Divorce

If you are thinking about divorce and want to know your rights or have received divorce papers and need to know your options. Our attorneys will give you a straight forward evaluation and devise a strategy to meet your goals as fully as possible. We review the court’s approach, the law relevant to your case and particular factual situation, how to position your case for the best possible outcome.

Download Form to get started.

For an Uncontested Divorce in Virginia, Ms. Solomon can often obtain a divorce for clients in as little as three weeks.

CLICK HERE to get started.

Bankruptcy

For those considering bankruptcy or who need a bankruptcy attorney, Ms. Solomon will work diligently for you to keep your home, car and property, and get you a fresh start. Many people today are crushed with credit card debt, medical expenses, car or mortgage payments and more. If you cannot make ends meet, bankruptcy may be the right choice for you. Bankruptcy can stop lawsuits, wage garnishments, harassing calls, creditor intimidation, foreclosures, unfreeze your bank account, free you from debts you cannot afford to pay, and give you a chance to rebuild your life. For bankruptcy advice and information about bankruptcy, call the experienced attorneys at the Law Office of Marilyn Solomon.

Take the first step towards a new start. Call for your free bankruptcy package and get started reclaiming your life and peace of mind.

Download Form to get started

Family Law
Ms. Solomon is an experienced attorney offering fast, simple and affordable solutions to your financial and family law problems. She offers fast, inexpensive divorces for people who have everything settled and is also highly skilled in handling contested divorce and custody matters. Your children, home, and property all hang in the balance. Ms. Solomon is a talented and professional negotiator and litigator who will fight for your rights. For uncontested divorces in Virginia, Ms. Solomon can usually obtain an express divorce for clients in about 3 weeks, and for a small additional fee, in about 2 weeks.

In contested divorces, whether its how to value a business or finding hidden assets, Ms. Solomon understands complex business and financial matters and is well known for her business acumen. She successfully negotiated complicated multi-million dollar national and international corporate and government contracts. She combines an understanding of financial complexities with effective and compassionate representation.

Fair is not always equal in Virginia. Each case must be evaluated on its own facts. Did you put separate money into a marital asset? Did you inherit property or money? Did you help pay your spouse’s separate debts? Did you personally improve property? Did you gift or deed your spouse real estate or did they do so to you? Did your spouse spend marital money on a lover? All of these issues can have a significant impact on the equitable division of assets in a divorce. Some assets are marital, others are separate while still others are hybrid: part marital and part separate. The court uses more than one technical formula to determine the marital and separate share of assets and to divide them. Did your spouse spend money or incur for non-marital purposes? Make sure your division of property is fair by utilizing the experienced firm of Marilyn Ann Solomon.
Put a skilled, experienced, and aggressive family law attorney with an extensive business and financial background on your side to zealously guard your property and watch out for your rights.

Ms. Solomon’s extensive business and financial background allows her to provide guidance even in the most difficult of cases. She is knowledgeable in evaluating financial, vocational and psychological professionals as needed for custody, visitation, complex property, or spousal support claims.
Ms. Solomon has extensive experience in evaluating small or family-owned businesses as well as large businesses, investments, retirement funds, and pensions.

At the Law Firm of Marilyn Ann Solomon our goal is to advocate for you and to protect your rights, your property, your children, and your future throughout the divorce process. We are your voice, your protector, and your advocate in the courtroom. To schedule a consultation, call 540-678-0569 or contact us by email. Our attorneys will give you a straight forward evaluation of your case and devise a strategy to meet your goals as fully as possible. We review the court’s approach, the law relevant to your case and particular factual situation, and how to position your case for the best possible outcome.

If you are thinking about divorce and want to know your rights or have received divorce papers and need to know your options, our divorce lawyers will provide you with effective legal representation. With over 20 years of experience, Ms Solomon will help you achieve your goals as fast and cost-effectively as possible.

Contact the Law Firm of Marilyn Ann Solomon for a consultation with an experienced Virginia divorce lawyer.

Custody
Battles over child custody and support can create a contentious situation that can be expensive to resolve, sometimes requiring the services of guardian ad litems, therapists, and/or parenting coordinators. By providing reasonable, flat rates for uncontested divorces — some as a result of prenuptial agreements — we allow clients to take control of the decision-making process, reduce stress on the family and save money. When you need an experienced child custody attorney, call the Law Firm of Marilyn Solomon.

At the Law Firm of Marilyn Solomon, we dedicate ourselves to helping our clients persevere through perhaps the most difficult and emotional time of their life. We look for and suggest ways to settle some or all pending issues and ways to expedite resolution of your case.

There are several types of custody arrangements available in Virginia, and parties may agree on any arrangement that bests suits the parties and the bests interests of the child(ren) even if they do not pigeonhole categories of custody, The Court has final approval over the parties’ agreement.

There are several types of custody arrangements available in Virginia, and parties may agree on any arrangement that bests suits the parties and the bests interests of the child even if they do not pigeonhole with the below categories of custody. A knowledgeable custody lawyer is essential in these types of cases.

1. Joint Legal Custody. When parties have joint legal custody, they share an equal right to major decisions affecting the child i.e. medical, educational, religious etc. Since neither parent’s decision can override the other parent, it is important that parents be able to communicate with each other about important decisions affecting their child. Otherwise joint legal custody may not work.

2. Physical Custody. Physical custody is custody of the child’s body i.e. the child itself. Parents often share joint legal custody with one parent having physical custody of the child.

