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15 Jun, 2024 by Kent doll
They are the best divorce lawyers in town. They are compassionate and do excellent work for their clients.
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23 Jul, 2020 by Janelle scott
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02 Aug, 2018 by Ben
Greg spent 15/20 minutes on phone with me as a pre-consultation. We agreed to meet and further discuss my legal options. After an examination of my verbal facts and documentation Greg decided to draft a letter to the buyers stating Idaho Law and previous case. The letter was very professionally documented, emailed and mailed.
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15 Jun, 2024 by Kent doll
They are the best divorce lawyers in town. They are compassionate and do excellent work for their clients.
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02 Apr, 2021 by Cole
The mother of my child came after my family and I hard. She made accusations against my family, my friends and myself, claiming whatever she could to get full custody of our son and have a ton of restrictions put on me. I must have called at least a dozen lawyers, many of whom were either not accepting new clients or were charging insane retainer fees. I had my consultation with Kiley shortly after contacting her firm. She was extremely professional and seemed more knowledgeable than most people I'd talked to. Since hiring Kiley, she has helped me get an order of protection against me denied, a very favorable family plan ruling and is currently helping me deal with a child support issue as DCS has the wrong information about my income. I would absolutely recommend Kiley Anderson to anyone who's in need of a family law attorney. She prepared an eloquently written and factually accurate argument. She pointed out every little inconsistency in the other parties claims, and there were a lot of them. She completely outclassed the opposing attorney and by the time she had finished talking to the judge I was simply ecstatic that I'd chosen to hire her. Her paralegal Liz is extremely responsive and friendly. During an emergency incident on a weekend, she took my call and worked me through what the situation was and what steps I should take next. I'm very thankful to both Kiley and Liz for taking my case and protecting my family and I. Even with all of the stress I've been dealing with lately, I can recognize that these are true professionals who are going above and beyond to help my family and I. I really couldn't be happier with their service or more thankful for their understanding and compassion. These are the kinds of people you want handling your legal needs!
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10 Sep, 2020 by Jesse
I was treated with respect and she was very patient with my many questions. My circumstances made the situation very difficult but she never wavered when advocating and fighting for me. I am grateful to have been represented by her and she proved countless times my faith in her ability.
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15 Jun, 2024 by Kent doll
They are the best divorce lawyers in town. They are compassionate and do excellent work for their clients.
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06 Dec, 2022 by Vicki
I can’t thank Marla enough for the amazing and excellent work she put into my case. Marla is everything you need when looking for an attorney. She was responsive, graceful, and detail oriented but aggressive in court with the opposing side. With her hard work and approach it resulted in a favorable outcome. I would recommend her to anyone looking for an excellent family law attorney. Thank you Marla!
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23 Jul, 2020 by Janelle scott
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01 Feb, 2024 by Jacqueline p
I worked with Emily for several years and she always took such good care of me. She is a rare combination of brains and heart.
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13 Sep, 2018 by Robert
If you're reading this, you are looking for a attorney. Such an endeavor is very stressful and you're likely in an extremely emotional state of mind. First, let me point out that even though lawyers take a oath, most are very crooked and just out for money. Once the money runs dry, their services do too. You are in need of someone that is honest and has your best interest at heart, willing to see things through to the end, not just throw in the towel when things get complicated. You are in need of someone that is knowledgeable, understanding, and dedicated. I can tell you that Emily Brooks meets these things, and they are very, very hard to find in today's society. I hired Emily in 2015 with a real estate issue where the other side had millions of dollars to spend on attorneys and corruption, and I have an extremely limited income. I had first used Northwest Justice Project (NWJ), but when they found out how complicated the case was due to the unethical conduct of the other side, they suggested I hire an attorney with more resources that can devote more time and energy to the case. Emily was fresh out of school and just opened her own office. Even considering how inexperienced she was, she regularly went up against attorneys with 30+ years of experience and had an impressive track record. As a matter of fact, she had to deal with over 4 of them all having over 30+ years experience in real estate law for our case alone! The other side kept filing frivolous motions, appeals, and any other delaying tactics throughout the entire 4-year battle (starting with NWJ), despite strong verbiage from judges on how fruitless such actions would be. Emily fought tirelessly and stayed focused on our case, always saying this was about justice and making things right. Because of our income, we only could afford to have Emily write us some letters initially, but when she saw the injustice, she fought the entire case at trial with minimal further financing from us. A lot of the work was also done by her paralegal, Jonathan, who also was despised at the unethical behavior of the other side, and took a considerable amount of time out of his own personal life to help fight this case. In the end, Emily won our case! Actually, she won on three separate occasions on three different angles the other side kept trying to pursue before the other side took things to an appeals court. Unfortunately, we did not retain Emily for the appeals case because we were not sure what to expect, but our appeals attorney (who also had 30+ years of experience) was able to keep the case from trial purely because of the excellent documentation and work Emily had done. Let me also point out that the appeals attorney didn't seem nearly as efficient or knowledgeable as Emily. We are so thankful for Emily for all she did for us and highly recommend her to anyone needing an attorney.
