Best Family Law lawyers in Tennessee

2,760 Family Law Lawyers in Tennessee

>2.8k

experienced lawyers

Donna Marie Fields

201 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN

Child Custody Child Support Criminal Defense +2 +5

1.5/5

1.5

64 Reviews

14 Sep, 2024 by Karma

It was quite scary and hard for a 14-year old trans kid to face their rapist and not cry. The process was long and grueling but getting to meet my lawyer and judge before having to testify in front of a group of random people and to tell what he did to me made it much better. I don't think I could bare to do this ever again but the process was worth it.

28 Aug, 2024 by Jason rudd

The feds need to come here asap totally ineffective. How are we fighting crime when they just let these criminals out without facing any consequences. I'm ashamed that I unfortunately live in this hell hole.

03 Jun, 2024 by Dillon crone

My Rating is Zero!!! This office should be ashamed... It's a No Wonder these Criminals are Running the streets. 18 year old gets caught breaking into cars and gets a $1000 bond... I guarantee you he had his $100 to bond out.... Right back on the street!!! SMH...

Katherine Berendt Ratton

201 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN

Business Criminal Defense Elder Law +4 +7

1.5/5

1.5

64 Reviews

14 Sep, 2024 by Karma

28 Aug, 2024 by Jason rudd

03 Jun, 2024 by Dillon crone

Tanisha Lasha Johnson

201 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN

Business Civil Rights Criminal Defense +2 +5

1.5/5

1.5

64 Reviews

14 Sep, 2024 by Karma

28 Aug, 2024 by Jason rudd

03 Jun, 2024 by Dillon crone

Dorothy Johnson Pounders

4545 Barfield Rd, Memphis, TN

Family Law +1

1.0/5

1.0

4 Reviews

11 Oct, 2016 by Anonymous

Dotty adviced me to announce the divorce news to my spouse by email. Later I found out that is the worst strategy if you are seeking a friendly divorce . It was the best strategy to make it more expensive though . Well my wife who's IQ is 164 after I sent her that terrible email realized of it and actually proposed me to do it in court without her and save us a lot of money . After this smart and considerate gesture I realized It will be a mistake to divorce a woman that on top of been hurt as a women thanks to Dotty recommendation and call it out with an email ( a polite one though) ; she actually put aside her pride and helped me to find a way to divorce her in a civilized way and a respectful one , after me sending that terrible email . After I told Dotty I did not want to serve my wife with papers neither divorce her , Dotty still charged me $125 a month to let me know that there were not changes in court . I actually got a link from my wife to do so by myself . I guess for searching online Dotty was charging $ 125 to let me know she was not doing anything.

08 Jun, 2011 by Anonymous

While Dottie has a great reputation, she is not a great attorney. She was often unresponsive to my questions. She would have her paralegal send me an email that she was planning to call me, but the calls never came. Worst of all she strongly encouraged me to sign an agreement without taking the time to tell me what changes had been made. I'm not sure she had read it herself. The other party's lawyer had re-written the document and there were changes that I should not have approved. Dottie seemed to always have personal problems that caused delays in my case. Perhaps it's time for her to retire.

19 May, 2011 by Anonymous

Dorothy (Dotty) Pounders was recommended to me by a Lawyer as having a great reputation in the past. My experience was very different. There was a hearing scheduled for which she did nothing for. She would not reply to emails, would not reply to my wife's Lawyer's letters and rarely returned a call. She spent a lot of my money claiming she read letters and emails but would not reply or give me advice for weeks at a time if at all. I’m sure she was once a brilliant divorce Lawyer but my understanding is she living off her past reputation with little regard for her current clients. If you were a past client of hers a long time ago them you probably experienced something completely different. When looking for another Lawyer to replace her I heard this was their experience too with clients coming to them with the same story. I hired another attorney and was very satisfied with their performance and the final outcome.

