Dorothy was my 4th and final lawyer in my child custody and divorce case. She was BY FAR the best. My divorce was 15 years ago. I went to her after she was recommended to me by a friend of my Fathers. He was A retired Attorney out of Beverly Hills who had written some of the family laws we have today. I've seen her in court and she is amazing. I and the few friends I have recommended to her are extrememly happy with her

Very nice lawyer she really tries to help you out

Don't trust this lawyer "Minor's Counsel" This lady is a turncoat in our Family court system. I personally witnessed this lawyer completely lie to the Judge on three occasions now. Once I had to subpoena her documents to get my point across. If thats what it takes, I recommend doing it. First, she believes she can interview a child in 15-20 minutes whom she had no prior contact with for more than a year and testify and recommend on that child's best interest in regards to Education, Health, and Welfare. WOW! Only 15-20 mins. WOW! In addition BEWARE she will only interview one parent and give that one parents allegations to the court without interviewing the other parent. Therefore I suggest, be ready to object in court on gender bias and state the exact code. Look it up. Ask the court to strike her statements and/or relieve her. This goes for both mother/and fathers. Remember she is a turncoat. Second, This lady Ms Carfrae, will only do what's best for herself in the eyes of the court. Meaning, no matter what, she will side with the Judge even knowing that his decision is wrong. Third, she believes the rules of court do not apply to her. Hence Rules of Evidence. Do not allow her to present testimony that came from anyone other than herself. Hearsay. Be ready to Object and Object often. BEWARE!!! She does not file any reports when the court so orders her to do so. DEMAND her to file a report and do not allow her to give any testimony until she does file the report. Rules are rules so do not allow her to break them because once she does she will continue to take advantage of her attorney title. STOP HER IMMEDIATELY!! Fourth, She will blame the party for not calling, emailing, or writing to set up an appointment. If your paying her, via monthly payments, contract, and/or PACT where does it say that the client needs to call to make an appointment. Although when you do call, write, and email Ms. Carfrae will say you did not try to contact her. BEWARE!!! This review is for the reader's whom are considering Ms Carfrae for counsel. Just remember one thing. BEWARE!!!......

Reply Message:
January 28, 2020

Let me clarify what I meant. I don't recall stating in my review Attorney-client privilege information. I supoened her call records made from a specific phone number that belonged to Minors Counsel that was allegedly made to a specific phone number. Example: Phone records Minor's Counsel stated she had called at a specific date and time to father's specific phone number whom she stated she had called multiple times to try to set up an appointment. It was simple. I had the phone numbers to which the subpoena can be narrowed down to.
"That is not Attorney-client privilege and it is supoenable" It showed NO calls Minors Counsel allegedly made at the specific time to fathers specific number. In this subpoena No Attorney-client privilege was asked for or requested. Like I stated in my review: I did it to prove a point to the court of Minors Counsel lying. Credibility is huge and your already fighting an uphill battle against officers of the court. And although it may have been a small tactic, that is all it takes to show credibility on your part. My point being Minors Counsel did not contact or try to contact the father as she so convincingly and over objections stated she had to the Judge.

I'm not surprised I received a response from this Law Firm. I want to to thank them for allowing me to clarify and for any readers to remember minor's counsel is an officer of the court. A Lawyer not representing you or your best interests. Don't be scared of them. This tactic works don't allow them to convince otherwise.

And for the record: I won my case and my name is the author of this review. My review and opinion is from my own personal experience, 1st hand knowledge, and trial and error working with this minor's counsel since 2017

You better hope Ms. Carfrae feels she can benefit from representing you as a parent in a good light because...

During one court hearing, my abusive children's father lost his temper in court and argued with the judge. The bailiff said they were going to escort Ms. Carfrae and I to our cars for our safety without us requesting assistance and told both of us to wait until he left the courtroom. Ms. Carfrae stated to me that she was fearful because of his behavior before we parted ways in the parking structure. The very next court hearing she complimented my children's father to the judge on how he was such a great parent and said negative things about me after I told her about the years of abuse my children and I went through from him. She had just been assigned to the case. Don't let the sweet old lady routine fool you. She's deceptive and wicked and is there to help the judge's image to portray that he has the "best interest of the children". They have no concern for the best interest of the children. It's all about the money. She's not about the people. She's a trick for the courts. The last hearing she didn't even show up and the minute order states that she wasn't notified....really? Also left emails and messages with no response for over a month. Lots of foul play. Pay close attention to what's going on and don't trust her to protect your children's best interests unless it serves hers...

Mrs Carfrae should retired . She is a liar and evil. How an adult can laugh on a little kid’s face while this same kid is crying testifying of abuses he went through.
She got pay doing nothing and turn my kid and I lives into unbearable one.

I’m being treated for ptsd as the abuser got away and is still abusif and the victims got blamed on top of being abused .
This woman put my family under tremendous of distress and traumas because of her laziness and incompetence to do her job properly.
My kid is now changed for life thanks to Mr Carfrae .
If I could give zero star I would .
And that is very kind compare to the terrible things she has done to my family and I .
RUN AWAY AS IF YOU THINK THAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH A DIFFICULT TIME , THEY WILL MAKE THINHS WORST AND GET PAY FOR IT.
SPARE YOURSELF THE TROUBLE.

Amy Escobar is the daughter of Gladys Ivonne Madrid. If you have a client who is related to Ms. Madrid then you can determine which one of your clients this review relates to. Amy Escobar is also the daughter to Robert Escobar. It"s unfortunate that some reviews, not all, but some are made out of spite and not true. I hope this helps.

At the recommendation of a friend, my sister-in-law was encouraged to seek legal representation for non-payment of spousal support. After an initial phone consultation, she chose the law office of Dorothy Carfrae to take her case. Even though my sister-in-law resides in Oregon and the case would need to be tried in California, every communication with Ms. Carfrae including the paralegal staff, was timely, clear, and detailed. When the day of the hearing came and we met Ms. Carfrae in person for the first time, she was thoroughly prepared, composed, and ready with any documentation the judge asked for. The outcome of the judge’s decision was favorable in every way to my sister-in-law, better than we had hope for. We can’t thank Ms. Carfrae and her firm enough. She has our highest regard and recommendation.

Dorothy represented my sister during a difficult separation with her X partner last year.
What words can I possibly use to say what is in my heart. Many thanks for all of your love, effort, kindness and knowledge of the law and of people's feelings and needs. You are a gift! Thank you again for your services.You handled my sisters case in an extremely competent and professional manner. Your efforts to reach a prompt and fair settlement have certainly also had a positive effect for my nephews. I think everybody breathed a sigh of relief when the Custody of the children was final.

I have heard a lot of great things about this family law attorney. I pray to God I never have to experience going through family law matters but if i ever did, then this would definitely be the one. Again this review is based on my very trusted friends personal experience.