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23 May, 2018 by Michael
My wife and I rented a house in Ellensburg WA. for a year. Prior to leaving we made sure the house was spotless and looked better then when we arrived. After moving we found out the landlord, who was use to renting to college kids, tried to keep our deposit stating the house was not properly cleaned and had reported damage that we did not do. We really didn't care about the money so much but hated the idea of this person taking advantage of people who couldn't do anything about it. After a quick call to Gonzaga University's law department, I was referred to Emily Brooks from Brooks Plumb Law Firm. Within no time, and after sending off a well crafted letter to the landlord, she got us a 100% refund and compensation to pay legal fees. We were out nothing and the landlord learned an important lesson. Emily showed why she is in the profession she is in. We highly recommend her and very much thank her for the support she provided to our family.
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20 Sep, 2024 by James olsen
Very through, courteous, and answered all questions.
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20 Sep, 2024 by Marla griffiths
Is it to understand. Easy to listen to. Humorous but serious. I Didn’t look forward to coming to this and it was the best possible experience I think to get the information I now have. This is not an unpleasant experience for all this free information. The examples were very relatable. I gave this a five star review.
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19 Sep, 2024 by Randall kimberling
Very informative seminar: shows what you thought you knew but really had unknowns!
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24 Sep, 2024 by Nathan conard
The best in the area. Hands down.
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23 Sep, 2024 by Patrick ream
I highly recommend, Samuel Fenton and WHC Law. We were in an unfortunate situation where a contractor abandoned a job with our deposit after doing little work that was not to code. Contractor was unresponsive, let licensing laps, and appeared to not have resources to make whole. Samuel created a strategy that was based on limited resource engagement on a limited budget to effectively recoup funds with limiting engagement from the non responsive, under capitalized contractor. Thanks Sam and WHC.
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22 Sep, 2024 by Jamie hollister
Brad and his team are fantastic. They have helped us with estate planning, business and real estate transactions. I highly recommend them.
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27 Dec, 2023 by Justin
Never filed paperwork with the court that has keep me from seeing my kid in 4 years. She has blown me off many times and let my ex with get away with just about every thing stay away and find a diffrent atterny
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21 Apr, 2021 by Cary
Shannon has been my attorney for many years. Originally, she helped me with a divorce that was very contested. Shannon is always responsive and honest about the options and paths forward. With her years of experience, she understands the courts and knows what will work and what won't. I respect this.. she does not want to waste time or clients money. In the years since, Shannon has helped with child support modifications, and also wrote up my will. I can easily recommend Shannon.
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20 Apr, 2021 by Jeri
Started the process to modify my child support back in September 2020 almost 2 months later he was supposedly served. First month she had a lot of spelling errors so several emails went back and forth before I even signed! I did all the initial emails or calls just to see how things were going. I paid a months mortgage for what right now was for crap. What a waste of a single moms money. I would never recommend. April, late April I might add, she finally sent in the paperwork just so I could receive a call from Child Support department stating she didn't complete a section so he had to be served again causing even more delay. I'll be surprised if i don't lose what child support I'm currently getting. What a waste of my hard earned money. But guess if you're a lawyer money is nothing to her. I would never Ever recommend. Worse part she was recommended to me by a friend that used her to also modify her child support. Don't ever hire.
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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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

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