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20 Jan, 2024 by Cynthia
My original lawyer was relocating to Georgia and referred me to Jacqueline Chinquee to finish my custody/child support case in Brooklyn Family Court. The first time we met was at a court date where nothing happened. I paid her. She went on to handle other cases she had for the day. She had her assistant to later contact me to pay for her parking for the day. I did not respond to that and did not send additional funds. I got another lawyer. That was a bright red flag for me.
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17 Sep, 2021 by Anonymous
She will not return calls or text to let you know what is going on But always wants more money to do nothing Please don’t do business with her
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11 Jul, 2021 by Anonymous
The most untrustworthy lying and manipulative women I ever met and she will get back everything she has done
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01 Sep, 2023 by Greg
I am an attorney who retained Frederick "Rick" Foster, Esq. to represent me in my Suffolk County Supreme Court divorce case in 2002 (Index No. 01265- 02). His performance was a disaster for me.
My ex-wife and I settled in open-court a year later on January 15, 2003, and Mr. Foster recited the terms but amazingly failed to address a necessary element entitling me to that divorce.
My ex-wife then met John Ray, Esq. at the courthouse and began co-habiting with him, which continues to this day, and he undertook her representation by filing a motion to vacate the settlement due to Mr. Foster’s failure to meet all the statutory requirements in the settlement. Judge Emily Pines misguidedly granted the motion rather than force my ex-wife to file an appeal, so I was remarried by operation of law. The tens of thousands of dollars I paid her in the settlement was considered marital money and not credited in the final outcome, and that drained my cash. I had closed my law practice and building business in 2002, and found myself between a hard place and a rock.
Mr. Foster appealed Judge Pines' order with a lightweight brief and we lost. In Tarone v. Tarone, 25 A.D.3d 779 (N.Y. App. Div. 2006), the court said, “Open-court stipulations are judicially favored, and will not be set aside absent fraud, overreaching, mistake, duress, or unconscionability.... However, in the instant case, in view of the determination that the plaintiff failed to establish his entitlement to a divorce, the stipulation of settlement should have been vacated....The stipulation cannot be considered a valid postnuptial or "opting out" agreement pursuant to Domestic Relations Law § 236 (B) (3).”
Mr. Foster's lack of attention to detail, possibly due to his then frequently nagging migraine headaches that he really should have disclosed to me before taking my case, changed the course of my life. Due to his mishandling of the stipulation of settlement, my divorce went on for several years, and after Mr. Foster billed me $96,000 for his fees in 2007, I had no choice but to shamefully file personal bankruptcy.
With a second divorce process came nine years of dealing with issues, and the last appeal was decided in 2011. By then, I was financially devastated and renting a little house in eastern Connecticut. I am just now, 16 years later in 2023, financially recovering fully from Mr. Foster’s error.
Let the facts speak for themselves about Mr. Foster and his conduct in my divorce case. Now let the truth be known that choosing Mr. Foster as my divorce lawyer was unequivocally one of the worst decisions of my entire life, the most impacting on my lifestyle, and the most costly to me personally. I should never have trusted him with my rights and my security.
If you want to contact me for any reason, please use my website contact form at TaroneEsq.com.
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14 Oct, 2021 by Anonymous
You can hand him the perfect case and he can still bumble the case and do only what he feels he can handle, just enough to go through the motions and you will lose in the end. The lifelong repercussions will only sit with you while the Rich man goes home to his beautiful house without a care in the world. You will be billed and billed and billed and no results. Please do not choose Rick.
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25 Feb, 2019 by Annette
A BIG thank you to Rick and his team! I had a very lengthy (5yrs) & difficult divorce proceeding, which also included the setting aside of my prenuptial agreement. Rick and his team are knowledgeable, professional & know the court system well. Rick has an extensive Family Law career and chooses his team well. Alex & Eric are savvy professionals that know the law - and do their best to keep you as calm as possible through the process. While no party is ever truly happy at the end of a divorce and divorce proceedings cost a lot of money - Rick and his team did their best and accomplished what I needed.
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06 Apr, 2023 by Anonymous
If there was a spot for 0 stars that would be most appropriate. I believe this attorney to be the absolute worst ever. He did not return phone calls or emails. He did not show up for court twice, without notifying us. We had to reschedule and drive to Oswego from out of town. We paid him a substantial amount of money. He is despicable and his conduct is exactly what gives attorneys a poor reputation. Don't hire him ever. Get a reputable attorney from the Syracuse area.
