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11 Apr, 2024 by Christine hunt
David from Houston and Houston is a very nice guy and personable! That's what drew me to him in the first place when I was looking for a lawyer to help me with my divorce. My husband and I had found out that I was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and didn't want to extend the divorce any longer and go to trial. We wanted to figure out a settlement agreement instead. I, unfortunately, did not have a great experience with David and decided to switch to a different law firm a month before my trial date. In the beginning, he was great. David answered my questions, and scheduled meetings with me to make sure I understood the divorce process. However, over time the communication began to lack. There were moments in which I had not heard from him for weeks to months at a time even though I was reaching out via email and phone. I began to feel as if David did not have my best interest in mind and although I had mentioned on multiple occasions I wanted to have a divorce settlement rather than going to trial it felt as if David wanted to go to trial instead. He would delay his responses, then be out of town for multiple weeks, then ignore my request for settlement discussion and just push for trial. Which is not what I wanted. This began to frustrate me as one could imagine. I mentioned my frustration to David and let him know if things did not change then I would seek representation elsewhere. Unfortunately, nothing changed and I decided to go with a different law firm in town that I felt had my best interest in mind. I would not recommend him as a lawyer.
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10 Feb, 2023 by Carrie arrendale
David Houston is an amazing lawyer and a great person. He walked me through a very stressful divorce and kept me calm and level headed all throughout. I will always be grateful.
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07 Jan, 2020 by William toliver
20 Dec, 2024 by Nicole marsh
My case has taken 2 yrs and this team was amazing and on top of every detail. Their communication was always quick and thorough. Darryll was superb in his cross examination and closing. Ashley is top tier and I wouldn’t ever want anyone else on my side if I have future legal battles. 100% recommend This team
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23 Oct, 2024 by Maynard vanzant
Look up his history with the Alaska Supreme Court, as well as the BAR Association. Hell, look him up on court view. Cant seem to respect the law or pay debts he owes. He is well known for being unethical and incompetent. Find a lawyer with a better track record.
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23 Apr, 2024 by D p
12 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
I took a terrible plea deal based on her advice. I believe she put absolutely no effort into my case. I was eligible for vet court and mental health court and a first offender... Nope. I have been haunted by my decision to have hired her basically ever since.
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28 Jun, 2020 by Whitney
Christina has represented me for a few years with a very contentious divorce/custody battle and has fought to show the judge that statements being made about me were not truthful. I am very blessed to have her continue to represent me.
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29 Dec, 2017 by Anonymous
My husband and I thought I had made a bigger mistake than it really was. I tried to ignore the issue but it got bigger and when it seemed overwheleming I asked several friends for help and discovered Mrs. Alfonso. She listened to me, read all the paperwork, told me how much it would probably cost and then made it all happen just like she explained it. The best solution is not to wait and deal with it asap like she lines out.
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30 May, 2017 by Shaun
My husband and I hired Mr. Priddle for a child custody case. He was kind, courteous, and professional; but did not seem to take our concerns seriously. He lost EVERY motion, we lost every penny.
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15 Aug, 2023 by Shelby singleton
Mr. Haas behaved in a professionally reckless and dangerous manner, with the medical knowledge he was doing so.
He possessed comprehensive HIPPA protected medical records from a related prior case that fully outlined the neurodegenerative disease & cognitive disability.
He personally made medical judgment beyond his scope of expertise in defiance of all pertinent medical records was uniquely in possession of.
Mr. Haas’ actions harmed a severely cognitively disabled, terminally ill client with full knowledge & irrefutable medical documentation his professional actions had no other outcome than harm to his client.
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25 Mar, 2021 by C bowen
Very professional
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16 Feb, 2021 by Dave diviak
19 Jan, 2022 by Michael mann
He had went above and beyond helping doing things he didnt half to assisting me throughout the process it was a real big help and continues to be as well!
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13 Oct, 2021 by Anonymous
For those who don’t have money, he’s not the attorney for you! Money is what drives the work he put towards your case. He’s not working in your best interest or the child’s, or for what is the right thing to do, he works for the potential largest payout to him!
