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08 Jul, 2024 by B bowlby
This law firm is in desperate and has lost their best attorney in John C. Lillie, III. It's rare that a law firm will sue their clients who have spent 10"s of thousands of dollars with them after only a couple months, but this is who this firm is. The owner will try to bully you and tell you that you don't know what you are talking about, but the next stop for me is the board of ethics. This firm has hurt me and my case beyond all measure. My advice is don't go with a firm that is so hard up for cash that it's the first order of business is to charge you first and ask questions second. Stay away. You'be been warned.
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11 Oct, 2023 by Jack
I was in a pinch when I contacted this lawyer. I felt like I was insignicant. I was lectured and felt judged when I need reassuring and information. I would never recommend to anyone.
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23 Sep, 2023 by Danielle lefebvre
I truly appreciate John Lillie he took on my case last minute and helped my family during a very difficult time. My family truly appreciates you and for the work and time you put into the case .
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04 Oct, 2024 by Kari
Lisa is a fierce advocate for her clients. Midway through my case, I switched attorneys and I am so glad I did. Lisa provided insights and expertise that were critical to turning my case around and repairing my reputation with the court. Adaptable and flexible, Lisa was able to pivot quickly as the need arose and come up with creative solutions. Working together, Lisa and Chris draw on each others strengths and are a powerful force. I highly recommend Banas Law for child custody.
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13 Aug, 2024 by Christian ovalle
02 Jul, 2024 by Victoria stepanek
Chris always had my back and in the end I got what I wanted and more! Chris is definitely the one to call. He worked with me on so many things and I couldn’t have been any happier!
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23 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
I recently went through a challenging legal process with no prior experience in the judicial system, which caused me significant anxiety. Thankfully, my attorney, Patrick Casey, was there every step of the way, providing clear guidance and unwavering support. He consistently prioritized my best interests, ensuring that I felt heard and understood throughout the process. Patrick's expertise and compassionate approach made a difficult situation much more manageable. I’m incredibly grateful for his help and would highly recommend his services to anyone in need of legal assistance.
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19 Jun, 2024 by Anonymous
Patrick Casey acted as though he was better than me the entire time. Told me what to say and twisted what I said to make it sound better. He kept interrupting me and did not listen to me. I fired him before trial and will not be going back to his firm ever again. There are better lawyers that actually listen to you.
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01 Jun, 2022 by Michael
After being accused of a harsh crime I wanted to find the correct lawyer to clear my name and that lawyer was Patrick. I am wholeheartedly convinced that no other lawyer could've represented me better than Mr. Casey himself. Not only was Mr. Casey professional, but his whole team was also passionate about my case. While working with Patrick I felt calm and comfortable that I could trust my future in his hands, to anyone looking for a lawyer look no further I would recommend Mr. Casey to my best friend if need be.
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22 Feb, 2021 by Anonymous
This attorney omitted labor market data that documents a racial gap in unemployment for monitories and furthermore, this attorney adds to racial injustice in our court system. I am encouraging all minorities to boycott this attorney.
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16 Dec, 2019 by Mary
My ex-husband wanted to take me to court to change a few items in our
divorce decree that I did not agree with. We were trying to reach a
compromise over email but that did not appear to be working. I called J.
Markiewicz Law Office to set up a consult.
The day before my consult with her, J. Markiewicz called me on the phone
and asked me to email documents to her so she could become better
familiar with my case. I emailed them to her. At the consult, we
discussed sending a letter to my ex’s lawyer with a potential
compromise. I hired her and placed a $2000 retainer. She wrote a letter
to my ex’s lawyer, but I didn’t want to send it because my ex and I were
still emailing about a compromise which we did within a week. During
that week, J. Markiewicz emailed and texted me to approve the letter
which I said I wasn’t ready to do just yet. After receiving a text that
she was uncomfortable with my waiting, and exasperated that I had to
defend working on a compromise, I told J. Markiewicz that I no longer
needed her services and asked for my un-used retainer back.
