We are writing to let you know that Giordano, DelCollo, Werb & Gagne, LLC is monitoring the situation regarding Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID- 19). Most important to us, is the health and safety of our communities, our clients and other visitors to our office, as well as our staff. It is our intent to follow the Governor’s guidelines effective Monday, December 7, 2020 thru (at least) January 11, 2021.
Our office is currently open during regular business hours and we are addressing staffing needs and availability on an ongoing basis. We are implementing policies to minimize contact and exposure and are happy to reschedule any in-person meetings to a later date or conduct such meetings by phone if possible. In addition, if you have draft documents from us, we stand ready to finalize those documents and will work with you to arrange for their completion and execution. In these uncertain times, expect that we will give you a warm hello and a sincere smile, but that we will not shake your hand to avoid passing germs.
If you are sick, are under quarantine, have been exposed to someone who may have contracted COVID- 19, we ask you to contact us to reschedule your appointment or make other arrangements for a telephone meeting. Also, if you are at a higher risk of illness from COVID -19, please consider changing in-person meetings to a phone conference, if possible.
We are requiring employees who are ill or who live with individuals who are ill to stay home. If they feel well enough, they may work remotely. If they are not well, we are supporting them in taking time off to manage their health needs. We have instituted additional cleaning protocols for our offices to help keep them healthy and safe.
The situation is changing rapidly and if our regular business hours do change, we will contact you as quickly as possible. Our attorneys, paralegals and staff will be set up to work remotely to address your needs and avoid as much disruption as possible and we anticipate at the present time that all real estate closings will proceed as scheduled. Our attorneys, paralegals and staff are all monitoring email during normal business hours to ensure as seamless a client experience as possible.
CLIENT PROCEDURES
Please be patient with us as we get through this difficult time with the COVID-19 crisis. For your safety and ours please see the following rules we have implemented for closings:
– We are keeping buyers and sellers separate at all times.
– Please send in copies of your ID’s prior to closing.
– Absolutely no family members, friends or children are allowed to attend closings. They must remain outside. ONLY those who are signing are allowed in the building.
– NO Realtors or Lenders are allowed to attend closing. They may call in during closing.
– Our office doors in all locations WILL REMAINED LOCKED throughout the day. We ask that you call our office to let us know once you have arrived for your closing. You will remain in your car until we call you back. We are sanitizing conference rooms after each closing and we want to limit any contact with those who have closings before you.
– We ask that you please sanitize your hands when you first come into the office. We will provide sanitizer for you.
– Once in the conference, please do not leave the conference room until the attorney has instructed you to leave. You may use the restroom if needed.
Our offices will remain open during regular business hours until further notice, as we have a duty to conduct settlements for our clients. Until we are told otherwise, we will be here. As this situation is rapidly changing, we are internally discussing plans and our ability to accommodate requests for electronic meetings, consultations, and out of office signings. Our conference rooms will be sanitized after each closing for our safety, and yours. Many of our employees have the capability to work from home. If our regular business hours change, or offices close, we will update you as quickly as possible.
If you are sick, under quarantine, or have been exposed to someone who may have contracted COVID-19, we ask you to contact us to reschedule your appointment or make other arrangements. If you are at a higher risk of contracting this virus and have reservations in coming to our office, please contact us so we can discuss alternatives. It is our hope to avoid as much disruption as possible, as we know how important homeownership is to our clients.
If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to contact us at 302-234-6855, or send an email to Joseph Giordano at Joe@GDWLAWFIRM.COM.
Updated 12/7/2020
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We hope all of our friends are off to a fantastic 2020 all over the First State. Regardless of the non-winter that we are nearly out of, we prefer to have our sights set on Spring and Summer with thoughts of warm days by the beach and relaxing evenings with friends and family. Until then, we have been keeping very busy here at the office so far in the new year, and as always, we have great news to pass along!
Debi Galonsky Joins GDWG!
