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4.8
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4.9
335 Reviews
27 Jan, 2025 by Lizbeth conway
Tom was our lawyer when we bought our house, and he was awesome! He was extremely knowledgeable and knew exactly what to look for throughout the process. Tom was extremely easy to reach; he always either answered his phone or called us back very quickly. We definitely recommend Tom, and we will use him in the future.
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31 Dec, 2024 by Ryan gasparini
John Ventosa has helped me several times in my life with representation. He is an extremely powerful and experienced attorney who is very effective at litigation. He is someone you can trust and count on. If you are experiencing a legal issue and need criminal defense or any other type of legal help, please call him.
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12 Dec, 2024 by Emily maier
He was wonderful patient and very knowledgeable!! Thank you
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21 Nov, 2017 by Anonymous
kelly took my post divorce case and was excellent she was knowledgeable, and caring. Kelly is lawyer you would definitely want to hire, I am very grateful for her help in this legal matter.
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02 Jan, 2016 by Anonymous
Kelly went above and beyond to get the best outcome for my case. I switched to Kelly after working with an incompetent attorney who attempted to coerce me into settling. I had sole custody of my son (who has Asperger's) for 6 1/2 years. After I recently remarried, my son's father brought me back to court for joint custody and increased visitation. Kelly fought hard, and the end result is that I maintain sole custody of my son and my son's father was mandated to an alcohol and drug treatment program (which he failed to complete) with his visitation REDUCED to four hours per week in a public venue. It is extremely stressful when you are advocating for your child. Kelly is highly responsive, honest and hard working. She knows the law, the court system and the players. She gets the job done with excellence. I will always be grateful. I highly recommend her.
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14 Nov, 2023 by Jim ferreira
I had the pleasure of meeting Joe quite a few years back. He and his staff are top notch, knowledgeable, super diligent, helpful, courteous and certainly get the job done. I highly recommend!!!!!
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21 Oct, 2023 by Dan vandekar
Joe was great from day 1. More than happy with the way he handled everything !
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25 Sep, 2023 by Tk magic shop
The professionalism that came from this office is outstanding. Not only did Mr. Petito treat me and my family with such respect, but he had compassion for my case. The case was dismissed, and things have gotten much better since hiring Mr. Petito. I will 10000000% hire again if need be in the future.
Thank you Joe and Staff.
Anthony G
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09 May, 2019 by Kelly
I hate writing reviews; I mean, I REALLY HATE writing them. When you find a professional that stands out from the crowd, however, it's only appropriate to give praise as deserved.
Steve has been extremely patient throughout my legal journey and continues to provide sound advise and creative solutions for a difficult situation. What's most impressive, however, is his ability to think quickly on his feet, using his wit, skills (the man is absurdly smart and could write a book based on his in-depth knowledge and experience), and appropriately-timed sarcasm to deliver the message in a compelling and easily-understandable way.
If you're looking for someone who will sugar-coat things, Steve isn't your guy, though. We've had a lot of tough conversations and haven't always seen the case the same way. He's objective, taking the emotions out of the legal issues, yet still somehow seems to be more empathetic than most. Why do I mention this? If you want good representation, you can't work with someone who always tells you what you want to hear. Instead, you need someone in your camp who will help you through the emotions of the situation but more than that, keep you in the game; Steve is that person.
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23 Mar, 2019 by Amanda b.
Steven Klein came highly recommended to me by numerous people when I found myself in a child custody matter with my ex husband. I contacted him right away as my court appearance was in the very near future and he was accomodating and eager to take on my case. Obviously anything involving court and family matters is a very stressful and emotional time. But using Steve and knowing that I was going to be represented by such a confidant and determined attorney eased my stress and worry. He and his firm responded to every email/call or text promptly. I was very happy with the results and I am now using him again for a separate matter. I would highly recommend him to anyone. When you find yourself in any legal situation and you want the best representation, he’s the guy for the job.
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15 Jan, 2019 by Erica
Steven Klein is an excellent attorney. I came to him for a consultation regarding a divorce. He came highly recommended and I soon saw why. Mr Klein was extremely professional and knowledgeable all while making you feel like family. Any questions or concerns that I had he answered with ease. During my divorce he was extremely thorough and informed me of everything each step of the way. He had a great rapport with all of his staff as well as the staff st the court. I would highly recommend him for anyone in search of an honest, reliable, and trustworthy attorney.
