Carol Lavonn Risk

I hired Carol Risk as my attorney for a divorce. She is a very competent and thorough lawyer who will fight for you and get the job done in the end. There were a few times I felt as though I was not being communicated with as much as I would have liked. I realize Carol may have been waiting for infor...mation or busy with other cases but as a client, I should have received responses to questions or concerns in a more timely manner. When the time came to represent me she was there, well prepared and ready. The only thing I would ask Carol to do better is communicate more with her clients throughout the process and not just initially and at the end.

In 2014 Carol represented me in a fairly straight-forward divorce where my ex-husband and I were able to quickly compromise on all issues - asset/debt division, custody, etc. After the divorce, while my ex and I weren't friends we did have a relationship in which we were able to discuss and comprom...ise on any issues that arose, mainly because I would give in in the hope of maintaining a peaceful and positive relationship for our kids. In November 2016 my ex wanted me to give him the children 100% off the time (we had a true 50/50 parenting schedule), reduce his child support and asked me to pay 50% of a $12k debt from the time of our marriage that had already been divided in our agreement. I reached a point where giving in was not in the best interest of the children and denied his requests. That began a 6 month court process. I work in the legal industry but that didn't fully prepare me for the intense emotional roller coaster that followed. But throughout the process I had Carol Risk and thank goodness I did. Carol was knowledgeable about not only the issues of law involved in my case but also about the local rules and the court process. In the courtroom it was obvious that Carol was the more knowledgeable family law attorney as she raised objections, cited law and questioned witnesses. But beyond her knowledge and excellent courtroom ability Carol cared about my case. I understand she couldn't be there every time I had doubts and questions because I'm not her only client, but she was there when needed with excellent advice like how to communicate with my ex and the best way to position myself in light of the pending court hearings throughout the process. When I finally stopped trying to run my own case and listened to Carol and allowed the court process to unfold I actually felt better and my case progressed. We won on all issues and I am so thankful to Carol Risk for being such a zealous advocate for me and my children and for being the kind of woman that will tell me when to get out of my own way.

Over $1,200 later she did not do virtually anything that i requested. She failed to file a motion for custodial interference, therefore, the judge had to specifically tell her to do so. I had to request on occasions that she file a motion for child support. Neither her nor her office had any clue tha...t my final court case had been scheduled during my case management conference. Carol insisted that that date was not an actual hearing date (a second out or something. Furthermore, Carol failed to submit my discovery documents back to opposing counsel at all! I provided answers/documentation to all discover requests. She also failed to conduct her own discovery request that I specifically submitted questions for. Her communication was beyond the worst that in have experienced in my entire life. I fired her for lack of progress and her terrible communication. I hired a new attorney that promptly informed me that the date that Carol stated was not an official hearing date was in fact my final court hearing to complete my divorce/custody case. Carol spend about 6 months not doing anything but draining my pocket. My new attorney did everything that Carol was supposed to do and did it within 2 weeks and got me the results that benefited my children and I by reaching and agreement before the final hearing . Carol simply drug my case out, absorbed my money and would have continued to do so. If you want am attorney that doesn't communicate well with her clients or opposing counsel than she is the one. If you want to spend money on unnecessary litigation, she is the one. From my experience with her, I would not even recommend her if she was free.

Carol Risk not only an amazing attorney but she is an wonderful person as well. She stood right beside me through out my divorce and custody case. Defending me throughout an extremely stressful time in my life easing my fears and worries . She was always there with a kind word and exceptional knowled...ge of the legal system. As a mother herself she understood and sympathized with my situation. I highly recommend her !!!!!