Kenneth G. Raggio

I talked to Tom Raggio a couple years ago about filing for divorce and authorized him to do it, but later changed my mind. I can’t get back those two years, but I finally called the Raggio’s again. This time with my and Tom’s agreement, Ken Raggio met with me. Ken was very direct with me in indicat...ing that everything was my choice. He asked this question: are you willing to take the risk that you be in the same place two years from now that you were two years ago? Over a couple of weeks, I realized that our attempts to deal with my spouses alcoholism that cost us many thousand dollars and really hadn’t worked out to make the marriage worthwhile. So reluctantly, So I filed for divorce. Ken suggested that we draw up a complete package to be able to settle the case. This took a lot of work, but Ken was able to attach all the paperwork necessary to resolve the case with my spouse in my case and these other settlement papers attached with the papers that would be served or delivered by the process server to my spouse. With very few changes, this became the deal that my spouse and I agreed on and that the court approved by signing the decree of divorce. I am very pleased with the guidance and comfort that Ken Raggio and the Raggio firm has given to me in finally dealing with my dead marriage, and giving me the encouragement to move on with my life. And I’m sure it will be a happier life! I highly recommend Ken and his firm!

My husband suddenly filed for divorce last year, and even though we had not been getting along, the filing was a shock to me. My husband sat at our kitchen table and told me that he had drawn up an agreement that was “fair and equitable”. He told me that I would not need an attorney, because he had ...hired an attorney that would be “ours.” He insisted spending more money on attorneys would be a waste. Despite my husband’s reassurance that he was doing the best thing for me and our two young children, I decided to speak to an attorney. Somehow, I was lucky enough to have a friend suggest Raggio and Raggio and I made an appointment. Within 20 minutes of meeting with Ken Raggio, he had already pulled up the information on my house (that my husband and I shared since before the birth of our first daughter), only to learn that I in fact, (and contrary to what I had been told), I was not an owner of the house. Unfortunately, Ken had the duty of showing me the bad news; I was on the deed of trust, but not the deed. So in essence, I was financially responsible for the house, but had no ownership in our home. Additionally, my husband had emptied our bank accounts of over six figures and put it beyond my reach. Essentially, I had nothing. I was left to borrow money and bounce checks in order to take care of the children and pay for child care. He had the house. He took the money. He had more than half a million dollars in retirement; and I did not even have enough money to hire an attorney. Or so I thought... Ken Raggio also informed me that my husband had hired a very aggressive lawyer whose only position was that my husband was “right about everything and I should just agree to his terms because he was being generous” In that so-called generous offer, my husband got his house (after all, it was his separate property) and I got a little bit of savings, got child support, my car, and my retirement. To quote Ken, “this would be the deal you would get in your worst day in court.” And so our divorce started in earnest. Well, we had to set various matters down for a hearing before the court that would get him to move off of his “my way or the highway” view of the divorce and of life in general. So we got temporary orders about my use of the house, about support, use of credit cards, and payment of attorneys and legal expenses. Oh, yeah, we also managed to get my husband’s huge and upcoming bonus frozen so he could not try and hide that from me or our children. Even though it was a contentious and expensive divorce, I am smiling: I got the house with (with the mortgage paid in full) and my children have the stability of staying in the only home they have ever known. Additionally, I got my retirement, a car, and above guideline child support. I have more enthusiasm at work and more time with my children. Moving forward, life is good. I am stronger than I could have ever imagined and I fought for what I knew was right; but, I truly believe that I would not have been able to do so without Ken Raggio and his firm. Only now do I understand that practicing law seems to be a delicate balance of timing, emotional support, stern advice, and knowing the law. Ken Raggio has that delicate balance down to a science. I am extremely grateful to Ken Raggio and his firm for helping me get the courage and resolve to fight for myself and my children, and as Ken said, to get my husband’s “foot off of my neck.” I highly recommend Ken and his firm

Ken Raggio was referred to me by my best friend whose husband is another leading lawyer here in Dallas. I had never had a need to actually find a lawyer for myself, as my husband had taken care of all those things for years. Ken quickly started the divorce process at my directive and assembled a te...am that dealt with the extremely complicated financial arrangements that my husband had set up over the recent years. Ken showed me how my husband had had me previously sign documents that really weren’t what I had intent of doing, but I had trusted my husband to do what’s right. But Ken unraveled it and explained to me what had gone on, what the deal was currently, and what I could do about it. And that at some point, he helped me realize that the extra money in dispute becomes “silly money,” and that what we were essentially fighting over was who was going to determine who gives the most to trusts and charities after we passed. During the prove-up of our agreed divorce before the Judge, Ken recessed the hearing to ensure that the very large transfer payment - - far greater than what I was ever told (or had dreamed) my husband’s and my total estate to be worth - - was transferred to my control. I’ve talked to friends who have been in divorce cases with big legal fees and hassles that I think, if Ken had been representing them, they would have been able to avoid. His ability to get involved quickly, learn difficult and complex facts and scenarios, and tell me in simple terms what my choices were, made this stressful process a whole lot less stressful. I highly recommend Ken Raggio. EW

Third time's a charm! During my 36 year marriage I filed for divorce 3 times. Two of the divorce actions were dismissed because I lacked the courage to follow through. With no hesitation you were there for me the third time, and with your encouragement and skill we maneuvered through every effort by ...my husband and his lawyer to control the process and bully me into submission once again. It was more than your legal expertise. It was your caring and comfort, and that remains with me today. I now lead a very joyous and gratifying life filled with volunteer work, philanthropy and family. You are the best and a simple thank you will never be enough.

“My wife told me she didn’t love me anymore and wanted a divorce. The next thing I knew I was on the wrong side of a protective order and I couldn’t see or talk to my kids. I went to Ken Raggio and I was able to see my kids the very next day after hiring him. When there were more hassles, Ken repr...esented me in a temporary order hearing before the court and got me court-ordered time with my kids, far more than what my wife wanted and without the ridiculous terms she asked for. Ken represented me all the way through the divorce property division, which ended up in an agreement, since I think my wife and her attorney didn’t want to go up against Ken in court again. His work had gotten the bull’s eye on them, and I know he would have represented me well in trial before the Judge. But I got what I wanted without the trial.” “I told Ken many times I was very appreciative of his advice and wisdom to help get me out of the total mess I was in when I first went to him. Ken was expensive, but worth it.”