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09 Sep, 2016 by Anonymous
Melissa was an attorney involved in my husband's divorce case. She would lie and make up stories, knowing they were not true, to get what her client needed. If you want a dishonest lawyer, she's the one for you. Just be cautious what you might get in return
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12 May, 2022 by Anonymous
This man was court appointed to represent me and lost my case. He has absolutely no idea how to represent anyone as an attorney and is not knowledgeable. He subpoenaed no witnesses for me. He subpoenaed no professionals to testify. He submitted no court documents. I might as well have had absolutely no attorney and he was a waste. I found a legal complaint against him.
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16 May, 2024 by John
Amanda, comes from a long line of manipulation and domestic abuse and narcissism. This woman has no interest in the best interests of children. This woman allowed a little girl into the hands of a multi registered domestic abuser. Amanda has a proven track record of deceiving individual's, courts and even clients so that she can take you for as much as she has. She cares only about cash. It's not about the kids anymore or an easy divorce. She's proven that. She's willing to go the extra mile and make the divorce process painful and lengthy so that she may bill you for many hours of work. She's had complaints with the bar but because she's an attorney she's allowed to skate by the law. Do some research on this woman yourself.
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07 Aug, 2014 by Jane
Mr. Nolan was ill prepared and did not appear to be aware of all the facets of the law to properly assist me. He did not keep his promises to me; and did not respond in a timely manner. Thus I paid more than I needed to for his work.
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19 Oct, 2014 by Anonymous
Friend had spent money to get a divorce done and she wasted time and kept asking for more money, Friend ended up paying her off and dropping her. She had no paperwork done and would keep charging hourly rates. I would recommend anyone searching for an attorney to stay away from her.
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06 Mar, 2024 by Anonymous
Hired Jake with a blank check to secure sole custody of grandson and assemble a credible case to do it My wife has been told by the Lord this was an appropriate use of our ample nest egg. I was a dentist in Duluth for many years. Not only did Jake lose the case, he refused to work for us in any appeal. He said we had no basis.
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31 Dec, 2014 by Anonymous
I was referred by another lawyer out-of-state for this firm. But they wont keep me informed on my case and just kept giving promises. I had to change them and let any lawyer handle my case on which I won in 2013. Maybe they didn't like me...
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24 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
Misunderstood mediation process and tried to send me without representation- which the mediator questioned and corrected. Missed filing deadline and caused postponement of mediation. Gave opposing counsels their request despite what I wanted/ costing thousands before the hearing. Was blatantly wrong in some emails and didn’t acknowledge mistakes when called out. Still charged over $500/hr despite mistakes. I’m in process of filing with the licensing board.
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14 Jan, 2022 by Anonymous
Extremely biased, makes impossible to resolve issues makes co parenting toxic loves to go back and forth to create more issues only to collect money Stay away….
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14 Jan, 2013 by Derrick
Paid nearly 10k to have her represent me. Only showed at 2 mediations. The second mediation was postponed but i was not informed of this so I wasted half a day trying to find out what was going on. Rarely answered her voicemails from me and would tell me she did not get them. That was several times. Did not even try to go after my wifes company or bring up active appreciation which I heard about from 3 other attorneys after she dropped me. But she was nice enough to offer my 401k up to compensate for my wifes marital debts. I would ask for any advice on how to get through this process and got no advice but was charged for every call or email i assume because what I spent seems brutally high for someone to only show up at 2 mediations for a few hours each time and at the end of the second mediation, i was told that I would be allowed to only keep my car I bought when I was 17 long before my marriage while my wife was allowed to hide her 1/3 of the family business she was given while we were together. I am convinced that she honestly did not care what happened to me at all for the last 4 months I was paying her. I understand that it's a divorce and not all roses but she did absolutely nothing for me. The things she was telling me to agree to in the second mediation were truly insulting and I was speechless. I did not agree to anything and the letter of withdrawal of councel was just as insulting when she told me how close i was to settling. If she had her way, i would have had nothing and unfortunately i am almost 10k poorer. Before the divorce... After talking to two other attorneys, i was told I could probably do a better job representing myself and i should just go to court because i was being offered nothing by my wifes attorney so i couldn't do any worse than that... Words cannot describe how disappointed I am in choosing her. Very poor service, but had the excuses at the ready and lied to my face to cover her own tail. I could go on and on with this... But i guess I can sum it up as without a doubt, the worst money I ever spent and I plan to continue to spread the word on how I feel about her.:-(