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02 Sep, 2015 by Linda
Mr Kirwan was the court appointed law guardian of my granddaughter ... he did a good job ... neither of the parties involved had an attorney as we were in agreement of the custody so the judge asked Mr Kirwan to draw up the custody order ... now, 30 days later, I still don't have the custody order even though I have called requesting it ... I understand he is busy but this is silly :(
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27 Apr, 2015 by Frank
Six months ago I hired Tim to handle a real estate transaction, simple I thought, I have sold a few properties before so I thought it would go like all the others. There were some factors out of his control, because the purchaser was a corporation, but once the ball was put into his court, he seemed to ignore it. He was given 45 days according to the terms of our sale contract agreement to do a title search, land survey, and whatever else is done with these transactions. 15 days in we receive a letter from him asking us to locate the abstracts, deed, and original land survey, which we did promptly. The sale contract agreement expires in three days, and he's not sure if the sale will close in time. Tim never once returned a phone call to us, and would only communicate through emails, which he rarely responded to mine unless i expressed I was getting angry. If this deal falls through because of his neglect, I will be screwed.
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15 Sep, 2022 by Anonymous
Not only did I drive a 6 hour round trip, all to have to Withdraw a Petition, to constantly having to correct him on the matter, to STILL having the parties names spelled incorrectly after correcting numerous times. I withdrew my case and got another, then he send incessant letter for the remaining $200 of the already $3,500 given to him for literally not even the ability to simply attain information. He got $3,500 for a month's worth of representation, one 2 second appearance since we had to withdraw and re-file meanwhile I drove for 6 hours to appear for 2 minutes.
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30 Jan, 2014 by Anonymous
While highly qualified and knowlegebly, I did not find this lawyer very responsible He was late to court twice by 45 minutes or more. He never appologized for this. His office personel were not in office when I called inquiring on his lateness. He was also 20 minutes late coming back from lunch on one of these days. Because of his lateness We were delayed in seeing judge/referee. He then persisted on a point and ignored judge/referees request on arguing a point. This got us thrown out of court. When we were let back into court I had to bring up points I wanted addressed. To add insult to injury he had the nerve to charge me for whole day in court.
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23 Aug, 2017 by Nancy
Having hired and used Ms. Kramer in my divorce I was extremely disappointed as I found she did not listen to my needs, seemed to not care much. She seemed to care more about getting my case done quick and refused to respond to my requests thereby leaving me just about destitute, and not checking my ex's hidden assets so that he is now living rather comfortably.
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24 Jul, 2009 by Anonymous
Very bright. Probably a great divorce lawyer in her day. Now focussed on academic law. As such she does not have time to devote to her clients. In my case her complete lack of responsiveness made a bad situation awful both for me and my children. If she wishes to practice law I hope she begins to think about the families that depend on her to make an awful situation better.
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08 Sep, 2023 by Anonymous
Old affirmative action hire who is running out of road.
This is all I will post bc the rest of my review will just be explaing to you all how I plan to hurt mildred
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28 Aug, 2023 by Mildred's big problem
A pimple that must be popped immediately
I wonder if she is thrown out the window if she can fly? Or will she bounce?
My guess.....she is bouncing
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24 Jan, 2022 by Anonymous
May she die this year. When she dies may she suffer. She is an anti American socialist pig!!!
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27 Jul, 2021 by Anonymous
This disgusting excuse of an "attorney for the child" is only in it for the money! He is sexist on top of it. He told my child to lie to me and keep secrets with him trying to get him to take the father's side. The father was abusive to me and yet those behaviors were never considered. I lost custody and am now paying child support and the first thing he did when trying to consult with him for concerns of my child's well being was my BALANCE! REQUEST A NEW ATTORNEY IF THIS ONE IS ASSIGNED TO YOUR CASE...especially women. He constantly made comments about women/moms in a negative manner. Gross!
