(Vanity) How do I pick a lawyer?

n/a | 6/30/01 | Doohickey

[Doohickey]

I've started getting these threatening letters from Los Angeles County saying I owe child support to some lady there I've never heard of. They're threatening to garnish my wages, put a lien on my house, etc.

I have no idea who this lady is. I haven't lived in California since 1984. I've live in Virgina now and have been faithfully married since 1991. The children in question were born in 1993 and 1997.

I've never had to hire a lawyer before. What kind of lawyer do you get for a case like this? Do I get a Virginia lawyer or a California lawyer?

Any help is appreciated.

[Still Thinking]

Well, if you're living in "Virgina", that's probably why you're getting hit with paternity problems.

[Still Thinking]

Yup, Doohickey in Virgina. Sounds like a recipe for something.

[John Jorsett]

If you don't get a good answer here, you might try posting the question to the Usenet newsgroup misc.legal.

[Kerberos]

"Well you wait patiently in an area they are known to congregate(bars, whorehouses, courthouses, etc). "

LOL......I love a good lawyer joke.

[Paul Atreides]

First, get a good pair of industrial strength rubber gloves...

[Paul Atreides]

First, I would check to see if they have you mixed up with another person of the same name. Stuff like that happens frequently.

[Georgia_JimD]

You had to of not responded to previous letters from them and they assumed it was you.

I got one while in the military. It seems the state writes everyone with the same name in paternity suits and goes after those that don't respond. You probably have the same name as the person they are looking for.

I suggest you call the Superior Court in California before this goes any further.

I was able to settle mine with a phone call.

[Paul Atreides]

And, tell them your doohickey has be faithful.

[Clara Lou]

Just a question: Have you phoned Los Angeles county and told them of their error? That seems a lot cheaper than hiring a lawyer right off the bat. At the very least, you will have more information to give a lwayer, should you have to hire one. Also, ask LA county if they are prepared to pay your lawyers' fees when you prove that they have the wrong man. (I've never been in your position before, but this is what I'd do.)

[Doohickey]

Funny. I was in the military too, and I have a very common name. Talking to some LA County bureaucrat and putting this to rest seems too good to be true.

[Still Thinking]

And, tell them your doohickey has be faithful.

Refer to my posts 2 and 3.

[nicmarlo]

Jurisdiction over the matter lies with the state where the children reside. Therefore, you will need a lawyer who can practice law in the State of California. You may want to, as someone suggested, hire another attorney in Virginia, or seek out a Virginia attorney who has also been admitted to the bar in California. However, if he/she has not been practicing California law, they may not be familiar with current family law, which differs from state to state. I have a friend who's a new attorney in California. She may be able to hook you up with some names out there. I don't suggest you use her because she's new. (No disrespect towards her at all, you need someone who's been doing this for awhile.) Freepmail me and I'll give you her name and the office where she works....I'm sure she'll be able to tell you about some law firms. I used to work out there, but can't think of any particular law firm. By the way, is it in L.A. or L.A. County? or somewhere else?

[Doohickey]

It was LA County. And thanks for your help.

[Paul Atreides]

I remember seeing a story on a woman whose identity was confused with another woman of the same name. They had many things in common. The other woman had a lot of debt and it got the innocent woman in a lot of trouble. Before I hired a lawyer, I would see if they have the correct person.

[Paul Atreides]

LOL! I don't know what goes on in Virginia, so I'll have to take your word for it.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Hmmmmn.

First, clean your gun and bore site the weapon.

Next, get some appropriate ammo ....

Then, go to a spot with plenty of lawyer ... (Perhaps the next dnc convention.)

Then, ...
8<)