Amanda Bowden Johnson's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.2 /5.0

140 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 27 reviews | 1 star

Posted by anonymous | March 12, 2026

BEWARE UNPROFESSIONAL ATTORNEY

This woman is just a B period. My daughter’s Dad has Eight contempts for making unilateral decisions. I asked what a court is likely to do and she proceeds to tell me it’s my fault and that a judge should shame me in open court.

Amanda Johnson

Replied last March 12, 2026

Some people just don't like to hear the truth. I didn't say it was your fault, I said it was both of your faults and yeah the Judge should shame you both as it is a shame you and the other parent have to have strangers force you to do right by the child. So here is your question and what I actually said. Most will see who the 'b' is. What is a NC Custody Judge likely to do in a contempt case? I have brought 8 contempts against my daughter’s Dad. 6 for making clear cut unilateral educational and extracurricular decisions, and 2 for taking her out of state without providing me with the pertinent info. My concern is that his attorney will file retaliatory contempts for missed phone calls and derogatory comments in Our Family Wizard which he is also guilty of. What is a judge likely to do in this situation? How things turn out will mostly depend on whether you are bumbling around attempting to do this yourself or if you have an attorney and if so, the skill of your attorney. We can't tell you with any significant degree of accuracy what a Judge will do - they have quite a fair bit of discretion. I can tell you normal people don't need strangers to referee the raising of their children so if you are having to go to court, right off the bat you are likely gonna be somewhat suspect in a Judge's mind as at least potentially a bit south of normal. Hopefully what happens is a Judge shames both of you publicly in open court for putting ridiculous pettiness ahead of working together for the benefit of the child and come up with a plan to essentially force both of you to do right. However, if you'd rather prepare for 'retaliatory contempts', then you need to consult with a family law attorney who can review your specific situation in more detail than can be done in a limited forum like this.

Posted by anonymous | January 25, 2026 | Lawsuits & Disputes

Unprofessional, judgmental, and failed to answer legal questions

I asked a specific question about property recovery and evidence preservation, but this attorney ignored the legal inquiry entirely. Instead, they provided a condescending lecture about my character and dismissed my situation as 'crap.' If you are looking for professional legal advice rather than uns...olicited personal judgment, look elsewhere.

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Amanda Johnson

Replied last January 26, 2026

You are an entitled child who is asking if you can sue your parents or file criminal charges against them thru law enforcement and who shouldn't even be on this site until you are 18 and who doesn't wanna do what mommy and daddy tell you to. Basically, you need a spanking. Here's your question: I am 17 and my parents took the two phones that my boyfriend bought for me, what can I do? I am a 17-year-old residing in North Carolina, and both of my phones have been taken by my parents without my consent. These phones were gifts from my boyfriend, who pays for the plan. Despite my negotiations, my parents deny having taken or seen the phones. One phone was taken on December 15th, and the other Jan 22 around 5:30-6 PM. I can prove one phone is still in their room via "Find My Device," though they have turned the other off. I am seeking legal advice on how to proceed to retrieve the phones legally, potentially involving the police, and whether I can take action through small claims court. And here my response which another attorney agrees with: You are seventeen and still a child. When you turn 18, you can move out and make all the choices you wanna make. Until then - do what your parents say.

Posted by anonymous | October 02, 2025

Don’t waste your time or money with this one.

I asked a question and rather explain why I’m wrong or try to help Karen belittled and insulted me before telling me no one can help unless I hire them.

Amanda Johnson

Replied last October 03, 2025

Yes, we can't really help you here because you didn't provide enough facts - you need a one on one sit down consultation with an attorney who can review your situation in way more detail that can be done in a forum like this to lay out your options. Telling you that you aren't competent to handle your legal matter because you don't know what you'd need to know is not belittling you - it is a simple truth / fact and is meant to help you not screw up your case - which is not only possible but probable. It is also hopefully a way to steer people like you who simply do not know what they are doing away from bumbling around court themselves wasting not only court time but also taxpayer money and toward getting the help you need. Also we are not allow to solicit business here so I definitely did not suggest you hire me. If you cannot afford an attorney for full representation, I suggested you shop around and find an attorney willing to help you represent yourself as best as possible on an as needed basis for a nominal fee or look into any free or low cost legal services in your area such as LegalAid. Hopefully you get the outcome you deserve.

