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31 Jul, 2021 by T.
We hired Mr. Herrera after a pleasant phone call to help my elderly mother with a landlord (slumlord). After paying his fee for a letter we had to seriously edit because it did not contain troubling elements regarding her landlord's negligence, he was difficult to reach and made excuses contrary to legal remedies we know existed.
A month after the first letter, as we waited for the landlord to take action on his dilapidated house, I hired him to write a letter to a business competitor regarding his defamation and slander. I had to write the entire thing, including state and federal laws he was ignoring, as I'd already emailed him the laws and their corresponding precedents.
Months later, after landlord had failed to live up to his own written promises, much less repair the house in a livable fashion -- which includes a failing heating and ductwork system -- Mr. Herrera told my mom to wait until winter before we could address the issue.
Seriously? Seriously.
We'd informed him, with photos, of this problem the PREVIOUS WINTER.
To get that "answer," we had to call numerous times over the course of two weeks, finally stating "we'll have to hire a new attorney if we don't hear from you today."
He took our money, wrote crappy letters, refused to any follow-up, and never stated fees for more action. Maybe he didn't want to take any action. Maybe he made his easy money and that was all he wanted. We paid for letters I could've written myself just to have his Esq. attached to them.
Wasted six months and $800 which would've been better spent on a competent lawyer. Nothing has changed since we sadly chose Mr. Herrera to "represent" us.
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15 Aug, 2013 by Anonymous
Don't bother. A complete waste of time and money. He is very unmotivated and acts as if you are "bothering" him when you call to follow up on your case. He was not passionate, compassionate, or aggressive and made it very clear that he was happy to take my money but when it was time to work he did the minimum. He did not keep me informed and I often had to call him multiple times and leave multiple messages. Lesson learned.
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29 Aug, 2023 by Anonymous
This attorney will not contact you or if you're in jail will not come visit you or have any contact with you before court dates and will say they have no proof and then he changed on a case after almost 3 years and let someone else take over the case who no one knew to handle the case . I've never seen anything like this in my life . Lack of communication with clients
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03 Jun, 2015 by Anonymous
Avoid a trial with this lawyer. Many known instances of accepting trial-bound cases and withdrawing just before trial. You are faced with finding the money to pay another attorney, for which necessity does not have the sympathy of your residing judge. If you cannot find the money, you are in a worse situation by either a court-appointed attorney who does not care about your case, or a public defender...
She is unprepared and pretends to do "research" into the intricacies of your case. Web searches with printouts you could have done; repeated verbal sessions of the events leading up to your arrest constitutes billable hours-- record yourself and give her the CD. Document each and every time you meet, and how long you are actually in her company going over the case. A "flat fee" still requires a detailed account of the counsel provided-- ask for it, and demand it.
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16 Dec, 2020 by Denise washington
James a rose is a non caring lawyer, he was assigned to my granddaughter case and never kept in touch or returned phone calls, dcs dismissed our case and he calls out of nowhere telling me he's going to petition the court to remove my granddaughter from our home cause they made a mistake and he's going to put my two year young baby granddaughter in foster care. Keep in mind dcs has tried to contact him to inform him the end results and he wasn't responding to their continuous phone calls. I even tried calling him and he called with threats 12/16 / 02. The evil people do for money cause he could give two fks about my granddaughters well being. Juvenile court hired him.
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19 Aug, 2019 by Anonymous
Hasn't spoke to ANY key witnesses in my case. Just got my final offer in the mail. Had a question about it and called every day for a week with no return phone call. If you want someone to lay your file on the desk and only pick it back up on court day then this is the lawyer for you. She was appointed to me, and unfortunately I do not have the funds to hire someone else.
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16 Feb, 2023 by Anonymous
First of all...she didn't even come out to take us back to her office. We had no idea where we were supposed to go. Her tone, delivery & demeanor was cold, callous and right away , I wanted to leave. Do not recommend! Horrible
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07 Feb, 2021 by Anonymous
Do not use for divorce. This attorney lied to me about a conflict of interest with the judge assigned to my case. She told me the conflict happened years prior, yet that was not true as it was less than 6 months prior to him being assigned my case. (I found this out after the divorce was finalized by researching the judges campaign contributions - that are made available to the public.)