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16 Jan, 2025 by Sharon williams
Dear Gregory,
I received your letter, in addition to the document from the judge pertaining to my Chapter 13 case. I am thankful and grateful to you for accepting my case and ensuring that I felt comfortable during this "extremely" difficult time in my life. After losing my mom and sister on Christmas Day and the following New Years Eve years ago, my overall debts were overwhelming. Your patience, listening without making me feel as though I was a burden, caring, professionalism, sensitivity and counseling was
far beyond my expectations, especially since I had never been through a bankruptcy.
I can't say thank you enough for your encouragement, positive words, updated information to assist me, and determination to see me through this journey. You are amazing!
I "highly" recommend you and Priscilla to anyone who need your
professional services. God bless you and best wishes in the future!
Sincerely,
Sharon L. Williams
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27 Oct, 2024 by Anonymous
I was appointed this attorney for a restraining order against my ex. No communication from her, dropped the ball over and over, adjourned my court date and told me 30 minutes before I was scheduled to be in court. Now, as a result of her not letting me know when to appear in court, I missed my appearance, the order was dropped and she hasn’t returned any messages or calls about refilling.
Represent yourself. This attorney should consider another line of work or pairing down her caseload. Shes putting people in harms way with her negligence.
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14 Oct, 2024 by Kathleen capporrimo
I would highly recommend them
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20 Mar, 2024 by Jon
I was not expecting much from an initial consultation but Heather was more than exceptional. Her attentiveness and advice on my situation was greatly appreciated given it was the first time we spoke. It would be all to easy to sign me up as a client and take my money but she didn't. That speaks to her charecter greatly. Heather, if I need your help I will be back! Thank you.
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06 Mar, 2024 by Michelle plain
My Aunt referred Heather to me as she was represented by her in the past and after talking to Heather I felt confident and comfortable in retaining her representation in my divorce. She and her staff answered all my questions, were available and were always professional.
Thank you to Heather and her team for providing me with great representation!
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04 Mar, 2024 by Sabast reynoso (gatillo42_capotillo)
03 Mar, 2019 by Elizabeth
We've used Heather Kitchen for years. She did my son's divorce, my guardianship in family court and recently did our wills. She is knowledgeable about all aspects our cases, so helpful and compassionate. She held our hand through every step of the process and made us feel extremely comfortable. We were extremely happy with the results in all our cases. I constantly recommend her and will continue to do so!!!! If you hire her you will be extremely happy you did so!
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23 Feb, 2019 by Juliet
I Highly recommend Heather Kitchen. Thankfully I was refer to Heather Kitchen by a family member after I was taking advantage of and screw over by Steven Klein & Associates. The staff at Heather Kitchen law firm was able to correct and coordinate all the damage that was initially done by Steven Klein. I was able to work with Heather Kitchen and her team to put together an actual plan on how to positively pursue the completion of my pending divorce. I was met with empathy and kindness. Heather Kitchen and her staff were professional, hands-on, reactive, supportive, direct and clear. When my case needed added attention and clarity, there were no delay, when I was in need of a stern voice of advocacy they were there for me. I never felt like I was being taken advantage of or as if billing was the priority. Heather Kitchen immediately response to my email and is attentive to my concerns. More importantly she kept me focused and my eyes towards the end goal. In the end I realize this is the most important trait in a divorce attorney. The paralegal Debbie Stinson always got my messages to her and got back to me in a timely manner, produced concise documents and made sure I was given copies and was in general extremely competent before and leading up to the trial. In the end Heather Kitchen secured a settlement that I was extremely pleased with. I highly recommend the law office of Heather Kitchen for all of your matrimonial and family law needs. You won’t be disappointed.
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19 Feb, 2019 by Anonymous
Heather was great with my case. She was detail oriented, professional and courteous. She got the right results.
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What a Child Support Lawyer Can Do for You
A child support lawyer specializes in legal issues related to the financial support that one parent provides to another for the upbringing of their children. These lawyers assist with establishing, enforcing, and modifying child support orders, ensuring that the financial needs of the child are met, including housing, food, healthcare, education, and other essentials. A child support lawyer can also represent parents in disputes over the amount of support, ensure fair calculations based on income, and handle legal proceedings if one parent fails to meet their obligations.
Whether you're seeking to establish child support, modify an existing order, or enforce payments, a child support lawyer can help you navigate the legal system and protect your rights and the well-being of your child.
