Family Law – Dissolution of marriage (divorce); child support; distribution of marital assets and marital debts; alimony; modifications; enforcement.  Family law is a complex area involving the most important aspects of your life.  Although there is no requirement that a party to a divorce have an attorney the expense of a mistake may far outweigh the cost of an attorney.  At a minimum it is advisable to consult with an attorney about your case as early as possible. 

Mediation; settlement without litigation -  There are also alternatives to fighting such as mediation and collaberative law.  These methods are designed to facilitate your divorce effectively through agreement thereby avoiding much of the expense and stress of a litigated case.  This is especially important when children are involved.  Litigation is generally ineffecient, expensive, time consuming, emotionally draining and irreversible.  Fighting "for the principle of the matter" and "at any cost" often leads to the destruction of relationships to the point that they are beyond repair.  This is most detrimental if there are children involved.  Children, despite everything, love both parents and want to be loved by both parents.  It is inevitable that the continued fighting of the parents only damages the children.  Litigation often takes six months to a year or more and can be brutal on all involved.  Ultimately, the judge will decide the case as he or she holds all the decision making power.  Alternatively, settlement can be quick.  Just as important, in settlement, you, the parties, make the decisions about your life and the life of your children.

Social Security Disability – There are two basic forms:  Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).  In order to qualify for SSDI you must have worked a sufficient amount of time so that you have paid, in essence, your premiums.  Alternatively, in SSI cases, you need not have worked.  However, your assets may not exceed a limit set by the Social Security Administration.  In either case the process is long a difficult.  You are not required to have an attorney.  However, having an attorney that understands the medical issues as well as the rules and requirements that will be applied by the Social Security Administration is very helpful in these cases.

Real Estate – Kevin MacWilliam and Mark E. Hill are members of the Attorneys’ Title Insurance Fund.  Therefore we are both title insurance agents and closing agents.  We can handle your real estate closings from A to Z.  We can also review your sale-purchase agreement if you have questions prior to signing.

Wills, Trusts and Estates – Planning for retirement and the inevitable end to our lives is important not only for ourselves, but for our family.  There are many ways that you can prepare for death to help ensure you protect those you love and lessen the burden that they have in administering your estate.  Depending on the size of your estate and your goals these tools involve simple wills, living trusts, health care surrogates, living wills (do not resuscitate orders), powers of attorney and more.  Proper planning now will make an already difficult time less stressful for your loved ones.

Probate – Probate is a process wherein the assets and debts of an estate are administered.  Not all estates must go through probate.  However, it is fairly common to go through the probate system to distribute property and to pay debts, such as medical bills.  This is true whether or not someone has a will or a trust when they die.  Generally the probate process is not too cumbersome with the help of a lawyer.  Unfortunately probate is not a system that one can go through without an attorney.  Therefore, if you have any questions about the process and whether an estate needs to go through probate, please contact an attorney.

Workers’ Compensation – Injuries on the job are never pleasant.  To make matters worse the law is very favorable towards the employer and the insurance company.  Nevertheless, if you have a valid workers’ compensation injury you may be entitled to medical care and payment for being out of work.  The system is very complex and while you are not required to have an attorney, an attorney can help you navigate through the law to help you get the benefits you are entitled to.