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20 Dec, 2024 by Kristen
Matt and his staff truly are the best. Always responsive when I needed to communicate and Matt was very invested in my case. No matter what time of day, he was available. Thankful for this law firm!
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22 May, 2024 by Anonymous
Hired him for a divorce. Had no issues with process. Emily was a great help and was always available for any questions or concerns.
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03 Apr, 2023 by Mr. and mrs. q
Mr. Mahoney was like no other laywer, and we had more than 10 we have hired since 2015.
He saw right thru the lies. Best money spend !
In no better words but in these perfect words that I can say about today- he was a home run on my enforcement! Let him do this thing and don’t bother him, have your evidence organized and the timeline ready for him. Stay quiet, and listen. Thank you Mr. Mahoney! - Mr and Mrs Q
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26 Sep, 2024 by Nathan
Lori Is Amazing. She is an absolute beast in the courtroom, because of her years as a detective and as an attorney, she knows the questions to ask, and how to draw the answers out of people.
My divorce was a long drawn out nightmare because of the opposing attorney, they tried every dirty trick in the book, delay after delay, even resorted to try and bankrupt me by filing motion after motion thus having us appear in court time and time again. Lori never faltered. She stood by my side, believed in me, was compassionate, seemingly always a step ahead of the opposition, and in the rare occurrence of a father being awarded primary custody, because of Lori, I am one of those rarities.
I see some people complaining about not being able to get ahold of Lori, but know that she really is always in court or trials. If it’s urgent, her paralegals, specifically Kim, will get back to you, especially if it’s an emergency. HOWEVER…something I want to stress to those complaining about reaching her, Lori gave me a great bit of advice from day one. She said “It my job to do the worrying, if I’m not worried, then you shouldn’t be. If the opposing side files something that makes me worried, then I will call you to get the info. The last thing you want to do, is blow up your bill with phone calls when you can easily email me what’s going on and submit anything of relevance or problematic” She gave me an outline of things to come, and tips on how to keep our bill down. (Keep in mind, everytime you call your attorney, it costs money. This is a business.)
In short, contested divorces are brutal. Unfortunately it takes a lot of time, patience, and money, especially when the opposing council tried every nasty tactic in the book. Lori is a truth seeker, she did an amazing job at both our trials, she listens to your wants and gives you the reality of reasonable expectations, she is an absolute beast in the court room that was able to get info out in the open that I wasn’t even aware of. She was able to connect the dots, cross the T’s and provide proof to the judge to get us our victory.
Thank you Lori, my awesome and ridiculously blunt paralegal Kim, Matthew, Janine, and the rest of the staff that helped me thru this difficult journey. I don’t know if I can even express in words the gratitude I have for all of you. Thank you all so very much.
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24 Sep, 2024 by Belkis
Holly is top notch, very trustworthy. She fights hard for the client. Hands down an excellent attorney
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19 Sep, 2024 by R&r technicians technicians
Like others have said do not waste your time. She took the money and ran. I haven't spoken to the lawyer in 2 years. To be honest the lawyer probably doesn't exist anymore and the paralegals are forging her information at this point. Nothing gets done. Save your money please.
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28 Sep, 2012 by Serena
Before meeting Attorney Cari Brownlee I didn't have a positive experience or opinion of lawyers. Well she changed my mind completely. She is extremely thorough, professional and trustworthy. I appreciated most how she made sure and kept me informed and spoke to me on my level. I HIGHLY recommend Cari Brownlee to anyone looking for a great lawyer.
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08 Feb, 2011 by Monika
I'm so glad I had Cari for my Divorce Lawyer. She helped me in every way and made me feel better about myself. I'm doing great now and looking forward to my future. Thanks again Cari. Monika
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07 Feb, 2011 by Sheila
Cari will make you aware of everything to expect and everything that is happening in your matter. She was my attorney in a case against me where I was ticketed and she got it dismissed and we won. She's very easy to talk with and will do everything she can for you relative to your case.
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06 Aug, 2018 by Anny penilla
Gracias a Dios primeramente por usar a la abogada para trabajar en el caso del Daca para mi hija hacido sorpréndete la manera tan rápidamente que respondió Migración Gracias a la abogada por su rapidez en todo es Única Que Dios la siga bendiciendo grandemente en todo y que siga siendo de bendición a muchos Exelente trabajo Muy Amable Muy Económico
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22 Dec, 2017 by Carranza's
I never write reviews... however; Ms. Chavez deserves recognition. She handled our adoption case. She is an awesome person and attorney all the way around. She was very knowledgeable and compassionate about our case just as much as we were. She handled our case in a professional and very timely manner. We are so happy with her and our outcome! We would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for an attorney.
