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14 Feb, 2024 by Ravyn
BEWARE!! HARASSING, HORRIBLE AND MONEY HUNGRY ATTORNEY FOR SERVICES HE DID NOT DO!!
I continue to be harassed by the law office for a bill they did not render services for! Mr. Young was already paid and received payment from the respondent almost a year ago. For which he stats to me you n front of 2 witnesses that I did not owe him any more money. In his exact words "we are square. You owe me nothing." My witnesses wrote out affidavits and submitted them. I had to FIRE this attorney due to him making back door negotiations with Opposing Counsel withOUT my knowledge or consent. He did nothing for me! And still got paid over $16,000 and continues to bill me for services not rendered! See his yelp reviews! He's a 2.8 on Yelp!
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14 May, 2019 by Anonymous
I would give Mr. Young 0 stars if that were an option.
Mr. Young was my second attorney on my divorce case because I was seeking a strong custody lawyer and he was suggested to me as a custody attorney. I have nothing positive to say and deeply regret using him. He charged a lot of money for absolutely no benefit, I literally would have gotten the same result if I had represented myself. I say that confidently as I am now three years post divorce and have represented myself at numerous hearings over the years.
Ladies dealing with domestic abuse situations in particular do not use this attorney. My ex was abusive. I asked for some basic things in my custody agreement such as doing custody exchanges at a public place. Mr. Young scoffed and asked if that was really necessary stating I would find it to be an inconvenience down the road. Three years later, my ex is still abusive and I am so grateful I insisted on adding this language despite his "advice" not to.
I was the primary supporter financially of our family and asked Mr. Young to fight on my behalf to reduce my alimony obligation based on the fact that our marriage did not contribute to my ex's inability to support himself. He said there was nothing he could do about alimony. Three years later, I've had three different attorneys tell me I should have fought the alimony originally and that it's harder to change later. I am currently going back to court to get it reduced.
He made no effort on the custody agreement. He simply wrote into the agreement the items I provided to him. I am regularly finding errors which has caused a lot of difficulty in coordinating visitation exchanges. For the amount of money I paid him, and because he's marketed himself as a custody attorney, I would have expected the custody agreement to be air tight.
Mr. Young was my second lawyer so my paperwork had already been filed, however, his office insisted on refiling. I found numerous errors they needed to correct. I was charged a lot for them to do something i had never asked and for them to do it incorrectly.
Every step of the way, the work Mr. Young and his office provided was incorrect, unhelpful, and cost a ridiculous amount. I can not strongly enough urge people, especially women, to not use Mr. Young's services.
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07 Jun, 2018 by Therese
I have found Mr. Young to be experienced and highly skilled as well as a caring and concerned advocate. My experience with Mr. Young and his staff has been exceptional and I could not be more pleased. I would recommend Mr. Young without hesitation.
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26 Dec, 2023 by Anonymous
So lazy, all they did is lie lie lie. Called them repeatedly and they would lie about be on top of the matter!!!!! Don’t hire them !!!!!!!!!! Save your money.
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24 Aug, 2022 by Anonymous
Kerry proved to be everything you don't want your lawyer to be: Incompetent, unreachable, late to court hearings, and to top it off he has a huge ego!
He calls from unknown number, to call him you have to go thru the switch board and leave msgs. Most of the time he doesn't even call back, and other times responds via email.
His customer service skills does not jive with the rate he charges you. As he is amongst some of the more expensive attorneys. He collects all the money upfront, that should've been a red flag!
Do yourself a service if you want legal representation stay away from this guy, you be better off with public defender than him
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23 Aug, 2022 by Steve
Lazy, Late, and incompetent. late for court twice. Had me plead guilty to a charge i wasn't guilty of. [Out of state residents are not required to register their weapons.] Cost me four times the actual amount of restitution. Poor communication. Tried emailing me that he was late for court because if he called his cell number would show up on my phone. [Who emails anything that needs immediate attention?] Told me to plead the sheet because he was too inept to negotiate a reasonable plea agreement. [why hire an Attorney if you;re just going to plead guilty to everything?] Charged me double the rate and said because it was two cases......after both were combined! If you are smart>DO NOT HIRE THIS IDIOT.
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05 Jan, 2022 by Csp
At first she was sweet and I believed that she had my best interest. But once I paid her the money she asked for she became Angry and told me that if I didn’t respond to her text within an hour she would fire me. I just left the first attorney who was failing miserably for this lady. She also worked with the other side and was getting paid under the table and when asked what was going on She denied it .But few days went buy .that 14000 bill we owed said paid in full. She has no loyalty and does not honor her word.please understand that anybody who had a good review of Roz I’m sure somehow someway was cocoo for coco pops
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05 Jan, 2021 by Joev
We went to court unprepared. I received a restraining order, my new attorney said Roz would have filed a form it would have gotten dropped. She went to court with me and did not say anything and let court run it’s course. I agree with other reviews, you get what you pay for.
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16 Dec, 2017 by A.b.c.
I hired Roz Bateman-Smith, Esq. for an extremely complicated and contentious divorce involving domestic violence/restraining order with a shared child/custody. She was extremely easy to communicate and work with and solidly reliable in my most troubling times. Her demeanor in a heated exchange in nothing short of composed and professional.
One of the most important things to me is that I knew she truly cared about the safety of me and my children.