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15 Aug, 2023 by Anonymous
Mr. Conway was moonlighting defending people who were facing civil commitment. I found him to be dishonest and apathetic. While his dishonesty was not material to the outcome of my case, at the time, I was really put off and felt I was railroaded. I suggest getting anything he promises to do in writing or just avoid hiring him.
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26 Jul, 2022 by Anonymous
Warning: Pass on this one! Rohr is just another attorney (court actor) that doesn't represent her client's interests in the fraudulant system. She encourages clients to participate in junk reunification therapy which isn't a therapy. It's another part of the fraudulant system and racketeering. She helped the opposing side by not securing support and not doing needed duscovery. Her work product for $350 an hour is no better than a $180 hour attorney. She thinks very highly of her self (red flag) and isn't respectfully of her client's needs. She participates in the fraud of the system and didn't truly care about fighting for what was right for me. Know that the attorneys and judicial officers all belong to the same bar which is a conflict of interest. They work together .
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27 Aug, 2021 by Laura
I had the opportunity to work with Leigh on and off between 2019-2021 and while I think she is a lovely woman, she is not a good attorney. I found Leigh to lack proper time management skills (always rushing, impatient, last minute scrambling), poor listening skills (interrupting me, rushing to get her point across), and terrible follow thru (days could go by without a response to emails) followed up by loads of excuses. Leigh’s work on my case did not produce a single positive outcome. I cannot think of one instance where she provided me with good advice.
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17 Mar, 2022 by Anonymous
Did not file with the court for a year and a half. He lied to me every time I asked where we were with my case. He only filed after I contacted the county attorney, which she contacted him. I fired him and got a new attorney and my case was done in 3 months.
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20 Nov, 2016 by Anonymous
We were very disappointed in the quality of Kurtis representing us. We wrote 90% of our own petition, gather our own MPD reports for our case. He made several grammar errors in our petition and we had to proof read everything!!! Not a good experience at all. My stress was through the roof!! I had to defend myself on my own.
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03 Sep, 2013 by Nicole
I could give 0 stars I would. Kevin does nothing for you. He asks for $1000 and says he guarantees you will get a lesser sentence but does not. No matter how many times you call to talk to him he is never available and you can leave all the messages you want but he will never return the messages. When we got to court he flat out told me he never even looked at my case. When I talked to an officer about my case a month afterwards he said I should have gotten I dismissed all together but my lawyer obviously didn't do his job. Do not give him any money.
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18 Nov, 2023 by Anonymous
He attacked me, the single mother, for my mental health and never once questioned the dad whom abandoned his child 5 years ago and is hiding income from 2 businesses that he owns.
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24 Jun, 2014 by Anonymous
Mr. Nygaard was reasonably priced and seemed knowledgable and was very responsive in the beginning of my case. However, that didn't last. He does not answer or return calls or follow up on things, or he takes weeks to respond to inquiries regarding my case. He has done nothing on my case in 8 months and we are over a year into it. It's very frustrating not knowing the status of my case and want it resolved once and for all. I may have to hire another attorney to finish if he doesn't get back to me soon.
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03 Feb, 2019 by Kirk
I would strongly discourage anyone from hiring Susan Gallagher. I retained her to work on a child support modification and custody issue. When we first met, she charged me $800 for an initial consult. She said that she was finishing up one case and was taking a short vacation but would get to work on my case immediately after that. After two months, I had heard nothing so I called Susan. It took another two weeks to get a meeting, and she remembered little about our initial consultation and we had to start over. At that point, she swore at me and criticized me for the way I had handled past events. I realized then that I had made a mistake and terminated her retainer agreement. Subsequently, she charged me to copy my file, even though she was instructed not to and was no longer working on my case. She has refused to refund the balance of my retainer for those copying costs. Working with Susan Gallagher was a terrible experience and a waste of money.
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11 Jun, 2023 by Anonymous
This women is only after your money! Incompetent! Will bleed you dry. With no results! I can not recommend her to represent my cat.
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05 Mar, 2021 by Doug
