Caryn Aughtmon Van Matre

Caryn Aughtmon Van Matre

also known as Caryn A. Van Matre

4.3
Rating: 7.7

Licensed for 32 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Pensacola, FL
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Child Custody, Adoption ... +3 more

425 East Government Street, Pensacola, FL

About Caryn

Biography

Practice Areas

6

Practice Areas

Adoption 10%

Adoptions, including step-parent or relative adoptions, third party adoption, both within the State of Florida and out of state.

10%
Probate 10%

Administration of estates following death of a loved one.

10%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Florida for 32 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 1993

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Caryn A. Van Matre, P.A.

425 East Government Street, Pensacola, FL, 32502

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Caryn Aughtmon Van Matre's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.3 /5.0

18 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (18) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | 1 star

Posted by anonymous | February 11, 2021 | Child Custody

Consultation

Mrs. VanMatre was kind enough to talk to me after my boyfriend/significant other referred me to her via his father who is also an attorney in Milton. Unfortunately, his father doesn’t like me very much, so I was a little hesitant going into this conversation, but my significant other assured me that ...she was there to help me and my children. She started off the conversation by stating that she had zero time, and I should kiss my boyfriend after having The ability to squeeze me in to her very strenuous schedule, and also later stating that she had just met with opposing counsel and she is the exact same technique that she was using on me. liable, slander, disparagement, and basically disregard and callousness for anyone’s feelings and our lives. I responded to each one of her questions with a “yes ma’am”, because it was quite clear to me that she was disinterested in my side of the story. All she wanted was very strange evidence To dispute opposing counsel’s accusations despite my former husband having multiple arrests, and a past of being extremely dishonest. I find it quite strange that she asked me such personal questions while my ex-boyfriend/refer to listen in on our conversation. Fortunately I do have it and will be submitting it to a higher agency to evUnfortunately Mrs. VanMatre stated that she had not received the summons for what I was asking her help, and have a copy of the email being sent to her office. Instead, she stayed on the phone with me without a fee, because of my wonderful boyfriend who “handled the matter prior to our call”. Needless to say, I won’t be hiring her, and I just dump my boyfriend. Seriously, who prays on people and times of weakness? Stay away.

Posted by anonymous | August 14, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Wasted time and money

I hired her because I needed help with my case, but the communication between myself and her and her assistant was never clear. They could never give me a direct answer, very frustrating. I regret hiring her in the first place. It's a 50/50 chance with this one, from looking at her reviews most peopl...e approved her work, but I didn't have the same luck.

Caryn Van Matre

Replied last August 14, 2018

This is a tough one. I am unable to respond because I do not know what type of matter this is or when we represented this client. But, regardless of those unknowns, it is NEVER acceptable that a client feels unclear in communications. I would say that clients are able to get in touch directly with me in a few different ways. First, I am always available for in person meetings. With that said, an appointment is usually the best approach. With an appointment, I am able to set aside time to specifically focus on the client's concerns, without interruption, and give them the attention that they need. Second, I am available for telephone appointment, if a client is unable to meet in person, or if the time needed does not justify a trip to the office. Again, this is generally best by appointment, for the reasons I mentioned previously. Third, I am available by email. All of my client's are given my direct email address. I have the email forwarded to my personal devices, and it is not at all unusual for me to respond to a client's concerns after the office has closed. For this particular past client, I would welcome the chance to speak with you to hear about your experience and see if there is any way to make it right by you. The positive reviews I receive from clients are always appreciated, but the dissatisfied clients stay on my mind. I want to give each case my best. Sometimes, unfortunately, I miss the mark. Again, please feel free to contact me to discuss. And, thank you for the time you took to post a review.

Posted by anonymous | January 26, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Worst attorney ever

I just want to go on record stating that working with Mrs .VanMetre was one of the worst experiences of my life. Not only am I suffering from PTSD from being betrayed and cheated on, but also from the treatment I received in the divorce settlement.

Caryn Van Matre

Replied last January 01, 2017

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, a client is suffering such hurt that they are not able to accept the advice of counsel. In this particular matter, settlement came through the mediation process with my client receiving the vast bulk of all marital assets. That did nothing to relieve the emotional hurt suffered by my client due to the break of her marriage. I advised that counseling would likely help her heal from that trauma. I did my best to offer her a sounding board for her to express her feelings about her husband, however I had to maintain my role as her family law advocate. At all stages I keep my clients apprised of the law and circumstances of their case. I had consultations with the client individually and with a family member she wanted involved with the process. Despite my advice regarding earlier resolution of the case, the client rejected the advice. Ultimately, through the mediation process an agreement was reached that was clearly advantageous to my client's interests. For the benefit of all readers, mediation is the process of settlement discussion with a certified family law mediator. Most all family law litigants must participate. Its is a highly effective tool to help parties resolve their disputes without the risk and expense of trial. No one is forced into a settlement agreement. Settlement often comes after a compromise is reached, meaning that each party likely moved in some way from their original position. Therefore, no mediated settlement agreement is perfect from any one client's perspective. While there is emotion involved, logic and rational thought has to guide the attorney in the process. Otherwise we are not effective in protecting our client's interest. Never is it my intent to show a lack of empathy. And never do I have a client execute a settlement agreement unless they understand the advantages of the proposal. I assure that this is the case by carefully reviewing the proposal with them and discussing their options. The mediator, while not crossing the line of giving legal advice, is also there to make sure that the client knows that they are not being forced into settlement. This case was no different.

See All Client Reviews

Caryn Aughtmon Van Matre's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Caryn
Mary G. McDaniel headshot
Mary McDaniel

Family lawyer | Mar 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Karyn and I have had several hottly contested cases together and I can attest that she is a practiced, experienced, and fierce opponent. She's a great attorney."

Timothy John Nusser headshot
Timothy Nusser

Family lawyer | Apr 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have worked with Caryn many times over the past 15 years. She is both competent and pragmatic. She works as a problem solver and she returns my telephone calls which is always the first step to avoiding needless litigation. I endorse this lawyer."

Christopher L Rabby headshot
Christopher Rabby

Divorce and separation lawyer | Mar 23

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Caryn is a zealous advocate and a very good attorney."

Wayne Paul Willis headshot
Wayne Willis

Family lawyer | Mar 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Mrs. Van Matre for nearly 20 years as a fellow attorney in the practice of Family Law. I am now a Family law Mediator, and mediated many cases for Mrs. Van Matre. She is an excellent attorney, well versed in the law, always prepared to represent her client vigorously and reasonably. I would recommend Mrs. Van Matre to represent any member of my family."

Craig Allen Vigodsky headshot
Craig Vigodsky

Family lawyer | Mar 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have litigated multiple cases against this lawyer in the past. She does a good job of zealously advocating for her clients and recognizing where common ground can be reached for settling matters when appropriate."

View All Endorsements
Mary G. McDaniel headshot
Mary McDaniel

Family lawyer

Timothy John Nusser headshot
Timothy Nusser

Family lawyer

Ann Elizabeth Meador headshot
Ann Meador

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  7.7 (Very Good)

Work Experience

1993 - Present

Attorney, Caryn A. Van Matre, P.A.

Associations

1993 - Present

Florida Bar

1993 - Present

Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar Association

Education

1993

Samford University, Cumberland School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1989

Troy State University

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2017

Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar Family Law Conference

Divorce From Start to Finish

2016

Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar Family Law Conference

Divorce From Start to Finish

2015

Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar Family Law Conference

Divorce From Start to Finish

2014

Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar Family Law Conference

Divorce From Start to Finish

Languages

English

Activity

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