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31 Mar, 2022 by Paige
I contacted Wade Law Group for assistance with a small claims suit. I have worked with Brett and Dave McGraw, both have been dedicated, helpful, and have gone above and beyond to meet my expectations. Dave has provided effective legal advice and detailed explanations about the process as well as developed a plan for my hearing. Dave has gave me confidence in my abilities and quelled my anxiety. If I ever need representation or consultations again in the future, Wade Law Group will always be my first and only choice.
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10 Jan, 2022 by Dave
A leader, innovator and most importantly, a terrific lawyer. No one wants to need an attorney, but when you do need one, Amiel Wade is the one to call.
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27 Jun, 2021 by Patricia cent
I hired Mr. Wade to expedite my divorce after being with an ill-prepared attorney for 1 1/2 years in which I didn't get past the discovery stage. I got quick results with Mr. Wade and my divorce was finalized after 4 months. His support staff quickly responded to all my emails and returned my calls. Mr. Wade is very experienced and knowledgeable and found an error in a filing by my ex-spouse's attorney and took immediate action on her behalf which saved me money and didn't prolong the divorce proceedings. He is involved in all the cases in his firm. Every Wednesday he conducts a meeting with his associate attorneys to consult and monitor their progress and provides them with his expert advice when necessary. Hopefully, I won't need Mr. Wade in the future but if I do, I would retain his services again because I was very pleased with his work and professionalism.
Patricia Cent
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30 Dec, 2017 by Debbie
My case had multiple facets to it, but I was most interested in getting the finance aspects of my divorce taken care of by dividing the finances appropriately, rather than fighting and the courts getting all the money. Nicole took my case and was able to professionally and promptly execute each action item while clearly explaining it to me throughout the entire process. Nicole was able to keep several issues out of court thus keeping the cost down and the time of being in court was reduced as well. Nicole was confident and realistic when it came to dividing assets and support figures, and she wasn’t bullied by opposing counsel’s ridiculous attempts of working through it.
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04 May, 2017 by Angela
Nicole brought a peaceful ending to my case, got me a great result and I am grateful I hired her. My ex was very angry and unrealistic and she was able to resolve my case even when my ex filed ridiculous declarations that were untrue. She was knowledgeable about the law and came up with a smart strategy for me. Divorce is pretty difficult and you want someone on your side that understands the law and listens to you. I would recommend her to my friends and family and that's the highest compliment I can give Nicole.
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13 Apr, 2016 by Raymond s.
Nicole represented me in a child custody case and I can attest that she is a passionate advocate, who is creative and aggressively pursues the best interests of her client. She clearly explains the laws and processes such that non-lawyers can easily understand. She is not shy and if you are in need of someone to fight for you, I highly recommend Nicole Fraser!
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08 Sep, 2021 by Peggie
I came to Ms. Burgess with a difficult family law/custody situation. She took the time to listen and understand the complexity of the issues and we worked collaboratively to resolve the problem. Her knowledge and insight into the family law court system were invaluable. Her focus is the best interest of the child. I could not have achieved such a successful outcome without her!
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12 Mar, 2017 by Joey
It's very difficult to trump the first two reviews - they pretty much said it all about Caitlin. But here goes...
First of all, if you have never been through a divorce before, I pray that if you have to, your soon to be ex will not put you through a contentious battle, most especially if there are children involved. Because believe you me, if you think you have any idea of what lies ahead for you, think again. There is no amount of hyperbole that can describe how insane the family law court system is. The bottom line, it's all about making money off of vulnerable, despondent, and already stressed out people. These lawyers DO NOT care about you, or your children. They only care about running up their bill and making money. They will do whatever they can (often times in collusion with the opposing counsel) to add and/or create even more conflict in your divorce because more conflict means more money for them and their firms. Again, if you think I'm just bitter and exaggerating, go online (Google, YouTube, etc...) and do the research for yourself. An ugly divorce/custody battle often leads to suicide, bankruptcy, loss of job, depression, illness, etc... So please people - don't do this to yourself and most especially please don't do this to your kids! Part ways peacefully, because if you don't, you will regret it for the rest of your life.
