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02 Dec, 2016 by Lori
Janet is the best attorney ever. Choose her! She took care of me, answered all of my questions, and had my back through the whole thing. She knew my case so well and was amazing in court. The office is terrific to work with and Janet is amazing. Highly, highly recommend her!
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02 Mar, 2015 by Amy
Janet was referred to me by a good attorney friend. I was devastated and she made me feel like a human being again, and has been such an amazing advocate ever since. She worked out a payment plan for me, and has held my hand every step of the way. Thank You for being you
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04 Sep, 2024 by Elizabeth waddell
Ryan has helped me twice with a family trust. He is friendly and easy to talk with, and he takes the time to explain everything clearly. It happens that his notary is also his wife; she is a delight. I'm so comfortable working with Ryan. I have recommended him to friends and they are also very happy with his service.
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10 Aug, 2024 by Cathleen shockley
Ryan Fender is an unbelievably dedicated and knowledgeable lawyer in his field. I had a very sensitive and emotional situation when my father died and my brother sued me and he helped us and was sensitive to my broken heart but also kept it real and calmed me down. He knows everything you could even think of and then some. I couldn't be happier with his help and he also answered every single email or call in a very timely manner. Even when he was on vacation, he answered me in a minor emergency situation. Thank you Ryan!!! You are the BEST!!!
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10 Aug, 2024 by Christin ashford
Ryan is an outstanding attorney! He is very thorough and got my family through probate! When I had any questions about the process, he answered my questions throughly and in a timely manner. I have referred 2 people in my family to Ryan. One is currently using him for probate and one is about to use him from probate. If I ever need a probate lawyer again there is no question of who I work with again!
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07 Mar, 2024 by Hector gutierrez
Highly recommend! Really helped me with my case!
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07 Dec, 2023 by Loretta resendez
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11 Oct, 2023 by Rudy lo
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14 Feb, 2024 by Ravyn
BEWARE!! HARASSING, HORRIBLE AND MONEY HUNGRY ATTORNEY FOR SERVICES HE DID NOT DO!! I continue to be harassed by the law office for a bill they did not render services for! Mr. Young was already paid and received payment from the respondent almost a year ago. For which he stats to me you n front of 2 witnesses that I did not owe him any more money. In his exact words "we are square. You owe me nothing." My witnesses wrote out affidavits and submitted them. I had to FIRE this attorney due to him making back door negotiations with Opposing Counsel withOUT my knowledge or consent. He did nothing for me! And still got paid over $16,000 and continues to bill me for services not rendered! See his yelp reviews! He's a 2.8 on Yelp!
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14 May, 2019 by Anonymous
I would give Mr. Young 0 stars if that were an option. Mr. Young was my second attorney on my divorce case because I was seeking a strong custody lawyer and he was suggested to me as a custody attorney. I have nothing positive to say and deeply regret using him. He charged a lot of money for absolutely no benefit, I literally would have gotten the same result if I had represented myself. I say that confidently as I am now three years post divorce and have represented myself at numerous hearings over the years. Ladies dealing with domestic abuse situations in particular do not use this attorney. My ex was abusive. I asked for some basic things in my custody agreement such as doing custody exchanges at a public place. Mr. Young scoffed and asked if that was really necessary stating I would find it to be an inconvenience down the road. Three years later, my ex is still abusive and I am so grateful I insisted on adding this language despite his "advice" not to. I was the primary supporter financially of our family and asked Mr. Young to fight on my behalf to reduce my alimony obligation based on the fact that our marriage did not contribute to my ex's inability to support himself. He said there was nothing he could do about alimony. Three years later, I've had three different attorneys tell me I should have fought the alimony originally and that it's harder to change later. I am currently going back to court to get it reduced. He made no effort on the custody agreement. He simply wrote into the agreement the items I provided to him. I am regularly finding errors which has caused a lot of difficulty in coordinating visitation exchanges. For the amount of money I paid him, and because he's marketed himself as a custody attorney, I would have expected the custody agreement to be air tight. Mr. Young was my second lawyer so my paperwork had already been filed, however, his office insisted on refiling. I found numerous errors they needed to correct. I was charged a lot for them to do something i had never asked and for them to do it incorrectly. Every step of the way, the work Mr. Young and his office provided was incorrect, unhelpful, and cost a ridiculous amount. I can not strongly enough urge people, especially women, to not use Mr. Young's services.
