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27 Sep, 2024 by Diamond gilmore
I have had the opportunity to work with this law firm on two separate occasions and highly recommend them.
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27 Sep, 2024 by Matthew suggs
25 Sep, 2024 by Calvin davis
Brad is the most awesome attorney in the United States!
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04 Oct, 2024 by Casey crook
17 Sep, 2024 by William clinton
17 Sep, 2024 by Candy robbins
The team I worked with Paralegal Shana and Attorney Miriah were very thorough and efficient. They always returned calls, etc in a timely manner.
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11 Oct, 2024 by Curtis stone
John Paul Tsahakis is the best lawyer in Charlotte. My marriage fell apart, my business was falling apart, my life was falling apart, and I was in a pretty bad place emotionally / financially. John Paul and his team were the only people I felt were on my side through the hardest transition of my life and gave me a voice when I felt like I didn't have one anymore. I dont think saying he went "above and beyond" would quite capture the experience I had while working with John Paul. I dont think I can ever repay him for standing up for me when I couldn't. If you're looking for the best lawyer in Charlotte.. just give John Paul a call.
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07 Oct, 2024 by Linda chapman
07 Oct, 2024 by Just b
22 Oct, 2024 by Milly ang
I want to express my sincere gratitude to the entire team at Roseman. They provided exceptional support throughout our case, offering expert guidance, professionalism, and clear communication at every step. We highly recommend their services to anyone in need of legal assistance!
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28 Aug, 2024 by Kelly nichols
The laws we all try to diligently abide by are confusing at best.
Mr.Connelly represented me briefly for a civil matter. My outcome was exactly what he said it would be, positive!
He was responsive, thorough, direct, and communicates expediently. You will not find a better attorney in Mecklemberg County.
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02 Aug, 2024 by Katie miller
15 Dec, 2023 by Aaron
Via Google:
They will treat you like mushrooms. DO NOT USE THIS FIRM, THEY WILL SCREW YOU. They are con artists. They will make claims of what they can do and will not fulfill. Made claims of “we can” re-litigate previous trials, record being expunged, rights being restored, resigned from the case before doing so and did not argue anything at a review hearing due to who the judge was, which was a recent ADA during my case. That is a conflict . They will side with the prosecution to where it makes no sense and mind screws you. I offered to write down events prior of trial date for evidence and he denied it, “it’ll be okay” he claimed. They will inform you of a plea bargain they’ve been working on last minute of offering you a bargain so you can not find counsel elsewhere. Claimed the victim’s untruthfulness was irrelevant, but yet I was prosecuted to her untruthful claims. The State knew of her criminal acts and they did not report it to the Court, nor did my attorney inform the Court of the State’s misconduct, negligence and criminal accessory. Claimed he did his job by keeping me out of jail while completely sacrificing my criminal record with something I’m not even guilty of and is not eligible for an expungement.
I paid my attorney to work for me, not the victim
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02 May, 2023 by Pattie
Five stars are not enough regarding Mr. Jeff Thompson and Dylan Butler!! Both of them reassured us and help relieve our fears, anxiety and stress! Mr. Thompson got my daughters simple assault DV case dismissed first day in court!!! And her record will be expunged! He is a very professional, caring, matter of fact, no nonsense attorney! He's very experienced and intelligent! We cannot thank him enough, and Dylan, for everything they've done for us! His fee was very reasonable! You can trust him to represent you and know he will do what he says! We are very grateful for his help and will always speak highly of him and recommend him to anyone that needs an outstanding criminal attorney!! From our family to yours, thank you again Ms. Dylan and Mr. Thompson!
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04 Aug, 2022 by Akondi
Jeff did a great job for me by getting my dui case dismissed . He made everything so simple and easy for me . I am so happy and highly recommend him to anyone who is looking for a defense attorney.
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20 Jun, 2022 by Garrett
Greg and his staff were quick to respond. Certainly no complaints there. He and his team are true professionals. Greg took time to tell me all the things I needed to do to be fully prepared.
