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23 Apr, 2024 by Bobby lashly
15 Apr, 2024 by Lainey rede
I just found this group. It appears to be very experienced and competent. The questionnaire was easy to fill out
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12 Feb, 2024 by Jamie gerlacher
Katharine and her team did a outstanding service for me. Took very prompt actions to resolve everything. Beautiful indeed. A terrific thanks to them.
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16 Jun, 2021 by Katie
Heather is worth every minute and every penny. She truly cares about the best interest of her clients! Heather is completely honest from the first second you speak with her and each thereafter. Custody issues are never easy, but Heather made the process as smooth as possible, in every way. Communication was a breeze. I could go on about how fantastic Heather is all day, but just hire her and you'll be in the best hands!
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05 May, 2020 by Tess
Heather is a gem. She is incredibly knowledgeable, straightforward, and stays on top of your case.
She will guide you, provide counsel, and then deliver in a timely manner. She picked up my call at almost 9pm when my ex tried to pull a fast one, and was there to guide me through it. My divorce is complicated, but she has taken the stress out of it. Believe me, you want her in your corner.
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28 Jul, 2014 by Brian k
Heather was highly recommended to me by a previous client of hers. She will tell you like it is and what the law is period. I fired my previous Attorney out of frustration . I could not be more thankful for all of her hard work , honesty and integrity. She is a no nonsense straight forward get it done Attorney. Worth every penny!
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28 Nov, 2015 by Doug
Tim is an excellent family lawyer . He is fair , honest and considerate . Moreover, he is a seasoned attorney capable of dealing with the most difficult of legal adversaries . My ex wife is nothing short of a financial Vollture. Tim helped reign in her sleazy / aggressive lawyer and got me out of an ugly 3 year marriage with my sanity , finances , and mist of all daughters love ...all remaining intact . I support this mans credentials !! He is pricey , but effective .
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07 Jan, 2011 by Matthew
Katie is meticulous, well-educated, and works with an excellent team. She is soft-spoken and caring, but don't think she is anything less than aggressive. I love Katie's honesty and ability to be realistic. In such an emotional time as going through a divorce, she understands that anger, irrationality and revenge are things that need to be taken very seriously - with both parties. In my case, there were many complexities that needed to smoothed out on my end. As I did so, the complexities unexpectedly came as a barrage of lies from the other party, but she handled them with aggressive kindness. She knows what to do and how to do it, to the point that much of the other parties tactics were exposed as irrational and untrue simply by filing a very eloquent Response. The judge didn't even need to come to the bench on a couple ex parte hearings - dismissing the other party's allegations based on merits. We had some email communication issues and I panicked several times when I wouldn't hear back from her within 24 hours, but that could have been just me. She always seemed to be thorough and knowledgeable when we finally connected, as if she had been studying the case during that time.
Also, I was a little upset when everyone in the firm's hourly rates increased by $50/hour, but it wasn't clear until I got my monthly statement. I wish that was more clearly disclosed BEFORE the month started rather than AFTER the month was over - although, I felt the contracted amount shouldn't have changed at all. Nevertheless, this is my first (and hopefully only) divorce, so I am not really knowledgeable of what the "common" attorney cost protocol is.
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28 Jun, 2024 by Kristina nolan
Hello, Andrew's family law has guided me through a DVRO, Child Custody and a Divorce proceeding. Mr. Andrews and his team have answered all my questions promptly and told me of the next steps I need to take. So, if you ever find yourself in any of these 3 situations listed above, please have confidence that Andrew's Family Law will help you through every step.
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20 Jun, 2024 by Ryan castro
Called and the lady that answered was so rude! Specified that she wasn’t a lawyer but was very unpleasant on the phone. First impressions are important and this place failed to provide that.
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08 Jun, 2024 by Rohini sankaran
Mr. Andrews was my (first) divorce attorney. Unfortunately, I was disabled at the time of my divorce, and Mr. Andrews never did as instructed, but I was too weak to change lawyers and my dad who was taking care of me didn't know what to do.
