Adopting is a valid and honorable way to grow your family and secure your parental rights. However, the adoption process becomes more complex when faced with a contested adoption case—a scenario where a biological parent (or individual with current parental rights) decides to challenge the adoption process. This situation introduces many emotional, legal, and ethical challenges for prospective parents, transforming Read More

At Norton Pelt, we’re more than just a team of dedicated legal professionals; we’re also a family of dog lovers! Our furry office companions, Mattis, Mr. Skipper, and Daisy, aren't just pets; they play a unique role in our daily operations. Each of them, with their distinct personality, mirrors certain legal principles in the most endearing ways.  Mattis: The Gentle Giant Mediator Mattis, our majestic 140-pound Read More

Business owners are expected to manage various responsibilities in their daily routines. This includes overseeing operations and finances and ensuring your business complies with multiple laws and regulations. Legal disputes can be particularly challenging because they take time and resources that could otherwise be used to grow your business. Being prepared and knowledgeable about handling such disputes is crucial Read More

Social media has given everyone a platform to express themselves. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are free and accessible sounding boards for personal moments, thoughts, and expressions. While they can be excellent communication tools, they also introduce significant challenges in a family law case. In custody and visitation proceedings as well as proceedings for monetary support, social media content Read More

Understanding family law cases requires exploring a critical phase known as the discovery process. Through it, your attorney can gain essential information about the other party’s case before trial. Because both sides will engage in it, the discovery process facilitates transparency. Through this systematic procedure, each party can understand the opponent’s case in-depth. The goal is to ensure the trial or Read More

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) introduces unparalleled transparency requirements for numerous legal entities. The Act demands that most entities disclose specific details concerning their owners, leaders, and key stakeholders to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). One of the more pervasive questions surrounding it—outside of its ramifications—is what sparked the initiation of the CTA. There was Read More

Driving under the influence (DUI) charges often come with a flurry of questions. Because of how many people consume alcohol recreationally, people generally offer a wide range of advice regarding your rights when you are pulled over. For instance, can you refuse a breathalyzer? At Norton Pelt, we understand the complexity and confusion that may surround these questions. When asked to take one, your decisions will Read More

You’ve seen them. When you go to a parking garage, grocery store, gas station, or shopping mall, you’d be hard-pressed not to see an electronic vehicle (EV) charging station. Though technology will evolve, the average EV can run on one charge for about 250 miles. The distance they can run on one charge is impacted by the battery's size, the vehicle's weight, driving conditions, and the use of the car’s accessories. Read More

If you were inclined to do so, you could look up § 18.2-178.1 in the Code of Virginia to learn about the penalties associated with the financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. Although we will explain what a vulnerable adult is and what exploitation looks like, it is essential to note that this is now a crime. Previously, they were strictly civil matters, but breaches of fiduciary duties are now criminal Read More

Consider the following scenario: John and Jane give birth to their first and only child, John Jr. Shortly after the child is born, John and Jane separate and begin dissolving their marriage. John Jr. was only a year old when the divorce decree was issued. However, there are no provisions in the divorce decree concerning custody of John Jr. Ultimately, John Jr. remains with his father, and Jane has visitation rights. Read More