Family Law

• Divorce
  This RI divorce law article, Rhode Island Divorce from A-Z, was authored by Rhode Island divorce lawyer, David Slepkow. This article explains the entire divorce process from finding a Rhode Island divorce lawyer through a full trial on the merits.
• Child Support
  Rhode Island child support attorney, David Slepkow provides a nearly comprehensive overview of Rhode Island child support law. This article answers important child support RI frequently asked questions about child support law. This post also addresses issues concerning daycare, modification, termination, overtime, college and more! Below you will find a link to the child support RI login. For another extensive explanation of child support law, please visit the following article about RI child support authored by Rhode Island child support lawyer, David Slepkow: article
• Child Custody and Visitation
  A detailed overview by Rhode Island child custody lawyer David Slepkow, learn more about how Child custody laws may affect you and your rights.
• Adoption
• Paternity
  RI Child Custody attorney and RI divorce lawyer David Slepkow recently published the articles below to explain potential pitfalls and common problems associated with child custody law, visitation, paternity issues and divorce. The information provided in the articles can assist divorcing couples, unmarried parents or divorced parents in understanding the available legal options to resolve common child custody and post-divorce issues successfully.
• Premarital Agreement
  Rhode Island Divorce Lawyer David Slepkow also represents clients in the following types of RI Family Court Matters: motions to modify or terminate child support, contempt, family law, alimony, adoption, visitation,child custody, dcyf, relocation out of state, paternity, prenuptial agreements, out of state family law issues, criminal law matters as well as alimony and restraining orders. RI divorce attorney David Slepkow will represent you aggressively to protect your legal rights in Providence Family Court.
• Guardianship
  We provide legal representation for any legal issues under the jurisdiction of the RI and MA Probate Courts including, testate, intestate, guardianship, change of name and admittance of foreign wills. We write wills and trusts with all proper formalities in both RI & Mass. We have standard wills for single persons, married couples, couples with minor children who need contingent trusts, persons with disabled children who need supplemental needs trusts, and those people in second marriages with or without children from prior marriages.
• Spousal Support
  The nominal divorce hearing is  scheduled  by the clerk approximately 65 days after Plaintiff files a divorce in Providence Family Court. A “nominal” is a perfunctory hearing in which agreements are put on the record in front of a Rhode Island Family Court judge or magistrate. If husband and wife resolve all pertinent disputes and issues related to custody of children, visitation, legal custody, asset division, debt, alimony and other issues there will be a divorce hearing on that nominal date. If The Defendant  answers the divorce in a timely manner, the divorce will only go forward at the nominal if everything is agreed and both parties consent yo go forward.
• Legal Separation
  In the event that you are actually residing in RI but do not satisfy the residency requirements to obtain an absolute divorce in RI, you still may be able to obtain the benefits and protections of The Rhode Island Family Court. There are other causes of action that do not require 1 year residency. A complaint for separate maintenance without filing for divorce may allow you to deal with issues concerning: temporary alimony, property rights, child custody, child support, child visitation, payment of marital expenses, payment of the mortgage, restraining orders, etc. A Complaint for Separate Maintenance without filing for divorce is the closest thing that RI has to a legal separation. A divorce from bed and board and future cohabitation, which is rarely filed, may be another option of evading residency requirements.
• Child Abuse
  These types of emergency motions typically deal with issues concerning abuse of a child, dissipation or unreasonable spending of marital assets, domestic violence, child abuse or a plethora of other potential emergencies. If there is domestic violence involved in which you are in imminent fear of physical harm or have been abused or threatened with abuse please discuss with your RI divorce attorneys the benefits of filing a separate case called a Complaint Protection from Abuse! Please note that the Complaint Protection from Abuse is very different from an Emergency motion.

