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01 Dec, 2023 by Andrea patrylo
06 Nov, 2023 by Harry brower
Won guardianship of my daughter and did not even have to testify!
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09 Apr, 2023 by Kim hitchcock
16 May, 2024 by Marie
Jackie was a beacon of hope to my family at a time when our options appeared limited and the likelihood of a satisfactory resolution seemed nigh on impossible. Not only was she able to defend us from an unjust accusation, her calm and empathetic demeanor offered emotional succor to myself and those I care about most. My children and I are eternally grateful for her service and I hereby recommend Ms. Chun without reservation.
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03 Nov, 2023 by Ale
If I could give no star, I would. Jackie is chatty and personable, but that’s about it. How she got a “SuperLawyer” title is beyond me. Jackie might be a cheaper attorney, but I would rather pay more money to another attorney who knows how to do their job and do it way better for the cost.
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02 Nov, 2023 by Natalie
Very disappointing. I thought very highly of her at first. My experience started off well, Jackie was funny and seemed personable, honest, and affordable. Everything went well until I switched over to sending check payments instead of allowing her to use my credit card. A credit card processing fee should be 2% to 3% for every $100. I was told upfront by her that it was $19.00 every time she uses my credit card and that she doesn’t pocket the money and that it was the “app fee” and that Square gets that payment. I looked up the Square App fee and they personally charge only 2.6%, so obviously I was being over charged and that money was going someplace else besides to them.
She also over charged for emails and short phone calls that a lot of the time when she contacted me, it didn’t have anything to do with my case, but was about her. When told that I was having some financial issue and had to back off contact with her for a little bit, There was no understanding or leniency. If I didn’t answer her phone calls or emails, she still billed me for not answering. No motions or contempts were ever made on the petitioner when I inquired when he violated several times, I was told it would be $1000 per motion or contempt for everything I wanted to happen if she did it. Also out of pettiness, because I wouldn’t give her the late fee charge because my check wasn’t late, she started to up my bill hundreds more dollars the last two months for work she wasn’t even doing. So basically I was paying for nothing to be done about my case for a year. Very greedy, petty, and dishonest.
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13 May, 2022 by Brie
Lisa has always gone above & beyond expectations for me in now 6 years of battling child custody/child support. She has been prompt in responding and even works after hours to make sure her client comes out on top. She will make sure that the truth is heard when it comes to opposing parties so that custody outcomes are in everyone’s best interest! HIGHLY RECOMMEND HER!
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12 May, 2022 by Anonymous
Disclaimer: This is 100% an opinion.
Consulted with is the best way to put it. I have personally witnessed her spit on a witness when she potentially thought no one was looking. She seems vulgar and quite frankly offensive. I have never seen a lawyer be objected to as many times as Lisa Hansen. She also forced a witness to give out their private health information including a list of the witnesses' prescribed medication. Her behavior on and off the record appeared inappropriate in nature. Proceed with caution.
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02 Apr, 2021 by Anonymous
Absolutely horrible! Don't waste your time! Not professional at all and will take $ and do nothing.
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30 Aug, 2015 by Randel
Ken helped me successfully resolve a very difficult divorce that lasted over a two year period. He really "knows his stuff", and always had wise council when there were difficult decisions to make. He is a great listener & made me feel at ease more times than I can count. I felt I had made a friend at the end. I would definitely work with Ken again & highly recommend him.
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28 Aug, 2015 by Anthony
Ken is one greatest attorney's I have ever worked with. He handled my divorce and has taken care of several business matters in addition. His understanding of law exceed my expectations.
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14 Aug, 2015 by Anonymous
I hired Ken to help with my divorce and child custody. His fees were very reasonable, he worked with me on payments, and did a great job. Not sure about others who say he took their money, but that's not what my experience was. Also, Ken would return calls in the evenings and on weekends, something you usually don't expect from an attorney. Great job, great lawyer!
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14 Mar, 2023 by Anonymous
Disbarred by BOTH Missouri & Louisiana Supreme Courts for fraud & misconduct.
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23 Sep, 2021 by Anonymous
She had my case for several years and did absolutely nothing on it! No updates,( because she didn’t do anything on the case) wouldn’t return my calls, very unprofessional . Ended up dropping the case because she was a terrible Attorney. Do not recommend her at all!
