Carleen Louise Cignetto

I used Ms Cignetto for a bankruptcy approximately 9 years ago. She was totally professional, open, helpful, and always available. She always had the time, when I had questions. Took the time to explain the complete process and ensure I understood what would be happening. I was disappointed to hear... she had closed her office and move to Chicago for another opportunity. I would recommend her anytime. I have read other reviews and I would think everyone has personal problems and they due from time to time cross over to personal life. I would recommend her.

I began with a chapter 13 which went well as far as not having any problems with her. After losing my job I was forced to convert to chapter 7. I found my house on the market and the trustee asking for my grandmother's heirloom ring and upwards of $14K. If I had $14K, I wouldn't be declaring bankrupt...cy! She told me my house isn't worth what the realtor estimated it at (I know this because I'd had it appraised by a professional 3 years prior). She surmised my house would be on the market for 3 months and if it didn't sell, they would probably just walk away from it and my house and other things they wanted would be mine again. Simple right? That's how she made it sound. It's been nothing but a nightmare! She doesn't return phone calls even when the receptionist says that she's given her the messages, doesn't return emails unless I got angry in my email to her. When I was able to talk to her, on more than one occasion she said the complete opposite of what she had told me before (like the house being on the market only 90 days). Now she says the trustee can keep it on the market for as long as she wants, that there is no timeframe when it expires. I have had to make an appointment with her in order to talk to her. She admitted she had to many things going on in her life and apologized for "dropping the ball" (her words) while promising she would be better in the future. That was all lip service. She told me I didn't have to go to the hearings, and then I get letters from the trustee saying I have been difficult and uncooperative in showing the house. The 1st and only time I had declined showing was on a Sunday morning when the realtor sent me an email the night before after 11pm asking to show it at noon. If anyone has been difficult and uncooperative, it's Carleen Cignetto and the realtor for consistently giving me a 2 hour window to get the house presentable for showing. Which leads me to believe Cignetto did not have my back in her portrayal of me to the court at the various hearings. I have no proof but it's my gut feeling and, another attorney I spoke to agreed. To to it off, she up and closed her Kankakee office without notifying me! I found out when I called her office to speak to her again and the receptionist told me of her move to a firm in Chicago. Seriously? You can't do better than that at communicating?? Horrible attorney!