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13 Mar, 2021 by Jonathon
Seemed too busy and unmotivated to properly prepare our custody case. He gave me less than an hour last minute the day before the trial to prepare.
During trial he was unorganized and “forgot” important issues we discussed. Our judge even commented on it. His priority is about getting paid not providing quality services.
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12 Sep, 2018 by Anonymous
Heather represented us on a DUI. She thoroughly reviewed the case information, kept us in the loop on what was occurring and worked hard to get the best outcome under the circumstances. Heather answered all of our questions and provided us with realistic and practical information to assist us in this process. She was extremely pleasant, helpful and had a wealth of knowledge in helping us navigate the unfortunate situation that we were in. I highly recommend her to anyone in the Fairbanks area looking for legal assistance.
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02 Apr, 2018 by Anonymous
I had what was a slam dunk situation (described by Ms Brown and another respected lawyer) in my favor and the way Ms. Brown wrote up the paperwork, it not only got denied by the court. It was filled out wrong and I had to go and scratch out parts of her work and rewrite parts of it. Once my situation was denied, I tried calling Ms Brown and I couldn't even get a return call from her. I hope local residents avoid this attorney. So many better options out there and you deserve so much better treatment from an attorney.
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09 Mar, 2018 by Anonymous
Heather was a true pleasure to work with, in my trying time. She helped me along the way explaining every step and walking me through every situation. By far the best in town. All tough I hope I never need a lawyer again. If I do, there is no question who I will be calling.
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18 Apr, 2024 by Robert stewart
Blake Chupka, excellent attorney and excellent service! My family was in need of help with estate planning. Blake knew exactly what was needed and did his work very quickly. Now we are all set for the future. Thanks again Blake!
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11 Feb, 2023 by Michael peters
Best lawyer I had ever had.Will never use anyone else!!!!!
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04 Aug, 2022 by Jason jackson
24 Jul, 2023 by Ak_wild_one
27 Jun, 2023 by Codee “lucky” c
15 Jul, 2022 by Casey young
Lyle Stohler has been so very amazing yo me and with my case. He knows the laws and truly has gone to bat for me because he sees the truth for the truth!!!
Thank you Lyle!!
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15 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
retained her services for a simple dissolution / divorce that needed minimal mediation. Instead of abiding by what we discussed for strategy and setting up mediation she constantly moved toward trial proceedings and blamed spouses attorney. Turns out court view showed she was filing delays. Additionally she would go for long periods of time and not respond to email or calls yet when she billed you she could communicate that. Had to request status after initial court filing when spouse response to being served was overdo. only to find that she let the deadline lapse without moving notifying the court. Motion of default would have been resolved right away and she chose not to file when clearly that was my request - end the marriage expeditiously . Misrepresented and poor to no communication along with her leaving town a lot. Not a dedicated or reliable attorney.
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14 Feb, 2023 by Anonymous
Horrible communication, never answers the phone, never responds in a reasonable amount of time, over priced, does not care about her clients. She just wants all your hard earned money. Do NOT recommend!
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04 May, 2019 by Ryan mcdonald
Absolute professional. Took time to understand my needs and not just treat me as a client. Went way above and beyond. Highly recommend!
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26 Feb, 2025 by Belynda m
Hired Dan Allen a year ago March 8, 2024 to take are of my moms simple probate on her home. Paid his 2500$ flat fee. After 8 months I started bugging them. They had NOT done anything. Sent me paperwork in October 24 that was a mess misspelled names etc. Was suppose to fix and resend. Never did. Let the holidays go by hoping to hear from them. Nope still not a word. January tried calling multiple times a day no answer. Emails no response. I don’t live in AK anymore but had a friend go by his office. Nobody there !!!!! He seemed to disappear. Called AK bar association, they checked showing he was still active. Anyone know where he went ????? I’m filing papers for petition for arbitration for fee dispute ASAP. Oh last week his number is now disconnected!!!!!!
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15 Jan, 2025 by B k
Mail is piling up at his office. Haven't seen or heard from him in over a month. Kept saying he'd call back for months and now he's MIA.