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02 May, 2021 by Anonymous
Dominik Veraldi was assigned to be the AFC for my children. He consistently ignored the wishes of my children or reported to the court that my children wanted things that they never said to him. Both of my children consistently said this. He also repeatedly placed them in harms way by not following up on reports of abuse made by both of my children or abuse reports made by their Pediatrician to CPS. He would then turn around and call their father or his attorney the minute they were out if his office and tell him what they had stated he had done to them without their consent and despite them telling him that he would punish them severely for exposing the abuse. He did not care at all and refused to believe them despite MULTIPLE sources. Mr Veraldi would ask them very mundane questions about liking school and sports, then report to the court that they loved spending time with their dad and they enjoyed overnights, when their father was neglecting and abusing them. He was just to lazy to care or do his job. He was more busy making ballon animals or giving them candy at the visits than making sure they were safe. He was more concerned with the paycheck than doing his job. Run, don’t want out the door and definitely request a change before you take your child there one time.
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28 Oct, 2015 by Dad
Veraldi was appointed to represent my child for a custody case. I gave Veraldi countless pieces of evidence(which was brought out in trial and he caught her in 2 lies during cross) and he still recommended a 50/50 split. Judge ruled 100% in my favor and yet 5 appeals later, he STILL recommended a 50/50 split until Supreme Court granted it.
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15 Aug, 2024 by Frishta
WORST “Attorney” Ever!
How is her license not revoked?
First consultation she was a whole different face to get you to hire her… as soon as the retainer fee was paid, SHE CHANGED.
I needed a SIMPLE divorce, no alimony, claims or anything. She NEVER got me my divorce. SIMPLE.
KEPT CHARGING for every little thing, and nothing would get done. You have to PLEAD to her to do her job. She won’t pick up calls, reply to texts, emails, list GOES ON. She will tell you that she is BUSY always.
She yells at her clients, belittles them, makes your case MISERABLE. PLEASE LOOK away from this INHUMANE attorney. Something needs to be done; her license should be revoked.
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17 Jan, 2022 by Anonymous
She kept going on tangents saying that my son will pay off the absurd charges I have been slammed with when it wasn’t even my fault. She was talking as if she was the opposing party’s lawyer and scammed me of 100$
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31 Aug, 2017 by Anonymous
She never responded to my calls or texts. If she did, they were two word texts. She missed important court dates at the last minute. She never discussed my case with me or kept me informed. I had to beg her to file motions. I had to go to court on my own and file all paperwork. She let my ex get away with violating court orders and failing to appear to show. After 10 months all I had was temporary support. She didn't care about orders of protection (which I had to get on my own). She caused me to take out loans and go on social services by not enforcing support orders. I had to beg her for help but she just didn't have the time or concern for my case. I had to drop her
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27 Sep, 2017 by Heidi
This is not a lawyer you want to employ if you don't have a fortune to spend on fees - she charged me almost $30,000 during the worst year and a half of my life - I ended up with $78 a month in alimony and am actually having to pay "credits" to a scumbag who makes almost twice what I do...they lost my "discovery" documents, made innumerable mistakes in financial calculations and correspondence (they are a "cut and paste" operation - one statement had some other person's name in my records) - just overall awful results - I am now bound to an agreement that in no way favors me...she is washed up and all talk, no results. Don't make the mistake I did!
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06 Nov, 2013 by Anonymous
Always late, never speaks up for her own client, uses e-mail for everything, only calls for money, and that is constantly, very expensive for little to show if anything. She tells you how great you are and then couldn't care less if you exist or not, and 2 years later and still no divorce but 24,000 in the hole before I dumped her. Thanks Joan
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06 Feb, 2013 by Carmen
Joan was always late to court. Did not show up twice, made me sit there for 2 hours and never called. I was on the phone with her office, who told me she was in the court house. I even texted her phone with no response. She billed me for things she did not do, or try to do. She also hired another attorney. I was her first divorce case, and was losing due to her giving in. I did fire the firm and went somewhere else whiched help me out. It seemed the only time the firm called was for payment. The bill got to almost $10,000 with no sight of getting divorced. Example of one case is I asked Joan for my Exs financial, she said it was not filed as of 11/10. My new attorney asked for it for my Exs financials from her lawyer and received it 10/10.
