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26 May, 2023 by Rosalie d
Took our retainer money then quit two weeks before the scheduled hearing, leaving us without representation. Cannot trust them.
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02 Feb, 2023 by Julie etherton
26 May, 2023 by Rosalie d
Took our retainer money then quit two weeks before the scheduled hearing, leaving us without representation. Cannot trust them.
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02 Feb, 2023 by Julie etherton
26 May, 2023 by Rosalie d
Took our retainer money then quit two weeks before the scheduled hearing, leaving us without representation. Cannot trust them.
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02 Feb, 2023 by Julie etherton
22 Jul, 2022 by Megan
I have never had a lawyer create a circle a defend me from my dad like he and his wife did when fighting against my dad wanting custody of me and he was a bad person with him I may be dead right now
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12 Aug, 2018 by Anonymous
I hired him for my divorce, and he is an overall an OK attorney. His price is steep for what little work he does.
My daughter-in-law is the one who had gotten everything, including important infomation and evidence, together and organized it for hI'm to help him out. I ended up having to pay for a lot of the information; like bank statements, ect; which is fine. But than 2 weeks before the court date, he says he misplaced 75% of everything. REALLY?! Luckily my daughter-in-law had almost all of it backed up.
Otherwise in court he is fierce.
If you need someone tough in court but don't mind doing all the work than yeah he's your guy.
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15 Oct, 2023 by Joseph clark
Called in for a consultation and never heard back even when I called in a second time to follow up. If they don’t have the decency to follow up with potential clients, then chances are they won’t do a good job with other issues.
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30 May, 2023 by Brian burghout
Just another trash lawyer grabbing cash till they head out to the Florida keys. Lies and deception.
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16 Mar, 2023 by Nabi khan
29 May, 2024 by Manuel borda
Rude. Does not make you fully aware or everything. Fine another lawyer.
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07 Aug, 2023 by Surget turner
Very friendly and helpful staff.
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12 May, 2023 by Bonnie garrett
We hired Rachel for a case dealing with the school board. She didn’t set our expectations well and kept losing each stage so that we had to pay more to move to the next appeal level to keep fighting. When we had meetings in her office she was kind and seemed to be on the same page as us, but in the hearings she was late, inarticulate, and hard to follow. She left out important points and included ones we hadn’t discussed and didn’t agree with. She didn’t seem comfortable speaking to an audience. She also commonly had issues with communication, like “my text didn’t go through”, “my email isn’t working”, “my staff didn’t give me the message”. It was very unprofessional. In the end, she lost our case. We understand you can’t win ‘em all, but when she realized she’d lost, she quit communicating with us and never gave us a final conversation to wrap things up. We actually had to reach out to the opposing side ourselves to find out what the outcome was. We knew the final result before she did. This was a very disappointing experience.
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18 Jun, 2024 by Todd dutton
She's evil
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28 Apr, 2024 by Abigail morris
27 Mar, 2024 by Penny cowart
16 Dec, 2024 by Anonymous
This lawyer is judgmental she makes sure a mother can not have her kids. She involves cases that does not contain together with siblings. I would not recommend this lawyer to anyone unless you want your kids taken from you when you have done no wrong.
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27 Sep, 2024 by Anonymous
Hired for a very specific reason. Took my payment, did absolutely nothing with my case, withdrew as she felt she couldn’t achieve what I’d hired her for claiming she was hired for another reason, refunded not even 20% of my retainer after doing nothing. The second most unethical and unprofessional attorney I’ve ever had the displeasure of meeting. Save your money and your time and find someone else.
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02 Feb, 2024 by Bart
She will take your money and not return emails or calls for six months. I don’t think other than Shannon Rash you could hire anyone worse. She is not on your side and will force you into committing to a bad deal. Buyer Beware!! Completely useless
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31 May, 2024 by Chris
I generally appreciate how they handled the case itself. They helped me to understand what was important and make sure we did what was necessary.
