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14 Dec, 2020 by Richard
I wanted to thank Andrew Mckewon at Harris Family Law for the incredible work. I was referred to Andrew by a close friend. As many in similar situations can attest to, having to go through any family law situation can be harrowing and stressful. I had spoken to several attorneys who were all competent, but Andrew was the only one to take the time to listen, understand and reassure me that this matter would be taken care of.
Andrew's communication and transparency are excellent. He is pragmatic, setting expectations that always made me feel optimistic about my matter; as well as taken care of. He will always go to bat for you and he's an attorney you can rely on to get it done.
Thank you!!
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21 Nov, 2018 by Jamal
Andy and I have known each other since the first year of law school. He has always been extremely professional and thoughtful in his approach. What makes him an amazing family law attorney is his ability to place himself in his clients position and effectively communicate to their needs. I recommend Andy to the highest degree.
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13 Mar, 2018 by Tyler
Andrew is not only a great communicator, he's an excellent listener. He's always kind, compassionate, and sympathetic to his client's needs. He's very knowledgeable in all areas of his field and I have complete confidence in him to handle any of my future legal needs, as well as refer him to anyone in need of a skilled and talented family law attorney.
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08 Jun, 2023 by Armando ramirez
Completely lost without them. They basically did everything and all I had to do was sign and show up. Definitely recommend them to anyone looking for legal advice.
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15 Jun, 2022 by Jessic rios
I don’t have enough good things to say about Denise Trevino. My divorce and child custody case was an extremely complicated case. She represented me in California while I live in a different state. The care that she showed me and my children was more than I could have hoped for. She truly looked at us as more than just a case. Dealing with the court system and lawyers is a scary and stressful thing, but she made the whole process a lot less horrible, as well as getting me the best possible outcome for me and my children. I will always be grateful for what she helped me accomplish.
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23 Feb, 2022 by Tony camaj
Trevino was very professional, knowledgeable and willing to listen to every aspect of my situation. I would not hesitate to bring her on board as my attorney.
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12 Jul, 2022 by Laura
Thank you, Kristen Przeklasa for helping me obtain legal clearance on my IVF journey! I am thrilled to have found OC Child & Family Law... referred by another trusted attorney friend of mine. Kristen was kind, compassionate, and extremely knowledgable about the complexities regarding my situation to become a SMBC, with the help of my sister as an egg donor. Kristen drafted our agreement within 48 hours, helped me find another attorney for my donor who also offered a fast turnaround... and in just a few days, I was able to get the legal clearance required for my fertility clinic. All for a very reasonable price... I am so grateful. Other law firms quoted me higher rates, and a 2-3 week turnaround!
Kristen treated me like a friend, was easy to reach by phone for any questions, and provided exceptional service for a fair rate. I would highly recommend Kristen and her partner Sahar to anyone in need of family law legal services... it's so refreshing to meet lawyers who genuinely care about their clients. Hoping I get pregnant soon, I will be happily working with Kristen for all of my family planning needs in the future.
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04 Apr, 2018 by Mike
Kristen was detailed, present, and engaged through the entire ordeal of my child custody battle. She answered emails and calls at all hours, damped my fears and kept me moving forward throughout. I am very pleased to recommend her to others.
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08 Feb, 2018 by Mk
It's never easy getting a divorce. I can say it was the most stressful event I have gone through. However, having Kristen in my corner helped to minimize my stress level. I knew she was looking out for my best interest. She was very knowledgeable about the law. When my Ex's attorney tried to pull some funny business, she nixed it immediately.
Kristen was always available. She was able to see me when I needed to consult with her in person. Emails and phone calls were returned promptly. Nothing worst than a non responsive attorney. The entire office staff was very courteous and professional.
It was a good feeling knowing that I had good representation. Someone who was fighting for me. I really am glad Kristen was there for me.
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15 Nov, 2023 by Marie marcal
She will get you Justice
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02 Nov, 2023 by E g
This is the worst family attorney I’ve had the misfortune of working with. I hired her to do three crucial tasks and she did nothing on my behalf for me or my child! One submit vital medical documents to the judge. Two help me debunk/ defend myself against false allegations. Three help me gain more custody and visitation of my child. Instead she surrendered my legal custody without my knowledge or consent, while I was not present. She set me and my child back years and burned through around 8K giving me the run around and playing both sides. She cannot be trusted and should have her legal license revoked. She’s a liar and by the time I caught wind she was helping the opposing party it was too late; and I lost legal custody. It took years and over 10K to get it back! So she actually wasted ~20 thousand and vital years for us while my child is struggling & suffering. All because she’s a greedy, crooked, con artist only interested in charging top dollar for empty promises to pay for her million dollar mortgage in Laguna.
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09 Nov, 2022 by Vladimir
Underwhelming, understaffed, underachieving and unprepared sums it up. Oh and micro transaction billing. As if your 12 second email reply is worth $87. She will nickel and dime your deposit down to nothing before you even see the judge with erroneous questions via email instead of asking all questions about once, she will happily let you respond to her emails that she will will bill each one individually for. Just wasted efforts, wasted back and forth. $900 for an income and expense declaration... Stay away from the small time lawyer that bills you out the wazoo and then gets upset when you question where $5k went and only produced two forms to the court and hasn't accomplished anything. I went into my last hearing without an attorney and got the same results which in my opinion says quite a bit about any skill you thought you were paying for. Totally unprepared in the child support hearing, distracted even, working from home. Lackluster skill and performance. Do your homework and set expectations.
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22 Dec, 2023 by Sina taneh
Professional lawyers and excellent service!
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21 Aug, 2023 by Younas aihi
No comment
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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.
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23 Mar, 2018 by Linda
Just spoke to the Atty for Child Support services who over saw our case today. She told me it was my Atty John Ireland who made our case take over 2 years because he kept asking for continuances. She said it was because of my atty and my ex’s husbands atty that nothing happened for over 2 years! So much money paid to John for NOTHING. The Child Support Atty told me, “it was your Atty who screwed you”, and I had a feeling. He was so weak in the courtroom I was embarrassed for him. He seems timid, sweet and quiet but he sucks as an Atty. My Father’s Atty recommended Mr. Ireland and after my father told his Atty of the incompetent way Ireland handled my case, his Atty promised he’d never refer John Ireland to anyone else. If you’re looking for a family lawyer, don’t bother, just do it yourself. I prevailed majorly on my own once I dropped the dead weight of an Atty. I found the behind the scenes info from the Child Support services Atty to be very insightful and exactly what I suspected was happening. Crooked Ireland can’t be trusted. This was supposed to be an easy case. He told me he was confident he’d get my Atty fees covered. He didn’t. His argument was weak at best to the judge. The only thing he did is find ways to keep us in the system so he could keep getting paid to do nothing. John would ask me to come into his office before we would go into court so he could, “prepare me“, for trial. Every time I would pay him to go into his office to, “prepare me“, I realized I was actually there to prepare him because he had no idea what was going on with our case. This happened several times and I got to pay for our time together. John also misunderstood orders & told me child-support could be retro dated back to the day that I filed, 2 years ago, he was wrong. John should’ve seen by the way the documents were filed that the court would not be able to go back and retro date. That’s huge he should know that. Horrible experience with this attorney. Having this attorney was very frustrating. Dealing with this attorney and the frustration he caused was the worst part of this whole ordeal that he was supposed to make easy. I will leave a bad review every on every site I can possibly find. If they get deleted, I will simply repost. My goal is to hopefully make him lose enough business to where he’s lost as much money as he’s swindled out of me .
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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.
