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20 Sep, 2024 by Nate
Jay did an outstanding job resolving my matters. Could not recommend an attorney more. Knows the system. Advocates for his clients above all else.
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22 Aug, 2024 by Sara
Jay is the best attorney around. I have been using him for 15 years and when asked for a referral, I always refer him. He's has saved my rear end many times!
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19 Aug, 2024 by Oscar
Jay White is an increadible attorney with 30 plus years of experience, which is one of the traits to a great attorney. I initially went with a popular online law firm that specializes in tickets… and they were too green in handling a case like mine. The benefits of using an attorney like Mr. White is his years of experience, and he personally looks at your case and takes an approach based off that case and not out to make a quick buck and put it on the pipeline. Jay White proved his swift and efficient representation, which is what you expect from a high caliber attorney. He has a very efficient, honest, and transparent team that comes along with his representation. I do not live in NC but that wasn’t a problem, he took care of everything and I am incredibly satisfied with the outcome of my case. Consider Jay White for your next representation you are in good hands.
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15 Mar, 2016 by Samantha
Jennifer has never given the impression of a stone cold Attorney. While she means business in the courtroom and works diligently behind the scenes, she brings her heart into her work. She Responds within a timely manner and makes herself available to address questions & concerns. She has fought long & hard for my family & there's no one else I would have. She has proven herself over and over. It is not often you might consider an attorney to be a trustworthy person (no jab intended), but I have felt my family was in the best of hands & I do trust her to have our best interest at heart. I feel confident with her at my side and know that you will too. If you're looking for someone to understand your case, to care about justice, & to get the job done, she is for you! You won't be disappointed.
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29 Jan, 2016 by Andrew
Worse attorney in concord! I had consulted three other attorneys in the area who had known about Ms.Robertsons work ethics and had even said that she was friends with opposing counsels attorney! Which now explains the mess that has to be cleaned up by my current attorney who has recommended I file a complaint to state bar. She had failed multiple times to respond and or clearly explain what the status of my case was. She kept saying my case was moving at an appropriate rate. Well I had a child support hearing which Ms.Robertson had mentioned I did not have to be present for because of my work schedule. Well the day of the hearing she had taken it upon herself to not update me as to what the outcome was. No phone call, no email, no letter, NOTHING! Two weeks later Ms.Robertson had finally decided to respond to my emails and said what my child support payment was plus $1,100 of backed child support that she had failed to mention when I (the plaintiff) had filed the lawsuit initially which was a year ago. She was extremely unprofessional in her emails and few times I would attempt to discuss the matter with her over the phone. Eventually I had to fire her and hire a new attorney because opposing counsel had informed me multiple times that Ms.Robertson and opposing counsels attorney would discuss issues that were only meant for Ms.Robertson and myself. If you are a dad please look else where for an attorney. This attorney talks a good game but is a poor representive for single fathers who want to protect their children.
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27 Jan, 2016 by Michael kennedy
I hired Mrs. Jennifer Robertson for Child Custody & Support. Mrs. Roberston is very Professional, Personable, Straight Forward, and Gets Results. I had the notion that the Father always gets the Blunt End of the Deal. Mrs. Robertson proved that theory wrong with my case. I will Recommend Mrs. Jennifer Rutherford Roberston to all my friends and family, as well as obtain her for any future issues that arise in her Field of Services.
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02 Sep, 2024 by Melissa
After firing my last attorney Mr. Weinshenker was next up on the court appointed list. I couldn't have been more lucky. Right away I could tell the difference between the two lawyers. He emailed me a couple times a day. He also was very blunt and let me know the reality of the situation. He's my new go-to lawyer. My case isn't over with but I just want everyone know who is looking for a lawyer, this guy is awesome!
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02 Mar, 2016 by Anonymous
Seth is the best attorney I have had through the course of my divorce and custody cases. From the first time I met him, he was professional, took detailed notes, asked pertinent questions and was highly available. He got my custody case into court quickly and was always more than blunt about the reality of the possible outcomes. He is down to earth, personable, and down to business. And he has a LOT of experience in his field. In one case he actually spent enough time researching law to figure out that the opposing attorney had filed completely improper paperwork against me and the suit against me was dismissed. He is very thorough. I can't say enough nice things about his professionalism. I would recommend him in a heartbeat. He was able to accomplish for me what two prior attorneys in Cabarrus county failed at miserably.
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26 Nov, 2024 by Calvin norwood
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07 Apr, 2024 by Janeth gutierrez
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07 Apr, 2024 by Fidel camacho
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30 Jan, 2023 by Cheryl
I met with Ms. Cain in Feb 2022, for consult on child custody, from the moment she walked in she was not only dn to earth, but straight to the task in hand , on what it was we were looking for in our case. She was straight forward, never sugarcoating, so I knew what to expect each and every time. She was professional at all times returned my emails , calls and made us feel comfortable and that she truly cared. I would highly recommend her and I will definitely use her again if ever needed.
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30 Aug, 2018 by Anonymous
Aimee is the best lawyer I've ever had contact with. Married three times with bad custody battle twice. She really is wonderful and NOT money grubbing and greedy. Once she even gave me advice without a charge. I truly admire her as a person and as a professional. If I'm ever back in her state and have a need she is the only lawyer I'd ever consider. I miss her, she's very refreshing in today's world of mostly greedy over- rated over-paid attorneys that are heartless.... she is a gem with a great big heart.
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20 Jul, 2017 by Anonymous
Totally incompetent and incapable of doing what you pay her thousands of dollars to do. Never returns phone calls and when I call her office, she is never there. I am constantly told to contact her by email but she never answers those either. She took my money and did nothing but agree to continuances for almost a year and then told me if I didn't pay her more money she would withdraw as my attorney and I could start over. She shouldn't be allowed to be an attorney and take someones hard earned money and do nothing for them. Never hire this fake!
