Giordano, DelCollo, Werb & Gagne, LLC is pleased to announce that Achille C. Scache and Jenna L. Stayton have been named Partners. Ash has served as an invaluable asset to our Family Law practice since joining the firm. Jenna continues to deliver unmatched results in our Real Estate practice.
Ash focuses his practice on all aspects of Delaware family law. Ash is a member of the Melson-Arsht American Inn of Court and the Delaware State Bar Association, where he served as the Chair of the Family Law Section in 2014-2015. Ash successfully argued before the Delaware Supreme Court in Fuller v. State, 104 A.3d 817 (Del. 2014). In 2014, Ash was appointed to the Differentiation subcommittee of the Delaware Family Court Enhancement Project, an initiative funded by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and the federal Office of Violence Against Women working to improve the way the Family Court of the State of Delaware responds to domestic violence in child custody cases. Ash resides in Wilmington, Delaware and is married to his wife Dr. Laura Owens and enjoys his dog, Swiper, as well as racing sailboats and playing golf.
Jenna is a Delaware native, and proud to be a member of the bar association in her home state. After attending St. Mark’s High School, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in History and Political Science. Jenna returned to Delaware to attend the Widener University Delaware Law School and received her juris doctorate in 2012. Admitted to practice law in Delaware, Jenna has served as counsel in a variety of capacities, from advocating for criminal clients to drafting briefs and appeals to the Delaware Supreme Court, but her passion and expertise is focused in the areas of real estate, drafting residential leases, landlord tenant matters, all aspects of estate planning, other areas of civil practice, and is the preferred attorney for a large number of local real estate agents in Delaware. Placing high value on maintaining long-term client relationships and being sensitive to her client’s issues, Jenna works diligently to make sure her client’s interests are always protected. In her spare time, Jenna enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading books before they become movies, trying new restaurants, and visiting Delaware’s beaches.
We count ourselves as fortunate to have them on our team and look forward to sharing in their success for many years to come. Please join us in congratulating our colleagues, friends, and, now partners, Ash Scache and Jenna Stayton!
Read MoreAll of us at Giordano, DelCollo, Werb & Gagne, LLC would like to take the opportunity to wish all of our clients, colleagues and industry partners all the best this holiday season. This year has been challenging for so many, to say the least. We’d like to recognize our amazing staff for their dedicated efforts all year through the ever-changing and varied challenges brought forth by this pandemic. You’re the best and we thank you all.
We are thankful as well for the clients, lenders, real estate agents and other industry professionals who continue to trust GDWG with the highest standard of legal representation in the First State. Your rock solid support is what has fueled our growth over the past decade. We remain grateful for the relationships we’ve built and it is our mission to keep on delivering top quality legal services for decades to come.
It is our wish that this holiday season brings peace and good health to you and your family. We wish all of our friends a Happy Hanukah, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We look forward to seeing all of you in a more hopeful 2021.
Read MoreAt Giordano, DelCollo, Werb & Gagne, we are aware of how much our firm has grown over the past decade. Not a day goes by where are not filled with the pride over the team we have built and the clients whom we have served successfully as a team. Despite everything that is going on in the world these days, we feel that right now is the good ol’ days within the walls of our offices. It’s because of our people and the culture of success, compassion and excellence that all of our team members have dedicated themselves to uphold. We know how great we have it because we worked as a team to make it great.
Outside recognition comes in many ways. Often, we see it in the form of referrals and repeat business. This year, we are humbled by Delaware Today having named seven (!) of our attorneys among Delaware Today’s Top Lawyers of 2020.
There really isn’t anything left that has not become more complicated as a result of Coronavirus. Shopping. Work. School. Holidays. Sports. It is no wonder that many of us are living with a shared exhaustion due to the pandemic. What we wouldn’t give to wait 20 minutes for an open table at a packed restaurant in a pre-COVID world! But, packed restaurants just don’t work in “the new normal”, and so we adjust and find workable solutions.
