Legal Questions?
Start Here.
Straightforward answers to common questions about divorce, child custody, business disputes, lawsuits, estate planning, probate, bankruptcy and working with a lawyer in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio.
Answers Should Come Before the Legal Jargon.
Most people do not start looking for a lawyer because they want a lecture about statutes and procedure. They start because something happened and they need to know what it means, what their options are, how much it may cost, and what they should do next.
The Skeen Firm helps individuals, families, business owners and companies navigate legal problems throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio. This legal FAQ center answers many of the questions people ask before hiring an attorney and links you to more detailed resources when a question requires a deeper explanation.
These answers provide general information rather than advice about a particular case. Laws, court procedures and outcomes depend heavily on the facts and jurisdiction involved.
Questions About Hiring The Skeen Firm
Legal representation should not begin with unnecessary confusion. Here are answers to common questions about where we practice, how consultations work and what clients can expect.
What types of legal matters does The Skeen Firm handle?
The Skeen Firm represents individuals, families, business owners and companies in a range of legal matters, including family law, business litigation, business law, estate planning and probate, civil litigation, criminal defense, bankruptcy, and select oil and gas and energy matters.
Our practice areas are intentionally connected. A business dispute may affect an owner's family finances. A business owner may need succession and estate planning. A contract problem can become litigation. The goal is to understand the entire problem rather than simply identify a legal label for it.
Where does The Skeen Firm practice?
The Skeen Firm handles qualifying legal matters in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio. Our regional practice is particularly concentrated throughout Western Pennsylvania, Northern and North-Central West Virginia, and portions of Eastern and Northeastern Ohio.
The availability of representation depends on the type of matter, jurisdiction, attorney admissions and other case-specific factors.
Can I meet with a lawyer virtually?
Yes. The Skeen Firm uses virtual meetings, electronic documents, online scheduling and modern case-management technology to make legal services easier to access. Many consultations, planning meetings and client conferences can be conducted remotely when appropriate.
Virtual access can be particularly useful for busy professionals, business owners, parents and clients who live outside the immediate area of a physical office. Court appearances and other proceedings may still require in-person attendance depending on the case and court.
Does The Skeen Firm offer flat fees?
Yes. The Skeen Firm offers flat-fee pricing for qualifying legal services, particularly certain divorce, custody, support and related family law matters.
A flat fee can provide greater visibility into anticipated legal costs than traditional open-ended hourly billing. The exact scope and fee depend on the particular matter and are established in the written engagement agreement.
Does The Skeen Firm offer financing or payment plans?
Financing and payment-plan options may be available for qualifying clients and legal matters. Availability, terms and approval depend on the particular arrangement and should be confirmed before relying on a financing option.
If cost is part of your concern, raise it during the intake process so the available fee and payment structures can be discussed.
How do I know if I actually need a lawyer?
Not every legal question requires full legal representation. However, you should consider speaking with an attorney when important rights, money, property, parenting time, criminal exposure, business ownership or significant contractual obligations are at stake.
Deadlines are another major reason to seek advice early. Lawsuits, appeals, bankruptcy matters, family cases and other legal proceedings can contain deadlines that affect your rights even when you are still deciding what to do.
What should I bring or have ready for my first legal consultation?
Start with a concise timeline of what happened, the names of the important people or businesses involved, any upcoming court dates or deadlines, and the result you hope to achieve.
Depending on the matter, useful documents may include contracts, pleadings, court orders, correspondence, financial records, business records, estate documents or other materials directly related to the problem. Do not worry about organizing a perfect legal file before contacting the firm. Identifying the problem comes first.
How do I schedule a consultation with The Skeen Firm?
You can schedule online through our discovery-call booking system or call The Skeen Firm at 724-250-8841. You can also use our contact page to provide information about your legal issue.
Family Law Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about divorce, child custody, support and family court matters in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and qualifying Ohio matters.
What does a family law attorney do?
A family law attorney helps clients navigate legal issues involving marriage, divorce, children and family relationships. Depending on the case, that can include divorce, child custody, parenting schedules, child support, spousal support, property issues, modifications, negotiated agreements and family court litigation.