After the divorce was finalized, I hired her once more. She represented me again in court after it was revealed my ex committed a horrible crime against a child. Once I knew I needed a lawyer she was the first and only lawyer I called! She helped prove that we needed even more protection in the form of strict supervised visitation, confidentiality of our location and a maximum term protective order.
For the past two years, she's been invaluable and I will always be grateful for the role she played in the lives of me and my children.
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05 Feb, 2011 by Anonymous
Pressured to agree to joint custody and shouldn't have done it. Didn't know once I did it would be almost impossible to change.
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02 Sep, 2010 by Barbie
Do yourself a favor and hire Scott and save time and money. Make sure both parties agree on everything and just hire one attorney not two. Scott can handle the whole divorce and be done. Don't make it complicated. Take it from me been there done it....
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14 Apr, 2010 by Anonymous
Mr. Finkbeiner did a great job on my divorce/custody case. He was very good in court, knew the law and was able to get me through a very complicated custody battle with my ex. Mr. Finkbener kept me informed on my case and was responsive to my questions. I definitely recommend him.
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25 Jun, 2022 by Felicia ball lyons
04 Jan, 2020 by Vincent shang
08 Sep, 2024 by Anonymous
Mr Hernandez has no scruples he has a lot of hate for women.
Mr Hernandez was supposed to be my x and my attorney instead he badgered, bullied and abused me in a court of law
He will say things that have zero truth about anyone that stands up for themselves against him.
There are a lot of good family law attorneys out there but he is not one
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05 Sep, 2024 by Teresa
Daniel acted as the legal representative for my husband throughout his custody battle. He has a profound understanding of the law and passionately defends your rights. Although my husband encountered several rejections from the courts regarding an increase in custody, he ultimately attained a 60/40 custody agreement and made substantial adjustments to holiday schedules and pickup arrangements after hiring Daniel. He’s great!
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29 Feb, 2024 by Hazel tsimogianis
Must not be so great as they dont return your call to set up an appointment & then don't pick up their phones. I will report to my insurane carrier to eliminate from their list of referrals.
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12 Oct, 2024 by Anonymous
Hourly rates are much higher than other divorce attorneys in the Tri-City area and he over-charges hours for unnecessary work (extra hours). Mr. Lau also acted unethically by repeatedly pressuring the opposing counsel to transfer funds prior to the final divorce decree, which resulted in significantly more billable hours.
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31 Jul, 2024 by Abel a lopezg
13 Dec, 2023 by Evans hsu
“Steve is truly remarkable as a family lawyer. His professionalism and efficiency in handling legal matters were exceptional, and I found his services to be reasonably priced. Additionally, during our court appearances, I felt completely at ease and confident with Steve representing me. I wholeheartedly recommend Steve for anyone seeking a competent and reassuring family lawyer.”
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01 Jun, 2021 by Sarah
I was really frustrated after reading some of these reviews. Leigh has been extremely supportive and encouraging during this difficult process. She is a matter of fact, tell it like it is kind of person but isn't that the kind of person you want standing up for you in court? Leigh's prices are so reasonable, I was so afraid I wouldn't be able to afford a lawyer and I prayed for a miracle. Leigh has been doing this for a long time and I am grateful for her knowledge, guidance and support. I am confident that walking into this courtroom with her by my side is the best choice I could have made.
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27 Apr, 2018 by Justin
Leigh was not reliable nor did she provide the effort you would expect when dealing with legal issues. I was very open and upfront with her regarding my case and needs as a client, but Leigh couldn't provide the same respect back. After my consultation, which I thought was comforting, I spent money immediately to retain her due to the complication of my case. Leigh showed up to every court hearing either as court checked in or had already started, which left no time to consult with her going into a hearing about expectations, needs, and facts required for judge. During the hearing, due to lack of consultation, I consistently had to try to provide input or request things on an instant before hearing would be over. After hearings is when Leigh would communicate with us, in which she charged for. After I received my first invoice, not only did she charge the incorrect rate, but she would charge for simple communication (reading and responding to my emails). Not only was her hours spent on tasks appearing to be inflated, Leigh also didn't provide a receipt for a cash transaction, then wouldn't credit the money provided to her until I gave my bank statement reflecting my atm withdrawl. She blamed "personal" reason as means to not crediting me, but I had to advise her multiple times she didn't credit me. Now comes the unethical aspect, which occurred every hearing. I'm not sure if race played a role in her character judgment, but Leigh would tell my wife and I we couldn't afford her nor the effort to fight for my rights as a father. This was the single most disrespectful and inappropriate thing I've ever been told, from someone I looked to for counsel. There was no indication of my ability to pay, when I keep my terms to our contract regarding payment. Then when asked to actually make effort to progress the case, Leigh consistently told me she couldn't do anything. Therefore it left me with no other choice but to move on from her services. BE CAUTIOUS IN RETAINING THIS ATTORNEY, she will force you to do all the footwork, legal processes, and more while she collects your money. Also, if you can't afford her suggestions, don't expect her to fight for you in your case. I believe Leigh thought she had a money case because of the high conflict I'm involved in, but she didn't expect me to be as efficient as I am in my case. Just as stated from the anonymous reviewer, they were 100% correct about Leigh. Dont believe me, theres other sites that have reviews on her as well dating back to 2009 of her poor and unethical work, in a simple Google search, which I do regret not doing before retaining her. I would highly suggest you review your invoices and contract before you make a legal decision.