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20 Dec, 2024 by Greenleigh gleason
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27 Nov, 2024 by Acie hardy
I had a very positive experience dealing with Minick Law. Kristen Dewar and Mia Alzagari were both very helpful and had a very good open line of communication with me throughout the whole ordeal. I would definitely recommend utilizing Minick Law's services if you are ever in need of assistance with a traffic violation in North Carolina! Thanks so much again!
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09 Oct, 2024 by Walker deloach
Mrs. Baker & her team of paralegals deserve 10/5 stars! I thought when I received a DWI charge my career and opportunity were over, I knew I’d lose my job, lose my house, & everything if I got convicted. I needed the best and boy did I ever find the best with Mrs Baker. My case was lengthy and very stressful, Mrs. Baker and her team of paralegals reassured me each time that they would fight and give it everything that they had! From the courtroom to consultations, phone calls, & life events Mrs Baker did nothing short than fight until the bitter end! In the end They Did It! There is no other representation I’d rather have behind me and fighting for me! My family & I are unbelievably grateful for everything they have done!
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21 Apr, 2023 by Lindsay
Mr. Hastings is, by far, the best attorney in NC. After a long string of six attorneys and numerous consultations with attorneys in Cabarrus and Mecklenburg Counties, he is the only attorney who can handle my aggressive opposing Charlotte law firm. Like other reviews, he is the "big guns" I needed to settle my case. He is a master in his element and works his deposition like an art form to build an inpenetrable defense for the case. He has patched the holes in my case which other lawyers left open for attacks. He is assertive and speaks up in court where other attorneys sat silently and let me fall. I was cheering inside when his quick thinking and assertive performance in court sent opposers running from the stand. He has an intimidating court presence and tells you like it is but if you do everything he says and pay on time, he will not let you down. He is the most affordable attorney in the Charlotte area because he and B.J. are an efficient team. He does not nickel and dime billing or drag out unnecessary calls and emails. Other offices have several staff members answering phones and charging for the same response that they have no answers. B.J. is knowledgeable and handles the correspondence while Mr. Hastings outperfoms the opposers in court. Save your money on consultations and look no further. I've already done the groundwork here. Mr. Hastings is the weapon we both need!
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24 Sep, 2020 by Robert
Randell is the best lawyer I’ve ever seen. He has a lot of experience but also has an ability to get stuff done and quickly. He asks the right questions and knows how to get to the truth of ugly custody matters. I had a stalled out custody matter and Randell stepped in and took charge. Within weeks we were getting answers to questions that were taking years to get answered. I recommend Randell to anyone and everyone. Use his experience, his expertise and his passion. The man knows what he’s doing and how to get it done. He’s a good man too who wants truth and justice!
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06 Sep, 2017 by Carl
He did nothing but show up to court. Not prepared for my case. He must be ready to retire because he has no care about his clients at all just takes there money. If you want a family attorney just to say that you got one go ahead, but if you want an attorney to work for you then go elsewhere!
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05 Jul, 2023 by Gregg
On 10/27/2021 I was facing a criminal contempt charge. This was a direct result of following the instruction of Lancaster and St. Louis to file a motion to suspend visitation due to growing concerns regarding the immediate physical safety of my son while in his mother's care. As part of the motion to suspend, hundreds of pages of medical records had been subpoenaed and secured from to different mental health providers. This also took many billable hours to read through and organize. When these records were referenced during the hearing, the defendant simply stated that “both providers were lying and embellishing records in order to get paid by Medicaid”. LeAnn’s response was to stare blankly into space and after an awkward silence, simply moved on in her questioning. An accusation of Medicare fraud under oath apparently did not warrant any additional questions of LeAnn. This was detrimental to my case and resulted in the motion being dismissed. To add to this, a contempt charge had been filed in response for me not providing my son for visitation (due to the concerns outlined in the motion). I was quickly found guilty and the judge ordered from the bench that I pay a $500 fine to the defendant along with a 1 year criminal suspended sentence. This is where things became much worse. 1/ I followed LeAnn’s instructions and had a check out to her within days of that judgement. LeAnn did nothing with this for months, until opposing counsel contacted her about it and their next step was going to be to file contempt charges where I would have ended up with a 30 day sentence in jail. 2/ LeAnn’s lack of attention to detail and rushing through her work became quite apparent. The judgement was drawn up by the defense and LeAnn had her opportunity to make edits or “red line” and send back to counsel for the defense. LeAnn overlooked that the draft judgement did not specifically state the 1 year sentence the judge ordered from the bench and was entered without a duration; this meant my criminal suspended sentence went from a judgement of 1 year to the 10+ years remaining until my son is 18. I asked repeatedly for clarification on the judgement and was not provided with an answer. There were at least 7 emails requesting this information, all while remaining polite and professional as I have throughout my representation with this firm. Finally, LeAnn called me (which was very unusual) the afternoon of 4/15. LeAnn attempted to downplay the judgement and even proceeded to advise me that “well it isn’t really criminal…” when it in fact it very much was. As a final “farewell”, LeAnn filed a new motion related to child support and received an objection back from opposing counsel. In hindsight this followed a pattern of Lancaster and St. Louis filing motions that simply went nowhere. After receiving a copy of the objection as the attorney of record representing me, the next day LeAnn emailed me to withdraw from the case entirely citing my “dissatisfaction”. To make matters worse, LeAnn failed to provide me with a copy of this objection, as she is required to do so as the attorney of record at the time of the objection. The truth of the matter is that LeAnn had dug herself a significant hole. Instead of stepping up and taking responsibility, she ran, leaving me to clean up her mess. When you look for legal counsel, look for someone who will be accountable for their work and that will stick with their client. The representation by Lancaster and St. Louis overall was sporadic, sluggish and made themselves necessary based on their own repeated missteps and oversights. If you are a current client, it may be time to take a closer look at what “work” is being completed. As a potential client, I would recommend you look elsewhere for legal representation as there are plenty of quality attorneys in Mecklenburg and Cabarrus County
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What a Child Custody Lawyer Can Do for You