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21 Sep, 2022 by Edith
He is an excellent lawyer, this is the second time that I contract his services and he removes the charges, highly recommended.
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09 Dec, 2020 by Teila
Mr.Corno has become our family lawyer, he is so highly recommended in our family that we use him whenever we are in need of a lawyer. He most recently helped me obtain my citizenship and is now helping my father with his. I can't say enough good things about time. Corno he always treats us like family.
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23 Nov, 2020 by Candelario
Mi experiencia con el Abogado Daniel Corno ha sido excelente, magnifico profesional, excelente persona y siempre vela por los derechos de su cliente. Gracias Abogado Daniel Corno por su profesionalismo y dedicación.
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22 Jul, 2021 by Bridget
She handled my divorce and I can't say enough how professional she was during the whole process. Ms Creel always communicated about the status of my case and was very prompt on responding to my questions. I was very worried about the whole divorce process, but she made it very smooth and took a lot of the worry off me. I would definitely recommend her!
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15 Dec, 2022 by Max
what a waste of time and money, this firm should be called LIERS not lawyer. This man call his clients a couple of days before their hearing to make sure they have money before taking any step forward. one of his family lawyers (Samantha Gonzales) did not know her head from her toe. I will not recommend them for baby sitting a child.
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07 Aug, 2021 by Gary
Mr. Ghuneim was able to help my family dismiss two tickets that would have resulted in fines and be considered a misdemeanor offense. Support was wonderful, result was ideal (both dismissed) - and the cost was a fraction of the fines. Thank you again for all your help.
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04 Apr, 2021 by Jerrent
Mr. Ghuneim is the Judge in Arcola and if you do just a little research online, you will see how incredibly incompetently run Arcola Municipal is. Gwendolyn Tealer is really as bad as everyone here says. Wow. For anyone who goes in, watch out for this larger African American woman who really shouldn't be allowed to work in a court. I agree with the other reviewer, even a fast food job would fire her for this, but she is in charge of people's driving records? Based on these reviews, I did file a bar complaint against the Judge: Mo Ghuneim. We have clear evidence from the reviews alone that this Court is ruining people's records repeatedly, and I"m sure the Texas Bar will be very interested to find out what is happening in Arcola.
I faxed over some information to get my case resolved after Ms. Tealer asked me to send it over. Months later, it still hadn't been resolved. I called again, Ms. Tealer had taken no action, and I suppose feeling defensive, brought 'the attitude' out. Ms. Tealer is one of these people who isn't much at her job, so makes up for it with attitude. When I spoke to her on the phone the 3rd time, I felt that I had to go extra slow for her to understand, and that she may have been drunk like one of the other reviewers said, just realy low-class behavior.
I don't expect much from someone like Ms. Tealer, but I do expect more from the Judge and the Texas Bar, and have reported Mr. Ghuneim for this incompetence in Arcola.
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14 Jan, 2025 by Emely monrroy
They won’t give up, they will keep fighting until they win.
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19 Dec, 2024 by Gildardo sandoval
Los mejores le señorita más bien La abogada Leticia excelente trabajo muchísimas gracias
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10 Dec, 2024 by Vanessa c
Leticia is great. She was on top of my case and was able to get me more than promised. Great company that cares about its clients would highly recommend
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26 Sep, 2024 by Nathan
Lori Is Amazing. She is an absolute beast in the courtroom, because of her years as a detective and as an attorney, she knows the questions to ask, and how to draw the answers out of people.
My divorce was a long drawn out nightmare because of the opposing attorney, they tried every dirty trick in the book, delay after delay, even resorted to try and bankrupt me by filing motion after motion thus having us appear in court time and time again. Lori never faltered. She stood by my side, believed in me, was compassionate, seemingly always a step ahead of the opposition, and in the rare occurrence of a father being awarded primary custody, because of Lori, I am one of those rarities.
I see some people complaining about not being able to get ahold of Lori, but know that she really is always in court or trials. If it’s urgent, her paralegals, specifically Kim, will get back to you, especially if it’s an emergency. HOWEVER…something I want to stress to those complaining about reaching her, Lori gave me a great bit of advice from day one. She said “It my job to do the worrying, if I’m not worried, then you shouldn’t be. If the opposing side files something that makes me worried, then I will call you to get the info. The last thing you want to do, is blow up your bill with phone calls when you can easily email me what’s going on and submit anything of relevance or problematic” She gave me an outline of things to come, and tips on how to keep our bill down. (Keep in mind, everytime you call your attorney, it costs money. This is a business.)
