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24 Jun, 2021 by Silvia
Ms. Crowder represented me on my. divorce and she was excellent: responsive, professional, personable, and a great outcome! She is also very well respected in the courts-- do not hesitate to hire her!
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19 May, 2021 by Anonymous
As far as bad attorneys go she is probably the worst. Only time she returned a call was to collect money. Does not know law and the judge seemed to be disgusted with her lack of preparation . Do not use her..
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25 Jul, 2013 by Anonymous
Unanswered questions,unanswered e-mails, phone calls, not following up on obligations. Her final bill has already been paid and the situation she's been paid for is far from finished. Do not hire her! my situation is so out of hand and she could care less. The amount of stress I'm dealing with her is more than anyone could handle.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Cherre2008
Steven Witkowicz is a liar and a cheat and can't be trusted, lies to your face and makes deals, takes payoff and brides with your opponent behind your back to work against you, I learned this the hard way. I lost a lawsuit this way using Steven Witkowicz as my attorney, Do yourself a favor and get yourself a lawyer that is honest and can be trusted, DO NOT USE THIS LAW FIRM FOR ANYTHING, ESPECIALLY STEVEN WITKOWICZ AS YOUR ATTORNEY. If I could give Steven Witkowicz a negative star I would.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Sal panella
08 Jul, 2024 by Kathleen koster
Professional and considerate
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08 Jul, 2024 by Cherre2008
Steven Witkowicz is a liar and a cheat and can't be trusted, lies to your face and makes deals, takes payoff and brides with your opponent behind your back to work against you, I learned this the hard way. I lost a lawsuit this way using Steven Witkowicz as my attorney, Do yourself a favor and get yourself a lawyer that is honest and can be trusted, DO NOT USE THIS LAW FIRM FOR ANYTHING, ESPECIALLY STEVEN WITKOWICZ AS YOUR ATTORNEY. If I could give Steven Witkowicz a negative star I would.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Sal panella
08 Jul, 2024 by Kathleen koster
Professional and considerate
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08 Jul, 2024 by Christy shaffer
Mr. Martin Handelman and Mr. Steven Witkowitz were both professional and took excellent/outstanding care of my case. They always keep me current and informed on every step of the legal process. I felt safe and protected, I actually felt untouchable because of their expertise and skill. They are powerful lawyers and caring individuals. I am filled with gratitude and warmth for all they have done for me.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Keyona baggling
08 Jul, 2024 by Leticia riddle
Steve was by far the best attorney I've had (and I've had many at this point) with my family law issues. He went above and beyond for me! He handled everything himself, and I wasn't always speaking to a paralegal. His paperwork was phenomenal, and the judge threw the case out in less than ten minutes. I wish he was able to handle everything for me. I think about him often, and the impact he had on my family. Best most caring attorney hands down.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Cherre2008
Steven Witkowicz is a liar and a cheat and can't be trusted, lies to your face and makes deals, takes payoff and brides with your opponent behind your back to work against you, I learned this the hard way. I lost a lawsuit this way using Steven Witkowicz as my attorney, Do yourself a favor and get yourself a lawyer that is honest and can be trusted, DO NOT USE THIS LAW FIRM FOR ANYTHING, ESPECIALLY STEVEN WITKOWICZ AS YOUR ATTORNEY. If I could give Steven Witkowicz a negative star I would.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Sal panella
08 Jul, 2024 by Kathleen koster
Professional and considerate
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08 Jul, 2024 by Christy shaffer
Mr. Martin Handelman and Mr. Steven Witkowitz were both professional and took excellent/outstanding care of my case. They always keep me current and informed on every step of the legal process. I felt safe and protected, I actually felt untouchable because of their expertise and skill. They are powerful lawyers and caring individuals. I am filled with gratitude and warmth for all they have done for me.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Keyona baggling
08 Jul, 2024 by Leticia riddle
Steve was by far the best attorney I've had (and I've had many at this point) with my family law issues. He went above and beyond for me! He handled everything himself, and I wasn't always speaking to a paralegal. His paperwork was phenomenal, and the judge threw the case out in less than ten minutes. I wish he was able to handle everything for me. I think about him often, and the impact he had on my family. Best most caring attorney hands down.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Christy shaffer
Mr. Martin Handelman and Mr. Steven Witkowitz were both professional and took excellent/outstanding care of my case. They always keep me current and informed on every step of the legal process. I felt safe and protected, I actually felt untouchable because of their expertise and skill. They are powerful lawyers and caring individuals. I am filled with gratitude and warmth for all they have done for me.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Keyona baggling
08 Jul, 2024 by Leticia riddle
Steve was by far the best attorney I've had (and I've had many at this point) with my family law issues. He went above and beyond for me! He handled everything himself, and I wasn't always speaking to a paralegal. His paperwork was phenomenal, and the judge threw the case out in less than ten minutes. I wish he was able to handle everything for me. I think about him often, and the impact he had on my family. Best most caring attorney hands down.
