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30 Oct, 2024 by Anonymous
I was desperately in need of an attorney so I decided to call of Slater and Zurz. I wish I had never called because Jeffery Hawkins lost my case which should have been easy to win. He never defended me and gave into easily to other attorneys. He never fought my case and I had to continuously send thesame email over and over again and got charged because he wasnt listening to what I was saying. He was more concerned about getting paid than help me and my family. My kids were in harms way and he did nothing but try to get me out the door. Always too busy to talk. Don’t do the same mistake I did. Don't let someone like him defend you and your family because you will lose the case even though I as the mother had all the evidence and we still lost because he wasn’t defending. He was rushing out the court house so he could go on vacation. He would rather talk about Taco Bell and his family than my case and my family that he is getting paid for to defend. I am writing this review to hopefully help others before it is too late.
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11 Apr, 2022 by Anonymous
If you are looking for someone to F*ck your case up literally look no further. Jeff here is THAT man.
Poor communication at it's finest. My initial phone interview went well with Jeff. So well I scheduled a 2nd and by the end of the 2nd I hired him. He blew so much smoke up my rear about what he could do it was unreal.
When it came time to actually put those words into action he failed at an epic level. He is too interested in his own custody shannanigans with his grand child to be worried about YOUR issues.
Need an appeal filed? My as well file your own... I had to file my initial appeal myself. My subsequent appeal that needed filed by Jeff was filed late which in turn got my case dismissed.
After case was dismissed Jeff slapped me with a bill requesting an additional $567.00. I do not feel comfortable paying for services not properly rendered.
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06 Aug, 2020 by Anonymous
Hawkins decided that 8 minutes before my first divorce hearing via Skype would be a good time to learn how to set up a Skype account. He failed miserably . Being 25 minutes late didn't make the magistrate very happy and he let Hawkins know it throughout the whole hearing and it showed in his ruling. He was under prepared and over matched by opposing counsel. He basically went down in a ball of flames after being smoked by my ex's attorney. His handling of paper work was pitiful rendering it usless. Needless to say he did me more harm than good and was promptly fired. Avoid Hawkins at all costs.
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07 Jan, 2024 by Kevin
She will tell you the right things at your consultation and get you to hire her. But once you do there is absolutely no effort what so ever put in by Gina to do anything. You truly would be better off just fighting your case yourself. I've had several of lawyers in my lifetime and Gina gets the award of worst lawyer ever.
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04 Jan, 2024 by Johni
If you require an attorney who doesn’t care about you or the outcome of your case, Gina is the attorney for you!!
How she was voted ‘Best Attorney in Sandusky’ 3 years in a row is beyond me. She is clearly only in it for the paycheck. I filed for divorce in May of 2023 and am still waiting for it to get finalized. I waited around all summer for her to do something and the only things that were accomplished were 2 temporary orders. And those were only established because of my ex’s attorney so he could get visitation or more time with our children. Gina couldn’t even get a temporary child support order established for me. She let my ex’s attorney (who had only been an attorney for 6 months at the time) walk all over her. We never even had a 4-way meeting to try to settle everything. What a joke!
Before our second temporary order was established, I made it very clear to Gina that I would never agree to give my ex every weekend during the school year (which is what he was asking for), as that is the only quality time my family and I get with my children. I don’t even think that she relayed that to the magistrate because the order that he proposed was completely asinine and I ended up having to give up part of my weekends to my ex. I was never in the room when she spoke to the magistrate and my ex’s attorney, so I just had to blindly trust that she was advocating for me the way I needed her to, but something about her just made me feel very uneasy and I always had this horrible gut feeling that she wasn’t really fighting for me.
Her communication is subpar as well. I would send email after email and they would all go unanswered for weeks. I would call her office after not hearing from her for weeks on end, only to get attitude from her assistant. I also made it very clear to Gina that this entire process and her communication was very unnerving for me, yet she did nothing but tell me what I wanted to hear with no follow-through.
I finally decided to hire a new attorney at the beginning of December 2023, which most can imagine how frustrating that is since I had to pay another retainer, but it was necessary. After hiring this new attorney, I decided to look at Gina’s reviews online and that’s when I realized there were several others that had the same experience with Gina, and also decided to get rid of her and hire a new attorney halfway through their case.
Do not hire her. She does not care about anybody but herself. She will drag out the entire process for you and drain you financially. She should be disbarred!!
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22 Nov, 2023 by Jessica
Highly do NOT recommend Gina for any services. She did not have the time to dedicate to my case and I’m sure many others as I have started to hear this is common with her. Many emails and phone calls would go unreturned. When we did speak about my case it was as if she had zero knowledge of the details we previously spoke about. Her turn around time on documents is unacceptable as it would take her weeks to over a month to send documents to me for approval. She is not honest about her timeline with paperwork. She wants to make it sound like her/her staff will start working on your paperwork right away and you’ll have paperwork in a couple weeks, clearly not the case. I ended up firing her and retaining another attorney. Save your time and money.