A child custody lawyer specializes in helping parents navigate legal matters related to the custody and care of their children, particularly in the context of divorce, separation, or other family disputes. These lawyers assist with determining custody arrangements, drafting parenting plans, and advocating for your rights in court. They also help resolve disputes over physical custody (where the child lives), legal custody (who makes decisions for the child), visitation rights, and modifications to existing custody orders.

Whether you're going through a divorce or need to change an existing custody arrangement, a child custody lawyer can help you understand your rights and protect your child's best interests throughout the legal process.

When Should I Hire a Child Custody Lawyer?

You should consider hiring a child custody lawyer in several situations, especially when disputes arise or complex legal issues affect your parental rights. Some common reasons to hire a child custody lawyer include:

  • Divorce or separation: If you're going through a divorce or separation and need to establish custody and visitation arrangements, a lawyer can help ensure the custody order reflects your child's best interests.
  • Disputed custody cases: If you and the other parent cannot agree on custody or visitation terms, a lawyer can advocate for your rights in court and help you develop a strong case.
  • Modification of custody orders: If you need to change an existing custody arrangement due to changes in circumstances (e.g., relocation, changes in the child’s needs), a lawyer can help file a modification request.
  • Parental alienation: If the other parent is interfering with your relationship with your child, a lawyer can help address these issues through legal action.
  • Domestic violence or abuse: If there is a history of domestic violence or abuse, a lawyer can help protect you and your child by requesting restraining orders and advocating for appropriate custody arrangements.
  • Grandparent or third-party custody: If you are a grandparent or another relative seeking custody or visitation rights, a lawyer can guide you through the legal process.
  • Paternity disputes: In cases where paternity is in question, a lawyer can assist with establishing or challenging paternity, which may affect custody and visitation rights.

Hiring a lawyer early in the process can help protect your parental rights and ensure that the custody arrangement is in your child's best interests.

What Does a Child Custody Lawyer Do?

