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28 Feb, 2024 by D r m.b.
I would like to start off by saying thank you to Kari Losee and her team. I am pleased with my experience. My case was challenging to say the least. Kari knew my top priority was keeping our children out of our divorce. Kari took my ideas into consideration, gave detailed advice and feedback. Kari and her team provided me with the utmost professionalism and respect. Thank You Kari, Logan and Tiffany!
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25 Aug, 2022 by Ajit berg
20 Jun, 2019 by Jane
Travis worked with me to devise a Last Will and Testament, and Healthcare and Financial Power of Attorney documents. He was very professional, easy to work with, prompt, and understanding. He made a somewhat daunting process easier. His fees are reasonable, and I will recommend him to my friends.
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04 Oct, 2023 by Nancy roth
My family and I have worked with this office on numerous occasions and will again in the future if needed; personable, knowledgeable, down-to-earth, great service - 10 stars if I could. Highly recommend!
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29 May, 2021 by Dustin jones
Great team, been going to them for over 7 years. Reliable. Seems like they have a lot of longstanding clients.
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16 Feb, 2020 by Nancy roth
Best attorney visit ever! Friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. Down to earth and very easy to talk with, very glad I contacted him.
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29 Apr, 2022 by Ajit
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Mike Gjesdahl and his team for the care he and his firm gave me during one of the most difficult times in my life. I was blessed to have Mike represent me in my divorce. He was my rock at a time when I needed it most. His extraordinary strength kept me from falling and inspired me to find my own strength to rise above my circumstances. He stood unwavering for me in ways I couldn’t stand for myself. Mike’s innate wisdom and top level of expertise, along with his sincere compassion and high standards of integrity, set him far above others in his field. Mike is a gem. He cares about families and goes over and beyond to advocate for the people he represents. He did that for me, and I am forever grateful. Kari A. Losee is an attorney at Gjesdahl law who was an integral part of my team. Her knowledge, highly effective skills, and steadiness in all situations achieved positive results. She was consistently available when I needed to reach her, and I was very thankful to have her on my team. In summary, Mike Gjesdahl is not only an exceptional and gifted attorney, he is a life changing person. You would be incredibly fortunate to have Mike Gjesdahl and his firm represent you.
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18 Mar, 2022 by Andrea
I’m not one to hop online and write a review about someone, but when your best friend has been represented by the BEST in the business, you let others know. Mike Gjesdahl is that attorney.
Approximately one year ago, my friend needed to find someone to represent her as she went through a challenging divorce. We were looking for someone who is whip smart when it comes to family law and divorce proceedings. Other attorneys pointed us toward Gjesdahl Law so we knew she would get a top-knotch lawyer. What we didn’t expect were all the “extras” that made her experience exceptional.
Mike Gjesdahl goes above and beyond for his clients. He is strong in all situations and his clients draw from that strength. He is compassionate toward his clients and their families; he understands what they are going through. Mike has the wisdom and experience people need when they are going through a life-changing circumstance like divorce.
To sum it up, Mike was the blessing my friend needed at a crucial time in her life. Mike Gjesdahl and his team will always have my highest recommendation.
Andrea Larson
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07 Nov, 2017 by Anonymous
I have had a great experience with Michael Gjesdahl and team while obtaining my surrogacy contract and paperwork for my babies. He is extremely professional and everything was handled in a timely manner and his team is very effective. Highly recommend him and his team.
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17 May, 2019 by Beth
If you're looking for knowledgeable representation who will go to bat for you every time, Jason McLean is the one to call. Jason's keen intellect, legal expertise and overall passion for what he does every day makes him not only a tremendous attorney, but an all-around phenomenal person. He works hard for every client, every time, and interacts with his clients in a professional, but caring, manner. The empathy he showed me during my case demonstrates that being an attorney isn't just a job for him; he truly strives to make a positive impact in his clients' lives. He's dedicated, kind, thorough in explaining the legal process, and extremely dedicated to finding the best solution for everyone. Jason understands that family law can be an extremely emotional and stressful process. His calm demeanor, trustworthiness, and can-do attitude put him in a category all his own. You cannot go wrong with consulting or hiring Jason or anyone on his team. I appreciate all of the support he's given me over the years.
