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23 Dec, 2024 by Francisco perez
Emeka was awesome even though I was abit hectic myself he calmly explained everything to me and helped me throughout this whole situation thank you so much highly recommend 🙏🙏🙏 my lawyer 🤙
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23 Dec, 2024 by Dr samantha phillips
Andy and his staff made a very challenging time much easier by their professionalism, caring and timeliness. Their commitment to see us through the entire process was great. Was easy
and affordable!
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13 Dec, 2024 by Martin deanda
Andy was very informative and helpful throughout the whole process. Never in a million years did I think filing for bankruptcy was going to be this easy. Thanks to Andy and his firm I now can restart my life and live it to the fullest. Thank you again Nguyen Law Group.
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19 Dec, 2024 by Robert bryan
They worked with me on all matters and financially.
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13 Dec, 2024 by David sargento
I cannot thank Patrick O'Kennedy and Martha Solorio enough for their incredible dedication and expertise in helping me gain custody of my child. From the very first consultation, Patrick demonstrated unparalleled knowledge of family law and a genuine commitment to my case. They fought tirelessly for my rights as a parent and always had my child's best interests at heart.
Martha was equally amazing, providing constant support and ensuring I stayed informed and prepared throughout the process. Their organization, kindness, and professionalism made a difficult time so much easier to navigate.
Thanks to this amazing team, my family is whole again. If you're looking for a compassionate and highly skilled child custody lawyer, look no further than Patrick and Martha. They are truly the best!
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05 Dec, 2024 by Mario felix
Thank you so much for your outstanding service Mr. Okennedy. Martha & Stella were supergreat. Very professional and respectfull. Down to earth service. Your very fortunate to have them. Keep your level of excellence, and honesty.
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30 Dec, 2024 by Sara arteche
Awesome team working on my case thank you
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19 Nov, 2024 by R c
Great team. Streamline communication. Laura is a great records clerk.
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11 Nov, 2024 by Nathan graves
Greetings,
The Graves family is forever thankful to Jacoby and Meyers for the representation during our personal injury claim.
A few years ago i was in an accident coming home from work. A negligent driver made an unsafe left-hand lane change colliding with my vehicle and knocked me into a fenced- construction site.
Not knowing where to turn my wife told me to contact Jacoby and Meyers. It was the best decision I ever made.
Jacoby and Meyers until this day continue to treat us like family and check-in to make sure everything is ok even after our claim has settled favorably. You never stop being their client.
Accidents unfortunately happen but if you find yourself in one reach out to Jacoby and Meyers the #1 personal injury firm and proud partner of our boys in blue. Go Dodgers! World Champions!
Do not strike out with the insurance companies get the representation you deserve. Let Jacoby and Meyers go to bat for you.
The Graves family says:
Thanks,
Jacoby and Meyers!
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02 May, 2022 by Ash
I find lawyers quite intimidating and mostly wanting to rush through a potential clients' initial consultation. But Simon was very approachable, friendly and professional. He patiently and effectively guided our conversation to establish and organize the events and facts of my case along with the next steps. If you need legal consultation for a family law case, definitely reach out to Simon.
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09 Jul, 2021 by Shannon
Simon helped propose a well planned out strategy for my custody case and was open and honest regarding what to expect. He and his team are personable and legitimately care about your case.
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01 Jun, 2021 by Anonymous
He's fantastic. Gives you the time you deserve and makes sure he has it all together. No detail gets by him. Definitely recommend.
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01 Oct, 2022 by Maggie menzel
If you need help in any kind of law, you would be crazy to go to anyone else than Kevin Qualls. He is the best. Straightforward, honest.. yes that is possible.. call Kevin. He really is the best.
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16 Sep, 2022 by Ted
The Law Office of Kevin L Qualls is outstanding. Their service, concern for their client's best interest, as well a careful management of "billable hours" sets them above all the other Lawyers in Southern CA.