My ex husband and I reached an agreement. I just needed a lawyer to give him the money. I noticed almost immediately that his office didn't work quite right -their secretary ran down the clock to the hour on one of the first calls, which stunned me, but I was too sick to care. Mr. Andrews also tended to drone on and not say anything useful. He also submitted things that made no sense to me or my dad. My dad tried, we tried so so hard to get him to send my ex husband money. We kept asking and asking.Then I got sicker, I told Mr. Andrews I was sicker, and while he didn't do anything much before then, he did absolutelynothing afterwards (he had one job, to pay my ex husband per our agreement. He never did it.My next divorce atty a very reputable lawyer, said Mr. Andrews filed the paper work incompletely for the divorce actually.)
Then my ex husband, angry and not knowing the situation, thought I was stalling (I couldn't speak to anyone at the time, I was bedridden and couldn;t think. I'm crying as I write this. All these men scamming women is terrible. To be clear I paid everything for my husband- I was the sole breadwinner for four years while he went to school, then he abandoned me when I got sick. And he said, you can just hand me a check. He wanted half, and I just said, that's ridiculous. You're leaving me when I can't work. So we made an agreement). For about a year, Mr. Andrews did NOTHING and charged me $5000 for it. And my husband got half - of everything, including what really should have been money from before I was married, gifts from my parents, and, most awful, brain injury settlement money- which my ex husband had originally agreed not to touch. I can't describe to you all how traumatizing that is in the position I was in, to be nearly dead and dysfunctional and in pain, and your ex husband taking as much as he can. After I had switched lawyers to clean up his mess, Mr Andrews had the gall to ask for more money beyond the deposit. I said know, and he yelled at me over email when I finally said, after losing my ENTIRE 401K, I was not going to give him any extra money for bogus charges.
Interestingly, my next atty said Mr. Andrews didn't do his job -at all. She was stunned that he hadn't just sent a check first THING. Remember, i was sick, and i also didn't /don't know how divorces work. Mr. andrews claimed he couldn't give any money immediately until 6 months had passed. I don't think this was true!! He will cover his incompetence with anger that someone says he didn't something ...not right. My next attorney had a good think on it and she knew, even though Mr. Andrews really "screwed me", there is nothing I can do because he didn't technically do mal practice.
So, one star for this law firm for "technically not doing mal practice" but also doing absolutely nothing. I lost half my savings while I was sole breadwinner and this law firm is not apologetic, even when a reputable atty is shocked at the incompetence and their disregard.
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31 May, 2024 by Alethea andrews
So happy that someone is willing to take this case in California! And they listen to you. I honestly had no idea why my teeth fell out the way they did, but now I do. Thank you so much for fighting for me!
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31 May, 2024 by Stacey ibarra
Great Experience with this law firm! Always kept me update on my case and always made sure all my questions were answered and explained into detail. I will be recommending this law firm.
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06 May, 2024 by Wilmer espada
01 Jul, 2022 by Rosita braud
09 Jul, 2021 by For reals
28 Jun, 2021 by Micah zanbeose
13 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
We paid $3500
Two years later, the international divorce process is still not complete and my calls are not being answered. They don’t answer or return my calls.
I asked the court myself and was told my paperwork was incomplete.
The paperwork was not done properly they are not willing to do their job.
I am really disappointed.
You should not use John and pat
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11 Apr, 2023 by Anonymous
Forgot court dates, failed to file documents, provided me documents for someone elses case and left them in my electronic file to read (If I had chosen to), had multiple meetings to go over the same thing without corrections in errors noted previously and in writing. If you dont care much about your case, this is your law firm. If I could select less than 1 star, I would.