Despite the fact that we met for a “free” consultation, and the only
thing I authorized was the creation of a letter, J. Markiewicz only
returned a little over half of my retainer. She unethically charged me
$455 – over an hour of her time – for reading the documents that she
asked me to send to her before I had even met and hired her, and a
$117.50 charge just to “Open a new file.”
I asked J. Markiewicz to refund the charges since she was the one to ask
for the emailed documents before I had met her or hired her, and,
because she gave no upfront information about the “Open New File” costs.
She initially said she would be open to discussing this concern, but
then ignored my email communications until I filed this review. She has
since emailed and stated that she’d refund only $345 and that she’d
consider the case closed. She mailed a check for this amount which is
less than her unethical charges.
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14 Jul, 2017 by Ron
My fiance' and I recently engaged Ms. Markiewicz to help prepare a prenup agreement and had an absolutely horrific experience. It appeared that Ms. Markiewicz approached our prenup as a hostile divorce (rather than a loving marriage) pitting my future bride and I against each other, employing emotionally charged adversarial negotiation tactics and dragging out an expensive lawyer intensive process to...literally...the day before our wedding.
She dismissed the process I had proposed where my fiance' and I would work together (doing much of the work ourselves) to craft a fair and equitable agreement through an amicable collaborative process with guidance and feedback from our respective counsel. She also ignored my request to provide an overview of the process, key milestones and timeline that she would suggest as an alternative. Instead, she just moved forward in a manner that lead to a drawn out, time consuming, resource intensive (read "lots of billable hours") process that dramatically increased our legal fees; created intense stress, conflict and emotional trauma; and dragged the "negotiation" process out to...literally...the day before our wedding. And to top things off, she billed us double the hours that our other lawyer did...even though he crafted and authored the multiple drafts of the proposed prenup and the key legal documents.
This nightmare of a process resulted in prenup that neither one of us felt good about, legal fees that were 3-4 times what we had expected, a prenup that got signed the AFTERNOON before our wedding and an excruciatingly stressful...downright traumatic...process that led to my fiance' and I "breaking up" twice in the two weeks prior to our wedding (including 4 days before).
P.S. This review features no embellishment or exaggeration (and I have the email audit trail to back up every word). I had never met...or even heard of...Ms. Markiewicz prior to this prenup process, do not work in the legal profession nor have any other potential conflicts of interests. I invested the time to write this review solely in the interest of helping others avoid repeating what was one of the most traumatic professional experiences of my life. One that came very close to aborting my wedding and costing me the woman that I love, adore and cherish with all my heart.
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03 Oct, 2023 by Anonymous
The saying "The lawyers are the only ones getting rich is true. There were a lot of unnecessary emails between the lawyers. The meeting with the mediator was a waste of time. She said all the information wasn't collected so we should reschedule. Of course told that 5 hours in. They get paid hourly. I personally think they are all in on it to get more money. Cost me $1200 for nothing. I had a simple yes or no question to determine if I was to continue and the lawyer wouldn't answer unless I paid another $1500. She had already got $8000. She was nice enough until that point then rude to me. We decided to settle on our own and it worked out. I know not always possible. Alot of unnecessary stress.
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05 Feb, 2022 by Anonymous
he really is the best at what she does. If you give her all your facts up front she can get you where you need to be. I can’t say enough and how she is worth every penny. She is prompt with responses and does not waste your time on the phone. I really like that she tells it like it is because that’s what it takes to understand what needs to be done on your end to keep your kids and to be headed in the right direction as a client. She vouched for me, kept immaculate records, and always had my back. I recommend her to everyone for family law/custody things on the moms pages for a reason. I wouldn’t have my kids and the custody schedule I’m on right now if I had chosen someone else.
