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03 May, 2020 by Thomas
MY REVIEW OF MRS TAN.
I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO BE REFERRED TO MRS TAN.
I MEET WITH HER IN HER FORMER LAW OFFICE THAT DID NOT HAVE A WHEELCHAIR ACCESS TO SEE HER.
WHEN I ARRIVED AND SEEN I WAS IN A VERY LARGE WHEELCHAIR. SHE REQUESTED THE OFFICE ON THE 1ST FLOOR TO ALLOW US TO BORROW THERE CONFERENCE ROOM.
THAT REQUEST WAS GRANTED.
MY LEGAL MATTERS ARE VERY COMPLEX TO SAY THE LEAST.
THAT NO RIVERSIDE ATTORNEY WOULD WANT TO HELP ME AT ALL.
I REACHED OUT TO THIS ATTORNEY AND ITS HAS BEEN VERY BENEFICIAL FOR ME.
MY MAJOR ISSUES ARE.
I DO NOT USE COMPUTERS OR UNDERSTAND THEM.
DO NOT WANT TO EVEN BE AROUND THEM.
I CAN'T WRITE DO TO DISABILITY.
I AM ALWAYS ABOUT HAVING PAPERWORK AND I AM VERY VOCAL. ( I LIKE TO VERBALLY EXPLAIN THINGS ( WITH SUPPORTING DOCUMENT) TO SUPPORT MY CLAIMS.
I WAS VERY UP FRONT WITH MRS TAN.
YES I HAVE BEEN IN JAIL/PRISON BOTH.
BUT
I HAVE ALSO WORKED FOR 2 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN THE PAST.
ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS THAT I DID WAS HIRE MRS TAN TO HELP ME GET OFF FORMAL PROBATION. AND SHE DID A GREAT JOB. WITHOUT HER BEING PRESENT I BELIEVE I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD FORMAL PROBATION CANCELLED AT ALL.
I DID ONLY 13 MONTHS ON FORMAL PROBATION INSTEAD OF 3 YEARS.
MY CASE. I WAS ON FORMAL PROBATION WAS ONLY BECAUSE THE VICTIMS WERE ACTUALLY COURT EMPLOYEES AND JUDICIAL OFFICERS.
SO THE COURT SYSTEM TIRED TO IMPOSE A ILLEGAL ACTION ON ME TO TRY TO GET ME FROM STANDING UP FOR MY RIGHTS ( EVEN TO THE COURT)
YET THE COURT TRIED TO EXTORT OVER $ 3.000. IN ILLEGAL FINES. THAT WAS ILLEGAL IN FIRST PLACE DO TO THE LAWS HAVE CHANGED.
THE COURTS EVEN TRIED TO IMPOSE A COUNTY WIDE RESTRAINING ORDER TELLING ME I CAN NOT COME INTO THE COURT HOUSES UNLESS I HAVE A CASE PENDING ONLY FOR MYSELF.
IF ANYONE IS IN NEED OF A GREAT ATTORNEY THAT WILL NOT IGNORE YOUR REQUEST FOR A ATTORNEY YOU SHOULD CALL MRS TAN
YOU NEED TO CALL THIS ATTORNEY.
ONE THING YOU NEED TO KNOW IN ADVANCE.
BE TOTALLY HONEST.
DON'T HIDE YOUR PAST.
HAVE ALL YOUR PAPERWORK READY AND WITH YOU AT ALL TIME'S.
ALWAYS BE OPEN MINDED FOR THIS ATTORNEY.
SUGGESTION
ALWAYS PLAN TO TAKE A COPY OF ALL YOUR DOCUMENTS TO LEAVE WITH A ATTORNEY TO RESEARCH YOUR CASE. SO THE ATTORNEY CAN DO REVIEW OF ALL PAPERWORK TO DO PROPER RESEARCH FOR YOUR MATTERS.
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25 Jan, 2018 by Eric
I hired Steven DeWitt in September 2012 to represent me in a divorce. At the time, I was on amicable terms with what would be my ex-spouse, but going through a tough emotional time, as one could imagine. Such times call for someone on the outside to look after one’s interests, hence I retained Steven as my attorney, as he appeared to be a Christian man with values and integrity. I had, for the most part, agreed to give up most things to my ex in an effort to ‘just move on’, with exception to a few items. In particular, the house I had co-owned with spouse. I informed Steven, at time of retaining him, that my goal was to quitclaim title to my spouse and, in return, the expectation was to have me removed from existing loan in addition to title. I expected the terms of the divorce decree to include legal protections to protect my interests. What I received in the end was, well, no protections. I attempted to reach out to Steven by both email (on April 4, 2014), as well as phone (left message with his receptionist/legal assistant). I received no call back, email, or letter. I reached out again by email on April 30, 2015, followed by another call to his office, after no response back from him. My attempts were futile. I had hired a new attorney to fight for custody of my children, among other things, after my divorce was finalized. I had interviewed several attorneys at that point to replace Steven, as he expressed no interest in me/failed to respond or communicate with me at the time. Not one attorney interviewed wanted to assist in ‘cleaning up his mess’, in particular, with regards to the house. You see, the divorce decree merely indicated I was to be ‘held harmless from any encumbrances’. Steven recently reached out to me to try to address this, after prior negative review was posted, but the damage was already done. After three follow up hearings to try to address with court, the judge literally ‘admonished’ ex for not doing enough, but went on to state that my ‘divorce decree was left vague and unenforceable’. In other words, not worth the paper it was written on as it did not indicate an action to take (i.e. timeline to complete loan assumption, refinance or sale of home nor did it include verbiage on enforcement action court can take if failure to abide by terms). To make matters worse, Steven recently acknowledged that he didn’t even draft the decree that was entered into court, but rather allowed opposing counsel to do. Kudos to opposing counsel for slipping unfavorable terms to me, past what was supposed to be my legal safety net, Steven. There were other issues with language in the decree (unfavorable child support terms against me for example and failure to make suggestions on how I could seek reimbursement on recent inheritance I had received and deposited to community bank account just 3 weeks before retaining him) that surprised other attorney’s after-the fact, but these issues have since become non-issues/not worthy of fighting further. Bottom-line: At this point, Steven receives an ‘F’ from me for failure to properly address my needs. It appears that Steven just wanted to collect a paycheck in my initial divorce, as he didn’t suggest edits to opposing counsel nor to me. Since then, and after an initial negative review was posted, he has ‘offered’ to ‘brainstorm’ on how to resolve, but not actually offer any way to ‘correct things’. Again, judge indicated there’s nothing he could do, same with attorneys that came after Steven. There are other attorneys that will be more detail-oriented in their representation of you. Beware, as a poor divorce decree entered with the court by poor representation will come back to haunt you. It’s like gospel…once entered and on record with court, you’re damned to try to challenge it. Choose wisely upfront. Accordingly, I cannot recommend the services of Steven DeWitt. I rate him an ‘F’ for ‘FAILURE’.
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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:
-
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.
