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09 Jul, 2024 by Rev, kelly
Good attorney. Went the extra mile for me. Saved my life.
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02 May, 2024 by Sam nash
Lizzie and I had the most wonderful wedding and Paemon, as our officiant, was a big part of making that happen. Besides giving us clear and very helpful guidance he was very professional, personable and passionate about the process. I can't fully express how much we appreciate how he held such a big part in our special day unfolding without a hitch. Lizzie and I will be singing his praises for years to come!
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02 May, 2024 by Rj rossman
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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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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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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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14 Aug, 2024 by Brooke moore
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13 Aug, 2024 by Tierra schmitt
Tony was very fast with helping me with my tickets and got them reduced. He was very fast, thoughtful and did everything that he could for me and the outcome was great. I hope I never have to use him again but if I need someone I know who to call. Thank you for representing me Tony.
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12 Aug, 2024 by Tara lawson
Excellent attorney!! Very affordable! Highly recommend 👌
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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
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20 Dec, 2023 by Erin
Mark was very easy to work with, prompt and knowledgeable. Made the difficult process run as smoothly as possibly. I appreciate him and his firm.
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15 Dec, 2023 by Nikki
Mark was great!!! Easy, clear, and quick communication any time anything came up. Really just made the whole process smooth and painless!
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13 Aug, 2023 by Bob
Mark was very kind, considerate and knowledgeable about my case. He provided honest direction as well as support throughout my case. His communication was exceptional. His cost was extremely fair. I'd highly recommend d Mark.
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23 Aug, 2021 by Cathy
John puts his heart into taking care of his clients, and his dedication shows. He is a brilliant lawyer, but even more importantly, he is a good and kind man.
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13 Aug, 2021 by Anonymous
I found John on Avvo and I am glad I hired him. He made me see things clearly and explained step by step. I had no clue what I was going to face. He was very reassuring. He is very prompt in getting back to me and always one step ahead of the situation. I really appreciate everything he did for me. I highly recommend him for everyone. He is a wonderful attorney. Thanks John.
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12 Apr, 2021 by Anonymous
I had the pleasure to work with John for my prenup. He was very helpful, professional and patient throughout the process. Highly recommend to anyone who needs legal assistance!!
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21 Mar, 2022 by Paul
If you are facing a divorce you are in good hands with HHG and Dzenana Delic. Susan did the Initial consultation and gave me great advice on the beginning, when my ex tried to take the kids. And how to fight a sole custody attempt. Then Dzenana Delic took over my case and I cannot really express how good of a job she did. She told me the truth and what would happen and what I needed to do. It was a long case that was conflict laden to say the least. When it came time to negotiate and settle the case is when I realized how great of a decision I made and how great Dzenana was at her job. We negotiated a great settlement and protected my rights as a single father. If you are facing an ugly divorce and you aren’t sure who to hire I can tell you that if you choose HHG and Dzenana Delic you will be in good hands. Dzenana always answered emails and followed up. I’ll never forget the way I was represented and defended.
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07 Jan, 2020 by Anonymous
Hands down Susan Hais and Caitlin Keene are some of the best Divorce attorneys in St Louis. After going through 3 other attorneys in Jefferson Co and getting the shaft from all of them, my case was a complete joke. I found Susan Hais, she took the case and felt I was clearly not being represented correctly. As you can expect I was about ready to just quit and give up, since being honest and truthful does not seem to get you anywhere these days in court. Susan stepped in and told me what to expect and the real costs worse case, to prove everything to go to trial. I did not want to spend anymore but understood. The first court date with Susan the other Attorney pretty much gave up and settled the case finally, I was amazed how worried and nervous he was, I am not sure what The two amazing Attorneys did to the opposing counsel in the Judges chambers, but it felt good to finally see a day in court going right for a man. During the whole remainder of the case Susan and Caitlin were always understanding of keeping their time time and billed fairly, they really worked for me and got it done. I was impressed and I am happy to highly recommend these two amazing Attorneys to several folks so far and will continue to recommend them to everyone I know who is in need of their services. Thanks again guys!!