That being said, towards the end of the case, they asked for an additional retainer which I paid with the trust that any unused retainer would be refunded. I ended up negotiating an early end to the case, which brought it to a close sooner than expected.
After the case closed out I patiently waited for the judge's orders and final executed agreement and it wasn't until I contacted them twice that I was finally given these documents. They told me that their email server had crashed, though apparently they made no effort to verify that necessary communications had gone through.
Once I told them I wanted to close out the case and get my final itemized billing statement it became very difficult to reach them. I had to contact Legal Shield just to get Mr. Campbell to answer.
He eventually sent me a statement with many obvious overbillings, such as:
* an erroneous process server fee (which he admits)
* billing for a subpoena for a court appearance Mr. Campbell missed (which had to be rescheduled, everyone else was there but him)
* billing for me to go back and forth with them to obtain the end of case documents they never sent me
Mr. Campbell said he would review the statement and make any corrections then get back to me. However, since this response from him I haven't heard back from him and it is clear that he is not interested in providing fair and accurate accounting.
I'm not sure what's going on, if he's just busy or if he really doesn't care and thinks it's beneath him to be accountable to his client who's paid him thousands of dollars for representation. Whatever it is, it's unacceptable and he should be ashamed of himself.
I placed my trust in him and was not treated like a valued client in the end. Keep that in mind when you think of letting him hold onto your retainer. You may not get it back and he may not care to be transparently accountable about how it was spent.
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20 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
Hired John to take on a claim I had against a car insurance company that was incredibly difficult to deal with in settling this matter. The Insurance company's client rear-ended me, sent me to the hospital and I had lasting injuries afterwards. John immediately took the case and spent nearly a year arguing with the insurance company. In the end, he got a huge settlement for me!! Amazing attorney!
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26 Apr, 2019 by Anonymous
I hired him there was no communication and had me pay extra to refile in the same courtroom on the same case that he told me he would file elsewhere never asked me what I wanted in the matter basically just showed up and went with it
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15 Oct, 2018 by Lindi
Cristy taul was assigned to be my lawyer, and while I was very hesitant about how a court-appointed attorney would preform, I was very happy with her. Even though, in my non legally educated opinion, some things should have been handled differently or more time should have been spent on our case, for the uphill battle and it was and or the fact she was court-appointed, she did an absolutely phenomenal and amazing job. Truly, she will be a great asset to you if she is your attorney.
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28 Jan, 2015 by Randall
My son had no job, no money, and was told thru legal aid that he could qualify for a free attorney, and was sent so see Christy Taul. When we got there and talked to her, $1500 up front and expenses . My son had a child with young lady who liked to spread the love around. He was not allowed to be present at the birth, or see the child for months. We wanted a DNA test done, and then if child was his, then a visitation agreement. Hell, she already had him in a support agreement about a month before first court date or DNA results. Of course this didn't look good at first date, already behind on support. $500 for DNA test . This was during the great recession of 2008, when a lot of people were out of work. The child turned out to be his, and he did everything own his own to get caught up on support when he finally got work. Also told me that Grandparents don't have rights in Alabama, which I found out isn't true. I have hired a few attorneys in my time, but this in my opinion was the worst.
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23 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
He lies. He doesn’t respond to mail. He doesn’t listen. I believe what inmates say “He will sell you out”. Worst attorney in the whole state of Alabama my opinion! In the Houston county jail when inmates have to defecate they say “ I’m going to take a lamere”.
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19 Aug, 2024 by James ellis
24 Feb, 2024 by Sharod
My name is Rashad McLeod and I was out here in Dothan Alabama attorney Mr Matthew Lamere is a great attorney.
