Patterson Law Firm, APC

Welcome to Lawyers Near Me, your platform for connecting with legal professionals in your local area. Today, we present information regarding Patterson Law Firm, APC, located at 1800 E Imperial Hwy STE 110, Brea, CA 92821, USA. You can contact their office at (714) 441-1410 or their mobile number, +1 714-441-1410. It is important for users of Lawyers Near Me in the Brea area who are seeking family law representation to have access to all available information to make informed decisions about their legal counsel.

The provided reviews from individuals who have used the services of Patterson Law Firm, APC, offer critical perspectives on their experiences. These reviews detail significant dissatisfaction with the services received, particularly in the area of family law, including divorce proceedings. It is essential for potential clients to carefully consider these firsthand accounts when evaluating Patterson Law Firm, APC, for their legal needs.

One client who retained Steven Patterson for a divorce in 2016 expressed considerable displeasure with the services provided. This client reported incurring substantial legal fees, exceeding $44,000.00, and raised concerns about the recommendation to hire a consultant to evaluate the potential income of their former spouse. The client stated that the consultant's estimate was lower than the actual income the former spouse later obtained. Furthermore, a significant point of dissatisfaction was the alleged failure to negotiate a termination clause or stipulate a timeframe for spousal support in the court order. As a result, the client reported paying a significant amount annually in spousal support and, approaching retirement, had to seek new legal counsel to attempt to terminate or modify this support. The client described this situation as a “scam,” indicating a high level of frustration and financial burden.

Another detailed review strongly advises potential clients to “STAY AWAY” from Patterson Law Firm (PLF). This client reported receiving “lackluster family law representation” from both Ryan E. Dryer and Steven R. Patterson, with Mr. Patterson overseeing the case. The client alleged that the firm was “outmaneuvered by opposing counsel” and accused them of taking advantage of a highly contentious divorce to prolong the matter over four years without ever reaching trial. The client claimed that this delay was a tactic to inflate legal fees through prolonged temporary support orders and the repeated filing of income and expense declarations, characterizing it as “over-billing.”

The reviewer stated that their requests to change family law attorneys within the firm were ignored by Mr. Patterson. Despite expressing unhappiness with the services, the client initially hesitated to switch firms due to the perceived familiarity of Patterson Law Firm with their case after two years. However, they claim that repeated assurances of being “ready for trial” by Mr. Dryer proved to be false promises, as trial was postponed numerous times.

The client described a pattern where attorneys would meet privately with the judge in chambers, with no court reporter present to record any agreements or discussions. The only outcome documented in court records was the setting of new hearing dates, which allegedly served to prolong the case and generate more fees for the firm. The reviewer felt they received “no fight” from Patterson Law Firm, only “politics,” and emphasized that after four years, their case was never heard by the judge. This protracted process allegedly benefited the ex-spouse by allowing for the continuation of high temporary support and free medical and dental benefits.

The client highlighted the financial impact of this prolonged litigation, stating they were “down $175K+ in legal fees” and had paid excessive temporary spousal and child support, as well as uncovered medical costs, for over four years – more than half the duration of their six-year marriage. They noted that a competent family law attorney should develop a strategy for support reduction or elimination, which Patterson Law Firm allegedly failed to do. Ultimately, the client settled in what they described as a “LOPSIDED financial settlement” that favored their ex-spouse. They also claimed that Mr. Dryer conceded to stipulations in the settlement agreement without consultation and provided ill-advice that resulted in further financial detriment.

The reviewer concluded by stating that while Mr. Dryer may be “nice,” niceness is insufficient in divorce proceedings. They are now representing themselves in post-divorce child custody matters and claim to have achieved more positive results in three months pro per than in the previous four years with Patterson Law Firm. They strongly advise others seeking a family law attorney who will “fight tirelessly” and competently handle their financial and child custody matters to avoid Patterson Law Firm entirely, suggesting it is better to “cut your losses and drop them immediately or better yet, don't bother retaining PLF in the first place.”

Given these detailed and highly critical reviews, local users in the "Lawyers Near Me" category considering Patterson Law Firm, APC, for family law services should proceed with extreme caution and conduct thorough due diligence. While these are individual experiences and may not represent every client's outcome, the consistency and severity of the concerns raised warrant careful consideration. Potential clients are strongly advised to seek additional information, including recent reviews from other sources, and to conduct in-depth consultations with multiple attorneys before making a decision.

When contacting Patterson Law Firm, APC, at (714) 441-1410, it would be prudent to ask specific questions about their approach to family law cases, their fee structure, their experience with cases similar to yours, and how they ensure effective communication and client involvement in decision-making. It is also advisable to inquire about the qualifications and experience of the specific attorney who would be handling your case, whether it be Steven Patterson or Ryan E. Dryer, in light of the feedback provided.

In conclusion, Patterson Law Firm, APC, located in Brea, California, offers legal services in the area of family law. However, the available reviews express significant dissatisfaction with their services, citing concerns about high fees, prolonged litigation, strategic missteps, poor communication, and unfavorable outcomes. Local users of the "Lawyers Near Me" platform should carefully consider these perspectives and are strongly encouraged to seek further information and explore alternative legal representation options in the Brea area before retaining Patterson Law Firm, APC. Making an informed decision based on a comprehensive understanding of all available information is crucial when selecting legal counsel for sensitive and impactful matters like family law.