Lawyers map
>9
experienced lawyers
Filter by
09 Sep, 2022 by John
I contacted Andy through a friend and talked to him for 15 minutes over the phone. He is the consummate professional that everyone needs advocating for them. I can’t tell you how responsive and thorough he and his team are. If you need any help from a family attorney he is without question the best in York county. I hired him and he was immediately fighting for me. If you ever need a legal service for some other reason he has a network of great attorneys in a wide area from real estate to wills and everything in between. He knows his profession and if it’s something he doesn’t know, he knows a professional that can help. He didn’t sugar coat anything and he removed the emotions out of the process.
I would without any reservation recommend Andy Brown to anyone. Thanks Andy!!
Read more
03 Jan, 2022 by Hannah
Andrew was extremely helpful in my custody and child support case. He is concise, deliberate, and incredibly knowledgeable. He not only helped me get exactly what I wanted- but pushed for more. He even caught numerous calculation mistakes which could’ve cost me down the road. It is clear that his experience has led to him having many connections and knowing a vast amount about other lawyers, judges, and the process of family law. Hiring Andrew was the best investment I could’ve made for my family and I would HIGHLY recommend him to anyone looking for a straightforward and trusted attorney.
Read more
27 Jul, 2021 by Anonymous
I've been working with Attorney Andy Brown for approximately 6 years. He's handled my divorce and custody cases. He has always been there when I needed him and I am confident that he's helped me achieve the best possible results.
To say that my ex is "high conflict" would be putting it mildly. For 6 years she would "ride the line" of what she thought she could get away with (calling the police/CPS for trivial matters, trying to drive a wedge between my sons and I, etc).
In the end, Attorney Brown was able to facilitate a reversal of custody through trial. I now have primary physical custody of my two sons.
Attorney Brown not only understands the application of the law in these matters, but also has a keen awareness of the norms and expected outcomes of the York County Judicial system. He's been doing this a long time and it shows. When judges and lawyers need a lawyer, they call Andy Brown.
Read more
06 Nov, 2023 by Rachel
Attorney Sydney Benson & her staff made our same-sex, second parent adoption go as smoothly as possible. They answered all our questions in a timely manner, were available whenever a new question popped up, and had flexible options for getting all documents taken care of. The entire process was explained thoroughly, and we felt confident before, during, and after the adoption was finalized. We would recommend Attorney Sydney to any of our friends or family.
Read more
22 Nov, 2019 by Angie
Attorney Benson was and is amazing!! She did a fantastic job throughout my entire case. From the face to face when I met her to the actual hearing I felt very confident with her. The lawyer before her I had didn’t defend me like I thought he should have so thats when I found Sydney. And I’m so glad I did. She works very hard and asks all the right questions which showed me she was putting effort into my case. What I liked most about her was she’s upfront and honest. She doesn’t sugarcoat anything but gets to the point cut and dry. Also, her confidence and entire persona in the court room was remarkable. I could go on and on! She’s an impressive women ❤️
Read more
25 Apr, 2019 by Julie
If you want an excellent lawyer, chose attorney Benson. From experience, I learned that you need an attorney with an “aggressive” personality. I say that she is aggressive because she goes above and beyond and she keeps it real with her clients and when presenting her case. I hired her and I had sent her an email with so many questions. She got back to me on a holiday- in a timely manor. Regardless, she gets back to me in a timely manor- ALL THE TIME. The other night, she emailed me and answered my questions. We were emailing each other on and off until about 11 pm. Mind you, her office closes at 5pm. Being in the situation I am, she takes my case seriously and let’s me know everything will be okay. She is very professional and also sincere in everything that she does. I have faith in her and she has proven so much to me in a short period of time.
Read more
13 Feb, 2023 by Pete
Everything I needed done was accomplished in a timely manner as promised. This process was quick and hassle free. Thank you!
Read more
29 Mar, 2017 by Jose
Has kept me abreast to everything pertaining to my case. Explains every detail of what may happen or not. Very profesional with opposing lawyer and an excellent communicator.
Read more
28 Mar, 2017 by Melissa
Seth and his staff are amazing to work with. Always kind and professional. Seth is very understanding and takes time to listen to his clients. I highly recommended him for law services.
Read more
03 Mar, 2021 by Hope kittrell
Eric was able to assist my family with estate planning within a week! They were so quick and professional it was amazing! The documents were prepared and edited while we were at the meeting and signed on the spot! All our questions were answered and he helped us with any recommendations we needed. Highly recommend and will be going back for other documents!
Read more
10 Sep, 2020 by Carrie
Attorney Schaeffer worked hard and showed concern for me as a client going through a divorce. He quickly responded to questions and was willing to work with me on challenges that arose. He displayed integrity, and that is the most important quality of all.
Read more
09 Aug, 2017 by Anonymous
Mr. Schaeffer was my lawyer in my divorce case. Him and his team were very knowledgeable and my case, like many, was not cut and dry. Even after the divorce was finalized and there were still things to complete this team has gone above and beyond in helping me get my life back in order. Thank you is not enough. They are very timely in responses and always answer all questions no matter how small or insignificant they may seem.
