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22 Aug, 2024 by Anthony clark
I needed help fast and Andrew came to my rescue. He worked fast and efficiently. My situation looked hopeless but God used Andrew to turn my situation around. Don’t look any further, all the help you need is right here.
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19 Aug, 2024 by Idella jackson
I love these guys they stay on top of you case's they also respond back quick when you call or text them and they are Affordable yes I would Recommend them
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19 Aug, 2024 by Raven tackett
Andrew did a great job handling my case he had great communication and kept me involved in every step, I highly recommend his services!
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01 Aug, 2023 by Ryan frimel
I had a great experience with Matt and Kim. They were very efficient and thorough in explaining complex legal agreements and their practical implications. Matt was very responsive, practical, and knowledgeable. I’d certainly use them again and strongly recommend them for any future legal work. Thanks guys!
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13 Mar, 2023 by Cheryl westbrook
Kim Coleman is a very thorough and competent attorney who helped me navigate through a very difficult time in my life. She was very level-headed and her legal services were both reasonable and professional.
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22 Oct, 2021 by Binny joshi
01 Aug, 2023 by Ryan frimel
I had a great experience with Matt and Kim. They were very efficient and thorough in explaining complex legal agreements and their practical implications. Matt was very responsive, practical, and knowledgeable. I’d certainly use them again and strongly recommend them for any future legal work. Thanks guys!
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13 Mar, 2023 by Cheryl westbrook
Kim Coleman is a very thorough and competent attorney who helped me navigate through a very difficult time in my life. She was very level-headed and her legal services were both reasonable and professional.
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22 Oct, 2021 by Binny joshi
16 Sep, 2024 by Ricky politte
This lawyer handles really big accident cases in St Louis. He is a lawyer, accountant and has his masters in tax so he gets the injury cases for individuals that can never go back to work or individuals own a business and cannot run it due to injury. He specializes in valuations of massive loss. Thank goodness a firm like this exists.
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10 Sep, 2024 by Kasandra harmon
You are a great lawyer! Thank you.
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30 Aug, 2024 by Brandon whittley
Asked a trauma surgeon who operates on car accident victims who are the best injury lawyers that have taken his deposition. He said “by far” it was Mr Hoffmann. Interviewed several attorneys and this was a correct assessment. In a league of his own!
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16 Sep, 2024 by Ricky politte
This lawyer handles really big accident cases in St Louis. He is a lawyer, accountant and has his masters in tax so he gets the injury cases for individuals that can never go back to work or individuals own a business and cannot run it due to injury. He specializes in valuations of massive loss. Thank goodness a firm like this exists.
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10 Sep, 2024 by Kasandra harmon
You are a great lawyer! Thank you.
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30 Aug, 2024 by Brandon whittley
Asked a trauma surgeon who operates on car accident victims who are the best injury lawyers that have taken his deposition. He said “by far” it was Mr Hoffmann. Interviewed several attorneys and this was a correct assessment. In a league of his own!
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16 Jan, 2024 by John b
10 Aug, 2023 by Sarah duncan
We hired Tony for someone who was in desperate need for some great defense..that is what Tony delivered.
Aside from that, he’s just really a great down to earth guy! He made me comfortable from our first phone call. He’s a straight shooter and he will tell you how it is! I appreciated his transparency and the fact that he’s just really easy to work with. Down to earth and relatable! Would hire again!
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22 Dec, 2022 by Jack mehuff plz bitc (too quick sorry)
he's very good informative and keeps you up-to-date on your case and mr. mellencamp is FrankBoyer and I love you
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14 Sep, 2024 by Stephen allmond
Mr. Smith was very helpful and knowledgeable. I recommend Mr. Smith to anyone.
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12 Sep, 2024 by Bryan krueger
I have known Rachna for years, working with her on multiple occasions when she was with the Jane Doe Advocacy Center. Therefore, when I decided to get a divorce, it was a no-brainer to go to this acquaintance I had known for years. At first, my experience with The Lien Law Firm was excellent. You can make payments in installments, but they will start the proceedings once everything is collected. When I was able to get an in-person visit, everything went well.
Since 10/23/2022, I have been diligently pursuing my divorce proceedings.
Unfortunately, she was unavailable to take my call almost every time I called the office. I would leave a message for a callback, which I rarely received on multiple occasions. There were a couple of phone appointments that she missed, and I never received a callback.
The client portal is a joke because I have sent messages to Mrs. Lien, the office staff, or both and never received a response.
