A Divorce Attorney Helping Norfolk Clients
Following a divorce, the court to some extent remains involved in the relationship between the parties, especially one that involves minor children. It is important for recently divorced individuals to be aware of this and how it affects their obligations to their former spouse. Divorce attorneys that serve Norfolk, VA, such as the firm of Joseph W. Hood, Jr. & Associates counsel clients following a divorce to ensure they understand these obligations.
Our divorce attorneys can answer your questions
Divorce decrees usually contain provisions requiring one party to pay the other a certain monthly amount. This can include spousal support, child support, or both. The court usually sets child support based on the gross monthly income of the paying party according to a statutory table. However, the court may alter these amounts under special circumstances. The court has wider discretion in setting spousal support and usually considers the relative assets and earning potential of each party.
Because these provisions appear in a court order, the court has continuing authority to enforce them if a party refuses to meet his or her obligations. Even in cases where the parties settle issues of support through an independent agreement, the court will often incorporate that agreement into its order.
For a party that fails to meet its support obligations, the court may garnish his or her wages or require the obligor to post a bond with the court. A party that willfully disobeys a court order or refuses to post bond may be found in contempt of court—a criminal offense that can subject the guilty party to up to one year of jail or community service. For these reasons, it is crucial that recently divorced parties understand and abide by their support obligations. Individuals who do not understand these obligations should immediately consult a divorce attorney.
Altering divorce decrees
Financial difficulties do not automatically excuse an individual from support obligations. When a person is having trouble making the required support payments, he or she should immediately consult a divorce lawyer. A person struggling to make support payments may be able to have those payments reduced temporarily or permanently by demonstrating a material change in circumstances to the court. It is, however, essential that the obligor obtain such a court order, as simply stopping or reducing payments without one may be bring about penalties such as wage garnishment and even conviction for contempt.
Consult an experienced law firm
The divorce attorneys of Joseph W. Hood, Jr. & Associates have been representing clients in Norfolk and throughout Virginia in all manner of divorce and family law controversies for 25 years. Their offices are located at Beach Tower, 3330 Pacific Avenue, Suite 200, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451. Potential clients my contact them by phone at 757-215-4815 or using their online contact form.
Keys to Successful Immigration
Dealing with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can be intimidating. What follows are some hints and tips to make dealing with USCIS less stressful and more successful.
Keep records of everything
Keep copies of every document you send to USCIS, including supporting documentation—e.g., photocopies of your passport and birth certificate—as well as USCIS forms you submit. Keep the original and copies of every letter or document USCIS sends to you, as well.
Bring records and documentation with you when you go for immigration interviews or visit USCIS
Bring all of your records with you when you go. You do not have to memorize the content of every document, but you should have an idea of the type of information each document contains and know where to find it every time you interact with USCIS—at your immigration interview, on phone calls, and on all other occasions on which you interact with an Immigration Officer.
Mind your manners
No matter how rudely an Immigration Officer treats you, or how poorly he or she understands you, never lose your cool or your patience with any USCIS official. You need to make a good impression at all times, no matter what else occurs.
Be early
Be early for everything. Plan to submit all forms and petitions ahead of the deadline, which will give you a chance to find any missing documentation. Arrive for any appointments or interviews with at least thirty minutes to spare—you do not want to risk missing an appointment or irritating a USCIS official.
Always tell the truth
Even if it seems like the truth will work against you or USCIS will never find out about it, tell the truth. The consequences for lying on any immigration-related documents include deportation and bans on reentering the country—better to deal with whatever it is up front. If you do not know the answer to a question or do not remember, be honest with the Immigration Officer about that as well. Never guess.
Work with a skilled Orange County immigration lawyer
Seasoned immigration lawyers can ensure that you never miss deadlines, never accidentally omit required forms or fail to pay required fees, and that the Immigration Officer understands your story and works with you.
Respected Orange County immigration lawyers working for you
The skilled immigration lawyers at Wilner & O’Reilly, APLC have dedicated their professional lives to helping immigrants of all stripes fulfill their goals, whether that means a brief stay as a working professional or permanent immigration and naturalization. With conveniently-located offices in Cerritos, Santa Ana, and Riverside as well as Salt Lake City, Utah, they are available to help you address any immigration issue you may face.
Contact us today by phone at 888.862.5905 or through our website to arrange an initial consultation about your cased with a dedicated, caring Orange County immigration attorney.
What is the Purpose of Workers Compensation?
What is the Purpose of Workers Compensation?
The purpose of workers compensation is to protect both workers and employers. Workers compensation was established during the Industrial Revolution in the early 20th century. Before the implementation of workers compensation, the only recourse injured employees had was to hire a lawyer and sue their employers for negligence. This resulted in numerous expensive injury claims.
Workers compensation became the no-fault solution to providing injured workers with benefits for on-the-job injuries. The system removed the requirement for proving fault and enabled workers and employers to resolve issues out of court.
Workers compensation laws have two main purposes
Protecting the worker. Workers compensation protects workers because it guarantees that job related injuries and illnesses are covered by insurance. Benefits are given to the injured worker at no cost and in exchange, the worker gives up the right to sue the employer. Possible workers compensation benefits include:
- Full medical
- Surgery
- Hospital treatments
- Wage replacement
- Permanent disability (if applicable)
Protecting the employer. Most employers are mandated by law to carry workers compensation insurance and by doing so, employers are protected against lawsuits from injured workers.
Workers compensation is essentially a compromise between employers and workers. Employees receive specified benefits for on the job injuries or illnesses, and employers are protected against workers seeking legal remedies.
Employers who are exempt from carrying workers compensation insurance (usually government entities) are required to provide unlimited sick leave with full pay. Civilian federal government employees are covered by a program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor. Members of the military are covered by veteran's health and related benefits.
The workers compensation no-fault system has in effect achieved its purpose by eliminating prevalent litigation of employers for negligence related to worker injuries and illnesses. Today, most injured workers’ lawsuits involve determining if the injury occurred on the job and any entitled benefits.
Workers compensation legal advice
If you have been injured on your job, a Massachusetts workers compensation attorney in your area can provide legal advice about your workers compensation options.
Robert L. Noa, Attorney at Law