Best Family Law lawyers in Connecticut

1,272 Family Law Lawyers in Connecticut

>1.3k

experienced lawyers

Wayne Douglas Effron

2 Greenwich Office Park, 2nd Floor West, Greenwich, CT

Family Law +1

3.0/5

3.0

2 Reviews

07 Dec, 2018 by Jennifer

Attorney Effron is of the highest caliber, with knowledge above and beyond his expertise in family law. He treats his clients impeccably well and knows exactly how to manage the court system which can be difficult and frustrating. He is not a time waster, he is considerate of fees and plans his time accordingly. I would highly recommend him and wouldn’t use anyone else.

02 May, 2018 by Sam m

He is a super aggressive type of lawyer. He asked clients to lie and make false accusations to win. I heard so many terrible stories about him to break relationships between soon-to-be husbands and wives, which is terrible for their children. He always works with certain Guardian Ad Litem to ensure his cases. One of my clients did one hour consultation with him, his questionnaire asks if people come to purely block him.

Victor J Cavallo

184 Atlantic St, Stamford, CT

Criminal Defense Domestic Violence Family Law +3

2.8/5

2.8

5 Reviews

17 Mar, 2017 by Simon

Needed some simple advice to review an out of state order and have it moved to Connecticut. Victor took my money (twice), asked me to send him a document to review and act upon, but he (and his assistant) then failed to respond to several phone calls and emails when I tried to follow up. Victor seems to know his stuff, but is clearly not interested in the small stuff. (who is, I guess?) Many months later and I am no further ahead...trying to work it out on my own...

29 Dec, 2016 by Richard

I used Vic for a custody battle in new haven and was over charged and had less them stellar results in the end I was even sued by Vic and had a lean put on my house by him this is not an attack just facts even the attorney that was hired as a Guardian at Leitem for my child was in agreement that his fees were way over priced needless to say in the end I did get my child back on my own after releasing Vic but still got sued by him and had a lean put on my house to insure that he got paid what he did not deserve

29 Mar, 2015 by Anonymous

Victor knows his way around the law books. From a Non-Attorney perspective things seem to happen the long way around with a lot of extra hearings and aggravation that literally have no point. Victor is a very capable and knowledgeable Attorney fighting an up hill battle for most of us, yet I can not help feeling slighted and semi ripped off in the process. He is very busy, this however is no excuse for lack of preparation for a hearing... preparation that I have PAID for... a Hearing that I am PAYING for. Bottom line is, he has the knowledge, he has the skill, yet when confronted with these concerns will bail on you. The Potential is there Victor. You could Shine like no other. Not one person in that Court House has more knowledge of the law than you. Slow down, use it like we all know you can.

Richard J Shapiro

23 Hubbard Rd, Wilton, CT

Criminal Defense Family Law Real Estate +3

2.7/5

1.0

1 Reviews

4.4

16 Reviews

26 Mar, 2024 by Tom surace

The most knowledgeable and friendly attorney.

17 Dec, 2022 by Millie phillips

Phononimal Attorney

09 Dec, 2022 by Anonymous

Absolutely disappointing! I called for legal advice regarding a property investment instead I was flooded with personal opinions. Initially when I met Mr. Shapiro, I thought he was a nice guy however after my second verbal encounter with him, he revealed his true character. I am a young black female entrepreneur and Mr. Shapiro referred to people who use my strategy to invest in real estate as "bottom feeders." Absolutely horrifying, disheartening and unprofessional! He also made Trump references during our discussion after admitting that he did not know much about my method of investing. What makes this even worse is that he partners with the Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust which mostly serves families of color in the community. Bottom line, we as black entrepreneurs especially in the Bridgeport area have to stick together to invest in our city and push it forward towards its full potential in real estate because they really don't want us to win out here! Let us network with one another and form groups/partnerships to achieve financial success together as a community. There is plenty of untapped wealth in the Bridgeport area to go around. Let's build the future of Bridgeport together!

Regina A. Allocco

1177 High Ridge Road, Stamford, CT

Family Law +1

2.6/5

1.0

1 Reviews

4.2

10 Reviews

15 Apr, 2024 by Robert walsh

I've been utilizing Attorney Allocco's legal services for over four years now, particularly in the realm of Family law, and I couldn't be more satisfied. From the very beginning, Attorney Allocco demonstrated an unparalleled level of professionalism, empathy, and expertise that instantly put me at ease during what was initially a daunting process. I wholeheartedly recommend Attorney Allocco to anyone in need of legal representation in Family law. Her unwavering dedication, expertise, and compassionate approach truly make her stand out in the field. I am grateful for her support over the years and cannot thank her enough for her outstanding service.

