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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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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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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
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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.
