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7/17/23 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
I referred this lawyer to my niece many years ago. She had a house and her husband had half of a successful business. The husband drained her bank account and left her with his debts on joint bank lines of credit. Not to mention physical cruelty and abuse. He was unable to get a simple order for the sale of the matrimonial home and equal division of the assets, and an accounting of the value of the business and lines of credit. My niece was left penniless, and ended up literally having to live on a couch at her dad's and very disturbed by the whole process after almost $20K in fees. I leave you to decide would you choose such a lawyer?
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5/24/23 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Disorganized, rude and in rush all the time. No prep. just rush. Stary away from this firm.
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SYSTEM: 2 negative duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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1/3/20 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I am not giving Will all fives simply due to laziness or to up his rating, but to actually give an accurate rating for the work he has done for my friends family. Will was not only compassionate and understanding, he was fantastic in court. His knowledge and understanding of the law is incredible and he worked their case with skill and precision. Will went above and beyond his paid duty with my friend's family and I'm certain that the positive outcome of their trial is only due to Will and his skill as a lawyer.
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SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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2/2/19 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
This guy represented my wife's divorce to her former husband. He strung her along, not following through on the other layers queries and ended up getting an absolutely terrible settlement for my wife.
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4/10/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I was referred to William Abbott by two family lawyers when I was vulnerable and needed help. They said that if anyone could help me it would be William. I took their advice and contacted him. He phoned me back right away and met with me on his day off. William is a really smart guy, knows just about everyone, and knows the law. What I thought was a complex file was just things he had seen over the last 20-something years of his practice. I was unsure because after being in court for so many years and the level of horror my ex-spouse had caused, but William gave me sound guidance. He's been the most supportive person in term of my interests. I have not had this much faith in an attorney since I left my marriage. I absolutely do not believe the not-so-favourable reviews on this site, they seem very spiteful and not at all what I've experienced. I learned more in an hour with Will than in several years with other attorneys.
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4/10/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
He dealt with me in a way that made me feel safe and like I had a true advocate by my side.
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SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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2/19/17 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
The worst experience ever, worst than my marriage breakdown. He is on his cell phone while he is in front of a judge in court. Read the reviews help yourself, and don't hire this person.
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8/17/16 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I have had two family lawyers, and as a father all the disadvantages in the family court system in Ontario. I had lost custody of my children for one year, and became a 2x/month uncle. The mother hired an aggressive, underhanded lawyer that did every underhanded trick in the book. MR. ABBOTT was recommended to me by more than 9 Family Lawyers in Toronto. I went to him weeks before my trial started, and did NOT look back. With 2 weeks preparation, HE was INCREDIBLE, TENACIOUS, ORGANIZED, CONFIDENT, THE REAL DEAL. He fought for the children with compassion. When the OC played games and tried to overpower the courtroom, ABBOTT simply made powerful, accurate, well placed arguments with EASE and the judge listened attentively. HE WAS INCREDIBLE, AND HIS TEAM IS INCREDIBLE. I have interviewed over 22 lawyers in Toronto; WILLIAM ABBOT stands alone, has an incredible reputation among his peers. I GOT MY KIDS BACK AND 90% OF WHAT I ASKED THE COURT FOR. THANK YOU WILLIAM, YOU ARE A GENTLEMAN.
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SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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12/7/15 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Was attentive to all my needs and knows the law! He may not be the best with returning phone calls but if you e-mail him he will call right back or e-mail you.
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10/24/15 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
I realized during my first interview that he spent more time on his phone than the issue at hand. Total disregard for ones hardship...more about his hourly rate?! Too much credit for his worth.
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6/30/15 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
As many others, I wish I had read these reviews before hiring Will Abbott. I wish there was a 0 rating on this scale. I am looking for a new lawyer and upon seeing that Will has done the same thing to many others, I was motivated to post to possibly help another single parent from being sucked into his trap. As with many others, I was promised an easy case with a short resolution time and low cost. In the end, the case was resolved in years not months and the cost was 10 times (literally) what I was quoted. I too was passed off to assistants who kept leaving and eventually I was doing the document drafting myself and editing mistakes they made. As with others, Will stopped replying when I questioned things but the bills kept coming. It has been suggested to me that I sue over this but frankly the experience with Will has left me so drained emotionally and financially that I can't take it on. So he continues to practice. Don't be his next victim.
