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4.9
1218 Reviews
03 Jan, 2025 by M george
This is my 3rd time working with Beth as a client, after working with her several times as a Real Estate Broker. No matter what the relationship, Beth and her team are always the perfect combination of professional, personable, knowledgeable and efficient. For this reason, I will continue to work with her and refer her to my clients.
Thanks Beth!
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31 Dec, 2024 by Adriana gavina
Beth was referred to me as my closing attorney in the sale of my house. Both her and her team were extremely helpful always answering all my questions in a timely manner no matter the time or the day of the week. They made the closing of my house easy and stress free.
Highly recommend!
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20 Dec, 2024 by James cole
03 Jan, 2025 by Demario harris
Phil by far is a man of his word as it pertains to his profession! I had an incident in Downtown Chicago with the law; where I was facing a class III Felony. The moment Phil got the call from my family, he tackled the job right away! From our initial interview to the very last court date, He never stopped working on my case. He & I both knew I innocent in the matter and he didn’t stop working until he provided the facts and evidence to show the Judge alongside the District Attorney that I was not a criminal who should be trialed. Elated to say: I am now a free man. I highly recommend reaching out if in trouble!
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19 Dec, 2024 by F.l oguntade
I have the pleasure of working with Josh Rudolfi and Cassandra over the past 5 years, and I can confidently attest to their exceptional skills, professionalism, and dedication to their clients.
I first engaged with Josh in 2019 when he took over my case and he’s shown an impressive level of expertise and a deep understanding of my case.
They’ve shown an unwavering commitment to me by helping me achieve the best possible outcome to my case.
It’s been a very tedious journey but in the end I’m happy with the outcome and without any hesitation, I would definitely be recommending their services.
Thank you so much for putting my interests first.
F.L.O
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16 Dec, 2024 by Shinori ishamura
Very patient and helpful would recommend to anyone
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01 Mar, 2020 by Eric
My divorce became an expected reality. Marilyn helped me navigate through the entire process. She negotiated a settlement that was better than my expectations which protected my future and that of my children. Whenever I talked to her my stress was always relieved. :)
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09 Apr, 2018 by Anonymous
Thank you for taking my case seriously and getting 95% if the results I wanted. I always got my call returned quickly, which was a problem that I had in the past with other attorneys...thanks staff! Always felt important and comfortable. Always enjoyed going to meet in the office...thought it was very nice.
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18 Feb, 2018 by Anonymous
I wish to take a moment and thank you for representing me so finely in court. I truly appreciate your steadfast determination to see justice accomplished. I thought your cross examination was excellent. I am proud to have you as my attorney and have expressed this to my family/friends. I am ever hopeful that our endeavors will come to a fruitful close soon. Please relay my appreciation to the office staff as well!
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05 Apr, 2024 by Felicia
I hired him for my divorce. He did virtually nothing to represent me and charged me almost $9K. I negotiated my own deal with my husband, otherwise I could have expected the bare minimum. He would have charged me 15k to do full discovery. My ex is a very high earner and yet I ended up paying my legal fees. Well, of course Roland knows my ex's attorney very well for many many years. What's worse is that Roland treated me in an absolutely degrading, condescending manner. He came as a recommendation and I so regret taking this person's recommendation. I have never in my life been treated so poorly by someone I hired for any type of service. HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE!!!!
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16 Dec, 2021 by Ronald s
Roland was the attorney for my 2.5 year review of my divorce decree.
My first attorney knew divorce law well, however was not very good with unusual circumstances and understanding financials.
Roland was an excellent listener and took the time to understand and empathize with what was important to me in outcomes. He not only understood the law, but could see the areas where we could negotiate with my ex and her lawyer. He confidently told me what we had control over and what we could influence. He was very good at educating me on the law and preparing me to have realistic expectations for outcomes. In the end, Roland negotiated a deal for me through a very difficult ex and created a financial solution that everyone was willing to accept. The solution was better than what I had expected and still met the needs of my ex.
I couldn't recommend Roland any more highly.
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02 May, 2019 by Anonymous
I came to Roland in high stress Order of Protection situation. I already had the OOP in place but the other party was attempting to have it modified. Roland explained everything from the beginning and never made any promises he couldn’t keep. The counsel I received with Roland was so worth the money and I would hire him over and over again if I needed to. He knows the laws and knows how to explain those laws to help everything make sense. His counsel was so outstanding the other party ended up backing down before the judge. I am so grateful I found Roland and would definitely recommend him to anyone needing an attorney.