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06 Sep, 2022 by Kevin burgess
18 Oct, 2021 by Kimberly
We hired Loni for a very complicated and stressful case. Her experience was extremely valuable in so many ways. In particular, it was a VERY emotional case for us and Loni helped us keep the proper focus when our emotions took us off course. She is extremely patient when listening to her clients. In our case, Loni appeared to be very respected by the Judge. She is skilled at negotiating, as well as litigation. Our daughter decided we were trying to steal her child and hired an attorney and fought the Guardianship. We had raised our grandson and he had lived with us since 5 weeks old, and is now 2 1/2. Our daughters alcohol addiction and the fathers criminal past and inability to support our grandson necessitated our request for Guardianship. We now have General Guardianship of our grandson, and are FOREVER grateful to Loni and her staff.
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26 Sep, 2020 by Anonymous
I hired Loni to file for emergency guardianship of our nephew. It was a complicated case and our family was a wreck. Loni was amazing - she is one of the most empathetic people I have ever met. Her work was exceptional. She is a very skilled litigator. The other party ended up assenting to the guardianship - due to the strength of the case that Loni put together. The negotiation was intense, but Loni kept us calm and focused. It is rare to find an attorney that is equally good at litigating and negotiating but Loni excels at both. I will always be grateful for her help during one of the hardest times in my life.
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20 Feb, 2018 by Anonymous
We were referred to Loni Klein and Sheryl Edgar by another respected family law attorney we consulted with. She believed our case required an attorney who specialized in areas of the law that protect children in dangerous situations. Our case resulted in our being able to adopt and forever protect the child.
It was the BEST POSSIBLE ruling and we are grateful to Loni and her team.
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02 Oct, 2017 by Pichamon
I worked with a divorce attorney before. I didn't know I could have been more protected until I found Arelis. I wish my previous attorney could have protected me more. Actually, I wish I found Arelis sooner and hired her as my attorney back then. This is the second time I had to go back to court because my ex wanted to stop paying child support.
Going through a divorce is very stressful and emotional beyond words can describe. Arelis helped calming me down as I was so lost, nervous and stressed. I didn't even know how to protect myself and my kids because emotions were too overwhelming. Anything to do with court process could be intimidating. Going through all the emotions, I lost my thoughts, didn't know where to begin, what to do and didn't even know what questions to ask. Arelis presented all my options out in a way that I could easily understand. She got me covered in the areas that I did not even think of. Most importantly, she showed me that she cared about my case and wanted to help!! If you feel emotionally exhausted while going through a divorce & want someone who you can TRUST to fight for you, your rights and protect you, I HIGHLY recommend Arelis Hughes. I'll forever appreciate her, her heart & knowledge to help people!!
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29 Sep, 2017 by Jane
She is very specialized and has a lot of experience in the family law. She helped me get through the most difficult time and always gave me very good and particle advise. I like her passion about the work and her care about the client. I would strongly recommend her. She is the best attorney!
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25 Sep, 2017 by Anonymous
Arelis was fantastic. She is very knowledable, efficient and empathetic. My divorce was tricky; it lasted 15 months and involved thousands of piles of paperwork. Arelis made the process as least painful as possible. She is easy to talk to, she gives great advice and she knows her stuff. I would absolutely recommend Arelis.
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19 Aug, 2020 by Ty
I couldn't have asked for a better lawyer. Ms. Harman was very kind and understanding of the situation I was in. Not only did she look out for my best interest, but also my child's as well. If I wasn't able to speak directly to her at times, her office staff listened and got back to me in a timely manner with appropriate advice. Never did I feel like my questions were disregarded or overlooked, everything was always considered and open for discussion. While going to court is nerve racking her calm professional demeanor and years of experience always helped guide me in the right direction. They have always been more than fair with me and I will continue to use them and refer them going forward. Thank you for all your help!
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06 Jun, 2017 by Meav
Tisha is very knowledgeable. But what I adore most about her is that she is unbiased and I am not her client. My son is. She is a dedicated an impartial advocate of the child's best interest.
Her responses are timely and empathetic but fair and she dashes in the harsh reality in a gentle manner. Sometimes she is the bearer of bad news but at least you know she's acting from sincerity and years of dedicated service to parents and children in distress.
I can not put into words how grateful I am to have Tisha represent and advocate for me.
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17 Sep, 2013 by Frank
Mrs. Harman was used as minor's counsel for my two daughters in a child custody case. She was excellent with my daughters, but most important, she was fair and impartial. She has a lot of experience and it shows in her professionalism. I would definitely recommend Ms. Harman.