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20 Feb, 2021 by Anne
I hired her several years ago when I was going through a custody issue with my ex. I was young, vulnerable and needed help. She was only nice until I actually hired her. After that, she was impatient, and rude. I am a woman so I think she is just unprofessional and it doesn't matter what your sex is. She made me feel horrible, really made a hard situation worse. It's been years and I still haven't forgotten how she made me feel.
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11 Dec, 2018 by Anonymous
I am having more or less the same issues with Ms. Stutz as the previous commenter She does not return telephone calls or emails. She has an unpleasant demeanor and I would not recommend her to anyone.
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09 Dec, 2017 by Anonymous
She’s really nasty and unprofessional, when I tried to raise my concerns about the well-being of my daughter living arrangements and the people kept around her she tells me stuff like that doesn’t matter. I seen her making side deals with my child’s mothers attorney with out consulting me then when I ask her about it, I’m attacking her and treating her like the enemy. She’s late to all her appointments as well as her source of communication is only through email which that’s where a lot of her nastiest takes place also her main concern is only about getting paid. I would not recommend her to anyone and that was $1,250 wasted for two court appearances and and one meeting in which two of these events she was both late and a dozen meaningless emails she seems to work in the other parties interest rather then her own clients I don’t know if it’s a feministic thing or it has something to do with my ethencity but as I stated here I would never recommend her services
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06 Apr, 2014 by Anonymous
Unprepared and does not listen to the client. Client's interests are secondary to his agenda, which is also unclear. Does not read e mails until after the fact and even then, does not have your back. Does not have the comebacks regarding your case because he does not know what you want and watches the clock while he does most of the talking. You will lose a lot of money and time and the very thing you hired him for, to take the pressure off you and have things under control , he doesn't do. You have to pay attention to everything because it will get forgotten or not done the way you hoped it would be. He seems to be very interested in money but you will lose and you will be shocked. If he prepared, he might even have your argument but you will be on the defensive and eventually will give up or run out of money or both. Needs to be attentive and thorough and listen with fight for his client, at all costs. That is what he is paid for. Before you know it, it is over and you don't even know how it ended up that way.
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03 Sep, 2012 by Anonymous
Seems to give up on everything, does not fight for your cause. Seemed to be working with the other side more than mine. He does not fight. If you want a lawyer that just goes through the motions and really does not seem to work on your case, then this is the lawyer for you. Don't waste your money!!!!!!!
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04 Jan, 2017 by John
At first i thought that i was doing the right thing by hiring him, but it was a mistake. It took him 3 months to actually submit my divorce papers. This was and uncontested cased with no children. He never returned my phone calls. I cant believe how long it took 1 year and 4 months. Oh yes. by the way he never sent the copies of my divorcce that he promised to send my ex wife. and when we tried calling him, it always goes to voice mail. but i already expected that. The best advice i can give someone is. DONT pay this guy upfront.
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31 Jan, 2013 by Anonymous
Not satisfied with service and outcome. Unprepared for court and never on time. Never returns phone calls. Almost two years in the system all he does is prolongs your case. I had to go behind his back and make appointment for mediation and that's how I settled my case. I was my own attorney. He's great at making the bill larger and that's the only thing he's good for. Does not fight for you at court just sits there and let the other attorney take charge. Never did the things he was suppose to do but charges for it. Even when you bring the bill to his attention gets angry and doesn't want to speak about it. If you get behind on payments he goes after you worse than a loan shark. Finally I had to terminate his services or shall I say lack of services. Horrible Attorney! Please do not retain.. Go to mediation. Saves so much money and time.....
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08 Jun, 2013 by Anonymous
Like the Gentlemen before me I had precisely the same experience with this attorney for my child. However it was my attorney who advised me to contact Mr. Esworthy. He was immediately dismissive and short. He stated that He already has the information he needs from CPS. His role in my Custody case was undoubtedly a conflict of interest as he was one sided and biased without any objectivity. The mother in my Custody dispute was involved with a predatory sex offender and she was being investigated for a 2nd degree burn my toddler sustained while in her care. Yet he still endorsed her despite the fact that I have Sole Custody of my other child and she lost Custody of her other children. Bravo, Mr. Esworthy, you have destined my baby to a lifetime of abuse and neglect.
