Chris Allen Houghtaling

Well, I would strongly advise against using mr. Houghtaling! i trusted him and he abused that trust. We had an arrangement and I still don’t know to this day why he gave up literally and failed to communicate with me what was happening. We had 21 days to respond to the courts and he totally would n...ot respond to me. I went into office, he told me he could fix all of it to my face , then to again go to no communication. Not really sure what type of man does that, I was making monthly payments. So I don’t think that was it. Maybe this is what lawyers do, I don’t really know. I feel like he set me up for failure. I’m sad cause I lost a lot now and that I trusted him!

Do not hire this attorney! He talked about all the things he will do and then never returns calls, texts or emails. I called and texted 3 of 5 days a week and never heard from him. Went to court for a hearing scheduled by my ex-husband to be and no prior appt or even a meeting at the court house wit...h him was done before we met with opposing counsel and I lost because Mr Houghtaling did not pay attention to details in the proposal. I am now paying all the bills at the martial home, including mortgage payment and all credit cards, earning 1/2 of the income of my ex to be. My ex-husband to be is informed by his attorney of everything in the case and I still am asking questions and not getting answers. I need to fire this guy!!! Which I intend to do.

We hired Chris to handle a Probate case. I've had to remind his office several times to complete paperwork that needed to be submitted for the case. His paralegal lacks the ability to effectively communicate and is very short with us over the phone. She acts as though every phone call is bothersome t...o her and wasting her time. They repeatedly give us conflicting advice and don't seem to listen very well. I've asked for return phone calls from Chris and as of right now, I still haven't received the return phone call I asked for in August 2016. Three times in a row he cancelled our appointments after we took time off of work to meet with him. I'm not real sure why it is so difficult for him to tend to his paying clients, but Chris nor his Paralegal seem client focused. I am very disappointed in his lack of ability to follow through on all the things he's promised us he would do.

I brief moment in time turned my life upside down. I contacted Chris for an appointment and got in right away. He was very easy to talk to and helped me understand what I was up against. He provided real expectations and he didn't over charge for his services. His fees were very fair all thin...gs considered. Chris helped me challenge a PPO and the original version was amended twice. Once to allow me to enter my work place and the second, to allow me to gather my belongings from my ex-wife's house. Chris defended me in a SM assault case (first offense). I never had to post bond and I was ultimately granted special probation. (avoided jail time!!) Chris also helped me challenge a related restitution claim and had the total reduced by $400. Chris also handled my divorce and this went as smooth as could be expected. Chris typically answers his cell phone and will talk to you on the spot. If he can't talk right then, he'll always return your call in a reasonable amount of time. Chris cares about his clients and their families. Chris also has solid professional relationships with other lawyers, based on the interactions I saw. I highly recommend Chris to anyone needing a lawyer in the Muskegon area.