Collections

Pat's experience in the field of collection is widely recognized. He has given numerous lectures and presentations in this area of law. These include: The Virginia State Bar Continuing Legal Education; The National Health Care Collectors Association; The Mid-Atlantic Association of Health Care Collectors; The Virginia Association of CPAs; The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce; and Lorman Business Institute.

Our goal is to collect as much of the money owed as quickly as possible and to keep you from having to expend your valuable time and effort in this area. The most effective tool in keeping your accounts receivable current is knowledge. Our firm can help you develop a simple yet effective credit/intake application and/or contract. In addition, we can explain the legal process to you so that you can deal more effectively with your customers.

Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney is a document that, once signed, gives someone else the right to do something for you. Typically, this "power" is very general: the right to sign a check, sign a contract, sell a house, etc. They can be very limited, and only for a certain task within a specific period of time.

Power of Attorney documents are helpful for spouses to have and for senior citizens to give their mature children. If an individual becomes physically unable to manage their affairs, it allows someone else to do so without an expensive legal process.

Custody

Custody cases are always difficult. In the heat of a divorce, it is easy for the parents to forget the effect of the divorce on their children.

While we forcefully represent our client's interests in custody cases, our firm's professionalism will help you keep focused on the ultimate issue: the best interest of your children.

willS

Not everyone needs a will. However, before you decide that you don't need one, you should check with an attorney. If you don't have a will, state law will direct who gets your property, regardless of your wishes. You may also wish to set up a guardian and trust for any children under 18.

If you already have a will, you may wish to change parts of it. That is easy to accomplish, but be sure to speak with a lawyer first to avoid accidentally invalidating your entire will.

Personal Injury

When you've been injured due to another person's negligence, you have suffered a personal injury. These types of cases include car accidents, slip and falls, slander, injuries from poorly designed products, certain data hacks, adulterated foods (foreign objects in food), etc.

You may be tempted to handle the situation yourself to avoid sharing any monetary award with an attorney, which is fine. But our firm is able to help track all the paperwork, insurance forms, statute of limitations, and give advice on releases.

Sometimes, these cases can be resolved fairly quickly, but they can take up to 3 or even 5 years. Personal injury cases are complicated, even if they seem simple. The rest of your life can be impacted by your injuries. See a lawyer before making any lasting decisions.

Support

Whether spousal support or child support, our firm can assist you. Spousal support is usually part of our divorce cases, and can be permanent, temporary, paid in installments or a lump sum.

Child support can be part of another domestic case, or even its own issue. Consult with an attorney to learn what child support will likely be, and for help either with enforcement or defense against an inaccurate claim.

Living Wills/ADRs

Several high profile cases followed individuals and their medical treatment when they themselves have been unable to make informed decisions. Most people do not want to be in that situation; either as the patient or a family member involved in the decision making process.

A living will is a form of an Advanced Medical Directive, a document that only addresses a narrow area of health situations. You may appoint one or more individuals to consult with healthcare providers, and is only operative when you are unable to give knowing and competent consent to medical treatment. EVERYONE over 18 should have an ADR. Getting one is simple; contact us for more.

Divorce

Divorce cases are very stressful to the parties involved. How that individual copes with that stress and the support they get from their legal team is important. Our firm recognizes that our domestic clients need individualized attention. We'll discuss your goals, and set reasonable expectations. While we'll zealously defend your interests, if compromise is possible, it is encouraged.

There are two general types of divorce: no-fault and contested. We encourage no-fault divorces where possible, and will help negotiate a fair separation agreement-it is possible to get a divorce without ever stepping in court. Both parties have to agree to a no-fault divorce, but if your spouse does decide to go through a contested divorce, we'll work together as a team to support you through this process.

Construction

Our firm can help with contract enforcement issues, from filing mechanic's liens to presenting your case to a panel, arbitrators, or a jury.

The firm has represented owners, sub-contractors, and suppliers. Pat's studied and worked in construction, which coupled with his experience in the field, makes him uniquely qualified to assist with your case.