Also, after not receiving child support (or alimony) for nearly 5 month after the finalization of the divorce, she told me that I would be “better off” not fighting for the child support worksheet to be filled out according to TN law. (Even after the Divorce Coordinator at the courthouse had told her the worksheet had to be filled out a certain way.)
I only kept with this attorney for nearly two years because we were so deep into the process. She was often unresponsive to attempts at communication. She treated me like a nuance more than someone who was paying her tens of thousands of dollars to work in their best interest. So many red flags along the way and I, especially, should have never used her going against a “high profile” attorney (the title she gave my ex’s counsel).
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15 Jan, 2020 by Anonymous
I hired this attorney after my divorce. She recommended that I try to get full custody of my 3 children because it would increase my child support. She gave me the impression that this was a no-brainer. After weeks of depositions, hiring a Psychologist to perform a custody evaluation and 2 weeks sitting in a court room trial, all at her recommendation (Her web site says most of her cases go to trial) The Judge made no changes. I was left with hundreds of thousands of dollars in attorney fees. If she would have told me this was a remote possibility, I would have never moved forward.
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01 Jun, 2016 by Anonymous
I met Jay at the Second Saturday Divorce Workshop. As I consulted with him on the phone, I got the impression that he was not hearing me in regards to our decisions and priorities. My husband and I are very non-contentious, have decided and agreed upon nearly everything, and anticipate a fairly drama-free divorce. I explained this to Jay, but he disregarded or argued with our choices, and seemed to foster drama where there was none. He didn't clearly answer many of the questions that I asked, and when I told him I thought I would have to postpone our first meeting in order to talk about some things with my husband his immediate response was "well I need to get paid!". I did not end up meeting with him or signing a contract.
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06 Jan, 2014 by Anonymous
I hired Mr. Paty to help me in a divorce case. He would go over a week without returning my calls. When questioned about his lack of communication, he would not discuss it and ultimately the relationship was terminated. Although I had known him for years, I DO NOT recommend wasting your time or money with him.
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13 Feb, 2014 by Anonymous
He is misleading. Drew told me what I wanted to hear up until the court date, then it was pay more if u want better results. Pick any other lawyer. After telling him I'm an alcoholic, Mr. Hazley gave me a beer bottle opener with his self-titled nick name "DUI Drew." He is bad news. Hazley charged me $2000 for a job a public defender could have done.
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22 Dec, 2023 by Tim
He seemed excited to help us with our case. Said it wouldn't take no time at all. He was eager to get the job done. Then we paid the guy. That's when he stopped responding, it was like finding someone that had back pay on child support.
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19 Sep, 2020 by Michelle
Joe Hoffer was my hired laywer several years ago. He acts as if he us going to do a good job for you. As they all do. But when trial day came he called me the night before wanting me to go ahead and make a deal. This deal would make me a felon. And i would loose my teaching license. I said no way i wont sign. So we met outside the courtroom the next morning. I had promised my daughter i would never leave her again. I had a gun held to me telling me to run from the police when me and i person i did know but not well at the time. So what do you do???? Well you run. So before trial he told me if i went to trial i would most definitly get jail time. So as i thought about the promise i made my daughter. I did sign the papers. Come to find out behind the doors where trial was to be held that day. Not one soul was even in that court room to try me. So now i cant work i can only draw disability due to the nervous breakdowns i had over this and more. My daughter and i have to live with my mother since my fiance was killed in a car wreck. I only draw 800.00 a month. And she is 15 and expensive. I get no help from her sperm donor either. Thats all he deserves to be called. Even she wont have anything to do with him or his family. So thank there Joe
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12 Jun, 2013 by Anonymous
Absolute waste of money. This man is a disgrace to the legal profession:
Never responded to any of my (the client's) correspondence to him.
Completely ignored my instructions on when to file motions.