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4/4/14 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I am very grateful to have had William as my lawyer. He was referred to me by my brother's best friend and I, without hesitation, refer him to my friends. He is very professional, knowledgeable, understanding and made this very difficult time in my life easier. He was reason against my ex's chaos. No matter how many lawyers my ex hired, William helped me win custody of my son. William was always prepared, always kept me informed, always explained things so I understood, and he actually listened to me. He helped to put things in perspective for me, allowing me to persevere and be strong for my son. Truly a great lawyer, a great person.
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SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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3/21/14 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Having Will as my lawyer is better than therapy! I am always comforted after a discussion with Will about my case. Will has represented me in court on 4 occasions and was extremely well prepared each time. On each occasion the judgement went in my favour. I can imagine my ex-spouse wishing she had Will Abbott as her lawyer instead of her own. Will knows the law and argues it very eloquently in court. Will always offers me a realistic assessment of my case and knows and advises when we are expecting too much. It is always comforting to have a slugger on my team and Will Abbott is definitely the slugger you want on your team. I have recommended him several times to my friends.
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3/21/14 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Mr. Abbott handled my family law case and treated me with courtesy and respect. He would explain my options and make suggestions but never pushed me to do anything that I was uncomfortable with doing. Being a single mother, I had some anxieties about dealing with a lawyer and he made the process a positive experience. I felt that I could ask him anything and nothing was a silly question. I would recommend him if you are looking for a passionate and professional lawyer to handle your case. He truly cares!
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3/1/14 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
I would warn anyone considering hiring William not to do it. He talked confidently to gain me as a client telling me my case was easy and it will not take long or be costly. He tricked me into thinking I had a strong case then backed down slowly until I had to fight for myself. He even lied to me by telling me he always warned me the other side would likely be able to get more yet at the beginning he never said this and only said I would easily get half of everything. He quoted me an appox fee and by the time I was done, the fee was 4x more. He CHANGED ASSISTANTS 3 times during my case, which meant 2 of them had to spend time and fees "catching up on my file" and I had to pay for this even though he said I wouldn't as he clearly buried the fees. I felt sick to my stomach by the time I was done with his services and regret every bit of it.
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1/25/14 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Very good. I'm male, in my 30's and he's been my lawyer for about 2.5 years. I now have full custody of my 2 children which demonstrates his capabilities especially when the odds were against me. Yes he's expensive but which lawyer isn't. I've heard he's never lost a case when going to trial and I completely understand why.
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1/25/14 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Tells you what you want to hear on the first meeting...then never follows through. Is not a person of his word. Has poor time management and project management skills. Does not communicate or respond to emails or phone calls. He will tell you that he'll phone you back, but doesn't. I've recorded all verbal correspondence with him and will be reporting this to the Law Society. Reported his behaviour to his senior partner and he suffers from the same problem, no follow through. Once you make a comment, it taints the relationship, so best to move on....now seeking new lawyer..going to stick with a woman lawyer who will get the job done. My case started in April 2013, now January 2014. Would not recommend using him unless you sign an agreement for services that he can stick to. Good Luck!
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9/19/13 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
I'll definitely NOT recommend W.Abbott as a family lawyer,he thinks about his money only,not about interests of his clients,promising what you want in order to go to the court.Once he came to the court unprepared at all!Next time,he sent another lawyer-the court decision was against me while we initiated the hearing–ridiculous!He also changed the previous court order (re:child and spousal supp)in his best interests,meaning I need to go to the court again and pay lawyers to get the previous child support.He lied to me,promising the result which I didn't receive(I got a second opposite opinion,but trusted Abbott that time and received nothing as a result for a few thousand $$).He promised to return some money since we signed a settlement (didn't go to the judge)but never returned $$+I had to pay more-$100s for the letters and emails with one sentence or call when he just left message that it's him,but in the most cases,he simply ignored my calls/emails,will write to the Law Society
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9/10/13 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
He knew his family law, communicated promptly and well, even-tempered, effective manner, very practical, advised and coached well. A large factor in winning my case.