An attorney's role is not simply to file paperwork. Good family law representation should help you understand your options, identify the issues that actually matter, manage risk and develop a strategy focused on the life you need to build after the case.
How much does a divorce lawyer cost?
The cost of a divorce lawyer depends heavily on the complexity and level of conflict involved. A relatively straightforward uncontested divorce generally requires less attorney time than a contested case involving custody, support, business interests, significant assets or extensive litigation.
The Skeen Firm offers flat-fee options for qualifying family law matters. The purpose is to provide greater visibility into legal costs before representation begins instead of making every client enter an open-ended hourly arrangement.
What is an uncontested divorce?
An uncontested divorce generally means the spouses are able to resolve the issues necessary to end their marriage without asking a judge to decide major disputed matters at trial.
That does not necessarily mean there are no important issues. Property, debts, support, parenting arrangements and other matters may still need to be addressed carefully and documented correctly. The procedures and requirements also differ among Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio.
How long does a divorce take?
There is no universal timeline for divorce. The length of a case depends on state law, required waiting periods, whether the spouses agree, the number and complexity of disputed issues, court scheduling, discovery and whether a trial becomes necessary.
A cooperative uncontested matter may move much faster than a contested case involving custody, property division, support, business ownership or significant financial discovery.
How is child custody decided?
Child custody decisions focus on the child's best interests under the law of the state hearing the case. Courts evaluate legally relevant factors rather than simply applying a universal rule that one parent automatically receives custody.
The exact statutory factors and procedures vary between Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio. Evidence involving the child's needs, parental involvement, stability, safety, cooperation and other circumstances can be important depending on the jurisdiction and facts.
Can a child custody order be changed?
Custody arrangements can potentially be modified when the legal requirements for modification are satisfied. The applicable standard depends on the jurisdiction and circumstances.
Parents commonly seek modifications after significant changes involving work schedules, relocation, school, the child's needs, parental availability or other developments affecting the existing arrangement. A parent should not assume that an informal agreement automatically changes an existing court order.
How is child support calculated?
Child support is generally calculated under state-specific rules that consider factors such as parental income, custody arrangements and certain expenses or adjustments. The precise formula differs among Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio.
Cases involving self-employment, variable compensation, business ownership, unemployment or disputed income can require additional analysis beyond simply entering two salaries into a calculator.
Do I need a lawyer for an uncontested divorce?
Whether representation is required is different from whether obtaining legal advice is useful. Even when spouses agree, a divorce can affect property rights, retirement benefits, debts, support obligations, tax-related issues and future claims.
An attorney can help identify issues that may not be obvious, document the agreement appropriately and explain the legal consequences before documents are finalized.
Can family law cases be handled virtually?
Many parts of a family law case can be handled virtually, including consultations, strategy meetings, document review and many client communications. Electronic documents and remote meetings can reduce unnecessary travel and make representation easier for busy parents and professionals.
Whether court proceedings themselves are remote or in person depends on the particular court and proceeding.
Divorce, custody or family law problem?
Learn about our transparent pricing approach and qualifying flat-fee family law services.
Business Litigation Frequently Asked Questions
Contracts, ownership disputes and commercial lawsuits should be evaluated as business problems—not just collections of legal motions.
What is business litigation?
Business litigation involves legal disputes arising from commercial relationships, transactions, ownership interests and business operations. Common examples include breach of contract claims, partnership disputes, LLC member disputes, shareholder conflicts, fiduciary-duty claims, business fraud, acquisition disputes and other commercial conflicts.
Some disputes can be resolved through negotiation or mediation. Others require litigation through trial or appeal. The right strategy depends on the economics, evidence, legal claims and business objective.
What should I do if my business has been sued?
Do not ignore the lawsuit. Determine the response deadline immediately, preserve relevant documents and communications, notify any applicable insurance carrier, and speak with counsel about the claims and available defenses.
Avoid deleting emails, texts or electronic records related to the dispute. Once litigation is pending or reasonably anticipated, preservation obligations can become important.
Can I sue a business partner or LLC member?
