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23 Jul, 2023 by Anonymous
I had an awful experience with this attorney. Don’t use any Nassau County attorneys if your spouse has one in the county. They all know each other and don’t care at all about the client and your rights. You’re another person they get rich on. She did absolutely nothing for me she supported my husband and never looked at his financials. I lost 45,000 in an annuity and I took care of the home he left. He got equity but that wasn’t enough. He wouldn’t split his annuity equally. She did nothing and I mean nothing to support and investigate my ex husbands accounts etc I had so much information and records but nope go to Suffolk or use someone in Westchester far from Nassau County. They all go out on your expense with the money they take from clients. Stay away!!!!
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25 May, 2016 by Stefanie
Kristin did a good job with my divorce. She stayed on top of things and was very easy to deal with. She always made sure I understood what was going on and always pushed to have things move quickly. She was very fair with her time and billing.
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27 Dec, 2018 by Carole
Tom Liotti has handled multiple real estate and personal injury cases for me. He is very professional and thinks outside of the box to get the best possible results, even in difficult cases. If you are looking for an attorney to fight for you, Tom Liotti is the one.
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26 Aug, 2010 by Anonymous
I did not got any results after 3 years working closely with Law firm..
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22 Aug, 2010 by Anonymous
In 3 years he could not defend or achieve any result in our favour and charged a very heavy fee for his non performance in our case
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21 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
Ilene was my lawyer. I now need to go back to court several years later due to all the errors she made. Allowed my ex husband to have a cap and follow all standards of the nys child support laws. She told me she made sure was my son was well taken care of and she made stipulations to the divorce agreement as she had me sign every page. $50k later I find my ex has truly been gifted by my lawyer to just follow Nys child support act. What was I paying all this money for to negotiate when she basically followed all Nys standards for college, no sports, and allowing him to maximally pay $2100 per month towards child support when his salary is now over $300k. That’s not even 10 percent when I was the one left paying all of the bills. Now need to return to court to fix all of the courtesies she left for my ex to take. I assure you, she never would have signed the agreement she handed me with a smile.
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14 Nov, 2013 by Anonymous
She was my lawyer, along with Warren Hoffman many years ago. They did absolutely nothing for me and yet left me with a huge bill. I would definitely not recommend them.
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18 May, 2009 by Anonymous
Ilene represented me in my divorce 4+ years ago. Her name was given to me as a referral by a professional-whom I respected. They knew someone who used Ilene and recommended her. She was kind, honest and alway kept me informed. Not something you ususally hear about a lawyer. My ex was HORRIBLE and went after everything-trying to leave me penniless and childless. Ilene fought for me and got everything that mattered to me. She always told me the truth. To this day, I continue to call her with questions. She is ALWAYS available for me. Just as kind and honest as when she represented me. I continue to give her name out as a referral. Not one person who has used her because of me has regretted it. Everyone has nothing but good to say about her. She is very respected in her field. I would recommend Ilene to anyone. She may not be the cheapest- but for a decision that will last the rest of your child's future, SO WORTH THE MONEY.
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12 Nov, 2020 by Anonymous
We hired Mr Green for a case that had two parts (two different courts). He said he would represent us until the end of the case (through both courts). But I remember him saying also how busy he was, that he had bigger cases (for more money), but still took our case. The first part of our case was completed; me and my husband had a meeting with Mr. Mark Greene for the second part of the case. Couple days later he stopped answering his phone calls and returning my emails. We called his office and left messages every day but no calls back. I personally spoke to the secretary, i think her name was Christine, who told me that she always pass our messages. Mr Greene was very unprofessional because he could have told us to hire another lawyer for the second part of the case instead of hiding.
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12 Nov, 2018 by Anonymous
He made my life hard and did not fight for me in my case. I lost everything and am now still fighting to gain it back.
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02 Dec, 2016 by Anonymous
The best lawyer in family court he really will fight for you and whats right !