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31 Dec, 2019 by Anonymous
I came to Susan when I was kicked out of my home by my husband. She explained everything she could do to help me get what I need to be able to live independently and happy. Susan fought hard for me against my husband’s lawyer. I ended up with more than I ever expected!! Susan and her team are the best!
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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
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27 Oct, 2023 by Patricia
Have been with Chris Hendrix from 2000 With child custody, wills, property.
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20 Oct, 2023 by Kathie
I have been going to Christine Miller Hendrex for over 30 years. I hired her as my divorce lawyer. My daughter also used her. She has also done some other things fore me beside divorce. She always calls you back right away. She has a lot of patience with what you have to say. I would recommend her highly to anyone who needs a good lawyer
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09 May, 2016 by Thomas
Ms. Hendrix has been an amazing attorney for over 20 years for myself. She's helped me numerous amount of times on my case with my son on custody and child support matters. I will say I've never had one complaint with her the way she's handled my cases. She's very professional, great patience and really has perfected her field. Her knowledge is incomparable to any other attorney I've spoken with. It's like she sleeps and studies at the same time. I've referred everyone I know looking for representation to her. Excellent work Ms. Hendrix. I will continue to have Ms. Hendrix represent me for as long as she's in the business. Thank you.
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12 Jul, 2024 by Mary evans
Honestly, the interactions with this office “Parks and Drake Attorneys at the Lake” have been phenomenal! They have made my family feel so comfortable and supported. My elderly father understood every word spoken to him (as Jill explained verbatim) as she took her time, yet understood our urgency. Thank you so very much! I’m sure we will continue to be in contact through out the year/ years to come. Respectfully, Mary Evans
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08 Jul, 2024 by Dont worryaboutit
Rather than treat me badly when i said i was going to see some other options, they provided me a path forward to make the search easier. Thank you
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21 May, 2024 by Heather dissen
Danielle Drake helped us set up our trust. We had been putting it off because we thought it would be so difficult & tedious. We were so wrong! Danielle went over everything with us, answered tons of questions and got it done so quickly. She even provided instructions for the things we needed to do. I highly recommend Parks & Drake!
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30 Aug, 2014 by Amie
Tara Jensen made my bankruptcy a very smooth transition and I would recommend her to anyone. She was easy to communicate with, understanding, and helpful.
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25 Mar, 2014 by Janet
Tara, went above what was expected. She gave us wonderful understanding and kindness duing vcery difficult time in our life. She explained everything that would happen gave us total peace of mind.
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10 Sep, 2013 by Jheremy
Wen I say god brought her to me he did. I was accused of a crime which I didn't do and this women told me without even knowing me that she believed me n their was no doubt I was lieing. This women fought for me and I can say she is a lawyers who actually cares. She no slacker she works hard but the only way it works right if you work the right way n be patient. This a awsome women I feel like I can thank her forever and ever bc she gave me my life back. Thanks TARA
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15 Dec, 2014 by Mike
I found Shelley to be an honest, trust worthy and up front person. She was on time, had her act together and got me what I needed, which the last two lawyers couldn't.
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25 Nov, 2014 by Gary
I am happy to have the opportunity to recommend Shelley. She has been very helpful though all that I have had to deal with during my crazy divorce. I have been completely happy with choosing her as my lawyer
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18 Nov, 2014 by Sage
In my experience, I have worked with many attorneys, both personally and professionally, and there is absolutely no question that Shelley is the most competent and trustworthy professional that I have ever had the pleasure in working with. Her approach to case law is innovative and catered specifically to the clients that she works for. In working with Shelley, I felt that she truly advocated for me and my case and genuinely cared about the outcome in which she was representing. Words will never express how eternally grateful I am to Shelley for her authentic representation.
