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 |          | | Practice Areas Overview |
| • Felony • Misdemeanor • Summary • Traffic citations |
| • Divorce • Child support • Child custody • Spousal support |
| • Wills • Living Wills • Powers of Attorney |
My practice also includes assistance with real estate closings and the representation of landlords and tenants in eviction actions and other landlord / tenant matters. Contact me for more information.
Criminal conviction can result in severe punishment that can affect you for the rest of your life. However, if you have committed a minor offense, you may be eligible to enter into an Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition (ARD) program that involves probation and rehabilitative treatment as an alternative to more severe punishments. Upon completion of the program, the charges against you will be dropped. You never plead guilty and you are never convicted. Contact me to see if this alternative applies to your situation.
As a former assistant district attorney, I have extensive trial experience. I am able to examine your case from the perspective of a prosecutor and a criminal defense lawyer. I will aggressively defend your rights at trial or work with the prosecuting attorney to negotiate a favorable plea. My former work as a police officer has afforded me a thorough understanding of the various criminal charges.
If your marriage is best dissolved, I will work for you to reach an equitable divorce settlement with your spouse that favors everyone’s best interests. I also help individuals who wish to modify a judgment already entered, such as a child support or custody modification, as well as initiate support and custody proceedings if needed.
In addition, I file emergency petitions and protection from abuse actions on behalf of those whose family law matter endangers their well-being. If a spouse or loved one exhibits threatening behavior toward you or your family, an emergency petition requires their removal from the premises within 24 hours. A permanent Protection From Abuse (PFA) action can prohibit the offender from contact with you for 12 to 18 months.
WILL
It is estimated that one out of five Americans does not have a Will, or any other device that directs how his or her assets are to be divided at death.
A standard Will can explain in detail what your wishes are after you are no longer here to speak for yourself. Without a Will, the state may be the one who decides the fate of your lifetime's treasures.
A Will can provide a solution to this concern. It is very easy to execute and extremely affordable. In many instances, this matter can be addressed by a brief telephone call and the completion of a three-page form I will send to you. This depends on the complexity of your estate and your final wishes. However, once I have all of the necessary information, the final papers can completed and mailed to you with specific instructions on how to execute the document.
LIVING WILL
Often referred to as an "Advanced Health Care Declaration," this type of Will is different from a standard Will. The Living Will directs what is to happen to you in the tragic event that you are kept alive by means of medical machinery or, perhaps, in a coma.
At first glance, this type of Will may seem a bit difficult to consider; however, it is the only mechanism that ensures your decisions regarding your medical treatment and/or any consequences are carried out accordingly.
There are, essentially, two types available: secular, designd to address religious considerations such as the Roman Catholic faith; and, non-secular, which is more of a universal approach.
Easily drafted, this type of Will also allows you to designate another individual as a medical surrogate--someone who makes the necessary medical decisions in the event that you cannot or it can help you make those types of decisions in advance without the intervention of a third-party.
The information for this document can be provided via the telephone, with the final papers and specific instructions for execution being sent in confidence to you. This product is easy to complete and even more affordable than a Standard Will.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that allows another person of your choosing to act on your behalf in legal matters.
The POA gives that person essentially the same power as if you were acting by yourself in making the decision. However, this power is not unlimited.
By adding simple wording within the document, you can restrict the individual's decision-making power to a certain time period, a certain event or both. For this document, both you and the person receiving the POA will be required to sign it.
Contact me in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for more information about my practice. For your convenience, evening and weekend appointments are available by request.
The Law Office of J. Michael Sheldon is located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and serves clients in Dauphin County, Cumberland County, Juniata County, Northumberland County and Perry County including Harrisburg, Carlisle, Chambersburg, Franklin, Mechanicsburg, New Bloomfield, New Cumberland, Shippensburg.
5821 Linglestown Road • Suite 212
Harrisburg, PA 17112
Tel: 717.657.3464
Fax: 717.671.1258
E-Mail: Contact Us
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Copyright © 2008 by The Law Office of J. Michael Sheldon. All rights reserved. You may reproduce materials available at this site for your own personal use and for non-commercial distribution. All copies must include this copyright statement.
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