This is why I am glad I used this angel of an attorney throughout the majority of my long divorce/custody battle. She cares about her clients and most especially their children (she's a LMFT to boot!). She is not in it for the money and will do everything she can to save you from a long, drawn out battle. She is honest, empathetic, compassionate and is a person with the utmost integrity. Caitlin will not allow her clients to debase themselves and play dirty no matter how vicious and perjurious the opposition gets. I'm so happy at day's end that I used her for the majority of my long, drawn out battle. For she helped me keep my soul and my own integrity and at day's end, I can look back and be proud someday that I never debased myself (most importantly for my child as well).
If you want a mean, nasty bulldog of an attorney (btw, they are really really really expensive!!!) than by all means do NOT hire Caitlin. However, if you are looking for a honest, compassionate HUMAN BEING to help you, then please give her a call. She will always do what's best for you her client. She will never gouge you with fees, and will fight opposing counsel with compassionate logic that sooner or later will break them down. I call her the Mahatma Gandhi of divorce attorneys!
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02 Feb, 2017 by Bridget k.
Caitlin Burgess represented me at a settlement conference and did a stellar job detailing the facts to a seasoned judge. Her mannerisms are of the utmost in professionalism and her knowledge of the family law system is vast. Her background in psychology as a licensed marriage and family therapist is an added bonus for there are many aggressive litigants who unfortunately have a pathology which the opposing side must deal with, sometimes in ongoing litigation which lasts for years. Ms. Burgess was able to formulate a tactical plan of approach to settlement, utilizing her expertise in several areas to bring the litigation to a close without causing me to have to shoulder the expensive and time consuming burden of a trial.
There is something to be said for representation that is so client-centered. If I could give someone new to divorce proceedings advice, I would caution them to stay away from the big firms and call Caitlin first. I was originally represented by one of the firms in San Jose. They felt a bit like a Mafia; only I, as their client, was the target!
I spent a large amount of money with very little result. I found I could do better with an attorney like Caitlin in my corner. The big firms are clearly after people's money in a very high-conflict time between former partners. They actually encourage the aggressive litigant and do as much as they can to pad up their bills.
Ms. Burgess is completely against this behavior and practices with honesty, integrity, and professionalism. Over the course of her representation, she fought hard and succeeded in winning me the best possible outcome.
I highly recommend Ms. Burgess for your legal needs. Call her and schedule a consultation. You will not be disappointed.
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31 Aug, 2020 by Melody
I had Maggie as my defense attorney in 2006. I was being railroaded by people, who worked with my EX, I was beat up but put on trial! Because they and my EX were bad mouthing me harassing me, trying to make it my fault. I was told to take a plea, but there was no way I would admit to something that I didn't do! She told me she had spunk, and boy did she! The prosecutor was really good! She pulled no punches. Her favorite phrase was "smoke and mirrors"
But the mighty Maggie Law was giving her all, and I was acquitted! She was so very compassionate and genuine! One of my favorite things she did for me was, She asked who my favorite actress was? then told me to pretend to be that actress that is who is playing the role of me!
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13 Nov, 2014 by Bill
My family worked with Maggie on a dependency law matter. She was able to clearly explain the intricacies and complexities surrounding our case, and she respected our needs and adjusted her strategy accordingly. Any legal proceeding is stressful, and family law is right up there: Maggie understood our situation, helped us prepare for various possible outcomes, and even smoothed out the wrinkles while we were waiting for the tedious wheels of the justice system. Finally, we were fortunate enough not to go to trial on this issue, and she did several things to manage to that outcome. She encourages amicability ("everyone is you new best friend"). She always hopes for the best, yet she is prepared to fight: I never actually saw her brass knuckles but I think I figured out where she kept them. She was extremely diligent and skillful at interfacing with the court and its staff. I highly recommend Margaret Law in dependency issues.
