Lawyers map
>5
experienced lawyers
Filter by
11 Dec, 2024 by Chris whiting
Kim Krzyzaniak refuses to respond to emails or voice messages. Two or three weeks will go by with no response. I sent her a notarized divorce document on mid October and Kim did not respond to me until December 5 and still the divorce agreement is not filed. Poor communication. Questionable ethics. Substandard legal representation.
Read more
25 Sep, 2024 by Jeff weaver
As a mortgage professional that specializes in divorce, I've had the opportunity to work with several of Liz's clients. She and her team are not just experienced also creative problem solvers who advocate for their clients. If you're faced with a family law issue in your life, I would highly recommend Liz and her team.
Read more
16 Apr, 2024 by Brendan gallagher
Kathy Krzyzaniak was THE BEST. I found her to be incredibly nice and knowledgeable of my situation. It put me at ease seeing how she operates in the courtroom. My family and I were very impressed. She got the job done. I’m grateful that she’s got my back. Great person too.
Read more
16 Dec, 2024 by Victor kelly jr
Mr.Beck is very professional and knowledgeable. He was prompt and kept ne informed if the process. One of the best.
Read more
23 Nov, 2024 by Lidia banh
I hired Abigail in January 2023 to handle my divorce. I was told that, given the circumstances, it would be a fairly simple process and anticipated it would be completed within 90 to 120 days. Unfortunately, that was not the case. I often found myself trying to contact her for weeks without receiving a direct answer about the status of my case. Abby frequently excused the delays by claiming it was because I wanted to minimize costs. While it’s true I was mindful of expenses—as a single mother of three working two jobs—I still expected the work to be completed efficiently.
Abruptly, at the end of October, Abby informed me that she was “winding down the divorce portion” of her practice and told me I needed to find new counsel. By this point, she had depleted my retainer and most of my additional payments, leaving me with no choice but to spend more money on hiring new counsel.
When my new attorney reviewed my case, they found that Abby had done nothing but file the initial complaint during the entire time she represented me. Furthermore, Abby had “highly” recommended I accept the support amount offered, even though it was lower than appropriate. She had advised me to request APL (Alimony Pendente Lite) but failed to mention that accepting the proposed support amount would reduce payments due to the assumption that the children’s father would have custody 35% of the time. This was despite me explicitly telling her that he had no interest in being involved with the children.
Abby not only severely misrepresented me but also left me in an unethical and difficult position, forcing me to scramble to find the funds to hire new counsel.
Read more
17 Aug, 2024 by Jacqueline
Extremely disappointed. I spoke with Mr Beck and was very excited to work with him. He asked me to send over some information via email and he’d get started on my case. I followed up via email, in a week to see if he needed anything else from me. No reply. I called the office and left a message. I Wanted to be sure my email didn’t go to his spam or anything. No call back. I then Called 2wks after that call and spoke to another partner, Paul. I told him it’s been over a month and I hadn’t heard anything. I also mentioned if Mr. Beck isn’t interested in having me as a client, that’s ok but please let me know so I can find another lawyer. I’ve now wasted a month. He took my info and said he’d deliver the message. That was a week ago. Since 7/3 I haven’t heard anything back from Basil Beck. At this point I am now looking for another license lawyer. I am very disappointed with the outcome of this situation. Basil Beck had great reviews and specializes in exactly what I need for my case. It’s a shame.
Read more
29 Dec, 2017 by Pamela
Denise (Luz) Negron-Bennett made all the difference to me in the way she handled my divorce case. She answered every question I had along the way, and took the initiative to research relevant case law to put my mind at ease more times than I like to remember. I hired Denise for what should have been a much simpler divorce process, since my husband and I had no children together and the asset division seemed pretty straightforward. Yet when my husband made things difficult, Denise did everything to both counter his -- and his lawyer's -- games, and to protect me proactively re: assets, property access and distribution, anticipating court actions, and strategizing for my case. A warm and caring person by nature, Denise showed great compassion to me during what turned out to be a much more complex legal process than I had expected. She asked the right questions and knew when to stand her ground — even with me when I could not, at times, accept the reality of my own case or the ambiguity of some aspects of PA divorce law. Denise was beyond fair with her hourly pricing, and her office's physical location directly across from the courthouse in Norristown made filing and court appearances a much less costly process for me. As an advocate, Denise was there for me and I can honestly say that I would not have been able to go through the unexpected complications of my case without her.
