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05 Aug, 2019 by Julie
She is very professional, honest and a amazing human been. We are so excited of having her as a our lawyer she is very knowledgeable, smart lawyer , very organized and excellent lawyer. We will recommend her and we are so thankful and bless of having her as a our lawyer. Thank you so much for your hard work and taking your time and giving us excellent service, she listen to you and she care about you as a your client. She takes her time and keep you informed and help you in everything. Thank you so much for all your excellent work we really appreciate you.
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30 Jan, 2019 by Danny
I was being sued for child support for a son that lived with me and had passed away. Mrs Pons helped me with child support issues faster and cheaper than any other attorney I had spoken to before. Highly recommended. Answered all my calls and very professional.
Thank you Irene Pons for everything.
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03 Jan, 2019 by Anonymous
This lawyer and her professional paralegal team did all the necessary steps to assist me with my divorce case. Something that could have easily escalated, she turn it to be very calm and collected process. She knows the circuit and is very professional. I hope I don’t need to use a lawyer in the future but, if I do, Irene and Claudia will have me as a client at no doubts.
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15 Apr, 2024 by Marian&stuart
They took good care of us when we really needed help. The attorneys and office staff are the best!
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07 Feb, 2024 by Anne hamel
Leighton Law, Max Panoff and associates were wonderful and worked diligently to resolve my case in a timely manner.
Throughout this difficult time, they were always readily available to answer any questions and I had many.
I was very pleased with the outcome, and it will make my life a little easier. I just wish it would not have happened in the first place.
Thanks again to everyone I worked with at Leighton Law.
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23 Apr, 2023 by Andie
My mom and I had the displeasure of talking with Cynthia Nunn from Leighton Law to discuss going after Orlando Health for their negligence in treating my dad's cancer, which led to his passing. Not only did she make us relive our nightmarish story that we had already submitted online, she wasted our time by shutting us down immediately. If she was going to say no, why make us relive the trauma? To add insult to injury, she was actually defending the negligent doctors in question and straight up told us that our loved one was going to die anyway. Whether that was true or not, you do not just say that so nonchalantly to other people. You would not like that if someone said that about your dad. I am almost glad they did not take our case because I would rather deal with the devil himself than deal with Cynthia and Leighton Law after the added emotional damage she did to us.
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4.0
21 Reviews
3.3
12 Reviews
01 Aug, 2024 by Coco palm
Would not recommend. Very confrontational
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01 Aug, 2024 by Jack the buster
Unjust fees, i feel like I was told a lie
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01 Aug, 2024 by Savera team
Unfair. Questionable practice.
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20 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
One of the biggest mistakes of my life was hiring her. All she cared about was money. If you are a woman stay away! She was so intimidated by my ex-husbands attorney out of her league. Needless to say we parted ways when I got her famous letter she needed $50,000 to continue to represent me. I walked away.
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01 Aug, 2024 by Coco palm
Would not recommend. Very confrontational
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01 Aug, 2024 by Jack the buster
Unjust fees, i feel like I was told a lie
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19 Sep, 2024 by Ewm inc
Horrible practice to pay. Tried to pay they would not give a printed receipt with time and date on company letter head. Wanted to give handwritten book receipt worthless!!! Don’t be fooled by these scammers.
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03 Jul, 2024 by Redding anna maria
Attorney Daren Dorminy posted my home address on google. In retaliation for filing truthful motions against him in my civil case. For fraud and misrepresentation of material facts in my case. That I can prove with concrete evidence. The judge ordered my motion sealed/expunged on May 5, 2024. Mr. Dorminy’s posted the sealed motion on goggle the same day. Also, he requested all my motions be sealed/expunged but didn’t go the application process. Like every one else nor did he pay the filing fee. So the citizens of Orange County paid for filing fees for a Florida Bar attorney with the ability to pay.