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15 May, 2021 by Anonymous
Lynn Johnson is an awful lawyer and very unprofessional. She consulted with my lawyer and put in an email that she was offering a resolution so we couldn't use it as evidence then continued to verbally assault myself and my wife by calling us names. She was reported to the Missouri Bar for unprofessional misconduct and an investigation was opened on her by the Missouri Supreme court. My lawyer said she was the most unprofessional lawyer he ever encountered in his 30 year professional career. She also put lies and perjury in legal documents knowing their false lies. Read her other reviews, she has displayed disgusting behavior. Stay away, I wouldn't recommend at all.
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24 Apr, 2024 by Taylor branecky
Absolutely the worst mistake of my life put me in a depression dealing with this company. They fraud charge you for stuff they don’t do. Lost all my savings and 10k in debt almost 3 years and the case is still going on. They gave me 4 different lawyers and everyone acted like they knew they were leaving so it was like charge charge and dip. I never do reviews but the place will ruin you.
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25 Jan, 2024 by Hallie crawford
19 Jun, 2023 by Lee stoll
Very attentive and professional. We are so happy with their service.
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31 Jul, 2024 by Hr
I could do a better job myself. Lost about $3000+. Got nowhere in over 2 years. Buyer beware.
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20 May, 2024 by Geno bargery
It’s decent but never returns your calls and in court she’ll get something done but has a attitude. I don’t know maybe she just doesn’t like me
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03 Apr, 2024 by Gene bargery
It's not bad, she will be nice to you and help you out and do what she can. She's not going to stick her neck out for you or answer that phone though
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20 Oct, 2020 by Marvel
He takes cases to make money even though he doesn't do much if anything to prepare. Unprepared, unexpected cancel meetings or does not show up, etc. Leaves his hotel room door open walking around in his underwear (during the time of our trial). Unbelievable.
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19 Oct, 2017 by Bill
I couldn't disagree with the One star reviewer more. George was a member of the Mizzou faculty, but left the University and remains perhaps the lawyer in Columbia who can take a case against the University with a reasonable expectation of winning. If you case has no chance we will advise you accordingly. He felt my case was a wait and see; no I'm ready to hire him.
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18 Jul, 2017 by Anonymous
Do not hire this lawyer. This lawyer is unethical and unqualified. For example, we discussed terms and conditions before we agreed on a contract. After signing the contract, he changed several key terms and conditions, including how the payments and fees were distributed, citing his right to change it under the contract. He barely did any preparation for the trial, just meeting me for a few hours the day before the trial. And nearly everything he did, he did to bolster the opposing side's case and weaken mine. When I confronted him on this, he refused to answer my questions. I have significant proof to what he did that I am willing to make available to anyone. Finally, although I told him to withdraw from my case, he "ignored" my email even though he had received it, continuing to speak with the opposing side's attorney. This person is an abomination to the legal field.
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09 Sep, 2024 by Anonymous
Ms. Wilde won't call you back, no matter how many voicemails left. If you want an attorney that will fight for you Ms Wilde is not the attorney for you
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30 Dec, 2023 by Anonymous
Sarah is a great attorney, you can tell Sarah puts in the necessary time, and effort with each and every client. Sarah made my legal needs a simple, easy process. She not only made me feel comfortable in the legal process, but also made me feel confident I was being represented well. If you need a good attorney for any family law needs- this is the place to go!
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07 Dec, 2022 by Anonymous
I would not hire this lawyer again in any kind of matter. I hired Ms Wilde for a civil matter and she provided hardly any guidance, refused to return calls and communications, didnt file any motions to protect me, allowed the opposing party to trample all over me because she didnt send over pertinant information to me about my case..etc. Ultimately she just took my money. This is not how you build a law firm.
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07 Apr, 2023 by Anonymous
Dishonest, bogus charges, totally dropped the ball with my case. Don't waste your time or your money.
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15 Mar, 2022 by Anonymous
In my experience I personally have witnessed this company help the community and women in DV as far as utilizing resources for the community such as speakers ,live events and updated and always expanding strategies.
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15 Feb, 2019 by Anonymous
Horner was referred to me by legal shield. I Hired her March 1st 2018 she did not actually appear in court 1 time for me and did not do anything to help me while waiting for court set (trail) feb 2019 she then informed me Jan 2019 she needed more money to continue to be my lawyer for trail (feb 2019) after sending me a invoice (after me asking multiple times for invoice) of bugus fees she withheld from my retainer needless to say I was very angry and decided to take my “extra” money to a new lawyer which helped me get everything I wanted and what was owed to me in a matter of 27 days! worst experience ever and really feel ripped off to be honest
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20 Mar, 2024 by Anonymous
She’s a crook, she’ll take your money and you won’t hear from her for weeks, no update, no communication absolutely nothing.
