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10 Oct, 2013 by Anonymous
This lawyer is green. She does not respond timely and when she does respond, its through her assistant. It took my spouses lawyer to point something out that Ms. Melhart missed. The fees for this attorney are slightly more than of a private firm. I would have expected more timely and personable attention. This attorney definately has YOUR best financial interest at heart but not so much for the children. I've never met a lawyer, female, who would advise a client NOT to have any financial responsibility for his/her kids. That is what I'm most disappointed in.
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02 Jul, 2024 by Anonymous
This is the most useless,unprofessional attorney you will ever come across in dallas . Am sure that is why he hide his photo identity off this space but his office is at 1910 pacific ave ste 5050 dallas texas . Please stay away from him . He is not a good attorney, he is not knowledgeable, he won't pick your calls for up to 10months or more after he must have collected his legal fee and on your case. He will not reply email or text . This his the phone 214-475-1656. I would have put his picture so you can be aware . He deliberately took off his picture from all attorney that bears same name as you can see he is the only one person his picture missing because he knows he is a very terrible lawyer. Stay away from this attorney for your peace of mind and sanity . If it is possible to give zero ratings I would have gone for that .. I am talking from experience and a very terrible one indeed . He is not trustworthy and
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02 Jul, 2024 by Jyria
I could have rate him zero if am able to . This is a very terrible disgusting attorney have ever met. My husband hired him for his defense but it was a terrible client attorney experience. He dont pick calls, he dont reply emails, he dont reply text . It will make you feel like he is doing you a favor because he is always not reachable and will mess you up ..please stay away from this attorney. I bet he is hiding his picture out here off his profile because he knew the kind of terrible services he gives . I sometimes ask myself how we hired this man was tital mistake and waste of time. . If am to describe him I know he limbs so be aware of him and stay off his services so you don't experience terrible client service
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09 Apr, 2024 by Anonymous
If I could give this attorney a zero star I would I would have to say he is the worst attorney in America. He didn’t solve my case when they had no sufficient evidence, he made my case worse. I would never recommend anybody to use this attorney ever. He is horrible and I’m not just saying that.
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17 Mar, 2023 by Anonymous
He lied to me twice when l first met him l had a concern over the evidence he told me to leave it to the professionals then offered me a plea. He didn’t even know l had a witness to prove my innocence. He told the judge l didn’t have confidence in him.
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28 Oct, 2013 by Anonymous
Wé hired him and hé never kept us informed on whats goingon with thé case.Hé didnt even turn in his name to let thé court know that wé hired him as our lawyer.i think all hé cares about is money.i will never recomend him to anyone and i suggest anyone thinking of hiring him to think twice.
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18 May, 2011 by Lucero
HE HAS HELPED MY BOYFRIEND GERARDO MORENO TO THE FULLEST THERE IS NO WAY I COULD EVER THANK YOU FOR DOING SO
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08 Jun, 2022 by Nirita
I called this lady to see how to move forward with a custody situation and when I tell you the absolute rudeness I received on this phone call was astonishing! I couldn’t believe I’m calling someone to possibly retain and she acted condescending, talked at me, cursed at me, acted as if I was uninformed and it goes on and no!
I will say tho thank you for showing me your true colors so I wouldn’t retain you!
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26 May, 2018 by Newclient
Had a phone consultation and quite pleased. Ms. Sorrells asked detailed questions and gave idea of what the outcome might be. She is NOT confrontational, but proactive. She might have sounded a bit aggressive, but I liked that because I sensed she was testing out how I would handle an adversarial situation. She is quite OK. Very professional too.
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24 Apr, 2013 by Eric
I called Linda Sorrells for an over the phone consultation and she started asking me confrontational questions as though she was interrogating me. She was very rude and unprofessional. She told me that she would take my $1500 retainer fee but that I would lose. She never not once let me explain my situation and why I needed representation.
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05 Oct, 2021 by Anonymous
We sat for hours going over my case and me uploading my documents. This included my witnesses, and my evidence. When we get to trial I did not have any witnesses to support my claims. She did not contact them nor advised me that I should have. The most important piece of evidence I had was not submitted to the courts on time. I later discovered she did not even request it till the day it was due. She charged me for obtaining and looking at a document that could not even be admitted as evidence. Many of the claims made in my case she did not rebutal.
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03 Jun, 2021 by Danielle
I have worked with several family law attorneys and Ms. Gradney will work strictly on your behalf and not with opposing council you can count on it! She will work hard for you!
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09 Aug, 2019 by Ashley
She filed several forms that were incorrect. I spent money and time going back and forth to court with no advancement in my case. She required me to spend HOURS creating documents to use to uphold my claim, that the judge said could not be used. I later used public information to verify the judge was correct. She is easily offended when questioned for understanding. I spent thousands of dollars only to have to secure another attorney to complete my case. I would have given her zero stars if that was an option.
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24 Jun, 2018 by Zachary
Charles Robertson is a increadibly skilled family law attorney that fights for the best interests of your children. Him and his staff was always one step ahead of the process that helped lower my increadible stress of the ordeal. We had a nightmare case that had been dragged through the courts for years. He was able to get me full custody of my children. Charles really cares and is passionate about his clients. I fully recommend him and his wonderful staff. He is truly a blessing to me and my family.
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10 Jun, 2018 by Anonymous
Once Charles received his retainer, he has done nothing but berate me, blame me and continously threaten to quit as my attorney. I'm not only fighting daily for my child but I'm also fighting daily with my attorney. He is a horribly abusive, cruel person.
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23 Sep, 2014 by Anonymous
I have known Charles for years and decided to retain him for a modification situation. Charles made repeated promises that were never kept. He took weeks to return a call or email and told me that he filed for a visitation modification which was untrue. Avoid and spend your money elsewhere.
