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02 Nov, 2020 by Anonymous
Amy was hired to represent my elderly Mom. She assured us she could help with our case because it was a large firm & if she were out of the office another attorney would help. It went to mediation, she did not intervene on our behalf, did not speak up for my mother. My brother & father took over $600,000.00 of their joint money from sale of a cabin & annuities. Amy said nothing. She was preoccupied with her sick mother. While understandable, I was also dealing with a sick mother. Amy forgot key points & was unavailable most of the time. Not once did she publicly stand up to the judge or the opposing lawyer. In fact her correspondence with him was usually asking about his family. If she did bother to offer advice & we followed it, we ended up paying some of the opposing attorney’s fees. A years litigation can not fit in this tiny review. We will never use her again, nor will we recommend her for any litigation. Since she is a partner, we will not recommend this firm.
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06 Sep, 2021 by Anonymous
I initially hired Katie after meeting and feeling a positive connection with her, as well as knowing she had the full backing of Rebecca Long Okura, who has a good reputation. I was in a 20 year marriage that had become controlling and quite rapidly deteriorated.
My then husband and I had made the decision in 2001 that I would stay at home with our daughter when she was born. I had no income of my own whatsoever. I had spent time helping out with my dad when he moved here to Utah in 2014, and became his main caretaker after a stroke in 2016 when I was given his power of attorney until his passing in late 2018. Our daughter graduated high school in 2019.
I was given an ultimatum and forced into being the one to file for divorce in early 2020. At the time that I hired her, I felt that Ms. McLain was really going to go to bat for me, as a 20 year unemployed, 55 year old woman, facing off against a husband who made an average of $25,000 per month and had been with the same company for 25 years, and would continue to have that earning capacity.
There are a lot of things that did not play in my favor, the pandemic being one of them, and an attorney that wasn’t aggressive and assertive enough to fight for what was really right for me is another. In the middle of April 2020 we attended 9 brutal hours of mediation and I was convinced to settle for nearly $100K less equity than what a mortgage broker’s comps placed the value of the marital home at, half the monthly alimony asked, no equity in several marital assets, no accounting for my future, my health, my children. Basically, I got hosed. My ex was having the best month of his career to date (I found out later from a co-worker) while he told the mediator that he was going to lose $150K of income in 2020 and was not made to show proof of current income. The best month of his career to date meant something like $40K. In April of 2020, mid pandemic. He had probably the best year of his life, and I paid Ms. McLain nearly $15,000 to walk away with so much less than I deserved. And now, to top it all off he just bought, in August of 2021, a nearly million dollar house without even having sold the previous one. Clearly he has had a change for the better, while less than 1 1/2 years ago he claimed he would not be able to afford to pay alimony and survive himself. I feel that if Ms. McLain had really gone to bat for me, she would have advised me to wait for mediation to take place, even though it was to the point where I just wanted it to be over. Or at least advised me to call his bluff and say I wanted to go to trial and see what might have happened. All of the hours that I spent going over finances, bank and credit card statements, etc, just for her office to charge me to go over the same things, nickel and diming me over emails and phone calls with me and his attorney, even months after the divorce was final.
I am absolutely devastated. All I want to do is get healthy and buy my own little home, start fresh, but I’m still paying medical bills from last year, and am struggling with financing because I don’t make enough. I am left feeling like I should have hired a different attorney, and maybe will have to now, even though I can’t afford to, to get what I should have gotten in the first place if Ms. McLain had lived up to what she had promised from the start.
Bottom line, I would not hire her again, and I really would not recommend her or her firm, as I was told that everything ultimately went through Ms. Long Okura, if you really need someone to fight for you. I feel like there are better attorneys and better firms out there.
