1 /5 Jessica Olson: I chose to work with Melissa Bruett’s office after reading positive reviews and seeing their website emphasize an understanding of the mental health impact of divorce—a perspective I truly valued as a therapist. Unfortunately, my experience did not reflect this and was not a positive one.
I was initially told my divorce would likely be resolved in a couple of months and would most likely stay within or near the retainer fee. In reality, it took 4–5 months longer and ended up costing $2,000–$3,000 beyond the initial retainer. I had no children or significant shared assets—only a jointly owned home that was sold in January. I made an error in not communicating the sale date promptly, due to the chaos of the holidays and a major move, but the response I received was anything but empathetic. I was met with very little understanding and shame for not communicating this.
Communication about the legal process was minimal, and the support I expected during such a vulnerable time was simply not there. After raising concerns, I was offered a $250 reduction, yet I continue to be billed for that amount months after the divorce finalized.
I truly hope my experience was an exception, but I did not feel supported, informed, or cared for during a very difficult chapter in my life. I would recommend looking into other firms that better align with the compassionate, client-centered values they claim to offer.