Read more
27 Jan, 2017 by Vicky
I have nothing but good things to say about Luz. She was incredibly knowledgeable about child custody and was able to help guide me through the court process. She defended me extremely against a slanderous lawyer. She fought until the end to get me the best outcome possible in my situation. I would highly recommend her services. I will be using her in the future should something arise.
Read more
Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Child Support Lawyer Can Do for You
A child support lawyer specializes in legal issues related to the financial support that one parent provides to another for the upbringing of their children. These lawyers assist with establishing, enforcing, and modifying child support orders, ensuring that the financial needs of the child are met, including housing, food, healthcare, education, and other essentials. A child support lawyer can also represent parents in disputes over the amount of support, ensure fair calculations based on income, and handle legal proceedings if one parent fails to meet their obligations.
Whether you're seeking to establish child support, modify an existing order, or enforce payments, a child support lawyer can help you navigate the legal system and protect your rights and the well-being of your child.
When Should I Hire a Child Support Lawyer?
You should consider hiring a child support lawyer when you need assistance with any of the following child support matters:
- Establishing child support: If you are going through a divorce or separation and need to establish a child support order, a lawyer can help ensure that the support amount is fair and accurately calculated.
- Modifying child support orders: If there has been a significant change in circumstances, such as a job loss, income change, or a child's financial needs, a lawyer can help you request a modification to the existing child support order.
- Enforcing child support payments: If the other parent has failed to make court-ordered child support payments, a lawyer can help enforce the order through legal means such as wage garnishment, property liens, or even legal action.
- Disputing child support calculations: If you believe the child support amount has been incorrectly calculated based on your income or expenses, a lawyer can help you challenge the calculation and seek a fair adjustment.
- Paternity disputes: If paternity needs to be established before child support can be ordered, a lawyer can assist with DNA testing and legal proceedings.
- Interstate child support cases: If the parents live in different states, navigating child support laws can be complex. A lawyer can help ensure the proper jurisdiction is established and that child support is enforced across state lines.
- Child support during custody disputes: If child custody and child support are being determined simultaneously, a lawyer can help ensure that both issues are resolved fairly and in the best interest of the child.
Hiring a lawyer early can help ensure that your child support case is handled effectively and that your child's financial needs are met.
What Does a Child Support Lawyer Do?
A child support lawyer provides a variety of legal services to help parents secure, modify, and enforce child support arrangements. Their responsibilities often include:
- Filing for child support: A lawyer can help you initiate the legal process to obtain a child support order, ensuring that all necessary documentation is submitted and deadlines are met.
- Calculating child support: A lawyer can help ensure that child support is calculated fairly based on both parents' incomes, the needs of the child, and other factors such as healthcare and education costs.
- Negotiating child support agreements: If both parents are willing to negotiate, a lawyer can help facilitate an agreement on child support outside of court, which can then be approved by a judge.
- Representing you in court: If negotiations fail or the other parent contests the child support amount, a lawyer will represent you in family court, presenting evidence and making legal arguments to support your case.
- Modifying support orders: A lawyer can help you file a request for modification if circumstances change, such as a loss of income or an increase in the child’s financial needs.
- Enforcing child support: If the other parent is not making court-ordered payments, a lawyer can take legal steps to enforce the order through wage garnishment, property liens, or other measures.
