PRACTICE AREAS
FAMILY LAW
Marriage, Civil Unions, Domestic Partnerships
i. I have a passion for helping those with family law issues and knew early on in my career that I wanted to assist those in this area because so many people find themselves needing a qualified attorney to fight for them and their children during one of the most difficult times in their lives.
ii. Family law is such a diverse field that encompasses pre-nuptial and post nuptial agreements to protect assets, annulment, divorce, child custody, paternity, child support, child visitation, alimony, adoption and modifications of Orders and Agreements. In many of these cases, specifically those involving children, DCFS may be involved. DCFS’s involvement presents another level of anxiety and stress for those involved. I guide my clients through this process and make sure that they understand each step in their case. This helps to alleviate some uncertainty they may feel during this difficult time.
iii. I understand the life-changing impact these situations present in that your roles will change along with a change in financial status and possibly becoming a single parent and the stress involved. I work diligently to prepare you for these changes and assist to make these changes as positive and smooth as possible. I strive to make to make sure each client is prepared for discovery, depositions and court appearances, as well as tactics their spouse may try and use against them.
TRUST WILLS & PROBATE
Estate Management, Property Management, Mortgages
i. Estate planning is an area that is near and dear to my heart. Having lost my sister, Jonirai Wiggins, at the young age of 23, I experienced first-hand the need for proper estate planning to be done as soon as possible. At the time Jonirai passed away, I had been handling wills, trusts, and other estate matters for several years…never imagining how difficult it would be to handle her estate and determine her last wishes when she did not have a will. I do not want any family to ever have to experience this frustration and pain in the midst of their loved one’s death, because things were not done while their loved one was still alive.
ii. I wish that I met many of my estate planning clients early on in their lives. Truth be told most of my estate planning clients are elderly. The elderly and those with special needs deserve to be handled in the manner most appropriate for them at that time. Estate planning needs may change over time, as the person’s needs or level of care changes. Therefore, I also regularly keep in contact with my estate planning clients to make sure their needs are met.
iii. Estate planning includes all of the following areas: wills and trusts, asset protection, Medicaid, probate administration, advanced healthcare directives, power of attorney documents, guardianships, conservatorships, special needs plans (vary based on the specific need).
GUARDIANSHIP AND GUARDIAN ADVOCACY
The process of obtaining guardianship over your loved one is not an easy decision to have to make. The circumstances that facilitate the need for a guardianship are often difficult to come to terms with for both the family and the person needing the guardianship (the Ward).
My goal is to help my clients get through this highly emotional and stressful time so that they can care for their loved one and make necessary decisions that are in the best interest of their family member.
The process for guardianship often involves several steps and the appointment of an examining committee. The process for a guardian advocacy does not require an examining committee of medical professionals; but does require the Ward be diagnosed by a qualified medical professional with a qualifying disability prior to turning 18 years of age.
My goal is to help the person applying for guardianship or guardian advocacy during this process.