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07 Feb, 2023 by Anonymous
I recently reached out to Attorney Samuel for an initial consultation, and unfortunately one minute into the conversation she realized that I do not live in one of the counties that she services. Despite this fact, she proceeded to discuss my case with me and provided me valuable insight. Her breadth of knowledge, compassion, professionalism, and sense of reason so impressed me that despite the fact that I am unable to engage her to represent me, I felt compelled to write a review. For anyone in need of her services and is fortunate enough to reside in the appropriate county, I would not hesitate to utilize her services.
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29 Aug, 2021 by Anonymous
Jaye represented me through a particularly complex and lengthy divorce where child custody was a factor. She was a consistent, empathetic, and solid support, and she always took the time to help me understand and navigate an unfamiliar process. I would highly recommend working with Jaye.
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04 Nov, 2020 by Soniya
So this happened when my father was looking for a lawyer since the lawyer i had didnt have great communication skills. My father wanted to get a second opinion from another reputed lawyer. My father and i spoke to Jaye. She was kind enough to provide over 3 hours of free guidance. She didnt demand to get any payment (very unusal of a lawyer to give free advice). She knew she couldnt represent me as she didnt work with Essex county. She was always available to give me free advice and guide me in the right direction when i needed her support. Lawyers like her will keep your legal fees low and help you get out of the divorce as quickly and as elegantly as possible. She understood where i was coming from and more than that she understood what a father goes through during this tough time.
It is unfortunate she didnt work with my county. She is very competent, great work ethics and treats her clients like humans. Again if she can represent you in your county, please do not hesitate to reach out to her. She is the best out there.
All the best Jaye S. and thanks again for all the hard work you put into guiding me and making my life easy.
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10 Nov, 2023 by Keith d
Leah Amrhein of Bellotti Law Group stands out as a remarkably dedicated and driven attorney. She provided excellent representation and was very responsive during a long and stressful personal injury case. Her passion and determination really shined through during such a strenuous time in my life. Despite the intricacies of my case, Leah remained available, patiently addressing every question and concern I had. As a client, I couldn't have asked for a more dedicated and loyal advocate. I wholeheartedly endorse Attorney Leah Amrhein to anyone seeking legal representation.
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24 Mar, 2023 by Jcoakley
Attorney Phelan was great I would highly recommend him.
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02 Apr, 2022 by Christine percy
14 Dec, 2024 by Satiel lopez
Attorney Fiorentino was incredibly thorough and proactive in navigating my complex legal issue, always keeping me informed and providing clear explanations, which greatly eased my anxieties throughout the process. Thanks to their dedication, I achieved a successful resolution.
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10 Dec, 2024 by Tony vieira
04 Dec, 2024 by Bobby dangeti
I recently had the privilege of being represented by Attorney Christopher Fiorentino of Fiorentino Legal, P.C., and I am thoroughly impressed with his professionalism and dedication. From our initial consultation, Attorney Fiorentino took the time to understand my situation in depth, providing clear and concise guidance throughout the legal process.
His extensive knowledge and strategic approach were evident as he navigated the complexities of my case, ensuring that I was well-informed at every stage. Attorney Fiorentino was always accessible, promptly addressing any questions or concerns I had, which greatly alleviated my stress during this challenging time.
Thanks to his relentless advocacy and expertise, we achieved a favorable outcome. I am incredibly grateful for his support and would highly recommend Attorney Christopher Fiorentino to anyone seeking exceptional legal representation. His commitment to his clients and profound understanding of the law make him an outstanding attorney.
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01 Jan, 2025 by Antonio hernandez
Jay Davis and his office are absolutely great to work with! Was very accommodating to my needs and communicated through entire process. Even after finalizing my divorce Jay has offered his time to help with legal questions that i have had without even billing me. He is a very hard working lawyer and compassionate person that you will not regret choosing.
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17 Dec, 2024 by Theofilos kyriakidis
I called the office for a quick question and Jay responded immediately. He provided the advice I needed. He was clear and direct while being easy to speak with.
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11 Aug, 2024 by Barbara cohen
I highly recommend Davis Law Group, without reservation. Jay returned my call promptly and provide much assistance and insight into my case. I can't thank him enough for his kindness, professionality and guidance.
