Kristy L Hanson

Appointed as special master in custody dispute. Glaring conflict of interest: at initial interview she allowed a colleague to interrupt while charging me an hourly rate to discuss, children’s gifts, expensive trips, and how much business they do with opposing council in the case. Disregarded mu...tual and negotiated agreements to pander to opposing counsel demands and ex’s priorities. Recommendations were not made in the interest of children but in that of a lucrative working relationship with OC. Disregarded sound medical science and recommendations in the best interest of my children in making recommendations to parenting plan. Was derelict in her duty and charge to finalize a parenting plan in the interest of delaying a transition to 50/50 custody at the behest of OC. Unresponsive and inconsistent.

Hire Kristy if you would like someone to lie to you about your case and negotiate against you so that you get a fraction of the child support and alimony that you would get if you had a decent lawyer who fought for your case. She will also tell you that you will get a lot more custody than possible j...ust to get a check from you.

I really wanted to like Kristy and give her a good recommendation but she left so many things wanting for me. In my line of work, I’ve worked with several dozen case attorneys and you have lawyers that are reactive 11th hour attorneys and then those that are proactive, strategic and attack oriented. ...I do see her somewhere in the middle although she failed her fiduciary responsibilities to represent us. I married a girl with kids from a previous marriage and she had used Kristy in her previous divorce process. We had several outstanding continued legal proceedings with my wife’s ex and she wanted to continue to use Kristy because of her knowledge already about her previous marriage from years earlier. I strongly wanted to go another direction with a different attorney but gave in and complied with my wife’s wishes. Long story short, Kristy felt strongly we would get many things granted our way in different proceedings so we always would move forward with her recommendations. Instead, I felt she often fell behind the eight ball and played defense and catch up ball rather than offense when she was going to move something along... We gave up ground on every aspect including at mediation which she was extremely confident in.. They were easy base hits and the other lawyer (less experienced) was always more prepared than Kristy. I really feel she was just stretched way too thin and didn’t have the time to give our case the attention to strategically perform. The only reason I gave her two stars is because my wife is still trying to give her the benefit of the doubt. I’ve had some lawyers I’ve worked with that are fantastic and on top of everything and some that just don’t quite get there. Kristy is the latter. Tens of thousands later, I regret not making my gut decision a couple of years ago. From a guy that has used some really great attorneys, Kristy is just ho hum.

I have never filed a review online, but the disappointment in Kristy was such that I felt I needed to warn others. Kristy was recommended to me and I was hopeful she would do a good job, even though my impression of her when I accompanied a friend to a consultation was not very good. Here are some of... the complaints I have had: - she never responded to some of my messages despite me asking the question several times - she tried to talk me into a solution that would have cost me $6000 more than what I was already paying, for no need and no reason, trying to bind me through a contract to use her friend rather than someone of my choice to settle an issue. I spent and payed for some 10 minutes to argue with her against the solution she was proposing (which was actually what my ex wanted. Felt like she was representing his interests, not mine). Looking back, I am SO glad I stood my grounds and saved myself those extra $6K. - she made a serious mistake at trial. I didn't know what I was allowed to do, say or not do. The cost of that mistake was $3000. I pointed it out to her explaining that I understood that error was human, but still very costly to me, and she kept arguing about what the judge had asked, in order to justify her answer. Everytime I argued that he did not ask that, she came up with something new that the judge had asked (none of which was correct). When finally confronted with the actual transcript, she argued that that's what the judge "meant" even though that wasn't what he asked at all and made me appear as being in contempt rather than compliant. How dishonest to twist the facts just to save face and get her payment (which I was willing to pay, nonetheless hoping for a small discount). - She brought another attorney to court with her, making me pay for 2 attorneys without letting me know asking for my consent. All the other attorney did was carry her papers. She did agree to remove that charge. - Finally I was never notified by her office of the court date and when my papers had to be turned in. I finally called, only to find out they needed my answer right away!

Failed to file timely. Failed to truly be an advocate & was more concerned about maintaining her professional relationships than working my case. Always on vacation, Cancun, Florida, Hawaii, Europe.. never working. Withheld information from opposing party, and failed to present rebuttal evidence i...n our favor. Talked more about turning 40 and hating getting old than listened to important case facts. Laughed about another client wanting 50/50 custody every time I mentioned it. Truly believes women raise kids and men pay for them (Mormon based). If you're not LDS, you're not worthy and get 50% effort at best. Open discussed one of her special master cases in front of me with Ryan Petersen. Absolutely shocked at her bias in the conversation. The case was that of a close friend; she didn't know was my friend.