McIlveen Family Law Firm

Nearby LawyersNorth CarolinaGaston CountyGastoniaThe StandardSouth South Street

Open Hours:

Monday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday, Closed
Sunday, Closed

McIlveen Family Law Firm Introduce

Welcome to our platform for Nearby Lawyers. If you are facing family law issues in the Gastonia, North Carolina area, such as divorce, child custody disputes, or child support battles, you might be considering McIlveen Family Law Firm, located at 174 S South St Suite 301, Gastonia, NC 28052, USA. They can be reached at phone number (704) 766-8946 or mobile phone +1 704-766-8946.

McIlveen Family Law Firm appears to specialize in family law, a complex area of legal practice that deals with domestic relations, including but not limited to divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, alimony, adoption, and domestic violence. For local users in Gastonia navigating these sensitive and often emotionally charged situations, the selection of a competent and trustworthy family law attorney is crucial.

The available reviews offer contrasting perspectives on the services provided by attorneys at McIlveen Family Law Firm. One review provides a strongly negative account of their experience with an attorney named Sean. This client alleges several serious issues, including a rapid and unjustified depletion of an $8000 retainer fee, unauthorized charges exceeding ten thousand dollars on a credit card, and ineffective or negligent representation despite promises of advocacy, particularly due to the client's veteran status. The reviewer also claims to have overheard a conversation in the office where Sean allegedly discussed using another client's husband's veteran status against him in a case. The overall sentiment of this review is one of extreme dissatisfaction, with the client labeling the decision to hire Sean as "one of the worst life and financial decisions I have ever made" and expressing "absolute disgust" with the service provided.

In stark contrast, another review offers high praise for an attorney named Chelsi within the same firm. This client specifically recommends Chelsi for individuals going through "high-conflict custody or child support battle." They describe Chelsi as "sharp, steady, and genuinely cares," highlighting her ability to remain calm, strategic, and committed throughout a difficult, emotional, and drawn-out case involving constant unexpected challenges. The reviewer emphasizes Chelsi's professionalism and strength in handling these complexities, as well as her supportive nature in keeping the client grounded during overwhelming times. Ultimately, the client reports achieving a "fair and stable custody and support arrangement" that protects their child and brings peace to their lives, strongly recommending Chelsi to others in similar high-conflict situations, stating, "You won’t regret it!"

These two reviews paint a complex picture of McIlveen Family Law Firm. It suggests that the experiences of clients can vary significantly depending on the specific attorney they work with. While one client reports a severely negative experience with Sean, another expresses profound gratitude and satisfaction with Chelsi's representation.

Given this conflicting feedback, it is difficult to definitively describe the typical environment, services, and features of McIlveen Family Law Firm as a whole. However, we can infer some potential aspects based on the individual experiences:

  • Services: The firm clearly offers services in family law, specifically handling matters such as divorce, child custody, and child support, and potentially other related areas.
  • Environment: The office environment appears to be one where sensitive and confidential legal matters are discussed. However, the negative review raises concerns about the professionalism and ethical conduct that may be present.
  • Features (based on negative review regarding Sean): Potential issues include high retainer fees, rapid fee depletion, unexpected charges, allegations of misrepresentation and negligence, and questionable ethical considerations.
  • Features (based on positive review regarding Chelsi): Positive features include sharpness, steadiness, genuine care for clients, strategic thinking, commitment, professionalism in handling complex situations, strong communication, and the ability to achieve favorable outcomes in high-conflict cases.

The promotional information is also mixed. The positive review for Chelsi serves as a strong testimonial and effectively promotes her services within the firm, particularly for high-conflict custody and support cases. The client's enthusiastic recommendation suggests that Chelsi possesses qualities that are highly valued in family law: competence, empathy, and dedication to achieving positive results for her clients.

Conversely, the negative review regarding Sean acts as a significant deterrent and raises serious concerns about his professional conduct, billing practices, and effectiveness as a legal representative. This review serves as a cautionary tale for potential clients.

For local users in Gastonia seeking family law assistance and considering McIlveen Family Law Firm, it is crucial to be aware of these differing experiences. If you are considering this firm, it would be prudent to:

  • Specifically inquire about the attorneys who would be handling your case and their individual track records and client reviews.
  • Request detailed information about retainer fees, billing practices, and potential costs involved in your legal matter to ensure transparency and avoid unexpected charges.
  • Seek consultations with multiple family law attorneys in the Gastonia area to compare their approaches, experience, and client feedback before making a hiring decision.
  • Thoroughly research the backgrounds and disciplinary records of any attorney you are considering.

Given the serious allegations in the negative review, potential clients should exercise a high degree of caution and ensure they feel completely confident and comfortable with the attorney they choose to represent them in sensitive family law matters. The positive feedback for Chelsi indicates that there may be competent and caring attorneys within the firm, but it underscores the importance of careful selection.

In conclusion, McIlveen Family Law Firm in Gastonia, NC, offers legal services in family law. Reviews from past clients present a mixed picture, with one client reporting a severely negative experience with an attorney named Sean, citing issues with fees, representation, and ethical conduct. In contrast, another client highly recommends an attorney named Chelsi for high-conflict custody and support cases, praising her sharpness, steadiness, care, and effectiveness. Local users considering this firm should be diligent in researching individual attorneys within the firm and ensuring their chosen representative has a strong track record and transparent practices.

Location

Customer Reviews

(78 reviews)

C
Chaise Andrae
Apr 21, 2025

RUN AWAY! Sean charged an $8000 retainer fee. He used it up surprisingly quickly and unjustly. He then ran up one of my credit cards over ten thousand dollars. He pretended he was going to advocate for me especially since I am a veteran. However, while in his office I also heard him tell another client how he was going to use her husband's veteran status against him. I was overcharged and not just underrepresented but negligently represented. Hiring him was one of the worst life and financial decisions I have ever made. I'm absolutely disgusted in the service provided.

A
Andrea Allen
Apr 24, 2025

If you’re going through a high-conflict custody or child support battle, you need a lawyer who is sharp, steady, and genuinely cares—Chelsi was all of that and more. My case was extremely difficult, emotional, and drawn out, but she remained calm, strategic, and committed from start to finish. She handled the constant curveballs with professionalism and strength. Chelsi kept me grounded when things got overwhelming and I will always be grateful for that— she genuinely cared. I walked away with a fair and stable custody and support arrangement that protects my child and brings peace to our lives. If you’re in a high-conflict situation and don’t know where to start, retain Chelsi. You won’t regret it!

L
Logan Keene
Jan 07, 2025

Ashley has been wonderful to work with. She gets the job done in a timely fashion and communicated everything with me personally as things happened. I would 10/10 recommend her for any child support/custody needs.

K
Kailey Dismukes
Dec 18, 2024

If anyone needs a AMAZING custody lawyer who genuinely cares about the child or children involved and spends the time and energy/ resources, you name it.. Jennifer is a GREAT woman first off and one heke of an attorney. I am more than blessed and grateful I hired her for me and my daughter! Thank you Jennifer and your amazing team! ❤️ love Kailey and Madi !

J
John Hamilton
Dec 11, 2024

Jennifer Palmer was assigned to my case in 2023, and from the very beginning and currently she remains very professional, down to earth and straight forward. She doesn’t tell me what I want to hear being her client. As my attorney, she gives me the facts, the good, the bad and the possibilities. She exerts nothing but legal professionalism. Jennifer is always available to answer all my questions, listen and most importantly she allows me to be heard while going through an unfortunate legal matter.