Potentially. Claims between business owners can arise from operating agreements, shareholder agreements, fiduciary obligations, misuse of company assets, improper distributions, exclusion from management, fraud, oppression or other conduct.
The available claims and remedies depend heavily on the entity, governing documents, applicable state law and facts. Before filing suit, it is important to determine what outcome actually solves the ownership problem.
What is a breach of contract?
A breach of contract generally occurs when a party fails to perform a contractual obligation without a legally sufficient excuse. A viable claim normally requires more than simply showing that the relationship went badly.
The agreement, the parties' obligations, performance, alleged breach, causation, damages and potential defenses all matter. Written contracts are important, but disputes can also arise over oral agreements or the parties' course of dealing depending on applicable law.
Can a business lawsuit be settled without going to trial?
Yes. Many commercial disputes resolve without trial through direct negotiation, mediation, settlement conferences or agreements reached during litigation.
Settlement is not automatically the best result, and trial is not automatically the strongest strategy. The relevant question is whether the proposed resolution produces a better risk-adjusted business outcome than continuing the dispute.
How much does business litigation cost?
Business litigation costs vary substantially based on the amount at stake, number of parties, discovery, experts, motions, length of the case and whether the dispute reaches trial.
For qualifying plaintiff-side commercial disputes, The Skeen Firm offers an alternative success-fee model combining defined early-stage fees with compensation connected to amounts recovered. Not every case qualifies, and the written engagement agreement controls the actual fee arrangement.
What is a success-fee business litigation model?
A success-fee model is an alternative to billing every aspect of a commercial lawsuit exclusively by the hour. For qualifying plaintiff matters, a portion of the lawyer's compensation can be tied to the financial result obtained.
The Skeen Firm's qualifying model uses defined early-stage fees together with a tiered success component. The specific engagement agreement—not general website information—determines the fee in any particular case.
When should a business call a litigation attorney?
Earlier than many businesses do. A company should consider obtaining legal advice when a significant contract has been breached, ownership conflict is escalating, litigation has been threatened, important money or assets are at risk, or evidence needs to be preserved.
Early analysis may create options that disappear after positions harden or deadlines pass.
A lawsuit should make business sense.
Explore representation for contract claims, ownership disputes, fiduciary claims and other significant commercial conflicts.
Business Lawyer Frequently Asked Questions
What does a business lawyer do?
A business lawyer helps owners and companies manage legal issues throughout the life of a business. That may include entity formation, contracts, governance, ownership arrangements, acquisitions, transactions, employment-related issues, risk management and disputes.
The most valuable business counsel is often preventative. Addressing ownership rights, contracts and potential risks before a dispute occurs can be substantially less expensive than resolving the same problem through litigation.
When should a small business hire a lawyer?
Businesses commonly benefit from legal counsel when forming an entity, bringing in an owner, signing a significant contract, buying or selling a company, borrowing substantial money, dealing with an ownership conflict or facing a serious claim.
The better question is often whether the financial or operational importance of the decision justifies obtaining legal advice before committing to it.
Does an LLC need an operating agreement?
An operating agreement can establish important rules regarding ownership, management, voting, distributions, transfers, departures, deadlocks and other issues among LLC members.
Even when state law does not make a customized operating agreement mandatory in every situation, relying solely on statutory default rules can produce results the owners never intended.
Can a lawyer help prevent business litigation?
No lawyer can eliminate every dispute, but good legal infrastructure can reduce avoidable risk. Clear contracts, documented ownership arrangements, consistent governance, sensible recordkeeping and early intervention when a relationship deteriorates can all matter.
Preventative legal work is especially valuable when the potential future dispute involves ownership, significant customers, intellectual property, financing or a major transaction.
Civil Litigation Frequently Asked Questions
What is civil litigation?
Civil litigation is the legal process used to resolve non-criminal disputes through the court system. Civil cases can involve contracts, property, businesses, financial losses, fraud, ownership rights and many other legal claims.
The process may include pleadings, motions, discovery, depositions, expert testimony, settlement negotiations, trial and sometimes appeal. Many cases resolve before trial.
