Cristin Michelle Lowe

Cristin Michelle Lowe

3.7
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 20 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at San Ramon, CA
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Family, Child Custody ... +2 more

4000 Executive Pkwy Ste 220, (Bishop Ranch 8), San Ramon, CA

About Cristin

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Child Custody 20%

21 years

20%
Child Support 20%

21 years

20%
Family 20%

Divorce, Domestic Partnerships, Paternity, Child Custody and Visitation, Support, Property Division, Adoption, Guardianships, Domestic Violence, and Post-Judgment Issues.

21 years | 560 cases

20%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in California for 20 years

State: California

Acquired: 2005

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Law Office of Cristin M. Lowe

4000 Executive Pkwy Ste 220, (Bishop Ranch 8), San Ramon, CA, 94583-4337

Law Office of Cristin M. Lowe

22320 Foothill Blvd Suite 520, (Plaza Center), Hayward, CA, 94541-2719

Law Office of Cristin M. Lowe

1652 West Texas Street, Suite 133, (California Business Center), Fairfield, CA, 94533-6080

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Cristin Michelle Lowe's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

3.7 /5.0

19 Client Reviews

Posted by Kenny | March 13, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Avoid - incompetent and deceitful

Don’t even think about using her! Absolutely awful and unprofessional. I made the mistake of hiring her to represent me and after months of no progress I fired her 2 weeks before my court hearing. She lacks knowledge, is aloof and unresponsive, but tells you arrogantly how good she is whilst simu...ltaneously missing the absolute basics such as filing the documents I had spent time completing. I only uncovered this after firing her, the other side were understandably very frustrated and it set my case back significantly. What a mess she left behind and how many items I needed to complete and file myself. She’s a fraud, Corina in her office was polite and helpful but Josh……..arghh what a class A patronising idiot he is! She will happily take a big retainer from you, smile and promise you the earth. That may very well be the last piece of communication you get from her..AVOID AT ALL COSTS!

Posted by Amanda | August 1, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Unconscionable fees per solano judge

Attorney's fees were found to be unconscionable so much as the judge wrote it in herself and initialed it on the FAOH. Once the request for fees were dismissed by the court, Cristin's office got busy and started calling me daily to collect. I paid them for every overcharged penny they billed for. The...y even billed me for time spent to attempt to remove the "unconscionable" note from the judge from the FAOH in which they were unsuccessful. Also, they were constantly changing staff and charging me hourly to update them on my case. Please run from the offices of Cristin Lowe, they are crooks and she couldn't care less about you and the vulnerable situation you are in.

Posted by Sarah | June 1, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

HORRIBLE ATTORNEY

DO NOT USE CRISTIN LOWE...EVER! I hired her in March 2021 for an extremely simple, non-contested, EASY Legal Separation from my husband. (We're still married but not "been together" for over a decade but live part time. get along, vacation together, raised our boys, and a fantastic platonic fun rel...ationship). She did an initial consult for 400 an hour. I hired her. I literally NEVER HEARD from her again! Not even being exaggerated. She filed the initial separation in S.F. Superior Court and there is a 6 month wait period in CA. Early November 2021 (6 month wait period ended). Did I get my Legal Separation Agreement that I needed so I could then get the QDRO's done and all filed to Superior Court? NO. Mind you this was a NON CONTESTED, AGREEABLE Legal Separation. All we needed was the Agreement so then QDROs could be completed by a QDRO Attorney I already consulted with. Tick Tock...month rolls on....I tried contacting her. She committed CLIENT ABANDONMENT! December. 2021...January 2022...still NOTHING. February 2022...nope...March 2022...nil. In meantime, my Separation Agreement could've been done MONTHS ago. I would've already been paid out by the retirement 401/457 of my husband as my settlement for 21 years of marriage. I wasn't going after any spouse support, there's no custody issue, no CALPERS pension so this was quick. My husband is getting more impatient as months pass because of the legal separation, there is "hold" on the accounts so he can't contribute to his retirement accounts which brings his "net" TAXABLE income bracket higher. Her long delay not doing anything, we both have lost THOUSANDS (15k combined) in our accounts which impacts me greatly since its MY FINAL SETTLEMENT with my husband and I would've had the cash before all the losses if she DID HER JOB I HIRED HER FOR! She NEVER RESPONDED to ANY email after initial hiring. Her paralegal kept saying I have it on her calendar to "catch up" and hopefully you'll get your agreement soon. March 2022 rolls by and I had enough! It's already been a YEAR since the initial filing of our separation in Superior Court. All I need is the Legal Separation Agreement. This isn't rocket science! There aren't lawyers involved on both sides, there's no arguments with my spouse. VERY AMICABLE. I waited 5 MONTHS for a simple painless, non-complicated Legal Separation Agreement. I terminated her at end of March 2022. Did she apologize? NO. Did she even bother to try to explain herself? NO. Just crickets as usual from her. I hired another attorney April 1, 2022 who completed my Legal Separation Agreement in 3 DAYS! Got my QDRO's done right after and within a week I had everything needed. Cristin Lowe didn't even KNOW that my husband's 401/457 company Mission Square are managers just like Fidelity or TRowe. They aren't even CALPERS or have anything to do with CALPERS which I already told her I wasn't going to touch his pension, so her filing a joinder in Superior Court for CALPERS in 2021 was stupid and unnecessary and cost me fees I didn't have to pay to begin with. She will initially give "great advice" and be good in the consultation but after that? You'll never hear from her again. NOT ONE UPDATE about your case, not one email to let you know the progress or next step. She should've had my Legal Separation Agreement READY TO GO and COMPLETED right when the 6 month wait period was over. I had to call her office to make an appointment just to discuss the financial arrangement my husband I agreed upon. That is HER JOB TO CONTACT ME TO GET THE DETAILS so she could FINISH the legal separation agreement she didn't even bother to start. Junk attorney. Cristin Lowe is the absolute worst and too expensive for the little she did. Charging for every email or phone call that you're forced to make to try to get any answer on the progress of your case. Horrid. DO NOT HIRE HER. YOU WILL REGRET IT.