It has taken a little longer because initially, I had a paternity test involved in my divorce proceedings, and they would need to try and serve her. This was difficult because she was not living in the same state as I, and I did not have an exact address for her.
Eventually, divorce paperwork was completed in June 2023—multiple attempts to contact afterward without responses.
On October 24, 2023, I had a phone appointment, and she said she could not find my wife to serve her. I provided updated info that I was able to find, and she said I could hire a PI in Florida, which could cost me a couple thousand dollars more. She also provided me with the information of three aggressive lawyers if I still wanted to try to track her down.
On January 25, 2024, I went to the courthouse on other business. While there, I checked out the status of my case, and I was informed that it was on the dismissal pile. I made a follow-up appointment in February, which she missed.
I eventually was able to get an in-person appointment on June 14, 2024, and decided to forgo the paternity test and finish the divorce. I had to refile the paperwork because it was dismissed in January. She said it was left on the dismissal pile on purpose to see if my wife would come out of the woodwork and be caught and served.
It is now September 12, 2024, and multiple attempts to contact her since the June meeting have failed. I am still in limbo on whether she has resubmitted my divorce paperwork or not.
This has been an extremely frustrating and draining experience. Another reason not to get married.
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27 Aug, 2024 by Maria marino
Absolutely the best lawyer ever !
I have had a few different lawyers through child custody and modification cases and he is by far the best I’ve ever had super quick to communicate with you gets the job done doesn’t dawdle very reasonably priced very honest and just a good person in general he is not one of those money, hungry lawyers he actually cares ! You won’t ever regret hiring him !
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1.0
1 Reviews
4.5
122 Reviews
14 Sep, 2024 by Marvin grey
I first became aware of Henry "Hank" Miller when I met my now wife who was in a child custody battle. Hank Miller was appointed as the guardian per the court.
The father in the custody battle failed multiple drug tests. The father was put on supervised visitation for a period of time. Following that period the father took another drug test and still failed terribly from there the answer that we got from Hank Miller was that even though he failed the drug test again we should give the father MORE privileges and gave him UNSUPERVISED VISITIATION. His answer to most everything was "well we just really go backwards".
So Hank Miller thought it was a great idea to take a child and allow the child to go with a drug addict who had just failed a drug test and give the drug addict unsupervised time with the child.
Hank Miller seemed to support the drug addict father more than the mother who never failed a drug test and was raising the child on her own at this point.
Once a relocation motion had been initiated for the mother and son to move out of state, Hank Miller even fixed his mouth to say that "even if it is better for the child to go with the mother I cant support the move."
THIS IS EVEN WITH THE FATHER ONLY SEEING THE CHILD ON SUPERVISED VISITATION FOR 4 HOURS A WEEK / 16 HOURS TOTAL FOR A MONTH.
Hank Miller does not care about the safety of kids nor does he care about the people that are doing the right thing in the case. NEVER TRUST THIS MAN.
TOTALLY INEPT AS A GUARDIAN.
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15 Jul, 2024 by Rick m
While not going into the details of my specific legal affairs, I wanted to share that my working experience with Bill Grant and Hank Miller at Grant, Miller & Smith, LLC has been truly outstanding. Their depth of knowledge and experience, professionalism, willingness to spend the time to understand all aspects of the case, and calm demeanor in the heat of a legal storm are attributes I found incredibly important to an outcome that I was pleased to achieve with their support. I highly recommed these very capable professionals.
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03 Jul, 2024 by Anonymous
Kylee has overpromised by a margin on what's available to me in our initial conversations. Then as the case progressed she failed to follow thru on her initial claims of what I could pursue. At the end I was forced to settle and ended up conceding considerably. Having been berated by her in front of the opposing counsel and many others on more than one occasion was also another unacceptable conduct.
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10 Oct, 2024 by Cody thomas
Joe was available, targeted, and effective.
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08 Oct, 2024 by Lazarus nunley (bklaz)
Dan is an excellent attorney. He took my case, was honest with me my situation and the possibilities. He's also a very personal man they shows a genuine interest me, not only as client but also as a person. Likewise, the office staff are very professional and courteous. Dan Juengel should be your first round professional Attorney pick.
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18 Sep, 2024 by Sandra phillips
Joe Flees was absolutely amazing! He took the time to explain everything thoroughly and was always available to answer my questions. His dedication and hard work were evident throughout the entire process. I couldn't be happier. Highly recommend!
