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06 Sep, 2024 by Brittany hammonds
I 100% recommend Julie and Ethan to anyone looking for good experienced attorneys! Julie recently represented me in a DV case. She was very patient and understanding. She stood up for me when I couldn’t stand up for myself. During court she held my hand the entire time. You can just tell she truly cares about her clients and sees this as way more than just a career. Even now that the DV case is done, she still checks on me to make sure I am OK! I am so thankful for her and Ethan! Words cannot describe how amazing both of them are!
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06 Sep, 2024 by Dylan hogan
Ethan and his team helped me through a difficult time for my family. He handled my case with emotional sensitivity and professionalism. It was amazing to work with a fellow member of the LGBT community, who was familiar with the intricacies of queer families. It made me feel affirmed and supported even while we navigated some tricky waters together. I would recommend him to and trust him with everyone I love.
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04 Sep, 2024 by Ellen butler
Ethan Chase took care of my divorce. He was the type of counselor I was looking for. He explains everything really well, he is patient and he is compassionate. I would recommend his services to anyone that needs strong, caring support. Thank you, Ethan!
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06 Sep, 2024 by Brittany hammonds
I 100% recommend Julie and Ethan to anyone looking for good experienced attorneys! Julie recently represented me in a DV case. She was very patient and understanding. She stood up for me when I couldn’t stand up for myself. During court she held my hand the entire time. You can just tell she truly cares about her clients and sees this as way more than just a career. Even now that the DV case is done, she still checks on me to make sure I am OK! I am so thankful for her and Ethan! Words cannot describe how amazing both of them are!
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06 Sep, 2024 by Dylan hogan
Ethan and his team helped me through a difficult time for my family. He handled my case with emotional sensitivity and professionalism. It was amazing to work with a fellow member of the LGBT community, who was familiar with the intricacies of queer families. It made me feel affirmed and supported even while we navigated some tricky waters together. I would recommend him to and trust him with everyone I love.
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04 Sep, 2024 by Ellen butler
Ethan Chase took care of my divorce. He was the type of counselor I was looking for. He explains everything really well, he is patient and he is compassionate. I would recommend his services to anyone that needs strong, caring support. Thank you, Ethan!
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19 Sep, 2024 by Alliesmutthut petgrooming
I was first referred to Joel by my sister who had gotten in a bad accident a year before mine. I called him, set a meeting, and met at his old louisville office. (Its a stunning building.) He's a laid back guy, has a good sense of humor, and is very professional. He's not a slip-and-fall-my-neck-suddently-hurts lawyer. He's legitimate, not a lazy or self serving lawyer. He works to get you healed first, and paid second. If another car ever wipes me off the road again, I'll be calling Joel.
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19 Sep, 2024 by Cece wright
Joel Franklin is definitely the lawyer you want to go to for your injuries. He’s very respectful, mindful of any situation you’re in and is just down right the best. He communicated with me through out the whole entire case and got it handled as fast as he could with no issues. I am very grateful for him working my case and I definitely recommend him to any one in need of an injury lawyer. Thank you Mr. Franklin for all of your support and help.!
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21 Aug, 2024 by Kenny shanks
25 Sep, 2019 by Amanda castro
Amazing, passionate
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07 Feb, 2018 by Vicki forrest
30 Nov, 2014 by Desmond
Always on time, knew his stuff, and answered my questions without complaint or charge (I was a high maintenance client). Couldn't be happier with service.
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25 Sep, 2019 by Amanda castro
Amazing, passionate
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07 Feb, 2018 by Vicki forrest
11 Dec, 2017 by Jayne
Micah was an outstanding attorney. I can’t say enough good about her. She is very honest and straight forward from day one. You will never be in question as to what is going on with your case and what the next step will be. The communication with Micah was super. I never had problems getting in touch with Micah and she was always very prompt in returning my calls. From day one, Micah told me she was for “The Family” and believed strongly in marriage vows. We had a long road together with my case and she was by my side every step of the process. Micah always reassured me with any doubts I may have had or as to which path we needed to take. Micah also had expectations for me and my situation. I knew I/we were going to have to work hard to get to where we wanted to be and she didn’t hesitate to have those honest conversations with me. I am so thankful I was able to have Micah as my attorney and I know she’s a big part of the positive outcome we ended with.
