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4.8
19 Reviews
4.9
335 Reviews
27 Jan, 2025 by Lizbeth conway
Tom was our lawyer when we bought our house, and he was awesome! He was extremely knowledgeable and knew exactly what to look for throughout the process. Tom was extremely easy to reach; he always either answered his phone or called us back very quickly. We definitely recommend Tom, and we will use him in the future.
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31 Dec, 2024 by Ryan gasparini
John Ventosa has helped me several times in my life with representation. He is an extremely powerful and experienced attorney who is very effective at litigation. He is someone you can trust and count on. If you are experiencing a legal issue and need criminal defense or any other type of legal help, please call him.
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12 Dec, 2024 by Emily maier
He was wonderful patient and very knowledgeable!! Thank you
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21 Nov, 2017 by Anonymous
kelly took my post divorce case and was excellent she was knowledgeable, and caring. Kelly is lawyer you would definitely want to hire, I am very grateful for her help in this legal matter.
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02 Jan, 2016 by Anonymous
Kelly went above and beyond to get the best outcome for my case. I switched to Kelly after working with an incompetent attorney who attempted to coerce me into settling. I had sole custody of my son (who has Asperger's) for 6 1/2 years. After I recently remarried, my son's father brought me back to court for joint custody and increased visitation. Kelly fought hard, and the end result is that I maintain sole custody of my son and my son's father was mandated to an alcohol and drug treatment program (which he failed to complete) with his visitation REDUCED to four hours per week in a public venue. It is extremely stressful when you are advocating for your child. Kelly is highly responsive, honest and hard working. She knows the law, the court system and the players. She gets the job done with excellence. I will always be grateful. I highly recommend her.
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14 Nov, 2023 by Jim ferreira
I had the pleasure of meeting Joe quite a few years back. He and his staff are top notch, knowledgeable, super diligent, helpful, courteous and certainly get the job done. I highly recommend!!!!!
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21 Oct, 2023 by Dan vandekar
Joe was great from day 1. More than happy with the way he handled everything !
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25 Sep, 2023 by Tk magic shop
The professionalism that came from this office is outstanding. Not only did Mr. Petito treat me and my family with such respect, but he had compassion for my case. The case was dismissed, and things have gotten much better since hiring Mr. Petito. I will 10000000% hire again if need be in the future.
Thank you Joe and Staff.
Anthony G
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12 Jan, 2025 by Sarah s
Mr. Bruno / Bruno law firm was very professional and provided clear communication to help my case. I had a positive outcome and experience working with them, and I am so appreciative of their help!
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11 Jan, 2025 by Jalen gu
Amazing. It was quite a smooth process, the team was very helpful and able to inform me of the best options. I did not have to appear and all of the work was handled efficiently without any need to intervene. Great service and caring team, would recommend.
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30 Dec, 2024 by Dana michelle allen
Thank you Glenn!
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09 May, 2019 by Kelly
I hate writing reviews; I mean, I REALLY HATE writing them. When you find a professional that stands out from the crowd, however, it's only appropriate to give praise as deserved.
Steve has been extremely patient throughout my legal journey and continues to provide sound advise and creative solutions for a difficult situation. What's most impressive, however, is his ability to think quickly on his feet, using his wit, skills (the man is absurdly smart and could write a book based on his in-depth knowledge and experience), and appropriately-timed sarcasm to deliver the message in a compelling and easily-understandable way.
If you're looking for someone who will sugar-coat things, Steve isn't your guy, though. We've had a lot of tough conversations and haven't always seen the case the same way. He's objective, taking the emotions out of the legal issues, yet still somehow seems to be more empathetic than most. Why do I mention this? If you want good representation, you can't work with someone who always tells you what you want to hear. Instead, you need someone in your camp who will help you through the emotions of the situation but more than that, keep you in the game; Steve is that person.
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23 Mar, 2019 by Amanda b.