3. Primary Care. Primary care is similar in concept to physical custody. A parent with primary care is responsible for the principal
care of the child. Again, parents often share joint legal custody with one parent having primary care of the child.

4. Primary Residence. This concept is similar to primary care. It means that the child’s primary residence is with that parent. Primary residence can be alternated. For example, one parent could have primary residence during the school year and the other during the summer.

5. Joint Legal and Physical Custody. Joint legal and physical custody means that each parent has an equal voice in major decisions affecting the child and an equal right to the child itself. It does not necessarily mean that each parent has the right 50% of the time, although that is sometimes done in this type of arrangement. Rather, it means that each parent has equal rights as noted above. The time the child spends with each parent depends on the arrangements agreed to by the parents.

6. Custody and Visitation. This type of arrangement means that one parent has custody, both legal and physical, and the other parent has visitation rights. Visitation rights may be worded as “reasonable visitation” or “liberal visitation” or visitation may be spelled out in detail including dates, holidays and times. Visitation is worded to suit the needs of the parents and depends again in great part on whether the parents are able to communicate regarding the child.

Visitation
Visitation may be decided by the court or agreed upon by the parents.The visitation schedule may be agreed upon by the parties and designed to suit both parents’ schedules and the needs of the child. A somewhat standard visitation schedule consists of visitation with the non-custodial parent every other weekend and sometimes one day per week. Additionally, holidays are shared and alternated and provisions made for extra visitation time during the summer. Fathers Day is with the Father and Mothers Day is with the Mother no matter whose weekend it is. Different visitation schedules work for different parties and it depends a great deal on how well the parents work together and communicate regarding the child.
Separation Agreements
A property settlement agreement resolves the financial issues prior to a divorce. With an agreement, parties can usually avoid expensive and protracted litigation over division of their property. Following is some information that will be useful to you in deciding how to divide your property:

1. Separate Property. Separate property is property owned by a spouse prior to the marriage. Property inherited by one spouse or given to that spouse by a third party is also separate. Sometimes separate property can become partially or wholly marital if the other spouse makes a personal contribution to an increase in the value of the separate property or if it is comingled with marital property such that the separate property cannot be traced. Also, if separate money is used to purchase a marital asset, the asset may end up being part separate and part marital. This is a complicated issue and should be discussed with Ms. Solomon if you have any questions in this area.

2. Marital Property. Marital property is any property acquired during the marriage. Many times one spouse thinks that because they used their paycheck to pay for an item, it is theirs. This is not the case. Money earned during the marriage is marital money. Debts incurred during the marriage are marital even if they are only in one spouse’s name, unless the debt is for something unrelated to the marriage. Retirement accounts accumulated during the marriage are marital, including any additions to retirement accounts existing prior to the marriage. Usually, marital property is evenly divided between the parties depending on the particular facts of the marriage.

3. Part Separate and Part Marital Property. Some property may be part separate and part marital. For example, if one spouse uses separate money (i.e. money they had prior to the marriage or inherited during the marriage) to purchase a marital asset, that spouse may have a separate interest in the marital asset equal to the amount of separate money they put into it and maybe with appreciate. Again, this is a complicated issue that should be discussed with Ms. Solomon

Prenuptial Agreements

A prenuptial agreement (prenup) can save you tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees and a difficult, time-consuming, emotionally draining legal battle in the future. It is beneficial for anyone who wants to protect, manage, or enhance their personal, family, or business assets against foreseen and unforeseen circumstances. It is also critical if you have children from another relationship. This type of agreement allows both spouses to protect their separate property, protect themselves from the other spouse’s debts, and maintain control over their income. It may also be important to decide how much support and property each spouse will receive if there is a divorce or death later.Often people do not get a prenuptial agreement because they think it means they do not trust their spouse. This agreement benefits both spouses, as it saves both sides expensive legal fees and a difficult court battle in the future. It is much easier to resolve financial issues in a loving relationship then in the emotional and financial turmoil of a separation, divorce, or death. It may be the best investment you ever make!

When a marriage ends, by death, separation, or divorce, you can control the financial fallout with a prenuptial agreement. Without one, you relinquish that control to the government or end up in an expensive lawsuit. Divorce law and a judge dictate which assets are marital or separate and how much each spouse receives instead of the two of you deciding what is fair together, in advance.  Without a prenup, the State decides how much of your property goes to your spouse at your death, not you, even if you have a will.

If you own a house, investments, or business or have children from another relationship, you will benefit from a prenuptial agreement. If you are wealthier than your partner, earn substantially more, or if your partner has a lot of debt, you need a prenuptial agreement. If you intend to leave the workplace to raise children during the marriage, you need a prenup. Just like you shouldn’t drive down the road without a seatbelt, don’t walk down the aisle without a prenup. Both are essential protection for your future.

A prenuptial agreement should be signed well in advance of the wedding. The closer you get to the wedding date, the easier it is for someone to argue that the agreement was signed under pressure. Plan ahead.

Also, you each need your own attorney. Ideally, both parties should have an attorney review the agreement for them. One attorney cannot represent both parties for a prenuptial agreement. It is worth the investment at the beginning. If you can’t agree now, imagine what it will be like in the throes of a possibly angry and emotional divorce.

Do not use any coercion to get the other party to sign a prenuptial agreement. The agreement must be voluntary on both sides.

