- DivorceIf you can reach an agreement on all issues, the legal process will be streamlined and your case can be resolved with less cost to the parties. When there are children from the marriage, the former spouses will have contact with each other, a lot until the children reach adulthood, but beyond that for important family occasions and events in their lives. So it is often helpful to plan for your post-marital relationship by reaching an agreement that is fair to both parents. After the divorce, if the parties are unable to agree on any issue, they need to either follow what is written in the agreement or go back to court. Therefore, your attorney needs to make sure that any agreement is as complete as possible, both on current issues and those that may arise in the future.
- Child SupportChild support is based on Kentucky statutes. A child support worksheet is used determine the amount payable under the child support guidelines. However, the amount may be too much or too little, based on whether the numbers are appropriate to your situation. Judges approach the issue of child support differently, and some may or may not allow the parties to agree upon an amount that does not follow the child support guidelines. Therefore, the court where your case is filed may impact your ability to reach an agreement that does not follow the guidelines but is acceptable to the court. The right attorney will be able to advise you in this regard. A party may be entitled to child support while the case is being decided, after the case is over, during both times or neither time.
- Child Custody and VisitationThe answer is "yes." Sometimes a person will agree to a finding of domestic violence or plea to a domestic assault charge that is not true. This could be harmful to your relationship with your child if the other parent uses it to subsequently limit your custody and visitation rights, or if you face another allegation in the future. Even if you have a good job now, your next employer may do a background check. Certain employers and some fields (education, financial, law enforcement, medical, etc.) will not hire a person with a history of domestic violence. Any domestic violence or assault case needs to be taken very seriously.
- GuardianshipIf you do not have one, then your loved ones will have to go through a jury trial with several experts to get guardianship over you. It will be much more expensive than the cost of a POA.
- Spousal SupportSpousal "maintenance" is the term courts use for alimony. There are many factors that go into the court's decision. The amount that you receive or pay will ultimately come down to each side favorably arguing his or her need to receive or ability to pay. The courts have a lot of flexibility in this area, so the dollar difference in the amount set could be significant, based on how well your case is presented to the court. The difference in amount you pay or receive over the years could quickly exceed the difference in attorney fees between lawyers. Therefore it pays to have the lawyer who can best present your case, versus the least expensive attorney you can find to take your case.
- Legal SeparationA legal separation may protect your property interests while at the same time allow you to enjoy some benefits that you might not otherwise be entitled to if you were divorced. In rare situations, a legal separation may be best for you. Only in consultation with your attorney can you make the decision that is best for you.
- Annulment
- Child Abuse2. Take yourself or a family member to a doctor to document any injuries. Make sure they write down how the injuries may have occurred and when the injuries were likely to have occurred. For example, maybe the doctor can tell that a child's injuries are X hours old, and that was during the other parent's visitation. If the doctor or nurse tells you something important, but does not write it in your chart, then they will not remember it weeks or months later, and they may as well have never said it. You need to make sure they write everything down. Your doctor may report suspected child abuse to the authorities.
- Criminal Defense
- DUI/DWIKentucky uses the term DUI (Driving Under the Influence) while Ohio uses the term OVI (Operating a Vehicle Intoxicated).
- Wrongful DeathAutomobile accidents and other traumas can cause permanent injury to, or cause the wrongful death of, you or someone you love. You must be certain that you receive the medical care you deserve, compensation for your injuries and other damages, and any insurance coverage to which you are entitled.
- Sex CrimesAn Interpersonal Protective Order (IPO) may be filed by a victim of dating violence and abuse, stalking, sexual assault, or an adult on behalf of a minor victim. A victim has protections similar to an EPO/DVO.
- Robbery
- Burglary
- Theft
- MisdemeanorsIf you are charged with a crime, your assets and your freedom are at stake. You need an attorney defending your rights when felony and misdemeanor charges are prosecuted against you or a family member. The earlier you speak to an attorney, the more likely that your constitutional rights will be preserved.
- Drug Crimes
- AssaultSomeone has filed civil domestic violence or criminal assault charges against me. Should I be concerned over how this may affect my future? Do I need an attorney?
- Murder
- Homicide
- Arson
- ShopliftingTheft (Extortion, Deception (cold checks), Identity, Labor Already Rendered, Receiving Stolen Property, Services, Shoplifting, Unlawful Taking)
- Restraining Order
- ForgeryFraud (Credit or Debit Card [False Making or Embossing, Fraudulent Use, Obtained, Phishing, Production or Reproduction, Receipt, Receiving Goods or Services, Scanning Device or Reencoder, Unauthorized Signature]; Unlawful Access to a Computer)
- Kidnapping
- Manslaughter
- Prostitution
- Extortion
- Business Disputes
- Workers Compensation
- Personal Injury
- Auto Accidents
- Social Security Disability
- Medicaid PlanningA Trust can be used for Medicaid planning, for a minor child, an adult disabled child, or someone who will spend their inheritance unwisely. If you do not want the surviving parent to control your child's inheritance, then you can put someone else in charge of the money if you have a trust.
- Estate Planning
- WillsThe court "probates" a Last Will and Testament to determine its validity. If there is a Will, then the court appoints a Executor/Executrix (male/female) to carry out the instructions in the Will, transfer assets, address debts and all other issues. If there is no Will, then the court appoints an Administrator/Administratrix (male/female) to handle these duties.
- Trusts
- Power of AttorneyIt allows another person make your financial and healthcare decisions if you have a physical or mental disability. POAs can be effective immediately or only when you become disabled.
- BankruptcyChapter 7 is the "liquidation" variety – property can be liquidated to pay off as much of your debts as possible, while leaving you with enough property to make a fresh start.
- ForeclosureChapter 13 is a "reorganization" bankruptcy for consumers – you repay all or parts of your debts over three to five years. A Chapter 13 is also known as a "Wage-Earners Plan or Repayment Plan." As its name implies, it provides a way to repay all or at least some of the money you owe to your creditors from the income or wages you earn. Some think of it as a debt consolidation. In a Chapter 13 you develop a repayment plan with the help of your attorney. Your plan lets you pay back some or all of the money you owe, and usually takes three to five years to complete. Chapter 13 bankruptcies are commonly used to stop foreclosures and set up a payment plan for the debtor to catch up mortgage payments and cars loans.