- Handling complex cases: In cases involving high incomes, self-employment, or complicated financial situations, a lawyer can help ensure that all relevant factors are considered in determining child support.
How Are Child Support Lawyers Paid?
Child support lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the case and the type of legal work required. Common payment methods include:
- Hourly rate: Most child support lawyers charge by the hour, with rates ranging from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and location. The total cost will depend on how much time the lawyer spends on your case, including preparation, negotiations, and court appearances.
- Flat fee: For more straightforward cases, such as uncontested child support agreements or basic modifications, some lawyers may offer a flat fee that covers all services related to the case.
- Retainer: Many lawyers require a retainer, which is an upfront payment that is billed against as the lawyer works on your case. The amount of the retainer depends on the expected complexity of the case.
- Sliding scale or pro bono services: Some lawyers offer sliding scale fees based on income or provide pro bono (free) services in cases where clients cannot afford to pay full legal fees, especially when children’s needs are at stake.
It’s important to discuss fees with your lawyer during the initial consultation to understand how much you will be charged and what services are covered.
How Much Does a Child Support Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a child support lawyer varies depending on the complexity of the case, whether it's contested or uncontested, and the lawyer’s experience. General cost estimates include:
- Uncontested child support cases: Legal fees may range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the complexity of the paperwork and the lawyer’s fees.
- Contested child support cases: Legal fees can range from $5,000 to $20,000 or more, especially if the case involves significant court time.
- Hourly rates: Lawyers typically charge between $150 and $500 per hour for child support cases, with higher rates for more experienced attorneys or cases that involve complex financial issues.
- Modification or enforcement: Fees for modifying or enforcing a child support order may range from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the complexity and the need for court intervention.
Always ask for a detailed cost estimate during your consultation so you can plan your budget accordingly.
Top Questions to Ask a Child Support Lawyer
Before hiring a child support lawyer, it’s important to ask questions to ensure they are the right fit for your case. Key questions to ask include:
-
What experience do you have with child support cases?
Ensure the lawyer has experience handling cases similar to yours, whether it’s establishing, modifying, or enforcing child support orders. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, offers flat fees, or requires a retainer, and ask for a detailed estimate of the total cost. -
What is the likelihood of success in my case?
Ask the lawyer for an honest assessment of your case and any potential challenges you may face. -
How long will the process take?
Child support cases can take time, so ask the lawyer how long they expect the process to last and what factors may cause delays. -
Will you personally handle my case?
In larger firms, junior attorneys or paralegals may handle parts of the case. Make sure you know who will be managing your case and representing you in court. -
What documents should I prepare?
Ask the lawyer what financial documents and other information you should bring to help them calculate child support and build your case.
How to Check the Credibility of a Child Support Lawyer
To ensure you are hiring a reputable child support lawyer, take the following steps to verify their credentials and track record:
- Verify their bar status: Check with your state bar association to confirm that the lawyer is licensed to practice and has no history of disciplinary actions.
- Look for family law experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in family law and have successfully handled child support cases similar to yours.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for client reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients have said about the lawyer’s professionalism and success rate.
- Ask for references: A credible lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have worked with them on child support matters.
- Check for certifications: Some lawyers may have certifications in family law or membership in organizations like the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), which can indicate their expertise in child support and family law issues.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most out of your first consultation with a child support lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:
- Income documents: Bring pay stubs, tax returns, W-2s, or any other documentation of your income and the other parent’s income, as this will be used to calculate child support.
- Existing child support orders: If there are any existing child support or custody orders, bring copies for the lawyer to review.
- Child-related expenses: Provide documentation of your child’s medical bills, education expenses, daycare costs, and any other expenses that should be factored into the child support calculation.
- Communication with the other parent: Bring any communication between you and the other parent regarding child support, whether through emails, text messages, or written agreements.
- List of questions: Prepare a list of questions about your case, the legal process, and the lawyer’s fees.
By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your case more effectively and provide the best possible legal advice on how to proceed.