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05 Aug, 2019 by Sk
It was just last Friday that she sent me an email asking me to make a payment so that she can prepare for a trial. so I made the payment Friday night. It's Monday today that she sent me another email. I thought it was a thank-you note for my payment. No. It was about that she is withdrawing from my case and suggesting me to hire a lawyer who shares her office and her paralegal. In the email, she was literally trashing my case and placing all the blame on me. I have all the proof against the points she was trying to make in her email. and Most importantly, there was no change in term of the situation between before and after she entered in my case. I had explained to her everything about my case during the initial consultation. i also personally delivered a summary of my case and about two thousands of supporting documents to her office. In addition, I was diligently and promptly corresponding with her and her paralegal. They charged me $1,500 for the frequent correspondence (for just one month). and Now she's complaining there has been problem in terms of communication.
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25 May, 2019 by Tom
Leigh did a very good job on my domestic matter. She knew the law well and was effective in dealing with the opposing counsel.
I enthusiastically recommend her to others with similar issues.
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25 May, 2016 by Phillip
I have consulted Leigh Joy many times for her expertise on family law issues and appellate work. I retained Leigh Joy to write an appellate brief on behalf of my client. She was thorough, recognized the issues and her brief was well written and timely. I have also referred clients to her and recommended to the court that she be appointed to arbitrate specific issues in a family law matter. She was appointed and timely conducted the Arbitration and issued a well reasoned and accepted Decision. I can, without hesitation, recommend Ms. Carson for your legal problems in Family law or appellate work.
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16 Sep, 2024 by Otfasa
Best lawyer me and my family have dealt with.
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13 Sep, 2024 by Cheryl spurgeon
They don't return calls or communicate! I would NOT recommend this law firm!
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06 Sep, 2024 by Kyle davis
3.0
4 Reviews
4.5
17 Reviews
09 Jul, 2023 by Connie
Unfortunately Ellie is not incorrect in her opinion of Ms. Klapp. I would reiterate her comments on Nikki’s lack of interest and practical assistance in our case plus note that her ineptitude led to 2 kids being hospitalized with serious injuries. Nikki had been warned that their father had an extensive history of drug and alcohol abuse as well as mental illness diagnoses, and that he was often irresponsible with them. She did nothing but make excuses and deny any responsibility especially hers. She is not detail oriented and often misses the specific nuances of her cases like safety completely.
The schedule she created for us was also difficult and impractical for our kids. She refused to acknowledge or rectify any poor planning on her part that was due to her lack of attention and inexperience. She mixed up their schedules several times then would go MIA. Her priorities were extremely poor at that time, and other authorities stated the same. They were involved when Nikki left the country without finalizing our schedule, and after my ex refused to return my son’s Codeine pills. She was literally nowhere to be found. Nikki’s level of inaction actually caused a lot more harm than good, but she covered so much a at county she got away with it.
Nikki then helped drag the case out another year after my ex dropped all of his motions l except for coparenting. I had been told by KITM that I didn’t have to coparent with someone that abusive, but was hounded about talking to my teenagers about the case. It was usually to ask if they’d ever heard from Nikki! I got contempt while the man who lied to the court for child support got nothing but a pat on the back and $870 in savings for a new car. I was also forced to pay $250 an hour unnecessarily to argue for things like a laptop that was free. Nikki wanted to know if I had gotten him a Christmas present as if that’s due diligence, and I told her no those aren’t for people who sue me. My ex husband who broke into my car, was passed out with his Secretary for a decade and fell down drunk at our kid’s school didn’t even get me a card for my birthday when we were married, but Nikki thought he deserved a present. I had forfeited my alimony & maintenance so my daughter could get a new car that year. I don’t even have one because I got stuck with paying her legal bills for no reason. Furthermore, my ex was illegally taking my income tax refunds for himself with her permission! I also had thousands of dollars of expenses that he refused to share and she knew it. She knew all of these details and then some, yet was so out of touch with reality and self absorbed with her own wedding she was incapable of providing any credible counsel to our family whatsoever. Her attorney colleagues in Family Law have shared this same observation with me about her as well. She should have been be reprimanded by the bar for negligence and victim blaming if nothing else.
