Lawyers map
>368
experienced lawyers
Filter by
23 Jun, 2022 by Micaela
It was a relief to find Jennifer to represent me through an arduous custody case. She is wicked smart , detail-oriented, practical, and highly competent, not to mention a kind and good human being. I was very, very impressed with her in every way. She was elegant and shrewd to my opposing counsel’s sloppy bulldog-ish way, and though the opposing counsel has one of the highest ratings in Boise, Jennifer was world’s better, and got the job done.
Read more
01 Dec, 2018 by Anonymous
I used her for my first custody case. She fails to protect your interest, she tells you what you want to hear even if it is untrue and she does a lot of shady billing. I remember later looking back at my bills and found she had charged me for drawing up the holiday schedule when my ex's attorney had actually dawn it up. She charged $100 for it. She lied to be on the phone and seemed to be more on my ex's side then mine. Even if I was in the wrong, which I wasn't because our case was in pretty much mutual agreement, she still seemed to be working for him instead of protecting my interests and mine are pretty severe as my ex can be volatile.
Read more
05 Oct, 2018 by Scott
Jennifer Schindele was amazing to work with! My case was very exasperating at times but she handled it in such a professional way. Her expertise within her profession is second to none! Jennifer is honest, hard working but also fair and practical. A great person to have by your side when going through such a difficult situation.
Read more
09 Jan, 2025 by Karen trainor
Hart Law Offiices went above and beyond in helping me with a complicated interstate guardianship issue. I don’t have the words to say how pleased I am with the work they did and with the outcome. Steve and Ramona were the best! Thank you!
Read more
19 Nov, 2024 by Mrs bauer
Do not recommend! Worst attorney , money hungry . Charged a couple hundred bucks to write “ reminder letters” advised my fiancé things that were against court order . After 15,000 my fiancé got two days a month visitation with no reason for that type of restriction ! Only reason was hart did not defend him, he was disrespectful to the judge and was clueless on the case when he went into court, not knowing anything, this was in the beginning of a divorce. My fiancé lost all of his assets before there was even a trial because of Harts lack of knowledge and effort to do anything for his client except charge a shit ton of money for nothing and drag on the case for more money. Ended up going with a different attorney got all of the custody we wanted couldn’t fight for what we had already lost due to his lack of knowledge, but I highly recommend any other law group in the area!
Read more
31 Jul, 2024 by Mikey
Useless, lazy and filled with excuses.
Edit: Neal's reply. Shows he has no idea who is and is not a client.
Read more
23 Feb, 2025 by T g
Mark Jackson was fantastic for us.
Read more
25 May, 2024 by Robert
04 Mar, 2024 by F jowdy
Mark has guided me through one of the most difficult times of my life
Read more
13 Feb, 2024 by Patricia just
Very professional honest and caring. I would highly recommend Brad Poole.
Read more
25 Feb, 2023 by Mike st jeor
Horrible! Gave him my taxes 10 years ago to file them and take care of it and he didn't! Strongly urge against using his services!
Read more
06 Mar, 2019 by David cay
Professional and bills fairly. I recommend.
Read more
24 Jul, 2024 by Helen hardy
Jeff Banks took on my partition case leading me to believe that I would be represented by him. He knew all the specifics. Retainer was $5000. Did not hear from him for a long time. I called him numerous times, he did not return my calls. $2000 more and year and a half later, I spoke with him, and what he told me was that he wasn't familiar with partition cases. He sent my case to Tyler Dodge. Tyler just wanted to get it settled. For anybody out there who has $7000 to spend, you should treat yourself to a nice vacation!!
Read more
18 Apr, 2023 by Kalina peace
Very helpful and where quick to get things settled. Staff was kind and helpful every time I called.
Read more
12 Jun, 2022 by William spafford
The attorney for my ex-wife.
Read more
18 Oct, 2023 by Chris callaway
13 Oct, 2022 by Grady nichols
Greg Rauch attempted to coerce me into stealing someone's private medical records and forwarding them to him.
I am not interested in committing a crime or violating someone's right to privacy, so I declined. He became angry and verbally abusive over the phone after he did not get his way. He began to yell and slur his words, and I had no choice but to hang up.