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04 Aug, 2024 by Kay fina
05 Oct, 2023 by Nathaniel blood
Avoid using Jon Bonavilla for your divorce attorney. Jon did not provide me with proper representation, overall Jon’s communication was not helpful and left me confused, and Jon provided limited legal advice. After a couple of months, I sought out a new attorney.
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22 Apr, 2023 by Kristen konight
Left a voicemail and emailed. 1 week later still no response.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Jason pilkenton
This man systematically destroyed my chances of being with my son for monetary game because he represented Judge Dollinger’s father years ago, and judge down you allowed him to do such things to dozens of people over the years either deceived to realize what happened to them or it’s too late by the time they’ve been taken for almost everything they have left. This man is in the unique position to help people who are in pain and need, But he chooses to use it like a wolf and chew their bones
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14 Oct, 2021 by Gregg lynch
Gregg represented a child custody case in getting my son moved from NY to VA. It was a long process but Gregg prevailed at the end. Highly recommended. .
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22 Jun, 2020 by Christopher burns
Greg has represented me for many years and I believe he is the consumate professional and fine lawyer. I have referred Greg Tirone to many of my friends and have heard nothing but good things about his legal services. Thank you Greg for everything that you done throughout the years to help me and my family. Your the best!!
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02 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
Gary is not only an experienced attorney, but a really good one as well. I’ve relied on his sage advice relating to several issues over the years, and he has consistently led me in the right direction. Recently, Gary advised me on a very important legal matter and I couldn’t be more grateful.
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26 Aug, 2011 by Anonymous
I was referred to Mr. Muldoon by a friend for my divorce. He made it all sound so easy. In the end, the final court appearance, he threw me to his associate. The final outcome was NOT what I agreed to. And I can't argue the facts because he didn't file the oral stipulation with the clerk's office! As I just learned recently. Every attorney should treat a client like they would want to be treated. I think Mr. Muldoon likes writing about law more than he likes practicing it.
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04 Jan, 2020 by Vladimir udyak
Lisa Sadinsky represented me in child custody case and reached desired outcome. Very professional and straightforward. Easy to be reached either on the phone, via e-mail or in person. Fees were reasonable and statements of all charges were transparent and timely.
Provided free advise on a few occasions even after the case was over.
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05 Dec, 2018 by Corey
This woman--whose "specialty" is Family Law--took $3,500.00 from me to merely enter my e-mail address into a Legal Chat Room, where I was subjected to daily forwarded e-mails from the Court and opposing counsel. She provided no legal context for these messages, insulted me and my family by e-mail, and was woefully unprepared to accomplish anything positive on my behalf. A disaster.
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13 Sep, 2019 by Anonymous
Mr Martin handles some simple legal documents for me in a complicated case, but he did let me know he was not proficient in the other areas and recommended I seek the assistance of an attorney in the specific area of my dispute. My case has multiple areas and beyond complicated, the legal documents he provided, I was able to reference later, paper trails are important.
He send me regular updates on billing, there was not any dispute, I think there were a fair assessment. He did not do "extra things" like I believe another attorney did NOT 'pad the bill.'
