Durango Justice Advocates - Durango, Colorado

Maggie S.

Dan and Lettie were consistently responsive, professional, and compassionate. Their steadfast presence through an extremely difficult time was a source of great support. Dan's calm demeanor in the courtroom helped me manage the intensity of my emotions as we sought to secure my divorce and permanent restraining order. His insight in the line of questioning was outstanding and I am forever grateful I chose to have him on my side.

Erin J.

I highly recommend Dan McGuinness. I was impressed with how promptly all aspects of my divorce case were handled. He was thorough in explaining the legal process—I felt well prepared for each court hearing, mediation, and all correspondence with the opposing council. He was confident in dealings with the other side, and always presented my wishes with professionalism and respect. My case involved significant safety concerns in regard to parenting time. I was assured with Dan’s expertise in preserving what was in the children’s best interest, and as a result, the Judge ruled in my favor for all parenting time issues.

Jake C.

This firm has a real salt of the earth flavor. Even during a complicated set of circumstances re: my divorce, Dan (McGuinness) was able to filter through many complexities, keep my children safe, execute provisional motions/petitions in an expediated fashion, and keep costs down... All while orchestrating a solid legal platform to stand on for future endeavors. I could not recommend another legal representative in as high of a fashion in La Plata, nor would I! If im ever in need of professional legal services again, They will be my first (and likely last) call made locally.

Robert W.

Dan was a fantastic divorce attorney. I'm grateful he encouraged me to negotiate and work things out with my ex, rather than fight over every single thing. We need more attorneys like this in the world. He's also been there every step of the way over the years whenever a new child support order needed to be drawn up. or parenting plan modified. Dan is a real class act and I highly recommend him.

Sheryl E.

Dan Changed Our Lives All for the Better - I came to him with a very bad situation domestic violence/alcoholism, yet with a daughter who will always need her Dad in her life. Dan painstakingly helped us make an amicable agreement where our daughter was the center of consideration with fail-stops along the agreement to ensure her safety and support recovery. Dan is incredibly responsive to time-sensitive matters. Above all, Dan is FANTASTIC in court - super savvy and relevant. He sticks to what will make a difference to the judge and doesn't get off track. Opposing council doesn't have a chance. I am thoroughly pleased his continued representation.

Mark D.

STUNNINGLY INEPT, IMPOSSIBLY EXPENSIVE,
MAYBE WORSE
In the he said, she said of our divorce case ours went to 11.
MY position was that, my then wife, having just bought her second house, while being a single mother of two, a year before the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis, after having lost her second job, while unemployed and no money entered what was to become four medical schools with my financial assistance. I had cashed out a $300,000 to $600,000 IRA to help out my married into family, assist in putting her into Nurse Practitioner school, Doctorate NP school X 2, and Psychiatric Certification school. I also assisted in putting her children through expensive art college and troubled youth academy.

My wife, who took care of bill paying, threw out all records of these enormous deposits to fund all of this. And claimed I had never assisted her.

Tough break on my part... except I had an Ace in the hole.

MY wife's daughter, twelve at the time of marriage, at the divorce date a 27-year-old graduate student, was willing to testify on my behalf on all these issues in entirety.

Dan McGuinness had he top her day and show up via Zoom for preliminary hearings that last 5-10 minutes, to see if documents are in order, and dates are acceptable, nothing more. Then he told her, she didn't need to appear live, a letter of reference was virtually the same(I found out later this is not at all true)

Then, in our six hours of divorce court, HE NEVER READ THE LETTER.

The Judge, in her decision, said she " did not find the husband credible" on every issue my step-daughter, my wife's daughter, was willing to bear witness to.

A roughly 80/20 split is what the judge deemed "equitable" in our assets. I was left with $350000 less in my IRA than I had before marriage, and I was four years from retirement age. My wife was given all three houses I renovated and a $165000 career , I funded, 12 years from retirement.

I obviously fired Mr. McGuinness, and filed my own Petition to Reconsider. I put the letter of character reference, my step- daughter wrote. The Judge wrote " this is not a time to retry the case". MEANING WHAT? This is no time to admit evidence after the ruling. Evidence Dan had both in Zoom live testimony and written testimony but didn't admit.

Then the bill comes! Approximately $20,000. $20,000/ $250.00 hr = 80 hours. By my reconning, a 6 hour court appearance, a 6 hour arbitration apearance, a couple of one hour hearings, an hour of intake calls adds up to maybe twenty hours. Means that he spent sixty additional hours "preparing for my case."
I work in construction, sixty hours is a LONG time.

Briggen W.

Dan McGuinness is a great divorce lawyer. He is kind, thoroughly explained the legal process and moved forward promptly. Most importantly, he treated both sides with respect working to reach a fair agreement. I highly recommend Dan.

Pamela B.

Dan is just the best. He helped me with my divorce and was instrumental in helping me in other legal matters by arming me with the information I needed. He's very patient and knowledgeable, and I would absolutely recommend him to anyone. You can trust him to be in your corner in court. Even if you just need legal advice, this is the guy to ask!