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02 Dec, 2022 by Michelle pinto
Thank you Lilit and Tom for your guidance, direction, comfort, and support! I would highly recommend Solmer Law Corp for any employment law needs or advice you may have. They are caring, knowledgeable, and experts in their field.
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30 Nov, 2022 by The shahbaz firm, apc
Very knowledgeable in employment law. She has always been a person of great service and tact. Whenever I feel lost, she is there to help. I cannot say enough great things about this attorney.
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13 Sep, 2021 by Sindé tantua
The best in the business! They won't disappoint.
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26 Apr, 2024 by Svetlana villiam
I’m thankful for Angela a lot. She helped me to go through the divorce process. She helped me with all information I needed to know and same time gave emotional support. She is knowledgeable and professional at her work.
Thank you again.
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26 Apr, 2024 by Louis weber
Angela is a wonderful attorney and helped me and my fiance tremendously. She works around the clock and is always available for her clients at a relatively affordable price. Highly recommended and 5 out of 5 stars!!!!
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26 Apr, 2024 by Todd hata
Angela did some great work at a reasonable price for me, thanks for everything!
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04 May, 2024 by Stacey
I had another lawyer who basically did nothing on my case. When I talked to Mr Fernandez I could tell he knew what he was doing. He got me a cash advance on my case and eventually a big settlement. I highly recommend This law firm.
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02 May, 2024 by Kyle
I hired Mr Fernandez for my car accident case. I am very happy with what he got for me in my family. Highly recommend.
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19 Apr, 2024 by Brior
I hired Norman for a auto accident case. I'm very satisfied with the work he did. I recommend.
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04 May, 2023 by R. osburn
I went through an extremely protracted and complicated Conservatorship trial for my son, Jeff and his staff worked tirelessly on the case. I chose Jeff because he is the most knowledgeable Special Needs Attorney out there. I began researching Special Needs Attorneys when my son was six years old. Jeff is the best in the business, I can't thank him enough!
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17 Apr, 2023 by Estrella
I experienced a lot of stress and anxiety worrying about the conservatorship process for my son with autism. Thank goodness I found Jeffrey Gottlieb! I highly recommend him. I felt so relieved after the first time speaking with him. He guided me through every step of the process. The staff was friendly and professional. It was a pleasure working with them. The entire process went smoothly.
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18 Mar, 2023 by Mike
Jeffrey helped us establish a conservatorship for our special needs son. He was intimately familiar with the process, and guided us through every step. Highly recommended.
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17 Dec, 2015 by Anonymous
Marc did a great job representing me. I had never been in any trouble before & I was a mess. I have a professional license & worried about how that would be affected. Marc was very helpful & reassuring when I first called. I really appreciate his hard work & how he answered my questions in such a prompt manner.
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10 Jul, 2015 by Colleen
Marc helped me and a couple other delinquents I know with traffic tickets. He made everything worry-free and easy. He made it seem like it was just no big deal, even though I know there was actually time and effort involved. Thanks Marc! Hopefully I WON'T be calling you soon! ;)
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09 Apr, 2015 by Stacy
Marc helped me out with a traffic ticket that I got a few years back. I don't live in California and I needed Marc to appear in court for me. He informed me that there would be additional fees added to the initial fine for the ticket. In the end, he got the fine reduced which I was hoping he could do. We communicated by email and he replied promptly. He was a great help and seemed to really do anything he could to keep things fair between his client and the court.
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02 Dec, 2022 by Michelle pinto
Thank you Lilit and Tom for your guidance, direction, comfort, and support! I would highly recommend Solmer Law Corp for any employment law needs or advice you may have. They are caring, knowledgeable, and experts in their field.
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30 Nov, 2022 by The shahbaz firm, apc
Very knowledgeable in employment law. She has always been a person of great service and tact. Whenever I feel lost, she is there to help. I cannot say enough great things about this attorney.
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13 Sep, 2021 by Sindé tantua
The best in the business! They won't disappoint.
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15 May, 2021 by Jameson james curtin
I sent a few clients over to Matt both criminal defense and family law. And I was amazed when he was able to get three felony counts with three to five years of jail time reduced to a misdemeanor and 6 months. Then he got my buddy's daughter home for Christmas after untangling a bad ruling from a less experienced attorney. Matt is a bulldog and the judge can't say no when he argues the law. One of the best attorneys I know and he's also a very generous supporter and contributor to service disabled veterans. The guy is a stud, class act.