Read more
17 Nov, 2023 by Tom sauerwine
Leslie is very easy going, and doesn't rush you like most attorneys.
Read more
08 Apr, 2023 by Nile
Helped me get 50/50 custody
Read more
08 Mar, 2023 by Shannon
My ex decided that they were going to pursue the division of marital assets (my life's work) after just 5 years in a toxic marriage. I had significantly more at risk as that I am 10 years older than my ex, and make 2 1/2+ times their income. At my 1st meeting with Leslie, I had presented her with a letter that I had drafted to my ex as a proposal to pay her $25,000 - Leslie enlightened me that in my case, due to the fact that my pension, was a pre-marital asset, and my ex's was not - She may in fact owe ME money! She SAVED me from myself and continued to support me throughout the proceedings. She is the BEST attorney that I have ever worked with, and I have worked with atty's my entire career over 27 years. Reasonable, very responsive, compassionate, and knowledgeable!
Read more
10 Nov, 2022 by Chelsea
I highly recommend David for custody matters. He helped guide and represent me to get the best and fair outcome for my daughter. He listens to concerns and helps you feel at ease. He is very down to earth, realistic, and honest. At such a stressful time he was able to keep me calm and give me true perspective. A++
Read more
20 Sep, 2022 by Marilynn
Very Great Representation!!!! Always was on time and used his best judgment to help us win our cases. He is awesome and very smart.
Read more
29 Aug, 2022 by Chloe
I used Attorney Cook twice for custody matters. Both times he was an excellent comunicater and kept me up to date. As well, both times I received the results I was looking for. I would certainly recommend him for any family court related issues. If needed again he would be my first call.
Read more
24 Jan, 2018 by Brett
As I near $40k, and over a year and a half in divorce expenses, I could not imagine having a better lawyer and ally than Dave Schanbacher. In divorcing the daughter and sister, of two county judges (from the county in which we and our children live), Dave has brought a superior knowledge and accountability to a flawed system. His profound expertise has enabled him to sort out fact from fiction, and to beautifully navigate what is clearly an uphill battle, and an arduous process. While we still have much work to do, I can’t imagine having a better and more trustworthy attorney. My only regret, is that I didn’t hire Dave as my first attorney; instead opting for a local, and egregiously less talented local (Bellefonte) attorney.
Read more
22 Jan, 2018 by Dennis
David has been my attorney for the past 2.5 years and I am nothing but impressed by his performance. His knowledge, preparation, and perseverance has directly led to me 'winning' with my custody situation. Through his efforts, I have gained more time with my children, which is invaluable.
I highly recommend David if you find yourself in a divorce and/ or custody situation. His courtroom experience and understanding of the law will put you on top.
Read more
19 Jan, 2018 by Anonymous
Hired him for my divorce. Definitely laid it on thick when first met him. Provided him with detailed and organized information. Paid him considerably to review information and to be prepared. None of that happened. He was so disorganized and unprepared in court. I found times where I had to bring information to court that he already had, but wasn’t prepared with. He still fumbled through and couldn’t present case. Pretty embarrassing. I give you one example of many. We had to go in front of divorce master. Both parties had appraisals done. One item a four wheeler was appraised $1600.00 of any book value. I pointed this out to Dave way before meeting to submit for evidence. He said just bring to meeting. Needless to say divorce master wouldn’t except it because it wasn’t submitted for evidence. Thanks Dave you just cost me $1600.
This is just one of many mistakes. I really considered firing him, but at the time I couldn’t afford another retainer. Believe me I checked with other lawyers. When I told them what was going on, they just shook their heads.
I hope someone who reads this,learns from my mistake. Looks somewhere else. I will say this about Dave, he’s a shark when he’s trying to get more money from you. Too bad it doesn’t follow into court. Sad display for a lawyer claiming to have all this experience. Good luck.
Read more
11 Mar, 2024 by Jen keys
I feel even one star is too much. My mother and I worked with Amy trying to get grandparents rights and I have nothing good to say. We were told she was an amazing lawyer and she would do anything to fight for what she knew and felt was right. First we had a zoom consultation with her and then heard nothing from her or her paralegal for months! I had to email and call several times to get a response to find out Amy LOST our file in someone else’s case file! That should have been enough for us to say ok we need to find someone else but we thought we would give her a chance I mean after all we are all human and accidents happen. Then we were charged for a visit to the office to do nothing but the exact same thing we did in the consultation! Long story short, 8 months after contacting Amy, we were told there was nothing more she could do for us and we had to withdraw our court case. There were several times I emailed and called and received no response. The entire time we felt she wanted nothing to do with our case and just wanted to throw it aside but still collect our money. When we withdraw our court case I emailed asking about a refund that Amy stated we would receive along with requesting all the documents that were filed in our case file, I again had to email 3 times asking for these before the paralegal responded and acted like she was oblivious to any lack of communication through our whole case when she was included in all of the emails. I can’t speak for the other lawyers but I would not recommend Amy for any family law case.
Read more
21 Dec, 2023 by Hon. rev.
18 Dec, 2023 by Gavin toomey
Takes time to answer in thorough detail all of your questions and concerns. Kurt Blake's experience is through the roof. Would highly recommend.
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.
