Family Law
Divorce and legal separation can be a stressful experience affecting finances, living arrangements, jobs, schedules, parenting roles and the development of children who may be adversely affected. The decisions you make concerning these issues can affect you
and your children for a lifetime.
Thanks to a large body of research completed over the last decade, we now have a
better understanding of the impact of separation and divorce on children.
One of the most consistent research findings is that children are harmed when they are exposed to conflict between their parents. Fortunately, this is also one of the factors in family law cases over which parents have the most control.
While such separations are never pleasant, there are definitely steps you can take to minimize the acrimony, emotional trauma and expense.
As an attorney and certified Guardian ad litem, with many years of professional experience as a court-appointed child advocate, Mr. Wheelock employs strategies and techniques in family law cases that reduce children's exposure to parental conflict while protecting you, your family and your children's best interests.
Attorney Wheelock specializes in the following areas of Family Law:
Divorce and Legal Separations
Alimony
Child Support
Guardianships of Minors
Guardian ad Litem Advocacy For Children
Parental Rights & Residential Responsibilty Parenting Plans (fka Custody & Visitation)
Parental Alienation
Mediation
Parenting Plans
Parental Alienation
Restraining Orders
Paternity and
Prenuptial Agreements
Post-Divorce Modification and Contempt
Estate Planning
You may live forever, but since the circumstantial evidence suggests otherwise, shouldn't you have a will? Attorney Wheelock provides many essential services to his estate planning clients, from preparing wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare powers of attorney and living wills, nominations of guardian, to living trusts, special needs trusts and guardianships.
Simple Wills
If you do nothing else by way of estate planning, you should write a will. If you don't write a will before your death, state law (RSA 561 - the New Hampshire Intestacy Statute) will determine who gets your property (it may well not be who you would have chosen), and a judge may decide who will raise your children. In your will, you can make those decisions yourself.
Do You Need a Will or a Trust?
What you need is: First, some good advice and an understanding of what estate planning involves and how the law applies to your situation. Wills and trusts are both documents that transfer property when you die.
Wills
A simple will is a document that sets forth your wishes concerning the disposition of property at the time of your death.
Will a Basic Will Avoid Probate?
No. But if you're relatively young and healthy, and you don't have tons of money, your real concern is to make legal arrangements for the statistically unlikely event that you will die suddenly and unexpectedly.
Personal Injury Law
There are many things to keep in mind when selecting a personal injury attorney, not the least of which is to be sure that the attorney has your best interests at heart. There are many personal injury scams out there.
If you've been injured in an accident, one of your first steps should be do some research and find a responsible, well-respected personal injury attorney. The best advertisement for any professional is always by word-of-mouth from family and friends.
Consider the attorney's past experience and the results he has obtained for other similarly injured people and families in crisis in the past.
Attorney Wheelock's past experience as a licensed New Hampshire insurance adjuster gives him a unique perspective and ability to move your family through the life challenges that follow a serious accident and personal injury - whether from lost wages, medical expenses or disabling or permanent injuries - without your having to incur any legal fees until you obtain the financial recovery you deserve.
Many people think there is only one way to obtaining a sizable settlement - "battling" the insurance company for years all the way to the courtroom - but that isn't your only option.
Attorney Wheelock has many years of successful courtroom experience, but also just as extensive experience in negotiation and alternative dispute resolution. This means that if you choose to litigate, he will aggressively and effectively advocate for you, but he can also help you reach a prompt and fair settlement through alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation or arbitration, if that's the course you prefer.