The worst thing about Nikki is that she’s vindictive too. She did not like being questioned about her lack of attention to detail, availability, memory, billable hours, or motivation to bring about resolution in our case. I commented that I thought it was distasteful how she and other attorneys show up with $5000 purses when people have to work all day to pay for one hour of their time. She labeled me obsessed as if I waste on those things. She had the audacity to accuse me of making up stories about my ex to get even with him when not one syllable of it is untrue. Nikki just didn’t want to have to work to verify any information or relay it while all the time flashing her cash and inflating her bill. She was incapable of impartiality, or doing her best to promote a healthy relationship for her clients.
You could hire almost any other attorney in St Louis and have a better experience.
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16 Dec, 2022 by Ellie
From the beginning it appeared she had no interest in our case, but certainly logged some hours. She was not responsive, did not enforce her own rules, did not step in when she needed to, put no plan together, her recommendations made no sense, she just seemed along for the ride. At times she was unprofessional and didn’t seem to know she was doing. Very disappointed in her work
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27 Oct, 2022 by Robert crisp
Patrick Bader and Jacob Murov are awesome guys. Patrick has been honest with me from start to finish. They will make sure you get the best medical treatment and most importantly they communicate with you about your case and make sure you’re comfortable. No hidden agendas like most and they are very, very honest. When no other attorney wanted to take my case Patrick & Jacob ensured me that they will do their best and fought for me and got me the best results. I was able to get all of my attorney and medical fees paid in full and also was compensated a hefty amount for pain and suffering I couldn’t ask for better attorneys. I’m extremely satisfied with the entire team!!!! Great job guys!!! If i could do a commercial for them i would!!!!
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10 Oct, 2024 by Joseph
I cannot recommend Keith Fuller enough. He has been a true godsend, handling a wide variety of legal matters for me with absolute precision and care. Keith's ability to manage cases seamlessly, without requiring much effort on my part, has been nothing short of impressive. His communication is always clear, ensuring I know exactly what’s needed from me at every stage.
What really stands out is his responsiveness and quick thinking. When my son needed urgent legal help, Keith jumped in with almost no time to prepare and immediately began formulating effective solutions. Thanks to him, my son's driving record was saved, and I’ve also been able to resolve several complex personal cases, including securing an inheritance that would’ve been near impossible to navigate without his help.
Keith takes all the weight off your shoulders when it comes to dealing with legal red tape and fine print. His expertise and dedication have not only saved my career but have also provided peace of mind during some of the most challenging times. I don’t know where we’d be without him, and I can’t thank him enough.
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16 Sep, 2024 by Otfasa
Best lawyer me and my family have dealt with.
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13 Sep, 2024 by Cheryl spurgeon
They don't return calls or communicate! I would NOT recommend this law firm!
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16 Sep, 2024 by Otfasa
Best lawyer me and my family have dealt with.
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13 Sep, 2024 by Cheryl spurgeon
They don't return calls or communicate! I would NOT recommend this law firm!
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06 Sep, 2024 by Kyle davis
16 Sep, 2024 by Otfasa
Best lawyer me and my family have dealt with.
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13 Sep, 2024 by Cheryl spurgeon
They don't return calls or communicate! I would NOT recommend this law firm!
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06 Sep, 2024 by Kyle davis
16 Sep, 2024 by Otfasa
Best lawyer me and my family have dealt with.
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13 Sep, 2024 by Cheryl spurgeon
They don't return calls or communicate! I would NOT recommend this law firm!
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06 Sep, 2024 by Kyle davis
16 Sep, 2024 by Otfasa
Best lawyer me and my family have dealt with.
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13 Sep, 2024 by Cheryl spurgeon
They don't return calls or communicate! I would NOT recommend this law firm!
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06 Sep, 2024 by Kyle davis
16 Sep, 2024 by Otfasa
Best lawyer me and my family have dealt with.
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13 Sep, 2024 by Cheryl spurgeon
They don't return calls or communicate! I would NOT recommend this law firm!
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06 Sep, 2024 by Kyle davis
22 Oct, 2024 by Stacey morris
What age joke!!!!! Julie k Casalone which is a attorney for bankruptcy! Tried going for a collection off a credit company bought it and tried charging 1554.00 dollars for a 794.00 charge, somehow changed my courtdate so I wasn't present to represent myself and gave me false information from the first trial.. wasted my time seeking debt solution when it was too late!!!! A sorry excuse, and a waste of air for people like this to thank they are above people, buying people debt and making money off of them!!!!! Total scum
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21 Sep, 2024 by Four eagles
Have always received valuable advice and quality service from this firm.