In short, contested divorces are brutal. Unfortunately it takes a lot of time, patience, and money, especially when the opposing council tried every nasty tactic in the book. Lori is a truth seeker, she did an amazing job at both our trials, she listens to your wants and gives you the reality of reasonable expectations, she is an absolute beast in the court room that was able to get info out in the open that I wasn’t even aware of. She was able to connect the dots, cross the T’s and provide proof to the judge to get us our victory.
Thank you Lori, my awesome and ridiculously blunt paralegal Kim, Matthew, Janine, and the rest of the staff that helped me thru this difficult journey. I don’t know if I can even express in words the gratitude I have for all of you. Thank you all so very much.
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19 Sep, 2024 by R&r technicians technicians
Like others have said do not waste your time. She took the money and ran. I haven't spoken to the lawyer in 2 years. To be honest the lawyer probably doesn't exist anymore and the paralegals are forging her information at this point. Nothing gets done. Save your money please.
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27 Jul, 2024 by Reyna rodriguez
26 Sep, 2024 by Nathan
Lori Is Amazing. She is an absolute beast in the courtroom, because of her years as a detective and as an attorney, she knows the questions to ask, and how to draw the answers out of people.
My divorce was a long drawn out nightmare because of the opposing attorney, they tried every dirty trick in the book, delay after delay, even resorted to try and bankrupt me by filing motion after motion thus having us appear in court time and time again. Lori never faltered. She stood by my side, believed in me, was compassionate, seemingly always a step ahead of the opposition, and in the rare occurrence of a father being awarded primary custody, because of Lori, I am one of those rarities.
I see some people complaining about not being able to get ahold of Lori, but know that she really is always in court or trials. If it’s urgent, her paralegals, specifically Kim, will get back to you, especially if it’s an emergency. HOWEVER…something I want to stress to those complaining about reaching her, Lori gave me a great bit of advice from day one. She said “It my job to do the worrying, if I’m not worried, then you shouldn’t be. If the opposing side files something that makes me worried, then I will call you to get the info. The last thing you want to do, is blow up your bill with phone calls when you can easily email me what’s going on and submit anything of relevance or problematic” She gave me an outline of things to come, and tips on how to keep our bill down. (Keep in mind, everytime you call your attorney, it costs money. This is a business.)
In short, contested divorces are brutal. Unfortunately it takes a lot of time, patience, and money, especially when the opposing council tried every nasty tactic in the book. Lori is a truth seeker, she did an amazing job at both our trials, she listens to your wants and gives you the reality of reasonable expectations, she is an absolute beast in the court room that was able to get info out in the open that I wasn’t even aware of. She was able to connect the dots, cross the T’s and provide proof to the judge to get us our victory.
Thank you Lori, my awesome and ridiculously blunt paralegal Kim, Matthew, Janine, and the rest of the staff that helped me thru this difficult journey. I don’t know if I can even express in words the gratitude I have for all of you. Thank you all so very much.
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19 Sep, 2024 by R&r technicians technicians
Like others have said do not waste your time. She took the money and ran. I haven't spoken to the lawyer in 2 years. To be honest the lawyer probably doesn't exist anymore and the paralegals are forging her information at this point. Nothing gets done. Save your money please.
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27 Jul, 2024 by Reyna rodriguez
26 Sep, 2024 by Nathan
Lori Is Amazing. She is an absolute beast in the courtroom, because of her years as a detective and as an attorney, she knows the questions to ask, and how to draw the answers out of people.
My divorce was a long drawn out nightmare because of the opposing attorney, they tried every dirty trick in the book, delay after delay, even resorted to try and bankrupt me by filing motion after motion thus having us appear in court time and time again. Lori never faltered. She stood by my side, believed in me, was compassionate, seemingly always a step ahead of the opposition, and in the rare occurrence of a father being awarded primary custody, because of Lori, I am one of those rarities.
I see some people complaining about not being able to get ahold of Lori, but know that she really is always in court or trials. If it’s urgent, her paralegals, specifically Kim, will get back to you, especially if it’s an emergency. HOWEVER…something I want to stress to those complaining about reaching her, Lori gave me a great bit of advice from day one. She said “It my job to do the worrying, if I’m not worried, then you shouldn’t be. If the opposing side files something that makes me worried, then I will call you to get the info. The last thing you want to do, is blow up your bill with phone calls when you can easily email me what’s going on and submit anything of relevance or problematic” She gave me an outline of things to come, and tips on how to keep our bill down. (Keep in mind, everytime you call your attorney, it costs money. This is a business.)