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13 Aug, 2018 by Brandon
From beginning to end, Mr. McLean was an outstanding lawyer to have in my corner during my divorce. He's well educated, well spoken, and a great teacher of the legal process. I learned a lot along the way: precedent, what I can reasonably expect to occur for my situation, etc. Mr. McLean's attentiveness and attention to detail are exceptional! Quick responsiveness! And a class act all the way through!
Simply put: I made the right move by having him as my representation. I couldn't be happier with my choice in him & PLM (and my outcome).
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19 Jun, 2018 by Holly
Parvey, Larson, and McLean has exceeded my expectations through their knowledge and expertise in law. Throughout my child custody case, Mr. McLean has shown tremendous determination, professionalism, and passion for his work. His work ethic and timely responses are among the many positive qualities noted throughout my case. He is highly skilled and takes the time to make sure you’re understanding every single step in the process. I would highly recommend PLM to anyone in the FM community. Thanks to PLM for the outstanding outcome with my situation.
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24 Jul, 2022 by Justin
Emily was amazing! She went above and beyond the other attorneys I had. Most importantly she cared about my case and was reassuring the entire time with her. Wish I would've had her from the beginning! I would highly recommend Emily! I'm truly thankful for her.
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24 May, 2022 by Sarah
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Emily M. Ramage for the past 2 years on a number topics; ranging from personal matters, small business collections, and business legality topics.
She listens to her clients to understand what their challenge is and comes up with the best resolution for the challenge in a quick and efficient manner. She puts her clients needs above anything else.
Thank you, Emily!
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23 May, 2022 by Brandi
I was a client of Emilys! And it was all around wonderful! I couldn't of asked for a better lawyer to walk me through what i needed done! 10/10 recommend!
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26 Jan, 2021 by Jeremy
From the day I contacted Ashley, she was there to help and give me advice/guidance.
Not only did Ashley fight for me, it felt like she put herself in my shoes, to have a full understanding of what I was going through.
It was a tough, ongoing battle and not once did Ashley back down. She stuck to her guns and made sure I was staying as positive as I could be.
I am so grateful I contacted Ashley and that she took my case. I would highly recommend her to anyone.
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26 Jan, 2021 by Jessica
Made me feel like I was being protected during a scary time. I’m so grateful to have had her.
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09 Oct, 2019 by Jason “web” weber
As we go through life, things change! I had the pleasure of consulting and hiring Ashley to handle my divorce. Hearing all the horror stories about divorces in my life. Really fully understanding the papers I had been served! Because every case is different To protect my own interests, I retained Ashley! I will I admit I was nervous and a bit uncomfortable, but Ashley walked me through with my situation with an unbiased opinion discussing the pros and cons.
With the information that Ashley provided me we were able to come up with the best solutions that were in my best interest as well as the requests from the opposing attorney. Ashley passionately puts her clients first, as well as there best interest! I would give Ashley a 5 star rating and would suggest you using Ashley for any misfortune or legal matter that may occur in your life!
Jason
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11 May, 2019 by Sean
Ms. Brazil represented me in the past, and when I had a motion filed against me for modification of parenting time she agreed, on short notice, to represent me again. Ms. Brazil helped right away, even though she was busy with other cases. A hearing was scheduled on her vacation week and Ms. Brazil represented me in court while on vacation.
The judgement was very favorable to our asks of the court. Ms. Brazil treats return clients very well. Thank you.