15 Apr, 2024 by Crimar meddel135

They are not in the location they have on the internet. No response to phone calls or messages. Horrible service.

04 May, 2023 by Katrina kelly

Allocco & Anderson LLC, was truly exceptional in handling the recent sale of my home. Responsive, knowledgeable and immensely patient with my seemingly endless questions. They made the whole process seem easy!

Frank Joseph Romeo III

801 Maple Avenue, Hartford, CT

Family Law Real Estate +2

2.6/5

2.6

5 Reviews

10 Dec, 2021 by Linda

If you want to pay money to have your calls and emails go unanswered, watch your attorney defend the actions of someone they should be holding in contempt and go months without seeing your kid only to be told to “keep waiting until court” and “find solutions”, hire him.

21 Mar, 2017 by Brian

Frank is an excellent attorney who cares about his clients. I was happy that I hired him. He helped me more than once and went the distance to get things thrown out in court. He knows his stuff. I recommend using Frank if you have a problem.

23 Feb, 2015 by Anonymous

I had a messy case where another attorney took sides with my ex - then left me out to dry. Frank took the case, cleaned up the mess - and turned what looked like a hopeless situation into something favorable for me. Frank did an outstanding job.

Bruce W Diamond

365 Highland Ave # Sui102, Cheshire, CT

Estate Planning Family Law Litigation +3

2.4/5

1.0

1 Reviews

3.8

6 Reviews

14 May, 2024 by Richard ogurick

Bruce and his staff are extremely competent, professional, and accommodating. We are very fortunate to have established a working relationship with his practice.

14 May, 2024 by Don walsh

Bruce is an exellent attorney. He is thorough, kind and compassionate and I wouldn't hesitate to call him again for anything. He has helped me for personal needs, business neeeds and for a charity I run. He knows the law! I highly recommend.

14 May, 2024 by Teresia o'hala

Bruce Diamond has been extremely helpful and kind in supporting our journey of becoming a nonprofit organization. He has consistently been reliable, knowledgeable and professional. We couldn't ask for a better attorney to represent the needs of A Kinder Ground Nonprofit Organization. I highly recommend Bruce Diamond for any legal services you may have!

Margaret M Bozek

433 South Main Street, West Hartford, CT

Child Custody Family Law Mediation +3

2.3/5

2.3

6 Reviews

21 Sep, 2021 by Anonymous

This woman does not handle court cases regarding safety of children well at all she is only worried about herself and does not communicate well not sure how she became an attorney but incompetent is the best way to describe this woman do not hire her you will be sadly disappointed

07 Jun, 2018 by Annie bobbitt

I was just recommending Atty Bozek to a friend and was shocked the see the reviews on this site. She acted as the guardian at litem for my step-daughter 11 years ago and was the most fantastic caring helpful attorney I have ever met. She helped our family but most of all she helped my daughter get out of a very hard situation and is a big reason that she is the strong, self-confident successful adult that she is today. Don't listen to these other people.

19 May, 2017 by Anonymous

Horribly incompetent. Removed from my case. She is simply incompetent and has no interests in clients. She has a horrible reputation in the courts and among her fellow attorneys. Do not hire her,. Do your research.

Joshua O Balter

Balter Law, LLC, Branford, CT

Family Law Personal Injury +2

2.0/5

2.0

21 Reviews

19 Aug, 2024 by Don

Do Not Hire this lawyer for your family lawyer, he has moved to happy even after firm. He closed his firm due to no staff present in the office. Josh never got anything correct. He will not be a good fit for you! Do not hire this man for your family lawyer!

28 Nov, 2023 by Liz

I can not recommend Josh Balter enough. He completely changed the trajectory of my life and my daughter’s life. He was with me every step of the way. He made sure I knew everything that was happening and was comfortable with every decision that was being made. I love that his only focus is family law it is truly what makes him a stand out lawyer. I don’t think I would be where I am today with our having Josh on my side. I am eternally grateful to Josh for all he did for my Daughter. He put her at ease and we never have to worry like we did before. If you’re looking for a family law lawyer look no further than Josh Balter. I’ve is one of a kind. A truly special attorney. Josh, thank you. You changed our life.