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25 Jun, 2020 by Ron n
I just so happened to stumble my way here. I was looking for a different type of attorney and came across Mat Singer. I got myself in some trouble in 2017, and i dont have the best track record. I thought I would be doing multiple years in prison because of my past. I hired Mr.Singer to represent me. Court dates came and went for nearly a year. I at times questioned what he was doing, but when all was said and done, i basically got a slap on the hand with a feather by the Judge and D.A. I highly recommend Mat. You wont be disappointed and his rates are reasonable, especially for the service he provides. A+++++ Thank you Sir
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17 Jun, 2022 by Kumar
I recently had an interaction with Ms. Nguyen and found her very professional lawyer. She has a very deep understanding of family law more specifically in divorces cases. She takes the timeline very seriously and gives very clear and concise advice. I will highly recommend her for family law/divorce related cases.
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26 Mar, 2015 by Anonymous
this is the most helpful attorneys have ever had in my life his professionalism and confidence in and out of the courtroom really makes feel good to have someone like him fighting so hard for you .
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27 Aug, 2024 by Lisa stow
Extremely helpful and knowledgeable staff. They were with me every step of the way. Highly recommend their services to anyone who might need it.
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11 May, 2024 by Andre riveroy
The best lawyers and they know the best doctors! Highly recommend this car accident firm!
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11 May, 2024 by Aaron miramontez
27 Aug, 2024 by Lisa stow
Extremely helpful and knowledgeable staff. They were with me every step of the way. Highly recommend their services to anyone who might need it.
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11 May, 2024 by Andre riveroy
The best lawyers and they know the best doctors! Highly recommend this car accident firm!
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11 May, 2024 by Aaron miramontez
5.0
6 Reviews
4.9
127 Reviews
27 Aug, 2024 by Lisa stow
Extremely helpful and knowledgeable staff. They were with me every step of the way. Highly recommend their services to anyone who might need it.
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11 May, 2024 by Andre riveroy
The best lawyers and they know the best doctors! Highly recommend this car accident firm!
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11 May, 2024 by Aaron miramontez
5.0
10 Reviews
4.9
26 Reviews
26 Feb, 2024 by Shelley mc daniel
If you’re looking to file bankruptcy, look no further. Tina Trinh is the attorney to retain. She’s
patient, kind, and extremely knowledgeable. She carefully explained the process and walked me through each step. I couldn’t have asked for a more superb attorney. Retain her now. RUN don’t walk!!!
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18 Feb, 2024 by Heather benitez
11 Oct, 2023 by Dominique grenmalm
Tina is very knowledgeable, supportive
and kind she made me feel extremely comfortable the entire time. She gave me detailed instructions and walked me through all of the procedures that are required. She answered all of my questions to my complete satisfaction. Prompt, patient and very helpful. Thank you very much.
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4.9
127 Reviews
27 Aug, 2024 by Lisa stow
Extremely helpful and knowledgeable staff. They were with me every step of the way. Highly recommend their services to anyone who might need it.
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11 May, 2024 by Andre riveroy
The best lawyers and they know the best doctors! Highly recommend this car accident firm!
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11 May, 2024 by Aaron miramontez
27 Aug, 2024 by Lisa stow
Extremely helpful and knowledgeable staff. They were with me every step of the way. Highly recommend their services to anyone who might need it.
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11 May, 2024 by Andre riveroy
The best lawyers and they know the best doctors! Highly recommend this car accident firm!
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11 May, 2024 by Aaron miramontez
16 Sep, 2024 by Milen patel
23 Aug, 2024 by Alessandro marino
23 Aug, 2024 by Bruce james
I have a lot of respect for the police and what they do to keep our lives safe.
I received a speeding ticket for speeding on a motorcycle.
Because of my job, my license must be clean.
Scott helped me stay clean.
Now I am fully aware of the speedometer of my vehicle.
Thank you OC Ticket Defense.
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02 Dec, 2022 by Michelle pinto
Thank you Lilit and Tom for your guidance, direction, comfort, and support! I would highly recommend Solmer Law Corp for any employment law needs or advice you may have. They are caring, knowledgeable, and experts in their field.
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30 Nov, 2022 by The shahbaz firm, apc
Very knowledgeable in employment law. She has always been a person of great service and tact. Whenever I feel lost, she is there to help. I cannot say enough great things about this attorney.