Read more
15 Aug, 2021 by Pete orazi
One of the few lawyers that I have obtained that actually did what they said they're going to do
Read more
21 Dec, 2023 by Chantel
I have had multiple attorneys in my life and I can tell you Shan Perry has been the absolute most honest, hard working, attentive attorney I’ve ever encountered. He’s so down to earth and doesn’t just tell you what you want to hear, but what reality is and offers his best and worse case scenarios- zero fluff. He’s such a kind person and I could tell he truly wants what’s fair and best for both sides involved. Family battles are never pretty and Shan specializes in them and always hopes to settle things in a timely manner, as to not drag everyone through the mud longer than necessary. So many attorneys only care about the money and don’t truly care how long things drag on because it means more for them, Shan is the absolute opposite of that. I’ve referred many other satisfied friends to Mr. Perry and will
continue to do so. See for yourself, you’ll immediately see the difference in this kind man versus all the rest
Read more
06 Oct, 2022 by Anonymous
I had attempted to have 2 other attorneys represent me in my parental alienation case. Both were treating the situation like a straight forward custody battle; which it was not. I hired Shan, with a hearing date quickly approaching, and was impressed by the time and care he devoted to learning about the important details and nuances of my particular situation. We went to the hearing completely prepared and after the days of trial that followed, I was very happy with the outcome. He was prepared, concise, and most importantly, he was honest. I felt extremely well represented by an attorney that actually seemed to care and want what was best for everyone involved.
Read more
04 Sep, 2021 by Anonymous
I was not impressed with Mr. Perry's services. He selfishly puts his convenience over his clients interests and concerns. The word "lazy" would accurately describe his attitude towards his clients. He's getting paid by you regardless of the outcome of the case so why should he put any actual effort into it. I very much do not recommend him at all.
Read more
12 Nov, 2024 by Rebecca
Initial contact was great. Quentin was confident I had a case, confident he would win my case, and started great. Then everything slowed down. There was always an excuse, out sick, poor staffing, paperwork filled out incorrectly or not the right paperwork turned, in each time taking a week plus to remedy, lost paperwork due to turn over, staff in charge of my paperwork goes on maternity leave and doesn't reallocate or delegate it, etc. I call for updates and call backs and don't get them. I email for updates and call backs and might get one response but further questions are ignored. Lackey Law group won my case OVER a year ago(which due to poor management it took over a year just to win the Non-Contested case), and just last month turned in necessary paperwork to garnish wages/attempt to return money to me. Is this how working with all lawyers and law groups is like???
Read more
06 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
My experience working with Quentin Lackey has been nothing short of terrible. I had a very simple, standard case and throughout the course of seven months and three hearings, nothing moved forward. From paperwork not being filed correctly, to a different attorney showing up at court without letting me know, documents missing attachments, and an utter lack of communication, working with Quentin was one of the most frustrating experiences I've ever dealt with. His lack of professionalism is something I've never experienced before and certainly never expected from an attorney.
Read more
03 Apr, 2024 by Anonymous
I had a terrible experience with Quentin and his staff.
Quentin told me he didn't have time to go to my Zoom hearing. So I thought I will just explain the situation to the judge myself on the day of the hearing. When the Zoom hearing started, a person told the judge he was from Quentin's office, and he was representing me. I was utterly confused. I had never talked to this person before! Quentin never told me that he was going to send someone from his office. It turned out this person knew nothing about my case. He said nothing during the whole hearing. Because I had "representation", I was not afforded the opportunity to speak during the hearing.
Another big issue is that Quentin's office performed work that I did not authorize. I emailed Quentin and asked him to pause the work on my case. He was aware of that. However, when Quentin was absent from the office for several weeks, his paralegal performed work on my case without my permission. On top of that, they didn't send me any billing statements during that time for several months. But they still kept billing against my retainer. When the retainer was drained, they started automatically charging my credit card.
I could continue to elaborate on the numerous other issues I've experienced with Quentin's office, but I'll refrain from doing so to avoid making this review overly lengthy.
