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30 Jul, 2024 by Daxton kirk
Terrible lawyer, we showed up to court ill prepared and Stella excuse for not having the paperwork ready to defend my wife was “ I thought they were bluffing” my family is now torn apart until next court date in a few months
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03 Mar, 2024 by Mary ann roland
24 Jun, 2023 by Tommy gloor
Stella is an outstanding lawyer with a great knowledge of the law.
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11 May, 2024 by Dalton browning
Hired this firm to assist with a legal issue. Worked with the attorney Larry Boothe. He was very knowledgeable, kind, and responsive. He explained everything to me and kept me updated about my case. He was reasonable about billing and explained all charges if I had any questions.
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14 Feb, 2024 by Ld carter
I wish I had researched him before I hired him. He didn’t show up for not one of my court days. Instead he sent an inexperienced attorney to represent me to no avail. They couldn’t even serve to plaintiff, but instead asked me to tell the person that they had court. He charges these outrages fees for any form of contact. If you call him, it’s a fee; if you email him, it’s a fee. Highway robbery. If you’re looking for someone to represent you, look elsewhere.
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12 Apr, 2023 by Debrah morton
He was not interested in my case. Ask me why I took care of my Ex-husband when he was sick an dying and we were divorced. He preached about people living together and that there is no common law I AL any more. Made me feel uncomfortable at times even laughed at me. Promised to send me an email with follow-up. No response to date. Bad Consult.
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11 May, 2024 by Dalton browning
Hired this firm to assist with a legal issue. Worked with the attorney Larry Boothe. He was very knowledgeable, kind, and responsive. He explained everything to me and kept me updated about my case. He was reasonable about billing and explained all charges if I had any questions.
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14 Feb, 2024 by Ld carter
I wish I had researched him before I hired him. He didn’t show up for not one of my court days. Instead he sent an inexperienced attorney to represent me to no avail. They couldn’t even serve to plaintiff, but instead asked me to tell the person that they had court. He charges these outrages fees for any form of contact. If you call him, it’s a fee; if you email him, it’s a fee. Highway robbery. If you’re looking for someone to represent you, look elsewhere.
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12 Apr, 2023 by Debrah morton
He was not interested in my case. Ask me why I took care of my Ex-husband when he was sick an dying and we were divorced. He preached about people living together and that there is no common law I AL any more. Made me feel uncomfortable at times even laughed at me. Promised to send me an email with follow-up. No response to date. Bad Consult.
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11 May, 2024 by Dalton browning
Hired this firm to assist with a legal issue. Worked with the attorney Larry Boothe. He was very knowledgeable, kind, and responsive. He explained everything to me and kept me updated about my case. He was reasonable about billing and explained all charges if I had any questions.
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14 Feb, 2024 by Ld carter
I wish I had researched him before I hired him. He didn’t show up for not one of my court days. Instead he sent an inexperienced attorney to represent me to no avail. They couldn’t even serve to plaintiff, but instead asked me to tell the person that they had court. He charges these outrages fees for any form of contact. If you call him, it’s a fee; if you email him, it’s a fee. Highway robbery. If you’re looking for someone to represent you, look elsewhere.
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12 Apr, 2023 by Debrah morton
He was not interested in my case. Ask me why I took care of my Ex-husband when he was sick an dying and we were divorced. He preached about people living together and that there is no common law I AL any more. Made me feel uncomfortable at times even laughed at me. Promised to send me an email with follow-up. No response to date. Bad Consult.
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20 Jul, 2024 by Anonymous
I called this woman 3 months in a roll about my daughter's case she have yet to respond and then had court she didn't even email, write, or phone me letting me know we're having court and what time to be on the Zoom Call! It's sad and very disrespectful...
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22 May, 2023 by Mark
AshLeigh Dunham is a very poor family law attorney. She's always
unprepared and lost in a hearing in which my ex-wife was not represented by an attorney. She tended to blame unfavorable
rulings on me even though she was the attorney. She constantly asked for more and more money despite losing just about every
hearing. She was outclassed by opposing counsel when my ex-wife retained him. She doesn't know how to litigate and should not be the attorney you use in a high conflict divorce.