22 Nov, 2023 by Keith l

Working with Mr. Balter was a complete nightmare. He was unresponsive to my calls and emails and seemed to have little interest in my case. When I did finally manage to speak with him, he was rude and dismissive, making me feel like my concerns were unwarranted. He charged exorbitant fees for minimal work and did not seem to have my best interests at heart. I would not recommend Balter Law, LLC to anyone in need of legal representation.

Robert David Zaslow

664 Farmington Ave # 3, Hartford, CT

Child Custody Family Law +2

2.0/5

2.0

1 Reviews

19 May, 2013 by Buffee

This lawyer uses all the supportive words a mother needs to hear. I trusted him and signed agreements that I should not have. When finances dry up, so does his services. Leaving a daughter with out her mother. Broke my heart in more ways than one.

Nancy A Noyes

195 Church Street, New Haven, CT

Family Law +1

2.0/5

2.0

1 Reviews

13 Oct, 2013 by Ed

I used Nancy NoYes a few years ago for my divorce case, she assigned attorney Ruben to my case. This office left out one of the most impprtant issues on filing, I went to buy another home and found out Nancy NoYes office didn't have my name removed from ex wife's mortgage. I guess they overlooked the small stuff leaving my name as mortgage holder. I Would Not refer this Attorney Ruben, or Nancy NoYes to anyone. They wanted to be paid in advance which i did but the case is still not completed Use caution if you're daring enough to take a huge risk.

Scott A Garver

21 West Main St., Waterbury, CT

Criminal Defense Family Law Foreclosure +1 +4

1.8/5

1.8

5 Reviews

23 Nov, 2013 by Anonymous

Professional, great communicator, and listener, extremely punctual, trustworthy, and very experienced. Has been our family attorney since 2005. He's always been available for all of our legal needs. Also very reasonably priced.

23 Sep, 2013 by Anonymous

This guy talks a good game, at first, I hired him to form my LLC, he was sloppy, unorganized and never completed the process by changing my deeds to the LLC. He doesn't return phone calls, he doesn't complete necessary and vital processes. He makes promises he cannot keep. I had to rehire him to sue one of my tenants he never filed the paperwork as processed, and was overall a horrible lawyer. DO NOT HIRE THIS MAN!

15 May, 2013 by Anonymous

We hired this bogus attorney for a child custody battle. He never returns phone calls or follows through with a case. Extremely disappointed especially since he sounded so sincere initially. Would never recommend.

Louise T Truax

2507 Post Rd Ste Ph, Southport, CT

Family Law +1

1.3/5

1.3

4 Reviews

03 Sep, 2024 by Anonymous

Why is it that every mom gets supervised visitation and/or their kids are sent to reunification therapy? She hates mothers who are maternal, and has the same theory of PA in every single other one I’ve seen. No nuance, nasty mean decisions that consistently favor abusers.

23 Aug, 2023 by Anonymous

Unprofessional. Poor communication. Biased. Misleading. Is not trustworthy. Excels at ripping families apart. Doesn’t care about resolving the case in order to keep charging $600 an hour . Louise Truax is the Worst of the worst in all of CT. She should be disbarred. Keep looking

12 May, 2023 by Anonymous

My divorce was as bad. My ex would not stop harassing, stalking, tracking devises, emailing, calling etc...I became so stressed from his non stop harassment. I was a good mother, no abuse, no verbal physical abuse, yet Louise Truax recommended supervised visitation. Even though there was no bad report, there was no end in site, this went on for 3 years costing thousands and ultimately contributed to parent alienation, supporting my ex narrative to all including our child that I was a crazy. I had a team of therapist's who testified I was good enough, But nothing changed, nothing my attorney could do worked. I lost my child, home, and finances. I have not heard from my child in over 13 years. No card, no letter, nothing. No reunification, that I was told would eventually happen. I ended up sleeping on the floor at my work for 6 years to make ends meet. While my ex is a multi millionaire. I will always be heartbroken until I die. I can't imagine doing this to someone who was not abusive. I'm told supervised visitation is not uncommon with Louise Truax. I think she is heartless.

