It is important for a client to have lawyers who know and understand the law and who are dedicated to the client’s best interests—and not just churning the clock on divorce fees.  Divorce and child custody are two areas of the law that are the simplest to practice, but the hardest to practice well.  We view attorneys who allow their client’s emotion to drive the “cost” of a divorce as being unethical.  As your lawyer we will not allow the emotion of the case to cloud our judgment.  Nor will this firm take advantage of your emotional state to churn additional attorney’s fees for the sake of a “fight” with your spouse.  We are passionate and deliberate and there to help you “wind up the affairs” of a domestic partnership with a minimal of financial and emotional damage to our client.  As part of our domestic relations practice Gay & Cipriano, P.C. represents the best interests of children, mothers and fathers in the following areas of the law:

• Child support - child support orders, enforcement and modification;

• Divorce - contested and uncontested divorce, statutory divorce (sometimes called “no-fault” divorce) and fault-based grounds of divorce and separation;

• Name changes – post divorce or  at will;

• Post judgment modification – spousal support, child custody, visitation and child support;

• Restraining orders – temporary protection orders, no contact orders, domestic abuse and domestic violence issues;

• Temporary orders – child support, child custody and marital property;

It is important for a client to have lawyers who know and understand the law and who are dedicated to the client’s best interests—and not just churning the clock on divorce fees.  Divorce and child custody are two areas of the law that are the simplest to practice, but the hardest to practice well.  We view attorneys who allow their client’s emotion to drive the “cost” of a divorce as being unethical.  As your lawyer we will not allow the emotion of the case to cloud our judgment.  Nor will this firm take advantage of your emotional state to churn additional attorney’s fees for the sake of a “fight” with your spouse.  We are passionate and deliberate and there to help you “wind up the affairs” of a domestic partnership with a minimal of financial and emotional damage to our client.  As part of our domestic relations practice Gay & Cipriano, P.C. represents the best interests of children, mothers and fathers in the following areas of the law:

• Child support - child support orders, enforcement and modification;

• Divorce - contested and uncontested divorce, statutory divorce (sometimes called “no-fault” divorce) and fault-based grounds of divorce and separation;

• Name changes – post divorce or  at will;

• Post judgment modification – spousal support, child custody, visitation and child support;

• Restraining orders – temporary protection orders, no contact orders, domestic abuse and domestic violence issues;

• Temporary orders – child support, child custody and marital property;

It is important for a client to have lawyers who know and understand the law and who are dedicated to the client’s best interests—and not just churning the clock on divorce fees.  Divorce and child custody are two areas of the law that are the simplest to practice, but the hardest to practice well.  We view attorneys who allow their client’s emotion to drive the “cost” of a divorce as being unethical.  As your lawyer we will not allow the emotion of the case to cloud our judgment.  Nor will this firm take advantage of your emotional state to churn additional attorney’s fees for the sake of a “fight” with your spouse.  We are passionate and deliberate and there to help you “wind up the affairs” of a domestic partnership with a minimal of financial and emotional damage to our client.  As part of our domestic relations practice Gay & Cipriano, P.C. represents the best interests of children, mothers and fathers in the following areas of the law:

• Child support - child support orders, enforcement and modification;

• Divorce - contested and uncontested divorce, statutory divorce (sometimes called “no-fault” divorce) and fault-based grounds of divorce and separation;

• Name changes – post divorce or  at will;

• Post judgment modification – spousal support, child custody, visitation and child support;

• Restraining orders – temporary protection orders, no contact orders, domestic abuse and domestic violence issues;

• Temporary orders – child support, child custody and marital property;

It is important for a client to have lawyers who know and understand the law and who are dedicated to the client’s best interests—and not just churning the clock on divorce fees.  Divorce and child custody are two areas of the law that are the simplest to practice, but the hardest to practice well.  We view attorneys who allow their client’s emotion to drive the “cost” of a divorce as being unethical.  As your lawyer we will not allow the emotion of the case to cloud our judgment.  Nor will this firm take advantage of your emotional state to churn additional attorney’s fees for the sake of a “fight” with your spouse.  We are passionate and deliberate and there to help you “wind up the affairs” of a domestic partnership with a minimal of financial and emotional damage to our client.  As part of our domestic relations practice Gay & Cipriano, P.C. represents the best interests of children, mothers and fathers in the following areas of the law:

• Child support - child support orders, enforcement and modification;

• Divorce - contested and uncontested divorce, statutory divorce (sometimes called “no-fault” divorce) and fault-based grounds of divorce and separation;

• Name changes – post divorce or  at will;

• Post judgment modification – spousal support, child custody, visitation and child support;

• Restraining orders – temporary protection orders, no contact orders, domestic abuse and domestic violence issues;

• Temporary orders – child support, child custody and marital property;

It is important for a client to have lawyers who know and understand the law and who are dedicated to the client’s best interests—and not just churning the clock on divorce fees.  Divorce and child custody are two areas of the law that are the simplest to practice, but the hardest to practice well.  We view attorneys who allow their client’s emotion to drive the “cost” of a divorce as being unethical.  As your lawyer we will not allow the emotion of the case to cloud our judgment.  Nor will this firm take advantage of your emotional state to churn additional attorney’s fees for the sake of a “fight” with your spouse.  We are passionate and deliberate and there to help you “wind up the affairs” of a domestic partnership with a minimal of financial and emotional damage to our client.  As part of our domestic relations practice Gay & Cipriano, P.C. represents the best interests of children, mothers and fathers in the following areas of the law:

• Child support - child support orders, enforcement and modification;

• Divorce - contested and uncontested divorce, statutory divorce (sometimes called “no-fault” divorce) and fault-based grounds of divorce and separation;

• Name changes – post divorce or  at will;

• Post judgment modification – spousal support, child custody, visitation and child support;

• Restraining orders – temporary protection orders, no contact orders, domestic abuse and domestic violence issues;

• Temporary orders – child support, child custody and marital property;

It is important for a client to have lawyers who know and understand the law and who are dedicated to the client’s best interests—and not just churning the clock on divorce fees.  Divorce and child custody are two areas of the law that are the simplest to practice, but the hardest to practice well.  We view attorneys who allow their client’s emotion to drive the “cost” of a divorce as being unethical.  As your lawyer we will not allow the emotion of the case to cloud our judgment.  Nor will this firm take advantage of your emotional state to churn additional attorney’s fees for the sake of a “fight” with your spouse.  We are passionate and deliberate and there to help you “wind up the affairs” of a domestic partnership with a minimal of financial and emotional damage to our client.  As part of our domestic relations practice Gay & Cipriano, P.C. represents the best interests of children, mothers and fathers in the following areas of the law:

• Child support - child support orders, enforcement and modification;

• Divorce - contested and uncontested divorce, statutory divorce (sometimes called “no-fault” divorce) and fault-based grounds of divorce and separation;

• Name changes – post divorce or  at will;

• Post judgment modification – spousal support, child custody, visitation and child support;

• Restraining orders – temporary protection orders, no contact orders, domestic abuse and domestic violence issues;

• Temporary orders – child support, child custody and marital property;

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)/(Also known as Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)

Not having a lawyer with you in court for a DUI charge is akin to performing a surgery without a surgeon.  You simply do not know the rules and procedures total follow and will get yourself into trouble.  The charge of D.U.I. is treated differently than any other misdemeanor in Virginia and, unlike assault and battery or petty larceny where you receive just one punishment; there are major “punishments” that attach to a D.U.I conviction after the court imposed punishment.

D.U.I. is a serious criminal charge that carries several mandatory minimum punishments that depend on the factors involved in your case.  The “general knowledge” about DUI crimes and the statistics involved in DUI offenses possessed by most of the public is simply inadequate.  The misinformation regarding the numbers of DUI offenses and the punishments one can receive vary across the spectrum.  Take notice: You can be awarded a year in jail for the first DUI.  It is that simple.  A second DUI or third DUI (which is a felony) carries with it more punishment.  Why risk the uncertainty of going it alone in court.

Yes—you need a lawyer.  Even for traffic tickets you need an experienced lawyer who can help you in court.  There is no question that in the current climate surrounding DUI offenses a defendant facing a DUI charge needs competent attorney representation.

Traffic Offenses

Unless you are an attorney you only think you know what your rights are in regard to traffic tickets.  First and foremost, you should always comply with the police officer’s requests.  Generally you should stay in your vehicle until the officer directs you otherwise.  Be courteous and proper to the officer.  In this day and age it is highly unlikely that you will “talk “ your way out of a ticket so do not even try.  It may only cause you further harm and will only frustrate the officer.  Better to leave the talking to your attorney in court with the judge who has the ability to dispose of the matter. 

