Gutheinz Law Firm, LLP

I made a disastrous and extremely wrong decision in choosing Michael Gutheinz as my divorce attorney. He represented me in my divorce for two years and charged me no less than $20,000 in legal fees. During the second mediation, he told me that what I was signing was an agreement to consider or potentially accept a third-party CPA firm recommended by the mediator to help with the division of marital assets.

However, in reality, what I signed was a binding and irrevocable temporary order that forced me into a situation where I had no other options. I was no longer able to resolve my divorce through any other method, including negotiation between the spouses, and was instead compelled to proceed exclusively through a CPA firm. I lost all other possible avenues for resolving my divorce.

What is even more troubling is that the CPA firm I was effectively forced to use was a high-end and extremely expensive firm recommended by the mediator, charging around $500 per hour, with assistants billing around $300 per hour.

This is an extremely alarming situation. What my attorney told me I was signing was completely misleading. He said it was only an agreement to CONSIDER using a CPA firm AS AN OPTION recommended by the mediator. But what I was actually given and signed was a BINDING, IRREVOCABLE PERMENATLY UNCHANGEBLE ORDER that has seriously and permanently harmed my financial interests and overall rights.

As an attorney, he did not explain any of the legal nature or consequences of the document at the time of signing. He never mentioned that it was binding and irrevocable. Instead, he only told me that the mediator-recommended CPA firm was reputable and well-known. HE EVEN DID NOT TOLD ME I DO NOT NEED TO SIGN ANYTHING JUST LEAVE. He Strongly recommended that I sign an unnecessary agreement that is extremely harmful to my interests but did not disclose the full nature and the terrible result.

It is truly frightening. I have now recorded and reflected on this experience. If I could start over, I would never choose such an attorney again.

I want to strongly warn you: if mediation is not successful, do not be influenced, misled, or pressured by this attorney into signing any documents. You have the right to leave immediately. Do not sign anything —especially anything that harms your own interests or is against your own best interests recommend by him.

Look at what happened to me today. I feel that I was seriously harmed by my attorney’s handling of this situation.

He returned my call promptly and explained the process and answered any questions I had. Very professional and knowledgeable!