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02 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
She's very good on billing you for hours that she probably never did considering on how badly she arranged my file. I deeply regret that I had to deal with her. Please do a favor to yourself and AVOID this attorney. Good luck!
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28 Jul, 2019 by Clay singleton
Ben Ramsey is the consummate professional. I had a very complex case and he sorted the many interwoven issues and was able to focus our time, and the opposing counsel's time, on only the most important items. He has a great understanding of the law, but relates to clients very well.
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14 Apr, 2019 by Anthony
Very unprofessional. Does a decent job in Susanville only because there is such low standards in Susanville. Doesn’t do much more then take your money.
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14 Dec, 2018 by Rita antram
Mr. Ramsey was great to work with, he spent all the time necessary to put my mind at ease and answer all my questions.
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26 Apr, 2024 by Kiyoko
Evidently, I'm not the only person who had an unsatisfactory experience with Bobby Luna as a Small Claims judge. He did not review any of my evidence, nor did he speak to my witness who was on standby on Zoom. In summary, be prepared to appeal his decision if you have him as a judge in Small Claims court.
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09 Apr, 2024 by Shawn mclaughlin
I have appreciated the offices of Bobby P Luna for four years and counting. Jennifer Holdener, Mackenzie, and reception have all been extremely patient with my needs and multiple cases that were far from normal in the eyes of us mere mortals. The bad reviews for Bobby and his office reflect a lack of understanding that the relationship between you, your lawyer and your case is a symbiotic dance where you provide the information and work together to create a case. There were times I was panicked and called and received no word back—and became upset—but these lawyers are constantly working for someone each day, so I would remember to be patient—that we have our day in court, not our day on the messaging system. I will continue to support Bobby P Luna and Jennifer with my recommendations and any new issues that may arise. I’ve been meaning to write this for a long time, and it took these one star reviews to get me to use my fingers and speak.
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15 Mar, 2024 by J rob
I definitely agree with everyone that rated him a one star. And he is trying to run for Superior Court Judge?! Thank God Sacramento saw through his bull. I went to this man several years back to get help with my divorce case. He told me he would definitely review my case and Get back with me, but I had a pretty clear cut case. He stated that he had to go to some type of attorney’s forum in Orange County and would review it when he returned. He told me to give him two weeks. Well, 3 1/2 weeks later, I kept calling with no response. Approximately 1.5 months later, I received a phone call from his office, not even him , stating that he would not be able to take my case due to it being too complex! Too complex?! Well, if he’s trying to run for a superior court judge that is as complex as it gets. Stay away from this person. I wouldn’t vote for him to run a boxcar race. Personally, I think he’s only an attorney based on the title and the prestige that it gives not based on anything that he earned or worked hard for and most certainly not his knowledge/expertise in the field. Look somewhere else for a competent attorney. I bet his premiums for his malpractice insurance are more than his net worth.
Update: See his reply below?! He said I never was a client. Exactly! Because after holding all of my documents several weeks and then making a cowardice move of having your staff call me and tell me that my case was too complex to handle- you’re right. I never was a client. Now, I’m so glad that you did me that favor. It was years ago and you may have gotten better since you’re “practicing.” Oh and just because you teach somewhere means nothing. I can own a beauty salon and not know how to do hair or have a license to do so. And you have further buttressed my statements in my review just by saying that you don’t “normally” reply to reviews- shows a lack of maturity and an underlying soreness about your loss. Nahhhh, Sacramento made an excellent decision.
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18 Mar, 2024 by John skyleir
Rick is unreliable, unprofessional and untrustworthy lawyer that I ever had to use in my business. Watch out
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10 Feb, 2024 by Potato _person
Excellent in every way
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28 Jan, 2024 by Leslie lorenzen
The place is nice
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07 Aug, 2024 by Mohammad al abdallat
Barry robbins he is the worst person I have seen in my entire life . He is not a real lawyer, always lying, creating stories not honest I was having a case with him since 2 years and tell today he didn't pay me my settlement I hire a lawyer for that and he will take care of him because I'm not the first person there's a lot of his clients he did with them this , he is not professional , he is not honest , he lying alot I don't recommend him at all I told you from experience , see you Barry at state's bar associations , you are scammmer
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09 Jul, 2024 by P d
Kris Cirby been an outstanding advocate for me with my ongoing domestic abuse case. She has consistently gone above and beyond to ensure our best interests are represented. I am extremely grateful for her support. I cannot thank Kris Cirby enough for their exceptional support and dedication. She has stood by me through thick and thin, providing invaluable legal assistance . Her compassion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment have made a significant difference in my life. I am deeply grateful for her continued assistance.
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11 Feb, 2024 by Amber pilling
Barry Robbins at Matthew Brekhus Attorney at Law offices did an amazing job in getting my personal injury case settled. I would definitely recommend him to anyone. Barry was polite and handled my case in a timely manner.
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15 Jun, 2023 by Anonymous
From my own personal opinion and experience Ms. attorney Koliwer did not represent me well during my custody case. I found her knowledge of the law writing response motions to be almost non existent. I asked her several times to present evidence in which she repeatedly declined and was non responsive during our emails. I would never recommend her to anyone to ever attempt to acquire her legal services. I‘m in the process of gathering the evidence to submit a complaint to the California bar.
