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Practice Areas Overview
Experienced Dallas Law Firm Serving Dallas County ▪ PlanoCollin County ▪ Denton County ▪ Tarrant CountyAt Goldstein & Scopellite, PC we assist our clients weave their way through the complex texture of the law. We believe in helping our clients protect their and their families' interests and safeguard the futures of their children. This is done through hard work, ongoing communication, proper drafting, research and review. In order to do that, we decided to limit our practice areas to very specific fields of the law so that we can provide representation to clients that is thorough. These areas of the law are listed below.
When you have a legal question concerning your matter, please feel free to contact an attorney at our firm at any time for a consultation. At Goldstein & Scopellite, PC, our focus is our client. What this means is that you come first. We listen to what you have to say and we work together with you to find the best path, strategy and solution to ensure that your needs are met and your rights are protected. We are not interested in unnecessary paperwork, lengthy litigation; argument or unnecessary litigation for the purpose of increasing fees; or expediting your case without covering all the bases. What we are interested in is providing you with necessary information, as to the law and the evidence, and proper representation so that you can make a logical path in deciding the future of your case. We focus on doing things right. Our goal is to try to establish a positive relationship with the opposing counsel in your matter so that we can help you form an amicable future with your opposing party, and, should you have children together, between each party and the children. We are an active voice in favor of a future relationship between the parties. Our firm can help you achieve an amicable and successful conclusion to a variety of family law matters, some of which are listed below:
If there is the possibility of settlement between the parties, we will make every attempt to facilitate that settlement and we will also encourage you to bring to our attention any settlement agreements that may have been made privately between the parties so that we can expand upon those agreements and strive to reach a final settlement order that leaves a relationship in place where both parties will be able to work together in harmony throughout the coming years. Our belief is that the family is a unit that should maintain its integrity, to the best of its ability, even past a divorce, suit affecting the parent-child relationship, or a modification suit. Remember, you will be in constant contact with each other at least until the youngest child reaches 18 years of age. The family relationship isn't simply undone when the divorce, separation, modification or child-support battle is finalized. If there are children, our focus becomes the children and what is in their best interest. Whether you have children or not, time and expenses can be saved if the parties can agree to some of the terms of their separation, modification, or child support matter before they come to our Firm. We believe that the relationships that remain civil are more important than "winning" in any family law case. Qualified Domestic Relations Order Should the parties require the division of retirement benefits held in the name of only one spouse, our firm has the expertise to assist you in drafting the order as the plan administrator requires and in executing the QDRO through the plan administrator to ensure that the benefits are divided as set forth in the Final Decree of Divorce. [Back to top] Motions for Enforcement At times, after an Order is entered with the Court, one or the other parties does not perform as required by the Order. It is at this time that the party seeking enforcement of the Order will seek relief through a Motion for Enforcement or Writ of Attachment. The Motion for Enforcement looks back in time from the date of the entry of the Order and informs the Court what has or has not been performed by a party as according to the Order entered. The process is much like a Modification action and many times a Motion for Modification is filed along with the Motion for Enforcement or a Motion for Modification may be filed as a Counter-suit by the opposing side. When a Motion for Enforcement is filed, and if the Court finds a violation of the Order (Contempt of Court), Attorneys fees may be awarded to the party seeking the enforcement. If, however, the parties cannot work together and are having difficulties, our firm can provide other forms of protection by drafting, filing and representing the client in requests for Restraining Orders and then litigating those requests before the court. Also, if a child is not returned a Request for Writ and an Affidavit can be drafted, filed with the court and presented to the court for Issuance of Writ. Goldstein & Scopellite, PC is experienced in handling moderate to complex divorce, family law and enforcement actions including researching, filing thenecessary Pleadings, and litigating the action through the Court process. [Back to top] The most important thing in criminal defense is to start early! It is much easier dealing with the prosecution if your attorney is hired early on and can start communicating with the police or the DA before an indictment, or information, is filed. When defending, our lawyers avail themselves of their aggressive natures to assist clients in the safeguarding of their rights and in producing a rigorous defense to their criminal accusations. In addition to this, our firm understands Immigration criminal consequences and will work with the DA to get you the best outcome of your case. We have extensive experience defending the rights of people who are arrested and accused of criminal offenses, including non-Immigrants and Immigrants. We handle all types of criminal cases, including minor infractions and misdemeanors, such as drunk driving - DWI DUI defense, theft, shoplifting, assault, assault family violence, and the most serious felony indictments, such as, drug possession, narcotics sales, assault with a deadly weapon, grand larceny, white collar fraud, embezzlement, sex offenses, arson, and conspiracy. [Back to top] We provide a wide variety of services to our business