Sandra P Lax

2507 post Road., Southport, CT

Child Custody Elder Law Family Law +1 +4

1.0/5

1.0

6 Reviews

07 Jan, 2019 by Anonymous

She was hired to represent my children instead she did everything to benefit herself and the other two lawyers who represented me and my ex. She dragged my case for 2 and a half years, and because it was my ex who was paying her fees she also did everything he asked to benefit him and not my children, their well being or their safety. A couple of times she announced to everyone in court that she put a down payment for a house in Fairfield after we paid her $30k. Everyone was congratulating her on the purchase of her new home at my children’s expenses. She also co-teaches with some of the female judges so she always got everything she wanted but nothing to benefit my children. She used to run a home for sexual offenders and pedofilles but was forced to shut down so this is the kind of individual this woman is. She is also a very unhealthy person and I hope she is rotting and living in hell while she’s still alive if she is even still alive. I HOPE NO ONE ELSE EVER HIRES HER!

28 Aug, 2014 by Anonymous

A friend of mine used Sandra Lax and to my understanding she has been completely unprofessional in her verbal communications, representation, and billing. I was so upset about the way my friend has been treated that i decided to write a review. How does her unethical behavior provide any reassurance to those that use lawyers to defend them? I was delighted to hear that new reforms have been made where the GALs will be under stricter review and subject to removal for such actions.

17 Aug, 2014 by Anonymous

I believe she billed me for things that had no relevance to my case. She wasn't very friendly when asking her about my case. She was quite rude. Whenever I asked about the bill she didn't respond. The charges kept coming in.

C Michael Budlong

93 Oak Street, Hartford, CT

Family Law +1

1.0/5

1.0

3 Reviews

18 Nov, 2022 by Anonymous

I hired Mr. Budlong because I heard from a rich friend that he was a great divorce attorney. Nope when you run out of money he runs out of time. He "lost" my pictures that I had on my husband never to be found. divorce took 6 years because of him and I had no money. He is a j a

20 Apr, 2018 by Anonymous

My own experience goes like this: Budless says: I will require a retainer of $10,000. You : pay $10,000 and nothing happens for months Budless: well he will finally get around to filing worthless motions that just eat up your retainer. Budless says: Give me $15,000 and I guarantee I will get your legal fees back. Budless says: we need another $10,000 for doing nothing. Budless says: This is an outrage , unjust we are taking this to trial! Budless says: another $5,000 for doing less than nothing. You say: I'm out of money! Budless says: don't worry about the money. A year or so later. Budless says: I will leave this court room right now in the middle of this trial if you don't pay me more money. Oh, don't forget to expect a written closing argument to your divorce trial that will cost about $10,000.00 . Why, because verbal closing arguments cost almost nothing. Budless: screaming at his entire staff like they are garbage. Budless: files a law suite to collect his "legal" fees. You: file your own legal malpractice lawsuit. I can't express to you the level of incompetents I experiences with Michael Budless in the drivers seat. I wish someone would have written the truth about Budless before I hired him. He will take a bad situation and make it 1000 x worse. It takes years to recover from the damage caused by a bad attorney. I am taking the time out of my life to write this most honest review. Not to harm Budless because well he is what he is. But, to warn unsuspecting innocent people of this type of predation.

01 Oct, 2013 by Anonymous

Upon recommendation of a friend, I retained Mr. Budlong. I thought I was in good hands when he showed me all his pictures of him with famous people. That was the first sign that his ego was more important than my case. Mr. Budlong does not take the time to educate his clients. He pushed me to make snap decisions that I have regretted for years. As I was being steam rolled by the other attorney's, Mr Budlong kept asking me "do you want to get divorced or not".

Tracie L Molinaro

50 Route 171, Putnam, CT

Family Law Probate Real Estate +3

1.0/5

1.0

2 Reviews

01 Aug, 2017 by G pickett

I retained her services for a family matter. She was never prepared for hearings often opting to postpone them. Deceitful and unprofessional are the best ways to describe this attorney.

24 May, 2017 by Anonymous

Wish we never used her services or trusted her guidance and recommendations! A parent’s worst nightmare. She left our child in danger and did not take action unless absolutely forced to. Interesting that she touts being a member of the grievance community, being that parents have to submit her wrong doings to the grievance committee. Wish we second guessed the attorney that recommended her. She was deceptive, misleading, lazy, dishonest, unreliable, had horrible communication skills if any and lied often. The judge had to redirect her on her lack of ethics and safety concerns. A parent’s worst nightmare.

