Divorce is often a slow and painful process. But people can and do make it through this difficult time period.
If a separation is imminent, it is essential to have a strong support system (family, friends, a minister or pastor) to help face the difficulties that lie ahead. I also recommend that my clients consider counseling with a licensed social worker or counselor who is trained in handling divorce-related issues.
Potential clients who are contemplating divorce always have many questions (and rightfully so). What follows is a list of questions anyone going through a divorce should consider during his or her separation from his or her spouse:
(1) What custody and visitation arrangements will be put in place during the parties’
Owen & Owens is pleased to announce that Mary Burkey Owens has been recognized as a member of the 2011 Class of Influential Women of Virginia. Virginia Lawyers Media, publishers of Virginia Lawyers Weekly and the Virginia Medical Law Report, announced the selections. This awards program, now in its third year,
Do I really need a lawyer to help me or can I handle my personal injury case myself?
There may be cases in which the insurance carrier for the person who caused your accident and injuries will treat you fairly. In cases where you have minor injuries you may be ahead of the game to resolve the case yourself.
With today’s increasingly mobile society, it does not surprise me that I am seeing more and more custody cases involving multiple states and even different countries. Recently, I have had an influx of cases involving parents living in different locations, making it necessary to decide in which state or country custody proceedings should be initiated or restarted.
I recently had the opportunity to speak to a local Kiwanis Club in Midlothian about one of my favorite developments in the law.My topic was the Chesterfield Colonial Heights Drug Court. Drug Court is one of the most important developments in the practice of criminal law in the last 30 years.Statistics show that over 80% of the crimes committed in Chesterfield and the Richmond metro area are related to drug abuse in some way.Everything from car theft and grand larceny to domestic violence can be traced to drug abuse and addiction.Not to mention the felonies of possession of many controlled substances.
On April
23rd, from 7:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m., the Rotary Club of Bon Air will hold its
1st Joint Annual Casino Night and Texas Hold 'Em Tournament with The Honorable
Order of the Blue Goose International. The event will be held at the
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. It is the 2011 Spring Charity Fundraiser
for both groups.
As an estate planning attorney, I frequently (and, perhaps, naturally) speak about the importance of having an estate plan. Often, though, I encounter people too late to have that conversation. For instance, over the last several weeks, I have met with a number of older adults who have elderly parents without an estate plan.
As April 15th rapidly approaches, our domestic clients naturally have a lot of questions regarding the preparation of their tax returns. Since I am not (for better or for worse) an accountant, I always suggest that those clients of mine who are in the process of a divorce engage an accountant or other tax professional to answer these questions.
I am often asked the question: “Why should I consult with an estate planning attorney if I’ve already had my estate plan done?” The answer is: “Because things change.”
An estate plan is not a static concept. At the least, an individual should have his or her estate plan reviewed by an attorney when he or she experiences a significant life change.