What should I do if I have been served with a lawsuit?
Read the documents immediately and identify the deadline for responding. Do not assume that contacting the other party pauses the court deadline. Preserve relevant evidence and speak with an attorney promptly.
Failing to respond can potentially result in default or otherwise limit your ability to defend the case.
What is discovery in a lawsuit?
Discovery is the process through which parties obtain relevant information and evidence from one another and, in some circumstances, third parties. It can include written questions, document requests, requests for admissions, subpoenas and depositions.
In substantial commercial cases, discovery can be one of the most important and expensive phases of litigation because it determines what evidence can actually prove or defeat the claims.
How long does a civil lawsuit take?
There is no single timeline. Some disputes settle relatively quickly, while complicated litigation can continue for a year or longer. Scheduling depends on the court, parties, discovery, motion practice, experts, settlement efforts and trial availability.
An early case assessment should consider not only whether a claim can be pursued, but also how long the process may take and whether the likely result justifies the cost and disruption.
Do most lawsuits go to trial?
Many civil disputes resolve before a full trial through negotiation, mediation, dispositive motions or other settlement mechanisms. However, preparing a case as though trial may occur can improve both litigation readiness and settlement leverage.
Estate Planning & Probate Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a will?
A will allows you to state how certain property should be distributed after death, nominate an executor or personal representative and address other important estate issues. Parents may also use a will to nominate guardians for minor children, subject to applicable law and court approval.
Without a valid will, state intestacy law generally determines who inherits probate property.
What happens if someone dies without a will?
When someone dies without a valid will, that person is generally considered to have died intestate. State intestacy statutes determine who inherits property that passes through the probate estate.
Those rules may produce a result different from what the deceased person would have chosen, which is one reason even relatively simple estate planning can be valuable.
What is the difference between a will and a trust?
A will generally directs the disposition of probate property after death and can address matters such as the nomination of an estate representative. A trust is a separate legal arrangement through which property can be held and managed according to the trust terms.
Trusts can serve many different purposes, including management during incapacity, control over distributions and, when structured and funded appropriately, probate avoidance for certain assets. A trust is not automatically the right solution for every estate.
What is probate?
Probate is the court-supervised legal process through which a deceased person's estate may be administered. Depending on the jurisdiction and estate, the process can involve appointment of a personal representative, identification of assets, notice to interested parties, payment of valid debts and expenses, and distribution of remaining property.
The exact process differs between Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio.
Can probate be avoided?
Some assets can pass outside probate through mechanisms such as beneficiary designations, survivorship ownership and properly funded trust arrangements. Whether probate avoidance is desirable depends on the person's assets, family circumstances and planning goals.
Simply signing a trust does not necessarily avoid probate. Assets generally must be coordinated with the overall estate plan.
What documents are commonly included in an estate plan?
An estate plan may include a will, financial power of attorney, healthcare directive or medical power of attorney, beneficiary planning and, when appropriate, one or more trusts.
The appropriate documents depend on family circumstances, assets, business ownership, real estate, beneficiary needs and planning goals.
Can estate planning be done virtually?
Much of the estate-planning process can often be completed through virtual meetings and electronic document exchange. Execution requirements, however, vary by state and by document.
The firm can provide execution instructions appropriate to the documents and applicable jurisdiction rather than requiring every planning conversation to occur in person.
Bankruptcy Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chapter 7 bankruptcy?
Chapter 7 is a form of bankruptcy that can allow qualifying individuals and businesses to address debts through a court-supervised liquidation process. For qualifying individual debtors, many unsecured obligations may ultimately be discharged.
Eligibility, exemptions, secured debts, recent transactions and the types of debts involved all require individual analysis.
What is Chapter 13 bankruptcy?
Chapter 13 allows qualifying individuals with regular income to propose a court-supervised repayment plan, generally lasting several years. It can provide options for debtors who need to address arrears, protect certain property or reorganize financial obligations rather than pursue a Chapter 7 liquidation.
Does bankruptcy stop collection activity?
Filing a bankruptcy petition generally triggers the automatic stay, which can stop many collection actions against the debtor. There are important exceptions and limitations, and prior bankruptcy filings can affect stay protections.
