Kenneth Stuart Harter

I had high hopes for Ken Harter representing me as a small business owner. Initial meeting left me feeling positive and encouraged however after my $5k retainer I had very little if no contact with him, and had to initiate contact each and every time and was later handsomely billed for simple check-...in calls/e-mails. Ken sent me someone other client's case files one time erroneously and seems to lack administrative help for billing and accessibility. If you are looking for an attentive, responsive attorney I would not choose Ken. I was disappointed with his service and ended up using someone else. He did very very little to help me and still charged me handsomely. He was very unresponsive to text, e-mail and knew nothing about my case and was very unclear on where I stood. Again I would not recommend or hire him if were given another opportunity to do so. Nothing personal-Ken is a friendly warm individual in person and seems knowledgeable but lacks the attentiveness and detail oriented skills you need to aggressively fight for you.

Mr. Harter was my attorney. My ex was pro se. Mr. Harter had over 38 yrs of experience. After 27 yrs of marriage & my ex filing for divorce, I walked away with ZERO.. Mr Kenneth Harter took it upon himself to Grant my ex 100 percent of our business which my ex and I both worked in and which supported... our family. Mr Harter took it upon himself to Grant my ex all of the equipment from our business. I emailed my attorney (Mr Harter over 6 times regarding him granting my ex assets that we DID NOT AGREE ON. In one email, Mr Harter questioned; "what are you going to do with the tools, sale them? Use them? I doubt it" (MY ATTORNEY) Mr. Harter took it upon himself to grant my ex all finances having to do with a rental home which my ex and I owned. He granted my ex all past present and future finances, regarding my ex and my business. I had a judgement for a certain amount in the temp hearing procedure, Mr Harter did not include this in a qdro. In December of 2016, he informed me that he would put a lien on property that belong to my ex. He finally did this in March of 2017 (So he says) I was granted a certain amount of my ex's 401(k) Defined Contribution Plan, to purchase a home for my son and I. Mr Harter submitted a WORD FOR WORD Plan sample qdro, as my actual order. When I questioned MY ATTORNEY, Mr Harter about him submitting a plan sample, MY ATTORNEY EMAILED me and stated that it is REQUIRED that he use the sample. I requested this same sample; It stated, "It is NOT required to use this sample" Mr Harter waited about 2 weeks for my ex to contact him regarding changes that he (ex) didn't agree with in the decree of divorce. During this entire time, I (HAVE EMAILS) literally begged him (Mr Harter) to help me (His Client) My ex had filed an appeal regarding the judgement, although he'd agreed. During that time, Mr Harter allowed my ex to ban me from property that my ex and I both own and where I stored a lot of my belongings. My ex emailed My Attorney, informing him that he wanted my belongings off of the property. Although Mr Harter knew that my ex had appealed, (Mr Harter knew that I didn't have a home) he did nothing to stop my ex from banning my belongings. Mr Harter Knew the desperate state which my son and I were in. Yet he treated the issues as if my ex was his client. Mr Harter Never sent me a copy of the divorce decree with judges' Signature. He never sent me the Document for my name change. My ex filed a document for stay of retirement. (For my portion of the retirement that I was awarded & even though my ex and I had agreed on this) My Attorney didn't tell me. When I checked my case online and asked my attorney to email me the document. He did not. I had to pay for a copy of the document via public information. Even when I questioned Mr Harter of what the document was regarding, he would not tell me. I have document to prove EVERYTHING and more, that I am sharing. When I informed Mr Harter that the qdro could be amended he resigned. My son and I are STILL HOMELESS. I am still living from my vehicle, from place to place. The sample qdro submitted by Mr Harter assigned that I not obtain my share until my ex is 60. Although federal law's ERISA and the code have provided laws permitting the spouse early payment of benefit FOR THE PROVISION OF MARITAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. Also federal law provides that an order qualifies even if it requires early payment of BENEFITS. I am not writing this to be spiteful. I just believe that people should know the integrity and the type of service that they are paying for. It's scary, hurtful and devestating going through a divorce, but to have an attorney who does not have your best interest in mind, makes it worse. Although the qdro sample cautioned and permitted revisions, amending, modifying, options and choices to meet the client's intents, My Harter used the sample regardless, changing nothing. In the end, I received nothing, not a penny.

When I first met Ken, he told me everything I wanted to hear and insisted I had nothing to worry about with my case. I paid him a retainer and made the poor mistake of trusting him. After several attempts to gain paperwork I needed for the temporary orders hearing, he finally sent it to me at 4:00p ...the day prior. When we went into court the next morning, it was even more clear that he had not even reviewed my case. After that hearing, I quickly found a new attorney and requested a refund on my retainer. My file, months later, still was never received nor have I ever received a refund and he will not return any calls or emails. He is an awful attorney and will not work hard on your behalf. Do yourself a favor and find someone who cares about your case!