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07 Jun, 2018 by Therese
I have found Mr. Young to be experienced and highly skilled as well as a caring and concerned advocate. My experience with Mr. Young and his staff has been exceptional and I could not be more pleased. I would recommend Mr. Young without hesitation.
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06 Aug, 2024 by Ravyn
Consistently delays hearings & admitted it to one of my witnesses! Also, (congrats to her) she's pregnant & will be on maternity leave probably Mid Oct 2024 until next year! She started off strong, UNTIL SHE WASN'T!! Which only lasted a few weeks. Acts like she cares about your case. I absolutely promise, she does NOT! She has no empathy for your divorce. Only her pocket book & vacations! You have to beg her to get something done! In an 8 month span, she has been absent 3 months, for vacations! Upon her return she has her office call me for more funds. In total she took me & my family for $24,000. My divorce has been going on for 2 years. 15 months w/Ms. Laundis. I hired her to help w/a very contentious divorce. She assured me she could handle this case! Obviously, she could NOT. She kept telling me I was giving the respondent too much credit, saying "he's not that smart." But then I'd predict his next move. She'd say to me, "you really know this guy." No Sh*t Sherlock! I was the one married to him! She rushes the case w/the Judge & will dismiss motions to make things easier for her. She'll make promises over the phone, then denies she ever said it! SHE DOUBLE CHARGES HER CLIENT'S. She copped to it over the phone to me. Then to smooth things over, she deducted $10,000. off of my bill as what she "claimed" was a "courtesy."You don't take $10,000 off a bill for a courtesy! I made it very known that the person I was divorcing was going to cause a lot of issues, lie about income, expenses, committed no less than 10 Atro's violations, stalked me, committed perjury, along w/ lying to an officer in 2022 on camera. & now has 21 contempt charges. First court appearance w/her, she called me to asked if we could dismiss 35 motions to compel that the respondent was to provide the Court. I Stated "NO." I had paid a previous attorney for those motions & believed them to be vital to my case. She stated "we could handle it at another time." So she dismissed them. I was so mad! She over books herself w/clients. She gets her clients cases mixed up in court. She even discussed someone else's case w/me instead of mine. Since my motion to compels were dismissed, she realized we "DID INDEED" need the info & thus subpoenas were sent out to all of the companies. Which only delayed my hearings even further. I better not see a bill for, since it was her error, Not mine! In January 2024 a temporary court order was put into place. After 21 days of the order not being complied w/by the respondent, I requested Ms. Laundis to file contempt charges. Arrangement was set for early June. Only to find out that the respondent hired an attorney last minute. (as I predicted he would to Ms Laundis) Knowing that his arraignment would be extended. Court was to be set sometime in July, as his attorney could catch up on the case. But because she would be gone for a 5 week vacation abroad, my hearing date would be extended another 2 1/2 months. Now that the hearing is here, she demanded more money & had her office personnel advise me that if I don't pay, she will not represent me at the hearing. I sent her an email asking to pls help me make a proposal to the respondent. As I just want this divorce over. I made her an offer that would provide her funds. She wrote “payment arrangements will not be acceptable" I made it very known when she accepted the case "that the respondent was to pay for my attorney fees." She NEVER filed that paperwork. A family member left a 1 star review, stating she was just after people's money & not doing her job. She saw the post & called me up to let me know she would not complete my case due to the third party review. But she'll take their money!
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14 Sep, 2021 by Sarah
“I would recommend Lauren and Laundis law to anyone looking for an efficient attorney who is willing to fight for you. My daughters father took me back to court to prevent me from moving and to keep her from leaving for college. (She graduated early and we’re all so proud!). My anxiety and fear for the both of us was all consuming but Lauren was amazing and put me at ease. She’s confident in the court room, efficient and not willing to play anyone else’s games. She’s a wonderful attorney and you’d be lucky to hire her!”
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31 Jul, 2021 by Anonymous
Sorry. Just Being Honest. This lawyer was irresponsible in most every way possible. She was sued by another lawyer for failing to perform her job. According to the State Bar, she was irresponsible - albeit not criminally irresponsible ( in which case, she would have been disbarred). She did not pay us (her former client), as per the written agreement. She has a poor reputation among other lawyers (I do challenge anyone to prove this to be incorrect) for late filing; never meeting with clients and even turning on her own clients. Please check her reviews (on other websites) before making a final decision. Do your research and make an informed decision, as this lawyer tends to prey on people in desperate situations.
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What a Child Support Lawyer Can Do for You

