CHILD custody and support

02/08/2023

If you have any questions feel free to call my office.
We are located in Coechella Valley.

Legal Representation with Empathy.

(760)346 4601

01/24/2022

The State Bar of California issued the following fraud alert today to warn the public to report and watch out for potential legal fraud in response to federal warnings about mass family deportations.

"Everyone in California deserves access to legal services, no matter their immigration status,” said Melanie Lawrence, Interim Chief Trial Counsel of the State Bar of California. “Recent federal warnings about mass deportations undoubtedly have escalated fear and alarm in immigrant communities, and this climate increases the potential that the unscrupulous will be trying to take advantage of those most vulnerable and in need.”

The State Bar has issued a new pamphlet in English and Spanish to make widely available basic information about avoiding being victimized by those not licensed to practice law.

Also, the agency recently improved its online complaint form for reporting the unauthorized practice of law making it available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Russian. A multilingual off-line alternative is also available.

Fraud Alert

Steps you can take to avoid fraud from attorneys and unlicensed legal providers, including non-attorneys using the title notario:

Ask for the attorney's full name and State Bar number.
Before hiring the attorney or paying any sum of money, look up the attorney on the State Bar website (www.calbar.ca.gov), or the state in which they are licensed, to see if their license is active and whether they have any history of discipline. You can also call the State Bar at 800-843-9053.
Check the State Bar’s cease and desist list, which warns non-attorneys that certain of their practices may violate the law, and the federal list of those not authorized to practice immigration law.
Be wary of non-attorneys who call themselves notarios; they are not authorized in California to provide legal advice. See section on immigration consultants below.
Get your contract in writing as well as receipts for payments you make.
Be wary if someone requires cash payments. If you must pay in cash, be sure to have a written receipt.
Be wary of those who threaten to report your immigration status if you do not pay them immediately.
Keep a paper trail. If you don't have a bank account, use a cashier's check. If you've already made a payment, you are entitled to ask for an accounting of your bills.
California law prohibits lawyers or others acting on the behalf of a lawyer from:

Promising a particular outcome from the legal representation.
Lying about their ability to represent you in immigration court or act as your lawyer.
Seeking clients by mail unless the letter and envelope are clearly labeled as an advertisement. Any communication from a licensed attorney soliciting business, whether written, broadcast, or electronic must be clearly marked as an advertisement or solicitation.
Use care when seeking help from immigration consultants

If you hire an immigration consultant rather than an attorney, you should know what they can and cannot do for you:

Immigration Consultants Can
Immigration Consultants Cannot
Help fill out paperwork
Translate documents
Submit forms to government agencies
Select what forms you need
Give legal advice
Represent anyone in Immigration Court

Attorneys or accredited representatives must be registered with the Executive Office of Immigration Review before appearing in Immigration Court.

Immigration lawyers can practice immigration law in California even if they are licensed in another state. Any complaints about such attorneys will be forwarded to the correct state authorities.

Report notario fraud and other unauthorized practice of law to the State Bar

People should report fraud by notarios and other unauthorized practice of law to the State Bar of California. Online and offline complaint forms are now available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Russian.

You do not have to be a citizen to file a State Bar complaint. The State Bar will not ask you about your immigration status when you file a complaint and will not collect or report any such information to anyone.

Additional information

Online complaint form to report the unauthorized practice of law in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Russian
PDF complaint form, multilingual
Legal resources for immigrants
​More information about immigration consultants or notarios
The State Bar, which regulates the practice of law in California, cannot represent clients or refer them to a particular attorney. People needing a lawyer can contact the State Bar of California to connect with a certified lawyer referral service at 415-538-2250 or email [email protected].

Follow the State Bar online
Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram

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The State Bar of California's mission is to protect the public and includes the primary functions of licensing, regulation and discipline of attorneys; the advancement of the ethical and competent practice of law; and support of efforts for greater access to, and inclusion in, the legal system.

Protecting the public & enhancing the administration of justice.

12/18/2020

Happy Holidays keep safe

10/25/2020

CAN A CHILD SUPPORT ORDER CHANGE ???

Yes. You can file with the court and ask modification of child support. You lost your job??Yes you can modify the child support.
Give me a call for more details.
7603464601

10/25/2020

CAN AN ORDER FOR CHILD SUPPORT BE DISCHARGED WITH BANKRUPTCY??????

NO. Child support debt can not be discharged with CHAPTER 7 Bankruptcy.

10/25/2020

IS CHILD SUPPORT I PAY TAX DEDUCTIBLE???

NO is not deductible for the payor and is not taxable income for the person that receives the child support (custodial parent).

Need to find more information?
Call Athina K. Powers, Esq
7603464601

Habla Espagnol

10/03/2020

IF THE NONCUSTODIAL PARENT IS UNEMPLOYED OR
HAS LESS INCOME IS HE OR SHE STILL REQUIRED TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT???
Yes. Unemployment in most jurisdictions is only considered a temporary change, and the noncustodial parent is still required to meet his or her child support obligation. Moreover, unemployment insurance or unemployment benefits that a noncustodial parent receives are still considered “income” and, therefore, available as a means of supporting children.
But you can go back to court and ask modification of your child support obligation. I suggest to do it, if you want the Dartment of child support services of your wages ...

10/03/2020

WHEN SHOULD A CUSTODIAL PARENT APPLY FOR CHILD SUPPORT?

When to apply for child support really depends on the non-custodial parent’s need and circumstances. Where parents have their children or child residing with them immediately after separating, child support can be sought at any time, and custody and child support are usually requested at the same time.
In some cases, the custodial parent does not want or need support initially, but later their situation changes and they need financial assistance from the other parent. In these situations, custodial parents can apply for child support when the need arises, even when the divorce is final and all other matters stemming from the parties’ separation have been settled.
When the parties have not been married, child support can be sought by the custodial parent once paternity has been established .

Athina Powers, Esq
Call us at 760 346 4601

05/31/2020

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I want to do the best for my kids . What do I do?
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