Located in southeastern Virginia, Hampton is home to over 130,000 citizens as of the last census. This area of Virginia is rich in history and dates to the period just after the Jamestown settlement. The citizens of Hampton, VA know their rights and they rely on the attorneys at Denbigh Law Center to guide them in all legal matters.
These attorneys handle a wide array of legal matters and help their clients make pragmatic decisions when handling legal issues. Since 1982, Denbigh Law Center has been helping its neighbors handle all types of legal situations, including bankruptcy.
Bankruptcy Laws Protects Debtors
While everyone deals with some form of debt in their lives, there are some who find themselves in over their heads. When the collectors will not stop calling and the threatening letters keep piling up, it is important that individuals know their rights for seeking bankruptcy.
Dealing with mounting debt can be stressful and even frightening. The attorneys at Denbigh Law Center have both bankruptcy and non-bankruptcy services available to help their clients overcome their debts. The following are great sources of help to the citizens of Hampton, VA:
- Clients can schedule non-bankruptcy counseling and budgeting assistance to help them better manage their debts and improve their financial outlook before their finances get out of control.
- Chapter 7 counseling and filing are also available. Chapter 7 is the fastest bankruptcy option, but it does require some people to submit their non-exempt assets for liquidation so their debts can be paid off.
- There is also the option of Chapter 13 which is often referred to as the “wage earner” bankruptcy. This legal process can help homeowners to avoid foreclosure and requires individuals to make monthly payments as a part of a structured repayment plan to pay down their debts.
Meeting with the attorneys will allow individuals to discuss their finances so the right relief can be sought. If the attorney believes their client needs legal protection from their debts, they will help them choose the right type of bankruptcy.
Divorce Representation Brings Peace of Mind
Although marriage rates are improving, almost half of all marriages are still ending in divorce. Before a person makes the decision to tell their spouse it is over, they should consider meeting with an attorney to discuss the divorce laws in Hampton, VA, and their rights. Those who do not understand the law or know their rights can end up making costly mistakes in the process of ending their marriage.
Like all states in the Union, Virginia has its own laws that govern divorces. In the simplest of divorces, the complaint is filed and the defendant has a certain amount of time to produce an answer. If the divorce is uncontested, it will proceed much faster. If the other party contests the divorce, the process may require multiple court hearings and mediation meetings.
The state of Virginia recognizes fault and no-fault divorces. A no-fault divorce simply relies on time to finalize the proceedings. After a couple has been separated for a year, with the intention of divorcing, they can legally end their marriage.
The following are some common fault reasons for divorce in the state of Virginia:
- Adultery
- Cruelty
- Desertion
- Felony conviction with jail time
The party filing for divorce must wait one year from the date of the offense to be able to pursue the legal end of their marriage. When filing for divorce, the grounds must be in place before filing. Any fault grounds must be backed with evidence and proven in court.
Although the law does not require a person to have an attorney when going through a divorce, it is not wise to go through the process without legal representation. Getting help from an attorney will assist individuals in making decisions that will benefit their future and allow them to legally end their marriage in as short a time as possible.
Child Support & Custody Issues Often Require Legal Intervention
When it comes to child support & custody, emotions are often running high and people sometimes make mistakes they later regret. When going through a divorce, children always need to be protected and should not be used as pawns in the proceedings.
Parents that cannot agree on custody and child support often need legal help. While there are some situations that warrant sole custody being awarded to a parent, it is likely to be more readily agreed upon if both parties decide on joint custody. Joint custody allows both parents to remain an integral part of their children’s lives.
In many cases, the courts must get involved in deciding the child support amount that will be paid by the non-custodial parent. The courts will rely on the presumptive Virginia Guidelines which is a chart that determines the child support amount based on the income of both parents and the number of children.
The attorneys at the Denbigh Law Center work to represent their client’s rights and best interests through the entire proceeding. Oral child support agreements are typically worthless when it comes to enforcement. Individuals must draw up a written contract or have a court order in place for child support.
The attorneys at Denbigh also help with visitation, child support enforcement, and other issues revolving around children and their parents after a divorce. The goal of the attorney will be to act in the best interests of their client and the minor children.
Adoption Proceedings Can Be Stressful for Couples and Individuals
There are three main types of adoption proceedings handled by Denbigh. The most common occurs when a stepparent wants to adopt their stepchild. Unfortunately, some biological parents become estranged and are no longer interested in being in a child’s life. When this happens, stepparents sometimes step in and want to legally take over the role they have been providing for the child all along. The process of severing all relationships with the biological parent needs to be handled carefully and through an attorney to ensure there are no issues with custody that may arise in the future. This is not one of those legal processes that can be handled by a DIY approach.
