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21 Sep, 2024 by G
21 Sep, 2024 by Troy tate
I highly recommend Sean Mangan of Mangan Law Firm for anyone in need of legal representation. He recently represented my son, who was facing very serious charges, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the outcome. From the start, Sean kept his promise of "representing him as I would my own." He was incredibly compassionate and sensitive to my son’s situation, always making sure he felt supported. Sean put on a master class in the courtroom, displaying a complete understanding of Military law and worked tirelessly resulting in the best possible outcome. If you're looking for a lawyer who truly cares, who is completely fair and transparent with his fees and who will fight for you, I personally promise, Sean Mangan is the one to trust.
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21 Sep, 2024 by Shawn king
I am a career, active duty Army Warrant Officer who was falsely accused of wrong doing by my ex-wife. Even though the claims against me were entirely false with no evidence, my command still tried to give me a General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand (GOMOR) based on the false allegations. I hired LTC(Ret) Mangan to handle my case. He worked with me to build a strong rebuttal packet that set facts straight. The packet was so successful that not only did I not get a permanently filed GOMOR, the CG went back and unfounded the claim against me. Now I finally have my reputation and life back.
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01 Feb, 2024 by Tomazine pikla
19 Dec, 2023 by May disney
This man’s a G. The best
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09 Sep, 2023 by Cindy keen
02 Aug, 2024 by Karen delgado
10 Feb, 2024 by Corey james
04 Jan, 2024 by L b
Quick. Efficient. Very inexpensive. Great knowledge base and attention to detail
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15 Jan, 2015 by Anonymous
I have worked with Angela on numerous occasions. She has given me legal advice in regards to my investment properties. She guided me through the eviction process for one of my tenants.
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15 Jan, 2015 by Sandra
Angela Michaels provided her services to me after I attempted to file my divorce and parenting plan by myself. She provided amazing service as was both informative and supportive.
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19 Aug, 2014 by Anonymous
Have witness Ms. Michael perform first hand in a court setting. Very knowledgeable, respectful and fair to all parties involved. Her candor is excellent and a resolution was achieved.
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13 Oct, 2022 by Lauren
I chose Ryan, Montgomery & Armstrong, INC. after seeing Anne Montgomery work with my brother during his custody battle. I was extremely impressed with her knowledge of Washington Family Law; along with her strong, tactful presence in the courtroom. Anne Montgomery has been gracious and kind with me, yet bold in action. She was able to deliver in every aspect and in court; we received the same parenting plan that we proposed. She has a thorough knowledge of my case and she has been with me every step of the way. Anne and her assistant Nikki respond quickly any time I have a question and they have been able to guide me through each step of the process. Anne has rolled with me through the lies, antics and tomfoolery that my ex has added to our action. She’s helped me stay focused on the facts when it seems the focus of his council is distracting the court with anything other than our daughter’s best interest. I am less anxious about the outcome working with Anne because It’s also important to her that our child will grow up in a loving, nurturing home with emotional and mental stability; feeling loved, wanted, valued and heard instead of a path of possible anguish, or worse. I highly recommend Anne, and her assistant Nikki. Together they are persistent, quick-witted, personable, professional, and on top of every aspect of the case from start to finish and even beyond. They handled my case as if it was their top priority and I couldn’t thank them enough for everything. Trust the process, trust this Attorney.
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07 Jul, 2016 by Brittney
Anne represented me and my children during my divorce. She is the best by far!!!! She was clear in her communication, responsive and made me feel like I was her only client, when I know she had many. She is a 'pitbull' when it comes to representing her clients and their best interest during any legal battle. She adequately advised me on what I needed to do. She was patient and answered all of my questions, even though I'm sure many of them were annoying but she never once made me feel dumb. I have recommended her to several of my friends and my clients. I would highly recommend hiring her if you want the best representation in your legal matters.
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31 Jul, 2013 by Anonymous
Documents were done in a timely manner. All my questions were answered. And the price was great.