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08 Dec, 2023 by Matthew moran
21 Apr, 2015 by Isabel
Do not waste your money on this attorney. She is going through a lot of personal and medical issues and will only take your retainer for personal gain. I was referred to her by another attorney office, whom supposed to collect part of the retainer in case Ms. Mangan was not available. It is even mentioned on the initial contract, but such referral law firm NEVER received that part of the retainer paid. So for starters she gave me a false contract, which tells you a lot of what kind of attorney she is. She wil NEVER answer texts, phone calls, or voicemails, the only way she will answer is if you call her or text her from an unknown number, and when she does she gives you a million medical and personal excuses of why she couldn't answer. Also, just days after giving her a $3,000 retainer she moved out of her office to work from home without giving me any heads up. I think that moving from an office to work from home is a very important fact to tell a client that is handing $3,000 at once, but no, she did not. Again, it says a lot about her ethical behavior. She will never keep you updated on the billing and the retainer magically dissapears without any details on what it was spent on. She will deliberately ask for another retainer without explanation, or detail invoicing, of what happened to the first one. I read the previous review and it is exactly the same situation, every time is an excuse of why things were not done and she is always at the hospital some how. Also, do not expect for her to return any papers from your case file, I am still waiting for months now for her to return my file, even though she knows I am expecting to go to a trial soon. In conclusion, this lawyer uses the retainer just for her personal benefit and will give you a thousand excuses on why things are not being done. I worked with her for about two years and nothing got achieved, zero, my case was still standing in the same place it was since I hired her. She also text to request information on the same mornings that hearings were held, and worst of all, information that was already previously given to her. A complete lack of organization in something as important as a divorce. She will continuesly talks about her personal divorce proceeding which threw me off guard every time, making comments like "my ex-husband told me to take a Xanax," completely unprofessional. I decided to represent myself and in only one single hearing half of the issues were resolved without the need of her services. Again, do not waste your money in this lawyer and unfortunately these kind of scammers is what give the lawyer community a bad rep. Will report her to the Bar Association because she has broken every ethical rule in existence. Again, be ware and do not give any money to this scammer.
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18 Aug, 2014 by Anonymous
Gladys is a awful lawyer! Do not take your time, money and legal issues with her. She was a BIG waste of time and money I have ever spent on an attorney. I hired her to represent me for a divorce and she was unresponsive, hard to get a hold of ( takes weeks to get back to you) and on top of it did absolutely NO work on my case. I wasted $3500 and I'm in the process of hiring a new attorney due to her negligence. She didn't even know how to set up mediation properly. She told me she scheduled it but then gave me multiple excuses as why it wasn't scheduled. I even had to put in my own financial information in her system that I previously gave her multiple times. She always had an excuse as to why something/nothing was happening involving my case ( her own divorce, health problems and etc...) Awful customer service skills and would NOT recommend her to anyone.
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21 Nov, 2013 by Lisa
Before I hired Gladys, I worked with several attorneys in two different counties. I thought they were great attorneys until I hired Gladys. She has made maneuvering through the legal system understandable and a lot less painful to deal with. She spoke to me in terms I could understand and helped me make informed decisions in my case. She even told me that some of the things I asked for needed to be fair to both sides and even some of the suggestions were not exactly how I would have moved foward with, she explained the most ethical paths and, taking her advice, both sides of the case ended up pleased with the outcome. If you want an excellent attorney, you must hire her. I didn't regret it and I know you wont either.
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30 Jul, 2023 by Stephanie
I sought legal help from the Znosko & Reas Law Firm for my ongoing paternity case. Unfortunately, my experience with them was far from satisfactory.
Initially, I had a detailed consultation with Kaylun Bryant, a lawyer from the firm. I thought he understood my concerns and urgent needs. I was assured that they would handle my case promptly, especially the issue of child support guidelines.
However, the service turned out to be poor and unresponsive. There was significant delay in getting the paperwork started; I received the retainer agreement a week after our consultation, and it took over a week after signing the retainer for them to process my payment due to various issues on their end.
Although I had informed them about a time-sensitive issue, they failed to take swift action. Despite multiple reminders, the firm failed to prioritize this. I later learned on my own that the lawyer I had initially hired, Mr. Bryant, was no longer with the firm leaving Gerald Znosko responsible for the case. This crucial information was never shared with me, which I found to be extremely unprofessional.
