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04 Oct, 2024 by Bryan martin
Worked with Matthew Poppish and it was a Pleasure!! Great Firm!!
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17 Apr, 2022 by Kirk somebody
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03 Mar, 2021 by Russel
Heather did an excellent job on our estate plan and living trust. She was able to explain everything in terms we could understand and even added our home to the trust.
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01 Aug, 2019 by Cesar “the qb room”
After I won my case in family court the opposition file for an appeal in the appellate courts. Mr. Purcell was high recommended to me by my attorney when I knew I needed a attorney that specialized in appeals cases. I meet with Mr. Purcell in his office, he was very nice and genuinely interested in my case. He was very generous with his time as I explained my situation. I appreciated him explaining what the appeals process would be like, and what to expect. After our conversation I knew he was the right person for the job. And I could be at ease knowing that Matt would be fighting on my behalf. I feel very fortunate that Matt took my case because it was a very complex one, and I had a lot on the line and could not have the ruling overturned. The last several months I have gotten to know Mr. Purcell and his staff. Not only is Matt kind and sympathetic attorney but most importantly he's smart, experienced an extremely knowledgeable about the law. Plus he's hard working and takes great pride in his work. In my particular case he spent countless hours to insure that my case was detailed as possible. The work Mr. Purcell has put into my case has been impressive, and I am satisfied in all the work he has put into my case. Matt and his great staff has always kept me well-informed about my case. He has always been honest and upfront about my case which I greatly appreciate. I’m always able to get a hold of him when I need to. Matt or a member of his staff always responds to all my calls and emails promptly. I just feel really lucky to have Matt represent me in my case. And I would like to show my appreciation by putting up this review. And hopefully it can help those in need of a top-notch attorney. Which is a labor-intensive, time consuming and stressful process. His fees are really fair and competitive, and doesn't overcharge for his work. I get a detailed summary every month. And there office has worked with me financially. Not only is he a really good person but he’s well prepared, detail oriented and a strategists. He is someone that I can trust and have great confidence in. He always has my best interest in mind which make it easier for me rest my head at night. As I'm going through this difficult part of my life. I rested easier knowing that my case is in good hands and that he is doing everything possible for me since there is a lot at stake. Matt and his wonderful staff are one of the best ones around. You will not regret the decision to hire him to represent you.
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07 May, 2018 by Gail lindhorst
Matt Purcell is, in a word, amazing. When we first met, we were grandparents trying to navigate through Probate court to keep guardianship of our grandchildren. Matt was wonderful at addressing everyone's needs, extremely communicative and articulate in court, and aware of exactly what we needed to do. He's also very endearing due to his kind nature. We would heartily recommend Matt to anyone, especially where children's well being is involved.
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01 Aug, 2019 by Cesar “the qb room”
After I won my case in family court the opposition file for an appeal in the appellate courts. Mr. Purcell was high recommended to me by my attorney when I knew I needed a attorney that specialized in appeals cases. I meet with Mr. Purcell in his office, he was very nice and genuinely interested in my case. He was very generous with his time as I explained my situation. I appreciated him explaining what the appeals process would be like, and what to expect. After our conversation I knew he was the right person for the job. And I could be at ease knowing that Matt would be fighting on my behalf. I feel very fortunate that Matt took my case because it was a very complex one, and I had a lot on the line and could not have the ruling overturned. The last several months I have gotten to know Mr. Purcell and his staff. Not only is Matt kind and sympathetic attorney but most importantly he's smart, experienced an extremely knowledgeable about the law. Plus he's hard working and takes great pride in his work. In my particular case he spent countless hours to insure that my case was detailed as possible. The work Mr. Purcell has put into my case has been impressive, and I am satisfied in all the work he has put into my case. Matt and his great staff has always kept me well-informed about my case. He has always been honest and upfront about my case which I greatly appreciate. I’m always able to get a hold of him when I need to. Matt or a member of his staff always responds to all my calls and emails promptly. I just feel really lucky to have Matt represent me in my case. And I would like to show my appreciation by putting up this review. And hopefully it can help those in need of a top-notch attorney. Which is a labor-intensive, time consuming and stressful process. His fees are really fair and competitive, and doesn't overcharge for his work. I get a detailed summary every month. And there office has worked with me financially. Not only is he a really good person but he’s well prepared, detail oriented and a strategists. He is someone that I can trust and have great confidence in. He always has my best interest in mind which make it easier for me rest my head at night. As I'm going through this difficult part of my life. I rested easier knowing that my case is in good hands and that he is doing everything possible for me since there is a lot at stake. Matt and his wonderful staff are one of the best ones around. You will not regret the decision to hire him to represent you.
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07 May, 2018 by Gail lindhorst
Matt Purcell is, in a word, amazing. When we first met, we were grandparents trying to navigate through Probate court to keep guardianship of our grandchildren. Matt was wonderful at addressing everyone's needs, extremely communicative and articulate in court, and aware of exactly what we needed to do. He's also very endearing due to his kind nature. We would heartily recommend Matt to anyone, especially where children's well being is involved.
