Lawyers map
>59
experienced lawyers
Filter by
05 Nov, 2020 by Daniel
My name is Daniel Negrey I had Eileen Griffin as an attorney.. I would just like to say if you want to win hire her. She is far better then any other attorney. Most of her partners are now Judges.She is also the head of the hillsborough County bar association. More then likely the opossing counsel well be very much afraid when they see her coming. SHE WILL WIN NO DOUBT...
Read more
12 Dec, 2019 by Melissa nelson
Mark is the absolute best attorney hands down! He is very reasonable with his retainer fees but also is very honest with you and I absolutely love that about him! He is smart, funny, respectful and family oriented. I would recommend him to anyone that is looking for an attorney. If I could give him 10 stars I would!
Read more
15 May, 2018 by Sangita
I was unfortunate to hire her as my legal counsel in my divorce case. During the free consultation, she was excellent - sweet, kind and ready with the paperwork and seemed knowledgeable. But once hired and my case started, she was a different person. During my court dates, I would not know if she is coming or she is sending anyone else that I had never met before and did not know existed. If she came, she was often late. I had I believe three mediations and she was late every single time, including the one in her own office. Once she was 50 minutes late with no notice/warning and we were paying for her time as well as the time of Mediator. During mediation, when I was paying her for her time (she will be on phone and distracted). If I bring it to her attention, rather than apologizing, she will start yelling at me. Not only that, she misguided me and kept on bullying me to accept less than fair deal. She told me that I will never get Alimony and my demands for child custody were unrealistic, and I will never get more than 50% custody. Not to mention, after an year and a half with her and paying close to 100K, I had to take loans with all my family and friends and hire another lawyer and I got the custody and alimony both. She was unprofessional and inefficient and overcharged me at several occasion. She will not respond to my emails or phones but will charge for every email (saying she read it but did not had time to answer it). I still have many of the follow up emails. I wished she was ethical and professional and felt moral obligation to do the right thing rather than taking advantage of the people.
Read more
02 Jul, 2023 by Fahmi
This has, in my opinion, has to be the worst lawyer for family cases in florida.
I beat her by myself with a twelfth grade education...lol
Read more
07 Oct, 2020 by Patrick
This lady (I refuse to call her a lawyer) should be immediately disbarred. Where do I start. 1) dishonest to a point of criminal behavior. I can’t prove that I was over billed on her legal documents but I can prove I was overbilled on phone calls. She’s so dumb that I counted the number of calls on my cell phone bill and there was less than 10 calls that she billed me for. IMPOSSIBLE!!! 2) Her legal documents were embarrassingly bad and appeared to be templates. I really think she goes on the Internet and takes legal documents off them and sells them as their own. She used the name “John Doe” Instead of my name in one of the documents in two places. 3) She was totally over matched in court. First off she was so underprepared it was embarrassing. She literally knew nothing about my case going into court and had to constantly look down at her notes. We lost every aspect of the case. I had to pay my legal fees, 100% of my ex-wife’s legal fees and had to pay even more than what they were asking for in child support. —- I am not one to complain but this was so ridiculous I had to make a formal complaint to the bar association. WHAT A JOKE!! Karen had answers for everything but never mentioned the phone call situation. The Bar Association didn’t even address the phone call situation. In their eyes it’s like it never happened. Unbelievable!!! Where do we turn to for help? It is like getting shot and robbed and having no police force to call. I literally caught her stealing!!! This lady cannot go on as a lawyer. She does irreparable harm. Do yourself a favor and make sure you get another lawyer. It is funny she has three 5 star reviews and the rest 1 star. Hmmmm.... I’ll make a bet those 5 star reviews are fake and are close friends.
Read more
11 Aug, 2020 by Anonymous
Run while you can! Karen insisted on weekly $300 phone calls in which she ignored everything I told her and put words into my mouth. Later she negotiated with the opposing counsel on my behalf things that were benefiting my ex instead of me. She was not acting in my best interest at all! the only productive thing she did in my case was subpoena my ex’s 401k and even then she filed the paperwork with wrong name on it.
She filed a motion without my consent after I repeatedly asked not to file anything on my behalf without prior discussing with me. Karen will charge you outrageous fees for everything including things you never asked her to do. She literally burned $3,000 on pointless phone calls and emails which she insisted on. I fired her after realizing that she will cause more harm than good to my case.
Read more
27 Jan, 2010 by Anonymous
Many years ago, when I was a young mom, I needed to get a divorce. I went to Ms. Kellaher because she was a woman and I thought she would be easy to talk to and sensitive to my situation; I was uneducated, naive, shy and needed someone to guide me as I had been married since my teens and had no idea what my rights were.
Because I was only working part-time, I needed my estranged husband to provide me with health insurance. When I told Ms. Kellaher that I wasn't going to have health insurance after my divorce she simply replied, "Get an HMO." How was I supposed to pay for it? I was poor and uneducated!
I needed an aggressive, shrewd attorney and Sandra Kellaher acted like a para-legal. And she wasn't easy to talk to; she appeared spacey, as if her mind was someplace else. I never went back to her after that day.
She may be more attentive now, but back then, she seemed like a real ditz. I hate to trash anyone. But I don't want someone who needs a "fighter" to waste their time and money on Sandra Kellaher.
Read more
26 Jul, 2024 by Tiffany
Hired Richard Trionfo for a family matter just for him to ignore my messages. He didn’t turn in any of the paperwork unless I messaged him a few times. He took my money and took advantage of my situation. But will happily post about people parking wrong or talking on speaker phone and calling them idiots.
Read 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:
-
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.