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19 Jul, 2024 by Brian
I am extremely grateful I was referred to Laura to represent me during my divorce. She is very knowledgable and confident in her field. Laura fought hard for my rights as a father and to remain present in my child’s life, which was not an easy task. Laura’s experience was evident from the start, she never wavered and, more importantly, was able to be a calming presence throughout all the ups and downs during my divorce process. Laura was always accessible and responsive anytime I needed her. She has assembled an outstanding team who shared her dedication and attention to my details. We dealt with several unreasonable requests and Laura confidently made them fade away until reaching the conclusion of just being fair with my parenting and financial rights. I feel extremely lucky that she was introduced to me and thankful she was my advocate during this grueling period in my life. In a climate such divorce/family law, I was concerned I would be spending unnecessary time and money, but I never had an ounce of those feelings working with Laura. Working with her will make that point very clear, just as I knew she was invested in my best interests. Laura’s involvement did not end with my Judgment as she has continued to support my needs for post-divorce matters. I would not hesitate to recommend Laura and the Stobie Law Firm to family, friends or strangers in need of an excellent family attorney who will fight for everything that is sacred to them.
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12 Jan, 2024 by Lindsay
Laura worked on my divorce case and she did an amazing job! I highly recommend Laura and her staff to anyone who is going through a "nasty" divorce. My ex wanted to pay minimal support and zero maintenance, but due to Laura's hard work and perseverance, I had a very, very favorable outcome!
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17 Sep, 2023 by Richard
Laura was one of my attorneys in my Divorce Case, Her knowledge, practicality, and logic used during the procedure was amazing. during a divorce case things can get very emotional. Especially if there are children involved. Because of that, I feel like most people even despite their best efforts let emotions control the decisions or actions during the case. Laura along with my other attorneys were able to keep me on track, keep me grounded in my thought process and I truly feel like she was fighting for what I wanted and what was important for me and my child as well. I would absolutely recommend Laura to anyone going through this situation. I would not be where I am today with out her.
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29 Jul, 2022 by Orlandoluis
I hired attorney Karen Pittman-Pace for an entire year. It was a very complicated civil case. It was connected to another criminal case in another MO county. The Father was being denied access to his Baby. At first, it seemed impossible to get anything at court. But Pittman-Pace managed to win the case step by step, until Father and Baby were finally back together and happy. The whole family is now healing. Justice has been rightfully served in both civil and criminal courts. In addition, the Judge granted an Order of Protection and a Temporary Restraining Order in my favor, thanks to the work of Pittman-Pace. I highly recommend Karen Pittman-Pace, an experienced and innovative attorney that will fight for your legal and human rights even if you are about to give up. She represents justice and hope. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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10 Apr, 2021 by Carolyn
Mrs Karen Pittman-Pace is a hard worker. I don't know when she ever find time to sleep. She returns calls and emails in a timely fashion. Her communication skills are excellent. She took on my case and my sons case in family court with compassion and professionalism. I was completely stressed out and felt helpless until she took over our cases. Just knowing that she was trustworthy helped with my anxiety and panic attacks during trial. Most importantly she was respectful. As the victim, that meant a lot to me. If you need an attorney that takes on your situation as if they've lived it then Mrs. Karen Pittman-Pace is the attorney for you. She helped my son and I both win our cases. Job well done and money well spent. You get what you pay for.
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20 Jan, 2021 by Julie
Karen Pittman Pace came highly recommended to me several years ago. Karen is extremely knowledgeable in the “family law” arena and knows the business like no other. She is tough - a fighter, persistent, brilliant and everything in between. And she always goes above and beyond to win for her clients. I would recommend Ms. Pittman Pace to anyone looking for exceptional legal representation in the St. Louis area.
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04 May, 2013 by Brandie
Molly is a very knowledgeable attorney who keeps me informed on the status of my case and opposing counsel and is very responsive to my questions, emails and phone calls. She is a caring individual who makes my child's wellbeing and care a top priority, always listening to my concerns and taking action as necessary. Molly explains all hearings, filings, etc. so I understand the court process. She is always well prepared for hearings and opposing counsel meetings. After working with three other attorneys, I trust Molly is the best lawyer to handle my child custody case and trial.
