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04 Oct, 2024 by Timmy
I cannot recommend Greg Dunn highly enough as a bankruptcy attorney. From the moment I reached out, he was professional, knowledgeable, and compassionate about my situation. Greg made a stressful and overwhelming process feel manageable by explaining every step clearly and providing practical guidance. He truly cared about my well-being and worked tirelessly to ensure the best possible outcome for me. His experience and expertise in bankruptcy law are exceptional, and I felt confident and supported throughout the entire process. If you’re looking for an attorney who is not only skilled but also genuinely cares, Greg Dunn is the one!
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27 Sep, 2024 by Darryl byrd
want to extend my deepest gratitude to Greg Dunn and team for their exceptional legal representation. From the beginning, they demonstrated a thorough understanding of my case, offering expert guidance and support every step of the way. Their professionalism, dedication, and attention to detail were evident throughout the entire process, and I always felt confident knowing I was in such capable hands.
Greg Dunn not only provided excellent legal advice but also took the time to explain complex matters in a way that was easy to understand. His responsiveness and genuine concern for my well-being made all the difference during this challenging time.
Thanks to their hard work, I was able to achieve a successful outcome, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results. I highly recommend Greg Dunn and, his team to anyone in need of skilled and compassionate legal assistance.
Thank you
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27 Sep, 2024 by Facts 808
There are times in your life where things happen that are out of your control. As much as you try your best to handle it all, you must make a decision. I researched and read reviews from many sites and locals. Honest testimonies are the best. Greg Dunn came up multiple times. It was obvious he was the one to visit. Greg and his staff Francene and Sterling are courteous, understanding, efficient, and knowledgeable. You will receive prompt responses. They took the time to explain all the documents and were very patient with my numerous questions and concerns. With a payment plan, exact cost laid out for you, and personal guidance, the process is less stressful, as you may have initially thought. They handled my case with the utmost professionalism and care. I now have peace of mind that everything was done properly and with a favorable outcome. I highly recommend Greg Dunn without any reservations.
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5.0
5 Reviews
5.0
116 Reviews
05 Sep, 2024 by Jason rosario
Excellent at what they do!!!! They helped me with my lemon against Hyundai and I am very pleased! I highly recommend and will save them in case I have to use them again in the future.
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25 Aug, 2024 by Michael young
David is awesome. He did a great job settling my case so quickly. I would highly recommend his Law Firm.
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19 Aug, 2024 by Martin paredes-martinez
My consultation with Mr David Gorberg was quick and professional! I was looking to become a client but I ended up not needed the service due to some positive outcomes. I witnessed interaction with him and my friend and it made me want to call him immediately for my issue. He’s very knowledgeable and ONLY has yours and your family’s best interest at heart. I recommend his services for either general information or to hire them for your case 10/10!
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23 Nov, 2020 by Carol
I highly recommend Stacey Joroff.
Stacey is a top-notch, efficient lawyer.
She will not waste your time or money and is very skilled in her profession.
I felt Stacey was honest to the point about all my options.
Look no further, she is the best on the island!
Mahalo Nui Loa, Stacey
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21 Oct, 2019 by Chris
I sought out Stacey to assist me with my divorce. She responded even though she was travelling at the time! She made time to see me even though it was rather short notice, and I was about to travel off island myself. She was very thorough, knowledgeable and prepared for every step of the process. I would ABSOLUTELY recommend her services to anyone in need of a fantastic lawyer for family court. Her rate is WORTH IT. No better lawyer on Kauai! Much Mahalos Stacey!
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27 Sep, 2019 by Tim.
skilled and compassionate attorney. honest and trustworthy. handled a difficult divorce with some sticky issues with honesty and tact. very professional and didn’t inflate her hours or influence. much appreciated
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10 Aug, 2017 by Anonymous
Steve is unbelievably awesome. He saved my sanity. Prepared my docs so fast and got my divorce filed and finalized within 2 months and I have kids! Amazing!!!
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06 Mar, 2017 by Hector
To sum up my personal experience with Steve: I was wrongfully accused of abusing my daughter by my ex and thanks to these committed individuals, I was not only exonerated of these false allegations but Steven went above and beyond to clear my name by finding crucial facts and fighting hard for me in and outside of court. I would recommend this office to any father (or mother) struggling in Family court and fighting for the TRUTH. Make no mistake, this office provides exceptional work and does not settle for anything less than average, every penny spent is worth their quality work.