I regrettably hired Bill Lubov, a poor financial decision in hindsight. I will always remember William Lubov as one of the antagonists in a series of very unfortunate events in my past. Aside from basic coaching on my constitutional rights, Mr. Lubov’s contribution to my ultimate resolution was minimal, at best. However, given the opportunity, Mr. Lubov will wax poetic about his previous professional accomplishments, which he did, at length, when all I needed was a fighter in my corner. Given an opportunity to pursue justice for the wrongs done to me, Mr. Lubov shrugged off my experience as par for the course, before providing me with a pamphlet of the pharmaceutical lobby’s propaganda. Because of experience, I’m now a partially disabled person. Because of the cowardice of individuals like Mr. Lubov, I will never see justice for the misdeeds perpetrated on me or those that I merely witnessed. Go ahead and hire this man, I’m sure he’s perfectly competent (though he did not prove that to me). But know that this is a man incapable of a normative degree of human empathy. He also seems perfectly comfortable enriching himself off of a corrupt system, from my perception. However, if it is justice that you seek, I’d recommend you search elsewhere. Mr. Lubov provided little more than coaching on constitutional rights and his fees are very expensive. Thus I found his representation to be of very poor economic value. I spent more time listening to Mr. Lubov brag about past accomplishments than I did receiving his legal advice. I regret hiring Mr. Lubov, if for no other reason that hiring him was a financially unsound decision. When people talk about draining the swamp, this is the guy they mean.
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24 Jun, 2021 by Anonymous
Allowed personal biases to affect his actions/decisions. Specifically related to having religious convictions and or chemical dependency issues. If either of these exist he's likely to take action
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21 Feb, 2016 by Anonymous
Before I hired him he made me feel like I was in good hands and that he would do everything he could for my case. Shortly after hiring him things turned and he was doing things his way and I could have done a better job myself he way over charged me and did not do his due diligence to support my case the way he should have. I would not recommend him at all and I'm very unsatisfied and regretful of hiring him.
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26 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
As President of Henson Effron she was willing to overlook and defend one of her colleagues who blatantly failed their duties (which is resulting in a board complaint). Another attorney at the firm failed a hearing submission deadline, advised incorrectly and had to be corrected by the judge, and should have been pulled from their duties due to lack of ability to perform (during their own family emergency). Lisa wouldn’t participate in remedy of the situation which involved clear lack of competent decisions by another attorney at the firm in which she is President. For this reason, Lisa lacks in ethics. I wouldn’t recommend her or this firm to anyone.
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24 Nov, 2021 by Ryan
I hired Mr. Jorgensen in June of this year (2021). Was very transparent about my downfalls and my wife's qualities as a amazing mother. (Divorce/custody) case. He seemed confident as soon as he knew he'd be getting a retainer fee of $3500 that week so we decided that this was the man who would fight for my rights... Probably the worst decision of my life. This man did nothing. I had no say in what I wanted, no say on what I was already willing to give. Instead he would tell me about what the judge "wanted to hear" and "what typically" happens in a case like mine. Never once was I able to object to anything. Never once asked what I wanted or wanted to know. He literally took it upon himself to print out a jenaric questionnaire asking about my wife's taxes and several other things that pertain to a us citizen (which she most definitely was not, and he knew). Just ridiculous questions! As I thought hers were to me but even know I specifically asked Mr Jorgensen why I needed to answer questions about things yrs before my wife and I were together?? So after paying him a lot of money and seeing absolutely nothing done in return on my behalf, I expressed my concerns with him about him not putting in much if any effort he decides to withdraw council 2 weeks before pre trial... because "life is too short to deal with this"
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11 Oct, 2023 by Anonymous
Ms. Donner was hired to represent me in a divorce. She did NO appreciable work on my file. The only thing she did was make excuses about why she hadn’t done anything. Ms. Donner could not even get simple discovery responses to the other side after months of my asking her to. She asked for 2 different continuances because she never prepared for trial. Hellmuth and Johnson did not have the staff needed to run a law office. I kept receiving other client’s documents- including confidential wage and medical records. Staff didn’t know how to obtain medical or bank information or check what was in a Sharefile link. Hellmuth and Johnson charged me $12,000 over the amount we had clearly agreed upon. Ms Donner refused to bring a motion asking for more fees as the judge had ordered her to do. Stay Away!
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27 Jul, 2016 by Anonymous
This guy is a joke. He has no clue as to what he is doing. NEVER returns phone calls. NEVER follows through. I'm surprised he's still practicing law. Even local attorneys laugh when they hear his name. I'm almost tempted to sue him for the money I wasted on having him represent me.
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06 Sep, 2022 by Anonymous
She discriminated against me, lied to me and denied me my legal rights. She did this as a judge.
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24 Oct, 2023 by Jennifer
Brad was not helpful in my divorce. He let the opposing counsel push us around. Since my divorce I have had a few lawyers look at my divorce decree and they are surprised he allowed what he did. I should have fired him but he was a flat fee. Big mistake.
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Questions? We have answers

