Sarasota, FL
Navigating custody laws across state lines is an absolute nightmare, but Ericka Murphy made it look easy. She is incredibly sharp and stays ten steps ahead of the opposing side. What I appreciated most was her 'fierce' approach—she doesn't back down and she knows exactly how to protect her clients' interests. We felt completely safe in her hands. If you want someone who will actually fight for your children, she is the one to call. We can't thank her and her team enough!
Without a doubt the best legal representation I could ask for. I would highly recommend to anyone going through family law issues to go through Vanstone Law Firm. Ask for Ericka Murphy, she is the best legal counsel to have in your corner.
I just had a very negative experience with this firm this week. I was told that I would be represented if I paid upfront. I did pay. But when I got on the phone with attorney Ayana Cruz, it was a totally different story from what the intake specialist explained to me after I sent my money in. Ayana seemed very nonchalant, inexperienced, very unsure of herself and very unhelpful during my consultation. I was instructed to pay for the services upfront, but when I got on the phone with Ayana, she seemed to have a lack of knowledge and interest with helping me with my case. I don't feel like my business was welcomed..., and most of our conversation was about her NOT representing me in the case instead, of her representing, helping or providing helpful advice even though I had already paid. Her attitude was very lack luster with me, and even though I tried to remain calm and positive, I felt uncomfortable speaking to Ayana. She didn't sound friendly at all. She sounded like she was bothered, and annoyed, and she really didn't want to talk to me. After I thought about the conversation we had, I decided to not move forward, so I emailed and asked for a refund due to the maltreatment. Once I asked for the refund by email, I never received a follow up email or an acknowledgement of my email. That was very unprofessional of them to not respond to my email. I had to follow up the next day, and I was told that the refund had been granted, but of course, I never did get any feedback from anyone to say whether I would be getting a refund or not. I'm very disappointed about how poorly I was treated when I was in a crucial situation, and I thought I could trust her and this firm. I'm sure everyone else could find another firm out there that will be caring enough to listen to you and understand what your needs are much better than this place.
I am sorry you had a negative experience with our Firm. I can assure you that Attorney Cruz is an experienced attorney in the areas of foreclosure defense and bankruptcy. She has practiced foreclosure defense for over 15 years. She has handled numerous foreclosure defense matters on behalf of clients and is well versed in Florida foreclosure defense law. Unfortunately, due to the rules regulating attorneys, I cannot address the specifics of your matter in a public forum. In general, Ms. Cruz takes her jobs very seriously and understands that foreclosure is an extremely stressful situation for our clients; however, clients must be willing to listen carefully to her advice. There is a lot of misinformation online about legal issues (especially with the advent of AI) which can lead to a client having unreasonable expectations. We cannot always tell a client what they want to hear and that can be difficult for a client to process. It can seem that we are not on their side, but seeking a route that is not legally possible would be doing them a greater disservice.
This law firm is about the most useless thing that I have ever encountered or experienced in my life! They are supposed to help with mortgage assistance and modifications or other services but they literally charge you $2k flat fee to sign you up and literally bill you $700 a month for however long it takes! They have zero access to the mortgage company, they don’t actually do anything! They want you to do everything including sending them all your paperwork so they can review it, only to send it back and say, I reviewed it now you can send it to the mortgage company! Like what are you even getting paid for! They have zero power of attorney! They cannot even litigate which implies they are not even lawyers but a ton of legal secretaries! A huge scam! And a money grab! The best thing about this is maybe you can scrape your mortgage company into doing their job slightly faster because you have a “lawyer” on your side! They don’t actually do a daaaaaaaaym thing! Literally nothing! I’ve had zero conversations with an actual attorney since I hired them! They periodically will send a text or a email to ask for docs and give you useless updates that you knew yourself! That’s about it! Hire a real lawyer firm , not legal zoom (craigslist lawyer)
Thank your for all the help your firm help me to settled. Your prompt response to any questions was great. I was kept well informed an all staff that I corresponded with very professional. I would recommend their services.