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19 Feb, 2018 by Anonymous
Tressie has been a wonderful lawyer for me. She helped me through my divorce and child custody case. She was always prompt to reply to my questions and needs. She took diligent time to review what was most important for me as an individual and my children. Her honesty is true judgement of her character. She is knowledgeable, thorough, and caring. I will forever be thankful to her and her staff. I highly recommend her services to anyone in need of legal assistance.
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05 Nov, 2014 by Samanatha
I hired Tressie to represent me in my divorce. I struggled for a long time with the idea of divorce and how it will affect me and my children. Tressie was considerate and honest with me about how the process will work and what she felt my best options were. I always felt that Tressie truly cared about the results of my divorce and how they would affect me. Whenever I had a question, Tressie was always there to answer it. She would tell me the pros and cons of the decisions I could make. I would refer her services to anyone who needs a divorce or has any other family issue. I trust her and appreciate how easy and seamless she made this process go for me.
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05 May, 2020 by Cassie rhodes
I highly recommend Misty if you are needing a defense lawyer! She is very professional and proficient. She is not afraid of helping you get the very best outcome in court. She understands that everybody is entitled to a fair trial. One tough woman! Thanks for everything Misty!
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17 Jan, 2020 by Anonymous
Misty was always available whenever I needed her on the phone. Her office location is very convenient in town. She thoroughly reviewed my case with me and several follow up appointments. I let her know what result I wanted and got it done! I wish all attorneys were like her! Hopefully I'll never need her again but if I do, she will be my first call!
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16 Jan, 2020 by Kennedy
Misty took all my cases seriously. She is very dependable and determined to do everything she can to make the best possible outcome.
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20 Jan, 2020 by Anonymous
She helped me make the divorce go as quickly and her team was very helpful her rate was very reasonable.
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31 May, 2018 by Chad
With my legal case she has been absolutely amazing. Communicative and thorough she has been an outstanding lawyer and going forward in the future she will be the only lawyer I trust and use for any legal obligations. Thank you again Jacey!!!
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30 May, 2018 by Kassandra
Jacey is a wonderful attorney, she is a realist that maintains personability. She is a force to be reckoned with in the court room, she won't sugar coat the reality of your situation. She secured my divorce and primary custody of my daughter. I have much more confidence since retaining Jacey in December of 2016. She does not back down, a person would never regret having her in the chair sitting next to them in the court room. Five stars just doesn't cut it but it's the best rating I could give. She goes above and beyond.
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06 Jun, 2018 by Patrick
Ariana was very professional and great to work with. She was very thorough in her work and detail oriented. She was always very responsive in getting information to me and letting me know what to expect. Through the whole process I felt she was honest with me, and what was in my best interest. From other attorneys I've worked with she was by far the best and I would highly recommend her to anyone.
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05 Feb, 2018 by Julie
Ariana Meyers is an excellent attorney! My family hired her for a very complicated estate/paternity/custody issue. Ariana is extremely knowledgeable about family law. Everything was done in a timely manner and she was quick to respond to any of our questions and/or requests. If you want an attorney who will be truly invested in the outcome of your case and give you excellent service, then Ariana Meyers is the attorney you should choose!
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04 Feb, 2018 by Anonymous
Ariana is very helpful and knowledgeable. She explained the Mediation program and what to expect during the custody process. Other attorneys I met with failed to explain the process to me and I felt that I was in the dark about what to expect. Ariana is very responsive and was proactive to ensure that I was updated about the status of my case. She helped to establish a parenting plan and custody. She continues to answer my questions without hesitation. I would highly recommend her for a family law attorney.
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30 Aug, 2022 by Ajit berg
Kari A. Losee is an attorney at Gjesdahl law who was an integral part of my team. Her knowledge, highly effective skills, and steadiness in all situations achieved positive results. She was consistently available when I needed to reach her, and I was very thankful to have her on my team.
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20 Jun, 2019 by Lori
Kari is an experienced attorney who worked endlessly on my complicated divorce and child custody case, and most importantly, got a fair and necessary outcome. Kari is very approachable and professional. I will certainly go back to her if I have future family law needs.