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01 Aug, 2021 by Anonymous
Kandy No showed appointments with me. She did not know the facts of my case. She did not present to the court clear and convincing evidence that I provided to her. The day after the judge finally allowed me to get her off of my case, my new attorney got the whole case dismissed and my child returned.
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30 Jun, 2021 by Selby
I met Kandy in the halls of vista court. I was completely lost in a nightmare divorce case. Kandy was like a legal guardian sent from up above. One of the hardest working attorneys I met. She’s not only caring but is 100 percent honest and overly fair that will keep both parties honest in requests or demands. I hired Kandy as my attorney but she was more like a mom and made me feel I was in good hands. Stuck by for a year and half from start to finish I could ask for anyone better to represent me
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02 Apr, 2024 by Joel
Cary has represented me my brother's and many of my friends here in Santa Clara. Always looked out for me and my family. Worked great on payment plans and resident. I'm always hearing things from people, yet it's all been hear so type stuff. His door is always open and will fight for you. He is an amazing father and always working. Thank you for your support and words of encouragement. I've been clean for 9 years thanks to him. Helped me get into a program and do better for myself and family. Thank you again. Keep up the amazing work.
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07 Jan, 2011 by Bryan
Spent most of his time drinking at the Tied House. He failed to appear in court for me, the judge was heated an issued a bench warrant thanks to Cary, who then advised me to NOT show up for a dependency court date because I was going to be arrested and he needed to get me put back on calender. What a train wreck this turned out to be. His motivation (to represent me) turned out to be the equity in my house. I was splitting up with my wife and he knew I was losing my house so he offered me $5000 on my $250,000+ in equity and was really peeved when I told what he could do with his "generous" offer. Since I wasn't going to let him steal my house he put me to work answering the phone @ his old office,doing some remodeling at his personal residence and also fixing what the tweakers had screwed up on his house down the street from his parents house. I was asked by Mr. Lindstrom if I knew anything about this drug called "Crystal" (2003) and he wasn't amused when I took the 5th on his question. All I can say for sure is what I seen with my own two eyes. I have heard other "clients" say he does some very disturbing things and if Karma has anything to do with it...Prison time with some of them former "clients" you screwed over (maybe they won't remember how you let some of their old ladies "work off" your bill) sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me.
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03 Apr, 2019 by Anonymous
This lawyer was the absolute worst lawyer I’ve ever. He wouldn’t ever answer my calls and did absolutely nothing for my case. He was hired and after 6 months never heard from him. And then during the year we had him he did nothing for the case. And somehow all our retainer was used up even though he didn’t even do anything. Get any other lawyer but this one cause he has no care in the world just money hungry.
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30 Jul, 2011 by Anonymous
Mr. Miller has been my attorney for 6 years. He is a great attorney and has won EVERY hearing that my ex has filed against me. He also gotten the Judges to award my ex to pay portions of my attorney fees. His rates are fair and I really enjoyed having him represent me. I currently refer him to everyone I know, even strangers that I meet in my daily life, and I will continue not only refer him to others, but I will continue to use him any time I need legal help. He is a true lifesaver and a wonderful, professional attorney.
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27 Feb, 2022 by Anonymous
I had to report him to the State Bar for dragging out my legal process, asking for more money for god knows why, and being plain shady. Not respectful or thoughtful and money mongering. Good luck and buyer beware.
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07 Nov, 2014 by Deepak
We worked with Collin Moore for my wife's traffic violation and hit and run charges. Collin is very professional and through with his approach. This case took more than 8-9 months, He took care of all the court dates, alway on top of all the issues and finally managed to get all the charges dropped.
We would rate him very high for his services.
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19 May, 2017 by Anonymous
I went to her free consultation and was blown away by all the information she gave me so I decided to hire her with no doubt that she will do a great job. Unfortunately, that was not the case. I've handed her all the related documents and summarized my case so she can be fully prepared but I was shocked how she came in without reading / learning about my case.
I was very nervous at the hearing so I listened to her advice but all she did was to take the easy way out for her, ignoring the best interest in me. It seemed like she didn't wanna put effort in protecting me or fighting for my benefit at all. Probably because she wasn't prepare at all. Even the opponent party said, " You should speak up, that's what you are here for "
She came unprepared, her legal knowledge is very limited and she made many mistakes. I was shocked when I read the legal document she created after the court. I needed to point out many of her mistakes. My case included simple calculations and she has an MBA but couldn't get the easiest math correct. I wish I never hired her.
I told my friend who's going through her divorce now that I regret hiring her then she happened to know her. She told me that Lucy's response on avvo was so fast, she was thinking of hiring her too but her emails were not responding to the questions she asked so she ended up not hiring her.
I checked her profile prior to hiring and felt I was very mislead of the " Rising star " award. I don't know how they give out awards but do NOT be mislead by that because it didn't apply in my case. The receivers is the worst performer in court.
She did such a lousy job. I never write reviews but decided to post here to save another me.
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13 Sep, 2013 by Anonymous
Lucy handled my family case from beginning to end, took all the pressure off me, all I had to do was answer her questions when she needed information PLUS she was always available to answer any of my questions especially during the first few days. 100% would REFER and RECOMMEND her.
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17 Sep, 2024 by Karen calderon
22 Jul, 2024 by Karlos estrada
Estoy muy molesto por qué me dijeron que hiciera una cita y si no calificaba me regresaban el dinero de la consulta me hicieron pagar y ahora no me contestan !!! Y a mi esposa le querían cobrar también pero gracias a Dios no caímos en la Estafa solo a mi me robaron !!!
