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27 Sep, 2024 by Ben edwards
Only giving one Star because I'm really just using this to try and get ahold of someone. Everytime I call it says my call can not be completed. Someone said y'all help with local tyrants. I need that help. Please contact me.
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27 Sep, 2024 by Knox foodie
Attorneys are who made it so that it is so incredibly difficult to represent yourself or sue anyone else and so exceptionally expensive to obtain an attorney, creating defined lines between the Capital and Districts.
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20 Aug, 2024 by Amanda hamlin
This is such a great service. When you find yourself in a situation where an attorney is needed, it is very overwhelming. I called around Knoxville for two days trying to find the right attorney that could help me. I contacted the Knoxville Bar Association and within a few hours I received an attorney referral. It was that easy! When I contacted my referred attorney, I panicked when I found out it would be a couple of weeks before we could meet due to scheduling conflicts. I contacted Tracy Chain at the Knoxville Bar Association. She is amazing! She understood my panic and assured me the referred attorney was the best attorney for my situation. She was very helpful and offered a few other suggestions to help.
After speaking with my referred attorney, I couldn’t be more pleased with the referral. He truly was the best attorney to fit my situation. He was patient, kind and very knowledgeable of the law regarding my issue. I felt like he really understood me and my unique situation. Most notably, I found him to be extremely honest. He explained everything in great detail so I had a better understanding of my options. I couldn’t have found a more perfect fit.
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27 Sep, 2024 by Ben edwards
Only giving one Star because I'm really just using this to try and get ahold of someone. Everytime I call it says my call can not be completed. Someone said y'all help with local tyrants. I need that help. Please contact me.
Read more
27 Sep, 2024 by Knox foodie
Attorneys are who made it so that it is so incredibly difficult to represent yourself or sue anyone else and so exceptionally expensive to obtain an attorney, creating defined lines between the Capital and Districts.
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20 Aug, 2024 by Amanda hamlin
This is such a great service. When you find yourself in a situation where an attorney is needed, it is very overwhelming. I called around Knoxville for two days trying to find the right attorney that could help me. I contacted the Knoxville Bar Association and within a few hours I received an attorney referral. It was that easy! When I contacted my referred attorney, I panicked when I found out it would be a couple of weeks before we could meet due to scheduling conflicts. I contacted Tracy Chain at the Knoxville Bar Association. She is amazing! She understood my panic and assured me the referred attorney was the best attorney for my situation. She was very helpful and offered a few other suggestions to help.
After speaking with my referred attorney, I couldn’t be more pleased with the referral. He truly was the best attorney to fit my situation. He was patient, kind and very knowledgeable of the law regarding my issue. I felt like he really understood me and my unique situation. Most notably, I found him to be extremely honest. He explained everything in great detail so I had a better understanding of my options. I couldn’t have found a more perfect fit.
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24 Jul, 2019 by Anonymous
Hired her for child support, she came at us with big plans to regain tens of thousands of dollars, would make it where the income taxes would be taken..... long story short. Ms Petersen was hard to reach, her secretary talked to us about all the family issues she had, we went to court twice by ourselves, “oh you really don’t need to be there” she said after we call her, then the day we settled she shows up and my ex’s attorney rips her and shows her the law. She didn’t do anything I asked other than get the child support settled, it cost me over 2,000 for this process and the ABA says it’s ok.
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20 Oct, 2015 by Anonymous
I had a consultation and she was 15 minutes late, answered two personal phone calls, not work related. She placed her breakfast order with the lady she pays to answer the phone, the lady interrupted our consult four times with questions regarding her breakfast and spoke about the weather. Very unprofessional. I was billed for a two hour consult in which no plan was established, she kept using her laptop to lookup other cases that showed similarities. She said should would have all of my questions answered in a few days. It has been well over a year and she never did respond to my numerous requests for answers. Needless to say, I chose someone more competent and attentive!
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29 May, 2022 by Anonymous
If I could give a lower rating than this I definitely would. He drug out the divorce as long as possible, Would bill me every month additional $100-$300 or more for “mailing” me with ridiculous trumped up fee charges such as, he would bill me for “reading”an email from defendants attorney who made a minor statement concerning a date or comment and also for cost of secretary “ mailing “me a notification stating that he read it, a separate fee for postage, and “ labor” for actually mailing it! He also called me one Saturday morning asking me to come to his office to “discuss the case” which I thought was odd and said so but he insisted that, “he had other pressing cases coming up and may not have another time before the next 3 weeks before going to court”… so I drove a good distance to get to his office, within a minute of being seated he excused himself and spent a good 30-35 minutes rummaging in a file closet across the hall, kept excusing himself to do more of the same, would comeback… ask me something that we had already discussed then get on his laptop… he didn’t want me there to discuss MY case… he was preparing for ANOTHER upcoming case and wanted to BILL ME for his time at the office on a Saturday!