The Virginia Premarital Agreement Act requires complete financial disclosure. There can be no waiver of assets or support without full financial disclosure. Disclose. Disclose. Attach a list of assets and liabilities for each of you, even if one person has very little. It’s better to be detailed than to say one party is worth X amount of money. That way you have a specific disclosure for each asset, one that you may sell and reinvest and want to keep separate later.

Keep in mind tax consequences. Your spouse can inherit or receive life insurance proceeds without little or no tax consequences while other people cannot, which is an important consideration when crafting the prenuptial agreement.

Be sure to keep separate assets separate during the marriage. The best way to lose the separate identify of an asset is to commingle it. For example, inheritances are separate asses but if you put the money in a joint bank account or the asset in joint names, it could transmute into marital property.

You should also consider videotaping the signing of the agreement so if there is ever a question of duress or something similar, you have video proof to show there was none.

A prenup is an agreement you and your significant other can agree on and sign when the two of you are in a good place. Getting a prenup is protection for your that is similar to buying car insurance: like in a car crash, you need it if the marriage doesn’t work out. With 50% of marriages ending in divorce, having an agreed disposition makes everything so much easier and having to pay an attorney when there are disputes. Almost everyone starts out their marriage thinking they will never get divorced, and half of them turn out to be wrong. Like buying car insurance, it’s smart to protect your future with a prenuptial agreement.

Paternity
Your child deserves all of the advantages in life that two parents can give. There are some special reasons to establish paternity.

Benefit For Your Child: Your child may be eligible for some benefits because you have established paternity. These benefits may include social security, veteran’s benefits, health insurance, life insurance and inheritance. Establishing paternity ensures you can provide for your child even when the unexpected occurs.
Family Medical History: Knowing the family’s full history of diseases, illnesses and birth defects will help your doctor if your child becomes sick. It’s important to know the father’s medical history for this reason.

Child Support: Your child needs and deserves both emotional and financial support from both parents. You may think that you can get by on your own and live without any help from your child’s father. But you may change your mind some day. A court can’t order child support without legal proof of paternity. It’s easier to get that proof today than to wait.
On the other hand, you may not wish to pay child support for a child that is not your biological child. Once a court order is entered, it may be too late. The Law Firm of Marilyn Solomon will help you establish paternity so you can be sure before you pay, financially or emotionally.

Summary of LGBTQ-related family law changes in Virginia Law.

Solomon Law Group is knowledgeable about the special issues affecting LGBTQ individuals in the family law arena. The following is a summary of relevant Virginia law and a short history of how it developed.  Although LGBTQ individuals enjoy substantially more protection under the law than they did even ten years ago, it is still important to speak to an attorney who can advise you of your rights.

Virginia law significantly changed on same same-sex marriage over the last twenty years.  As recently as 2004, same-sex marriages and civil unions were illegal in Virginia.  In the 1997 Virginia Supreme Court case of Bottoms v Bottoms, the Virginia Supreme Court upheld an award of custody to a grandmother on the basis that the child’s mother was a lesbian, even though the Court noted that “a lesbian mother is not per se an unfit parent.”  In 2004, Virginia passed the Affirmation of Marriage Act, which outlawed civil unions between same-sex couples and prohibited the recognition of civil unions performed in other states.  Two years later, Virginia struck at the rights of same-sex couples again by amending its constitution to define marriage as a union “solely between one man and one woman,” another attempt to exclude same-sex couples from the privileges of marriage. Fortunately, times have changed.

In 2013, the United States Supreme Court struck down a portion of the Defense of Marriage Act, a law prohibiting federal recognition of same-sex couples as spouses. Following that decision, a U.S. District Court in Virginia held both Virginia’s new constitutional amendment and its Affirmation of Marriage Act were unconstitutional. The United States Supreme Court refused to hear Virginia’s appeal, cementing the ruling.

Same-sex marriage was legalized nationwide in 2015.  With the ruling of the United States Supreme Court that year in the case of Obergefell v Hodges, all states were required to issue marriages licenses to same-sex couples and to recognize marriages of same-sex couples from other states. The Supreme Court went even further by holding that the right to marry is a fundamental constitutional right and married same-sex couples are entitled to the same benefits as different-sex couples including tax benefits, health insurance, and retirement benefits. In 2020, Virginia law formally removed its prohibition against same-sex marriages.

Issue Affecting LGBTQ Individuals

LGBTQ couples face unique family law issues in Virginia. Some have children from previous different-sex or same-sex relationships. Others have children through surrogacy or assisted reproduction technology. The Virginia family is evolving and changing and Virginia laws have changed in response.

Adoption

A particularly prevalent family law issue for same-sex couples is adoption. Virginia law allows any individual living in Virginia to adopt, regardless of whether they are married. Married couples are also permitted to adopt jointly, including same-sex couples.  However, unmarried couples, whether same sex or different, cannot adopt jointly in Virginia.  Further, while Virginia has no law prohibiting a LGBTQ person or married couple from adopting, there is no Virginia law forbidding discrimination by private organizations against LGBTQ individuals in adoptions.

In 2012, the “conscience clause” law (Virginia 63.2-1709.3) gave private adoption agencies the right to refuse to help with an adoption or placement that “violates the agency’s written religious or moral convictions or policies.”  This law allows flagrant discrimination against LGBTQ adoptive and foster parents by private agencies based on any moral or religious belief an agency might claim.  Unsurprisingly, agencies all-too-frequently claim that facilitating an adoption by an LGBTQ individual or couple violates the organization’s religious beliefs.

