Complaints

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• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/26/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Back in 2020 my wife and I decided to get divorced we found ****** at divorce medication group. After months of meetings and questions about wording she was putting in our agreement yes this was during covid so we were patient with the process. After signing the agreement she said she will be filing with the courts. Fast forward at least 8 months later I called and asked what is the status. Her reply is with covid it's taking longer than normal. After several months of asking what's going on I took it upon myself to go to the court and find out. After speaking with them I come to find out only a index number was purchased. I questioned her and was told she filed that's wiered she would find out. After more months roll by I continued to ask what's going on with excuses constantly. Finally I got a lawyer to look into it and come to find nothing has actually been filled. Just a index number was purchased. The lawyer now after paying 500 dollar's for the lawyer to get our agreement and file it for us as is. Now I requested her to pay the $500 which I shouldn't have had to pay out on top of what the mediator was paid. A few months later now my lawyer said the court kicked back the agreement and has to be fixed. Now I need to pay more money for the lawyer to fix all there mistakes. Now I have been trying to contact ****** at Long Island divorce mediation group. Respond once or twice with more excuses. Now after weeks of trying to contact her I have had no response to calls or text. I've left bad reviews on ****** and ********* Now I will probably take her to small claims court for a refund. I paid for a service that was not done correctly. Thank you for your time

  Business Response

  Date: 11/18/2022

  ******* *** ******** ********* ******** ********** ******
  ** ********************************************************** *****
  
  ******** *** ****
  
  
  Good day.
  
  I am writing this letter in response to ******************************************* complaint. We would like to inform you that we have not received the first notification regarding the complaint #******** as stated on the website on October 26, 2022. It is not our intention to ignore this complaint. Network Solutions is the company that has been our hosting company for our emails and website. Our emails have been experiencing cyber-attacks. This breech in security with our Network Solutions account has caused our company an extreme amount of disruption since June of 2022. We have been in working with Network Solutions on a resolve but unfortunately, they have been unable to correct the security breech. We have engaged our lawyer and he is addressing the attack that has caused our computers to be unreliable.
  With that being said we are working with a new hosting company and are in the process of switching over.

  First of all, we would like to apologize to ************************ that we did not meet his expectations. I met ****************** in July 2020 to discuss the mediation services our company provides. We worked extensively with *********************** and his Wife *************** to accomplish their goals and to reach a global stipulation in regards to their divorce. We met on numerous occasions, had extensive text exchanges and phone calls, and made a number of revisions,including but not limited to the refinancing the marital home.
  
  Our retainer details cover 8 hours of mediation and drafting of the stipulation. The amount of time and changes excessively exceeded what the time allotted in the retainer, and the clients were not charged additional hours that are allowable as stated in the retainer letter signed by the ***********
  I had received a call from ***************************** who presented herself as a friend of *****************************. We had our first conversation about the ongoing case with *********************** on December 09, 2021, and we followed up with phone calls the following day. I sent copies of the Agreement and Affidavits to ************************ and ********************************* on December 15, 2021.
  

  On December 15, 2021., ************************ informed me that she posted a bad review of my ******** page. I sent ************************************ a screenshot confirming that I have not ignored phone calls and texts.

  On January 4, 2022, I informed ************************ that I had spoken with ************************ on December 15, 2021, and that I had emailed the documents to them as well as ***********************

  As I mentioned to you and *************** on January 7, 2022 via text message, I spoke with ***** from the clerk's office and I was told that the copy would be sent by postal mail. She informed me that everyone in the court is sick and they will let us know when it is received and couldn't give a specific timeframe for processing. When ***** texted me asking about the status of the case on January 27, 2022, I replied that the documents had already been mailed. ***** spoke to the clerk on the 28th of January and was informed that there was no RJI filed, she then requested for the documents so she won't have to redraft and would Efile them. I called the clerk's office for verification, and I was told that when we send something certified, the central mail gets processed separately and eventually makes its way to the matrimonial office. We discussed via a phone call in regards to that matter.

  I emailed *** ******** office everything regarding the *********** file. I contacted ************************ to let him know I sent ********************** his file via email on January 31, 2022 and she confirmed receipt of the email, after which she informed me that she would charge $500.00 to file the documents.  We had also agreed to meet in her office on Friday, February 4, 2022 when I dropped off the *********** file         
  
  I was in communication with ******************************** on February 18, 2022 to determine whether she had the necessary documents for The *********** case. We also discussed via text the case on February 25, 2022 and on February 27, 2022, when I mentioned that I did not have a copy of the summons with notice. According to my understanding, the summons with notice should be in the file if the documents are filed electronically. I asked her to confirm if that is true and if she could get a copy of the summons with notice as I am not an attorney or a party. I did not hear back from her.
  
  March 1, 2022, I texted her asking if she could take a call that day, but received no reply. March 9, 2022, I ask her again if she will be available to review **************************** documents. On March 25, 2022, ********************** attempted to reach me, but I was in the hospital accompanying my mother who was having surgery that day, and I told her that I would contact her when I was able.
  
  As per conversation with *********************** on April 18, 2022, he asked me for a refund of $1,500.00. I spent over 18 hours negotiating their agreement and drafting the *********** stipulation.  I was caught off guard by this as the understanding was that ********************** had filed the papers on behalf of the *********** as discussed. ************************ text me seeking a refund since ********************** his lawyer was rewriting the documents because they were kicked back from the court. As part of this timeline with **********************, it had confirmed that she would review and file the *********** documents. It was ************* responsibility to make sure all the documents reviewed before submitting the paperwork to make sure it was correct and complete. 
  
