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Robert A Manson, experienced Child Custody, Child Support attorney in White Bear Lake, MN with 21 reviews
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39,65
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5.0/5
Avvo
5.0
21 Reviews
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10 Sep, 2024 by L.
We had retained and fired two attorneys before we found Bob. We hired Bob to represent my friend, a domestic abuse survivor, in the custody dispute against her abusive ex . By the time we hired Bob, we were “behind the 8 ball,“ as Bob put it. The court had just issued a temporary order allowing joint legal and physical custody, granting the abusive party control over his victim. It took numerous proceedings, documentation, witnesses, and eventually a trial to reveal the truth to the Court and attain justice. We are grateful to Bob for his willingness to take on our very complicated, difficult case, and his superb legal and strategic skills. It’s difficult to discuss domestic abuse at all, let alone to numerous professionals (judges, evaluators, etc.) in the court system. Bob was able to guide my friend through a harrowing journey with a steady hand, clear vision, and a compassionate heart.
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05 Feb, 2024 by James
I worked with Robert as my attorney for the last 2 years for my custody case. As a unmarried father in Minnesota, the odds are definitely against you. Robert was there for me through and through, and he wouldn't quit fighting for me to have equal parenting time with my son. We just recieved the good news, after going to trial, that we won! I was awarded joint physical/legal custody with my son! I couldn't have done it without him! He's made a bigger impact in my life than he knows! I can't wait to spend quality time with my boy. A special shout out to his assistant Amber as well. If I ever had a question about the small details, she was always there to answer it for me. Thanks again guys!! If you want an attorney that will fight for what you deserve, I'd definitely recommend Robert Manson Law.
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05 Jan, 2024 by Beth
Robert Manson was referred to me by a very good friend of mine. She was extremely satisfied with his work with her brother’s divorce proceedings. Based on that referral, I had the utmost pleasure in meeting with Robert Manson to discuss my divorce issues. Immediately it was evident that he was focused on what was fair and reasonable for me and my son in the divorce. He was able to provide a safe space for me to discuss my issues, what my goals were and allow me to ask for the things that were needed in making sure I was able to get through the divorce proceedings fairly with his ongoing support. His knowledge and experience of Family Law is invaluable. Especially since he has sat in front of so many Family Law Judges, he really has a wealth of experience in what to expect when there are issues that are being argued between parties in Court. He also was always available when any emergency occurred. He knew exactly what to do, took the appropriate action and was able to advise me on what my next steps were to be. He validated my concerns throughout the process. He also never compromised the safety of myself or my son in any decisions that were made throughout the proceedings. In a time that was very stressful, he made it so much more tolerable. I would recommend Robert Manson anytime for any Family Law issues that one may have. You will be extremely satisfied during a tough season of high stress.
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Julianne Marie Markiewicz, experienced Business, Child Custody attorney in White Bear Lake, MN with 16 reviews
Below Average
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28,81
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4.2/5
Avvo
4.2
16 Reviews
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22 Feb, 2021 by Anonymous
This attorney omitted labor market data that documents a racial gap in unemployment for monitories and furthermore, this attorney adds to racial injustice in our court system. I am encouraging all minorities to boycott this attorney.
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16 Dec, 2019 by Mary
My ex-husband wanted to take me to court to change a few items in our divorce decree that I did not agree with. We were trying to reach a compromise over email but that did not appear to be working. I called J. Markiewicz Law Office to set up a consult. The day before my consult with her, J. Markiewicz called me on the phone and asked me to email documents to her so she could become better familiar with my case. I emailed them to her. At the consult, we discussed sending a letter to my ex’s lawyer with a potential compromise. I hired her and placed a $2000 retainer. She wrote a letter to my ex’s lawyer, but I didn’t want to send it because my ex and I were still emailing about a compromise which we did within a week. During that week, J. Markiewicz emailed and texted me to approve the letter which I said I wasn’t ready to do just yet. After receiving a text that she was uncomfortable with my waiting, and exasperated that I had to defend working on a compromise, I told J. Markiewicz that I no longer needed her services and asked for my un-used retainer back. Despite the fact that we met for a “free” consultation, and the only thing I authorized was the creation of a letter, J. Markiewicz only returned a little over half of my retainer. She unethically charged me $455 – over an hour of her time – for reading the documents that she asked me to send to her before I had even met and hired her, and a $117.50 charge just to “Open a new file.” I asked J. Markiewicz to refund the charges since she was the one to ask for the emailed documents before I had met her or hired her, and, because she gave no upfront information about the “Open New File” costs. She initially said she would be open to discussing this concern, but then ignored my email communications until I filed this review. She has since emailed and stated that she’d refund only $345 and that she’d consider the case closed. She mailed a check for this amount which is less than her unethical charges.
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14 Jul, 2017 by Ron
My fiance' and I recently engaged Ms. Markiewicz to help prepare a prenup agreement and had an absolutely horrific experience. It appeared that Ms. Markiewicz approached our prenup as a hostile divorce (rather than a loving marriage) pitting my future bride and I against each other, employing emotionally charged adversarial negotiation tactics and dragging out an expensive lawyer intensive process to...literally...the day before our wedding. She dismissed the process I had proposed where my fiance' and I would work together (doing much of the work ourselves) to craft a fair and equitable agreement through an amicable collaborative process with guidance and feedback from our respective counsel. She also ignored my request to provide an overview of the process, key milestones and timeline that she would suggest as an alternative. Instead, she just moved forward in a manner that lead to a drawn out, time consuming, resource intensive (read "lots of billable hours") process that dramatically increased our legal fees; created intense stress, conflict and emotional trauma; and dragged the "negotiation" process out to...literally...the day before our wedding. And to top things off, she billed us double the hours that our other lawyer did...even though he crafted and authored the multiple drafts of the proposed prenup and the key legal documents. This nightmare of a process resulted in prenup that neither one of us felt good about, legal fees that were 3-4 times what we had expected, a prenup that got signed the AFTERNOON before our wedding and an excruciatingly stressful...downright traumatic...process that led to my fiance' and I "breaking up" twice in the two weeks prior to our wedding (including 4 days before). P.S. This review features no embellishment or exaggeration (and I have the email audit trail to back up every word). I had never met...or even heard of...Ms. Markiewicz prior to this prenup process, do not work in the legal profession nor have any other potential conflicts of interests. I invested the time to write this review solely in the interest of helping others avoid repeating what was one of the most traumatic professional experiences of my life. One that came very close to aborting my wedding and costing me the woman that I love, adore and cherish with all my heart.
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Cassandra Lee Suchomel, experienced Child Custody, Child Support attorney in White Bear Lake, MN with 0 reviews
Below Average
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4,00
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Christopher Lee Vatsaas, experienced Child Custody, Child Support attorney in White Bear Lake, MN with  reviews
Below Average
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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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. What is the likelihood of success in my case?
    Ask for an honest assessment of your case, including potential challenges and expected outcomes.
  4. How long will the process take?
    Inquire about the expected timeline from filing the petition to reaching an agreement or going to trial.
  5. Will you personally handle my case?
    Ensure you know who will be managing your case and representing you in court.
  6. 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.

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