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06 Feb, 2022 by Tara
About 10 years ago, I hired Gregory Plumide as my attorney. I thought he did a great job representing me. I was never in trouble with the law and always followed the rules. I was petrified the first time I went to court because I was never in trouble before. I wasn't happy with the child support that I was receiving because I compared it to others and felt that it wasn't the same as others but it did help me get by since my husband left the state and he made about 3 times as much as I did. When my husband initially left, I wasn't receiving any child support until I followed up with court. My ex made an excuse and delayed coming to court which the court honored so it delayed me getting child support due to his job. My attorney, Gregory Plumide at the time did not tell me to file a motion for child support so I did not get paid from my ex for all of the previous months that I was on my own. I did not know that I could do this until my ex-husband did this to me years later. I did not get paid child support for 7 months while I had both kids and he did not have any kids, 10 years ago. I was struggling finding a full time job since I was only a substitute teacher and did not have connections. Gregory Plumide did not support me with his at all. He handed me off to Michael Romano which I was also disappointed with Michael down the road. The judge at the time also did not catch this. I was on food stamps and not making ends meet with 2 kids at the time. Years later, my son moved to live with his father, this is when I found out about the motion to file for child support. My ex-husband filed before my son even moved in with him trying to take an extra month of child support away from me. He stopped paying me child support years ago and Michael did help me with this so the money was garnished out of my ex husband's paycheck so I continued to get extra money from my ex until we were seen by the judge. I bought a house in a safe place for my kids so I have expenses that has not changed since my son moved in with his father. I thought since I didn't get any child support for months in the beginning of our divorce, that I would not have to pay my ex back. The same judge that never granted me backpay of child support while I was on food stamps and not making ends meet, granted my ex the back pay and I now have to pay him back. I was told that he had my son so I shouldn't be getting all that money. I understand that but what about when I suffered for the first year of our separation and he didn't pay me what he was supposed to. Her response was that it was along time ago. I would have understood this if I had help in the beginning so now I am suffering then and now. I would have know the law and prepared myself, if Mr. Plumide helped me the correct way, in the beginning and I received the child support that I was entitled to from the start, this divorce would have been easier on me. Please make sure that you know the law, if you have never been to court before or in trouble with the law. In addition, hopefully Mr. Plumide is providing you with all of the information since he is now a criminal defense attorney! I learned the hard way that at the end of the day, you need to protect yourself and look over all documents!
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10 Nov, 2021 by Michael
I've retained Mr. Plumides for a decade now. From family court for custody of a minor child all the way to a federal criminal matter. I'm here to tell you he's a very special type of attorney, one that will call you on a Sunday morning when you're upset over your case, a champion of the people and clients alike, as humble as they come and has inspired me and continues to inspire me long after our cases wrapped up. If you're on the fence with who to hire just go and at the very least sit down with him for a consult, you'll see exactly what im referring to.
Michael Neighbors
A Single father with sole custody and virtually no criminal record.
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24 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
Going through a divorce is not fun for anyone and hiring Tonya absolutely helped me through this chapter. Having an attorney who genuinely cared about me and my daughter made all the difference. Tonya is knowledgeable in all areas of family law.
At times when I didn't think the laws were fair, her expertise navigated me through. She provided encouragement when I needed it and kept things real. No one wins in these situations, but I believe everything turned out as good as it could. If any other family law situations arise where I need legal representation, I will hire Tonya again and definitely recommend her services.
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21 Aug, 2024 by Kara
I initially hired a different attorney that I was referred to. Roughly 2.5 weeks in I knew I needed to make a change quickly. I'm so happy I made that change as quickly as I did to retain Tonya. My consult with her was 90 minutes which I loved because it gave me time to go over everything with her and for her to come up with a plan of action right on the spot. At the end of a long and tumultuous separation and divorce, I am pleased with the outcome Tonya was able to obtain for me and my kids. I don't say any of this lightly and truly believe the universe was looking out for me. Tonya is extremely skilled in many areas of the law. She's strategic, kind, ethical, and honest. The amount of attention and detail she put into my case while working on so many other cases impressed me. Some other things that stand out to me is her work ethic and genuine care for my kids and I. I went through two mediations with her and she's top notch at negotiations and and has strong argument skills. Seriously the best!
Tonya went above and beyond to help me with mindset and see things a different way which helped me become a better person through this very difficult time in my life. I never felt judged by her when crying as much as I did when having to speak to her about some of the awful things that happened to me in my marriage. Tonya always explained the law to me while still hearing what my goals were and tried her best to help me reach each them. While working on each step of the process, she put a tremendous amount of detail into her instructions to set me up for success.
One example of her work ethic is when working on Discovery for me, there was a mishap with one of her emails making it's way to my spam folder instead of my inbox. This caused her to not hear back from me for the last and final step, yet she still made it a point to get it filed in time. She really left no stone unturned through each step.
