Divorce and Family Law - Adoption - Social Security - Wills and Estate Planning - Personal Injury - Real Estate

Divorce and Family Law
  Most lawyers shy away from cases involving divorce, paternity and custody. This is the one area of concentration in Anita Harold Ashley's practice, and the area for which she has the most legal experience. For thirteen years, she served as Family Law Master, a judicial officer hearing and deciding cases of divorce, child support, paternity and other family matters in the Fifth Judicial Circuit of West Virginia. There is no other lawyer in West Virginia with experience of this nature and duration.

   Anita understands that divorce can be the most emotional time in a person's life. Most clients are upset, frightened and worried about their children and their future. A person can go to court pro se, or representing himself or herself, but this is unwise. Courts make important decisions about children and property which can have a lasting or even devastating impact. It is always best to know and understand your rights and have a lawyer on your side.

  Anita's personal philosophy is to focus on the long-range impact of divorce decisions and to obtain a speedy resolution to the difficulties in the family. It is important to fight for your interests, but you should also understand that there are other times when the fight can do more long-term damage. In nearly every case, it is best to attempt a resolution of the claim before a suit is filed. That is not always possible dependent in part on the attitude and reasonableness of the spouse and/or those giving advice. The laws is designed to divide property equally, to calculate child support according to a formula, and to share parenting according to a plan. A reasonable, no-nonsense lawyer will recognize what it takes to settle a case in a client's best interest and within the parameters of the law.

  Anita is experienced in analyzing property issues, including complex financial arrangements and is able to provide competent advice on the likely outcome of the case if it proceeds to a contested hearing. The thirteen years she spent deciding custody cases make her adept at negotiating parenting plans. Preparing property settlement agreements, calculating child support and alimony, obtaining or defending family violence protective petitions and dealing with changes of circumstance after the divorce are all areas where Anita has particular knowledge.

  During the 1999 session of the West Virginia legislature, sweeping changes were made to family law in West Virginia. Anita provided testimony and information during the legislative process. She has studied the changes and is prepared to offer advice and strategy in dealing with the changes.

  If you are contemplating divorce or are in need of post-divorce services, please make an appointment to see Anita. Questions about your individual circumstances can only be answered in a conference. Please note that Anita would be disqualified from representing you in any case she heard while serving as Family Law Master.

Adoption
  One of the greatest pleasures a lawyer can experience is handling an adoption. Anita Harold Ashley has been fortunate in her years as an attorney to have handled several adoptions, including newborn adoptions. Unfortunately, there are too few babies and too many couples who wish to adopt.

  If you are pregnant and are considering adoption as an alternative, please consider talking with Anita. She has a list of several couples who would love to become adoptive parents. She can make arrangements to represent you, as you search for the right couple, or she can represent the adopting parents, referring you to another lawyer for services. "Open adoption", where everybody knows everybody else, or "Closed adoption", where all identities are kept confidential, can be arranged.

  If you are considering adopting a child and you need legal assistance, please contact Anita. She can put you in touch with adoption agencies or networks of other couples seeking adoption. Or, if you know of a child who is available for adoption, she can work to finalize all arrangements.

  Anita also handles foster parent adoptions, which are often subsidized by the State of West Virginia. She also is trained in the process of out-of-state and foreign adoptions and the use of the Interstate Compact.

  Anita's philosophy about adoption has evolved through the years. She has come to appreciate that giving a child up for adoption, although emotionally painful, is the most loving decision a birth parent can ever make. Accepting a child who is not biologically your own is a most satisfying and pleasurable experience, and an awesome responsibility. Anita believes that all children are gifts from God, and all children deserve the best possible chance at a happy and productive life. Adoption is always a better option than abortion, and a fetus is a child, not a choice.

Social Security
  Work is an important part of peoples' lives and few people stop working on account of illness or injury if they have another choice. Applying for and receiving Social Security disability benefits is often a difficult procedure requiring the assistance of counsel. Anita Harold Ashley finds that practicing before the Social Security Administration may, at times, be a frustrating and slow process, but representing Social Security disability claimants is almost always a deeply satisfying experience.

  Social Security cases are handled on a contingent fee basis. The fee, subject to the approval of the Social Security Administration, is 25% of past due benefits for the claimant and his or her family, but no more than $4000, and the claimant pays all attorney out-of-pocket costs. No money is due until the claimant is awarded and actually paid benefits. Because no fee is payable unless the claim is successful, Anita carefully screens all cases and accepts employment only in those cases where she is convinced that the client is disabled.

  Anita Harold Ashley works closely with your doctor or other health care provider to obtain the medical evidence necessary to establish that you can no longer work. She will also study the work requirements of your prior jobs to determine whether you can do past work, or whether you have acquired skills which might be transferable to other occupations. Your education will also be important, as will your ability to read, write and understand instructions. You can be assured that Anita will explore every important factor in a disability case, and will diligently work to prepare all of the mountains of forms and other paperwork involved in processing the claim.

  SSI cases differ from regular disability claims in that the claimant need not have the work experience, but must have a financial need. Anita Harold Ashley also accepts SSI cases, and applies the same standard of professional service regardless of the client's standard of living.

  If your Social Security or SSI claim has been denied, please contact Anita to schedule an appointment. There is no charge for the initial consultation.