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16 Aug, 2024 by Joshua klemp
I couldn't be more grateful to Doug and his firm for the help they gave me. Roundabout 2 years ago now, I was facing a pretty scary legal situation that dropped on me out of the blue, and was lucky enough to be introduced to Doug through a mutual friend. I'd never been in any kind of legal trouble, and I was completely freaked out and totally lost. He called right away, patiently explained the plan, was attentive, confident, trustworthy and just knew exactly what to do. I can't tell you how much better I felt just knowing that he was on my side. In the blink of an eye, he got the case against me dropped. Look, if you're in any kind of a legal bind, I honestly can't think of a better guy to have in your corner. Hire this man right now. He will help you. I promise.
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13 Nov, 2020 by Jennifer pea
15 Apr, 2020 by Jim
Mr. Leightner was knowledgeable and reassuring. He explained what was going to happen during each phase of my case so I was always prepared and at ease. He anticipated my opponent's strategies and had plans in place for every scenario. Very smart man, I highly recommend him whenever I get the chance.
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20 Feb, 2020 by Alisa howard
10 May, 2024 by Anonymous
Highly suggest you avoid this lawyer at all costs. She will charge you thousands of dollars and keep your case going despite what you tell her to do. She spent over 3 years on my case and got me absolutely nothing in the end, specifically she got me exactly what I didn't want. Majority of the time she is unresponsive to emails, she lies to your face then goes behind your back and signs orders you didn't discuss with her or even agree to... she's a fraud and stuck up. I would like to give no stars. Highly disassociated in her ability to assist with my case. Do not hire her.
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10 Jan, 2023 by Anonymous
I have hired Amy Gervich multiple times; I have a lot of faith in her ability to do what's right for her clients and always with the utmost professionalism. Let me add that her paralegal, also is very helpful and always showing a great attitude, thank you Amy & Jacqui
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27 Jul, 2021 by Anonymous
Amy is a kind of person that takes money without any conscience she tells you what you want to hear plays on your not knowing what the law is in the most vulnerable time of the divorce… it was a nightmare and I’m glad it’s over I would not recommend her to my worst enemy.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Child Support Lawyer Can Do for You
A child support lawyer specializes in legal issues related to the financial support that one parent provides to another for the upbringing of their children. These lawyers assist with establishing, enforcing, and modifying child support orders, ensuring that the financial needs of the child are met, including housing, food, healthcare, education, and other essentials. A child support lawyer can also represent parents in disputes over the amount of support, ensure fair calculations based on income, and handle legal proceedings if one parent fails to meet their obligations.
Whether you're seeking to establish child support, modify an existing order, or enforce payments, a child support lawyer can help you navigate the legal system and protect your rights and the well-being of your child.
When Should I Hire a Child Support Lawyer?
You should consider hiring a child support lawyer when you need assistance with any of the following child support matters:
- Establishing child support: If you are going through a divorce or separation and need to establish a child support order, a lawyer can help ensure that the support amount is fair and accurately calculated.
- Modifying child support orders: If there has been a significant change in circumstances, such as a job loss, income change, or a child's financial needs, a lawyer can help you request a modification to the existing child support order.
- Enforcing child support payments: If the other parent has failed to make court-ordered child support payments, a lawyer can help enforce the order through legal means such as wage garnishment, property liens, or even legal action.
- Disputing child support calculations: If you believe the child support amount has been incorrectly calculated based on your income or expenses, a lawyer can help you challenge the calculation and seek a fair adjustment.
- Paternity disputes: If paternity needs to be established before child support can be ordered, a lawyer can assist with DNA testing and legal proceedings.
- Interstate child support cases: If the parents live in different states, navigating child support laws can be complex. A lawyer can help ensure the proper jurisdiction is established and that child support is enforced across state lines.
- Child support during custody disputes: If child custody and child support are being determined simultaneously, a lawyer can help ensure that both issues are resolved fairly and in the best interest of the child.
Hiring a lawyer early can help ensure that your child support case is handled effectively and that your child's financial needs are met.
What Does a Child Support Lawyer Do?
A child support lawyer provides a variety of legal services to help parents secure, modify, and enforce child support arrangements. Their responsibilities often include:
- Filing for child support: A lawyer can help you initiate the legal process to obtain a child support order, ensuring that all necessary documentation is submitted and deadlines are met.
- Calculating child support: A lawyer can help ensure that child support is calculated fairly based on both parents' incomes, the needs of the child, and other factors such as healthcare and education costs.
- Negotiating child support agreements: If both parents are willing to negotiate, a lawyer can help facilitate an agreement on child support outside of court, which can then be approved by a judge.