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15 Feb, 2019 by Matthew
We used this law firm for my stepdaughter adoption. We had Kari A. Losee as our attorney. Very professional and made this transition very painless. While we was around 5 months to completion it was done 98% over the phone and email. Which was very good seeing we live 6 hours away. When we decided this was something we needed to do for our family we had a hard time finding someone we could trust and thanks to the reviews before us, this is where we ended up at and was not disappointed. They communicate everything 100% and handled this with great confidence. Very professional and on the ball with getting things done. Will definitely be our go to place if legal advice or action in needed in the future. You can't go wrong here! call or message them and get started today because you wont regret it.
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21 Nov, 2017 by Janet
Lesley was a great lawyer, she helped me win my child support case, and my divorce case against my ex husband. She stood by me through it all,even when I wanted to quite, she encouraged me not to worry, that everything will be fine.Lesley helped me physically, mentally,and emotionally and I’m really great full for all she did.
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12 Jul, 2017 by Anonymous
Upon the first meeting with Lesley, I knew she was the attorney that will help. She was very patient in walking me through the process. She thought about things that I would have never thought of.
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15 Jun, 2015 by Cami
Lesley has experience in the child support area prior to practicing family law. She is honest and will tell you what to expect. She is very responsive in her replies. You will never feel like you don't matter or you are "just a number" when you have Lesley. She was very well prepared and came through for me on short notice with flying colors. I would highly recommend her.
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06 Jun, 2020 by Anonymous
He explained everything throughout the process and he got me a great result! I'm very pleased and have referred him to my friends and family!
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01 May, 2020 by Carla
Atty Patrick Waters is by far one of the best lawyers based on my firsthand experience when I hired him as my legal counsel. He really takes his time to listen to the client and gives you his knowledge about the case and his expert opinion on it. He doesn't sugarcoat anything so rest assured you will get truthful and unbiased feedbacl. He provided me with answers to my questions. In addition to this, his demeanor was very accommodating and friendly and you don't get that from most lawyers. I felt very at ease the whole time I had lengthy dicussions with him either through the phone or in person. He was a powerhouse and a formidable lawyer during trials. Because of his knowledge and expertise, I won my case which he had already had foresight of even before the verdict came out. I would highly recommend him to anyone I know needing legal counsel on areas that he practices. Best of all, his rates are very affordable.
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23 May, 2022 by Anonymous
Right from the beginning, Alexis put me and my family at ease doing my Child Custody case. With her knowledge and experience she walked me through all the steps and options that best worked for me and my family. She is truly phenomenal family lawyer and I would highly recommend her.
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26 Sep, 2018 by Tina
Mr. Hill was very helpful and explained in great detail what was going on. He took time to make sure my questions were answered and that I understood everything. He was compassionate and caring.
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30 Mar, 2022 by James d. sandsmark
I have known and worked closely with Richard my entire career. He is willing to fight for his clients, their rights, and the best outcome for his client and all involved. Richard will not back down for anything he believes in. His passion in his clients and representing them is admirable.
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08 May, 2018 by Michelle
Lisa represented me in my divorce. I couldn't have asked for a better lawyer! Her compassion and attention to detail was unsurpassed. I can't thank her enough for everything she did for me and my kids. I highly recommend her!
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09 Dec, 2016 by Kristen
Vanessa Berge helped me through the most stressful time in my life, when my 8-year-old's bio-dad (who was willingly absent for my child's entire life) suddenly appeared to prevent my husband from adopting my child. Vanessa went above and beyond, answering my worried emails and phone calls with patience and compassion. She genuinely cared for my whole family, and she was incredibly thorough in her work. She is also a very ethical person who will give you straight answers. She even wrote my son a nice letter when we won our adoption case :)
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09 Nov, 2022 by Karvee
James was always available and willing to answer all my legal questions even at the time I have not hired him yet,. James provided me fast and exceptional services and I will highly recommend James.
