Nicole Rishaun Bates

I hired Nicole Bates to represent me in my divorce, and unfortunately my experience left me dealing with problems that I’m still trying to resolve nearly three years later. One of the biggest issues was that I was never informed about an important deadline after the divorce decree was signed. I la...ter learned there was a 30-day window to pursue money awarded to me in the divorce. Because I wasn’t made aware of that deadline, I ended up spending an additional $600 on a QDRO in an attempt to recover funds. My ex never signed the paperwork, and as of August 2026 I still have not received the money that was awarded to me. Another issue involved child support calculations. During mediation I told Ms. Bates that the numbers being used for my child support, health insurance, and dental contributions were incorrect. She disagreed with me at the time. After the decree was signed, I recalculated the figures myself and confirmed they had been miscalculated, resulting in me paying more than I should have. Her recommendation was to ask my ex to voluntarily reimburse me or return to court to correct it. Neither was a practical solution after the decree had already been finalized. I also discovered that an important protection for my interest in our home was never completed. The decree required a deed of trust to secure my equity in the property, but that paperwork was never filed. As a result, my financial interest in the property was left unprotected. What disappointed me most was the lack of support after the divorce was finalized. Once the decree was signed, it felt like the representation ended. When I later had questions about my case, I was told I would need to hire the firm again just to have my file reviewed. Divorce is already one of the most difficult experiences a person can go through. You hire an attorney because you trust them to protect your interests and guide you through the legal process. In my experience, important issues were overlooked, and I have spent years and additional money trying to fix problems that I believe should have been addressed the first time. Ms. Bates was recommended to me by a friend, which is why I hired her. Looking back, I wish I had done more research before making that decision. This review reflects my personal experience and is intended to help others make an informed decision when choosing legal representation.

Nichole is the worst lawyer I have ever come across. She’s lazy and unorganized. Showed up to all of my court dates and mediation late. She was MIA for three months. Never could get a phone call or email returned. I fired her and found a new lawyer who was absolutely amazing. I wouldn’t recommend her... to my worst enemy.