Donald Philip VanStry

Mr. VanStry returned my calls promptly. His legal advocacy was far beyond my wife's attorney who showed up and rarely knew any up to date information about what was happening with our kids. He knew the new provisions of the tax law to protect me down the road. Truly one of Syracuse's best divorce ...attorneys.

Atty. Vanstry failed to provide even a basic level of representation on my case, and according to other attorneys I had to retain, made serious errors in how he handled my case. By failing to demand current income information, Atty. Vanstry was unable to challenge the income figures proposed by my... ex’s attorney, and failed to get me the temporary maintenance I was entitled to under the statutes. He claimed that I “should be happy”, as it was more money than my ex had been providing to me prior to my filing for divorce. Despite numerous emails, calls, and texts, he refused to perform formal discovery to secure copies of financial documents (e.g. credit card statements, retirement accounts, bank accounts, outstanding loans, etc.). He claimed that discovery isn’t done in this district. I asked many many times to see the Orders and Stipulation by text, phone, and email, but he refused to respond. It wasn’t until another attorney told me to obtain them on my own, that I learned he had missed every discovery deadline, and my case was now in jeopardy. I tried contacting him about this, but he did not respond. I had to fire him and retain new counsel to attempt to salvage my case. However, the mistakes he made could not be undone and I suffered monetary loss… Not to mention the time and stress that this situation caused me. During one of the custody conferences between the attorneys and the Judge’s clerk, Atty. Vanstry failed to produce documentation he had in hand to refute what one of the attorneys was claiming, which significantly impacted the outcome of my case and could not be undone. Atty. Vanstry took money upfront, failed to produce and have me sign a retainer agreement, and failed to produce a bill after requests from me. This is in direct violation of the attorney Rules of Professional Conduct. After I hired new counsel, Atty. Vanstry called my new attorney and proceeded to disparage me in an attempt to get my new attorney to collect even more money for him. I recommend no one use Atty. Vanstry.

I have a very challenging ex who does nothing but find ways to use our children to hurt me. She talks bad about me in front of the children, she makes up stories that I threaten her - I even think she is making my daughter have psychological issues. Mr. VanStry not only showed the kid's attorney wh...at was going on, he actually convinced the Judge to REVERSE CUSTODY. I now have sole custody of my kids. They are doing great and I no longer feel like I'm on the defensive with my ex. She finally got what she deserved after years of crazy behavior. The transition was initially difficult for the kids - they had no idea what a "normal" house/family was like. He saved me and he definitely saved my kids.

Family Court is a crazy place. He spoke to me, helped me, and kept my children safe. He told me what to expect, and he was right on. Some things were hard to understand, but he helped me through it. I can't say enough. His prices were competitive and he always told me where my money was going an...d what he was doing and why.