ComplaintsforLaw Office Of Mark M. Childress

• Initial Complaint

  02/27/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Mr ********************** office has the worst legal representation practices. To start I have never been allowed to approach this attorneys office for business matters. When I reach out to anyone in this office for an update on my case I receive no answers and blatantly ignored! In May of 2023 I was to receive a disbursement of $2500 for 2022 tax return that was divided during my divorce process but as of today I have not received the check. I have reached out numerous times and have not been successful in obtaining a status on the check. Not to mention it's been 9 months since the money was given to my attorney ************************* and is far overdue for me to receive it! In May of 2023 following my court hearing ***************** verbally told me my case was completed but to date I have received no final decree! ***************** was also supposed to have the **** in my case signed by the judge which also has not happened!! Numerous attempts to find out the status of my case have been unsuccessful! I have gracefully paid all invoices to this attorney but seems as if my case has been placed on a desk and ignored for several months. In reading MANY reviews it seems as ignoring clients and taking money from them with no results or closure on cases is a common practice with this legal firm. I feel that this firm needs a thorough investigation as their practices in how they handle cases and treat clients is atrocious!! I only want my case completed and tax return check provided to me!

  

  Business response

  03/21/2024

  If you wished for an in-person meeting, you had the option to formally request one. However, there is no documentation to indicate that such a request was made to meet with ****************** and subsequently denied. It appears that instead of seeking clarification directly from ******************, you have been contacting other individuals within our office who may not possess access to the specific details of your case, thus hindering their ability to provide accurate updates. Despite being provided with a link to your attorneys' calendar, which would allow you to schedule a call at your convenience, it appears that you have not utilized this option.
  
  It's important to note that your case remains open because opposing counsel has yet to provide their signatures to ****************** regarding the proposed order. Regarding the funds deposited into your client trust account on September 18, 2023, they remain untouched. While I have not received a request for the issuance of a check from your trust account, I will ensure this matter is reconciled promptly.
  
  It's crucial to understand that providing inaccurate or incomplete information via BBB will not effectively address any concerns in our attorney-client relationship or facilitate progress. In the future, please direct any issues directly to our managing attorney via email, and she will ensure that your inquiries are promptly addressed. Additionally, ****************** remains responsive to all her clients, so it is unclear why you have expressed dissatisfaction in this regard.

• Initial Complaint

  11/12/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I would like to speak over the phone with the owner of this business. I have been told different things in regards to my case. I am just trying to seek understanding and clarity about my case. On 11/11/21 I called to speak and or request to speak with the owner/lead attorney. I needed guidance and insight on possible solutions to resolve my case. When I called, I was hung up on. I was then sent an email and **** saying I could not call more than 3 times in 24 hours. I viewed my issue as an emergency and find it hard to believe it is an offense to call the attorney I hired to get immediate help. At this point it causes me anxiety to try to get a hold of the owner. In my attempt to try to speak with the owner, I am fearful the managing attorney will send me another insensitive and condescending email, along with a **** I cannot pay. I have a young child I have to care for with little income, which is why I reached out for help with my case. I expressed to the firm I did not wish to accumulate debt. I have questions and do not know who to ask. If I ask my attorney a question, I later find out I cannot ask her, it is also accompanied by a ****. If I ask the managing attorney a question, I brace for no response, no guidance or confusing guidance, and a **** I cannot afford or further confusion. I cannot finacially afford to even set up a conference, I don't know how much the next question I have will cost me. I am just wanting to be civil and am simply requesting to talk rather than continue to receive emails, from multiple people, that I do not understand or cause me further confusion. I have a documented disability that is exacerbated by stress. This issue is causing me stress and anxiety, which is why I am trying to resolve it in a professional, peaceful and sensitive approach. I will not argue or do not wish to be defensive. I am sincerely just asking for help.

  

  Business response

  11/12/2021

  *****,
  

  We want to assist you and provide the best possible client experience, but this is not the way to improve your situation. To start your case you were sent an email with very explicit instructions on the best and most efficient means of communication. As you know and have been advised multiple times now, if you require a phone conversation we encourage you to utilize your independent link to do so rather than calling repeatedly. You have been previously provided your own independent link to our calendar so that you can schedule as much time as you like to ask any questions that you have. When you call three times in ten minutes when your attorney is not available it only bogs down our systems, and, frankly is disrespectful to our receptionists who work hard to ensure everyone who calls has a positive experience. Callers who behave that way do receive an email from ******* reminding them of our communication protocols. This is no to be rude or scary, but to assist you and remind you that although the person that you are trying to reach *** not be available at the exact moment that you call, the most efficient way to arrange the conversation is to use your link and scheduled time at that persons first available time. The reason we give you direct access to our calendar is so that you can schedule a time for a call at your convenience in order to avoid phone tag and/or the necessity to call multiple times because we have found that most of the time when we return phone calls without scheduling them the person who requested the call does not answer, which results in a waste of everyones time and added cost to the client. I assure you that we provide more tools for clients to contact us than any other firm that I know so if you will utilize them you will have a clear line of communication with your attorney. Please also keep in mind that we have procedures in place that allow us to run as efficiently as possible and keep cost down for clients when possible, but our time is our product so those clients who require more than the ordinary amount of contact and communication will have higher fees as a result.

