Looking for a "GREAT" family law attorney in Orange County

[SaharaJp99]

Thank you Don and Tony for the insight and advise. I think I am going to sit down with her during my visit in February and see if we can't reach a reasonable agreement outside of courts. Worth a shot anyways. We already have another court date set for September , so if we can't reach an agreement in February I'll move the court date up. I agreed to this initial year of our custody arrangement because she promised to do things for our son that aren't happening, and I received terrible legal advise and felt I had no other option.

Doug, thank you for the kind words! I really enjoyed meeting and riding with you as well!

 

[101stpathfinder]

Thank you Don and Tony for the insight and advise. I think I am going to sit down with her during my visit in February and see if we can't reach a reasonable agreement outside of courts. Worth a shot anyways. We already have another court date set for September , so if we can't reach an agreement in February I'll move the court date up. I agreed to this initial year of our custody arrangement because she promised to do things for our son that aren't happening, and I received terrible legal advise and felt I had no other option. Doug, thank you for the kind words! I really enjoyed meeting and riding with you as well!

This is pure words of wisdom. IF you can reach an agreement between the 2 of you- That is priceless!!!

AND IF you do reach an agreement... Go before the judge or mediator and get it in writing.

Lawyers are there to "Muddy up" everything. The more disagreement - the more $ for them.

 

[SaharaJp99]

Thank you Don and Tony for the insight and advise. I think I am going to sit down with her during my visit in February and see if we can't reach a reasonable agreement outside of courts. Worth a shot anyways. We already have another court date set for September , so if we can't reach an agreement in February I'll move the court date up. I agreed to this initial year of our custody arrangement because she promised to do things for our son that aren't happening, and I received terrible legal advise and felt I had no other option. Doug, thank you for the kind words! I really enjoyed meeting and riding with you as well!

This is pure words of wisdom. IF you can reach an agreement between the 2 of you- That is priceless!!!

AND IF you do reach an agreement... Go before the judge or mediator and get it in writing.

Lawyers are there to "Muddy up" everything. The more disagreement - the more $ for them.

Yes, I agree. The issue is getting her to agree to anything as she does not care if we go to court. Since she has made the lifestyle choices she has, her legal representation is free. So it only costs me. But who knows. The dagger stabs haven't been as deep lately so maybe she will consider it. All a guy can do is try!

 

[Hudson]

Start here. You can look up an attorney and see if they have any bar complaints or disciplinary actions against them.

The local county bar association offers referral services too.

There are hard working, ethical attorneys out there if you look for them via the right routes. Consulting the Internet is not generally one of those recommended routes.

 

[SaharaJp99]

Start here. You can look up an attorney and see if they have any bar complaints or disciplinary actions against them.
The local county bar association offers referral services too.

There are hard working, ethical attorneys out there if you look for them via the right routes. Consulting the Internet is not generally one of those recommended routes.

Thank you for the links Hudson. I agree the internet probably isnt the best place to consult. Some of the best services I pay for have been through referrals though, and I was just giving this a shot to see if anyone in the locale in question had any experiences with any attorneys. I would take a personal testimony over a Martindale-Hubbell rating any day.

 

[101stpathfinder]

Start here. You can look up an attorney and see if they have any bar complaints or disciplinary actions against them.
The local county bar association offers referral services too.

There are hard working, ethical attorneys out there if you look for them via the right routes. Consulting the Internet is not generally one of those recommended routes.

I have to respectfully disagree with this. Very seldom can one use ethical and attorney in the same sentence. I should clarify "Attorney" in this case as "Family Law Attorney"

The bar association is NOT the place for a referral. My belief is they try to make you feel like you are screwed without an attorney looking out for you.

Sit in a custody suit when your attorney can't even get your children's name right in court. Heavy workload means not enough research. Closing arguments from an emotional

father can sway any judge if it is heart felt.

BTW Once a lawyer gets involved- private negotiation between the two of you is GONE. (With the EX)

Go ahead make a call to an attorney - the going rate 15 years ago was $350 an hour...

 

[SaharaJp99]

Start here. You can look up an attorney and see if they have any bar complaints or disciplinary actions against them.
The local county bar association offers referral services too.

There are hard working, ethical attorneys out there if you look for them via the right routes. Consulting the Internet is not generally one of those recommended routes.

I have to respectfully disagree with this. Very seldom can one use ethical and attorney in the same sentence. I should clarify "Attorney" in this case as "Family Law Attorney"

The bar association is NOT the place for a referral. My belief is they try to make you feel like you are screwed without an attorney looking out for you.

Sit in a custody suit when your attorney can't even get your children's name right in court. Heavy workload means not enough research. Closing arguments from an emotional

father can sway any judge if it is heart felt.

BTW Once a lawyer gets involved- private negotiation between the two of you is GONE. (With the EX)

Go ahead make a call to an attorney - the going rate 15 years ago was $350 an hour...

BTDT, got the HELOC to prove it!