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14 Apr, 2021 by Anonymous
She has an issue staying in contact. She took days and sometimes weeks to respond. My case was completed months ago and I just found out about it because of lack of communication. I would never use this lawyer for any kind of case. Would not trust her to win rock, paper, scissors against a 2 Y/O child. If you value your money and time go to someone who is there for you because this one is only here for the money
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18 Jul, 2019 by Maggie
Lindsey was our divorce and custody lawyer and she was absolutely amazing. I honestly had no clue what I needed to do going into this since I’ve never been divorced before but she helped me with everything, from explaining all the steps to me of how things happen and in what order to helping me come up with a great arrangement that works well for me and the other party involved. She definitely kept my best interest in mind the entire time and made sure I got exactly what I needed in a timely fashion and she was more than reasonably price. I would definitely recommend her to anyone in need of a lawyer that works for them and only them.
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09 May, 2019 by Sarah
Great experience! She was fair with pricing and a treat to work with. Always followed up with any question I asked. Very pleasant. Office staff very courteous. Would recommend to a friend.
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12 Jul, 2024 by Anonymous
My dad used Mr. Broome’s services for his divorce, and in my honest opinion he would have been much better off hiring a therapist who knows nothing of law, because at least a therapist would have listened to him and learned the details of the case. Mr. Broome made no effort to defend my dad, or even remember what his case entailed. Anyone else in any other profession would be mortified to make a client spend most of the hour he’s paying $600+ for re-explain the case you’ve been paid to work on and investigate. Absolutely embarrassing. The Joe Biden of lawyers, without any form of endearing grandfatherly charm. Upon further inspection of the files sent to my dad at the end of the divorce, we’ve since found post-it notes and other annotations from either Mr. Broome or his paralegal or whoever worked with the papers, insulting my dad. To not only be so rude and condescending, but also so utterly wild and incompetent, while simultaneously charging a ridiculous amount for such a disservice is an absolute atrocity. My dad lost half of everything to a woman who spent most of my life abusing us both, and still has to pay her $5000 a month in alimony due to Mr. Broome’s incompetence and overall lack of effort. I can only imagine Mr. Broome is still working because he screwed up one of his own divorce cases and is unable to retire.
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06 Jul, 2021 by Anonymous
David Broome is a kind man and excellent at his job. He won my case and made a lasting impression. He is worth the money.
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08 Mar, 2016 by Anonymous
Broome charged me an up front fee of $7000 and allowed the opposing Attorney to drag the hearing out for several years. During which time he completely blundered my case and told me I needed to pay him an additional $1500 to straighten it out, which he didn't. If you're looking to hire an incompetent over-priced, then Broome is your man.
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10 Oct, 2019 by Brittany
Amazing lawyer I would recommend him to anybody he did everything I wanted and more, he saved me so much time and money I couldn't believe it! I was young but he treated me with so much respect
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08 Feb, 2019 by Anonymous
This attorney was HIRED and tried my case. He failed to argue my innocence, instead, focused on the wrong parts of the case. He had to be asked to speak louder over and over again. Nice guy, not someone that you want fighting for your freedom.
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18 Nov, 2018 by Anonymous
I hired Eric for my family case . He is very passionate and caring ! He really puts his all researching your case . However when it comes to stand up to the opposing side he folds and gives in without a fight. I feel he is one of the good ones but allows the bad ones to bully him .
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09 Aug, 2023 by Tim
I hired them to do a clerk’s deed. It took a year! To get anything done. They done it twice and both times it wasn’t right. Not to mention I paid the court house $120 to file it. And I’m still in the same boat I was to start with. Very disappointed and discussed!! Save your money!!!
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03 Aug, 2021 by Phillip
He took 1400 to do legal work....never did it. I had to begin pressing criminal charges to get my money back...even then he kept 300 dollars claiming he gave it to my girlfriend. I don't have a girlfriend so I'm now pressing charges a second time. He is a liar and a thief.
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31 Mar, 2018 by Tammy
Absolutely the worst attorney ever. I hired Josh O'Neal to handle some matters pertaining to my business. He FORGOT to file my documents on time, basically, FORGOT me, and caused a life altering mess. After forgetting to file, he would not speak to me, take my calls or give me an appointment to see him. I had to hire another attorney to fix the mess he created as best as she could. Mr. O'Neal never, offered a refund or anything to correct the damage that he caused me. I had planned to file a Mal Practice suit, and was advised by two different attorneys that I had a black & white case, but due to the issues he caused and put me in financially, I could not pay thousands of dollars to hire financial analysts to prove the revenues that was lost, and to handle my case. I would never recommend him, ever.