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13 Sep, 2021 by Sindé tantua
The best in the business! They won't disappoint.
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03 Jul, 2024 by Tcardona1
If you are looking for a buisness litigation lawyer Ms. Telep should be your first and last phone call. She is a bulldog and will make sure your needs are met. I wouldn't go to anyone else if you have a tough case. There's no such thing as the impossible case for her. Her settlement awards are the highest in cases that are considered difficult or impossible.
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02 Dec, 2022 by Michelle pinto
Thank you Lilit and Tom for your guidance, direction, comfort, and support! I would highly recommend Solmer Law Corp for any employment law needs or advice you may have. They are caring, knowledgeable, and experts in their field.
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30 Nov, 2022 by The shahbaz firm, apc
Very knowledgeable in employment law. She has always been a person of great service and tact. Whenever I feel lost, she is there to help. I cannot say enough great things about this attorney.
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04 Mar, 2024 by Alex
If you are going through a high conflict case, please do yourself a favor and do not hire this attorney. She will not fight hard for you. Rather, if the odds are not in your favor, she will just take an L and try to negotiate that L.
That’s basically what she did with me. She even admitted to me that “when the facts are not in my client’s favor, I will try to negotiate an agreement that is better than the court will order.”
In other words, she will SURRENDER and negotiate the terms of the surrender. What is the point of that?!! I can do that myself. If I wanted to surrender, I wouldn’t be looking for an attorney to fight for me.
I had a very high conflict case where the other attorney fought very hard for her client. She asked for things that were politically incorrect. Such as removing custodial time from me, removing presumed father status, and asking for sole custody for her client, amongst other things.
When it came time for my attorney to ask the court to object her move away, so that my ex doesn’t take my son with her, this attorney was 100% USELESS. She started settling everything outside the courtroom in favor of my ex ultimately getting her move away.
She even told the court that the parents have come to an agreement, which was a big fat lie. It was the attorneys that came to an agreement, not the parents. And that was because this so called attorney does not have the PERSEVERANCE to fight in court .
To this day, I CRINGEEE just thinking about the whole experience. I just hope that no one else has to go through what I went through and be scammed out of their hard earned money.
I confronted her about the whole situation and the fact that she ended up talking me into agreeing to something I did not want to agree to. And she had the audacity to say that I would’ve been granted less time and that I cannot rewrite history. It’s not up to you, it’s up to the court to decide her move away or not. Your job as an attorney is to object it. But if you are not equipped enough to fight in court then maybe you should just not participate in high conflict cases.
Her attorney never came and settled with any of my attorneys. She fought tooth and nail even when it was not in her favor to remove custody and parentage from me.
I don’t understand why Ms. Perkins partnered up with her. Perkins is 100x better than her and is not afraid to object or fight in court.
There was a point when we were sitting down and Payne specifically read over a line that read “parents shall not use corporal punishment towards the child,” paused, looked at me dead in the eyes for like 5 seconds. It was a very ACCUSATORY stare. Almost like she was accusing me of using or intending to use corporal punishment against my son. She was obviously NOT on my side and was obviously believing the false allegations that my ex made against me. Very disgusting.
When I spoke to her over the phone she cut me short after like 2 min and said she needs to go because she needs to pick up her son. So why even answer if you’re busy?
There’s attorneys that fight hard for their clients and there’s attorneys that don’t give their heart out and are simply there to collect some money and take easy Mickey Mouse routes. This attorney unfortunately falls under the second batch.
To sum up, this attorney doesn’t respect you as a person or as a client.
Please, if you have a high conflict case, save yourself lots of stress and headaches and just look for a different attorney that will actually respect you and fight for you.
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05 Apr, 2020 by Judy
I called Shannon's office last week, regarding complex, atypical, domestic violence issues, with an individual located in Los Angeles. Shannon was recommended by lawyer Kelly Chang. Shannon personally, returned my call the next day. I have been searching for legal help for over 3 years. Shannon is the first lawyer to substantially help me. I wish I could have her as my attorney! Unfortunately, Shannon informed me, I would need to find an attorney in NY- where I reside. Shannon listened to my story for two hours- free of charge- even though she knew, I would not be able to hire her!! Shannon displayed exceptional compassion, and kindness- while advising me re: the best course ahead. Shannon is the first person, to take time to listen carefully, and give me hope for the future. Her youth proved advantageous, in understanding technological aspects of my case. The sweet smile in her photo gave me the courage to call her- since I have dreaded calling attorneys after so many have been so unkind and disrespectful- (most hung up /cut me off in less than 5 minutes). Shannon's photo did not lie- she is an honest, sweet person- of great integrity. I will be forever grateful to her. As a young woman who understands complex female gender issues involving domestic violence- I can't recommend her highly enough! Thank you Shannon.
