Cassandra Tate

Review of Banks & Associates

I regret every dollar I ever spent with this firm ...

I regret every dollar I ever spent with this firm and would not recommend this firm to ANYONE! Unfortunately my original review exceed the character limit because I have so many examples of the unprofessional nature of this firm and the fact that Mr. Banks flat out did not do his job. I m happy to provide detailed examples, just message me. Selected examples are below:
Upon being hired Mr. Banks wanted to file a separation from room and board since it was still a few weeks from the 12 month period before I could file for divorce. Another lawyer said it didn t make sense since we were only weeks away from the deadline and it would cost more money. Which I personally believe was Mr. Banks objective.
A lawyer in the Fairfax office briefly took my case before he left the firm but once he left I didn t hear anything for a few months and had no idea who took my case. I had to reach out and ask. That lawyer, Mr. Eells, was friendly and we had pleasant email and phone exchanges. I have yet to ever receive an email directly from Mr. Banks after 12 months. I had more contact with Mr. Eells in one month than I had with Mr. Banks in 12 months. That should tell you the type of legal guidance Mr. Banks provides.
At first I was able to use my credit card. Without notice about 4-5 months later they started charging a 4% fee. They also tried to jack up the retainer fee from $1,500 to $2,000 but backed off when I confronted them on it.
On numerous occasions my emails were ignored for weeks.
2 weeks before my temporary hearing I hadn t heard a peep and in talking to friends was told I should meet with my lawyer before then since that is customary. I was the one to set that up. We spent the whole time reviewing information I had told him when I hired him months ago.
At my temporary hearing in January he said someone in his firm was sick and he had to check in on another courtroom and told me that when the judge took roll call to say that he would be right back. I personally believe this is why my case was the LAST out of over 10 to be seen. I was there hours costing a total of over $1,000 for 10 min in front of the judge.
I cancelled my ex s medical insurance since I was tired of paying for it when he wouldn t. Mr. Banks heard this, called me and said why did you do that?! in a condescending tone.
In July 2017 after not receiving responses to emails for 2 weeks I called to be told that the paralegal was on vacation. No out of office reply and obviously no one was checking her email while she was out. I called back later and was told she had actually left the firm. It took 4 days to schedule to speak with Mr. Banks. When I talked to him he said he didn t think that we had anything to talk about and although the questions I had were important to ME they likely wouldn t break the case.
I received a text from my ex saying thanks for agreeing to meet with him and his lawyer. After asking what the heck he was talking about he said MY lawyer had called his and requested a settlement meeting. I wasn t ever notified of the meeting! When I told Mr. Banks he was confused and had no idea his office had scheduled the meeting. He called back saying he had my case confused with someone else of the same last name. He had no idea what was going on.
The firm made a HUGE error leaving out an inheritance my ex received which cost me to receive lower child support payments. That error cost me to receive around $3,000 less than I should have over a period of 8 months.
2 weeks before my court date I had enough and hired another lawyer. Mr. Banks was present at the settlement meeting but after about 2 hours got up and explained he had another appointment at 1pm and had to leave. My new lawyer, myself and my ex and his lawyer continued the settlement meeting for several hours coming to an agreement and settling out of court on all matters.
I emailed Mr. Banks requesting a refund and someone replied weeks later basically saying too bad you signed a contract (attached) and attached my final invoice that I owe $1,300.