For more detailed practice information, please click on the highlighted practice area.
Williamsburg, VA's Divorce Lawyer
Divorce
A divorce can be an overwhelming challenge. But it does not need to be. Our attorneys bring experience and understanding to resolve the personal, financial, and legal changes that accompany any divorce. Only a court can grant a divorce, but expensive and lengthy litigation is not your only choice. Alternatives include collaborative divorce, negotiated settlements and mediation. Our attorneys will provide you sound advice and skilled representation whatever method is used.
Other Family Law Matters
Child Custody, Visitation, and Support. Resolving issues of custody, visitation, and support can be required independently of a divorce case. Our attorneys have experience negotiating and litigating these issues in trial and appellate courts.
Spousal Support. Whether it is the initial determination of entitlement to support or a modification of support based on changes in circumstances, our attorneys can provide guidance and representation through negotiation and litigation.
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Adoptions
Adoptions
Adoption provides emotional and economic security to children where the relationship with one or both natural parents is impaired. Our attorneys can guide adoptive parents through the administrative and legal proceedings required to adopt a child.
Stepparent Adoptions – Adoption by one spouse of a child from a former marriage or relationship
Parental Placement Adoptions – Adoption where the adoptive parents are selected directly by one or both of the natural parents without the intervention of an adoption agency.
Agency Placement Adoptions-placement of a child for adoption by a licensed child-placing agency, such as the Department of Social Services or a private agency
Interstate Adoptions- Adoptions pursuant to the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC) involving the Commonwealth of Virginia and another state
International Adoptions-Readoption in accordance with Virginia law of a child adopted in a foreign country
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Real Estate
Our attorneys are experienced in all aspects of residential and commercial real estate, from the drafting or review of the initial contract documents through the closing of purchase and loan transactions.
Residential Real Estate
We represent purchasers and sellers in residential real estate closings. In Williamsburg and the surrounding area, if a prospective purchaser is represented by a real estate agent, that agent will typically prepare an offer using using form contract documents. Our attorneys can review those documents with you prior to making or accepting an offer so you can understand the significance of the terms of the contract. Once an agreement has been reached, we can represent the seller, the purchaser or both parties through the closing of the real estate conveyance and any associated loan transaction. Please review the Virginia Homebuyer’s Manual, published by the Virginia Bar Association http://www.vba.org/hmbyr2K.htm or http://www.hud.gov/buying/index.cfm Buying a Home, published by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for information on the homebuying process. Title insurance is an important consideration for a purchaser. Information on title insurance can be found at the American Land Title Insurance Association website http://www.homeclosing101.org/whyneed.cfm.
Other Real Estate Services
Commercial Real Estate Transactions Our attorneys provide business clients seeking to purchase, sell, or finance commercial properties with skilled assistance from concept to closing.
Residential and Commercial Leases We represent residential and commercial landlords and tenants in the negotiation and drafting of leases for homes, apartments, and retail, office, and other business uses.
Commercial and Residential Landlord and Tenant Disputes Our attorneys represent commercial and residential landlords and tenants to resolve disputes arising out of that relationship through negotiation and litigation.
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Criminal and Traffic Defense
Misdemeanors
Felonies
DUI
Reckless Driving
Speeding and Other Traffic Offenses
Delinquency Proceedings in Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
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Bankruptcy*
When a client is considering a bankruptcy filing, clear, sound advice is the essential starting point in that decision. Tracy McMurtrie Luck has over 15 years of experience representing consumers seeking protection through the bankruptcy process. She brings the benefit of her experience to each client. Our firm provides
Bankruptcy Consultation and Evaluation
Representation in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Proceeding
*NOTE: WE ARE A DEBT RELIEF AGENCY. WE HELP PEOPLE FILE CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY PETITIONS PURSUANT TO THE BANKRUPTCY CODE
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Business Representation
Our attorneys provide business clients with advice and representation in the formation and operation of their businesses. Services include:
Corporate Organization and Maintenance
Limited Liability Company Formation
Shareholder and Operating Agreements
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Estate Planning
Estate Planning
Our attorneys provide individuals and couples with advice and preparation of documents in connection with estate planning and other end-of-life issues, including Wills, Advance Medical Directives, and Powers of Attorney.
Last Wills and Testaments
Some individuals and couples benefit from complex, “tax-planned” wills and trusts. Most do not. Our firm provides “non-tax” estate planning for individuals and couples with modest estates to provide for the transfer of wealth to a surviving spouse, children, or other beneficiaries. We also provide referrals to qualified attorneys for those whose significant estates would benefit from a tax-planned will or trust.
Advanced Medical Directives-These “Living Wills” are drafted in conformity with Virginia statutory requirements and allow one’s wishes to be known and respected in making end-of-life decisions when one is unable to make these decisions oneself. The American Bar Association has prepared a “toolkit” http://www.abanet.org/aging/toolkit/home.html to assist in crafting the specifics of one’s directive.
Powers of Attorney-The documents allow others to act on one’s behalf. A General Power of attorney provides broad powers to the attorney-in-fact to act for the principal. A special or specific power of attorney allows the attorney-in-fact to perform specific functions, such as the sale of an automobile or home, for the principal.
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Civil Litigation
Trial Practice - Our attorneys have broad experience in litigating civil cases in state and federal trial and appellate courts in Virginia. We represent clients in the resolution through litigation of a broad range of disputed civil matters in circuit and general district courts in Williamsburg and the surrounding counties on the Peninsula and Middle Peninsula.
Appellate Litigation
Our attorneys have experience in appellate litigation and regularly represent clients in appeals from the General District and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court to the Circuit Court, and from the Circuit Court to the Court of Appeals or Virginia Supreme Court.
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Case Evaluation for Referral
Case Evaluation for Referral – Few attorneys practice in all areas of the law and we are no exception. We are available to meet with clients who have needs outside our practice area for the purpose of helping the client better identify the legal issues presented and the type of attorney or other professional whose assistance is most needed. Our attorneys have a broad network of professional contacts who provide legal and other services to our clients when a particular field of expertise beyond our practice area is required. Our objective is to secure the best counsel and representation available for each client, and referrals are one way we accomplish that objective. Following a referral, we can be as involved with the representation as the client’s needs and desires dictate.
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