Robert Terhune Stewart

128 Garden St, Farmington, CT

Family Law +1

1.0/5

1.0

2 Reviews

20 May, 2021 by Anonymous

I thought I found a diamond in the rough with Robert who is an attorney, accountant, and marriage and family therapist all in one with a relatively low hourly rate to boot, but he failed in each of those roles during our mediation. As an attorney, he inaccurately claimed the court would not expect my wife to work, that litigation would cost more than mediation, and that I should agree to forfeit custody of my son to live with his maternal aunt in another state near my wife who abandoned us, while mediation was still proceeding and before we even agreed on any other terms. This was also an example of the bias he had and failure as a therapist, advocating for one party and advising me to do something that no one would advise their own client to do. This was consistent with his pattern of almost exclusively pressuring me to make unilateral concessions like giving up custody and not challenging my wife, ending every session with a backhanded but false warning that litigation would cost more than mediation. As an accountant he failed by changing our bill so many times it was difficult to know what was accurate. One practice in particular he used was to collect the standard session fee and much later claim more money was owed since the session took longer than the allotted time even though I paid him at the end of each session or even a day later once. Even though his hourly rate was relatively low, I felt like I was being nickled and dimed, especially with all the billing/accounting errors he made. In the end, his biased advocacy for my wife emboldened her to unsuccessfully litigate for custody of our son in the middle of mediation, destroying the mediation process and completely wasting the $10,000 I paid for it. I found a good attorney in the local court system who advised me as I represented myself which only cost me $3,000 total and ended with my son staying in my custody and me paying 2.5 years of alimony rather than the 7-10 Robert advocated. Litigation is not always cheaper than mediation nor vice versa, but Robert was clearly a failure.

07 Aug, 2012 by Elian

He honestly reuined me. I got out of my marriage with only 1/3 of my ex made. The agreement was vague and nothing was specific.

Ross Maxwell Kaufman

1266 East Main Street, Stamford, CT

Family Law Litigation +2

1.0/5

1.0

2 Reviews

07 Nov, 2023 by Anonymous

Ross has a bad temper and is verbally inappropriate. On the day my divorce was finalized, he gritted his teeth at me and said, "If you don't sign this today, I'm going to lose it." So what I got was a lousy divorce contract. He left out incorporating a very important "floor" of a minimum income my ex had to pay me per month. Later when I saw him back at the courthouse, I was with another attorney. He walked up to me and asked me why I was back. I told him because my ex was yet again unemployed and you didn't put in a floor. He looked at me and said, "Oh but wasn't that assumed?" Then he walked away. Great job Ross.

07 Jun, 2023 by Anonymous

Hired him, lots of talk and no action. Repeatedly raised his voice at me in meetings. Short fuse and no patience. Didn’t follow through on simple requests to file motions. Rarely responded to emails in a timely fashion. Seems like the type trying to collect a paycheck while doing as little work as possible. Bonus points for him if he could berate you along the way. Would not recommend.

Michael P Maggiacomo

Po Box 772, Danielson, CT

Family Law +1

1.0/5

1.0

2 Reviews

23 Sep, 2009 by Alicia

I used this attorney in a case regarding my rights to my children. He rarely showed up for court and if he did attend he was ALWAYS late and would come in halfway through proceedings. I never received returned phone calls from him and my questions went unanswered by him. I have now lost my parental rights due partly to his inability to inform me of my rights and what I could do under the law. I called him with every question and concern and never once would he return my calls. I spoke with their father's attorney and got more answers and help from him than I ever did from Mike. He would convince me to just do whatever the State was asking and things would work out fine. He would often sit in the courtroom and whisper in my ear the whole time so that I could not hear what was going on in the proceedings, an apparent attempt to answer the numerous messages I had left for him on his voice mail. I was failed by the system and this attorney played a LARGE role in that failure!

20 May, 2009 by Anonymous

Mr. Maggiacomo was a my defense attorney for about a year. In that time he didnt help my case one bit. Although my case was totally manageable,he failed to do anything but accuse me of commiting a crime. MY CHARGES WERE LATER DISMISSED AFTER I FIRED MAGGIACOMO AND GOT A REAL ATTORNEY.

Lauren M McCann

125 Elm St Ste 3, New Canaan, CT

Child Support Family Law Real Estate +3

1.0/5

1.0

1 Reviews

25 Nov, 2022 by Anonymous

Do not use this firm. Lauren McCann completely failed my children. She was grossly incompetent. She failed to understand basic facts relevant to the case, and recommended an extreme ruling in favor of the father based on a complete lack of substantiation, in spite of the judge's acknowledgement that I was "highly competent" as a parent and my ex-husband's acknowledgement that I had done a phenomenal job raising our children for 14 years. She basically broke down on the witness stand during cross-examination. She is insecure and unintelligent.

