Guide to Finding Florida Child Support Lawyer

When going through divorce with children, whichever parent receives custody will be concerned with child support payments. Child support is necessary to provide for schooling and other needs of the child as well as ensure that the child enjoys the same standard of living that he or she had prior to the divorce. If dealing with this matter in Florida, a Florida child support lawyer is your best option when seeking monetary support. Florida child support lawyers will be familiar with laws defining divorce, child support and other relevant laws that can affect your case. Use a Florida child support lawyer over an out of state lawyer whenever you have the option to do so.

What functions can a Florida child support lawyer fulfill?

In addition to helping you to secure child support payments from a divorced or divorcing spouse, a Florida child support lawyer can help sue for non-payment of child support. If you have evidence of the non-payment, in accordance with the divorce settlement, then you should be able to sue for civil damages with relative ease.

What should I bring when meeting with a Florida child support lawyer?

When suing for nonpayment of child support, bring the settlement agreement that obligates the spouse to pay support. Ensure that you can prove that you have complied with the provisions of the divorce settlement as well. When attempting to secure child support payments in an initial settlement or court decision, bring a tally of the costs associated with raising the children. This includes school supplies, tuition, activities and any other reasonable costs a parent would accrue when raising a child.

How do I know my Florida child support lawyer is legitimate?

All individuals that practice law in the state of Florida must be active members of the integrated Florida Bar Association. If the individual claiming to be a lawyer cannot show proof of Bar Association membership, then this legal professional is very suspect. Although the court system will have mechanisms to prevent unauthorized persons from representing clients, certain legal services, such as mediation, may be provided without the auspices of the court. This is why proof of Bar Association certification is necessary when seeking these services, to ensure that the service the lawyer will provide is professional, ethical and in compliance with Floridian law.

If you ever have doubts about the credentials of your Florida child support lawyer, ask to examine his or her credentials. If the lawyer cannot produce them, then you may want to seek out another lawyer that you feel comfortable working with. The lawyer must be professional and above all impartial. If the lawyer appears to be saying only things that you want to hear or is otherwise disingenuous, then these are marks of a poor lawyer. The lawyer’s job is not to take your side or attack your spouse but to be an advocate for your needs that can offer an impartial evaluation of your case. An impartial lawyer has the best chance of finding potential flaws in your child support claim and correcting them before settlement or trial.

What are the typical rates of a Florida child support lawyer?

The type and nature of legal fees for Florida child support lawyers will vary from case to case. Most Florida child support lawyers or lawyer services will posts fee as a range, rather than a set figure, to reflect the variable outcome and length of court cases. Factors affecting your case may include a spouse disputing your support claims or right to custody.

A retainer is a fee that remains in a trust account. Every time the lawyer performs a service related to your case, he charges this account. A Florida child support lawyer may ask you to set aside a retainer fee. Leftover retainer can be returned to the client, but there is also a chance that the attorney will exhaust the retainer and require the client to refill the account. The retainer does not include court costs, which are also paid by the client. However, these fees, such as the fees for filing the case, are fixed.

Take advantage of free consultations when they are available to discuss potential fees and payment arrangements with Florida lawyers. The above fees do not consider court costs, which are also paid by the client. You may be able to arrange low cost and extended payment for legal services at the discretion of the attorney or law firm.

There are several lawyer referral services for Florida child support lawyers, although none is more trusted than the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service. The service will provide you with the name and address of a nearby lawyer who will charge $25 for a half hour initial consultation. There is no obligation at that point and the consultation is merely an evaluation of your case with an explanation of expected fees.

Free child support lawyers may be available to parents that cannot afford a regular lawyer to battle on their behalf for custody or an adjustment of child support payments. Additionally, even non-emancipated minors may file petition for child support from non-custodial parents. Although this filing is usually taken care of by social services, Florida child support lawyers can be of assistance, with their payment in the form of recovering legal fees from the other party. For all other cases, spouses seeking child support or contesting a child support petition will find the use of free child support lawyers useful. They must be able to prove to the service that they cannot afford a lawyer under normal circumstances and that the burned placed by too much or too little child support requires them to seek the help of free child support lawyers.

What are questions to ask Florida child support lawyers?

How does my case relate to Florida state and local laws?

What are your fees and do you have alternate payment plans?

Are you an active member, in good standing, of the Florida Bar Association?

What roles do you play as a member?

Can I please have all fees in writing?

Do you see any potential flaws in my child support claim?

Can you refer me to another lawyer if you are unable to take my case?

Can you represent me if I need to sue for non-payment of child support?