Steve is a passionate and caring individual. He is very investigative in his work, never confronting an obstacle without being very prepared and well knowledgeable on the matter through his exceptional research skills. Mr. Kim responds well to all e-mails, providing a very insightful perspective and takes a commanding charge for necessary next steps. I now consider him not just my attorney who I know I can always count on for any legal matter, but most of all a friend I can depend on to protect my family.
Believe me when I said, I can trust my life that Steven will look out for the best interest of my life and my daughter. Thank you for everything.
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28 Oct, 2016 by Maria
Our family lives in the Mainland, and we were in a desperate need for legal support in Hawaii when I approached Steve. It was a complicated family court case, heartbreaking for us as it involves a child. Steve was very accommodating and he and his team expertly represented us throughout the long court process. Very professional and strategic in his delivery, yet attentive and cared deeply for what our family was going through. Happy to report that the results were very positive, better than we can hope for. Our home is now filled with laughter, and we owe it to Steve!
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03 Feb, 2022 by Jeff
Mari did an excellent job helping with my divorce. I have never been through the divorce process before and after being married for 25 years it was difficult emotionally. Mari walked me through the process and explained all the options. She was prepared when we went the court. The divorce was expedited because of her excellent tactics.
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02 Feb, 2022 by Anonymous
I cannot recommend Mari Kishimoto Doi enough. She is professional, compassionate, organized, an excellent communicator, experienced and knowledgeable about family law and child custody, and above all, puts her client's needs and wants above her own feelings and opinions. I trusted her judgement completely while going through a contentious divorce & custody battle and felt that every step of the way, she had my & my infant's physical & emotional wellbeing at the forefront of everything she did. Mari was excellent at dealing with the high-conflict opposing party and did not get derailed by frivolous or irrelevant claims that had no bearing on the child's physical or legal custody or on my parenting. Although I hope I never need a family law attorney again, I would hire Mari again in a heartbeat.
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28 Sep, 2022 by Melissa corbin
This review is way past due. Huilin was my godsend. If not for her, my ex spouse and his unethical lawyer would have dragged my divorce out more than the two years they have already had. I had two previous attorneys before finding Huilin and although they promised to keep the cost down, they lied. If you would like to know who the other attorneys involved where please respond. Anyway Huilin cut through all the bs and had me divorce fairly within 3 months. She is the best Honolulu has and I will always have her back as she had mine. You'd be insane not to hire her.
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23 Aug, 2020 by Anonymous
In a difficult time in my life, Attorney HuiLin Dong handled my divorce case, She is patient & a true professional in her field. My child custody process itself was extremely overwhelming and emotional, She answered all of my questions and was very clear on all possible outcomes of my case and outcome was great !
She has great knowledge of the legal steps necessary to conduct business. Really a great asset in the law business.
She was charged very reasonable cost, and successfully able to guided me through some complicated family issues and I am forever grateful for the services she provided.
We are highly recommended her legal services to anyone in need of help. Mahalo !
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04 Mar, 2023 by Stefan
Five stars!
Erin Kobavashi is an outstanding lawyer!
Her office is conveniently located right on Bishop Street and her fees are reasonable but most of all, she is very caring, supportive, and efficient!
l am a retired VA Psychiatrist, who was dealing with long Covid symptoms as the divorce proceeded and she was very flexible and patient with me. She is an absolutely superb lawyer!
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16 Nov, 2023 by Joan matsuoka
Great attorney with years of experience. Very professional and compassionate.
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11 Feb, 2022 by Kat kamalamalama
Great man, knowledgeable and straight forward. Loved it
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30 Sep, 2019 by Lehua lum
03 Oct, 2024 by Heidi archibald
My husband and I recently worked with Keoni Souza to set up our Living Will and Trust. Keoni did a remarkable job of guiding us through this unfamiliar process that, to us, initially felt overwhelming. He was very thorough in his explanation of options, the legal ramifications, and what to expect with every scenario. The process was seamless from start to finish. Everything was explained clearly. He was always available to answer our questions. I highly recommend Keoni Souza. We will be going back to him in the future.
