Donna M Hougen

When looking for a lawyer I did my research I looked through pages of reviews for every lawyer I considered. I read Donna’s reviews after my consult with her and regardless of any doubt they may have cast I knew she was the one for the job. I could tell that some were true and others were not accur...ate at all based on my own experience. Donna is a hard woman of great character and was very ethical in handling my case. She knows her information and she listens (which can be costly if you talk a lot) Let me be upfront. Legal custody dealings are not something anyone ever wants to have to go through. Figuring out how to navigate the situation can not only be stressful but highly emotional and not just for you children are also affected by custody battles. I unfortunately had to go through this and it was an incredibly high conflict type custody dealing that I would not wish anyone to ever have to experience. I was referred to Hougen family law through a domestic violence advocate group when their connected lawyer analyzed my situation and determined he was unequipped to handle the brevity of my case. He sent my information to Donna and let me tell you she was everything that I had told the lawyer I was looking for. I had specified I preferred a female and one who would be brutal. Donna called me I believe later that same day and she took her time going over the aspects of my case with me and letting me know what I was headed into and kind of an idea of how to begin to navigate what I had gotten started. Coming from my situation I did not have a lot of money to hire Donna and her team right away but I was convinced she was the one I needed to have represent me. I had consultations with quite a few law firms and each one informed me that I was looking at an uphill battle and the result was not a guarantee which is understood when the custody of your children rests in the wisdom of the Judge you go before. The standard quote was well into the 5 figures from each law firm. Donna Hougen presented herself much more clearly and in depth than any lawyer that I consulted with. Her price range was no lower but she worked with me and honored my discount with legal shield as I couldn’t use there lawyer because of a conflict of interest. Right from the get go Donna Hougen was brutal and not because she was on my side but because she heard and went through the details of my case of which I was tied emotionally to and she helped to set aside the emotion which was by no means easy and many times downright painful and frustrating to be pushed to do. It was absolutely needed though because even through the pain of it Donna Hougen knee that the most important part to me and over all was the best interest of my children. Many times I had blinders on because I had experienced the situations and I could not fathom how someone could not just hear that and give me absolutely everything. Which when it comes to children it is unrealistic. Children who are caught in the middle of a custody battle have two parents who are important to them in unique ways and even if the other party is not a good person in your eyes it doesn’t diminish the role they play in your children’s lives. I knew this but again was clouded by my emotion and my rightness in the situation. Donna Hougen would listen to my concerns and be straightforward with me which felt brutal to me but after I had processed I would be able to understand more where she was getting me to. Not that I liked it in the least but she was impartial and honest. When I hired Donna I did it on a unique basis. At first I could only afford the retainer and structured my billable hours around getting advice and doing what I could to complete the pieces I could to maximize Donna’s help. For trial prep Donna took her time & made sure I was clear in the process and time constraints. Also I understood the importance of sticking to facts with evidence. My outcome was favorable but would have hired Donna either way!

Donna Hougen is an excellent attorney who prevailed in my two trials obtaining me a substantial award of spousal maintenance (8 years) and child support (5 years). Her knowledge of the law and trial experience was the only reason I could start my life over with the awards the judge gave me. Donna can... be tough yet compassionate and I appreciated that combination because it helped me stay focused on my case and as a witness in my own trial. Donna also won an award of my attorney's fees to be paid by my ex-husband. I would highly recommend Donna.

Donna is the 3rd attorney who has worked for me and took over a very messy case full of smoke and mirrors, misdirection from the opposite side. Donna jumped in quickly evaluated my case (which has a long messy history), and cut to the chase. Donna honestly told me what I needed to hear and rhen work...ed very hard for me and my children. After years of wasteful litigation resulting in bad outcomes for my children (other attorneys who couldn't get it done) my children were heard and now finally in the best possible situation.

I hired Donna while out of state working in Oklahoma. Immediately without even meeting her, only talking on the phone, I knew she was the lawyer for me. She separated my emotion from legalities right away to put me in the right frame of mind. My exwife had filed divorce in Arizona and then took the... kids out of state to Michigan to live while I was temporarily working out of state. Then my ex returned our son but not our daughter, separating siblings by 2000 miles. Donna had an immediate and strong strategy which we did not deviate from. Looooong story short my kids are together again, with me, here in Arizona. We not only won the case but it was a slam dunk. As a man, custody was a scary and initially fruitless fight. Once I retained Hougen Family Law it was forward momentum from then out. Donna directly is the reason my family is back together and I have primary custody, final decision making, among other things. i can not say enough good things about her and her firm. I would highly recommend !!!!!