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17 Dec, 2024 by Micah
I would highly recommend never hiring Mr. Rainer as your legal representative. For instance i was told no color code and that’d id only have to take a couple weekend drug classes after i paid 2,000 for Mr.Rainer. This was not the case with the day of my court date Mr. Rainer was in the court room formaybe 5 minutes and the next thing i know i have 6 months of color code and drug classes. If you want a lawyer to fight for you don’t pick this man. Not to mention that Mr. Rainer told me if i paid my legal fees i wouldn’t have to be present in court for my next court date so of course i listened to my lawyer because i’ve never been arrested before this incident and had never been to court for even a ticket, so i thought my legal counsel would lead me in the right direction well boy was i wrong because next thing i know there’s a warrant out for my arrest for a FTA. When i called mr rainer and asked him what had happened he told me i was in the wrong and that in order to fix it i had to pay him an additional $1,000 , so i found new council and paid $500 for that council and never had to show back up to court and my charge was dismissed. I don’t ever plan on being in any legal trouble again but if i ever am i would never call Jeffrey Rainer because he is nothing but a crook. If you want someone who cares about your case don’t call Mr. Rainer because to him you are just another paycheck.
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25 Feb, 2022 by Anonymous
Mr. Rainer fell to provide services that he was hire for. He is not dependable and refuses to return call and he doesn’t keep client up to date on cases. Not trustworthy
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29 Nov, 2021 by Linda smith
Mr. Rainer is a brilliant attorney. He knows how to explain legal terms in a way for all the understand. I highly recommend Mr. Rainer to handle all of your legal needs.
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25 Feb, 2022 by Anonymous
Daniel Warnes operates with 0 integrity and does not care about those who are affected by it. Not someone you would want to hire.
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13 Mar, 2020 by Jennifer
I consulted 2-3 attorneys approximately 11 years ago pertaining to legal separation and custody issues, leaving each of their offices feeling as if not much would be accomplished. After consulting with Dan Warnes, I knew I had found a professional and dedicated attorney who would not only represent me with his best efforts, but would also put my children’s best interest at heart. The legal separation turned into divorce proceedings, which turned into lengthy custody issues, an appeal, and finally disability applications/hearing. Mr. Warnes represented me in family, probate, and appellate courts over the course of 10 years. Yes, a solid decade or longer! He always kept me updated through emails and phone calls, returning calls and responding to emails promptly. He guided me through disability applications/proceedings working closely with the disability attorney. This was a long and arduous process, all in order provide benefits to my ex-husband and our children. Mr. Warnes was ALWAYS willing to listen to me, discuss options, educate me, and, perhaps most important, pursue the avenues I felt were best for me and my children. I highly recommend Dan Warnes for any legal matters one would have!
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09 Feb, 2018 by Joshua
I am in the military and had to leave. Prior to leaving, was served by my ex wife with papers where she was trying to remove my joint custody so she would have sole custody of my children. Discussed everything with Dan and hired/paid him to handle the case in my absence. Received an email from his office halfway thru my absence for the military telling me that I should allow my ex to take the kids out of state on my visitation weekend to show good faith with the court. I told Dan I needed him to represent the facts of the case and let me make decisions in regards to my children. In response he filed for my court date to be held while I was gone and then filed removing himself as my representation. Upon confronting him about his actions, he had his secretary tell me to not contact them again or he would contact my commanding officer. I thought it was an extremely weird move and irrelevant to his lack of service and capabilities. Overall very Horrible representation, disrespectful, and lack of professionalism. Glad I found another lawyer to fix everything he messed up. Would never recommend to anyone.
