I worked with Carol regarding my amicable divorce from my partner. We scheduled an appointment Jan 2017 and paid the consultation fee. After the appointment we shopped around, we thought their fee was a little on the high side however felt confident and safe hiring them.
On Oct 2017 I hired Carol, signed the welcome letter and retainer agreement, Paid my deposit. At first they failed to credit the consultation fee, after a reminder they made the correction. The next time I heard from Carol was a month later, only because of my emails to Rachael and Susan wondering what the next step was. She stated we should be completed by the end of the year, so I waited for the next step.
Finally middle Jan 2018 I sent an email, because no one followed up Iasking Carol for an update. At that point and I'm not sure why Carol waited so long but she sent out our Petition for Dissolution which we signed within 24 hours. Carol forgot our case which left us waiting another few weeks for the next step,
However, Come March 2018, I'm still waiting....I called, I emailed...on March 13th Rachael responded and looked into what we are waiting for...she couldnt offer anything besides an apology but assured to me Carol would have a settlement agreement by Friday end of working day. On Friday 7pm, no word. At this point I'm at my wits end, frustrated that my case has been forgotten, on the back burner, and I have had to consistently follow up wondering what the hold up is.....I emailed Carol asked for a refund and wanted to take my business elsewhere. Finally at 9:43pm Carol sent the settlement agreement, she apologized and stated she works late on Fridays.
March 27th we signed final papers, April 4th we picked a court date.
Court Day: I was instructed to arrive at 9:30am, which I did, even a little early because I was nervous. At 9:30am I called the firm I was told she should be there, what are you wearing?, Carol has not arrived. I thought to myself, has she forgotten me again? I checked in with the clerk and waited. Carol arrived (9:37am), it was the longest 7 minutes of my life. When she arrived we stepped outside spoke about what to expect and went back inside. Once inside the clerk stated she needed to get something signed or stamped, I wasn't sure what she was missing but she said the clerk was being difficult and she had to run to do something. I was left sitting, waiting. When Carol returned it was my turn with the judge, everything went smoothly (hence the one star) after that, she emailed me final court documents and we finished.
I'm disappointed with the organization and management of this law firm. It is unacceptable to require the client to follow up with the lawyer and keep tabs on their case. Also, its unacceptable to be late to court, I should have been given a follow up call saying "dont worry I'm running late." I understand court is an everyday event for a lawyer but for me it was a new experience and I was nervous.
Amicable divorces should not take 6-7 months, I know this is true because I have an email from Carol stating we should be completed by end of 2017. (I saved all emails) We were not delayed on my end, anything she needed from us was provided within 48 hours.
At first I felt confident with their abilities, in the end was greatly disappointed. Overall, when hiring this firm I would make sure you are ok with delays and being overlooked or being an after thought. Also, I would ask the firm if they has time for your case, maybe Carol was juggling more than what she could handle. I dont know. For now take a pass on hiring an attorney from this firm. read more
