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06 Jul, 2024 by Rian marquez
My experience with Attorney Curtis Ross was nothing short of a nightmare. From the outset, he displayed a level of rudeness and disrespect that was utterly appalling. When I sought clarification on certain legal matters, he dismissed my concerns with the utmost arrogance, labeling my questions as "idiotic."
Instead of fulfilling his role as a legal advocate, he left me to fend for myself in court, all the while painting a false picture of me as argumentative. His complete lack of support and guidance was both shocking and deeply disappointing.
Save yourself the headache and avoid hiring Curtis Ross at all costs. He is an utter disgrace to the legal profession and will leave you high and dry when you need support the most.
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28 Oct, 2022 by Susan dotson
He's 76 years old and very forgetful. If you're lucky, Curtis Ross will remember to provide zoom information. If he has a bad day he may forget and you could miss court or be very late. He loves to celebrate every holiday and disappear days before court. Do you want him to prepare before court? Do you want to be prepped before court? If the answer is "no" pay his $5,000 retainer and $375.00 an hour.
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28 Oct, 2022 by Ray
06 Jul, 2024 by Rian marquez
My experience with Attorney Curtis Ross was nothing short of a nightmare. From the outset, he displayed a level of rudeness and disrespect that was utterly appalling. When I sought clarification on certain legal matters, he dismissed my concerns with the utmost arrogance, labeling my questions as "idiotic."
Instead of fulfilling his role as a legal advocate, he left me to fend for myself in court, all the while painting a false picture of me as argumentative. His complete lack of support and guidance was both shocking and deeply disappointing.
Save yourself the headache and avoid hiring Curtis Ross at all costs. He is an utter disgrace to the legal profession and will leave you high and dry when you need support the most.
Read more
28 Oct, 2022 by Susan dotson
He's 76 years old and very forgetful. If you're lucky, Curtis Ross will remember to provide zoom information. If he has a bad day he may forget and you could miss court or be very late. He loves to celebrate every holiday and disappear days before court. Do you want him to prepare before court? Do you want to be prepped before court? If the answer is "no" pay his $5,000 retainer and $375.00 an hour.
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28 Oct, 2022 by Ray
06 Jul, 2024 by Rian marquez
My experience with Attorney Curtis Ross was nothing short of a nightmare. From the outset, he displayed a level of rudeness and disrespect that was utterly appalling. When I sought clarification on certain legal matters, he dismissed my concerns with the utmost arrogance, labeling my questions as "idiotic."
Instead of fulfilling his role as a legal advocate, he left me to fend for myself in court, all the while painting a false picture of me as argumentative. His complete lack of support and guidance was both shocking and deeply disappointing.
Save yourself the headache and avoid hiring Curtis Ross at all costs. He is an utter disgrace to the legal profession and will leave you high and dry when you need support the most.
Read more
28 Oct, 2022 by Susan dotson
He's 76 years old and very forgetful. If you're lucky, Curtis Ross will remember to provide zoom information. If he has a bad day he may forget and you could miss court or be very late. He loves to celebrate every holiday and disappear days before court. Do you want him to prepare before court? Do you want to be prepped before court? If the answer is "no" pay his $5,000 retainer and $375.00 an hour.
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28 Oct, 2022 by Ray
09 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
Wes Cowell is a liar, plain and simple. He is an immoral, manipulative person who works only for his own self-interest and will abandon his responsibilities with shocking ease. Hire at your own serious risk.
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06 Jul, 2024 by Rian marquez
My experience with Attorney Curtis Ross was nothing short of a nightmare. From the outset, he displayed a level of rudeness and disrespect that was utterly appalling. When I sought clarification on certain legal matters, he dismissed my concerns with the utmost arrogance, labeling my questions as "idiotic."
Instead of fulfilling his role as a legal advocate, he left me to fend for myself in court, all the while painting a false picture of me as argumentative. His complete lack of support and guidance was both shocking and deeply disappointing.
Save yourself the headache and avoid hiring Curtis Ross at all costs. He is an utter disgrace to the legal profession and will leave you high and dry when you need support the most.
Read more
28 Oct, 2022 by Susan dotson
He's 76 years old and very forgetful. If you're lucky, Curtis Ross will remember to provide zoom information. If he has a bad day he may forget and you could miss court or be very late. He loves to celebrate every holiday and disappear days before court. Do you want him to prepare before court? Do you want to be prepped before court? If the answer is "no" pay his $5,000 retainer and $375.00 an hour.