A child support lawyer specializes in legal issues related to the financial support that one parent provides to another for the upbringing of their children. These lawyers assist with establishing, enforcing, and modifying child support orders, ensuring that the financial needs of the child are met, including housing, food, healthcare, education, and other essentials. A child support lawyer can also represent parents in disputes over the amount of support, ensure fair calculations based on income, and handle legal proceedings if one parent fails to meet their obligations.

Whether you're seeking to establish child support, modify an existing order, or enforce payments, a child support lawyer can help you navigate the legal system and protect your rights and the well-being of your child.

When Should I Hire a Child Support Lawyer?

You should consider hiring a child support lawyer when you need assistance with any of the following child support matters:

  • Establishing child support: If you are going through a divorce or separation and need to establish a child support order, a lawyer can help ensure that the support amount is fair and accurately calculated.
  • Modifying child support orders: If there has been a significant change in circumstances, such as a job loss, income change, or a child's financial needs, a lawyer can help you request a modification to the existing child support order.
  • Enforcing child support payments: If the other parent has failed to make court-ordered child support payments, a lawyer can help enforce the order through legal means such as wage garnishment, property liens, or even legal action.
  • Disputing child support calculations: If you believe the child support amount has been incorrectly calculated based on your income or expenses, a lawyer can help you challenge the calculation and seek a fair adjustment.
  • Paternity disputes: If paternity needs to be established before child support can be ordered, a lawyer can assist with DNA testing and legal proceedings.
  • Interstate child support cases: If the parents live in different states, navigating child support laws can be complex. A lawyer can help ensure the proper jurisdiction is established and that child support is enforced across state lines.
  • Child support during custody disputes: If child custody and child support are being determined simultaneously, a lawyer can help ensure that both issues are resolved fairly and in the best interest of the child.

Hiring a lawyer early can help ensure that your child support case is handled effectively and that your child's financial needs are met.

What Does a Child Support Lawyer Do?

A child support lawyer provides a variety of legal services to help parents secure, modify, and enforce child support arrangements. Their responsibilities often include:

  • Filing for child support: A lawyer can help you initiate the legal process to obtain a child support order, ensuring that all necessary documentation is submitted and deadlines are met.
  • Calculating child support: A lawyer can help ensure that child support is calculated fairly based on both parents' incomes, the needs of the child, and other factors such as healthcare and education costs.
  • Negotiating child support agreements: If both parents are willing to negotiate, a lawyer can help facilitate an agreement on child support outside of court, which can then be approved by a judge.
  • Representing you in court: If negotiations fail or the other parent contests the child support amount, a lawyer will represent you in family court, presenting evidence and making legal arguments to support your case.
  • Modifying support orders: A lawyer can help you file a request for modification if circumstances change, such as a loss of income or an increase in the child’s financial needs.
  • Enforcing child support: If the other parent is not making court-ordered payments, a lawyer can take legal steps to enforce the order through wage garnishment, property liens, or other measures.
  • Handling complex cases: In cases involving high incomes, self-employment, or complicated financial situations, a lawyer can help ensure that all relevant factors are considered in determining child support.

