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27 Apr, 2018 by Keith
I talked with Adam about possibly helping me to reach a resolution concerning a property valuation dispute. He listened, explained the options, and I enlisted his services. In short order he was able to get a suitable resolution without unnecessary delay or expense. I am very pleased with the result and would recommend him to friends and family.
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09 Jan, 2015 by Keith
Exceptional and focused attorney! I was a client in a collaborative divorce case that was in a state of flux for nearly 13 months and had hired her in to replace my first divorce lawyer. She immediately led the way in resolving all of the open issues, made strategic recommendations in order to control costs and had the case wrapped up within three months. Highly recommended!
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20 Dec, 2018 by John
If you are looking for the best business and transportation lawyer in this part of the country, look no further!
He is a rolodex of legal knowledge at your finger tip, he is always around to give you good adivce, and solve problems, when you need him. He is very well connected with all the important people in Springfield, to get things done quickly.
Rory sets the bar high, other lawyers can only try and live up his standards of law. He is a genuine good person. Its hard to find someone with qualities like his in any field, let alone the legal field.
He got us threw some complicated times and gave us the education and the confidence we needed to succeed.
I plan on using Rory for all my legal needs.
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11 May, 2015 by Anonymous
I had a serious matter in DuPage and I immediately called Mr. Scott. He got back to me right away and told me he would handle it, which was a huge relief. He kept in touch with me in the days leading up to court about my matter, and outlined general strategies that he would use to help me fight my case.
Mr. Scott always kept me informed throughout the course of my case. On my last court date on the matter, he was able to negotiate an excellent deal with the State right before heading to trial. He told the State to wait while he explained the ramifications of the deal in detail so that I knew what I was accepting, and he always made it clear that it was my choice and he would do what I wanted.
Thanks to Mr. Scott's knowledge and expertise, I was able to go home that night and have dinner with my family, and soon I'll be able to put this whole thing behind me and have a clean record once more.
I'm so glad I retained his services. He fought on my behalf and did everything he could to get me the best outcome possible, which he did. I was very relieved as soon as I hired him, because I knew he was the best man for the job. Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Scott!
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13 Apr, 2024 by Adam the computer guy
Just hired them for a real estate purchase, and so far so good. Everyone has been polite, helpful, and articulate.
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30 Oct, 2023 by Wecloseloans
As a mortgage professional, real estate investor and as a everyday consumer I have closed on hundreds of Real Estate transactions in the past 19 years. In that time I have had the opportunity to work with many law firms, but none of them have exhibited the level of attentiveness that I experienced with The Zaba Law Group. They were thorough, efficient, professional , and highly competent. I would not hesitate to highly recommend Tracie, Wes, and the entire team at The Zaba Law Group for any and all of your legal needs.
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24 Jul, 2023 by Artan ibraimi
Our family's attorney retired after 40 years of serving us and we were frantically looking for a replacement. Saw a good friend of mine review the Zaba Law group so I had to give them a try. At closing today I was disappointed that I couldn't meet Wes personally but his college Clint was wonderful and I mean wonderful. Much better than our family's attorney when it came to explaining things. Very patient which my wife loved. His knowledge and humor made it an easy painless experience. His ability to fight for the smallest detail made me extremely pleased. Also, Tracie(paralegal) was prompt and pleasant to deal with. Needless to say we have a new family attorney. This was my 13th closing and I highly recommend them. Thank you, Clint. Thank you Tracie and Thank you, Wes. Good day, all.
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05 Sep, 2024 by Marty joyce
If you're experiencing cash flow problems, it's important to note that Paul may terminate your case if you don't have sufficient funds. It's crucial to have a lawyer who is understanding, especially if you've used up your 401k, savings, and turned to your parents for financial support. In other words, it's best to avoid this money-focused lawyer if you don't have immediate funds. He manipulates by working on weekends and neglecting family time to pressure you into uncomfortable situations.
Although there were very few instances of miscommunication, Paul did not show empathy and instead threw temper tantrums like a type A adult. If you're looking for an understanding and empathetic person, Paul is anything but that. There were times when I proposed payment plans, but Paul always insisted that I owed him all the money immediately, despite knowing I didn't have it as I had already given him all the money from my accounts and credit.
After a hearing on August 30, 2024, Paul walked out on me, yelling and raising his voice in disbelief when I couldn't pay him the full invoice amount. I was still waiting to discuss a payment plan and keep him on to finish the case. That day, Paul led me to believe he would work it out and asked for a payment in good faith, and I provided him with $500 immediately after our conversation. However, on September 3rd, Paul filed for immediate withdrawal from my case. This behavior is unprofessional, and Paul is not mature enough to have a constructive conversation.
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08 Mar, 2024 by Damon walker
I felt like I was heard and the commutations I received were well explained and detailed. I am very satisfied with the resolution of my case.
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22 Dec, 2023 by Lashawn rex
This lawyer is the worst lawyer I’ve ever had. He is worse than a typical public defender. He lost paperwork of mine and was very unprofessional and angry all the time. He would get mad just because I wanted to know details on the case. He was late to my court hearing and very disrespectful. He didn’t actually want to help me at all. Instead he just rushed my case and now I’m paying so much child support due to him not wanting to actually do his job. He never picked up the phone for me and when he did he would talk down to me for paying less than other ppl are paying him when I was literally paying what he offered so it wasn’t like I was being represented on a bargained price. I even would schedule 30 min calls to speak with him through my email and he would call me at the time that was scheduled but still rush me off the phone before the 30 minutes was up. At the time I didn’t even have a job so you would think this would be a easy case for him to get me a fair rate on child support but he still dropped the ball and did a half ass job getting me a fair rate.
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22 Nov, 2022 by Chris
If you want to win your probate case and keep your family together I'll advised you to use a different probate lawyer all they wanted to do is pay people off so they can end the case quick. I had to hire another probate attorney and no questions ask he won the case for me.. please don't use this law firm for nothing
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15 Sep, 2020 by Suzanne
I felt I was deceived about the fee, the services and the effort he put into my case. I found out 2 years after the fact that he had been going through a divorce at the same time and fashioned my settlement as he wished he could his own. I did not like the way he looked at me at times and was very disappointed as a mother of 3, losing her house, married 15 years and no alimony or maintenance. Child support only.
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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.