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09 Jan, 2025 by Andre hughes
It was a pleasure speaking with you all and you help me with everything that I needed so I would recommend anyone to contact you all if they need a lawyer.
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31 Dec, 2024 by Lauren towasnicki
Lynn was absolutely amazing. She walked us through the process of everything and I felt so at ease with her help! Highly recommend!!!
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31 Dec, 2024 by Shannon ortiz
This law firm is the best. The way they take care of you and fight for you is amazing. From the lawyers to the para legals and every one in between. They truly care for you and do right by you.
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25 Nov, 2024 by Brian cronin
Outstanding lawyers, strongly recommend.
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22 Oct, 2024 by Phil younan
Annie and Sami are the best duo I've had the pleasure of working with. They make real estate transactions as easy and seamless as possible. Every client I've referred to them has consistently expressed exceptional satisfaction with their work and the quality of their customer service and communication throughout the process. I highly recommend collaborating with them, especially if you need legal representation.
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28 Aug, 2024 by Joan tucker
I have to share how wonderful this firm is
Annie Allan and Lawyer Sami .
They have made buying a home easy with their experience. I’m a new Widow and needed help with all that goes into legal matters .
They completely took care of everything.
I’m in my home and super Happy 😃
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20 Feb, 2024 by R. k.
Mr. Palmisano retired due to health reasons. The other attorneys left and set up shop in Orland Park. The Suite 63 is now owned and occupied by FWM Beauty. It has been so for at least 6 months. It is easy to verify this just type FWM Beauty and see the address is the same as the Palmisano Law Group old address.
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10 Jan, 2022 by Anonymous
He told me he could do it but he didn’t. Meanwhile I’m a lot poorer. He pushed it off on his staff
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22 Nov, 2021 by Patrick naughton
Don't Hire Them! I hired Jennifer Clancy for a child support case. They told me what I wanted to hear and got my retainer. After my initial consultation that I assumed was free, they charged over $600 from my retainer. After I questioned that they knocked it down in half but it should still have been no charge IMO. Had to stay on her to keep the case moving. Fast forward to the hearing date Jennifer had NO argument for the judge to consider modifying my child support. No cited case law, no plan, and no reason to tell the judge why it should be changed. Even the judge was waiting for her legal argument but she did not prepare anything. Just kept repeating, "my client shouldn't have to pay!" BUT wait there's more!! 9 DAYS after I lost the case I got served with a notice they were suing me for an additional $1,800 I owed them. (Gave them $3,500 to start) This was the balance of the bill I owed them after court. I never got any bill!!! No call to me, no email, and no letter stating I had a balance to settle. Just a court date subpoena. It was the most unprofessional way to do business. They had all my contact information and could have called. Unfortunately I just paid the bill to be done with her and not go to court. Read all the other reviews too and then find a real lawyer.
March 2022 update: In response to Jennifer's reply below, I call BS. They claim in their reply "Mr. Naughton agreed to an unusual provision in his Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage..." as a reason the case wasn't won. It is true I agreed to an unusual provision BUT this was the SOLE REASON I wanted to modify my child support. Jennifer and Jim assured me this was a winnable case and "no problem" to get my child support modified. That statement was the reason I hired them!! SMH. I do agree any case can be lost no matter how strong it seems. Notice they didn't address the portion of my review where 9 days after the case concluded they filed a suit against me their client. I never got a final bill at all. Jennifer knew my phone number and email when corresponding about the case but decided to just take me to court to pay the balance owed.
So Jennifer (who had NO case law to bring to the judge) in the future, don't lie about your chances to win a case and STOP serving your clients with law suites when they owe you money. Send them a final bill. Please hire anyone besides Palmisano if you want a chance. I am to blame for hiring Jennifer!