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29 Jan, 2024 by Karen
Stephanie was amazing on my case. She knew what she was doing and she did what was best for me and my kids. I was able to get my kids back thanks to her. I would highly highly recommend Stephanie for any family law matter!
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04 Jan, 2024 by Anonymous
This lady has no comprehension of returning communication in a timely manner. You should never have to wait weeks to hear back from a hired professional, not to mention she has a very crappy attitude. If I had it to do over I would have saved the money I wasted on her just to fire her and hire another attorney. God forbid this is where the legal world is going!
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19 Dec, 2017 by Anonymous
Very arrogant. Did not listen to what I told him. Didn't file important papers. Said he would take care of it but didn't. He has a reputation for when I sought another lawyer they were aware of his shortcomings. Wished I would have known this before I hired him and wasted my money.
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21 Nov, 2014 by Anonymous
If Saint ever applied to an attorney it is Mr. Boggs. Exceptional service that is unbelievable unless u r a saint. Better life and better relationship with my kids based on advice n friendship.
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03 Apr, 2014 by Anonymous
This attorney is arrogant and abrasive to his clients ( especially women and children). He will have cases continued repeatedly to increase his billing hours. Several office appointments where we reviewed the same facts repeatedly. Court day was sloppy, and unprepared. Opposing attorney entered several pieces of evidence with no objections that should have been . This made an appeal hearing difficult. He forgot to call my witnesses, and enter some key pieces of evidence we had. This attorney at this point in his career seemed more focused on fraternizing than winning my case.
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17 Dec, 2019 by Anonymous
Cathleen has helped many people get on disability! The referrals she gets in her office is proof that she has helped a lot of client's and those client's refer new client's to her. She is not able to charge over $6,000 from back pay since that is the maximum amount she can charge. Anything over that would never be approved, therefore, she would never try to get more than the maximum. The work that goes into helping people get on disability is worth more than $6,000 if the client doesn't meet the criteria of being disabled in the eyes of the Social Security Administration but Cathleen has a huge heart and truly wants to help everyone that comes through her door. She also advances all the expenses to order medical records to send evidence to the Social Security Administration.
I think it's fair to say that most of her client's don't have the money to order medical records and Cathleen shouldn't be stuck with the bill so she does try to get reimbursed for all medical expenses she advances after the she wins. A percentage of her client's do not pay their bill even after they get their lump sum payment of thousands of dollars!
As for secretaries, for awhile, she had a hard time finding a good secretary. She now has a good secretary dedicated to helping client's get on disability. Cathleen has been practicing law for over 40 years so she comes with experience and a ton of knowledge!
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21 Mar, 2019 by Anonymous
I would not ever recommend her. She done no justice on our side other then collect the back pay. We done all her work basically for her. It came time for hearings; she was not prepared at all. We collected the majority of the information plus sent it all. There was no communication "hardly" between us, other then us trying to reach her for anything.. NEVER EVER AGAIN
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22 Sep, 2016 by Anonymous
In 3 months she had ran off at least 3 secretaries. Even revealed personal information about one of them, she didn't get my name right, sent letters to the wrong drs I did not go to along with not getting my name right. She said she assumed my last name was something else! Assumed! I had to gather all my medical records even though that is her responsibility. Rarely returned phone calls then when it was finally time for the hearing she behaved so bizarre as she wasn't familiar with the judge so she said she had hoped he wasn't a bible thumping republican! I hoped he was. Maybe more honest that way. Do to the extent of my injuries it was granted but then she had the nerve to try and charge ,e more than the 6000.00 dollar cap she received at my expense! Because she had to send me the letters she sent out. Because she continued to use incorrect information and contacts I had to police her. When I told her she is not entitled to more than the cap she said she wouldn't let me have my medical records back. That wasn't a problem since I'm the one that gathered all that info in the first place and I sent her the copies
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14 Apr, 2021 by Anonymous
I went to this firm to protect my rights when separating from my handicapped wife (mainly for financial reasons). I found this firm after an internet search, and like every other man out there, saw that they catered to men and the man’s rights.
I wanted this process to be amicable and fair, but I also did not want to pay maintenance. However, Erin made me bitter and made me feel entitled to more than I deserved. They will do anything to undermine the other spouse in the situation by discrediting them.
She convinced me that my handicapped wife should be able to work and that I didn’t really owe her anything after a nearly 30 year marriage.