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  Many criminal accused are wondering: what is a nolo contendere plea? This criminal law article by a Rhode Island criminal defense attorney explains what exactly a nolo contedere plea means and how it is different from a guilty plea. This is very important information for criminal defendants in Rhode Island. Many people spell nolo contendere as nolo contendre. The proper pronunciation of nolo contendere is /ˌnōlō kənˈtendərē/. (nolo contendere pronunciation) What is nolo contendere? Literally in Latin it means,  ‘I do not wish to  contend.’ Wikipedia. Rhode Island criminal law articles
• DUI/DWI
  David Slepkow has authored a number of articles concerning drunk driving in Rhode Island. Below you will find articles related to dui/ dwi, breathalyzer refusal law as well as Drunk driving...
• Wrongful Death
  Camp Lejeune marines, their families and workers were regularly exposed to toxic chemicals in the contaminated drinking and bathing water. Our lawyers believe the average settlement amount for presumptive cancer diagnosis will exceed $700,000.00.  The presumptive conditions caused by Camp Lejeune water are: Adult leukemia, Aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, Bladder cancer, Kidney cancer, Liver cancer, Multiple myeloma, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Parkinson’s disease. Jury verdicts for Parkinson’s birth defects, wrongful death and some cancers may be over $1,000,000. Our lawyers see a chance for victims who are willing to roll the dice in front of a jury in federal court to obtain multimillion dollar verdicts to compensate for Camp Lejeune water contamination diseases.
• Traffic Violations
  Today, so many motorists are using their cell phones while hurrying to work which increases the odds of having an accident. Some other common causes of accidents necessitating a Rhode island car accident lawyer are speeding, impaired driving and reckless driving.
• Misdemeanors
  RI no contact order. Under Rhode Island law, a “no contact order” means that a criminal defendant, criminal accused or convicted criminal is prohibited from having any contact and or communication with the victim or the person under the protection of the no contact order. This includes but is not limited to letters, emails, text messages or messages delivered to the victim through a third party. This article applies to both felonies and misdemeanors in RI.
• Assault
  By way of example, a criminal defendant with a probation sentence may get themselves deeper into trouble when they resume a relationship with their wife or girlfriend despite the fact that a Rhode Island no contact order is in effect. If there is an argument or allegations of domestic assault or abuse or someone sees the two people together, the police may arrest the person and hold him or her in jail as a probation violator. If applicable, the alleged criminal will face new charges for domestic assault or domestic disorderly conduct or violating a no contact order.
• Probation Violation
  During the course of the Providence probation violation hearing, the prosecutor for the State of Rhode Island must only convince the presiding judge  that the accused violated probation by a fair preponderance of the evidence. The prosecution must establish that the suspected probation or bail violator committing a new offense during the probation period. The criminal defendant may also be prosecuted for the new offense as a separate charge from violating the probation.
• Shoplifting
  Typically, one-year filings are only offered by city solicitors or prosecutors for first time offense misdemeanor allegations. However, a person can be sentenced to numerous one-year filings.  The types of offenses typically warranting a filing include:  domestic assault, failure to relinquish a telephone, cyberstalking, cyberharassing, domestic disorderly conduct, simple assault, simple assault domestic, harassing phone call, reckless driving, and shoplifting. A one year filing is one of the most lenient forms of punishment for an alleged criminal offense in Rhode Island. A filing is always better than a period of probation or a suspended sentence. You should contact a RI criminal defense lawyer before you accept any plea deal.
• Restraining Order
  Even if the victim tells you that the NCO has been dropped, do not take the victims word for it. You must see the piece of paper signed by the judge dismissing the no contact order before any contact or communication is initiated. A no contact order expires when the sentence period is finished. A no contact order also expires if the case is dismissed or the defendant is found not guilty. However, be careful because there may also be another restraining order issued as a result of a divorce or family court matter or a District Court restraining order.
• Forgery
  The owner’s title policy insures against loss or damages sustained by the owner by reason of historical discrepancies such as forgery, undisclosed but recorded prior mortgages, bankruptcies, liens or divorces, deeds not properly recorded, missing wills or heirs, and inadequate property descriptions.
• Hit and Run
  A hit-and-run incident is not really a classification as much as it is an occurrence. When someone hits a vehicle and leaves the scene of the accident, the insurance company and police will determine that it is a hit-and-run. Since there is no other party to hold responsible for the charges, your insurance must pay for the repairs. You will have to pay the insurance deductible to get your vehicle repaired.

