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12 Oct, 2024 by Luan guri
Do not hire them !
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12 Oct, 2024 by Rexhep g
Worst office to work with them , they are a fraud and please before you get them don’t do it , speaking from my personal experience after a year of wasting my time they decided to call me and tell me that they are not a right place for my case , it took them 1 year to figure out that my case its not for them , Elizbeth call me and she hanged up on me which i called it very rude , shame !
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01 Oct, 2024 by Klaudia willard
I’ve had an excellent experince. I felt that I was in good hands the entire duration of my case. Good communication, understanding and helpful. You can tell they are passionate about helping and getting you what you need. Definitely Reccomend 5/5.
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25 Mar, 2024 by Jerry pastrana
I hope I don't have to employ another attorney anytime soon, but CT Mediation was the finest I could have asked for!
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18 Feb, 2024 by Harry multani
CT Mediation made a great impression from the initial consultation. Glad to have found them for my case.
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02 Nov, 2023 by Tom l. aguirre
CT Mediation helped my whole entire family with their compassion and empathy. Thank you!
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23 May, 2021 by Gary
Attorney Ordierna was excellent. I hired him for my case and we won. No nonsense, super prepared, and a joy to interact with. Have had some high powered Attorney's in the past and Santolo compares quite favorably. Highly recommended. You will be pleased.
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15 Feb, 2021 by Anonymous
I would highly recommend Attorney Santolo. I found him to be professional, reliable, courteous, and knowledgeable. I found his legal advice to be invaluable and I would recommend his services to anyone needing them.
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12 Feb, 2021 by Peter
Attorney Odierna provided legal services for me that were well organized, explained and perfectly executed at a reasonable fee. I recommend Attorney Odierna and his firm without reservation if you need legal services
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20 Jun, 2024 by Anonymous
We used Katie to handle our daughter’s divorce, which had several atypical and complicating factors. Katie quickly understood our daughter’s situation and our desired outcome. Throughout the process, we found Katie and her staff to be very professional and easy to communicate with. Everything went as smoothly and as quickly as the system would allow. We were extremely pleased with the outcome. Katie is an experienced and skilled lawyer; just as importantly, this firm is honest, fair, and reasonable in its billing practices. I very highly recommend Katie and her firm.
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24 Sep, 2015 by C.frazier
I have had the pleasure of dealing with Katherine on 2occasions and was impressed with her concern and her professionalism. She listened to the needs of my children and provided excellent service for their safety and welfare.I would highly recommend her to anyone who wants the best lawyer C.Frazier
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11 Feb, 2017 by Rance
I hired Paul to take over my case from another, less competent attorney. Although my case was very involved and complex he came on and worked most diligently to bring the case to fruition. He was always very forthcoming, explained all of the legal issues in a way that I understood and was on top of all the details in the case. I would recommend Attorney Melocowsky highly, he possesses a legal acumen that is second to none, always communicates very well and is a tenacious advocate that you want in your corner when you need him. I am very pleased with the result in my case and would not hesitate to call him if I ever needed a legal opinion for any reason.
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08 Jun, 2015 by James
Very knowledgable and very professional, John made everything very easy on my end, kept me well informed, and delivered a better outcome than I even knew was possible.
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01 May, 2024 by David mcmichael
Very easy to work with.
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01 May, 2024 by Jennifer pyron
Working with Tom and the KKH team was an absolute pleasure. Tom's expertise and approachability made the experience smooth and enjoyable. The team's responsiveness was impressive, always addressing our needs promptly. I highly recommend the KKH team for their exceptional service and professionalism and will certainly use them for all of our future needs.
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01 May, 2024 by D foster
Excellent communication and ability to explain things in a manner I could easily understand. Appreciated the advice/suggestions based on my situation. Would definitely use this firm again!
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04 Oct, 2021 by Chris
Working with Kate was an exercise in professionalism and competency. From the first phone inquiry until the dissolution was granted, Kate was frank and to the point. As a pragmatic person myself, having advise that was rooted in experience and reality was key in her ability to build trust and confidence. Her focus was always on what the best solution would be for my boys and I. Even though I felt the judgements weren’t always fair or equitable, Kate helped me realize that I did, in fact, get the absolute best outcome under the circumstances surrounding my divorce. I don’t usually leave 5-star reviews, but in the context of such weighty topics as divorce, child support, custody agreements, and so on, Kate truly deserves an excellent rating. Like most things in life, you pay for what you get, and this is definitely not an exception to that rule. If you want someone that is going to fight for the absolute necessities while helping you navigate through the minutia, Kate definitely provides the best value for the money.
