To poor  to get a lawyer..make to much for any legal aid???
144477
Sorry this is so long, but bear with me.\n\nThe law begins with the premise that you are the father and share in the obligations of your own child's upbringing. What you are asking is to have an exception or an easing of the costs based on need because of financial strain or unfairness due to the inequity of paychecks. Your side will be the one to have to convince and persuade because her side has law. In the end, even a good persuasive argument may not stand if there are no laws with which to draw on in your favor.\n\nLook closely at your side then. I am not trying to attack your side by these questions. I am merely saying that such questions may be asked by the legal decision makers or legal financil aid providers and you need to know your side has the strength to convince. Here are some questions to be prapared on:\n\nIs your limited income due to irresponsibility - Did you have to get a new job because you were fired from your old one? Have you wasted reasonable opportunities to have a better job - For example, do you have a degree and qualifications for a better job but chose a low paying job instead?\n\nWill your income likely grow again in the near future - Eight years ago we moved to a new state and my husband had to begin over again on the payscale. We began that first year on less than 18K, but we moved up quickly to now being quite comfortable by regional average income standards. If you are likely to move up in pay, that will be taken into account especially if you are asking to be excused altogether from the burden of support.\n\nHow much money is needed to raise a child in the location in which this child is being raised - Surely 70K/year would be far in excess of expenses where we live and perhaps where you live. However, if your child is being raise in many of the large cities in the Northeast or California it may take about that much to survive there.\n\nIs the $70K all the income from your wife's side? Has she remarried and has her husband's income too? If so, is that 70K a combined income from her own and her husband's income?\n\nHave you provided more than monetary support? Have you been a father beyond the child support payment? If you have been actively engaged in your child's life you will have a more convincing argument than if you haven't had anything to do with him.\n\nWhat were the conditions leading to divorce? Obviously if divorce occured because she was unfaithful you will have a stronger side than if you were unfaithful or abusive. Some would think that if you messed up in these ways you made your own bed and by paying you are reaping what you have sown.\n\nHaving such information as her being able to afford Cancun while you are barely able to afford groceries is very helpful, but make sure no holes can be poked through it. Did she really use the child support money for that vacation? Was the vacation specifically in the child's interest. It doesn't sound like it, but again it is your side that will have to do the proving not hers.\n\nOK. That is the end of the questions. I hope you understand my motives are just to make you realize that you will be the one with the uphill battle. If you are using an overworked public attorney and she has an elite, smooth talking lawyer your side cannot afford to be unprepared for such questions.\n\nI do feel for you. I want to tell a true story that I feel applies when it comes to grace under unjust circumstances. I know a pastor who lovingly was counciling a man who asked him for help. This guy was having a secret affair with the pastor's wife the whole time that this pastor poured his energies into being a help to him. It all came out when she got pregnant. The pastor wanted to save the marriage in spite of it. Instead, she began lying and demanded a divorce. This poor man lost his pastorate becauset he congregation didn't want a divorced man leading their church. Because he lost that job, he couldn't get full custod
932416
The support he pays to her or the court is not payable to you as a minor. She decides how and when to use it. You have the legal right to file a suit as an individual but I think it would be hard to find an attorney to represent you because for one if you loose he can't come against you for payment since you are a minor. Your best bet is to think this out and perhaps in time things will get better. You should talk to social services legal office in your area for advice, this gives all notice of your thoughts and perhaps they may intervene for you.
320074
Not a lady, but I can hope to solve this unfortunate problem for you. There is always a legal aid office in what ever town you live in, you may have to dig for it and call lots of different people to find it but it does exist. The easiest way to find it, would be to call a woman's shelter, or your local YWCA if you have a chapter of that organization near you. If not, try your local college. Some of the recently graduated law students are hungry for whatever work that they can get and generally excel at their first cases. (mainly because they want the word of mouth advertising that can come from it). I wish you luck in this most unfortunate place in your life and hope for a speedy and clean proceeding.
977390
400 a month for supporting his child ...he thinks it's to much?? clothing ,food, home, electric and everything it takes to raising a child ? that's cheap ..he should talk to the lawyer who handled the case during divorce if he has a problem
805976
Best to get a lawyer...