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02 Oct, 2024 by Tony h
Keoni is exceptional! His services are worth the money and effort. The process was streamlined and he even adjusted his schedule to help fit our unique requirements. We look forward to continuing to work with him in the future.
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28 Aug, 2024 by Gillian dunn
I highly recommend Keoni Souza for estate planning. Keoni explains all the steps clearly and organizes the documents so you can keep on track. He likes to keep you on a schedule which is great if you've been procrastinating your planning! He also has various payment plans so you get the services you need at a fair price. Keoni is also highly personable while having a pragmatic approach to estate planning.
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5.0
2 Reviews
4.8
23 Reviews
30 Jun, 2023 by Anthony anthony
Working Daryl and his team was a great experience. They made it all very simple, right down to the “sign right here” moments. Often times I was out of touch and my wife’s English was not very good at the time but they were patient and understanding. When we were a bit worked up, they took the time to put our worries at ease. Absolutely would recommend.
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07 Mar, 2022 by John soon hee lee
The best Family Law Attorney's in town. I've been a client of theirs for almost 30 years and they successfully handled all of my divorces and child custody cases.
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03 Jun, 2021 by Chris hobbs
Came to Daryl looking for advice on my H1B visa and options going forward with transfer and renewal. He was incredibly knowledgeable, clear and compassionate and really helped with my situation, providing me with information about LCAs and competitive recruitment. Would not hesitate to consult or hire Daryl again, a great experience overall.
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12 Aug, 2024 by Shalondra suto
Mr. Liebenguth was prompt and informative when initially seeking his consultation and service. I appreciate his approach as it’s geared towards understanding what your concerns are and educating you on his services before requesting payment. He is very knowledgeable about Military processes and without him representing me I believe my outcome would have been negative. Having him in my corner gave me so much peace of mind while going through a stressful situation. I strongly recommend hiring Mr. Liebenguth for representation to ensure your process is fair and just.
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09 Aug, 2024 by Kalani makanui
I wish I could provide higher than a five-star rating for Nathan. He is an exceptional lawyer. My family spent 3 years wrapped up with another law firm, caught in an administrative stalemate. I called around to find different lawyers (made 7 separate phone calls). Only 3 law firms called me back, and 2 of them wanted to charge exorbitant rates for what we needed. Nathan called back quickly and provided a detailed, step-by-step explanation of what was needed to complete our property conveyance and handle back taxes/administrative filing. He even encouraged us to take the necessary steps ourselves if we felt comfortable. Nathan took on our case, even though other firms told us it wasn't worth their time - in addition, Nathan handled this work promptly, professionally, and with a great sense of humor and patience. Nathan accomplished in 3 weeks what another firm couldn't complete in 3 years. Thank you to Nathan for singularly stellar service and for effective work at an unbeatable price.
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08 Aug, 2024 by Makena kamakani
I highly recommend Myles for anyone seeking top-notch legal representation. His expertise, professionalism, and commitment to his clients are truly impressive. Myles took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided clear, effective guidance throughout the entire process. His dedication and attention to detail ensured a favorable outcome. If you need a skilled and reliable lawyer, Myles is the one to trust.
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12 Aug, 2024 by Shalondra suto
Mr. Liebenguth was prompt and informative when initially seeking his consultation and service. I appreciate his approach as it’s geared towards understanding what your concerns are and educating you on his services before requesting payment. He is very knowledgeable about Military processes and without him representing me I believe my outcome would have been negative. Having him in my corner gave me so much peace of mind while going through a stressful situation. I strongly recommend hiring Mr. Liebenguth for representation to ensure your process is fair and just.
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09 Aug, 2024 by Kalani makanui
I wish I could provide higher than a five-star rating for Nathan. He is an exceptional lawyer. My family spent 3 years wrapped up with another law firm, caught in an administrative stalemate. I called around to find different lawyers (made 7 separate phone calls). Only 3 law firms called me back, and 2 of them wanted to charge exorbitant rates for what we needed. Nathan called back quickly and provided a detailed, step-by-step explanation of what was needed to complete our property conveyance and handle back taxes/administrative filing. He even encouraged us to take the necessary steps ourselves if we felt comfortable. Nathan took on our case, even though other firms told us it wasn't worth their time - in addition, Nathan handled this work promptly, professionally, and with a great sense of humor and patience. Nathan accomplished in 3 weeks what another firm couldn't complete in 3 years. Thank you to Nathan for singularly stellar service and for effective work at an unbeatable price.