After the 2014 recognition of same-sex marriages in Virginia, a bulletin from the Virginia Department of Social Services was issued specifying that same-sex married couples have the right to legally adopt a child in Virginia under the same rules and requirements as different-sex couples.

In Virginia, the new spouse of a parent can adopt the child under simplified “step-parent adoption” procedures if the child has one legal parent. This applies to LGBTQ families as well. If one of the spouses has a child at the time of their marriage and is that child’s only legal parent, the same-sex spouse of that parent has the right to adopt as a “step-parent” and will then have equal rights and obligations regarding raising the child. A Virginia step-parent adoption is a simpler and more streamlined procedure and usually only takes a few months. Going through the step-parent adoption process assures a same-sex couple of parental rights. Marriage alone does not bestow those rights absent a formal adoption.

Virginia law also determines the parentage of children conceived by use of donor sperm under the Status of Children of Assisted Contraception Statute. That law provides that the “gestational mother of the child is the child’s mother” and the “spouse of the gestational mother of a child is the child’s other parent.”

Unmarried LGBTQ individuals who are co-parenting a child together face particular challenges.  If a co-parent is not the legal parent of a child—which is often the case if the child was conceived through artificial insemination or adopted—they have no legal or custodial rights in that child.  It is often advisable for unmarried co-parents to enter into what is known as a consent order for custody and visitation.  Doing so will give the non-legal co-parent legal and custodial rights to the child, which is critical in a co-parenting context.  Absent such an order, the non-legal co-parent would not have the right to obtain medical care on behalf of the child, receive information about the child’s schooling, etc.

Consent orders can also be used to secure the rights of individuals in multi-parent contexts, i.e., situations in which a child is being raised by more than two parents.  Unmarried LGBTQ parents or individuals involved in multi-parent situations should schedule a consultation with an experienced Solomon Law Group attorney to ensure that their rights are protected.

Surrogacy

Virginia law also allows for court approved and non-court approved surrogacy contracts. Most Virginia surrogacy arrangements are done out-of-court because it is quite expensive. Surrogacy contracts must meet Virginia’s statutory requirements to establish, protect, and preserve parental rights. Surrogacy arrangements can be complicated and knowledge of Assisted Reproductive Technology Law (ART law) is essential.

Virginia laws regarding artificial insemination, assisted contraception, and surrogacy are extremely complex. If you are considering any of these, you should consult with a Solomon Law Group attorney so that your parental rights can be protected.

Other Relevant Virginia Laws for LGBTQ couples.

Virginia birth certificates now provide language for “parent” and “parent” for same-sex parents.

In April of 2020, Virginia passed into law the Virginia Values Act prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender identity and/or sexual orientation. These prohibitions are sweeping and apply to employment, housing, credit transactions and public accommodations.

In 2020, Virginia outlawed Conversion Therapy for minors (under the age of 18) by any licensed counselor or therapist. (See HB 386)  The prohibition is broad and includes attempts to modify behavior and expressions of gender or feelings of romance or attraction towards others of the same sex.

Changes of Name and Gender in Virginia.

Under Virginia law, a person in Virginia, including a person who is LGBTQ, has the right to change their name by applying to a Circuit Court for a Name Change. This is a relatively straightforward procedure that is possible to do on your own, but it is always advisable to seek the assistance of an attorney to ensure that the process is done correctly.

In 2020, Virginia changed its birth certificate law to allow a transgender person to apply for a change of their gender on their Virginia birth certificate. There is no requirement that a person have a court order or have undergone gender-reassignment surgery to qualify in order to change their gender.

Virginia also requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to offer applicants the ability to choose “non-binary” when indicating their sex on their driver’s license or identification application.

Legal Documents Recommended for Same-Sex Couples:

Last Will and Testament: A Will is a legal document that says what you want to happen to your property when you die. If a person dies without a Will (called an “intestate” death, Virginia law (Code Section 64.2-200) defines who inherits that person’s estate and establishes priorities. Unmarried same-sex couples have no right to inherit from their partner without a Will. Even if married, a Will gives you a chance to name who you want as guardian of your minor children and to name a trustee for their funds.

Advance Directive for Healthcare also known as a “living will” tells your doctors and caregivers your medical choices and end-of-life choice if you can’t speak for yourself because of dementia, coma, or serious illness and allows you to name the person you want to make medical decisions, including end-of-life decisions, for you. The Virginia Advance Health Care Directive Act allows people to appoint an agent to make health care and medical decisions for them in the event they become incapacitated. The law also allows you to give advance instructions on end-of-life decisions. Without an Advance Directive, Virginia law dictates who is permitted to make health care decisions for you in the event of your incapacity.

A Power of Attorney (POA) empowers a person of your choice to make financial decisions for you when you can’t do so anymore.  A Power of Attorney must be executed before the person becomes incapacitated. Otherwise, pleadings must be filed in court to appointment a guardian for you and a conservator for your estate, an expensive and time-consuming process.

Domestic Partnership Agreement is a contract detailing how an unmarried couple will handle their finances, including if and how they will share income and expenses as well as assets and liabilities. This is important document because unmarried couples have few of the rights and privileges accorded to married couples under Virginia law.  For instance, unmarried couples have no right to seek support from one another, regardless of the length of their relationship or the degree to which one partner is dependent on the other.  Further, unmarried couples do not have the right to ask a court to “equitably divide” the assets and debts they acquired during their relationship.    With a Domestic Partnership Agreement, unmarried couples gain, by contract, some of the rights, privileges and protections provided to married couples by Virginia law.