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21 Sep, 2018 by Anonymous
Was unprepared, didn’t return emails or phone calls and actually told me she and her partner had more important cases. I lost valuable time and am now in more of a financial crisis due to her negligence. I had to hire someone else.
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24 Jul, 2017 by Kalyani
I think she has lost her edge. Having her as my counsel did not give me the peace of mind I needed while going through rough times of separation and divorce. I always had to stay on top of everything regarding my case. A fresh-out-of-college paralegal/legal assistant would be better (and a lot cheaper)!
Billing - Many mistakes in billing (totaling $1000+ more). Charged me wrongly at times and I had get those charges removed. One time she forgot to add a $1000 payment to the invoice. She will charge you for every second if she could. Every little discussion or every minute spent reading my emails/texts was charged at a minimum denomination of 10-15 mins. That adds up quickly. Wouldn't send invoices monthly and I had to request invoices at times. Then suddenly you get a huge bill with a 30-day deadline on payment. Also, the language used regarding billing issues was very clipped, rude, at times with ultimatums of legal action - like "Pay me now, or else...." Definitely, DEFINITELY needs to work on her PR.
Legal Expertise - I didn't see much of it. I could have gotten a settlement if the case was resolved quickly - the kinda advice you would exepct from a lawyer/legal expert. Hiring her may have costed me my entire divorce settlement. She did not notify me about upcoming changes in divorce laws, parenting agreements in sufficient time. That affected my case and I had to pay more money to get all legal documents redrafted using new statues which could have been easily avoided. Overall, I wasn't provided with legal guidance I deserved for the price I paid for. Also, she is technologically challenged. Many times there were simple, avoidable spelling/grammar mistakes on final drafts even after pointing them out multiple times during initial drafts (apparently couldn't figure out "Replace All"). Plus, got charged for it! I had to read and proofread ALL documents thoroughly.
Her associate (Don Pesce) was the only reason I kept her as my legal counsel for some time but ultimately, I had to change my legal counsel.
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27 Jun, 2013 by Anonymous
She took my retainer in cash. She wasted the retainer by trying to change judges and never asking me if that was what we wanted or informing me that was how she planned to waste off my retainer. She claimed to have spoken to me about it while I was at work... but I leave my phone in my car while at work - it seemed she had me completely confused with someone else. I was only partially refunded for her mistakes. She cost me a lot of money and I'm still paying for it. For the amount of money she charges it's completely not worth it.
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01 May, 2022 by Anonymous
She operates as an Administrative Law Judge but seemingly knows little of the laws related to city parking or speed camera violations. She condescendingly reads the violation to you but fails to listen to the defendant’s response and is unable to answer any questions raised by the defendant. Overly curt and dismissive. Other Administrative Law Judges do not behave so rudely and unprofessional.
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12 Dec, 2020 by Anonymous
My city zone changed overnight with 0 notice via mail, phone, email, ordinance, posted sign, etc. She decided it was perfectly fair for residents to be issued tickets for it.
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03 Jan, 2020 by Anonymous
After taking quite a while to consult her about a very reasonable and understandable situation, she failed to demonstrate any empathy or understanding and I was left feeling very unheard. Would not recommend working with her in the future.
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02 May, 2017 by Anonymous
Laurel led me to believe she could do things that she knew she couldn't. Left my family bankrupt and had my house foreclose on me due to paying her bills.
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15 Jul, 2014 by Anonymous
Laurel lead me to believe she was going to help me and at the very last moment she bailed on me....caused me great harm and distress....
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01 May, 2016 by Anonymous
Whatever he calls himself these days this 40 something Divorce / Family Law attorney based out of Chicago, also working in Lake County is a lawyer you should think twice before hiring.
Do your research and dig deep. I wish I had.
I hired him to handle a divorce and was burned BAD.
Not only did he drag it out over two years costing me over 50 thousand dollars, he was inattentive, rude, and ineffective.
I should have sued him when it was over, as other clients have done, but was just too sick and exhausted to fight any more.
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16 Feb, 2011 by Anonymous
This attorney & his firm take way to long.
Too many postponements,
Every time a court date is postponed you end up paying more.
Way too expensive for performance experienced.
Once he is retained his tone with a client is reprehensible.
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03 Jul, 2024 by Dan
What should have been a simple case to modify support and visitation since my kids were with me the majority of the time and are emotionally abused by the other parent turned into a 12 month slog with Shannon completing the bare minimum. Hoping that my new lawyer can fix the mess left by Shannon. Stay Away!