Completely ignored my restrictions on billable activities.
Made harassing telephone calls to my parents threatening them with contempt of court.
Never provided me with any written progress reports.
Logan had no experience in defamation law.
Tried to drag things out as long as possible.
Never filed a motion to dismiss.
Filed papers without my consent.
When you retain Jimmy Logan, he thinks he has a license to bill.
He never did even one thing that would be helpful to me.
Disclosed confidential information to opposing counsel.
Ran up billings as much as possible for activities that had nothing to do with my case.
Very unprofessional appearance.
Dragged out the proceedings as long as possible.
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27 Nov, 2019 by Eileen
Jerry will tell you that he works for you. That’s the first lie. Everything in your case is predicated on how little he will do, not do as he is asked within the law, and take your retainer and get this, want more money to do his job. He refused to acquire evidence that would have cleared my name from the asst DA. With nearly $2000 left of my retainer Jerry basically told me to go home like a nice little girl because if I anger the court with my legal request the court could throw me in jail. He then wanted to charge me $600 when there was nearly two grand on my account which he has not earned.
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02 Aug, 2017 by Shane
I was very dissatified with service. I would call for weeks with questions about my divorce and would get no answer. Had to make an appointent to get help after paying him. Paralegal was a disappointment also. I would never recommend this law firm.
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19 Dec, 2015 by Anonymous
Paid this guy 1k of a 1500 retainer to file paperwork in order to be heard in a court room. Not only did he NOT tell me he doesn't work those kinds of cases he took it on like he knew what he was doing. He ended up having to call other lawyers, while in my presence, asked them how to go about filing the correct paper work, which paperwork was correct, and who he needed to talk to. After being told what to do by other attorneys he still managed to mess up the paper work, the order that the paper work was diled, All the while judging his client for the way he looks. He is a nice older man somewhat, but very incompetent and a waste of $1,000 that I can't get back and could have used for another attorney. I do not recommend this man for any legal problems what so ever. His actions cost me my case
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25 Apr, 2017 by Anonymous
I hired Mr Miller in September 2016. He charged me a flat fee to handle my case. We went to a hearing that lasted approx 1.5 hours. He promised to file petitions before Christmas 2016. I heard again from him in February explaining that he has been sick and asking for more money to file petitions. By mid April no petitions were filed. He deserves 0 stars. Now fighting to get my money back
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17 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
Ok at first; explained things well then quit communicating. When I attempted to communicate he would become quite aggressive, stating I did not trust him and even went as far as to threaten to drop me as a client if I did not leave things alone. I had questions and would get ambiguous responses. I would then ask a follow up question, because it did not make sense, but he just belittled me and told me how every question cost me money (but without ever answering my original question). I expected a direct, honest response but received the opposite- except for the first consultation where I chose to hire him...and yes, paid the retainer.
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29 May, 2015 by Anonymous
I had found Jonathan Wardle through an online search and spoke with his receptionist and then Jonathan about an urgent legal matter I needed help with. We came to the agreement that I would pay them to write a letter on my behalf about the issue with some back and forth with the other party, and if we couldnt come to an agreement with them he would take my case on contingency at 25-30%.
He blew off writing my letter to the other party for two weeks until I had to remind him that I paid him to do a service. Once he finally wrote the letter, he told he my case wasnt worth his time, and that if I wanted to pursue the matter further, I would need to pay him up front to represent me in court, which completely goes against what was said me about taking the case on contingency if the letter didnt work.
I asked for a refund for what I paid him, and he refused and told me not to contact him anymore.
Do not do business with him.
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05 Feb, 2019 by Clarence
I retained Mr Miller for a personal injury/worker comp claim. He sat on the case until the statute of limitations was about two months away. He then prematurely closed my file, because of his lack of experience with worker comp cases, and because, as he said, “worker comp cases no longer pay anything worth while. His actions subsequently left me leaving me without, and unable to retain another attorney elsewhere. Mr. Miller only filed the lawsuit after I told him I’d been advised to report him to the TN. Board of Professional Responsibility. His actions caused me a great deal of anxiety, depression, lack of sleep, loss of work/wages, and unnecessary aggravation. His integrity, professionalism, and fiduciary responsibility are all questionable. I would not recommend this attorney.
