Fairfax Family & Divorce Lawyers

I can’t begin to express what a wonderful experience I had working with Matthew Smith and his paralegal. They were professional, thorough, knowledgeable and most of all, kind and understanding during a difficult and painful process. Divorce is a scary time and there’s no greater comfort than feeling you have the best on your side—and hiring Matthew is hiring the best. He consistently worked to balance what was best for my case based on his extensive experience, knowledge and genuine interest in my well-being, as well as my personal values and needs. He cared about my case and I always felt like a priority. Matthew’s paralegal was an absolute joy—she took all of my calls as though I was speaking with a trusted advisor and friend. They worked diligently, efficiently and with genuine compassion to resolve my matter in a way that was better than I could have ever hoped for!

– G.B.

Andrew Tank is an outstanding attorney. His demeanor is calm, his intellect is razor sharp, and his grasp of not just legalities but human nature is amazing. He has compassion which cloaks a backbone of steel. He is understanding and generous and the best expert to have in a legal crisis or potential crisis. He promotes the return of sanity in an unsettled world and is simply the best attorney all around. Highly recommend him.

– Muffarah M.

I cannot praise Livesay and Myers, P.C. enough. I engaged the firm to handle my separation and divorce. (This was after parting ways with another law firm because I did not feel satisfied with their service.) Jamel Rowe, Esq. and Brenda Moreno, Paralegal, both of whom I worked with for several months, are the consummate professionals. Drafts of documents and filings were flawless. Communication was always not only timely, but also very pleasant, even in tense situations with tight timeframes. I could tell that Ms. Rowe put a major effort into reviewing a mountain of case data because she had immediate recall of specific facts and their relevance. Most impressive was Ms. Rowe’s handling of the case during the trial: she had command of the facts and used them effectively; she presented a clear case, emphasizing precisely what I had suggested; and the judge openly praised her ‘accurate and appropriate’ use of the property distribution forms. My recommendation: definitely talk to them about your needs.

– Robert

I need a sixth star here. I was honestly thinking long before writing this review how, out of all the professionals I have worked with in my fifty-seven years… all the doctors, lawyers, accountants… my experience with Amanda Kimble was probably the most positive I have ever had. I found her when my spouse, who is himself an attorney, went out and hired not one but two sets of lawyers. I realized I needed representation. Amanda Kimble was MY advocate. All through the process she was on MY side. That feeling is amazing. All the stuff you have to go through in divorcing she explained clearly and patiently (and never condescendingly). My spouse and I are LGBTQ which brought up a whole set of legal issues. She was 100% confident and knowledgeable, and never wavered. She let me have my time in the process while gently keeping things moving along. Her ‘desk side’ manner whenever we met set the perfect tone of lightness and heaviness. It made what could have been a much worse process actually not so bad. From the start to the finish, I felt taken care of, and I am so grateful Amanda represented me. In the end, my spouse, apparently socked with huge bills from his own attorney, asked us to file the papers and finish up. The way Amanda did it (actually showing up in court) was so professional and competent that I think I may have gone up a little in my ex’s estimation for having hired a better attorney than his! Six stars for sure.

– Alan B.

Michael Poe was my divorce attorney for a contested divorce with a very uncooperative spouse and two young children. He is a consummate professional. Throughout the 18-month process, which was quite stressful for me, he provided measured advice based on his analysis, experience and, of course, the law. When my spouse would respond in highly emotional ways, he would not escalate the matter. He was always looking for the path of least resistance while protecting my interests, which is a difficult balance to maintain, and he did a great job. At the beginning my case appeared destined for an expensive court battle. But we eventually settled all aspects of the case in a 50/50 split of custody and a very fair split of assets, and I never saw the inside of a courtroom. I was also able to live in my house the entire time and I still live there post-divorce. The result of the case was, quite frankly, unbelievable considering the point from which we were forced to start the process and how uncooperative my spouse was determined to be. Mike was also sensitive to my desire to keep costs under control, for which I am grateful. While I am an educated, intelligent person with a strong understanding of negotiation strategy, I never, ever would have achieved the final result without Mike. I can’t thank Mike enough for his help.

– Eric M.

I highly recommend Livesay & Myers. Mariah Latimer and Rossimar Membreno provided exceptional assistance and representation, from beginning to end. They go above and beyond, are extremely knowledgeable and informative, and remove mounds of stress from a stressful situation. They represented me in a custody modification and child support case, and I couldn’t be happier.