Moreover, Gerald overcharged me for his services. I was billed $2,678 for standard, routine documents. When I raised my concerns about this excessive bill, he simply chose not to respond.
Eventually, I was forced to terminate his services and hire a new firm. Even the termination process was not smooth; the new firm found a conflict of interest and had to drop my case, leaving Znosko & Reas as my official legal representation. Despite this, they showed no urgency or willingness to resolve my case but instead, promptly filed a Motion to Withdraw.
Based on my experience, I find Gerald Znosko to be highly unresponsive, unprofessional, and excessively costly. In fact, he never bothered to communicate with me in person, by phone or by email. He failed to communicate properly in every way, neglected my time-sensitive matter, and overcharged me for routine tasks. I would not recommend him to anyone needing legal assistance.
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21 Feb, 2022 by William
Do not hire this firm or this attorney. Laziest person I have hired in any industry. Truly an awful experience.
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16 May, 2014 by Michael
I'm am so thankful I had Attorney Znosko on my side. Him and his wonderful staff made me feel at ease and were always available to answer any questions or concerns I had. I would without hesitation recommend his professional legal services.
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04 Sep, 2022 by Hilda rodriguez
The bed LawGroup in my life. Went my husband past they help with everything legal issues. and they helping with my house with title company . Everyone helping me include your wife. And daughter Winy.
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23 Jan, 2018 by Anonymous
I wish I could give this place 0 stars. As attorneys they are not looking for your well being but rather only their financial gain. I went to Mr. Suarez for advice regarding filing a BK. Since they don't handle Chapter 13 cases he didn't tell me that my best option to keep my house was a Chapter 13. I gave him a $750 deposit and when I did my research online and learned that my best option was a chapter 13 they told me they couldn't do it. At that point I politely asked for a refund of my deposit and they simply stated that I was screwed as I had signed an agreement to do a chapter 7. Do not give this people your hard earned money as they are not looking out for your best interest. I've resigned myself to the fact that I lost my money to these people as Mr. Suarez wont even talk to me and just uses his employees to shield himself from being a human being and doing the right thing.
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14 Nov, 2016 by Mar
Attorney Suarez and his team including Realtor Karen Diaz not only helped me with my short sale without any problem but after 2 years helped me find my dream home. Their office have real estate, tittle company and law in one roof and I was able to close on the house without any issue in the contract. Thanks!!!
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10 Jan, 2020 by Ron
Consulted with her on a divorce case. She seemed inattentive or too busy to take on another client.
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22 Apr, 2019 by Anonymous
When I tell you Cecile walked with me through my court case every step of the way, I mean just that. She was through, listened well to my needs and was able to get the judgement I needed, granted. She's an amazing lawyer, super professional and crosses all her "I's" and "T's". If you are looking for someone to go to bat for you, then she's the one for you! I call her a pitbull in the courtroom! I'm so thankful of having her work on my behalf.
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10 Nov, 2014 by Na
Cecile was wonderful to deal with. Cecile was very professional and informative. She was very attentive to my needs. She spent a great deal of her own time helping to guide me. I endorse Cecile Cochran
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01 Aug, 2024 by Felicita camacho
I have been trying to get anyone to answer the phone and all I keep getting is a recording. They repeat over and over the same commercial but no one answers. I am helping a young woman with no income to get legal advice regarding a divorce and cannot get her the help she needs. What is going on? You dont deserve the 1 star I gave but I have to give it.. Not happy with this place and will never refer it.
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14 May, 2024 by Tony meyer
Couldn't get a hold of anyone
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08 May, 2024 by Nondra dennard
They listened and addressed my needs and gave me the tools and knowledge to be successful in my legal matters.
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01 Aug, 2024 by Felicita camacho
I have been trying to get anyone to answer the phone and all I keep getting is a recording. They repeat over and over the same commercial but no one answers. I am helping a young woman with no income to get legal advice regarding a divorce and cannot get her the help she needs. What is going on? You dont deserve the 1 star I gave but I have to give it.. Not happy with this place and will never refer it.