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20 Jun, 2024 by Anonymous
Sylvia Goldschmidt is the worst! She bullied me into settling for worthless LLC’s. The divorce cost over $200,000 and she did no follow up after I settled. I had to hire another attorney who told me what a bad deal I made and that she did not do any forensic accounting. However she did have me hire a forensic accountant who did nothing for an additional $50,000. She would not make any appointments with the other attorney at her office, so she could charge by the hour for the drive to and from NYC. I can go on with so many stories as she dragged the divorce on for 3 years…
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17 Nov, 2017 by Anonymous
My agreement is worthless as my ex husband does not follow it . I have had to go to court several times over past 5 years and when I called her recently , wanting to discuss coming to court with me , she wouldn't even get on the phone unless I came in for a $475 consultation . This is after spending 100k on my divorce. .
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24 Feb, 2015 by Anonymous
This lawyer fights for the woman only! It cost my friend @ $40,000 to get stuck paying his non-working ex-wife more than $2000/month. Now he's living paycheck to paycheck and the witch has no care in the world. Make sure you go in front of a judge who asks you if you're ok with your lawyer. This one avoids that 4 obvious reasons. Watch out!
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30 Sep, 2024 by Dara eskenazi
Angela has been our attorney for a while. Great estate planning advice.
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13 Apr, 2022 by Tom truppo
Excellent lawyer got me what I wanted and more.
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09 Mar, 2022 by אפיק כהן
03 Apr, 2017 by Clara
Arrogance and swagger sums up this attorney. Divorce became more complicated due to his grandiose approach. He prepared me for trial knowing that the trial would either never happen or pushed off to infinity.
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02 Oct, 2011 by Anonymous
I retained Sy Reisman after being highly recommended and he and his team lived up to their reputation! In a divorce or marital settlement, you can never be 100% satisfied but I got most of what I was looking for in a case that went to trial and lasted about 3 years!
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18 Aug, 2011 by Anonymous
when i retained him for my divorce he gave me a pep talk that we held the upper hand. as the negotiations proceeded his arrogance and swagger continued. the other attorney outmaneuvered him at every point. at one point i made a suggestion as to strategy and he said the judge would see right through it and hold it against us. after 3 more months of setbacks he suggested the strategy that i had suggested and when i said i suggested that, he denied ever hearing it. i fired him hours later. his negligence cost me almost $25K in fees and put me in a position that the new attorney told me was untenable. my ex got almost 70% of our assets including 50% of the value of my medical practice which i started way before i even knew her. the new attorney was shocked how he bungled my case.
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07 Sep, 2021 by Anonymous
My initial impression upon consultation was positive, so I hired Mrs Sokolich. Unfortunately, covid happened and things were moving slow. Too slow. It seemed as though Mrs Sokolich put me on a back burner. Further, for court dates, she failed to tell the judge some critical health information about me that would potentially save me thousands of dollars. The straw that broke the camels back is when she didn't put up an argument or resistance to outrageous demands from the opposition. Instead she told me nonchalantly that this is what they want and will probably get.
There was no fight in her. I felt like she was not on my side. I immediately consulted 5 separate attorneys (3 recommendations from friends and 2 from Avvo) and they all told me that I was correct about the demands being outrageous and even assured me that the demands would not stand up if my case went to trial. Further, they agreed that if Mrs Sokilich had first told the judge about my health issues that the pendulum would have surely swung in my favor. I ultimately hired an ace of an attorney off of Avvo and dismissed Mrs Sokolich.
I am not bashing Mrs Sokolich. She is a very nice person and I am sure she has and will serve many people well, but she is not the right attorney for me.
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20 Oct, 2016 by Matt
Overcharged for my case. Did not return unused retainer. Never returns calls
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20 Jan, 2016 by Denise
He handled my divorce and did a great job. He worked hard and discounted my bill in the end. When I called he did not charge me for status updates. I would recommend him.
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26 Jan, 2015 by Anonymous
He represented me in a family court proceeding. Never returned my calls, double billed me and missed court deadlines. Every time I called the office he was always "unavailable"but NEVER returned my calls. I finally had to fire him and get a new attorney.
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27 Sep, 2017 by Heidi
This is not a lawyer you want to employ if you don't have a fortune to spend on fees - she charged me almost $30,000 during the worst year and a half of my life - I ended up with $78 a month in alimony and am actually having to pay "credits" to a scumbag who makes almost twice what I do...they lost my "discovery" documents, made innumerable mistakes in financial calculations and correspondence (they are a "cut and paste" operation - one statement had some other person's name in my records) - just overall awful results - I am now bound to an agreement that in no way favors me...she is washed up and all talk, no results. Don't make the mistake I did!