His area is clear 'divorce and separation, child Custody, child support. I would be interested in the outcome of the other review.
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22 Jul, 2019 by Anonymous
I hired Andrew Martin through the MCBA Lawyer Referral Service and it was one of the worst mistakes I made in my life. When he told me he was a comedian my radar went up but because he was recommended through the MCBA (Monroe County Bar Association) I thought he would handle my case like a professional because if you can't trust A Bar Association recommended attorney who can you trust right? Well my situation was a business dispute with a former partner. I can't go into full detail because the case is still open but I hired him to do a civil case. I explained to him my situation and let him know an attorney had already had recommended a few other attorneys. After speaking with a few they were talking very expensive and Mr. Martin told me he would handle my whole case for set amount. Needless to say when I agreed with him he sent me a contract that didn't say the same thing as we agreed upon but I figured it was just his standard contract so I asked him to remove the line about paying extra money and he did.
Once the money cleared we met and went over the case and I explained the story to him. Mr. Martin and his paralegal (who I later figured out does his damage control.) Had me doing everything but the actual things that was pertinent to my case. While showing me what he was billing me for until we were almost half way through with my money. He told me he was going to get the case over with quickly and try to get me some of my money back. Did he ever pull a fast one on me?! He had me going to the Family courts instead of the Civil Courts and he kept lying to me telling me he was going to write up a motion to file in the Civil Courts. The people I were suing had dragged my name in the mud and stole my money and my business. I literally begged this guy to put my case through the civil courts. Originally he said he would handle my whole case for a set amount but it didn't dawn on me that he was doing all these little things and making up charges to avoid the civil courts and go the cheaper route and misappropriate my funds so he could justify ripping me off . Which is what he ultimately did. My business got sold and he filed a poorly rushed legal motion two months later without it including everybody's name and left it sitting without serving anybody.
I hired this man In July 2018. It took him until November to file the Civil Case. He ignored me for awhile that. He lied to me and said he would try to get the defendant served so he had me come in to pay for a skip tracer in January 2019. He proceeded to lie and act like the defendant could not be found for about 2 and half months until a friend of mind told me the defendant was at the same address and still doing business at the same location with the same people. He had me under the impression that the defendant moved out of state! I was going to just fire him at that point and try to do the case myself but because there were more defendants involved now because of his in action on my case it was going to be too complicated for me to handle. I didn't have much money left because I had been out of work recuperating from surgery all the way until towards the end of 2018. Instead of Andrew Martin helping my case he made it more complicated and literally destroyed any chance I have of winning. It wasn't until I filed a Grievance on him in May that he finally had two of three defendants served towards the end of June 2019. He wanted me to remove the grievance but he wouldn't show proof everybody was served. He then made up a extra bill and gave me a week to respond. I emailed him trying to settle our dispute and he proceeded to send me all the people he served and withdrawing himself from representing me. He still has my files and the money he billed me for should be up for dispute. Depending on what the Grievance office will say should let you know how much protection we as citizens have against these lawyers that pray on the innocent.
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04 Aug, 2024 by Kay fina
05 Oct, 2023 by Nathaniel blood
Avoid using Jon Bonavilla for your divorce attorney. Jon did not provide me with proper representation, overall Jon’s communication was not helpful and left me confused, and Jon provided limited legal advice. After a couple of months, I sought out a new attorney.
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22 Apr, 2023 by Kristen konight
Left a voicemail and emailed. 1 week later still no response.
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04 Aug, 2024 by Kay fina
05 Oct, 2023 by Nathaniel blood
Avoid using Jon Bonavilla for your divorce attorney. Jon did not provide me with proper representation, overall Jon’s communication was not helpful and left me confused, and Jon provided limited legal advice. After a couple of months, I sought out a new attorney.
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22 Apr, 2023 by Kristen konight
Left a voicemail and emailed. 1 week later still no response.
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13 May, 2024 by Anonymous
Pros: Kind, listens without interrupting, respectful, very calm, relaxed energy, non-intimidating, provides cell phone number, Sarcastic- kind of annoying but harmless and funny. She knows the law. On time to court.
