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If you are in need of an
injury attorney, help with Social Security Disability, a divorce lawyer
with experience in child custody, or help filing bankruptcy, please
contact Attorney Maureen Kroll
today. Maureen's areas of concentration include wills and estates, elder
law, and more. Attorney services for Westmoreland County,
PA, including the communities of Greensburg, Irwin, Jeannette, Ligonier,
Mt. Pleasant, North Huntingdon, Latrobe, and Scottdale.
Personal Injury
In search of an experienced
injury attorney? My office offers free consultation regarding all accidents and
injuries. These cases are done on a contingency fee basis. We do not
receive a fee unless you receive money for your case.
If you have some type of accident, you can interact with the insurance
company, but you can be certain that they do not have your best interest
in mind. Their goal is to settle for the least amount. An
injury attorney’s
goal may be to settle for the greatest amount available to them.
If you have only limited tort coverage, it is advisable for you to
consult with an attorney. I have an experienced staff that can assist
you with your claim, and my own background includes 27 years as a
registered nurse. With my extensive medical background as a registered
nurse with a master’s degree, specializing in critical care nursing, I
can effectively evaluate your injuries and help you understand all of
the medical reports and records. In addition, we have medical doctors
available to assist in the evaluation of your injury. This is one area
of law that does require an experienced attorney who has the medical
background to fight for what you deserve.
At the minimum, contact my office for a free consultation. Compensation
for the pain and suffering you may incur down the road and the money
necessary to pay future medical bills should motivate you to get
professional help with your claim. Also, you have a time limit in which
to file a law suit. So do not delay.
It pays to call an injury attorney with a medical background.
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Wills and Estates, Trusts, Living Wills &
Power of Attorney
Concerns about wills and
estates are not merely for seniors. Every person over the age of 18 years must consider having 3 vital
estate planning documents: a living will/healthcare power of attorney, a
will or trust, and a power of attorney.
You may say “My spouse is still living. Everything we own is in both of
our names. Why incur the expense of seeing an attorney?” Even if all of
your property is owned jointly between husband and wife, it is so
important that, at a minimum, a will is executed to name a guardian for
your children should both you and your spouse perish at the same time.
In today’s world of blended families, conflicts may arise over who is
best able to care for your children. Maybe your brother or sister is a
good choice as guardian of your children’s physical and mental well
being, but should that same person be responsible for the child’s
financial affairs? Chances are that if mother and father die suddenly, a
large insurance payment may be available. Can one person handle it all?
Would it be better to have a guardian for the person and a separate
guardian for the child’s estate finances?
Also, a trust can be established that would permit income to be paid out
for the child’s support until the child reaches a certain age. Likewise,
if the estate is large enough, a marital trust may be necessary so that
a spouse can amend federal estate taxes.
A will can also address the distribution of property, including
distribution of property to adopted children. A will also directs
distribution to children of the decedent, but unless clearly stated, if
a child dies before the parent and the will is not changed, other
siblings may collect instead of your deceased child’s children.
Finally, a donation to a favorite charity or religious institute can be
designated in a will. However, if it is not written down, the gift that
you really wanted to make cannot be done.
So take the time to consult with an attorney now. If you fail to clearly
direct the disposition of your estate, the distribution of your assets
may go completely against your wishes.
All aspects of planning for the future will be discussed. Living Wills
are done free of charge. Other documents are reasonably priced because
everyone should have the opportunity to direct the distribution of their
assets once they have died.
Please call to discuss the need to have a trust before you commit to
spending thousands of dollars to have one prepared. It may not be
necessary at all! Please seek counsel in this area.
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Bankruptcy
Free consultation regarding your financial situation.
Personal bankruptcy can be a
traumatic experience. Seek help
before you lose your property. Getting relief from your current debt may
actually improve your credit rating.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Do you feel overwhelmed by the amount of your monthly bills? Do you
cringe every month when you sit down to pay bills because of the
enormity of your debt? Do you feel defeated because you know that even
if you keep up with the monthly minimum payments, you will never be able
to pay off the debts in your lifetime?
You may be a candidate for a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. This form of
bankruptcy will permit you to discharge most, if not all of your
unsecured debts. Your home may not be affected if you have $15,000 or
less in equity in your home. IRS debt, student loans, alimony, and child
support are not dischargeable.
The process is fairly simply for you in that the attorney prepares the
Petition and all further work. The majority of the time you will only
need to attend a creditor’s meeting.
An exploration of your bankruptcy options is a must if you have a lot of
credit card debt, unsecured loans, etc. Bankruptcy will help you save
money and apply those monies to your house mortgage or student loans for
example.
Consult with a bankruptcy attorney if this sounds like your financial
situation. Help is available.
This initial bankruptcy consultation is free of charge.
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Real Estate
Our office is associated with MKM Settlement Services. This entity has licensed
title agents who have the combined experience of over 30 years of real
estate closings, representing both the buyer and seller.
Efficient and cost effective, we guarantee closings that will be done
without delay.
At MKM Settlement Services, I have a title agent on staff that is an
agent for two of the largest title agencies in the Western Pennsylvania
area, being First American Title Insurance Company and Fidelity National
Title Insurance Company. We can meet all of your title insurance needs.
Additionally, I have a title examiner that can perform title searches in
Westmoreland, Washington, and Allegheny Counties to meet all of your
tri-county needs. We also have title contacts in neighboring counties to
secure title examinations in locations where you are unable to secure a
local title examiner.
With over 30 years of experience in the real estate and title
professions, my staff and I are able to offer you expert services
efficiently. We help you in many ways, from performing the title
examination, to securing lien letters for your transaction, and issuing
title insurance to meet your needs. If you wish, we can also provide
complete closing services for any of your real estate transactions.