Deeds  If you or your partner own real estate, you may also want to change your deed to include ownership and inheritance rights. Under Virginia law, married couples have the right to own property jointly as “tenants by the entireties.”  If property is owned in this matter, if one co-owner dies, the surviving co-owner acquires full ownership of the property by operation of the law.  Owning property as “tenants by the entireties” also provides strong protection against creditors.  If you were recently married and own property in your own name, it may be advisable to add your spouse to the deed, although careful consideration must be given as to whether to do so by a Warranty Deed or Deed of Gift, as a Deed of Gift. It is important to discuss the ramifications of these deed types with an experienced family law attorney like the attorneys at Solomon Law Group before executing any deed.

Unmarried couples can own property jointly in a form of ownership known as a “joint tenancy.”  As with a property owned as “tenants by the entireties,” the surviving co-owner acquires full ownership of the property by operation of law upon the death of the first co-owner. Notably, however, a “joint tenancy” does not offer the same protections against creditors that a “tenancy by the entirety” does.  Still, it may be advisable for an unmarried couple to re-title their property as a “joint tenancy” subject to the cautionary advice above regarding speaking to an attorney before executing a deed to be sure you understand all the ramifications.

The content on this page was created by Solomon Law Group founder, Marilyn Solomon, and her associate, Andy Muzic. You can learn more about their experience and expertise on their bio pages. If you have any questions about the content found on this page, you can email us at: msolomon@solomonlaw.biz.

Corporate Law

Services offered for corporate and business requirements:

Incorporation and business set-up.

Draft, review, and/or edit employee handbooks, personnel policies, and labor law compliance.

Draft, review and/or edit contracts, leases, agreements, government contracts and proposals.

Seminars offered on compliance with Title VII (discrimination and sexual harassment), Americans with Disabilities Act and other labor-related laws.

Review of internal procedures on the handling of employee complaints with an emphasis on federal and state labor laws including Title VII, ADA, and Fair Labor Standards.

Resolution of employee disputes and claims including defense of employee complaints including charges filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and discrimination lawsuits.

Negotiation of contracts including commercial and government contracts.

Ms. Solomon has a comprehensive business and corporate background. She served as a Senior Contracts Manager overseeing the procurement and government contracts department for a Fortune 500 company and has over 15 years of experience in complex corporate contract issues. Additionally, she served for over 2 years as in-house counsel for a company with over 200 employees and revenues exceeding $125 million per year. She handled a variety of cases including obtaining a Davis-Bacon labor exemption (one of two ever granted by the United States government allowing her client to effectively compete for choice government contracts), secured 8-A status for a company based on a new category she created for a client, negotiated dozens of major and sometimes international corporate and government contracts my with annual revenues in excess of $20 million, litigated Title VII cases including discrimination and sexual harassment and represented companies before the EEOC in defense of employee complaints.
Formation
Our services include the creation and establishment of new businesses in Virginia, as either a corporation or limited liability company (LLC). In addition to preparing the formation articles for filing with the State Corporation Commission, we prepare the company’s by-laws and operating agreements. The Solomon Law Group is also available to serve as registered agent for your Virginia business.

For existing companies seeking corporate representation, our services include drafting and negotiating contracts (commercial and government), leases, employee handbooks, employee disputes, etc. We can serve as your counsel in employee disputes, EEOC claims, breach of contract cases, contract enforcement matters, and any other general business legal problems.

Ms. Solomon has a comprehensive business and corporate background. She served as a Senior Contracts Manager overseeing the procurement and government contracts department for a Fortune 500 company, and has over 15 years of experience in complex corporate and government contract issues. Additionally, Ms. Solomon served for over two years as in-house counsel for a company with over 200 employees and revenues exceeding $125 million per year. She has handled a variety of cases including obtaining a Davis-Bacon labor exemption, secured 8-A status for a company based on a new category created by her case, negotiated dozens of major and sometimes international corporate and government contracts many with annual revenues in excess of $20 million, litigated Title VII cases including discrimination and sexual harassment, and represented companies before the EEOC in defense of employee complaints.

Personal Injury • Wrongful Death

When you lose someone you love or become injured, it is often difficult to cope with injuries, loss, pain, concern about medical expenses and mounting debt. An accident can change your life in an instant. Marilyn, is a compassionate and experienced attorney. She has a record million dollar verdict for a wrongful death case in Frederick County, Virginia and has obtained over half a million dollars in other personal injury cases. She will protect your rights and skillfully prosecute your claim. Though money cannot replace the loss of a loved one or heal an injury, it can help you find closure and give you the financial means to move forward with your life. Ms. Solomon is a caring and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer.

Personal injury cases are generally handled on a “contingent fee” basis. This means that the attorney receives a percentage of money that is recovered, but does not otherwise bill for their services. Costs involved with a personal injury case are the client’s responsibility.

Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle riders are often seriously injured in accidents. The Law Firm of Marilyn Solomon has handled motorcycle accidents with verdicts between half a million and a million dollars. An accident can change your life in an instant. Marilyn Solomon is a compassionate and experienced attorney who will protect your rights and prosecute your claim for personal injury or wrongful death. We are knowledgeable about the attitudes of some jurors towards bikers and how to address that problem. Whether you ride a super bike, sport bike, Harley or chopper, we will fight for your rights and to get you the compensation for your motorcycle accident that you deserve.

Car Accidents
Ms. Solomon has a record million dollar verdict for a wrongful death case in Frederick County, Virginia, and obtained her clients over half a million dollars in other personal injury cases. Results of prior cases do not guarantee you a similar outcome. Each case is decided on its own merits.