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7/15/13 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Hired him to do a motion, he did it on wrong form then lied to me, and then billed me his time for his mistake!!! The endorsement from the court actually says that Will did it on wrong form!! REPORT this guy to the LAW SOCIETY OF UPPER CANADA for all he is doing wrong!! He should not be allowed to destroy peoples lives and then BILL them for his mistakes!!
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2/15/13 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Same ole same ole. Promised to be completed in a couple of months. Dropped the ball again and again. Missed dates. Urgent calls emails never even noticed. Information changes each time we talk. No communication. New problems arrise. He doesn't even look after my case anymore. Too boring now I guess. 5 years later we were still in court
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10/26/12 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
I am astonished to read the below ratings and wish I did before I hired him. The below ratings are all true, he handed me off to a junior lawyer once he was hired then went off on vacation for a month leaving my case open for nearly a year. Avoid this guy and find someone who can mediate and has compassion. I think my husband got the upper hand because of this firm and Will's complacency. All they want is your money.
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8/22/12 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
Read all the other reviews. I have had the exact same experience. Always unavailable, whether on vacation/long weekends or away on trial or court. Constantly passed off to a more junior associate. Last minute cancellations to very important mediations where he sent a junior associate in his place. The bills have been tremendous....over $60,000 spent so far in almost 2 years with Will and still no resolution and is now going in to appeal, because Will dropped the ball. He said I would have divorce over a year ago, but everything takes so long with him to get anything going. Good luck with him!
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3/2/12 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
I advise anyone who is about to hire Will Abbott to read this.Hired Will in 2009 and he promised to attend court as timing was critical in my case.On the first conference he sent his associate Phyllis who was completely unprepared-didn't know who the applicant or respondent were.When the follow up case conference ensued he attended unprepared.The judge lambasted him for his unpreparedness.After court he promised a set fee and went over by $2500 when funds were disbursed.When asked to provide a bill,he failed to provide after numerous requests.He failed to follow up on the critical items to get the appropriate access to my children.(this is forever lost-many attempts to fix went ignored,even after meeting in his office.The real kicker is he lost my minutes of settlement and didn't tell me for 7 months.He didn't prepare/complete separation agreement as he was suppose to either.Promised my divorce cert in Dec09 and only got in early 2011.So much more but no room-he is in wrong profession.
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11/17/09 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
Will is an overpaid, inconsiderate, unimaginative man with no consideration for his clients or the best interests of their children! My experiance with him started well enough but shortly after I was made to pay a re-adjusted retainer based on the amount of support i was going to receive from him... after that I was only able to deal with him for a few weeks after which i was quickly handed off to one of his associates where she seemed like she had great intentions but her inability to get time with William was as evident as her distain for having the misfortune for working with him! As she put it "the man seems to be more interested in long weekends then addressing the needs of the clients that pay for them!!!" That money pit cost me close to 25K in less then a year and DID NOTHING to move us closer to a settlement.
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9/20/09 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
All he cares about is getting your money so he can build a bigger house. He starts your case and then puts it in the hands of an associate who then bills you for the same things. Case is not settled after 5 YEARS. Ignores your phone calls or you have to wait for him to return from yet another one of his vacations he is on.Would never recomend him or the firm.
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7/18/09 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Will Abbott lacks the tenacity and compassion required to be a Family Layer. Mr. Abbott is interested only in Billable Hours and not your best interests nor the safety or best interests of your children. He was not interested in taking any instruction or changing strategy but rather used assistants to deal with me requiring costly reviews to bring his staff up to speed and precious loss of time. I would not refer or recommend anyone to Mr Abbott or his firm.
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