Family Law

• Divorce
  Uncontested Divorce: When both parties agree on major issues like property division, child custody, and support, the process is smoother and often faster. The parties can craft a marital settlement agreement and other documents with the help of their attorneys, bypassing the need for further proceedings in court.
• Child Support
  In a divorce or separation, the court may create an obligation to support a child or spouse, including spousal support before a divorce action is filed, alimony pendente lite (APL) while the case is pending, and alimony post-divorce. The amount of support is generally determined according to statutory guidelines, although courts can deviate from the guidelines in certain cases. Alimony is not guaranteed and depends on a number of factors presented to the court by the parties. Child support, on the other hand, is a feature in any situation where the parents of a minor are not living together in the same household, regardless of marital status.
• Child Custody and Visitation
  A Protection From Abuse (PFA) order is a civil court order that can provide immediate help to stop or prevent actual or threatened domestic violence or abuse. A PFA can require an abuser to move out of the house and order them to keep away from you and stop abusing, harassing or stalking you. A PFA can affect child custody and visitation as well. Judges have broad discretion to fashion PFAs in ways that make the most sense in the particular situation.
• Adoption
  Our family law attorneys also provide guidance and support in the stepparent adoption process. Adopting your spouse’s child can be an important move toward creating a strong, loving and supportive family bond while providing the adopted child with valuable benefits such as health insurance coverage and inheritance rights. The process can also involve terminating the parental rights of the child’s other biological parent, so it’s critical to handle the adoption correctly and with skilled legal assistance.
• Premarital Agreement
  Each party to a prenuptial agreement should have their own attorney represent them during the crafting of the agreement or at least review the document before they sign it. This helps ensure the agreement is fair, does what you want it to do, and meets all legal requirements to be binding and enforceable if it is ever needed down the line.
• Guardianship
  Guardianships are a vital legal mechanism designed to protect and assist individuals who are unable to manage their own affairs. This includes minors and disabled adults who are incapacitated due to various reasons, such as mental disability, physical incapacity, or developmental disorders. The Dale Woodard Gent McFate Law Firm, located in Franklin, Pennsylvania, is committed to guiding clients in Venango County and Northwestern Pennsylvania through the complexities of establishing guardianships, ensuring the welfare and rights of those in need are safeguarded.
• Spousal Support
  Family law matters touch upon the most personal and intimate moments in your life, whether you are growing a family through adoption, changing the family dynamic through divorce, or seeking protection from an abusive spouse or family member. These matters can be hotly contested and fraught with emotion, making it essential that you receive support from a caring and knowledgeable attorney who can provide you with objective guidance in a professional and compassionate manner. These are the principles that guide our family law practice at Dale Woodard Gent McFate Law Firm. For help with divorce and custody, child and spousal support, adoptions, and other family law matters in Clarion Crawford, Forest, Jefferson, Mercer, Venango and Warren Counties in Northwestern Pennsylvania, contact Dale Woodard Gent McFate Law Firm in Franklin, PA.

Criminal Law

• Wrongful Death
  In the tragic event of wrongful death, Pennsylvania law permits certain family members to seek compensation for their losses. This includes funeral and burial expenses, lost wages and benefits, and compensation for the loss of companionship. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the deceased’s death, making timely legal consultation crucial. These cases can be difficult to pursue, but the financial hole and emotional harm left behind often make them imperative to pursue on behalf of the bereaved family members left behind.
• Sex Crimes
  Protection From Abuse applies to family members or members of the same household, including spouses, in-laws, parents, children, or current or former intimate partners, regardless of whether they ever lived together or not. The acts that can constitute abuse (and form the basis for a PFA) include causing or attempting to cause bodily injury, sexual assault, placing another in reasonable fear of imminent serious injury, false imprisonment, child physical or sexual abuse, and engaging in a course of conduct like harassment or stalking that place the person in reasonable fear of bodily harm.
• Assault

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law
  Disagreements among shareholders or partners can significantly impact the functioning and success of a business. The Dale Woodard Gent McFate Law Firm handles disputes involving corporate governance, fiduciary duties, profit distribution, and management issues. Our team adopts a balanced approach, considering both the legal and interpersonal aspects of these disputes, to facilitate a resolution that preserves business relationships and protects the entity’s interests.
• Business Formation
  For personalized legal assistance in business formation and transactions in Venango County and Northwestern Pennsylvania, call Dale Woodard Gent McFate Law Firm in Franklin at 814-432-2181 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
• Business Disputes
  At Dale Woodard Gent McFate Law Firm in Franklin, Pennsylvania, we provide legal services in business litigation to clients across Venango County and Northwestern Pennsylvania. Our experienced civil trial lawyers are dedicated to navigating complex legal landscapes and delivering strategic solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs. Below we describe our firm’s expertise in handling the most common types of business litigation, including contract disputes, shareholder and partnership disputes, and business torts and commercial litigation. If you are facing litigation or considering how best to resolve a dispute in Venango County or Northwestern Pennsylvania, call Dale Woodard Gent McFate Law Firm in Franklin at 814-432-2181 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
• Business Transactions
  At Dale Woodard Gent McFate Law Firm, we understand the complexities and challenges faced by businesses in today’s dynamic environment. Located in Franklin, PA, and serving clients throughout Venango County and across Northwestern Pennsylvania, our highly experienced and distinguished attorneys are adept at guiding businesses through the intricate process of business entity formation and commercial transactions. Businesses throughout Northwestern Pennsylvania know they can depend on our firm to provide high-quality legal services seamlessly and affordably to businesses large and small. Our focus is to provide tailored legal solutions that align with your business objectives, ensuring a solid foundation for your entrepreneurial journey.
• Limited Liability Companies
  Choosing the right business structure is crucial for any Pennsylvania business. Our firm provides expert advice and technical assistance regarding the formation of corporations, nonprofit corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies (LLCs), as well as business transactions involving the purchase/sale of a business or business assets and business mergers.
• Unfair Competition
  Business torts encompass a range of wrongful actions that cause financial harm to a business, such as fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and unfair competition. Our firm has experience in managing the intricacies of commercial litigation, including pursuing and defending against business tort claims. We focus on understanding the full scope of the dispute, assessing potential risks and rewards, and developing a comprehensive strategy to protect our clients’ rights and interests.