Desperate times do not always call for desperate measures. Yes, right now things are tough. Unsurprisingly, there a lot of relationships that are not working in the new normal. If COVID is ruling your decisions regarding a family law matter, it may be best to speak with one of our attorneys. Even in the time of COVID, kids still need to see parents according to decisions handed down by the Court. Child support payments still need to be made. And, no one should be forced to stay in an abusive or otherwise irreparable marriage as a result of the current crisis facing the country. Life does go on. Accordingly, if you feel child custody, child support issues or questions about divorce or separation are made more complicated by COVID, it is best to seek help from legal professionals in order to best uncomplicate things. There has never been a better moment for cooler heads.
Right now, a lot of people are feeling vulnerable due to uncertain circumstances beyond all of our control. If you feel you need guidance in a family law matter, call the family attorneys at GDWG today and begin moving forward towards a workable solution today.
Read MoreThis Coronavirus pandemic has served as a wake-up call to many of us in ways too numerous to count. How we all regard our own mortality or that of a loved one changes from individual to individual. There is no doubt that the current pandemic has held up a mirror to our society and how we deal with death and dying. By now, everyone has heard the tragic stories of patients passing away in hospitals without the opportunity to have family by their bedside.
Unsurprisingly, many who have heard these stories and are reminded daily of the rising number of American deaths due to COVID are examining their options regarding end of life care. Establishing an advanced health care directive, or living will, in Delaware, is something that we help clients with routinely here at the firm. It involves filling out a form which will not only establish how medical providers should respect your wishes regarding end of life care, but also enables you to name a Power of Attorney for Health Care — a person who acts as your agent to make health related decisions on your behalf, should your condition prevent you from doing so yourself.
In addition to the creation of living wills, our attorneys are also hard at work helping clients establish and/or update wills. Considering one’s last wishes as a result of this pandemic is a very rational, and frankly proactive, way of processing the reality of the new normal, as it is often called. There is peace of mind that comes with knowing that your wishes will be met in the case of your passing.
If you have questions related to wills, living wills or estate planning, please give our office a call and we will gladly explain your options in an effort to ensure your affairs are in order.
Read MoreWithout question, we are living in interesting times. Some might say–uncertain times, even frustrating times. It’s important to us that our clients understand that we are well-poised to handle the current challenges related to the COVID crisis. At GDWG, we take pride in being able to offer some peace of mind to clients from all over the First State at a time when uncertainty is prevalent in much of our day to day world. For our firm, nothing is more important than ensuring that we continue to deliver the personalized service that our clients have come to expect, regardless of what is going on in the world. Accordingly, our attorneys and staff are ready to conduct business in person, over the phone or via digital conferencing. We are able to ensure that closings continue on time and problem-free as we always have.At GDWG, it’s always been Client First. So tailoring service to the individual need of our folks has never been and never will be tricky for our team of pros.
Right now, things are changing constantly. Regulations from the State as well as practices and procedures from the Court will remain fluid until we are all on the other side of this crisis. In that sense, abnormal is the new normal. The constant, however, is and has always been that you can count on our team to rise to the moment in an effort to represent your legal needs effectively and safely, regardless of the challenge of the day. We welcome the opportunity to make your legal needs our number one priority, today and for years to come.
Read MoreFolks throughout Delaware who know our firm or follow us on Facebook are aware of how much we have grown over the last decade. As the firm has expanded, so too has the staff, and certainly over these past few years, it seems like we have been opening a new satellite office nearly once a year. This year, is no different in that regard. We have always been proud to serve clients throughout the First State, and that is why we are proud to announce the opening of our newest office, located in the Middletown Crossing shopping center.
Effective June 29, 2020, our brand new Middletown Office is OPEN to serve clients!
326 E. Main Street
Middletown, DE 19709
At GDWG, it is our goal to make every effort to serve all of our clients throughout our state with professional, personalized service!
Read MoreIt’s been quite a challenging Spring for any number of industries and institutions throughout the US, but many indicators show that the real estate market may be bouncing back faster than many sectors of our economy. Home prices are on the rise and available inventory is increasing as the market maintains its 9th straight week of steady growth. Certainly, like many areas throughout the East Coast, Delaware’s market was hit hard during the first half of the year, with particular lows being seen in April. However, comparatively speaking, the First State did a good job managing quarantine and has seen a successful re-opening these past few weeks. Many are predicting a growing market through summer and into fall due to Spring’s shortage. Though inventory shortages still remain, record low mortgage rates have buyers eager for a better fit as lifestyles change due to a “new normal.”