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31 Oct, 2024 by Anonymous
During the entire court case she lied about absolutely everything. She made up random accusations but was never able to back them up.
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24 May, 2023 by Raul
I would not recommend this law firm to friends and family. I do not recommend hiring this lawyer, she is not professional in handling cases, you will only see her once when you hire her and pay the money in advance and then you will only have contact with the receptionist, when you ask for an appointment so that she can inform you of your case, she forgets, she did it to me twice I had to travel from Huntsville to Trussville for nothing, my case was simple but it took 7 months, they only sent the court the order of representation and the rest was losing the time for nothing, I think their prices are exaggerated and the senseless charges without effective content for clients who need to be represented, something you will NOT find in this office
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29 Sep, 2018 by Anonymous
She is the best kept secret. A coworker of mine (a RN who just finished law school) recommended her to me. She is a Christian, wife, mother and she, truly, cares about her clients. She is very well respected and continues to sustain me through the most difficult time of my life so far. She has been a Godsend. She isn't afraid to stand up for what is right and get done what needs to be done. Her paralegal is awesome, too. They are the best team!!
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Family Law Lawyer Can Do for You
A family law lawyer provides legal services related to family relationships, including marriage, divorce, child custody, and adoption. Family lawyers help clients navigate emotionally charged legal issues, providing guidance and representation in disputes that affect spouses, children, and parents. Whether you're going through a divorce, seeking custody of your children, or drafting a prenuptial agreement, a family law lawyer ensures your rights are protected and your interests are represented.
Family law attorneys often handle sensitive matters and offer objective legal advice, helping clients reach fair outcomes either through negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
When Should I Hire a Family Law Lawyer?
Hiring a family law lawyer is beneficial in several situations, especially when legal matters involve close personal relationships. Common reasons to hire a family law lawyer include:
- Divorce or separation: When ending a marriage, a lawyer can help you navigate issues such as division of assets, spousal support, and child custody arrangements.
- Child custody and visitation disputes: If you and your co-parent can't agree on custody or visitation, a lawyer can represent your interests and work toward a solution that benefits your children.
- Child support: Whether you’re seeking child support or defending against a claim, a lawyer can help ensure the appropriate amount is calculated and enforced.
- Prenuptial or postnuptial agreements: A lawyer can help draft or review agreements that protect your assets in case of divorce.
- Adoption: Family law lawyers guide you through the legal process of adoption, ensuring that all requirements are met.
- Domestic violence or restraining orders: If you're a victim of domestic violence or being falsely accused, a lawyer can help you obtain or challenge protective orders.
- Paternity cases: If there are questions about the paternity of a child, a lawyer can help establish or dispute legal fatherhood.
Hiring a lawyer early can prevent issues from escalating, and they can offer you the best chance of achieving a favorable outcome in emotionally charged situations.
What Does a Family Law Lawyer Do?
A family law lawyer provides a wide range of services depending on your specific legal needs. Their responsibilities may include:
- Advising on legal rights and options: Helping you understand your legal rights regarding divorce, child custody, support, and other family law issues.
- Filing legal documents: Drafting and filing petitions, motions, and agreements with the court, such as divorce papers, custody agreements, or support orders.
- Representing clients in court: Arguing your case in front of a judge if a settlement can’t be reached through negotiation or mediation.
- Mediation and negotiation: Assisting with alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation, to reach agreements on issues like custody, property division, and support without going to trial.
- Enforcing court orders: Helping you enforce court orders related to child support, alimony, or custody if the other party fails to comply.
- Drafting prenuptial or postnuptial agreements: Creating agreements that protect your assets in the event of a divorce.
- Handling adoption proceedings: Ensuring that the legal process of adoption is followed, from filing paperwork to finalizing the adoption in court.
How Are Family Law Lawyers Paid?
Family law lawyers typically charge clients in one of several ways, depending on the complexity of the case and the lawyer’s experience. Common payment arrangements include:
- Hourly rates: Most family lawyers charge by the hour, with rates varying based on experience and location. Clients are billed for the time spent working on their case, including consultations, court appearances, and document preparation.