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06 Feb, 2018 by Anonymous
I was referred to Jessica by a friend. Jessica did an amazing job with my very complicated divorce. I know she cared as much about the outcome as I did and completely had my best interests in mind. She did an amazing job managing my expectations and her communication skills were very impressive. She did a really great job making me feel comfortable in a very very uncomfortable life event. She was a true professional with experience second to none.
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31 Oct, 2015 by Tammy
I was so thankful for all of Jim's guidance while I was going through my divorce and he helped me get what was best for my two young daughters. He played so many roles for me besides being "just" an excellent attorney. He was a friend, a counselor, a father figure, a therapist and always a gentlemen to all parties involved. Jim was somehow able to keep my stress level under control through this extremely difficult time in my life. A great attorney, a great man.
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30 Jan, 2015 by Sml
Sadly, I've had to deal with my ex for the past 10yrs for various issues having to do with our child, but THANK GOODNESS Jim has been my attorney the whole time! It has been extremely stressful throughout the years and continues to be (YEP he is STILL representing me), but when it comes to knowledge, kindness, understanding and heart he has it all and has been there for me every step of the way. Anytime I doubted his advice or what an outcome may be in court (due to my "worry wart" personality) - I've ALWAYS been proven wrong! He has always been spot on with what he has told me, whether in my favor or not. I have complete faith in him. I've referred 3 people to him (2 of them family members). I was referred 10+ years ago by a co-worker who said he was the BEST! I haven't looked back since. I can only speak on the family matters he has assisted me with (child parenting time, child support, etc.... ) but I most definitely would recommend him to anyone & everyone!
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18 Dec, 2012 by Amanda
As sad and stressful as divorces are, you expect to hire an attorney who is trustworthy and will do whatever it takes to defend you rightfully. James Lofstrom, however, did not fulfill this for me. He messed up paperwork several times, costing me more money and delaying the inevitable, my divorce. After he finally got the paperwork corrected with the courts (three times total), my divorce was finally overwith. He did not follow through with things I requested him to do, which left me with nothing that I had "won" in the divorce. I lost all of my childhood memorabilia because he did not file papers demanding the items be returned. The only thing Mr. Loftstrom was good at was sending an overpriced bill.
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28 Apr, 2023 by Joyce daniels
22 Mar, 2022 by Nigel masters
20 Aug, 2020 by Mamaang birdsell
They never called me back and i needed a lawyer for a neighborly issue and destruction they have done to my property . But i called 2 times and spoke to someone and no call back. I wouldn't depend on them.
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18 Apr, 2024 by Teree wade
Great firm
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12 Apr, 2024 by Steph hetz
Great team to work with, very friendly and helpful throughout the process.
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12 Apr, 2024 by Brad taylor
Fantastic law firm team! Very professional, friendly and caring. Will use this law firm if ever needed again.
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12 Dec, 2023 by Saeed hassan
Not communicating his customer, not answering your calls,
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23 Nov, 2023 by John fernandes
Great
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08 Nov, 2023 by Devin lund
Ended up taking the first plea agreement. I feel like he didn't really try. I tried to call after sentencing with a question and he never returned my call, not sure if the receptionist never gave him the message or he just never called.
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06 Jan, 2020 by Robert
I hired Jane Van Valkenburg at the end of my Custody Establishment case for the trial only. She asked for a $5000 retainer and because there was only about a month to prepare for trial she told me she would be asking for a continuance to allow for negotiations and preparation of possible trial. When the court denied the motion to continue the trial Jane told me she was going to ask the court to reconsider and then she was going to withdraw as my lawyer with hopes of preserving an appeal.
She did withdraw 2 days before trial which left me completely in the dark and set to represent myself Pro Se in the trial of my life( establishing custody of my 2 1/2 year old). Jane withheld all of the paperwork and evidence submitted to her by the opposing attorney. I went into that trial alone with no idea how much of my $5000 retainer was to be returned and no evidence or information from the the opposing attorney.