Steven Klein came highly recommended to me by numerous people when I found myself in a child custody matter with my ex husband. I contacted him right away as my court appearance was in the very near future and he was accomodating and eager to take on my case. Obviously anything involving court and family matters is a very stressful and emotional time. But using Steve and knowing that I was going to be represented by such a confidant and determined attorney eased my stress and worry. He and his firm responded to every email/call or text promptly. I was very happy with the results and I am now using him again for a separate matter. I would highly recommend him to anyone. When you find yourself in any legal situation and you want the best representation, he’s the guy for the job.
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15 Jan, 2019 by Erica
Steven Klein is an excellent attorney. I came to him for a consultation regarding a divorce. He came highly recommended and I soon saw why. Mr Klein was extremely professional and knowledgeable all while making you feel like family. Any questions or concerns that I had he answered with ease. During my divorce he was extremely thorough and informed me of everything each step of the way. He had a great rapport with all of his staff as well as the staff st the court. I would highly recommend him for anyone in search of an honest, reliable, and trustworthy attorney.
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16 Jan, 2025 by Sharon williams
Dear Gregory,
I received your letter, in addition to the document from the judge pertaining to my Chapter 13 case. I am thankful and grateful to you for accepting my case and ensuring that I felt comfortable during this "extremely" difficult time in my life. After losing my mom and sister on Christmas Day and the following New Years Eve years ago, my overall debts were overwhelming. Your patience, listening without making me feel as though I was a burden, caring, professionalism, sensitivity and counseling was
far beyond my expectations, especially since I had never been through a bankruptcy.
I can't say thank you enough for your encouragement, positive words, updated information to assist me, and determination to see me through this journey. You are amazing!
I "highly" recommend you and Priscilla to anyone who need your
professional services. God bless you and best wishes in the future!
Sincerely,
Sharon L. Williams
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27 Oct, 2024 by Anonymous
I was appointed this attorney for a restraining order against my ex. No communication from her, dropped the ball over and over, adjourned my court date and told me 30 minutes before I was scheduled to be in court. Now, as a result of her not letting me know when to appear in court, I missed my appearance, the order was dropped and she hasn’t returned any messages or calls about refilling.
Represent yourself. This attorney should consider another line of work or pairing down her caseload. Shes putting people in harms way with her negligence.
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14 Oct, 2024 by Kathleen capporrimo
I would highly recommend them
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20 Mar, 2024 by Jon
I was not expecting much from an initial consultation but Heather was more than exceptional. Her attentiveness and advice on my situation was greatly appreciated given it was the first time we spoke. It would be all to easy to sign me up as a client and take my money but she didn't. That speaks to her charecter greatly. Heather, if I need your help I will be back! Thank you.
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06 Mar, 2024 by Michelle plain
My Aunt referred Heather to me as she was represented by her in the past and after talking to Heather I felt confident and comfortable in retaining her representation in my divorce. She and her staff answered all my questions, were available and were always professional.
Thank you to Heather and her team for providing me with great representation!
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04 Mar, 2024 by Sabast reynoso (gatillo42_capotillo)
03 Mar, 2019 by Elizabeth
We've used Heather Kitchen for years. She did my son's divorce, my guardianship in family court and recently did our wills. She is knowledgeable about all aspects our cases, so helpful and compassionate. She held our hand through every step of the process and made us feel extremely comfortable. We were extremely happy with the results in all our cases. I constantly recommend her and will continue to do so!!!! If you hire her you will be extremely happy you did so!