Cons: not as organized as I would like her to be, gets distracted quickly, you have to really be on her, she's not an attorney that's going to do everything for you if you're not taking the initiative to follow up and push her to do that she said she would. She's forgetful. I feel She does try- but she clearly has alot on her plate and she needs to try harder, I think she may have some ADHD or Idk, she's a bit all over the place. She talks really fast which I enjoy bc I'm the same way but the judge and the clerks constantly tell her to slow down which is annoying. She gets overwhelmed and really pink quickly. She needs to argue better, more effectively, more assertively- she's too soft and arguments are very weak and she uses words like "can we do" or "my client feels" it's just weak, If I wanted to talk about how I feel I would've represented myself. She says things that are irrelevant, like I would tell her "well this weekend didn't go too bad" and she'll mention that to the court. I found that to be dumb and counter productive. She also downplays a lot of things that are serious to me as a parent. She's Spaced out half the time. Worst of all, I gave her a hug at the end (because ik I stressed her out, I'm very pushy) and she had the most disgusted look on her face as I hugged her. She's weird. She also doesn't call you back. She'll email or text when she gets around to it.
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12 Sep, 2023 by Anonymous
I was appointed Ms.Kovalsky for family violence and modifying custody order. Ms. Kovalsky would not return my calls or emails. She would call me a few minutes before our Zoom conference and ask if anything was new or resolved. I would tell her about my issue and state what I would like her to ask the Judge. She would provide incorrect information and would not admit she was wrong. When I saw Ms.Kovalsky in person, it would be for a few minutes, and in the conversation, she would drift off to something else. This interchange has happened a few times. I don't know if she has a medical issue, but it was very frustrating. I would suggest anyone who has her as a court-appointed attorney to request a new attorney or to hit the law books. I wouldn't recommend her to handle a parking ticket.
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29 Aug, 2022 by Jackson
Don’t let her height fool you, Ms. Kovalsky is a beast in the court room. She fought very hard on my behalf and got me just about everything I could have hoped to get. It was a tough case, not easy to win, but she got me what she could, most everything I asked for. She’s smart, she’s tough. Outstanding experience for me, I highly recommend.
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17 Feb, 2022 by Anonymous
I attended court with a family friend. This woman was very nervous and afraid and good ol Len (who was representing her abusive husband) looked over at her and said something to the effect of "well maybe today's the day we'll have you thrown in jail" She was obviously terrified and Len knew that wasn't going to happen...one of the most disgusting displays of cruelty I've ever seen. Loser, not a good guy
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04 Apr, 2019 by Thomas
Len dropped the ball multiple times during my divorce. Always has excuses. Save yourself the aggravation.
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12 Apr, 2017 by Anonymous
I love how Leonard is always patient with his clients and makes sure that we know all the options we have while working with him. He assures that the best decision will be made.
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04 Aug, 2021 by Jon
The circumstances: My ex was charged with neglecting our child for allowing her abusive ex boyfriend to routinely strike our child and leave marks on his body, including the face. Our child, who routinely visited me on weekends and during the week. Every report to the court was that our child received nothing but outstanding care with me, including providing a living and nurturing environment where our little one was thriving. I have never been charged with a crime, never had CPS trouble, never accused of having done one single thing that would suggest my home was anything other than a better and safer place for our child.
The problem: Ed was never prepared for the appearances and lacked a fundamental understanding of the law. He was consistently outperformed by opposing counsel, an assigned public defender, my ex’s free and obviously overburdened attorney. That attorney consistently and effectively made arguments to the judge that received vastly more consideration and respect than Ed was capable of making. Ed’s arguments were largely ignored by the judge, at one point receiving an actual eye roll from the court and comment regarding his mistakes in his interpretations of the issues. There was an instance when Ed would argue facts that were from some other case he was working on and the judge had to reprimand him for unpreparedness. In short, opposing counsel ran circles around him.
Further, he always failed to contact me before court appearances and would not return any of my phone calls which were only occasional, about once per week. As a result, he knew nothing about the present circumstances of the case. It was truly amazing… in the worst possible way.