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03 Feb, 2021 by Anonymous
I can't thank Attorney Haakonsen and her team enough for all that they did for me.
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28 Jan, 2020 by Jody
I hired Kate to handle my divorce along with a real estate transaction. She was courteous, professional and always gave me sound advice - I would definitely hire her again!
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12 Feb, 2024 by Autumn williams
I called Mr. Bashce for questions and he answered every question i had. he helped determine if i had a case or not. he was very patient and understanding. Thank you very much for the help
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03 Oct, 2023 by Ann marie maffuid
Steve was great to work with; patient, thorough, took the time we needed to create a trust to protect our family for the future, thanks Steve!
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14 Apr, 2023 by Jim link
Steven was a pleasure to work with. He took the time to explain our options in detail. He asked questions that allowed him to personalize our plan and be certain that we would have confidence in our decisions. He and his staff were accessible and responded to any questions in a timely manner. His professionalism and sincerity made us comfortable dealing with making lifetime decisions. Anyone should be confident that Steven will help develop their estate planning goals.
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12 Feb, 2024 by Autumn williams
I called Mr. Bashce for questions and he answered every question i had. he helped determine if i had a case or not. he was very patient and understanding. Thank you very much for the help
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03 Oct, 2023 by Ann marie maffuid
Steve was great to work with; patient, thorough, took the time we needed to create a trust to protect our family for the future, thanks Steve!
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14 Apr, 2023 by Jim link
Steven was a pleasure to work with. He took the time to explain our options in detail. He asked questions that allowed him to personalize our plan and be certain that we would have confidence in our decisions. He and his staff were accessible and responded to any questions in a timely manner. His professionalism and sincerity made us comfortable dealing with making lifetime decisions. Anyone should be confident that Steven will help develop their estate planning goals.
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30 Jul, 2024 by Janet kirkby
Very professional yet practical and down to earth. I would highly recommend Simon.
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28 Feb, 2024 by Tony tranquillo
Kathryn (Katie) Bissonette of Brown Paindiris & Scott, LLP mediated my divorce with my wife (now ex-wife). She was professional and genuinely worked for an amicable and fair separation between my wife and I. Comparing notes with other couples who divorced, the process was 100 time easier than if we did not have a mediator. It was affordable too.
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11 Dec, 2023 by Zack james (hutch)
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30 Jul, 2024 by Janet kirkby
Very professional yet practical and down to earth. I would highly recommend Simon.
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28 Feb, 2024 by Tony tranquillo
Kathryn (Katie) Bissonette of Brown Paindiris & Scott, LLP mediated my divorce with my wife (now ex-wife). She was professional and genuinely worked for an amicable and fair separation between my wife and I. Comparing notes with other couples who divorced, the process was 100 time easier than if we did not have a mediator. It was affordable too.
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11 Dec, 2023 by Zack james (hutch)
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30 Jul, 2024 by Janet kirkby
Very professional yet practical and down to earth. I would highly recommend Simon.
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28 Feb, 2024 by Tony tranquillo
Kathryn (Katie) Bissonette of Brown Paindiris & Scott, LLP mediated my divorce with my wife (now ex-wife). She was professional and genuinely worked for an amicable and fair separation between my wife and I. Comparing notes with other couples who divorced, the process was 100 time easier than if we did not have a mediator. It was affordable too.
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11 Dec, 2023 by Zack james (hutch)
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30 Jul, 2024 by Janet kirkby
Very professional yet practical and down to earth. I would highly recommend Simon.
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28 Feb, 2024 by Tony tranquillo
Kathryn (Katie) Bissonette of Brown Paindiris & Scott, LLP mediated my divorce with my wife (now ex-wife). She was professional and genuinely worked for an amicable and fair separation between my wife and I. Comparing notes with other couples who divorced, the process was 100 time easier than if we did not have a mediator. It was affordable too.
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11 Dec, 2023 by Zack james (hutch)
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16 Dec, 2017 by Manuel rivera
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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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

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