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21 Mar, 2020 by Maggie
We hired AshLeigh and her team to assist in our efforts to create a living will as well as to obtain the pre and post birth orders for our son who was recently delivered via surrogacy. AshLeigh is passionate about family law and worked diligently to get these tasks complete without missing any details. Our son was born during the national pandemic announcement on a Friday. Despite the courts having shut down early, she and her team worked tirelessly to ensure a timely execution of our post birth order. This meant we were able to have the correct documentation for the arrangement of his birth certificate so we could be discharged over the weekend. It’s hard to find such level of dedication!!
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08 Apr, 2024 by Dennis webb
He is on his Game
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14 Dec, 2023 by Garrett scott
Most of Lee's bad reviews are from the other side of the court room. Lee is very knowledgeable, and easy to communicate with
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15 Jun, 2023 by Will wise
Do not recommend for traffic court council. Very disappointed in preparation for court.
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05 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
Id rather just leave the Star rating for now. Each one has a different experience and it's up to the family or person.
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29 Jun, 2019 by Ashley r. scott
06 Apr, 2021 by Rashad knox
I was accused of Trafficking heroine .she was there the whole time and was more of a mother figure then an attorney she got all of my cases dismissed and gave me my old life back.
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18 Mar, 2019 by Crystal
Ms. Umstead was assigned as my court appointed attorney several years ago on a upocs case. She and her staff answered all my and my parents questions in a timely and thorough manner. This was a very frightening and confusing time for myself and my family and Cynthia and her staff did everything possible to put our minds at ease. Through her good advice i managed to go through a deferred prosecution program and kept the felony from affecting my permanent record.
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13 Feb, 2019 by Anonymous
Hired this lawyer to represent me and once she received my money there was little communication and it just got to the point where she would not respond to any of my calls or messages at all.
My case never got representation through her and I could never get in touch with her nor get her to respond back to me.
And she did not refund any of my money back. In my opinion just plain bad business practice.
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23 Jul, 2023 by Starrangel
He let my uncle and aunt adopt my daughter I didn't sign any paperwork or know anything about it illegal adoption
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31 May, 2015 by Mr.&mrs. gatlin
Mr. Florence represents EXCELENCE! We adopted our granddaughter after having her since birth. She was 7 years old when we legally adopted her. We had her all of her life, 7years later her birth mom came back into her life trying to get her back! We called the firm of compassion and the rest is history. We want to say thank you Mr. Florence and your staff for helping us in our time of need. Our daughter is doin well and she's a straight A student in school and she couldn't be happier! We love you and your staff, thanks again.
Sincerely
Mr. & Mrs. Gatlin
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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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11 Jan, 2019 by Travis
Was big on paperwork, but failed big time to represent me in court. Did not fight for what I wanted. He just wanted to get paperwork signed and done. My needs did not matter to him.
Do not use as divorce attorney unless you plan to give up everything !,
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03 Jul, 2014 by Anonymous
Guy Fullan did an excellent job representing me in municipal court. I would highly recommend him to anyone. His prices are fair, he is responsive, kind, intelligent, and knows what he's doing. I could tell he was very well respected by the judges and other attorneys.
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18 Jun, 2018 by Nicole
Attorney McAdory came highly recommended from a mutual friend. I had a what I thought to be fairly simple family law matter. Turned out that my custody and child support matter was not as simple. However, she was straightforward in detailing what steps needed to happen in order for me to be successful in my case against my ex. I also appreciated that she worked with me in regards to my growing legal bill. I really appreciated that she continued to update me, even when she was on vacation! You don't find too many attorneys who are willing to take time away from their vacation to speak to a client. But she did.
I would hire again for any legal matters! She made me feel important as a client.