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19 Jul, 2024 by Paul castillo
Después de ver los review. No creo. Poner mi caso con estos abogados. Gracias. A los que nos informaron 👍🏼
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03 Apr, 2024 by Anonymous
I was facing 16 months in prison for a SERIOUS drug charge, DUI, and child endangerment. Sean was able to get me a 120 day jail sentence which I was able to serve on home detention. Four years probation, 16 weeks of DUI classes, 52 weeks of child endangerment classes. After completing all my classes, paying all fines and completing my house arrest we went back to court and Sean was able to have my probation terminated early and completly expunge my record of all charges. If you have a case in Riverside county Sean is the man!
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14 Mar, 2024 by Jdeeley2
I hired him and payed him upfront(which is normal i guess). He proceeded with the hearings for me, and when it came to settle he didnt even show up! He sent someone that knew nothing about my case/previous case. He tries to trick you into settling fast to make his life easier, they told me the courts wanted a 4 month program, but failed to tell me the DMV required me to do 18 month if i wanna drive again. I have hear they do this to ALOT of people!
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26 Apr, 2023 by Jimmy
I hire Sean in 2009 for an attempted murder case, of course it take some time, but man o man I WON MY CASE. This man knows his law, thank GOD for him.
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17 May, 2024 by Anonymous
Travis took my complicated divorce case and fought diligently for a ruling that favored my side. I am an executive high income earner with four children and a wife who was from Asia. Additionally, I had a C Corp and several rental properties which added to the complexity. After nearly two years, forensic accountants, etc., it was completed. I’m happy with the turn out. Thank you Travis!
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11 Oct, 2023 by Anonymous
AVOID AVOID AVOID. If you are looking to waste your money without any results then Travis Whitfield is for you.
I have been dealing with my divorce, child custody, and child support issues for over a year now. Travis and his team got involved and screwed that all up. Everything has been delayed due to him fumbling with the case. He paid little to no attention to the case and passed it along to multiple associates and paralegals to WASTE your money.
Throughout my case, most of the time when they sent over documents for me to review and sign, I always had them correct one thing or another, they were hardly ever accurate. Yet, they still billed me to correct THEIR mistakes. There is a long laundry list with this law firm.
If I can help at least 1 person avoid this law firm; I have done my job. You don't want to add to your problems during your hard times looking for a capable lawyer. Don't waste your time and money with this law firm.
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06 Apr, 2021 by Anonymous
I got a recommendation to check this lawyer for my divorce by a friend I say whose judgment I could trust. He asked what I wanted.
I said I want to make it as amicable as possible, I want what is fair, I want my peace, my freedom and most of all I want my kids to go through this as smoothly as possible. As long as I have my health, peace of mind, stable job and an option for my children to go to (their mom as I have learned exhibit strong narcisisstic traits which finally explained everything that troubled me all those years). His other question relevant : Do you think your wife is going to make this very difficult for you? My response was " Absolutely 100% she did not have to make threats that she is going to make it like hell for me, I knew"
He convinced me with these words:
I will fight for what is right for you and her
I do not tolerate using the children as leverage
I am not one who try to squeeze the other party unfairly
We move with the children welfare always the priority.
I said I am in. This was me filing for a divorce I tried all I can to work out for 20 years only to realize 18 years that nothing will ever change.
The promises not one of it were ever even came close to even get a jumpstart.
the best words he made were after the first court day in which I was shell shocked he did not do or say anything to advance or make known our contentions. The very first court day a few minutes before we even were called in to the courtroom I knew then that I made a very big mistake. As we were preparing all that I would say what about my, what about the, and what not. His one and best answer amongst was maybe we can add that in the next court day this is just the start!
When the proposals came and I so much had disagreement to some claims that were so absurd as we went along each proposal. Some I had no idea whatsoever how to proceed I asked what can you say, what legal advice can you give me. The best answer he has made was " well I do not know you are the one who has to decide what you want to do with it I am just putting note to make sure that we represent exactly what you want and how you wanted. One other answer he made was I do not deal with those financial stuff. It is not my line of specialty. So I asked maybe he can give me recommendations who to contact after all he has more than 2 decades at least of doing his job. But no he referred me to his secretary. First secretary left a few months after . I have a pending heart surgery. My job security is non existent, there is an active deliberate operation to try to get rid of me. My lawyer knew this so I am lagging with my payment of his services which is just about the only thing they are good in communicating with me. Now he is asking to be relieved from being his representative due to an irreparable relationship and an outstanding service fee. There never was an representation nor there ever was a relationship. I know nothing about law but I have common sense and I am in customer service. I am actively looking for a new lawyer that can simply just represent me for what is legally fair for me, the wife and the kids.
I did not know I hired a paralegal.
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28 May, 2023 by Anonymous
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/domestic-abuse-survivor-gets-justice-after-quick-thinking-saves-her-from-forced-shared-custody-agreement/3235552/
I actually never hired her for obvious reasons but selecting the “consulted” button was the only way I could post this.