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01 Apr, 2023 by Bertha l
Dorie is a great lawyer; she understands what's important in a custody case and ensures the case is guided toward that end. Dorie and her staff are responsive, knowledgeable and well prepared. They always show compassion and care for their clients.
I feel blessed I found Dorie. She helped me get full custody of my child, who is now safe and thriving.
If your child's wellbeing is your priority, don't hesitate to call Dorie.
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21 Jun, 2020 by Rebecca
Dorie Rogers helped me to be awarded full physical custody/shared legal- I have final say on legal matters- from my son’s abusive and narcissistic father. For 13+ years I have dealt with attorneys that just seem to want to spin drama and then hike the bill up over it. Ms. Rogers didn’t buy into the drama from dad’s side. She was strategic and used her knowledge about the psychological aspects of our case. She recommended an amazing reunification counselor that contributed to the health and safety of our son. (Father defaulted on the reunification). She has an efficient team with her Parallegal and Office Manager Daenna and team backing her. Because of the issues that the Covid situation has presented, all the legal work had to be conducted through home offices and distance. Her office was very good at keeping me updated and communicating with court and our reunification counselor. They were really together even in the middle of all this community chaos. Ms. Rogers is expensive but she is worth every penny spent. Thanks to her efforts as an attorney my son is now going to be able to thrive, live his best life possible and feel safe every day. I am keeping Dorie as my attorney and if/when our shared legal becomes an issue I will not hesitate to have her represent me in court again to make it a non-issue.
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05 Feb, 2010 by Todd
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Dorie to anyone. She was my attorney for my divorce and custody case. She will do everything it takes to get the job done and all with a smile on her face. Her knowledge and expertise will assist anyone in a family law situation get the results they want.
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10 Feb, 2023 by Lisa
Terry and his team walked me through a particularly stressful situation from beginning to successful end. You won't be confused or afraid because Terry and his team will be there to assist in professional, caring way.
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28 Jan, 2020 by Linda
I was beaten down and backed in a corner when I retained council. Instantly, Terry assured me he could help. And boy did he do just that in court. He was prepared, a great negotiator and I left with more than expected.
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10 Aug, 2017 by Sheryl
Catherine was such an amazingly supportive counsel when I was at the worst point in my life...divorcing with 1 and 3 year olds. She gave great advise and has helped me through the years in dealing with a deadbead dad ex. She gave the appropriate supportive counseling for me and my sons. I can't say enough about her giving me a shoulder to rely upon as well as counseling my sons. She is a tremendous person and professional!
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19 Apr, 2017 by Anonymous
Catherine represented me in a very difficult case around a move away situation with my child. She spent so many evenings and weekends making sure she had everything prepared for our day in court. Family law is an incredibly tough industry to be in, and Catherine understands that these decisions impact lives. She truly cares and gives 120% in all that she does on your behalf. My case did not have the outcome I had hoped for, but it certainly wasn't for her lack of effort or preparation (sometimes you get a judge on a bad day). Most importantly, she taught me what good co-parenting was about. Almost 3 years later and I can honestly say that because of Catherine our lives are different in a good way. Our daughter has both parents in her lives, two step parents who love her just as much, and everyone working together to make sure she's loved and taken care of.
If you are looking for someone to be honest with you and fight for the best interest of your child, then Catherine is who you need.
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13 Nov, 2019 by Michele b
I was referred to Cara by my foster son's attorney and she represented me in his dependency case. I can't say enough about her. She's super impressive and efficient! She is very responsive and gave me the play by play via text while in court. She was able to move my case forward from termination of services, to termination of parental rights, and towards adoption which I hope will happen by spring. She is no-nonsense type person and has good relationships with the attorneys on the dependency floor in Santa Ana. She is literally in those court rooms every day and is familiar with each judge as well. I'm so glad I didn't bring an outsider in. She works on a single, very reasonable retainer to take families all the way to adoption so you don't have to deal with expenses getting out of hand.
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06 Jan, 2021 by John
Kevin was referred to me by my Employee Assistance Program. Kevin was very easy to talk with and was available immediately. I ended up not using Kevin due to the fact that I work for the federal government so he referred me to a lawyer that deals with government 401k's regularly. I called Kevin for a follow up question and once again he was immediately available and was able to answer all my questions. If I need a lawyer in the future I will be using Kevin and I will be recommending him as well.