- Representing you in court: If negotiations fail or the other parent contests the child support amount, a lawyer will represent you in family court, presenting evidence and making legal arguments to support your case.
- Modifying support orders: A lawyer can help you file a request for modification if circumstances change, such as a loss of income or an increase in the child’s financial needs.
- Enforcing child support: If the other parent is not making court-ordered payments, a lawyer can take legal steps to enforce the order through wage garnishment, property liens, or other measures.
- Handling complex cases: In cases involving high incomes, self-employment, or complicated financial situations, a lawyer can help ensure that all relevant factors are considered in determining child support.
How Are Child Support Lawyers Paid?
Child support lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the case and the type of legal work required. Common payment methods include:
- Hourly rate: Most child support lawyers charge by the hour, with rates ranging from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and location. The total cost will depend on how much time the lawyer spends on your case, including preparation, negotiations, and court appearances.
- Flat fee: For more straightforward cases, such as uncontested child support agreements or basic modifications, some lawyers may offer a flat fee that covers all services related to the case.
- Retainer: Many lawyers require a retainer, which is an upfront payment that is billed against as the lawyer works on your case. The amount of the retainer depends on the expected complexity of the case.
- Sliding scale or pro bono services: Some lawyers offer sliding scale fees based on income or provide pro bono (free) services in cases where clients cannot afford to pay full legal fees, especially when children’s needs are at stake.
It’s important to discuss fees with your lawyer during the initial consultation to understand how much you will be charged and what services are covered.
How Much Does a Child Support Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a child support lawyer varies depending on the complexity of the case, whether it's contested or uncontested, and the lawyer’s experience. General cost estimates include:
- Uncontested child support cases: Legal fees may range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the complexity of the paperwork and the lawyer’s fees.
- Contested child support cases: Legal fees can range from $5,000 to $20,000 or more, especially if the case involves significant court time.
- Hourly rates: Lawyers typically charge between $150 and $500 per hour for child support cases, with higher rates for more experienced attorneys or cases that involve complex financial issues.
- Modification or enforcement: Fees for modifying or enforcing a child support order may range from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the complexity and the need for court intervention.
Always ask for a detailed cost estimate during your consultation so you can plan your budget accordingly.
Top Questions to Ask a Child Support Lawyer
Before hiring a child support lawyer, it’s important to ask questions to ensure they are the right fit for your case. Key questions to ask include:
-
What experience do you have with child support cases?
Ensure the lawyer has experience handling cases similar to yours, whether it’s establishing, modifying, or enforcing child support orders. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, offers flat fees, or requires a retainer, and ask for a detailed estimate of the total cost. -
What is the likelihood of success in my case?
Ask the lawyer for an honest assessment of your case and any potential challenges you may face. -
How long will the process take?
Child support cases can take time, so ask the lawyer how long they expect the process to last and what factors may cause delays. -
Will you personally handle my case?
In larger firms, junior attorneys or paralegals may handle parts of the case. Make sure you know who will be managing your case and representing you in court. -
What documents should I prepare?
Ask the lawyer what financial documents and other information you should bring to help them calculate child support and build your case.
How to Check the Credibility of a Child Support Lawyer
To ensure you are hiring a reputable child support lawyer, take the following steps to verify their credentials and track record:
- Verify their bar status: Check with your state bar association to confirm that the lawyer is licensed to practice and has no history of disciplinary actions.
- Look for family law experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in family law and have successfully handled child support cases similar to yours.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for client reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients have said about the lawyer’s professionalism and success rate.
- Ask for references: A credible lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have worked with them on child support matters.
- Check for certifications: Some lawyers may have certifications in family law or membership in organizations like the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), which can indicate their expertise in child support and family law issues.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most out of your first consultation with a child support lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:
- Income documents: Bring pay stubs, tax returns, W-2s, or any other documentation of your income and the other parent’s income, as this will be used to calculate child support.
- Existing child support orders: If there are any existing child support or custody orders, bring copies for the lawyer to review.
- Child-related expenses: Provide documentation of your child’s medical bills, education expenses, daycare costs, and any other expenses that should be factored into the child support calculation.
- Communication with the other parent: Bring any communication between you and the other parent regarding child support, whether through emails, text messages, or written agreements.
- List of questions: Prepare a list of questions about your case, the legal process, and the lawyer’s fees.
By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your case more effectively and provide the best possible legal advice on how to proceed.