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16 Jan, 2012 by Kristopher
Joseph Esworthy was my sons court appointed law guardian. I tried contacting him after a social worker told me to because I was concerned about my sons well being. When I called he got angry and told me that I filed 5 petitions already with the court and that if I wanted anybody to talk to I needed to call my own attorney and not to bother him on a holiday. My ex is being investigated by CPS for child neglect and this lawyer wouldn't even let me tell him anything. All I was trying to do is find out what to do because I'm worried about my son. The child he's supposed to be representing in court and he couldn't be bothered to take time out of his day to listen to the concerns that I had about my son. I would never recommend this lawyer to anyone. He apparently has no care for the ones he's supposed to be helping.
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08 Feb, 2024 by Christina hartman
She is horrible she lies to the judge about what ur kids want. Kids say one thing she does the other...she will side with the mother noth the father at all cost.
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08 Sep, 2023 by Anonymous
With side with one parent over the other instead of going with what's best for the kids. Will manipulate your children till she gets the answer she wants depending on the side she favors. Will talk with one parent an get there side of the story but not contact the other. Do not go to this lawyer.
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03 Feb, 2019 by Anonymous
He really should retire. He disappears on you and never return phone calls or emails. My case was suffering because of his lack of attention. I was frustrated, I had to fire him and hire another attorney to finish the case. He send me a final bill for doing absolutely so little. Money was wasted, as well as time and stress.
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02 Apr, 2013 by Anonymous
He took my money knowing that time was of the essence and then went on vacation! Then his head secretary went on vacation giving my opponents time to mount an aggressive counter filing. He is arrogant and acts like he hired you instead of the fact that you hired him, of course, once he gets your money!
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02 May, 2013 by Daniel
on september 30 .2011 i terminated legal services from storobin&spodeck group which they accepted and was confirmed VIA email. on october 4, 2011 Lidia Dorota Sykisz the day of my custody trial comes in with a custody agreement which i clearly told her i was not interested in, to make matters Lidia Dorota Sykisz was not even supposed to represent me because i fired the law firm . she pressured me with bad advice and had Me sign the agreement. since 2011 i have not seen or heard from my children nor am i able to appeal my case because of this attorney betrayal.
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10 Jun, 2017 by Anonymous
Horrible-expensive and completely ineffectual. She left so many loose ends open, I had to hire another attorney to deal with those issues. I would have been better off with Legal Zoom as my sep agreement was no more than boiler-plate. Use someone else!!!
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10 Nov, 2011 by Amber
she really isnt a help in a child situation what so ever. she doesnt really seem like she's doing anything in the best insterest of the child. now my child lives with an abussive person who does drugs but that was totally disregaurded. she kept a child away from the one person who was good for her.
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05 Aug, 2017 by Anonymous
i had hired nicole to represent me, she was unprepared in court. She did not present the facts how she I felt she should have, and the outcomes were detrimental and now my new attorney is diligently trying to do damage control to Nicole poor work. Through advice of word of mouth from others who have used Nicole, and some of other lawyers in areas advice I switched. She was not worth what I had paid!
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29 Oct, 2021 by Anonymous
Hired Freidman to handle estate of my sister. Paid $2000 upfront. It was during height of the pandemic but NEVER met him, always had Rachelle(his asst,) meet me. Gave me incorrect info on order of payments to creditors and others. Had to print out correct info and give to him. Never returns your phone calls. Makes phone appointments then stiffs and his office doesn't even call to cancel. Leaves you sitting by phone wasting your time. Believe we are finally finished with this process but I had chase down this guy to get things done or do them myself. Just picked this lawyer without knowing about him -total mistake- do you due diligence-just don't hire this guy. He was an associate at Gaughan Group when I hired him. After much frustration with unanswered phone calls Dennis Gaughan told me he fired him and I should try to find new lawyer. Freidmann then set up his own practice on Main Street in Hamburg. Felt I had to stick with him because he had my money. In conclusion, look at reviews or get referrals from friends. Just Don't hire this guy.
