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27 Sep, 2021 by Paul
Thomas got me thru a divorce with great speed, great communication, and clear costs. Top Notch!
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16 Dec, 2019 by Joel
Mr Spackey did an excellent job representing me. He is very patient, and understanding during a confusing time. Informed me of all my rights, and overall made stressing time more manageable!
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15 Oct, 2018 by Anonymous
Thomas Spackey was a very good lawyer. He worked diligent with my case and was very realistic. He spent a lot of time working hard on my case as well to make sure everything was in order. I am very appreciative of hiring Thomas Spackey as my lawyer.
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04 Jan, 2011 by Michael
Jason Hagelthorn helped me with setting up my new business. He took all of the stress out from under me and my partner. Jason was very quick to respond whenever we had to contact him and was always on top of what needed to be done. He secured and negotiated our lease agreement with our landlord and structured our corporation to best suit our business. I have used other attorneys in the past for similar matters and have never been this satisfied with the outcome. It was nice to always know what was going on and have things explained to us in terms that you didn't need to be a lawyer to understand. I cannot express my thanks enough and would recommend Jason Hagelthorn for any legal matter.
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04 Jan, 2011 by Tammy
Was so helpful in answering my questions in a quick timely fashion. If he was in the area I needed help in I would hire him.
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04 Jan, 2011 by Nicole
I used Mr. Hagelthorns services for a child custody matter, and was very pleased for everthing he did to help me. I would highly recemond him. I am very greatful for all he has done for my family and myself.
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31 Mar, 2013 by Virginia
Al defended me in a Criminal matter and went to work right away leaving no stone uncovered. He was well prepared in Court speaking out on my behalf correcting any oversights or questionable phrasing of the charge. He kept me well informed through Telephone contact, Email and meetings in his office. He was prompt in returning my calls. I was very impressed by his thoroughness, attention to detail, unrelenting approach and ability to stay focused on the work at hand. The Charges were dismissed after 6 months. Thank you Al for a satisfying outcome and I have no hesitation in recommending him .
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14 Nov, 2011 by Jim
I retained Mr. Rightler for an on-going legal case. By the time Mr. Rightler was involved in the case, prior attorneys had made a mess of it. Mr. Rightler took the time to learn my case. He read every document in the case file, spent time interviewing me, and got to know the players involved. He was highly organized and did not miss anything. He has excellent communication skills and is not afraid to state the facts, in court and out. He is an honest and very principled man. He is knowledgeable in the law but is not shy about asking for help where he needs it. Mr. Rightler has strong research skills which help greatly as, in my case, it was necessary for him to do very extensive research in a number of areas other than the law. Mr. Rightler , as an attorney, is consistently reliable. He always returned my calls and emails. He told me what he planned to do, and he did exactly that. I have complete trust in Mr. Rightler and I would not hesitate to recommend him as an attorney.
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07 Nov, 2012 by Dirk
Suzanne helped me negotiate a very fair and equitable arrangement with a loan agreement.
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31 Oct, 2012 by Eric
Ms. Wasner is an excellent, knowledgeable, very trustworthy legal advocate. She is direct and explains everything in very straightforward, non-"legalspeak" language the consequences of each potential course of action. I would highly recommend her legal services, especially for contract reviews and negotiations.
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31 Oct, 2014 by Donovan
I was being charged with multiple things such as DUI flee n elude open intox and drugs and only the drinking and open intox was correct. She did a wonderful job keeping me calm and telling me it will all work out. She is very fair on her prices weather its district or circuit court. She has a lot of knowledge and will deffinetely help you as much as possible. Shes has a big heart and helped me get through the toughest times. Thanks Rebecca
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31 May, 2020 by Colton
Matt is a awesome attorney, he’s not afraid to fight for you. I hired Matt to handle my custody case along with a criminal case. Easy to get ahold of, and did a great job both times I’ve hired him. Wouldn’t use any other attorney in Livingston county.
