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17 May, 2024 by Starr robinson
21 Jul, 2021 by Tanika wesley
04 Feb, 2021 by Leah
30 May, 2019 by Edward
I was referred to Hurst Hessey by a friend of mine once my ex-wife decided she wanted to separate and divorce. From the beginning I found Hurst to be straightforward and honest. He stated from the beginning it would be a challenging case and it would be better to litigate the marital separation agreement out of the courtroom. What began as a case with very little in my favor — ended with an agreement that was in the best interest of my child and me. I know that if it was not for Hurst’s consistent presence and counsel the agreement would not have ended with the same result.
Hurst always made me feel as if I was the most important case he had even though I knew he was quite busy. For that I am grateful.
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04 Jun, 2015 by Charles
Nice enough over the phone, I retained Hurst Hessey to help me with a custody case. Paid my retainer and met with him an hour the day before court to discuss the case. All down hill from there. We met at the Towson courthouse and he was late. He appeared disheveled and while I cannot prove it I would swear he'd been drinking. The fact of the matter is that I was going into court with an attorney that did not even know I had twins! Yes, he actually forgot that we were going to court for custody of my son and daughter TWINS. How do you forget that? Court was a joke, lasted a few minutes, and I accomplished less than I would have if I would've just filed some do-it-yourself forms on my own. Hurst walked me out to the garage after court and I asked if we were done and he told me "I think I might actually owe you some money." Weeks later I received another bill for over $900. To this day I still have no clue what this bill is for. For fear of an attorney's wrath I thought of paying it, but why, when I legitimately did not owe it? I received no follow up, no nothing. To this day Hurst Hessey refuses to return copies of documents to me that I provided to him at the start of the case. These were the only copies that I had. He has literally blackmailed me and said he will not return my documents until I pay this mystery balance. I've been waiting for my documents for 5 years, yes - FIVE YEARS. This is the most no-professional lawyer I have ever encountered. I asked for a break down of the services that created this bogus invoice and I was simply told that he did not have to furnish one because his books were in order. He may be good in other matters, but in terms of family law do yourself a favor and skip Hurst Hessey.
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30 Jun, 2019 by Anonymous
Mr. Baumohl, "assisted" me in my divorce case. My divorce should have been a simple case since my ex-wife, and I did not have assets to distribute. He milked me for money when this type of situation could have been handled for cheap. I paid $5,000 for his services and had to pay an extra $2,000 when the escrow ran out. Again, for a case simple and not complex. Additionally, when creating the settlement agreement, he put the wording vague and ambiguous to have me contact him in regards to the agreement. Doing this requires me to call/ email him for clarification. In return, I get billed for correspondences. He is brilliant....so brilliant; he knows ways to get money from you. From what I can determine, Mr. Baumohl is more worried about his bank account than the client. He will prolong a case to milk more money out of you. If I knew what I know now, I would have avoided this attorney from the beginning. Please, by all means, avoid using this attorney. Unless you like to spend your money with minimal results.
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07 Jul, 2018 by Steve
Represented me in a divorce case several years ago. Despite meeting with me three times for a total of six hours AND billing me another three hours for "preparation," he fumbled extensively in the courtroom. Asked me just before hearing to write him a sheet of notes of my issues. Didn't present properly labeled exhibits. Couldn't remember which questions to ask me or my ex-wife while on the stand. A horrible attorney whose focus is billing and receiving payment for inept services.
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24 Sep, 2014 by Anonymous
Did not respond to discovery requests in my case, gave other side extension without informing me and did not act in my best interests. When awarded funds, had attorney from other side send funds to him even though was no longer representing me.
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07 Aug, 2024 by Dub
I hired this attorney for my divorce at the recommendation of a friend.. She got me an awful settlement but kept telling me what a good deal I was getting. She told me that my deal was not modifiable, when in essence it was. She literally lied to me. Many years later, I ended up in court because my ex sued me for alimony modification., which Renee told me she couldn't do. My new attorney confirmed what a lousy deal Renee got for me and that the settlement should never have been able to be modified and in the hands of a competent attorney, it wouldn't be. Do not use Renee Ades.
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30 Sep, 2024 by Anonymous
Met with Sharon for a meeting regarding my legal matter. She was rude, didn’t listen to me, barely looked up from her computer. I asked a question about the legal process and she replied that it was a “stupid question”. She was arrogant and then charged me double a consult fee of 2 hours when the meeting was only 30 minutes. Would not recommend.
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27 Sep, 2024 by Mike
Horrible person and a lier. She is not a godly person. You let those girls down
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25 Sep, 2024 by Anonymous
You failed all those women. Shame on you May. You are a terrible liar as evidenced by your egocentric & unpersuasive interview in ‘The Keepers.’
What a low-life! Your career is a farce.
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16 Oct, 2021 by Anonymous
Wow were can I start 3 years and I do not have my license yet. I cannot believe I trusted her with all my money and then got a nerve to be disrespectful with my money yea it’s a little bit here and there but I need all mines I got kids, to then just waist it with her.
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11 Oct, 2020 by Anonymous
hired her she talked a good game but i started to notice that she said she was going to do things and didn’t do them she said she was going to turn in a motion on monday i texted her monday to see if she did it she says yes i called the criminal clerk and they said nothing was put it so i called her and she said yes i put it in Wednesday but monday you lied and said it was in but all reality it was NOT IN AT ALL she did not do what she was paid to do
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01 Oct, 2018 by Gene
Once you pay her you will never hear from her, she cancels appointments at the last minute. She has left me sitting in the court house late for trial than shows up an hour late not professional dressed and a blank pad. I not only lost all the money I paid her but lost in court and lost even more from her poor advice
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19 Apr, 2013 by Marie
I hired this lawyer when my lawyer failed to show up for me in courts. Strimber is fond of saying "only one parent should have the child(ren)." Though I enlisted him, he chose to side with my husband, a lawyer himself, and his lawyer, to go into Judge courtrrom without me and say I was "having a fit" after which it had been reported the Ethics Commission was called.
Would have been nice if this guy tapped me on the shoulder for my own hearing! Nonetheless, after behaving so badly, Strimber decided to bill me an extra $500 for "research"--AND have his wife/secretary return a different audio tape than I loaned to him--she sent a blank.
The Jury's still out--and you will be, too, if you hire this man instead of a proper attorney.
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03 Aug, 2009 by Anonymous
I used Miss Glover for my divorce. She not only gave me very bad advice concerning my case (which cost me thousands of dollars). She did not make sure that timelines discussed in court where added to the divorce decree. This tied my hands in many ways in my case. She was very slow at sending documents to me (i.e. court papers, information from my ex about my case, and invoices). She was completely unresponsive for a month during my case. Her legal assistant stating that she was out of town. I sent her several e-mails and placed multiple calls to her. She returned very few, and billed me for the time. I would not recommend this woman to anyone as a lawyer. She was not only unhelpful in my case. She was detrimental. I eventually got another lawyer. I am still trying to fix the issues Miss Glovers incompetence caused.
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06 Jun, 2017 by Anonymous
John was recommended by a family friend of my mother. He never provided an itemized receipt of the service that he provided my mother. That is required by law. When I was granted power of attorney for financial I called him and asked him for a receipt. He was perplexed as to why we wanted a receipt. Reason being my mother was quite able to make it to his law office at the time he gouged her on house calls. In addition John claimed that my mother paid up front and insisted on that. If that were the case he would have never known what the fee was. He never told my mother he was charging her exorbitant house call fees. Will lawyers r a dime a dozen and he took advantage of her. Still waiting for itemized receipt. I would not recommend him as an attorney he should tell his fees up front and not get so defensive when asked why and what they were. He obviously knew he took advantage of her situation.
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20 Mar, 2018 by Anonymous
Specifically - REPEATEDLY ASSURED me, I could leave the state with my son without fear of being arrested. ASSURED me custody modification was possible and pressured me to sign an agreement waiving custody. When I WAS brought to trial for emergency custody hearing she said I was LUCKY to not be held in contempt of court. When I returned to Maryland and asked her to start modification she strongly said there is no grounds.
I left THE RIGHTS to my CHILD and my HOME of 20 years, quit my job and spent thousands to relocate all based on her assurances. Based on advice from a divorced friend I repeatedly asked for the QDRO to be done and GINA told me not until the divorce is final...but I researched and found it is better to have it hammered out before finalizing a divorce. When I asked LEGAL aid to NOT ABANDON me, but reassign me, I was told they were not inclined at this time. She then FIRED me as a client when I insisted she make this right. More than 2 attorneys suggested malpractice after seeing my emails and court documents.
We depend on others as experts. I am not a doctor or mechanic or airline pilot or attorney so I depend on those professionals to fix things or fly the plane. I trusted her advice even though it seemed counter intuitive. But trust the expert I did.
She was MORE than lazy, I began to feel she was actually NOT on my team. Her fellow Legal Aid observers came up with great suggestions to protect me, she nodded and agreed and then did not implement any of those protections. I heard more than once her impatient tone "he's not going to agree to that!" at my suggestions to implement those protections that other LEGAL AID attorneys brought to her attention.
If Gina Polley doesn't like you, watch out!
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27 May, 2017 by Anonymous
She did absolutely nothing to help my case. Very poor and disengaged lawyer.
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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.