Read more
06 May, 2023 by Anonymous
Hired Mr. Redal, wasted my time and money. I’m pretty sure he pleaded out my case before I even saw Judge Peterson. Both him and his office staff are horrible communicators. I still have no clue what he actually stated to the judge and when I requested my records, I was told to contact the court for records. Unprofessional and unethical. I sent him an email with pictures to prove I was at court via zoom, but because of my internet connection I was unable to speak to the judge. I was given a FTA and Redal did nothing to fix the situation with the judge. I emailed him evidence that should have had my case dropped, but he did nothing with it. Don’t waste your time or your money hiring Redal, you’re better off representing yourself…
Read more
17 Feb, 2017 by Anonymous
Very nice & polite staff. Attorneys are very knowledgeable and I could get an appointment with the attorney within a day or two of calling to schedule the appointment.
Read more
25 Jul, 2015 by Anonymous
John's skill is limited to criminal cases, and he is a deal maker, not a fighter in court. Communication with clients is horrendous; lucky if get any paperwork even if you ask. He's a has been, focus is on Selling you on hiring him, money talks, but it's short lived. Mike Palmer is awesome, so is Erik Smith, avoid Redal
Read more
21 Feb, 2022 by Anonymous
Phill was highly aggressive throughout the time I spent with him working on my case. I initially thought this was a good thing. To his credit he and his team make things happen quickly. In my opinion those aggressive tactics worked against my case. I left his service and spoke with other representation when I realized his aggressive style was not meant to benefit my children but rather his pockets.
He promised that I could get most anything I wanted, which I believed initially. I have spoke to a few other clients of his who have also stated they had a similar experience. The lawyers I spoke to subsequently were concerned that I had been mislead. They asked that I pursue mediation because the damage had been done and that going to trial would work against me.
Read more
04 Feb, 2022 by David
I made the costly mistake of having this clown represent me in my divorce. He is not his father. He had a kidney transplant and is barely able to function. He worried more about his drugs sitting in a hot car than he did about my divorce. Huge mistake on my part. Cost me hundreds of thousands more than it should have. I really dont think he is physically or mentally able to function.
Read more
14 Dec, 2019 by Anonymous
I hired Phil to help me with a post- divorce custody modification situation. I had to make some tough decisions under intense pressure and Phil was truly by my side through the whole thing . Even though he is extremely busy, he was able to quickly grasp the complexities of my situation and helped me change gears when he felt it was in my best . interest.
He and his staff are extremely efficient and didn’t waste my time or money .
I highly recommend Phil Bevis . He is simply one of the best family law attorneys in Boise.
Read more
29 Feb, 2024 by Christina
Alex is AMAZING to work with! She is a true bulldog and goes to bat for all her clients. She is 100% upfront about everything involving your case and really helped our family thru some super complex struggles! I would recommend alex a million times if your looking to have your case handled swiftly and correctly!
Read more
27 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
I retained her to take over my divorce case. She had me sign a medication agreement (in the middle of the night, while I was driving cross country!), which seriously hurt my case since she didn't bother reviewing the document. She was not careful at all with what she had me sign, promising something that wasn't actually in the wording. The judge later said Alex screwed up telling me the document was only a short-term order. If you have a contested divorce, you don't want Alex, she's sloppy.
Read more
06 Jan, 2019 by Zackary alder
15 Aug, 2018 by Rick ritter
Attended a meeting for the Idaho Innovation Awards. The office remake is amazing!
Read more
26 Jun, 2018 by Casey herriott
02 Nov, 2023 by Andrew evans
Trish was awesome through the whole process even though there kept being different things that came up and a couple curveballs thrown in. 10/10 would recommend
Read more
20 May, 2023 by Stalkerish
Absolutely horrible. Takes your money, does nothing, cannot provide proof of any work done. Highly encourage others to file a complaint with the Bar as we will be doing.
Read more
08 Jan, 2020 by Eric montgomery
Very unprofessional. Used her cell phone in court for her documents and her phone dies during hearing. Items that should have been on bankruptcy were not included and items that were supposed to be excluded were included. I would not recommend her as your attorney. Go with someone else'. I had to fix her screw ups myself she wouldn't be bothered. Waste of money and time.
