I hired Gitlin Law Firm because I'd read that Gunnar Gitlin was an awesome family divorce attorney that literally wrote a book on family law and divorce. I was paired with his partner, Stephanie, but was assured they worked together and I felt good about that decision. I had a fairly cut and dry divorce (splitting of debt, assets, child custody agreement details). I asked Stephanie during my consult how much she anticipated my divorce costing, to which she couldn't even give me a general amount (I get it, things come up that add to the cost. Fair). Well my fairly simple divorce, with a lot of paper work (discovery of 2 years) on my end that I had to get together, mediation that I needed to pay separate for and work through, and basic divorce documents that I feel I walked myself through for the most part, cost about $13,000 (this included a $3000 retainer that essentially went to paperwork in the first month). Every e-mail, every question, every phone call will cost about $100+. While I felt Stephanie and her staff were knowledgeable, I don't feel I was represented in a way to maximize my outcome, only to finalize it. There were important numbers missed on my child support worksheet that I wasn't aware of and ultimately my agreeing to it cost me hundreds a month. Before the child mediation meetings, Stephanie told me to 'expect my worst case scenario'. What?! I ended up getting my best one, but only because I stated my case well and my ex agreed to it. When the final financial agreement was typed up, I voiced to Stephanie that I didn't feel it was fair I was essentially walking away with nothing, and that my financial situation was going to be hard after the divorce, to which she charged me $300+ extra to 'research more affordable housing in my area', suggesting I sell my house and move into a tiny one and that would free up money every month. (?!)
What I would suggest in hiring this firm is to either go in with all your research and ducks in a row to start, or to request a specific attorney if that's what you are looking for. Lawyers are expensive, I get it. I just wish I would have known what I do now to have made the whole situation a lot less expensive. read more