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05 Jul, 2012 by Anonymous
I am a current client of Ms. Murphy. She is an excellent attorney. She has been very patient and caring throughout handling my case, and she is very knowledgeable and experienced.
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18 Jun, 2012 by Brendan
I hired Molly Murphy because my ex kept pushing for more child custody and support. Molly was always available to talk to me or update me. If you have to go to court and go through a lot of court dates, you want Molly on your team. She knew everyone at the courthouse, including the Judge. I ended up with more time with my kids and less child support.
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29 Apr, 2015 by Anonymous
Jackie handled my recent divorce. She offered great advise and let me choose how I wanted to handle things. She would meet with us after hours or even on the weekend if needed. I have always felt I could call her no matter the day of the week or the time of the day if I had a question or needed advise. She is well respected amoung her peers and will always have your best interest at heart.
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29 Apr, 2015 by Anonymous
Jackie makes sure I'm always informed of what's going on and is very knowledgeable. She often makes suggestions of options that I had not thought of. Would highly recommend her for all child custody and support modifications.
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29 Apr, 2015 by Patricia
I must admit, I chose Jacquelyn Gonz for 2 reasons. 1) Her initial consult was free, 2) Gender. From start to finish Jackie was all I could have hoped for in an attorney. Personable, but professional. Knowledgable. If she was unsure of an answer to one of my many questions, she found the answer, ASAP. Fair rates and willing to work with you to make your experience with her a positive one. I would definitely seek legal counsel with Jackie in the future and recommend her to anyone in need of legal services.
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16 Nov, 2023 by Wendell
Atty Embrey was a God-send. My parents were facing foreclosure due to unpaid HOA fees. A family member recommended Atty Embrey. She responded to my voice mail in a timely manner, explained the process thoroughly and communicated each action she took frequently. She pushed me to follow up on what I needed to do and kept me in the loop throughout the entire process. Her price was fair and reasonable. I would highly recommend using her services.
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26 Jul, 2023 by Anonymous
Ms. Embrey was amazing from start to finish. She is very quick with responses and obtaining results. She even worked weekends to make sure I continued to have a home.
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01 Apr, 2023 by Anonymous
Shameeza is sharp, knowledgeable, direct, creative, diligent, compassionate, communicates and is a generally exceptional human being, I hired her on a landlord/tenant matter and she was everything I want in legal counsel. She was on top of everything. She communicates, something that eludes a lot of other attorneys. She’s creative in doing her research and finding solutions. And she’s just really pleasant to deal with. Hire her. Highly recommended.
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20 Jun, 2017 by Helen
After having a very negative experience with two attorneys previously, regarding a civil case my husband and I were involved in , I learned of Attorney Natalie Phillips, quite by accident. Immediately upon meeting with Natalie, I could tell she was very different from the others. I was struck by how personable she is, as well as the way she intently listened to our issues and concerns, without making a snap judgment or jumping to conclusions. She took her time in speaking with us during our initial consultation, and offered reasonable advice and solutions to our immediate pressing issues. She worked closely with us to find a viable solution to our on-going, nearly four-year nightmare, and she did it quickly, professionally, and was able to complete it all within our very tight budget. Natalie Phillips ALWAYS returned my calls or emails quickly, and was able to do in 3 weeks, what the other attorneys we worked with were unable to do in nearly four years!!! Had it not been for Natalie’s willingness to step up to the plate on our behalf, our nagging legal issues would NEVER have ended. My family and I are eternally grateful to her for her assistance. I would NEVER hesitate to utilize Natalie’s services again, if needed. She is TRULY the best of the best! If you are looking for an attorney who is knowledgeable, professional, helpful, proactive, and actually cares about the clients they represent, look no further. Natalie Phillips is not only a wonderful human being, she is truly a one in a million attorney!
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10 Aug, 2013 by Terry
She is experienced and helpful. She always returned my phone calls quickly. I would use her again.