This has been a terrible experience, leaving me feeling like a complete dirtbag.
Since we were only separating for financial reasons (knowing that it could be changed to a divorce if need be) I had hoped we would be able to maintain some kind of relationship and maybe even work on reconciliation at some point. Instead, I am now not only estranged from my wife but have lost my children as well. The rest of my family (my parents and two brothers and sisters) also are extremely upset with me. I have lost life long friends over this and have lost the respect of so many others. Our adult children will not see me and haven’t spoken to me in over a year in a half. They also have written me the “Dear John” letter stating their displeasure with me and stating they are cutting ties with me and wish to no longer have a relationship with me.
If you are completely devout of all compassion for others and want an absolute unethical shark then this firm is for you. If you are a reasonable human being and have any compassion STAY AWAY
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21 Aug, 2018 by Harold
I requested her to make an offer to settle a dispute involving statutory interest. She did not do as I asked. She did some paper work and just wanted to wait on the opposing lawyer. All this did was leave me in limbo. She didn't answer phone call or emails until I her boss. The attorney that replaced her did as asked and my case is now settled.
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07 Nov, 2016 by Kevin blaxton
Divorce is never a fun event to go through in life for anyone. It is a very emotional period for anyone going through it and if the wrong decisions are made it can wreak havoc in both your personal and financial life for many years to come. I learned this the hard way when I initially went through my divorce without representation thinking I could trust my ex-spouse and that we would have an amicable separation and agree to equitable time with our daughter. Unfortunately, that was a mistake that I paid for dearly in my emotional and financial health as well as that of my daughter’s.
Fortunately, it is never too late to turn a wrong into a right. I am a very loving father of my daughter and all I wanted was to have equal time with her but I did not get that during the first divorce proceeding when I was unrepresented by counsel. Instead, I lost all custody and almost all my rights to my daughter. Luckily, after calling upon numerous attorneys that specialize in my very unique case I was able to retain Susan Hais and Erin Zielinkski of Hais, Hais & Goldberger, P.C.
Choosing a law firm is THE most important decision you will ever make that could significantly alter the outcome of your divorce case. Having been through what I have been through, which was a very tough case and mountain to climb at the beginning, I am very proud to say that due to the untiring efforts and amazing legal strategy of Hais, Hais & Goldberger, P.C., I successfully had my original divorce decree voided by the court.
As I was told by other prominent divorce attorneys the odds of a divorce decree being voided are less than a two percent chance. However, through the dedication and untiring work of Susan Hais and Erin Zielinksi we made it happen. Most importantly, I now have joint legal and physical custody of my daughter and have ensured that my daughter will not grow up without her Dad.
I am FOREVER grateful for the difference that Hais, Hais & Goldberger, P.C., has made to my life and my daughter’s life. From the time you enter their office and you are warmly greeted by their receptionist, Nancy, through the initial consultation and all the way through litigation this firm HAS YOUR BACK and will not sacrifice or leave any rock unturned to ensure the best outcome. I felt all the way through the process that it wasn’t just my attorneys Susan and Erin working for me but it was the entire law firm working to win my case. They knew how high the stakes were in my case and the impact it could have on the future of my daughter.
When you need the best of the best in family law there is no comparison to the attorneys at Hais, Hais & Goldberger, P.C. As a former military officer, I proudly give them the title of Top Gun in family law practice and providing the best experience.
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12 May, 2022 by John kump
10 Sep, 2019 by Denise gorham
Met with Teresa to set up a small estate, said she would have it ready 3 days later but never heard from her. I have called her 5 times over the past 3 or 4 weeks and asked for a return call or at least a email and she never responded. Apparently I have to find a different Attorney.
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14 Aug, 2019 by Patricia reeder
She doesn't do what you want she tells you something but does something else
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16 Nov, 2016 by Monique
Seriously. I hired Scott for a custody case, and now I realize why people (and other lawyers in Ozark) questioned why I went with him without even considering a sit down with them. If you hire Scott, be prepared to never hear out of him. If you do, it will only be email. He never returns phone calls and you'll only see him in person when he wants money. He never reviewed my case before we went to trial, and I wound up losing custody to a registered sex offender (mind you I have zero felonies and I'm a woman). As if that wasn't enough, he asked for $3,000 from me...never saw him again. He then tells me that I need to hire an appellant attorney. Funny how when I emailed him asking about a refund, he can't respond to that. He royally screwed me and my kids over. I have already made back the money I lost, but I will never have anything to do with him ever again. DO NOT HIRE HIM!!