Please join us in welcoming Debi Galonsky to the GDWG team! Debi concentrates her practice in real estate, condominium and banking matters, working with builders, buyers, sellers and realtors. Born in Florida, Debi moved to the Delaware area in 1999. Debi received her law degree from Widener University School of Law in 2002 and is a frequent presenter on real estate law at events for the Delaware State Bar Association, Lorman Education and NBI, Inc.
Read MoreJanuary is a time of new beginnings. This January, in particular, not only marks the dawn of a new year, but also that of a new decade. Where were you ten years ago. Are you where you thought you’d be those same ten years hence? Most importantly, where do you want to go next?
Some of this can be pretty heady stuff, but we all know when we are ready for a major change in our lives. Anxiety. Excitement. Doubt. We go through a range of emotions as we approach that first step. Sometimes what we fail to recognize is that these feelings all started months back, maybe even subconsciously, as a kernel–a feeling–that it was time for a change.
I’m going to quit my job and start a business.
We’ve gotta get out of this apartment and buy ourselves a home.
This relationship is not working. I need to consider a divorce.
Very often, we know where we want to go. However, it’s much harder to determine the best path forward. A lot of times, the weight of a large decision does not come from the decision itself, but from the heavy thought of, “How am I going to pull this off?”
As with many of life’s big transitions. the answer to that question is: With a little bit of help. That is what we do here at Giordano, DelCollo, Werb & Gagne, LLC. Very simply, we know the way. We’ve been down these roads before with clients, and it’s our responsibility to help folks like you navigate waters just like these. That’s why it is so important for you to realize that it’s not all on you to figure out how to form a legal business entity, ensure you are protected when buying a house or make certain your interests are protected as you file for divorce. That’s on us.
Our legal team will present you with options so that you are in the best position to determine the best fit for your needs, the needs of your business or the needs of your family. That is what great legal representation looks like, and that is what our clients enjoy here at GDWG. If this sounds like what you need in order to meet your goals for 2020, then we need to hear from you this new year.
Read MoreHow was your 2019? Heck, how was your decade? Yes, we are all set to put the Twenty Tens in the history books as we make way for the 2020s! These last few years here at the firm have brought with them a tremendous amount of growth. From new legal and office staff to a number of fantastic new attorneys who have joined the team, we have continued to grow our ranks year after year. Our expansion has not been simply limited to personnel as of late. Just this year, we opened our new Smyrna office to better serve our clients down state.
How have we maintained such steady growth? It’s actually all due to your growth! That’s right! We serve at the pleasure of our ever-expanding client base. So, each week, our people are helping clients who are closing on a new home to fit their growing family or advising a commercial client on the sale of a business or purchase of a new warehouse. The expansion of our firm is simply a reflection of the growth of the families, businesses and communities that we are fortunate enough to serve all across the First State. As we embark upon a new decade, you may not have all of the answers on what the future may hold for you, your family and your business, but you can rest assured that our team will be here to serve your interests whatever may come.
We want to thank all of the real estate and loan professionals, friends in the legal community and clients from all over Delaware and beyond for helping to make our 2019 another successful year here at GDWG. We appreciate your continued trust and support, and we look forward to seeing all of you in 2020! Happy New Year!
Read MoreWe hope everyone is settling into November quite nicely. This time of year already has a bit of a buzz around it as we get closer to the holidays. At GDWG, we are as busy as ever serving the legal needs of clients all over the state of Delaware and beyond.
GDWG Welcomes Edward Tarlov to the Firm
GDWG Welcomes Edward Tarlov to the FirmThis past Monday marked a fantastic addition to our firm. We are honored to announce that Edward Tarlov has joined the GDWG team! Ed concentrates his practice in real estate, business and banking transactions. He has handled over 10,000 real estate and business transactions from family homes to office buildings. When Ed is not productively occupied practicing law, he spends his time with family and friends at the beach, on the golf course, and playing with his favorite dog Daisy.
David Gagne and Achille Scache Named Top Family Lawyers of 2019
As our clients know, fighting for justice and fairness is our number one goal here at the firm. And, while we are not in it for the trophies, it is nice to be recognized by our peers from time to time. So, it was with pride that we learned this week that our own David Gagne and Achille Scache had been recognized as Top Family Lawyers of 2019 through peer balloting via Delaware Today. We’ve always known that David and Ash are among the elite in the field. It’s great to see that so many other folks agree!
