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About Scott Garver …
Admitted to practice:
State of Connecticut since 1975
Memberships:
Connecticut Bar Association;
Sections of Family Law, Criminal Justice, and Bankruptcy
American Bar Association
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
Connecticut Council for Non-Adversarial Divorce
Education:
Brown University. Providence, R.I., AB. Degree, 1972
Georgetown University Law Center, Washington D.C. JD Degree, 1975
Frequently Asked Questions …
Please browse our FAQ section to find answers to any questions you might have. If your question is not listed in one of the three categories below, immediately contact The Law Offices of Scott Garver, LLC at 860.518.3039 for your answers.
FAQs – Family Law / Divorce
Question:
How are attorney fees determined?
Answer:
There is no concrete industry rule regarding attorney’s fees. Each client is free to negotiate a fee that is reasonable for both sides. Usually fees are based on the amount of time a case will take. At the Law offices of Scott Garver, LLC, I try to estimate this from my experience in similar cases. And ask for a retainer (or down payment) at the beginning of your case. Sometimes these fees are more than some people can afford, and yet, I am willing to work out a reasonable payment plan.
Question:
How is a divorce started?
What do I need to do if served with divorce papers?
What do I need to do if served with divorce papers?
Answer:
A summons and complaint are served upon the opposing party by a State Marshal. If you are the party asking us to serve divorce papers on your behalf, it helps greatly if we have a reliable and accurate address for the other party. However, we can work around it if you don’t have a proper address. Once the papers are served, a procedural clock starts ticking. If you are the one who receives divorce papers, you should immediately seek an appointment with a trusted attorney here at The Law Offices of Scott Garver, LLC. Waiting never makes the situation any easier or better!
Question:
How is child custody decided?
Answer:
This is probably the most emotionally difficult part of a divorce case. In Connecticut, the courts favor joint custody with reasonable parental access for both parents. It always comes down to what “is in the best interest of the child,” not necessarily what the mother or father wants.
Call us now 860.518.3039
for a FREE, no obligation consultation
for a FREE, no obligation consultation
FAQs – Bankruptcy
Question:
How are attorney fees determined?
Answer:
There is no concrete industry rule regarding attorney’s fees. Each client is free to negotiate a fee that is reasonable for both sides. Usually fees are based on the amount of time a case will take. At the Law offices of Scott Garver, LLC, I try to estimate this from my experience in similar cases. And ask for a retainer (or down payment) at the beginning of your case. Sometimes these fees are more than some people can afford, and yet, I am willing to work out a reasonable payment plan.
Question:
Can I file bankruptcy and still keep my home & car?
Answer:
Usually, “yes”—as long as you can make regular monthly loan payments after you file the bankruptcy petition. Secured debts are treated differently than unsecured debts. After the unsecured debts are discharged, most people will have the funds to pay their mortgage and car loans.
Question:
My home is in foreclosure … What can I do?
Answer:
Speak to an attorney immediately. Get a second opinion about what the bank is telling you. There are many programs in court supervised mediation that can allow a modification or restructuring of the loan, but they require a great amount of documentation and can be overwhelming. DON’T WAIT! Get some legal help NOW!
Call us now 860.518.3039
for a FREE, no obligation consultation
for a FREE, no obligation consultation
FAQs – Criminal Law
Question:
How are attorney fees determined?
Answer:
There is no concrete industry rule regarding attorney’s fees. Each client is free to negotiate a fee that is reasonable for both sides. Usually fees are based on the amount of time a case will take. At the Law offices of Scott Garver, LLC, I try to estimate this from my experience in similar cases. And ask for a retainer (or down payment) at the beginning of your case. Sometimes these fees are more than some people can afford, and yet, I am willing to work out a reasonable payment plan.
Question:
Do I need to answer questions of a police officer?
Answer:
You should identify yourself. But other than identifying yourself, you are not required to answer ANY questions. I suggest you exercise common sense so that you do not escalate the situation. Often the police are just trying to determine quickly the facts of a situation. Be polite, but remember you have a constitutional right to remain silent.
In DUI cases there can be severe consequences if you take or refuse to take a sobriety test. The best advice I can share is that you don’t drive under the influence under any circumstance. However, should you make a poor decision and are arrested—seek legal counsel immediately. A conviction can be very expensive in terms of costs, increased insurance premiums and loss of your basic freedoms.
Question:
Why do I need a lawyer if I am innocent of any crime?
Answer:
The police are not looking to prove your innocence. They are trying to solve a case and move on to the next one. They may not believe you. In short, rarely have I seen a suspect successfully talk his way out of a case by “explaining” his innocence.
Question:
Why do I need a lawyer if I know I am guilty of a crime … and just want to plead guilty?
Answer:
You might be guilty of something, but not necessarily the crime you are charged with. And then there is the question of sentencing. Each case is different and requires an individualized consideration of what is an appropriate sentence or punishment. There are diversionary programs that might allow the case to be resolved without a criminal record. Acquiring legal counsel (an attorney) will be very helpful here.