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08 Jul, 2013 by Barbara
We had just received the diagnosis of my husband's late stage lung cancer and hired DJ Sweet to create wilsl and medical directives for both Mike and me. He understood the urgency and made time to meet with us right away. DJ helped us make legal decisions according to our values and needs. Most important to us, however, was the sensitivity and compassion with which he guided us through the process . Many times when a lawyer is needed, it can be a time of crisis and high emotion. DJ Sweet, in addition to being a conscientious and skilled professional, has an unparalleled ability to work with people. Know with confidence that he will listen and facilitate finding the best solution for your individual situation. I have the highest respect for Daniel J Sweet both as a person and an attorney.
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25 Sep, 2015 by Hugh
Called Jeff regarding a traffic ticket fine I was issued a while back. Jeff was able to give me some insight as to the questions I should ask, as well as if his services would be needed to expedite a resolution.
I'd recommend Jeff just on the experience I had in asking for some legal insight. He's definitely positioned himself as my first choice in legal counsel and representation! Thanks Jeff for all of your help, as well as all of the future help you'll be giving me!
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18 Jun, 2013 by Elizabeth
It was a pleasure having Mr. Morrison as my lawyer when filing a chapter 7 bankruptcy. He explained all the options for my spouse and I before all felt that chapter 7 was the best course of option. He was willing to work with making an agreeable payment arrangement. He kept us informed and was easy to reach and responded in a timely manner to any concerns of questions. Paperwork was filed accurately, and on the day of our hearing he was on time. No issues arose with our bankruptcy and everything was taken care of.I will be recommending his services to anyone I know who needs to file for bankruptcy!.
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27 Sep, 2024 by Monica g
I contacted the office of Ryan, Montgomery & Armstrong, Inc after seeing them listed in a brochure from the Kitsap County Treasurer that listed them as a local law office that deals with real estate matters. Terre, the office administrator, was incredibly helpful, responsive and made the whole process quick and easy for me. I highly recommend them!
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17 Jun, 2024 by Firoz
Attempted contact through their website but never heard back (about 2 weeks since I contacted).
Even a simple 'thank you for your interest, but we went be able to help you' message would've been fine.
Edit after business response:
I have no email from you in my inbox, spam or trash folders on 6/7 or adjacent dates. Please resend if you would like me to remove my review.
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10 Apr, 2024 by Sharon smith-adams
Ashley and team helped me through a car accident. They were great and it was a very positive experience. I recommend Ashley Armstrong.
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27 Sep, 2024 by Monica g
I contacted the office of Ryan, Montgomery & Armstrong, Inc after seeing them listed in a brochure from the Kitsap County Treasurer that listed them as a local law office that deals with real estate matters. Terre, the office administrator, was incredibly helpful, responsive and made the whole process quick and easy for me. I highly recommend them!
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17 Jun, 2024 by Firoz
Attempted contact through their website but never heard back (about 2 weeks since I contacted).
Even a simple 'thank you for your interest, but we went be able to help you' message would've been fine.
Edit after business response:
I have no email from you in my inbox, spam or trash folders on 6/7 or adjacent dates. Please resend if you would like me to remove my review.
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10 Apr, 2024 by Sharon smith-adams
Ashley and team helped me through a car accident. They were great and it was a very positive experience. I recommend Ashley Armstrong.
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14 Mar, 2024 by Craig diviney
I was a trial lawyer for 30 years but never thought I would need one myself, until I was injured in a dog attack. After careful research I retained Bill Broughton to represent me. He and his legal assistant Kelly were terrific, and they procured a settlement well beyond what I thought was possible. Bill was diligent, tenacious, caring, and thoroughly professional, and the deft touch with which he negotiated with the insurance adjustor was a thing of beauty. He and Kelly are consummate professionals and kind, decent people. Highest possible recommendation.
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28 Feb, 2024 by Consumer reviews
As a business owner, consumer, politically and socially independent and non-partisan activist, I have hired many attorneys over a period of 50 years. I have sued but never been sued, and I have avoided many situations that could end in legal trouble, such as estate issues, divorce, guardianship, contracts, real estate, by being careful about the law and lawyers. Most lawyers stink, but I hold my nose and consult with them because seemingly everything has connections to law in one way or another. Here is my take on 50 years of damned lawyers:
1. 20% of attorneys are excellent, but most range from mediocre to bad. Most are not good case managers because they are detail-constipated; they pick through the legal wording and have chronic and serious trouble seeing the forest for the trees. One real estate attorney I hired spent months exchanging letters with another attorney, picking endlessly over every letter of every word, and at $500 per letter.