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18 Sep, 2016 by James
I paid scott upfront $3,200 cash for a custody case of mine. He told me it could take awhile with most custody cases and to be patient and let him do his job. When he finally did send me the paperwork to sign it had the wrong kids name on it. I left several messages on his voicemail because he never answered any of my calls. I was finally able to reach him through email but by then he told me he was no longer my lawyer and my case was thrown out. Now im raising my son alone with no help from him. I've had to go through the state because after he took my money i couldn't afford to hire another lawyer and to be honest after him I'll never in my life trust another lawyer. He has now suggested that I contact another lawyer hes friends with because he no longer handles family cases... Which is odd.. Thats explains why mine never got handled. And there is no refund either because hes a lawyer and he'll just drag this out in court until im out more money. I pray that nobody ever has the same experience i had with this lawyer. I was told he was the best so I was so excited when I hired him. It was the most costly and upsetting mistake of my life. I wish I never trusted Scott Hinote with my money or my case. I paid him in full after our first visit i never did him wrong. I have no idea how this guy sleeps at night knowing hes robbed hard working single fathers just trying to finalize my custody. I'm sure their are good lawyers out there that care about their clients but this isn't one of them.
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29 Mar, 2016 by Wendy
Mr. Hinote represented me in both a divorce/custody case and a lawsuit. He was reasonably priced, professional, responded quickly and settled both cases to my satisfaction. If ever I need representation in the future, I will return to Scott Hinote.
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05 Aug, 2018 by Anonymous
I had this attorney for two years and seriously, I honestly believe she spent that time working against me! She literally did nothing to help me, the only thing she ever did was stick her hand out for more money. Examples would include, when I asked if I did in fact have an active warrant my response was “I haven’t seen one” so I asked if she had looked into it and her response was “no”. Then she went ahead and looked it up while I was on the phone with her, in about 3 minuets said “oh, yes you do”. Attorney Davis was going to let me believe I didn’t have a warrant why? Because I didn’t ask the exact right question? Or how she failed in two years to ever give me or inform me of the existence of a income and expense statement to adjust my child support (which my new attorney gave me within 48 hours of being hired and took me 40 min to fill out). Attorney Davis kept informing me that nothing could be done about child support until we were in front of a Judge and that had to be one of the last issues addressed “because there’s an order in which these things have to happen”. Attorney Davis literally sat across a desk from me, looked me square in the eyes and on multiple occasions bold face lied to me. Best of all I have to say is when my ex wife filed a motion with her attorney and I had no idea about this motion until 5 weeks after it was filed and from a different attorneys office who I was getting a consultation from. That’s right an office I was consulting with is how I found out about this motion that was filed 5 weeks earlier, not from Attorney Davis! Thank god I had that consultation, otherwise I probably still wouldn’t know I missed a major court date. However Attorney Davis had no problem billing me $300 for reviewing and typing up a letter to me (that I never received) about this very important, case defining motion and court date. A simple phone call was too difficult? I highly doubt she ever wrote any letter but that’s just my opinion, the rest of this review are facts! If you want to be talked down to, belittled and not be able to get a word in edgewise please hire Attorney Davis. The last phone conference we had I hung p on her because she flat out was talking over me, interrupting me and would not let me get a sentence in and I just said, well I’m not paying $250 an hour to listen to her ignor and disrespect me. And the receptionist there, well that’s for another review! Incredibly rude people and a terrible office as a whole, they don’t even use email, only fax! So after I went and bought a fax machine and had a land line hooked up in my house guess how many faxes I received, one! They don’t have voice mails, all messages go through the receptionist and that’s pretty much where they stop. And I saved the best for last, when I asked for them to fax me all communications between Attorney Davis and my ex wife’s Attorney for my records I was told that all communications and agreements between them had been verbal and there were no records to send. Verbal! Do yourself a favor and save thousands of dollars by hiring someone who hates you to represent you at least by accident they’ll probably do a better job than Attorney Davis has done for me.
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14 Mar, 2017 by John
I believe she is the best in what she does. I just wish I could retain her before my court date.
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15 Mar, 2016 by Anonymous
This lawyer has no detail, she doesn't fight for you. She doesn't make time for you, nor fill you in on what is going on. Had a hearing on my case on a Tuesday. I called on Wednesday to find out what happened she wont return my calls. I have provided everything she has asked for promptly, yet she never seems to be able to get back with me. I call to set up a meeting to talk out the "game plan." She doesn't have a 15min opening for 3 weeks? I am sure if I was a new client needing to get her services and provide her with a retainer she would find the time to meet with me.
