Thomas Arthur Gatheman

I hired Thomas to get more visitation with my two girls. Every time I turned around I was being charged for his assistant to scan documents multiple times. He suggested I file for soul custody. After I told him of the numerous times I had to call the cops on my ex for the verbal abuse I was hearing i...n the phone while talking to my daughter. I thought it would not be possible since I live out of state. But he said that I did have a good chance. But after filing the papers and billing me for it, he said that it probably would not happen. He was pushing for a trial. When the time came he did not stand up for me and my rights. I did not want to agree with the terms that my ex-wife's lawyer suggested. He would go and talk to them than come back and try to get me to agree. Before we went in front if the judge, the judge came into the room and said all her would give me is 15 days during the summer. Thomas said nothing. Yes I live in another state but I still have rights. After all their mother and I have joint custody. All he was worried about was raising my bill. He was always suggesting things that would cause him to file papers and cost me more money. When we did get in front of the judge,y ex-wife's lawyer did all the talking while he stumbled over his words and acted like he had never been in court before. After spending over $16,000 he dropped my case a week before the hearing that he pushed for. He said that I complained too much to the client care hotline. I was trying to get a different attorney because he was incompetent. The client care did not help me get another attorney and let him drop me after paying all that money. The client care is a joke. He was requesting papers from my ex-wife's attorney. She finally sent them to him. Than she turned around and sent a notice that if she didn't get ours than she would take us in front of the judge. I gave them the papers months before. All he could say is that he thought it was done. I was charge every time I emailed, texted, or called him. Even though most of the time was to remind him to do something that he was suppose to do. For example I had to ask him numerous times to get a GAL lined. When we got to court the judge appointed a GAL for the my girls that was from a law firm that was a conflict of interest. I had already explained that to him. That is why I told him to have someone lined up. He did not object to the judge's choice. When we got out if court he asked if that was ok. I said we really don't have a choice now do we. He just laughed it off. Per Thoma's request I started texting him and was getting charged from the time I texted him until the time he responded even if it was 40 min in between I was getting charged. I ended up getting more visitation than he tried to get me to agree too previously. And I was representing myself. Lesson learned I could of saved over $16,000 and 12 eight hour drives over the course of a six month court ordeal could of been avoided by representing myself or finding a real lawyer.

I paid Thomas a $1200 retainer after discussing my child support case, which was understood to be an interstate matter from the beginning. I was told by Thomas that because I have joint custody and the child lives with me six months of the year, we could file to request a judge to modify the amount,... even though (as I already knew) in IL its just 20% of your income regardless of the cudtody sharing. He told me because Im active duty military he was going to expedite the hearing, I have a case to go in front of the judge with. Weeks go by and Im getting charges for his secretary to scan documents, but no progress on my case. More charges for emails and scanning documents, no progress. I had to repeatedly call and email him and finally I got a letter saying he does not recommend I file to modify child support in IL. Then why did you take my case?!?! He did NOTHING, did not draft or file any paperwork. I had to repeatedly call to ask for my retainer back; and months later I got a check for a little over $300. Worst experience I have ever had, a complete joke of an attorney and waste of my time and money. Ive had two other lawyers for over three years and I have never seen charges for absolutely no work. Active duty military beware: he will take advantage of you not being there in person.

Before I start let me say that my divorce was probably ALOT easier than normal. No kids involved and everything is great between my ex-wife and myself. Mr. Gatheman was very professional at all times, very courteous and responsive. My only negative would be it cost more than I expected but then ag...ain I got off easy. Thanks Thomas for your help.