When you lose someone you love or become injured, it is often difficult to cope with injuries, loss, pain, concern about medical expenses, and mounting debt. An accident can change your life in an instant. Marilyn Solomon is a compassionate and experienced attorney who will protect your rights and prosecute your claim for personal injury or wrongful death. While money cannot replace the loss of a loved one or heal an injury, it can help you find closure and the financial means to move on with your life. If you or someone you loved is suffering because of someone else’s negligence, call The Law Firm of Marilyn Ann Solomon for a confidential assessment of your case.

If you have been in a car accident you should know that most people feel a mix of shock, panic, fear, and remorse. Confusion is normal. If you find yourself in this situation, it is important to remember that everything you say and do from there on out can make matters worse.

Understanding the common mistakes people can make following a car accident will save you time, aggravation, and stress. People who are injured during a car accident may have the right to compensation for any damages and loss they have suffered. Since getting fairly compensated may be a challenge, knowing the steps to take to strengthen your claim is important.

What Not To Do

Do not forget to call 911:

You or the other driver may not want to call the authorities, especially if no one seems injured. However, even if you think you or the other driver or passengers are unhurt, or the damage seems minor, calling 911 is the best thing you can do.

Not only will you be examined by emergency medical personnel in case you are more seriously injured that you realize, but you will have a police report about the accident for your records and your insurance company and lawyer’s records.

Do not downplay your injuries:

Without a medical examination you may not realize the extent of your injuries. For example, normal confusion after an accident may be dismissed as shock or stress, but could also be a sign of a concussion, which is a traumatic brain injury that may have lasting effects.

Not seeking proper medical attention may slow down your recovery and can lead to loss of income and more costly medical treatment. It could also open the door to insurance companies and medical professionals questioning your claim if you present these injuries at a later date.

Do not wait to act:

Talk to an attorney. There are steps you absolutely need to take right now as there are statute of limitations that govern your particular situation, and a lawyer will know these rules.

Get medical attention immediately. This will document the full extent of your injuries and help you to recover faster.
Investigate the accident. If you wait too long, critical pieces of evidence that may help you and your lawyer build your case may disappear. For example, video surveillance from nearby homes, businesses, or street cameras may be taped over or deleted.

Do not forget to collect the following if you are able to:

Other driver’s name and address

Other driver’s insurance company name and policy number

The make, model, and color of the other vehicle

The license plate number of the other vehicle

Statements and contact information from any witnesses including any passengers in either vehicle.

If you have a cell phone, take photos of the accident scene. Taking photos while the cars are still in their original positions if possible is best. Otherwise, take photos of the damage to each car, the road and any other pertinent items that may have been a part of the accident.

And if you have a dashcam be sure to save any footage of the accident so you can share it with your insurance company and your lawyer. Photos are especially important if the other driver does not admit responsibility to the police or their insurer.

If you are able, try to write down the date and time of the accident, the road you were traveling on, which direction you were going, and where you were going to and coming from. Also the weather at the time of the accident.

All the evidence gathered at the scene will be extremely helpful to your lawyer as they build your case and may help to determine the cause of the accident.

Do not trust your insurer:

It does not matter how well you know your insurance agent or how friendly or accommodating they may seem; they are not looking out for your best interests in this situation. Insurance companies are incentivized to reduce the amount of compensation their clients receive.

Do not sign anything from your insurer until you consult with a personal injury attorney.

In some cases, insurers may track you after the accident, hoping to find a reason to reduce your compensation. Be extra careful when speaking to them or to anyone about your accident. And never share anything about your accident or case on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.).

If you or someone you know needs legal advice after a car accident, our lawyers at the Solomon Law Group are ready to help. Our firm is not one of the huge ones that treat personal injury cases like a number. We offer individual compassionate and aggressive attention to every case to get our clients fair compensation even when there are preexisting conditions or complications.

Call us at 540-678-0569 to make a free consultation appointment.

[/toggle]

Ms. Solomon has a record million dollar verdict for a wrongful death case in Frederick County, Virginia, and obtained her clients over half a million dollars in other personal injury cases. Results of prior cases do not guarantee you a similar outcome. Each case is decided on its own merits.

Elderly Woman Run Over By A Truck  Our client, a healthy and self-sufficient 89-year-old woman, was struck and run over by a truck in the parking lot of a grocery store while buying some treats for her grandchildren.  She sustained severe injuries which required her to undergo a surgery to amputate her leg within a week of the accident. Fearing that the client might not survive the surgery, our legal team arranged an emergency deposition of our client to preserve her testimony even though no lawsuit had been filed.  The Defendant strenuously objected to this unusual deposition but we won the motion. Our client survived the surgery but her life would never be the same. Despite her advanced age, we secured her a settlement of over half a million dollars.

Emotional Distress To Child Whose Father Was Killed In An Accident Right In Front Of Him  Our client was a young child who was riding on the back of a motorcycle with his father. Suddenly and without warning, a truck pulled directly in front of them.  The child’s father had to make a split-second decision:  attempt to save himself and his son, but at the potential cost of his son’s life, or sacrifice his own life to save his son’s.  He sacrificed himself to save his son, throwing the boy from the motorcycle as it crashed head-first into the heavy truck.  The father was killed instantly on impact while his son miraculously survived with only minor physical injuries.  The child, however, suffered mental and emotional trauma that was beyond measure: he watched his father die in front of him. The Defendant completely disregarded the emotional distress to our young client of watching his father crash into the truck and knowing his dad died attempting to save his life! They offered only a pittance based on the child’s minor injuries. After aggressive negotiations, we secured our young client a hefty settlement that included full payment for his future college tuition.