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25 Oct, 2021 by Anonymous
Was going through a custody battle, and she sat on my case for weeks after she got paid the whole retainer. Then mysteriously she forgot to pay her taxes and could no longer represent me and this all happens 2 days before my counter stuff was supposed to be filed in court. I had to rush to find a new attorney to get an extension and Carrie sue has yet to return the remaining 800+ bucks that she’s not entitled to anymore, she won’t answer any phone calls, respond to emails, nothing. She’s useless and a thief!
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27 Mar, 2018 by Anonymous
Multiple miss-steps and oversights with very little willingness to provide insight into her next steps. When questioning her plan to feel comfortable with where my money was going, she quickly turned to bullying tactics to achieve an additional retainer. As a paying customer, she made a tough situation worse and I was left feeling like I was throwing money away. If I were to stick with her throughout my case, I would have lost A LOT of money and sacrificed the safety of my children.
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26 Apr, 2016 by Anonymous
I went through a bankruptcy 2 years ago. I was supposed to have my home debt reaffirmed and she did not follow though on getting this done. She blamed my mortgage company for not following through and did not offer to fix the issue. Now my mortgage has been discharged and I cannot refinance my mortgage without reaffirming the debt which involves reopening the case and lots of fees that I cannot afford. If she had done the job I paid $1500 for in the first place this would not have been an issue. I would have had this off my plate 2 years ago. I contacted her about this at the time I was informed of this matter and she and her staff became very nasty with me and basically blamed me and Wells Fargo for this not being taken care of. 1) she was paid to take of this for me and 2) where was the follow up on this by her office. I would not recommend her to anyone and I will never use her services again as I am in a real pickle now.
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19 Feb, 2015 by Anonymous
Takes the information and crawls into a dark corner and disappears. And then follows up inquries with sarcastic undertones in her replies. Doesnt follow up and acts as if she expects you to read her mind. I think she could do great but is in with a horrible firm -cordell cordell. Dont waste your money. Get experienced attorneys Who look out for your interest and consider whatvyou are paying them no matter how green behind the ears the Are....thanks for nothing.
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30 Jul, 2024 by Kimberly
She did not have my daughter's best interest. She did not even express the wants of my daughter she lied in court she made a statement about my husbands character that was in fact the character of her" client " who was on probation for drug charges he got full custody and I haven't seen my daughter since. That's been over 7 years now. She has helped a narcissist abusive man and did nothing for my daughter. She wouldn't make a good judge she doesn't know how to judge a persons character but she knows how to bill and reap in funds.
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16 Sep, 2023 by Julie
She brought our babygirl home to us after being abused, neglected, and purposefully kept from us for over 4months. She is WONDERFUL at her job!
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09 Aug, 2022 by Anonymous
She handled my divorce a few years ago. She drew out the process for over a year and padded her bills. When I asked about the bill, she charged me for that time too.
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05 Dec, 2014 by Anonymous
I have heard good things, particularly with litigation cases, but this is not the right attorney if you are going to have an uncontested divorce or if you have any sort of budget. I did not contest anything, I agreed to everything my ex presented and I spent twice what I was told it would cost in attorney's fees. They even charged my credit card without sending an invoice (almost $4K) and when I called upset (because I found out from my credit card company why my outstanding balance was so high), was just told "Jack told me to charge your card for that amount". Never received the explanation of charges that I requested.
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14 Aug, 2014 by Anonymous
I would never recommend Jack Cochran to anyone. I hired him to represent me in a very simple divorce. (No custody or property division) He proved to be extremely dishonest, unreliable and completely inadequate. He refused to provide me with an itemized statement, yet blasted through my retainer before our first meeting. He did not take the necessary action in a timely manor to access my marital assets, resulting in the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars that I was legally entitled to. He failed to return phone calls, emails that were time sensitive. Jack Cochran is incompetent as an attorney, is extremely arrogant and insensitive to his clients interests. He is however, very good at avoiding repeated requests for an itemized statements and padding his bill. What should have been a couple thousand dollar divorce, has cost me more than what a defense attorney would charge for representation in a murder trial.
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30 Aug, 2013 by Anonymous
With a wealth of experience in his field and locale, Jack is a good lawyer. He's not the most efficient, and we had many hours of personal conversation, with the net result of a Huge divorce bill, which did not go to trial. For deep pocketed individuals looking for a friend/lawyer - he's a decent choice. Otherwise, a short leash is required.
