David Heller Pikus

My ex was not an involved father, made a lot of money and had been withholding money and files before he asked for the divorce. My ex threatened from the start that he'd drag things out. It was clear he was hellbent on make it beyond expensive, he was fighting for the sake of fighting and was set o...ut to destroy his wife and children. I hired Mr. Pikus. He quickly saw right through my my out of control, abusive & controlling ex. Fortunately, he said, "we have time to prepare" and stated he did not want me to "living under a Sword of Damocles". He said his "first priority was to keep me and my children safe." I was comforted by that. Mr. Pikus is extraordinarily intelligent and often presents as he is reputed, an exceptional lawyer. For someone of my former lawyer's pedigree to have a loving devoted and capable SAHM for a client where the facts and merits on all topics were as overwhelmingly favorable in her support - despite my ex, my case, even with a much less skilled lawyer, should have, for the most part, been far easier, years quicker and less expensive. Unfortunately, Mr. Pikus had something else in mind when he said we had time to prepare. He was successful in the first round. But it went downhill from there. Mr. Pikus was not forthcoming about situations and options and often lacked follow through - in hindsight, seemingly on purpose. Fees were ramped up in such a short time to levels that at the time I thought were too high and felt stuck. I increasingly found him to be dishonest, dismissive and disrespectful. This allowed my ex and/or with my ex and his lawyer to drag things out far beyond any bounds of reason. They knowingly made so much painfully more difficult and ultimately left me with destroyed credit, both leaving me to absorb outrageous expenses that were not my responsibility, let alone actual affordability or ability to pay. He redirected my money to him and then left me lawyer-less while he set the stage for me to then be met with having to defend against fraudulent & ridiculous allegations and orchestrated circumstances that resulted in children who desperately need their mother most, wrongfully and unlawfully taken. My ex was withholding money and files from the start of my case. Five plus years later, my ex fraudulently has my kids and both he and my ex lawyer are both withholding money and files. The painful experience of and horrific aftermath from having retained Mr. Pikus makes having done so, deeply regrettable it is nearly impossible to recommend him to anyone. I admit my circumstances elevated my personal style and needs which may not have made me the easiest client, but, with Mr. Pikus' contacts, skill and range in types of cases, all it took was for him to have been honest and ethical and doing right by this client would have been relatively easy for him to do. Granted, he wouldn't have billed the obscene amount of fees he did, but had he not, a lawyer of his skill and repute would not have created a pressing gap of unbillable time for him or at least not of such urgency to serve as a motivator for him to have done what he did to me and my children. This lawyer is far more sophisticated with broad interests and has the curiosity, intellectual ability, financial security and the contacts to pursue them. In my case, his motivation was something other than doing his job, and what he said he would do and was paid to do - at least what was paid by me. If despite what I've said, you are considering hiring this lawyer, heed this warning: Exercise caution throughout, and at the first hint of a red flag, find someone else. The handling and the outcome of your case has a far different effect and meaning on you than it does on your lawyer - and Mr. Pikus' pursuit of interest in your case may unpleasantly surprise you.