Jon Douglas Hatfield

721 N Dixie Ave, Cookeville, TN

Business Criminal Defense Family Law +1 +4

1.0/5

1.0

4 Reviews

24 Dec, 2018 by Anonymous

He has been hired by the court to represent my husband who is incarcerated, I have tried calling multiple times and haven’t received any phone calls back. My husband has been in jail now 3 months and I haven’t heard a word! Definitely will be contacting and paying a lawyer to represent him further!

05 Aug, 2017 by Millie

Refused to return calls, took money and did very little if nothing for the fee. Would not recommend this lawyer to anyone unless you want to pay him for nothing. I gave one star because it was the least amount.

06 Apr, 2017 by Anonymous

He failed to file the counter suit he was originally hired to do. Failed to prepare for the case after he was hired to represent me. Did not even attempt to make contact with me until late in the day the Friday before trial with the following Monday being a holiday. Has refused to respond to me since trial. Has refused to provide me with the judges order which he is contractually obligated to do. Failed to refund my money or provide any accounting. FAILED FAILED FAILED.

Brandon Michael Booten

393 Maple St Ste 201, Gallatin, TN

Adoption Appeals Criminal Defense +4 +7

1.0/5

1.0

4 Reviews

29 Jul, 2013 by Anonymous

Retained him in December 2012, have not spoken with him since March and only 4 times between December and March. Supposed to go to court soon. Have not heard from him and am told by the secretary at Kidwell, South & Beasley that she does not handle Brandon's calendar and he makes his own appointments. NO contact, no way to get copies of my files and he took my retainer... and I have no atty to go to court with.

27 Jun, 2013 by Anonymous

We fell for this attorney’s smooth talking and he seemed to know what he was talking about and it sounded great to us what all he was going to do for us. So we hired him and started paying him. After that day he never returned our phone calls or texts that we would send him. He was never in his office. We had arranged to meet up with him 3 different days and times and something ALWAYS came up or he would just avoid us. So we fired him only to find out he lied to us about delaying our response that was due and he knew when it was due when we hired him. He never called the clerk’s office like he told us he did and he made us miss our deadline for filling a response. So now we are in desperate need of finding another attorney FAST to fix his mistake and for us not to loss everything WE worked for. DO NOT hire this attorney. He will take your money and you will never hear from him again. He should have told us he was too busy to take our case instead of just taking our money and wish we would just let deadlines go. The ONLY good thing he did was refund the WHOLE amount we paid him for doing NOTHING!!!

19 Nov, 2012 by Unsatisfied

I have been going through a divorce for nearly a year and he doesn't return my phone calls, emails, or text messages. I schedule phone conversations with him and he seems to always reschedule claiming to be tied up in court. I am very unsatisfied with his practices. I am now in the process of settling my divorce myself!!

Karla Dianne Ogle

Po Box 1423, Fayetteville, TN

Family Law +1

1.0/5

1.0

3 Reviews

30 Nov, 2022 by Mehgan

Karla is one of the worst attorneys I’ve ever met. She is extremely unprofessional and disrespectful. She said a lot of very terrible things to us about the birth mother of our son. She was supposed to be an unbiased in our case but you could tell she was making a lot of decisions based on how she felt. It was a sad case and she didn’t even really put the time and effort that she was supposed to. She states “I’m doing what’s best for the child” but that’s the most untrue statement. She does what’s best for what she wants to happen. When I say you need to run, not walk, away from this women, I’m not kidding. If she is assigned to your case, ask your lawyer for an immediate change. She’s small minded and shouldn’t be allowed to practice law.

03 May, 2017 by Anonymous

She obviously does not understand confidentiality agreements. She was my appointed attorney during a child custody case with my father, after speaking with her in private she returns only to tell my father and his wife (who were trying to take my son away from me) everything i had told her. I wouldn't have known or believed that if a mutual friend hadn't come to me and told me word for word, she repeated everything back to my father that i had just told her. Also, told me to contact her through text and i've never received a phone call or text back from her yet she told my father and others that "I never made contact with her after she reached out to me numerous times." Sorry, Karla but you got it backwards. If you're not from this small town in Fayetteville, maybe she would be a good attorney to have. MAYBE.

