Deanna Lyn Istik

Attorney Istik failed to act as an effective advocate in a case where the client was a domestic violence survivor facing a documented pattern of coercive control. She pressured the client into a civil consent order that did not address ongoing financial abuse or secure the promised therapy for the ch...ild, despite an active CPS investigation against the opposing parent. Key Points of the Review: · Failed to Secure Therapy: Attorney Istik promised that the civil consent order would allow the child to receive critical therapy for trauma related to the stillbirth of a sibling and the father's physical abuse. The therapy never started, and there was no enforcement mechanism to hold the other parent accountable . · Ineffective Representation Against Coercive Control: She did not recognize or respond to the pattern of coercive control, including the threat of a 302 mental health commitment, which was used as a weapon in the divorce filing. · Ignored CPS Investigation: Despite the opposing party having an active CPS investigation for harming the child, she did not build a case around this critical evidence, leaving the child in an unsafe situation. · Pressure to Accept Unfair Agreement: She pressured the client to accept an order that required a psych evaluation for the client but not for the abusive father, ignoring the evidence provided by multiple psychiatrists. · Inadequate Financial Protection: The agreement did not prevent the opposing party from letting joint accounts go negative, refusing to pay for medical expenses, or attempting to refinance the family home multiple times. Final Verdict: Attorney Istik failed to protect her client's interests or the child's safety in a clear domestic violence case. Her approach left the client more vulnerable and forced her to seek new counsel. This experience reflects a failure to understand or properly handle a case involving coercive control and parental alienation. And the 7500 retainer that I paid was absolutely worthless. I had no protection, no options and no help. I was currently waiting to be filing with disability for PTSD. She allowed him to take advantage of my condition knowingly.