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03 Oct, 2024 by Brandon swanson
Adam did a great job with my case and I would definitely refer him to others he took care of it in reasonable amount of time!
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01 Oct, 2024 by Paul yasen
Joshua Krank was easy to work with straight forward when i left a voice mail got a phone call back in minutes and got everything done as promised definitely recommended!
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30 Sep, 2024 by Ryokoh85
Dominic Davis represented me in a professional manner. He went above and beyond.
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26 Nov, 2017 by Anonymous
William Wischer did a fantastic job in handling a very complex case. The case itself started very disadvantaged because of incorrect prior legal advice from a different attorney. William pulled the case back out with sound advice and an unfailing dedication his integrity as a practitioner.
What this meant is that William did not overreact to news, made sure that I did not focus on the wrong things, and followed up with every need and request necessary to build a strong case. The complexity of this case pulled out all the stops - counselors and their subpoenas, psychologists, parental investigators, and loads of email/text/audio files. The adversary in this case was extremely willing to lie, manipulate, deceive and misrepresent at any and every turn making the job that much harder as every piece of evidence had to be undeniable. William guided me through the process to get my kids back to safety after a very emotionally and physically abusive process, despite the difficulty in North Dakota's laws on corporal punishment.
Day-to-day, I could rely on William to return calls or emails if new information came up. I didn't have to keep on him to follow up with counselors or get processes started. I didn't have to keep him engaged as he did that entirely on his own. He put in a lot of effort to make sure we were the driving force in the case rather than our opponents. Once William took the reigns, I saw a very big difference in how things were turning out and the opposing attorney started handling himself much more poorly.
William was given every bit of information and evidence I had - I did not withhold anything and I made sure he could trust me in this case. In doing so, WIlliam honored the client-attorney relationship and brought my matter to a successful close exceeding a lot of expectations. He is very confident in the court room and although this case did not go to trial, he was very ready to handle it and did handle other matters building up to the settlement within the courtroom very well.
If you are looking for a strong attorney who will put in the effort to make your case a success, William will take care of it. Do yourself a favor and do not lie or withhold information, nor should you seek inappropriate advantages. William is very aware of the court's opinions and line of thinking and you will not do yourself nor your case's any favor by putting any attorney at that disadvantage. I believe William has enough integrity not to let you anyways, but if you have a strong case then William will help you win without resorting to the low levels that your opponent might.
Be confident that William and his colleagues at Gjesdahl law are around to fight for you, should you seek them out.
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14 Nov, 2017 by Olga
I worked with Mr Wischer when I needed legal advice in a matter of visitation rights with my nephew.
I really appreciate his patience in explaining every little detail of the legal situation I found myself in.
I would definitely recommend working with him, if you have a similar situation.
Olga
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06 Sep, 2017 by Talea
William was amazing. He was so real with me and very punctual. I had a previous lawyer before I hired him and she did nothing for my case for a whole year. as soon as I hired William he took over, he went to work and my case was happily settled within a few months without having to go to court. He definitely knows his job and knows what he's doing. William always made sure I knew what was going on and I knew he did everything he could for me and my family. If I ever needed an attorney again, I would hire him in a heartbeat.
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10 Oct, 2024 by Steve
Very smart, personable, and kept focus on my goals. Highly recommended her!
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04 May, 2024 by Anonymous
Diane L. Schull made my experience far intimidating. I had never been to court for anything before and she made it easy. She explained thing very well and the prep work on my side of thing was minimal. Overall, I do plan to reach out to her again if I need assistance in any other legal endeavors.
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18 Dec, 2023 by Liz
Diane and Jill were very helpful in the divorce process and answered all of my questions. She did a great job advocating on my behalf and getting us to a reasonable settlement in a timely manner.
