You work hard for your family but still may not have enough money. Bills and financial obligations pile up, and emergency expenses seem to come at the worst times. One of the things that might help is getting child support from your ex. You didn’t want to be bothered with dealing with him or her in the past, but now you feel it’s time to get some help.
When filing for child support, you may believe a self-service option is the best way for you to get what you need without paying for it. However, there are some curveballs you may not anticipate, and hiring an experienced child support attorney may be well worth the investment. Here are three reasons you should consider getting a professional to help.
1. Lawyers Know the Process
If you’ve ever read a legal document, you probably got caught up in some of the jargon. The courts have their way of doing things, and attorneys know what they are. Aside from specific verbiage that needs to go into documents, attorneys know how the filing and court appearance processes work. Going through it alone doesn’t give you latitude when trying to muddle through it. The court may not allow you to slide on missing a deadline or failing to prepare a document. Since you will be held to the same standard, hiring a professional is in your best interest.
2. Lawyers Set Realistic Expectations
After meeting with an attorney, you may have a better idea of what type of support you may get. This number may be well below what you thought, or it may be much higher. Regardless, a child support attorney knows the state calculations and the situations where the court may award an amount contrary. Therefore, you have a realistic expectation of what the figure will be.
3. Lawyers Offer Support in Tough Times
Your ex may be a willing participant in the process and pay what is owed. However, in situations where it doesn’t go smoothly, and the fighting escalates, your attorney can offer guidance to ease your stress. Part of the role of a lawyer is to provide a barricade of sorts between the two parties. As such, even if your ex is belligerent, your attorney will handle it and may also file requests with the court to quash the poor behavior.
Legal processes aren’t as easy as they may appear on television shows or in the movies. Because an issue like child support may bring out the worst in some, it is crucial you have a strong advocate on your side. Look for a family lawyer who fits your needs to get you the results you want.