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27 Oct, 2023 by Tim
I don't write comments or reviews but this special...I worked with rose on 3 seperate occasions. She is no day at the beach.. she is the beach. I will never use her service again
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09 May, 2023 by Anonymous
Meetings with Rose were combative, unprofessional and stressful. She would purposefully use convoluted and nonsensical language and when you tried to get clarification she would become angry and aggressive. She seemed to have an antipathy for women in particular. We would agree with the other reviewer here suggesting mental decline. It would explain her otherwise inexplicable behavior. Do NOT recommend.
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05 May, 2022 by Anonymous
If you're looking for a lawyer who looks and acts unprofessional looks down her nose at you, and is completely rude, Rose is it! I had a consultation today and upon entering her office was asked to fill out a bunch of paperwork with sensitive information. The poor guy at the front office said it was fine if I didn't fill in everything. When purple hair Rose appeared she immediately said I could fill out all of the infomation or I could leave. When I tried to explain why I didn't want to share sensitive information to an attorneiy I had not hired, she immediately cut me off and told me she was a lawyer and I would do what she says or I could leave. So I left. Oh and by the way, the fibers from the pillows on the couch make it look there is cat hair all over it. Gross.
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07 Jan, 2022 by Anonymous
Kristen is harmful to parent child relationship. She has done more damage to our already hurting family. I understand parents divorce lawyer needing to be bias for there client but Kristen is suppose to be here for the CHILD. She has held a cloud of insecurity over the child and interfered with the progress and relationship of parent and child. I would give her credit if she was doing her job. She is cold and transactional. Does not return calls. She should educate herself about parent alienation this would really help the community.
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03 Jun, 2021 by Anonymous
This woman is biased, cold hearted and simply awful. From the beginning she chose a side. She should not be allowed to represent children.
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21 Mar, 2015 by Anonymous
Perhaps she should have chosen a career as a judge. My children have suffered so much. I made a mistake and the insanity has to stop. My children are not better off where they are right now. She doesn't return phone calls and it isn't like I call numerous times. I care about the best interest of my children, she thinks she does but her process is messing up their little heads. This woman is not only impossible but extremely judgmental. One should not take sides by only knowing what they have seen on paper. Horrific things have occurred in my X's care. She behaves as if the incidences are nothing. I have an X that will do and say anything to bring me down. Our system is so far gone, I have little faith in our country anymore. Thank you Kristen for breaking my children's heart over one mistake. They will never forget what you put them through and they don't even know you're in charge. So I end up looking negligent to them.
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10 Oct, 2019 by Anonymous
Melissa Patten-Green withdrew after one day. Melissa Patten-Green got paid in full $6500 retainer to file one thing, a child Protective Order. Because of her misrepresentation, I have not seen my child in six months. This woman will destroy your case. Zero Stars should be an option. She will impact you more than you can imagine. Then Withdraw.
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12 Aug, 2019 by Miya
I retained Melissa years ago to represent me in a custody evaluation. She made many mistakes which were costly. As a result of her poor representation, my daughter suffered molestation, physical and verbal abuse and severe neglect at the hands of her 'Dad'. Melissa was much more interested in impressing the judge than she was in representing me. Furthermore, in hindsight and after reviewing my case with a reputable Yale attorney, I learned that she was guilty of malpractice due to several issues that she missed and failed to address that to her, a trained attorney should have been glaringly obvious. Melissa is also arrogant, and she tends to leave her clients out of the decision making process. In her mind, she knows best. You can do much better than Melissa. My advice is to keep looking... best of luck.
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28 Jun, 2017 by Anonymous
This attorney is excellent at billing and so much as charging $25 to $50 to read an email and to charge $250 an hour for her paralegal to work with me from what I have seen it's usually $70 to $90 an hour for the paralegal and totally disregarded the first priority in the case and change the wording on the second and third priority to make them mean so much less and then withdrawing from the case a few days before trial at the first hint of conflict and I'm sure she's going to try to take and keep as much of my retainer as she possibly can
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07 Aug, 2023 by Anonymous
She took my money and did do any work, months and months I waited for write ups and questions DO NOT HIRE bad communication too. She would not return my calls or text
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21 Sep, 2022 by Anonymous
I could have written the email below. When I first hired her she was so kind and would always say god bless. After I hired her she would speak to me so rudely and treat me like an idiot for not understanding things. Like duh that’s why I hired an attorney. I wasted money and a year to get joint custody and no child support from my ex who doesn’t even see his children all because Candice didn’t file things or didn’t file things on time. She would tell me she filed things and I’d call the court and guess what they weren’t filed. She never responds to texts, emails, or phone call unless it’s to ask for more money. When we went in front of the commissioner she couldn’t even tell the commissioner how she came up with the amount she got. I sent her my ex husband’s W2s and she didn’t have them. There are so many more things that she messed up on. But I’ll leave it at that. Don’t let her niceness in the beginning and cheaper prices fool you. I wish I would have spent more money because now I have to start all over and spend more money. Good Christian people don’t do this to people let alone a widow of five children barely getting by.
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25 Aug, 2022 by Anonymous
She never returned my calls, emails, or text. She wasn't prepared for court and did not read anything I sent her and yelled at me every time we spoke. But after a year I finally had to do stuff for myself and that's the only time she called to yell more and after I told her the facts and why I had to do stuff on my own she dropped me and hung up. I wasted money trying to get temporary alimony and she did not represent me and so the judge gave me the smallest amount. So please don't waste your money or time hiring her.all she likes to do is yell when you are trying to tell her what you need, and hides behind Christianity ,when she doesn't practice it at all and is just rude. So please just find any other lawyer so you can get what you need.
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16 Oct, 2022 by John
Sally commits perjury on a daily basis and is under bar review. Her firm tries to protect her, but she will hopefully be disbarred soon. Her firm violated a conflict of interest, I interviewed them and then they took my ex wife on as a client.
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04 Oct, 2022 by Anonymous
Sally is one of the most unprofessional attorneys I have ever encountered. She was unprepared, lacked follow- through, and did not advocate for me. I was bullied by her. When you are at your lowest point and need an advocate, she will not fight for you. Honestly, I felt like she was fighting against me. I was shocked by her lack of performance. She is a phony. She pretends to be supportive, but all she can do is argue against you and go on personal trips. She is always on vacation. When she actually does work, her work is full of punctuation errors and mistakes. I am surprised she works at a prestigious firm. The biggest error I made was in hiring Sally. I honestly don’t have one good thing to say about her. Please do yourself a favor and stay away from her and her shoddy work.
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07 Oct, 2016 by Steven
I hired Mr.Bray to represent me in my divorce, based on statements and suggestions he made at our initial interview/consultation. However, once he got my retainer he filed no temporary motions he talked about, drafted no countersuit as indicated he would, and completely vanished with no responses for 2 weeks before labor day when I needed advice going into mediation. When finally managed to locate him through Overson & Sheen to verify he still worked there, he offered no explanation and scheduled a meeting the following week. He did not address any of my concerns at that meeting, in fact he was still unprepared for mediation issues the day before it was scheduled. I was lucky enough to retain competent representation for my divorce proceeding and release Mr. Bray as my attorney. I have asked repeatedly for an itemized accounting of his services against my retainer and have yet to get one. My mistake, this man did nothing for me, just took my money. Later found out he was disciplined by the state licensing authority for similar poor performance!
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15 Sep, 2014 by Mark
Terrible attorney, failed to attend 7of8 detention hearings for my son, was a no show at my sons first hearing in adult court, failed terribly in juvenile court hearing, be super careful with this guy, DO NOT PAY UPFRONT
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02 Jan, 2018 by Anonymous
You only know how good your divorce papers are after you are divorced and the papers are directing parents to work together.
I hired Mike and we drew up papers and went to mediaton. My divorce decree has been back to court three times in 2 years, all the while my X has moved from Vegas to California and then back to Utah. While my X has broken our decree many times it costs thousands to accuse and prove it. Once proven nothing changes because the kids are not in danger or being harmed. Mean while items that Mike consulted me to agree to put me at a huge disadvantaged position as a parent. While I have 50/50 physical and legal custody specific words that her more experienced attorney used makes it more like 90/10.
Just a few of the major issues that specific words put us at a huge disadvantage are;
1: I’ve been responsible for all transportation of he children. (Be careful, at one place in my decree it says all travel should be shared other places in the decree says I am responsible. Ultimately I have been the one responsible)
2. I can never take the kids out of school early or keep them home on any circumstances, while my X takes them out when ever she wants.
3. First right of refusal to get your kids instead of daycare has requirements that are excessive, costly and inconvenient.
4. The custodial parent clause is a very small sentence that gets in the way of everything being equal. “When the parties cannot agree the custodial parent will have the final say”
Guess what that means, the custodial parent makes the decisions on everything with out consulting you ever. This little sentence invalidates 23 pages of the decree that we spent thousands to come up with.
I liked Mike as a person but severely regret hiring him as my attorney.
Be careful, the legal system around divorce in Utah is twisted. The only people who win are lawyers, mediators, commissioners and judges that keep their jobs. If your lawyer is not great and leaves holes in your divorce decree plan on going back to court. Getting a decree inforced or changed is as hard and costly as the decree itself.
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13 Nov, 2017 by Anonymous
I hate to leave a negative review for anyone, but my experience with Mike Bringhurst was so awful that I feel inclined to warn people before they go through what I did. When I first reached out to Mike for my divorce, he was on top of his game. Quick to respond, persistent, and seemed eager to help. Even agreed over the phone on a lower retainer as I was financially strapped with my divorce. After my consult, he changed the retainer amount to a higher dollar than agreed upon. I ended up paying anyway to get my divorce going. Once I gave him the check - crickets. He had all my paperwork, money, info, etc in February and told me he could get my wife served within 24-48 hours. SHE WASN'T SERVED UNTIL MAY 30TH!!! When her lawyer responded to the petition for divorce, it was a proposal for my wife to have Sole Legal Custody of my daughter. Mike didn't explain to me what that meant (FYI - DO NOT AGREE TO THAT CUSTODY UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE). I clearly explained to Mike that I wanted joint custody (now I know this is called Joint Legal) yet he was completely fine in knowing I was getting screwed over and would ultimately be sacrificing time and legal rights to my daughter. It took him days to respond to my calls or emails, and when he did they were short and uninformative. When I notified him I would be changing lawyers, I asked him for a printed receipt of what work had been done against my retainer (which wasn't much) and he threatened me saying "there was so much work done" it would result in me owing him more money. NOT POSSIBLE. I now am happily divorced after moving to a different attorney. My new attorney got everything re-filed, mediated, finalized, signed sealed delivered (with EVERYTHING I asked for, including Joint Legal Custody of my daughter) for over $600 less than what I put on retainer with Bringhurst - and in less than 3 months time. Mike didn't even serve my (now) ex with papers in that amount of time...Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere before meeting with him.
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07 Feb, 2021 by Tammy
I signed a retainer for $1000 and was told, if work needed to be done over that amount that I would be informed and I would have to sign a new retainer. I was NEVER kept informed of hours being charged. They billed my credit card for $6031. They will not return my calls or emails. Will not do anything now that they have my money. I have contacted BBB & filed a complain with the Utah State Bar.
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07 Mar, 2014 by Anonymous
He was the leading attorney over my case. When I asked for my money back because of the lack of work that his junior attorney had not done; he wouldn't give me my money back. He claimed he did work for me that was not done. This firm, as well as this attorney, is not to be trusted.
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05 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
I hired Michael for a family matter. He did a terrible job representing me. Really disappointed since it appears he has a solid background. I recommend you think twice when considering him to represent you.
