In most situations, a court is likely to order that child support be paid by one parent on behalf of the minor children. The amount of child support depends on several factors such as the amount of time spent with each parent, the income of the parents, and whether the child receives any income from other sources. Determining child support can be a complicated calculation as it often times involves several exemptions and deductions in order to arrive at the correct amount. The State of Arkansas has issued a child support worksheet that determines the appropriate amount of child support. A court will often require a person to complete an Affidavit of Financial Means in order to determine the correct child support amount. The family law attorneys at MCRMT will work with you to analyze all appropriate financial information to arrive at the correct amount of support for your children.
Child Custody and Visitation
Family law issues, from divorce and child custody to complex property division, can be emotionally charged and legally intricate. At Matthews, Campbell, Rhoads, McClure & Thompson, P.A., we understand the profound impact these challenges have on individuals and families.
Adoption
Paternity
Premarital Agreement
In certain situations, individuals, prior to marriage, enter into an agreement regarding the division of their property should the marriage end in divorce. This is commonly called a prenuptial agreement. Prenuptial agreements are common in situations when parties bring property into a marriage that they want to make sure they would receive back should the marriage end in divorce. In addition to property division, a prenuptial agreement can address alimony. Our family law attorneys can help you draft a prenuptial agreement tailored to your unique situation.
Guardianship
Sometimes, neither parent is fit to have custody of the child. In those instances, the court will appoint a third-party as guardian of the minor child. Guardianships over an adult may be appropriate if that adult does not have the capacity to manage their financial affairs or provide for their own physical well-being. A guardian essentially becomes the individual’s custodian of and has the authority to make financial, medical and educational decisions. A guardian must file an annual report to the court regarding financial and medical issues. At MCRMT, we can represent you in guardianship cases and help you file annual reports with the court.
Spousal Support
In some instances, a court may award alimony. Alimony is an amount that a person pays to a former spouse to make up for the inequity in incomes post-divorce. Alimony is often determined by looking at the need of the spouse requesting alimony versus the ability of the other spouse to meet that need. Alimony may have tax consequences for both spouses. Our family law attorneys are equipped to analyze your financial situation and discuss with you the possibility of alimony.
“Absolutely the best law firm in NW Arkansas. This full service firm handles both civil and criminal law.”
DUI/DWI
Driving While Intoxicated– Driving while intoxicated (“DWI”) is the charge of operating or being in actual physical control of a vehicle or motorboat by a person of any age if that person is either intoxicated or the alcohol concentration in a person’s breath or blood is 0.08% or higher.
Traffic Violations
“Ed McClure represented me for a couple minor traffic violations and was successfully able to negotiate offenses to non-moving violations and reduce my original fine by more than 60%! Ed and his staff were diligent, punctual, and transparent from the start. Great communication and extremely smooth process from beginning to end. Highly recommend!”
Misdemeanors
Misdemeanor offenses may carry up to a year in jail and up to a $2500 fine. Some examples of misdemeanors are assault, battery, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, and harassment. A misdemeanor conviction may negatively affect your gun rights, may show up on background checks, and may affect future employment opportunities. Our attorneys are experienced in handling all types of misdemeanors and are knowledgeable about the repercussions of a misdemeanor conviction. We will advise you regarding all possible outcomes and once you have discussed all options, either will proceed with a trial or negotiate a plea deal.
Drug Crimes
Possession of an illegal or controlled substance without a prescription can face penalties ranging from fines to jail time. The severity of the penalty will be influenced by the class of drug, quantity of possession and numbers of previous convictions of similar crimes. Our attorneys will review the charges, including search and seizure protection by the Fourth Amendment, to ensure that your rights are protected. Working with an attorney may provide alternative sentencing to jail time including drug court for non-violent drug charges.
Life throws curveballs, legal ones included. We help you swing back. From personal injuries to family matters, and business disputes to future planning, our legal experts have your back. No one-size-fits-all solutions. We craft personalized strategies for your unique needs.
Limited Liability Companies
Our business lawyers routinely form and organize LLCs (limited liability companies) and S Corporations. We strive to lay a solid foundation for the entities we form and to educate our clients about maintaining limited liability. We often enjoy the privilege of continuing to work with the companies as they grow into successful enterprises.
