Heidi Kugler-Barnholtz

Mrs. Kugler response on 3/6/2017
Scott, I can see that you were unhappy with your experience with our firm. Obviously, I would never get into the details of your case on a review website, but I would be happy to speak with you to resolve this matter. Brad and I care deeply about our clients. We do everything we can to resolve their cases efficiently. As I said, please feel free to contact me anytime and I'd be happy to sort everything out.

Today my wife and I met with Mrs. Kugler per her response above. As you can see Mrs Kugler made it sound like she really wanted to resolve all matters. Well, after about two minutes my wife and I knew there was no intention to resolve only an attempt to intimindate us with threats of trial and court. Never was the purpose of meeting to "resolve this matter" as Mrs Kugler so nicely stated above for all to read. Mrs Kugler did not even know the origional four issues she was hired to resolve, she never even met with oposing council. What she admitted to doing was the many many phone calls and emails to oposing council which equate to billable hours - over $15,000.00.

My wife and I are now headed to court where I will represent myself and defend my family from these types of Family Law Offices. It is really sad that a Family Law Office in the Santa Clarita Valley treats their clients in this fashion.

I 100% stand by my origional review of Barnholtz & Kugler - My wife and I would NEVER recommend these attorneys.

I hired Barnholtz and Kugler to resolve four specific issues on a Post-Disolution Divorce. At our first meeting I outlined exactly what I needed an attorney to resolve. They (Brad Barnholtz and Heidi Kugler) assured me that these last few remaining issues will be resolved and to "focus on my family and job and leave this work to their office". The asked for 1/2 of their normal retainer due to the fact this was post disolution and just a few matters needed to be resolved.
Well, after months and months of Heidi emailing opposing council and billing me not one of the four issues were resolved and I was looking at a bill over $15,000.00. When I questioned the matter of which she was attempting to settle she stated "opposing council is difficult" I asked for her to set up a meeting and present a settlement. She never did, only sent emails back and fourth which were "billable hours". When I again demanded that she meet with opposing council and get this settled due to the fact I had no more money she asked that I sign a Substitution of attorney.
She was extremly unprofessional, rude and condesending when I asked why not one of the four issues were resolved but I have a bill over $15,000.00. Her response was "we can no longer represent you unless you give us another $5,000.00 as a retainer"
I had no more money and was forced to sign the Substitution of attorney.
One week later I reached out to Opposing Council, set up a meeting, Negotiated a settlement, set a court date, represented myself and settled all four outstanding matters with the judges signature. Everything settled within a week and my only cost was $89.00 for court fees.
My experience with Heidi Kugler of Barnholtz and Kugler was extremely dissapointing. I would NEVER recommend this Law Office to anyone.