When Should I Hire a Child Support Lawyer?
You should consider hiring a child support lawyer when you need assistance with any of the following child support matters:
- Establishing child support: If you are going through a divorce or separation and need to establish a child support order, a lawyer can help ensure that the support amount is fair and accurately calculated.
- Modifying child support orders: If there has been a significant change in circumstances, such as a job loss, income change, or a child's financial needs, a lawyer can help you request a modification to the existing child support order.
- Enforcing child support payments: If the other parent has failed to make court-ordered child support payments, a lawyer can help enforce the order through legal means such as wage garnishment, property liens, or even legal action.
- Disputing child support calculations: If you believe the child support amount has been incorrectly calculated based on your income or expenses, a lawyer can help you challenge the calculation and seek a fair adjustment.
- Paternity disputes: If paternity needs to be established before child support can be ordered, a lawyer can assist with DNA testing and legal proceedings.
- Interstate child support cases: If the parents live in different states, navigating child support laws can be complex. A lawyer can help ensure the proper jurisdiction is established and that child support is enforced across state lines.
- Child support during custody disputes: If child custody and child support are being determined simultaneously, a lawyer can help ensure that both issues are resolved fairly and in the best interest of the child.
Hiring a lawyer early can help ensure that your child support case is handled effectively and that your child's financial needs are met.
What Does a Child Support Lawyer Do?
A child support lawyer provides a variety of legal services to help parents secure, modify, and enforce child support arrangements. Their responsibilities often include:
- Filing for child support: A lawyer can help you initiate the legal process to obtain a child support order, ensuring that all necessary documentation is submitted and deadlines are met.
- Calculating child support: A lawyer can help ensure that child support is calculated fairly based on both parents' incomes, the needs of the child, and other factors such as healthcare and education costs.
- Negotiating child support agreements: If both parents are willing to negotiate, a lawyer can help facilitate an agreement on child support outside of court, which can then be approved by a judge.
- Representing you in court: If negotiations fail or the other parent contests the child support amount, a lawyer will represent you in family court, presenting evidence and making legal arguments to support your case.
- Modifying support orders: A lawyer can help you file a request for modification if circumstances change, such as a loss of income or an increase in the child’s financial needs.
- Enforcing child support: If the other parent is not making court-ordered payments, a lawyer can take legal steps to enforce the order through wage garnishment, property liens, or other measures.
- Handling complex cases: In cases involving high incomes, self-employment, or complicated financial situations, a lawyer can help ensure that all relevant factors are considered in determining child support.
How Are Child Support Lawyers Paid?
Child support lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the case and the type of legal work required. Common payment methods include:
- Hourly rate: Most child support lawyers charge by the hour, with rates ranging from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and location. The total cost will depend on how much time the lawyer spends on your case, including preparation, negotiations, and court appearances.
- Flat fee: For more straightforward cases, such as uncontested child support agreements or basic modifications, some lawyers may offer a flat fee that covers all services related to the case.
- Retainer: Many lawyers require a retainer, which is an upfront payment that is billed against as the lawyer works on your case. The amount of the retainer depends on the expected complexity of the case.
- Sliding scale or pro bono services: Some lawyers offer sliding scale fees based on income or provide pro bono (free) services in cases where clients cannot afford to pay full legal fees, especially when children’s needs are at stake.
It’s important to discuss fees with your lawyer during the initial consultation to understand how much you will be charged and what services are covered.
How Much Does a Child Support Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a child support lawyer varies depending on the complexity of the case, whether it's contested or uncontested, and the lawyer’s experience. General cost estimates include:
- Uncontested child support cases: Legal fees may range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the complexity of the paperwork and the lawyer’s fees.
- Contested child support cases: Legal fees can range from $5,000 to $20,000 or more, especially if the case involves significant court time.
- Hourly rates: Lawyers typically charge between $150 and $500 per hour for child support cases, with higher rates for more experienced attorneys or cases that involve complex financial issues.
- Modification or enforcement: Fees for modifying or enforcing a child support order may range from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the complexity and the need for court intervention.
Always ask for a detailed cost estimate during your consultation so you can plan your budget accordingly.
Top Questions to Ask a Child Support Lawyer
Before hiring a child support lawyer, it’s important to ask questions to ensure they are the right fit for your case. Key questions to ask include:
-
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.