In short, contested divorces are brutal. Unfortunately it takes a lot of time, patience, and money, especially when the opposing council tried every nasty tactic in the book. Lori is a truth seeker, she did an amazing job at both our trials, she listens to your wants and gives you the reality of reasonable expectations, she is an absolute beast in the court room that was able to get info out in the open that I wasn’t even aware of. She was able to connect the dots, cross the T’s and provide proof to the judge to get us our victory.
Thank you Lori, my awesome and ridiculously blunt paralegal Kim, Matthew, Janine, and the rest of the staff that helped me thru this difficult journey. I don’t know if I can even express in words the gratitude I have for all of you. Thank you all so very much.
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19 Sep, 2024 by R&r technicians technicians
Like others have said do not waste your time. She took the money and ran. I haven't spoken to the lawyer in 2 years. To be honest the lawyer probably doesn't exist anymore and the paralegals are forging her information at this point. Nothing gets done. Save your money please.
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27 Jul, 2024 by Reyna rodriguez
03 Dec, 2024 by Richard allen
Best lawyer around help me get everything I wanted got custody of my son could not be happier Ty you so much
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15 Nov, 2024 by Tlp
I'm very glad I hired Hollie!! If you're going through your 1st & hopefully, your last, you're going to need help.
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13 Nov, 2024 by Srp shannon watson
Worst divorce attorney ever she’s doesn’t fight for you she doesn’t stand up for you she makes you do all the work you pay her for and charges you for everything and that comes to nothing she no attorney she’s just out for paychecks stay away from here
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18 Jun, 2023 by Amin baniabbasi
He is the best.
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02 Jul, 2020 by Olga lopez
Beyond the worse lawyer I have had in my years of going to court. He is rude always wants things to be his way if you try explaining things to him he starts yelling threatening to drop you as a client. He works alone so everything he had to file would take weeks so it prolonged the case more. My case lasted almost two years and nothing was done I had to email him each month asking for updates and all he would say is waiting on reply for AG or the other attorney but no movement. I asked to go to trial finally because I was tired of the run around with him and other lawyer for months so he dropped me as a client because that’s was going to be too much work for him. So now that I’m talking to Lawyers to hire for this case they look into it and tell me he did nothing for my case and it should had been finished a long time ago meaning I paid him to just go to court and have resets. If you are looking for someone to represent you this man is the wrong person to do so he can’t even remember half the the things you tell him I have proof of everything I’m saying and I’m so upset he wasted my time and money on him.
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25 Feb, 2020 by Arlene garcia
an awesome lawyer, my family and friends go to him when we have a ticket or anything legal bed taken care of.
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19 Sep, 2022 by Anonymous
Absolute minimal effort on her part once she realized we had a "high dollar" case in the sense that there were many factors/moving pieces, she let it run, sending minimal information via email to where you would have to further inquire and use your retainer just to know what was going on. She has no heart.
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02 Jun, 2021 by Diana
Shari is Amazing Attorney after hiring several Attorney's that just took my money and didn't care to help me because they felt it would be Impossible to try and Gain primary custody back. Shari was the one that gave me faith and believe we had a good chance. She never let me down and always respond immediately. I feel very blessed to have found such a wonderful Attorney Thanks to shar I am finally the primary custododial parent again.
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16 May, 2018 by Rosalyn robinson
This attorney has the attitude and the know how to get the job done. I was going through a nasty divorce and she came in with a great attitude and make sure that I didn't have much to worry about. She is heaven sent and I would definitely recommend her to whomever is serious about hiring an attorney for divorce. She is great!
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25 Nov, 2024 by Danton mouille
Quick to respond. Will update on the outcome and satisfaction. Jeff seems very knowledgeable and helpful.
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04 Oct, 2024 by Salvador banda
Did nothing for me except take my money . Sent emails no answer . After they got my money communication stopped. B careful
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14 Feb, 2023 by Edgar lopez
Great lawyer been our family lawyer for a while.
