Legal Question in Family Law in California

Part jackass or Part incompetent
Lawyer was completely unprepared for case. I retained him late may. We've had 2 or 3 continuences in order for him to do discovery and whatever else he was gonna do, so that 4-5 months. On the court date he shows up and hour late, not knowing really anything about the case, kinda like he just read half the file. This is the first time in front of judge for him on my behalf. He didnt even try to get what I wanted. Just let the other lawyer ramble on. So now Im in a worse position than before I retained him. I did a better job without rep. This is me and my sons life he's messing with. My case got transfered and was supposed to follow the orig.judge, but ended up with a new one. I told him we need orig.judge she knows the case. He said its no big deal. This new judge would not even listen to him when he did speak up. And now my son has to spend 2 hrs a week with a man he doesnt know. This man has never day 1 to 8 yr later ever been in my sons life and has always refused to do so. So Because I asked 4 child support, hes in retaliation trying to hurt me by trying to get custody. He in may threatened my dad that if I proceed w/sup. we were all going to get hurt even my son. NOT HAPPY. What can I do, next date in Nov. continued again.

Asked on 9/14/07, 1:11 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Anne Marie Healy Law Offices of Anne Marie Healy

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Re: Part jackass or Part incompetent

You need to find another attorney. I am familiar with these types of cases where the father attempts to gain custody because he doesn't want to pay child support. You need an aggressive attorney who knows how to fight these types of cases. Do not keep this attorney if he is showing weakness and lack of being prepared. You are lucky that at this point, all the dad has is 2 hours a week, and that there is a review hearing in November. But now is the time to get a new attorney. Ask around and get a reference to a good, strong attorney. There are a lot of attorneys who will take money and not really know what they are doing. You need someone totally familiar with this type of case.

Answered on 9/17/07, 3:16 pm

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