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22 Jun, 2020 by Anonymous
After 5 yrs. of prolonged alienation from my child, I hired K.O. Herston in Jan. 2020 to charge my child's Mother with alienation, contempt & absconding jurisdiction. I paid retainers on time, then Covid-19 shut down my business for 3 months causing a severe, temporary hardship. Mr. Herston wouldn't even consider giving me any relief (delayed payment plan), instead billing me full speed ahead, payable on receipt, PLUS 12% interest the entire time. He then withdrew as my attorney, even as I took a loan to pay him in full. This brought me no value, cost me a fortune & left my family in ruin. I do NOT recommend this attorney.
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06 Aug, 2012 by Anonymous
I did all the leg work on the case. It was like I didn't have a lawyer at all. He left the law firm during the case and went to work for the DA's office, which was a conflict of interest. I would not recommend this attorney.
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24 Dec, 2013 by Anonymous
This is one of the worst attorneys ive ever met. My husband was in an accident five months ago. Mr. Teeter does not return phone calls to anyone. My hubby was injured in the accident and my hubby was not at fault in anyway. The guy who hit him was 100% at fault. Teeter wouldnt even return the at fault guys insurance companys phone calls. When it came well past time for him to write a demand letter for attempting to settle he or his wanna be lawyer secetary wouldnt get it done.
I got irritated one day because i hadnt spiken to mr. Teeter since we hired him in august. I left a msg saying if i didnt hear from him we would have to fire him. So last week we got a letter from him quitting our case. But the reasons he gives makes it sound like our case wasnt valuable. He did send me a msg that al then he woulve taken 30% of that. In the end he wouldve been handing us a bill insteadd of a chev.
Im going to see what the insurane company wants to offer b4 we hire another attorney. Then if the guys insurace i know just the atty i will he was going to ask for was medical bills plus half of that amount. Our case is worth nearly 30k. But he was only going to ask for appx. 7k.
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27 Jun, 2013 by Termain
This is one of the worst lawyers in the world she is not the one for anyone . This lawyer is working againest you.before you hire this woman don't do it she has misconduct for not doing here job read it google her name under misconduct
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24 Oct, 2020 by Anonymous
John MIles is not a nice guy. In fact, he is close to be crazy. Hope you consider that before hiring him.
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18 Jul, 2014 by Anonymous
Mr. Leveille has not responded promptly to emails. It is often takes weeks to get a response. He does not currently have the resources needed to move forward with our case.
Without getting into details, I would not recommend Mr. Leveille for any legal needs you might have.
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22 Jul, 2013 by Anonymous
I hired Mr. Wilkinson to represent me in a disputed probate case. He failed to take actions I directed him to take ,and instead spent an inordinate amount of time on insignificant issues, resulting in unnecessary hourly charges for him and the opposing attorney. He failed to present pertinent evidence about appeals court rulings on the ownership of a co-owned bank checking account, resulting in me losing over $14,000. His explanation for refusing to file one motion I directed him to file was that he had other cases before the same judge and was not going to file anything on my behalf that would make the judge angry. He then filed a motion to withdraw, leaving me without representation during a critical phase of the hearings.
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31 Mar, 2018 by Anonymous
Steven Randolph was completely ineffective, non aggressive in representing me as his client !!! Complete Waist of Money !! Steven cares more about being buddies with the Judge and the other Attorneys than standing up for his clients. I spent thousands of dollars with Steven only to get mediocre effort, non aggressive performance only to have him drop me as a client when I was not willing to spend another 10K !!! If you are a Father and you are fighting for your rights as a parent Please Do Not Hire Steven Randolf !! Hire someone who has a higher energy level, creative approach, strong backbone. This is a small town Attorney who wants to be liked by everyone in Putnam Country and is not willing to be a Bull Dog when needed. Steven's Nice Guy approach did not work for me !!!
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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.