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06 Nov, 2013 by Anonymous
Always late, never speaks up for her own client, uses e-mail for everything, only calls for money, and that is constantly, very expensive for little to show if anything. She tells you how great you are and then couldn't care less if you exist or not, and 2 years later and still no divorce but 24,000 in the hole before I dumped her. Thanks Joan
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06 Feb, 2013 by Carmen
Joan was always late to court. Did not show up twice, made me sit there for 2 hours and never called. I was on the phone with her office, who told me she was in the court house. I even texted her phone with no response. She billed me for things she did not do, or try to do. She also hired another attorney. I was her first divorce case, and was losing due to her giving in. I did fire the firm and went somewhere else whiched help me out. It seemed the only time the firm called was for payment. The bill got to almost $10,000 with no sight of getting divorced. Example of one case is I asked Joan for my Exs financial, she said it was not filed as of 11/10. My new attorney asked for it for my Exs financials from her lawyer and received it 10/10.
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02 Mar, 2024 by K
Nancy Gianakos failed to provide proper service for my case. She bullied me into a deal that resulted in me paying two thousand dollars a month for 12 years of spousal support. (I make $53,000 a year.) When one does the math, I was left with NOTHING after taxes. I trusted her to do the right thing and she destroyed me.
A few years later, I consulted with another attorney and he explained to me that the payments Gianakos arranged were beyond outrageous. and should never have happened. I had to pay a second attorney to re-negotiate terms so that I am now just barely able to survive.
Nancy Gianakos is not a good divorce attorney.
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19 Jan, 2023 by Anonymous
Was very disappointed. Nancy never followed up with opposing lawyer. I found her emails repetitive which wasted my money. Seems she was dragging her feet to make more money and not do the job right.
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29 Nov, 2022 by Anonymous
I was disappointed with this attorney, hired because of her self proclaimed negotiation skills. Her negotiation style seemed to be trying to talk me into agreeing with anything opposing side presented. She displayed a distinct lack of critical thinking on strategy and was unprepared at times. I should have found a new attorney.
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04 Jan, 2017 by John
At first i thought that i was doing the right thing by hiring him, but it was a mistake. It took him 3 months to actually submit my divorce papers. This was and uncontested cased with no children. He never returned my phone calls. I cant believe how long it took 1 year and 4 months. Oh yes. by the way he never sent the copies of my divorcce that he promised to send my ex wife. and when we tried calling him, it always goes to voice mail. but i already expected that. The best advice i can give someone is. DONT pay this guy upfront.
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31 Jan, 2013 by Anonymous
Not satisfied with service and outcome. Unprepared for court and never on time. Never returns phone calls. Almost two years in the system all he does is prolongs your case. I had to go behind his back and make appointment for mediation and that's how I settled my case. I was my own attorney. He's great at making the bill larger and that's the only thing he's good for. Does not fight for you at court just sits there and let the other attorney take charge. Never did the things he was suppose to do but charges for it. Even when you bring the bill to his attention gets angry and doesn't want to speak about it. If you get behind on payments he goes after you worse than a loan shark. Finally I had to terminate his services or shall I say lack of services. Horrible Attorney! Please do not retain.. Go to mediation. Saves so much money and time.....
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21 Nov, 2014 by Anonymous
I fired this attorney as soon as I realized that he was there only to bill me rather than counsel through the resolution of the case. His bills were ridden with errors and inconsistent with the understanding between us. He would communicate reluctantly and always with an extensive delay.
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07 Nov, 2013 by Anonymous
This is the lawyer I first came to when I decided a divorce was needed. Initially he promised the moon and stars, and when we would get to court, he would not deliver based on the fact that he was promising scenarios that were not backed up with actual laws, but more what I wanted to hear. He advised I file a petition with Family Court that took 6 hours of my day and on the day of the hearing I was humiliated when Family Court judge ruled it was out of his jurisdiction when a divorce was already filed and pending with the Supreme Court...a scenario this lawyer could have anticipated and brought to my attention beforehand to save me time and money. I wasted thousand of dollars on this man to continuously be ignored by him and not receive not one call from him for two weeks. His assistant and all other members of the administration team in his office apparently do not have email addresses , so I had no choice but to constantly call his office. Very aggravating to work with this man.
