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Carl O. Gunnstaks
5601 Plano, Plano, TX
Practices
3.2
Avvo rating
7 Reviews
Data reflects the status as of the latest update. Updates are typically done monthly.
License
License ID number: -
Licensed in: -
Year admitted: -
Education
1996:
Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Board Certified in Family Law
1990:
Southern Methodist University
1973:
University of Florida, BA - Bachelor of Arts
Last reviews
See All Reviews
Overall rating
3.2
7 reviews
3.2
Anonymous
09 Sep, 2022
I engaged Luke to help with a child custody case after dealing with former spouse who fought dirty. The initial meeting with Luke was promising, he pointed out things that needed to be clarified, however Luke never took action. 3 years (and $85k later) nothing had materialized. Beware of expensive lawyers who claim they can help. Big disappointment to Luke’s “services” is an understatement.
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Rebecca
14 Dec, 2017
Carl Gunnstaks (aka C. Luke Gunnstaks, Carl Otto Gunnstaks) was hired as my divorce attorney in August 2016.
Gunnstaks misspelled my name on his Gunnstaks Contract for Services.
A Limited Power of Attorney had my name misspelled and listed 3 different ways in this one document. My driver's license was not requested in order to officially and legally notarize said document, had it been, these errors would not have been made. The date was changed and I was not requested to initial change.
I revoked this Limited Power of Attorney (LPOA) to which Gunnstaks responded that he could not have any communication with Opposing Counsel unless I gave him explicitly and approved authorization/instructions to do so. When I forwarded a message with explicit, easily understood and approved instructions, I received an email from Gunnstaks stating that I had to reinstate this LPOA before he could have any correspondence with Opposing Counsel. I had to remind him of his first instructions to me, “the explicit and approved/instruction authorization etc.” Only then did he begin to comply with his own instructions.
Opposing counsel wanted changes made on the final divorce decree. Gunnstaks made this change to my Divorce Decree without my knowledge, consent or approval and forwarded said changes to opposing counsel.
I had to be “Pro-Active” in order to get information to the Opposing Counsel on a timely basis. An example is: Gunnstaks Office told me Gunnstaks was out of town from October 18th, 2017 to the 25th, and would not be reading or answering my correspondence that I forwarded to him on the 19th, until his return on the 25th and only in the order to which his emails were received. When I questioned Gunnstaks about this on the 25th, as there was an item that was to be returned to the Opposing Counsel's office by the 23rd, his response was that Opposing Counsel had a copy of the Schedule filed with the court of when he was absent from his office and Opposing Counsel was aware that he, Gunnstaks, was out of the office from the 18th – 25th. Gunnstaks then forwarded along with that email a copy of this Schedule he was in reference too. It showed that he was only out the 18-20th. I then emailed him to point out that Opposing Counsel would not know of his absence until the 25th because it was not on the Schedule.
Gunnstaks forwarded the wrong final divorce decree to me after other changes had been made and did not review it before sending it to me for my signature. It was sent to me with these instructions: “Please forward your signature to our office for entry of the Decree with the Court.” This was not forwarded to me for “Review.”
I had to hire another attorney to proofread all final Divorce Decree documents to make sure all matters of the Divorce Decree were correct and legally written. Changes to my personal real estate property descriptions had to be made or would become an issue for a title company should the property be sold in the future.
I have learned that 5 Star Reviews can be made by employees. I wrote Gunnstaks and told him that I did a Review Search for him before I made my first visit to his office (under the name of C Luke Gunnstaks, unaware that he has used Carl Gunnstaks). I also stated that I felt 5 Star Reviews should only be made by a Client, not employees. Gunnstaks denied that any of his employees have ever left a review for him, however, I have found two reviews that have the same names as his employees, one current and one that is no longer with his firm.
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Tamara
27 Nov, 2017
I have been in a high conflict abusive custody battle for over 12 years now. Luke came to me through me through a friend that knew my situation. My ex fled with our son to another state and had abducted him and alienated me. I've had supposed "good" attorneys before but Luke is beyond "good", he's excellent and exceeds in his field! He is a hard worker, and looks for the truth of the matter. He is genius in the courtroom, and a perfectionist on any and all court documents that are drawn up. His staff is extremely helpful, professional, and have it together. He his well known, and is one of the best that does what he does. Although, he's hard to get ahold of and that's just because he's always busy. He always answers and is responsive, to my questions and concerns, through his staff. I've had attorneys that I had to educate, not him!! The only thing is that he can't do the foot work that I can do, as far as, documentation and filing out things that are of my knowledge and experience. I don't want an attorney, I've had them, that will do things like charge for filing out discovery. He is a man of integrity, brilliance, and a heart of gold. If you need some poop cleaned off your shoe from courts and exes, he's the one who shows you how to get it off without getting it all over yourself. He has done what I thought was not possible and got the work done, and cares.
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Top review highlights
Pros
1
Excellent knowledge and expertise in family law, particularly in complex child custody cases
“Luke is beyond "good", he's excellent and exceeds in his field! He is a genius in the courtroom, and a perfectionist on any and all court documents that are drawn up.”
2
Highly responsive and attentive to client needs and concerns
“He always answers and is responsive, to my questions and concerns, through his staff.”
3
Provides valuable guidance and support beyond just legal representation
“Over the course of the case, Luke turned out to be sort of a life coach, and I am sure he helped me become a better parent.”
4
Maintains high ethical standards and prioritizes the best interests of the client
“Luke is proof that you can win in court while maintaining your ethical standards and dignity, and protect your children from the ugliness of a family law case.”
Cons
1
Can be difficult to reach or get a timely response at times
“The only thing is that he can't do the foot work that I can do, as far as, documentation and filing out things that are of my knowledge and experience.”
2
May not always take proactive steps or be as involved in certain administrative tasks
“An example is when we were asked to fill out lengthy forms of discovery, he just told us to fill them out to them entirely. We did not agree and thought they were asking for information that was not pertinent to the case.”
3
Billing and communication issues, such as inaccurate documentation or not keeping clients fully informed
“Gunnstaks misspelled my name on his Gunnstaks Contract for Services. A Limited Power of Attorney had my name misspelled and listed 3 different ways in this one document.”
Publications
2007:
State Bar of Texas PDP 2007, 21st Century Issues Dealing with Nontraditional Relationships: Dividing Property Between Unmarried Persons
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