479936
No I haven't but (it sounds like its a friend) and it sounds like she can get help through a pro-bono place , or a low income based legal services . YOU WOULD BE SURPRISED  at what some places consider LOW INCOME . My sisters husband brings home at least $400.00 a wk (in winter) and at least $600.00 a wk. in summer , and they have a 3 person household . They get approx. $46,000 a year bring home and they get help from W.I.C , Daycare Asst. , food excetra . So tell her - or help her , find those services .
208095
Hmmm...I'm 34 w/ 4 kids and paying soooooooooo much, and I'm the mom. Long story but no I'm not a derelict I just was sick of family court. A lawyer is good advice but also unrealistic when it comes down to it. Get on the internet (whatever state you're in) and download all your paperwork. They're making it so much easier than it used to be. Get your support reduced and pay and they'll give you your license.
429067
First, look in your area to legal aid. They may go under a different name, so if you can't find it, call the local bar association.\nAdditionally, ask at the local bar if it has its own pro bono legal service. Many local bars have such, but if they don't, they should be able very quickly and easily to point you to someone who can provide free legal assistance.\nIs there a law school nearby? They may also have the capabilities, through student run (attorney supervised) clinics.
96914
get a lawyers advise. They offer free cosultations.
107336
every citizen is entitled to an attorny and one is appointed to them if they cant afford one.  But unfortunately, those that have money can get BETTER attorneys.  Thats just the way it works my friend.
1136274
What's your question?  \n\nIn order to talk to a lawyer, a good first step is to call one and make an appointment.  If you can't afford a lawyer or can't find one willing to take your case on a contingency basis, find the Legal Aid (or equivalent) in your city.
512805
In all jurisdictions, there are lawyers who do pro bono work.  You can find them out by contacting the bar association for your area.  There are often state bar associations, county associations, city associations.  All lawyers may not be listed in each one.  So check each one in your area.  Go to the link below and enter your city and state in the box and see what comes up.  Or you can just call 411 and the operator can help you.  \n\nAlso, if you live near a university that has a law school, they have law clinics that help people in the community for little or no money.  Visit the school and they can help you too.  \n\nPlease do not be discouraged.  The system is designed to be intimidating.  But there are mechanisms out there to help you so just be patient and something will come through for you.  \n\nGood luck and let me know if you need additional help trying to find someone.
793335
If you are unable to do it yourself, you will have to hire a lawyer. The court is not there to give you legal advice.  They can give general information only, and they cannot advise you as to what you should or should not do.\n\nAre you on disability or some other source of severely limited income that would make you eligible for free legal services?    \n\nA house on Long Island is a significant asset.  You could open a line of credit and take out some cash to pay for your legal fees.
980618
Most lawyers will give you a free consultation just to learn if they can help you. Once they have the facts they can quote you a price and you can go from there.\n\nSorry to hear of your sad situation, hope things work out for you...
589546
See an attorney. He / she can get the ball rolling for you. Good poem, I assume about those who have fallen on hard times and are really down on their luck. Keep up the good work!
964544
Attorneys have to go to law school, and pass the bar. \nThey can help out a friend, without asking for money in return. Other than that, would you really want someone who had only some knowledge of the legal system, or someone who actually kept abreast of things in the legal system.
799387
/soapbox on\nI don't know what type of case you have, nor any of the particulars, since you failed to list any.  However, your request isn't reasonable.\n\nDo you go into a grocery store and ask them to give you free food?  Do you call a plumber and have him/her come to fix your pipes for free?  Do you expect teachers to teach you or your children without pay?\n\nFree legal advice is often worth what you pay for it: nothing.  An attorney has only his/her time, knowledge and experience to sell.  That is their "product".  When you ask an attorney for free advice, you are taking from their means of earning money.\n\n/soapbox off\n\nMany state and local bar associations offer a reduced cost consultation with an attorney for 30 minutes to an hour, and then if you want to retain the attorney, you may do so and negotiate with him/her over their fee.  I suggest you contact your local or state bar association and see if there is a program such as that available.