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14 Feb, 2015 by Woody
this lawyer knew how to ask the right questions at the approiate time he knew his client would need a AA sponsor and would have to know the 12 steps he seemed very polite likeable and put his all into it I would highly recommend him for dui offenses as they are difficult and should be thanks and GOD BLESS
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03 May, 2024 by Topten king
An engineering approach to law! Matt focused on the problem and and what my goals were. I can't say everyone will get everything they want but with Matt it's possible. I really feel like we worked together as a team. I was able to give him a lot of personal information that helped us formulate a strategy accordingly. He also drafted my settlement agreement overnight! He knew she could change her mind in an instant but I was still shocked to find a draft in my email by 3 am. He's engineered his office to be really efficient. Everything felt like it had a schedule and a process and he just always knew exactly what he was doing. Most importantly all parties remained professional and with integrity and we worked it out amicably. Five starts is not enough!
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07 Aug, 2023 by Jerry weyand
Outstanding service with our legal issues surrounding the updating of our will and appropriate attachments. Have worked with Matt for 7 years on custody and other important issues. Exceedingly personable and focused on the client needs.
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21 Oct, 2022 by Jeff petack
My wife and I reached out to Matt regarding a relatively simple legal matter that should have been easily resolved without a lawsuit. However we had to go down that route which continued to be drawn out due to an extremely irrational and difficult defendant. The case was finally settled to our satisfaction, and we could not speak more highly of Matt throughout the process. He was highly professional, dedicated, responsive, knowledgeable, and navigated our case to resolution skillfully. Matt is also an entertaining and great guy to talk to! We would highly recommend him for anyone's legal needs.
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23 May, 2024 by Moosa hemani
20 May, 2024 by Marlo hughes
Believe me, you’ll want attorney Karen Carver and her staff on your side. Karen worked hard for me and really cared about my situation and future. Thank you to the #1 attorney of Livingston County.
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12 Apr, 2024 by Michelle ollila
I'd give 10 stars if I could. Andrew made our Estate Planning process smooth and understandable. He is clearly an expert in this field and we are profoundly grateful for his time, commitment and professionalism. Andrew is a standout choice and am so happy to have worked with him!
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28 Aug, 2024 by Darrin walters
Came to John from a Google search, with a desperate tax situation from a divorce almost 10 years ago. John took charge and negotiated with the IRS for me, and championed me out of a desperate situation that had me considering bankruptcy. I can't express the gratitude I have for his assistance and professionalism through the ordeal. I 100% recommend his services. For your usual tax preparation, to a complex matter like I faced, John is the man to see.
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24 Aug, 2024 by M trask
Mr Harrington helped me take care of a tax matter that had been worrying me very much. He knew exactly how to handle the situation, and was always available to answer questions and address my concerns. Highly recommended!
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19 Aug, 2024 by Matt olson
Ms Couling represented my ex-wife in our divorce, and crucially, in multiple post-divorce motions.
As other reviews will likely attest, Ms Couling was competent at filing routine paperwork, and the judgement was entered in August 2023, finalizing our divorce. Things went off the rails later that year with two post-divorce motions. Both were insane. I can't hold Ms Couling responsible for the first, which was filed by my ex-wife, though she was represented by Ms Couling in court.
The second motion, however; was filed by Ms Couling. After my ex-wife attempted to kidnap one of our sons from my home, during my parenting time, and clearly without my consent, they filed a motion over his custody, making wild and unsupported claims, and citing FOUR TIMES a clause of our judgement that DOES NOT EXIST. For this, there is no excuse. I believe that Ms Couling had written most of that document, and CLEARLY should have known better.
The cases were weak to begin with, but Ms Couling is not a very strong litigator, which didn't help. In the end, both motions were denied, except that we were ordered to exchange kids at a third location. In this way, my ex wife can be prosecuted for trespassing should she return to my home.
But that decision came only after months of hearings and thousands of dollars in legal fees. I feel that Ms Couling had an obligation to discourage such nonsense.
If you don't care about outcomes and just want an unscrupulous attorney to help harass your ex, then hire Ms Couling. She'll do it. If you want solid legal advice, perhaps you should look elsewhere.