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13 Aug, 2024 by Mary
Abigail Green represented my adult son in a very contentious custody related family court case. She was wonderful. Prior to working with Abigail, he was unable to find adequate representation. She listened. Because of the complexity of the situation, having someone who took the time to understand and sort out the details was essential to it’s successful resolution.
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16 Aug, 2023 by William acton
09 Mar, 2021 by Lee mcwhorter
Now I know where Scully went after the X-Files!
I'm a believer!
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15 Aug, 2019 by Lisa
I had the best experience with Rebecca Simms as my lawyer. She helped walk me through a situation and ended the situation in a way that I was extremely happy with. She was very thorough and savvy, as well as respectful with any questions that I had. She is a go-getter and you will want her on your team.
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19 Apr, 2018 by Cole
Rebecca Simms is absolutely an amazing Lawyer. Very easy to talk to and always kept me posted on what was taking place with our case. Dedicated and driven professional, who was very meticulous and diligent in her work ethic. She showed compassion and was passionate about everything she did. As a Marine Rebecca earned my trust and respect form the first time I met with her, in a world where people say i have your back as a crutch phrase, Rebecca stood at my side. She has a client for life. Semper Fidelis ( Always Faithful)
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17 Apr, 2018 by Anonymous
Rebecca represented me through my divorce several years ago. It was one of the most difficult times of my life and we were dealing with an antagonistic party, but Rebecca kept me balanced and fought for me throughout the entire process. It was good to know that someone was there to help me whenever it got rough. Rebecca answered any questions I had in a timely fashion and was clear about the costs of her services before we proceeded with any actions. While it's her job to get me the most possible from a divorce, she also respected my boundaries and allowed me to shape what I felt comfortable asking for.
I've remained in contact with Rebecca throughout the length of my divorce (which ended years ago, but our legal relationship continued due to equity payments) and not only did she assist me in getting payments quickly and efficiently, she kept up with my personal life and has always shown interest in me. It is nice to know that her clients are more than just a job for her.
While I hope that I never have a reason to hire Rebecca again, I certainly recommend her to my friends and, if the time ever comes that I need a divorce attorney, I know exactly who I'll call.
Thank you, Rebecca!
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5.0
9 Reviews
01 May, 2022 by Dean clark
Marcia is simply awesome! Her knowledge and experience comes through as she negotiates for her clients.
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01 Feb, 2021 by E smith
I worked with Courtney primarily, and she along with the rest of the team handled my case quickly, efficiently and with careful consideration of my objectives. I highly recommend them to anyone in need of family law/legal services.
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21 Oct, 2019 by Leah halfacre
Emily is professional, compassionate and fair. She facilitates a peaceful resolution for all involved and earned my trust and respect. I'd highly recommend her services.
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12 Aug, 2020 by Elizabeth
Anyone navigating the family court system can understand how difficult the process can be on families and children. So many processes in the system don’t feel like best practices for children and coparents; rather, they seem to incite conflict, drain finances, and cause stress in parents and children. Jim is absolutely insightful, responsive, honest, and he understands difficult issues. He clearly is self-aware and open-minded, and he pays attention. His assistant Summer is very helpful and responsive. I’m so appreciative to have crossed paths with Jim and Summer.
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10 Mar, 2020 by Ikram
James represented me in 2018 in a very difficult divorce case. He and his team were simply great. everytime I thought it was the end and we couldn't find a solution, they just thought of something.
James always goes the extra mile for his clients, he dosn't just do the job, he actually does all its needed to win the case.
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25 Nov, 2019 by Anonymous
After experiencing a horrible and devastating experience with a family lawyer that I had previously commissioned, Jim helped me overcome all the trials that I was facing as well as the additional stress that was added by my previous, crooked council. Jim's paralegal, Summer, was also very helpful.
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01 May, 2022 by Dean clark
Marcia is simply awesome! Her knowledge and experience comes through as she negotiates for her clients.
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01 Feb, 2021 by E smith
I worked with Courtney primarily, and she along with the rest of the team handled my case quickly, efficiently and with careful consideration of my objectives. I highly recommend them to anyone in need of family law/legal services.