  July 11, 2022 when you ask me if I can send you $500.00 as a refund. Again, I did not reply to your text messages as I was dealing with my moms condition as well as the hack that occurred due to the Network Solutions breach of security. The cyber-attack did not only affect my emails, but my personal identity as well as my business.I did not have access to any of my accounts personal or business as a result of it and spent weeks and months trying to get things back in order.
  September 13, 2022, you texted me that you will file to the *************** and Consumer affairs to our Company.Our retainer states that the Mediation Free session is for eight hours, but it has exceeded eight hours to more than 18 hours of time, which includes negotiations to create the agreement, revising the agreement, and meeting with you a several times, including negotiating and reviewing documents via text messages and email as well.  The Mediation sessions that our retainer states the exceeding hours of mediation which we did not charge you for.

  On October 20, 2022, your lawyer called to inform you that she has been told by the court that she must redo the documents that she submitted. On November 2, 2022, your lawyer sent you a bill for $700.00 because the paperwork was kicked out and was then filed by your lawyer. You then threatened us on ******** and via text messages that we will not be in the business and you will leave negative comments.
  *************************************** and ** *******************************;have been making negative comments and reviews on my personal and business pages during the timeline working with **********************, which we find completely offensive and have affected my personal and business reputation. ********************* submitted the *********** files without checking them.

  I worked with *** ************ attorney ***************** and was under the impression their file was submitted to the court correctly. I am completely appalled at the complete lack of professionalism shown by *** and ************************. The attack they have launched at me personally and my company is beyond words and has affected my business.

  I am truly sorry that ************************ feels as though the service he received was not to his expectation. The work and effort myself and my company put into resolving their case was to the best of our ability.

  The posts that *** and ************************ were completely out of line. It is of the utmost importance to have good business practices.
  Please let me know if you would like us to supply back the up documentation that supports the statements above.
  
  Best regards,
  *************************

  Customer Answer

  Date: 11/29/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

  I am completely taken back by their response I have never been treated by a business in this manner. The constant excuses to why my divorce was not filed correctly is appalling. I should not have to take it upon myself after hiring someone to research and fix the mistakes that were made by this company. I was not made aware of any hack to their system via email or text message or phone call. I was very compassionate about her having to deal with her mother in the hospital. I am dealing with a similar situation with my father having brain cancer. But I still go to work and do my job. The claims I have made against Long Island divorce mediation group along with others that I've seen leave bad reviews which is my right to do as a consumer all have said that she does not respond and have messed up their proceedings as well. That being said I am still looking for a refund from them for insufficient handling of my divorce. My lawyer should not have to direct this company and how to do a divorce mediation and what paperwork to fill out which my lawyer has been coaching her since I have retained my lawyer *****************************. Thank you for your time

  [Your Answer Here]

   

   

   

   

  In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************************
  
  
  
  
   
  

  Business Response

  Date: 12/08/2022

  **** ****** ******* ********* ****** ****
  ** ****************** 
  ************ ** *****
  ******** *** ****
  
  Good day, ************************,
  We worked with you and your wife extensively to create a fair and equitable agreement. As per your retainer dated June 16, 2020. The retainer states flat rate fee for up to 8 hours of mediator sessions and preparation of the stipulation of settlement and all of the documents including but not limited to the Judgment of Divorce and Findings of Fact in the uncontested divorce package for submission to the ************** Supreme Court on the participants behalf.
  It is understood that the ********** services terminate with the signing and filing of the Separation Agreement, or Memorandum thereof, with the County Clerk, and/or the submission of the ************** Divorce Submission Packet and subsequent issuance of the Judgment of Divorce, whichever applies.
  As stated in your retainer letter, You are aware of and have been advised of the voluntary nature of mediation, and that despite the ********** best efforts on your behalf, the Mediator can make no guarantee of a successful conclusion or other particular outcome to your case.
  We apologize if there has been was a misunderstanding between the work that we have done for you and your wife in regards to the work our company has done on your case. We provided the docs to your lawyer as per your request for ********************* to file as per our conversation on January 28th and January 31st, 2022. We did our best to provide the documents your lawyer requested as ********************** insisted on filing the papers herself.
  The documents ********************** requested were sent to her on December 15, 2021. According to your statement on November 30, 2022 to the BBB, you took it upon yourself to hire ********************** and stated that your lawyer has been coaching me during the process. We gave ********************* the documents as requested, but we expected her to review them and let us know if anything is incorrect so that we can make any necessary changes. The documents were submitted by your lawyer and bounced back; it is ********************** responsibility to review before submitting them.
  We believe that we are not at fault why the papers were returned due to the fact that we supplied the documents your lawyer.
  As stated in our previous response, our retainer details that it covers 8 hours of mediation and the drafting of the documents. The amount of time we spent with you and your wife making changes throughout the mediation negotiations excessively exceeded the time allotted in the retainer. You and your wife were not charged additional hours and we have fulfilled our time with the mediation sessions.
  
  Respectfully yours,
  *************************

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/13/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

  [Your Answer Here]

   You say the mediator responsibility stops with the signing and filing of the divorce document but the paperwork was never filed. I researched it myself and my lawyer as well. My lawyer had to file the divorce and had to explain how to file it to you.

  I paid for your service with no results. That was the reason I needed to get a lawyer.  On top of that my lawyer needed to redo your paperwork in order to get the divorce finalized. After retaining a lawyer my divorce is now finalized after approximately 3 months. You had almost a year and a half of nothing but excuses why it was not getting done. I shouldn't have to pay more money to someone else after paying for a service that was not. Which will make your contract void. I had no choice but to hire someone because you were not doing the job you were hired for. You agreed to pay an original amount I requested of 500 dollar's which was met by excuses of why you couldn't send me the money. Now that I had to pay more I would like an additional refund. At no time were we informed that you were doing additional meeting for free you have said and I quote " as long as it takes"
  This is not proper business ethics
  Thank you ***********************************
  

   

   

   

  In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************************