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16 Jun, 2023 by Anonymous
Wasted a lot of time. Zero results. Malpractice worthy…stay away. I lost. husband was happy I had her because nothing got done. Spent more time billing than working the case
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22 Apr, 2024 by Thia
If I could put 0 stars I would. She was so rude. Never had a lawyer speak to me the way she did. I was interested in her services and the way she spoke was so unprofessional. Never again.
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13 May, 2021 by James
I was extremely dissatisfied with this lawyer. I Hired her outside of avvo. There lawfirm is very expensive and does not care how much it costs you.
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28 Jan, 2022 by Anonymous
I consulted with Jazz approximately 2 years ago on an age discrimination suit. I had gotten a referral from the NOLA website. We spoke at length on the phone and she decided to take, what she called, a very strong case. During COVID I was told that the EEOC had slowed down and to be patient because cases were not being reveiwed in a timely matter. I understood and I remained patient. Then months went by with very little communication from her. When there was it was excuses and finger pointing. She would pass my case along to different students. (Which is absolutely fine). But, one had gotten ill and had never even worked on my case. Time wasted. Emails back and forth until she told me she was waiting on a "letter to sue" from the EEOC. I had a case number plus an inestigator. I checked the public portal weekly and it showed progression. Then, all it ever said was that my case was under review. One day she emailed me and said she could sue my previous employer directly but now she required a retainer. Money I didn't have. Originally we agreed on a contingency. Communications stopped. I haven't heard from her or the EEOC. I tried checking the portal recently and they have no record of me. Its been approx.2 years.. I've tried contacting other lawyers all refuse to take my case. May be some kind of professional code? She may be a good teacher. But as the saying goes "those who can, do. Those who cant, teach."
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18 Mar, 2024 by Anonymous
I hired Ms. Bielinska for a number of cases, ranging from contractor theft to evictions to real estate closings. She seemed capable at first. But then she was ignoring emails, texts, and phone calls and only reaching out whenever SHE needed something from ME. I hired her for an eviction, for which she promptly billed me…and months later, when I was having trouble getting a real estate deal closed because of her, I figured out that she never even filed an eviction case. When I confronted her about it, she said she would be in depositions all day and would address my issues later. I had to pester her many times before receiving any additional response. She lied and told me that the eviction was filed under seal, but of course did not provide any documents to back it up. Then I lost the buyer for that delayed real estate closing because he was tired of waiting, which forced me to wait 8 to sell the property at a much lower price (and during which I had to pay monthly assessments). Ms. Bielinska is incompetent, unreliable, and unscrupulous. She could not care less that dealing with her cost me a LOT of money.
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23 Oct, 2013 by Milan
My worst experience out of four divorce attorneys. I hired Zorka to handle my divorce case in April of 2013. She scheduled the trial date for September 24. Two months before the trial on July 20th she decided to quit on me. The reason stated was that we disagree about the strategy. I kind of begged her to stay on the case since there was not enough time to find somebody else and I have no disagreement about the strategy, but this did not help. My guess is that she thought she can settle the case, but when she saw that this is not possible she did not want to go to trial. Her quitting the case also looked very bad since my ex was claiming that I hide money so one can conclude that my lawyer agrees with this. Just before quitting she asked me for all kind of documents like tax returns prior to 7 years ago. When I told her that we need a vocational expert to prove that I can't find a better job, instead of suggesting one, she asked me who do I suggest. When I told her that I canceled my ex's health insurance because I didn't have money to pay for it, she quite rudely said "Let's be honest, you didn't cancel her insurance because you didn't have money to pay for it, but because you were mad that she cleared your common bank account". I should have fired her right then, but I didn't.
She is very expensive on top of all previous said.
Thank God that she quit on me though. I found an excellent attorney that helped me straighten out the mess my previous three attorneys including Zorka put me in. Had I go to trial with Zorka as my representative it would be a disaster I feel.
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11 Aug, 2016 by Jan
I was referred to her by another attorney for my divorce, however, I don't see family law in her profile here. When I retained her she indicated she was practicing family law. I found her to be non-responsive to my questions & issues, and unorganized & last-minute in her court appearances. I withdrew as her client.
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22 Jul, 2018 by Anonymous
Marcy was not only inneffective, but I believe she gave me poorly thought out advice and cared very little about the outcome of my case.
