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13 Dec, 2024 by Anonymous
She’s an awful mom.
Her kids would be better off dead than to have her as a mother.
She should just throw herself down the fuçķïñg stairs.
Sounds abusive and terrible, yeah?
Those are the words of the man Victoria Hines advocated for in three long years of custody litigation. That is theman she gave custody of 3 sweet children to.
Shame on her. She is an AWFUL person.
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06 Dec, 2024 by Anonymous
She is a new mother- who takes children from other mothers and puts them into the hands of abusive pieces of $hit. Shame on this witch. She perpetuates cycles of abuse and has zero integrity. I hope no one ever treats her children the way she has treated the children of others.
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29 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
She was intimidated by opposing counsel, encouraged settling and giving more to them than was even necessary let alone fair. She is not a fathers rights attorney whatsoever. She has no experience (outside of our case) with high conflict people, and had no idea how to handle it. There were multiple instances of her giving advice, only to concede that she was wrong. She dropped the ball on multiple occasions. When she’d speak to the judge, she was too nervous to get across ideas. It was like she was a kid reading from a written speech, no ability to improvise. Hiring her and not firing her mid battle is one of my biggest regrets. I don’t mean to be cruel, but this needed to be said. It’s too important and too much money for others not to know.
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15 Feb, 2016 by Anonymous
Ms. Peterson was hired by me in relation to descrepencies on my credit report. During our initial consultation, she appeared competent and knowledgeable. After she was hired, she did not follow through on promises she made to attempt to contact the companies regarding my case, she did not return my phone calls or emails. I had to
Physically go to her office twice. The first time I showed up, she apologized for not returning my calls stating that things got extremely busy. She admitted that she had not even started on my case and it had been almost a month since she was hired. After our meeting , I heard from her via a letter she sent to the companies on one occasion and then another "letter" that actually was an invoice for time accrued. Well it's been 6 months and I have heard nothing else from her. I just recently emailed her requesting the valve of my retainer: $44.00. This attorney is awful and I am extremely surprised she has remained in business. I only stumbled upon her through my employer's EAP Program...if you need a lawyer, beware of this one....in fact, run the other way.
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19 Feb, 2016 by Anonymous
Attorney Ford was referred to me via Pre-paid Legal to write a letter to someone who was defaming my name. He sent the draft letter for me to review. I submitted the letter with changes. I then received a email from his administrative assistant with the original letter attached without the changes I requested. The name and orientation of the agency was wrong, and there were several name spelling errors. I let the office know that I was not aligned with them sending out the letter. Despite my communication of my not being aligned with the letter they sent the letter out without my knowledge or approval.
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13 Nov, 2018 by Keili
This review is solely based of off the experience with follow up and initial conversation with intake to pursue a consultation with an attorney at this firm.
After speaking with Kyle the office coordinator so called “Office Manager” KYLE last week about scheduling a consultation with one of the attorneys on a time sensitive issue I was told I would be contacted via email later that day with some dates and times available. With no response still as of today and several attempts to call in to try and schedule with no return calls back I can see why prior reviews with the same experience are apparent. More so I continued to try to make a consultation appointment yet again this morning and spoke with the receptionist who let me know KYLE was the only one who could schedule the consultation and he was unavailable. It wasn’t until informed the receptionist of my frustration and experience with no follow up from KYLE and I wanted to speak with his higher up that he was instantly available. He reassured me he had emailed me yesterday from our first initial conversation a week a go and deemed himself that should have sufficed in lieu of not returning any calls prior that week with my time sensitive issue. After I let him know of his poorly conducted attempt to contact me back he then let me know non of the attorney’s were available or could take my case. His exact words were “no one is available until after the new year”. I understand completely that the firm has many cases as they came highly recommended but as a smaller firm it should not take over a week to get a response from a schedule coordinator to let a possible future client that all the attorney’s are unavailable until after New Years. Really?? After calling KYLE on his lack there of his demeanor completely changed and I asked to be re routed to the front desk. Instead of being professional he asked why and why did I need to talk to the receptionist. I let him know that I wasn’t going to continue the conversation with him and would like to speak with the front desk. This is when he informed me that he was the Office Manager and anything that needed to be left with the front desk he could be made aware of. Interesting how if you a not even a client but a prospective and that’s how you are treated then how actual clients are treated. All in all I believe this was a way letting me know to dodge this firm like a bullet.