How Are Child Support Lawyers Paid?

Child support lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the case and the type of legal work required. Common payment methods include:

  • Hourly rate: Most child support lawyers charge by the hour, with rates ranging from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and location. The total cost will depend on how much time the lawyer spends on your case, including preparation, negotiations, and court appearances.
  • Flat fee: For more straightforward cases, such as uncontested child support agreements or basic modifications, some lawyers may offer a flat fee that covers all services related to the case.
  • Retainer: Many lawyers require a retainer, which is an upfront payment that is billed against as the lawyer works on your case. The amount of the retainer depends on the expected complexity of the case.
  • Sliding scale or pro bono services: Some lawyers offer sliding scale fees based on income or provide pro bono (free) services in cases where clients cannot afford to pay full legal fees, especially when children’s needs are at stake.

It’s important to discuss fees with your lawyer during the initial consultation to understand how much you will be charged and what services are covered.

How Much Does a Child Support Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring a child support lawyer varies depending on the complexity of the case, whether it's contested or uncontested, and the lawyer’s experience. General cost estimates include:

  • Uncontested child support cases: Legal fees may range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the complexity of the paperwork and the lawyer’s fees.
  • Contested child support cases: Legal fees can range from $5,000 to $20,000 or more, especially if the case involves significant court time.
  • Hourly rates: Lawyers typically charge between $150 and $500 per hour for child support cases, with higher rates for more experienced attorneys or cases that involve complex financial issues.
  • Modification or enforcement: Fees for modifying or enforcing a child support order may range from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the complexity and the need for court intervention.

Always ask for a detailed cost estimate during your consultation so you can plan your budget accordingly.

Top Questions to Ask a Child Support Lawyer

Before hiring a child support lawyer, it’s important to ask questions to ensure they are the right fit for your case. Key questions to ask include:

  1. What experience do you have with child support cases?
    Ensure the lawyer has experience handling cases similar to yours, whether it’s establishing, modifying, or enforcing child support orders.
  2. How do you charge for your services?
    Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, offers flat fees, or requires a retainer, and ask for a detailed estimate of the total cost.
  3. What is the likelihood of success in my case?
    Ask the lawyer for an honest assessment of your case and any potential challenges you may face.
  4. How long will the process take?
    Child support cases can take time, so ask the lawyer how long they expect the process to last and what factors may cause delays.
  5. Will you personally handle my case?
    In larger firms, junior attorneys or paralegals may handle parts of the case. Make sure you know who will be managing your case and representing you in court.
  6. What documents should I prepare?
    Ask the lawyer what financial documents and other information you should bring to help them calculate child support and build your case.

How to Check the Credibility of a Child Support Lawyer

To ensure you are hiring a reputable child support lawyer, take the following steps to verify their credentials and track record:

  • Verify their bar status: Check with your state bar association to confirm that the lawyer is licensed to practice and has no history of disciplinary actions.
  • Look for family law experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in family law and have successfully handled child support cases similar to yours.
  • Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for client reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients have said about the lawyer’s professionalism and success rate.
  • Ask for references: A credible lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have worked with them on child support matters.
  • Check for certifications: Some lawyers may have certifications in family law or membership in organizations like the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), which can indicate their expertise in child support and family law issues.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To make the most out of your first consultation with a child support lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:

  • Income documents: Bring pay stubs, tax returns, W-2s, or any other documentation of your income and the other parent’s income, as this will be used to calculate child support.
  • Existing child support orders: If there are any existing child support or custody orders, bring copies for the lawyer to review.
  • Child-related expenses: Provide documentation of your child’s medical bills, education expenses, daycare costs, and any other expenses that should be factored into the child support calculation.
  • Communication with the other parent: Bring any communication between you and the other parent regarding child support, whether through emails, text messages, or written agreements.
  • List of questions: Prepare a list of questions about your case, the legal process, and the lawyer’s fees.

By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your case more effectively and provide the best possible legal advice on how to proceed.