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28 Aug, 2024 by Levi davis
Wade Law Group’s handling of my business partnership dispute was a disaster from start to finish. I sought their help when I was being pushed out and needed to recover my equity. Despite providing all the necessary documentation upfront, including the operating agreement and financial statements, their incompetence quickly became apparent.
For seven weeks, my attorney at Wade Law Group engaged in fruitless exchanges, sending threatening letters based on California law and drafting a lawsuit complaint. Only after all this time did I discover that my attorney hadn’t even read the operating agreement—a crucial document in any partnership dispute. This neglect led us to almost violate the agreement by bypassing mandatory mediation and filing the lawsuit in the wrong state. Predictably, my former business partner exploited these errors, leaving me with a much weakened case and a significant financial loss.
After incurring over five figures in legal fees, I made the decision to terminate our relationship. I requested a meeting to discuss the situation, but my attorney not only ignored my request but also responded rudely when I followed up. Eventually, the firm’s owner reached out and offered a partial refund for drafting the complaint in the wrong state. However, the amount he offered was far less than what I had actually been billed, forcing me to go line by line through the invoices and finding the correct amount was five times higher than what he claimed.
I then posted a review of my experience on Yelp, and the owner reached out and offered me a full refund of over $8K in exchange for removing the review and signing a contract agreeing not to post additional reviews about my experience with the firm. When I pointed out that this felt unethical and possibly illegal and proposed that I edit the review to give credit for the refund, he withdrew the offer, falsely claiming that I had rejected it.
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26 Aug, 2024 by Daniel feldman (daniel j feldman, phd)
These people are rude. And they can't read. I set up a consultation with them, but they canceled before even talking to me and told me that my trial is in three weeks when it's not. They didn't read anything about it, have the nerve to not even meet with me or have a discussion, followed with "best of luck on everything" which is just more insulting, absolutely insulting. i am sorry I called.
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20 Aug, 2024 by Mark shen
They provided services so poor that they even mixed up my name with the person I’m trying to sue in the demand letter, and their justification for that was “oops, but pay us”
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15 Sep, 2014 by James
After consulting with several prospective divorce and family law attorneys, I found that Amy Stavis was the best attorney in her field by far. She was so knowledgeable in all areas including child custody and mediation and was also able to salvage an amicable relationship with my ex wife. Our kids have been minimally effected and this is undoubtedly due in large part to Amy Stavis. She's the best family law attorney in Santa Clara county...and believe me, I talked to several of them.
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22 Apr, 2014 by N.
Amy is not a typical attorney. She cares more than most and makes you feel comfortable much more than most. My mediation case was extrmely civil and I think my wife and I owe a lot of that to Amy's professionalism and just staying on top of everything. There were no pitfalls, no surprises. Paperwork isn't fun for any of this but luckily she did most of it and even helped us do our part. The forms get really confusing so it is very nice to have someone be able to explain things in layman's terms.
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10 Feb, 2014 by Diana
Would give more than 5 stars if possible. I really appreciated my attorney being so willing to explain the legal process to me in layman's terms. From the moment I met with Amy Stavis, she was honest with me and helped me to understand how the confusing and overwhelming process of legal separation and divorce worked. With her help, my mind was put at ease and I was able to make thoughtful decisions about where to focus my energies. I had not even been aware of the "no fault" rules and once I understood that, I knew that certain things that I cared so much about and that I thought were so important would not actually have an impact on a settlement. Oddly enough, I had met with 2 other lawyers before ever having met Amy Stavis and this was never somehow explained to me. I felt like the others may just have been interested in a financial gain, thinking I could afford to turn everything into a disputed issue. Finding someone honest and up front is what I needed and I was able to obtain a very fair settlement because of the advice that was given to me by Amy Stavis. To this day, my ex-spouse and I are on amicable terms and I think this is due in part to Amy Stavis's personality and input in our case. My ex didn't have an attorney. She actually liked MY attorney and was made to feel comfortable in working out all of out property and child issues (custody). We now can coparent well. This is the best thing I could have asked for considering that we were ending our marriage. Top notch help equals less headaches and less stress.
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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:
-
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.