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14 May, 2024 by Tony meyer
Couldn't get a hold of anyone
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08 May, 2024 by Nondra dennard
They listened and addressed my needs and gave me the tools and knowledge to be successful in my legal matters.
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01 Aug, 2024 by Felicita camacho
I have been trying to get anyone to answer the phone and all I keep getting is a recording. They repeat over and over the same commercial but no one answers. I am helping a young woman with no income to get legal advice regarding a divorce and cannot get her the help she needs. What is going on? You dont deserve the 1 star I gave but I have to give it.. Not happy with this place and will never refer it.
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14 May, 2024 by Tony meyer
Couldn't get a hold of anyone
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08 May, 2024 by Nondra dennard
They listened and addressed my needs and gave me the tools and knowledge to be successful in my legal matters.
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19 Apr, 2024 by Cheryl
I have used Mark over the last 15 years he is an excellent attorney and knows the law! He has always been very honest and takes pride in his practice. I have hired other attorneys in the past and actually let them go to return to Mark. They were no match for him and in every case he always came out on top. I highly recommend him. Because of him being so much in demand a little bit of patience he will always return your call. I know that he researchers the statutes and Constitution when he is researching your case. His ultimate goal is to win.
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23 Mar, 2021 by John
Payed him 8k cash & he haven’t done anything but keep getting my case pushed back..... well today I just got a Email saying he put in a motion to withdraw from my case his a scam & lier save your money before running to him
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06 Jan, 2021 by Clinton murvin
Mark will say whatever he can to get the money out of your pockets. After that you can’t even get ahold of him, he doesn’t come see you when you ask and tries to tell you what you are going to take. I hired him for a cc VOP he told me I was going to go to rehab and to just turn myself in. Once I turned my self in he didn’t talk to me for 2 months and told my family I signed 6 years doc. When he visited me he told me he couldn’t do anything and I had to take the 6 years and called my mom an annoying b**** for contacting him and trying to get information. I had to hire a real attorney Warren Lindsey who got me everything Mark promised me and more. Save your self the stress and money and go with someone else
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04 Apr, 2024 by Anonymous
Run! Not only is she a horrible lawyer but she doesn’t even have basic respect her clients.
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24 Dec, 2022 by Sig
She handled my case efficiently and that's about what we all look for when going through a divorce. I found her knowledgeable, trustworthy, and charming. She really lifted my spirits and was a Pitbull when dealing with my (now) ex.
About those 1-star reviews, I would tend to believe that not even Jesus himself would want to deal with them.
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24 Apr, 2020 by Kathy
I first hired Annabelle in 2016 on a recommendation from a friend. From our first meeting I knew I had the right Lawyer. Annabelle was extremely knowledgeable, professional, and supportive throughout my case. When tragedy struck my family during this time Annabelle was my rock. She was there for me when others were not, answering my calls no matter what time of day or night. Her strength gave me strength. She is not only a great Attorney but she is a GOOD person. She cares about people and especially those who need help. She IS my attorney! Thank you Annabelle!
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28 Apr, 2022 by Ernesto
Worst immigration lawyer in town. Terrible communication, disorganized and dangerously careless process. Filing complaint with Florida bar
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03 Jan, 2022 by David
Do yourself a favor and never hire these people, You want someone who will take care of your immigration status with attention and care . They only care about one thing $
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23 Jun, 2021 by Verónica
Mal servicio, atención pésima, no lo recomiendo.
No pierdan su tiempo ni su dinero aquí.
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15 Aug, 2017 by Anonymous
Rose has poor communication, follow up, strategy and execution skills. I would not recommend her to anyone for family law. She is nearly impossible to get a hold of and does not dedicate enough time to be effective in managing case.
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17 Apr, 2017 by Wesley
Divorce was over but attorney fee issue was still there. She dropped me with that important issue unresolved. She was paid in full. Also asked her to do some things like seal the file and seek removal of a parenting coordinator. She did neither.
