Marc I. Schmelkin

Underestimate this attorney at your own peril, he is a "pit bull". Marc got my first separation agreement changed so I had a fighting chance for litigation, as the first agreement was through a biased mediator. Marc then went on to fight for me and got a modified separation agreement with my wife's ...new attorney. When further modification was necessary for the final divorce agreement, Marc fought for me. In the final divorce agreement meeting, Marc decimated opposing counsel. He not only had answers for any anticipated questions opposing counsel may ask, he then went into questions that opposing counsel had no answers for. In the end I got 100% of my divorce agreement requests (including NO alimony), and my wife got 0% concession. This is the guy you want fighting for you.

For those undergoing a divorce, especially for the first time, it can be a very earth shattering experience with incredible stress and a sudden loss of the world you once knew.    I have been through this in the worst way possible, so please read below and hopefully my advice can help you avoid the... costly and life changing mistakes I made.   I had been blindsided by a long marriage and a subsequent divorce notice via email. I was hoping things could be split equally including sharing time with the kids, however my ex had the upper hand and she wasn't going to take equal as an option.  I had no idea what to do, so used Google and the phone book to find a lawyer.  That was my first mistake. The initial representation and defense by a SOLID attorney is your best hope. The initial court hearing will be the basis for the overall outcome, which I learned the hard way.  I had hired 4 attorneys in succession over the course of a year and had to remove them one after another when it was obvious that things were deteriorating from what I would call a fair outcome. I was not represented well. It was costly and personally very devastating.    It was a miracle to say the least, but when I was pretty much ready to throw in the towel and out of options, I met Marc Schmelkin.  I can't say enough how thankful I am for that day and for that meeting.  It has been over a year now that Marc has seriously turned things around for me.  My ex's attorneys have always been able to dance around my previous attorneys in terms of legal motions, and I would sit there in court and just feel like burying my head and wonder what just happened.   I tell you, Marc is a serious roadblock to that and that does not happen anymore.    Marc comes across as a very friendly, soft spoken, approachable guy when you meet him and he is very down to earth, however when it comes to defending you, he is like a pit bull, for lack of a better word; very aggressive and offers very good legal advice.  He is very calm and polite to the other counselors and the Judge, but when it comes to the law, he knows it and you cannot just dance around him.  He is highly intelligent and pays very close attention to every single detail.  I was incredibly impressed by how quickly he assimilates documents, faster than a scanner.  Marcs' strategy from what I have seen also differs from my past family attorneys, in that he would rather things end fairly and amicably, and doesn't want to prolong the inevitable, however, he will not back away from defending you tooth and nail and will put up the strongest of arguments in your favor, if he senses any unfairness, and from what I have seen so far, the opposing attorneys are not too thrilled about having to deal with Marc.    My case went beyond a normal divorce, it was an ugly and messy process with a 4 day trial.  Marc did a fantastic job at the trial.  I could tell the opposition was frazzled and it was easy to tell my ex was steaming.  When Marc can fluster the opposition in the courtroom, by knowledge of the facts and laws, it is the best internal feeling of relief you can have, because you know you are being represented properly.  Additionally, Marcs' fees are very reasonable compared to Boston law firms. He lets you know if things are going to be expensive, so you can prepare, if that's your decision.  I feel that its better to hire a good attorney, because they will save you not only monetarily but peace of mind in the end.    I think if you are going to file for a divorce or have been given notice, or need a prenuptial agreement, or any sort of family matter, it would be my strongest advice and in your best interest to at least discuss things with Attorney Marc Schmelkin.     I am a local physician here in Boston and these are my true unsolicited feelings.