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11 Oct, 2018 by Anonymous
I was not satisfied with him at all. He came to court late more than once and had a busted lip and rumpled clothes. Most of all did not argue my case at all!
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06 Sep, 2018 by Anonymous
I do not recommend this lawyer in any type of a custody case! I hired him to do a job and he changed it without my knowledge or consultation till the last minute is sitting in front of the Magistrate! And then wanted to Bill me outrageous amounts of money for something that I paid him to do and he did not do!
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11 Jun, 2018 by Sherry
What a patient and knowledgeable lawyer/mediator. Very helpful! Helped both sides understand and negotiate the best interest of our children.
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27 Jan, 2016 by Anonymous
Talked to Lynanne about case, set up info on payment date etc., when it was time to pay and get ready for case, she no longer returned calls or emails. Very unprofessional with communicating back, but very nice on consultation call. I'm just happy I realized she is too busy before I hired her,. It was very upsetting to go back to researching attorneys at the last minute.
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08 Mar, 2014 by Anonymous
Starts out nice and gives you time then quickly fades and does not return calls. Considered contacting the Ohio Bar Association because I felt she almost cost my case.
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13 Feb, 2014 by Anonymous
Lynanne wolf was kind and approachable. On our initial consultation she gave me a lot of time over the phone and gave me a lot of good information. Hower, I hired her early January for a case in February. At the first meeting in early January she told me she would put in a few motions and send me a copy via email. I know attorneys are very busy so I did not call her again until the end of January to ask her about the motions which I still had not received. It was a Friday and she informed me she would do it that weekend Monday or Tuesday by the latest. Wednesday that week (two weeks before court) I called because I still had not received them. She never called back. I called her her again Friday and she never called back. Monday (the week of court) I emailed her and called her no response. Tuesday I called again letting her know I had not seen the motions or herd from her and was starting to worrie, still no response. I called another lawer who told me they could be in court on Thursday. On Wednesday (the day before court) I called to leave yet another message only this time letting her go. Big surprise she answered with no explanation of why she had not returned my calls only an excuse that she had not filed my motions because she did not have access to the others parties address (they had asked that it be private). If that was the case she could have reterned one email or phone call saying that. Well my other lawer was not only ready to go on short notice but was able to get an adress because when filing a custody modification the other person has to have access to your address unless there is a compelling reason. I had never bothered this lady (the child's paternal grandma) so there was no reason. This is information I feel like Lynanne should have known and shared with me if it was her true reason for not filing. Also I was told this is somthing she could have worked around.
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17 May, 2024 by In lord jesus' name: a strong city
The results of discriminatory refusal to prosecute which allowed multiple attempted murders to go unpunished and the attacker to remain at large.
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13 May, 2024 by In lord jesus' name: rev. dr. andrew d. wenmoth
Prosecuting Attorney G. Gary Tyack is allowing his staff to deliberately disregard clear risks to public safety, playing a "pass the buck" game to ignore indisputable evidence of major violent felonies, discriminating in cases involving the LGBTQ+ community.
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07 Apr, 2024 by Franco castro
Back on 2022, my car was vandalized. As a victim, I've never hear back from anyone, even though I called , left messages, and sent emails. The prosecutor went to a different area, and from the contacts provided that were handling the case, a request for status and restraining order was never acknowledge. As victim on case 22-ju-06267 and 22-ju-06254, I can attest that the Constitutional rights for Victims of Crime, was never followed.
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04 Dec, 2014 by Anonymous
I paid Robert Todd $1200 to draft a privacy policy and client contract. The money was paid up front and I was told that my documents would be completed within the week. A week later, I never heard anything from Robert. I then started calling and emailing, only to reach his assistant, who said he will have him give me a call (which he never did, nor did he respond to my emails) When Robert finally called back, he told me that he had been sick and that is why the documents had not been completed. Giving him the benefit of the doubt, I stayed patient, and he said they would be done in 3 more days. 3 days went by and again, nothing from Robert. When I spoke with him he said it's taking longer than he thought it would but I would be extremely happy with the finished product and he would have a rough draft to me on Monday (this was on Friday). Once Tuesday came, with nothing from Robert, I called again and left an email saying that if he does not have it finished then I would like my money back. The next day, he emailed me a copy of the client contract which wasn't even close to matching our needs and what we discussed!!!! I emailed Robert with questions about the document and never heard from him again. Please, if you are looking for an attorney, explore all other options before hiring Robert D. Todd!
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05 Oct, 2020 by Mandy sweetwater
Amanda Lantz advised her client chelsea bauman to go to new york and unlawfully take a child and bring to ohio. In September 2020 she instructed the clients aunt to abscond with the same child to keep the child away from her biological father who under hte law has sole custody. This attorney behaved unethically
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28 May, 2021 by Anonymous
Do NOT hire him. Please, take my word for it.
I provided him with evidence proving my innocentance, yet he never provided them to the courts. I ended up going to trial with a new lawyer 10k dollars later on too of the 17000 I paid Chris, and my case was dismissed because of the evidence I had.
