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15 Jul, 2024 by Dagher elie
I had the pleasure of working with Shant, and i could not recommend him and his law firm enough!!
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20 Jun, 2024 by Pop alot
So glad I came to Goorjian Law for my legal needs. Very professional and knowledgeable. Made the process so smooth. Thank you again
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10 Apr, 2024 by B. k.
I was involved in a car accident early last year. A friend, who had previously chosen Shant Goorjian to represent her with her accident case, gave me his office number. I was so impressed by his knowledge. He was very communicative and on top of my case till the very end. Highly recommended!
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21 Aug, 2024 by Chris neri
I cannot express how grateful I am for the support I received from Bob during one of the most challenging times in my life. When my dignity was called into question, I felt lost and vulnerable. However, Bob stepped in and provided not just legal assistance, but a reassuring presence that made all the difference.
From our very first meeting, it was clear that Bob is exceptionally skilled at what he does. His professionalism is unmatched – he approached my case with a level of dedication and insight that immediately put my mind at ease. Bob took the time to listen to my concerns, answer my questions thoroughly, and always kept me informed about the progress of my case. It was evident that he genuinely cares about his clients and their well-being.
What sets Bob apart is not just his legal expertise, but his ability to connect on a personal level. He understood the emotional toll that the situation was taking on me and provided the support I needed to navigate through it with dignity. His empathy, combined with his strategic approach, ultimately led to a positive outcome.
I genuinely cannot thank Bob enough for his guidance and support. If you ever find yourself in need of a lawyer, do yourself a favor and reach out to Bob. He is not only a remarkable attorney but also an advocate who will stand by you every step of the way. Highly recommended!
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05 Aug, 2024 by Hamed
Very professional
Quick and Easy response
No charge for consultation
Good explanation
Highly recommended
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28 Jun, 2024 by Milad aksir
He is perfect lawyer
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05 Dec, 2022 by Krystal
I can’t possibly say enough about Navid. He indeed has the perfect amount of pressure and gentleness that is needed to navigate very challenging situations. He’s been doing this for decades and has a natural ability to gauge what may transpire and what to do to overcome it. He has an incredible presence… which as a female in this situation, made me feel safe. Navid truly has “your back” in all ways and you want him on your team. I couldn’t have done this without him. I knew my opposing party was not going to fight clean and because of Navid, it was still ok. He, thankfully, helped me navigate a confusing situation... not to mention it was last min and over a holiday. Thank you.
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21 Jan, 2022 by Anonymous
I googled pro-Bono attorneys, since I’m a full time single mom right now and up against a wealthy abusive ex. Even though it turned out Navid doesn’t work pro bono, he still generously and patiently answered all of my questions. He calmed me down and even though he had a trial the next day he generously gave me an hour of his time, which I’m very grateful for! He is professional and knowledgeable. But most importantly compassionate and caring. Though we all need to make a living he isn’t driven by $$$ only, but rather by being of help to parents in difficult situations.
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20 Feb, 2019 by Bryant
I hired Navid Noorparvar and his partner Ryan McEachern 2 years ago for a difficult custody issue. They were honest with me about the difficulty in winning our case but still had a strategy for maximizing my chances. They were responsive, intelligent, prepared, knowledgeable, and the advocates I needed to protect my rights.
They helped me achieve the positive result I desired despite the odds against me. I have worked with them multiple times now and EVERY time we’ve been to court they have achieved positive results and will continue to utilize their services again should the situation arise. They truly care about their clients and their cases. I am truly grateful for their expertise as they have enabled me to protect the most important person in my life, my son.
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01 Nov, 2018 by Anonymous
I have been dealing with attorney's for all of my life and I trust this lawfirm like I trust my family. Anytime I have ever had an issue they were quick to come to bat for me and they always produced the best result. I first learned of their lawfirm by googling them and I noticed they had worked on many high end legal cases which I thought they wouldnt take my case.
What I learned is that they take pride and care in all cases large or small, celebrity or just your average person. I am very happy with my results with them and I am thankful for their loyalty and compassion in my time of need. Hats off to you Mr. Melcher and Walzer!