Jane actually called my phone leaving a message while I was in court fighting that trial Pro Se. I can’t believe this woman has a law practice. She was so unprofessional with no compassion or concern for her clients case.
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22 Jun, 2018 by Anne
My experience with Jane Van Valkenburg was a very positive one. She managed all of puzzle pieces associated with divorce from beginning to end. She's clearly an expert in her field and I was highly satisfied with her work and the outcome of the divorce. I'm thankful that a friend gave me Jane's name to help me. Jane was wonderful.
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25 Nov, 2017 by David
My separation and divorce was difficult, as I'm sure it is for most. My biggest concern was my daughter and how it would affect her. Jane has extensive experience and offered sound advice, helping me to achieve the results I was looking for. She was attentive and helpful every step of the way. I am glad to have hired a lawyer that I can trust and have confidence in, and I will continue to utilize her services going forward.
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22 Dec, 2023 by Mike knispel
18 Apr, 2023 by Katie brown
Purse someone who has been or have it worst. What a joke trying to represent the Asian decedent's.
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01 Mar, 2023 by Voni k
Attorney Ma Manee Moua has been a huge help. She's thorough, up front, and honest. She's on top of her game and very knowledgeable in her areas of expertise.
Her years of experience speaks for itself. I would continue to refer her to my family and friends.
Thank you Attorney Ma Manee for all that you do. Your commitment is priceless.
LK
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25 Sep, 2024 by Rachel kurtz
They handled a major custody issue with me, my ex-husband and my kids. I worked specifically with Alexandra Michelson and her team. She was efficient , thorough and empathic to clearly highly emotional situation, she knows the laws and she and her team were prepared and organized especially the days of trial. I was so relieved to be working with someone I could trust to make sure my kids and I could be safe and have someone on our side of the table working with us for the best outcome of my family. I am so grateful for this law firm and their entire team! She knew the system and the folks in the judicial system to make sure we had all we needed to present ourselves in court fairly and concisely. Thank you to this entire team.
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23 Sep, 2024 by Rachel
Alexandra Michelson and her team are absolutely extraordinary. I needed to get full custody of my kids because my exhusband was no longer able to safely have our kids. Obviously this is a heartbreaking and stressful thing for my whole family. Alexandra was thorough, informed, empathetic and timely. She and her team clearly know the system and what needed to happen. It is so tough to navigate the system and know what needed to happen when. I always felt heard and knew that Alexandra was going to be fair and firm. It was such a relief to finally have a team of people that were on our side and were fighting for my kids. I was able to ask the questions I needed and gratefully I was granted full custody. The entire team was timely and organized, thoughtful and efficient. I couldn’t recommend them highly enough!
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19 Sep, 2024 by Michael schissel
12 Jan, 2022 by Mark
Had a very difficult time with a neighbor. Jack and Tyler did an excellent job of solving the issue. I would highly recommend the Huson law firm for any law issues you run into. Thanks Christina!
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12 Jan, 2022 by Fredrick
My divorce was extremely complicated due to multiple properties, businesses, wealth and most importantly, the wellness of my children. Christine fought for me and neutralized the static coming from the other side. In the end and after a long drawn out divorce, I was able to maintain majority custody of my children. As a male, this was a huge victory! I would highly recommend Christina!
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11 Jan, 2022 by Kim
Christina represented me in my divorce. She helped me achieve the best result possible given the circumstances. Her no nonsense approach helped me navigate the process. I very much appreciated that she was very blunt and made sure I knew exactly what was going on.
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22 Feb, 2022 by Paul
Brenda helped me several years ago with a custody case that had been in and out of courts for years. Brenda was the lawyer that finally made it so that my child had a voice in the hearings. After years of fighting for more time with my child it finally happened. Thank you Brenda for all of your hard work and brutal honesty about how things may or may not go.