What a Family Law Lawyer Can Do for You

A family law lawyer provides legal services related to family relationships, including marriage, divorce, child custody, and adoption. Family lawyers help clients navigate emotionally charged legal issues, providing guidance and representation in disputes that affect spouses, children, and parents. Whether you're going through a divorce, seeking custody of your children, or drafting a prenuptial agreement, a family law lawyer ensures your rights are protected and your interests are represented.

Family law attorneys often handle sensitive matters and offer objective legal advice, helping clients reach fair outcomes either through negotiation, mediation, or litigation.

When Should I Hire a Family Law Lawyer?

Hiring a family law lawyer is beneficial in several situations, especially when legal matters involve close personal relationships. Common reasons to hire a family law lawyer include:

  • Divorce or separation: When ending a marriage, a lawyer can help you navigate issues such as division of assets, spousal support, and child custody arrangements.
  • Child custody and visitation disputes: If you and your co-parent can't agree on custody or visitation, a lawyer can represent your interests and work toward a solution that benefits your children.
  • Child support: Whether you’re seeking child support or defending against a claim, a lawyer can help ensure the appropriate amount is calculated and enforced.
  • Prenuptial or postnuptial agreements: A lawyer can help draft or review agreements that protect your assets in case of divorce.
  • Adoption: Family law lawyers guide you through the legal process of adoption, ensuring that all requirements are met.
  • Domestic violence or restraining orders: If you're a victim of domestic violence or being falsely accused, a lawyer can help you obtain or challenge protective orders.
  • Paternity cases: If there are questions about the paternity of a child, a lawyer can help establish or dispute legal fatherhood.

Hiring a lawyer early can prevent issues from escalating, and they can offer you the best chance of achieving a favorable outcome in emotionally charged situations.

What Does a Family Law Lawyer Do?

A family law lawyer provides a wide range of services depending on your specific legal needs. Their responsibilities may include:

  • Advising on legal rights and options: Helping you understand your legal rights regarding divorce, child custody, support, and other family law issues.
  • Filing legal documents: Drafting and filing petitions, motions, and agreements with the court, such as divorce papers, custody agreements, or support orders.
  • Representing clients in court: Arguing your case in front of a judge if a settlement can’t be reached through negotiation or mediation.
  • Mediation and negotiation: Assisting with alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation, to reach agreements on issues like custody, property division, and support without going to trial.
  • Enforcing court orders: Helping you enforce court orders related to child support, alimony, or custody if the other party fails to comply.
  • Drafting prenuptial or postnuptial agreements: Creating agreements that protect your assets in the event of a divorce.
  • Handling adoption proceedings: Ensuring that the legal process of adoption is followed, from filing paperwork to finalizing the adoption in court.

How Are Family Law Lawyers Paid?