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law
  You will need to provide the RI business attorney with two or three potential names for the business so that he can determine if any of them are already used. The RI corporate law attorneys will need to know the name of your accountant so that he can discuss with the accountant whether you should be a corporation or a limited liability company. The commercial law lawyers will need to know the names, addresses and social security numbers of each of the shareholders/members of the corporation or limited liability company.
• Business Disputes
  Below you will find helpful and informative Rhode Island business law articles by a Rhode Island Corporate attorney. Please read these carefully and do not hesitate to contact a RI business law lawyer for help with all your legal needs in RI and MA.
• Business Transactions
• Limited Liability Companies
  Prepare an Operating Agreement which will establish the rules for management of the limited liability company. The Operating Agreement may provide for a manager who typically is one of the members and is empowered to operate the company. Many limited liability companies, especially if they are owned by a single member or a husband and wife, are member managed, meaning that there would be no named manager, but that in fact the company would be operated by its members. The Operating Agreement would also contain provisions as to who is authorized to borrow money for the company, sign deeds or bills of sale, and do other actions which are not part of the day-to-day operation of the company. Typically, these types of actions require the consent of all the members.
• Small Business Law
  RI Corporations, Partnerships, Limited Liability Company (LLC),  Small Business Law RI Corporate law FAQS by East Providence lawyers concerning corporations, llc’s and partnerships. 1) Should I protect my primary residence and personal assets by incorporating my business? 2) What is the difference between a corporation and an LLC in RI? 3) What will my business law lawyer need to know at our first meeting in order for him to incorporate my real estate business? Both corporations and an (LLC) provide asset protection against many personal injury claims and most contract claims against your personal assets. The primary difference between the two types of legal corporate entities involve the treatment of profits and losses for income tax purposes.

Employment Law

• Workers Compensation
  In the Ocean State, do I have the right to obtain a new workers compensation or slip and fall attorney? If I obtain a new legal counsel, who is responsible to compensate my prior Providence car accident lawyers? Should I wait and attempt to settle the vehicular crash claim with the Insurance company before I retain a RI automobile wreck lawyer? Are all negligence claims handled on a no win – no fee basis? Must I comply with the insurance adjusters demand to give recorded statement regarding the facts and circumstances of a motorcycle or bike accident?

Property Law

• Real Estate Litigation
  We are the largest law firm in the East Bay concentrating in real estate law. We have conducted over 41,000 title examinations and closings. Five of our six attorneys practice in the real estate field and have combined experience in excess of 75 years. We are the biggest because we are the best. We are the best because we are the fastest. We are the fastest because we are the biggest. This cycle continues to propel our firm to its prominent position as the real estate leader in the East Bay.
• Premises Liability
  In Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Premises liability and Slip and Fall Law is the area of negligence law in which owners and occupiers of real estate can be found liable if they acted recklessly, negligently or intentionally. Premises liability in Rhode Island encompasses construction accidents, trip and fall, fire injuries, swimming pool accident, escalator and elevator accidents, inadequate security, amusement park accidents and accidents caused by snow and ice.
• Real Estate Transactions
  We also provide legal representation to clients in Southeastern Massachusetts (MA). The Rhode Island attorneys at Slepkow Law are experienced, caring and highly skilled. Please call a lawyer / attorney (401-437-1100) at our firm or use our convenient contact form. SS&A is one of the largest residential and commercial real estate transactions law firms in the Ocean State. The attorneys at Slepkow make every effort to return phone calls within 24 hours of receipt. When you retain Slepkow you know you are represented by an establish, effective and knowledgeable RI law firm.
• Easement
• Land Use and Zoning
  Slepkow, Slepkow & Associates, Inc. maintains an active zoning, real estate and land use practice in East Providence, Barrington, Warren and Bristol.  Rhode Island real estate lawyer Martin Slepkow and RI real estate attorney Bruce Cox work together in this practice area. Both have extensive experience before Zoning Boards, Planning Boards and other municipal agencies in Barrington, Bristol, Warren and East Providence as well as other municipalities representing local developers and national corporations in obtaining use and dimensional zoning variances, subdivisions, planned unit developments and land development projects.
• Landlord-Tenant Disputes
  At Slepkow, Slepkow & Associates, we have landlord tenant attorneys capable of representing either landlords or tenants in all eviction and landlord-tenant matters. Our attorneys have done hundreds of Rhode Island evictions and landlord-tenant cases.
• Property Damage
  If you are in business with another person, at the very least you should have a partnership agreement indicating who owns the business and how decisions are made in the operation of the business. Another crucial aspect of the agreement will be determining what happens upon the death of one of the owners. Often, it is preferable to set up a corporation or limited liability company so that your personal assets will be protected from the debts of the partnership and for any claims for injuries or property damage resulting from the other partner