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28 Aug, 2024 by Darrin walters
Came to John from a Google search, with a desperate tax situation from a divorce almost 10 years ago. John took charge and negotiated with the IRS for me, and championed me out of a desperate situation that had me considering bankruptcy. I can't express the gratitude I have for his assistance and professionalism through the ordeal. I 100% recommend his services. For your usual tax preparation, to a complex matter like I faced, John is the man to see.
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24 Aug, 2024 by M trask
Mr Harrington helped me take care of a tax matter that had been worrying me very much. He knew exactly how to handle the situation, and was always available to answer questions and address my concerns. Highly recommended!
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19 Aug, 2024 by Matt olson
Ms Couling represented my ex-wife in our divorce, and crucially, in multiple post-divorce motions.
As other reviews will likely attest, Ms Couling was competent at filing routine paperwork, and the judgement was entered in August 2023, finalizing our divorce. Things went off the rails later that year with two post-divorce motions. Both were insane. I can't hold Ms Couling responsible for the first, which was filed by my ex-wife, though she was represented by Ms Couling in court.
The second motion, however; was filed by Ms Couling. After my ex-wife attempted to kidnap one of our sons from my home, during my parenting time, and clearly without my consent, they filed a motion over his custody, making wild and unsupported claims, and citing FOUR TIMES a clause of our judgement that DOES NOT EXIST. For this, there is no excuse. I believe that Ms Couling had written most of that document, and CLEARLY should have known better.
The cases were weak to begin with, but Ms Couling is not a very strong litigator, which didn't help. In the end, both motions were denied, except that we were ordered to exchange kids at a third location. In this way, my ex wife can be prosecuted for trespassing should she return to my home.
But that decision came only after months of hearings and thousands of dollars in legal fees. I feel that Ms Couling had an obligation to discourage such nonsense.
If you don't care about outcomes and just want an unscrupulous attorney to help harass your ex, then hire Ms Couling. She'll do it. If you want solid legal advice, perhaps you should look elsewhere.
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15 Nov, 2023 by Joshua
Kevin is a very responsive attorney that fiercely advocates for his clients.
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20 Feb, 2023 by Anonymous
My friend and I made some awful decisions and got in trouble. Mr. Nagle helped us through a very difficult time, made certain we understood what was going on, and got us through the process with as little pain as possible. He made no promises, but explained what was likely to happen in our case based on his experience with the prosecutors and judges at the court. We did as he advised and now our trouble is behind us. We were lucky to have Mr Nagle as our attorney!
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19 Oct, 2022 by Mark
Kevin owed me 1100 bucks and instead of paying me he declared bankruptcy after i sued him in small claims court. This was after he had contact with my girlfriend. He has no morals and is a real piece of crap. Hire him at ur own peril. Cmon kevin sue me for defamation. I dare u. Worthless piece of crap.
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28 Aug, 2024 by Darrin walters
Came to John from a Google search, with a desperate tax situation from a divorce almost 10 years ago. John took charge and negotiated with the IRS for me, and championed me out of a desperate situation that had me considering bankruptcy. I can't express the gratitude I have for his assistance and professionalism through the ordeal. I 100% recommend his services. For your usual tax preparation, to a complex matter like I faced, John is the man to see.
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24 Aug, 2024 by M trask
Mr Harrington helped me take care of a tax matter that had been worrying me very much. He knew exactly how to handle the situation, and was always available to answer questions and address my concerns. Highly recommended!
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19 Aug, 2024 by Matt olson
Ms Couling represented my ex-wife in our divorce, and crucially, in multiple post-divorce motions.
As other reviews will likely attest, Ms Couling was competent at filing routine paperwork, and the judgement was entered in August 2023, finalizing our divorce. Things went off the rails later that year with two post-divorce motions. Both were insane. I can't hold Ms Couling responsible for the first, which was filed by my ex-wife, though she was represented by Ms Couling in court.
The second motion, however; was filed by Ms Couling. After my ex-wife attempted to kidnap one of our sons from my home, during my parenting time, and clearly without my consent, they filed a motion over his custody, making wild and unsupported claims, and citing FOUR TIMES a clause of our judgement that DOES NOT EXIST. For this, there is no excuse. I believe that Ms Couling had written most of that document, and CLEARLY should have known better.
