Rika’s Story

Rika is a Japanese translator in Orange County with a six-year-old son. Her husband had an affair and planned out their entire divorce behind her back. When she came to Ms. Moss, she was devastated and her situation looked bleak. Rika felt as though she had lost all of her rights to her son, her home and the couple’s finances. Ms. Moss took charge of Rika’s case, got a grasp of the truth of the situation, and secured what Rika was entitled to under California law. This is Rika’s story in her own words.

“At all times, I felt as if I was in the best of hands.”

Can you tell me about your experience with Dishon & Block?

My husband had an affair and filed for divorce behind my back; he had planned everything out in advance. I was in a very bad position where I believed that I had no rights to anything – my son, our house and our finances. I initially retained a different attorney who did not help me exactly the way that I wanted him to. At that point, I started looking for other representation.

I retained Chandra Moss when she was working for different firm. Ms. Moss handled my divorce litigation, including the custody of my six-year-old son and the division of our finances. After she switched employers, I went with her to Dishon & Block. She handled my case until it was resolved and I was extremely happy with what she was able to get me.

What were the problems with the other attorney?

The attorney I initially hired could not argue anything against my husband’s attorney. I really felt as though I was not being represented the way I should be. My own attorney kept portraying me in a way that was not advantageous to anyone but my former husband. She actually believed that she could not get me anything back and worked to minimize my damages, rather than fighting to get me more. Needless to say, this was extremely disheartening.

After hiring Ms. Moss, what did she do differently?

From the start, Ms. Moss was very professional. She was extremely experienced with custody matters and financial issues. When she resolved my case, I received 50 percent custody and 50 percent of our finances. I had wanted 100 percent custody and all of the finances, but I could not get that, since such a result is uncommon. Ms. Moss explained what I could reasonably receive and we worked together to secure that result.

“Chandra was pretty much the only person I could depend on.”

What stood out to you about what Ms. Moss did?

I could tell that Ms. Moss cared about my case and she made herself available to me. I knew that she had a number of cases but she was always there to answer questions or talk to me. Throughout the case, I felt that she cared for my son’s interests and wellbeing. Everything she did was based on what was best for my son. I’m very appreciative of this.

How did Ms. Moss work for the best interests of your son?

I tended on focus on how horrible my former husband is. Ms. Moss would bring me back on track, saying my son needs his father. My former spouse may have been horrible husband, but my son loves his father and he needs him in his life. I tended to think it was better for my son to just have me rather than both parents in his life. Looking back 2 years later, I know now that Ms. Moss was right.

What value did Ms. Moss offer not only you, but your family?

In one word, a lifesaver. It meant tremendously to have Ms. Moss on my side. She was pretty much the only person I could depend on. Without her, I don’t know where I would be, I would not be surprised if my former husband had taken my son away from me and not let me see him at all. Now, we have shared custody and my place in my son’s life feels secure.

If you needed to revisit any aspect of your judgment, would you use Ms. Moss again?

I would work with Chandra if issues came up again. She knows what I want and need. She knows how my case ended. I know that I can trust her, and that she will do her best to help me. I can trust that she knows what she is doing.

Can you explain why you feel you can trust Ms. Moss?

Trust is very important. I had no feeling of trust with my previous attorney. I wanted to trust her, but I could not trust my future and my son’s future with her. Chandra was the complete opposite. At all times, I felt as if I was in the best of hands.

Would you recommend Ms. Moss? What would you say to a friend when you gave him/her Ms. Moss’ name?

I would recommend Chandra. She has helped me greatly and she is someone you can trust to work for you. She will always do her best to help you. She knows what she is doing. You can rely on her. She will focus on what is best for your child. To me, that is an important point.

Any statement, testimonial or endorsement contained herein does not constitute a guarantee, warranty or prediction regarding the ultimate result or outcome of your legal matter. If any result of any legal matter is portrayed in this website, please note that the result portrayed was dependent on the facts of that case, and that the results will differ based on different facts.