I appreciate that Tonya didn't just tell me what she thought I wanted to hear, she was straight forward with me about the laws and specifically in my county (Union County, NC). She had many ideas to help my case...some I was on board with and others I wasn't always crazy about, but one thing is for sure, she was always accurate and I saw results in my favor many times. I quickly realized that I can trust her and she is HIGHLY SKILLED at her craft.
Her follow up and follow through is impeccable! She's not just any attorney, she also shows her human side which is the perfect mix I needed. I could not have made it through this divorce without her and very highly recommend scheduling a consult with her if you're looking for a family law attorney in Mecklenburg or Union County, NC. I could probably write a novel about my experience with Tonya, but these are just some highlights. :-)
Some words of advice to keep in mind is that attorneys are not perfect (because they are human), the laws aren't always fair and nobody truly "wins" in divorce. Tonya definitely stands out as one of the best of the best!
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18 Feb, 2020 by Anonymous
When I met with Ms. Graser, she was unbelievably condescending and patronizing. I felt like I subjected myself to be looked down on by her rather than receive actual, helpful advice. She needs to find another career where empathy and compassion is not required or where a cold, robotic demeanor is appreciated. Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere for a family law attorney who actually cares - Ms. Graser isn’t it.
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19 Oct, 2020 by Anonymous
I was assigned Lisa Johnson without having the opportunity to meet her and assess her competency. While my husband was causing the separation process to go longer than expected, it was Ms. Johnson's unprofessional delays and failure to communicate that caused me to sever my relationship with her and the firm. While I tried to reach her by email many times when my husband was shutting off all my utilities, there was only silence. It took two weeks with me finally calling the firm's head attorney before she was instructed to call me. A paralegal never even touched base and the head attorney had no access to my case to offer help. When finally she called, she said she was too busy in court to answer my emails or reach out to me. I continued to work with her and my last communication with her was to ask if we were ready to sign papers. Twenty-four days went by without a single word from Ms. Johnson. I was served with a lawsuit by my husband's attorney at the end of this time and after learning that the lead attorney couldn't access my details when Ms. Johnson was unavailable, I decided it was time to find an attorney who would do their job in a timely manner with a firm that shared access to cases in case my attorney was unavailable. I found out that the only reason the lawsuit was brought against me was because of the delay in hearing from my attorney, which opposing counsel and in particular my husband assumed was caused by me stalling and dragging my feet. I have to incur much greater fees to go to court because of her lack of professionalism and perhaps her inability to handle her case load, and that is after 4 1/2 months and $4700 of accomplishing nothing. I am starting virtually from square one with a new attorney who in one week has accomplished more. I cannot in any way recommend her for help with legal matters due to her lack of performance. I gave her a two star rating because I couldn't bring myself to give only one star, even though she wasn't proactive -which meant reacting to the other attorney at every turn- and my case never moved forward in any perceptable or meaningful direction.
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21 Aug, 2017 by Carl
Ms. Johnson did a great job with my divorce. Initially, I had hired a local lawyer in Concord who was disaster. Luckily, through a mutual acquaintance, I was put in contact with Ms Johnson. She did such a fantastic job, I consider my fortune to having her represent me in court. Again, phenomenal lawyer.
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18 Aug, 2017 by Marco
Lisa Johnson represented me for a child custody case she was a very honest about everything from the beginning and very helpful she is straightforward and has her clinents best interest at heart
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21 Sep, 2024 by Dee hall
Our family has unfortunately needed the Epperson Law Group's help far too many times, but they have been EXCELLENT at resolving all our needs every time. They have all been attentive and knowledgeable, and have taken care of each situation with professionalism and expertise. We will always come back when we need them. Highly recommend!
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21 Sep, 2024 by Kim pope
Thank you to James and the entire team at Epperson Law! I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to represent me and my interests in a very difficult time. Highly recommend!
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02 Aug, 2024 by C k
This law firm, specifically Steve Ockerman is absolutely, without a doubt, the best firm and attorney you will ever need to work tirelessly on your behalf! Steve Ockerman has represented me twice in 11 years. Each time, he took the time necessary to understand my case and all of the many facets of the case. My case is rather unique in nature, which took a great deal of creativity and determination to understand and apply the laws, facts and principles needed. He listened to me, he supported my decisions, he recommended things I hadn’t considered, he walked me through the process, took special interest in my children, he was always professional, reassuring and encouraging. He never made promises, he always let me know when things may go awry or when things might not be the way I wanted or expected and he was upfront about the realities of what could happen. Steve is ethically sound, compassionate, patient and willing to help in anyway possible. We had a very successful result from all his work. I have my children in my home and continuing life as it should be lived. The paralegal, Dasha is very professional, supportive, knowledgeable and a perfect match with Steve. The staff are all friendly, and accommodating! Honestly, I can’t say enough about my wonderful experience with Steve and this firm. I’d recommend Steve to anyone that has a family dispute that needs expert, compassionate and professional legal assistance! He’s fierce in the courtroom! Thank you Epperson Law firm!