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05 Apr, 2014 by Arash
One of the most important qualities that you are looking to find in a good lawyer is for he/she to give you a piece of mind regarding the legal issue under consideration. This requires expert knowledge of the field and the ability to communicate the key points without confusing the not-expert client. Chris has taken the expert knowledge of the field and communication capability to perfection. I highly recommend Chris.
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03 Apr, 2013 by Debra
I found Christopher Melcher's name while feverishly researching IRS codes etc., regarding alimony and mortgage contributions. My ex-husband was insisting that I claim not only my spousal support for the entire 2012 tax year as income (which I knew about and was prepared to do) but also his "mortgage contributions" as well.
My ex gave me 40% of the mortgage monthly for the "marital home" from January 2012 to October 2012. This was home, not only to myself, but to our children as well. Both my ex and I were on the deed and the mortgages. I never imagined that mortgage consideration would be taxable to me!
My own attorny was zero help on this. After 2 grueling years of being his annuity, I wasn't surprised that once again, he was unable to give me a definitive answer. That's why I set out on a mission to understand the divorce and IRS tax laws on my own, which quite frankly, is comparable to my becoming a physicist. But I persevered, and came across a terrific article on the topic by Mr. Melcher. I was so impressed with this article that I decided to contact him, even though we were in different states. I was hoping that since this was a federal tax income issue, he might still be able to help me regardless of where I lived.
I am not only happy that I reached out to Chris-- but I'm ecstatic! He responded immediately to my online inquiry and he asked me to email him all the various court orders. I emailed the files and he wrote back-- again on that same day---outlining his advice, answering all my questions concisely and thoroughly.
Thanks to Chris's keen perusal of my 3 court orders, he caught something that I would have never realized (and sadly neither would my own attorney). The one court order that was executed in June of 2012 had modified the September 2011 court order, and made it "retroactive" to September 2011. Chris explained that the IRS will not recognize that type of modification, retroactively. The June 2012 order was modifying the older order for child support, keeping the amount of money the same, but changing the breakdown from all child support to child, spousal and mortgage contribution. Chris explained that the IRS would only recognize the order that was in place at the time of the payments. So.....now this meant that EVERYTHING my ex paid me prior to June 2012--in the eyes of the IRS---would be considered ALL child support!
He also weighed in on the mortgage consideration issue, explaining that since my ex was also on the mortgage at the time of those payments, they were not spousal support, and that it would be a very difficult case for my ex to make. He confirmed my thinking that I should not take those payments as income, and suggested how I could give my ex his "fair portion" of the mortgage interest. This will now be a very small amount since, as Chris pointed out, according to the court documents, there was no mortgage contributions ordered until mId year! Can you say KARMA?!
Chris and I exchanged a couple of emails and we had one phone call (which by the way he made to me while on his family vacation!). Chris is obviously extremely sharp, extremely knowledgable, very kind and he was very generous with his time.
I was also very impressed that on all of Chris's emails, his cell phone is listed along with his other contact info! Very unusual, and I think that says a lot.
Moral of the story? Trust your instincts, be your own advocate, don't be bullied, do your homework, and call Chris Melcher.
If I had a "re-do"- I would live in CA and hire Chris to handle my whole divorce!
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14 Aug, 2023 by Мария
Обратилась к Марине в апреле 2023 года находясь ещё в РФ, в своей непростой ситуации - моего сына незаконно вывез из России его отец, сразу после оглашения решения суда о проживании детей со мной. (В США это full custody) Затем стало известно, что ребенка прячут в США в Калифорнии в Лос Анжелесе. По счастливому случаю удалось найти Марину. Она взялась за это сложное дело, за которое большинство адвокатов не брались, потому что не имели опыта с иностранными судебными решениями. Проконсультировала полностью о процессе , каким образом происходит доместикация иностранного судебного решения, помогла подать документы в суд- заполнила миллион форм, составляла петиции, и прошла со мной все слушания, которых оказалось помимо как по основному делу ещё несколько, инициатором которых уже был бывший супруг, а именно дело по рестрейнинг ордеру и подача возражения на апелляционную жалобу. Марина помогала взаимодействовать с органами полиции и прокуратуры, т.к. я не разговариваю по английски. Благодаря Марине и ее опыту мне вернули сына!!! Я бесконечно благодарна ей. Помимо профессионализма, она приятный, тактичный и интеллегентный человек, который очень меня поддерживал морально, и благодаря которому я не сдалась, когда опускались руки.