Employment Law

• Workers Compensation
  Joe also represents clients in civil litigation ranging from oil and gas issues to personal injury cases. He assists injured people with social security claims and workers compensation claims. He represents businesses of all kind in a wide variety of ways.
• Employment Contract
  Employment Litigation: Our team navigates disputes related to employment contracts, non-compete agreements, and employee termination issues, balancing legal compliance with business goals.
• Employment Litigation
• Non-compete Agreement

Property Law

• Real Estate Litigation
  The areas above represent only a portion of the comprehensive real estate practice at Dale Woodard Gent McFate Law Firm. With a large team of attorneys known for their academic distinction and personal excellence, you can count on us to provide tailored, knowledgeable legal services in Pennsylvania real estate law. Whether you are buying or selling property, dealing with construction projects, or navigating complex zoning laws, our team is here to offer expert legal guidance and support. Contact us to learn more about how we can assist with your real estate legal needs in Venango County and across Northwestern Pennsylvania.
• Premises Liability
  Premises liability is the law that applies to a slip and fall, trip and fall, or other injury that occurs because of some hazard or danger on another’s property. Premises liability in Pennsylvania varies based on the status of the victim at the time of the accident, specifically whether the person was an “invitee” or “licensee” on the premises...
• Construction Litigation
  Construction disputes are a significant area of our civil litigation practice. These disputes often arise from disagreements related to construction projects, including issues such as construction defects and lien/payment disputes.
• Real Estate Transactions
  Located in historic Franklin, we are Venango County’s largest and longest-established law firm, with roots in the community stretching back nearly 100 years. When it comes to real estate transactions in Northwestern Pennsylvania, we don’t just know the law of the land, we know the land itself. At Dale Woodard Gent McFate Law Firm, you’ll find lawyers of the highest caliber you can depend on as a trusted partner in your residential or commercial real estate purchase or sale or other real property matter. Our comprehensive real estate practice goes beyond closing and offers advice and assistance in a wide range of legal issues related to the ownership of property, including purchases, sales, leases (e.g. oil and gas, solar, etc.), title and settlement services, resolution of title disputes, and more. Call us today to share your needs and concerns and find out how we can help.
• Easement
• Land Use and Zoning
• Property Damage
  Motorists in Pennsylvania have several options when it comes to purchasing insurance coverage to help out with injuries or property damage after a crash. The insurance you choose impacts how much you can recover and from whom. The options available under Pennsylvania’s unique system include, full tort, and limited tort options.

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  For decades, the attorneys at Dale Woodard Gent McFate Law Firm have established themselves as a leading force in civil litigation across Venango County and Northwestern Pennsylvania. In the field of personal injury law, we offer our clients legal expertise and excellence designed to help them through difficult times and get the support they need. If you’ve been hurt in a car crash or slip and fall, or if you lost a loved one in a fatal accident, our firm stands ready to see you are fully compensated for all the harm that has been done to you.
• Auto Accidents

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  The process of making sure that an estate plan is carried out after death is generally referred to as “probate” (although technically “probate” is only the process of proving that a decedent’s will is valid). If you are named as an executor (personal representative) of an estate or as a successor trustee under a trust, our experienced estate attorneys and staff can help you navigate the complexities of filing required income, inheritance and estate tax returns and ensuring proper distribution of the decedent’s property. An executor or trustee can be held liable by the estate’s or trust’s beneficiaries (as well as the taxing authorities) for any mistakes, so it is a good idea to obtain the help of an experienced estate attorney as early as possible. In Venango County and Northwestern Pennsylvania, call the Dale Woodard Gent McFate Law Firm in Franklin for advice, assistance and peace of mind throughout the process of probate and estate administration in Pennsylvania.
• Wills
  Alex Spaid joined Dale Woodard Gent McFate Law Firm in 2022, and works in the areas of estate planning, wills and trusts, corporate and business matters, municipal law, automotive transfers, and civil litigation, though he also assists other members of the firm in a broad array of matters. Alex approaches each legal matter with a fresh perspective, offering creative ideas and strategies to solve complex problems while helping to maintain the standards of excellence and distinction the firm’s attorneys are known for throughout Northwestern Pennsylvania.
• Trusts
  Your estate plan should be uniquely tailored to your specific needs. Estate plans can include many different types of documents to meet those needs, but in general, every estate plan should include a will, a revocable living trust, a power of attorney, and advance healthcare directives.
• Power of Attorney
  Whether you are considering a simple will or power of attorney to put your personal affairs in order, or you’re a business owner in need of an expertly drafted contract or advice on succession planning, Greg Merkel has the right combination of expertise and experience to handle your situation competently and professionally.
• Probate

Finance Law

• Tax Law
  Trusts are versatile tools in estate planning used for asset protection, tax planning, and avoiding probate. They can be customized to suit various needs, from supporting a family member with special needs to managing assets for minors. Our team assists in creating trusts that reflect your objectives, offering continuous management and protection of your assets.