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15 Oct, 2016 by Eric brodeur
03 May, 2016 by Anonymous
Mr. Leach DESERVES "NO STARS" in handling my divorce. I was the Petitioner and the divorce was uncontested with no children. My husband asked if we could both use Mr. Leach, thus supposedly saving us both money. Upon which, Mr. Leach advised that would be fine, but stated that he would only be "representing" and "counseling" me. (In the end it resulted in more $ out of my pocket). ANYWAY, once those terms were agreed upon, Mr. Leach NEVER GAVE ME ANY SEPARATE COUNSEL WHATSOEVER!!! As a matter of fact, the only time I even SAW or SPOKE WITH him after THAT was when he would have both my husband and I meet together in his office,ALWAYS WITH BOTH PARTIES PRESENT. The result was that, in a nutshell, Mr. Leach would sit there eating up my $5K retainer, at $350/hr, as my ex and I argued about the issues at hand (since there were no children involved, the issues were mainly real and personal property settlements and spousal support). The meetings generally lasted 2+ hours, or until I would become INFURIATED and walk out!!!!! While my ex and I would argue about the disposition of real and personal property. My ex wanted to keep our family home and SUV, paying me out of each and maintaining possession of both. I didn't have a problem with either, thus of course neither did Mr. Leach. When I advised that I wanted to keep some of the furnishings and buy my husband out, my husband had issue saying it wasn't fair because I'd continue to gain benefit after buying him out and insisted that the furnishings be SOLD and proceeds divided. I advised that there was no difference in him buying me out of our home and SUV and keeping both as his sole and separate property, and me buying him out of select furnishings and keeping such as my sole and separate property. I looked to Mr. Leach to stress THAT POINT to my ex, but Mr. Leach just looked dumb-founded and stated "hmmmm, I'll have to think about that". I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EARS!!!!!!!! IT WAS THEN THAT I REALIZED THAT NOT ONLY WAS MR. LEACH NOT PROVIDING ANY COUNSEL/REPRESENTATION FOR ME!!! IT ALSO MADE ME QUESTION IF HE HAD HANDLED ANY OTHER DIVORCES, AS I'M SURE THESE ISSUES WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY HAD TO COME UP IN OTHER DIVORCE CASES!!!!! After THAT, I became very disgruntled, and started to interview other counsel. It was then that I discovered Mr. Leach had prepared, filed and obtained a court date to address the issue of spousal support, but had never apprised me of my mandatory appearance in court, and neither did Mr. Leach appear, resulting in the judge throwing out the case. (I was not working and had $0 INCOME).
The matter was taken off of calendar and NEVER RE-ADDRESSED. Thus, I was forced to continue struggling with absolutely NO INCOME!!!
As I was vacillating as to whether or not to continue with Mr. Leach, or consider exercising other options, I asked him to provide me with up-to-date accounting (NOTE: I HAD NEVER RECEIVED ONE STATEMENT PRIOR TO THIS, ALTHOUGH BY THIS TIME I HAD BEEN UNDER HIS 'REPRESENTATION' FOR OVER 3 MONTHS). His statement not only showed a depletion of the retainer, but actually left me with a balance owing. Also, along with the accounting statement, there was a letter from Mr. Leach stating that he could no longer represent me, etc... In essence, as I was trying to determine whether or not I would continue to
employ Mr. Leach -- HE FIRED ME!!! Not only that, but my subsequent counsel, AND the subsequent counsel my ex-husband retained, both stated Mr. Leach's uncooperative nature and even hinted at deliberate malice, thus hindering both myself and my ex to proceed in the most timely manner. ALL I CAN SAY, IS, I'M NOT SURE ABOUT HIS EXPERTISE IN OTHER LEGAL ISSUES, BUT WHEN IT CAME TO THE DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE, IN MY PARTICULAR CASE, HE WAS MORE OF A HINDRANCE THAN A HELPER/COUNSELOR. BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE, I WOULD NEVVVVVVER RETAIN MR LEACH FOR ANYTHING, AND WOULD DEFINITELY NOT ADVISE ANYONE ELSE TO, ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA OF DIVORCE!!!!!
