Reviews
Avvo
Nicole
19 Apr, 2023
Before I've even started to type this, I have tears of thanks running down my face.
From our very first conversation, Kristen assured me and reassured me over and over again that we would get through this nightmare together and that my daughter and I would be happy and safe. Despite my extreme anxiety and stressful breakdowns through the 2+ year case, she was patient, understanding and supportive.
Being in a marriage where I was degraded and abused for years, left me with zero self esteem and no conidence at all. I believed every awful thing the ex told me...( he'd get full custody, I'd never see my daughter again, he'd put me in jail for kidnapping etc..)
I can't even tell you how many terrified tears I cried in the beginning. Step by step, with Kristen in my corner, I started to feel more secure and confident that I had finally made the right choice by leaving.
While my ex made this a LONG drawn out process, Kristen kept me in the loop and as calm as possible.
Two years later, I'm back to the strong, confident, independent woman I was before my miserable marriage. I know that I am a great mom and I've made the best choices for my daughter and I.
I went from daily anxiety/panic attacks in fear of losing my baby girl, to laughing at the absolute ridiculous nonsense that my ex used to terrify me with. The first great choice I'd made in years was hiring Kristen.
Even when I wanted to give up, she wouldn't let me. Even when I was willing to settle for less than my daughter and I deserved, she wouldn't let me. She fought harder for me than I would've even fought for myself. And everything she encouraged me to fight for was absolutely correct.
My daughter and I are living our best lives and are protected and worry free.
My simple words of thanks will never be enough.
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Anonymous
17 Mar, 2023
I lost custody of my then 5 year old daughter to her abusive father for 2 years. I appealed and won, but during those two years I had to do everything I could to fight for her safety and freedom. It was grueling and relentless. I reached out to many lawyers and professionals trying to find people to help but was often re-traumatized when they minimized or dismissed the abuse. When I had my first call with Kristen, I finally felt seen and heard. She listened to me with empathy and understanding, and I knew she would be in our corner the whole way. She knew the laws inside and out, made it very accessible for me to understand, and she was so smart in how she approached my very complex case. She helped secured better outcomes than I could've even imagined after such horrific experiences in family court. She was always responsive, prepared, and was an advocate for me and my daughter's safety first and foremost. I can't thank her enough for taking our case when many other's wouldn't or would've tried to downplay our experiences. She saved our lives. She helped give my daughter a second chance to regain her childhood. We have a final DVPO until her 18th birthday thanks to Kristen's advocacy for our safety. Getting referred to her was a complete turning point, and I will forever be grateful. I HIGHLY recommend her!
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Anonymous
01 Nov, 2021
Hiring Kristen to represent me was the best choice I made during the difficult first days of separation, and now that my divorce is final I'm even happier with my decision. Through the whole process I had someone on my side who is smart and capable, and who I also liked talking to as a human being. She knows the ins and outs of WA family law. She gave me thorough and realistic advice. She respected that I wanted a low-conflict divorce, although if we'd gone to court I have no doubt she would have been a tough fighter. Her billing is honest and transparent so it actually worked out (relatively) affordable. I hope this is the last time I get divorced, but I'll be happy to work with Kristen for my future family law needs.
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Anonymous
20 Oct, 2020
I had been divorced for 4 years but needed to negotiate post secondary education with my ex-husband. My original attorney was retired. Kristen made herself available to me on short notice and was a perfect match for what I was looking for. I was nervous and anxious. She was supportive and empathetic all the way with me and tough as nails with my ex and his attorney. The end result was that I got everything I asked for and MORE. Cannot recommend her strongly enough.
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Greg
20 Oct, 2020
I hired Kristen almost 4 years ago now and have had to unfortunately use her most of those years, but have always felt well represented, as she has always fought for my rights as a Father. She will go up to bat for you, leverage the strong points of your case and I cannot say enough good things about how it has helped calm me down during the process and I've always felt in good hands going into court and non court proceedings. I highly recommend her services in Family Law Court and out of court proceedings as well.
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Marcus
19 Dec, 2019
Kristen went above and beyond during our consultation and provided me with all the information I needed to win my motion for revision hearing for a parenting plan. I highly recommend her!
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Anonymous
15 Mar, 2019
In my family crisis, as I run out of other options (tried every possible legal way), I had to hire a family lawyer. My choice was Ms. Bienstock. She is an amazing person with great experience, and she is absolutely the one I was looking for. She is honest, very reasonable with suggestions, actions and fees. She is walking me through this critical period of my children's and my life , like 'holding my hand'. I feel safe with her, and I have no idea what would I do without her. I super strongly recommend Ms. Bienstock.
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Michael
26 Jun, 2018
I hired Kristen to represent me in a case where my ex wife tried to take away all my parenting rights and reduce my time with my child 96%. It was an extremely stressful case and Kristen showed patience and high EQ by helping me see the forest for the trees.
I ended up with an increase in time with my child and all my rights intact.
I always felt respected and well informed of all my options. It is easy to feel helpless in a legal battle, and Kristen helped me feel like I had some control by her proactive and clear communication of strategies and options.
She is also tough as nails and will fight hard for you which helps inspire confidence.
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Anonymous
25 Jun, 2018
One of the few lawyers I have found that actually cares personally about your case. While offering very fair rates and integrity for billing, once i hired her Kristen she took over the chaos that was going on for months. Within 24 hours of her taking my case i finally felt like i could breathe. Kristen calmed me down when we had court she is confident and stands her ground, all the while keeping the oath she took when she became a lawyer. Which nowadays is difficult to find. Kristen is 100% honest when it comes to writing a decoration, she only goes on facts with supporting evidence, she did not trash talk or call my ex names in documents or in court. I can go on and on about how truly amazing Kristen is. If you want a real Attorney with ethics, morals, compassion then you have found the right Attorney. I could not be more satisfied with her.
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Aimee
25 Jun, 2018
Kristen has been very available and timely. She takes on my case and has even lost sleep at night making sure she is taking the right legal steps. She consistently is in touch with me, making suggestions that will be to our benefit for the legal situation we are dealing with. I have used lawyers in the past, and have felt like my money was basically thrown away. With Kristen, I feel confident to have her representing me and my money is being well used.
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Anonymous
08 Feb, 2018
I don't know what I'd do without her! And she has been a source of comfort and sanity through a very uncomfortable and insane process with insane ex. :)
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Anonymous
10 Jan, 2018
I can't express my appreciation enough as to what Ms. Bienstock has done for me, my family and my custody case. Ms. Bienstock has shown me compassion, compromise and understanding. She is responsive and works quickly while being thorough. I highly recommend Ms. Bienstock for your child custody case. She has been an positive advocate for my child in the courts.
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