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08 Sep, 2021 by Carol
I have used for my needs two separate occasions. He was the third one that I had tried to help my with a ex husband who felt he didn’t need to pay me 23 years of marriage. John took care of it quickly and represented me and got me my pride back and the money I needed to start my life over. Pat his assistant was always immediately on task when John was in court I felt supported and that he truly cared. The second time I remarried and sadly my new husband passed away after a few years. I needed papers from previous marriage I thought I would never need again and John answered the phone and took care of it immediately. I no longer lived in Sacramento and it was time sensitive. Again he cared he listened to me and helped me w my needs quickly! I recommend John Montero due to his professionalism and he got me results when the other two lawyers did nothing . Thank you! My life was forever changed due to him!
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24 Feb, 2016 by Mike h
David represented me in my divorce and did a fantastic job. The outcome was way better than I ever expected. He's also helped a few of my friends that I referred and they are still thanking me.
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18 May, 2013 by Anonymous
Very on top of things. Was straight to the point even if I didnt like to hear it.
Had a handful of people recommend him.
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27 Feb, 2013 by Sonya
I have been waiting for him to finalize my marrage that I filed 6/11/04 ,and as of now it is still not final .
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26 Apr, 2024 by Kiyoko
Evidently, I'm not the only person who had an unsatisfactory experience with Bobby Luna as a Small Claims judge. He did not review any of my evidence, nor did he speak to my witness who was on standby on Zoom. In summary, be prepared to appeal his decision if you have him as a judge in Small Claims court.
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09 Apr, 2024 by Shawn mclaughlin
I have appreciated the offices of Bobby P Luna for four years and counting. Jennifer Holdener, Mackenzie, and reception have all been extremely patient with my needs and multiple cases that were far from normal in the eyes of us mere mortals. The bad reviews for Bobby and his office reflect a lack of understanding that the relationship between you, your lawyer and your case is a symbiotic dance where you provide the information and work together to create a case. There were times I was panicked and called and received no word back—and became upset—but these lawyers are constantly working for someone each day, so I would remember to be patient—that we have our day in court, not our day on the messaging system. I will continue to support Bobby P Luna and Jennifer with my recommendations and any new issues that may arise. I’ve been meaning to write this for a long time, and it took these one star reviews to get me to use my fingers and speak.
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15 Mar, 2024 by J rob
I definitely agree with everyone that rated him a one star. And he is trying to run for Superior Court Judge?! Thank God Sacramento saw through his bull. I went to this man several years back to get help with my divorce case. He told me he would definitely review my case and Get back with me, but I had a pretty clear cut case. He stated that he had to go to some type of attorney’s forum in Orange County and would review it when he returned. He told me to give him two weeks. Well, 3 1/2 weeks later, I kept calling with no response. Approximately 1.5 months later, I received a phone call from his office, not even him , stating that he would not be able to take my case due to it being too complex! Too complex?! Well, if he’s trying to run for a superior court judge that is as complex as it gets. Stay away from this person. I wouldn’t vote for him to run a boxcar race. Personally, I think he’s only an attorney based on the title and the prestige that it gives not based on anything that he earned or worked hard for and most certainly not his knowledge/expertise in the field. Look somewhere else for a competent attorney. I bet his premiums for his malpractice insurance are more than his net worth.
Update: See his reply below?! He said I never was a client. Exactly! Because after holding all of my documents several weeks and then making a cowardice move of having your staff call me and tell me that my case was too complex to handle- you’re right. I never was a client. Now, I’m so glad that you did me that favor. It was years ago and you may have gotten better since you’re “practicing.” Oh and just because you teach somewhere means nothing. I can own a beauty salon and not know how to do hair or have a license to do so. And you have further buttressed my statements in my review just by saying that you don’t “normally” reply to reviews- shows a lack of maturity and an underlying soreness about your loss. Nahhhh, Sacramento made an excellent decision.
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26 Apr, 2024 by Kiyoko
Evidently, I'm not the only person who had an unsatisfactory experience with Bobby Luna as a Small Claims judge. He did not review any of my evidence, nor did he speak to my witness who was on standby on Zoom. In summary, be prepared to appeal his decision if you have him as a judge in Small Claims court.