- Flat fees: For more straightforward legal services, such as drafting a prenuptial agreement or handling an uncontested divorce, some lawyers offer flat-fee arrangements.
- Retainer fees: In cases that are expected to require significant time and attention, such as contentious custody battles, a lawyer may charge a retainer, which is an upfront payment that covers the initial costs of legal services. The lawyer then bills against the retainer as they work on your case.
The exact cost will depend on the complexity of your case and the lawyer’s fee structure, which should be discussed upfront.
How Much Does a Family Law Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a family law lawyer varies based on factors such as the lawyer's experience, the location, and the complexity of your case. Here are some general cost guidelines:
- Hourly rates: Family law lawyers typically charge between $150 and $500 per hour, depending on their experience and the complexity of the case.
- Flat fees: For simpler cases, such as drafting a prenuptial agreement or handling an uncontested divorce, fees may range from $1,000 to $5,000.
- Retainers: For more complex matters, such as contested divorces or custody battles, lawyers may charge a retainer ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 or more. The lawyer will bill against the retainer for the work they do on your case.
- Additional costs: You may also be responsible for additional costs, such as filing fees, mediation fees, or expert witness fees.
Always ask for a clear breakdown of the lawyer’s fees and any additional expenses during your consultation.
Top Questions to Ask a Family Law Lawyer
Before hiring a family law lawyer, it's important to ask questions to ensure they're the right fit for your case. Here are key questions to ask during your consultation:
-
What experience do you have with family law cases like mine?
Make sure the lawyer has experience handling cases similar to yours, whether it's a contested divorce, child custody dispute, or adoption. -
How will you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, a flat fee, or requires a retainer. Ask for an estimate of the total costs involved. -
What are the possible outcomes of my case?
An experienced lawyer should be able to give you a general idea of what to expect based on the facts of your case. -
What is your approach to resolving disputes?
Ask whether the lawyer tends to favor negotiation and mediation or whether they prefer to take cases to court. This can help you determine if their style matches your goals. -
How long do you expect my case to take?
While it’s difficult to predict, the lawyer should give you an estimate based on similar cases. -
Who will be handling my case?
In larger firms, junior attorneys or paralegals may do much of the work, so make sure you understand who will be your main point of contact.
How to Check the Credibility of a Family Law Lawyer
To ensure you're hiring a reputable family law lawyer, follow these steps to verify their credentials and reputation:
- Check state bar association records: Verify that the lawyer is licensed to practice in your state and is in good standing with no disciplinary actions.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for reviews on websites like Avvo, Google, or Martindale-Hubbell. Previous clients can give you insight into the lawyer’s professionalism and success in family law cases.
- Request references: Ask the lawyer for references from past clients who can speak to their experience with the lawyer.
- Review their website or professional profile: Look at the lawyer’s background, case history, and areas of focus to ensure they have substantial experience in family law.
- Look for professional memberships: Membership in reputable organizations, such as the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), can indicate a lawyer's expertise and dedication to family law.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To get the most out of your first consultation with a family law lawyer, it’s important to come prepared. Here’s what you should bring:
- Relevant documents: Bring any documents related to your case, such as marriage certificates, prenuptial agreements, financial records, custody agreements, or court orders.
- List of assets and debts: For divorce cases, prepare a detailed list of all assets (e.g., homes, bank accounts, retirement funds) and debts (e.g., mortgages, loans, credit card balances).
- Details of the family issue: Provide a written summary of the situation, including key dates and facts related to your divorce, custody dispute, or support issue.
- Questions for the lawyer: Write down any questions you have about the legal process, costs, and potential outcomes.
- Your goals: Be prepared to discuss your objectives, such as custody arrangements, property division, or spousal support, so the lawyer understands your priorities.
Being organized and clear about your situation will help the lawyer evaluate your case more effectively and offer the best advice for moving forward.
