ComplaintsforPacific Cascade Family Law PLLC

• Initial Complaint

  06/15/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  Retained for legal representation during a high-conflict custody battle. My assigned counsel and the organization were not straight-forward with me regarding the excessive fees they were charging, such as $215 per email which were often time ignored or skimmed by my counsel. My counsel refused to listen to me and constantly went her own direction which ultimately led to me being considered a danger to my son and accused of being a drug addict. My counsel did not work towards securing supervised visits as requested, did not file to contest the Immediate Danger findings as she said she would. Once I finally expressed my dissatisfaction with my counsel, she dropped me as a client and sent me a bill for $10K. Her involvement was destructive and constantly misleading. She often requested that I send her materials for my case which were never utilized and for which I was changed several thousands of dollars for her to receive and review. She did absolutely no work on a request for production and now I'm being threatened with sanctions by opposing counsel and have been left to fend for myself without representation in a high-conflict custody battle against a very hostile individual. I currently do not know where my son lives, even though his mother is required to provide this information to me and she will be leaving the country to ******, and I have no idea if she will try to abscond with my son. I want my entire bill waived and I demand that all money that I paid to this pathetic organization be refunded to me immediately. I told the organization multiple times that I was unemployed but seeking work. When they withdrew, they said they couldn't contact me but I had been in contact with my counsel via email however my phone was disconnected due to my lack of money. This organization and my former counsel should be absolutely ashamed for completely blundering this case so badly that I now cannot even see my son.

• Initial Complaint

  02/05/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I was using this law firm to work on a child custody dispute. After refusing to speed up the case I chose to withdraw from their services. I was sent a bill to put more money into the the trust account. I called their billing department and talked to ******* (?) I explained that I withdrew services and that I will wait to get my final bill. She asked to give her till Monday the 15th of January to get me the final bill 'to the *****" as requested. I received a call on the 16th with a bill amount. Before I paid it I asked again if it was my final bill she said yes, So I paid the bill in the amount of $575.89. I received another bill on February 1st. I called to find out why. She was very rude denying she said that the last payment I made was the final bill and says I owe them almost another 800 dollars. After reviewing my last 2 bills she sent me the only fair amount is the $200 closing cost. However, even that should have been included in my final bill when requested back on January 12th.

  Customer response

  02/15/2024

  The law firm has taken an unauthorized payment from my credit card attached is proof. I received an email yesterday 2/14/24 thanking me for a payment that I did not make. I will be reaching out to the law firm today about them charging my card without permission. And why they even have my card information. All other times when payment was needed they hounded me that I needed to call in to their billing department to make a payment to the trust account. 

• Initial Complaint

  09/05/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I paid them my retainer in full, upfront. They completely drained it when I had only met with an attorney once. They didnt represent me once in court, withdrew from my case AND want $3000 additionally. Im sent threats to send to collections if I dont pay. I did not get a single overnight with my child for at least six months. My interests were not represented in the least. I should not be asked to pay more and should receive money back for this disservice that only disheartened me. There is so much more to say about what they promised me, but this is just sickening.

  Customer response

  09/28/2023

  They called still wanting money and said theyre not going to stop calling to try to collect it

• Initial Complaint

  08/22/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  January 3rd 2023 i hired ***************************** to do a Military Quadro paid him ***** in full i worked a part time job to save up the money Im on disability i battled cancer and could no longer hold that job because i was on chemo and kept getting sick ************ said it will take a few months to do the Quadro i was fine with that the first few months he was returning my calls with no problem when I would call to get the status on my case. However, the whole month of July i was calling to speak with ************ to see what the update was on my case the receptionist would always say he is not available i will leave him a message never heard from ************ so i began calling in August same thing he is not available i asked was everything ok because ************ has never returned my calls in July now were in August the receptionist said again i will give him a message until this day August 23, *************************************** now i am concerned he has not given a reason or anything about my case. Thank you *************************