Includes: Buying a Home, Selling a Home, Real Estate Litigation, Contracts, Drafting Offers in Acceptance, Property Owners Association, Homeowners Association
Construction Litigation
Our commercial law lawyers are experienced in handling complex litigation matters on behalf of businesses of all sizes. We have obtained favorable results for our clients at trial and through settlement. Our business attorneys regularly handle contract disputes, fraud claims, construction issues, and employment relations.
Real Estate Transactions
Purchasing, renting or leasing a home often comes with a lengthy contract that includes, among many other matters, the price, financing arrangements, disclosures regarding the condition of the home, and warranties. The real estate attorneys at MCRMT have extensive experience representing both buyers and sellers in drafting and reviewing residential real estate purchase, rental and lease agreements.
Eminent Domain
The legal term for a city or county is a municipality and municipal law refers to the governing bodies of a local region. This area of local government law regulates land use, zoning, permits, eminent domain, licensing and regulations. On a national level, municipal law is the civil relations between states, as opposed to international law.
Landlord-Tenant Disputes
The relationship between an owner of property (the landlord) and a person permitted to use and occupy the property (the tenant) can become complicated if concrete rules and regulations are not in place. A landlord tenant lawyer can provide essential services such as: recovering unpaid rent, obtaining compensation for damaged property and retaking possession of the premises.
Property Damage
If you were involved in a car, trucking or motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensatory damages including reimbursement for property damage, medical treatment, loss of income, emotional distress or pain and suffering. In extreme cases, punitive damages may also be pursued to punish the person at fault.
Our primary focus is on family-based immigration. We believe in reuniting families and helping loved ones secure their place in the U.S. Whether you’re applying for a fiancé(e) visa, seeking to adjust your status through marriage, or petitioning for a relative, we are here to guide you through every step of the process.
Also called case law or common law, general civil law is an area of law determined by previous cases and the judicial decisions, administrative legal findings or court rulings that set precedent in that jurisdiction. Lawsuits between people or organizations are under civil law and include contracts, property, wills, debts and personal injury.
Don’t leave your loved ones facing uncertainty during a difficult time. At MCRMT, our experienced attorneys guide you through the estate planning process to ensure your wishes are clearly documented and carried out. We offer a personalized approach to craft an estate plan that meets your unique needs and protects your assets. Whether you’re creating a will, establishing a trust, or navigating the probate process, we’ll be by your side every step of the way.
Wills
A last will and testament states who is to receive the person’s assets after the person’s death. It nominates an executor to administer the estate after death. A last will and testament can also nominate a guardian for minor children. This document explains your desires in the event that you are unable to communicate them yourself, such as in the case of an injury, permanent unconsciousness, or if you fall terminally ill. The living will clearly tells others what you want done in such a situation. This typically involves the desire or refusal of medical treatment. A living will is of immense help to children, spouse, relatives, or healthcare providers in case they have to make decisions about your care in such a situation.
Trusts
One way to avoid probate entirely is to set up a living trust and to transfer the assets into the living trust. It is called a “living” trust because it goes into effect while a person is still alive. The living trust does not die when the person who creates it dies; hence no probate is necessary. There are three parties involved in a living trust. The settlors are the persons (usually husband and wife) who create the living trust and retain the power to control and change it. The trustees are the managers of the living trust (most settlors serve as the trustees of their living trusts as long as they are able). A successor trustee must be appointed to take over when the original trustees can no longer serve. The beneficiaries receive the benefit of the assets that are owned by the living trust (most settlors are the beneficiaries during their lifetimes). After the settlors die, the living trust will have new beneficiaries, often the children of the settlors. The assets may be managed by the successor trustee after the death of the settlors for the benefit of the beneficiaries for an extended period of time as set by the settlors.
Power of Attorney
A living will is a statement authorizing the withholding of or withdrawing of life sustaining treatment when a person gets into certain medical conditions. The living will can be a separate document or can be part of the healthcare power of attorney.
Our debt collection attorneys are experienced in providing representation for creditors and debtors, and therefore can understand the motivations of both sides. A debt collection attorney is essential to negotiating the terms of repayment and managing the paperwork involved in a creditor’s or debtor’s case. Debt collection lawyers can handle lawsuits, harassment and failure to pay situations.