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29 Jan, 2021 by Anonymous
Needs to retire. His letters to the court are always with spelling mistakes, he overcharged me (bills to read a one sentence email). When you call him he is in a bar or tavern as you can hear the backnoise. A few emails to him he charged over 1000. He is a joke and has people believing he is this really good lawyer. He is good at taking your money, thats all. My ex was trying to work with Mr. Valone through his lawyer to wrap up our divorce and Mr. Valone would write all these awful lies in letters to my ex. When I asked him why he was doing this he said he has been doing it all his life. He even had me feeling sorry for my ex. I think he has had a bad life or bad drinking problem. His letters are all filled with lies and he does not care. He sounds drunk all the time. His face is always red. Stay away.
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31 Jan, 2011 by Mike
He accepted my case and knew i did not have alot of money. He never answered his phone..... He never showed up to court and never called me.... I would have paid him more money but he never called me back......
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31 Jul, 2021 by T.
We hired Mr. Herrera after a pleasant phone call to help my elderly mother with a landlord (slumlord). After paying his fee for a letter we had to seriously edit because it did not contain troubling elements regarding her landlord's negligence, he was difficult to reach and made excuses contrary to legal remedies we know existed.
A month after the first letter, as we waited for the landlord to take action on his dilapidated house, I hired him to write a letter to a business competitor regarding his defamation and slander. I had to write the entire thing, including state and federal laws he was ignoring, as I'd already emailed him the laws and their corresponding precedents.
Months later, after landlord had failed to live up to his own written promises, much less repair the house in a livable fashion -- which includes a failing heating and ductwork system -- Mr. Herrera told my mom to wait until winter before we could address the issue.
Seriously? Seriously.
We'd informed him, with photos, of this problem the PREVIOUS WINTER.
To get that "answer," we had to call numerous times over the course of two weeks, finally stating "we'll have to hire a new attorney if we don't hear from you today."
He took our money, wrote crappy letters, refused to any follow-up, and never stated fees for more action. Maybe he didn't want to take any action. Maybe he made his easy money and that was all he wanted. We paid for letters I could've written myself just to have his Esq. attached to them.
Wasted six months and $800 which would've been better spent on a competent lawyer. Nothing has changed since we sadly chose Mr. Herrera to "represent" us.
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15 Jan, 2020 by Anonymous
I hired this attorney after my divorce. She recommended that I try to get full custody of my 3 children because it would increase my child support. She gave me the impression that this was a no-brainer. After weeks of depositions, hiring a Psychologist to perform a custody evaluation and 2 weeks sitting in a court room trial, all at her recommendation (Her web site says most of her cases go to trial) The Judge made no changes. I was left with hundreds of thousands of dollars in attorney fees. If she would have told me this was a remote possibility, I would have never moved forward.
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22 Dec, 2023 by Tim
He seemed excited to help us with our case. Said it wouldn't take no time at all. He was eager to get the job done. Then we paid the guy. That's when he stopped responding, it was like finding someone that had back pay on child support.
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22 Jun, 2020 by Anonymous
After 5 yrs. of prolonged alienation from my child, I hired K.O. Herston in Jan. 2020 to charge my child's Mother with alienation, contempt & absconding jurisdiction. I paid retainers on time, then Covid-19 shut down my business for 3 months causing a severe, temporary hardship. Mr. Herston wouldn't even consider giving me any relief (delayed payment plan), instead billing me full speed ahead, payable on receipt, PLUS 12% interest the entire time. He then withdrew as my attorney, even as I took a loan to pay him in full. This brought me no value, cost me a fortune & left my family in ruin. I do NOT recommend this attorney.
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18 Jul, 2014 by Anonymous
Mr. Leveille has not responded promptly to emails. It is often takes weeks to get a response. He does not currently have the resources needed to move forward with our case.
Without getting into details, I would not recommend Mr. Leveille for any legal needs you might have.
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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.