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26 Apr, 2013 by Josh
adam has helped me through my child custody case. he has shown professionalism and knowledge through my case. Im not done with my case but i do have a peace of mind and feel extremely relaxed.
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05 Apr, 2023 by Anonymous
I hired Galliani law on a referral for a child us today case. I felt the meeting were repetitive and unnecessary. My case involved LGBTQ+ matter, although the firm stated they had experience with such matters, I believe they had only had a handful cases (say 1 or 2). Missed appointments, missed deadlines and creative billing.
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22 Jul, 2015 by Melanie hamburger
Fritzie is a powerful and effective advocate. Working with her was a pleasure because of the clear way that she explained legal options and the processes involved. Her advice on my divorce and MSA (marriage settlement agreement) was excellent, and she negotiated exactly the outcome I had hoped for. I would recommend her services very highly.
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08 Aug, 2014 by Christina
Im very surprised as to Fritzie Galliani having bad reviews. Although, Every one is entitled to their own opionion...i feel and have seen what an amazing job she can do. I hired Fritzie about 3 months ago and from the beginning, she made me feel comfortable. I was going through custody and wanted supervised visiation due to the father of my two small toddlers being an alcoholic and irresposible parent. Going to court and filing paperwork when you have no clue as to what to do can be quite difficult and time consuming considering i am not knowledgable of family law whatsover. I filed my own paperwork but i was missing alot of documents, and i had to keep going back. Frustrated and missing many days at work, i had to seek help, and a co-worker of mine recommended i contact fritzie. She re-filed all my paperwork, wrote up a judment, helped me set up a visitation schedule, was fair in having the father involved but with limitation for the reason that i was/am very concerned for the safety of my children. She won my case and i thought that was the end of it. A month or two passed by and i received no confirmation as to the status of child support. Being a mother of two toddlers and providing alone with no help at all, i felt hopless and i didnt know what else to do. Fritzie took it upon herself to call the employer and follow up. The employer was REFUSING to honor the order for various reasons that were completely irrelevant and the staff was clueless and extremely rude. They were stating it was an invalid order. Their staff was being ignorant and uncooperative and kept hanging up on her. Fritzie was assertive and persistant in getting to the bottom of this and getting her point accross in a professional matter. She finally got a hold of the Vice president of regulatory affairs and settled all of this. Of course after going back and forth with this person in charge, and Fritzie warning them that if they do not comply, they would be faced with legal consequences and will pursue this further to the courts, they finally honored it within the next day. This Company should be embarrassed as to how their employees present themselves. Especially handling payroll. It is scary because this is a worldwide company and they have people like these ignorant people working for them. I honestly am thankful for fritzie. She does her job EXTREMELY well in a prefessional matter. On a personal level, she's a very sweet and caring woman and had the best interest for my kids. I appreciate her hard work and dedication. Even after evertyhing was settled, she follows up with me to see how everything is going. i would've still been fighting this on my own or even worse. I Highly recommend her!
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20 May, 2022 by Ashley baker
I would highly recommend the McDonald Law Firm. My father was hesitant to hire an attorney. He had A LOT of questions about the process, and they were very patient and responsive.
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17 Jun, 2021 by Anonymous
I know many lawyers who never charged any clients for reviewing their case documents before taking the case. But Grace Change charges a few thousand dollars for reviewing a potential client case documents.
Not recommend.