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09 Apr, 2024 by Shawn mclaughlin
I have appreciated the offices of Bobby P Luna for four years and counting. Jennifer Holdener, Mackenzie, and reception have all been extremely patient with my needs and multiple cases that were far from normal in the eyes of us mere mortals. The bad reviews for Bobby and his office reflect a lack of understanding that the relationship between you, your lawyer and your case is a symbiotic dance where you provide the information and work together to create a case. There were times I was panicked and called and received no word back—and became upset—but these lawyers are constantly working for someone each day, so I would remember to be patient—that we have our day in court, not our day on the messaging system. I will continue to support Bobby P Luna and Jennifer with my recommendations and any new issues that may arise. I’ve been meaning to write this for a long time, and it took these one star reviews to get me to use my fingers and speak.
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15 Mar, 2024 by J rob
I definitely agree with everyone that rated him a one star. And he is trying to run for Superior Court Judge?! Thank God Sacramento saw through his bull. I went to this man several years back to get help with my divorce case. He told me he would definitely review my case and Get back with me, but I had a pretty clear cut case. He stated that he had to go to some type of attorney’s forum in Orange County and would review it when he returned. He told me to give him two weeks. Well, 3 1/2 weeks later, I kept calling with no response. Approximately 1.5 months later, I received a phone call from his office, not even him , stating that he would not be able to take my case due to it being too complex! Too complex?! Well, if he’s trying to run for a superior court judge that is as complex as it gets. Stay away from this person. I wouldn’t vote for him to run a boxcar race. Personally, I think he’s only an attorney based on the title and the prestige that it gives not based on anything that he earned or worked hard for and most certainly not his knowledge/expertise in the field. Look somewhere else for a competent attorney. I bet his premiums for his malpractice insurance are more than his net worth.
Update: See his reply below?! He said I never was a client. Exactly! Because after holding all of my documents several weeks and then making a cowardice move of having your staff call me and tell me that my case was too complex to handle- you’re right. I never was a client. Now, I’m so glad that you did me that favor. It was years ago and you may have gotten better since you’re “practicing.” Oh and just because you teach somewhere means nothing. I can own a beauty salon and not know how to do hair or have a license to do so. And you have further buttressed my statements in my review just by saying that you don’t “normally” reply to reviews- shows a lack of maturity and an underlying soreness about your loss. Nahhhh, Sacramento made an excellent decision.
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18 Mar, 2024 by John skyleir
Rick is unreliable, unprofessional and untrustworthy lawyer that I ever had to use in my business. Watch out
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10 Feb, 2024 by Potato _person
Excellent in every way
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28 Jan, 2024 by Leslie lorenzen
The place is nice
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22 Nov, 2023 by Jacquie marroquin
Candace Brooks worked with me on my bankruptcy for the better part of 2023. I cannot speak of her and her work highly enough!
She was kind when I shared my big feelings about filing for bankruptcy for the first time in my life. Flexibility is her superpower as I delayed the process several months to handle other priorities. When I returned ready to continue, Candace was patient as I caught up on my part of the process. She was a consummate professional while being personable along the way. She and her team made this as painless as possible while offering solid legal advice. I strongly and enthusiastically encourage Brooks & Carpenter as you consider legal representation.
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24 Oct, 2023 by Penny carter
Candace Brooks took care of my situation from start to finish. She was always quick to respond when I had questions. She explained the process in detail and walked me through every step of the way. She made a stressful situation much less stressful. I would highly recommend her for your service needs.
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05 Oct, 2022 by Sizzy crawford
Candace provides exceptional service. She helped my mother file bankruptcy and walked her through every step of the process. She was always available to answer questions and responds quickly! I would definitely recommend her if you need to file bankruptcy. She’s professional and personable and helps you feel at ease.
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15 Aug, 2023 by Neil wilson
The McLaughlin law office responded to my request for services the very next day. Upon review of the short timeline we had, Mr. McLaughlin immediately went to work and had my documents ready within 1 week. They even sent my documents after hours on a Sunday evening so I would be ready to submit first thing on Monday. I can't say enough about how pleased I and my family are to have found this law office.
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27 Jul, 2023 by Cornell group inc.
Turnbull & McLaughlin has been a trusted resource for our company and family for more than 35 years. Their knowledge, experience and expertise have been very valuable.
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09 Dec, 2020 by Mike
Hughes Law group recently helped me complete a highly contentious divorce. I was recommended to the firm by someone with a great deal of experience in family law, and I could not have made a better choice than to hire Marc and Melanie. After taking the time to learn my needs, they determined an appropriate path for my case, set clear expectations, communicated with me through the entire process, and ultimately landed a fair CCRC and judgment which was precisely what I sought.
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22 Oct, 2010 by Randy
Ms. Snider is very knowledgeable, ethical, hard-working and tenacious. Her services are especially indispensable if the case is infected by evasiveness, dishonesty, or even outright fraud emanating from the opposing party. In my case, she obtained a much-needed modification of a particularly onerous spousal support obligation that had been negotiated by another attorney years earlier. She refused to tolerate evasive, incomplete, non-compliant discovery responses from the other party and mopped the courtroom floor with two different experienced Sacramento family law attorneys in the process. I am extremely grateful for Ms. Snider's efforts on my behalf, and I cannot recommend her highly enough.
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29 Sep, 2010 by Yippyyea
Ms. Snider saved us from the pit of Hell and gave our family hope again. Our case was HIGHLY litigious, and we had to fight against corruption, fraud, cyberstalking, and other forms of severe harassment perpetrated by the abusive father, his corrupt attorney, and bribed "experts." Ms. Snider and her staff protected us, kept us informed, and kept her professional integrity while representing us brilliantly. She and her staff care and will go the extra mile to do what is right, not just what is convenient or what she's is paid to do.
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03 Sep, 2010 by Anonymous
Since I am very limited in what I can write here, I will just say I would NOT recommend this lawyer. There was no follow through and little communication.
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17 May, 2023 by Anonymous
Court appointed as children’s counsel for 11-14 year olds. First she told my children that because of their ages, their requests and what they had to say would be what determine her recommendations. Despite being told by the children that their biological father that they had no relationship with and hadn’t seen for several years, is extremely abusive. The 14 year old expressed serious concerns about alcoholism and that he personally believed he does drugs & that he was concerned for his 13 year old sister’s safety, because he witnessed bio-dad physical abuse myself and his two older sisters….After speaking with bio-dad she decided everything the children had to say wasn’t true and chose to only believe bio-dad…as the children’s attorney. She then scheduled massive amounts of unsupervised visitations with bio-dad(despite the children’s plea to her not to) which included a trial over night visitation that was required in town for him to have over a month long visitation 2,000 miles away…he chose not to bother with the transition visitation and she removed it as a requirement….within a week of the month long visitation my daughter sent me pictures & videos of herself with bruises on her face and second degree burns on her arm(he threw her into a bonfire). I forwarded the videos and photos to Ms. Newman and she was unconcerned and said everything was fine. They met with Barbara immediately after returning and my daughter cried at the thought of having another visitation…for the first time she expressed concern, but the damage was already done…. during a court ordered phone conversation my daughter confronted him, where he proceeded to gaslight her and told her to never contact him again if she couldn’t remember things right… He then filed for bankruptcy in an attempt to extort money from me when he found out I don’t have the money he thinks I do he cancelled all future visitations and has had no contact for the last five years….during his bankruptcy he wrote off his fees to Ms Newman, who is now sending me bills for the full amount….she wants me to pay her $4,000 for her arranging my daughter getting abused…instead of doing her job and representing the kids.
