The Ramage Law Group — Local services in McKinney

I engaged Ramage Law Group thinking they would tailor my case to my situation. Not so! For a straight forward divorce case - avoid Ramage Law Group! Here’s why from my experience:

1. The initial consultation is not with a lawyer who will handle your case. It is with a delightful sympathetic assistant, Crystal, because “lawyers don’t always communicate with clients in an engaging way”. Crystal said their average divorces cost $20,000 to $25,000 but I told Crystal “Surely this ours is very simple and should cost much less”. I should have listened to her. She did a great job selling the group, then the marketing pressure began as soon as I left the consult. Reminder emails and follow up account set up and reminders to sign your contract.

2. Crystal said after I paid the $7500 retainer, there would be a “strategy meeting” that would take into account that I am over 65, no children, pre-nup with financial’s that were already divided per that agreement. I believed that they would take those facts into account in their process. Not so!

My assigned lawyer came late to the meeting without her computer that had the relevant spreadsheet and the prenup I provided at the consult. I now know we got so off track from what was needed, it was 2 hours and a $1000+ that could have been done in 30 minutes had the attorney focused on what was really needed and had an understanding before the meeting. I was told the petition would be done in 2-3 days but did not hear anything from anyone I called until late on the 4th day (and was charged). Nervous enough to file, I was made more anxious by their lack of clear communication - blamed me for issues and charged for changing information that was covered in our “strategy meeting”.

3. I was told initially that my husband could be service with a waiver to avoid costs and court service, then was told that could not be done. The independent lawyer I engaged used the “Wavier of Service”.

4. I was asked for pages of documents relating to accounts and history before I even spoke to the attorney. I complied but asked the person that called me not to spend time reviewing unless/until it was required. My first 2 week bill was over $4,000 for which I did not receive a bit of legal advice from all their “analysis”. I was told it was required by their process. The only thing provided was the Petition that had to be redone because it did not contain what was in the “strategy meeting” plus additional items the lawyer added for discovery (again not needed by my second attorney).

5. I became afraid to call for anything (including billing explanation for why they needed to spend so much time on filing the petition). I asked for them to close my case and refund my retainer and probably saved $15 - 20,000 doing so. I will also sleep better at night with one dedicated attorney that I believe is looking after my needs, not put into a pool of attorneys and staff motivated by billing hours.

Crystal gets the 2 stars - she...

If I could give 0 stars I would! After saving and saving to afford it, I hired what I thought was the bulldog attorney’s, to help me get a horrible wrong, righted with the custody of my kids! In the nine months and over $20,000 I paid for their services, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING was accomplished. The only tangible thing they did was file my petition to the court. And even worse, knowing the nature of my case and my concerns for me and my kids, they led me in a terrible direction with an amicus attorney vs. an ad litem for my children (be sure to ask the difference if you are in a custody battle!) Thankfully, a kind soul stepped in and, for the little money I had left after being bled dry by The Ramage Group, took on my case. Within TWO MONTHS of this change, my kids were where they wanted and needed to be! And on Friday, 6/26/24, this horrible chapter of my life was closed! The wrong has been righted!!! If you are fighting a school district or for special education rights for your child, Sharon Ramage IS the bulldog you are looking for. And, perhaps she is a super star in an initial divorce/custody situation. However, I cannot emphasize how horrible they were in my custody modification case! And, unfortunately, there is no legal recourse for getting money back (and certainly not time lost) for hiring a law firm that nickel and dimes and charges exorbitant fees to make (useless) phone calls and push (unnecessary) paperwork. And, despite our disagreement over kids, I never want to cause my ex to suffer financially. This whole thing also cost him a lot more money in attorney fees because of the wasteful interactions with Ramage attorneys that resulted in zero progress or resolution! For those reading a review for these types of services, my heart goes out to you and wish you well in your journey...

The best to ever work with! I worked with Mary Barefield. She got my SAPCR case completed and closed in under 7 months. She did in 7 months what other couldn’t do in a year. I’ve spilled money with other attorneys before hiring her. She paid attention to every detail I gave her. She is genuine, she is organized, she communicates rapidly. She Always has her little laptop with her every where she goes. They don’t make attorney’s like Mary Barefield anymore. She is a needle in a haystack. Won me 50/50 joi and wherever you are in the world custody in Texas for my daughter. Where other lawyers I’ve consulted with has told me that can never happen. She made the so called impossible super possible. Her nickname should be Mary Possible. Very well organized in court. She very knowledgeable of the judge she is in front of. I would recommend her to anyone any father out there fighting for their rights for their child. 10/10. Mary if you’re reading this I want to genuinely thank you for all you done for me and my daughter and it wouldn’t be possible without you. I was losing hope didn’t know where to turn with my case and I want to again thank you for all your due diligence and work and time you’ve put in to get me the best outcome a Father could ask for in Texas courts. You are Super! Wherever you are in the world till my daughter turns 18 I am a long life client always keep updated. Thank you for all your hard work. And Caitlyn the paralegal is awesome and Sharon Ramage all have handled my case as if my daughter was their daughter. You all are the greatest firm and should be voted Denton County Best...