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17 Jan, 2019 by Joel
Mr. Warren is an excellent attorney to have in your corner from the beginning all the way until the end of settlements. I personally had a previous subpar attorney before retaining Mr. Warren. Thankfully I retained his services. Mr. Warren fought for me intensively to seek fairness in reference to child custody, child support, and overall divorce proceedings. Divorce can be a nasty situation without proper representation. It doesn’t have to be if you have someone representing you who will look with an objective lens. I would highly recommend Mr. Warren if you need someone to dig in and fight for you. He’s not some “foot on the desk relaxed guy” who will promise you the moon and stars, but when you show up in court with him you will have one of the best, if not the best, attorney beside you.
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01 Jan, 2018 by Anonymous
Jim Warren is a wonderful attorney. He is cautious of your money, and gives great advice. I was in an extremely contentious custody and changed from my attorney to Jim. Jim brought it to settlement quickly.
Jim is well known in the community and highly respected. His thirty-some year experience is evident.
I hightly recommend Jim to anyone needing a family attorney.
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24 Jul, 2017 by Emilie
Attorney Jim Warren is an exceptional attorney in all respects. Attorney Warren is extremely skilled in the practice of family law and will fight for your rights and the rights of your children in family court more than any attorney I have ever observed. He won full physical and legal custody for me for my daughter in the permanent trial just as he did during the TPA or Temporary Parenting Arrangement hearing. Additionally, Attorney Warren has represented me since the initial custody case on other occasions and has always done a high quality job and has obtained the results that have been in the best interest of my child. I am more than happy to provide a reference for Attorney Warren for any prospective clients and speak with anyone directly. I highly recommend that you select Attorney Warren to represent you in family court. If you are interested in getting a detailed client reference from me, please contact Attorney Warren's office and request to contact me. Thank you. Emilie H.
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17 Apr, 2018 by Laurel
Libby James is an amazing attorney. I hired her during the worst part of my life: my divorce and custody and dispute I was broken and clueless. She fought for me, advised me, and navigated me.
She made the worse part of my life bearable. She kicked tail.
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08 Mar, 2015 by Anonymous
Libby is a bulldog in divorce cases. She ran circles around my ex's 'country' lawyer, and got me the best settlement package imaginable. We never had to go to court, and she controlled the entire nasty situation after my wife's infidelity. I got the kids, the house, the cars, and alimony payments, and my ex has to write a check for 12 years to pay for her indiscretions.
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08 Oct, 2024 by Debra
I just wanna express my gratitude and finding you helping me with a very difficult divorce. After my first, Lawyer decided to just quit on me. You came in and got everything done Less than four months. You are always kind and truly got everything done for me on a timely basis. This has been a very difficult situation for me, but you guided me and explained to me the importance of just getting this done which it has been completed. I can now move on And enjoy my next stage in life. You are truly A great person to speak to, and to get a hard difficult situation done without being upset. I thank you Michael from the bottom of my heart
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24 Sep, 2024 by Timothy
I hired Michael for his services and was very pleased with the outcome. He did an amazing job representing me and my best interests. If you are looking g for an attorney that is dedicated to his clients and going to fight for you and your rights one should definitely look into his services. He did an amazing job fighting for me and making sure my rights were gauranteed.
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07 May, 2024 by Laniece blackmon
The rudest, most condescending experience I’ve ever encountered in my life. I have no words. I am taking my services elsewhere, and would recommend you to do the same.
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07 Nov, 2023 by Anonymous
I was ripped off of my money because nothing has been done with any of these violations.
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13 Dec, 2018 by Samantha
Attorney Keith Metz has been representing me on a case since July and I must say he is the best attorney I have come across. He has been patient, he has been flexible and has adapted to my needs even with me being out of state. He has taken a great weight off of my shoulders and has made this process nearly painless. I highly recommend him to everyone in the Charlotte area, he is amazing and responsible! He is on top of things, will always get to you in a timely manner and will keep you updated. Do not hesitate to place your trust in the Metz Law Firm!
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06 Jul, 2017 by Paulette
Keith was very polite. Her used key words and I was able to look up more information.