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08 Aug, 2024 by Makena kamakani
I highly recommend Myles for anyone seeking top-notch legal representation. His expertise, professionalism, and commitment to his clients are truly impressive. Myles took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided clear, effective guidance throughout the entire process. His dedication and attention to detail ensured a favorable outcome. If you need a skilled and reliable lawyer, Myles is the one to trust.
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04 Oct, 2021 by Chef zz
Col Thomas D. Farell is the brightest litigation lawyer I have ever encounter from
Around the Globe . Mr Farell is a gentlemen , a scholar and one the best attorneys you will
Wish to Have on your side . He is straightforward, tell you how it is and he is 99.9% correct . He has extensive knowledge of the law and he has integrity . He represented me In one of the bizarre, complicated cases In the state of hawaii against a legion of lawyers and at the end after a brutal 48 months he triumphs .
Hire him I put my money on it
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30 Jul, 2021 by Suzanna hall
Tom took on my case of coercive control. We settled a TRO, a cross TRO and a Paternity in 2 hearings. The father of my child is a police officer and really knew every card to play the system. Tom got me my child, child support, back support, and has held my hand through CPS interrogations, and every negative card my baby’s dad threw at me. He sees right through him. This process wasn’t easy for me, and I’m very young, and of course I made many bad choices and mistakes, but tom handled them all. Like I said, he stayed by my side through a CPS interrogation that was extremely biased. I will forever be grateful to this man for standing up for me in ways nobody else has ever stood up for me. My reputation and credibility was being slaughtered very quickly. Tom handled it. Period. End.
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15 May, 2021 by Anonymous
I hired Mr Farrell help me with a security clearance issue. I believe he is the only attorney in Hawaii who deals with these issues. He was the consummate professional and he helped me provide a thorough response. Most importantly, I won my case.
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06 Oct, 2024 by Jonalyn pacoma
No words can express how grateful and blessed we are to meet with Attorney Blake Goodman and his staff. They helped us every step of the way and kept us updated. All the staff are friendly and supportive. I highly recommend them to anyone who is going through financial difficulties and challenges, right when you leave the office you feel relieved.
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05 Oct, 2024 by Deborah iijima
The whole process was very fast, and all of the staff were very helpful and professional! I am glad I chose Blake Goodman’s office to help!
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02 Oct, 2024 by Bill doyle
I was pleased to receive a return call promptly after requesting a consultation. Knowledgeable, courteous, ready to assist, Blake Goodman listens carefully and provides his best counsel for a path forward. He thoughtfully referred me to another attorney with more relevant practice for my question. Top marks!
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06 Oct, 2024 by Jonalyn pacoma
No words can express how grateful and blessed we are to meet with Attorney Blake Goodman and his staff. They helped us every step of the way and kept us updated. All the staff are friendly and supportive. I highly recommend them to anyone who is going through financial difficulties and challenges, right when you leave the office you feel relieved.
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05 Oct, 2024 by Deborah iijima
The whole process was very fast, and all of the staff were very helpful and professional! I am glad I chose Blake Goodman’s office to help!
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02 Oct, 2024 by Bill doyle
I was pleased to receive a return call promptly after requesting a consultation. Knowledgeable, courteous, ready to assist, Blake Goodman listens carefully and provides his best counsel for a path forward. He thoughtfully referred me to another attorney with more relevant practice for my question. Top marks!
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27 Jun, 2024 by Midnight sui generis (bjh of horsin around)
Got what I wanted and a little extra😉 The office gives early 2000’s disorganized musty school office but it’s there. Jeffy jeff was such a treat. I made this to remember him always 🤍🖤🤍 RIP to your pro bono family lawyer, but he’s built different 😘🤤
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15 Feb, 2024 by Debra kaawalauole
Super professional, and quickly completed our court case hearing. Yes, they were pricey, but we paid for quality work. I would always recommend this law firm to others. They helped get the adoption of our son done in a timely and efficient manner. They communicated with us constantly, and kept us in the loop. They provided all the essential paper work for us, as well as helped navigate the filling out of certain documents. Very knowledgeable attorneys, and satisfied with the work that was completed.
