Divergent Family Law

The information that Tom shares with us is vital to anyone finding themselves pulled into the legal machine. His information is not just for those of us choosing to carry a firearm but is useful in any legal situation you may find yourself in. I also appreciate the real- world truths that he shares.

Always has up to date info clearly stated. A great place site.

I started with the firm about 2 years ago when my husband and I split. I was hopeful as they had near 5 stars out of 5 with many reviews. I have never been divorced and I didn't know how to navigate a divorce especially with a newborn baby and a child with special needs. I started with Hayley Hetherington and she was great and promised so much advocacy for me. This included temporary orders for child support, placement, and the basic needed things. She even was working up a harassment order against the other party and their mother. Come to figure out, none of this was actually getting done. It was IMPOSSIBLE to get ahold of her and every time I did and followed up with her, she had "forgotten" about the orders. She would frequently forget our meetings and when I would email to ask if we were still meeting, she would respond with different excuses with one being "my coworker is leaving and was getting rid of their furniture and I got distracted." What's the point of paying someone THOUSANDS of dollars if they can't even show up to a scheduled phone meeting. The other party reached out to me both January and February 2024 asking for an update on information they had sent over for child support payments as they didn't hear from her. I attempted to reach out to Hayley for weeks only to figure out in March that she had left the firm in February. When I filed a grievance, she responded back with a letter that was dated March 1, 2024 informing me that she will be leaving the firm. This letter was not ever received by me NOR was the letter I got from the department letterheaded. My grievance was thrown/denied/whatever you want to call it. Once I advocated for myself to the firm that I have not had representation for months, is when they said they would reach out with new representation. I called almost everyday for about a week with no return call or update. At that time, I chose to drive to the clinic and wait until someone would talk to me about what my next steps would be. They assigned me with a new attorney with the firm Chase Cripe. Great guy, I would recommend. Things seemed fine for the rest of the year only to figure out that again the things I was promised, still wouldn't happen. I asked about back pay of child support (their dad hasn't paid anything from January 2024-may 2025). It originally appeared that it was possible to get back pay. Months later, it was said to me that it's not possible since we haven't requested any support. I don't know who/where/what but I have evidence from the last attorney AND from the other parties attorney about ongoing child support for 2024. No backpay. Then Chase would go to ask about me claiming both of the kids and call it even. The other party said no and to split taxes evenly. Chase agreed with them. This was THOUSANDS of dollars owed to me for child support along with paying for all the kids medical insurance and bills without support. I brought so many safety/stalking concerns about the children and myself from the other party and it got pushed aside like no one cared. I mean if someone cared and was working on it, great, but no one communicated it with me. From my perspective, the other party was allowed to harass, abuse, neglect, and run my name through the mud but the moment I have a reaction, I was being told not to continue to cc everyone on the emails. I didn't start the email chain but I finished the conversation. Then the other party would continue to to send me emails and CC Chase, his attorney, and the GAL and it would never end. I was hopeful that this firm was going to protect me and the kids but it hasn't. Things have been allowed to "blow over" because per chase "this divorce cannot go on forever." I felt so unheard, so chastised, and so hopeless. I sacrificed so much just to end this divorce so the other party can be held accountable. His attorney Erin Brennan has called me "the devil" and apparently talked about me like I was the devil. Where is the representation that is advertised?

I finally have a had a chance to watch webinar, and I am very appreciative of being able to watch and learn. The questions brought up help show the complexity involved in various situations, is so very helpful, in so many ways, I cannot begin to describe how grateful I am for the USCCA organization and Tom sharing his valuable time in helping us to learn and grow to be better prepared. Thank you. Awesome job in describing complex situations and consequences of various actions that we may unwillingly do. Thank you for all of your efforts in keeping us a little bit safer, and better prepared.

It is very informative for someone as informed as Tom to share his knowledge with us. As a CCW permit holder and every day carry person in the state of California I feel as if I am on an island and information is hard to come by. Tom was very easy to listen to.

Often listen to Tom as part of USCCA web sessions. He addresses a number of questions that I've not thought about but his comments are very informative, interesting and potentially useful. Well worth anyone's time who has weapons, particularly CCW, to listen to the discussion ---- just in case something happens that nobody wants to face.

This is my third live webinar viewed and as always, it was very informative. As a relatively new responsible gun owner (three months) and Elite USCCA member, these series are extremely helpful in my journey to enhancing my firearms skills and CCW confidence. Thank you Tom and USCCA for continuing to provide such well suited content.