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17 Mar, 2020 by Bill
Kevin has been my attorney in my child custody case. I was a single Father and He is always Kind and professional. He genuinely cares about your family and keeping matters calm and focused. Kevin and his staff are always available to answer questions in a quick and informative manner.This is very important because things can be a bit overwhelming in these matters, because your Kids matter so much.
If you want a person to represent you who is Wise, Compassionate and exceptionally Kind about your family child custody matters and will walk with you step by step,This is the Guy!
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02 Mar, 2020 by Diane
Kevin is so great! He didn’t waste my time or money. He and Cindy are organized and thorough, and they know the law. It was such a great comfort to have Kevin in my corner throughout this process and I HIGHLY recommend him!!!
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24 Jan, 2022 by Michelle
Tracy was a pleasure to work with. Cases involving children are difficult and emotional; she remained professional and honest and didn't over promise results. She listened and asked the right questions and was successful in concluding with a fair outcome. Both Tracy and support staff were very responsive and communicated clear required actions and due dates. Tracy spend the time before each hearing to go over the information submitted to the court, and to prepare me for what to expect. I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome.
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09 Oct, 2017 by Angela
Tracy was a Godsend during my divorce that lasted a year and a half. The amount of stress that's involved in going through a divorce alone is so draining and mine, involved my daughter which was even more stressful. My ex was extremely unreasonable and would not cooperate with any decision which delayed the process even longer. Tracy remained professional and stuck it out with me the whole way through and we were finally able to finalize a judgement! I can't imagine doing it over again without her. She's truly a life saver!
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01 Aug, 2017 by Madeline
Tracy Willis took on our termination of parental rights and step parent adoption case. She was so knowledgeable, devoted, and did what ever she could to see that our case was resolved. Unfortunately our case had gone very south and the outcome wasn't what anyone expected, but Tracy didn't stop there. She contacted multiple appellant attorneys and had a plan of action in just a few days. We ended up winning the appeal case and they granted our petition, but Tracy never lost contact through the process and was always invested. I can't thank her enough. She is truly an amazing attorney.
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01 May, 2024 by Anonymous
I had what was supposed to be a straightforward divorce, but complications came up along the way. Annie and her team were so helpful and supportive. She was attentive, responsive, and kept to the facts of the case. She was not daunted by my ex's counsel and I walked away paying for less than I thought I would. She is a solid force to rely upon during all the uncertainty, confusion, and anxiety of a divorce. I am so grateful for her.
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25 Apr, 2024 by Mark benardo
Knowledgeable professional attorney who cares about her clients. Great attention to detail and knowledge of the law. Ann is very experienced and familiar the OC Courts and Judges. Highly recommend Ann.
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25 Apr, 2024 by Jon
Recommended to Annie by a friend who was represented by her and was very satisfied. Appreciated her attention to detail, and her complete and accurate communication to the judge. After one very brief court session the judge set my alimony payments to zero. Touchdown!
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21 Nov, 2013 by Grateful mother
I cannot express how grateful I am to Jim. My case seemed unendin since it had been dragging on for two years, by the fault of the court continuously pushing my hearing dates out. All the while Jim was very patient, helpful and attentive to me. I thought there was no hope for my situation but Jim fought for me whem we finally got our day in court. I had previously used two lawyers which were of no help, I was then referred Jim by a family friend. His fees are reasonable and he isn't out just to make a quick dollar. Not only is he very personable, caring, knowledgeable and upfront but so is his wonderful assistant who's also been a huge help to me. We won my case against my ex husband and his supposed "well renowned" attorney. I have primary custody of my children and got my child support finalized, everything just the way I wanted. He is truly a God send. I highly recommend James if you are in need of a family law attorney..
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23 Jan, 2025 by Sonia fernández
Jos exhibits exceptional compassion and understanding, promptly addressing all inquiries to facilitate clarity and calm throughout the process with comprehensive and sincere explanations. He offers potential solutions to minimize unnecessary court costs. His team operates efficiently and effectively to complete the task. I highly recommend this law firm as it operates with integrity.