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05 Dec, 2022 by Anonymous
Well a friend of mine was sentence to life in prison for a crime he was ineffective which she had his case for five months and when it came to trial she asked for a continuous because she said I only had one week to prepare. If she would have asked to see the warrant she would have notice the warrant was invalid.. had seen the warrant she could have filed a 1538.5 motion to suppress evidence and a 995 motion to dismiss.. my friend would be a free man which he is actually and factually innocent of all charges.. But he still in prison after almost 11 yrs but he is still fighting for his freedom.. Don't hire her cuz she pick and chooses who she will defend but SHE WILL TAKE YOUR MONEY..
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24 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
Karolyn Kovtun is known for spreading false conspiracy theories and making false allegations about others online. Not professional, whatsoever.
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15 Dec, 2020 by Denise glover
30 Mar, 2019 by Rose parscal
Beyond rude to people trying to do the right thing and pay off an debit. They refuse to send you anything via the mail such as receipts or agreements for payment contract but want your debit card info, imagine that. The employee Aaron i spoke with hung up on me when asking how we’d go about sending receipts and placed me on hold about 20 times in our hour long bs conversation. Hopefully I’ll be able to speak to someone perfessional to get this resolved as that’s what I was attempting to do.
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16 Oct, 2018 by Aaron
Amy took my case at the last minute for a move away order that was being contested. She went above and beyond, working after hours to make sure that she knew my case in and out and could represent me as best as possible. My move away was granted, and even after the trial, Amy ensured that I got everything I needed as far as a signed order and helping get my children over to me, as I had to leave the state immediately on military orders. I will absolutely be using her again in the future if the need arises in family court.
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13 Sep, 2023 by Anonymous
Drew did an excellent job at helping me get through my divorce and stayed focus on closing out all issues related to the divorce to help finalize everything as quickly and amicably as possible. I'm very grateful for his attention to detail and insights based on his years of experience. Divorce is a very tough process to go through for some, yet it was extremely helpful to have his experience, guidance and assistance during this challenging time. I would absolutely recommend Drew.
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16 Dec, 2021 by Anonymous
Unreliable. Lack of communication. He was always late, charged a ton and got nothing done.
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02 Jun, 2021 by Anonymous
Maley never prioritized the case, inexplicable time delays, then he quit the case, and put a lien on my property.
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22 Jan, 2024 by Anonymous
Stuart was great and to the point - introductory call was very productive, and he acted quickly and intelligently to the matter at hand. Yet, since that, his associate, Mabel, took the lead, while being highly incapable of handling complex situations. Seems like she knows how to fit issues into simple boxes she already knows how to handle, and is not capable of any level of tactical or strategic thinking. With that inside the box thinking, Mable is great at breaking down her tasks to the smallest levels, take the time to note each one, and charge you for it. This way, the bill gets inflated to at least twice of what it should have been. And yes, as of 2023, you pay $500 and hour for either Stuart or Mabel. Meaning you pay at a great lawyer rate, and get below average associate.
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14 Nov, 2018 by Savannah
Mr. Sudar did not represent me fairly during my DUI hearing in July 2014. I truly believe that he took my money and went through the motions knowing that I had a loosing case. There was no forensic evidence, and he knew it. There was no camera evidence, and he knew that. He allowed my character to be publicly mocked in court. Mr. Sudar crossed many lines with the case. He did not prepare my father to testify. He did not prepare the court for the term "blood" to be used properly. He showed up to my DUI hearing smelling of booze from the night before, and in non tailored suits. It has taken me this long to write a review because of the mental PTSD I have from the trial. I was convicted. I did jail time for a first offense DUI.
He was unlikeable to the jury. He wasted the courts time.
I knew him before the trial as a friend. When we met to discuss hiring him for trial, he said, "you do not want this on your record." This statement alone convinced me to go to trial and pay him.
I paid him in $8,000 in cash. He did not offer a receipt, or anything to sign.
If you value yourself and your case, stay far away from this silver tongued, shady man.
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10 Jun, 2015 by Victor
Mr. Sudar reminds me of a line from Shakespeare: "One may smile and smile and be a villain." Of the attorneys I've hired in my lifetime, only THIS one took my money and did absolutely nothing, refusing to answer letters or phone calls. (I self-censored the rest of this missive, as it severely violated review guidelines of "hostile and insulting content.") Pity I could not share it with you.
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25 Feb, 2015 by Anonymous
Let me make this as simple as possible for anyone considering retaining Richard Sudar as their attorney: read every 1-star review on the net carefully, because their bad experiences with him are also bound to happen to you! Ignore the 5-star review.
If you were smart enough to Google this so-called lawyer before paying him money to represent you, then you should also be smart enough to find yourself another lawyer. ANY other lawyer.
There is no reason why you should risk your case by taking your chances with this scumbag, no matter what he promises during his sweet-talk "consultation" call. It is not a wise gamble, trust me.
And I'm not saying this because he lost my case; he didn't lose my case - he never had a chance to because I fired him after he kept taking more and more money from me over a period of many months yet never delivering.
That is Richard Sudar's strategy: to avoid litigation, to avoid dismissals, and just keep your case in a permanent limbo of billable appearances.
Beware - be very aware!
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19 Mar, 2024 by Zack
I would like to share some details in regards to an ongoing case that daniel was handling for us. However, due to our complaints of his ineffectiveness. And his paralegals' inability to create professional documents, he decided we were too much of a hassle and could earn easier money somewhere else. If you have hired this firm and they have not delivered on anything that they have said or promised And have continuously just taken money from you. Please reach out to me so we can put a stop to this together. Family court is hard enough. We should have an attorney that is on our side.