Complaint ALYSSA VANSTONE WILL NOT FIGHT FOR YOU. This was by far the worst experience of many I have had with an attorney. Alyssa had absolutely no interest whatsoever in even attempting to help me realize my goals in our proceedings. Even when my X would violate every single rule in our parenting plan and commit brazenly illegal acts against me, Alyssa would tell me not to pursue it because “the courts won’t care”. Luckily I pursued one instance anyway on my own and the courts DID care very much and took action. No help from the attorney I hired. In fact, she was upset about me having exercised my rights this way. My X committed perjury on sworn affidavits and not only would Alyssa not press the issue with opposing counsel, she claimed it would be “unethical” for her to pursue any claim of perjury or sanctions against her. At the time of writing this I still don’t have mandatory disclosures 9 months after they were originally submitted because Alyssa won’t act. Sounds backwards to me. I felt that I was fighting my own attorney as much as the opposition. I believe that she lets her emotions cloud her judgement and makes poor decisions to the detriment of her own clients. I believe she felt bad that my X had dug herself a hole and didn’t want to see her take accountability for her actions. She refused to advocate for any of the numerous items I wished to see on the parenting plan and would simply tell me to go with whatever they’re offering. She wouldn’t attempt to negotiate even a single item, at least not that she told me about or that I ever saw. I asked her repeatedly to file a motion of contempt and motion to compel with more than valid circumstances. Alyssa filed none of them. Not one. She argued against taking any action at any turn. She only filed a single motion for timeshare relief, that I had not requested, and that was never enforced! Laughably useless waste of money. The perception was that she was intentionally sabotaging me and my case in favor of the opposition. I truly believe she was trying to handicap me and help my X more than her own client. When I confronted her about how she was representing me, she told me I could just go find another attorney! She said the same when I wanted to file a motion to compel/pursue perjury over her lies on affidavits. Unfortunately I was already in it for too much money and needed to continue enduring her incompetence or outright malice. Alyssa was never available. She would go weeks on end without responding to emails. She would get very clearly upset in her responses to my benignly worded emails asking for updates. She would state things like “you have to understand I’m too busy”. Weeks would go by with no replies and no movement to time sensitive inquiries. I even asked her if there was another attorney available at her firm that actually had the capacity to handle my case and I ironically never received a reply to that email. She never provided any advice unless I explicitly goaded it from her. She will send complicated legal documents requiring analysis and replies but not give any direction, guidance, or advice on anything unless you go out of your way to get it. DO NOT RECOMMEND. You will be paying thousands of dollars for a glorified desk clerk that will process documents for you (if she feels like it). That’s it. No lawyering detected.
Unfortunately, due to the rules regulating attorneys, I cannot specifically address each of your allegations in a public forum, but I respectfully disagree with you. Your comments regarding the Firm's communication and timeframes are incorrect. An attorney does not have control over the decisions opposing counsel or the opposing party make on how to proceed in a case or how long it takes an opposing attorney or party to respond regarding certain issues. Furthermore, attorneys have to abide by the rules of court, and the requirements of each individual Judge which require us to confer and try to resolve certain issues before litigating and/or seeking sanctions. Often a client's expectations of what should happen and how quickly it should happen does not always align with the reality of the justice system. As an attorney in private practice, I am not in charge of prosecuting criminal matters such as perjury. That is the job of the appropriate county State Attorney's Office. I also do not provide advice on charging criminal matters as that is outside of the scope of my practice. If a party is not truthful, that can be used to attack the credibility of that party should there be a court hearing or trial. Finally, I always strive to provide straightforward, blunt legal opinions on the ultimate issues in a case based on my many years of experience. That includes advising clients on whether or not certain facts or circumstances are relevant to the ultimate legal issues in a case under current Florida Law. I cannot always tell a client what they want to hear, and that can be a hard pill for some to swallow. Despite this review and our differences, I really do wish you the best moving forward in your legal matter.
Amazing all the way around
Their office personnel have our thanks and praise for the handling of our case. Thank you 😃👏
I wanted to thank the Vanstone Law Firm for helping me with my huge mishap of my house going into foreclosure. As a single mom working my butt off, I became overwhelmed with work, mail, emails, and everything else in between. My mortgage was raised earlier this year and I didn't even know, because I didn't check my mail. I was making payments to my mortgage, but didn't realize I was short $88. So they quit accepting my payments (sent them back by mail) and I went into active foreclosure with the bank. The bank lawyers weren't really allowing me to settle the issue. Time was critical to keeping my home. I reached out to VANSTONE. I was assigned Mrs. Cruz. She got to work right away for this time sensitive matter. Everyone I spoke to at VANSTONE was caring, and empathetic to my current situation I'd gotten myself into. Their prices are priceless in my opinion, considering they were helping me in the process of being able to keep my home. Thank you Ayana Cruz, and everyone at Vanstone for helping me with this horrific situation. I urge anyone reading this.... Check your mail!
I highly recommend Alyssa and Yami for their outstanding professionalism and dedication. Their communication was clear and timely, and they consistently took the time to address all of my questions and concerns. Throughout the process, they demonstrated not only expertise but also genuine compassion, which made a challenging experience far more manageable. I can’t thank them enough!
Definitely recommend Vanstone law firm. They handled my divorce case with ease and a peace of mind. Thank you Alyssa and Yami for the help you guys gave me.