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02 Mar, 2011 by Elizabeth
She was very helpful and answered all of my questions. I felt comfortable with the handling of my case. She always returned my calls quickly. I would recommend her to others.
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23 Sep, 2024 by Anonymous
Jennifer Rench supported me not just as my knowlegable and talented divorce lawyer, but as a genuine human with empathy. She was like a big sister that tells you the truth and reality, sternly, but with compassion and understanding. My collaborative, separation and divorce was a rocky one due to events that were completely out of my control. She did an amazing job at rolling with the punches and presented my options with explanations and possible outcomes. This helped me feel prepared throughout the process. She empowered me with the knowledge and would tell me her honest opinion, but the decision was always mine. She never made me feel pressured to go one way, or the other, on any of the hundreds of decisions a divorce requires. She would simply ask what I wanted to achieve, and we would work together to get there. I know that during the hardest moments of my life, having Jennifer Rench in my corner made my journey so much easier. Something I'll never forget. If you are in the St. Louis, MO area I would recommend her a thousand times over. She's up to speed on digital everything!! So you can upload the documents she needs in a few clicks, reference all of your documents throughout the process, and collaborate. I was able to work with her from another state via her portal system and Zoom. I could also make payments and view history. I met Jennifer in person, for the first time at the end of my divorce. An When I did, it was like greeting family. She was able to create that connection miles away, and successfully do her job like the exceptional professional she is. So many people worry about virtual services, but don't be! Her firm is a well oiled machine and never misses a beat. Everything was always organized, on time, explained, and communicated well. The scheduling process is easy and she's flexible when needed. I hope to never need her services again, lol but I recommend her to everyone I meet who mentions divorce or separation. Thanks for everything Jennifer!
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05 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
I was struggling with understanding any legal lingo that was prepared by my ex-wife's uncontested attorney. More importantly I was just suppose to "trust" that we would be fair. I had never went thru this process & didn't want to be blindsided by an obligations. Jennifer took the time to go over the paperwork and answered all the questions that filled my mind. Very happy with her patience and gave me peace of mind!!
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17 May, 2021 by Mary rice
Very honest and nice.
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09 Sep, 2020 by Candace tatum
Excellent!!! Best in town
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20 Mar, 2020 by Patrick
Kelly Crowley is the most intelligent Attorney I have ever spoken with,I am blessed to have her and Burnett Driskill on my side,I thank God for all of you!!!!!
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17 Feb, 2017 by Anonymous
Jason was able to look up the law that was needed and did so at a reasonable cost. He's a very knowledgeable attorney who was willing to take on a very complex case.
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21 Dec, 2020 by Anonymous
Mr. Pratt is a great lawyer. He helped me get exactly what I wanted. I'm very happy with the services I got from him. He was always at court when he needed to be. He always helped me with any questions I had. He always kept me updated on everything. He was good at communicating.
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24 Oct, 2011 by Anonymous
He helped me get custody of my children and got attorney fees paid for my the other side.
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03 Apr, 2019 by Jeff
Thank you for handling my brothers affairs so efficiently and with a gentle and caring approach. Your willingness to visit us in the hospital (twice) to advise us on the correct path in writing up our legal documents is testimony to your compassion to help others during times of crisis and legal questions. Clearly, you went out of your way to pull it all together, then explain and execute three legal documents all within 24 hours.
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31 May, 2024 by Dan
Dan did a great job for my family when we were in need. He was able to meet with us quickly and was very professional when hearing us out. I could tell his advise was from a place of deep experience and I highly recommend him for any of your needs.
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21 Feb, 2012 by Clifford
Mr Duggan has helped us in many legal matters, has never been judgemental, he has always been helpful and honest. Traits in which I truly appreciate.
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25 Aug, 2022 by Melissa
My husband and I hired this attorney and are so very glad we did. Mr Bascom was amazing and far exceeded our expectations. Thank you Mr and Mrs Bascom. If we ever need another attorney, there’s no doubt I will call this one!
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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:

  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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