Filter by

star star star star star
05 Nov, 2024 by Charlene robinson
Everyone there is so nice and caring. Marion is awesome .
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
18 Oct, 2024 by Ryan jones
Google Maps
star star star star star
05 May, 2024 by Bryant reid
Madison was fantastic and worth every penny! She and the office were easy to reach and prompt to respond. They answered all my questions. She listened to my concerns & goals, and then clearly explained options moving forward. 100% recommended!
Read more Google Maps
See more
star star star star star
15 Mar, 2024 by Seth gallier
The whole team at Bull and Reinhardt is great! I recently worked with attorney Anna Bowkett on a divorce case. She was always very attentive and helpful, and I really appreciated her bright, bubbly personality, her concise communication, and especially her punctuality in answering any questions I had. I felt empowered knowing she had my back. She knows her stuff. Thanks Anna!
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
04 Mar, 2024 by Richard kowalski
I highly recommend ! Bull & Reinhardt are the best in the business ! Don’t settle for anyone else.
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
23 Feb, 2024 by Nancy hitt
Good lawyers just a little slow getting your papers done
Read more Google Maps
See more
star star star star star
15 Mar, 2024 by Seth gallier
The whole team at Bull and Reinhardt is great! I recently worked with attorney Anna Bowkett on a divorce case. She was always very attentive and helpful, and I really appreciated her bright, bubbly personality, her concise communication, and especially her punctuality in answering any questions I had. I felt empowered knowing she had my back. She knows her stuff. Thanks Anna!
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
04 Mar, 2024 by Richard kowalski
I highly recommend ! Bull & Reinhardt are the best in the business ! Don’t settle for anyone else.
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
23 Feb, 2024 by Nancy hitt
Good lawyers just a little slow getting your papers done
Read more Google Maps
See more
star star star star star
12 Apr, 2021 by Edward
Heidi Stewart promised to help with an issue with my dad. It was time sensitive. She saw him once and talked to him one other time. On Friday she said she would see him Saturday. On Saturday she said she couldn’t see him because she needed to spend time with her family. She agreed to see him Sunday morning at 11:00 and then texted my wife (in another state) an hour before the appointment saying she couldn’t come and to call her next week. Today, Monday, she sent an e-mail saying her schedule would not allow her to see him and to find someone else. This is NOT the way to conduct business, especially with a lot on the line. I would never recommend someone with such a poor business ethic. I had paid her for the time she invested and was more than willing to pay for the rest had she done so
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
19 Jul, 2016 by Sara
Heidi Stewart is very helpful & compassionate. I felt truly understood, as well as emotionally supported while seeking her help with a complex situation. She seems to have a very strong understanding of technical aspects of the law, and she is also sensitive to the emotional needs of her clients. I felt she was giving advice in a genuine effort to help me make the best decision for myself.
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
31 Oct, 2015 by Michelle
Heidi was a wonderful advocate for me. When I got bogged down and disheartened she stood my ground for me. She was always professional, up front and fair. I highly recommend her services.
Read more Avvo
See more
star star star star star
11 Aug, 2024 by Tomandrenee
Jacob handled my property title legal work quickly and easily.
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
11 Aug, 2024 by Kelda harrison
Google Maps
star star star star star
10 Aug, 2024 by Simon bennett
Jacob has been a godsend. It's not a fun situation, but his professionalism and experience has allowed us to get through it with the best outcomes possible. A+
Read more Google Maps
See more
star star star star star
11 Aug, 2024 by Tomandrenee
Jacob handled my property title legal work quickly and easily.
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
11 Aug, 2024 by Kelda harrison
Google Maps
star star star star star
10 Aug, 2024 by Simon bennett
Jacob has been a godsend. It's not a fun situation, but his professionalism and experience has allowed us to get through it with the best outcomes possible. A+
Read more Google Maps
See more
star star star star star
06 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
David Budd was my wife’s lawyer in her custody case for her two daughters. Throughout the entire year that we’ve had Mr budd as her lawyer, Mr budd has made little to no attempt to help my wife get ready for her court date. Budd will make you do the hard work for him. He makes you print out your own evidence and sort it, he makes you come up with your own questions to be asked in court which is a lawyers job. My wife and I don’t get paid to do his job for him. On top of all of this the last custody hearing we went too David budd had none of the evidence with him at the court house my wife had printed out for him but to make matters worse he didn’t even know half of it was sent over to him! Probably due to his hateful paralegal tiara. David promised my wife a payment plan to which was set up and payments were being made on time, a month before her court hearing withdrawal from being her lawyer because we can’t pay the full amount of which we just sat up a payment plan for. Please beware of this mess of a law firm.