2. Most attorneys slip easily into being rude, contentious, domineering and abrupt, and not infrequently abusive outright. They don't teach respect or courtesy in law school, and the field attracts many bullies, greedy, ill-mannered and argumentative misfits. Unless your case has a fat pay-day for them, like big accident/injury cases, your business won't motivate them to treat you even 1/10 as well as you are treated at a reputable retailer.
3. Law school costs a fortune so, even if they wanted to, they have to charge a lot of money. This is why only the well off can afford lawyers and pursue their interests. Aa for life for the majority, you are well advised to always carry a jar of K-Y, stay out of the big city, and stay home after dark.
4. Most lawyers are cynical and, behind your back or in your face, sneer, discount, or dismiss outright the average person's sense of fair play, integrity or justice.
3. Many lawyers are ignorant. The usual case is like this: Well, Mr. Smith, I will have to research this issue and it will take X-hours. Have another question for your lawyer and that means more hours on your bill. This is usually the case even when they specialize in the area of law your want guidance on. Imagine you go to a car mechanic and he says, well, I will have to study the problem, at $350 an hour for a number of hours--and then decide on a course of action to repair your car. An attorney who claimed to be a HOA expert, a Phil Havers of Silverdale, charged me hundreds of dollars to research whether it was legal for equal members of an HOA to pay different dues. Well, it was right there in the law, plain as day according to another attorney. Havers never did figure it out.
4. Many lawyers are foggy headed drunks who love drinking their lunches. In a law magazine I read, 18% of attorneys admitted to drinking too much. That is triple the rate in the general population.
5. Some attorneys are crooks. When my brother died, his attorney churned and milked his account for YEARS. He knew one of my brother's wills was not legal because it was not witnessed, but he went on robbing from it. His name was Bruce Gardiner of Kirkland. When we got on Bruce, he actually hired another crooked attorney to help him, an Eric Jeppesen of Bellevue.
In conclusion, I found this law firm to be the just more of the same rude, money-wasting, and ill-informed. I found its snooty representative to be as "pleasant" to talk with as I would some guy laying on a sidewalk in Seattle. Trust me, you can do better, although better as a rule means going to the high quality guys in the high-rises in Seattle.
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16 Jan, 2024 by B allen
Constantly forgets to send you paperwork, puts you behind on all proceedings. He always said "My paralegal never sent that to you?" when asked and than would get the documents 2-3 days later still. He was always on "travel", hard to reach. Simply by the book and willing to give as much to the other person and will do bare bones to support you.
Overall wish I would of hired one that actually cared and would inform me of things.
I had to wait 30 days to even get paperwork that the court case was done and that is cause I asked for them. I was never going to be told or sent any documents on it otherwise.
EDIT: Before he comments. Please take note. I am not the first person to complain about it. It is a business he will claim it doesn't represent fair review. Others said same as i did above.
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04 Oct, 2024 by Zach gustafson
02 Apr, 2024 by Dan
Sam handled my case quickly and professionally. The whole team at Compass Legal was great.
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24 Jan, 2024 by Young k
Family-law case, unsatisfied out-come and advisory service including how the way admin staffing handling the case and irregular communication channels other than requested and time charges. They care and focuse on your money not you.
Very softy and admin focused handlining.
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22 Oct, 2024 by Willie glover
They spoken with me tell me that I have a good case that they were sending out forms. I’ve haven’t received anything from them. I’ve tried three times to reach them about the case. They kept giving me excuses. Don’t waste your time.
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21 Mar, 2024 by Brayden segerman
Professional and amazing to work with
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21 Mar, 2024 by Delaney detray
04 Oct, 2024 by Zach gustafson
24 Jan, 2024 by Young k
Family-law case, unsatisfied out-come and advisory service including how the way admin staffing handling the case and irregular communication channels other than requested and time charges. They care and focuse on your money not you.
Very softy and admin focused handlining.
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06 Jun, 2023 by Ann nalley
Explained the issue and paid $$$, for a consultation just for the Lawyer to tell me they couldn't help because this is Kitsap county and we needed Pierce County. I feel that would have been nice to know when I explained the situation prior to making the appointment for the phone consult. Maked me feel they just wanted to get an extra $$$.
