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12 Nov, 2024 by Shivanjali naicker
I had an excellent experience with Ham Family Law. Attorney Caroline Ham was incredibly compassionate and understanding throughout all of my legal frustrations. She showed me a lot of empathy, and at the same time, was very straight-forward with her advice. Ms. Ham's knowledge of family law is extremely impressive, and I felt very confident with the guidance I received from her.
I highly recommend Ham Family Law for anyone seeking a dedicated and knowledgeable firm for family law matters!
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11 Nov, 2024 by Lucky13stl
Most wonderful and amazing experience with the firm. Everyone there is very professional and helpful. Special thank you’s to Ms. Ham and Rachel for the best experience and service. Highly recommend this firm to anyone who needs family law services.
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11 Oct, 2024 by Benjamin markham
I retained Caroline Ham to work on my support issue in 2022. Dealing with Ms. Ham was most ungratifying. She quoted me an approximate amount it would take to take the case, but ultimately exceeded this amount significantly.
Ms. Ham’s self-centered approach to time management was extremely unprofessional. When we set a meeting, Ms. Ham would invariably have 2 responses. First, she would call hours before the meeting and ask if to have the meeting early, at her convenience, not mine. It became apparent that even though I am the client my time could NOT possibly be as important as HER time. Her second response was to be late or not show up for a zoom call at all.
Prior to my retaining Ms. Ham she failed to inform me that the age difference between me and my ex-spouse would create an advantage in the courts for my ex-spouse. I am convinced this is no oversight as it allowed her to bill me. When I finally discovered this information, I took an interim settlement from my ex-spouse and had to wait to file an effective lawsuit when we were on equal legal grounds. My support issue was only resolved in 2024 - WITH ANOTHER LAWYER.
Glad I went elsewhere.
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01 Feb, 2024 by Caroline bassilly
Unnecessarily costs.. Masking information leading to massive costly invoices..
Was unacceptable shocking experience ..
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08 Nov, 2023 by Kim caraballo
24 Jul, 2023 by John grubbs
04 Apr, 2024 by Anonymous
Denise I'm coming for you, you took my hard-earned money AND did nothing with my Divorce case, then split to SoCal.
Your doing nothing hurt my case, you put me in a bad situation with the Martinez Court. What a scam you're running. you said you had Covid after you ghosted me for 90 days. FINE, then Zelle me my $3200. You asked for more money, then removed yourself from my case without consulting me on the very next day.
Shame on you!!!
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07 Oct, 2022 by Anonymous
Stay away from this lawyer. I paid the retainer back on June 14, 2022 although I was not ready to file for the dissolution of my marriage because we were trying to get the house sold first before my husband and I filed but Denise had told me that to be assured of her availability, I needed to pay her the retainer fee. So I gave her my credit card and bank info, I figured, she’s a lawyer, she will not scam me right?
I told her that I will let her know when I am ready for her to file. So I’ve emailed her requesting an appointment over the phone on August 17, no response. I’ve sent her another email on August 27 requesting the same and she finally told me that she was available to talk on Sunday evening at 5. I spoke with her and she had told me that she will be sending two forms for me to fill out (I remember later that I had already filled out two forms that she needed to file) but that she just had moved to a new office and will have to hook up her computer first-she was going to send me those forms later on that night. A whole week passed, and I haven’t received any form of communication from her, I’ve sent sent emails on 8/29, 8/31, and 9/1 following up on the forms that she was supposed to send but not once did she respond. I’ve left messages on her phone, sent her text messages on 9/5 & 9/8, still no response. I thought of calling her on my work cell phone on 9/8 and I’ve received a text from her saying right away stating”please text me”.
On 9/16, I’ve emailed her notifying her that I wanted to opt out of my contract with her since she hasn’t done anything for me and I had not heard back from her despite many attempts of contacting her. She called me on 9/19 and told me that she was ill. I told her again that I want to cancel our contract and I want my retainer back. She said it had to go through accounting first, that was 14 days ago and I’ve still not received any reimbursement.
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15 Jan, 2022 by Latifa
My ex filed an emergency ex parte order which the court holds hearings on pretty fast. He also requested child support. I was so lost in the process as things happened suddenly and had no representation during the first two hearings. I was lost as to what was happening or why it was happening.
I requested a consult with Denise who called me back. I'd spoken with a few attorneys before getting to Denise, none of which gave me the time of day other than to say they worked in family law and what their rates were. During our consult, she took her time to explain (although I'd already been to court twice) what was happening, ask me me questions to ensure she understood specifics related to my case, and then explained what defenses we could present and what the process would be moving forward all before I paid her a dime. She was honest in that this may not be a fast process, transparent, and most importantly (especially as I have never had to deal with family court before) sympathetic. Although we are still in court, she has been able to get some pretty nice wins - legal rights such as educational and medical access, ex was interfering with my ability to communicate with our child. Denise was able to argue this and have judge order him to purchase her a cellphone so I could communicate with her directly. ALL of this was done in her 1st court appearance on my behalf!
She calls prior to court hearings to make sure we are on same page with strategy, what may possibly happen/what to expect and what we're going after during the hearing. She also calls to debrief after court hearing with next steps.
Denise representing me has given me hope where it felt hopeless before and helped me to understand more about the process where I had zero understanding and knowledge.
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21 Nov, 2014 by Anonymous
Richard was on my divorce case starting in 2004. paid over $120,000 for delays, many mistakes and and incompetence. many years from now i will look back and laugh from the stress and delays in my divorce case, just mot for awhile. Richard once told me he had "jet lag" when i pointed out several basic mistakes. (had "jet lag" from a flight from L.A. about a 45 minute flight) I paid $375.00/hour for basic services a grade school graduate could do!
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06 Sep, 2013 by Anonymous
This Lawyer lacks fortitude, allows opposing council to walk all over his clients.
I recommend that you seek council else where if you want a Lawyer to protect your interests, or display a backbone anyway.
Mr. Flanders is always out of the office, I have caught him in several lies, his office would say one thing he would say another, seems to me a pretty poor attempt at avoiding a client wanting to know where there case is going.
Honestly find another Lawyer, if your reading this your working on your due diligence.
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28 Jan, 2013 by Mike
Blaha is horrrible. He rolls over on any request of the woman you are divorcing and tells you to give it to her. He allowed a friend of my wife's to undervalue our home by over $100k in the settlement and then he gave me bad advice to pay alimony when my wife was making over $80k a year and we had no children.
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17 Jul, 2018 by Anonymous
I went to azadeh for immigration consultation. She was late for her appointment and the moment she came to the office she very rudely asked me to sit down as i was trying to sooth my 1 month old baby by standing close to my chair, regarding the consultation she did knew nothing, she didnt knew where to look for type of visas and when i try to assist her she said she knows how to do her job well. it was 30 mins consultation and she had no interest in my case and in 8 mins she was done with me, least interesting in listening to me just spoke about her rate and not even bothered to listen to my whole reason of visiting her. She was highly unprofessional.
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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.