Read more
09 Sep, 2024 by Amanda stockton
This place is nothing but a bunch of criminals, a debt from 2005, took them 20 years to “find” me even tho I have worked and lived in Idaho the past 20 years..: now a bill that was 105 dollars is now 3000+!!! Ask for some kinda settlement ya right!!! They don’t do that!!!! What a joke!!! Bbb here I come. And will also be speaking to the attorney general!!
Read more
17 Aug, 2024 by Mike hanselman
I have never, in my entire life heard of this company or Mark l. Clark, until today.
I just received a large set of documents in the mail from the offices of Mark L. Clark, attorney at law filled with language that most have no hope of understanding.
After calling the number provided and asking (several times) for an explanation in layman's terms, here's what they meant to say:
They will be garnishing my wages because back in 2013, I required help of some kind from a medical professional.
THEY ARE GARNISHING MY WAGES BECAUSE BACK IN 2013, I GOT SICK AND COULDN'T PAY THE BILL🤯
I also found after careful research that although predatory companies like this count on the 5 year statute of limitations, this company was late and filled for renewal 3 days past the 5 year mark.
If you or someone you know has had any communication with this company, do not give in to them. Do your research. Get help. Let them know that we won't stand for this.
That's what I'll be doing starting Monday.
Read more
01 Apr, 2023 by Dorinda grever
Unprofessional. Extremely rude. Screaming at people on the phone. Refuse to allow anyone to speak to a supervisor
Read more
24 Jul, 2024 by Helen hardy
Jeff Banks took on my partition case leading me to believe that I would be represented by him. He knew all the specifics. Retainer was $5000. Did not hear from him for a long time. I called him numerous times, he did not return my calls. $2000 more and year and a half later, I spoke with him, and what he told me was that he wasn't familiar with partition cases. He sent my case to Tyler Dodge. Tyler just wanted to get it settled. For anybody out there who has $7000 to spend, you should treat yourself to a nice vacation!!
Read more
18 Apr, 2023 by Kalina peace
Very helpful and where quick to get things settled. Staff was kind and helpful every time I called.
Read more
28 Sep, 2022 by Jana
I have always used Jeff Banks for my legal matters.
He is attentive, detail-oriented, and gets me results every time.
I am so impressed with him and will not hesitate to use him in my future endeavors.
Read more
24 Jul, 2024 by Helen hardy
Jeff Banks took on my partition case leading me to believe that I would be represented by him. He knew all the specifics. Retainer was $5000. Did not hear from him for a long time. I called him numerous times, he did not return my calls. $2000 more and year and a half later, I spoke with him, and what he told me was that he wasn't familiar with partition cases. He sent my case to Tyler Dodge. Tyler just wanted to get it settled. For anybody out there who has $7000 to spend, you should treat yourself to a nice vacation!!
Read more
18 Apr, 2023 by Kalina peace
Very helpful and where quick to get things settled. Staff was kind and helpful every time I called.
Read more
12 Jun, 2022 by William spafford
The attorney for my ex-wife.
Read more
15 Jul, 2020 by Stevesmith
Over the years we have had business issues and other things come up we needed an attorney for. We have seen some that were so lost its was a wonder how they even passed the bar. We had some serious family issues. Richard was always up front and honest. He gave all he had and let me tell you that was a lot. As i go in an pay on my bill and this was settled a long time ago. I feel good he did all he could. He actually cares. thats more then i can say about most.
Read more
04 Feb, 2015 by Cheyenne
He filed a law suit on our behalf without our knowledge, then he actively solicited his services promising things he could not accomplish. He did all of this for his own benefit, which he could not achieve as well. Highly unprofessional, and ignorant, he lost our law suit due to misfiling paperwork (it could have been a win), and left us with $60,000 of opposing counsel fees. We are starting complaint with Bar Association. Hopefully, we will recover some of the damaged he caused. BEWARE! DO NOT HIRE!