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23 Feb, 2019 by Juliet
I Highly recommend Heather Kitchen. Thankfully I was refer to Heather Kitchen by a family member after I was taking advantage of and screw over by Steven Klein & Associates. The staff at Heather Kitchen law firm was able to correct and coordinate all the damage that was initially done by Steven Klein. I was able to work with Heather Kitchen and her team to put together an actual plan on how to positively pursue the completion of my pending divorce. I was met with empathy and kindness. Heather Kitchen and her staff were professional, hands-on, reactive, supportive, direct and clear. When my case needed added attention and clarity, there were no delay, when I was in need of a stern voice of advocacy they were there for me. I never felt like I was being taken advantage of or as if billing was the priority. Heather Kitchen immediately response to my email and is attentive to my concerns. More importantly she kept me focused and my eyes towards the end goal. In the end I realize this is the most important trait in a divorce attorney. The paralegal Debbie Stinson always got my messages to her and got back to me in a timely manner, produced concise documents and made sure I was given copies and was in general extremely competent before and leading up to the trial. In the end Heather Kitchen secured a settlement that I was extremely pleased with. I highly recommend the law office of Heather Kitchen for all of your matrimonial and family law needs. You won’t be disappointed.
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19 Feb, 2019 by Anonymous
Heather was great with my case. She was detail oriented, professional and courteous. She got the right results.
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What a Child Custody Lawyer Can Do for You
A child custody lawyer specializes in helping parents navigate legal matters related to the custody and care of their children, particularly in the context of divorce, separation, or other family disputes. These lawyers assist with determining custody arrangements, drafting parenting plans, and advocating for your rights in court. They also help resolve disputes over physical custody (where the child lives), legal custody (who makes decisions for the child), visitation rights, and modifications to existing custody orders.
Whether you're going through a divorce or need to change an existing custody arrangement, a child custody lawyer can help you understand your rights and protect your child's best interests throughout the legal process.
When Should I Hire a Child Custody Lawyer?
You should consider hiring a child custody lawyer in several situations, especially when disputes arise or complex legal issues affect your parental rights. Some common reasons to hire a child custody lawyer include:
- Divorce or separation: If you're going through a divorce or separation and need to establish custody and visitation arrangements, a lawyer can help ensure the custody order reflects your child's best interests.
- Disputed custody cases: If you and the other parent cannot agree on custody or visitation terms, a lawyer can advocate for your rights in court and help you develop a strong case.
- Modification of custody orders: If you need to change an existing custody arrangement due to changes in circumstances (e.g., relocation, changes in the child’s needs), a lawyer can help file a modification request.
- Parental alienation: If the other parent is interfering with your relationship with your child, a lawyer can help address these issues through legal action.
- Domestic violence or abuse: If there is a history of domestic violence or abuse, a lawyer can help protect you and your child by requesting restraining orders and advocating for appropriate custody arrangements.
- Grandparent or third-party custody: If you are a grandparent or another relative seeking custody or visitation rights, a lawyer can guide you through the legal process.
- Paternity disputes: In cases where paternity is in question, a lawyer can assist with establishing or challenging paternity, which may affect custody and visitation rights.
Hiring a lawyer early in the process can help protect your parental rights and ensure that the custody arrangement is in your child's best interests.
What Does a Child Custody Lawyer Do?
A child custody lawyer provides a variety of legal services to help parents resolve custody disputes and secure favorable custody arrangements for their children. Their responsibilities often include:
- Filing custody petitions: Helping you file the necessary paperwork to request custody or visitation rights and ensuring all legal procedures are followed.
- Negotiating custody agreements: Assisting in negotiating custody and visitation arrangements, often working toward a mutually beneficial parenting plan without going to court.
- Representing you in court: If you and the other parent cannot agree on custody terms, representing you in court by presenting evidence and making legal arguments to support your case.
- Drafting parenting plans: Helping you draft a comprehensive parenting plan that outlines the schedule for physical custody, decision-making responsibilities, and visitation.
- Handling child support issues: Assisting with related issues such as child support, ensuring that financial obligations are properly calculated and enforced.
- Modifying custody orders: Helping you request a modification from the court if you need to change an existing custody arrangement due to significant life changes.
- Mediating custody disputes: Acting as a mediator to help both parents reach an agreement on custody and visitation without the need for litigation.
