Treatment Courts are authorized by West Virginia law and offered by circuit courts to adults as an alternative to incarceration in situations involving substance abuse. Read the Full Story >>
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Local voices provide context and guidance to help navigate legal topics such as landlord tenant disputes, COVID-19 vaccine mandates, and more.
Am I Going to Mom’s Or Dad’s House?
Understand West Virginia’s child custody law - how divorcing parents can plan to share decision-making and custody of their children. Read the Full Story >>
Gray Divorce Rates on the Rise
The divorce rate in the United States hit a 50-year low in 2019 as a percentage of all marriages, continuing a decades-long trend. But like a lot of “trends,” the divorce rate is not the same across all demographics. Read the Full Story >>
Discussing Restorative Justice in West Virginia
In the late 1990s,I first learned about “restorative justice” — a different way to address criminal wrongdoing. For example, restorative justice facilitates meetings between criminal and victim. While this then-new approach appeared to provide greater potential for victims to have their needs met, I was skeptical at first. Read the Full Story >>
Short-Term Rentals: What Homeowners Should Consider
Before you open up your property for guests, you should be aware of the state and local regulations, tax requirements, and insurance issues. Read the Full Story >>
Opioid Use Disorders and Family Crisis
Children whose parents or caregivers suffer from opioid use disorders are at risk for immediate trauma and negative health outcomes as well as lifelong consequences related to parental or personal opioid use. According to a 2019 report jointly produced by United Hospital Fund and the Boston Consulting Group, the rate of children affected by the opioid crisis in West Virginia was 5.4 percent in 2017— the highest rate in the country. Read the Full Story >>
Avoiding & Resolving Issues With Contractors
Often, consumers contact our office after they are dissatisfied with work performed by contractors. They want to understand their rights, particularly if they have invested a lot of money in a home improvement project. Here are some ways to protect yourself before and after work is completed. Read the Full Story >>
Generations of Love
For many of us, the past year has shown how families can provide great comfort and resources when challenged with difficult times. This article looks at how families can approach the inevitable challenges as parents grow old and adult children assume very different, and often unexpected, roles. Proper thought and planning, with the family relationship being the focus of the plan, can maintain life-long relationships that will provide future generations with more than financial security. Read the Full Story >>
Can They Do That? Questions About COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements.
The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in the United States has been met with both enthusiasm and skepticism. With many public and private entities requiring a COVID-19 vaccination, any concerns about the vaccine go beyond evaluating the personal health and risk choices into questions of law. Take a quick look into the most likely answers to the following questions about the legality of vaccine requirements. Read the Full Story >>
Unlocking Options for Renters & Landlords in the Pandemic
Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit last spring, landlords and tenants have struggled to address challenges created by economic losses. Governmental responses include restrictions on evictions to curtail homelessness. Read the Full Story >>