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21 Oct, 2019 by Leah halfacre
Emily is professional, compassionate and fair. She facilitates a peaceful resolution for all involved and earned my trust and respect. I'd highly recommend her services.
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01 May, 2022 by Dean clark
Marcia is simply awesome! Her knowledge and experience comes through as she negotiates for her clients.
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01 Feb, 2021 by E smith
I worked with Courtney primarily, and she along with the rest of the team handled my case quickly, efficiently and with careful consideration of my objectives. I highly recommend them to anyone in need of family law/legal services.
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21 Oct, 2019 by Leah halfacre
Emily is professional, compassionate and fair. She facilitates a peaceful resolution for all involved and earned my trust and respect. I'd highly recommend her services.
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01 May, 2022 by Dean clark
Marcia is simply awesome! Her knowledge and experience comes through as she negotiates for her clients.
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01 Feb, 2021 by E smith
I worked with Courtney primarily, and she along with the rest of the team handled my case quickly, efficiently and with careful consideration of my objectives. I highly recommend them to anyone in need of family law/legal services.
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21 Oct, 2019 by Leah halfacre
Emily is professional, compassionate and fair. She facilitates a peaceful resolution for all involved and earned my trust and respect. I'd highly recommend her services.
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26 Feb, 2019 by Anonymous
Everyone was so nice & helpful! Walked me thru the process and was readily available with any questions or concerns i had! Great team!! Very happy with all of them & highly recommend their firm!
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17 Dec, 2018 by Vonna
I am grateful for all the help I received. I felt comfortable from the get go. I was kept updated on all the steps I needed to take. They made it convenient to go to the office closes to me. Very friendly and relaxing to talk to. My experience was great.
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09 Nov, 2018 by Anonymous
I searched for a law firm to help me determine whether or not a chapter 7 was right for my situation. O' Bryan law office staff helped me make the right decision. Their compassionate handling of my case made this tough decision manageable. I would recommend them to people in need of such services.
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27 Oct, 2021 by Glenda davis
She knows her field
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31 May, 2020 by David anderson
26 Aug, 2018 by Anonymous
Amy did everything to grant our family everything we were seeking. She has been representing me for more than a year with great success. I cannot express how grateful I am for having her on our side. Her hard work and expertise show great results. Amy truly is a great professional to hire!
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30 Jan, 2023 by Phyllis
She represented me in a contempt of court case involving my ex-spouse against non payment of maintenance. She is very good at what she does and we came out with a big WIN.
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20 Apr, 2019 by Anonymous
She has been fighting for me and my kids over the past year, she will understand all details and will own your case, she will be always available for you, she is professional and honest, she helped me win two cases! She is just Awesome!
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26 Oct, 2017 by Tony
I hired Emily as my lawyer. My son's mother and I seperated and she was trying to move out of state with my son. I felt that Emily took personal interest in my case. She always had great ideas, and was always at least one step ahead of opposing council. My case continued for almost two years, and Emily was there to fight for me and my son every step of the way. I would refer others to Emily, and she will remain my lawyer for as long as she stays in this proffession.
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10 Sep, 2018 by Anonymous
I Amy of Meriwether & Tharpe to represent me for a very difficult divorce. From the beginning, she performed brilliantly to educate me about divorce law and how those laws related to my particular case. Amy and accompanying staff have been doing this so long that they can pretty much tell you what the judge is thinking and how they tend to lean regarding certain decisions. At least, for me, that was the case and they were 100% accurate every time. The knowledge and piece of mind you will gain from just a brief session with Amy is unparalleled.
Another surprising benefit was her expertise in handling the psychological aspects of such a dramatic change in my life.
I can’t say enough positive things about my experience working with Amy. If you are considering divorce, this team is the first call you should make.
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21 Dec, 2017 by Matthew
Latrese (Amy) has been a truly great person to work with. I have been using her firm for a modification to my original divorce decree. My first experience with my original lawyer was a complete joke. Going into this modification I really did not have an overall trust of attorneys so I walked into this process with a fair amount of trepidation. Amy has completely proved my initial feelings wrong. She takes the time to understand my issues and always offers multiple solutions. And when presenting those solutions, she always lets me know what will be best for me and my family. She truly seems to care and it shows in her thoughtful responses and attention to detail. Her response time on all matters could not be beat as well. She responds to my emails quicker than most of my employees do. I cannot say enough about how happy I am with her performance, dedication, and thoughtfulness. I feel that Amy wants what is best for me and works the best she can to try and achieve it. She has completely changed my opinion of attorneys. Is really is a true advocate!!