Eliot J Nerenberg

10 N. Main Street, West Hartford, CT

Business Civil Rights Family Law +1 +4

1.0/5

1.0

1 Reviews

12 Oct, 2022 by Anonymous

Eliot Nerenberg never even filed a motion after I hired him to represent me in a custody and Child support matter. I kept waiting for a court date and after almost two months I asked him why it was taking so long and at that time he said he hadn’t expected my ex to be as difficult and uncooperative. Apparently Eliot thought an agreement could be reached without going in front of a judge but he was wrong. I used up what I had in savings to retain Eliot and he never filed the motion. I was devastated that someone I trusted and once thought so highly of was so cavalier as he said he would need another $10,000 to proceed with filing the motion.

Bruce Kalom

25 Church St, PO Box 44, Willimantic, CT

Estate Planning Family Law Real Estate +3

1.0/5

1.0

1 Reviews

24 Sep, 2021 by Paul jeter

5 Bad Things about my experience hiring Kevin Connors to represent my mother's estate. 1) He said it would take a year. It took 3 years and 8 months. During this time, there was no regular communication nor was the process clear. I felt so low priority. There were no Christmas cards or anything like that. 2) I was told inaccurate information that sent me to an accountant meeting who had no idea what I was talking about. I sat there feeling completely unsupported having wasted time. 3) Failed to build trust. Bursts of emails or calls would be followed by long periods of quiet and non-response. Late fees and other costs accrued due to lack of communication. When they sent a letter to my brother, it triggered him and there was never an apology for that. 4) It was grueling and painful. Every single month I sent in the bank and check stubs for the estate account. I was told to close the account too early. It was disrespectful just to take the money out of the check to my brother instead of finishing up business professionally. 5) They closed the branch close to my home without notice. The main branch looks like something out of depictions of skid row.

Renee Marie Houle

4 Lancashire Ct, Waterford, CT

Appeals Family Law Litigation +3

1.0/5

1.0

1 Reviews

04 Jun, 2021 by Nicole

Renee was my second attorney in family court. At first it took me days and days to reach her and for he to get my sent documents emailed. Told me not to talk to or do thing s with cps unless talked about with her or she was there and then just totally went unreachable. Tried to say she never got my emails meanwhile they are all sent in my sent box. Renee did NOTHING for my case. When I got a new one, my file was blank and I had her for months. She withdrew 2 days before my trial. Was rude and told me I had no chance no matter what. Actually has been uncovered how actually Renee is in the pocket of cps. Stay away from her.

Stephen Joseph Varga

Po Box 775, New Britain, CT

Estate Planning Family Law +2

1.0/5

1.0

1 Reviews

08 Sep, 2015 by Nicole

This attorney was hired because my children were taken by DCF they were taking me to trial to terminate my rights. The day of the trial my lawyer convinced me to sign my rights away. He never helped me to fight. Every question I had he had no answer to. And it seemed he could care less if we won or not and would sit in the conference room with DCF laughing and talking so how can a client feel safe with her lawyer when he is doing that with the ones I'm supposed to be against definitely don't recommend him to anyone fighting for their children

Joseph J Mager Jr

87 River St, Milford, CT

Business Family Law Litigation +1 +4

1.0/5

1.0

1 Reviews

19 Jul, 2022 by Mark

By far one of the most rude, disrespectful attorneys I’ve ever had the displeasure of speaking with. His knowledge of automobile coverage/law is severely deficient and I couldn’t even finish a sentence without him interrupting me on the phone. Not to mention he insinuated to my mother that I would “threaten her” for use of her vehicle. Keep in mind that my mother is 70+ years old suffering from dementia, and is easily impressionable. Avoid this fear-mongering lawyer at all costs!

Carlo Forzani

29 South Main Street, West Hartford, CT

Family Law +1

1.0/5

1.0

1 Reviews

14 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous

did make promises which I paid a lot of money for typical go elsewhere he didn not show up in court on time, he was rude to the judge, he was too vocal, he was easy to see t

Deborah Noonan

6 Christopher Court, Norwalk, CT

Family Law Mediation +2

1.0/5

1.0

1 Reviews

28 Jun, 2022 by Monica

She cost our family 25k in back child support because she did not file the paperwork.