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13 Aug, 2024 by Ngiguiere
Great organization with a wonderful staff!
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02 Jul, 2024 by Sara schifano
Shannon is an outstanding attorney! She’s reliable, dependable and trustworthy. She gets the job done and she does it so well. I would hire her again and again! Thank you Shannon for all the hard work you do to win!
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01 Jul, 2024 by Sara
I have hired Shannon on more than one occasion to handle legal issues. She has always been up for the challenge and never has she disappointed. Shes an excellent attorney who’s reliable and will fight for you like you are family.
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13 Aug, 2024 by Ngiguiere
Great organization with a wonderful staff!
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02 Jul, 2024 by Sara schifano
Shannon is an outstanding attorney! She’s reliable, dependable and trustworthy. She gets the job done and she does it so well. I would hire her again and again! Thank you Shannon for all the hard work you do to win!
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21 Nov, 2023 by Khadim mboup
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04 Mar, 2024 by Jenae
Great attorneys. I worked with both Sean and Nick and they were always very upfront and honest about my case. They helped me with a very high conflict ex in a custody dispute. They are knowledgeable and compassionate. Highly recommend!
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23 Oct, 2016 by Jim
I consulted with Sean Musgrove on a Family Law matter and he provided me with outstanding service and legal advice. Sean was professional, sincere, and most of all took the time to listen to my issues attentively. Sean was extremely patient while he educated me in multiple areas of Family Law and my personal case. The professionalism that Sean attended to my matter was "Outstanding". In the future, I will continue to consult with or hire Sean to represent me with my legal matters. Without hesitation, I highly recommend Sean to anyone requiring professional and competent legal representation. Thank you, Sean!
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26 Aug, 2016 by Crystall
The law office of Sean Musgrove did an outstanding job with handling my move away case, custody, and child support case. Without going into great detail. Sean and Darci fought tooth and nail to WIN. I am forever grateful for the job they have done for my family. I want to publicly thank them for a job well done
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09 Sep, 2024 by Kern atwal
Thapar Law was highly recommended by my brother, and I couldn't be more grateful. My wife and I had just purchased a home and needed help with estate planning and some legal work. Karn made the entire process incredibly easy and stress-free, taking the time to explain everything in detail. He made us feel like family and truly went above and beyond to ensure we were comfortable every step of the way. I can’t recommend him enough for anyone in need of personal and professional legal services!
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06 Sep, 2024 by Amrit dhaliwal
Very diligent, intelligent and ethical .Takes his time explaining everything throughly and patiently. Went above and beyond to make sure everything was done right .
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30 Aug, 2024 by Angie rinaudo
If you’re reading this review I cannot stress enough how amazing Thapar law is. My husband had a severe heart attack and had to go in for emergency surgery. We reached out to numerous law firms and nobody could service us in the appropriate time frame. We were unprepared for our situation as we are very young for this situation. Once we spoke to Mr Thapar he insured us he would take care of all our needs before the surgery which no other business would do. He was absolutely amazing to do business with. If you’re reading this please just call him you will not find a more professional and polite person to help you with all your needs. Mr. Thapar if you read this I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you did for our family. Thank you
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07 Oct, 2024 by Jayme harris
Tiffany is very professional and always has a quick reply and really knows what she is talking about! She was excellent to work with and I highly recommend her!
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16 Aug, 2024 by Thomas hurd
Posting this review that was sent to Tiffany Andrews following completion of our service. This was never posted on her firm's website. We are writing to provide an objective review of our experience with Tiffany Andrews and her mediation services. Although Tiffany was pleasant to work with, our overall assessment is that the services provided were average. We were disappointed that we never had the opportunity to meet her in person, despite multiple trips to her office. During our case, we couldn't help but notice that the handling of our mediation proceedings resembled that of a general contractor overseeing a construction project. We encountered unexpected changes in Tiffany's team, with members coming and going without prior notice. This lack of consistency had a noticeable impact on the process and left us feeling unsettled. Another area of concern was the significant disparity between our original cost estimate and the final bill. The cost nearly doubled, which was unexpected and disappointing. Our mediation and divorce proceedings were minimal in complexity, as stated by Tiffany herself. Considering the simplicity of the case, we had hoped for more streamlined and cost-effective services. Throughout the process, there were instances where communication and continuity seemed lacking. We often had to repeat information from one meeting to the next, resulting in frustration and delays. It would have been more efficient and productive if there had been better coordination and a stronger sense of continuity between sessions. In summary, while Tiffany Andrews and her team were pleasant to work with, there are clear areas for improvement. Enhancing client expectation management, addressing cost transparency, and ensuring consistent communication and continuity throughout the mediation process would greatly benefit Tiffany and her team. These learning opportunities could elevate the quality of their services, providing clients with a more satisfactory experience. Tom and Naomi
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10 Apr, 2024 by Bryan gaytan
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FAQs
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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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

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