Paula M. Talarico

This attorney handled a family law case for me. I had already had to fire the previous lawyer due to extremely poor representation and figured because he was less expensive, I need to hire one with more family law experience and who's hourly rate was at least $300/hr. This is the rate that I was told... by other attorney friends that I needed to pay for a "good" lawyer. She required a retainer in the amount of $2500. I only needed her to send a response to the Referee's recommendation and correct major errors in the child support calculation and attend the final hearing in front of the Judge. Ms. Talarico started out as a very professional lawyer (responded to most emails and sent a breakdown of what she was doing and charging me off the retainer). That is, until we went to the hearing. She was not prepared (although charged me additional money on top of the $2500 to "prepare" for the hearing. I had to point out numerous times to her the errors in the calculation. She also did not honor other requests I had as her client (I.e. Fight to include Father's second income, which is very significant) resulting in a lower child support amount. Both attorneys met behind closed doors with the judge without any clients present for hours. And NONE of my requests were discussed in regards to the defendant Father. On top of everything, during a discussion in the hallway with opposing counsel, I called OP a liar (she was aggressive and stating untrue statements about her client to me) and my attorney, Ms Talarico YELLED at ME! I was completely embarrassed. And THIS is what I paid a total of $3571 for. (In addition to the last attorney of $1100). Makes me sick how these attorneys ask for an insane amount of money from people and do so little for such important cases involving children and people's lives. And despite my complaints, she threatened to sue me for every dime instead negotiate a lesser bill.. $30 for every 6 minutes this attorney charges. With a law degree and 31 years of experience, it takes her 24 minutes to write a two sentence letter and stick a copy in the mail. You will be very sorry if you hire this attorney.