A child custody lawyer provides a variety of legal services to help parents resolve custody disputes and secure favorable custody arrangements for their children. Their responsibilities often include:

  • Filing custody petitions: Helping you file the necessary paperwork to request custody or visitation rights and ensuring all legal procedures are followed.
  • Negotiating custody agreements: Assisting in negotiating custody and visitation arrangements, often working toward a mutually beneficial parenting plan without going to court.
  • Representing you in court: If you and the other parent cannot agree on custody terms, representing you in court by presenting evidence and making legal arguments to support your case.
  • Drafting parenting plans: Helping you draft a comprehensive parenting plan that outlines the schedule for physical custody, decision-making responsibilities, and visitation.
  • Handling child support issues: Assisting with related issues such as child support, ensuring that financial obligations are properly calculated and enforced.
  • Modifying custody orders: Helping you request a modification from the court if you need to change an existing custody arrangement due to significant life changes.
  • Mediating custody disputes: Acting as a mediator to help both parents reach an agreement on custody and visitation without the need for litigation.

How Are Child Custody Lawyers Paid?

Child custody lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the case, the time involved, and the nature of the legal work. Common payment methods include:

  • Hourly rate: Most child custody lawyers charge by the hour, with rates ranging from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer's experience and location. The total cost depends on the time spent preparing documents, negotiating, and representing you in court.
  • Flat fee: For simple custody matters or uncontested custody agreements, some lawyers may offer a flat fee for specific services, such as drafting a parenting plan or filing a custody petition.
  • Retainer: Many lawyers require an upfront retainer fee, which is billed against as the lawyer works on your case. The amount varies based on the expected complexity and duration of the case.
  • Sliding scale or pro bono services: Some lawyers may offer reduced fees or pro bono (free) services for clients with limited financial means, particularly in cases involving domestic violence or other serious issues.

It’s important to discuss fees and payment arrangements with your lawyer during the initial consultation to understand how much you will be charged and what services are included.

How Much Does a Child Custody Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring a child custody lawyer depends on various factors, including the complexity of the case, whether it’s contested or uncontested, and the lawyer’s experience. General cost estimates include:

  • Uncontested custody cases: Legal fees may range from $1,500 to $5,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the paperwork and any negotiations.
  • Contested custody cases: Legal fees can range from $5,000 to $40,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the issues, the need for expert testimony, and the time spent in litigation.
  • Hourly rates: Lawyers typically charge between $150 and $500 per hour, with higher rates for more experienced attorneys or complex custody disputes.
  • Mediation services: If both parents agree to work through mediation, costs typically range from $1,000 to $5,000 or more for the mediation process.

Always ask for a clear cost estimate during your consultation to ensure that you understand the total legal fees and payment structure.

Top Questions to Ask a Child Custody Lawyer

Before hiring a child custody lawyer, it’s essential to ask the right questions to ensure they are the best fit for your case. Some key questions to ask include:

  1. What experience do you have with child custody cases?
    Ensure the lawyer has experience handling cases similar to yours, especially if your case involves complex issues like domestic violence, relocation, or paternity disputes.
  2. How do you charge for your services?
    Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, offers flat fees for certain services, or requires a retainer, and ask for an estimate of the total cost.
  3. What is the likelihood of success in my case?
    Ask for an honest assessment of your case, including potential challenges and expected outcomes.
  4. How long will the process take?
    Inquire about the expected timeline from filing the petition to reaching an agreement or going to trial.
  5. Will you personally handle my case?
    Ensure you know who will be managing your case and representing you in court.
  6. Can we pursue mediation or alternative dispute resolution?
    Ask whether the lawyer recommends mediation or other forms of dispute resolution to avoid a lengthy court battle.

How to Check the Credibility of a Child Custody Lawyer

To ensure you are hiring a reputable child custody lawyer, follow these steps to verify their credentials and experience:

  • Verify their bar status: Check with your state bar association to confirm that the lawyer is licensed to practice and has no history of disciplinary actions.
  • Look for family law experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in family law and child custody cases.
  • Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for client reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to gauge the lawyer’s professionalism and success in child custody matters.
  • Ask for references: A credible lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have worked with them on custody cases.
  • Check for certifications: Look for lawyers who are board-certified in family law or have memberships in organizations like the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) or local family law sections.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To get the most out of your first consultation with a child custody lawyer, come prepared with relevant documents and information:

  • Court orders or existing custody agreements: Bring copies of any existing custody or visitation orders for the lawyer to review.
  • Communication with the other parent: Provide copies of emails, texts, or letters regarding custody, visitation, or disputes.
  • List of your child’s needs: Prepare a list of your child’s specific needs, such as medical care, education, and extracurricular activities.
  • Timeline of the case: Outline key events related to your custody case, including changes in living situations or parental involvement.
  • Questions for the lawyer: Write down any questions about the custody process, legal fees, and the lawyer’s strategy for your case.

By being well-prepared, you can help the lawyer assess your situation effectively and receive the best possible advice for protecting your rights and your child’s well-being.

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