Wrongful Death Recovery for Children of Murdered Father  This is a case where the father was shot to death leaving his small children fatherless. We sued the murderer on behalf of the children. Fortunately, we were able to recover a substantial amount on behalf of the children for the loss of their father from the assets of the man who murdered him.

Motorcycle Accident With Tow Truck Driver  Our client’s husband was tragically killed while riding his motorcycle when a tow truck driver, without warning, carelessly pulled out in front of him. Our client, his widow and the family homemaker, was married to her husband for many years. Defendant refused to pay our client for the loss of her husband’s companionship (called loss of consortium) and income when he died.  The case went to trial and we secured our client a jury award of over a million dollars!

Accident Caused By Metal Falling On Road From Truck  A truck driver dropped a load of metal on the highway right in front of our young client who was driving in the middle lane of the highway with vehicles on both sides of him. He had nowhere to maneuver to and could not escape. His vehicle hit the metal at highway speed causing it to jump up and crash down on our client, wrecking his vehicle and resulting in neck and back injuries to him. We were able to secure him a large settlement for his severe injuries caused by the accident.

Speeding Defendant  Our client was rear-ended at 55 miles per hour by a driver who was speeding, tailgating and not paying attention. Our client suffered significant injuries and endured months’ worth of physical therapy and chiropractic treatment. The neck and back injuries she suffered in the crash, moreover, were permanent and will affect her for the rest of her life.  Despite her pain, suffering and the permanent effects of her injuries, the driver’s insurance company offered her a trifle. Our legal team responded aggressively, reminding the insurance company of their obligation to act in good faith and our intent to pursue them for violation of that obligation if they failed to do so.  We secured a very generous settlement for our client.

Contested Back Injuries  (Fairfax jury trial) Plaintiff’s verdict. In this Northern Virginia jury trial, defendant driver admitted liability but denied the extent of our client’s injuries. Her treating medical provider and expert witness was a chiropractor with extensive experience in treating traumatic injuries from accidents. Defendant’s expert was an orthopedic surgeon from Johns Hopkins and a fellowship from Harvard Medical School. Defendant tried to force a small settlement by insinuating the credentials of their expert would persuade the jury to award Plaintiff less than $10,000. They didn’t count on the excellent trial skills of our litigation team and the prowess of our  expert.  Our well-prepared team prevailed and won a substantial jury verdict, many times the amount offered by defendant.

Family Vacationing in Virginia Hit By Drunk Driver. We secured separate settlements for our client, her husband and each of her children, all injured in the collision. Solomon Law Group represented four members of a family whose minivan was struck by a drunk driver when they stopped on the highway for a deer while returning home from a vacation in Virginia.  The driver behind them was tailgating and intoxicated-he crashed into them, sending luggage flying and glass souvenirs shattered inside the car. The entire family was seen in the emergency room.  The mother was seriously hurt and suffered neck, back, and knee injuries.  The entire family had continued medical care.  The insurance company put about $10,000 on the table to cover the entire family’s injuries. In the end our strong negotiation skills secured a settlement of many times that amount for the family.

Crash At Red Light  Defendant crashed into the back of our client at over 45 miles per hour while she was stopped at a red light, causing her significant neck and back injuries. The driver at-fault had inadequate insurance coverage, so we had to make a claim against our client’s “underinsured” motorist policy—a policy which provides coverage when an at-fault driver has no or insufficient insurance. Our client’s own insurance company claimed that she was not injured because she waited over two weeks before seeking medical treatment.  Of course, our client waited in the hope that the pain would resolve itself before seeking medical treatment, but it did not.  Through hard-nosed negotiation, we settled for full policy limits, securing every insurance dollar available for our client!

Client was T-Boned  Our client was t-boned by a defendant who was traveling at 20mph and crashed into the side of her car, with such force that it destroyed both vehicles.  Our client was taken to the hospital by ambulance, suffering from neck and back pain among other injuries. After undergoing unsuccessful physical therapy and various pain management injections with no relief, she treated with her chiropractor.  Defendant downplayed our client’s injuries and refused to pay fair compensation, so we sued him. In the end, our client received payment for all her past and future medical expenses as well as the pain and suffering she had endured and treatment she is expected to need throughout her life.

Medical Malpractice Case Involving Administering The Wrong Medication   In this medical malpractice case, our elderly client was administered the wrong medicine by a nursing home caring for her rehabilitation after surgery. Our client became so sick she had to be hospitalized and almost died. The medical provider denied liability, but we provided documentation from the FDA about the dangers of administering that particular medication to a patient in our client’s circumstances.  We also secured medical records proving the error and were able to negotiate a generous settlement for our client.

Rear-End Collision at Full Speed  Defendant driver ran a red light and crashed full-force into our client’s vehicle, causing neck and back injuries to our young client. Both vehicles were so damaged from the accident they had to be towed away. Defendant offered a settlement amount less than our client’s medical expenses. We responded with aggressively, reminding the insurance company that in Virginia, they have a duty to act in good faith, and offering a settlement that fails to even compensate for medical expenses violates that obligation. Still, they refused to offer full and fair compensation, so we filed suit and were able to secure an excellent result for our client.