Although the attorneys in Hampton, VA cannot handle the placement of an adopted child, they can take care of all the paperwork and legal issues that occur in the process of making the adoption legal.
No one wants to adopt a child and then later find out the biological parent has more rights than them. The attorneys at Denbigh will fight for the rights of the adoptive parents and will ensure the adoption papers are legally binding with no loopholes.
When a parent realizes they cannot raise their child, they may decide to place them with a couple or individual of their choosing. Placement cannot happen before a child is at least ten days old, and there are complex laws regarding the adoption process. Therefore, so many rely on an attorney to help ensure their child can be legally adopted according to their own terms.
Personal Injury Is a Broad Area of the Law
Personal injury torts are one of the most-filed in Virginia courts. Personal injuries may be physical, mental, or emotional. One of the most common types of personal injury claims arises because of car accidents.
The Denbigh Law Center handles the following types of personal injury claims:
- Car accidents
- Commercial truck accidents
- Slip and falls
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bus accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Wrongful death
- Premises liability
- Medical malpractice
Accidents can happen to anyone and they can sometimes be caused by negligence or even direct actions. When serious personal injuries arise, it is important that victims are represented by an attorney to ensure their rights are protected and they can obtain the fair outcome they deserve.
The state of Virginia has a two-year statute of limitations. This means the injured victim has two years from the date their injury occurred to file a lawsuit. Although this time period seems generous, it is important to remember that legal battles can sometimes go on for months or even years.
It is wise for injured victims to seek legal help early in the process so they can be sure the right investigations can be carried out and the evidence will prove liability and any measurable damages that resulted.
Those who have suffered a personal injury would be wise to consult with the attorneys at Denbigh to determine their rights and best form of legal recourse. The advice received at consultation can help injured victims make the right decisions in their case.
Criminal & Traffic Offenses Require an Aggressive Defense
The Denbigh Law Center has represented countless individuals for DUI charges in the state of Virginia. They also routinely represent out of state offenders. Their Virginia DUI attorneys take DUI cases seriously and work to protect their clients’ rights every step of the way.
Although it is not guaranteed, they can often get the charges reduced and sometimes even dropped. The goal of these attorneys is to reduce the penalties and ensure their clients get the fairest outcome possible.
Traffic tickets can be more than an annoyance. If a Hampton, VA resident racks up too many points, they can lose their license. The law team at Denbigh understands mistakes like this can happen.
Criminal & traffic offenses such as speeding tickets, reckless driving, driving without a license, and driving with a suspended license can all be handled with legal representation. These attorneys fight for their clients’ rights and best interests and can appeal decisions that are unfair or unfavorable.
Attorneys at Denbigh can handle a wide array of criminal charges, including the following:
- Embezzlement
- Theft and robbery
- Domestic abuse
- Illegal drug possession
- Assault
- Prostitution and solicitation
- Sex crimes
- Federal charges
Although a person may have committed a crime, this does not negate their rights. One of the rights criminal defendants hold is the right to hire an attorney to represent them through their trial proceedings and sentencing, if they are found guilty. Scheduling a legal consultation is the first step towards defending any criminal charges.
Wills & Probate: Attorneys Offer Peace of Mind
When a person draws up a will, they remain in control of what happens to their property upon their death. While no one wants to think about their life-ending, it is important to be proactive and take care of these sensitive matters so the state of Virginia does not decide how the person’s property is distributed when they die.
Working with the attorneys at Denbigh can help individuals to ensure their will is properly filed and is legally binding. Attorneys can help individuals rest assured their property will be dispersed according to their final wishes.
Leaving behind a will helps to reduce the burdens left for grieving loved ones to handle. Taking the time to go through estate planning now will help individuals to avoid leaving behind a big mess for their family to face. With help from attorneys, the process is straightforward and can be completed in a timely manner.
The probate process can sometimes be lengthy, especially if a proper will was not in place upon the death of the individual. To help individuals avoid putting their loved ones through probate, there are trust and charity options that can help. The attorney will work with their client every step of the way and advise them on the correct steps to take to ensure their wills & probate issues are settled successfully.
Those who need legal advice or representation should call the office of Denbigh Law Center today. They have been providing legal help to the citizens of Hampton, VA and surrounding areas since 1982
Whether a person is a defendant or a plaintiff, the law team at Denbigh is poised to offer aggressive representation that always addresses the rights and best interests of their clients. Call the office today to schedule a consultation appointment. They are waiting to listen and provide the highest level of legal representation for greater peace of mind for their clients.