Posted by anonymous | October 25, 2021 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Excellent

Cristin is a true professional in the family law business. She’s on the expensive side, but specializes in the field and was totally worth the fees paid. Prompt answers to phone and email messages. Please remember attorneys can not guarantee results, and they’re not responsible for the circumstances... of the case. All they can do is act within the law and advocate your position in a court hearing. Family law judges have a lot of discretion, it’s not always the attorney’s fault if it doesn’t go your way.

Posted by anonymous | February 16, 2020 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Chelsea is awesome!

She knows family laws and will go the extra mile to help out! She’s very accommodating, thorough , and Efficient! I HIGHLY recommend her !

See All Client Reviews

Cristin Michelle Lowe's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Cristin
Jennifer Lynn King headshot
Jennifer King

Divorce and separation lawyer | Oct 21

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Cristin’s expert knowledge of statutory and case law related to family matters is impressive. Her comprehensive understanding of ever-evolving case precedent offers her clients a distinct advantage in the courtroom."

Kymeshia M. Morris headshot
Kymeshia Morris

Child custody lawyer | Oct 13

Relationship: Other

"I highly recommend Cristin. I consulted with her regarding a child custody matter and she provided me with excellent tips and legal insight."

Silky Sahnan headshot
Silky Sahnan

Family lawyer | Nov 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Compassionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated attorney."

Hovanes Margarian headshot
Hovanes Margarian

Unknown lawyer | Dec 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Christopher James Cook headshot
Christopher Cook

Divorce and separation lawyer | Mar 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Howard M Lewis headshot
Howard Lewis

Divorce and separation lawyer | Oct 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Lowe is an outstanding attorney with an exceptional reputation. She is a strong and zealous advocate for her clients and a credit to the legal profession. I highly endorse her."

Derrick Sean Lowe headshot
Derrick Lowe

Family lawyer | Apr 03

Relationship: Family member

"Excellent attorney with an outstanding reputation in the community, I have seen and heard nothing but good things about her work."

Kennedy Koblin headshot
Kennedy Koblin

Divorce and separation lawyer | Feb 21

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer."

Donald Anthony Snead headshot
Donald Snead

Family lawyer | Jan 24

Relationship: Other

"I posted a family law question on this website and Christin was kind enough to answer it and follow up with me via email. Christin's willingness to provide me with complimentary advice was not only much appreciated on my end, but she also made suggestions for my pending law matter that my current attorney had not yet suggested to me. Given how amazing Christin was in helping me on a complimentary level, I can only imagine how strong an advocate she must be for her clients. Without any reservation whatsoever, I strongly endorse Christin's work and abitlities as a family lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Jennifer Lynn King headshot
Jennifer King

Divorce and separation lawyer

Silky Sahnan headshot
Silky Sahnan

Divorce and separation lawyer

Alexcis Noel Wichtowski headshot
Alexcis Wichtowski

Divorce and separation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2014

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2013

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2013

Certified Specialist - Family Law, State Bar of California

2012

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2012

Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services, State Bar of California

2010

"A" Business Accreditation, Better Business Bureau

Work Experience

2010 - Present

Principal, Law Office of Cristin M. Lowe

2008 - 2010

Associate Attorney, Cummins, Holmes & Geraldi

2005 - 2008

Associate Attorney, Law Office of Susan E. Christiansen

Associations

2011 - Present

Bar Association of San Francisco

Member

2011 - Present

Contra Costa County Bar Association, Pro Bono Section

Co-chair

2010 - Present

Alameda County Bar Association

Member

2010 - Present

Better Business Bureau

Member

2010 - Present

Lawyer in the Library

Attorney Member

2008 - Present

Contra Costa County Bar Association, Barristers/Young Lawyers Section

Member

2008 - Present

Contra Costa County Bar Association

2005 - Present

State Bar of California

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Marriage of Morrison

Client obtained sole legal and physical custody.

Father vs Mother

Mother agreed to an equal timeshare and to remain in California.

See More Legal Cases

Education

N/A

UC Davis SOL King Hall

law

N/A

California State University, Sacramento

undergraduate

Speaking Engagements

2011

Pro Per Clinic

Starting Your Dissolusion

2011

Lawyer in the Library, Livermore Ca

Divorce

2010

Lawyer in the Library, Oakland Ca

Divorce

2010

Lawyer in the Library Divorce 101

2010

Contra Costa Bar Association, Pro Per Clinic

Completing Your Divorce

2010

Contra Costa Bar Association, Pro Per Clinic

Starting your Divorce

Publications

2011

Bar Association of San Francisco Bulletin Family Law Code Changes

2010

Family Lawyer Blog Mediation

N/A

Family Laywer Blog How to Pick and Attorney

N/A

Family Lawyer Blog To Fault or Not to Fault

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution