Money laundering occurs when money that’s made from illegal activities is put through various steps to make it appear like it was legally earned. This includes moving the money through businesses, accounts, and transactions so it’s difficult or impossible to trace....
Year: 2026
Do divorcing spouses in West Virginia divide assets 50/50?
Economic separation is a key component of virtually all divorce scenarios. Spouses have to sever joint ownership and divide their responsibility for shared debts. Many people have inaccurate expectations for that process, possibly due to a misunderstanding about the...
First DUI vs. second DUI in West Virginia: What really changes?
Getting a driving-under-the-influence (DUI) charge is a serious matter. The legal system often provides a path toward rehabilitation for a first offense. However, if a second DUI occurs within a 10-year look-back period, the state shifts its focus from education to...
How is legal child custody different?
When parents in West Virginia get divorced, they have to determine how to split up custody. This can be done through the court, which will make a child custody determination. West Virginia law stipulates that this can refer to both physical and legal custody. Physical...
Can a DUI charge be dismissed because the stop was unlawful?
Under the Fourth Amendment, law enforcement needs reasonable suspicion to pull over a vehicle for suspected drunk driving. This means that officers must point to specific facts suggesting a traffic violation or criminal activity before stopping you, not just a gut...
What should co-parents remember about vacations with their child?
Planning summer vacations comes with a mixture of emotions. There’s usually excitement about the trip, but there may also be a bit of stress because of having to plan. For parents who have co-parenting arrangements, there’s another level of stress that’s added. It’s...
How long must defendants wait before seeking an expungement?
Expungement is the official legal process through which the state seals records of criminal matters. People with arrests, charges and sometimes even convictions on their criminal records can ask the courts to expunge or seal their criminal records. They can then...
Thinking about divorce? 4 key facts about filing in West Virginia
Divorce is rarely just a legal transition that changes your marital status. It is often an emotional experience that can create uncertainty tied to major life changes. Many people start the process with the same basic question: How can I file for divorce, and what...
If you are under 21, you have a different legal limit
If you ask most drivers about the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration, they will probably tell you that West Virginia law sets it at 0.08%. This is consistent across all 50 states, and most people learn this in driver’s ed classes. If a driver reaches or...
When business disputes turn into embezzlement allegations
Disputes are just a part of doing business. But what sometimes begins as a disagreement over finances, authority or control can soon escalate into criminal accusations. If you’re a business owner, executive or employee who handles company funds, this shift can be...