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05 Sep, 2013 by Anonymous
I gave him one star, because I had to. Didn't want to give him any stars. He doesn't return phone calls. Been three weeks and havn't heard from him. Left numerous messages with secretary. Doesn't know the laws about interstate cases of childsupport, and expects the client to do the foot work.
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27 May, 2018 by Anonymous
What if your lawyer waived you off when you are about to respond to a judge's request as to who will be testifying in the court hearing that day? And you do so because you believed the lawyer when he told you just the prior evening that you may be able to speak?
But then when you try to speak again, the judge saying that the lawyer can let you do so, you get reprimanded by the lawyer, let alone him going back on his word?
Brent Wamsley, on that evening, said it was even a maybe that I could testify that day even though he would be the one responsible for me not being able to do so.
Consider also that Wamsley told me one thing but said something else on the same matter to others -- or me -- on at least three other occasions (there are words to fit that definition, aren't there?). Consider also that there were 21 total reasons in that hearing that disappointed me, I do not in any form or fashion recommend Brent Wamsley to be your legal counsel.
I actually recommend against it.
You may think I'm this upset because the hearing was relatively recent, but that is not so. The hearing was two-and-a-half weeks ago.
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26 Nov, 2020 by Anonymous
She was not my specific lawyer. But never have I met a lawyer who babysat minor children during a custody issue. Included minor in emai communication about adult issues nor actually said in court that her client was left with one dish and one utensil. A blatant lie. That is what she is good at lying and distorted stories.
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07 Jun, 2023 by Anonymous
He is a lawyer who will fill his clients with delusions of grandeur and make them believe they will get everything they want. He is not above lying and trying to destroy a person's life. If you would feel good about hiring a man who is that type of person, by all means hire him, but just know that he will lie to you just like he lies in court.
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18 Dec, 2023 by Anonymous
Where should I start? He mistakenly texted my ex instead of me. Showed up late to my hearing, didn't demonstrate a knowledge of key facts in my case etc.
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18 Jan, 2023 by Peter
I hired Brian A. Taylor, now with Ascent Law LLC to help reduce my child support. I provided him with all my evidence (job applications, denials, tax filings, current income, my debt, my financial declaration, you name it. As an experienced family lawyer, you're supposed to share those evidence with the court and opposing lawyer. Brian claimed to have reviewed my documents and charged me for it, but failed to to send evidence to the court.
On the day of the hearing, I learned that Brian forgot to send over the evidence to the court and opposing party. During our breakout session, I asked him what happened to the evidence? His response, it didn't make it to the court.
DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!!
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21 Jul, 2019 by Rocio
He did my case back in 2016. Took 10 months for a simple divorce. For a whole month, he did not do anything or work on my case. On the 8th month, he tells me to go to do the divorce class which he should have told me that the very first month of filing. He does not work with a paralegal so he did all the paperwork which was more expensive that way. After going to the court and asking them what ariel needed more, I sent that to him by email and he wrote all that back to me and charged me for it!!! Just a ridiculous lawyer!!
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22 Jul, 2019 by Anonymous
Spoke with Analise to resolve a serious issue with a brand new Ivory home. Absolute
Lack of concern or compassion. Did not care one bit about the family in the home. Literally Stayed that the family would now be flagged and not responded to because they reached out for help. Beyond unprofessional.
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09 Mar, 2018 by Jeff
She is the laziest lawyer I've had the unfortunate opportunity to hire in ut.
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19 Dec, 2017 by David
So when I went in for a consultation he told me everything that I wanted to hear. However, it turned out that he knew the father of my now ex-wife and was more concerned with staying on his good side than doing his job that he gave in to most everything. Also, he charged me for any time that he spoke to my ex's father and would charge me for almost an hour to read and respond to an email from him. I trusted that he would do the job he was getting paid for and he kept assuring me that he "had my back" so I didn't fully see what was happening (with going through a divorce that I didn't want I was a little distracted). Should have fired him and found someone else before my divorce was finalized, but didn't realize what was happening until it was too late. Basically I feel like I paid a lawyer to represent my ex and her father. Told me after everything was done that he "did things in a different way with my divorce" and that he "took things in a more spiritual manner" while representing me. I just wanted everything to be fair for both me and my ex, but with him it didn't turn out that way. My ex's father has some high callings in the LDS church and Mr. Tycksen was more concerned about making him happy and staying on his good side than he was about his client that was paying him for his services. I would not use him ever again. Also, he doubled up on his time on multiple occasions where he would be on the clock for me and would be working on other cases. Not an honest lawyer that I would recommend. Go find someone else.