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25 Nov, 2024 by Tara moore
Best law firm, Christian and Jason are outstanding, so friendly and very knowledgeable
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26 Jan, 2022 by Anonymous
I hired Jacob based on a recommendation from a friend to help me in a divorce turned dissolution. He is very charismatic and expensive. While I believe that he is good attorney, he did not take care of my case as could be expected from an attorney that is charging an absolute premium for his time. The reasons for my bad review are as follows:
- He missed multiple phone meetings
- He talked me into a settlement conference from which he later wrote " We should NOT have agreed to mediation – I feel responsible for that decision. It put you on a slippery path to an agreement that is probably far beyond what a court would have ordered at trial."
- He had to ask me what was agreed in the mediation, because his notes were lacking.
- During the court hearing, he almost was dismissed by the judge.
- The QDRO he drafted got rejected, and he left me cleaning it up with the other attorney.
- He promised me a substantial brake on my bill, but only came up with a small one.
What should have been a simple dissolution turned into a 1.5 year nightmare. I like Jacob as a person, but the performance on my case was sub-par. As reflected by the positive reviews, I think that it would have been different if he would have had the time to properly prepare.
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18 Oct, 2021 by Anonymous
This attorney is the hidden gem of Alaskan lawyers. Modest, ethical and fiercely smart. He practices the old school *art of counsel* that has been lost in so many law firms. When you ask other good lawyers who they recommend, Jake is top of the list every time.
After a hundred thousand in legal fees from other lawyers and battling a malignant narcissist and his criminal girlfriend for a year, Jake took my case and swiftly ended their non-sense. He protected me and continues to protect me and also schooled the other side on the law.
Judges respect him when he speaks and man is he some kind of smart!
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14 Apr, 2016 by Chris
Jacob and his team are second to none. He always tried to go with the most inexpensive and direct approach to end my case. He always kept my daughter top of his priority never what I or my ex unrealistically wanted. He listened to both sides and worked diligently to find a way we could settle. After settling failed he always went out of his way to fight for me. I could not imagine how my life would be right now if he did not accept me as a client. More then 4 lawyers passed on my case due to me living out of state. Thank you Jacob for always believing in me.
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24 Jul, 2023 by Ak_wild_one
27 Jun, 2023 by Codee “lucky” c
15 Jul, 2022 by Casey young
Lyle Stohler has been so very amazing yo me and with my case. He knows the laws and truly has gone to bat for me because he sees the truth for the truth!!!
Thank you Lyle!!
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11 May, 2022 by Anonymous
I first went to Gary for help with my case. I hired him after he said a bunch of honeyed words. I felt like he didn’t try and defend me. I wasn’t notified of a hearing and ended up missing it. When I asked to file under a certain document they didn’t do it. I paid well over $8000 to just throw it away! I walked away with more debt. Go somewhere else save your money
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09 Feb, 2017 by Arlene
Gary helped me with a very complicated divorce. He kept me informed at all times, asked for my input, and helped me understand what was going on. A family member of mine recently went through a divorce with a different lawyer so I can now compare. Gary was BY-FAR a better advocate. You can trust him to do what you ask. If you want to drag it out, he'll fight for you. If you want to get it over with quickly he'll provide knowledgeable advise that you can use to make informed decisions. I would recommend him highly.
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10 Dec, 2015 by Anonymous
Mr. Eschbacher told me how much my divorce would cost me. It was 3 times what he told me. Several times when I met with him or we spoke on the phone, we had to go back over details we previously discussed. I had to anyone. His paralegal, Carol, is brash and has zero empathy. The mediator he chose was rude, arrogant, and at times verbally abusive.
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21 Aug, 2022 by Tami
In 1996 I told my ex-husband (Tom Spurlock) I wanted a divorce; it was a hard decision, but I knew I had to do it.
I was not physically abused- but I was mentally/emotionally abused.
We had 3 children, they were starting to treat me the same as he did. I knew I could not allow them to find this acceptable-2 of them we’re little girls- I was especially concerned for them- they were 9 and 13. I could not let them think this was how a man should treat a woman.