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22 Jan, 2020 by Sean
Brenda handled my divorce for me like it was a piece of cake!!! She is very knowledgeable and has a lot of experience. I would not hesitate for a moment to recommend her to anyone. She also a very nice person, and it was my pleasure just to meet her. She will not let you down, so just give her a call! I'm so happy I did!
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20 Mar, 2018 by Anonymous
Ms. Denton took my case when I had a last minute, urgent situation, and has stuck with me through the end. She knows her family law. I chose Ms. Denton because of her reputation advocating for women in unsafe situations. I have enjoyed working with Ms. Denton through the years. I have come to recognize more about her outside of our case. Ms. Denton is experienced, thorough, intelligent, understanding, straight-forward, kind, and reliable. Lastly, I've noticed the professional rapport she has built in the justice system here in Northern MN. Ms. Denton has been my hero. I rate her 5-stars for walking through my messy and long-standing court case. Miigwech/thank you Ms. Denton!!
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15 Sep, 2020 by Tammy olson
19 Dec, 2019 by Kyle olson
05 May, 2019 by Ben johnson
15 Apr, 2022 by Anonymous
Mark is an inept attorney with little knowledge of the law. Random, poor communication, did not forward paperwork needed for the case, overall a very poor experience. I would not recommend.
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21 Mar, 2022 by Daniel
I needed a divorce attorney, and someone recommended Mark Gray. After meeting with him, I knew he was who I needed. My divorce turned out to be more protracted than expected. We kept pushing for a settlement resolution, but we had no cooperation from the Petitioner. It turned out to be quite a battle. I don't remember how many Motions we had to file on various issues. Eventually we had a trial date set, and finally we got it settled on that day just before trial started. But we also had post decree motions later regarding custody, etc. The more protracted the battle is, the greater the legal fees. But Mark Gray did not overcharge me. I found out later that my ex-wife's legal fees were five times greater than my legal fees! I am so glad that I had Mark Gray to represent me, and help me understand the process. He was easy to work with, and he is a very smart guy.
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15 Dec, 2015 by Daniel
Mark listened carefully to my concerns and returned my phone calls promptly.You can depend on Mark to give you his honest opinion and the best representation. Mark efficiently and effectively processed my case, so that I could move forward with my life.
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04 Feb, 2015 by Karin
I can't say enough about how helpful Laura was to me during a time of personal trauma and divorce. Her guidance was objective and valuable with a human touch of caring and kindness that is so appreciated. My case was closed in an extremely timely manner, and Laura's team was responsive and available throughout the process. I highly recommend Laura Fretland without hesitation.
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31 Jan, 2015 by Anonymous
Laura helped me navigate one of the more difficult situations with pragmatic guidance and expertise that I needed. And she was extremely helpful in understanding options and paths that fit my goals for resolution. All good things. And frankly found her style and compassion the best part of working with her. I'd highly recommend to anyone but particularly those that want fast, fair, and frank legal counsel.
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25 Jan, 2015 by Anonymous
Hired her for help with divorce/custody proceedings. Was very responsive and attentive in the begining. As the case progressed, she was less and less engaged in working on my case. The opposing counsel was quite aggressive and I suspect this had alot to do with her lack of engagement as the case progressed. I would do some calling around and research on child support information to help offset time and cost, but she didn't seem to care or want to do anything with the information I provided. The opportunities she did get engaged, she spent time playing phone tag with the opposing attorney/ legal aid, when I would have rather she got the child support case infront of the judge. At one court proceeding, I remember the judge addressed her and the opposing counsel and said that they should "stop wasting these clients money and wrap up this case." My funds were depleted long before I got completion on my case, even though she initially said it was so simple it could be wrapped up in 3 months. Ultimately she lost her zeal to represent me and dropped me 30 days before we had to go back to court. Had to hire 2nd attorney who not only had to file paperwork that she didn't do, but was able to get my divorce/child support proceedings completed in 3months, where I had been working with her for 9 months and had nothing to show for her services.