clients including assisting our clients in choosing a type of business, the business structure, the business' location, in selecting the type of organizational entity under which to operate their businesses and in drafting and filing the business documents related to that entity (with the state); in the preparation of agreements and non-disclosures; in the sale and purchase of businesses; and most importantly, should the need arise, in complex litigation related to those businesses and the issues related to that business. [Back to top] Business Organizations and Formation The form of entity chosen for a business is many times the most important choice that an owner will make and the choice will affect every aspect of that business' operation. Many times our clients have used other methods to form their company and, after our review, errors are found and business entities are generally changed. Either way, if you come to us first, or after using a different service, our firm will assist our clients in formation and business planning; in deciding whether the business will operate as a closely held sole proprietorship, limited liability company, partnership, or corporation; in understanding how profits or taxes flow downward; and, how to protect our clients from potential personal liability. In addition, we advise our clients about directors` and officers` liability, dissolution, franchising, reorganization, trade association membership and activity, joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, business successions, and shareholders` rights. Our attorneys have many years of combined experience in handling business formation, transactional, and litigation matters and we draw on our own business ownership experience in order to guide our clients. [Back to top] Immigration and Naturalization Law Our firm has, for many years, advised and represented our clients before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State, CBP and ICE. We provide guidance and representation to our clients in matters relating to obtaining non-immigrant visas; family related immigrant Visas, and work related immigration Visas. Our firm is also experienced in handling naturalization/citizenship Applications; future procurement of status; extending status; immigration through Asylum; Temporary work permits (EAD's); parole documents; and defense of removal proceedings and deportation. Goldstein & Scopellite, PC has extensive experience in the interpretation of and compliance with the Immigration and Naturalization Act; the Immigration Reform Act; the Convention Against Torture; Criminal Consequences; and the Immigration Reform and Control Act. [Back to top] Estate Planning, Wills and Probate In today's world, it is becoming ever-more important to protect our financial assets. One of the best ways here in Texas to do that, often, is through the creation of a Trust. Our firm is very experienced in the drafting of both Revocable and Irrevocable Living Trusts so that your family's wealth will be protected and so that when the Grantor is no longer able to provide for his/her family, the Grantor's intent and power will be carried forward through this Trust instrument. In conjunction with Trusts, we also draft Wills, Durable Powers of Attorney, Transfer of property including deeds, and health care Powers of Attorney that clearly define the conditions under which the client's desires to be carried out, the benefactors that will be cared for in life and how you want your property to be disposed of upon death. After a person is deceased and they leave a will, Probate is the Court proceeding through which a Will is proved to be valid and the estate of a decedent is administered. During this process an Executor or Executive is recognized. After all inventory is filed, and the probate is determined, letters of testamentary can be issued to distribute the estate as directed by the will. That administration is directly determined by the clarity and definition of the client's Last Will and Testament. If there is no Last Will, then the decedent's estate is administered intestate. At Goldstein & Scopellite, PC our function is to make every effort to guarantee that our client's desires or their family member's desires are brought to fruition and that the decedent's estate is administered properly with the clarity and definition as intended and required. [Back to top] We offer our clients the firm's experience and history of success in helping them to resolve their legal disputes in several areas of the law. We provide civil litigation support to businesses in commercial matters, including breach of contract or fiduciary duty, corporate dissolution, partnership disputes, fraud, unfair practices, copyright infringement and trademark theft, defamation, and more. We also offer litigation assistance in matters individual civil matters such as fraud, slander, defamation, damages, breach of contract and in matters relating to Family Law, Divorce, Immigration, Probate, and Criminal Trials. An important aspect of litigation is the Discovery phase: serving, answering, collecting evidence, and filing the same with the opposing party and sometimes with the court. Our firm is knowledgeable in serving and answering Discovery, one of the most complex and important parts of the litigation process. Without proper Discovery Requests and Responses a case can be lost. Our firm takes the time to serve and respond to Discovery, to interview the client and investigate all possible issues relating to the case and to include that evidence in response to Discovery. Concerning the issues of the case, our firm is experienced in researching the areas that can be litigated, and to prepare proper pleadings for relief. Contact a lawyer at Goldstein & Scopellite, PC today to schedule your initial consultation. The office of Goldstein & Scopellite, PC represents clients located in and around the Dallas / Fort Worth area of Texas, including the communities of Denton, Plano, and all of the surrounding counties. Goldstein & Scopellite, PC Copyright © 2010 by Goldstein & Scopellite, PC Attorneys at Law. All rights reserved. You may reproduce materials available at this site for your own personal use and for non-commercial distribution. All copies must include this copyright statement. | |                   |
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