Update: I've requested a refund for services because of the lack of work and have been ignored. I filed a bar complaint.
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02 Aug, 2022 by Pamela gonzalez
I strongly recommend that you do research before hiring this firm. I spoke with Catherine Vincent originally and my case was handled by Daniel "Rat" His inexperience has shown throughout my case and I feel like everything is a wreck because of him.
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12 Sep, 2020 by Anonymous
No expert knowledge and Rip Client off Illegally
Totally agree with the other reviewer, Leonard Garber has no clue what to do with my case as well. Typically when attorneys try to sell their services, they will propose their approach for the case. Leonard Garber says he has no idea what to do with the case, but would expect to get paid for his time even when he is doing nothing.
He illegally conned the client into retaining him only then to intentionally get on the phone with the client doing nothing other than saying he doesn’t think he can handle the case. Then he charged the client for that time. He is not even supposed to get in retainment when he doesn’t want to take the case. The only way he did so is so as to charge the client illegally.
It is hard to believe an attorney who has practiced for 40 years would have no clues of some basic case scenarios!
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29 Feb, 2020 by Heather
I hired Mr. Garber for my divorce case and I am glad I switched attorneys as soon as I could otherwise, my case would have been a disaster! Mr. Garber is not a family law specialist and besides that, he took days to get back at emails/calls. He didn't have a clue of what to do in my case.
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16 Mar, 2022 by Kevin
This attorney just shrugged me off like my case wasn’t important. Lacking in response and communication ended up choosing another attorney.
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23 Nov, 2020 by Anonymous
When a 94-year-old man who obviously lacks the capacity to make decisions for himself wants a will for his caregiver, you have to question whether the lawyer hired to draft the paperwork has the capacity for sound judgement - of any kind.
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20 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
With all respect , on first court date MR Najera was about 2 hours late , on 2 nd court he said he would be there at 9am and was running late , me and my ex wife with her attorney waited till 11am finally MR Najera s assistant called that he would not make due to being in another court trial , 3 rd court date MR Najera showed up late about 10am and without my file , mey exs attorney had to give him a copy , finally they asked for more money and I refused ..
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20 Dec, 2023 by Anonymous
Do not waste your money. He will make you pay and not deliver what he promises
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08 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
Save your money I cannot say this enough. You rather go in with a public defender than to hire this person that knows nothing of the law and I have to sit down and educate myself about the law so I can educate him about how 5years probation for a second time dui is the maximum and 3 years is the minimum. He has the audacity to try and manipulate me into thinking 5 years is the minimum and his excuse is they always give 5 years. LOL. DO NOT HIRE THIS HORRIBLE LAWYER
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11 Dec, 2021 by Lorenzo
My BFF's sugar daddy paid this attorney to get him out of some trouble a few years back. Don't know if he's a good lawyer but apparently pressured my friend into *more* than a professional relationship. The State Bar really ought to be on this guy.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Domestic Violence Lawyer Can Do for You
A domestic violence lawyer provides legal assistance to individuals involved in cases of domestic abuse, whether you are a victim seeking protection or someone accused of domestic violence defending against the charges. These lawyers help with obtaining restraining orders (protective orders), representing clients in criminal court, and handling related family law issues such as child custody, divorce, and visitation rights.
If you are dealing with domestic violence, a lawyer can help protect your rights and navigate the legal system to ensure your safety or defend you if you’re falsely accused.
When Should I Hire a Domestic Violence Lawyer?
You should consider hiring a domestic violence lawyer if you are:
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A Victim of Domestic Violence:
- Filing for a protective order (restraining order): If you need immediate protection from an abuser, a lawyer can help you file for a protective order, which legally requires the abuser to stay away from you and refrain from contacting you.
- Divorce or separation due to abuse: If domestic violence is a factor in your relationship, a lawyer can help you pursue a divorce or legal separation and ensure that you are protected throughout the process.
- Child custody and visitation issues: A lawyer can help you secure custody of your children and limit or restrict the abuser’s visitation rights to protect the safety of your children.
- Filing criminal charges: If you are pursuing criminal charges against the abuser, a domestic violence lawyer can work with law enforcement and prosecutors to ensure the case is handled properly.
- Assistance with safety planning: A lawyer can advise on the legal steps to create a safety plan, including securing temporary housing, and taking steps to protect you and your family.
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Accused of Domestic Violence:
- Defending against criminal charges: If you’ve been accused of domestic violence, a lawyer can defend your case, challenge the evidence, and represent you in court. If possible, the lawyer can help get charges reduced or dismissed.
- Challenging a restraining order: If someone has obtained a protective order against you, a lawyer can help you contest the order to prevent it from negatively impacting your life, including your employment and child custody rights.
- Dealing with family law issues: Domestic violence allegations can affect child custody, divorce, and property division. A lawyer can represent your interests in family court and ensure that your parental rights are protected.
- Avoiding criminal record implications: A lawyer can work to minimize the impact of the allegations on your record, which can affect your employment, housing, and future legal matters.
Hiring a lawyer at the earliest stages can help ensure your rights are protected and the case is handled effectively, whether you are seeking protection or defending against accusations.
What Does a Domestic Violence Lawyer Do?