I am very close to reporting him the the national bar association. He is NOT a good lawyer. Morally or ethnically. All he cares about is money and milking you as much as he can for it.
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30 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
Doesn't give two caps about your case will do everything opposite of what you want used him a few months ago and super disappointed definitely not getting my 500 back
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25 Jul, 2017 by Anonymous
I wish I had done more research, felt like he was working for everyone but me. Gave no guidance, was rude at every meeting, talked down to me, did not fight for anything I wanted, only advice he gave was to end my divorce case and return to the relationship. Over charged for what he did and under delivered.
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13 Jul, 2017 by Anonymous
Absolutely no help at all and very rude when trying to speak with him regarding your case. This man does not care about helping you! I'd give 0 stars if I could
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05 Aug, 2021 by Angelo
Jeffrey lied to me, seemed like he was trying to help the opposing party more than me.after I paid this sk#mbag for over a year to prepare for a trial he said he quit the morning of the trial and left me to fend for myself. He followed me into the elevator and insulted me after I lost visitation of my kids. He should fry in h$ll for an eternity and that won't be a proper punishment for this sorry son of a bit/h. Do not hire this bum. He likes to take bribes from the opposing party and make deals behind his clients back. I pray every day that Jeff suffers a painful end to his pathetic life.
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01 Nov, 2013 by Anonymous
Mr. Slavin was good about keeping us informed, but in terms of actual work on our case, extremely poor. He spent a lot of time telling us stories about other cases. We felt we would have been better off defending ourselves. It felt like throwing money away. I will say he is nice, he will listen to you, he will show up for court every time, and he will file motions as needed. If you need more than that, look elsewhere. There seems to be no fight in him.
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12 Sep, 2020 by Dena
Went I went to court there was a man screaming and fired Attny Harper in the hallway. Harper was laughing. Red flag #1. He told me if I wanted to talk about my case, come to his office. I went, he said..what are you doing here? Red flag #2. #3 was in court. He told the judge lies. I tried to speak up,he put his hand up in front of my face. I lost that day in court. I could have done better, telling the truth myself...for free. Please don't hire or vote for this man!!!
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04 Oct, 2012 by Anonymous
Mr. Hough served as GAL in a recent custody case. He was appointed by the court to act in the best interest of the child involved. He did not understand the specifics of the case (initial determination vs modification due to abuse/neglect). He refused on several occasions to share information with the plaintiff and respond to plaintiff's counsel. His own records indicate a very clear bias toward one parent - minutes of communication were documented relative to the plaintiff, while hours and hours of communication were documented relative to the defendent in the case. He even went so far as to provide false testimony while under oath. This individual is truly not competent to serve in this capacity.
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07 Jul, 2012 by Anonymous
this lawyer says she feels my case is a waist of time when its concerning my son any good lawyer reguardless if they felt it wasnt a waist of time would represent you in the best way they could not throw the case
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22 Feb, 2014 by Anonymous
It has been over a year since Steve represented me in a child custody case, and the disappointment still lingers. He failed to file the paperwork correctly & timely, had awful organizational skills (I actually had to give him my organized medical bills showing the medical expenses that should not be covered because he had no idea), and in general he had little to no understanding of child custody case law. I paid dearly by using him as an attorney and would not recommend him to anyone.
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08 Apr, 2022 by Anonymous
Dumbest person ever encountered. Doesn't do anything besides state same line over and over. Doesn't even know how to operate a phone
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24 Oct, 2013 by Holly s.
This attorney was appointed to my husband and I for a custody hearing. He took everything my husbands ex wife accused him of and took it as gospel and then cornered us in a room before the hearing just to tell us how bad of parents we are. He has never met my family nor been to my home. My son has been raised in a loving Christian home, but since I have spanked my child, in this man's kool aid-drinking eyes, I'm a terrible parent and a child abuser. I wasn't even on trial. But this guy says I'm a criminal! He was supposed to be representing us!
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23 Jan, 2018 by Burl
I retained Mr. Preston last year for a divorce. He did not file anything on time. He was poor in returning calls and emails. He gave me bad information regarding children's social security and does not appear to understand fraudulent transfers or tax liens. He stood flatfooted when my wife's attorney tried to intimidate me regarding her financial misconduct. Kevin several times told me he was awaiting a response from wife's attorney while wife's attorney claimed he never ever heard from Kevin regarding the issue. I am still calculating my financial harm caused by Kevin.
I terminated our relationship and ten weeks later Kevin finally took the time to notify the Court. Paid him thousands of dollars and still awaiting refund (he claims I owe him money).
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12 Sep, 2019 by Anonymous
Ms. Gardner may be a good attorney in court, but she has yet to reply to a phone call. I consulted with her on my case. She was very polite. She scheduled a time to meet with me again, and cancelled. I called to reschedule, left a message and she did not return my call. She has been paid lots of money and does not have the courtesy to return my call ?
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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.