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26 Jul, 2018 by George
Shawn was extreamly helpful throughout my devorce. I was terrified that it was going to be a nightmare, but he made my whole experiance stress free. He's an amazing lawyer, and a great person.
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04 Dec, 2017 by Anonymous
When I started my divorce I was very lost. After explaining my situation to Mr. Reinke I felt much more secure and comfortable in what was going on. He was understanding and non-judgemental through the whole process. He also had my interests and concerns in mind the whole time. He made sure that I knew exactly what was going on every step and that I never had outlandish expectations. He was honest and straight forward. I was as pleased with the outcome as a person can be in a divorce. I also know if I need assistance down the road with custody or child support I can count on him.
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01 Dec, 2017 by Anonymous
Shawn spent most of his time during my divorce sending endless proposals back and forth to the ex's attorney that he knew weren't going to be accepted. If he would have been more proactive, he would have just taken the greedy %+&$* to court and we would have easily had a better outcome.
Months into my divorce, I get an email saying he's leaving the firm I hired him at to start his own practice. It all made sense then...it's tough to believe he was really working as hard on my case as he could; fighting for a favorable outcome for me when he's busy, secretly spending his time starting a business...
Would not recommend...
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19 Aug, 2012 by Anonymous
I would recommend this lawyer if you have plenty of money. He did an excellent job with the custody motion, however I was only able to use him until a hearing was scheduled, and had to proceed pro se. This lawyer requested a larger than normal retainer (due to my particular situation) and stated that when the retainer ran out, he would let me know before he started billing me. This did not happen and he billed me $8,000 beyond my retainer.
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02 Oct, 2024 by Jesse eisert
David represented me about 12 years ago did a great job
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30 Sep, 2024 by James ellickson
04 Sep, 2024 by Jon phillips
Mr Ludescher is a very skilled negotiator and litigator. His rates are an excellent value. Worth every dollar. He has strong ethics and has suffered because he would not do wrong by his client to avoid punishment. All the same, when it comes to family matters and estates, even collections, David presents options as well as how those options affect the time frame for resolution as well as the cost potential for each option. His communication is also excellent. Response times are asap. We used lawpay to make our payments online, so there was no worry of delayed check cashing or handling of cash. Kristina is also spot on with documentation, appointments, communication and customer service. We will be back for estate planning... 😁
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13 Apr, 2024 by Creativechick
04 Feb, 2024 by Mikhail brunes
An absolutely invaluable resource for my family and I while navigating difficult life events.
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31 Jul, 2023 by Connor wickenhauser
25 Aug, 2022 by Donny
Joey is a horrible lawyer. Unprepared. His secretary Beverly is a lair and can not complete a coherent sentence. This guy should not be practicing law! Worse than Hunter Biden at law!
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10 Jul, 2022 by Anonymous
Joey is as good of lawyer as Joe Biden. I have heard he enjoys touching kids just like joe Biden. If you want to throw your money away use this guy!
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16 Mar, 2022 by Charles
Joe Marvin was up front with me in a custody battle. He did not make any promises but fought very hard for me. The judge ruled in my favor.
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09 Jun, 2023 by Zach
My case is almost over and Gail has ghosted me.
This after postponing or being late for meetings, not following up for several days, and failing to deliver work by her own promised deadlines. Other reviews indicate that this is a trend, I should have paid closer attention before I wasted my money on an incomplete case. Wildly unprofessional.
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06 Mar, 2022 by Anonymous
My dad and I hired Gail to advocate for an OFP. We were on a low money and price seemed right. She showed up to court and pulled out nothing more than an empty yellow note pad. My ex-wife dropped all charges and for some reason we did not pursue a counterattack. We were able to combat allegations directly that day with perjury. Gail was visibly nervous. I noticed her fidgeting her pen and paper, and I had to speak up for myself on two occasions. The children ended up remaining with the ex-wife and 1 year later CPS had to get involved for their safety. I would not recommend this lawyer for loved ones.