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24 Apr, 2024 by Ava
Heather and her team were wonderful to work with. Very helpful and knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend her.
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14 May, 2019 by Alina
I hired Compass Legal Services in 2017 to help me with a legal separation. Because my case involved not only complex financial matters but also a complicated situation regarding medical insurance I depend on but stood to lose in a divorce, I experienced terrible anxiety about the whole process. Heather and the staff at Compass Legal Services became like family to me during the many months it took to settle my case. Heather was able to help me ensure that I would be able to keep my medical insurance and have the resources I need to start over after twenty four years of marriage. They have continued to help me wrap up loose ends and red tape issues. I hope I never have to go through a situation like this again in my life, but if I ever did I would not hesitate to reach out to Heather and her staff for help. Heather is a smart and methodical divorce lawyer and I can attest that her strategic ability is exceptional and I highly recommend Compass Legal Services to absolutely anyone in Kitsap County who needs a divorce lawyer.
Thank you,
Alina
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17 Jun, 2017 by Chris
You are a godsend, lady.
Better than that: thanks for spending years in law school, practicing and gaining the experience to keep me from effing this up.
Heather provides fair-minded proactive advice, guidance and services. Her integrity, temperance, forbearance and quick response makes her the best attorney in Silverdale that I know of. If you need help, check with her right away; she's honest about what she can do for you, follows through and is an amazing person.
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16 May, 2022 by Mike & michele s
Great attorney- Very knowledgeable and thorough. Highly recommended!
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18 May, 2021 by Andrea parkin
15 Apr, 2021 by Elana voigt
Came highly recommended through a lawyer friend, I was not disappointed. Very calm and capable in the face of difficulty, balanced the need to do enough to win with keeping billed hours as low as possible. Made good recommendations on cost saving measures like buying my own scanner printer combo to save tons of billable hours (and driving hours) by scanning my own documents at home rather than driving them to her office and paying her staff to scan them. Not the cheapest but very good value. Listen to her suggestions, they're good.
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18 Jan, 2019 by Ryan
He didn’t seem to have his stuff together and all I had asked for was for him to prepare divorce documents for me...which needed corrections(not a big deal!).... what was a big deal was after I received services, I paid on the way out and as far as I knew it was a transaction that had been completed.... later I was billed a different number... when I asked about it he accused me of constant whining and harassment.... I emailed him and it continued to the tune of being told I got a good deal and he actually worked an hour longer than he originally billed me... I asked for the dates and times he charged me and he told me our business was done and that unless I was going to pay, to stop the harassment of him and his employees and the insane emails... insane? I asked for dates and times he had billed me.... my credit score isn’t 790 because I fail to pay what is owed!! Look elsewhere!!
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07 Mar, 2011 by Anonymous
I felt like I had to basically plan my whole case - I also feft like he was more interested in making deals with the opposing council that he was with fighting for my needs. Paperwork that was supposed to be submitted to the Judge (bench copies) were a problem not once but twice..I felt this was a HUGE problem in both my "temporary orders" and during trial!
The good news is he does respond in a timely manner.
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28 Aug, 2009 by Jennifer
Craig has been an exceptional attorney for us! He is hard working, doesn't take to intimidation tactics of other attorney, agencies, etc. and very compassionate with his clients. The first thing I noticed about Craig is he has a genuine concern for his clients; when he sees they are being "wronged" he is right there to go to the mat for you. He is experienced and it shows! He always seems to be ahead of the game and knows when someone is pulling some to be blunt BS. He is VERY clear about his expectations of honesty and conduct and so long as you are up front with him and your motives are good he is 150% there for you. He is an amazing attorney who we can not thank enough for the help he has provided so far. I would HIGHLY recommend him to anyone seeking an attorney who will get the job done AND do it with compassion! We are still working with Craig and we couldn't be happier with him.
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14 Mar, 2024 by Craig diviney
I was a trial lawyer for 30 years but never thought I would need one myself, until I was injured in a dog attack. After careful research I retained Bill Broughton to represent me. He and his legal assistant Kelly were terrific, and they procured a settlement well beyond what I thought was possible. Bill was diligent, tenacious, caring, and thoroughly professional, and the deft touch with which he negotiated with the insurance adjustor was a thing of beauty. He and Kelly are consummate professionals and kind, decent people. Highest possible recommendation.