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24 Jun, 2024 by Gina adams
Cassie Tostenson is a true Gem! She was wonderful to work with. She helped my family tremendously. She was extremely professional, She gave great advice and was able to answer all our questions. She prepared us with all the necessary documentation needed for the situation my family is going through. I highly recommend Cassie Tostenson for any legal services you may need.
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11 Jan, 2024 by Megan dickerson
Neilson Brand Law was so wonderful to work with. Nikki, Cassie and team were able to help me change my name on my deed in a hassle free and efficient manner. Thank you!
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11 Jan, 2024 by Marylou gourde
Thank you for all your help and assistance, Everyone was so easy to work with and always available when needed. I would definitely recommend this law firm.
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16 Oct, 2024 by Tom severson
Great people to help you in your time in need thank you for everything you do for me
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04 Oct, 2024 by Kyra baker
Very nice to me
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01 Oct, 2024 by Quiasjah dean
08 Jul, 2024 by Lana henry
08 Jul, 2024 by Tricia mckibbens
He is great!!!
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19 Mar, 2024 by Muhammad khan
13 Jun, 2022 by Anonymous
I was so grateful to have Shannon representing me. She kept me informed and always explained my options to me.
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03 Jun, 2022 by Heather
Shannon and her legal team were referred to me by a friend when I was going through my divorce. I feel incredibly lucky to have found such amazing representation. Shannon is empathetic and communicates honestly and in a timely fashion. She was an amazing advocate for me and also helped me feel confident in my decisions. If you’re looking for a wonderful attorney, hire Shannon Parvey.
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07 Jan, 2022 by Anonymous
Filing for divorce was the most difficult decision I've ever made. I was completely overwhelmed when I made an appointment for a consultation with Shannon. I felt so alone - like I was on an island. She was understanding and sympathetic while making the process more manageable for me. She was exactly the person I needed to walk me through everything. Shannon is very competent in her profession, she is compassionate, an excellent communicator, and just has a personality that balances the roller coaster of emotions that divorce can bring out in a person. I cannot say enough positive things about her and HIGHLY recommend Shannon to anyone seeking family law assistance!
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06 May, 2024 by Renae wagner
28 Sep, 2023 by Brittany cottrell
I have worked with a Jessica Moen twice now. Once for custody and once for relocation and won both times. She was an amazing attorney and always got back to me with answers quickly. I was always kept in the loop. If you need an attorney for these types of cases I highly recommend her and this law firm!
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05 Sep, 2023 by Charles rolie
Great lawyer! Very kind! Informative! Patient snd professional.
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10 Apr, 2024 by M bird
22 Nov, 2022 by E. h
The receptionist was so rude it wasn’t worth my time.
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14 Apr, 2022 by Kevin waddell
Pam is great, keep up the good work your a sweetheart.
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30 Aug, 2024 by Tom mccann
Absolute jerk who doesn't return calls and tries to intimidate his clients.
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06 Apr, 2024 by Angela salinas
He seemed scared during the court proceeding & had failed to call us back for over a month now. He was court appointed.
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29 Feb, 2024 by Anon
Integrity at its finest. Jay has represented our family several times. He gave it his all. One lawyer you can actually trust.
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21 Dec, 2023 by Anonymous
Darcie was a terrible parenting time expeditor. She lied, manipulated the process, abused the system and court orders as well as law, and has attempted to charge me money for services she claims were done.
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15 Apr, 2021 by Kathy
Ms. Einarson made a difficult time manageable and expedient. She advocated for me at every turn and was thoughtful in her delivery of advice. The desire to be finished with a divorce is so very strong, but Ms. Einarson was able to work efficiently and still made sure all implications were clear to me before proceeding. I plan on using her services for my will preparation.
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31 Jan, 2020 by Jordan
Darcie and her staff did an excellent job of helping me, as a father, gain custody of my child. They were always professional and understanding. They were very attentive to detail and I felt great confidence in Darcie’s ability and energy in what she does.
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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:
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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.