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18 Jan, 2018 by Amy
Hired this attorney to handle my mother's probate matter. Took the money and then did a terrible job. Did not know what he was doing. He missed a court hearing. He would never return calls. I fired him and obtained good counsel to finish the case.
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18 May, 2016 by Anonymous
Awful......he never returns phone calls, he does not do anything on your case and he is what one would expect from an out-dated old attorney good ole boy.
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11 May, 2009 by Anonymous
Mr Skibell was very informative and very fair in helping me with my lawsuit. He was able to help me reach a settlement out of court and saved me lots of money.
Even though he could have made alot more money taking my case to court he never pressured me in that direction as I didn't want to go that route.
He was very honest and very upfront with my options and the outcome he would forsee since he had seen these cases before. I must say he was right on and I so appreciated his insight and honest suggestions.
He was excellent at keeping me informed and was always availble if I had a question.
I was always treated with dignity and respect and felt like he really was looking out for my best interest.
His experience and honesty were so valuable to me and I would highly recommend him.
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19 Jan, 2016 by Anonymous
The negative reviews are absolutely true! I attempted to file for divorce in 2009. I payed Karyn upfront and trusted her because of our affiliation. She never returned my calls or emails. DO NOT use this attorney.
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30 Dec, 2014 by Anonymous
Karyn took over a year to file for us, was paid in full.
Ignored calls, messages and emails, waited 3 years to file then ignored it and case got dismissed. She let her license expire, and has no regard for others. Do not use her!
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16 Feb, 2014 by Anonymous
Karyn did a fine job for me during my lengthy case. She has been representing me since 2010. We have been to Court several times and she never lets me down. She does her job well and she knows what she is doing. 'Kickin Karyn', I like to call her, even traveled out of town to represent me. I cannot thank her enough.
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20 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
DO NOT HIRE! STOLE MY MONEY AND NEVER CONTACTED ME BACK. DO NOT HIRE NIT RELIABLE ONLY CONTACTED ME WHEN IT WAS ABOUT MONEY
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08 Aug, 2023 by Anonymous
DO NOT HIRE!! SHE WILL COMMUNICATE WELL WITH YOU UNTIL SHE GET PAID THEN YOULL HAVE TO CONSTANTLY REACH OUT TO HER AND SHE DO NOT RESPOND!! BE SMART AND HIRE ANYONE BUT HER!!
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08 Aug, 2023 by Anonymous
She is there for you , once you pay. She disappears!! Do Not Hire Her. She has been reported
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15 May, 2023 by Travis
Very bad attorney she will make the worst decisions involving you and your case I don’t recommend once I hired her I could never get ahold of her and once I did it was almost to late
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22 Nov, 2020 by Anonymous
This attorney was hired and during tenure as my attorney was unresponsive to correspondence, unprofessional in handling my case, largely ineffective as counsel.
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14 May, 2024 by Anonymous
I did not like Pauline O'Toole. I did not like the way she treated her paralegal who frankly can work at a much better law firm without the abuse. Pauline also seems to like to stir up problems and create conflict to increase her compensation and fund her trips to Europe. For example, she encourage me to ask for full custody, which I later found out from a good and ethical attorney that full custody would be extremely difficult to get and would end up hurting my case, because that would show I am not willing to co-parent, and do the opposite of what is in the best interest of our children. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way and after wasting many hundreds of thousands of dollars. There are much much better attorneys. Hope you all find one with a good heart, who actually cares about your family.
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15 Nov, 2022 by Anonymous
All Pauline talks about is money. She has no concern for the family's welfare. We made several attempts to settle things amicably, but she attempted every trick in the book and kept breaking her promises, never giving me what I wanted. She simply worries about money and lacks morals. Because of her inability to work with others and the growing realization that she just cares about herself and her money, she keeps ending her relationships with various lawyers and legal organizations.
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19 May, 2021 by Anonymous
He used to be par excellence!!! However, his demeanor has definitely changed and his relationship with this client is definitely over. He was rude, degrading and humiliated me, and I felt that he was aligned with the other sides attorney. Prior to this horrific experience he was generous, a gentleman and absolutely the best at his lawyering.
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22 Jun, 2018 by John
This attorney composed and sent a demand letter for us. When it came time for us to decide to prosecute, he was too busy. The law firm was too busy.
Our feeling is that he didn't think we had a chance to win but he gave us that impression so we went ahead with a demand letter.
The ultimate outcome of our case was a settlement for what was offered BEFORE we paid this attorney to give us false hope and paid about $500 for a demand letter.
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03 Feb, 2013 by Anonymous
This lawyer takes money, does nothing with your case, and then withdraws from your case. Have your money work for you and go with a different lawyer.
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15 Nov, 2019 by Anonymous
I would not recommend this lawyer. Her work was incomplete.
The lawyer failed to advise me of the status of the case, and failed
to engage with the opposing counsel. She seemed pre-occupied and passed me off to lesser qualified and less aggressive lawyers.
They would call on Friday afternoons to generate billings.
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14 Jul, 2014 by Anonymous
I have called this lawyer repeatedly and he never returns my calls. His assistant doesn't know what she is doing it seems. When I call she doesn't ask who the call is in reference to, she has put me on hold while I was talking without telling me and she doesn't care to help. It seems neither of them care no matter how much you call, email or write.
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24 Oct, 2023 by David
Did not show up to court. Lost all our paperwork and emailed copies 3 times. Resending not a big deal but annoying. Communication through out the whole process was horrible. Now we lost the case and it's very hard to over turn. He has promised to return our money in payments. First check was denied by the bank. And now he says I forgot. I have the emails to prove it.
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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.