T-Bone Accident With Eyewitness  In this case, defendant driver ran a stop sign and crashed into the side of our client, destroying both cars. Our client was taken to the hospital by ambulance. The other driver lied about what happened and his insurance company thus refused to settle the case. We sued and were able to prove the facts, forcing the defendant to tender full and fair compensation to our client!

Rear-End Collision At Red Light  Our client was rear-ended by another driver at high speed while stopped at a red light, totaling the vehicles.  Our client had to be extracted from the car with the Jaws of Life. Although seat-belted, the force of the collision caused plaintiff’s head to slam against the steering wheel. Suffering significant injuries and in terrible pain, he was then taken by ambulance to the hospital emergency room. During the months he was treated for his injuries, the client was involved in a second accident in which another driver slammed into him at about 60 mph, pinning him against a bridge wall and causing additional serious injuries. Predictably, each driver’s insurance company pointed the finger at the other driver. This is a complicated type of case that takes expertise and fine-tuned legal skills to resolve. Both cases were settled on generous six-figure terms to our client.

T-Bone Collision With Disputed Damages  In this case, our client was t-boned by the defendant driver. The force of the collision whip­ sawed our client in her vehicle-she was first thrown against her driver’s-side door, then violently jerked rightward when her safety belt “tensed, causing her severe injuries. She was treated at the hospital, then underwent physical therapy. When that didn’t relieve her pain, she received spinal injections and a nerve ablation, but she remained in chronic pain. After the defendant refused to pay adequate compensation, we filed suit and were able to secure a generous settlement for our client.

Rear-End Collision At Over 50 MPH  Our client slowed for heavy traffic when she rear-ended by another driver travelling in excess of 50 miles per hour.  The force of the collision was so great that our client’s car was forced into another vehicle, causing her to endure two separate and severe collisions.  She suffered abdominal and neck pain among other injuries including a severe concussion. She continued to have problems with memory and concentration and was eventually diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). Defendant denied the permanency of her injuries and that she had a TBI. Our legal team assembled compelling expert evidence proving her injuries were permanent and that she did, in fact, suffer from a traumatic brain injury, and were able to secure her excellent compensation.

Drunk Driver Slammed Into Client  In this tragic accident, a heavily intoxicated defendant driver hit our young client head on, throwing her vehicle 50 feet into a ditch. The airbag deployed in her face and her knee hit the dashboard so hard it cracked. Defendant was so drunk  that he was incoherent. The vehicles were so mangled that defendant had to be cut out using the Jaws of Life.  Our client was diagnosed with a host of extensive injuries as well as a post concussive injury (a type of brain injury).  Defendant immediately offered his de minimis insurance policy, which was hardly sufficient to cover Plaintiffs extensive damages.  Our client had to make a claim with her own insurance for underinsured motorist coverage. Predictably, they contested the extent of her injuries and refused to pay her full and fair compensation.  A car accident can affect every facet of your life: it can affect your job, your marriage, your social life, and your ability to do things you love.  The members of our legal team are experts a documenting all the myriad ways that an accident can affect you. We were able to secure our client every penny of her uninsured motorist insurance coverage, a six-figure settlement!

WILLS, ADVANCE DIRECTIVES, AND POWER OF ATTORNEY DOCUMENTS

Whether you need a simple will or a complex living trust, the Solomon Law Group is here to help with your estate planning needs. A simple will is a last will and testament prepared that states who will inherit your assets and possessions when you die. As the person creating the will, you are the testator. If you do not have a will at the time of your death, the state will determine how your property is distributed based on its intestacy laws. For the 70% of Americans who die without a Will, the government writes one for them-their estates pass “intestate” and are divided pursuant to law and not based on the wishes of the decedent.

Solomon Law Group also prepares power of attorneys and advanced medical directives, which allow you to control how your end of life care will be handled relieving your loved ones of these often extremely difficult decisions.

Why do you need these important documents? Your Will ensures that your wishes are honored as to who received your property and gives you a voice in who raises your children. You can name someone you trust to take care of your kids instead of leaving it up to a stranger.

An Advanced Medical Directive lets you decide what happens to you if you were in a long-term coma or become terminally ill. This advance choice spares your loved ones from the stress of having to make this decision for you. And a Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows another person to act for you in case you become incapacitated.

Don’t let the government or someone else decide for you.

Invest in peace of mind.  Call the Solomon Law Group to schedule an appointment today to discuss your estate planning needs.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

Sexual Harassment

We handle sexual harassment and Title VII discrimination cases.

Over half of women and 1 in 5 men encounter sexual harassment at work in their lifetime.

The law defines sexual harassment as unwelcome verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is severe or pervasive and affects working conditions or creates a hostile work environment. Sexual harassment is a type of sex discrimination, a subset of gender discrimination. There are 2 types of sexual harassment:

• Hostile work place is defined conduct that unreasonably interferes with work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. The EEOC further defines it as a work environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, offensive, hostile, or abusive.

• Quid pro quo (literally Latin meaning “this for that.” Usually (but not always) this type of harassment requires a manager or supervisor’s actions. But the definition is not driven by someone’s title. They don’t have to actually be a manager or supervisor to be liable for quid pro quo. If the person has the power to set job duties or tasks for the day for any coworker, quid pro quo can still apply.

Managers/supervisors use raises, promotions, punishments i.e. demotions or firing to force an employee into a sexual act or relationship. The quid pro quo conduct can be expressed or implied. Refusal to comply is used as the basis for job decisions, employment, or advancement, or detriment.