How To Read Reviews When Hiring A Family Law Attorney

By Attorney Sean R. Whitworth | Marietta, GA

Family law is not about magic. It is about people, facts, and the law. Divorce, custody, and child support issues are emotional. That is understandable. But in the middle of that storm, you need a legal professional who is grounded, realistic, and focused on results that are possible under Georgia law.

That is what we offer at the Law Offices of Sean R. Whitworth. Realistic expectations, honest legal advice, and aggressive representation when needed. But we will not promise you something we know the court cannot deliver. We do not operate in fantasy. We operate in courtrooms.

We practice across Metro Atlanta, including Cobb, Fulton, DeKalb, and Cherokee Counties. We are familiar with the local judges, the court staff, and the standard procedures in each county. That local experience matters. It allows us to prepare our clients better and anticipate how judges may lean on certain issues.

But knowing the local system is not the same as controlling it. The law is the law. Judges rule based on statutes, precedent, and the facts you can prove. If you want sole custody, you must show why that is in the best interest of the child. If you want to avoid paying child support, you need a legal basis that will stand up in court. We can present your case strongly, but we cannot rewrite the rules.

That is not a limitation. That is reality. And every client deserves to hear the truth before they make life-changing decisions.

When emotions are running high, it is easy for clients to latch onto outcomes that were never possible. Maybe a family member told them they deserved everything. Maybe a friend said their lawyer got them full custody in a weekend. Maybe someone promised revenge. Then reality hits. The court follows the law, not opinions or emotions.And when a client does not get the outcome they imagined, someone has to take the blame.That someone is usually the attorney.Not the judge. Not the facts. Not the limits of the law. The lawyer. This is when the fake reviews start. 

Attorney Sean R. Whitworth wins many more cases than he loses. That is not marketing talk. That is a fact backed by years of courtroom results and strong client outcomes. He is known for being strategic, assertive, and relentless in the courtroom. He does not back down. He fights hard. And when he wins  especially in high-conflict divorce and custody cases the other side takes notice. Unfortunately, they also often take their frustrations online.
A large percentage of the one-star reviews on our Google profile are not from our clients. They are from the people we defeated in court or their family members. They were never in our office. They were never represented by our firm. But they are angry that they lost. And their way of venting that anger is to rally friends and post slanderous reviews.

They leave vague, emotional comments. No context. No case facts. Just things like “terrible attorney,” “do not hire,” or “waste of money.” But those words are not coming from the people we helped they are coming from the people we beat.And that matters.

You can spot them if you know what to look for. One-star reviews posted within a few days of each other, often using the same tone or phrasing. No details about the case. No names. No indication that they were ever actually a client. Just emotional outbursts meant to damage a reputation that was built over years of hard, legitimate work.

This is not just unethical. It is illegal. Posting false or defamatory reviews online is a criminal act. But unfortunately, by the time we report it to Google, the damage is already done.

Google’s review moderation is now outsourced, and it can take weeks just to get a response if we get one at all. In the meantime, our staff has to spend time flagging fake reviews, gathering evidence, and responding calmly to slander, instead of focusing on what we are really here to do helping our clients.

If you are looking for a family law attorney in Georgia, online reviews can be helpful. But you need to know how to read them with a critical eye.

1. Pay attention to timing and repetition
If you see several negative reviews posted in a short time span, using similar wording and providing no real detail, those are likely not genuine. That is a common tactic used by the losing side to retaliate after a case does not go their way.

2. Look for detailed, thoughtful feedback
Real clients write about their experience. They mention things like how the attorney communicated, how prepared the team was, what the outcome was, and how they were treated. These are the reviews that matter.

3. Consider the overall rating
A law firm that handles high-conflict cases will never have a spotless review history. That is not realistic. But if the overall rating is above 4.0 and the majority of reviews are positive and detailed, that speaks volumes.
4. Read how the firm responds
Even when faced with fake reviews, a professional attorney will respond with clarity and respect. We always stay professional because our reputation is built on more than ratings it is built on results, experience, and integrity.

At the Law Offices of Sean R. Whitworth, we tell the truth. We give you an honest assessment of your case. We charge flat fees so there are no surprises. We fight smart. And we focus on achieving results within the law.

What we do not do is make promises we cannot keep. We do not guarantee specific outcomes. And we do not stay silent when our staff and our name are attacked by people who were never even our clients.

When choosing a family law attorney, take the time to read between the lines. Do not stop at the first bad review. Ask yourself who really wrote it. Look for patterns. Look for facts. And most importantly, look for a legal team that delivers consistent, honest, professional service even in the toughest situations.

We are not here to sugarcoat reality. We are here to represent you with focus, strength, and knowledge of the law. If you want straight answers, fair fees, and legal representation you can trust, contact our office.

We are ready to help.