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19 Jan, 2023 by Anonymous
Bad advice, makes typos, cost client a lot of money with no resolution. Nearly half a million in legal fees and nothing to show for it. Linda does not fight for her clients and causes major distress while continuing to charge and then threatens to “ lay down their pens” when the bill approaches $50,000 mark again. Forget the fact that $400,000 was already paid. This woman should be dis barred for incompetence and price gouging. Lets her opponent walk all over her. Guess lawyers are all about billable hours. We have to get together to get her out of this parasitic profession
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04 Aug, 2016 by Anonymous
I hired this Linda for my divorce case, I had to fire her and went to a different lawyer.
Looking back, I noticed how unprofessional she was. She took advantage of my situation: I was in shock and desparate. She not only did not help me, but also gave ill advices to me and cause me dearly on my divorce case. She did not really do anything. The paper she filed for me had typos and I had to go back to her to have the errors corrected. (of course, I still had to pay the time she "correct" her own msitakes that I spotted).
After I fired her, my new lawyer immediately made "sound" decision and took and "quick" actions and made the situation much better. The advise she gave me was proven totally "wrong".
Still, she charged me the time she was not doing anything. She represents the worst of lawyers.
Do not go to her. I will file a complaint at Bar Association. This type of lawyer is the shame of the law community!
Do not use her!
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06 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
If you are looking for a lawyer who is impersonal, extremely difficult to reach, condescending and keeps you in the dark in your most vulnerable state of divorce, passive, defensive and certainly not proactive, greedy, and ultimately inflexibly overpriced - this is your man. Although very cordial at first, you will find that when he told you he would be present in all court appearances for you, that meant an associate of his would actually be representing you in court and he would theoretically only be present during a trial if that ever happens. Otherwise, don't expect even a nod from him when you happen to see him in court with his other clients. Everything I heard about him and his reputation was unfortunately far from reality during the time his firm was representing me, stay away.
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28 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
I hired him to collect from my ex, I thought he was experienced and would be effective. However, I realized he was not used to using computer and conducted most of his correspondence with phone. The worst part was he became friends with my ex's lawyer. Did not know what he did but my ex stopped paying even more two months after I hired him. He did not respond to my phone calls and emails after my ex stopped paying. I have to advance thousands of dollars.
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16 Jul, 2014 by Anonymous
This woman was an absolute horror show during my divorce. I don't think she means harm but she has no sensitivity to the stress of going through a divorce, she actively yelled at me at least twice for giving answers she didn't like. Even though she knew I was a victim of, among other things, verbal abuse from my spouse. She made me cry at least three times for things no client should be made to cry over . I was traumatized by my experience with her, she is completely insensitive to what it is like being someone going through a divorce. It got to the point where it was more stressful being with her than the husband I was trying to divorce so in an act of desperation I settled with him just so I would not have to see her anymore.
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21 Oct, 2023 by Rose
Worse dovorce
attorney ever. Did not care about his client's case. He might have as well represented the opposing party. He let the opposing counsel an attorney with very bad reviews run circles around him. He is a disgrace to the legal profession.
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27 Oct, 2023 by Anonymous
I feel she is prejudiced against people with a prior mental health issue, and will justify any vicious action against them.
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27 Oct, 2014 by Anonymous
The worst decision I ever made in my life was to hire Paul Miklus to represent me. My spouses lawyer ran circles around him. He handed most work over to his assistant & spent most of his time golfing. Paul made sure to stretch my case out as long a he could & so collect the maximum fees. To say he was incompetent is being kind. I actually believe he was completely self serving & greedy. He did all he could to maximize his fees.
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08 Sep, 2024 by Anonymous
Mr Jeniffer Shenker I will never recommend her to anyone she doesn’t takes her clients seriously She only cares about money She doesn’t listen to her client and she doesn’t address anything to the judge. They all sitting in a court and getting paid from clients big amount money ! When we are emotionally stressed waiting for the court date hoping this will be resolved on that date ! Jenifer has no time for her client she is too busy looking at the Burberry bags on her phone I will never recommend To anyone They should take her license away
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25 Mar, 2017 by Alan lee
This lawyer is 20 years over his prime, he does not know how to read email and does not respond to calls. All his work is by phone call and he does not keep written record of correspondence about your case.
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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.