What are Buyers Buying?
Space – functional space. According to a Bright MLS survey this month of 95,000 real estate professionals throughout the Mid Atlantic, buyers are most interested in square footage, outdoor living space and a home with a home office. Tech-ready homes are big sellers as many buyers see themselves working remotely much more in years to come. Keeping with the theme of more space, real estate professionals note that many buyers are also desirous to buy homes in less-dense neighborhoods.
Building Your Real Estate Team
If you are in the market for a new home and looking to take advantage of low mortgage loan rates, we don’t blame you. This summer promises a competitive real estate market, so you will want to make sure your real estate team is top notch. Go with the team with the expertise necessary to protect your investment. Choose the real estate law professionals at GDWG today!
Read MoreThis Memorial Day weekend, like so many aspects of life these days, will be different. The guaranteed annual trek to the Jersey Shore, Delaware/Maryland Beaches or Chesapeake Bay is being replaced by a more subdued backyard barbecue with family for many of us. For those of us insistent on seeing some sand and surf this weekend, we are undoubtedly in for a non-standard version of this much-needed summertime escape. Wherever you find yourself this long weekend, we hope you get an opportunity to decompress, find some space and take a breath. A burger, some sunshine and an adult beverage may be just what we all need right now.
Things may be a bit off these days, but this weekend serves as a reminder that, though we must endure new homeschooling realities, neverending Zoom meetings and the occasional wrong-way shopper in the dairy aisle of the supermarket, countless Americans and their families have sacrificed much more for our collective good. Generations of young men and women have signed up, or have been otherwise selected, to go to strange and dangerous places so that we might today have the freedom to voice an opinion on when we should reopen businesses and otherwise move things closer to a new normal. This weekend, we remember those brave ones who were not able to make it back to their families.
Let us, all of us, borrow wisdom from the fallen. Let us do our best to truly be our best. Let us recognize the differences between sacrifice and mere inconvenience. Let us have empathy for those who are serving on our new front lines as well as those dealing with loss or struggling through tough financial strain. Let’s do better together.
We hope all of you find an opportunity this weekend to pause and remember those who’ve contributed so much to what we all share. And, we hope you have a wonderful start to your summer.
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We hope all of you are staying safe, healthy and frankly, staying home at this time. We wanted to pass along this critical Family Court Release regarding Custody and Visitation Orders:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1, 2020
The impact of the State of Emergency on Family Court custody and visitation orders
March 29, 2020, Governor John Carney issued his Seventh Modification to the COVID-19 State of Emergency Declaration. This modification provides for the 14-day self-quarantine of out-of-state travelers coming into Delaware. Family Court understands that families may have questions about whether the State of Emergency and the Seventh Modification impacts their existing child custody or visitation order. Many of these families have one parent who lives in Delaware while the other parent lives outside of Delaware.
To be clear, neither the State of Emergency nor the Seventh Modification interferes with or invalidates any existing Family Court order regarding custody or visitation. Custody and visitation orders remain in full force and effect. Travel (including interstate travel) for the purposes of complying with a Family Court order is considered essential travel and permitted. Such travel was deemed essential in Governor Carney’s Fifth Modification to the COVID-19 State of Emergency Declaration issued March 22, 2020. Under the Seventh Modification, such travel remains essential and is excluded from the self-quarantine requirement.
Existing Family Court custody and visitation orders should continue to be followed unless altered by agreement of the parties or subsequent order of Family Court.
For the latest information on the Delaware Judiciary’s response to COVID-19, please visit: https://courts.delaware.gov/aoc/covid-19/
For more information on Governor John Carney’s State of Emergency Declaration, please visit: https://governor.delaware.gov/health-soe/
For additional information on COVID-19, please visit the State of Delaware’s informational website at: https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/
If you have any questions, you can also contact the State’s Department of Public Health Coronavirus call center by phone at 1-866-408-1899 or by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.
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