Law Office of Debra J. Kay

Review: I have used the Law Offices of [redacted] since May 1, of 2013. In that time, I have incurred charges amounting to $15,000 with not much to show for it. In our initial meeting I requested that we file for separation. However, [redacted] filed for Divorce rather than separation. I was charged for the incorrect action she took, and then charged again when she refilled. [redacted] often canceled meetings, and when I arrived at the rescheduled time for an hour long consultation, I was informed that she was unavailable to meet with me for longer than a half hour, and asked to come back another time for the rest of the hour, and then charged for it. Unfortunately these delays only served to confuse, frustrate and waste time. There was many mis- communications between my attorney, [redacted], and me. [redacted] never checked with my availability when she set up a 4 way telephone conference between me, my husband, and our respective attorneys. On August 15, 2013 I received a call from [redacted] giving me less than 24 hours to adjust my schedule, which was impossible because I had plans that were made many months prior. Rather than reschedule again, I was left out of the conversation that took place Aug 16, 2013 and this put me at a great disadvantage. On July 3rd, 2013 [redacted] asserted in the reply declaration of respondent, page 2, paragraph 5, that the petitioner ([redacted] Shuben) should pay the sum of $3430 as support. From that $3430, he would pay directly the monthly mortgage and taxes on the family residence, then pay the balance to me. [redacted] argued that the petitioner can do this legally, as he is on title to both the property and mortgage. She further asserted that the Petitioner would get the tax credits for paying the mortgage and taxes, as well as spousal support. The Petitioner argued that [redacted] was incorrect, and a deluge of correspondences resulted in the conclusion that [redacted] was incorrect in her assertions. I paid for this bevy of back and forth assertions and [redacted]s lack of knowledge. My initial court date in August of 2013 was in question because [redacted] was hospitalized. I was offered a stand-in attorney whom I did not know and felt very uncomfortable with so my date was delayed until Dec. 5th, 2013. All the refilling, rescheduling, and associated costs fell on my billing statement. I noticed that with each cancellation, my bill skyrocketed as more and more repetitive billings began to happen frequently.[redacted] began to experience more illness, which she had no control over, but as her client I felt a complete lack of service was being given, I routinely spoke to her paralegal rather than her for a long periods of time. The Paralegal asserted that she was in continuous dialogue with [redacted] but this period of time concerned me greatly because I knew [redacted] was hospitalized and in no conditional to represent me properly. I began to feel very anxious over her health issues and how that was affecting my case. In addition, I have Crohns disease and this stress coupled with the stress of my separation impacted my health greatly. As we approached the ensuing court date of Dec 5th, 2013, the petitioner [redacted] Shuben began to request that I submit to a Vocational exam/assessment. [redacted] was in the hospital again, and I was pressured to delay the court date one more time. I was concerned because I had already experienced a plethora of correspondence related to the first court date delay and my money was rapidly being depleted. My Vocational Exam was set up for January 15, 2014, my court date was to follow that exam.The thought of the ensuing Voc Exam on January 15, 2014, and all the required paperwork, stressed me out greatly. As the date approached, my stress increased so much that I contacted a Psychiatrist, Dr. Karen Vause. Dr. Vause advised me to not go to the Voc Exam as I was in no condition to participate in it. I contacted [redacted], got connected to her paralegal Pam who indicated that she would relay the info to [redacted]. Pam asked that I get a letter from the Psychiatrist stating my condition, and her determination that I was not fit to attend the Voc Exam, which I provided to them. I then received a letter mis-dated January 10, 2013, which was the incorrect year but demonstrated the inaccuracy issues I experienced with [redacted]s office. I was never advised by [redacted] or her Paralegal to disregard Dr. Vauses recommendations and take the Voc Exam. Furthermore, several days after I notified [redacted]s office to find out whether I should go or not, I received a letter from [redacted] advising me that not attending the Voc Exam allowed [redacted] Attorney to subpoena my medical records. [redacted] did not advise me of any accommodations such as a driver, that I could have used to help me get through the Voc Exam. I was heavily medicated and not fit to drive, and If [redacted] had advised me that I must attend the Voc Exam given the reasons above, I would have gone without question and had a friend drive me and sit with me through the Voc Exam.The lack of representation, costs related to that, and lack of actions taken all served to deplete my funds causing me to have to sever my relationship with [redacted] as she was demanding more money and I did not have it. All I had to show for the money I spent over the course of my year long relationship with [redacted] was temporary spousal support. I feel this is nothing short of incompetency and malpractice.Desired Settlement: I would like to see the remaining balance on my bill eliminated, as well as a refund for the costs associated with the time period [redacted] was unable to help me due to her personal illness, inaccurate billings, and all inappropriate charges applied to situations she ill advised me on.