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03 Jun, 2021 by John
I had the pleasure of working with Ms.Newman and found her not only highly effective but caring and supportive throughout the process. I definitely recommend hiring her.
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25 May, 2021 by Anonymous
Two things occurred when I dealt with Barbara Newman;
1. She made errors that were so serious that she essentially did not act as true counsel, violating clients Sixth Amendment rights.
2. Her deficient performance (and prejudice) unfairly affected the clients case . Her errors took away clients chance for a fair trial/outcome
And so clients rights were violated and client lost case. Do not do business with this lawyer!
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03 Dec, 2011 by Jim
I have used Mike Gums for 5 separate cases, which included everything from divorce to contract dispute, all within a period of 10 yrs. Mike handily won each case with a more than favorable outcome. His knowledge of the law surpassed all expectations, and Mike was diligent in his efforts to resolve each case in a timely and satisfactory manner.
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24 Feb, 2011 by Anonymous
Went in for a consultation seeking legal advice and possible representation. Michael was very rude and used unprofessional language when talking with me. I felt uncomfortable and did not feel as though he cared about what I was going through. He made fun of me several times when I didn't understand what he was talking about or couldn't answer a question fast enough. When I inquired about him representing me he informed me that a 6,000 dollar case was not worth his time. I would advise to not use Michael Gum.
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19 Apr, 2023 by Karen peach
Very kind. Handled situation with care. Even though she wasn't who we went with, our consultation was very informational. She is very educated in her field!!!
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16 Aug, 2021 by Anonymous
Passed off to Julia when the partners who originally created our family trust were unavailable to handle a simple matter of revoking a family trust. We made it clear we wanted to revoke, but she kept trying to upsell to create two new trusts. When I expressed frustration that the possibility of signing a simple piece of paper to revoke wasn't offered in the multiple emails we exchanged and we both reinforced several times that yes, we wanted to revoke, she said we were being rude and hung up on us. Whether she likes it or not, as a service provider who has frustrated a customer, she needs to professionally deal with frustration, and clarify questions when she's not making a compelling argument. Otherwise the Summerall law firm was quick and easy to deal with, shame she was unable to resolve a simple matter.
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11 Aug, 2024 by Kelly
09 Aug, 2024 by Michelle sandoval
20 Oct, 2023 by Ryan kaika
22 Mar, 2024 by Wynter blues
He was the worst lawyer I have ever had. He is a nice person but he never sent me regular updates of my case despite repeated requests nor did he provide me with full copies of documents he received related to my case. My separated spouse and his lawyer are threatening me with civil fines in the divorce case due to his incompetent representation. Please do not see this person!
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01 Aug, 2023 by Jessica martinez
If i could give no stars i would!!… Please DONT go to this so called “lawyer” he did not help me at all with my case. He doesn’t answer my calls, texts, or emails. The last call he took from me, which i had to call from another number because he was not answering me, he stated he was over whelmed with cases… well buddy maybe you shouldn’t take peoples money and say your going to help them, be honest with your clients and say no you cant take our case. This man is money hungry and only accepts your money without doing anything on his end.
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08 Aug, 2022 by Charles n jacqueline lindsey
Love my attorney been trying to reach unsuccessful would love to contact him
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04 Sep, 2021 by James
Worst prepared lawyer I’ve ever met . Had to hire and fire him in 8 days . He came totally unprepared and did zero home work . He didn’t even find out if we were the petitioner or responded . Refused to hear me out or let me know when I’d be receiving my retainer back . He did zero work not even asked for other parties address . Was placed on probation in 1984 and blamed a client . Definitely filing complaint with the bar . He got up like a 3 year old when told I was going in a different direction and stormed off . Very unprofessional and will be deleted first business day .