I have no complaints about this firm. Everything was smoothly. The employees were very communicative, I was able to have my divorce done in two months, which was a shock to me cause I did not think that I was gonna go through that quick. I completely recommend this firm, cannot say anything negative.
I want to Thank Heather, Kristi and Ms. Cruz for having empathy for us. You all really care about people. Vanstone Law worked hard made sure all documents was submitted and made us feel comfortable and confident that we would have the best outcome. And we did. Thanks to Vanstone Law Firm keep up the good work 👏
Mrs Van Stone was referred to me by a friend. A long side of her professionalism and knowledge, she handled my case with an amazing sense of consideration. Effective until the last period on the paperwork! Attention to detail... absolutely! I have referred her to 4 friends already!
Yaima Negron's service as a paralegal is excellent. She is always there to answer questions and doubts. The lawyer fights for your interests and is with you until the end. I recommend her. Thank you.
I had an opportunity to be represented by Ericka Murphy. She gave me the impression that my case was easy so I believed her and hired her. After a few zoom call hearings she was not able to helped me modify a parenting plan. We also went to hearing to decline motion for ed litem and she also did not deliver. She advised me later that these are the things I had to do to win my case and I told her that i was working on it but life got in the way. I felt like I was being rushed and pressured. I felt like she was not listening to me (It was her way or the high way). We talked over the phone to try to clear things up but there was an obvious tension between us and she said if I wasn't happy to withdraw. I didn't want to cause I felt like it was too close to the court trial and I already invested so much time and money on her but her mind was made up and wanted to withdraw from representing me and I felt robbed because I initially believed in her and now she wants to drop me. I complained about her to Alyssa but she thought so highly of ericka murphy that the conversation went in circles and became pointless. Anyway I was not satisfied with the lawfirm so I am leaving this honest review. Alyssa emailed me to delete my recent review on her lawfirm and threatened to sue me cause she tought i was defamatory. I said id modify because I can practice free speech as long as im honest.
When navigating the complexities of family law, having an exceptional legal team is paramount. My experience with Ericka and Yaima was nothing short of outstanding. From the start, both Ericka and Yaima were fully committed to our case. Their responsiveness was incredible, and they were always quick to answer my questions and provide updates. My attorney Ericka, in particular, was always accessible, which made a huge difference during such a stressful time. She has an impressive eye for detail and a remarkable ability to recall every aspect of our case, ensuring that no detail was ever overlooked. Ericka's thorough preparation was a key factor in our success. She took the time to meticulously prepare me for every court appearance and Zoom call, making sure I felt confident and ready. Thanks to their diligent work, the litigation was resolved in a way that was not only acceptable but truly in the best interest of both my son and me. I highly recommend Ericka and her team to anyone seeking legal counsel in family law matters. Their expertise, dedication, and genuine care for their clients make them an unparalleled choice.
The staff at Vanstone Law Firm is amazing! Every department was on point. They addressed all of my concerns and helped me navigate through a very difficult process with ease. I highly recommend them. Robin M.
Definitely one of a kind when it comes to an attorneys office. I highly recommend Vanstone Law Firm if you are seeking assistance with handling a case. Professional, kind and one on one attention is what you will receive if you call them. Heather, Kandi and Alyssa are a few of my favorites. Heather will always take the time for you even if she is busy and Kandi is exceptional at her job. Don't think twice when it comes to choosing. I give them a score of 100% for sure. 😊
Ericka Murphy and Yammi the paralegal are great. BUT their charges are HORRIBLE. They charged almost $7,000 in 2 months. I dont own a house or anything like that and those fees were EXTREMELY HIGH. We didn't even go to mediation or the first meeting and I have already spent all this money with them. They don't focus on help they just care about the money and send you emails for no reason to find an excuse to charge for it. "Reminder" email just to charge for you no reason. Everything was money money money. Thank God my wife decided to drop the divorce but I will not recommend this firm just because of their HORRIBLE HIGH FEES and CHARGES for even a phone call to the paralegal for a quick question. Again Yammi was amazing but the firm just focus on keep charging you. If this case was going to take longer how much money was I looking to spend with them? WOW STAY AWAY
Thank you for your feedback. As a lawyer, I cannot discuss the specifics of your case due to confidentiality. We are a client centered firm. We strive to protect the rights of our clients. The overall cost of a divorce varies because every case has a different set of facts and is heavily dependent on issues outside of our control as attorneys. For example, the behavior of the other party and whether or not there are emergent issues that need to be addressed immediately. We try to be as communicative as possible regarding billing and overall feel that we are very competitive with other firms in our area and offer lower hourly rates. <br>
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