23 Mar, 2011 by Anonymous

I asked her for a quick, easy divorce. Thats what she gave me. I've paid for this ever since, financially and with my children. If she had told me all my options, I'd made a better decision. No one is in the frame of mind to make good decisions while going through a divorce. Maybe I didn't listen but, I was definitely not informed of all my rights and options. I think she was trying to be fair in going along with what my ex-husband and I had in mind for a parenting plan. I was trying to be fair also, (too fair). She didn't inform me how difficult it would be to change it. She was well aware of the fact that my ex and I didn't get along, didn't communicate well. Now our children are paying for that. If it was about the money she should have said so. You get what you pay for and she didn't charge me much for the divorce. Our divorce papers didn't protect me from being sued by the bank for his vehicle because it stated both of us were to refinance the vehicle. It was primarily in my name. I tried to contact her about this and she stood me up for the appointment and didn't call me back. He should have been paying child support but she didn't listen. I finally got child support after being on public assistance. My situation is better know financially but only after 2 1/2 years. Now I'm going to court to try to get the ridiculous parenting plan modified. I think I probably talked to her secretary more than I did her. At least her secretary would talk to me. I hope Karla will be cautious in the future and treat each client like she would want to be treated. Again, maybe I didn't listen but she could have made more of an effort to inform me of my rights and the consequences of my decisions. I have done more research on divorce and child custody (too little, too late) after the fact. I filed a no-fault divorce when I could proved my ex-husband was emotionally and verbally abusive and mishandling our money. I didn't know the difference at that time. Even though I worked part-time or full-time throughout my marriage, I was still the primary care-giver of our children. That wasn't even really discussed. I should have filed for full-custody or our children. Again, no one can make good decisions while going through a divorce.

Kristin Bargers Brown

1303 N Main St, Shelbyville, TN

Criminal Defense Family Law +2

1.0/5

1.0

3 Reviews

06 Oct, 2021 by Andrew

She is very unprofessional. She took my daughter's husband's side. She cursed me and got smart with me. She was done once she received her money. Please do not go to her. She acted like it was a bother to ask her any question.

16 Oct, 2020 by Anonymous

Bad attitude and a horrible attorney. Can’t even be bothered to know your name. Will not take your calls but gladly take your money. Will not explain the court process. Will not inform of proceedings. Her assistant works well with her because her attitude is just as bad. Both are miserable and take it out on clients. Even if this review saves 1 person from her it’s worth it, no one should have the experience of spending your savings and fully trusting someone with your future and having it all crushed. It’s devastating.

04 Oct, 2020 by Anonymous

So Rude! I honestly felt like she worked for the other side than for me. Incompetent, she did not seem like she was interested in taking things further, like it was a burden to go to bat for her own client. Especially, when several items came back in our favor. Once a plea was given, she seemed more interested in taking that than to continue. As an innocent client, I felt guilted into accepting, by my own attorney!! This was a few years back, but I think about being a pushover almost every day. Lost a lot because of how it played out including my career!! If you have one tiny notion to get someone else, DO IT! I myself didn't listen to my initial instinct, nor did I listen to two other very important persons in my life, as well as in the public and private sector of our community! Wish I had!

Glenna M. Ramer

2305 Hickory Valley Rd Ste A, Chattanooga, TN

Appeals Family Law Juvenile Law +3

1.0/5

1.0

3 Reviews

23 Sep, 2024 by Mary

All Glenna wanted was more money. She stretched out my amicable divorce out for two years. Every time I called her office to find out why everything was taking so long, I was charged and didn’t even speak to her. I felt like she used me. I ended up changing attorneys. I couldn’t afford her anymore.

13 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous

Glenna should be disbarred. She has no conscious, no integrity, no concern for children’s safety, no value to the justice system. Do not hire her if you want to be fairly represented.

