Linda Christine Hayes

As a working, single mother, I filed for child support through DSS. I didn't think I needed an attorney because it was pretty cut and dry that I was taking care of my child and the father was not. My child had lived with me all of her life and I had done everything for her. I expected to be given a f...air award for child support. On the child support hearing court day, my child's father whined, cried and complained about how he couldn't work and why he couldn't work. The family court judge fell for his sob story and awarded me a child support amount DEVIATED WELL BELOW the South Carolina child support guidelines. Unfortunately, I went before an incompetent, nasty, trashy, judge that discriminated against me because I was receiving DSS benefits. ( what this judge failed to realize is that if my child's father was financially supporting his child then I wouldn't have to fill in the gaps with DSS benefits...@#!!@@!!) And that's when the judge ordered my child's father to only pay me $200 a month in child support. The family court judge even told me that I didn't have to work!! I paid a pretty penny to get the court transcript but I have it to prove what the judge said. As a working, single mother who has sacrificed EVERYTHING for my child: DO NOT WALK INTO FAMILY COURT WITHOUT AN ATTORNEY!!! AND DO NOT WALK INTO FAMILY COURT WITH JUST ANY ATTORNEY!!!!!!! DSS AND FAMILY COURT ARE ON THE SAME SIDE. If you are receiving DSS benefits you will be looked down upon in the the eyes of family court!!! I hired Hayes Law Firm, Linda Hayes was my attorney. I got full custody of my daughter and child support increased to $750 a month. Linda is very experienced in the courtroom and knows exactly what cards to play and when to play them and that's what matters. The Family Court judges can't see what you're going through and they can't feel what you're going through. Linda has her way of bringing that into the light in the courtroom. Don't trust Family Court to give you a fair outcome. The judge I initially had, was very easily manipulated and profoundly ignorant. The latter judge proved to be more intelligent, classy and dignified. YOU DONT KNOW WHAT JUDGE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE!!! READ THAT AGAIN!! When it comes to your child or children, when it comes to your family, don't roll the dice and think everything's going to be okay if you walk into Family Court without an attorney. Even worse, if you walk into family court with the wrong attorney. Most of the time, the judge was speaking to my child's father and he was convincing the judge to feel sorry for him. And the judge was stupid enough to fall for it!!! Do not walk into Greenville County Family Court without an attorney. Now I have peace of mind. Now I know I have full custody of my child. My child will be safe, in good care, and raised correctly by my side. AND THAT'S THE ICING ON THE CAKE!!!!

We have had the good fortune to use Ms. Hayes for a few issues and she just was such a blessing when we needed it most. You usually don't need a lawyer when everything in your life is going great. When you need one, you hope and pray to find someone knowledgeable, aggressive on your behalf, but also ...someone who understands what you are going through and makes you feel she has your back. Linda Hayes is all that and more.

Ms. Hayes represented me in a few cases over the years and assisted my mother with getting her affairs in order prior to her death in 2003. She showed us understanding, compassion and empathy. She displayed up to date knowledge of the law letting me know of recent changes and what it meant in relatio...n to my case(s). Should I find the need for her services in the future, I would not hesitate to contact her office. I have recommended her to several friends and will continue to do so. I was very satisfied with her and her office staff, as was my mother. Top Notch in my book!

Ms. Hayes prepared some documents (will, etc.) for me. Everything was taken care of with a sufficient sense of urgency. She explained legal matters to me that I was unfamiliar with and she was attentive in listening to my particular needs regarding these documents. I feel a lot better knowing that I ...have a will and the accompanying documents should anything ever happen to me.