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16 Nov, 2015 by Anonymous
We used Jessica for our wills and trusts and she was a great person to work with. She talked us through everything we needed to know and to do. She was compassionate, understanding, and very detailed orientated. My mother and mother-in-law, both in their 80's felt very comfortable working with her and we were able to get everything done at a very reasonable cost and in a reasonable amount of time.
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30 Oct, 2015 by Taylor
Jessica and Corina were absolute pleasures to work with. I used Jessica as the real estate attorney on my first home purchase. They were extremely attentive through out the entire home buying process. I called them countless times, and I never felt as if they were annoyed with my constant questions. They were knowledgeable, professional, and affordable, but best of all I really felt as if they cared about my transaction.
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26 Sep, 2010 by Lauren
I used Ms. Bacal's services in a Divorce matter. She saved me a fortune in legal fees by doing a collaborative Divorce. She got me everything I wanted in the most cost effective way possible. She was stupendous. Please note this attorney's office is now in Katonah. 200 Katonah ave Katonah NY 10536 914.767.9290 Office
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04 Oct, 2013 by Brian
This man returned my calls! That may seem like an insanely silly thing to write but I've had no less than 3 attorneys who I had to call AT LEAST 4 times just to get a call back. He really CARES. This may also seem irrelevant but he REALLY understood what was going on and did a great job of explaining what was going on and what to expect. I can't speak highly enough of Chris Mangold, I have recommended him to my family and friends. Other attorneys I've had I can also recommend, they did a fine job, but Chris is the FIRST one I recommend and he is the ONLY ONE I can recommend WITHOUT RESERVATION.
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05 May, 2012 by Anonymous
Explained my case and what the best possible choices I had. Very patient and understanding.
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14 May, 2012 by Anonymous
Catherine made me feel at ease and suggested a course of action and game plan that worked well for me. I was updated on all aspects of the proceeding on a regular bases and in the end was not overwelmed with added stress
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07 Oct, 2021 by Anonymous
Irene Ratner was assigned to my divorce proceedings in role of court referee. She decided my case within first 2 minutes, without reviewing any facts. She did not allowed my attorney to speak one word during first conference, clearly preferred her friend another party’s attorney. Her remarks were outrageous, discriminatory and unprofessional. She is disgrace to legal profession, and encouraged another attorney discriminatory statements based on my national origin. I reported her unprofessional conduct to American Bar Association and local Human rights division. It is unbelievable that she is allowed to serve in Westchester court, she is bias and acts like she is a judge, and not a court referee.
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07 Sep, 2017 by Anonymous
Irene Ratner was assigned to my divorce case and she was horrible. She was more interested in getting the gossip than the facts and created undue resentment between my wife and I. She would often make statements that were preposterous and created resentment between both parties involved. She acted as if she were the judge instead of a court referee. She has a wicked past - just google her and you will see.
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21 Sep, 2011 by Anonymous
I did not hire her, but did have to deal with her as a court lawyer in a divorce matter. She would make outrageous statements without fully reviewing or asking about the facts. This led to my wife feeling she had the upper hand and created a long drawn out fight, If she was more even handed or more factual, we would have settled much sooner and at a lower expense. I found Ratner to be a mix of lazy, unethical, and unprofessional.
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24 Apr, 2012 by Anonymous
This Lawyer is completely unprofessional! When I first met with him he was very knowledgeable on the topic and assured me that my divorce would take between 2-3 months, I even made it easy for him by bringing in my spouse to sign the divorce papers. It has been over one year of me chasing after him to get the process going and still the papers are not filed with the court, he has been giving me the run around. Basically this man has taken my $, he's inefficient and unresponsive to emails and phone calls and whenever I do speak to him its a runaround.
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30 Nov, 2009 by Anonymous
He was impressive in our first 2 interactions and then it was almost like dealing with a different person entirely. He did not remember details from one conversation to the next. He was hard to reach and had NO follow up. Said he would prepare documents and we had to chase him weeks after he said he would have it done. Was unreachable for entire week prior to our court date. We arrived for our court appointment having no idea if he was going to show since had he returned no phone calls for the week prior to our date. When he did show, was 10 minutes LATE, disheveled and grossly unprepaired. He did not know the facts of the case. He did not know any backround of our case despite having complete records, documents, and multiple conversations for over one month prior. He spoke to us for exactly 3 minutes prior to entering the courtroom. Our court appointment was a disaster. He infuriated the judge and caused us major damage financially and emotionally. Roger Esposito caused considerable damage to our case we will have to deal with the fallout for years. He was the most negligent professional I have ever dealt with.
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20 Jun, 2011 by Elliot
I can't believe i chose this lawyer for my litigation... i should have listened when they gave me bad review about her negativity.
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FAQs
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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.
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.