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23 Jan, 2019 by Karen
Glad to read he's not able to practice law in Arkansas for awhile. He was my divorce attorney in 2014. Lot of things made no sense and were in my opinion not handled properly. The last thing regarding my divorce he was paid in advance for he did not do.Made complaints against him with no results so thank goodness he was finally found out.
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28 Oct, 2015 by Ken
Paid him 1500 to do a probate in Arkansas. He did file it and a got a letter testamentary. And that's the end of it. He didn't even publish the notice to creditors in the paper. Now I have to start all over. Ough, he also has my father's will. If you see him tell him he's a wanted man.
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30 Sep, 2015 by Anonymous
Hired and paid up front. Job not done. Nothing like he said he would do. He did not provide the services he was paid for. Not one thing. Will never recommend or hire again.
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13 Apr, 2015 by Anonymous
When we started trying to get pregnant we had Dara draw up a contract. Everything seemed fine.
A few weeks before the due date, we attempted to contact Dara to begin the process for my wife adopting our children. Dara was nowhere to be found. We tried calling, emailing and even stopped by her office for at least a month with no response. When she finally contacted us she told us she had been out of town for a death of a family member.
We met with her and had everything ready to go. She promised she was turning everything in the next day and she would update us weekly. Almost a month passed with no word. Once again we emailed and called with no response. After weeks she called and pretended like nothing had happened and proceeded to tell us a signature had been overlooked so nothing was even processed. At that point we decided she would no longer be our lawyer. She gave us our file and our money back. My wife easily could have adopted our kids by the time they were 6 months but because of her we were starting all over at that point.
Please save yourself the trouble and do NOT use her. She lacks professionalism and is unreliable.
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20 Mar, 2015 by Anonymous
I really believed Dara would represent my modification and custody case well. However, I can never get in contact with her to get an update or idea of where my case stands. She let a service deadline expire without having the other party served. I have paid her and yet I still have had to physically go to her her office and sit and wait for her to come out in order to make contact with her as she refuse to return any of my calls and emails. I have wasted time, energy and money in a case that I will now have to completely re start and re pay another attorney. I have literally begged her to call or email me back. I never in a million years would think an educated professional would behave in such a manner.
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09 Dec, 2014 by Anonymous
There is yet another case of this lawyer not responding to calls, not returning calls and not being trustworthy. Our daughter has had to acquire the services of another lawyer after months of delays due to this lawyer not returning calls. To be fair, the case was done but the ex husband was totally non responsive and has failed to act on any of the court orders. To follow up and get resolve has been impossible as this attorney has refused to reply to any calls - even after the Missouri Bar has been involved.
Whatever Dara Strickland has been doing, she has no interest in her law-firm at this point. Do not use her.
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12 Dec, 2020 by Anonymous
Jennifer is all talk but in the end she has no idea what to do. I reccomend she take time off and receive some additional training.
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18 Nov, 2015 by Anonymous
She sounded great on my initial conversation with her and said all the right things. She said she would get started right away as soon as she received payment. I spoke with her weeks later and she said she was waiting to see what the other party did. I told her that I wanted her not to wait and she still did nothing. Weeks after that, I called her office every day with information pertaining to the case. Two weeks went by and she never called me back. I called the owner of the firm and I was very nice. I asked him to have her call me as I had information for the case. About a week later, I received some of the money that I sent her. She cost me both time and money that I did not have. Thanks Jennifer for dragging your feet at one of the worst time of my life. Thanks for all the call backs. If you hire her, you deserve what you get
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21 May, 2015 by Anonymous
I hired Jennifer to file a modification for me, not only did she delay the proceedings for over a year she was extremely unknowledgeable in custody laws all together. The only thing she did was cost me thousands and waste my time.
She has also done the same thing to others I know. From missing court dates, incorrectly filing motions, and incorrectly advising clients on laws. She is a joke for an attorney to say the least and should not be allowed to practice law.
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24 Oct, 2018 by Anonymous
My life was falling apart and she was to be filing my divorce. She gave me all these high numbers id be getting from ex-spouse. I had to call and/or email about 20 times to just get an answer or action. Suddenly with no warning she just says she has too much and drops my case. Did not give my money back or anything. It was horrific. She just disappeared.
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14 Sep, 2018 by Anonymous
I brought Britta on to represent me in an custody case and I quickly realized she absolutely sucked at communication. From my experience, she does not know much about the fields of law she specializes in like child custody and family law. I believe when someone hires an attorney, that they should be able to trust that attorney to do their job properly and to COMMUNICATE. But Britta did not do either, which resulted in me looking for different/better counsel to handle my case.