  Customer response

  11/15/2021

  Complaint: 16125266
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  The person whom is writing this response, why did you not identify who you are? I clearly see that ****, the initial attorney who gave me the consultation, refuses to call me over the phone. I was hung up on when I called, but I am being referred to as rude. I called in desperation for help, yet it is being viewed as "rude". I retained your firm for help, the process started off confusing and looks like it will end confusing. I am not a lawyer, please do not assume that I am suppose to understand your process that you do on a daily basis. I asked questions, and when I did, I was always told I had to ask another person. 

  I filed a complaint because it seems as though I was not allowed to speak with ****, which as mention earlier has not called. I have responded to the email sent to me from the firm addressing the concern about the Motion to Withdraw. In that email I expressed my worry of now not being able to pay for food and shelter, which is why I cannot afford additional steps.  I also addressed that I could not ask the attorney I was working with questions about fees, I had to ask someone else. Again, nothing has changed, I am still confused and did not think I would be treated this way. Like I said before, I do not know what to do because it will involve a fee I can not afford. My interpretation of affordable may not be the same as the firm. 

   

  Regards,
  
  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  11/05/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I hired them in June. Originally spoke with ********* told me it was going to cost $2,000 to finalize my divorce. I told him I was struggling & he really seemed like he wanted to help & asked if I could borrow the ********** would make it happen for me. So I came up with the money. Sent it. Then got a call from a lady named ******. I told her all of my ***************** laid out what all she wanted to do & what all she was going to do for me In the divorce & stated she was going to start the process right away & call me back within a day or so. I didnt hear from anyone for weeks & no one returned my phone calls. But I got billed for calling them. Then I finally got a call from someone else at the firm stating ****** had been fired & I would be assigned a new lawyer. Since then I havent heard anything but have received numerous *************** of losing my lawyer if I didnt pay the bills. Ive since sent $500 more. Paid for billing a conference that I didnt even get & have not gotten any of the services that Ive paid for & just received a letter that I am being fired as a client because they cant get a hold of me when thats not the case. I cant ever get a hold of *********** **** me for leaving messages or emails. So I left a ****** review. They deleted it & then finally emailed me stating they can set up a payment plan for my unpaid ****. I shouldnt even have a **** because I havent received ANYTHING that theyve said they were going to do or even had a single court date. On top of that they dont even have my name spelled right. I just want my money back. Im a single mom. Ive been trying to get a divorce for two *********** Im going to have to start all over. This has been a nightmare. I was scammed & it looks like I wasnt the only one.

  

  Business response

  11/16/2021

  I previously responded to this via BbBs system but here is the bottom line. Each client has their own independent link to our calendar. When clients refuse to utilize their link and simply call or email requesting a call and we review their file in anticipation of a conversation then return their call and they do not answer and we leave a voicemail we **** for our time. When we are required by rule to respond to opposing client, draft and file documents, etcetera, we **** for our time. The crux of this is clients are sent invoices monthly reflecting our time and our billing so they can see what is done on their case, and EVERY client has access to our calendar and the ability to personally schedule appointments at their convenience so assertions that a client does not know what has been done or cannot reach their attorney is simply false.

  Customer response

  11/16/2021

  Complaint: 16095831
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  I have all of the records of them ignoring my calls & now that I have made this complaint with the BBB they have all of a sudden been able to start responding by sending me harassing emails bullying me to remove my complaint. I just want my money back so I can get divorced. I truly believe these people are running a scam. I am a single mom & hired them to do a job & was instead scammed. & left stuck. I hired them to get divorced in June. Have not received a single court date or anything filed or done for me but have received several bills for things they havent actually done. Not to mention they have my name spelled wrong. I did use their link. & paid to do their scheduled conference calls when they continued ignoring me. Even after paying for the call she didnt call me at my scheduled time I had to call them several times & finally the front desk person left her a message to call me back. She did call me back & spoke to me for MAYBE 3 minutes. The call is supposed to be 15. It was only 3 minutes long because she had no idea who I was or anything about my case even though she was supposed to be my lawyer. She said she would look into it & call me back & never did. I prepaid for the call & then was billed for the call again & on that **** it states I did not answer the phone. Which is not true. I have a time card at my work where I clocked out & waited & records of me calling THEM several times & then not answering. Just give me my money back.
  
  Regards,
  
  ***************************

  

  Business response

  11/16/2021

  These are simply lies. We have over three hundred active cases with happy clients, but this person is simply dishonest and has now attempted to dispute charges which also makes her a criminal for theft of services. This is our last response to this issue.

   

   

   

   

   

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