- Divorce
- Child SupportChild support is a payment by one parent (often the "non-custodial parent") to the other parent for the support of their common child. It is in the best interest of a child for both parents to be obligated to pay for the support of their child.
- Child Custody and VisitationChild custody is a term that refers to the rights and responsibilities that a parent carries with respect to his/her child.
- Paternity
- Spousal SupportSeveral jurisdiction’s statutes authorize limited divorces, or what is commonly known as a “legal separation”. Legal separation is a legal status conferred by a court in which the parties remain married but the court sets the rights and liabilities of the parties with respect to child custody, support, visitation, alimony, property, and debts.
- Legal Separation
- AnnulmentAnnulment is a method of voiding the contract of marriage. If an annulment is granted, the result is that parties are treated as if the marriage never occurred. An annulment can be granted only if the initial marriage contract suffers from a defect in its formation; for instance, an underage party without parental consent or a party lacking the mental capacity to understand the marriage contract or fraud in the inducement of the marriage contract.
- Criminal DefenseCriminal law involves the process by which individuals (and in some instances, businesses) are alleged to have violated certain rules that have been enacted to protect members of society. The rules of the federal government and all individual state governments are codified into statutes. When an individual violates the rules as listed in the statutes, then the federal government or the state may prosecute the alleged wrongdoer. However, the wrongdoer is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
- DUI/DWIAnyone who causes an accident while driving under the influence of alcohol or another substance is considered negligent. Unfortunately, this is of little comfort to someone who has sustained injuries or lost a loved one in an alcohol-related accident. The driver convicted of DUI has the liability to pay for all damages, but may not be the only person considered negligent or liable. Those who provided the alcohol may also be considered negligent and liable for damages. Many states have laws which impose liability on bars, clubs, restaurants, or hotels which supply liquor improperly. In such cases, a business is expected to exercise due care and not to serve anyone who is obviously drunk. Even someone outside of such a business may incur liability for supplying liquor to a driver who subsequently had an accident, injuring or killing others. The host of a party may be liable in some states if he continues to allow a guest to imbibe after it is obvious the guest is under the influence.
- Wrongful DeathWrongful death is the term used when someone causes the death of another person. The death may be caused by the actions of someone or by their failure to act (neglect). Wrongful death is a civil action rather than a criminal action. Since the person killed (decedent) cannot file suit or collect damages, it is the family or representatives of the estate that do so. The intent is to recompense family members who have suffered monetarily and emotionally from the death. Damages can be assessed for lost wages and benefits, loss of companionship, and emotional pain and suffering caused by the trauma.
- Traffic ViolationsIf you received a traffic ticket you should not pay the ticket or plead guilty before consulting with an attorney. Often an attorney can negotiate a resolution that dismisses the charge or avoids a moving violation from appearing on your driving record.
- Sex CrimesNursing home abuse can include physical damage from falls, malnutrition or dehydration, bed sores, gangrene, aspiration pneumonia, over-sedation, poor medical care, or wrong medication. Just as damaging but more subtle, are lack of supervision, theft, abandonment, defective equipment, sexual assault, coercion, physical or mental abuse. All of these can lead to injury or death of the nursing home patient.
- MisdemeanorsSome alleged violations are more serious than others. Misdemeanors are generally considered more minor infractions, while felonies are typically much more serious. However, in any situation where the possible punishment could be incarceration, the accused is entitled to a jury trial. A jury decides the facts of the case, while a judge decides the law that applies to the case. In some instances an accused may only be entitled to, or may prefer to, have a judge decide all the issues in a case. That is called a bench trial. If a person is found guilty of the crime he or she was accused of committing a judge will decide the proper punishment. Typically, the judge is guided by certain sentencing guidelines that have been prescribed by the legislature. In “capitol” cases a jury may be asked to decide if a convicted murderer is eligible for the death sentence.
- Premises LiabilityAll slip and fall accidents are covered by negligence law and deal with the concept of premises liability. Property owners have a “duty of care” to see that their property is safe. This includes insuring that the building has no structural defects that could cause an accident, both inside and out. In some states the property owner may also have a duty to reduce problem areas caused by weather. Structural defects can include: loose floor mats, rugs, or tiles; water on the floor; poorly lit stairs or steps; cracks or holes in sidewalks or parking lots. Weather-related hazards may include standing water and icy spots. A plaintiff or claimant also has a duty to exercise reasonable care, so if any action of yours contributed to the accident, you may share in the negligence.
- Personal InjuryWhen someone is physically or emotionally injured, or their personal property is damaged, it is considered in law to be a “Personal Injury”. The laws covering personal injury allow the injured party to receive compensation for damages caused by someone else’s carelessness, negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions. Personal injury law is also called “tort” law. States and the Federal government have enacted tort laws for the protection of your rights. Tort actions have three elements: there must be a legal duty between the defendant (the one doing the wrong) and the plaintiff (the person injured); there must be a breach of that duty; and, damage must occur because of that breach. When all three elements take place, a personal injury, or tort, has occurred.
- Medical MalpracticeMedical malpractice is a form of negligence involving a medical treatment provider. If someone is injured as a result of a treatment provider's digression from the standard of care, that treater may be liable for the injury that has occurred. The determination of whether a medical professional has met the standard of care is based on a comparison to other professionals in the same field and the same geographical region. In other words, what would a reasonably competent medical professional practicing in the same field as the defendant, and in the same area of the defendant, do under the circumstances that the defendant was facing with respect to care and treatment of the patient?