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26 Oct, 2021 by Anonymous
arina has been representing me since 2019. She represented me throughout my divorce, as well as child custody issues. She also went to trial with me.
I have nothing but good to say about her professionalism and the way she handled and continues to handle my case. She is very realistic and doesn't sugar coat or promise unrealistic things. Anytime that I need to talk to her, she always calls me back right away.
Some lawyers tend to be very loud, aggressive, rude and even nasty in court, which irritates most judges. That is not her style. Marina is very respectful and she handles everything with dignity. During court she stays calm, but very firm at the same time. She is good at exposing lies and knows how to ask the right questions to do that. If yo need a lawyer that dedicates her time, helps to address all issues look no further.
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05 Aug, 2020 by Randall
Marina Ayzenstein represented me in my divorce after 17 years of marriage and was highly professional and responsive from beginning to end. Ms. Ayzenstein listened to my concerns and gave me wise counsel and advice throughout the process. She forcefully and effectively communicated my interests to the opposing attorneys and achieved a final outcome for me that was excellent and fair.
Divorce is an unpleasant matter, but Ms. Ayzenstein made the process as painless as I could have ever hoped for; I highly recommend Marina Ayzenstein for her professionalism and integrity.
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5.0
7 Reviews
4.2
33 Reviews
04 Jan, 2024 by Marie kinsey
If want to lose your case.. I would highly recommend him.
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03 Jan, 2024 by Alexus bell
I'm not one to write reviews but I felt I had to save someone the time and money. I'm a single mother and hired Mr Morris back in October 2023. When I called he immediately answered but told me he was at church and would get back to me. He did indeed got back to me. I told him I really needed help and I needed an aggressive attorney dealing with my Childs father for my child custody case. I decided to go with him because he seemed trustworthy and he was the only lawyer that allowed payments towards the retainer fee. I felt so relieved to have an attorney and someone to represent me. After my contracts were signed he was so difficult to get in touch with. He never asked me questions about my case and I never heard from anyone unless I called them. He has a call center answering once you become a client and he has 2 paralegals named Amy and Kristina. I always spoke to Kristina and she said I needed to relax and that my case was a simple case. Implying that it was going to be smooth and I had nothing to worry about. When they finally filed the paperwork for me to serve my daughters father I had to keep calling them in regards to that matter also. It was a week before my case and I still hadn't heard anything back from Kristina or Mr Morris.. Coming to find out she had a death in her family and Mr Morris was on vacation in Belize. Since he was gone my daughters fathers attorney managed to get the case moved to the Whittier courthouse when we filed in LA and had them served. So now I'm the recipient and he's the petitioner. He let this other Attorney walk all over him and call the shots. Btw The judge in Whittier was a nightmare. She has terrible reviews and is bias. But At this point my anxiety is through the roof because I can't get in touch with anyone, we don't have a case to present because they still haven't asked or guided me on anything to do. He didnt tell me to start documenting anything or pulling up text! Nothing. I had to have my mom call from her number because once you become a client they screen your calls. She pretended to be interested in hiring him and guess what! He called her back. After a month of not speaking to me at all. So he finally gave me an appointment to meet him at his office to go over my case. He never wrote down any notes of asked me what the other party could have against me. Nothing! Finally court, Mr Morris showed up 30 minutes late to court! He didn't register us, when we were in front of the judge he didn't know my case. The Judge asked him what was the status quo and he turned and asked me. I almost got contempt of court because he wasn't saying anything of substance out of his mouth that I told him. They judge kept asking him what was his point. He was talking circles. It was completely embarrassing. He had no fight in court! He didn't take notes at all in court either. You are better off representing yourself. After that horrible experience, I was so distraught. I fired him the next day. He still proceeded to tell the third party who I was going through to pay for him that he rendered all my services and I still owed him 4000 dollars. I will be suing him and reporting them to the bar. He's a money hungry lazy attorney that uses his faith as a front. He doesn't care about making sure you keep your family together.
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30 Oct, 2023 by Epic fun
I had a conversation with Morris to get some clarification on a legal matter and he was very helpful and gave good advice.
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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.