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29 Feb, 2024 by Afool4trusting
I have been employed all my life since I was out of High School. I have graduated from UH. I never been court before at all so I am the first one to admit my experience in this field is very limited. Understand the laws and I follow them. I suppose it was my fault I let this be known to her right off the bat. My case was not a divorce but a simple child support enforcement/ modification to visitation orders. Her words were No worries I'll see you through this advise all the way beginning to end I've been doing this for years...etc All you have to do is provide me with docs, info, and let me do the rest no need to checkup or worry I'll call you/ email. Worry free limited invested time on my part once I provide with all items bang for the buck. I had already researched a bit in advance had all ready those first 2 days of service. I was a fool. At the end after a year with 3500 of advance she was late unprepared on the 1st court day dressed very casual. I felt uncomfortable bc she did not have her documents with gave excuses. She let go of one of her employees etc. 2nd court casual hand written draft to sign late again. At this point I was calling emailing no response wanted to understand and be advised on what the law expected out of me. No answers no tips no important info to have on hand in the future. Nothing before, after, and during communication provided, I did get charged however for every call, letter, email I had made during the last of last of it. At least they read them. Case is closed had a large bill paid but not forgoten. I am not a professional in this field but professionalism is important no matter where you work. I got more help from the D.A. Office and blogs then her for before and after the case. I held off getting her off the case bc she said it would be worth it. I am glad the D.A has info I need and its free. I suggest mediation/gov. Lawyer before get stuck in the rain with no rainbow in sight.
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30 Mar, 2019 by Anonymous
She charged me monthly legal fees, and had me collecting documents for a year, but did nothing to resolve my divorce. She didn't explain why it was taking so long, and became hostile when I complained about the continued delay. She made several threats to withdraw from my case just days before a scheduled hearing. She had my file 10 months, and was not prepared for the final hearing. Took no initiative to resolve my divorce. Allowed opposing counsel to control the direction of the entire case. With months of doing nothing to finalize my divorce, she caused me to lose a lot of resources with no results. She is neither competent or capable and shows no compassion or integrity.
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21 Apr, 2017 by Anonymous
Ms Bushman holds a law degree and has many years of experience, There is no doubt that when she applied herself she can win for her client. Unfortunately my case seemed to fall through the cracks in her work load. She was very difficult to get a hold of. When Inwould call more often than not I had to speak with one of her assistants who were.not able to help other than taking a message. I appreciate being spread too thin and having too many comittmentd, however I would ask if that's the case are you really serving your clients properly? Ms Bushman at times was very reactive and failed to control her emotions when speaking to me, her paying client. At times she threatened me with withdrawing her services knowing we had important court dates coming up. At times I questioned her commitment to my case given her volunteer work at Food Bank sermed to take priority over returning my calls. She seemed to give up and essentially buckle under the view points of opposing counsel. Essentially sfe talked me in to agreebig to terms that have traumatized my child all in favor of opposing counsel. I agreed to the terms proposed with the hope of allowing the acrimony to settle, this was a huge mistake. As time has passed the opposition haa only become more emboldened and less open to coparenting with me than before. Ms Bushman's relationships with other attorneys seen to hold very little influence exhibited by their reluctance to be open to negotiating wit the terms she would provide in mediation. She ensured that I was always paid up in full so there was no question about her commitment to get paid. I understand she's running a business but bottom line Ms Bushman failed to deliver results on her committmenf to me and my child when we came to her for help. Please be certain to have an easy case because unfortunately Ms Bushman just did not seem to want to engage and fight for her client despite having hard physical evidence of abuse stated by the child regarding the opposition.
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01 Mar, 2024 by Texastechdude40
As my review states this attorney is a very smart attorney,but he is very lazy and really unorganized he will lose your evidence because he has no secretary. he will never return your calls until the day before court then he will submit a bill to you that reflects all of this work that he has been doing but it is a lie because he just starts blowing your phone up the night before your court date. he will take all your money and give you no receipts until you ask 100 times then he will throw one together that will eat all of your retainer and reflect that you owe him a couple grand more.....then he will hound you until you pay him then you will not here from him again until the night before court again he is always unprepaired !
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09 Dec, 2021 by Kathy
Hired this guy several years ago ..
I recently found out the work he did for me wasn’t worth the paper it was written on.
I reached out to him about the problem .
I told him he should fix this screw up free of charge ..He focused on the free of charge.
I never heard back from him..
I felt like since he didn’t do it right it the first place and I paid him back then that he should fix it free of charge ..
I hired a new lawyer that knew what he was doing and he was able to fix the mess this guy left me with..
If you hire him just be warned his screw ups might come back to bite you in the butt later on …He never even apologized !!!!
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04 Jan, 2021 by Abby
Mr. Patterson is an outstanding attorney. I cannot recommend him highly enough.
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09 Mar, 2024 by Anonymous
This man will over sell himself as family lawyer, string you along not file any papers, miss the court date and then demand another payment. All to just ignore you after the case gets dismissed because of his negligence. In the hole 6500 dollars because this man lacks ethics and integrity.
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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.