James Michael Ruel

One Constitution Plaza, Hartford, CT

Child Custody Family Law +2

1.0/5

1.0

1 Reviews

12 Jan, 2024 by Bob

In summary, engaging Attorney James Ruel proved financially and legally Ruinous. See details below. **Mediation Proceedings and Abandonment *4/21/15 Engaged Atty James Ruel to review mediated Lump-Sum (LS) settlement. *Ruel was strongly against LS & favored paying alimony for 11 years,132 alimony payments *I directed Ruel to pursue LS agreement only *9/28/15 Mediated LS settlement approved by all parties Mediated LS (near final) total cost = $15K *Ruel convinced parties to leave mediation by stating that the LS agreement would never be Judge approved due to my age and amount of savings. *My appeals lawyer contradicted Ruel’s statement as did the Judge’s approval of a LS agreement reached during the appeal. **Ruel Competency Issues *Ruel failed abide by his fiduciary and competent representation duties driving costs from 15K to $350K *Inaccurate financial models were run by Ruel team members lacking any accounting or financial planning SME or industry certifications necessary to identify model output errors or to competently analyze financial offers from spouse. *My post-divorce financial health was predicated on having accurate financial models *Model’s inaccuracy forced an emergency 401K withdrawal of $125K and an associated tax penalty of $1000 per month for 36 months. *Ruel’s discovery process failed to ask spouse for information about any uncollected alimony or child support awards from her 1st marriage. *My appeals lawyer identified $100K of assets due to spouse from 1st husband that she chose not to collect or to ask the court’s assistance to do so. **Ruel Advocacy Shortcoming** *Opposing Counsel OC subjected me to constant character assassinations and baseless accusations during negotiating calls and in front of the special masters. *Pleas to Ruel to address OC’s behavior were met with condescension (e.g. quote from Ruel’s response to intervention request, "I can address OC’s behavior or get this agreement finalized, which do you want?” *My response was I want both to be addressed and Ruel chose not to call out OC’s behavior. *Refused to support audit request to verify compliance of OC’s billing against client funded retainer. *Violated fiduciary duty by joining with OC to belittle me regarding above *Allowed OC to cover for constant missed deadlines *Above caused increased time/expense for travel, wasted PTO &months of increased time/cost to finalize divorce. *Ruel failed to inform me that If it is clear your spouse is wasting your time and money, you can petition to have them pay for a portion or all of your divorce attorney fees and that the fees must be consistent with normal industry parameters *Ruel responded to post divorce requests for assistance with reopening the settlement by saying there were no viable options and that I should live with it.

Daniel W Adelman

Po Box 2089, New Haven, CT

Criminal Defense Family Law Personal Injury +3

1.0/5

1.0

1 Reviews

08 Apr, 2021 by Andrew

My experience with the Adelman law fire was a disaster. Dan the lawyer I haired to handle all my post divorce issues was never available to discuss my case. It was done through a series of emails. The only time i was able to see Dan was 20 minutes prior to going into court. This was the extent of reviewing my issues. I was quoted a fixed fee to handle all maters but was forced to give additional monies to Dan throughout the process in order for him to proceed. He is never prepared He never returns phone calls He never filed any of the motions I prepared for him to file He never reviews you case prior to court date He is rude and always asking for more money. Please do your homework before hiring Dan Adelman. Read other site reviews of him and his poor work ethics

Joseph A Disilvestro

129 Whitney Ave, New Haven, CT

Family Law +1

1.0/5

1.0

1 Reviews

05 Jun, 2019 by Amy

He was hired to handle custody issues with my ex-husband. He barely met me or my children, made a suggestion that was completely impossible and irrelevant and has been since harassing me for fees that I don’t feel he earned in any way shape or form. I get calls on the weekends, nights and when I paid a portion of it, he provided me with a paid invoice that was a PHOTO OF A HANDWRITTEN INDEX CARD. I would run far far away if considering to work with this type of person. It’s been more stressful than my actual divorce. (Which was terrible!)

Sharon Lee Gibbs

18 Broad St, Norwich, CT

Family Law +1

1.0/5

1.0

1 Reviews

12 Nov, 2011 by Anonymous

I hired this lawyer for a financial matter. She always gave me reasons to believe that she would win my money back for me. But she wasted time, never got back to me, and then let some time deadline according to the court system expire and I lost because of her. And she wont give my money back that I paid her for NOTHING!

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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.

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.

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