Read more
28 Feb, 2024 by Consumer reviews
As a business owner, consumer, politically and socially independent and non-partisan activist, I have hired many attorneys over a period of 50 years. I have sued but never been sued, and I have avoided many situations that could end in legal trouble, such as estate issues, divorce, guardianship, contracts, real estate, by being careful about the law and lawyers. Most lawyers stink, but I hold my nose and consult with them because seemingly everything has connections to law in one way or another. Here is my take on 50 years of damned lawyers:
1. 20% of attorneys are excellent, but most range from mediocre to bad. Most are not good case managers because they are detail-constipated; they pick through the legal wording and have chronic and serious trouble seeing the forest for the trees. One real estate attorney I hired spent months exchanging letters with another attorney, picking endlessly over every letter of every word, and at $500 per letter.
2. Most attorneys slip easily into being rude, contentious, domineering and abrupt, and not infrequently abusive outright. They don't teach respect or courtesy in law school, and the field attracts many bullies, greedy, ill-mannered and argumentative misfits. Unless your case has a fat pay-day for them, like big accident/injury cases, your business won't motivate them to treat you even 1/10 as well as you are treated at a reputable retailer.
3. Law school costs a fortune so, even if they wanted to, they have to charge a lot of money. This is why only the well off can afford lawyers and pursue their interests. Aa for life for the majority, you are well advised to always carry a jar of K-Y, stay out of the big city, and stay home after dark.
4. Most lawyers are cynical and, behind your back or in your face, sneer, discount, or dismiss outright the average person's sense of fair play, integrity or justice.
3. Many lawyers are ignorant. The usual case is like this: Well, Mr. Smith, I will have to research this issue and it will take X-hours. Have another question for your lawyer and that means more hours on your bill. This is usually the case even when they specialize in the area of law your want guidance on. Imagine you go to a car mechanic and he says, well, I will have to study the problem, at $350 an hour for a number of hours--and then decide on a course of action to repair your car. An attorney who claimed to be a HOA expert, a Phil Havers of Silverdale, charged me hundreds of dollars to research whether it was legal for equal members of an HOA to pay different dues. Well, it was right there in the law, plain as day according to another attorney. Havers never did figure it out.
4. Many lawyers are foggy headed drunks who love drinking their lunches. In a law magazine I read, 18% of attorneys admitted to drinking too much. That is triple the rate in the general population.
5. Some attorneys are crooks. When my brother died, his attorney churned and milked his account for YEARS. He knew one of my brother's wills was not legal because it was not witnessed, but he went on robbing from it. His name was Bruce Gardiner of Kirkland. When we got on Bruce, he actually hired another crooked attorney to help him, an Eric Jeppesen of Bellevue.
In conclusion, I found this law firm to be the just more of the same rude, money-wasting, and ill-informed. I found its snooty representative to be as "pleasant" to talk with as I would some guy laying on a sidewalk in Seattle. Trust me, you can do better, although better as a rule means going to the high quality guys in the high-rises in Seattle.
Read more
08 Feb, 2024 by Bryan
Constantly forgets to send you paperwork, puts you behind on all proceedings. He always said "My paralegal never sent that to you?" when asked and than would get the documents 2-3 days later still. He was always on "travel", hard to reach. Simply by the book and willing to give as much to the other person and will do bare bones to support you.
Overall wish I would of hired one that actually cared and would inform me of things.
I had to wait 30 days to even get paperwork that the court case was done and that is cause I asked for them. I was never going to be told or sent any documents on it otherwise.
EDIT: Before he comments. Please take note. I am not the first person to complain about it. It is a business he will claim it doesn't represent fair review. Others said same as i did above.
Read more
30 Aug, 2022 by King
Asking a monkey to take care of your case would be better than this individual. No responses to any form of communication while hiding behind the receptionist. Don't waste time. money or your effort on this tool.
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07 Mar, 2013 by Anonymous
I hired Angela L Olsen to do my Divorce. It has been a year, and I had to get another attorney to take the case. She did nothing on my case, except collect money from me. She did not keep me inform, she charged for my emails, but would not reply to them. While the case was in her hands it almost got dismissed from the county due to inactivity! She is not on top of her game! If you hire this lawyer you might as well walk into your bathroom and flush your money down the toilet!!
