Expertise.com Homepage

2024

Last updated:

Best Child Support Lawyers in Grand Rapids, MI

Our Recommended Top 12

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Grand Rapids Child Support Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

53Reviewed

36Curated

12Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

161 Ottawa NW Suite 307, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Colletti and Mobilia, P.C., offers legal assistance to individuals with family law matters in Grand Rapids and surrounding areas. This firm is composed of child support and child custody case lawyers, advocating for the welfare of the children. The team provides representation and counseling to guide its clients throughout the process. This office has been assisting families for 25 years. It also handles other cases such as adoption, estate planning, and juvenile delinquency.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Donna Mobilia - PartnerActive38 yrs

300 State St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (89)
FindLaw
5.0 (31)
Facebook
4.3 (15)

Why choose this provider?

Kraayeveld Family Law Attorneys is a legal firm that specializes in handling family-related issues. Its family and divorce lawyers have over 30 years of collective experience assisting clients throughout Grand Rapids in complicated family matters. In cases involving child support, the firm assists in obtaining and calculating the other spouse's ability to pay considering their wage, bonuses, and retirement plan. It also considers the child's unique financial needs such as medical support obligations, child care expenses, and base support obligations like food and shelter.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
James Kraayeveld - Founding AttorneyActive31 yrs

180 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
4.3 (33)
Google
4.7 (24)
Facebook
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Quist Law Firm helps clients from Grand Rapids and nearby areas who need guidance on child support matters. It helps divorced parents identify or modify child support arrangements. The firm handles divorce, custody, family law, and post-judgment procedures. Divorce judgment modifications, prenuptial agreements, and custodial child relocation petitions are also handled by the law office. Courtney Quist, a lawyer with over 24 years of experience, leads the firm. According to Quist, her commitment is to find a solution based on the family situation of her clients.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Courtney Quist - PrincipalActive28 yrs

800 McKay Tower 146 Monroe Center NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (13)

Why choose this provider?

Sarnacki Law Firm has been providing legal advice and representation to the people of Grand Rapids for over 35 years. It handles child support and custody issues. It helps create child support orders that may include education expenses, monetary support for basic needs, medical expenses, and health insurance. The firm also assists with litigation, mediation, and collaborative divorce. Sarnacki Law Firm is headed by Dave Sarnacki, a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.

  • Child Custody

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
David Sarnacki - PrincipalActive35 yrs

230 East Fulton, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (18)
Facebook
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Judith A. Baxter, PLC is a legal office that defends the rights of children and families in Grand Rapids. It focuses its practice on child support, child support modification, and the enforcement of custody agreements and visitation periods. It also assists in the proceedings of adoption and juvenile delinquency and dependency and provides divorce mediation. The sole practitioner, who has rendered over three decades of experience in the law industry, has a background in basic civil litigation and criminal law, including felony and misdemeanors.

4328 3 Mile Road NW Suite 200, Grand Rapids, MI 49534

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (45)
Avvo
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Arnson VanTol Law is a Grand Rapids-based firm that represents husbands and fathers in child support cases. It handles other family law cases such as divorce, prenuptial agreements, and asset and property distribution. It also offers legal advice and advocacy to those facing criminal allegations. This practice exclusively serves male clients and is an active member of the American Divorce Association for Men (ADAM). The attorneys aim to help clients understand their legal options and develop a strategy tailored to their needs.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Samantha Vantol - PartnerActive17 yrs
Jeffrey Arnson - PartnerActive16 yrs

29 Pearl Street, Suite 421, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
3.9 (10)

Why choose this provider?

Shawn L. Perry Attorney at Law provides legal representation and counsel to clients in Grand Rapids. It addresses various family law issues, such as child custody and child support affairs. The firm's founding lawyer, Shawn L. Perry, has presided over thousands of custody, parenting time, and child support hearings throughout her 13 years of service as a family court referee. Perry has been a licensed attorney since 1988 and also handles various aspects of criminal law.

  • Child Custody

445 Cherry Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (82)
Facebook
5.0 (9)

Why choose this provider?

Thacker Sleight is a boutique law firm in Grand Rapids that aids parents in protecting their children's interests. It assists in determining the amount of child support and answers queries concerning the collection arrangements. Through collaborative practice, the firm helps divorcing couples resolve their issues. Connie Thacker and Allison Sleight have over 28 years of collective experience in negotiation and litigation. Thacker is a fellow and certified arbitrator of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. She is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Connie Thacker - PartnerActive30 yrs
Allison Sleight - PartnerActive15 yrs

600 28th St SW, Wyoming, MI 49509

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (112)
Facebook
4.6 (91)
Yelp
1.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Avanti Law is a minority and women-owned firm that provides clients in Grand Rapids with a team of bilingual and passionate family lawyers. They assist clients in all areas of family law, including divorce, annulment, separate agreements, custody and visitations, child support, and termination of parental rights. In handling issues related to family matters, the firm follows a cooperative approach. In terms of service quality, the firm has had the experience of successfully defending a father and reducing his child support obligation by 50 percent.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Robert Alvarez - Founding MemberActive20 yrs

250 Monroe NW Suite 400, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
4.8 (185)

Why choose this provider?