• Initial Complaint

  06/21/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  This is a complaint against Cascade Pacific Law Firm regarding their creative and unethical billing practices and treatment of clients. I believe it is essential to conduct an audit of their billing procedures and address the conduct of their financial department since I became the brunt of jokes occurring on several occasions about billing and a time when Im begging friends to fill my refrigerator with food. My experienc has been marked by unnecessary stress caused by incessant harassing calls and emails from the financial department which Ive paid all fees on time and i was not delinquent on payments. Furthermore, I noticed questionable billing practices, such as being charged for reading a two-sentence email for ***************************************************************************************************************************** to request a remote hearing. This alerted me and I I requested an audit of their ledgers several times but my inquiries went unanswered, and the firm's professional demeanor deteriorated over time.During the initial consultation, I was misled into signing a contract based on an estimated cost of approximately $7,000 if my case went to trial but the actual amount turned out to be $10,000. Additionally, my attorney pursued actions without my full knowledge or consent or in writing which fall under the category of "lawyer induced demand." I was charged several thousand dollars for services that lacked proper documentation and full information. For example when the lawyer made a motion requesting reimbursement of lawyer fees from The claimant only to find out judges dont usually award respondents reimbursement if the claimant wasnt represented by a lawyer, learning this only after it was denied. when I requested an appeal he said he didnt know how and Despite pleading to remain on my case, the attorney withdrew their services and ceased communication regarding my situation on may 8th. This left me defenseless and contributed to a mental health crisis, further exacerbating the difficulties I faced due to the claimants retaliation and losing my job. The firm showed no compassion or took any ownership that they left me defenseless despite my warning.To make matters worse, the firm continued sending me bills for services rendered two months after the attorney's withdrawal, even though the attorney explicitly instructed the financial department to stop billing me. This can only be seen as harassment, especially considering the substantial amount of money I had already paid. They vindictively liquidated the reserves in my account, leaving me in a precarious financial situation and are coming for me for $22. This is shameful I firmly believe that Cascade Pacific Law Firm's actions have violated professional standards, and I respectfully request a full investigation into this matter, including an audit of their billing practices. Furthermore, I seek reimbursement for charges that were unrelated to my case and not properly documented to me in writing prior to their execution or billed inappropriately. My estimation between $1,500-2,000+To summarize the main points of my complaint:1. Creative accounting practices that resulted in unjust charges and deceptive bundling of services.2. Failure to provide comprehensive written information prior to undertaking actions that cost over $1,000 and were outside the scope of our contract, despite my explicit request for approval.3. Lack of care and professionalism displayed by the lawyer, including inappropriate jokes following my request for an audit of the accounting ledger.4. Harassment to collect money, including the intentional utilization of all reserves collected, as well as continued billing despite the attorney's withdrawal. I kindly request that this matter be addressed promptly and appropriate measures be taken to rectify the situation.

• Initial Complaint

  06/19/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  I hired Pacific cascade family law in July of 2022, due to being served with a notice of appearance. I did a little research and had a consolation, everything looked and sounded pretty good. I signed papers and was contacted by a paralegal to set an appointment to talk to my appointed attorney. After the phone call communication went silent. i sent the requested information and several emails requesting updates and acknowledgement of the material sent. after receiving 2 invoices for work preformed but no communication, i reached out to client relations and was told someone will contact me and give an update. the attorney contacted me and said, we apologize for not responding but we did receive the info and don't need anything further at this time but we do keep communication to a minimum to save the client money. There was no explanation of what they where working on. In September of 2022 i received a response to the original paperwork i filed from my ex's lawyer. i forwarded this email to my law team and found out they hadn't even filed notice of appearance, which is why i received the information and not them. I hired a law firm to handle these things.Long story short, poor communication, lack of responding, asking me for information and never reading or responding to my replies. I reached out to client relations again with absolutely no help this time. There is a lot of other reasons for filing a complaint like be contacted by a paralegal for a phone conference and never getting a call. After receiving a request for something i had already sent from my lawyer in March of 2023 i decided i needed a new lawyer due to sending this law firm over $10,000 and nothing getting accomplished but dragging things out. I was billed for $8,577.36 and after 2 months haven't received my refund of approximately $1,476.64. Other than getting my refund of over payment i am requesting an additional refund because i don't think the work that was done meets the value of what i paid

  Business response

  08/28/2023

  At Pacific Cascade Legal we take every inquiry seriously.  We have reviewed the previous clients file.  This case spanned 3 months and our team did a lot of work to assist the client.  We understand it can be difficult when the desired outcome is not achieved. We empathize with that.  But we stand behind our work.  The monies collected were for work done and since then the client has threatened our staff regarding said funds.  He has stated he has a few options to make sure they get his message.  We do not condone harassment or violence of any sort and stand by our work.
  
