Besianne Tavss Maiden

I hired Ms. Maiden because she promised me that she did more "hand-holding" through a contentious divorce than the typical lawyer. The exact opposite was true. She ignored my case to the extent she even failed to present an offer that was made by the opposing party; when I finally had to hire another... lawyer, I was too burned out to file a bar complaint for what is very much a breach of duties. In short, she was non-responsive, allowed my case to drag out, caused me unbelievable stress and ultimately cost me thousands of dollars when she abdicated my bargaining power by pissing off and ignoring my ex-spouse and his attorney as well. If I could give her a negative rating, I would as she had a complete negative impact on me, my family and my case.

I hired Ms. Maiden to represent me in a bitter divorce and child custody case. Her services were not worth the over $7,500 in fees charged nor the constant stress I endure to this day. She was difficult to reach, painfully slow to respond, often demanded additional payments for what appeared to b...e little or no work by her and her staff, and miscommunicated a court appearance date that could have resulted in a warrant for my arrest (she knew I was out of town for work on that date). To this day, I owe an exorbitant spouse support amount, have no contact with my child, an my ex-spouse has sufficiently poisoned my relationship with my brothers. My ex-spouse claimed fraudulent arrears for expenses that Ms. Maiden never reviewed nor had an interest in reviewing and adjudicating. I was more than happy to throw away the free coffee cup with her law firm's logo that she gave to me.

I hired Ms.Tavss as my divorce attorney as my husband filed divorce because he was having affair and living with the woman shortly after seperating. I was married 22 years, we had two children together. I was a housewife for 90 percent of the marriage and very ill when he filed with the same illness ...now in its advance stages 15 years later. By law i was to receive half of each of my ex husbands 401 k plans and half of the money that we received from the sale of our home. I put the money in escrow from the sale which was only $3,700.00. Ms. Tavss gave my check from the sale of my home to my ex and i receved absolutely nothing nor from our 401k plans. She gave the check that was in escrow in my name from the sale of our house to my ex husband because she said she did not know where i was living but both my children and husband knew and my father who was the one that adviced her to put my half in escrow. She dropped my case after she spent all my money and accomplishing nothing because she said she was pregnant and had to lighten her cade load.

Upon first meeting with Ms Maiden she seemed eager to take on my divorce case. She was informed during our meeting of my husbands affairs as well as hitting me the week we separated, married 22 yrs., stay-at-home mom . Gave her the money she demanded for retaining her. Time goes by, tons of questions... to answer and mail back. Told to call for anything. I did. But, I must admit I was calling too often. She made it clear I was calling too often and to relax. For that, she was right. Anxiety was high. After putting out close to $7,000.00 to maintain her as my lawyer we had a meeting at the courthouse with my husband and his attorney. Something was off but couldn't put my finger on it. I was firm and told her I wasn't happy and wanted more from her. Ms Maiden looked at me and in a scolding voice said I could fire her. Ya Think? At $7,000.00 out already? My husband was a business owner and she wanted another $5,000 to get started in his company and another $5,000 two weeks after that and possibly more, depending on what is found. I told her it was impossible. Mind you, I had property to sell and could pay from that, but, she wanted all monies 'up-front'. Ms Maiden 'WAS NOT' working for me. She was doing 'NOTHING'. I believe it was close to 3 yrs. when Ms Maiden called to give me final court date. Once there I was stunned, shocked, angry because my husband's earnings were in the six figures, had 3 successful businesses that were thriving, businesses I helped him get off the ground and all she fought for on my behalf was $19,500.00 a year, forced out of my home and received a small portion from the sale, NO health insurance, NOTHING from husbands businesses (our home was paid for when my husband wanted to go into business for himself. I signed over my half in order for him to start the businesses), and a twelve year old car. I was in shock. I couldn't understand how this could happen. Ms Maiden came highly recommended, how could she do this. After a few weeks I went to two separate attorney's, showed them the final declaration, and I asked for their 'honest' opinion. Both firms, separate from one another, literally shook their heads and exclaimed they knew her personally and her work and that I got screwed. That it was 'not' the work she was known for. They each then told me what I "should" have been given. I should have been awarded at minimum, $50.000.00 alimoney yrly, keep my home, and have health insurance provided for at least five years. Ms Maidens lack of protecting my best interest has greatly cost me. My ex-husband now lives in a million dollar home on the water with his live-in girlfriend, has '4' thriving businesses, luxury cars, and me? Well, I'm very thankful my Lord sees my needs and helps me.