In my case, divorce was definitely the wise and right decision to make, but I admit, the process is unfortunately still not pleasant, as expected. I went through two different attorneys and finally got to Melissa. The first thing I begged her," Please, PLEASE get me divorced!" :)
I had a rather sim...ple case really: married less than 3 years, with no children whatsoever, and the only community property was a house we owned but which was on the market already... However, due to... well, you know... some people just would like to make things as complicated as possible I guess... :(
The first attorney I had did everything she possibly could to make more issues up for my case to raise the bill; at the same time, she doesn't seem to remember any details of my case, couldn't find any paperwork I had kept sending her... :( and the worst part, she somehow suddenly was "afraid" of the opposite counsel and my ex for whatever reason, and agreed with everything they were saying without notifying me, and my case "got stuck" for several months without any progress!
The second attorney didn't do a thing: didn't read anything about my case and said it was not cost effective for her to read through the files... not any court paper was ever filed, I had only talked to her for a total of 6.5 MINUTES from two different phone calls... yet she charged me the entire retainer and continued to send me bills even after she had handed my files to Melissa! :(
Then I had the comparison:
When I got to Melissa during the Christmas break: within a week, at he beginning of the new year, Melissa called and started with a summary of my case and her opinion of what's the best for us to do! Wow!!! Wow!!! Over the phone (I had moved back home in San Francisco), I was speechless!!! I was singing in my heart!!! I finally, finally found a real attorney, a good attorney!!! From what she summarized, I knew she clearly read through all my files and when I asked her a question, she quickly said,"Yes, I read that. I think..." Man!!! :)
And when the first court hearing took place since Melissa had taken over (I joined it telephonically): when I heard her over the phone how she corrected the opposite attorney and started to speak... I knew I had absolutely found myself an excellent attorney!
Have you seen those sharp attorneys in those TV shows? Melissa is just like one of those! :) She pays close attention to your case, has a brilliant and logical mind to quickly understand what's going on and what's the best thing to do! When you hear her she speak, you just know she is super intelligent and sharp! She has a great head on her shoulders! And the most importantly, she doesn't back down from any non-sense (from the opposite attorney and my ex) , has no problem speak the truth! At the same time, during the moments when I broke down because of too too much unreasonableness from the other side, she is super compassionate and makes me feel I am being protected by her, and I certainly was!!!
And of course, I can not not to mention her assistant, Rachel. :) She was the one after hearing my "story" and situation on a Friday afternoon, got Melissa gave me the initial consultation on a Saturday when Melissa was resting at home. :) And throughout the process, Rachel is definitely "my comfort" as well -- she is super organized and keeps all the paperwork in place; whenever I couldn't find Melissa, with panic, after talking to Rachel, I knew I was in good hands.
I am now finally EXTREMELY happily divorced and all thanks to Melissa! :) If you sadly find yourself needing a divorce attorney, please do yourself a favor, get Melissa on your side!!!