I'm in a jam! I have to sue my x for child support! My son is several month old and he hasn't even met him! He left the day I went to give birth!
He is very well off and so I need a great attorney. Im afraid that because I don't have a lot of money, he may be able to out spend me with a better attorney hence, not paying what's righfully owed to my son.

I live in NYC and he lives across the country.. how can I screen one out and what questions should I ask so that I don't get haggle by an overpriced attorney!
this is a serious matter and if I don't choose the right attorney.. it may cost my son thousands of dollars (long term)

can anyone recommend a lawyer in NYC?

Does it matter how great the attorney is for this kind of situation? I ask because I know that NYC has a formula to assess the amount entitled to my son and so am I making it more complicated than it is in finding a lawyer?

If he has money in his business but its incorporated... will he be able to hide funds?

First, if he left the day you gave birth, has paternity been established? This has to be done before you can get child support.

Second, have you tried going through Child Support Enforcement to get paternity established and child support ordered? This will save you the cost of an attorney.

You also need to go to court and get custody and visitation all set in writing.

If NYC has a formula that is used, then it doesn't matter what attorney you get. They aren't going to be able to get more than what the law says.

If he is a business owner and self employed, the courts will more than likely use his tax records to set child support.

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Originally Posted by WINR

Does it matter how great the attorney is for this kind of situation? If he has money in his business but its incorporated ... will he be able to hide funds?

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Hello W:

Yes, it DOES matter, especially if your ex is HIDING money.

Interview lots of them. Hire the one you're comfortable with.

excon

Go down to the Family Court, ask for recommendations there. As excon said, interview several. Ask for references from other clients and contact them.

Unless he has income other than work wages, it should be fairly easy. Child support is based on a simple formula calculated with your income and his. But you seem to think this is already going to get messy, so I would call around and get free consults with different attorneys and see which one works with you best.

In NYS child support - if he is proven to be the father - is by statute - the non custodial parent pays "x" percent of his/her income. Rest of assets does not matter.