This office has additional experience in many aspects of real estate law
such as boundary disputes, trespass, and adverse possession.
Finally, our services are charged at the most competitive prices in the
area.
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Family Law: Divorce
I have extensive experience in the area of divorce. If you are having
marital difficulties, but not quite ready to file for divorce, or if you
have questions, make an appointment. One appointment may help you avoid
some pitfalls that could compromise your ability to receive support or
protect and preserve your property.
If you or someone close to you has been through a divorce, you know it
can go one of two ways: disastrous or more disastrous. However, I have
done many divorces and pride myself in dissolving marriages, dividing
property equitably at a very competitive rate.
As with any legal matter, you can spend thousands of dollars and end up
with a settlement that most likely could have been reached spending only
several hundreds of dollars. How does this happen? The parties must
really be urged to cooperate. I always tell my clients, “Why spend your
hard earned money on me? You have children that could benefit from this
money.”
A divorce can take place as soon as the 90 days (from the date of
filing) has expired, or in two years from the date of separation, if one
of the parties does not consent. But divorce does not happen
automatically, various forms must be filed to complete the process.
If the parties cannot agree, an All Counts Conference can be scheduled.
This is an informal type of mediation between the parties, their
attorneys, and the mediator. This meeting is designed so that the
parties, who are close to settling, can do so that day and complete all
of the paperwork, actually leading to a divorce decree that day.
If an agreement cannot be reached, the next step would be for a Master
to be appointed. Unlike the All Counts Conference officer, the Master is
paid by the parties. This cost, plus your attorney’s fees can really
escalate at this level. As always, my recommendation is to try to work
it out.
Once again, my fees are reasonable. Having the attorney’s help at each
of these steps can help you attain the most equitable and painless
divorce proceeding.
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Family Law: Child Custody
One of the most devastating aspects of a relationship ending is the
issue of what is in the best interests of the child. The courts use this
standard when determining the custody and visitation schedules for the
parents.
If parents cannot agree on a child custody/visitation arrangement, either
party can serve a custody petition on the other and have a preliminary
custody conference. At this level, the hearing officer, who is an
attorney, will hear both sides and recommend to the judge an order
addressing these issues.
This is one area that is so helpful if the parties can talk to each
other. Legal fees can soar when parents battle in this area. If parties
do agree, an attorney can prepare and file an order without the
necessity of a hearing.
Remember, if an agreement cannot be reached, the court may order
psychiatric evaluations, home studies, supervised visits, and many other
remedies that may be very intrusive.
I put forth a special effort in this area to help you fight for what is
in the best interest of your child. Also, in addition to accepting
private clients, I have been involved in the pro bono child custody program.
This service is done by the Westmoreland County Bar Foundation. Free
legal representation is provided to you for an attorney to prepare a
petition for a custody conciliation conference.
If you have any questions in this area, call the office for an
appointment or for a free 15 minute phone consultation to determine your
best course of action.
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Family Law: Child and Spouse Support
One of the first areas that is of the highest importance when
preparing to dissolve a relationship or marriage is the issue of
support.
The procedure is as follows: Go to the Westmoreland County Courthouse,
to the Domestic Relations Office on the third floor annex. You will be
instructed to file a petition and pay a fee to open your case. On the
day of the hearing, your child support award will be based on the net
incomes of both parents. These amounts have been approved by the
Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The guideline amount, however, can be
deviated depending on special circumstances. Also, additional support
can be ordered to pay for child care, school tuition, and activities.
Finally, unreimbursed medical expenses will be court ordered for the
parent to pay.
Spousal support is calculated by a formula as passed by the guidelines
adopted by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
You can attend the child support hearing without an attorney. When
spousal support is an issue or medical bills, child care, etc., concerns
are raised and it is highly advisable to have an attorney. Spousal
support is not automatic. It can be denied if the opposing party is
successful in convincing the hearing officer that you abandoned the
marriage or entered into a relationship prior to separation.
If you are not satisfied with the decision of the Domestic Relations
hearing officer, you can appeal to the next level. At the next level, a
Master will recommend an order to the judge regarding child and spousal
support.
Finally, collecting child or spousal support can be very difficult.
Since many people work for themselves, trying to determine incomes for
parents, determining who has the child more than the other, and dealing
with sharing health and child care costs, can be very tough without an
attorney. Much needed support may not be ordered if you do not know what
to request. I have years of experience in this area of the law. In
1994-1995, I was a child support advocate for the Domestic Relations
Department.
Please call the office to determine if you would need representation to
receive support.
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Adoption
In this area, my practice is limited to doing adoptions where the
child and the adoptive parent are well known to each other. I do not
assist with the location of children for adoption but can assist you in
referring very competent attorneys who specialize in that area.
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Elder Law
Elder law has become very popular with the advent of more
and more seniors residing in nursing homes. If you were ever to see an
elder law attorney, this would be one of the primary issues for which you should
seek counsel. Assets can be protected and made available for the spouse,
who remains at home. However, time is of the essence in these matters,
so an appointment is necessary.
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Social Security Disability
If you believe that you are so ill that your health prevents you from
becoming gainfully employed for more than 12 months, applying for Social
Security Disability may be necessary for you to go on with your life.
Receiving Social Security Disability benefits is not an easy task. Even
if your treating physician believes that you are disabled, the medical
doctors evaluating your case for the Social Security Administration may
and often do differ. An attorney with the medical experience that I have
is invaluable in helping you to get through the maze of forms,
examinations, and the necessary hearing.
It pays to call an attorney with a medical background.
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