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25 Mar, 2013 by Erica
At my initial consult, Rose made me feel so much more comfortable about what was going on because she let me know my legal rights and her plan of action for my case. She talked in "my language" so I understood things so much better! She always let me know what was going on in my case and kept me up to date. Her court presence is very strong and confident and was exactly what I needed in my case. If you want someone who is reliable and will get your case done, you can count on Rose!
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28 Dec, 2017 by Anonymous
I used Serena Kurtz for two incidents regarding my rental properties and she was very incompetent! She didn't show up for my hearing's for both issues and now I have two judgements against me for a total of $5350 due to Ms. Kurtz not doing her job and not communicating to me what was going on! I was absolutely shocked when I received papers that were served to me regarding these incidents as Serena told me "the papers were never filed with the court"! Four months later I was served papers with the two judgements against me! Now I have to pay for these two judgements because Ms Kurtz didn't do her job and didn't communicate the status of these complaints. Look elsewhere for a real state attorney!
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20 Apr, 2012 by Jim
Attorney Kurtz created a complete plan for our estate. She was very thorough and thoughtful throughout the entire process. She worked out all the contingencies and filed the paper work with a local bank. Planning our estate was made much easier by the knowledge and experience shown by Ms. Kurtz.
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30 Mar, 2019 by Erica duncan collins
I applied to have a seal on my record, and was denied so I called Ms. Hale. Her motion that was filed in my defense was nothing but amazing. She basically told the judge that she isn’t doing her job by the statute law, which was right, the judge denied my seal based on a case that was relevant to my case. She called out every error made by the judge! She said this case was a no brained at least twice in the motion, it felt great to have someone with authority, tell the court they were wrong. This was the biggest victory I have ever had in my life, and it’s because I hired this lawyer. Altough, after a seal is complete, I wish she would have told me I had to send the order to all background check companies to remove it, because I wouldn’t have a clue about having to do that. I wish all lawyers would guide you to do that after, it only takes a few minutes.
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09 Oct, 2010 by John
I would never recommend this attorney to anyone. She is just a paper pusher. She is not proactive at all. After all, she is a defense attorney, so I guess that's my fault for hiring her before I actually researched her. If you need defensive help, she might be good. If you are fighting for something IE; a child, time sharing plan, etc, I would steer clear away from this lady. Think three or four times (not twice) before you give your money to this lady.
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12 Jun, 2024 by Jennifer elkins
Amazingly attentive to the needs of my particular case. His staff is easy to access and speak with and my case was handled with ease. Completely satisfied with his representation!
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14 Dec, 2023 by Terry oconnor
Family law, personal service, professional treatment.
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18 Sep, 2023 by Alexia augoustatos
had the pleasure working with Gregory Colvin and Jessica. What a dream team! I am beyond thankful for all their hard work and making sure I got what I wanted. I can’t thank them enough. They work great together as a team, are super friendly and knowledgeable. I will be forever grateful. Keep up the great work guys!
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06 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
I was blindsided by a divorce. Frank was helpful with the initial paperwork. Although, he wasn’t concerned with accuracy, stating that it could be changed in the future. Following remote mediation, he stated that his case load was too high and he could no longer help with my case. Fast forward 1 year, still no trial date.
$4,000 retainer
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14 Feb, 2022 by Edith
Ted will bill you for thinking about how he's gonna take a crap. Seriously, this guy seems more worried about how much he can get for doing nothing than how much he can earn for his work. You'll write Ted a lot of checks amd ask him a lot of questions while wasting time and money. Teddy will cash every check and you'll never get a straight answer... run.
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14 Sep, 2010 by Anonymous
I retained Mr Greene to reunite me with my son (3/15/10) for 5000.00. I informed him that time was of the essence, and he assured me he would attend to it immediately. one month later he asked for another 2800.00. He had "consultations " with an unlicensed "Dr." that he charged 500 a piece for, even though this person cant testify in court.5 1/2 months later he couldnt even bother to put in a notice of appearance, or tell me when he would rven draft a motion
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07 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
This attorney takes days to return calls and emails. He then will give you a piece of information to hold you off only until you need to follow back up with him again. He miscalculated info given to court, then filed motion to correct in turn was denied. It almost feels as if you have to do some digging for your own case. He failed to give me options leaving me to assume what I was faced with was my only choice. I felt like he did not fight my case; too laid back with lack professionalism. I had to plead for certain documents be forwarded to me plead for him to contact me to instruct me after a hearing. I was awaiting almost 2mos for a final judgement and during that time I felt like I was leaving msgs begging for a return call, text or email. He finally submitted and closed out case without any further instruction or regards.