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04 Nov, 2019 by Anonymous
Ms.Payne is the best attorney I've ever worked with. I was dealing with a custody case that wasn't only about custody but about protecting myself and child from abuse during exchanges and allowing me to have employment without the other parents interference due to spite. The other parents attorney had no issue slandering me and appeared to allow her client to fabricate whatever they perceived helped their case. Ms.Payne was very ethical, but tactical and found very substantial, truthful evidence that showed the other parent to be not credible in their false claims. She also listened to me when I told her specific items that were important for my child's best interest and she passionately but respectfully got the court to rule in my favor. Ms. Payne works hard and thorough with minimal drama, she handles narcissistic and Cluster-B personality types with a poised, firm, diplomatic approach that is less argumentative and more about finding a solution while protecting her client and their position.
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02 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
Barbara explained everything thru out the entire process. She is there to answer your questions while you are going thru the system. She is patient and understanding. Never try to do this on your own.
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27 Mar, 2018 by Steve
I hired Barbara to handle my divorce for me. She talked a big game but her performance was less than stellar. She seemed distracted and never understood the details of my case. I asked her a few question about delays in filing the proper forms with the court. After questioning her, she became aloof and argumentative. In the end, she charged me a lot of money and did very little.
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22 Oct, 2014 by Kathleen
Barbara helped me through the process of a seperation. She is very knowledgable and accessable, which I really appreciated. She is straight forward and upfront in explaining your options and the likely outcomes. I reccomend her highly.
Sincerely,
Kathleen
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20 Mar, 2019 by Tim
Elizabeth was fantastic! She represented me getting me through my divorce. Her expertise helping me to deal with my ex helped me get through a tough part of my life. I found the best person to do the job! Thank you Elizabeth!
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16 Mar, 2016 by Irene
Elizabeth represented me in my contested divorce more than 10 years ago and renewed my faith in attorneys. We didn't hv any assets to fight about and my ex was fighting for the sake of fighting and hired some scum attorneys, whom he paid with our joint account money which were in dispute for that matter, they wrote about splitting assets such as rubber bands and such, it was a disgrace. Then my father died suddenly. it was the worst time in my life. Elizabeth was light in the dark. She stood up for me when I couldn't even stand up straight. She wrote her letters succinctly and was the sharpest knife in the drawer. She put those scum in their place. Not only that she has a heart of gold and compassion. She truly believes in JUSTICE. i was a mess she saved me. True Godsend. I'm truly always grateful to her. I even broght her flowers!! Who buys their lawyers flowers? Thats how special she is. I do not always give reviews but she is 10 stars all the way. I see some disgruntled reviews of her and I do want to set things straight. They are wrong about her. I highly recommend her as an excellent attorney with integrity, shes intelligent wins cases and a real person with a heart of gold, a Godsend
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07 Feb, 2013 by John
I am currently working with Elizabeth. She was recommended to me by my marriage counselor. Unfortunately things did not work out there and we ended up working with Elizabeth.
I recommended her to a friend in the beginning. That friend later questioned why i recommended her. Now i am encountering the same concerns he had. I should have known better to recommend someone i had little experience with to date.
I expected a mediator who would lay out the facts accurately. Be fair, knowledgeable and responsive, and help us negotiate a reasonable final outcome.
After several meetings with Elizabeth i learned from a friend about the Morse Marsden rule. Elizabeth had never shared this rule with us. In my case this makes a substantial difference in my financial outcome. I’m already dealing with onerous asset splits and alimony expense, at least relative to me. So this is when I firstcame to question whether Elizabeth was truly fair. Nevertheless, I was willing to look past this in an effort to reach a reasonable settlement. In fact, I was willing to leave out this calculation for now.
Next, we learned she went on vacation for 6 weeks while we were hoping to finalize our divorce. Everyone is entitled to their vacation. And I'm sure Elizabeth's job is very taxing. So we were certainly understanding.
