Rhonda S Clyatt

I retained Ms. Clyatt to represent me in a divorce proceeding. She asked for a small retainer and made verbal assurances that I would not have to give in to the demands of the "plantiff," which included basically everything we had accumulated over 25 years of marriage plus alimony. She then proceed...ed to burn as many hours as possible and run up her fees. Along the way she convinced me to refuse several offers that would have been MUCH more beneficial to me (but not to her). I blame myself partially because I didn't hound her for regular updates on how much time she was spending. Once she'd run up a bill that equaled everything (and more) that I was to have received from the sale of the "marital home" she SUDDENLY started pushing me to settle. I ended up losing basically everything, much of it to attorney fees. My children ended up the real loser because I had to pay Ms. Clyatt the small amount of money I had for a settlement I could have negotiated myself. Divorce proceedings extended for over a year, while the final settlement was essentially the same as an offer I'd wanted to make a month into the process. She threatened to cease representing me if I insisted on making that offer and said she would "do better for me." She ended up doing better for HERSELF. If you are foolish enough to hire this woman keep a very close eye on her charges. Insist on seeing statements at least MONTHLY. When she proposes specific courses of action, ask her how much it will cost and set a limiting amount that she cannot exceed without your approval. When she threatens to "leave you high and dry at the mercy of the courts," (which she did to me), don't be afraid to walk. Finally, keep a very detailed diary of ALL your dealings with her. It will be useful when you have to file a complaint with the Florida Bar.