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15 Feb, 2024 by Dayne kaawalauole
We worked with Shannon and it’s crazy to think anyone would have negative things to say about her or this law firm. They have been nothing but efficient and professional in helping with my son’s adoption case. Yea we paid a pretty penny but truthfully it was worth every cent. 10/10 would recommend. Mahalo nui for all of your guys help!
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09 Oct, 2020 by Anonymous
Her efforts covered the ground I needed covered. Timely, complete. She listened and cared. And got it right.
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24 Apr, 2020 by Anonymous
Ms. Henschel gave me a free consultation to look over my case and after calling around to other offices, hers was the only one that seemed to care about my circumstances.
The retainer was manageable for my budget and Ms. Henschel was very conscious about updating me on the work going into my case.
She followed up with me whenever relevant and I had no issues getting in contact with her whenever I had concerns.
I would use her service again in a heart beat knowing she really does care
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19 Feb, 2020 by Anonymous
Ms. Henschel took a retainer, filed my divorce paperwork incorrectly, did not update me about court documents when they were received by her, demanded more money without an invoice for her work, then ghosted me when I tried to reach out for information and clarification. Do not use her services.
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17 Jan, 2023 by Linaking9
although they represent my husband in our divorce and I am Pro Se. They seem to be helpful and professional altogether good people.
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12 Nov, 2022 by Trevin hofmann
I cannot recommend working with Hartley & McGehee on any legal case. From my experience, they were unresponsive, slow, and expensive.
After a $250 consultation on 2022-02-14 regarding divorce, I was left with a positive impression of Hartley & McGehee. On 2022-02-22, I hired Hartley & McGehee as my legal representation in seeking a divorce. My case was primarily handled by Elsa McGehee, Kalani Kim, and Alyssa Le’i.
164 days and $5,441.77* in fees later, I terminated the services of Hartley & McGehee on 2022-08-05. Within this timeframe, the great accomplishments of Hartley & McGehee were limited to (1) filing the Complaint for Divorce and related documents with the court, (2) serving my spouse with the case paperwork, and (3) proposing a Divorce Decree which was ignored by the defendant.
After terminating their services, Hartley & McGehee waited until 2022-08-30 to file their motion to withdraw, squandering another 25 days of my case. Not only did they waste more of my time, but Hartley & McGehee continued billing me after terminating their services, sending an invoice which included an additional $714.44* in fees from 2022-08-09 to 2022-08-25.
Here are a few other highlights from my experience with Hartley & McGehee:
• They provided me with misinformed guidance on the sponsor’s contract of USCIS Form I-864, even after discussing the matter with their immigration law colleague. The key piece of misinformation they provided is that the immigrant’s income (including alimony payments) would not reduce the financial obligations of the contract, and they insisted that their guidance was correct even after I cited multiple legal cases to the contrary.
• When refunding the remainder of my deposit / trust account, they mailed the check to an old address in the wrong state despite having been provided with my latest address.
• Elsa McGehee admitted plainly in an apology to me on 2022-08-10 that they had “been short-staffed.”
• They failed to send me all relevant documents for my case, such as email communications with their immigration law colleague, when I requested them upon terminating their services. I needed to pry further with more specific requests, and I am still not certain if I have everything.
• They cautioned against getting a restraining order against my abusive spouse because it “may make our communication with her a bit tricky” and left me to “handle that on [my] own.” In an unrecorded call, they also downplayed the severity of my spouse’s abuse and harassment since it was no longer physical. However, my spouse has continued harassing me with _thousands_ of messages and numerous voicemails using _hundreds_ of spoofed phone numbers to circumvent attempts to block communication.
• I requested multiple times that we proceed with advancing the divorce in court in order to have a hearing and a resolution because the defendant was not being responsive to our proposed resolution. These requests were ignored, which was the primary cause for this case being dragged out for so long.
• On 2022-03-03, near the beginning of the case, I emailed a list of 16 direct questions regarding the case and how to complete the Income & Expense and Asset & Debt forms. Alyssa Le’i responded only to questions #4 and #12, ignoring the rest.
* This is a sum of the subtotals, not including the 4.712% tax or the 10% discount for early payment.
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14 Mar, 2022 by Theresa v kamana
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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:
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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.