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  Below you will find an extensive collection of Rhode Island car accident, motor vehicle collision, personal injury, divorce, custody and family law articles authored by RI lawyer David Slepkow. Please read these RI laws legal articles carefully and contact Slepkow Slepkow & Associates, Inc., if you need legal assistance.
• Medical Malpractice
  A hernia is a medical condition that has minimal complications if treated in the right manner.  The vast majority of hernia mesh victims suffering through revision surgeries and hernia mesh complications are victims as a result of defective hernia mesh devices.  However, some hernia mesh victims suffered complications caused by medical malpractice. Unfortunately, some doctors fail to carry out due diligence and are guilty of medical malpractice when handling patients, leading to serious complications. A hernia mesh lawsuit statute of limitations is one of the most important concepts for a victim to learn about before filing a hernia mesh lawsuit. It is very important that a victim does not miss a hernia mesh lawsuit statute of limitations.  In order to obtain a hernia mesh settlement, you need to retain a top hernia mesh  lawsuit lawyer. Most hernia mesh lawsuits are handled on a national basis so it is not necessary to search for ‘hernia mesh lawyers near me.’
• Auto Accidents
• Social Security Disability
  No. but if you were injured in a work/ employment related accident we would be happy to refer you to a Top RI Workers Compensation Attorney. Likewise, if you are disabled and unable to work as a result, we will refer you to one of the best Social Security Disability lawyers in RI. (Social Security disability includes both federal SSI and SSDI claims.)
• Medicaid Planning
  Elder Law pertains to topics that interest the elderly and senior citizens. The basic of elder law include: wills, trusts, powers-of-attorney (poa), healthcare agent designations & estate planning. However, the biggest area of concern to many seniors and the elderly is the fear of losing a substantial portion of their assets in the event they are admitted into a nursing home. Asset protection and Medicaid Planning are areas of expertise by attorneys at Slepkow Slepkow & associates, Inc. Please contact RI Elder Law Attorney Matthew Slepkow if you have questions concerning the landscape of Elder Law in RI and MA.
• Dog Bites
  There are thousands of different types of premises liability claims in Rhode Island including Bouncer Assaults, Negligent Security, Elevator and Escalator Accidents, Construction Accidents, falls on stairs or in stairwells, electrical fires, landlord tenant accidents, porch collapse, dog bites, swimming pool accidents etc. It is important that you retain one of the best premise liability attorneys or Rhode Island personal injury attorney if you are injured in an accident.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  Request for production of documents is a list of requested documents that must be responded to within the applicable time period. I find this discovery tool to be particularly successful in obtaining documents and records concerning: pension plan documents, 401k records, retirement accounts, health insurance records, stock accounts, estate planning documents, bank statements, real estate documents etc.
• Wills
  Click here for answers to more of our most frequently asked questions about elder law or here for questions about wills and probate. Still have questions? Call (401) 437-1100 to discuss your situation with an experienced attorney.
• Trusts
  A person’s estate will not need to be probated if the person did not have assets in her name alone at the time of death. Therefore, one way to avoid probate is to own all of your assets jointly with another. The better approach is to create a living trust.
• Power of Attorney
  Every person over the age of 65 should have the following documents prepared: a will, a health care power of attorney and a financial power of attorney.
• Probate
  Slepkow, Slepkow & Associates has five other lawyers to assist you in your real estate, business and corporate law, probate law legal needs.

Finance Law

• Bankruptcy
• Foreclosure
  If Husband or Wife who has physical custody of a minor child requests a deferred sale of the home, then the Providence Family Court must determine whether it is economically feasible for the person who is living in the home to pay the mortgage, liens, taxes and insurance on the home until the home is sold. In examining the relevant facts and circumstances of the case, the Rhode Island Family Court will examine the income of the resident spouse, any alimony that the litigant will receive and child support payments. Pursuant to R.I.G.L. 15-5-16 the rationale for this legal statute is to prevent foreclosures, uninsured property, and deterioration of the former marital domicile and to protect the parents’ equity interest in the real property.
• Tax Law
  It is critical that a will is written precisely without ambiguity because when it is being read by its intended audience, the probate court, the testator is not alive to clarify disputes. A will can be one of the simplest documents in your estate plan for the attorney to draft, but precision and experience are essential to the will’s quality. Some of the most complex documents in your possible estate plan are trusts. The beauty of a trust is that you can include any language you desire. Therefore, it can be as wordy, articulate, precise and thorough as you may wish. It can have separate provisions for all imaginable future outcomes and it may speak well into the future even after the creator’s death. Trusts may be revocable or irrevocable, living or testamentary, single or joint, tax planning or marital, and supplemental or Crummey.