Caryn M. Kenik: Case Successes

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Family - In a post-decree child support dispute, the opposing party claimed that she did not receive child support for a period of almost seven years and was owed in excess of $65,000.00. Child support payments were paid directly to the mother, and hand-written receipts were exchanged between the parties. At trial, Ms. Kenik presented the testimony of a forensic handwriting expert who, after examining the hundreds of receipts in question, determined that both of the parties actually signed the receipts. Ms. Kenik’s client was exonerated of contempt findings, did not have to pay in excess of $65,000.00, and no longer faced being incarcerated.

Family - In a pre-decree divorce and removal case, the mother sought custody of the minor child and wanted to move out-of-state.  Caryn Kenik went to trial on behalf of the father, and after a lengthy trial with numerous witnesses for both sides, Ms. Kenik’s client was awarded joint legal custody and very liberal visitation.  The mother’s request for removal was denied.

Family - On a pro bono basis, Caryn Kenik represented a father in a parentage case who had been denied contact with his minor child for more than two years. Ms. Kenik was able to reconnect her client with his son and implement a visitation schedule.

Family - Ms. Kenik successfully represented a mother in a post-decree support matter where the father wanted to reduce his support obligation and be reimbursed for alleged overpayment of maintenance.  The father was self-employed and claimed the recent economic downturn adversely affected his earnings. After an in-depth analysis of bank accounts and other financial documents, Ms. Kenik obtained an increase in child support for the mother and the father’s over-payment of maintenance was off-set by expenses that mother had already paid.  In this case, Ms. Kenik’s extensive family law experience helped her client obtain an increase in support and prevented the father from taking back any of the maintenance he had paid. 

Family - The DHFS claimed that Ms. Kenik’s client owed in excess of $20,000, in past-due child support. The client had been laid-off and was receiving early social security retirement benefits. Ms. Kenik successfully argued that the dependent benefit allocation for the minor child satisfied the client’s child support obligation, retroactive to the initial payment of same. The client’s “adjusted” arrearage was under $3,000.00, saving her client more than $17,000.