Read more
15 Jun, 2021 by Rich
He is simply put, a scam lawyer. He will not fight for you regardless of the evidence you give him for your case. I fired him and hired a lawyer that actually filed a motion to fix this jokers screw up. Save the time, money and stress and go with someone else.
Read more
13 Jun, 2018 by Anonymous
He truly helps clients--always took the time to take my call or call me back to address any concerns I had. He defended me against my husband who was the one who left the family causing hell.
Read more
24 Jul, 2024 by Helen hardy
Jeff Banks took on my partition case leading me to believe that I would be represented by him. He knew all the specifics. Retainer was $5000. Did not hear from him for a long time. I called him numerous times, he did not return my calls. $2000 more and year and a half later, I spoke with him, and what he told me was that he wasn't familiar with partition cases. He sent my case to Tyler Dodge. Tyler just wanted to get it settled. For anybody out there who has $7000 to spend, you should treat yourself to a nice vacation!!
Read more
18 Apr, 2023 by Kalina peace
Very helpful and where quick to get things settled. Staff was kind and helpful every time I called.
Read more
12 Jun, 2022 by William spafford
The attorney for my ex-wife.
Read more
23 Jan, 2018 by Mark
I was falsely accused of battery and Jerry went to bat for me. Even the court the was against us and thank goodness for jury trial we prevailed. I was scared to death and he remained calm and very dignified. I recommend Jerry to anyone accused of a crime. Thank you
Read more
29 Oct, 2013 by Anonymous
he helped to a point with my divorce got half way threw after i paid him said he had to withdraw because he was going out of town. never sent me copies of my exes orders said they would be in the mail not a great attorney for a former judge
Read more
24 May, 2013 by Anonymous
I now have 3 dismissed bankruptcy accounts on my credit report because Mr. Reynolds did not submit the paperwork right. Fair enough to say he was doing it pro bono but now, I'm paying a higher cost. I ended up digging into my 401 to pay for a reputable firm to represent me and I had to file a 13 because Mr. Reynolds royally screwed up. I've had more than one attorney tell me that Mr. Reynolds did me no favor.
Read more
22 May, 2018 by Anonymous
Mike was suggested through a company provided legal referral program. We had a case involving a incident with an animal. I would normally have gone through our regular attorney but given that my pay goes into the benefits at work I thought I would give it a chance.
Mike is abrasive and egocentric, and has very little base (in my opinion) to back this stance up. I did more than I should have to collect and gather data for our case and he merely showed up to court. Though in his appearance there was no pretense of effort or alertness. At one point we met in his office which is a absolute disaster, and he couldn't find the information he had called us over for (which, by the look of his office was probably common). He casually handed us un-redacted court documents telling us that he "shouldn't" but did so anyway. I am no professional in this field but freely giving a individual information which includes the social of those they are up against doesn't seem like a wholly safe practice. Fortunately I am benign and would never forfeit my integrity to ambition. He also made a comment that the legal services don't "pay him enough money" for his effort. If that is the case it sounds like Mike should not involve himself in the referral process. The act of agreeing to provide a service for some compensation then not delivering calls your integrity into question. Eventually we lost the case and had to move the remainder of our dealings over to our normal attorney. Who did the job Mike could not.
My suggestion would be to avoid Kulchak even if you are given a opportunity to have it at no cost to you. This was a lesson learned, abide others advice and heed an investment. You couldn't have paid me for his representation.
Read more
03 Feb, 2025 by Anonymous
As my lawyer Doug was very aggressive and very proud of how combative he was with the judge and the other lawyer. His pitbull antics actually made my situation much worse and ended up costing me far more money and stretching out the case much longer than it had to be. He made the judge mad on several occasions because he thought he was smarter than the judge. He made the attorney on the other side mad because he thought he was smarter than the other attorney.
I filed a bar complaint against him and have thought about suing him for malpractice. He made my situation much worse, not better. I should have hired anyone but this guy.
Read more
14 Apr, 2021 by Daria
not an attorney, DONT WASTE YOUR TIME, could't help with simple ticket, because we didn't have any good reason to dispute the ticket.