A domestic violence lawyer provides various legal services depending on the specifics of your case. These responsibilities often include:
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For Victims:
- Filing for protective orders: A lawyer can help victims of domestic violence obtain temporary or permanent restraining orders, which provide legal protection by restricting the abuser’s access to you and your children.
- Representing you in divorce and child custody matters: Domestic violence often leads to divorce or separation, and a lawyer can represent you in family court to protect your assets, secure custody of your children, and arrange spousal and child support.
- Criminal representation: Lawyers work with law enforcement and prosecutors to pursue criminal charges against the abuser, ensuring that you are informed and supported throughout the legal process.
- Safety planning and legal advice: Lawyers provide advice on how to stay safe legally and can assist in securing temporary housing, providing guidance on how to leave abusive situations safely.
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For the Accused:
- Defending against charges: A lawyer will build a defense by investigating the case, gathering evidence, and challenging the claims made against you. If necessary, the lawyer can negotiate with prosecutors to reduce charges or penalties.
- Challenging protective orders: If a restraining order has been placed against you, a lawyer can contest the order and present evidence to defend against it, aiming to minimize its impact on your life and reputation.
- Handling related family law issues: Lawyers help defend against domestic violence allegations in divorce, child custody, and visitation disputes, working to protect your parental rights and reputation.
- Preventing long-term consequences: A lawyer will work to protect you from the long-term consequences of a domestic violence conviction, such as a criminal record that could affect employment, housing, and more.
How Are Domestic Violence Lawyers Paid?
Domestic violence lawyers generally charge for their services in different ways depending on the case's complexity and the type of legal work involved. Common payment structures include:
- Hourly rate: Many domestic violence lawyers charge by the hour, with rates ranging from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and location. Hourly rates are common for both criminal defense and family law matters.
- Flat fee: For specific tasks, such as filing a restraining order or defending against a straightforward domestic violence charge, some lawyers offer a flat fee that covers all legal work related to that service.
- Retainer: In complex cases, such as those involving criminal charges, divorce, and custody disputes, a lawyer may require a retainer fee, which is an upfront payment that covers future legal services.
- Pro bono or reduced fees: Some domestic violence lawyers provide pro bono (free) or reduced-fee services to victims of domestic abuse who cannot afford legal representation.
It’s important to discuss fees during your consultation to ensure you understand how much your case will cost and what payment options may be available.
How Much Does a Domestic Violence Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a domestic violence lawyer depends on the complexity of your case, the lawyer’s experience, and the type of legal work required. General cost estimates include:
- Restraining orders: The legal fees for filing a protective or restraining order typically range from $500 to $2,500, depending on whether the case requires a hearing.
- Criminal defense: If you’re defending against domestic violence charges, legal fees may range from $2,500 to $15,000 or more, depending on whether the case goes to trial and the severity of the charges.
- Family law issues: Legal fees for divorce, child custody, and other family law issues related to domestic violence can range from $3,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the case.
- Hourly rates: Domestic violence lawyers typically charge between $150 and $500 per hour for their services, with more experienced lawyers charging higher rates.
Always ask for a detailed cost estimate during your consultation to understand the total cost of legal services.
Top Questions to Ask a Domestic Violence Lawyer
Before hiring a domestic violence lawyer, it’s important to ask key questions to ensure they have the right experience and approach for your case. Key questions to ask include:
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What experience do you have with domestic violence cases?
Ensure that the lawyer has handled domestic violence cases similar to yours, whether you’re a victim or the accused. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, flat fees, or a retainer, and ask for a detailed cost estimate. -
What is the likely outcome of my case?
Ask the lawyer for an honest assessment of your case, including potential challenges and expected outcomes. -
How long will the process take?
Domestic violence cases vary in length, so ask the lawyer how long they expect the process to last and what might cause delays. -
Will I need to appear in court?
Ask if your participation in court is required, and how the lawyer plans to represent you during hearings or trials. -
What steps should I take to protect myself or my rights?
Whether you’re a victim seeking protection or defending against allegations, ask the lawyer how they will help you navigate the situation.
How to Check the Credibility of a Domestic Violence Lawyer
To ensure you are hiring a reputable domestic violence lawyer, take the following steps to verify their credentials and track record:
- Check their bar status: Verify with your state bar association that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing with no history of disciplinary actions.
- Look for domestic violence experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in domestic violence cases and have successfully handled cases like yours.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients say about their experience with the lawyer.
- Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have been involved in domestic violence cases.
- Check for memberships in relevant organizations: Look for certifications or memberships in family law or domestic violence advocacy groups, such as the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV).
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To get the most out of your first consultation with a domestic violence lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:
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For Victims:
- Details of the abuse: Prepare a detailed account of the abuse, including dates, locations, and descriptions of any injuries or threats.
- Police reports and medical records: Bring copies of any police reports, medical records, or photographs that document the abuse.
- Legal filings: If you have already filed for a restraining order or been involved in any legal proceedings, bring copies of those documents.
- Questions about your safety and legal options: Be ready to ask about the best steps to protect yourself and your family, as well as what legal actions you should pursue.
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For the Accused:
- Details of the allegations: Prepare a detailed account of the incident or allegations against you, including any evidence or witnesses that support your defense.
- Legal documents: Bring any legal documents you have received, such as a restraining order, criminal charges, or child custody filings.
- Questions about your defense: Prepare questions about the legal process, possible penalties, and how the lawyer plans to defend your case.
By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your situation and provide the best possible legal advice.