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13 Jun, 2014 by Carol
It's a long story. How should I start. It's a painful and long story. My child's father was working overseas for 4 years. He was having affair with another girl who didn't know he was married with a child. They went to Japan for vacation. I didn't know about this until I couldn't find him for a week when he said he was at work. I stayed with my parents who help me take care of my son. I had difficult pregnancy and unexpected C-section and some complications. He was calling me failed mom and fat. He complained that I spent too much money on the CHILD. I was stupid and I didn't spend any money on myself. I'm a saver and a busy mom. I didn't have time for myself. He cancelled our joint credit card and served me with divorce paper one month after he came back from Asia. He took our house and took my stuff and jewelry and antiques..... after he got the U.S. citizenship. He was trying to kidnap our child to Asia. He was trying to take away my physical custody. He came me so much problems with visitation and late child and spousal support payments...He was always late during the visitation and left early. It was only 4 hours a week. He missed 8 times visitation. He called the child stupid. He didn't care about the child. He didn't want to pay. Grace MADE HIM PAY. Grace helped me a lot. Today I finally signed all the court papers. I got a good settlement with good child support. My child is not even 3 years old. He will be paying for a long time. The bad thing is father refused to pay for the child's college even though I proposed that he only pays if the child can't get financial aid and scholarships. He refused and he said he doesn't care about college education. He wouldn't put our child as a beneficiary on his life insurance (not even for 50%). I tried to save the marriage for our child for one year. I had to let him go because he is not caring about our child. His parents and he took me sign off my name on the deed one day without my prior consent. I was a nice person. The case is very complicated. I'm glad Grace could help me go though the most difficult part of my life. She is very knowledgeable and very professional. She is very efficient when she works. No drama. She always told me during the case that I was the boss because I hired her. She always wanted to hear what I wanted at different stages of the case. let's admit: couples change their minds all the time. As a lawyer, she made sure I didn't settle because of pressure, she made sure that I knew what I really want from the divorce, she made sure that I understand all the consequences of everything I do or say during the divorce. She is very protective and honest. She is straight forward, nothing hidden. Fees are very reasonable consider the amount of work being done.
I did interview many top lawyers in Los Angeles County and Orange County because my ex filed in OC which was the wrong jurisdiction. Like everyone else: I want great lawyer to represent me and doesn't charge too much. I finally came back to Grace because she knows what I want, she would help me to get what I want: JUSTICE! The most important thing: she cares! Now I finally got what I want. I'm ready to move on and focus on myself and my child. Even after we closed the case, she still inform the client about the possible future problems and what to do when the clients run into these problems. She warned me for lots of things. I do have a small child with my ex. I didn't pay her until one year later when the case was closed. She gave me a big discount. She was very good in front of the judge when we went to the hearings. She made the other lawyer looked 'stupid', 'unprofessional', and 'unprepared'... I don't really want to use these words. The other lawyer was working hard, but not hard enough like Grace. She is a tough woman. I've see many happy customers during my one year experience with Grace. Staffs are nice too.
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22 Jun, 2022 by Hamed taghavirad
My Wife had an argument with her sister of the condo they bought together with the down payment of their parents. However the title was on the name of the sister. Sister started to evict my wife. Bruce assured my wife he would get back the condo. And the other party would pay the wages. He conned my wife to also take responsibility of her eviction case then Bruce charged my wife $30,000 just to lose the case. The other party also took $30,000 from her bank account. And still taking twenty five percent of her wag
The condo worth about $700 Monthly. My advice is that before signing any contact with these dishonest lawyers be careful!
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14 Feb, 2019 by Kns one
A UCLA law grad with 40 years of experience, Bruce knows the law, the judges, and is one of the smartest attorneys I know. I have used him many times, and have always been satisfied with the quality of his legal work and his razor sharp wit.
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05 Oct, 2018 by Tangojo tangojo
Attorney Bruce T. McIntosh is primarily an appearance attorney for the "Paralegal service" "AAA Lessor Services". Basically, McIntosh signs his name on documents that AAA Lessor Services prepares, and appears in court if necessary - this is illegal and unethical for an attorney to do this. It would be one thing if AAA Lessor Services actually did quality work. Besides sharing an office with AAA Lessor Services he also has another office up the street on Lake Ave. McIntosh is about as qualified as the owners of AAA Lessor Services (the Doolittle family), and can only be successful when he knows he will get things rubber stamped. Also McIntosh seems to spend an exorbitant amount of time trying to take down and oppose bad reviews (there have been multiple), and getting his friends and colleagues to post positive reviews. Maybe if he spent as much time being a quality attorney, we wouldn't have such a problem with him.