Of course just paying the ticket is not logical choice without consulting with counsel.  As happens in most cases, the conviction remains on your record and it may cause your insurance rates to increase, may cause points to be added against your driver’s license and it will effect the sentence on your next ticket.  Enough points on your record or certain violations for commercial drivers can cause a suspension of your driver’s license.

Gay & Cipriano, P.C. is experienced in criminal and traffic matters, having represented hundreds of individuals charged with serious misdemeanor and felony offenses. The attorneys will aggressively and zealously defend those accused of D.U.I., license suspensions, reckless driving and all other traffic offenses.

It is important for a client to have lawyers who know and understand the law and who are dedicated to the client’s best interests—and not just churning the clock on divorce fees.  Divorce and child custody are two areas of the law that are the simplest to practice, but the hardest to practice well.  We view attorneys who allow their client’s emotion to drive the “cost” of a divorce as being unethical.  As your lawyer we will not allow the emotion of the case to cloud our judgment.  Nor will this firm take advantage of your emotional state to churn additional attorney’s fees for the sake of a “fight” with your spouse.  We are passionate and deliberate and there to help you “wind up the affairs” of a domestic partnership with a minimal of financial and emotional damage to our client.  As part of our domestic relations practice Gay & Cipriano, P.C. represents the best interests of children, mothers and fathers in the following areas of the law:

• Child support - child support orders, enforcement and modification;

• Divorce - contested and uncontested divorce, statutory divorce (sometimes called “no-fault” divorce) and fault-based grounds of divorce and separation;

• Name changes – post divorce or  at will;

• Post judgment modification – spousal support, child custody, visitation and child support;

• Restraining orders – temporary protection orders, no contact orders, domestic abuse and domestic violence issues;

• Temporary orders – child support, child custody and marital property;

Personal injury (also known as tort law) is an area of law designed to protect people harmed by the negligence, recklessness, malpractice, intentional act or inaction of others.  Personal injury law encompasses all legal claims, from wrongful death, auto accidents, and medical malpractice to defective drugs, product liability, and workers' compensation.  Victims can file a personal injury claim for physical injury, emotional injury, and, occasionally, for property damages.

Furthermore, in some cases – such as those involving medical malpractice or wrongful death – the family of the injured or deceased can file suit on behalf of their family member.  Victims and personal representatives who file personal injury claims may be eligible to receive damages, usually financial compensation, for their loss of income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent disability, loss of companionship and other resulting injuries. Considering filing a personal injury claim?  Then you should contact Gay & Cipriano, P.C.  We will help you cop with the injury and help you overcome the loss of a loved one.  Has someone who was driving under the influence of alcohol injured you?  We will help you maximize your recovery and punish the negligent driver

As a former member of the military who was in the actual operating forces, Mr. Gay brings keen insight and experience to court-martials, administrative hearings and non-judicial punishment.  There is nothing worse than to have a lawyer sitting at the table with you who does not understand the intricacies and language of the operating forces.  Rear echelon and support experience that most military lawyers possess is ineffective to assist you in problems that occur in front line forces and ship operations.  Those other lawyers simply have not been there and lack the depth of experience to assist you in your legal matter.

Military Divorce     

At Gay & Cipriano, P.C. the attorneys have extensive experience with all aspects of military divorce.  We will educate the judge, dispel the misapplication of the laws regarding division of military retirement and debunk the myths regarding the “sacrifices” spouses “suffered” while being married to military members.

It is important for a client to have lawyers who know and understand the law and who are dedicated to the client’s best interests—and not just churning the clock on divorce fees.  Divorce and child custody are two areas of the law that are the simplest to practice, but the hardest to practice well.  We view attorneys who allow their client’s emotion to drive the “cost” of a divorce as being unethical.  As your lawyer we will not allow the emotion of the case to cloud our judgment.  Nor will this firm take advantage of your emotional state to churn additional attorney’s fees for the sake of a “fight” with your spouse.  We are passionate and deliberate and there to help you “wind up the affairs” of a domestic partnership with a minimal of financial and emotional damage to our client.  As part of our domestic relations practice Gay & Cipriano, P.C. represents the best interests of children, mothers and fathers in the following areas of the law: