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29 Jul, 2019 by Anonymous
Hired him before I knew about disciplinary action against him. Now Richard has now facing another disciplinary action. Heed the warning signs! Richard is unprepared and gives in to the other side. He will not fight for you. We too had to hire another attorney to undue the damage he caused in our case!
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08 Jul, 2014 by Anonymous
As my attorney, he was not interested in focusing on the details of my case but rather laws in general. Every case is different. He didn't know the specifics of my case while we were in court. Unprepared.
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16 Apr, 2013 by Awibergp
The overall experience was very bad. I ended up having to hire someone else. Proceed with caution.
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25 Jan, 2024 by Anonymous
Gave rights to a man who sexually assaulted me and got me pregnant! Changed her last name,gave him rights to choose my kids school and he ended up sexually assaulting my child!
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05 Aug, 2021 by Anonymous
This woman failed my children miserably. When she actually showed up to meetings on time, she was unkempt and full of cat fur. She ended up granting joint custody of young children to a known and proven abusive parent. She even ENCOURAGED the parent to ask for more custody time with the children than the parent even wanted. That's what killed me the most. It's an absolute shame what this lawyer did, and now my children continue to pay every single time they have forced custody time with this abusive parent. Please: find someone else to do this job because this woman is an incapable fool.
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25 May, 2017 by Anonymous
this atty will favor the women in any case and will pull out all tricks to share cases with other attys
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09 Sep, 2021 by Jaclyn collier
Accidentally dialed her instead of the hospital to schedule a test. Didn't state who she was when she answered, so I asked to schedule the test and she said "This is a law firm, you should probably call the hospital" and hung up. Not sure how she gets any business.
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29 Oct, 2020 by Joe gish
She was short on the phone and didn’t seem like she even want to hear what I had to say. Then told me she don’t give legal advice for free when started explaining my situation. I was only Stating that it was messy and had to go to trial. Was trying to find out how much I need up front. She is just a rude person from my short experience.
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25 Oct, 2023 by Kai richards
Worst crooks
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16 May, 2021 by Bryan hills
13 Oct, 2024 by Anonymous
She is legit incompetent to handle anything of importance. She sent my confidential documents to my X in the middle of our nasty divorce. The letter was to contact her in so many days or she would file a motion to drop me as a client, she sent it directly to My X who of course w/ held the letter. So I lost my Judacare attorney due to her negligence. She had my address, & sent other documents to me. But the one of such importance she sent to my X. Also when I retrieved my documents, she had another clients documents mixed in with mine. Another clients Social security #’s , child custody information, address, phone # etc . Irresponsible to say the least! She never did the work to have child support w/held so my children went w/ out. She is a joke amongst other attorneys, when I found new counsel they laughed & stated she should never be allowed to take anyone’s case. Absolutely incompetent! It’s sad when you are in an abusive situation & desperate & have to rely on Judacare appointed attorney to help you and you end being abused by a so called attorney who is suppose to help you. I almost gave up & went back to that abusive situation because I was so afraid to fight in court without the attorney I lost. Turns out, she did me a favor. With how poorly she handled my case I would hate to see how she would have handled herself in court. My only regret is not turning her in to the bar. She should not be allowed to represent anybody!
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15 Dec, 2023 by Anonymous
Miranda Lezcano is only in it for the money. She refuses to do any work. I emailed her with a question about our court order and I was charged $15 for an email back telling me to figure it out myself. In court she just sits back and let's whatever happens happen. Because of her not only am I in an unfair situation but my child too is in a situation that is unfair.
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06 Apr, 2024 by Terrence lafaive
This women will literally lie to you
Saying you don't have a case in order to shirk work. Text book gold-brick .
She will go as far as even trying to persuade you with erroneous information to convince you to not appeal your case.
She represented my guy Curtis Brown and ended up causing a mistrial due to her ineffective performance.
This poor man is doing 34 years in prison due to her negligence.
I ask for my casefile and she won't even give me documents that negate my guilt.
Marcella you should be absolutely ashamed of yourself..
When confronted by the Office of Lawyer regulation about emails that allude toward prosecutoral misconduct being withheld. She literally ignored me.
Public defender Marcella depeters is the epitome of what's wrong with America's justice system.
Shame on you.
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01 Oct, 2021 by Rico hart
09 Aug, 2022 by Anonymous
I have no rating...she was hired by the State after my grandson's father passed away. Only interested in obtaining the deceased house. Will not give us a breakdown of charges that we owe. Never gave us any hourly rate.. we have been dealing with her for over a year!
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30 Oct, 2020 by Dave
Showed up for court late, left her phone on when in court, answered it. Poor representation, promised a certain amount for representing me, $500.00 but when I received the bill it was 3x's higher than what she quoted me, $1400.00.
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06 Apr, 2024 by Terrence lafaive
This women will literally lie to you
Saying you don't have a case in order to shirk work. Text book gold-brick .
She will go as far as even trying to persuade you with erroneous information to convince you to not appeal your case.
She represented my guy Curtis Brown and ended up causing a mistrial due to her ineffective performance.
This poor man is doing 34 years in prison due to her negligence.
I ask for my casefile and she won't even give me documents that negate my guilt.
Marcella you should be absolutely ashamed of yourself..
When confronted by the Office of Lawyer regulation about emails that allude toward prosecutoral misconduct being withheld. She literally ignored me.
Public defender Marcella depeters is the epitome of what's wrong with America's justice system.
Shame on you.
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01 Oct, 2021 by Rico hart
16 Mar, 2023 by Anonymous
This attorney does not communicate or take phone calls and will not call back no matter how many times you let your name and number. Got the impression that he has no time for you and your questions. Does not keep you updated and does not file documents on time.
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08 Feb, 2023 by Jill
If you want an attorney that won't answer your emails, reply to your questions and concerns, AND still charge you for reading every email you send, then Attorney Krajnek is for you. On the other hand, if you want an attorney that will properly represent you, then I would go with just about any other attorney you can find.
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02 May, 2022 by Anonymous
She is willing to lie to the courts she will lie to you.
She cares nothing about you and your children. She wants you to fight with your ex becasue it’s more money for Her. When she feels you are low on money. Then it’s, “well, this is the best I could do and the possible outcome, it’s time to settle”
STAY AWAY FROM HER!!!!
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16 Feb, 2018 by Anonymous
In hindsight she dragged my divorce out for a couple years promising this and promising that.. and right as I was out of money she starting talking about how she did the best she could but thinks we should let it rest... I’m broke and my kids are miserable!
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20 Mar, 2023 by Anonymous
This lawyer is supposed to protect kids and have them with the right parent and look in the best interest of children!! She took my daughter and placed her with her dad after me having her with me since she was 3 she placed my babies with there dad only gave me 2 days out of the month to see my kids ! She does not know anything about my ex not his place and all my kids sharing a one bedroom and she don’t care but I have a three bedroom and she said my daughter not well adjusted when my daughter had everything she needed and so many people who love her and supported her My daughter is not well in her mind now since she has separation anxiety from me and her dr said she does not do good in new places and my daughter can’t handle it !! This lady Didn’t do her job and she lied to the courts said she talked to my witnesses and she didn’t talk to any of them ! I had to get all of the paper work and I filed court she didn’t do nothing she was going to my other party and was not on my side when she supposed to be for the children and the mother ! She only cares about money and not looking about what she doing to these kids by hurting them mentally!! She going to my other party and saying stuff and making more problems for me and my ex !
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17 Jan, 2011 by Anonymous
This lawyer maybe a good ambulance chaser, but other than that he is terrible. He did absolutely nothing for us. He took his retainer and then did nothing. We could have done better on our own. He doesn't return phone calls, write letter and is unprepared for court. Thomas Molinaro has no drive, ambition, or a spine. If you want to pay for a lawyer that does absolutely nothing this is your guy.
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26 May, 2022 by Anonymous
Cannot handle caseload as very hard to talk to and very slow in handling situations. Very condecsending whenever I got a chance to talk to him. Easy tasks took a long time to do such as a lettter. I would never recommend this attorney as didn't really do anything for over three months that he was retained for.
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22 Oct, 2018 by Anonymous
Very bad experience! Do not trust this woman ! Not your money or your future! She took my money, but didn't do anything for me, just tried to make me to except my husband unfair offer. She said it's the way how she do her job. I guess save your money ...It's better to go to court without attorney then pay for nothing... Lazy?
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25 Apr, 2022 by Abby
I hired Jennifer Wall in good faith to represent me in what should have been a relatively simple divorce. Working with her was an absolute nightmare. I don't know what else to say, so I will post the grievance letter I filed with the OLR after it became clear she was unable or unwilling to represent me (and she charged me handsomely for her non-work).
"I am writing this grievance because I believe Attorney Jennifer Wall, whom I hired to represent me in a divorce hearing, violated several rules of professional conduct. I am honestly concerned about her ability to represent clients. My case was a relatively simple divorce, but I can’t imagine the damage she could cause in a case where custody or other more pressing issues were involved.
Her lack of diligence in working on my case was a major concern. She made one initial proposal and then made no further attempts to resolve my case. She had no contact with my husband or his representation until a few days before the pretrial conference. Per her own invoices, she did no work and had no communication about my case for over 6 months between August 2021 and January 2022. She had stated that if we came to an agreement, we could have used that February date to make the divorce final. Because she failed to act on my behalf, my case was now postponed until June, causing me unnecessary distress. I also have had a change in income during these delays that has the potential to negatively effect the outcome of my case.
There were periods of extreme non-responsiveness. The most egregious and distressing for me occurred between the dates of 6/18/21 and 8/6/21. During this time, I was under the impression there was a hearing the first week of August. I inquired about it repeatedly with emails and phone calls and only received a response when I threatened to file a complaint. It turns out the hearing has been moved, but this was extremely distressing to me. There were numerous other times during her representation where I emailed and called the office persistently with no replies for weeks at a time. She had no communication with me between August 9, 2021 and January 4th, 2022.
In addition, I discovered that she had forged an email to make it appear a delay was not caused by her. I received initial emails from her assistant on 3/1/21 and 3/3/21. On 4/28/21, Atty Wall claimed she was “re-forwarding” that email to me because I had failed to sign a document, claiming this was why she had not taken any actions on my case. When you compare the original and “re-forwarded” email, it is clear that they changed the email to include the omitted request and attachment.
Lastly, she refused to provide me with invoices without the threat of reporting her. I received only 2 invoices between February 2021 when I retained her and March 2022 when it became clear she was unable or unwilling to work on my case. In both instances, she did not respond to repeated requests via phone and email until I threatened to file a formal complaint."
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17 Sep, 2019 by David
incompetent pos lawyer. glad he's 65 and will be gone in 15 years.
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16 Oct, 2023 by Anonymous
Sarah was unorganized and not well versed in divorce law. At the one meeting I called to find out her status since I hadn't heard back from her, it was clear she hadn't looked at my documents and then tried to share that I hadn't sent them all over, despite her emailing me earlier to say that she had gotten them. She also gave me bad financial advice which I thankfully did not take which would have impacted my finances in relation to Wisconsin property laws.
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29 Mar, 2017 by Patty
I am disappointed in this lawyer. He does return phone calls or e-mails in a timely manner, even if he calls you first. He also does not follow through on jail visits, even when he promises inmates he will visit them. He did not inform me of court dates, I found out by looking them up on Wisconsin CCAP. Attorney Bartell tends to procrastinate and delayed calling the DA, which probably affected the course of the case.
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05 Nov, 2011 by Anonymous
She talked a big game in the initial consultation (for this alone I was slapped with an enormous bill). When all was said and done, I got standard child support, and half of my ex's enormous debt load - that's it. Could have gotten that walking in there by myself. To top it off, received a HUGE bill 4x what other lawyer's had quoted me during their FREE initial consultations. She did not listen to me, she charged me to keep redoing paperwork that I told her straight away my ex would never agree to. She kept saying, if we go to court we'll get A, B, and C, but when push came to shove, told me it wasn't worth going to court because we'd never get A, B, or C. Extremely frustrating experience. I also thought she initiated way too much personal conversation which I later realized she was charging me an arm and a leg to listen to. Totally not worth it. I'm still shoveling out money to her while my ex is living the high life.
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30 Oct, 2013 by Anonymous
The only good thing I can say is that he was good at keeping us informed regarding my worker's compensation case. After the case closed in March 2013, it was really hard to get in contact with him. He has been avoiding our phone calls (which we even diverted to calling his old law firm for help since he was with them while working on my case). I just needed to have him send in the necessary paper works regarding my work comp agreement to re-process the unpaid claims through my insurance company before they refuse to pay (the claims not covered under the worker's compensation agreement). It's now been on-going for the last 6 months that I still cannot get him to send in the necessary documents, so to me his action as a lawyer is the type of lawyer who just wants to get paid and not help you after he gets paid.
