My fiance and I hired, Scott Capriglione, to have my child support reduced.
I agreeded to put my ex-wife through nursing school and pay all the bills for her and my 3 children, for 1 year, after which, we both agreeded, to have my support reduced, as quickly as, 10 days after her new employemnt.
Mr. Capriglione told me in our very first interview, on 12/02/03, that he could guarentee, my support would drop by at least 35%. Basically, because she was now making the same hourly amount I was making and this amount was based on her having NO income at all and that made sense! If it didn't, I'm sure my Ex-wife would never have signed and agreeded to it.
In our divorce agreeement, we both agreed to adjust the support, accordingly, to New Jersey's State Guidelines. When the time came, she refused to do so when I presented her with this, so I hired a lawyer!
It's pretty cut and dry here, I honestly didn't think I needed a lawyer but, figured, I'd somehow get screwed if I didn't hire one!
My first mistake was taking his word, on anything! On 12/2/03 I met with Mr. Capriglione and made an agreement to pay 50% now and 50% on the day of court. He changed this verbal agreement 3 times, within the month. Until finally his entire fee was paid!
During this time, he assured me I'd have the legal documents, from the county, in 15 working days or less, from the time I gave him all the paperwork.included, I was to write a letter to the judge, stating my case. I gave all of this to my lawyer, exactly 1 week after he asked for it. He said "it's very important to get it back ASAP. So, I did.
One week later, I called his office and asked to speak to him. At which time he asked me why I hadn't handed in all the paperwork yet! I told him I did, 1 week ago. He proceeded to yell at the assistants and finally said they lost it but, he has it now and will file it by the end of the week.
To make a long letter short, he went back on everything he said to me! Unfortunately, I didn't get most of this in writing. Regardless, he is supposed to be a "Fathers Advocate Lawyer", but I really don't thick he's working with me or for me, for that matter, at all!
Reduction of support (according to him) is retro-active from the date it's filed with the county. Okay, Well I told Scott, 5 times, the last judge said "this case is ONLY to be filed in Burlington County, NJ, from here on out.
When I did finally recieve a court date, on 1/20/04 it was filed in my county (Mercer County, NJ) not Burlington County! What was I paying this idiot for!? But, it was too late to do anyting else and I could not afford another attorney!
The worst part, and this is the part that convinces me, without a doubt, Mr. Capriglione is incompetent, came the day before court (2/12/04 - at 12 noon) I'm scheduled for court in less then 24 hours, remember, I decided to call him to make sure everything was on. His assistant informed me, he had our court appointment crossed off his calender "Per Scott". No explaination given!!!
I repeatedly asked her to make sure he gets back to me today about this matter, she assured me "he will get this message". I never recieved a letter, or a phone call, from him or his office, telling me not to show up! I had to take time off work to be there and he never bothered to tell me not to come!
I just can't let this slide and even if I could, my fiance, woold'nt let me! I agree with her!
It's about time, these incompetent lawyers get what THEY DESERVE! If nothing else comes of this complaint, I hope and pray we are given a choice, to shop around, for the best, most afforable, competent legal help, without being told "It's against the law to have someone represent you, who does'nt have a law degree, because they honestly want to help you, at an honest days pay and you get an honest human being to represent you!
One can only dream of this day! I could go on but that's for another day!
Tom
Hamilton, New Jersey
U.S.A.
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