all, I was stoked to have Mr. Schank as my attorney.
Read more
29 Oct, 2022 by Anonymous
Perhaps the worst experience I’ve ever had with a lawyer. First thing to touch on, the rates are absurd $325 for an email? Secondly do not expect any actual work to get done, there’s a reason they want you to pay up front, they are in no way going to try to close the case but rather they just want to financially take every penny they have. I took one good review and unfortunately listened to that. After talking with some other prior clients I am now aware what I read online for good reviews are likely fraud. Double and triple check all options before you go with this lawyer or you’ll pay a lot for no results.
Read more
01 Oct, 2020 by Elizabeth
I don't think I can find the words to describe Mr. Schank and what he did for my children and I. Nearly six years of my children and I being bullied in the courtroom. Every single road block stacked against us. Mr. Schank came into my case after four other attorney's did nothing but waste money. Mr. Schank got results. He was relentless and doesn't give up. He is ethical, smart, and I felt he really cared about my kids and I. If you have a high conflict case, where you keep getting stepped on, he is the attorney for you. I had not had a good night sleep for 6 years until Mr. Schank took over my case. My nightmares are over and my children for the first time are going to get to voice their opinion. Not only is Mr. Schank the best lawyer I have ever seen, his office staff is friendly and knowledgeable. I felt like a person when speaking with them and not a dollar sign. I got the sense that the entire office was pulling for my kids and I. There is no better lawyer than Christian Schank. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Read more
08 Jan, 2025 by Hernan alanis
23 Dec, 2024 by David becker
Juvenil services was great.
Read more
17 Dec, 2024 by Eder
They don’t answer the phone calls
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
28 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
Jeff stopped communicating with me about my divorce in August 2023. He just disappeared. His phone number is disconnected. His website is "under maintenance", he has ignored emails. He is a crook. I reported him to the Bar, and am looking at further steps to take to make him accountable for the harm he is causing.
Read more
27 Feb, 2024 by Mililani gouveia
TOTALLY ABANDONED MY DIVORCE CASE
CHANGED HIS PHONE NUMBER
WEBSITE IS DOWN
ZERO RESPONSE IN 5 MONTHS
WORST ATTORNEY EVER
Read more
13 Jan, 2024 by Ocie taylor
12 Nov, 2023 by Armano cruz
Came here for their services I retained them 3 times on the 3rd time was around covid I had like 1000 in credit with them when the case was closed and some how I owe them 400 still tried to contact them but couldn’t get passed the rude front desk and know they still trying to collect more money from me can’t trust them.
Read more
13 Oct, 2023 by Jennifer castillo
Amazing people, efficient, professional and excellent customer service.
Read more
25 Sep, 2023 by Nick bustamante
Browse lawyers
Cities in California - Find a Lawyer Near Me
-
Los Angeles
-
San Francisco
-
San Diego
-
Sacramento
-
Irvine
-
Oakland
-
San Jose
-
Palo Alto
-
Beverly Hills
-
Newport Beach
-
Pasadena
-
Santa Monica
-
Santa Ana
-
Fresno
-
Glendale
-
Long Beach
-
Walnut Creek
-
Encino
-
Woodland Hills
-
Costa Mesa
-
Riverside
-
Menlo Park
-
Redwood City
-
Burbank
-
Santa Barbara
-
Santa Rosa
-
Berkeley
-
Sherman Oaks
-
Mountain View
-
Orange
-
Torrance
-
Westlake Village
-
Carlsbad
-
San Rafael
-
El Segundo
-
Santa Clara
-
Bakersfield
-
San Mateo
-
Ventura
-
Roseville
-
Culver City
-
Stockton
-
Calabasas
-
La Jolla
-
Huntington Beach
-
Tustin
-
Pleasanton
-
Manhattan Beach
-
Modesto
-
Monterey Park
-
Anaheim
-
Sunnyvale
-
San Luis Obispo
-
Santa Cruz
-
Van Nuys
-
West Hollywood
-
Burlingame
-
San Ramon
-
Cupertino
-
Fullerton
-
Salinas
-
Ontario
-
Alameda
-
San Bernardino
-
Fremont
-
Thousand Oaks
-
Napa
-
Redondo Beach
-
Agoura Hills
-
Los Gatos
-
Encinitas
-
Davis
-
Marina Del Rey
-
Rancho Cucamonga
-
Visalia
-
Cerritos
-
Redding
-
Monterey
-
Concord
-
Folsom
-
Martinez
-
Mission Viejo
-
Palm Desert
-
Brea
-
Aliso Viejo
-
Emeryville
-
Chico
-
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
-
Discrimination
-
Elder Law
-
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
-
Cannabis Law
-
Construction
-
Credit Repair
-
Constitutional Law
-
Life Insurance
-
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.
