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Latest Stories

Jefferson County Candidates – May 10 2022 Election

Building The Shepherdstown Opera House

Reeling In Big Fish & Big Tales

Take A Breath & Gain New Perspectives

Getting On The River In Jefferson County

Enjoy A Local Vacation To Shepherdstown

A Journey of Discovery in Italy

Blowing Warmer & Cooler

Solar in Jefferson County

Ambulance Proposal Raises Alarms — Inside the Fitch EMS Report

Ambulance Response Times Explained

Shepherd University Attracts Students & Funding

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In Print

May 2022

 

Ask A Lawyer

Local voices provide context and guidance to help navigate legal topics such as landlord tenant disputes, COVID-19 vaccine mandates, and more.

Gray Divorce Rates on the Rise

January, 2022 Tagged With: divorce, In Print Jan 2022

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

November, 2021 Tagged With: Reimagining Justice in West Virginia, restorative justice

legal columnists.

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

October, 2021 Tagged With: Airbnb, short-term rental, Vrbo

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

September, 2021 Tagged With: alternative dispute resolution, Brenda Waugh, Emily Neely, Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts, opioid epidemic, substance use disorder

Legal Aid of West Virginia

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

August, 2021 Tagged With: Brenda Waugh, contractors, home improvement, mediation

legal columnists.

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

July, 2021 Tagged With: Brenda Waugh, elder mediation, estate planning

legal columnists.

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.

May, 2021 Tagged With: COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccine

scales of justice

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

March, 2021 Tagged With: COVID-19, eviction moratorium, mortgage relief

scales of justice

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 >>

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