RESULT: I retained new counsel who did win my case in the ensuing custody trial. My child lingered in another less suitable environment unnecessarily and that enormous error was only corrected once I retained an obviously superior advocate.
USE YOUR MONEY WISELY, HIRE SOMEONE ELSE.
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25 Mar, 2015 by Anonymous
Narcissistic! Is the best way to describe Mr Edward W. McClenathan. There was a red flag at first when I saw that Ed was licensed to practice law in NY state for only the past few years. He is much older then the average college graduate that takes the bar exam. When we met at first he appeared professional like an attorney from the past wearing suspenders to hold up his trousers. His office at the time was in a store front formerly a drug store and it did not have a professional atmosphere. He had an associate wearing jeans that was suppose to be a lawyer also. He approached me to barter his services for a vehicle that he desperately needed. I agreed reluctantly to pay for services with my vehicle before completion of the documents. He drew up the items we discussed for services on a napkin or similar piece of paper. I was not asked to sign or did not receive a copy of his agreement. I gladly gave him possession of my vehicle for his services of payment. That was the end of it. After filing a complaint with the NY state attorney grievance committee a few months later they issued a "Letter Of Caution" to him.
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14 Jan, 2015 by Eric
Ed helped me through an ugly divorce. He has a very strong knowledge of the law and will fight hard for your interest. With every curve thrown at us he came up with a solid response. He was good at breaking down what we were up against and how it had to be handled.
I hope to never need his services again!!
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13 Mar, 2024 by Michael
Find someone else! She is horrible with communication and fighting for you. During the divorce process, she was more concerned with taking notes than doing the best for her client. We had a third-party financial person with our divorce. Sometimes it felt like five against one. Hardly four against two. But definitely not two versus two and an impartial third-party. before the divorce was final, she mentioned she had something for me to sign which I was going to take about five minutes. After going to her office and her fumbling through her phone for over 45 minutes, my address was changed. That’s all it was. My address.
After my divorce was approved by the judge, I was notified by my ex-wife that we were officially divorced. Six days later, SIX, I called my attorney to find out what the deal was. She said she “just received the paperwork.” So I called her out on it and asked what day she received the email from the other attorney. It was the prior week. But no correspondence to me saying hey, we need to talk about something and finish up signing some paperwork, or hey, you’re divorced. No phone call. No text. No email.
At the end of this same conversation, she said that she would mail me a hardcopy of the divorce. Decree for my files. It is now been three weeks. I have yet to get my divorce decree in the mail.
Do yourself a favor, get someone else. Someone who will fight for you and be on your side and has the decency to communicate with you. It’s your life! It’s your divorce!
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13 May, 2021 by Anonymous
Julie wrote up separation paperwork incorrectly by using the incorrect dates. This is causing agreed upon spousal support to end a year sooner than it should have. When error brought to her attention she refused to correct her error.
Her response was to “sue” me. Tells you what kind of attorney she is that she refuses to be held accountable for her error. She is obviously not working in your best interest but her own!
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10 Jan, 2021 by Vivi
Julie was a fantastic advocate for me and my children during the collaborative law process. She was flexible with her schedule to work around times when i needed consultation and explained all aspects of collaborative as we went through the process and i had questions. I truly felt like I had a partner to help me navigate this difficult part of my life. For anyone who thinks Collaborative could be a route for them, I would highly recommend you work with Julie.
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01 Oct, 2020 by Anonymous
Hired Sue for a collaborative divorce ....ended up cancelling her services as she “nickels and dimes” you for the most minor things - an email that she likely spent 20 seconds to compose will be automatically charged at $66.....so as such I resorted finding someone else.
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06 Nov, 2014 by Anonymous
He is dedicatedly someone who will trust the truth and make things go in your favor. But tries to pump you up to be angry and exaggerate hire scared or worried you are
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06 Dec, 2016 by Anonymous
I hired Mr. Leichtner for a divorce and house closing. Details were missed on both, in the end, costing me money, plus communication was an issue. I could not recommend him.
