If you or a loved one may eventually need long-term live-in nursing care, assistance from West Virginia Medicaid can cover the significant cost of that care in some circumstances. The state Department of Health and Human Resources will review income and assets to make...
Family Law
Do you need a lawyer for a stepchild adoption?
Becoming a legal parent is one of the more beautiful gifts you can give to a child who is not biologically yours. Adopting your spouse’s child may also be beneficial to you, of course. Still, because adoption is a legal court proceeding that transfers parental rights...
Reasons to have an attorney in an adoption
When you decide to adopt a child, you will have to go through a legal process. It can be quite beneficial if you hire a legal professional to assist you. Trying to figure out adoption law and make it through the process without someone who knows about how things work...
What to know about postnuptial agreements
West Virginia couples may have any number of reasons to resist drafting a prenuptial agreement, and while those reasons may have seemed sound at the time, you might find yourself wishing you had done otherwise now that you have tied the knot. However, even though a...
When can a guardian be removed?
Some family members need a guardian for a relative who suffers from mental or physical impairment and is incapable of self-care, and perhaps for a while, the chosen guardian fulfills that role with no problem. However, some families find that a guardian is not able to...
What are the biggest challenges of international adoption?
Adoption is a wonderful way to welcome a new family member. However, it is not without its challenges. This is especially true if you wish to adopt internationally instead of within the country or within West Virginia. There are some important things you have to know...
Do not let your former spouse hold you back
Even after your divorce, your former spouse could continue to hold you back in many ways. For example, you would be beholden to the state of West Virginia in many cases to facilitate, as much as possible, the parent-child relationships between your former spouse and...
How can I make my medical power of attorney valid?
It is not pleasant to think about you or a loved one becoming so ill or disabled that making medical decisions is not possible, yet it is important to make plans so that you and your family maintain control over your health care choices. Fortunately, West Virginia law...
What factors are considered for grandparent visitation?
Generally speaking, grandparents in West Virginia have the right to visit their grandchildren. However, there may be an issue between you and one or both of the parents of your grandchildren that prevents you from seeing them. If this is the case, according to...
Termination of child support
Divorced parents may assume that the child support obligation ends once the child becomes an adult. However, because child support laws vary by state, and there are extenuating circumstances in which the court may either discontinue child support early or extend it...