Parents who share physical custody or parenting time typically also share legal custody or the right to make decisions about their children. Attempting to negotiate every new concern or need on demand can create opportunities for conflict between the parents, which is...
Year: 2025
Miranda rights provide protection in custodial interrogations
People who are placed into police custody are sometimes questioned by the officers, but there’s a critical step that has to be taken care of before those questions start. Anyone who’s being subjected to a custodial interrogation must be read their Miranda rights. The...
5 questions to ask before modifying child support
When life changes, your child support arrangement may need to change as well. A job loss, a raise or new expenses for your child can affect what is fair and reasonable. In West Virginia, courts consider significant and continuing changes in circumstances before...
New West Virginia law increases penalties for drug dealers
Fentanyl is, as most everyone knows, a highly dangerous drug. Just a tiny amount can cause serious harm and often death. Sadly, West Virginia has the highest rate of fentanyl deaths in the country. In an effort to lessen the damage done by fentanyl in our state, Gov....
Holiday DUI checkpoints: What are your rights?
The holidays bring celebrations, travel and, unfortunately, an increase in impaired driving incidents. To keep roads safe, law enforcement agencies often set up DUI checkpoints during this time of year. These checkpoints are meant to deter drunk driving, but they can...
What are the possible penalties for a first DUI offense?
People often get arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) offenses because they drive poorly. Causing crashes, displaying impaired ability or failing a breath test could all lead to a DUI arrest. Many motorists accused of intoxication at the wheel feel...
Is your soon-to-be ex hiding assets in your house?
When you read about divorcing spouses hiding assets in a divorce, you might assume that they always do so away from the house. This might include an offshore or out-of-state bank account, a drawer in their place of work or their parents’ home. While people certainly...
Affording a home after a divorce
Marriage tends to improve people's standards of living. When two people combine their resources and share their efforts, they can maintain a nicer home while outsourcing fewer tasks to professionals. Two incomes can make it much easier to afford the mortgage for a...
Common defenses in West Virginia embezzlement cases
An accusation of embezzlement in West Virginia can upend your work, finances and reputation. You may suddenly face investigators, charges and difficult choices about your future. In this situation, you might benefit from direct information on what the state may try to...
3 potential benefits of negotiating a plea bargain
Most people accused of crimes insist that they are innocent. However, a sizable majority of criminal defendants eventually enter a guilty plea rather than take their case to trial. Frequently, their guilty plea is part of a broader plea bargain negotiated by their...