Anyone facing an imminent foreclosure, repossession, garnishment or other collection event should obtain advice about timing rather than assuming a bankruptcy filing will solve every issue automatically.
Can I keep my house or car if I file bankruptcy?
Possibly. Whether a debtor can retain a home, vehicle or other property depends on factors including equity, applicable exemptions, liens, loan status, the bankruptcy chapter and the debtor's overall financial circumstances.
Bankruptcy should be evaluated based on the complete financial picture, not merely the amount of unsecured debt.
Does bankruptcy eliminate every type of debt?
No. Bankruptcy does not discharge every obligation. Certain taxes, domestic-support obligations, some student-loan obligations and other categories of debt may survive bankruptcy depending on applicable law and circumstances.
Where does The Skeen Firm handle bankruptcy cases?
The Skeen Firm currently handles qualifying bankruptcy matters in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the Northern District of West Virginia and the Southern District of West Virginia.
Bankruptcy jurisdiction is federal, but the proper district and applicable exemptions can depend on residency and other circumstances. Contact the firm to determine whether your matter falls within our bankruptcy practice.
Financial pressure rarely gets easier by ignoring it.
Learn whether bankruptcy or another debt strategy may provide a path forward.
Bankruptcy disclosure: The Skeen Firm is a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.
Finding a Lawyer in Pennsylvania, West Virginia & Ohio
The right lawyer is not simply the closest office on a map. The attorney must handle the type of problem you have and be able to practice in the jurisdiction where it matters.
Pennsylvania Lawyers
The Skeen Firm serves clients throughout Western Pennsylvania, including Washington, Butler, Beaver and Allegheny Counties and surrounding communities.
West Virginia Lawyers
Our West Virginia practice serves qualifying matters throughout the Northern Panhandle, North-Central West Virginia and surrounding areas, including Wheeling and Morgantown.
Ohio Legal Services
The firm handles qualifying Ohio matters, including select matters in Eastern and Northeastern Ohio and disputes involving businesses operating across the tri-state region.
Do you serve Washington County, Pennsylvania?
Yes. The Skeen Firm represents qualifying clients in Washington County, Pennsylvania, including Washington, Canonsburg, Peters Township, McMurray and surrounding communities.
Do you serve Butler County and Cranberry Township?
Yes. The Skeen Firm serves qualifying clients throughout Butler County and the Cranberry Township/Seven Fields area. The firm's Seven Fields office provides a convenient location for clients throughout the northern Pittsburgh region.
Do you serve Beaver County, Pennsylvania?
Yes. The firm handles qualifying matters for individuals, families and businesses throughout Beaver County and surrounding Western Pennsylvania communities.
Do you represent clients in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County?
The Skeen Firm handles qualifying matters throughout the greater Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania region, including Allegheny County. Whether the firm can accept a particular matter depends on the practice area, jurisdiction, conflicts and case circumstances.
Do you represent clients in Wheeling, West Virginia?
Yes. Wheeling and Ohio County are an important part of The Skeen Firm's West Virginia service area. The firm handles qualifying West Virginia family, business, litigation, estate planning, probate and other matters.
Do you serve Northern West Virginia?
Yes. The firm's West Virginia service area includes qualifying matters throughout the Northern Panhandle and surrounding portions of West Virginia, including Ohio, Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Wetzel and Monongalia Counties.
Can I hire The Skeen Firm if I do not live near an office?
Potentially, yes. Physical proximity to an office is not necessary for many legal services. The Skeen Firm uses virtual meetings, electronic documents, secure digital intake and modern case-management technology to work with clients throughout its service area.
What matters is whether the firm handles your type of legal problem and can represent you in the relevant jurisdiction.
Looking for legal help in your area?
Explore our Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio service-area hub.
You Do Not Need to Know the Legal Answer Before Calling a Lawyer.
You need to know the problem. Tell us what happened, where it happened and what you need to accomplish. We can help determine whether The Skeen Firm is the right fit and what the next step should be.
Bankruptcy disclosure: The Skeen Firm is a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.