Family law lawyers typically charge clients in one of several ways, depending on the complexity of the case and the lawyer’s experience. Common payment arrangements include:

  • Hourly rates: Most family lawyers charge by the hour, with rates varying based on experience and location. Clients are billed for the time spent working on their case, including consultations, court appearances, and document preparation.
  • Flat fees: For more straightforward legal services, such as drafting a prenuptial agreement or handling an uncontested divorce, some lawyers offer flat-fee arrangements.
  • Retainer fees: In cases that are expected to require significant time and attention, such as contentious custody battles, a lawyer may charge a retainer, which is an upfront payment that covers the initial costs of legal services. The lawyer then bills against the retainer as they work on your case.

The exact cost will depend on the complexity of your case and the lawyer’s fee structure, which should be discussed upfront.

How Much Does a Family Law Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring a family law lawyer varies based on factors such as the lawyer's experience, the location, and the complexity of your case. Here are some general cost guidelines:

  • Hourly rates: Family law lawyers typically charge between $150 and $500 per hour, depending on their experience and the complexity of the case.
  • Flat fees: For simpler cases, such as drafting a prenuptial agreement or handling an uncontested divorce, fees may range from $1,000 to $5,000.
  • Retainers: For more complex matters, such as contested divorces or custody battles, lawyers may charge a retainer ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 or more. The lawyer will bill against the retainer for the work they do on your case.
  • Additional costs: You may also be responsible for additional costs, such as filing fees, mediation fees, or expert witness fees.

Always ask for a clear breakdown of the lawyer’s fees and any additional expenses during your consultation.

Top Questions to Ask a Family Law Lawyer

Before hiring a family law lawyer, it's important to ask questions to ensure they're the right fit for your case. Here are key questions to ask during your consultation:

  1. What experience do you have with family law cases like mine?
    Make sure the lawyer has experience handling cases similar to yours, whether it's a contested divorce, child custody dispute, or adoption.
  2. How will you charge for your services?
    Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, a flat fee, or requires a retainer. Ask for an estimate of the total costs involved.
  3. What are the possible outcomes of my case?
    An experienced lawyer should be able to give you a general idea of what to expect based on the facts of your case.
  4. What is your approach to resolving disputes?
    Ask whether the lawyer tends to favor negotiation and mediation or whether they prefer to take cases to court. This can help you determine if their style matches your goals.
  5. How long do you expect my case to take?
    While it’s difficult to predict, the lawyer should give you an estimate based on similar cases.
  6. Who will be handling my case?
    In larger firms, junior attorneys or paralegals may do much of the work, so make sure you understand who will be your main point of contact.

How to Check the Credibility of a Family Law Lawyer

To ensure you're hiring a reputable family law lawyer, follow these steps to verify their credentials and reputation:

  • Check state bar association records: Verify that the lawyer is licensed to practice in your state and is in good standing with no disciplinary actions.
  • Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for reviews on websites like Avvo, Google, or Martindale-Hubbell. Previous clients can give you insight into the lawyer’s professionalism and success in family law cases.
  • Request references: Ask the lawyer for references from past clients who can speak to their experience with the lawyer.
  • Review their website or professional profile: Look at the lawyer’s background, case history, and areas of focus to ensure they have substantial experience in family law.
  • Look for professional memberships: Membership in reputable organizations, such as the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), can indicate a lawyer's expertise and dedication to family law.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To get the most out of your first consultation with a family law lawyer, it’s important to come prepared. Here’s what you should bring:

  • Relevant documents: Bring any documents related to your case, such as marriage certificates, prenuptial agreements, financial records, custody agreements, or court orders.
  • List of assets and debts: For divorce cases, prepare a detailed list of all assets (e.g., homes, bank accounts, retirement funds) and debts (e.g., mortgages, loans, credit card balances).
  • Details of the family issue: Provide a written summary of the situation, including key dates and facts related to your divorce, custody dispute, or support issue.
  • Questions for the lawyer: Write down any questions you have about the legal process, costs, and potential outcomes.
  • Your goals: Be prepared to discuss your objectives, such as custody arrangements, property division, or spousal support, so the lawyer understands your priorities.

Being organized and clear about your situation will help the lawyer evaluate your case more effectively and offer the best advice for moving forward.

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