Benjamin Peter Hayek

I was the primary custodian of my son Chase and two daughters. I lived in MN along with my daughter’s father. My son’s father lived in Iowa. Prior to moving to MN my son’s father had signed away custody to me, without a lawyer, without a fight. During the time I had custody I involved my son’s fa...ther any way I could. I taped his games, and karate matches; kept all his test, homework, school pictures for him, and included him on speaker phone during conferences; had all his b-day parties in IA, called him 3 times a week for updates, gave him gas money to meet, invited him to stay and his new family to stay with us during visit, did yearly family pictures, and so on. I did everything in my power to foster a healthy relationship between his father and him. Chase was also a great scholar surpassing school, state, and district stats on test. He was 2 grade levels ahead. He was a happy child, very polite, and was able to rationalize things. After several years of having custody, I came across child porn on my daughter’s father’s computer. As a mother I could not take any risks and I immediately surrendered the computer to the police and left my husband. At that point I could only seek shelter in a one bedroom place, miles away from Chase’s school. At that time I felt it would be best for Chase to live with his father until I found a stable home, custody was never changed in court. During his stay with his dad Chase’s grades started to decline, he was diagnosed with depression, and after two separate untreated illnesses he was placed in ICU for up to 3 weeks at a time and underwent 3 surgeries after sepsis and total organ failure. Chase had no B-day parties; I had to contact his school for grades, updates, and pictures; Chase was told to call his step-mother “mom”; there were times when I could not contact him for up to a month. I paid child support even though it was not ordered. The day I went to retrieve him I was served injunction papers stating I could not take him out of state. Needless to say I needed an attorney. Upon my first conversation with Ben, I felt there was a good connection. His confidence, knowledge, certainty, and charisma, was that of no other attorney I had spoken with. Ben promised me it was illegal to have an injunction on the primary custodian and I would get my son back. The judge wrote an order stating “no court hearing needed” at that time Ben had told me we won. However, when I went to retrieve my son the police would not surrender him because there was no court documents stating he could leave state. I had asked Ben to obtain these or get a clarification from the judge. He did not. Emergency Temporary custody was filed. I obtained all school, Hosp., psych, phone, child support receipt records I could find. I was not accused of abuse, drugs, or neglect. Ben once again promised this was a closed case and it was illegal to obtain temporary custody if custody was established. Instead we would need a modification. I lost custody without a trail on the terms I left him with his dad for more than 30 days, and my son had started his school year in Iowa. Had the injunction been clarified I would have had him before school started. Ben never appealed the judge, instead asked her to reconsider. The judge failed to follow court proceedings and was to allow response from the other attorney in 9 days, she allowed 21 days; this was never argued. Later Ben did try to appeal to the Supreme Court. Case was denied. Chase was willing to tell the judge he wanted to move back with me, had we have got a trail. After awaiting trial for 2 years Ben told me it would be best to sign over custody. I did not want to give up. Later, he resigned after I told him spoke with another layer whom told me Ben did his job wrong. Eventually I lost custody because Chase was established in IA so many years. He is now living in a trailer home with 7 other people. He has failed and had to make up 8th grade.

Ben worked with me on my divorce; he is very detail oriented and knows the law, and is honest about what can and cannot be done, and is straight with you on what each step taken should be. He was completely hooked up regarding communication-text, email, and telephone. He helped me keep my costs down ...by encouraging emails as well as talking with my ex spouse about coming to an agreement step by step as we went along, saving me money by encouraging a settlement as opposed to a court setting. Pricing is very reasonable, and I appreciate that he made me feel like I was his only client. Less than a year after my divorce was final he helped me file a contempt of court issue and it was resolved within a day with the other attorney. H. Fink

I did a lot of research prior to hiring Ben for my divorce case. He exceeded my expectations with professionalism, quick response, and always had my best interest in mind. I was confident throughout my case, and the end result was better than I expected. Ben always kept me informed, offered the be...st advice, and quick to respond. I was at ease knowing I had excellent representation, and the end result was justified.

Althought the circumstances of my meeting Mr. Hayek were not the greatest, working with him was pleasure. With his help, we were able to get some child custody issues settled. I found the situation very stressful. Mr. Hayek was very reassuring and walked me through the process. He was very personable... and knowledgeable. I woudn't have wanted to go through this with any other attorney. I recommend him highly!

Excellent lawyer and nice guy! Actually cared about me & my issue & worked hard to get it done without costing me my house. Glad he's on his own, tho. The staff at his previous office weren't the most welcoming even when he was. The only reason I went there was because of him. Next time I have a ...legal issue, I look forward to seeing him in a more friendly environment. Congrats, Ben!