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22 Mar, 2018 by Charles
We hired Janine Mckinnon on february 15th and fired her friday march 21st. Our current amount billed for services is $2,437
She was hired to file an emergency custody hearing and support modification due to child abandonment. Ahe origianlly stated it would not take more than $1050 to have the hearing within the next week. When no date was ever set we asked for updates and reasons for the delay. Ahe charged over $500 just to attempt tocontact the courts clerk to get a date set. The date is now set for april 1st and ahe now wants double the payment to take us in front of a judge. When told how inefective her service was she removed her self but from the case but not before calling the defendants lawyer so he could change his defence so we would have to hire another attorney. Do not hire the attorney. She is just another part of the problem in the system of protecting a child.
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10 Sep, 2022 by Anonymous
I read a review on this attorney and was shocked that I too had the exact treatment. She totally engaged in case abandonment without client being informed, did not return calls, emails etc .
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05 Aug, 2021 by Anonymous
She represented me on two cases one in St. Clair County and one in Jefferson County. My case still resides in St. Clair County, however, I belong to DOC and Shelia has me housed in Talladega. Will not answer my calls or messages. I have even filed a motion for reconsideration and yet she has still not even looked back into my case or been back in touch with me since my Jefferson County case back July 27th,2021 was the last time, i have heard or seen from her.
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17 Sep, 2017 by Anonymous
Jerome Carter refused to prepare for my Divorce Hearing. He knew nothing about my case, nor what was at stake. I had to correct him from the witness stand when he stated a falsehood that the opposing party could have easily produced evidence to the contrary.
Carter refused to meet with me upon my request to review the evidence and devise a strategy to present my case in court. Carter refused to review evidence, and refused to present evidence in court.
I paid Carter $2,500.00 for legal representation. He accepted my money but did not provide any legal counsel what's so ever. He just showed up to my hearing late and without preparation or a legal argument.
During the proceedings Carter started writing out a few questions to ask the opposing party, then tuned to me and asked "what do you think I should focus on and what questions do you think I should I ask him?"
Carter told me if I hired him the first thing he would do is file for immediate child support payments. Carter lied - He took no such action. Carter also stated he had a close relationship with the presiding judge and stated they were once lawyers with the same firm (if not partners in the same firm).
Carter lies and uses deceptive practices to get your money and does not do what he said he would do. Further, Carter takes your money just to show up to court wearing a suit and tie - and that's all you get for your money - is Jerome Carter showing up to court late wearing a suit and tie.
Carter does not prepare for your case in any way. Don't hire Jerome Carter unless you just want to donate Your money to his personal favorite charity - HIMSELF. Don't hire Jerome Carter - You Will LOSE!!!
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18 Nov, 2018 by Anonymous
I hired Clyde for my family law case . He seemed very caring understanding made me believe he could represent me ! However that was not true . I lost my money , my family , my career. Paid him 10,000 just for 2 hours I thought he was going to see me through the end .
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01 Nov, 2015 by Melanie
This attorney completed my divorce filing in 2010. I did not receive vital information that would have affected how I handled a credit card on the divorce fiiling. That oversight ultimately left me vulnerable to the future spending of my ex husband. When approached for assistance, she was unresponsive and detached. I was not, at the minimum, advised to seek a settlement that followed state guidelines. I lost tens of thousands of dollars in possible child support over the last 5 years. I was not advised to have the money directly taken from his check. When he stopped paying, it was extremely costly to go after that money. I am in the process of re-doing the divorce, costing me thousands more dollars. I would strongly recommend against hiring her for any legal representation.
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24 May, 2019 by Janiece
I hired Mr. Forrester to represent me in a case against DHR. My grand children were being abused in foster care and I wanted to get custody ot them. Mr. Forrester was well prepared as he had been given all the facts and everything was on our side. he could have easily got the children home but without even consulting me he asked the Judge for extended and did not attempt to get the children out of foster care. He later told me that I should not question his strategy. My new Attorney reviewed his work and his itemized statement and she could not believe the amount he had charged and what he had charged for. She said she would help me deal with him. But nothing can ease the pain of knowing my grand children are suffering and being abused and he has caused our family so much pain.
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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.