How Are Child Custody Lawyers Paid?
Child custody lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the case, the time involved, and the nature of the legal work. Common payment methods include:
- Hourly rate: Most child custody lawyers charge by the hour, with rates ranging from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer's experience and location. The total cost depends on the time spent preparing documents, negotiating, and representing you in court.
- Flat fee: For simple custody matters or uncontested custody agreements, some lawyers may offer a flat fee for specific services, such as drafting a parenting plan or filing a custody petition.
- Retainer: Many lawyers require an upfront retainer fee, which is billed against as the lawyer works on your case. The amount varies based on the expected complexity and duration of the case.
- Sliding scale or pro bono services: Some lawyers may offer reduced fees or pro bono (free) services for clients with limited financial means, particularly in cases involving domestic violence or other serious issues.
It’s important to discuss fees and payment arrangements with your lawyer during the initial consultation to understand how much you will be charged and what services are included.
How Much Does a Child Custody Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a child custody lawyer depends on various factors, including the complexity of the case, whether it’s contested or uncontested, and the lawyer’s experience. General cost estimates include:
- Uncontested custody cases: Legal fees may range from $1,500 to $5,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the paperwork and any negotiations.
- Contested custody cases: Legal fees can range from $5,000 to $40,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the issues, the need for expert testimony, and the time spent in litigation.
- Hourly rates: Lawyers typically charge between $150 and $500 per hour, with higher rates for more experienced attorneys or complex custody disputes.
- Mediation services: If both parents agree to work through mediation, costs typically range from $1,000 to $5,000 or more for the mediation process.
Always ask for a clear cost estimate during your consultation to ensure that you understand the total legal fees and payment structure.
Top Questions to Ask a Child Custody Lawyer
Before hiring a child custody lawyer, it’s essential to ask the right questions to ensure they are the best fit for your case. Some key questions to ask include:
-
What experience do you have with child custody cases?
Ensure the lawyer has experience handling cases similar to yours, especially if your case involves complex issues like domestic violence, relocation, or paternity disputes. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, offers flat fees for certain services, or requires a retainer, and ask for an estimate of the total cost. -
What is the likelihood of success in my case?
Ask for an honest assessment of your case, including potential challenges and expected outcomes. -
How long will the process take?
Inquire about the expected timeline from filing the petition to reaching an agreement or going to trial. -
Will you personally handle my case?
Ensure you know who will be managing your case and representing you in court. -
Can we pursue mediation or alternative dispute resolution?
Ask whether the lawyer recommends mediation or other forms of dispute resolution to avoid a lengthy court battle.
How to Check the Credibility of a Child Custody Lawyer
To ensure you are hiring a reputable child custody lawyer, follow these steps to verify their credentials and experience:
- Verify their bar status: Check with your state bar association to confirm that the lawyer is licensed to practice and has no history of disciplinary actions.
- Look for family law experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in family law and child custody cases.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for client reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to gauge the lawyer’s professionalism and success in child custody matters.
- Ask for references: A credible lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have worked with them on custody cases.
- Check for certifications: Look for lawyers who are board-certified in family law or have memberships in organizations like the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) or local family law sections.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To get the most out of your first consultation with a child custody lawyer, come prepared with relevant documents and information:
- Court orders or existing custody agreements: Bring copies of any existing custody or visitation orders for the lawyer to review.
- Communication with the other parent: Provide copies of emails, texts, or letters regarding custody, visitation, or disputes.
- List of your child’s needs: Prepare a list of your child’s specific needs, such as medical care, education, and extracurricular activities.
- Timeline of the case: Outline key events related to your custody case, including changes in living situations or parental involvement.
- Questions for the lawyer: Write down any questions about the custody process, legal fees, and the lawyer’s strategy for your case.
By being well-prepared, you can help the lawyer assess your situation effectively and receive the best possible advice for protecting your rights and your child’s well-being.
