I had waited sometime before I wrote my review of Erin Morse and my brief experience having her…read moreunder retainer during my contested divorce with children. I found Erin online without knowing about her massive advertising and media presence. What hooked me in was that she was a woman that I felt could defend my best interests and the best interests of my children in my very messy divorce from an addict and abuser. I was charmed by her story, as I am a nurse- she is a nurse's daughter. I am from Cape Cod- she is from Bourne! Small town vibes were given in the mutually shared experience of growing up on the Cape. She told me how her Mom left her Father, and it sounded like she got my story as it relates to her own. I saw her professional success as the legacy I wanted for my daughters due to my escaping a dire situation that would forever impact their lives and future selves.
But, oh no. That was the pitch. The consultation was not free ($150), and that was pretty much the only time Erin met me face to face to collect a large retainer ($4000), only to leave me unprepared with a plan and estimated timeline. Just another case in probably a very, very, very large stack of cases- all sent to be managed by her paralegals (paralegals that changed over frequently throughout brief retainment). She gave me hope, and that quickly changed as time passed. I thought I felt heard, but nope. I had to demand answers on the silence, only to be charged outrageously for a reply on said silence. I had never been to court before; I had never been through a divorce before! I know a lawyer isn't a therapist, but how about preparing your client for what happens in court and how things transpire? One of the most stressful times in a person's life, and not feeling prepared makes it so much worse, compiled by the financial strain of silent limbo.
We did have one hearing together set in front of the judge after my ex had left me with the kids and went to rehab for his addiction. I petitioned the court for temporary supervised visitation and a guardian ad litem. We got what we wanted, but as I stood facing the judge- Erin DID NOT prepare me for the judge to ask me to pay the entire cost of the guardian ad litem or not have one at all because my ex stated he did have a job. I wish Erin had spoken up and done something creative to hold my ex accountable because he had access to funds. Instead, it was me to answer, and I said "yes."
I had to say yes for the sake of my children for genuine reasons concerning their father and what I suspected he had been doing around the children. The guardian ad litem Erin recommended after the hearing was her good friend. Erin told me she was even a bridesmaid at her wedding. Is that ethical? Almost like Erin said, "she'll be on our side," I don't know. I knew I had nothing to hide, but it sounded like I should trust my lawyer, and since Erin gave me no other named options, I went with it, and I retained her friend Victoria Anderson as our guardian ad litem.
Yes, we got what we wanted overall out of the hearing. Still, Erin drafted the final orders for the judge to sign ($$) and then went back and forth with the other lawyer representing my ex ($$) because she told me verbally he was contesting. She had to revise the orders because what she initially wrote was not what the judge had meant ($$) : all costing me $$$$! Like we were not all there and heard the same thing? She could have just drafted it right the first time. Erin stated to me on the phone in explanation that she may have interpreted the judge wrong during court.
I dismissed Erin as my lawyer after that hearing because of the overhead and associated costs and because she left me unprepared- like frantically unprepared and uncertain of what she did and didn't need to know or how to address specific concerns over my children's safety and welfare without being accused of withholding time-sharing. Now I know, but for all those going through the start of a divorce similar to mine- GUIDANCE - LEGAL COUNSEL- is paramount!!! THAT is what I would have felt good about paying for, not the charges that I received for multiple emails to and from paralegals asking what the heck next and learning nothing- gaining nothing.
My view of Erin is that she is selfish and is all about money and prestige. She loves to see her face on billboards and social media (hard to miss! Still getting emails and Christmas cards with updates). She SO wants to be the top google listing. It's blatant. She wants to be known and famous, and I get it. I know where she comes from- I know her Dad was a fisherman, her Mom was a Nurse. Bourne is a small town, as I started prior. I listened intently to her during our consultation, but unfortunately, she didn't listen to me. And to boot, she cost me more than any other part of my three-year divorce process in the short three months (?) I called her my lawyer.