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First off, we would like to extend best wishes of a Happy Halloween to all of the superheroes, ghouls, goblins and princesses all over the First State. We would also like to remind folks to please take it easy on the way home this evening as the little ones may be in a hurry for candy.
Of all of the scary thoughts that may visit you this time of the year, none should be more frightening than failing to get your affairs in order as it pertains to your last will and testament. A will is often considered the most basic and essential form of estate planning. Not everyone has a need for sophisticated or extensive estate planning. It’s okay if you are not in a position to establish trusts for all of your loved ones or have the necessity to determine how a bunch of real estate will be divided. While we absolutely assist clients with that sort of planning routinely, much of our work in this regard is for the that average family man or woman who simply does not want the government to decide how their personal property will be allocated after they pass away.
Establishing a will is your way of saying how you wish your assets to be transferred after you pass. This can include gifts to charity, accounting for death taxes and even allowances for minor children. Many folks also take this opportunity to stipulate their wishes for burial arrangements and memorial services. When you work with one of our attorneys, we will discuss with you any concerns you may have as it relates to finances, property and even decision making should you not be in a position to do so yourself in your final days.
Some of these decisions can be pretty heavy, but avoiding them does not do anyone any good. If you have questions about wills, estate planning or creating a trust or trusts, please reach out to our offices today.
Read MoreWhether you find yourself in a marriage that is failing or a relationship that never quite made it off the ground, if there are child custody determinations to be made, you will want to be involved and engaged throughout the process. If you are still at a stage where you are absorbing this new reality, things can be overwhelming. One thing to keep in mind is that the Court is going to do its best to determine what is in the best interest of the child or children involved. Generally, the most optimal way forward is when all parties are open to an order of joint custody. If two exes can maintain open and respectful lines of communication regarding logistics and scheduling, it is easier on the children and, frankly, less of an emotional burden for both parents in the long run. Establishing respectful communication patterns early is critical in fostering a workable co-parenting environment after a split.
In Delaware, often the best way to determine primary residency, visitation schedules and other responsibilities is through mediation. The Court will ask both parties to complete a Custody, Visitation, and Guardianship Disclosure Report. In it, each respondent will identify their wishes regarding the custody of the child or children and how or if they see parental responsibilities being shared moving forward. This report will also help determine if there are any drug, alcohol, abuse or mental health issues that might influence the Court’s decision. Again, these standards are not in place to foment animosity or rehash old conflicts. Rather, these are methods that the Court relies upon in order to determine the most healthy conditions for a child or children. It is best that parents keep the best interests of their children in mind when responding to questions from the Court.
It is important to note that anything which cannot be amicably worked out by two parents will generally be decided upon by the Court, When the Court hands down its order, it is important that all parties follow it to the letter regardless of any personal opinions of attorneys, judges, exes and/or children. The Court takes seriously any violations of such orders and is often quick to respond when a parent documents a denial of visitation, for example.
It is important to remember that cooler heads always prevail. Custody and visitation are generally the most highly emotional pieces of a breakup, especially when minor children are involved. It is important for parents to hire an experienced family attorney. Call our offices today if you have a question about a child custody matter.
Read MoreWith decades of criminal defense experience, the attorneys at GDWG have seen it all. Dean DelCollo and Dade Werb each spent over two decades with the Public Defender’s Office for the State of Delaware, where they gained invaluable trial experience. One of the guiding principals to successful criminal defense work is that an attorney must be prepared for any scenario. Every case is different. Circumstances vary. Approaches of law enforcement and the Prosecution inevitably differ from case to case. After all, evidence and witness statements and any number of other factors will guide how the Prosecution intends on litigating and may well influence your attorney’s strategy as it relates to a plea or opportunity for negotiation. So, our strategy for defending DUI charges for one client may not be exactly what we would suggest for another client charged with the same offense. We have to take everything into account.