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23 Sep, 2015 by Anonymous
He took very long time to perform duties. When we stated we wanted to cancel contract he convinced us to stay with him. When asked about cancelling again he gave an accounting bill trying to keep our money after not doing anything. He charged us nearly 2500 for phone conversations. His morals are low and his business practices are terrible. All he talks about is getting convicted child molestors visitation with victims
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14 Nov, 2014 by Anonymous
This is the worst lawyer I have ever had. He has lied to the courts and caught!!! In result I lost my rights to my children and still working to get them back. I would highly recommend that you look into other lawyers before ever retaining him
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07 Aug, 2018 by Anonymous
My husband and I get married in Philippines he is A US citizen we have son, how cam I file a child support if he live in USA and son and I living in Philippines he going to file an annulment
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26 Aug, 2014 by Anonymous
I hired Mr Morrison with an amazing amount of evidence against my ex-husband proving he was an unstable and horrible father. (jail records, mental health records, etc). He did nothing to represent me or the case against him. He never responded to my calls, his assistant Michelle barely emailed me, would never inform me of things received from my exhusbands attorney. Now back at court, I represented myself and finally got the court to see what I had provided Mr. Morrison to do 5 years ago. Unbelievable.... my kids have suffered partly to the lack of care and concern he took for my case. Oh and when I asked for a copy of my case file, I got half a$$ copies with missing information and letters I never received. UNBELIEVABLE. My 8 year old could have done better.
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14 Jan, 2013 by Anonymous
Met once, retained him, never heard anything. I called and always spoke to assistants and no information. Just heard he moved offices and now practice??? No one informed me about my case nor the changes. Recieved one notice, my invoice! No case status! Now Im getting the run around to see who is now handling my case. I better not have to pay more to have someone else more fees to finish what he started and failed to finish or follow through.
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08 Jun, 2007 by Anonymous
This lawyer is very knowledgeable about divorce law relating to property settlements. He was efficient in assessing the value of my community assets and in organizing assets and liabilities. His staff were well organized, polite and easy to work with. He was effective in showing me what a marriage settlement agreement looked like ... "beginning with the end in mind." However, his style of advice was condescending and sometimes hostile. He made a painful time in my life more painful.
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07 Aug, 2019 by Anonymous
It was a non contested divorce that ended up
Taking over 3 years, $8000 of my
Parents money and now she wants $4100 more
Awful human being, terrible follow-up
No compassion
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05 Jan, 2009 by Anonymous
I used Sally Callahan as my divorce attorney a few years ago. She was recommended as a capable and tough attorney---which is what I needed. I didn't like her personality and wasn't comfortable with her, but I ignored these signs because I knew I was going to need someone tough. She is a capable attorney and is knowledgeable about the law, but that is a moot point for her clients because she does not use her knowledge to represent her clients, rather she uses that knowledge to take advantage of the vulnerability of her clients in order to increase her fees. That is to say, she uses her experience and knowledge to her own ends and is ruthless and callous toward her clients. She will try to get you to go to trial so she can collect more fees. She doesn't care at all that she leaves her clients penniless. She may have once been an excellent attorney for her clients, but she has lost her way ethically and is now motivated by sheer greed. Beware!
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08 Jun, 2007 by Anonymous
Beware of attorneys looking for clients with substantial assets.. I pulled the plug when she asked me refinance properties in order to keep paying her bills. She consulted out bits and pieces of the case and the costs kept mounting but never moved any closer to resolution.
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13 May, 2022 by Anonymous
a crook waste of person, money grabber, liar, disgusting, harassing attorneys in the Bay Area. Knows nothing about family law and will do anything to bad mouth the mother and fabricates lies
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07 Nov, 2020 by Anonymous
this guy litigates is unbelievable rude, has no control for his words, manners 0 and you cannot understand what he says thick accent real bad and how he threats women opposing side of him is beyond outrageous, he should stay way from anything related to family he does not value the word “family” in court. He’s in for the money
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12 Dec, 2019 by Anonymous
I hired Grace and it was a negative experience. I felt that she did take the time to prepare for my case. I've worked with lawyers in the past, so the bar is set a little high. She didn't address my issues and in result I still have the issues that are present since I contacted her. It wasn't a pleasant experience.