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30 Nov, 2018 by Raelene penman
21 Jun, 2021 by Anonymous
Do NOT waste your time and money with Jere. We hired him to represent us in a DCFS case, not a divorce. Regardless, he absolutely does not have the best interest of his clients whatsoever, and puts in zero effort. Even with the smallest, easiest things such as asking our judge a very simple question regarding visitation, he did not ask because that would require he actually do something! Every meeting with him did not include conversation regarding our case, only conversation about our family member he romantically obsessed over. The final straw was when he made us completely miss our hearing because he was too lazy to set up his computer ahead of time then blamed it on “routine internet problems.” Even if there was internet problems (which idk how that’s possible when he didn’t even have a computer turned on) he was 20 minutes late, and showed no hustle when I told him everyone was waiting on him! We finally fired him after that. He then sent us an invoice which did not AT ALL match the price we agreed on. Not only did he put double the time he actually spent, he charged us for TEXTING. Even when he was the one who text us to see how things are going. He is lazy, and crooked. Don’t make the same mistake we did by giving him the benefit of the doubt. Take the advice from his reviews and find an attorney who actually has your best interest.
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18 Aug, 2014 by Anonymous
If you are involved in a DCFS case and this lady has been assigned as your public defender ... RUN! Ask for a new PD immediately. She told me and several other people I have talked with , not to take their cases to trial because " It will only make the judge mad." In my case this has resulted in a 2 year torture by DCFS and the family courts.
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03 Dec, 2021 by Anonymous
Paige was overbearing and did not keep the family unity in her overall plan. She was divisive and manipulative. Worst investment ever. The only reason for the 1 star is because it wouldn't accept it otherwise.
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09 May, 2014 by Anonymous
An extremely poor lawyer. She advised me not to follow part of my divorce agreement, stating repeatedly that it wasn't important and the judge wouldn't require me to have followed it, which resulted in my case being thrown out with all the financial costs that go with that. She failed to make even one simple legal argument to the judge as to why I didn't have to follow. She either is too inept to understand what a judge will enforce, or was colluding with opposing counsel to toss the case.
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01 Dec, 2015 by Anonymous
Horrible job! We went to court and not once did he fight for me or stand up for me. Half the time I'd ask him questions about stuff we talked about previously and he had no clue what I was talking about. He is not personable at all either. Could care less about what the ruling was over our case. My biggest mistake was hiring him.
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23 Oct, 2018 by Anonymous
I worked with Mr. Harris on a case recently. He was short-tempered, unprofessional and lazy. I would never work with him again. I would never recommend him.
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07 Sep, 2024 by Anonymous
We hired Ben to go after a woman that bought our company and stopped paying. We should have known he wasn’t qualified when the first letter he sent on our behalf was completely wrong!! He obviously didn’t even read up on our case to send an embarrassing letter like that. He never fixed it, told us he sent other letters but we never saw them. We were locked out of my case so there was no proof of anything. He is impossible to get a hold of. He does not return phone calls text or emails! We finally got so fed up we contacted the person we are suing and she said he won’t return her attorneys calls and emails either and that they have not received the paperwork he told us he sent.
If you’re contemplating using Ben Grindstaff I suggest you save your money and find an honest competent attorney who will actually work for you and not just steal your money and run!
We want a refund and will do whatever needs to be done to get it. The Utah bar association and BBB will be hearing from 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.
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:
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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.
