Reviews

Awful

We came to this office for a simple step parent adoption. We are also under a deadline to get this done. We were told by Mr. Valentine that this would be cut and dry and shouldn't take but a month or so to complete and not to worry. Not only was this NOT the case, but it ended up costing me hundreds more to have documents expedited for an upcoming trip. There was extremely POOR communication with him and his office, they definetly don't take ANY responsibility for their actions and pass the buck. This process was started in June of 2016, and today it is March 14th, still no completed adoption, and they never did get back to me on the several calls I made and emails sent to their office. I guess that was the easiest money they ever made. I was also told several times I was NOT a priority. Im sure I was not the biggest case, but as someone who is self employed and has customers, everyone deserve to have their time they are paying for and should be made to feel important. SO BUYER BEWARE.. ALSO note I do not write reviews like this easily... I think the truth here speaks for itself and I wish I had known before hand, I would have chosen more wisely.

Great experience. Mr. Valentine jumped through hoops for me and had the paperwork I needed within 2 days which was very important for my case. Would strongly recommend.

First, this location is Steve Valentine's office. McFadyen will visit here and there, but if you get a consult in Beaufort, it is with Steve. I had Steve for my divorce from bed and board, custody, and equitable distribution that was settled by mediation. All of the lawyers in this part of NC are on the same program for this situation, I believe. Drag things out until the retainer is spent, then go for mediation. Total bill for me was about $12500, $7000 in initial retainer. With Steve, those numbers are what determines if you are the right client for him. If $12500 is chump change to you, go with Steve if you live in Carteret County. He is obviously influential in the courtroom, and if he goes to court, he does lay the smackdown. The problem is getting his attention. If you are not a big net worth client, you can be calling all day with a situation and have nothing get done. He still has a flip phone, does not give you his email, and it is extremely difficult to speak with him on phone or in person without an appointment. His staff is strung out and he is having his wife fill in to help out at times. If you are <40 years old, he is probably not a good lawyer for you.