  
  The clients note to a ****** Services Team Member:
  
  I havent heard an update from you. Shockingly you dont follow thru like you expect others too which is the arrogance I told you possess. 
  I am at a point in my life where I dont give a s*** about anything as im facing houselessness and if you believe Im going to let this go after you all harassed me for $22 dollars and were wrong then kindly guess again. 
  I have a few options to ensure youll get the message if you dont have enough respect to message me back.

  Again, we stand by our work and do not condone harassment or violence of any sort.

  Customer response

  08/29/2023

   
  Complaint: 20206631
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I don't believe they are reviewing the correct case. In my original claim i stated that i hired them in July of 2022 and in March of 2023 i replaced them with another lawyer. This was a span of about 8 months not the 3 they are referring to. I have never threatened them in any way and i have all emails to and from this firm to back that up. Also my account was never past due and always kept in good financial standings whether i agreed with the chargers or not. i am a bit offended by the response because they are accusing me of something i did not do. I am more than happy to share all correspondence with this firm. I wasn't happy with them not responding but never did i threaten them or say those things. i was always polite and professional with them. I am more than happy to share any information they might need to review the correct case. Accusing someone of doing something they didn't do isn't very professional and a bit offensive.   
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

• Initial Complaint

  06/12/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I retained ********************* with Pacific Cascade Family Law on or about 10/13/2022 to represent me at an adequate cause hearing for child custody modification that my son's mother filed against me. I had full custody of my son because that is what the court decided a year prior to my retaining ***********************. I met with ***********************, and he told me that there was no way the court would change primary custody based on hearsay. I paid $2000.00 down to retain him and he did absolutely nothing, but he kept charging me thousands of dollars. I have asked for itemized billing statement and have not received one. I have asked for my entire file to be sent to me no response. The last hearing, I had, and *********************** appeared he did not advocate for me even a little he let the opposing party bring up a *************************************************** the previous year. He did not say one word on my behalf and the court granted the motion for adequate cause based on false allegations. *********************** had all the proof he needed and did not mention it once. He just sat there and looked spaced out. It was so bad that when i poke with the guardian ad litem after the hearing she even mentioned that's she could not believe my attorney did not say anything on my behalf. I then sent him a letter telling him i did not want him to represent me again. The day before the hearing I had received a text that I needed to replenish my trust account again because there was only $1500.00 and they wanted to keep it at $2500.00 and now I am recieveing texts and emails telling me I still owe them money.I think they owe me money. This was the worst representation I have ever seen very unprofessional, and unethical.

• Initial Complaint

  04/08/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Paid $5,000 to this Law Firm on Divorce case and Domestic Violence case, which was dropped. This law firm did not represent me in my best interest. I have asked them to close my case, but it is still active and they are asking for more money. I requested to withdraw my case. And they are charging me interest for not paying their billing statement. Dispute my charges and statement and end my case with this law firm and not pay any extra.

  Business response

  05/02/2022

  ****, we were unaware of any complaints while you were a client of ours. We wish we knew about your concerns at the time so we could have investigated and attempted to resolve them in the moment. Your case has been closed and there have been no additional charges since mid-April. We do apologize as it seems we missed the **** on your expectations, so please let us know if there is anything more we can do to help the situation.

• Initial Complaint

  01/26/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I hired *************************** as an independent Legal Licensed Technician. During the middle of my case she became part of this organization. While my initial retainer was paid almost instantly, I was advised weeksafter the conclusion of my case and after multiple calls and emailsit would take 30 days at MINIMUM to refund my unused balance. I never signed paperwork or consented in any fashion to my balance taking so long to refund. In this day of Zelle, PayPal, Venmo, etc this is a highly deceptive, unethical practice.

  Customer response

  02/01/2022

  Regarding case # 16678803.

   

  The firm agreed to mail my refund immediately, so I will not need to continue with this complaint.

   

  What is the proper way to close it?

   

  Thanks in advance.

  -Colton

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