Lorie Melone Attorneys-Law

I live in Washington and had to hire Lorie in SD. I paid her well over $5,000 and would not hear from her in months. There was always some sort of excuse, she had COVID for 4 months, and she fired her secretary. My first custody battle lasted a year and a half and there was a lot more action. I sent her one big email with all of the information she would need from me. When I could finally reach her, she would ask me questions she already had the answer to. She sent court papers to the wrong address even though I provided the correct one. My daughter's father wasn't aware there was court until the day before. I was on the phone with her for a long time to get that situation handled. For someone who makes so much money, I feel she doesn't take the initiative and did not care about my case. Last I knew we needed a home evaluator and hadn't heard from her in over 4 months. I fired Lorie and I was returned $600 out of 5,500 for repetitive long drawn out conversations while she was telling me to trust her. I shouldn't have to pay multiple times to give her the same information that was written down. And of course she was ready for another $5,000 payment. Lorie took advantage of me for a handful of phone conversations and one court hearing. I would give less than one star if it was possible. Child custody should not be this expensive.

I had a very disappointing experience during a recent phone call with this attorney. From the start, her tone was condescending and dismissive. She referred to me and my co-parent as "unweds," which felt unnecessarily judgmental and unprofessional. Throughout the call, she repeatedly called me "sweetheart," which was incredibly patronizing. Although she did share some information, she would abruptly stop mid-sentence to remind me that she was giving away "too much free advice," which made the conversation feel more transactional than helpful. Rather than guiding me through the legal issues I had questions about, she made me feel belittled for not already understanding the law. This interaction left me feeling disrespected and dismissed at a time when I was genuinely seeking help. I would not recommend this attorney based on my experience. I gave her two stars because she at least called me back in a timely manner.

Lori is a scandal runner who advised her client to without a child from the other parent going against the court order. She lied when I asked her about an ethical violation of her being "mediating" and my husband's current paid attorney, she also became extremely angry and told me we had to spend 4700 because I wouldn't sign my son away. I contacted the SD state Ethical community and I wasn't the first one apparently. If you want a fair, decent, up front mediation setting, I'd use another source. She's paid off and lies when asked out right questions. She became emotionally angry once I asked valid legal questions in which all a sudden she couldn't answer - but our mediation specialist? Anyone who lies while claiming they uphold the law, while also directing clients to break the law - shouldn't hold a license. Let alone the "3" states she claims to hold. Best of luck with the process, I'm sure our case was a one off.

This lawyer destroyed my life. I was married for 9 years and invested everything I had worked so hard for into my marriage. All I wanted in the end was what what I put into it. Lorie promised me that I’d get my share of the house that I took a loan out for and that I’d get only what I’d invested (that was ok). Instead she allowed my ex to take everything. I didn’t even get a dish or silverware. My ex ended up getting primary custody of my daughter and she agreed that I pay the highest amount of child support. So much that my car was repossessed b/c there was no way I could afford it after I lost everything. She lied to my family and now none of us have spoken to each other in 4 years. She stole very important paperwork from me. Stating I never gave it to her. Well she needs to see a doctor if she forgot b/c we had a conversation about how important the documents were to me. My oldest daughter and I ended up homeless without a vehicle and barely surviving in a hotel. 9 years of my life and my entire savings (everything I owned and earned) was taken from me and she sat back in the court room and said nothing. I walked out of our last court appearance with my head down and scared as hell b/c I knew I wasn’t going to be able to make it. I’m an educated person who put myself through school as a single mother and graduated at the top of my class. She has no care for what she’s done and I sure hope that some day somebody does to her what she did to myself and my daughter. The injustice of it all angers and saddens me to no end. Her response here only sickens me. My daughter and I barely survived after you allowed everything I had to be taken from us Lorie.

The worst experience I’ve ever had. I paid her $3,000 and the only thing that changed on paper was that I was obliged to pay child support- on HER request to the judge. What kind of representative asks the judge to file child support on their own client? She said it was apart of her plan for full custody but it didn’t work that way. It was all about trying to drag me along and get more money

Explained the process, responded to all my questions and kept me informed. Lorie was also polite, understanding and well priced.

Lorie Melone helped me navigate the difficult waters of a pro-se divorce, and actually made it rather easy. I am so grateful for her expertise and help! Thank you, Lorie!