14 Dec, 2012 by Kathryn

This lawyer is absolutely blind sighted. She never seemed to have my best interest at heart, instead, only hers. She robbed me of my money and advised me to do things that I should have known were not for the best. I will never recommend her to represent anyone in the Chattanooga area. All she wanted was for my case to continue on so that her pocket book could get more padded by the minute.

Addie Marie Burks

Po Box 3675, Memphis, TN

Business Family Law +2

1.0/5

1.0

3 Reviews

28 Oct, 2015 by Anonymous

Its very hard for me to right this review because it is not my intent to degrade or slam anyone, however, for the sake of others that are looking to hire someone to represent them in a court of law, this lawyer is not the one. ALL of the contact on my Accident Case was initialed by ME, 99% of my case information/status was given by her assistant, when I finally did get a call from her, it was ALWAYS an excuse: her mother, her child, which was the same excuse expressed by a previous reviewer in 2012, My case was at the point of being dismissed due to the fact it was coming up to a year with no activity, which I found out when "I" called the office to inquire, of course she did not inform me it was her assistant. When I informed her that I was firing her, she had the nerve to tell me she was going to put a lien on my case, but by the Grace of God I am happy to say, I got my case to another lawyer in time to file and was successful. Unless, she has made a drastic change, I would not recommend this lawyer

19 Feb, 2014 by Pissed off client

I hired her to represent me as my attorney for a car accident two years ago (May 2012). She is very unprofessional, will not return your phone calls, her assistants at her office never seems to not know where she is at or how to contact her. Ms. Burks will file your case in court and leave you in limbo about your case. When she did answer her cell phone she gave me a bunch of lies about everyone in her family being sick is the reason she hasn't had time to work on your case. It is February 2014 and I just fired her as my attorney and hired someone else. When I went and got my file from her she has not worked the case at all. The defendants attorney sent her two letter so that we can settle the case and she did not respond. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME ON THIS LADY BECAUSE SHE IS A JOKE OF AN ATTORNEY.

08 Jul, 2013 by Deanie

I'm still waiting for closure on my case that happened 2years ago! When you call the office, they don't know anything. When you call her cell phone (that I found on google) she hasn't answered since my 1st call and she was supposed to call me back. She's not good at all.

Carol Ann Barron

264 3rd Ave, Dayton, TN

Elder Law Estate Planning Family Law +8 +11

1.0/5

1.0

2 Reviews

20 Sep, 2015 by Anonymous

I gave a 52k retainer, she provided no written agreement despite my requests. It has been over a year now, and she has not even begun to work on my case. She has never returned a call. I learned fast and set up meeting instead. Two days before court I had a meeting with her for 10 minutes, as she was rushing me out. It was very evident she had not even reviewed my file and was very unprepared to defend me.Scary!

20 Jul, 2014 by Anonymous

She will take your money, have you show up for court and wait all day 6 times only to reschedule, then drop you as a client. I wish i read her reviews before i hired her. not to mention she is impossible to contact and will not communicate with you at all. Do not waste your money on this woman.

Trisha Lewis Henegar

923 N. Main Street, Shelbyville, TN

Criminal Defense Family Law Personal Injury +1 +4

1.0/5

1.0

2 Reviews

15 Apr, 2017 by Anonymous

she helped set up the parenting schedule and told me she would contact me to have my son's last name change to mine, I called her many time and they would always tell me she was busy and she never called me back, I even tried going to her office but the same thing happened.

28 Feb, 2015 by Anonymous

This woman may be good getting people disability, but she is not a good defense lawyer at all. She likes to sweet talk your accuser into dropping the false chargers they have filed against you. She is in tight with the local law enforcement and will not fight them on your behalf even when they have proven to have brought false charges against you. Not professional and quit my case 4 days before my court date and kept half of my money.