Contrary to what many may perceive from watching Law & Order, relationships between defense counsel and the Prosecution are generally cordial and professional. In reality, we leverage these relationships when it is in the best interest of our client. We work often with the Prosecution and the Court to negotiate pleas or fight for fair sentencing. Whether we are working on an appeal, determining whether or not to waive a preliminary hearing, negotiating a plea or influencing the Court for the fairest bail conditions, we rely on our experience and relationships to promote the best results for our clients. For the most part, the Prosecution and the Court are not interested in long trials or heavy handed sentences which may result. These are the exceptions to the rule. However, if it if we agree that a trial is the best option for your case without compromising your legal interests, our firm is poised to test the State’s evidence in every effort to ensure that your trial is fair.
What is critical for those charged with a crime in the State of Delaware is that one must not follow up one bad choice with another. Whether you have put yourself in an unfortunate situation or you have been charged with a crime that you have not committed, it’s time now to seek the counsel of those who know the best way out! Rely on the integrity and experience of Dean DelCollo and Dade Werb for fairness and equity when your liberty and your livelihood are on the line. Call our offices today to learn more.
Read MoreAll of us here at Giordano, DelCollo, Werb & Gagne, LLC hope you are off to a fantastic summer! So far, we have been using our summer to catch up on some updates to our website as you may have noticed! The past 12 months have brought a lot of changes here at the firm, and we are relieved to be able to share with you so much of what we have been up to!
A Belated Welcome to Brandon Spivey!
In 2018, Brandon Spivey joined the firm as our newest associate. Brandon concentrates his practice in Family and Criminal Law. Mr. Spivey comes to us from the Shenandoah Valley area of Virginia, where he had a general practice handling a variety of matters including family law, protective orders, misdemeanors, serious felonies including rape and sex crimes and basic estate planning. After several years of practice in Virginia, he moved to Delaware to accommodate his wife’s career as a chemist.
He is admitted to practice in The Commonwealth of Virginia, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, Delaware State Bar, U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware as well as the Pennsylvania State Bar. Brandon and his wife happily reside in Trolley Square.
GDWG Serves Clients for Criminal Defense Cases
A lot of our friends throughout the First State know that we are a leader in the areas of Real Estate Law and Family Law, but not everyone is familiar with our long history in representing the rights of defendants in Courts here in Delaware. Dean DelCollo and Dade Werb have spent over two decades with the Public Defender’s Office, which means they have in-depth experience working with the local judges and prosecuting attorneys. They have a rock-solid reputation and the respect of their peers, backed by years of litigation experience. In short, there are no better advocates to have by your side than the criminal defense team at Giordano, DelCollo, Werb & Gagne, LLC.
Our Greenville, DE Office is Open to Serve You
As you can see, we’ve been growing a great deal over the last several years. In an effort to serve our clients as best as possible, we have expanded the firm with a new office in Greenville, DE for your convenience at:
3801 Kennett Pike, Bldg. C, Suite 300
Greenville, DE 19807
So far, 2019 is shaping up to be one of our best yet here at Giordano, DelCollo, Werb & Gagne, LLC. We look forward to serving all of you, not only for the remainder of this year, but for many years to come!
Read MoreThis Memorial Day Weekend, we honor the memories of so many servicemen and women of our United States Armed Forces. For generations, young men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country and, ultimately, for our freedoms. This weekend we recognize the sacrifice, not only of these brave members of our military, but also that of the heroic families and loved ones who are left to reconcile the loss. We understand that there is no way to repay the debt to families such as these, but this weekend, we will make every effort to keep the memories of those brave soldiers in our hearts.
This weekend also marks the unofficial start of summer. We hope all of our friends in Delaware, Maryland and PA have a safe and fun weekend. We should have great weather for grabbing some time at the beach, on the Bay or relaxing in the backyard with the adult beverage of one’s choosing!
Please note that Delaware Courts will be closed on Monday, May 27th as will our offices at Giordano, DelCollo, Werb & Gagne. We will open at our regular hours on Tuesday, May 28th.
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