The cases were weak to begin with, but Ms Couling is not a very strong litigator, which didn't help. In the end, both motions were denied, except that we were ordered to exchange kids at a third location. In this way, my ex wife can be prosecuted for trespassing should she return to my home.
But that decision came only after months of hearings and thousands of dollars in legal fees. I feel that Ms Couling had an obligation to discourage such nonsense.
If you don't care about outcomes and just want an unscrupulous attorney to help harass your ex, then hire Ms Couling. She'll do it. If you want solid legal advice, perhaps you should look elsewhere.
Read more
28 Aug, 2024 by Darrin walters
Came to John from a Google search, with a desperate tax situation from a divorce almost 10 years ago. John took charge and negotiated with the IRS for me, and championed me out of a desperate situation that had me considering bankruptcy. I can't express the gratitude I have for his assistance and professionalism through the ordeal. I 100% recommend his services. For your usual tax preparation, to a complex matter like I faced, John is the man to see.
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24 Aug, 2024 by M trask
Mr Harrington helped me take care of a tax matter that had been worrying me very much. He knew exactly how to handle the situation, and was always available to answer questions and address my concerns. Highly recommended!
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19 Aug, 2024 by Matt olson
Ms Couling represented my ex-wife in our divorce, and crucially, in multiple post-divorce motions.
As other reviews will likely attest, Ms Couling was competent at filing routine paperwork, and the judgement was entered in August 2023, finalizing our divorce. Things went off the rails later that year with two post-divorce motions. Both were insane. I can't hold Ms Couling responsible for the first, which was filed by my ex-wife, though she was represented by Ms Couling in court.
The second motion, however; was filed by Ms Couling. After my ex-wife attempted to kidnap one of our sons from my home, during my parenting time, and clearly without my consent, they filed a motion over his custody, making wild and unsupported claims, and citing FOUR TIMES a clause of our judgement that DOES NOT EXIST. For this, there is no excuse. I believe that Ms Couling had written most of that document, and CLEARLY should have known better.
The cases were weak to begin with, but Ms Couling is not a very strong litigator, which didn't help. In the end, both motions were denied, except that we were ordered to exchange kids at a third location. In this way, my ex wife can be prosecuted for trespassing should she return to my home.
But that decision came only after months of hearings and thousands of dollars in legal fees. I feel that Ms Couling had an obligation to discourage such nonsense.
If you don't care about outcomes and just want an unscrupulous attorney to help harass your ex, then hire Ms Couling. She'll do it. If you want solid legal advice, perhaps you should look elsewhere.
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17 Jul, 2023 by Thomas
Bob rendered high quality legal representation for me regarding some important litigation work. I would recommend him to family, friends and or acquaintances.
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01 Sep, 2021 by Bob
Lots of good information and lots of advise.
Would highly recommend hiring Bob!!
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20 Jul, 2021 by Elaine
Bob helped me avoid litigation. He worked with great integrity and professionalism. He really cares to help.
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06 Dec, 2023 by Jim fera
Very caring and knowledgeable. Hw is a great person to have in your corner.
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31 Mar, 2022 by Rach k
Super helpful and knows his stuff. Truly caring individual and knowledgeable about family probate.
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05 Mar, 2022 by Amy newman
Hands down the very best from the beginning of the process! Mr. Cassar is very informative and is great at explaining everything to you and how it's going to work. He immediately calms your nerves!!
He's an absolute amazing attorney and I definitely recommend him 5 stars across the board!
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06 Dec, 2023 by Jim fera
Very caring and knowledgeable. Hw is a great person to have in your corner.
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31 Mar, 2022 by Rach k
Super helpful and knows his stuff. Truly caring individual and knowledgeable about family probate.
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05 Mar, 2022 by Amy newman
Hands down the very best from the beginning of the process! Mr. Cassar is very informative and is great at explaining everything to you and how it's going to work. He immediately calms your nerves!!
He's an absolute amazing attorney and I definitely recommend him 5 stars across the board!