Jessica Lyn Doyle

20 Music Cir E, Nashville, TN

Family Law +1

1.0/5

1.0

2 Reviews

01 Dec, 2022 by Johnathan

Jessica completely dropped the ball in my case and was a waste of money. Not to mention, she was extremely rude and rarely responded to my emails. Save yourself the headache and don’t use her.

30 Apr, 2021 by Andy

She represented my child in a custody case and dropped the ball by all accounts thus far. Maybe she could represent in divorce cases, but she has no business being involved in child development. Old lawyer thing.......Get a law degree and suddenly you are an expert on Everything.

Mary Belle Langford

177 E Main St Ste 4, Hendersonville, TN

Adoption Child Custody Child Support +1 +4

1.0/5

1.0

2 Reviews

12 Sep, 2013 by Anonymous

Never received an itemized bill, argumentative with client if you don't agree with here. Does not understand when an opposing attorney is bluffing. Can become emotionally labile at the drop of a hat. Broke client confidentiality. Took my retainer, never sent me an itemized bill. Very naive, can become extremely emotional. Run from this "attorney".

18 Jun, 2010 by Anonymous

This attorney really doesn't know what she is doing. I was never informed of what was going on. She never seemed to have a plan. We were always on the defense in court. She never asked my wife any questions when she was on the stand. And after 3 years with no closer her law office informs me that my 2 inch file had been accidentally thrown away by cleaning crew or lost. Now I am starting over with a new attorney. Please beware.

Laurie Harrod McNulty

30 2nd St NW, Cleveland, TN

Estate Planning Family Law Probate +1 +4

1.0/5

1.0

2 Reviews

03 Jan, 2024 by Anonymous

I highly recommend you avoid this law firm at all costs. The lawyer I was dealing with, Laurie McNulty, dropped the ball on my case then went radio silent. I have suffered extensive damages due to her fault and want to avoid anyone doing the same. Others have had a similar experience with her due to her poor rating on this site.

15 Sep, 2022 by Lynn

I tried for months to get a response from Ms McNulty in regards to an issue with my fathers will. She NEVER responded to me or to the lawyer I had consulted in another state where a piece of property my father was co owner of was located. After I gave up a relative of mine who also owns a portion of this property tried numerous times to contact her for information. She never had the courtesy to respond by email or phone call. Totally unprofessional. Be warned!

Shawn Patrick Sirgo

2092 Fairview Blvd Ste 105, Fairview, TN

Business Criminal Defense Family Law +2 +5

1.0/5

1.0

2 Reviews

07 Dec, 2020 by Anonymous

Similar situation as the anonymous person who posted first. Hired over a year ago still hasn't done anything to assist my case. When I asked for an update after about 3 months of no contact back he was very rude and refused to represent me any longer. Also made up false reasons to take the rest of my previous paid retainer that was not used. This man has caused more damage to my life and my situation and I know that I am not the only one there are several people that I have heard from face-to-face that have facts that will say the same thing.

08 Jul, 2018 by Anonymous

This attorney was hired in Feb 2017 to file a petition for a sentence reduction. He said he woud do this and have my son in court by the middle of May 2017. A year later, he still has not done this, but he kept saying he was going to. He deliberately ingnored phone calls and would never answer the question he was asked. When all other attempts were made, I asked on facebook how to contact him. Before I had laid down my cell phone, which is how I reached facebook, he rang me. He was screaming like some maniac saying I had no right to use his facebook. If he had answered my phone calls, I would not have thought of this. He never let me speak. He just kept screaming and then hung up in my face. He never did what he was paid to do and what he said he would do and then acted like some 4 yr old throwing a temper tantrum. I think you will be wasting your time, money, and hopes if you hire this person.