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09 Apr, 2022 by Anonymous
She failed to do her due diligence while representing me within Family Court. She failed many times to communicate with the court on my behalf. She wasted a full year during my case ! Had to have Marsden hearing to replace her with a different 18b
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22 Feb, 2021 by Anonymous
Hiring Mr. Wolff to represent me (based on a couple of recommendations from people I trusted) was the worst mistake of my divorce process and probably one of the worst decisions I have ever made. He repeatedly offered advice on financial and tax matters that were delivered with confidence but turned out to be wrong. If he really negotiated on my behalf, he must be the worst negotiator I have ever met. I often felt my ex's attorney was easier to deal with than he was. He was disrespectful towards me, often clicking away on his phone during our meetings. The worst part, he tried steamroll me into a poorly negotiated settlement which I thought was wrong and could not afford. When I tried to object, he turned against me, berated me, and then abandoned me only a few days before a court date. Words cannot fully describe how awful it feels when your own lawyer turns against you in what is already a very tough process. I would not recommend.
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02 Jan, 2014 by Anonymous
This poor excuse for a human being NEVER , yes, I said NEVER replied to my email. After sending my first email, I followed up with a second email. He NEVER RESPONDED. This is the jerk that appeared on PEOPLE'S COURT, and demanded that the judge address him as Dr. McCaffree, stating that where he came from people deserved respect. Interesting that he demands respect but treats others with NO respect. Just because he is an attorney he thinks he is better than the common person. Well he is not. He is a bottom feeder, just like the vast majority of attorney's on the planet. No such thing as justice.
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02 Feb, 2024 by Jay
Not happy as of now but hopefully that changes..if it does, the review will change . Hopefully this goes better then it is soo far
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28 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
I hired him to collect from my ex, I thought he was experienced and would be effective. However, I realized he was not used to using computer and conducted most of his correspondence with phone. The worst part was he became friends with my ex's lawyer. Did not know what he did but my ex stopped paying even more two months after I hired him. He did not respond to my phone calls and emails after my ex stopped paying. I have to advance thousands of dollars.
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23 Jun, 2022 by Anonymous
We hired Sheela as a real estate attorney. She quoted us a flat fee, but we found out the hard way that it is actually an hourly rate.
We were on the brink of closing on a house after we had pulled out and the sellers came back giving us terms that we were satisfied with. At this point, Sheela claimed it was now a NEW deal, and that she’d have to put in a lot more work- she said that because she had worked more than the estimated 5 hours of her flat fee rate, moving forward we would have to pay an additional $250 hourly rate. That’s not a FLAT FEE then. I reviewed the contract line by line, comparing it to the last version that had been negotiated, and confirmed that it was definitely not a new contract. It reflected everything agreed upon and literally only had three TYPOS that needed to be changed. Otherwise we were ready to sign. Unbelievable.
She also kept our contract hostage for a week while she was on vacation, and when she got back to work, she didn’t even call or email us about the revised contract. I had to call her.
She won’t respond to emails and prefers phone calls. She strictly does not work on weekends or vacations, so if you’re trying to turn around a contract quickly, you’re going to be frustrated. She often asks to call her back “in 5 minutes”, but this is often difficult when you’re working and on a different coast . She does not know how to edit pdfs so she prints contract drafts, handwrites her commentary, scans them, and emails them every time. If this is how she counts her hourly rate, then you are paying for inefficiency too.
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17 Jan, 2012 by Anonymous
Perhaps, Ms. Asonye and her partner have improved over the last three years, but when I employed them (Asonye and Asonye, LLP) for visa help, they were not helpful at all. They were recommended to me by an associate of the company I worked for, for the application of an H1 visa. There were basic aspects of the process, that I would expect a lawyer who claims to be an immigration lawyer to know, that they did not know (eg. when the visa cap was reached, what companies at the time qualified for special consideration for cap exemption (later found out when I hired a real immigration lawyer), special instructions given for H1 master's cap etc). In fact, I had to inform Ms. Asonye of some of these things, and without that information, my visa application may have been declined for a second time under her advisement. They cost myself, and the company I was working for, a lot of money over two application processes.
Beware of attorneys who claim to know immigration law. Do your homework; look them up; and ask lots of questions before hiring them.
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28 Dec, 2017 by Anonymous
I retained Stephanie after I was served divorce papers. The worst child custody/ divorce lawyer I’ve seen and experienced. Missed court dates/showed up two hours late my case was thrown out and had to file new petitions because of her negligence. Was forced to pay $1,100 a month in child support and I wasn’t working. Worst experience! Wouldn’t recommend her to anyone . Was forced to retain new counsel, who did a very good job
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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.