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15 May, 2024 by Mathews irish
15 May, 2024 by Mathews irish
22 Feb, 2017 by Dee
Alicia Virginio was given to us as the prosecutor in a criminal case where our daughter was beaten and abused; she was so awful, filed the charges incorrectly, made a deal with prosecutor; which we were totally against had the Judge changed twice in 19 months so she and prosecuter could get their light sentence of 2 years; she went on her cocaine bing trip within the week of the criminal trial and should have been fired years ago but Ashton let them all stay. Now she needs to lose her license and never practice law again, she was unprofessional, unethical, could care less about our daughter.
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01 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
This is one of the worst attorneys you can hire. So unorganized and unprepared it’s ridiculous! She’s been working as an attorney for a long time and might have the experience but she definitely needs to retire. When she represents you in court she often stumbles over her words and isn’t prepared in any way for your fight. If your willing to waste your money go right ahead but if your looking for someone to actually fight your battle, find another attorney!
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15 May, 2024 by Mathews irish
01 Jun, 2023 by Anonymous
There are several reasons I do not recommend Sarah Arnold, Esq. 1. In talking with her she stated to me that she could tell that my child's father was lying. 2. As I was walking out of her office she told me that she could tell that I was a good mother. 3. In her report she wrote the exact opposite. 4. In Sarah Arnold's opening remarks to me before I even had a chance to start talking, she made several statements one of which was "I get so annoyed at people who complain about abuse. Abuse doesn't even exist." 5. When I tried to submit proof she demonstrated indifference in that she took a small amount, but wouldn't even consider allowing me to submit it all. And it wasn't like i was trying to dump a trunk load amount on her.
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16 Jan, 2020 by Jessica
I was referred to this attorney and qualified for a free phone consultation. Maybe that is why I was treated the way I was treated. This woman would not let me finish a sentence, kept rushing me, wouldn't let me explain my entire situation, and spoke to me as if I were dirt on the ground. When I asked her if I could finish what I was saying, after being interrupted for literally an entire 10 min conversation (I was entitled to 30 minutes), she replied with, "I don't think this is going to be a good fit". I completely agreed. I have never been spoken to in such a way by a "professional" before. I have never gone out of my way to give a bad review, but I was in tears by the end of the call due to how cruel she was. All I wanted was some advice. Please, do not bother with this attorney, unless you want to be made to feel terrible. I get the feeling that if I had a lot of money, I may have been treated quite differently.
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13 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
In previous years it was an honor and privilege to recommend her to anyone, UNFORTUNATELY that has changed. There has been an unexpected change in Mrs Mitchell representation and demeanor which is now being reflected in her work, behavior and communication. Although our review is vague, for several reasons we can no longer support and rate Mrs Mitchell at a high standard. On the contrary we would caution others prior to retaining her at this moment in time. We keep Mrs Mitchell in our prayers and wish her the best.
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06 Aug, 2024 by Melissa
I previously hired Christie for a custody battle (which she LOST) and have dished out THOUSANDS of dollars only to receive very unprofessional service.
My mediation agreement was very poorly written with many ambiguities and rookie typos which has caused EXTREME issues and stolen time from me and my child. She also lied about the percentage of time I was getting with my child - a nearly 10% loss of time! I now only have 35% of time with my daughter when I was told I had 43%.
She now refuses to even speak to me about it unless I fork over another few hundred more dollars just to get her on the telephone at all to ask her to fix her mistakes? Jerk.
This is the most disappointing situation and quite honestly- VERY SAD for my family. Shame on you.
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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:
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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.
