Michael Neal Dicks

I originally hired Mr. Dicks in early January, 2024 for a very important emergency custody situation due to the death of a relative. I detailed out all of the necessary information for this, which included working with an immigration attorney that I retained as well (about a month or so later). Upon ...my initial consultation, I met with Connie who at the time, I assumed was an associate attorney since she never identified herself as a paralegal until the very end. Its my understanding that a paralegal cannot or should not offer legal advice, but since she was acting as an attorney by answering the legal questions I had (and giving me the retainer fee), I was very surprised to learn she in fact is not an attorney. I expressed how important it was to get this petition filed rapidly since we have another layer of immigration law that needs to be factored in. Over the next 2 ½ (almost 3) months, I inquired at least weekly to get a status update. I was given the following excuses: Mr. Dicks is in court all week, Mr. Dicks is researching this case to make sure he gets it right (even after he was coached by the immigration attorney on what is needed), I (Connie) had an emergency, Mr. Dicks is on vacation, I (Connie) am sick, neither Connie nor Mr. Dicks is in the office, etc. Towards the end of these 2 ½ months, I started to convey my frustration since NO tangible work had been completed. I spent $2,500 for a retainer and nothing was produced after 2 ½ months. Finally, out of nowhere, I was sent a petition that was littered with errors including the misspelling of our names, etc. I fixed the errors myself, and got it notarized and then returned it to Connie for filing. A WEEK LATER, I follow up to see if the petition was filed – I was texted that it had been filed, however, we are waiting on a judge. What Mr. Dicks and Ms. Connie doesn’t realize is that I have a log in for the Polk County Clerk of Courts, and I have acted as my own attorney (successfully) a few times in the past, and I’ve drafted and filed my own petitions. The petition they sent me was nothing like it was supposed to be, but I ignored my inner voice since I’m no attorney. Well, I started to do some digging and realized I was LIED to. That petition was never filed, and it was not drafted correctly. I immediately fired Mr. Dicks and hired an attorney I’ve worked with in the past. In less than 2 weeks, my new attorney met with my immigration attorney, AND drafted an amazing petition to be filed. When I fired Mr. Dicks, I demanded for my retainer money to be returned. Out of the $2,500 I paid, I only got back $1,000. I have no idea what I paid $1,500 for because I was never given any kind of detailed bill. I have proof in writing of all these claims. I am beyond frustrated, disappointed, and down right pi$$ed that he wasted not only my time, but also my money!!!!! Apparently that $1,500 that he kept was for him to educate himself on how to draft a half a$$ petition for custody!