Rathi & Associates is a multi-practice law firm that represents individuals in Grand Rapids and across the state of Michigan in matters under family law. Backed by 20 years of professional experience, its founding attorney takes a proactive approach to provide in-depth advice to clients during the separation process and works to get the financial support that children deserve. Roger R. Rathi draws on the governing items of the Michigan Child Support Manual to ensure an equitable distribution of parental responsibilities. His other areas of practice include criminal defense and immigration law.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Roger Rathi - PrincipalActive25 yrs

3351 Claystone St SE, Ste. 101, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (170)
Facebook
4.6 (47)
Yelp
1.7 (6)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Sean Patrick Cox P.L.L.C. legally represents clients in Grand Rapids seeking child support to cover the changing needs of the family. It advocates for the needs and interests of the children, guiding clients about how support payments are calculated. In addition, the firm offers legal assistance in child support modifications and orders enforcement. Principal attorney Sean Patrick Cox has been in the legal practice since 1994. He handles uncontested divorces and complex family cases for high-net-worth individuals.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Sean Cox - PrincipalActive30 yrs

124 Fulton St. E, Suite 100, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Reeder Plachta Murphy practices various legal areas, including family law in Grand Rapids. It advocates for children's benefits in custody and support cases. The firm helps parents understand their legal duties in rearing their children after a divorce or outside marriage. Its attorneys assist clients in determining the amount of financial assistance that the court would require. Attorneys of the firm help negotiate fair settlements for its clients and their children. Reeder Plachta Murphy also practices business law, elder law, and estate planning.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Bryan Reeder - Managing PartnerActive13 yrs

Compare our Top Child Support Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Law Offices of Colletti and Mobilia, P.C.
161 Ottawa NW Suite 307, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Kraayeveld Family Law Attorneys
300 State St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Quist Law Firm
180 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Sarnacki Law Firm
800 McKay Tower 146 Monroe Center NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
The Law Office of Judith A. Baxter, P.L.C. Attorney & Counselor at Law
230 East Fulton, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Arnson VanTol Law
4328 3 Mile Road NW Suite 200, Grand Rapids, MI 49534
Shawn L. Perry Attorney at Law
29 Pearl Street, Suite 421, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Thacker Sleight
445 Cherry Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Avanti Law
600 28th St SW, Wyoming, MI 49509
Rathi & Associates
250 Monroe NW Suite 400, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Law Offices of Sean Patrick Cox P.L.L.C.
3351 Claystone St SE, Ste. 101, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Reeder Plachta Murphy
124 Fulton St. E, Suite 100, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

FAQs

  • What does a child support attorney do?

    A child support attorney is a specialized family law attorney who works primarily or solely on child support cases. These attorneys advocate for clients in a variety of situations, including seeking child support from a resistant partner, paying child support, or recalculating child support payment amounts. Often, child support law is an area of practice within a firm that also handles custody and visitation matters.

  • Can I file for child support without an attorney?

    It is possible to file for child support pro se, or on one’s own behalf. This involves obtaining the necessary forms from the local family court and filling out all required paperwork carefully and on time. The court will then set dates for hearings, which usually must be attended in person. Parents filing without a child support attorney should thoroughly research child support and custody laws to put together a compelling and accurate defense. If you already have a court order, you can seek help in enforcing it from the local office of your state child support agency.

  • What is child support used for?

    Child support is used to divide the financial responsibility for raising a child or children between two separated or divorced parents. This court-ordered payment is typically paid from the higher-income noncustodial parent to the lower-income custodial parent. It's intended to cover the costs of basic necessities for a minor and to maintain his or her standard of living. Child support may also be used to split unexpected expenses that occur during a minor's formative years. Definitions of basic necessities may vary by state.

  • When do child support payments start?

    The administrative order from the state agency or court overseeing the legal proceedings will specify the start date of child support payments and may include retroactive payments. Depending on the state and the case specifics, child support may become effective on the date of the separation, at the time of the legal filing, or on the child's birth date.

  • What is child support based on?

    How child support is calculated depends largely on the state of residence and whether custody is joint or sole. Although every case is unique, states may consider the following factors when determining the amount of child support:

    • Number of children involved
    • Allocation of parenting time
    • Total income
    • Spousal support
    • Social Security and other public benefits
    • Expenses for medical and dental insurance coverage
    • Childcare costs
  • What is included in child support?

    Child support funds are intended to pay for a child's essential needs. Child support attorneys may advocate as to what should and shouldn't be included in the order. The court may expressly define the expenses to be paid for to help both parties understand their responsibilities.

    Child support may include the following items and services:

    • Food
    • Shelter costs, including mortgage or rent, utilities, and furnishings
    • Medical expenses, such as medications, eyeglasses, and physician and dental care services
    • Childcare services
    • Educational expenses, including books, school supplies, uniforms, and field trip fees
    • Extracurricular activity costs, such as summer camps, art supplies, or sporting equipment
    • Entertainment costs
    • Transportation and travel expenses
  • How can I check if I owe child support?

    The court order outlines any obligations of child support. Additional questions about payments owed can be routed through the appropriate local child support office. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Child Support Enforcement maintains a list of state agencies and tribal child support agencies throughout the United States and its territories.

Related Articles

FeaturedChildSupport

6 Steps To Hire A Child Support Attorney

Attorney Candace Jones overviews the steps you should take when hiring a child support attorney.