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
06 May, 2018 by Anonymous
Poor slow communication.Rather than saying my situation was not what he typically deals with he told me to handle it myself.Everyone I spoke to warned me against that. Not only was I scared but now I felt confused and rejected as to how to handle what i had been through. He was kind of a jerk. Thankfully Pisgah legal was able to direct me to someone who was much kinder while directing me to the proper contact for help.
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
06 Feb, 2018 by Nick
I hired David Budd to represent me in a divorce case and ended up needing his services for child support/custody issues as well. I should note, I started with another attorney but I'm glad I found Mr. Budd because my case was going nowhere before he came on board. Mr. Budd was very matter-of-fact during our consultation and, unlike other lawyers I've encountered, he doesn't hedge all his responses or rely on legalese - he just cut to the chase and got to work on my case. Within 2 months my divorce was FINALLY done, and this was no easy task as he was dealing with a very difficult opposing lawyer and opposing party. I have continued to use his services to address multiple issues that have come up since and he has helped to make a very stressful situation manageable. I trust Mr. Budd and his paralegal, Tonya, to understand and resolve my legal problems while keeping costs reasonable. I have already recommended Mr. Budd to others and would definitely hire him again.
Read more Avvo
See more
star star star star star
21 Sep, 2024 by Tanner x
THEIVES! We used them to handle a workers comp case and they tried to steal over $5000 by sneaking behind our backs and lied in writing! We only found out when one of them let it slip discussing that they received their check weeks prior and we have been ignored and left in the cold for months trying to get paid, even after signing papers and settling! Do not trust these people (Greensboro Office) Cannot believe after they get $20,000+ they have the nerve and greed to attempt stealing another $5,000 illegally.
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
22 Jul, 2024 by Charles hill
Losing your home is a horrible experience and this law firm doesn't give damn about you or your circumstances. You're doing everything to come up with the money and this law firm's fees is what will get you because they add more whenever they feel like it and whatever amount they feel like. I called and told them that I'd finally come up with all of the money and two days later they added 6,000 with only a few days for me to come up with money or lose my house. I literally collasped and I hope to never have to deal with them again.
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
25 Sep, 2023 by Matt
Google Maps
See more
star star star star star
09 Jun, 2023 by Anonymous
Mr. Trilling was appointed to me by the court and, in my humble opinion, I'd rather have a box of bricks defend me. Our client-attorney relationship was brief as I ended up firing him and hiring an attorney out-of-pocket, but I knew I would be better off with anyone else. He was rude, insulting and overall I would not recommend him.
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
03 Feb, 2009 by James
joel is a great attorney he helped me out greatly
Read more Avvo
See more
star star star star star
26 Oct, 2023 by Andrea
It's always great to work with a strong, professional woman. Jennifer is honest almost to a fault. She doesn't make empty promises and will tell it like it is, which you need to hear, whether you like it or not. She is also incredibly smart. She is an expert in family law and and it shows. She considered my feedback and would tell me how realistic it was or was not. I had no problem sharing the reins with her.
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
24 Nov, 2017 by Preston
I had a difficult case as my ex took our daughter and moved to North Carolina. I am in California. I was denied visitation so I hired Jennifer. I met her once. In that consultation she informed me that although difficult I should be able to get joint 50/50 custody. Most paperwork was done through email, postal mail with notaries and legal envelopes. All in all, I was given 50/50 custody and my daughter was given residency in both states. I couldn't of asked for anything more. The relief I was given by Jennifer and her assistant Flo was tremendous. I didn't have to appear in court as it was held in North Carolina.
