Kristen Marie Buzzelli

After a full year of therapy for C-PTSD,  I had finally gained the mental/emotional strength to hire a lawyer to advocate for me in a divorce.  I am a survivor of domestic abuse and criminal acts.  After a month of researching local lawyers,   on 3/11/22,  I hired Kristen Marie Buzzelli to represent ...me in a Dissolution of Marriage with the payment in full sum of $2000.00.  In the consultation with Ms Buzzelli, it was quoted to me that because there were NO children involved, NO marital property,  that the set fee of $2000.00 would not only cover all costs, but more than likely, I would receive funds back.  The only thing I was asking of the Court was help from my then husband, to pay for 1 year of co-pay for my continued Trauma Therapy.  I was also told it would be a quick, easy resolution due to the facts of the Dissolution and would be over in a matter of 60-90 days. 4 full months went by with no contact from Ms Buzzelli herself,  and after many emails back and forth from Ms Buzzelli's paralegal,  a court date was finally in sight. 7/26/22 I received a total of 2 phone calls my entire case and 1 was the night before the court date of 7/25/22.  I did not feel heard or advocated for.  I felt rushed and unprepared. On 7/26/22,  I showed up to the Jackson County Courthouse and was ill prepared to have to face my past abuser for the first time.  My lawyer walked right by me and didn't even recognize me.  I had not seen my abuser in close to a year and I had an adverse reaction to this encounter.  I spoke with my lawyer about it and quickly left  with the judge's permission to not have to see my abuser again due to my emotional upset.   On 7/27/22,  I wrote an email to my lawyer and stated I no longer wanted to ask for help with co-pay for therapy because I did not want to have to go through anymore.  I simply wanted the Dissolution finalized as soon as possible.  There was no response for several days. Ms Buzzelli,  then contacted me by email,  and stated that she had spoken with my (ex) husbands lawyer and I quote "although we cannot get any of his 401K or retirement,  I was able to get you $1500 and if you will agree to that,  it will be settled"   I was in shock, because I had asked her to NOT do that and to drop asking.  I had not asked for 401K or retirement,  I wanted all strings cut completely and to go on with my life.  She then sent me an invoice for the conversation she had with my (ex) husbands lawyer for several hundreds of dollars and stated that "if I wanted to sign over the $1500 in a trust to her,  it would cover the costs"   So let me restate this:  I asked her to no longer pursue any help from him financially because I wanted it over due to mental/emotional health, and she not only did NOT listen,  but proceeded to ask AFTER I stated clearly I did not want her to.  She then turned around and asked for the money that had been agreed to by his lawyer for my therapy - FOR HERSELF - to pay for the very conversation she had AFTER I asked her to no longer pursue any money.     I hired her to advocate for me in something that had been extremely hard and very damaging to me and not only did she not advocate for me personally - but then asked for the money that was agreed on for my therapy - for herself.  Unethical in my opinion.   I paid her at the date of hire 3/11/22 - $2000.   With no children, no property - and nothing to be divided whatsoever, the Dissolution of Marriage did not take place until 11/30/22. Almost 9 months later.  I found her services to be bare minimum interaction,  limited support and re-victimizing in the worst way.  I needed support, not someone after money.   I do not recommend her for hire and am now considering reporting to the BAR.  She continues to send me invoices for continued payment.

She was extremely helpful in a last minute stressful guardianship of my special needs son! Got the ball rolling and answered all my questions and helped me calm down and not stress out through the process! She allowed me to make payments which was a godsend! Very efficient in all areas but most of al...l she cares and is very compassionate and caring. Will definitely use her again if I need a lawyer!

I was referred to Kristen from a friend. With all the stresses of parenting, a messy break up with an ex boyfriend and then a custody battle thrown my way all at once Kristen was not there just as a lawyer to represent me. She was there as a friend. We even had mini councelling sessions for all of my... mental break downs. She advised me in the right direction with knowledge and experience. She worked with me on payments and did so much for my family! No regrets with Kristen. She's on top of EVERYTHING. Fast responses to all my questions. I never felt alone in my battle because she was there every step of the way!! She deserves 10 stars out of 5!!