Joshua Houge Northam

I hired Josh Northam expecting him to be my advocate.I feel he was very weak with the mediator, a retired judge of his choosing, as well as with the opposing attorney. I trusted Mr. Northam to review all documents from opposing council and correct poorly worded or untrue statements before having me s...ign off on them. I was shocked and angered when a document from opposing attorney had a bold face lie and was passed to me to sign. I feel Mr. Northam should have objected to it, sent it back, and at very least know how I would react to such and untruth 9 months into the divorce. Yes. That's right. 9 months and $30,000 for an uncomplicated (one house paid in full, no debt) divorce. Feeling very let down.

This was a horrible experience! Josh and his assistant (Rosa) provided no guidance and no assistance in any way with the exception of the beginning. I had to continually ask questions. With every question I asked I was charged about $200. I was told my divorce would cost about $2,000 (I have... no children) and it ended up costing me over $5,000 and I gave my ex everything. The stress of dealing with Josh and his assistant did nothing for me except cause me to have more debt and more worries than I had before. In the end I ended up filing the divorce on my own and finalizing everything without his assistance. To top it off, when it was all said and done I asked that my bill be reconciled (as Josh agreed it was too high - I have that in writing by email from Josh) he knocked of $750, but then insisted I pay in full by the end of the year (this was in late September). I never once said I would not pay (and I had been making payments on top of the $1,500 retainer that was already provided) and it was as if he was kicking me while I was down to suggest that I would have to pay that kind of money right around the holidays after I lost everything! He was not at all helpful or knowledgeable (part of my bill was for them to research how to handle a simple response which I understand is typical in divorces that involve two or more counties) and his assistant was simply doing her best to add fees onto the bill. I spoke to many lawyers before and after Josh, all of which would have been a better pick. I was provided better guidance, customer service, human relation, and advise from the other lawyers. I chose him simply because a friend used to work for him and suggested I use him. I also work with Josh’s mother-in-law and felt he would have a personal connection with me considering the two separate degrees of separation that were met. I have dealt with lawyers before (for other reasons) and have never been nickel and dimed the way that this office handled my case. I understand if you want the best you have to pay, but I had to pay for horrible service and no guidance. If someone were to ask me what I spent the $5,000 on, I would say I paid my ex to take everything I had thanks to Josh.