I was not going to have any part in my son(11) thinking it alright to treat women this way.
Tom figured I didn’t have the money to hire a lawyer and he had plenty.
A friend of mines dad worked with Darryl, she set it up for us to meet. After explaining the situation to him he agreed to take omy case “ Pro-Bono. It was a messy divorce- one factor that played into it was the custody of the 3 children. The 2 oldest were adopted by Tom- the 3rd was our child together. I was requesting full custody of my oldest daughter- (Tom and her did not have a good relationship at that time), I regretfully was willing to allow Tom to have full custody of my son - I thought if I did this Tom would be nicer to all of us- I will regret that for the rest of my life. I wanted shared custody of our daughter. N we had t try o go through a separate hearing because of the custody issues.finally after several motions back and forth between the two lawyers, custody was awarded as I requested.
Thinking Tom would be nicer to myself and the children - it didn’t happen that way- so more motions were presented- finally it was done.
I did not have to pay anything to Darryl- Tom Spurlock was presented with the bill- as it should be.
After a few years passed my son decided he no longer wanted to live with Tom-Darryl once again did want was needed to make this happen, again it was not easy- but he had my sons best interest moving forward.
I would highly recommend Mr. Darryl Thompson to anyone needing to have faith that he will do the best job for you and your needs.
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23 May, 2022 by Anonymous
Mr. Thompson did as little as possible. Avoid at all costs. His paralegal Richard Hall is terrible, incredibly lazy, and lies.
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06 Sep, 2013 by Kris
I have a pending personal injury suit being handled by Mr. Thompson and he is staying on top of things and constantly keeps me informed about the case. He was strait forward with me about my case and very realistic about the terms of the case and his opinion of the potential settlement. He was not fast to throw out numbers not to get hopes up but stayed on top of the respondent and is pursuing the matter as adamantly as possible. Also his staff specifically Michelle is very involved with his cases and answers any concerns I have as quickly as possible if Mr. Thompson doesn't beat her to it.
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06 Mar, 2022 by Frank hill
One of the best loyers I've ever met pays attention 100% works harder to wen your case he won my custody battle and got me my son and I'm a guy I'm probably in the leaa than 20% of fathers who gets their son. Thank you for all your help
Frank Hill
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22 Dec, 2020 by Kim simpson
25 Nov, 2020 by Thomas widmyer
04 May, 2024 by Jennifer pierce
When you need an attorney is when it really matters who shows up. My experience, unfortunately, had me frantic to hire an attorney to protect my best interest as well as my resources. I had more than 5 experiences with consultations, payments and contracts prior to scheduling with Burglin & Doxey. I sincerely would have preferred that I began with this firm.
What I appreciated throughout my experience has been Mr. Doxey's transparency, responsiveness, thorough explanations, knowledge and experience in supporting my informed decision making process to navigate a situation where I am having to trust strangers to help me through a legal situation. I appreciate that Mr. Doxey didn't sugar coat nor glaze over potential complications.
I noticed a review that said Mr. Doxey was ...nastiest man, blah blah...my goodness, thanks for that review, as that is exactly what I want from an attorney I hire and have working for my best outcomes, though not once did I experience that.
I can not convey enough positive feedback, all of my interactions with staff at Burglin & Doxey have been professional, personable and pleasant. Save yourself the headaches, start here!
10 out of 5 Stars, in my opinion.
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14 Apr, 2024 by Benjamin fenwick
Burglin and Doxey is a outstanding firm
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14 Apr, 2024 by Bird naughton
I feel sorry for anyone that hires Jason.
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21 Jun, 2023 by Elly john
Worthless they do not return calls! Especially with new evidence!