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28 Oct, 2024 by Carlos serrano
Thank you very much to Mr. Jos and to all his group of professionals who helped me get out of my child support case with a very good result. Each case is different and my case was very complicated. I live in the state of Virginia and the child support office of the state of California was starting a case against me, the amount they wanted me to pay was ridiculously high I didn't know what to do because I don't live in California and I had never met the child either. I searched online for a lawyer in California and thank God I found Mr. Jos's law office. I don't know them personally but I put my trust in them and they didn't disappoint me. We had very good communication despite the distance and they were always available to talk to me and clarify my doubts. Mr. James was the one who took my case to the end and after a long and very difficult process everything went very well in my favor much more than expected. I am very grateful to God for putting the entire team of professionals from Mr. Jos' office on my way. Words are not enough for me to describe everything they did for me and how grateful I am. I definitely recommend Mr. Jos's law firm. Thank you Mr. James for not giving up in my case and having achieved a magnificent result in my favor.
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24 Oct, 2024 by Alexandra duvall
Jos Family Law has been absolutely fantastic in helping me through my child custody case. Mr Jos communicated with me throughout the entire process. He was very empathetic and understanding with my case and my concerns. The team was always supportive and never once did I feel like they didn’t take my case seriously. I’m so grateful I chose this law firm to represent me and I would 100% recommend this team to anyone seeking assistance. In the end I received the outcome I was looking for which was Sole Physical Custody. Thank you so much Jos Family for representing me.
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04 Apr, 2016 by Kevin
Mr. Levy was recommend to me by a friend back in 2011. Since then we have been in and out of court prevailing every time. He is very knowledgeable, fair and has a good rapport with the court staff. I highly recommend Mr. Levy for your divorce and or custody battles.
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10 Nov, 2015 by Adena
I was going through an intense custody battle and Mr. Marshall resolved all our matters. He really cares about people and their issues. He was fast and sincere. He went to bat for me and my daughter in court and won. For me, he's the only attorney I trust to handle my family needs.
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25 Jun, 2015 by Sophia
Some months ago my daughter's father took me to court for a child custody contempt case. A good friend of mines recommended Mr. Levy to me and spoke highly of him. My friend said he was an excellent lawyer that had helped her with previous cases. I'm so glad I listened to my friend. After meeting Mr. Levy I left his office feeling confident about winning the case. Mr Levy is funny, intelligent, honest and dependable. His rates are also reasonable. Mr. Levy had the entire contempt case thrown out and helped me and my daughter's father modify our case with a visitation arrangement that worked for both of us. Don't go anywhere else if you need a good lawyer. Mr. Levy knows exactly what he is doing and will help you with your case. I highly recommend him.
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01 Oct, 2022 by Maggie menzel
If you need help in any kind of law, you would be crazy to go to anyone else than Kevin Qualls. He is the best. Straightforward, honest.. yes that is possible.. call Kevin. He really is the best.
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16 Sep, 2022 by Ted
The Law Office of Kevin L Qualls is outstanding. Their service, concern for their client's best interest, as well a careful management of "billable hours" sets them above all the other Lawyers in Southern CA.
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06 Sep, 2022 by Kevin burgess
27 Sep, 2024 by Anonymous
Patrick Mcall is a good person and a great attorney for many reason. If he takes your case, you you will be lucky to know that you are in the best hands. Let me tell you something about attorneys who get 5 and 1 stars. It’s a good sign. If often means they did well for their client and crushed their opponent, hence the 5 and 1 star reviews. Yes, the opposing party gets to leave a review as well…. I can’t say enough about Mr. Mcall. Just ask his peers.
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24 Oct, 2023 by Pam
Having utilized 3 lawyers during my 7 year divorce, I can assure you Patrick McCall is the BEST! Took charge of the ridiculousness brought on by the other party and confidently implored the judge to see the reality. His expertise and confidence allowed me to finally be heard. And he made everything way more stress free than the others had. Never found his billing to be an issue. Worth every cent and more!
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20 Aug, 2023 by Anonymous
This lawyer is here to just rip you off. He drags out your case for years and years just to collect money from you and never gets the job done. Don’t waste your money with this lawyer he’s not a good representative and is just here to rip you off. Terrible lawyer, very disappointed in his work.
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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.