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02 Feb, 2025 by Vanessa
I hired Nathan for a custody battle for my son with my ex and it was desperate times last minute, but I paid Nathan a good chunk of money just for him to show up to the trial unprepared he was to busy working other cases on his laptop when he was supposed to be working mine at that time, disrespected, the judge did not represent me at all or give any of my evidence a chance he had to go on a vacation later that day, and he rushed the trial by not even trying to help me the judge noticed that he was too busy on his laptop, working another case when I paid him a lot to work mine and that he did not, and I lost custody of my son And respect for attorneys after that and a nice 6 grand for nothing!! I do not recommend him for anyone
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30 Apr, 2024 by Anonymous
He just really took your money. Do the bare minimum, never check in on you. Slacking off so he’s gonna waste a lot of your time. He gonna get you to the point that you rather doing it yourself instead of waiting for him
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06 Jan, 2021 by Osvaldo
Jim Shipley absolutely sucks never once did he have my best interests in mind consistently told me to play the game in my divorce while he joked and flirted with the opposing lawyer he forced me into an 800 dollars a month child supprt settlement when I only had to pay 400 he lied and forces me to agree to 400 extra dollars a month when I spoke to a real attorney I was informed that my last lawyer had made an agreement for 5 years that absolutely screwed me over I should of new better when this old man pulled out lined paper to actually use a pen and paper its was 2020 and this guy never once used any kind of technology to help him remember the things I would say bottom line dont waste your hard earn money on this clown Jim you absolutely suck you should turn in your license and refund me my money cause are nothing but a dirty thief that took my money and did absolutely nothing to help me stay away from this clown guys
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12 May, 2015 by Anonymous
Never let me know once my retainer was up. Created unnecessary meetings in order to charge me. Didn't actually assist me. Could have filled out the paperwork myself.
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19 Sep, 2017 by Lisa
My ex and I were told we needed to use Ricks to split our retirement funds. From the start Ricks was nothing but rude and condescending to us, he had account numbers incorrect and lied about information that was given to him that he said he never received (we had emails to back it up). He has no idea what he is doing. The financial institutes that we had funds in had worked with him before and they used the word incompetent and rude. DO NOT use this man for anything unless you love to be treated poorly and love frustration and wasting money.
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24 Oct, 2015 by Anonymous
hired to create QDRO could not ever get dates and my name correct on paper work. Extremely rude and curt when trying to talk to him about situation.
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13 Jul, 2015 by Doug
when hired i was told 30 to 45 days, when i called after 45 days the paper work hadnt even been submitted and it would be another 30 to 45 days when i asked for a discount he said no that it just slipped through the cracks, WOW thats competance and fair huh, someone dosent do his job right according to a contract and he refuses to compensate NICE. Sorry dan but this was supposed to be quick and simple and you turned it into a pain, my opinion is go to someone more competent
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02 Jun, 2016 by Nate
I hired Mr Sumner to represent me in my divorce in 2011. He missed the deadline to submit work on my parenting plan, and a different parenting plan was put in that I did not agree with. I would avoid Mr Sumner at all costs.
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13 Jul, 2011 by Anonymous
I hired this attorney for a personal injury claim and was not impressed with his ability or follow through. I hoped he would pursue my case strongly, but I didn't feel he put much time or effort into it. I would not recommend him.
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06 Dec, 2010 by Anonymous
Mr. Sumner did not impress me as having a broad knowledge of the law and I didn't feel he did a very good job in court advancing my case. I felt let down by him after spending a significant amount of money. Caveat emptor.
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15 Mar, 2016 by Anonymous
Like the other reviews on here, Kimberly was all talk when I first hired her. She referred to herself as a "bulldog", saying she would have our back and push for what was fair. That turned out to be all smoke and mirrors. She is spineless, has zero care for her clients but will be happy to take your money. I came out the huge loser in my divorce and paid an outrageous amount of money to my ex-wife when I shouldn't have. Kimberly just kept caving to my ex-wife's lawyer and saying that it was the best we were going to be able to do. She also leaves her office for weeks at a time with zero notification and takes forever to respond to phone calls or email, even after repeated messages left with her office assistant. Run as fast as possible in the other direction and find a lawyer that a friend or relative has had a good experience with. I truly regret ever hiring Kimberly.
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04 Mar, 2016 by Anonymous
Kimberly was all talk prior to me hiring her; I had what should have been a VERY open and closed case for divorce and full custody. I was told I had a very strong case and shouldn't have any problems getting the very few requests I had.
Kimberly not only rescheduled my first court date without even letting me know it had been scheduled; but also completely failed to even tell me of the SECOND scheduled court date! Had my ex not mentioned something about our upcoming court date, I would have missed it altogether!
More contact was had in the 2 days prior to the final court date than the entire year prior; I have had multiple ignored phone calls, voicemails, and emails as well. There is clearly no fight in her to back up her clients needs, even with substantial documentation, proof, and evidence. Kimberly didn't negotiate for me in the slightest - to the point it actually felt like my ex had two lawyers, but I was paying for one of them!
She was the second biggest mistake of my life; the first was marrying a person I knew was dishonest.
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20 Mar, 2014 by Marcia
Worst lawyer ever. She was totally useless and not the least proactive. She never came up with any solutions or things I should be addressing. She did not fight for me at all! Five years later I am still regretting hiring her and wish I could have done it over. So many things she did not tell me about or suggest for my divorce. I got nothing and ended up giving away all my retirement savings. And now my kids have no money to go to college. I felt like I had no one on my side. Isn't your lawyer supposed to be helpful and go to bat for you?? I got nothing for her. And then she had the nerve to request more money when it was over. She promised me when I hired her that no client ever said that she didn't do everything she could for them. Well, that was a lie. She did nothing for me or my children. I have two friends who were working with her at the same time and both of them got screwed by their ex-husbands too.