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11 Jul, 2011 by Jeff
Angela Olsen mishandled our case so badly that we were compelled to file a complaint with the Washington State Bar. She was uncaring and unprepared and, as a result, served a contempt motion on the wrong party, and then failed to insist that a waiver be granted because the opposing attorney asked for service on behalf of her client. Any experienced attorney should have known better. In addition she was unable, because of her lack of preparation, to argue the case with the opposing attorney or direct the judge. She bungled the facts badly, and had no case law to support her limited attempts at rebuttal.
Angela Olsen failed/refused to maintain communications with us, claiming that her caseload and personal matters, such as a field trip with her daughter, and a vacation, were more important than the lives and future of our grandchildren, which hung in the balance.
Angela never disclosed to us that her caseload was such that she could not competently handle the case, which was brought before the court as an urgent matter. As a family law attorney she has a moral imperative to protect innocent children who are helpless, and have no other advocate, which was the reason she and her firm were retained.
Further, Angela Olsen failed to file a motion for reconsideration, when the judge refused to appoint a guardian ad litem. This was negligent
and irresponsible, given that there are health issues and child molestation involved. Ms. Olsen also ignored the urgency of the matter to go on vacation and then had the audacity to tell us more than 10 days later that she was too busy to respond to our telephone calls and
e-mail inquiries because "we were not her only client." When I criticized her handling of the case by e-mail her partner responded within 5 minutes, advising us that his firm was withdrawing -- never addressing the issues. As matters now stand Angela Olsen may have completely destroyed our son-in-law's only remaining chance to get his children and our grandchildren out of harm's way.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Family Law Lawyer Can Do for You
A family law lawyer provides legal services related to family relationships, including marriage, divorce, child custody, and adoption. Family lawyers help clients navigate emotionally charged legal issues, providing guidance and representation in disputes that affect spouses, children, and parents. Whether you're going through a divorce, seeking custody of your children, or drafting a prenuptial agreement, a family law lawyer ensures your rights are protected and your interests are represented.
Family law attorneys often handle sensitive matters and offer objective legal advice, helping clients reach fair outcomes either through negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
When Should I Hire a Family Law Lawyer?
Hiring a family law lawyer is beneficial in several situations, especially when legal matters involve close personal relationships. Common reasons to hire a family law lawyer include:
- Divorce or separation: When ending a marriage, a lawyer can help you navigate issues such as division of assets, spousal support, and child custody arrangements.
- Child custody and visitation disputes: If you and your co-parent can't agree on custody or visitation, a lawyer can represent your interests and work toward a solution that benefits your children.
- Child support: Whether you’re seeking child support or defending against a claim, a lawyer can help ensure the appropriate amount is calculated and enforced.
- Prenuptial or postnuptial agreements: A lawyer can help draft or review agreements that protect your assets in case of divorce.
- Adoption: Family law lawyers guide you through the legal process of adoption, ensuring that all requirements are met.
- Domestic violence or restraining orders: If you're a victim of domestic violence or being falsely accused, a lawyer can help you obtain or challenge protective orders.
- Paternity cases: If there are questions about the paternity of a child, a lawyer can help establish or dispute legal fatherhood.
Hiring a lawyer early can prevent issues from escalating, and they can offer you the best chance of achieving a favorable outcome in emotionally charged situations.
What Does a Family Law Lawyer Do?
A family law lawyer provides a wide range of services depending on your specific legal needs. Their responsibilities may include:
- Advising on legal rights and options: Helping you understand your legal rights regarding divorce, child custody, support, and other family law issues.
- Filing legal documents: Drafting and filing petitions, motions, and agreements with the court, such as divorce papers, custody agreements, or support orders.
- Representing clients in court: Arguing your case in front of a judge if a settlement can’t be reached through negotiation or mediation.
- Mediation and negotiation: Assisting with alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation, to reach agreements on issues like custody, property division, and support without going to trial.
- Enforcing court orders: Helping you enforce court orders related to child support, alimony, or custody if the other party fails to comply.
- Drafting prenuptial or postnuptial agreements: Creating agreements that protect your assets in the event of a divorce.