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22 Mar, 2021 by Ashley
Gail Mattey has been a phenomenal attorney in my divorce/domestic abuse/child custody situation. My children were with-held from me for over three months, and after a very stressful court hearing I was almost immediately able to pick them up from their father and bring them back home. She has been a godsend for me and my case. Gail is very down to earth, and easy to talk to. Although she is very kind and compassionate, she is a force to be reckoned with.
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14 May, 2014 by Anonymous
Ann was able to negotiate and represent me exactly how you would want a family law attorney to. She didn't mess around and was tough but also lead me to make reasonable decisions and think clearly. I couldn't be happier with the results I had all because off Ann! I got full custody of my daughter which was most important to me. Ann worked relentlessly for us. I will always be thankful for her coming into our life!
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13 Jan, 2014 by Anonymous
Ann always made sure our interactions were cost effective. Very precise on how and what to highlight with my child custody case. Would highly recommend her.
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03 Sep, 2013 by Anonymous
Ann was great to work with and I would highly recommend her for any family law matter. She is very intelligent, knows family law well and was always responsive to me if I had questions or needed advice. If I left her a message or emailed her, she would get back to me within a very reasonable time period. I knew she had court appearances, other clients, etc. and would respond as soon as she was able to do so. I was very impressed with her skills in dealing with the opposing attorney and the Judge. She was respectful of them, yet asserted herself if the need arose. It appeared that she was well respected in the legal community. I would highly recommend her to any one with a family law matter and definitely would use her again if I needed a family law attorney.
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06 Sep, 2023 by Anonymous
Poor service, did not advocate well. Was not helpful for my case. Would not return retainer even though she did nothing for me.
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25 Jun, 2023 by Dawn
She wasn’t prompt with information and follow up. She gave opposing counsel information without consent. Her contract says she will work for you yet did opposite of what I asked. Then confronted with this she withdraws. No money back as of yet.
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20 Jul, 2017 by Vicki
We talked with Jessica at a free help center and she gave us a lot of good advice as we were doing a speedy court date. The day before court we started to panic that we were not doing things right in a custody case to get our grandson as we heard from other people that it's very hard to get custody of a grandchild. We called Jessica and she made the time to see us and took our case. We went to court quite a few times and in the end we got full legal, sole custody of our grandson. So I truly believe that if we did not get Jessica on our side we would not of won. She went the extra mile for us and we thank her from the bottom of our heart that she helped make another child safe.
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08 Feb, 2019 by Steve
Michelle was great through my pending divorce. She asked the right questions and gave advice that really helped through the process and focused on what I was looking to achieve.
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07 Feb, 2019 by Kristin
This was my first experience with any lawyer/law issue - Michelle and her team did an excellent job training and helping me through this. Michelle was very straight forward on what to expect with the initial consultation, negotiated extremely well throughout the entire (almost) 2 year process. Amanda is amazing as well. She did fantastic work, quickly responded and was extremely reassuring. As a team they did a great job handling my case. Negative reviews stated that people were frustrated by the lack of response. I will say initially I was frustrated myself, but Michelle and Amanda reminded me that I pay for them to read my emails/answer my phone calls and respond. So know that they are working on it when it needs to be worked on to help prevent excessive charges to you!! They got me involved when I needed to be and kept me updated as there were updates.
I was very happy that I had Michelle and Amanda with me to help me through the worst couple years of my life.
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06 Feb, 2019 by Anonymous
I was extremely happy with the legal advice I received. My needs and opionions were heard. Michelle was very friendly and happy to answer all my questions and concerns. Appreciated her being patient with me and explaining all the next steps what to expect and what it means to me. Michelle was prepared and knows the laws well, could tell she was is a experienced lawyer. Invoice was detailed and easy to understand the charges. What can be a emotionally and hard experience was the best experience I could of asked for. thank you Kniess law!