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23 Mar, 2024 by Anonymous
This attorney is hotheaded, which is not what is needed in an already heated legal scenario . He’s also arrogant and condescending which is also not helpful when trying to navigate a difficult legal scenario - I know because the judge in my case clearly had a disdain for him because of it and ruled against my order . I also heard from a colleague that he badmouths his clients afterwards - in a way that makes him vulnerable to a slander lawsuit in fact - I experienced this personally, very grateful to my new attorney sharing with me what Emmanuel had said to him. Honestly, I’m very happy to see his political attempts fail time and time again as he’s definitely not what the Southshore needs. Should his repeated attempts ever be successful I will feel the need to step forward. . He goes on luxury vacations with his family while using his mom’s difficult experience and his upbringing as a political ploy in the hopes for sympathy or pathetic attempts to relate to other hard-working citizens and Hanover. He’s dishonest at worst and disingenuous at best.
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28 Jun, 2016 by Barbara bodell
When you hire Emmanuel Dockter, you hire a true advocate for yourself. He is a seasoned professional that knows the law and how best to present your case to the judge for a favorable outcome.
When researching attorneys for my transition from child support to alimony - I knew that I needed someone with courtroom experience, intelligent arguments, and excellent negotiation skills. A friend of mine had used him for a messy divorce case where child sharing was an issue and was very pleased. I wanted someone to fight my case.
I got so much more than that, Emmanuel was sensitive and aware of final costs, clear and effective communicator, clearly passionate, he actually listened to me and I felt like he cared. That fact alone surprised me and was a very different than my prior attorney experiences.
Alimony laws had been changing – I had no idea what to expect. I was nervous going in, but after meeting with Emmanuel, I felt that he would be the one to help me - - and he did! The outcome of my case was better than I had anticipated.
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12 Apr, 2015 by Anonymous
I am a past client. I wanted to give some time between my dealings with this attorney and posting my review so I could perhaps post most objectively. This is the first time I have completed an online review for this sort of professional services. However, I feel so adamantly about the lack of professionalism and expertise of this attorney, I have been prompted to rate him wherever possible to save other potential clients during what is likely this most vulnerable time of life. As suggested in the title, I had a very similar experience to the previous poster. However, I will add that this attorney was further unprofessional and unethical by talking about clients to unrelated others - both to me about other clients and about me to other unrelated people who then passed on to me what they referred to as "inappropriate and unprofessional comments" by him - inflating his billing, submitting unclear, incorrect Motions, and arrogant overconfidence in the Courtroom which ultimately hurts his client and doesn't bode well for trying to settle with the opposing attorney. I was originally interested in his practice because of his partner who is older and seemed to have lots of experience, but he answered the phone and I ended up stuck with him. Anyway, I later observed that she seems to not do much beyond being a figurehead anyway. I would adamantly discourage anyone from hiring this attorney. There are plenty of other options out there - many good ones, but this is not one of them.
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27 Oct, 2023 by Paul
Bob is probably the worst attorney you could ever hire for nine years he strung me along. I am over my head and look at an auction date in a couple days. This guy is a loser the worst person you could possibly hire. Please move forward with someone else. Listen to my advice I got screwed over by him Wake up and do not use him as a attorney he absolutely has no credentials to be an attorney. He should be disbarred.
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17 May, 2022 by Trish
Hello all, I’m not sure why this attorney got 5 stars. I have to say when it’s come to money his happy to talk, Once you pay him that’s it, Cabana is a terrible attorney to work with. His unprofessional, doesn’t get any paperwork done till a day before the due date, to the court. He does everything at the last minute, Very disorganized all your Important documents will be on the floor, he doesn’t have a safe place to put documents. Dirty office as call “attorney office “ Lol. He yells at you when you try to say something that he didn’t do. What funny about him the day of the court he doesn’t have a ride. I have to take him with me, you think while riding he will tell you what to expect from the judge nope. He slept till you arrived. This is the worst attorney. He owes me I give up on him terrible, terrible, terrible, do not hire him. If you do hire this man tell me what you think. By the way this was a Divorce case.
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08 Apr, 2021 by Shannon o'neil
Attorney Durden is knowledgeable, welcoming, and confident. He is a good communicator and makes good community relationships. He is definitely someone you want to help you.
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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.