Posted by anonymous | August 27, 2024 | Family

Child custody situation

This woman is very unprofessional and disrespectful, I consulted for advise on what to do in a situation with my child’s father and instead she proceed to say that I was complaining too much about the situation when she didn’t even know any context behind it prior to her response. There’s a reason wh...y I consulted an attorney so I’m able to receive legal advise but instead I get disrespected without this person even knowing whether I’m contacting due to altercations that already happened etc. I will never contact or hire this woman again, and this is not even me being hostile or anything I got proof of what she stated word by word.

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Amanda Johnson

Replied last August 27, 2024

You never consulted with me. You asked a question - I answered it. I get to answer as I see fit and you get to like the answer or not like it. So again - what are you whining about?

Posted by anonymous | August 07, 2024

Asked a question about if it’s legal for a lawyer to advise going against a court order

I asked a question and was given an opinion instead of an answer. Stick to the facts of the law when answering please.

Amanda Johnson

Replied last August 08, 2024

My answer was "If the attorney believes there is good cause, then - yes." - that's not an opinion, that's fact. Normal people understand that when they ask a question on a public forum they don't get to dictate the responses they get. Normal people just take whatever information they get and use it or not as they see fit.

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Amanda Bowden Johnson's Lawyer Endorsements

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Michael Doland

General practice lawyer | Apr 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"The answers of Ms. Johnson are consistently accurate, full of analysis, and customized to the needs of the Avvo askers. These are exactly the qualities that every client would look for in an attorney."

Benjamin Goldman

Speeding and traffic ticket lawyer | Aug 23

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Houser's answers on Avvo indicate she is a highly knowledgeable speeding ticket attorney."

Leif Hamman

Speeding and traffic ticket lawyer | Sep 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Ms. Houser takes a 'no-frills', 'no-holds-barred' approach to practicing law. She gives her clients the unvarnished truth of their situations and works from there. I endorse this lawyer for her "plain truth' approach."

Ana-Cristina Jimenez

Uncontested divorce lawyer | Aug 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Howard Lewis

Uncontested divorce lawyer | May 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Bowden Houser is one of the finest attorney in her state, I highly recommend her legal services"

Robert Gilligan

DUI and DWI lawyer | Dec 16

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Hovanes Margarian

Unknown lawyer | Nov 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Vance Davis

Unknown lawyer | Aug 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I personally look forward to reading Ms. Houser's responses to questions on Avvo because her no-nonsense practical contributions are often helpful, even to other attorneys. She is a top flight lawyer."

Marie-Jacques Ambroise

Unknown lawyer | May 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Kenneth Love

Divorce and separation lawyer | Dec 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Ms Houser applies a no nonsense approach to analyzing the legal problems of her clients. She gets no pleasure from talking over your head or wasting time with legal concepts which may or may not apply. Ms. Houser wants to get to the point and resolve her client's issues as efficiently as possible."

Christian Lassen

Unknown lawyer | Nov 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."

Eva Clement

Divorce and separation lawyer | Oct 31

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Michael Gerace

Divorce and separation lawyer | Sep 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."

Steven Laird

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Amanda is a great attorney who works hard for her clients. You will be in good hands."

Lee Thompson

Family lawyer | Aug 18

Relationship: Other

"Although I do not know Ms. Houser personally, I have read her answers on this site from people writing in with legal questions. Her responses are concise and well thought out and certainly beneficial to those asking questions and there I can endorse Ms. Houser as an attorney."

Curt Bogen

Divorce and separation lawyer | Aug 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Amanda has a wonderful "take no prisoners" attitude which enables her to tell the unvarnished truth to her clients. She is a skilled advocate, knows the law, and has the ability to powerfully represent her clients and win cases. I endorse this lawyer. She has great instincts, and from her responses to questions on this website and others, gives of herself in a public forum in a manner which does credit to our profession. I respect and value her as a colleague. You should respect her as an Attorney."