I was represented by Christine Carver in a child custody matter, and unfortunately, I cannot recommend her.
I hired Christine in early 2025. Things initially went well, but in April she stopped communicating with me for more than a month. During that time, opposing counsel offered a settlement that included Spring Break parenting time, but I was not informed in time to accept it. When I finally requested that Christine withdraw, she responded within 30 minutes after being unavailable to discuss my case for weeks. I asked the firm for different counsel, but the attorney I was told would contact me never did. Christine later assured me communication would improve, and for a while, it did.
While Christine was on maternity leave early this year, and another attorney helped file a contempt motion. She was kind and responsive, but the draft contained multiple errors and required several billed revisions. I spent approximately $2,000-$3,000 on one motion, including research that was ultimately unnecessary. After I questioned the billing, the firm provided a $600 credit.
Christine returned in May and asked me on June 2 to provide information for an amended custody modification. I submitted everything by June 12. I never received a draft or meaningful status update. On June 17, I was told to replenish my retainer by $5,000 before calendar call. We later agreed on $3,000 due July 1, which I paid in full.
At no point was I warned that paying by the agreed deadline would leave insufficient time to file the amended motion. On July 2, after trial was scheduled for August 13-14, I learned it had not been filed. The court may now have to rely on an outdated 2021 motion instead of the updated filing Christine previously said was needed. After missing the deadline, she suddenly claimed the amendment was not necessary and that the old version was sufficient.
I asked whether she could seek permission from the court to amend before trial. I was told to wait until Monday, but Monday passed without an answer. After another ignored follow-up, I asked that work be paused to preserve my remaining retainer and requested withdrawal. When I later tried to discuss her strategy and possibly preserve the attorney-client relationship, that request was ignored. Her paralegal sent me a signed withdrawal motion late Friday afternoon and said I would have to wait until Monday for DocuSign, leaving me approximately four weeks to find new counsel before trial.
My concerns were not based on one missed email. They involved repeated communication failures, missed opportunities, expensive and error-filled drafting, lack of transparency about deadlines, unanswered questions, and a withdrawal handled at the worst possible time.
I later noticed that although the firm receives frequent positive reviews, the few reviews I found specifically mentioning Christine were also one star. I took a chance expecting the best and am now approaching trial, feeling that her representation may have cost me far more than money in relation to more time with my daughter.
For any parent or guardian seeking child custody representation: set clear communication expectations, closely review your invoices, ask for filing deadlines in writing, seek a second opinion, and trust your instincts. I would not recommend Christine Carver. read more
