The law office of Whiteman & Burdette, is one of north-central West Virginia’s most trusted child support firms. We have assisted hundreds of clients in Fairmont, Morgantown, and the surrounding areas to reach a fair settlement regarding their child support case. The laws of the state of West Virginia address the issue of child support clearly, and our skilled attorneys work hard to ensure that your rights are protected, whether you are the custodial or non-custodial parent.
Child Custody and Visitation
Child custody is determined based on what is in the best interests of the child. If you are involved in a divorce, the issue of child custody is likely to be the most important and stressful matter that you will face. The attorneys of Whiteman & Burdette, have the experience and skills required to minimize the amount of stress placed on you, as well as the innocent children involved in the situation. We strive to represent you by applying the full force of the laws of the state of West Virginia to assist you with achieving the best possible outcome for your case. We provide competent legal representation for each of our clients on an individual basis, and we truly care about the outcome of your case. Whiteman & Burdette provides legal representation for clients in Fairmont, Morgantown, and throughout the surrounding areas in north-central WV.
Adoption
Guardianship
In many cases, there may be legal challenges to your adoption. By West Virginia state law, an individual may only have two legal parents. This may pose a hindrance when a biological parent wishes to remain strongly involved, when an absentee parent refuses to permanently sever ties to a child, or when a third party with a valid interest challenges the adoption. Before an adoption can proceed, the parental or guardianship rights of one or more individuals must be legally surrendered or terminated. Although the process is lengthy, involves extensive paperwork, rules, stipulations, and conditions that must be met, our law firm has the experience to handle all of the legal aspects for you. Serious mediation, litigation, and court orders may be necessary to secure your legal right to adopt. Trustworthy and experienced legal counsel is necessary for a successful outcome, as well as for your long-term peace of mind.
Spousal Support
Spousal Support (alimony) is paid by one former spouse to the other following a divorce to provide assistance to help avoid financial hardship. Payments are typically deducted from the paying spouse’s income, but may be extracted from other property, investments, etc. upon court order. West Virginia state law mandates that spousal support be fair and not in excess of the paying spouse’s ability to pay. In some cases, spouses may be able to agree on a property settlement agreement out of court to determine the amount of spousal support that will be paid. Unfortunately, this rarely happens. Legal representation is typically required to secure spousal payments following your divorce.
There are many types of losses categorized as wrongful deaths. Some of the most common types of claims and lawsuits that we pursue at Whiteman & Burdette include car accidents, truck accidents, DUIs, domestic violence, homicide, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, and workplace accidents. We begin with an independent, in-depth investigation to identify all responsible parties and determine the specific cause of death. Our Fairmont wrongful death attorneys have experience building airtight cases and we possess the skills required to argue your case in court, if needed. These types of lawsuits require significant resources and rely largely on testimony from medical experts and other professionals. If a member of your family was involved in a fatal accident caused by another’s negligence, contact us as soon as possible. If you would like to schedule a consultation to discuss your wrongful death claim, contact Whiteman & Burdette at: (304) 367-9422.
Wrongful Death
Losing a family member is a tragic event, no matter the circumstances. If your loved one’s death was caused by someone else, the pain and anguish can seem unbearable. At Whiteman & Burdette, we are compassionate attorneys who are committed to ensuring that each of our clients are able to secure the appropriate financial compensation to ease a small part of the burden caused by the reckless or negligent act that took your loved one from you. While no amount of money can bring your loved one back to you or ease your suffering, we work to ensure that you and your family do not face the additional burdens caused by the financial devastation that accompany a sudden, wrongful death.
Traffic Violations
Misdemeanors
If visitation is granted, court-ordered supervision and other restrictions may be required and these conditions may be legally placed on you, including a ban on discussing or influencing the child’s religious beliefs or lack thereof, the encouragement of any activities prohibited by the parent(s), acts contrary to the parent(s) wishes, and any other actions which may go against the parents’ desires for how the child is to be raised. The parents are assumed to act in the best interest of their child, and their preferences typically overrule the beliefs of any third party. Termination of grandparent rights can be initiated, and misdemeanor charges may be filed if certain actions are made by the grandparent in violation of a court order. If the child is adopted by a non-relative (except a stepparent), grandparent rights are terminated.
Homicide
Hit and Run
The personal injury lawyers at Whiteman & Burdette, in Fairmont, West Virginia, work for individuals who have been injured in auto accidents caused by uninsured or underinsured motorists. Hit-and-run accidents that result in an injury or accidents that cause injuries when the party at fault was uninsured or underinsured are covered under your UM/UIM insurance coverage. Our attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience building winning cases against uninsured or underinsured motorists and insurance companies who attempt to deny your rightful coverage. We work to maximize the amount of money you receive. It is vital that you retain a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible. Do not speak with your insurance provider about the accident or your injuries until you contact the law office of Whiteman & Burdette. Seemingly harmless statements to your own insurance provider can damage your case.
Many workers believe that the workers compensation system is the only form of recourse that can be taken to recover financial damages suffered during the course of work. This is not always accurate. The workers compensation program is specifically designed to limit claims and payouts to injured workers. However, in some cases, you are eligible to hold your employer responsible for additional damages (in addition to claims paid via the workers compensation system) if deliberate intent was a factor. Our experienced attorneys are available to answer your questions, file a Mandolidis claim on your behalf, and advocate for your rights to recover the fair compensation that you deserve.
Contact Whiteman & Burdette, in Fairmont, WV, for exceptional legal counsel in the north-central West Virginia region. Our experienced legal team provides personalized attention and is dedicated to protecting the rights of each of our clients. We offer comprehensive family law and personal injury legal representation.
Medical Malpractice
When a medical professional makes a mistake due to a preventable error, the consequences can be devastating. We trust our doctors, nurses, hospital technicians, and other healthcare personnel with our health and our lives, and we expect them to deliver a professional level of care. When a medical error places a patient in jeopardy, emotions run high and the effects can be severe –sometimes resulting in permanent disability or death. Whiteman & Burdette has been representing victims injured by medical malpractice in Fairmont and the surrounding areas in north-central West Virginia since 1998. We are proud to be trusted by our fellow community members to deliver the results that they expect and deserve.