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25 May, 2023 by Jacqueline
She completed my divorce but never did whatever work was necessary for me to obtain my spousal support and strung me along for a whole year promising to do it until i finally had to dissolve our business relationship
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12 Jun, 2017 by Anonymous
Case call set for 9:00am - Ms. Burdell checked in, with the courtroom clerk, at 9:40am. When this was brought up (her tardiness), with the judge, she (Cheryl), LAUGHED like it was the funniest thing in the world (on the record, in open court). Did not have requisite paperwork ready for court - had to wait while she filled out forms (Came late, laughed about it AND didn't have the proper forms prefilled? How very professional!)
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19 Jan, 2010 by Anonymous
Horrible people skills, and did not seem to have any concept of the legal aspects of my case.
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21 Nov, 2012 by Anonymous
She got names and companies wrong, leading to a postponement and costing both my spouse and myself extra money. She was very tardy on the execution of the QDRO. She several times said she needed to hire outside "experts" to check over items that competent divorce lawyers typically handle themselves. This was particularly "upsetting" seeing as how she is a part of a large divorce firm with all sort of in-house resources. Judging by some of the mistakes she made in routine items, she might have needed this outside help.
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25 Sep, 2023 by Anonymous
Lisa worked on one of my cases and was hard to get a hold of, did not follow through consistently, was two faced, did not keep her client’s best interests as priority, drug-out the trial for money, made unnecessary and inappropriate recommendations and only cared about looking good for the judge.
Proceed with caution if you are thinking of hiring this lawyer.
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08 Mar, 2015 by Anonymous
She provided us with written legal advice on a domestic US matter concerning issues of jurisdiction, unfortunately there were a number of issues.
Namely unresponsive, and a failure to keep us adequately informed. Subsequently, after a month of delays we were forced to find another attorney.
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14 Jul, 2021 by Anonymous
Please avoid her. She is very disrespectful of her clients. She needs to take a course in people skills. She might have some psychological problems.
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04 Sep, 2023 by Anonymous
Even though I won my case, this lawyer charged me thousands of dollars to come up with a "fair" (she needs to relearn the definition). Her charges to me were outrageous including lengthy conversations with my EX when she wouldn't even return my phone call or my lawyers. She doesn't understand even the basic of calculations. (Example both parents paid their half of an event to the institution, she would give him credit against me- on over 50 line items even though I also paid directly, basic math is not understood and poor competency.) She is not worth the over $30K I paid to have no outcome except for the Judge to throw out the endless hours due to her poor execution. Use someone else!
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29 Jul, 2014 by Anonymous
I was a client. I would not recommend this firm and lawyer. They would not inform me of all work done on the case. She had other lawyers working on my case without my consent. The invoices were several thousands of dollars a month. By not informing me they were able to charge me large amounts and I only found out when I received the invoice. I would read the reviews about this lawyer and firm. I felt like I was taken advantage of. I do not recommend this firm or lawyer. Please look at other reviews before signing with this firm.
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04 May, 2010 by Anonymous
I hired him and he gave his word that he would personally handle my case ( I was warned to make sure he gave his word or I would be handed off to someone else). As soon as the retainer agreement and check were in hand, I was handed off to a Junior attorney and almost never saw him. He showed up to a total of two hearings and was not prepared specific to my case.
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17 Sep, 2015 by India
I am a single mother of 4 and I hired Mr. Clark to assist with child support. I paid him in March 2014 and as of March 2015, he still had not filed the complaint. I told him I had to borrow the money just to pay him and I wanted my money back. He only gave me a portion and stopped returning my phone calls. I repeatedly asked for the balance back because he did not do any work. Then he advised me he would not be giving me all my money back, that was about the only thing he ever advised. So over a year later I still don't have child support, I'm out of my money, and I have to hire another attorney.
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15 Aug, 2016 by Jennifer
Paid $2000 up front for my divorce. After telling me it was completed, years later I found out he withdrew without completing it!
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06 Dec, 2017 by Anonymous
I consulted with Beverly A. Pekala regarding my divorce. I had an exceedingly difficult time getting a hold of anyone in the office via the main telephone number. Every time I called the phone automatically routed me to a voicemail. I was not called back in a timely manner - and overall I felt like the office and staff (I believe the "staff" consists of one other person) was extremely unorganized. I did not have a favorable experience and would not recommend this firm.
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08 Aug, 2015 by Anonymous
Ms. Brady has to be one of the most unprofessional attorneys I have ever worked with. I hired her for my divorce. We met with my husband and his attorney and she was combative from the start. I agreed with certain things and she was outright say that I would not agree to those terms. My husbands attorney was actually willing to compromise on many things and Ms. Brady seemed as if she was only looking for a fight. If you are looking for a quick and easy process do not go to Ms. Brady
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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.
