Our Personal Injury, Business & Criminal Defense Library

Parents of children with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other cognitive and physical impairments know better than anyone about the challenges of caring for a child with special needs. When a marriage ends, concerns about how that care will continue and who will be responsible for which aspects of the child’s life are often the most challenging issues to resolve. If you are getting divorced in Virginia and have a child with special needs,...

Divorce is never easy or free of complications, but certain situations can make one divorce messier than another. If you have been married for more than a decade, it’s likely that you have several complications that will need to be handled by a skilled lawyer in order to protect your interests in a divorce. These complicating factors do not mean that you can’t get a fair divorce, but they do mean that you will have...

Some may have a common misconception that estate planning is all about dying and leaving your wealth to heirs. The truth is that some form of estate planning is necessary at every stage of your life, regardless of the value of your assets. At MacDowell Law Group, we guide clients of all ages through their options for executing important documents. The earlier you start, the easier it will be to build upon the plan as...

Contemplating a divorce is never an easy task, but when the spouse is an alcoholic, circumstances become even more complicated. Due to Virginia’s no-fault divorce laws, there’s no requirement to prove the other person’s alcoholism in order to file. But if alcohol misuse negatively impacted your marriage, and you have evidence for it, this information may influence a judge’s decision regarding aspects such as finances, child custody, and no-contact orders. Here are four key factors...

MacDowell Law Group can help shepherd you through every aspect of your estate planning and the administration of an estate after the passing of a loved one. Our services include: Drafting of wills, Creating a living trust, Drawing up medical directives and general powers of attorney, and Creating spendthrift, education, pour over, and other trusts You’ve worked hard for all you have – your home, financial assets, and your personal possessions. Deciding the disposition of...

You’ve recently lost a loved one in a Virginia accident. It may be an extraordinary effort to get through each day as you grieve, but there are things that you have to do. You have to work or attend school, and you have to take care of yourself and your family while you mourn. The thought of pursuing a wrongful death case may be overwhelming, but the reality of pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit doesn’t...

You have been blamed, manipulated, and bullied, and you’ve decided it’s finally time to break free from the narcissist in your life. However, that may seem easier said than done due to the volatile pushback you know you’ll receive when you file for divorce. Is there a way you can start a new life without causing further emotional trauma to yourself or your children? If you are married to a true narcissist, this might prove...

For all but the most affluent Virginia families, divorce means financial strain. After all, you are dividing a single household into two households, each with separate expenses but without any corresponding increase in income. However, a solid understanding of the tax consequences of your divorce settlement can relieve some of this financial strain and even improve your bargaining position. At MacDowell Law Group, P.C., our divorce attorneys can ensure that all tax aspects are identified and...

The commercial trucking and local delivery industries are alive and well across the United States, including in Northern Virginia. Tractor-trailers and box trucks crowd our interstates and urban roads, creating hazards for drivers of much smaller cars, pick-up trucks, and motorcycles. If you or a loved one was an unfortunate victim of a careless truck driver, you could be entitled to a large settlement from the driver’s insurance company, as well as from the driver’s...

Divorce isn't easy on anyone. This heartbreaking decision affects not only you and your spouse but your children too. If you have been a stay-at-home parent to your children, it can be challenging to know what is on the horizon financially but, fortunately, there are steps you can take to be best prepared for the future ahead. Common Concerns for Divorcing Parents When a divorce involves children, parents naturally worry most about how the kids...