Lawrence Andrew Simons

2400 Crestmoor Road, Nashville, TN

Criminal Defense Family Law Personal Injury +2 +5

1.0/5

1.0

2 Reviews

26 Aug, 2024 by Brendan

I had a consultation with this guy, and he was quick to anger. He was rude, and would interrupt me mid sentence with lines like, "I think you have a misunderstanding of situation" I would attempt to explain and he would again cut me off. After I said something, he would then use like like, "So what you're telling me is. . ." and then he would insert argumentative statements that were not what I just said or a correct summary of my talking points. I would stay away from this guy, he seems verbally abusive to his clients, which might result in him putting blame on his clients when he failed them.

20 Jun, 2017 by Anonymous

I had a consultation with him but he was so rude, interrupt me many times and doesn't even listen carefully to what I said. I regret talking to him.

Cathryn Ruth Armistead

315 Deaderick St Ste 1550, Nashville, TN

Criminal Defense Estate Planning Family Law +6 +9

1.0/5

1.0

2 Reviews

24 Jun, 2022 by Mary

I met Cathryn Armistead after seeking counsel regarding matters concerning my mother, who could not represent herself. Ms. Armistead convinced me that I needed a conservatorship on my mother. She claimed that she would assist me with the conservatorship and any matter connected to it once it was obtained. Before hiring Ms. Armistead, her level of communication was high. After being hired and after she was paid, communication almost ceased entirely. Several months after the conservatorship was granted, I hired Ms. Armistead in an attempt to seek justice for my mother, who had been the victim of neglect in an area nursing home. Once again, Ms. Armistead communicated with me regularly until a retainer was signed for services. After not hearing from her, I reached out via email to ask about a timeline for starting proceedings; I did not receive a response to my email. I then reached out to her office about the matter and was told by her paralegal that she did not know and would speak to Ms. Armistead concerning my question. I never heard back from her office and Ms. Armistead. I reached out again, but still no response. After repeated attempts via email and phone to contact Ms. Armistead, I reported her to the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court of Tennessee. After receiving a copy of the complaint, it was only then that I heard from her by mail. I received a letter terminating our contract because "our relationship had deteriorated" This is not about a "relationship" but business. I understand that it is within an attorney's right to decide not to pursue a case. It is grossly unethical and bad business not to communicate with a client. I knew Ms. Armistead had her faults in communicating, but given the fact that it was a case of nursing home neglect of a loved one, I thought she would step up. It is inexcusable to keep a client waiting when time is wasted on helping an elderly patient (my mother) in a nursing home. Unfortunately, it appears that Ms. Armistead is only interested in obtaining new business without doing the work she is hired to do and doesn't like being held accountable, given that she terminated our "relationship" after being reported. It says a lot about a person when they are incapable of offering an apology for wasting your time and resources.

03 Jan, 2019 by Anonymous

hired, she failed to support an innocent client, requested my case file information returned- never acknowledged the request. she sent a letter stating investigation of logistics near my residence, Never bothered to meet with me at my home, raised a concern as to the validity of the investigation. Friends and professionals questioned integrity of how the case was managed, -- rather mismanaged.

Judith Alice Hamilton

130 E Washington Ave Ste 2, Athens, TN

Adoption Criminal Defense Family Law +1 +4

1.0/5

1.0

2 Reviews

15 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous

She was really rude to me I contacted her trying to get paperwork about my case that I needed to try to hire an attorney and she got smart with me yelling at me and hung up she doesn't want to work with her clients she pretty much told me not to take the plea bargain now my case is being bounded over to Grand jury and now she is saying she is no longer my lawyer that I best hire one

15 Dec, 2020 by Anonymous

Really hard to talk to and overspeaks. She also withdrew from my case without consent when expressing concerns of a better parenting plan or case.

Leslie Richard Hunt

425 S Charles G Seivers Blvd, Clinton, TN

Criminal Defense Family Law +2

1.0/5

1.0

2 Reviews

29 Jul, 2024 by Anonymous

Leslie hunt was assigned to me as an attorney I went to court he did not even ask me anything about my case. Now instead of reviewing my case with me prior to my court date, he waits till we're in the courtroom in front of the judge and gives me two options either take a plea, or take to trial on a $180 misdemeanor theft charge. You do not want him representing you at all he will not fight for you he will not help you.