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18 Feb, 2016 by Anonymous
I would never hire him for my divorce again. He has not filed paperwork when he said he would... never returns calls... moved without notifying me... He did not follow through and left me hanging. Excuse after excuse!!!!
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05 Mar, 2013 by Anonymous
Ed took forever to file on my behalf, and when he did he mishandled the paperwork. This led to yet another delay in my Divorce. I'm now trying to get formal paperwork on my divorce (because he never got me my official copies) and I find that he has entered erronous birthdates, transposed "defendant" and "plaintiff" to the point my house may be in danger. I'm now lost and don't know what to do
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26 Feb, 2018 by Anonymous
I retained Stephen Jacobstein July of 2016 and by December he had gone through all of my retainer and only started discovery. It was June of 2017 and he had finally entered into discussion about a settlement with the opposing attorney. It had taken him almost a year just to get the release of a few personal items (cloths, jacket, boots, pictures, etc..). I ran out of money and he bailed on me and left me to finish the negotiation with opposing council. He was suppose to be a very good lawyer as advertised (Best lawyer, Super lawyer), however, he did minimal work and minimal quality, could have used a more economical lawyer and probably moved faster and more effective. I had no children and basic assets, should not have been difficult or time consuming. I would recommend someone more enthusiastic about your case and who has passed the bar a little more recent.
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07 Jan, 2014 by Anonymous
Mr Jacobstein came highly recommended but his performance was less than stellar. After one year and a depletion of 65K, I was no closer to a resolution. I fired him the next court appearance. He called me often to see how I was doing, and the next monthly statement would reflect those nice calls at his hourly rate. He saw resources and went after them. He was totally unprepared for the deposition and had me come in early to help organize for it. His office was a total mess and I would have to declutter the chair and part of the desk in order to meet with him. He refused to discuss my case with my wealth manager, even after I did a release. He had a CPA review my case and orally they came to a conclusion - - both refused to put in writing what advice was given, That was another 3500.00 plus Mr Jacobstein's fee. Mr Jacobstein refused to have a well respected gentleman ( knowledgable in what my case involved) from the Corporate community meet with him at his office because his secretary and her husband did not like him.( He had discovered ethical issues with her husband's law practice.) Every time I called and mentioned said person and his advice for the case, I had to refer to him as my "brother" as to not offend/worry his secretary. I repeated asked him to write me a will since the case was lingering and he always said he would and never did. I ultimately wrote my own. Mr Jacobstein is to be avoided at all costs. Trust me when I say he was almost worse to deal with than my husband of 30 years. This is a small community so I have let my case be resolved before writing this review.
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13 Dec, 2011 by Tim and karen
jeff handled an estate settlement for our famliy, he was awful in returning phone calls and he was rude when you did talk to him, i would not suggest hiring jeff at all, very un happy with his performence ,
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14 Sep, 2016 by Anonymous
I hired Stuart for my divorce case in the past year. He was very demeaning in his approach towards my case and used repulsive language. I also discovered that his term "good faith" is non existent as he will say one thing or agree in "good faith" but then retract on an agreement. He will use disgusting terminology to describe clients. His website states he is a collaborative attorney but his mission is to defame clients and not get to the root cause of the case. His emails to other clients are insulting and repulsive. Do not hire Stuart unless you want to pay an exorbitant amount of money for a case that will leave you wondering and questioning the term justice. If you want to hire a shady attorney who compromises ethics, then hire him.
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29 Jan, 2010 by Anonymous
Most of the time, I felt like I was paying this worman to work for my wife rather than me. She agreed to terms that were unfavorable for me without ever consulting me on the matters, she shot down every suggestion or request I made, and in at leat one instance, she knowingly lied to me about the status of a legal action. I could have represented myself better than she did and saved myself $5,000.
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16 Nov, 2020 by Anonymous
Does not give good advice as a counselor should and is not easily accessible when needed. Does not truly care about the client, just looking to make a quick fee.
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14 Jun, 2022 by Anonymous
Had difficulties remembering which case he was working. He didn't keep the person he was defending informed.
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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:
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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.