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29 Nov, 2018 by Anonymous
Do not go to this guy! If he's appointed to you, fire him! He comes across as "Do whatever dhs says if you want your kids back." What about dhs shouldn't have ever taken them?? What happened to defending your client?? It took me 8yrs fighting the injustice system. I finally got full custody just in time to find out my son had a brain tumor the size of an orange on his brainstem & was close to death. Ya this "lawyer" was the first mistake. Hiring one of his parters, mistake #2. Good luck out there!!
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01 Jan, 2009 by Anonymous
Mrs. Morasch gouged me in my divorce. She made sure everyting was convenient for her and not in her client's best interests. She would not respond timely to any of my written requests/instructions and lost my divorce case for me due to her poor representation which has cost me thousands of dollars. During the divorce hearing, she just sat there and never once defended me. She was a total disappointment.
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11 Mar, 2016 by Wendy
DO NOT HIRE ERIN KEELER (RICKARDS) AS YOUR DIVORCE ATTORNEY.
Erin Rickards failed me in every way that a divorce attorney could fail. She failed to give me good advice. She failed to critique every level of the valuations done of shared assets. She failed to ensure that premarital assets were attributed to me. She failed to account for money that could have and should have been deducted from the equity of assets. She failed to go after my ex when we really had him with his lying and concealing of assets. She failed me. I trusted her and thought she knew what she was doing. But she did not. She had barely been out of school three years when taking my case she had NO business being my divorce attorney. She made mistake after mistake and failed to protect me from total financial ruin.
The results of Erin Rickards failure towards her client is that I am about to go into bankruptcy because of the insurmountable debt that I have incurred because of the huge divorce judgement against myself. I owe more on my divorce judgement today then I did in 2010 because at 9% interest I can barely make the interest payment each month. Furthermore, the emotional and physical stress that I have suffered since my divorce trying to run the business that I unhappily own and be a single mother and pay my ex-husband every extra cent I have has had a terrible toll on my physical health to the point that I can no longer even work in the restaurant as I am physically unable.
Please take my advice and do not use her if you want to come out on top on your case.
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21 Feb, 2013 by Anonymous
Showed up for court, without any research of the charges. Didn't discuss the case or what he was going to say to the judge, he had no notes from our previous conversations. I I would have done better going to the hearing without counsel. Extremely poor representation.
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13 Dec, 2019 by Janie
Amanda will tell you she's a "damn good lawyer" (more than once). She's not interested in information, or answering questions- she has one goal and one focus- and that is to win. I suppose this is a good trait in a lawyer, as long as you can stomach her arrogance and rude behavior. She does not like to answer questions and the many assistants who come and go often lose paperwork or have no idea what is going on with your case. Be prepared to gather EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING from your doctors, care providers, and case workers. Also, make sure you make a LOT of copies, because this law firm can't seem to retain the documents you will be providing. We delivered numerous documents by mail, certified mail and even in person. We went over the file page by page- in person and the night before the hearing, an assistant claimed they did not have the key doctor's contact information. Not only was this not true, it caused an enormous amount of stress, not to mention the cost of paying the doctor who ultimately was not allowed to testify, as the law firm didn't acquire the proper permission for her to attend, even though they had previously assured us they would. We caught them in several lies about our attorney's availability and what documents they had.
I work in the adult court system- I have some understanding of proceedings and I've worked closely with attorneys most of my career. I have never been spoken to or treated so rudely as we were in this law office. I'm sorry to say it was too late to fire her and start over. While I feel we may still be able to win the case, I don't feel like this attorney's office has been any help in the prep process- in fact they have been an outright hindrance at times. For the amount of money they are going to walk away with, they really ought to be more respectful of their clients.
If you only care about winning and don't mind being uninformed and treated like you're stupid- and if you don't mind doing all the legwork and building your own case and repeatedly sending them documents- then this just might be the law firm/lawyer for you.
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08 Nov, 2022 by Anonymous
I hired Lissa to assist me with a very painful divorce promoted by domestic violence. I wanted a female attorney and thought that Lissa would be an important advocate. I spent almost $50,000 on lawyer fees just for her to drop me as a client a month before our court hearing, in the middle of summer when no one was available to step in and take over. She offered no reason for the sudden drop and I ended up Iosing over $200,000 because I was left without a trial lawyer at the eleventh hour after paying her for nearly a year.
During our time together, Lissa was unprofessional, woefully underprepared for our temporary court hearing, had no eye for detail and had a very short temper. Every document I received from her was chalk full of mistakes, she would frequently lose her temper and start yelling at me and her staff, and arrived to our temporary court hearing with little preparation. She appears to take on far too many clients at once, leaving her stressed, over worked and underprepared to deliver results. But she'll certainly take your money.
Lissa Kaufman was the absolute biggest mistake I made during my divorce. I hope others chose more wisely.
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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.