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24 Jan, 2024 by Khalid
28 Nov, 2023 by Kevin meurer
Karen England represented my ex-wife in court for child support and failed to get any money from a father that had no legal representation. So, she took a roundabout way and went to Wabasha county social services and had child support forced on me. It is really sad that a father that watched & cared for his kids, witch documented everything for 13 years can win a court battle but lose a few months later, because she manipulated the local government. I have been divorced for 13 years and I have been building myself back up taking care of three children and she has destroyed it in the last 13 months.
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06 Nov, 2023 by Cecilia rodríguez
I have no words literally to express my thankfulness and gratitude towards Karen and the two ladies that work with her Bella and Mary such caring ladies. I know I couldn't had made it without Karen as my legal representative. Karen listens carefully everything you got to say and will give you the best advice. Thank you so much Karen! And don't hesitate to call her if you have a needing. She's the One I promise.
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13 Sep, 2024 by Bradley cave
16 Jun, 2024 by Lissa miller
Mary did not listen to me in my divorce case. I am a retired teacher and her poor approach to dealing with my defense attorney husband resulted in me having to pay him $45,000. My name was spelled wrong in correspondence and my case was confused with other cases. I had requested a name change with the divorce and that did not happen. Fortunately my estate attorney discovered Mary had listed my home’s legal description incorrectly in the divorce decree, which would have been an issue whenever I went to sell it. It took months for Mary to correct HER mistake and then she attempted to charge me for it. I would say the whole process working with Mary was a comedy of errors, except that anyone going through a divorce knows how painful it can be and her ineptitude as an attorney made it so much worse. The divorce was in late 2021 and I’ve just now had the energy to write this. I wish I had the energy to report her to the bar. I regret using her as an attorney and feel sorry for anyone who does.
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15 Jun, 2023 by Sandysan46
A great experience. Mary is great and the legal matters were resolved.
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23 Sep, 2023 by Anonymous
I hired at the tail end of a difficult case to preserve my appellate rights. She took my original case filed and rather than copy and return, kept it. She came unprepared to my primary trial and forced me to withdraw my primary case. She never explained the second part of the case nor gave me guidance. Then with no notice she withdrew 6 days prior to trial. She refused to provide me anything from the date she was retained, nor would she bring me up to speed. Knowing I would ask for a continuance, after she withdrew, she emailed the judge and opposing counsel disparaging me. At trial the Judge would not grant a continuance so I had to proceed with no time to prepare and none of my exhibits as she had not returned them. I had to waste an entire day I needed to prepare to subpoena my primary witness, and they told me at trial my attorney kept talking to them, told them they could ignore the time period I requested a review of. I believe it is against the law for her to keep interfering with my case, and a breach of attorney client confidentiality. Stay far away from her if you value your case.
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10 Jan, 2017 by Anonymous
Mary represented me in family law and did a great job. So happy I found her.
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29 Jan, 2014 by Anonymous
The dedication and intelligence needed for our case was not lacking in the least. We needed an advocate, we made a friend. Our family law case involved numerous court dates and correspondences between the parties of which Mary aided in clarifying what was important when. We may not have always agreed on the direction but by following her advice, as she was more knowledgeable in the arena than we were, we are grateful for her tenacity. If experience and willingness to "find out" is essential, then consider having Mary sitting beside you taking the notes.
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14 Nov, 2022 by Darcy boldt
FYI Don’t waste your Money or your time with this attorney.
Gave him $1000.00 in May , gave hopes and made you feel like he knew what he was talking about! Then absolutely nothing was accomplished, and it’s November and still have not received a statement from him as to what he did for the money… Said he was going to do this and do that but never happened. Look elsewhere if you want truth and want to get any sort of help.
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04 May, 2020 by Sugar bomb
Helped us with our business!
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04 Feb, 2019 by Karl ledoux
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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.