20 Aug, 2015 by Anonymous

We had to call multiple times to get a return call. What should have taken less than a year to complete actually took three years. Finally got another attorney and everything was resolved in less than six months! Will never use again.

Cecilia Smith Petersen

Po Box 11366, Knoxville, TN

Family Law Lawsuit / Dispute +2

1.0/5

1.0

2 Reviews

24 Jul, 2019 by Anonymous

Hired her for child support, she came at us with big plans to regain tens of thousands of dollars, would make it where the income taxes would be taken..... long story short. Ms Petersen was hard to reach, her secretary talked to us about all the family issues she had, we went to court twice by ourselves, “oh you really don’t need to be there” she said after we call her, then the day we settled she shows up and my ex’s attorney rips her and shows her the law. She didn’t do anything I asked other than get the child support settled, it cost me over 2,000 for this process and the ABA says it’s ok.

20 Oct, 2015 by Anonymous

I had a consultation and she was 15 minutes late, answered two personal phone calls, not work related. She placed her breakfast order with the lady she pays to answer the phone, the lady interrupted our consult four times with questions regarding her breakfast and spoke about the weather. Very unprofessional. I was billed for a two hour consult in which no plan was established, she kept using her laptop to lookup other cases that showed similarities. She said should would have all of my questions answered in a few days. It has been well over a year and she never did respond to my numerous requests for answers. Needless to say, I chose someone more competent and attentive!

David Lawrence Valone

625 S Gay St Ste 625, Knoxville, TN

Family Law Litigation Personal Injury +2 +5

1.0/5

1.0

2 Reviews

29 May, 2022 by Anonymous

If I could give a lower rating than this I definitely would. He drug out the divorce as long as possible, Would bill me every month additional $100-$300 or more for “mailing” me with ridiculous trumped up fee charges such as, he would bill me for “reading”an email from defendants attorney who made a minor statement concerning a date or comment and also for cost of secretary “ mailing “me a notification stating that he read it, a separate fee for postage, and “ labor” for actually mailing it! He also called me one Saturday morning asking me to come to his office to “discuss the case” which I thought was odd and said so but he insisted that, “he had other pressing cases coming up and may not have another time before the next 3 weeks before going to court”… so I drove a good distance to get to his office, within a minute of being seated he excused himself and spent a good 30-35 minutes rummaging in a file closet across the hall, kept excusing himself to do more of the same, would comeback… ask me something that we had already discussed then get on his laptop… he didn’t want me there to discuss MY case… he was preparing for ANOTHER upcoming case and wanted to BILL ME for his time at the office on a Saturday!

29 Jan, 2021 by Anonymous

Needs to retire. His letters to the court are always with spelling mistakes, he overcharged me (bills to read a one sentence email). When you call him he is in a bar or tavern as you can hear the backnoise. A few emails to him he charged over 1000. He is a joke and has people believing he is this really good lawyer. He is good at taking your money, thats all. My ex was trying to work with Mr. Valone through his lawyer to wrap up our divorce and Mr. Valone would write all these awful lies in letters to my ex. When I asked him why he was doing this he said he has been doing it all his life. He even had me feeling sorry for my ex. I think he has had a bad life or bad drinking problem. His letters are all filled with lies and he does not care. He sounds drunk all the time. His face is always red. Stay away.

Larry Gene Roddy

336 Channel Pt, Dayton, TN

Criminal Defense Family Law Personal Injury +1 +4

1.0/5

1.0

1 Reviews

27 Aug, 2021 by Tim

He embarrassed me and upset me in court. I was forced to take him as my lawyer, after I asked the court, how I was supposed to afford a lawyer, since the police called my job and had me fired.