Read more
19 Mar, 2020 by Anonymous
I hired Miss Martin for a very simple case even the appellate lawyer whose appealing my case because she lost a "give me case" that should have been not guilty even the Illinois appellate Court said "she failed to do her job correctly" and that is actually written in the appeal so I would use high caution extreme caution if you plan on hiring this so called attorney or plan on losing.....
Read more
17 Mar, 2020 by Anonymous
I hired Miss Martin for several cases the one should have better given since I had the order protection to begin with she wouldn't even file perjury charges which was evident there was massive perjury going on not to mention she up and moved in the middle of the court case leaving me stranded after being paid her full amount, which she agreed on one dollar amount for representation but when it took longer she demanded another $500 she wasn't even worth the first 500 I highly suggest if you're looking for a good attorney you look somewhere else. And yes I have every intention of filing a complaint with the bar and hopefully her license will be pulled because she has no business practicing law for anyone, I did better on my own and it didn't cost me $2,000 I would keep on walking or looking but I would not hire this so-called attorney not unless you definitely want to lose and lose you will with her!!!!!
Read more
Browse lawyers
Cities in Idaho - Find a Lawyer Near Me
-
Boise
-
Idaho Falls
-
Coeur D Alene
-
Meridian
-
Pocatello
-
Eagle
-
Nampa
-
Twin Falls
-
Lewiston
-
Caldwell
-
Moscow
-
Ketchum
-
Sandpoint
-
Post Falls
-
Rexburg
-
Coeur d'Alene
-
Hayden
-
Hailey
-
Blackfoot
-
Burley
-
Garden City
-
Mccall
-
Grangeville
-
Ammon
-
Bonners Ferry
-
Driggs
-
Jerome
-
Mountain Home
-
Star
-
Lapwai
-
Middleton
-
Preston
-
Victor
-
Weiser
-
Emmett
-
Salmon
-
Boise City
-
Mountain Home Afb
-
Payette
-
Rigby
-
Sun Valley
-
Fruitland
-
Hayden Lake
-
Kuna
-
Rupert
-
Bellevue
-
Chubbuck
-
Fort Hall
-
Orofino
-
Pinehurst
-
Priest River
-
Rathdrum
-
Sagle
-
Viola
-
Wallace
-
American Falls
-
Cascade
-
Council
-
Heyburn
-
Juliaetta
-
Ponderay
-
Saint Anthony
-
St Maries
-
Sugar City
-
American Fls
-
Arco
-
BAYVIEW
-
Bose
-
Buhl
-
Cataldo
-
CLAYTON
-
Couer d'Alene
-
Dalton Gardens
-
Deary
-
Firth
-
Garden Valley
-
Gooding
-
Hammett
-
Harpster
-
Harrison
-
Hauser
-
Homedale
-
Idaho City
-
Kellogg
-
Kingston
-
Laclede
-
Mtn Home Afb
-
NEW MEADOWS
Browse lawyers
Practice Areas in Idaho
-
Business
-
Real Estate
-
Litigation
-
Estate Planning
-
Criminal Defense
-
Personal Injury
-
Family Law
-
Government
-
Probate
-
Appeals
-
Civil Rights
-
Insurance
-
Intellectual Property
-
Workers Compensation
-
Tax
-
Mediation
-
Medical Malpractice
-
Immigration
-
Child Custody
-
Car Accident
-
Trusts
-
Elder Law
-
Adoption
-
Child Support
-
Debt Collection
-
Consumer Protection
-
Lawsuit / Dispute
-
Wrongful Death
-
Bankruptcy
-
Social Security & Disability
-
Domestic Violence
-
Juvenile Law
-
Federal Crime
-
Divorce
-
Wrongful Termination
-
Discrimination
-
Employment / Labor
-
Class Action
-
Foreclosure
-
Debt Settlement
-
Drug Crime
-
Environmental Law
-
Sex Crime
-
Copyright Application
-
Financial Markets And Services
-
Sexual Harassment
-
Construction
-
DUI / DWI
-
Entertainment
-
Cannabis Law
-
Landlord & Tenant
-
Credit Repair
-
Life Insurance
Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
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.
