The Law Office of Melissa Polk, A Professional Law Corporation, is committed to providing excellent legal service in the areas of Divorce, Family Law and Mediation. We strive to provide ethical, professional, and courteous service to our clients in a timely fashion. We truly care about our clients and understand the importance of efficiently resolving issues.
We recognize that family law matters involve complex, sensitive issues that can have a lasting impact on you, your family, your finances and your future. Because family law presents complicated issues whose outcomes are critical, experienced and compassionate guidance is essential.
We recognize that family law matters involve complex, sensitive issues that can have a lasting impact on you, your family, your finances and your future. Because family law presents complicated issues whose outcomes are critical, experienced and compassionate guidance is essential.
Services
Melissa is a Bay-Area-based attorney and mediator with a decade of legal experience. She is passionate about helping her clients navigate the legal system and protecting their rights. As a skilled negotiator, she genuinely enjoys working with people to find solutions to difficult problems. In addition to handling litigation matters, she also provides mediation services to those clients looking to avoid the stress and high cost of litigation.
Raquel has over 7 years of experience as a family law paralegal. She has worked on a wide array of cases and has extensive knowledge in all aspects of the family law process. Raquel is a vital part of the firm and works closely with clients managing complex family law cases with sensitivity to each client's individual needs.
A divorce in California is known as a proceeding for dissolution of marriage. Parallel provisions provide for a dissolution of a registered domestic partnership. A divorce is almost always an emotionally, and often financially, stressful event, particularly where minor children are involved. What type of procedure (mediation, negotiation, collaborative law or litigation) meets the client's needs the best.
Reviews (12)
Alex D.
Jan 30, 2022
Report
Melissa entered my divorce case after my ex-wife and I had been battling each other for over six years. There were multiple attorneys in and out of the case. The issues were complex and required an attorney who was willing to review everything and get the case back on track. Melissa did that and more. She stuck with the case all the way through trial and post judgment issues. After years of stress, anxiety and heartache, Melissa was able to achieve the results I hoped for. Her rates were affordable and her staff was very helpful.
CeeCee S.
Jan 23, 2022
Report
Do not use Melissa D Polk she is not a good lawyer. I asked her to submit a Request for Action so I could get a better visitation schedule than I currently had and she refused. I asked her to submit a Request for Action so I could get spousal and child support. She refused. She would not keep me up to date on what was happening in my case and she always seemed to be too busy or annoyed to answer my questions or respond to my emails. She blatantly refused to provide me with her legal opinion on many situations/concerns in my case. I would have to go to Hayward Helpdesk for answers.
Melissa
Melissa
Nicole R.
Jun 17, 2020
Report
While Melissa & her staff are polite & agreeable in person, they're slow to respond to emails, rude, & unhelpful overall. They wanted to finish my case ASAP despite it not being in my best interest, did the absolute bare minimum of what they were required to do, & constantly gave me less than helpful advise. I had to hold their hands and ask for everything. I'm pretty sure no one leaves a bad review in fear that Melissa will get defensive. It's just my opinion.
The good news is that she is just barely affordable but it's still not worth it.
The good news is that she is just barely affordable but it's still not worth it.
S. K.
Dec 16, 2019
Report
Totally incompetent lawyer. Big mistake! She is disorganized and frequently "forgets" important items even after discussing numerous times. She is completely ineffective in advocating for her clients' interests. She proved herself to be untrustworthy simply can't handle the most basic tasks. She doesn't make a good paralegal, much less a lawyer. Don't make the same mistake!
Lukas B.
Aug 05, 2016
Report
I found Melissa Polk when searching for LGBTQ divorce lawyers online and am so lucky to have stumbled upon her. We had an initial consult when it seemed like I might be able to get through my divorce with mediation but I wanted to know what could happen if we had to resort to lawyers and she clearly laid out what to expect. She's a knowledgeable person who communicates the important details concisely. When our mediation attempts failed and lawyers became required we ended up pretty close to what she had predicted back in that original meeting, which is impressive!
She and her team were
She and her team were
Arica R.
Mar 26, 2015
Report
I've only written one Yelp review before, but because my interactions with Melissa Polk were so positive, I felt compelled to share my experience. Anyone seeking a bankruptcy, or family law attorney would do well to seek her services.
Being at the point where bankruptcy was my only option as I neared retirement was both frightening and humbling. Before I reached out to Ms. Polk I had contacted another firm, but it felt like a bankruptcy factory. I was hoping to be treated as an individual, and with Ms. Polk I was. She is professional, personable, calm, and wonderfully responsive.
Being at the point where bankruptcy was my only option as I neared retirement was both frightening and humbling. Before I reached out to Ms. Polk I had contacted another firm, but it felt like a bankruptcy factory. I was hoping to be treated as an individual, and with Ms. Polk I was. She is professional, personable, calm, and wonderfully responsive.
Bobi W.
Mar 10, 2015
Report
Dont mistake these 5 stars as good because they are Negative 5 stars.
Horrible! Selfish! Rude! Greedy! Needing help with a custody issue and was told by Melissa, I can help you! BS! 6 months and $10,000 later all I got was my case continued, no visitation with my daughter, more stress and BROKE. All they wanted was money, money, money and when I found a mistake in their billing I never even got a sorry. They are rude, rude, rude! And even worse..she never met with me in person! How can you represent someone without ever meeting them?
Horrible! Selfish! Rude! Greedy! Needing help with a custody issue and was told by Melissa, I can help you! BS! 6 months and $10,000 later all I got was my case continued, no visitation with my daughter, more stress and BROKE. All they wanted was money, money, money and when I found a mistake in their billing I never even got a sorry. They are rude, rude, rude! And even worse..she never met with me in person! How can you represent someone without ever meeting them?
Linda H.
Apr 25, 2013
Report
Melissa Polk is professional, compassionate, and very good at what she does. She made a very worrisome experience manageable. She explained all the steps in the process and was available to answer all my questions. Her responses were quick and informed. She is calm, intelligent, and helpful; possessing the best qualities a human and a professional could have. i highly recommend her!
J. J.
Feb 05, 2013
Report
Melissa handled my bankruptcy, she was professional, knowledgeable, quick to respond and very warm and comforting durning the process which was very difficult and stressful for me. She was on top of everything, responded in less than an hour to any questions I had and put my mind at ease. Melissa is easy to talk to and understand, she explains the process so a non-attorney can understand it. She has rare personal skills in addition to her legal expertise.
I would reccomend her without reservation. If you need an attorney, call her, she is absolutely wonderful.
I would reccomend her without reservation. If you need an attorney, call her, she is absolutely wonderful.
MacKenzie D.
Apr 11, 2012
Report
We never expected to find ourselves in a position where bankruptcy was our only alternative. For us, it was a frightening, stressful and confusing time until we were lucky enough to find Melissa. She immediately got us some breathing room so that we could figure out what to do in our circumstances. She guided us calmly and efficiently through the process, explaining everything thoroughly and making sure we had the information to help us make good decisions. She was very easy to contact if we had questions or concerns. Her representation allowed us to resolve our case in the best possible way.
Robert P.
Aug 15, 2011
Report
Jennifer A.
Apr 16, 2010
Report
Melissa helped my husband and I with our bankruptcy. This was the hardest most stressful thing we have ever gone through and we have 4 kids! She made the process easy and comfortable. Although I hope to never ever NEED a lawyer in the future. If I do I will always use Melissa. I highly recommend her.