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26 May, 2017 by Melissa
I was represented by Latrese Cooper in my recent divorce and child custody case and was very pleased with her service to my children and me. As many divorces are complicated, mine involved many details such as circumstances of illness and domestic violence, an out-of-state civil protection order, out-of-state residence, and accusations of mental illness and being a unfit parent of my 2 young children. From the very first consultation, Latrese listened for detail. Although not required of legal counsel, she possessed an empathy for me that was evident and I know that when she promised to work hard for me she meant it and always followed through. Latrese took the time to explain the divorce process to me as it was ongoing and also did what she could to expedite things. For the status conferences, Latrese made efforts to ensure that I could appear before the judge via telephone as I was already residing out-of-state and the cost of travel would have been an undo burden on my children and myself. During trial, I felt very confident to have Latrese on my side and trusted that I was being represented very well. Professionalism, internal strength, and confidence exuded her and I believe that the opposing counsel was not nearly as well prepared for the trial and was seemingly intimidated by Latrese's outstanding preparation and skills. I would highly recommend Latrese for any one with a pending divorce, especially those whom may have been victimized throughout a marriage. Her level of performance is above average and I consider the final decisions made in my case to be more than adequate to my expectations.
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17 Dec, 2021 by J david borders
04 Feb, 2020 by Ben kunkler
09 Jan, 2017 by John olash
Dan did a great job handling my mother's estate. He always returned my calls and followed through with what needed to be done.He made it easy for my family in a difficult time . I recommend Dan for any estate, wills and trust legal work.
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07 Jan, 2021 by Paul
Ryan successfully handled a landlord/tenant issue for me in 2017. He is easy to communicate with and he kept me informed every step of the way through the entire process. Plus, he's a sports fan.
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24 Jun, 2018 by Sydel
I needed an attorney when I was struggling with my ex over custody and child support. Mr. Smither helped walk me through the process and was there for every court visit. I was able to reach him quickly on the phone in emergencies and normal texts/emails/etc were returned within a day or two. He worked hard on my case and was very understanding when it took me some time to pay him. I’ve recommended him to multiple people already. He’s a great lawyer.
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21 Feb, 2017 by Mike
Ryan is knowledgeable, professional and always is out for your best interest. I would not hesitate for one second to recommend his services to anyone who was in need .
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10 Sep, 2023 by Brumfield catering
Melinda has always been an amazing attorney! I highly recommend her. You won't regret having her representation.
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30 Jun, 2020 by Larry lewis
Great Experience with Melinda.
Very Reasonable Pricing.
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06 Aug, 2019 by A ma
27 Aug, 2014 by Lisa
There is not room here to adequately express my gratitude for what Hugh Barrow has done for me as I have divorced my abusive husband of 20 years. Hugh is the best! He is a man of absolute integrity. He is extremely professional and knowledgeable. In addition to my divorce, Hugh was instrumental in me being granted a very necessary 3 year Domestic Violence Order against my X-husband. Even though my X-husband, a now established criminal, hired a VERY dishonest, incompetent and unprofessional lawyer, Hugh has done everything absolutely necessary to protect me legally. He is always accessible, always keeps me informed, always does things in a timely manner, and treats me as if I am his only client. I am very grateful to Hugh and would recommend him, in a heartbeat, to anyone! The world needs more lawyers like Hugh Barrow.
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15 Jun, 2014 by Horatio
I am so happy I was referred to Hugh. He was aggressive, but reasonable, which is exactly what I needed. The divorce process can be a bit insane. Hugh helped me understand what was happening and let me know what to expect.
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26 Mar, 2014 by Anonymous
I am so glad a friend recommended Hugh to us! He fought hard for us and we ended up winning. I could have never done it without him. He was great, I highly recommend him!