Wendal Joseph Norris

1013 Brentwood Way, Kingston, TN

Criminal Defense Family Law Real Estate +3

1.0/5

1.0

1 Reviews

04 Jul, 2022 by Carol

Has left my boyfriend sitting in jail for weeks with no contacting either him or me....he has no idea what's going on and lied to him about release datand this unprofessional and somewhat cruel inability for him to pick up a phone is tantamount to his obvious uncaring nature.

James P. Smith Jr.

8644 Peavine Rd, Crab Orchard, TN

Criminal Defense Elder Law Family Law +2 +5

1.0/5

1.0

1 Reviews

16 Oct, 2020 by John

Used him for my social security disability. I got it but several years later I tried tobget in touch with him only to be so called black balled. He finally had a meeting with me and then he said was going to take care of my issue. See he was paid from my social security settlement and suppose to be my lawyer for that issue for the rest of my life.. But instead he said he no longer does those cases.. Sad.. He was a good lawyer up to that point...

Parker Owen Dixon

245 Sycamore St, Jackson, TN

Criminal Defense Family Law Litigation +1 +4

1.0/5

1.0

1 Reviews

25 Dec, 2023 by Anonymous

Poor Service Poor Representation Little to no contact with clients Poor Professionalism all the way around

John Sessoms Taylor

132 Boone St Ste 3, JONESBOROUGH, TN

Elder Law Family Law Lawsuit / Dispute +3

1.0/5

1.0

1 Reviews

12 Dec, 2012 by Anonymous

In the short time that I met with Mr. Taylor I quickly learned that he was more interested in representing female clients. Did not return my phone calls for several weeks. The secretary said he was "out of the office" but when I had another family member call to make an appointment as a new client, he was all of the sudden back in the office. During my consultation he seemed like a "know-it-all". He didn't seem to know the law very well and kept having to reference everything I was asking him. I think he cared more about my wallet than about my case. I would find a more competent attorney and not waste your time.

Russell Thomas Fisher

8840 Lennox View Way, Knoxville, TN

Criminal Defense Family Law +2

1.0/5

1.0

1 Reviews

31 Jan, 2011 by Mike

He accepted my case and knew i did not have alot of money. He never answered his phone..... He never showed up to court and never called me.... I would have paid him more money but he never called me back......

Christopher Paul Westmoreland

300 E Lane St, Shelbyville, TN

Criminal Defense Family Law Immigration +1 +4

1.0/5

1.0

1 Reviews

06 Jul, 2021 by Mary

He got with the DA made a deal and then turned on my son. He knew my son needed evaluation were drugs messed him up. Instead he go with DA and sent my son straight to prison. During the trial Westmoreland saw the jury looking towards them so he started tapping he head on the table. I dont know what to do he has even got my son's time so messed up i don't know if he will ever be back home.

Linda Sue Nicklos

6001 Jackson Square Blvd., Ste. 500, La Vergne, TN

Criminal Defense Family Law Personal Injury +3

1.0/5

1.0

1 Reviews

23 Jun, 2021 by Jeff

My wife and I reached out to Ms. Nicklos about representing us in a civil manner. My wife called her on two occasions. The first time she requested that we email her information about the upcoming case, which we did. I received two emails back from her that were short and quite honestly rude. So, I asked my wife to call her back to see if perhaps I was misreading her email replies. (We all bad days, right?) When my wife called back to inquire about how she wanted us to proceed, she said Linda was originally pleasant sounding when she answered the phone, then instantly switched gears and became rude and dismissive, when she discovered who my wife was. We still have no idea why Ms. Nicklos decided to handle us this way, but I emailed her back and told her we would look elsewhere for representation. Very odd encounter. Perhaps she has a relationship with the people we are facing in civil court, but that is merely speculative. I can't refute that she might be a good attorney for those she wants to represent, but that was not our experience with her. My advice would be to gauge her attitude during the first few days and look elsewhere is she becomes unprofessional and dismissive, as she did we us. I expect she will blast this review with some form of explanation that make us look bad, but honestly... I'd welcome that. I'd like to know her reasoning for being so "mean/rude" toward us.

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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.

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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