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11 Oct, 2024 by Ashlee
Hi, I’m Ashlee here in Addison. After having multiple bad experiences with credit repair companies and figuring out the credit scores they told me they boosted were false and the negatives on my report weren't cleaned I tried PINNACLE CREDIT SPECIALIST. I want to publicly appreciate the effort that helped me to increase my credit scores when I was suffering from low scores of 556 and suddenly shot up to 796 within 6 days. I happened to meet this dude on Quora and contacted him by email:
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11 Oct, 2024 by Anonymous
I wouldn't recommend Mr. King to anyone. He never met with me in person but only talked to me on the phone which is weird. He filed my case in the wrong court and once sent me a wrong document to sign because as he said it many times "would lose his head had it not been attached." My case was pretty amicable from the start, and we could have settled in a reasonable time, but I have a feeling Mr. King was stringing me along to get more money out of me. He went to court multiple times and never called me to update me on what was going on. It seems like he never did anything to be proactive until I picked up the phone and talked to him. Then you would get charged for the phone call as well for reminding him to do something that he should have known he had to do.
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10 Aug, 2019 by Anonymous
I hired Matthew King for what I hoped would be a short case of father trying to re-open entire parenting agreement. 2 years later it finally settled after what turned into a contentious battle with an unrealistic opposing side. Needless to say Mr King was amazing the entire time! So grateful I found him on a whim and gave him a shot. He holds his composure constantly under pressure and in the end it always did us well. Judge and GAL seemed to respect him a lot as opposed to other attorneys I witnessed. He genuinely cared about the case and child involved. Always available. Could call or meet him anytime needed! Always remembered the facts over the years and used them very wisely. One step ahead of opposing side all the time. Smart guy, doesn’t put on ‘the show’, consults you the entire time on smart decisions so he’s not just running up a bill. I’ve referred multiple people to Matthew since and everyone has been so grateful to find him. You won’t go wrong with this attorney!
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15 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
I hired his law group explicitly for a child support case in June. They assigned Jennifer Clancy to my case. The judge ordered a DNA test and she told the whole court she had never done a DNA test before and had to ask which lab to use. Extremely unprofessional and belligerent when contacted regarding valid case questions.
I fired them in November of 2020 for unnecessarily dragging out my case. The next issue I had with this law group was with getting my unused retainer refunded back to me. They signed an inaccurate check amount in January. They intentionally sat on my check for 3 additional months and purposely dragged mailing out my check out until I contacted them in February. Pretty horrible having to ask where your money is when they didn’t have to ask me where their money was. Do yourself a favor and hire Mary Davis instead of these unprofessional expensive con artists.
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19 Apr, 2018 by Anonymous
I hired Attorney Dorsam some years ago for a new paternity/child support case. As other reviewers have noted, I chose attorney Dorsam because of her credentials as a guardian ad litem and because I wanted a smaller office vs a larger firm. When I hired attorney Dorsam I believe the office consisted of Attorney Dorsam, her legal secretary, and her paralegal. She was fine during the consultation and the initial filing seemed fair. Once she got in contact with the opposing attorney she became completely unresponsive. I would call her office and she or her paralegal would not return call the call. She would forward documents to me from opposing counsel with no guidance and in some cases unopened. While her hourly rate was reasonable she will grossly overbill as other reviewers have stated. My ex told me that the opposing counsel and Rhea Dorsam were good friends so I just assumed that was the reason but it appears that other reviewers have also had the same experience. My experience with every attorney reviewed on Avvo so far has been excellent. Unfortunately, Avvo reviews were not prevalent when I hired her. Her rate may seem attractive but I would not recommend hiring Attorney Dorsam.
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17 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
Rhea was my attorney. She was outrageously expensive. She ruined my family. She picked sides in my divorce and did all She could to distance my children from me. Rhea makes judgement calls that are not grounded in evidence. If you use Rhea Dorsam as your attorney you will end up poor and heartbroken. I really wish I could rate her the zero rating she deserves.
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15 Apr, 2015 by Anonymous
Rhea was my attorney for almost an entire year. It was the most frustrating year on my life. Rhea never informed me that I could ask for a 215 evaluation for my prescription drug addicted spouse. She did not put in an order for child support. Rhea never attempted to obtain my ex's mandatory financial disclosure statement. She had me waiving my right to financial disclosure and would not change it even though I asked her repeatedly. She had the wrong addresses and cars in the initial agreement as well. Rhea rarely would return calls and when she did, she would bill me $75 for a three minute conversation. The final straw came when she made changes to the marital settlement agreement without my consent or knowledge. I retained another attorney that finalized the divorce in only 10 weeks. I choose Rhea because she is a guardian ad litem and thought she would have our best interests at heart. I'm posting this review as a public service. I wish Ms. Dorsam the best, but I can not recommend her as a divorce attorney.
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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.
