How much does it cost to hire Deborah for a child custody case?

Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Deborah walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

Does Deborah offer a free consultation?

Deborah charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Deborah's office. Some child custody attorneys offer free consults — check Deborah's current terms during booking.

How long do child custody cases in New Hampshire typically take?

Simple child custody matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Deborah gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

Can Deborah take my case if I'm outside Manchester?

Deborah is licensed in New Hampshire. Matters governed by New Hampshire law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Deborah will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

What should I bring to my first meeting with Deborah?

Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Deborah will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

Is Deborah accepting new child custody clients right now?

Deborah's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Unclaimed · Is this you?

Deborah M. Shepherd, Child Custody Attorney in Manchester, New Hampshire

Over 23 years of legal practice · focused on Child Custody, Child Support, and Divorce · 1.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review

AttorneyatClark Law PLLC

Manchester, NH

Practicing child custody in Manchester since 2003.

23+: Years practicing
1.0 ★: 1 client review
1: Bar admission

Practices in

Child Custody Child Support Divorce DV Defense Family Law General

Are you Deborah M. Shepherd?

This profile was built from public bar records and is still unclaimed. Claim it free to control your photo, bio, and fees — and get client inquiries sent straight to you.

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Quick answer

Deborah M. Shepherd is an attorney based in Manchester, NH. The practice focuses on Child Custody, Child Support, and Divorce. Deborah has over 23 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Clark Law PLLC. Rated 1.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.

Based in: Manchester, NH
Experience: over 23 years
Known for: Child Custody · Child Support · Divorce

Handles Child Custody, Child Support, and Divorce matters from Manchester, NH.
Over 23 years of practice as a licensed attorney.

Areas of practice

Practice areas handled by Deborah M. Shepherd

Deborah concentrates on child custody, child support, divorce, dv defense, and family law. Each area below outlines the kind of case Deborah handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Child Custody cases in Manchester, New Hampshire

Deborah takes child custody matters in Manchester, New Hampshire. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Deborah agrees to represent you.

Child Support cases in Manchester, New Hampshire

Deborah takes child support matters in Manchester, New Hampshire. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Deborah agrees to represent you.

Divorce cases in Manchester, New Hampshire

Deborah takes divorce matters in Manchester, New Hampshire. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Deborah agrees to represent you.

DV Defense cases in Manchester, New Hampshire

Deborah takes dv defense matters in Manchester, New Hampshire. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Deborah agrees to represent you.

Family Law cases in Manchester, New Hampshire

Deborah takes family law matters in Manchester, New Hampshire. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Deborah agrees to represent you.

Biography

About Deborah M. Shepherd — Over 23 years of New Hampshire child custody experience

Attorney Shepherd graduated from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, located in the Berkshires, in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science. She then worked in the computer field for sixteen years before attending Franklin Pierce Law Center and graduating in 2003. While at Pierce Law, Attorney Shepherd participated in the Civil Practice Clinic and the Child Advocacy Clinic. She also participated in the Mediation Clinic and mediation competition during law school. Upon graduation, Attorney Shepherd began working for a general practice firm and handled cases in personal injury, property disputes, criminal defense, landlord/tenant, small business, and family law. Attorney Shepherd has been with Clark Law Offices since 2004 assisting client with their legal needs, whether it requires research, advocacy, mediation, litigation or a combination of any of these.

Deborah's approach to child custody cases

The kind of cases Deborah takes

Deborah reviews new inquiries case-by-case for child custody, child support, and divorce matters in Manchester and the surrounding New Hampshire area.

Credentials

Deborah M. Shepherd's legal education and bar admissions

Franklin Pierce College Law Center
J.D. · 2003
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
B.S. Marketing · 1984

Jurisdictions

Deborah's state bar admissions

New Hampshire
2003 · ACTIVE

Deborah studied at J.D. in Franklin Pierce College Law Center and B.S. Marketing in Massachusetts College of Art and Design.

Law school and academic background

Deborah completed J.D. in Franklin Pierce College Law Center and B.S. Marketing in Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Deborah runs in New Hampshire is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Affiliations

Deborah's professional memberships and bar associations

New Hampshire Bar Association
2003 - Present · membership

Locations

Deborah M. Shepherd's office in Manchester

Deborah's primary office is at 694 Pine St., Manchester, NH, 03104. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Clark Law PLLC

694 Pine St.

Manchester, NH 03104

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Client feedback

Client reviews of Deborah M. Shepherd — 1.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review

Every review below is from a verified client of Deborah. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing child custody attorneys in Manchester.

1.0

1 client review

Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Deborah M. Shepherd claims this profile.

Read all reviews

Hiring guide

How to hire Deborah M. Shepherd — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new child custody attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Deborah usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Deborah charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Deborah's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Deborah will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a child custody attorney in Manchester, New Hampshire

A short list to run through before you commit: How many child custody matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Deborah

Deborah discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in child custody practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every child custody matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Deborah confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Deborah's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many child custody practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Deborah M. Shepherd

How much does it cost to hire Deborah for a child custody case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Deborah walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Deborah offer a free consultation?
Deborah charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Deborah's office. Some child custody attorneys offer free consults — check Deborah's current terms during booking.
How long do child custody cases in New Hampshire typically take?
Simple child custody matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Deborah gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Deborah take my case if I'm outside Manchester?
Deborah is licensed in New Hampshire. Matters governed by New Hampshire law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Deborah will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Deborah?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Deborah will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Deborah accepting new child custody clients right now?
Deborah's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Child Custody attorneys serving Manchester, Concord and Portsmouth in New Hampshire

Deborah handles child custody matters throughout New Hampshire. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified child custody attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Deborah's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these child custody attorneys in Manchester handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.