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
02 Oct, 2014 by Gregory
Attorney Jennfier Moore and I had radically different perspectives on identical situations, especially the process between quality services expected and her billing practices. Attorney Jennifer Moore takes limited responsibility for her errors; quoted me one price in the office after a consultation but took no action for almost a month. When called to task, she demanded more money before any action would be taken even though I had a receipt of payment per our agreement. Once that had been settled, she sent a draft with errors that arrived so late as to be unusable but even then, she couldn’t differentiate between me as her paying client and wrote on a binding settlement that my spouse was her client - needles to say, quite an embarrassment. When asked for a partial refund, she was adamant all services were provided: a form-letter with errors that could not be used and was thankfully never sent because of the errors and dismal formatting. A totally worthless transaction that ultimately is going to cost me significant money because of her inability to respond with efficacy or efficiency. For those wanting quality legal services, my “opinion” is go anywhere but to Jennifer Moore.
Read more Avvo
See more
star star star star star
01 Aug, 2021 by Anonymous
Like many of the other reviews Mike and his paralegal almost never responds to texts, calls, or emails. When they do it is generally nonsense. Unfortunately, legal shield recommended him and other more promising attorneys were not taking clients at the time. I paid every invoice without dispute but he was never prepared as he should have been and fumbled around on nearly everything. It seems his conversation are purposely long winded and end with no action. On one court case he admitted to not reading the proposal from the other party but said I should take it. I had read it and flatly refused as it was in no way fair. I ended up with joint custody instead of weekly supervised visits which so far has lead to 100% custody of one child, no thanks to him. On another court case I did not even get confirmation he will be there it was very stressful waiting and not knowing on top of everything else. After months of no communication and another court case coming up I am forced to go it alone.
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
14 Oct, 2020 by Maria gevedon
Good morning Michael E. Ciochina, I want to start by saying thank you so much for the respect, consideration, concern, and professional job you did on my son's custody case. Thank you for the excellent legal representation We could not be happier with the results of our trial. You made a very critical difference in my granddaughter's future. As a concerned Mimi I was fallen apart known the a bruise and torment my granddaughter would go through if we would not have being able to get her out of the environment she was in. Your legal counsel and positive attitude reassured us everything would be okay it was a process but thank God you where there every step of the way. The extra time and effort put forth on your behalf until the end was truly appreciated. The process was challenging, but in the end we can breath a lot better at night knowing that my granddaughter is safe and well protected. I pray that she will continue to wake up happy everyday knowing that she is truly loved and safe. Thanks again for everything you done for our family to bring this precious little girl back home. Thanks for displaying experience and skill to get the best results possible for our family. PS I don't want to leave anyone out your secretary /paralegal Tonya is awesome she was always respectful and listen when I needed someone to talk to awesome woman. I hope God continues to bless your law firm.
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
14 Nov, 2017 by Matt
Mr. Ciochina is a great attorney that has walked me through some pretty difficult times to ensure the well being of my daughter. I highly recommend him.
Read more Avvo
See more
star star star star star
12 Feb, 2013 by Anonymous
After getting a referral from a police entity to use Mr. Stewart in a criminal and civil case against my husband, he failed me miserably, mishandled my case, cared not about me, was egotistical and judgmental. His secretary was just as bad, if not worse. I ended up losing a restraining order that I had on my husband, having never gone before a judge to decide the case, because Mr. Stewart failed to appear and sent his ailing secondary staff to represent, going up against a local attorney, related to the DA, whose sole purpose in life is to obtain custody for the wrong parent, using whining and crying and extension of times to prolong the agony. I ended up handing over my children to a volatile man without ever hearing my case against this man for the harms he had done. I would have been in contempt of court had I not done so. Mr. Stewart is a poor attorney at best. He required big retainers and did little to nothing but add up his hours to charge me more for not doing anything. After two months of hell, I gave up and signed a stupid agreement written by my husband and his lawyer, that didn't help me one bit, and just giving up because there is no justice in this world, especially using an attorney like him...I hired another attorney and the grief continued. Because the case went sideways to begin with, I never had a leg to stand on, and I blame it solely on Jack Stewart. I ended up turning him into the board for misconduct and he did credit some fees he had charged me. Surely, the price paid was way bigger than the money I threw at him, because my life has never been the same since.
Read more Avvo
See more
Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

Scroll to top