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06 Dec, 2023 by Jim fera
Very caring and knowledgeable. Hw is a great person to have in your corner.
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31 Mar, 2022 by Rach k
Super helpful and knows his stuff. Truly caring individual and knowledgeable about family probate.
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05 Mar, 2022 by Amy newman
Hands down the very best from the beginning of the process! Mr. Cassar is very informative and is great at explaining everything to you and how it's going to work. He immediately calms your nerves!!
He's an absolute amazing attorney and I definitely recommend him 5 stars across the board!
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10 Aug, 2024 by Kristin niles
17 Jul, 2024 by Alexandra montgomery
This law firm will actually take a client whose claim is false to made in order to gain the benefit for the client. If you want to be bothered by mails from a law firm this place is for you.
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01 Jul, 2024 by Jazmine rae
Don’t go here ! AVOID THIS COMPANY
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20 May, 2021 by Anonymous
I hired Mr. Johnson to respond to a motion filed by my ex-husband. Mr. Johnson accepted my retainer check but never responded to the motion. I tried to contact him on numerous occasions, but the hearing date came and went without response, and the court decided the motion against me because Mr. Johnson never filed an appearance or an answer.
Mr. Johnson finally contacted me to indicate he was going through many personal issues and begged me not to file a complaint with the ethics board that I had suggested to him I was prepared to do.
He eventually refunded my retainer fee for not filing the complaint, but I still need to find an attorney not self-absorbed with personal issues to try and undo this mess.
I'd avoid Mr. Johnson until he gets his own house in order.
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05 Sep, 2019 by Matthew
Ahhh... Where to begin. I guess my experience utilizing this attorney could be summarized as being nonexistant. I hired him for a custody case and wound up not seeing my son for 6 months, not being able to contact Dave or get him to return calls even leaving 7 consecutive messages one day. Simply, this dude sucks at his job. Period. Find someone else
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26 Jan, 2016 by Cheryl
Mr. Johnson represented our homeowners association in an access related lawsuit initiated by a local developer. We provided a great deal of background information - some of it going back 50 years. He quickly evaluated this abundant information, determined what was most important and effectively used it in his legal documents that were filed with the court.
Since he was working with an association, all of the meetings involved multiples leaders/participants. Mr. Johnson was accommodating of the multiple schedules involved, and we were always able to find a meeting time that would allow all interested parties to attend. In addition, during these meetings, he solicited our input on many issues. He always listened patiently in an effort to provide a better defense.
In the end, the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit. Not only did the case get dismissed, we were able to recoup our attorney’s fees from the plaintiff by court order. We attribute the successful outcome to Mr. Johnson's exceptional efforts and real estate knowledge.
We would not hesitate to hire him again should issues arise within our association that require legal support.
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17 Oct, 2017 by Anonymous
Excellent Lawyer who's compassion and knowledge of the Law on behalf of men in general and me specifically helped to secure a reasonable agreement. Mine was a Separate Maintenance Order, which also included 2 minor children. I highly recommend a consultation with Ryan if your heading in this direction.
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20 Sep, 2017 by Anonymous
One is never prepared for a divorce, many of us come to the consultation with no previous practice in the matter. Mr. Decker took a highly sensitive matter involving abuse with the utmost care and professionalism. He was there to explain the process, rights, and protect my best interest. He advised and consulted based on the developments of the proceedings, the actions of the defendant, and drew from his previous experiences in the Brighton Court. Not everything was easy, and not everything went my way--that's the truth of divorce. However, Mr Decker's advocacy gave me the confidence to move forward with tough decisions even when emotions became debilitating. The outcome was fair, the split was final, and my anxiety relieved.
I'd highly recommend Mr. Decker for his patience and tact while dealing with victims of abuse and trauma on any scale.
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14 Aug, 2017 by Glenn
I was closing on the sale of my house and my ex-wife was attempting to stop it and extort money from the sale. My divorce attorney had long since retired so I was a complete cold call for Ryan. He didn't hesitate to take my call and case. He reacted immediately and saved the sale of my house. It's hard to find an attorney that listens and cares but you will get that with Ryan.
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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.