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08 Dec, 2021 by Troy ifill
28 Feb, 2024 by C m
They don’t answer calls, don’t return messages. They don’t maintain open communications with victims about future court dates and the nature of court dates. Asked whether they did any kind of background check on the perpetrator prior to offering a joke of a plea bargain for assault, they claimed they did one and did not turn up any record. Yet I found half a dozen examples of reckless prior conduct using a free background check service (JudyRecords). How is it I was able to find half a dozen prior records, with the same name, same date of birth, in a state the perpetrator previously lived in, and the same general type of behavior (reckless disregard for the safety of other people)? The district attorney’s office refused to fingerprint the perpetrator of assault, a process which would have yielded information answering the question of whether the perpetrator had ever been arrested previously using the same name or an alias. How can they offer a plea bargain or sentence a defendant without knowing for sure whether the perpetrator has a prior criminal record? A prior record is the very thing that establishes whether conduct is part of a pattern. Because the district attorney would not do this on their own volition, we asked this question in open court and judge Browning himself also acted like this assault case was as trivial as Jay-walking, saying he has nothing to do with police and district attorney matters, at which point the district attorney stood up and said they already talked to us about this. Thus far, I am not impressed with our Just-Us system.
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08 Feb, 2023 by Pheakie music
They are doing a great job handling a high volume of things. They are bringing us justice. #justiceforhazlee
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19 Mar, 2021 by Sue ellen montes
The secretary us the only contact for the DA. Lines of communication should be open more.
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23 Nov, 2022 by Erik gustafson
Called, emailed, left messages. No reply. If you want help, go elsewhere. Like anywhere.
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09 Apr, 2017 by Serge kahlon
07 Jun, 2014 by Shafi ula
18 Nov, 2014 by Estherjurasek
This attorney actually instructed me to write a letter to the judge. It was eight pages long and took me a long time to compile. His lead attorney told me that it should never have been written. That the judge would never read it etc... I got charged for all of this wasted time and communication. He refused to listen to me when I tried to follow the counselors suggestion to me. This is the counselor that he suggested I go to. He in my opinion did not communicate well with his lead. He neglected to inform me of the judges final ruling but for about three weeks insisted that he had. Once he discovered the mistake he emailed me saying, " Upon further review of your file we have discovered that we have not sent you the judges final ruling after all." They did however find the time at my expense to send it to my ex husband.
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08 Apr, 2022 by Anonymous
Deserve zero, stay away, will burn you.
she will waste your money doing stupid letters, motions, phone calls and all are worthless, just rip you offffff.
stay away, she does her own thing and will sell you for free to the opposition.
I asked many people after the fact; they mentioned her name even without saying one word. everyone knew she is crocket dishonest, disrespectful, and doesn't deserve to be an attorney.
I fired her after destroyed me. hopefully the new one will fix what she broke
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15 Dec, 2016 by Jason
Was going through a messy divorce and consulted With Rita. I sat there, essentially the entire time just nodding my head as she kept talking about various tangential topics about divorce. We spoke very little about my case in particular, and the conversation seemed to have no direction towards my needs.
Waste of time
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02 Jan, 2015 by Anonymous
We went in to get advice and Rita did not sit and listen to us, but instead simply spent all but perhaps 5 minutes very slowly rambling on about facts about our case that we already knew and other generic information = wasted time and money. When we interjected to get the issues we were concerned about on the table, she would cut us off and insist we hear her out. When we asked specific questions about hypothetical outcomes and how we should proceed, she said, "I didn't go to the school of magic wands". Providing practical what-if's and solutions to those would have been GREATLY appreciated. Instead, we paid $240 for an hour (wait, only 48 minutes, 5 of which actually pertained to our concerns) of her rambling on instead of listening to and advising her paying clients on what they were truly concerned about. There should be a high level of integrity of use of one's time when your services warrant $4/minute. We got better information from websites for free by far. We paid her to give us valuable advice that we couldn't find elsewhere. This was not the case.
The front desk office manager was not the friendliest and was very defensive as well.
We would not recommend Rita. Please let our costly mistake keep you from making a similar one.
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18 Apr, 2022 by Anonymous
Incredibly unprofessional. Makes actions and comments based on personal opinion rather than best interest of the client . Ignores phone calls and request.
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23 Sep, 2014 by Anonymous
The man is a disaster. He does not respond to email or phone calls, he loses documents (and not just once!) He has not plan or strategy. He takes months to respond to pleadings, sometimes never getting around to responding to them at all. Recommend him to your worst enemy or your ex-wife!
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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.