Then following her vacation we were informed that in order to complete the status-only filing for divorce she needed to receive back a Notice and Acknowledgment of Receipt form from my employer. Although, she forgot i no longer worked for that company so she sent it to my previous employer's address. 45 days later she informed me she never heard back. So she had to send it again. Ok, mistakes happen. We can forgive and move on...
Now it is into the new year. Costs continue to rise with Elizabeth as i'm trying to pay temporary alimony and child support with little left to cover my expenses. Now we're told that the procedure to get a stipulation status-only judgement through is "a little bit more complicated in that it requires the filing of a noticed motion". So therefore, my costs and time.
Then there was a problem with Elizabeth’s notary license. I won't go into that... But it boils down to even more delays and challenges.
Now I'm trying to deal with getting everything finalized once and for all. It’s an exhausting process. I’m sure hoping there are no further “technical difficulties” in getting this done. Elizabeth has run my final dissomaster numbers and they got worse... She forgot that she’s already been told that we no longer have child care costs since she is now in public school and no longer goes to Montessori school. She also is leaving it to me to “work it out” with my soon-to-be-ex on how we’ll handle the fact that I pay for alimony and child support and she also lives in a house for free that I pay half the mortgage on, but don’t live in. I’ve read that in such situations I should get credit for such a thing. But Elizabeth won’t say anything about it. She picks and chooses the topics to respond to...
I could go on and on about my challenges with Elizabeth. My guess is that she has lots of clients and can barely give the proper attention to any of them. I’m sure it is a very stressful job. And I’m sure she deals with lots of unreasonable people. But to sum up my experience, I definitely do not feel she was fair with me. She takes a long time to respond, which is very difficult when you are faced with trying to figure out how you will make ends meet and can’t sleep as a result. And she either isn’t very knowledgeable or she simply decides things like Morse Marsden aren’t worth mentioning.
In general, my experience has not been good. I could not recommend Elizabeth to anyone else.
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11 Jul, 2023 by Mike m.
There are no words that can explain how well this magnificent woman handled my guardianship case. Jennifer was handed an extremely difficult case in which the odds were completely stacked against me. Jennifer tactfully dissected the case and handled one issue at a time while collecting up wins for us along the way. In the end WE WON the case! Jennifer’s guidance was unparalleled and I highly suggest her to services. Give her the truth and the facts and let her do her magic. I would bet my life on it that she will give you the BEST possible outcome for your case!
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27 Apr, 2021 by Topher
Not getting into any details on what she did and is doing for me but this women knows what she is doing. Not only does she listen to you and your concerns but she will tell you how it is and then fight like no other for you. She is a hard working lawyer. Always TRUTHFUL, HONEST and RESPECTFUL! She does whats right for the child in hand (if there is one). Her experience and background, there is no reason not to choose her to help you! 5,000 stars!!
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09 Apr, 2019 by Kim
I hired Jen four years ago to represent me in what was turning out to be a VERY nasty divorce. I didn’t know at the time but it was the best decision I have ever made. Jen not only handled my case professionally but she went above and beyond, paying attention to every detail. There was never a time where I was unable to reach her during the duration of a 4 year long battle. Jen IS a professional through and through but more than that she’s an angel serving justice. I am forever grateful for her in my corner. Divorce is hard, believe me when I say you need someone whose HEART is in their career, and that’s definitely Jen.
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08 Oct, 2018 by Anonymous
In the beginning, it was great. He was eager to help us and everything seemed to be going well until he signed us up. It took him forever to file the bankruptcy case and repeated emails/calls for status updates were ignored. It's as it was one way communication attorney... he wouldn't respond to any of our requests for updates; he only re-contacted us at the end of the process... not happy with the lack of updates and help after the case was over, but he did win the case in the end.
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18 Jul, 2018 by Cinnamon
I hired Mr English for a divorce. I liked his no-frills website (which no longer exists) and that he is a vet. My case was a little unusual but he assured me he could help. I gave him $3000, and he got back to me with a case # right away. That was basically the last I heard of him. Phone calls went unanswered and unreturned. Emails were replied to with "I'll get back to you" and he never did. I even sent certified mail to his 3 addresses and no response. I ended up getting a new lawyer almost 2 years later. When I told him I was firing him and moving on, his response was "let me make this up to you". Unfortunately, making it up to me didn't include returning any of my $3000. So he got $3k from me for about an hour's work. To this day I don't know what happened.
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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.