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17 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
I hired Wei Zhong to represent me for a case. I felt that she was not very professional and only seemed to charge me for every little encounter. There were many times when I called the office to see if Wei Zhong was there and the receptionist said "no" but I was billed for the call. This attorney seemed to bill me for every little thing and took very little time to explain things clearly to me. Because of this, I don't feel that she is professional and doesn't have the client's interests at heart. She also doesn't seem to have much experience except in overbilling me which I feel may lead hear to lose my case.
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26 Sep, 2020 by Rebecca
I went to Lynette for help with custody of my son after his dad physically abused him. In the initial (free) phone call to review the events she stated we would request a restraining order and push for full custody. Once she receive my deposit and began charging me for every contact she sent several emails just to check in (I was charged for those check in emails), she spent 1.7 hours discussing the events (that we had gone over several times prior). During that phone call she kept acting confused about the explanation that my son's father threw a shovel at my son, pinned him to the ground and choked him. She did not follow up with the CPS report or Sheriff report. She claimed to have prepared all of the paperwork to submit to the court, but after 3 weeks of interaction she still had not submitted any paperwork to the court.
The bill was just sent for $1400 for 2 phone calls and some check in emails. The end result is my son is still forced to go to a man's house that is physically abusive and the lawyer got paid.
To add to the incompetence, the book keeper told me that I could pay with a credit card and the deposit would be sent back as a check. now I have a $1500 credit on a paid off credit card.
Please do yourself a a favor and do not use this firm.
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19 Feb, 2013 by Anonymous
This lawyer filed my paperwork for me, she is my x wifes lawyer, had served me with a tro in jail. Then was being "nice and Helped me fill out the papers" I needed to end my horrible divorce. She did not recall the restraining order and in fact kept it active for my x, now 8 years later I was almost arrested for having my kids and taking care of them 90% of the time because my X had a bad day and said she still had this thing! If I did not have my divorce papers at home I would be in jail right now!
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27 Jul, 2023 by Cs
DO NOT HIRE her to represent you!!!!!
Unprofessional, will not represent your best interests, will delay a case unnecessarily, will disappear and not communicate. Will not follow through on promises and expectations. --
For those who want more details: I hired Ms. Wright to represent me in a divorce and not only did she misrepresent my interests by giving extensions of time to the other party to respond and participate in the divorce, but she didn't apply the law and file a DEFAULT with the court to put the case in front of a judge expediently. Allowing the case to delay for over 8 months caused me extensive financial damages, including subjecting me to higher amounts of alimony and a much higher calculation of the community property division of my home's equity in an increasing real estate market. The icing on the cake was the three months when she completely disappeared and did not respond to any requests to work on my case, only to come back months later and say she needed to take a work break. Once another attorney told me my rights, what a DEFAULT judgement is and how it should have been filed 8 months prior, I discharged her immediately and hired a new attorney. What should have been closed in 6 months and cost me less than $20K in community property interest and legal fees ended up costing me $150K all said and done. DO NOT HIRE this attorney! I filed complaints with the Sac County FEE arbitration dept after which Ms. Wright entered a settlement agreement with me, refunding me some of the fees I had paid her. I chose not to file a civil case for the $70K in damages, because I want to put this chapter behind me and no amount of money is worth your peace of mind. She asked me to rescind my complaint with the State Bar (for disciplinary action, not damages) and I refused. My complaint and details will stay on file in the event another client experiences and complains about the same behaviors, incompetency, lack of professional conduct and consistent communication and not representing a client's best interests to the extent provided by the law. ----
SO, PLEASE IF YOU HAVE ALREADY WORKED WITH HER and experienced similar negative experiences, please file a complaint with the State Bar and let's keep this attorney from do these things to future clients.
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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.