– Kevin

I would like to express my satisfaction and gratitude for the exceptional legal service provided by Christian Campbell. His professionalism, dedication, and effective communication throughout my case have truly exceeded my expectations. I initially approached the firm seeking legal representation for my case involving a rule to show cause and child custody and visitation matters. From the very beginning, Mr. Campbell displayed commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for my case. He took the time to thoroughly understand the nuances of my situation and consistently provided me with sound legal advice. Mr. Campbell maintained open lines of communication with me, ensuring that I was well-informed about the progress of my case. He promptly responded to my inquiries, providing detailed answers and explanations to any questions I had. This level of attentiveness and responsiveness greatly alleviated my concerns and allowed me to navigate the legal process with confidence. I must also extend my appreciation to Tatyana Spurgeon, who played a role in making my experience with the law firm a smooth and seamless one. Her professionalism and efficiency in handling administrative tasks and ensuring effective communication between myself and the firm were commendable. In summary, I recommend the law firm to anyone in need of legal representation.

– Tony

Katie Anderson was great. She processed my no contest divorce very quickly and was prompt and professional with my questions. Thank you!

– Brian K.

To handle my divorce I worked with Matthew Smith and his paralegal Ms. Wilkinson. Upon the first meeting with Mr. Smith, he was very attentive to what I was looking for, answered my questions and made me feel comfortable. He didn’t talk to me like a lawyer, but as a friend that wanted the best for me and my situation. I did inform him I looked up the law firm online and saw that I could get a divorce for a low rate and that was the direction I wanted to take. Most Law Firms are in the money making business, but Mr. Smith took the time and advised me of my options and helped me decide what was best for me. Ultimately, I was able to take the less expensive route. Before starting the divorce process, I had this idea it would be stressful and too much to handle by myself. I was definitely wrong with that assumption. Ms. Wilkinson kept me informed, answered my questions and got back with me within a reasonable amount of time. As much as we emailed back and forth you would have thought I was their only client. Mr. Smith and Ms. Wilkinson are a dynamic team that I would highly recommend to someone else.

– Amber

Livesay & Myers represented me in my family matter and they were great. Communication was outstanding and listening to my needs and concerns was their priority. Highly recommend Andrew Tank who represented me during my matter.

– Jay V.

It is difficult to explain how it feels having to go though the legal process to fight to see your kids. My husband and I were dealing with his high conflict ex who made every single day challenging and hard for us. You will never know how an attorney can impact your life. Every stressful step of the way Jamel Rowe led and guided us with our best interest at heart with such kindness and patience, never judging us. She maintained professionalism and though she did not judge anyone, you still knew for sure she was on our side. She was always available and that played such a huge part in making sure we went about everything the right way. Jamel went above and beyond what we ever expected the outcome would look like and we will be thanking her for a very long time. Our lives have changed drastically because of the successful outcome Jamel achieved for us. Jamel and her team will always be in our happy thoughts.

– Charlotte D.

I came across L&M when I googled best family law firm in Northern Virginia. I had a consultation with Amanda Kimble in May of 2020 when I was in the initial stages of a divorce with a minor child. Ms. Kimble explained the process in Virginia regarding time frame and required action. Fast forward several months when I was ready to move forward. Ms. Kimble and her paralegal, Evelyn Ezeta, helped me complete an agreement prior to filing that defined the custody, visitation, and child support costs. I always felt reassured by their exemplary level of professionalism and responsiveness. When there was a mishap with the opposing counsel who filed the paperwork with a local Post Office without addressee or postage, Ms. Kimble helped coordinate prompt pick up of the remaining copy needed for court. Ms. Ezeta kept me abreast of any changes or modifications needed during the process. This was not at all an easy journey but I knew I had the best attorney in my corner. Further, the agreement was drafted with long term changes in mind as my child grows up. I really felt that my best interest and that of my child was kept in mind. I hope not to need their services in the future but am prepared to contact them should the need arise. I would highly recommend Ms. Kimble and Ms. Ezeta to anyone needed legal expertise in family law.

– Cassie M.

I went through a very drawn out, stressful divorce. I don’t know where I would be right now if it wasn’t for the professionalism of Michael Poe. He was always looking out for my best interests and I just knew I had nothing to worry about with him on my side. I am so grateful for all Michael did for me.

– Angie C.

I am so happy with the decision to retain Livesay & Myers, P.C. and ​Mariah Latimer for their services. Mariah is personable, professional and efficient. I appreciated her approach to the proceedings and her team members Brenda and Rossi were equally professional, responsive and kind. I would absolutely recommend them to anyone looking to retain top quality representation.

– Kellie W.

Divorce proceedings can come with very mixed emotions and take some time. I had Christian Campbell and Tatyana Surgeon helping me all along the way. Some negotiations can be hard and through all the highs and lows they were there. While the proceedings in my particular case were longer than I expected, I attributed that to being a first-time divorcee and not really knowing what to expect. However, the outcome was certainly in my favor. I want to thank them for the hard work and dedication they put forth on my behalf.

– David D.