I honestly don't know how or why shes still allowed to practice law
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05 Feb, 2018 by Anonymous
Britta failed to communicate, blatantly lied about filing documents requested from her by the judge on my behalf, missed filing deadlines, and disappeared. Her failure to submit documents cost me custody of my children. In the order handed down by the judge it states that Britta never submitted findings of facts and conclusion of law, or financial information or a proposed parenting plan. Just mediocre all across the board.
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07 Dec, 2021 by Anonymous
Joseph Bante is in a very nice office but he is the most incompetent AWFUL lawyer who will NOT fight for you but will make you think and feel that he is. He is friends with all the lawyers and judges and will screw you over even after you fire him and obtain different counsel.
He stutters and it takes him way too long to compose a thought in his mind. He is not eloquent or articulate; it’s atrocious to hear him speak. He will over bill you and then destroy your chances at whatever it is you’re fighting for.
DO NOT MEET WITH OR HIRE JOSEPH BANTE!
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21 Dec, 2020 by Anonymous
I used him back in 2019 has a lawyer for a divorce and he failed. He didn’t even fight for me and found out he was good friends with my ex wife’s lawyer. She got the house and the car and cleaned out my bank account. I had to try to fight for myself and it didn’t work. I’ve always was a better person then my ex. She never took care of the kids and I only slept for 5-6 hours a week. And now I’m taking him, my ex wife’s laywer and the judges to federal court. And my new lawyers told me that they let my ex wife lie on her Financials what do you need more money to me but may look like she made hardly anything
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19 Jul, 2021 by Anonymous
Her paralegal lost my paperwork. Summer refused to speak to or work with opposing counsel. She was so bad I fired her and went without representation. The absolute worst attorney I've ever used in my life. She is awful.
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13 Oct, 2019 by Anonymous
This was the worst lawyer I’ve ever had. She didn’t help me with anything, she would never speak up for me and would tell me to be quiet when I had facts. She would talk with the other lawyer and tell me I couldn’t say anything. Stay away from her because she doesn’t help at all.
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01 Feb, 2016 by John
Hired him for employment issue never filed it. Then made him my divorce attorney worst attorney I could of pick. He doesn't have a secretary . Doesn't respond to calls or emails. Had to do all the paperwork. Doesn't file motion on time. Gives away my bond money from another country from another case. . Getting ready to get a hold of the bar association. Warning do not hire this attorney. You will be sorry. ..
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16 Nov, 2015 by Carl
If I could've not chose a star we wouldn't have. We've been waiting over a year for him to respond to paperwork we sent him asking him to review it & let us know if he thought we had a case. We told him if he said we did we would then send him a retainer fee & proceed with our case. I've called him multiple times & hearing him tell me he was just about to look at the paperwork or he read it & thought there might be something & he'd call me back. To date, he has NOT EVER CALLED ME BACK! I'm extremely frustrated & don't know what we ever did to be treated this way. At this point we want our paperwork returned to us. We hope to find an attorney in the St. Louis area that would entertain our potential case & let us pay them to proceed.
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28 Jul, 2021 by Toby
So as a reference from a friend, they told me cordell and cordell is the best for fathers rights. Well that may have been the case for others, but it was not for me, it was not for the other guy who left a review, and I highly doubt you will get what you’re asking for. I literally raised my child my entire life, I wasn’t seeking full custody, my ex was. The only thing I received was shared 50/50 and to be able to talk to my daughter daily. He couldn’t get my parenting schedule, child support or the school that best fits my daughters needs. This guy is a joke. Throughout the entire time I hired him (9 months) he spoke so highly of himself, his 20+ years of bring the lead litigator for cordell and cordell. It was all bull, I could’ve got the same results representing myself. Go with someone else or expect to spend money on absolutely nothing.
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28 Nov, 2017 by Josh
This lawyer ended up only wanting to go to trial and would not even discuss any other option for a divorce. He lost paperwork, forgot important details about the case and seemed non interested to deal with the issues of the case.
Because of his careless handling of the case, I had to seek out another legal firm. When requested to hand over my case file, several items were missing or incomplete.
The only thing that this lawyer was good at was billing me.
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30 Mar, 2023 by Kaitlin florek-winfield
phone is not a working number
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12 Jul, 2022 by Jon haes
No working phone
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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.