- Handling adoption proceedings: Ensuring that the legal process of adoption is followed, from filing paperwork to finalizing the adoption in court.
How Are Family Law Lawyers Paid?
Family law lawyers typically charge clients in one of several ways, depending on the complexity of the case and the lawyer’s experience. Common payment arrangements include:
- Hourly rates: Most family lawyers charge by the hour, with rates varying based on experience and location. Clients are billed for the time spent working on their case, including consultations, court appearances, and document preparation.
- Flat fees: For more straightforward legal services, such as drafting a prenuptial agreement or handling an uncontested divorce, some lawyers offer flat-fee arrangements.
- Retainer fees: In cases that are expected to require significant time and attention, such as contentious custody battles, a lawyer may charge a retainer, which is an upfront payment that covers the initial costs of legal services. The lawyer then bills against the retainer as they work on your case.
The exact cost will depend on the complexity of your case and the lawyer’s fee structure, which should be discussed upfront.
How Much Does a Family Law Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a family law lawyer varies based on factors such as the lawyer's experience, the location, and the complexity of your case. Here are some general cost guidelines:
- Hourly rates: Family law lawyers typically charge between $150 and $500 per hour, depending on their experience and the complexity of the case.
- Flat fees: For simpler cases, such as drafting a prenuptial agreement or handling an uncontested divorce, fees may range from $1,000 to $5,000.
- Retainers: For more complex matters, such as contested divorces or custody battles, lawyers may charge a retainer ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 or more. The lawyer will bill against the retainer for the work they do on your case.
- Additional costs: You may also be responsible for additional costs, such as filing fees, mediation fees, or expert witness fees.
Always ask for a clear breakdown of the lawyer’s fees and any additional expenses during your consultation.
Top Questions to Ask a Family Law Lawyer
Before hiring a family law lawyer, it's important to ask questions to ensure they're the right fit for your case. Here are key questions to ask during your consultation:
-
What experience do you have with family law cases like mine?
Make sure the lawyer has experience handling cases similar to yours, whether it's a contested divorce, child custody dispute, or adoption. -
How will you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, a flat fee, or requires a retainer. Ask for an estimate of the total costs involved. -
What are the possible outcomes of my case?
An experienced lawyer should be able to give you a general idea of what to expect based on the facts of your case. -
What is your approach to resolving disputes?
Ask whether the lawyer tends to favor negotiation and mediation or whether they prefer to take cases to court. This can help you determine if their style matches your goals. -
How long do you expect my case to take?
While it’s difficult to predict, the lawyer should give you an estimate based on similar cases. -
Who will be handling my case?
In larger firms, junior attorneys or paralegals may do much of the work, so make sure you understand who will be your main point of contact.
How to Check the Credibility of a Family Law Lawyer
To ensure you're hiring a reputable family law lawyer, follow these steps to verify their credentials and reputation:
- Check state bar association records: Verify that the lawyer is licensed to practice in your state and is in good standing with no disciplinary actions.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for reviews on websites like Avvo, Google, or Martindale-Hubbell. Previous clients can give you insight into the lawyer’s professionalism and success in family law cases.
- Request references: Ask the lawyer for references from past clients who can speak to their experience with the lawyer.
- Review their website or professional profile: Look at the lawyer’s background, case history, and areas of focus to ensure they have substantial experience in family law.
- Look for professional memberships: Membership in reputable organizations, such as the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), can indicate a lawyer's expertise and dedication to family law.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To get the most out of your first consultation with a family law lawyer, it’s important to come prepared. Here’s what you should bring:
- Relevant documents: Bring any documents related to your case, such as marriage certificates, prenuptial agreements, financial records, custody agreements, or court orders.
- List of assets and debts: For divorce cases, prepare a detailed list of all assets (e.g., homes, bank accounts, retirement funds) and debts (e.g., mortgages, loans, credit card balances).
- Details of the family issue: Provide a written summary of the situation, including key dates and facts related to your divorce, custody dispute, or support issue.
- Questions for the lawyer: Write down any questions you have about the legal process, costs, and potential outcomes.
- Your goals: Be prepared to discuss your objectives, such as custody arrangements, property division, or spousal support, so the lawyer understands your priorities.
Being organized and clear about your situation will help the lawyer evaluate your case more effectively and offer the best advice for moving forward.