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04 Aug, 2014 by Anonymous
I hired this guy for my divorce and he was terrible. He did not show up to court and didn't even bother to let me know. He wouldn't do things I would ask him to do. He never got back to me!!!! He ordered a GAL, when I ordered him not too. The other attorney cancelled the GAL and Mr. Rupich ordered it against my advice. I did not want the kids having to go through this. They had to appear before the GAL. I was a stay at home for 14 years and I got 50 50 placement!!!! I had no job for all those years and I got $275 a month in child support and NO spousal support of any kind. He ruined my life!!! I ended up firing him and had to get a new attorney! I can't even tell you how terrible he was. We almost had a signed agreement with every other weekend visitation until he ordered the GAL twice and didn't bother to show up in court!!
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26 Dec, 2011 by Anonymous
she greatly misinformed our family without taking time to get the proof facts and caused alot of unnecessary harm.
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21 May, 2010 by Anonymous
If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Yes, Atty Wisniewski's rates are almost half what most other attorneys in the area charge, but you really do get what you pay for. I received very little attention to my case, had to fight to get return calls or to get any information on the status of my case and she was not very willing to actually go out and fight for the few things that were important to me during my divorce case. My case was not terribly complex or complicated, but I hired an attorney because I do not have the legal expertise to do the legwork myself. I wound up having to do most of it on my own anyway, all she was really good for was drafting paperwork. She was all to eager to just settle for what she considered to be "the norm" according to other cases she had done rather than representing my actual interests.
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01 Mar, 2024 by Adam
He will tell any lie he has to, withhold or allow evidence to his favor, to get the outcome he wants rather its right or not in court. Breaks the law himself while working for the law.
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22 Nov, 2014 by Anonymous
Tom promised me I would get sole custody. Tom promised me he would ruin my wife. Tom promised me he would find my wife crazy or drive her there. Tom promised me I would walk away with everything! Tom promised me I would get child support. Tom promised me he would make my wife pay for leaving me. That is how he talked me into signing a retainer. He fought and fought. After he took my life savings 70 grand, he settled for nothing. I don't even know how I am going to live now. He needs to stop making promises he can't keep.
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14 Jun, 2019 by Jennifer
Mr. Beisenstein instructed me to seek a lawyer to prepare a written offer on a property that he knowingly was going to sell to his friends. So I spent all this money to prepare a document all for him to say it was already sold. I contacted him for a year about the property and he wouldn't return my call. It was only after I went into his firm that he called me back. Go with a lawyer that is not sketchy because this guy is bad news
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21 Mar, 2022 by Jeffrey
Michael is a very timid attorney and forgetful. Nrrds constant reminders on what to file and when. I think he's looking to retire.
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06 Jul, 2020 by Anonymous
I contacted this law firm for advice on misdemeanor charges and was referred to this attorney, he frightened me into believing the charges could be elevated to a felony and I could be facing going to prison and needed representation
After paying the retainer fee he said he would be contacting the DA office to discuss charges and try to get them dismissed but he actually did very little to help me, did not even ask me to come in to discuss the case or details for my defense
When I tried to call to clarify information received from the DA office by mail, he would not take my call or return calls when asked so I requested to dismiss him as my attorney as did not feel confident about him representing me
it took almost 3 weeks for that to get done and I was still charged over $1000 of my retainer fee
When I tried disputing the charges with the head of the firm I was treated very disrespectfully
I advise against using this attorney or the law firm he represents
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17 Feb, 2015 by Anonymous
Upon meeting him, he appeared professional, respectful and knowledgeable. He did not complete all paperwork that was needed to split financial assets as stated in the final divorce paper documents and then accused me of not providing the information for him. He never mentioned needing anything more from me, but basically said he'd handle the rest. Beyond that, he was very demeaning. I had to call the law office to get the ball rolling after 6 months of not hearing anything from him and not receiving any documents regarding splitting assets. It wasn't even a complicated divorce case, yet it took about 3 years to complete everything. He lacked communication and was very demeaning in how he communicated to me. Yes, I'm not a lawyer and I don't know all the things that he knows. If I did, I wouldn't have hired him! I've lost all respect for him. Had he been upfront and communicated to me in an honest manner, I wouldn't have given him such a poor review. Very deceptive, he is! I hope he doesn't treat any of his other clients like he did to me!
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14 Apr, 2012 by Anonymous
I paid this lawyer thousands of dollars and did very little for me. He acts like he knows everything, but when I caught him making mistakes, he blamed others. He overcharged me and did not put his client first but himself.
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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.
