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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!
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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".
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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!
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28 Jun, 2022 by Monica
She cost our family 25k in back child support because she did not file the paperwork.
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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
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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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01 Dec, 2013 by Anonymous
I felt no support from him as far as the manner in which he represented me for about 3 years for my accident case. His actions both in and out of the courtroom were unsatisfactory. He was at times very timid, rude , insensitive and unprofessional. For some reason, unknown to me, he was not committed to help me as best as he could. Maybe he should be doing something else not be an attorney. At the end (in court) he kept insisting that I drop the lawsuit because some judge (who reviewed the case beforehand) said that I really did not have a chance to win the case and that I was not credible. He ( Thomas Virgulto) also wanted me to sign some handwritten paper (written by himself) stating this and that I could be brought up on perjury charges if I continued on. I ignored him and his letter and continued on till the end of the case. I'm sorry that I did not drop him as my attorney. I would never recommend him to anyone under any circumstance, not only because he did not help me but because of his poor disposition.
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24 Dec, 2012 by Sharon
At this time I am contacting the BAR association to find out how to make a formal complaint aginst this attorney who is supposed to be acting on the best interest of children. He acted unprofessional from day one when he did not contact his client himself he had the opposing parent contact him after her meeting. This makes a parent feel there is bias. He then had appt. with the mother but canceled the appt. with the father. Within 3 mintues the mother texts the father "what a great father you are, can't even make your appt". Why and how would she have this information? Then he askeds the child involved 2 questions and decides on a plan himself, which does not include the basic right fo a paretn "Right of First Refusal".. he charged 1,000 and did not do his job. when informed of another pending court date he rudely tells the father he hasn't paid an penny and its the fathers job to prove he did. upon investigation of cashed checks, he discovers Brian himself cashed 350.00 in checks. After a letter sent to Brian discussing these important concerns he cowardly informs THE MOTHER that he is off the case. Never calls to apologize or make things right BUT cashes the additional 200.00 sent with the letter. You have a lot to learn Mr Chizinski. This is gross unprofessionalism. If you are assigned this attorney, ask for another. If you have had a bad experience with this attorney please come forward, I will be looking for others. If nothing is said this will happen to others. I cannot sleep at night sometimes thinking of the poor parents he may have done similiar things to. Court/custody cases are so stressful to begin with. WHO CAN WE TRUST AND TURN TO??
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10 Aug, 2016 by Anonymous
I had met her and gave her a deposit for a simple divorce $4000.00. In hind site she should have turned me away. A divorce outcome I know now is pretty much the same for everyone. Anyway I NEVER Ever saw an invoice again. My divorce was finalized and still had never seen an invoice, kinda thought I had over paid. Then low an behold a year after I received a statement for 19000.00 still no invoice for a bilk I didn't know I had. 28% interest had accrued again on a bill I didn't know existed. Of course bring mentally broken already from my divorce I didn't do a thing. I should of called and freaked out but was afraid I would get charged more to dispute my bill. The bill now is 30000.00 which would make my divorce 34000.00. Seriously. I have a perfect credit there is not s bill out there that I have ever defaulted on. She and her firm totally smoked me. Tgryte accounting practices are illegal. I'm curious if I'm the only one that got blind sided by this firm.
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15 Nov, 2024 by Anonymous
Absolutely terrible. He was assigned by the court to represent me and he belittled me and told me the only hope I had was to comply with DCF despite the fact that their investigation found no evidence of abuse or neglect or anything else for that matter. Never filed any motions to get visitation withmy child when DCF was withholding visitation without a court order or clinical recommendations. And then when I complained that he wasn't representing me and tried to ask for a new lawyer he fought it and convinced the judge to keep him as my lawyer. I only got rid of him by highlighting all the places he was negligent and threatening him with a negligence suit and a complaint to the Bar association. And this is a man who is mentoring new attorneys? Come on!
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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.
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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.