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06 Jan, 2024 by Candace
13 Nov, 2023 by Phoenix goldstandard
Paid 3,000 up front for a child custody battle. It was 6,000 total. Natalie was my attorney was cordial and cold all at the same time. They charge $40.00 per email per call.
They do allow you to make payments for the balance. Which was $500.00 a month.
Once paid the $3,000.00 I never heard from them for about 30 days. They did informed me that they email me but it went to junk because they don’t normally email me. But they allow 30 days to pass and had said nothing. They say they were waiting on me but in 30 days they never followed up to make sure I got the email. The assistant was explaining this while at the same time missing my opportunity to get on the court calendar since I haven’t seen my daughter in a Year and half and asking for another $500.00 dollars payment.
I had to do dispute for the funds back because they would not refund me the funds back. That takes 60-90 days. So now my money is tied up until that clears and I still don’t get to see my princess.
In short they were second biggest waste of time and money coming close to first to my Ex-wife!
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06 Jan, 2023 by Fulton williams
Seems like reviews are everywhere. I read them to try and gain some insight from the voices of the many. Every now again, I even try my hand at writing one. Then there are the moments that it is absolutely necessary to share your experience with others and this is one of those times. While there is not enough time to take you through all the twist and turns that lead us to the doorsteps of the practice of Phillips & McCrea, PLLC and ultimately Mr. Phillips, it proved to be out of the many things that were not going in our favor, the very one thing that did and it made all the difference in our outcome.
We have a special needs child and needed help with his disability case after some experiences that we will just describe by saying that we wish they were not a part of our story. If you live long enough you know the road bends and it turns and what becomes certain in this life is that nothing is for certain.
But there was a ram in the bush and if you know what that expression means, then you know the importance of the job Mr. Phillips rendered unto us at a professional level that not only is uncommon today; but you could make a strong argument if it even exist. Our experience with Mr. Phillips takes us through multiple years where even we wanted to surrender because we had nothing left in the tank; and I’m not talking about our tank was low, I mean notta, zero, zilch! Yet if not for Mr. Phillips encouragement in the face of what seemed insurmountable, his willingness to be patient and steadfast, and his professional acumen, our path would have been altered in ways we could not explain.
If anyone may have any doubts, unanswered questions or any reservations as to whether you have found the right attorney, I would ask that you stop what you are doing immediately and call Mr. Phillips on the phone NOW!!! Not only do we highly recommend him, drop the mic here……….
I will end this review by leaving you with a very important question. From personal experience I know how important it is to choose the right attorney to guide you through legal matters that a high level of expertise and sophistication is not only required, but demanded, why would you trust anyone else in such a time as this?
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30 Apr, 2024 by Ephrem
I was very happy with the representation I received from Mrs. Jones Law firm. Very polite and professional.
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29 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
I’m just getting around to this a year later, first thing this lady has a snappy attitude, she showed up to the custody hearing with no cross-examination questions, I looked over at her she started making up a few questions on the spot right before her time to cross exam, I said to myself what in the hell. Prior to the child custody trial, I emailed her questions she could potentially ask because I knew the opposing party’s situation and they were not truthful. Throughout the entire trial she probably objected the opposing council a hand full of times. When I would look at her face, it was like a dear in the headlights, she was stuck. it was like she was afraid of the opposing council. We took a bathroom break during the custody hearing and my character witness came over to me and said you need to fire this lady, I told him, I had already paid her. During this entire experience, this attorney was extremely apathetic, she did the bare minimum, she did not put any effort into this case; really quick phone calls, did not put any time and research in the case. My child’s mom even asked me where did I get that lawyer from? This lawyer has absolutely no business in the legal field.
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18 Jun, 2022 by Carlos g
Mrs. Jones represented me in a CS case and she delivered what she promised.
I remembered when I first interviewed her, I knew she would do a good job. However, she didn’t do a good job, she did an excellent job representing me.
She responded all my emails in a timely manner, her assistant was always there with reminders and more.
I worked with another lawyer before her and I learned how hard is to find a good family lawyer. Particularly those on the side of the father and I strongly recommend Jana Jones. You will not regret hiring her, she is very knowledgeable and she will have your best interest in mind when going to court. She know her way around the court and knows exactly how to address toughest judges.
Bottom line…. She is really good
One more thing and most important… when it comes to legal services… she is fair when it comes to her fees. You will not have any billing surprises, if you used legal services before you would know what I am talking about it. She is there to do the job, not to get your money.
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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:
-
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.