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27 Jun, 2018 by Adrien
In the end, Donna accomplished exactly what we sought out to do. She was able to guide our family through the (often terrifying) maze of attaining custody and ultimately not only keeping my son safe, but also changing his life forever. My son's entire life has flourished properly, the way it should have from birth but was unable to. Grades are up in school, friendships in a solid, safe neighborhood are popping up more than I count, and most importantly, we can raise my son with the security and love that only Donna could allow us. Even so our final court date was quite a ways back, Donna still keeps in close contact to our family. She's so important to us; she has invested so much of her time in our family all for the good of a young boy who was stuck in a dangerous living situation. Donna never performed any work that was less than 5 star worthy. Her attention to detail and diligence in filing her necessary court documents was certainly noticed by my wife and I. We appreciate everything Donna has done for our family. If you ever have the pleasure of consulting in Donna for your legal questions - do it! Or if you're trying to find an attorney who doesn't just see you as a case number but rather as a human being with feelings and worries of your own, you need to meet with Donna. I've got her on speed dial and should the need arise, I know she'll be at the courthouse waiting for us. Thank you so much for everything, Donna. You saved my son from a disastrous childhood. I can't ever express how much that means to me. You have completely altered my perception of attorneys, it's nice to see some good ones still practice law in this day.
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21 Jun, 2018 by Anonymous
Accessible. I've only had one other lawyer and my first laywer took days, weeks to get back to me even when something extremely urgent was shaking out. Donna gets right back to you if she doesn't answer. She knows the law and is diligent and thorough on matters that are pending judge's attention. She cares about your situation. She doesn't let the black/white dynamic and sometimes flawed laws get in the way of how important your specific situation is.
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04 Nov, 2016 by Melvin
Roy Denny has been my Attorney since 2014 and he has got the job done. Very professional and heped me through the tough issues that go in to dealing with custody legal matters.
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25 Oct, 2016 by Erin
No matter my needs, I always call Mr. Denny first. He is very responsive & professional, and will handle my issue promptly, and fairly. If I come to him with an issue that's outside his area of expertise, he has always referred me to another attorney that's equally awesome. Roy Denny will always be my trusted attorney.
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16 Aug, 2023 by William acton
09 Mar, 2021 by Lee mcwhorter
Now I know where Scully went after the X-Files!
I'm a believer!
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16 Aug, 2023 by William acton
09 Mar, 2021 by Lee mcwhorter
Now I know where Scully went after the X-Files!
I'm a believer!
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13 Apr, 2013 by Stephen
mr mcintire has represented me multiple times. i personally would say that he is better than the best. very professional and kept me informed the whole time. i would highly recomend him.
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23 Nov, 2021 by Sandra bush
MR BOYLAN HAS BEEN A COMPETENT AND FRIENDLY LAWYER FOR ME. HE HAS ALWAYS ANSWERED MY QUESTIONS AND BEEN VERY HELPFUL IN COMPLETING THE TASK PROFESSIONALLY
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12 Aug, 2014 by Beth
George has absolutely been a God send in my life. He truly cares and he truly gets it! He treated me like a person and a person that mattered. He was always responsive and always gives me good sound advice. He isn't the kind of attorney who sits around and docs you for every second on the phone or email. He gives it his all, provides realistic expectations and truly brought me through a divorce that I thought was going to leave me in dire straights in a much better position than I anticipated. I have nothing but admiration for his professionalism and ethic. If your looking for an attorney this is your guy!
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28 Apr, 2019 by Angel
I was extremely impressed by this office. My daughters divorce had been sitting for a year before we hired Katie. Within the first week she had already been working on filing a child support order and getting things rolling. Both Katie and Jo were very responsive and knowledgeable. Hands down Katie is the best attorney in Louisville! My daughters now ex husband and his parents were just down right horrible, mean and controlling people who cared more about winning than the best interest of the child and Katie had their heads spinning. I wouldn’t hire any other attorney in Louisville, just a great experience all the way around! I thank both of them for the wonderful job and taking the time to listen to my rants, I know it wasn’t easy Haha!
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21 Apr, 2015 by Anonymous
Straight-forward, honest attorney. Answered all my questions quickly. Did excellent work. Would work with again.
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07 Nov, 2017 by Ludmila
I highly recommend Louis Winner and his team as a super intelligent, smart, aggressive, responsible law firm. For several years Mr. Winner helped me in my complicated case, resulted and won every single eassus. Great communication skills, care, reliability. Thank you Louis Winner.
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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.