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22 Jun, 2022 by Hamed taghavirad
My Wife had an argument with her sister of the condo they bought together with the down payment of their parents. However the title was on the name of the sister. Sister started to evict my wife. Bruce assured my wife he would get back the condo. And the other party would pay the wages. He conned my wife to also take responsibility of her eviction case then Bruce charged my wife $30,000 just to lose the case. The other party also took $30,000 from her bank account. And still taking twenty five percent of her wag
The condo worth about $700 Monthly. My advice is that before signing any contact with these dishonest lawyers be careful!
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14 Feb, 2019 by Kns one
A UCLA law grad with 40 years of experience, Bruce knows the law, the judges, and is one of the smartest attorneys I know. I have used him many times, and have always been satisfied with the quality of his legal work and his razor sharp wit.
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05 Oct, 2018 by Tangojo tangojo
Attorney Bruce T. McIntosh is primarily an appearance attorney for the "Paralegal service" "AAA Lessor Services". Basically, McIntosh signs his name on documents that AAA Lessor Services prepares, and appears in court if necessary - this is illegal and unethical for an attorney to do this. It would be one thing if AAA Lessor Services actually did quality work. Besides sharing an office with AAA Lessor Services he also has another office up the street on Lake Ave. McIntosh is about as qualified as the owners of AAA Lessor Services (the Doolittle family), and can only be successful when he knows he will get things rubber stamped. Also McIntosh seems to spend an exorbitant amount of time trying to take down and oppose bad reviews (there have been multiple), and getting his friends and colleagues to post positive reviews. Maybe if he spent as much time being a quality attorney, we wouldn't have such a problem with him.
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05 Apr, 2017 by Anonymous
This lawyer is your basic ROOKIE !! He failed my personal injury case !! Only has been practicing law 1 year !! Any seasoned professional would of been familiar with my case and would of known that the city of Los Angeles always denies guilt on the first attempt !! It's a common practice !! I say if it's too hot for you then get out the kitchen !! His staff is horrible - no manners horrible customer service and always seem to be in a rush to get you off the phone ! He dropped my case and didn't even offer to continue working for monetary compensation. Very unprofessional - if you have a case with him I strongly suggest that you choose another firm -I can can honestly tell you that you will probably be JUST AS SORRY as I was when I got the news that my case and physical therapy Where not going to continue !! I spoke to 5 more lawyers that kindly explained my situation in length and advice me that I was not at fault and I will win a case but it will take 2 years and the profit wasn't enough to pick up the case - I CAN RESPECT THE TRUTH !! But like I said please do stay away !! Choose wisely and allow a professional firm represent you !!
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15 Mar, 2016 by Anonymous
Mr. Hobdy represented me in a serious criminal matter involving felony charges. I'm stubborn, so it took patience for me to trust him through months of preliminary hearings and continuances, but he secured an excellent outcome for me. Mr. Hobdy is a busy guy and clearly well-liked by his colleagues, court personnel and the judicial officers. This is advantageous for solving common discovery, calendaring, and opposing side communications, but is competition for his attention. When you get your turn, Mr. Hobdy answers all your questions, explains the legal procedures and took the time to write everything down that I needed for the next hearing, making sure I understood what had happened before I left the courthouse that day.
If you need constant, daily hand-holding, his popularity will make that tough.
If you need an attorney who is constantly working on your behalf, in your best interest, I wouldn't trust my freedom to anyone but Mr. Hobdy.
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28 Jan, 2015 by Anonymous
We paid him three thousand dollars, to help with a case. We still needed to go back and forth with this case. In his contract it stated that as long as it did not go to trail he will be at the hearings. But! Instead he states that he have no time he was finished dealing with it and we were on our on. Tried to contacted him for paper work to continue on our on, never no response. Very rude and negative. I will never ever refer him to any one. The way he handles his business is really non-professional.
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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.