 

[Twinrivers]

Any chance you can get a change of venue to CO? She's the one that moved away, why are you having to go to her state?

On the flip side any chance of you moving to CA to be closer to your son? That would solve most of the battle I would think without knowing the whole story.

 

[101stpathfinder]

Any chance you can get a change of venue to CO? She's the one that moved away, why are you having to go to her state?
On the flip side any chance of you moving to CA to be closer to your son? That would solve most of the battle I would think without knowing the whole story.

Actually that is a good catch. As laws are different state to state, I helped a friend with this matter. but the situation was a little different.

IIRC The important facts were WHERE was the initial legal action taken? AND

WAS a change of venue ever requested?

For example: If the legal action was executed initially in Colorado any further legal actions should be held there without a change of venue.

This all depends on the wording of the order. AND It is hard to believe she could relocate without addressing this through the legal system. Usually

this is addressed in the agreement (?)

 

[SaharaJp99]

Any chance you can get a change of venue to CO? She's the one that moved away, why are you having to go to her state?
On the flip side any chance of you moving to CA to be closer to your son? That would solve most of the battle I would think without knowing the whole story.

Nope, no changing venue. He was born in California. Some states will enforce that the state of conception is the home state and has jurisdiction, but Colorado is not one of those states. Been down that road. I petitioned with the Ca courts 3 months before he was born to try and get some rights when he was born.

At this point in time moving is out of the question. My family is here, my career is here, my home is here, my life is here, his home is here. Plus, there is not a chance I could afford to live in OC. The prices there are absolutley absurd.

 

[Chuck35]

Best of luck to you!

Here in Ga. the father is little more than a former sperm donor with financial obligatins...

 

[SaharaJp99]

Best of luck to you!Here in Ga. the father is little more than a former sperm donor with financial obligatins...

That's sure how the system has made me feel so far! But, I believe if I continue being a good Dad, and doing the right things, things will work out somehow. Have to have some faith, it's what keeps you moving forward!

 

[101stpathfinder]

OK then many options.

I think you know your situation better than anyone. My opinion: See if you can negotiate with her first. A revised visitation schedule, shared custody... Here in Florida

the court offers mediators in 2 different levels. They usually have knowledge of legal aspects of the negotiations areas. They want to help you work out a deal. To me

a one on one is the best approach. Legal action and courtroom procedures are a last resort. Step by step and study every legal aspect of your case. NEVER be surprised

in a legal matter.

If you HAVE to go to court:

Study courtroom procedures Study presentation of evidence Go to the law library and get case histories with favorable decisions

It takes time ... MUCH time

 

[beemerdons]

I have been drinking tonight, but my Best Army Buddy is Terry "Tiny" Lund: Sergeant at Arms of the Long Beach Chapter of the Hell's Angel's if you should need a "permanent solution"!

 

[wheatonFJR]

I have been drinking tonight, but my Best Army Buddy is Terry "Tiny" Lund: Sergeant at Arms of the Long Beach Chapter of the Hell's Angel's if you should need a "permanent solution"!

That explains a lot...

 

[Chuck35]

If I had just shot the *****, I'd be out of jail by now

 

[supertankerm60a3]

OK, the forum members have all given good advice. Here is my experience.

I had a nasty divorce back in 1989/1990 My attorney won sole legal and physical custody of my two year old son, TWICE. (my bad in taking her back)

She was resonable in price though she may have been giving me a military discount.

Her name was Marilyn Celli. Her office was in Bastow. I do not know if she is still practiceing law as this was a long time ago. You can use google or the state bar to find out

Family law cases are a real mess and results will vary, I don't know where the venu will be either. Either way, I hope this helps.

Good Luck.

 

[Bounce]

Bad new. Custody courts suck and the results can be madening.

Had a neighbor couple who spent years and tens of thousands of dollars to get her kids from her first marriage back. They lost. She had custody in their home state (OK) where our neighbors still resided. She took the kids to spend a week with their paternal grandparents. Those people took the kids across state lines and, in violation of the custody ruling, handed them over to their dad in FLA.

The FLA courts could care less what the courts in OK had said and would never budge on their decision to ignore everything that had happened before. They allowed the dad to keep the kids and the mother couldn't even get visitation rights.

 

[exskibum]

OK, the forum members have all given good advice. Here is my experience.
I had a nasty divorce back in 1989/1990 My attorney won sole legal and physical custody of my two year old son, TWICE. (my bad in taking her back)

She was resonable in price though she may have been giving me a military discount.

Her name was Marilyn Celli. Her office was in Bastow. I do not know if she is still practiceing law as this was a long time ago. You can use google or the state bar to find out

Family law cases are a real mess and results will vary, I don't know where the venu will be either. Either way, I hope this helps.

Good Luck.

here ya go:

https://members.calbar.ca.gov/fal/Member/Detail/79862

 

[SaharaJp99]

Thank you for the suggestions/research guys!