Areas of Law That Corsones and Fitzsimons, PLLC Practices In

Corsones and Fitzsimons provides the following legal services for clients in Rutland County and Surrounding Vermont Areas:

Marital dissolutions comprise the largest element of our family law practice. We endeavor to treat our clients, and their families, with the utmost respect and care, always realizing that divorce is a process that impacts families forever. Very often, as a relationship ends, there is acrimonious rhetoric between the parties.  One of our fundamental goals is to establish effective and compassionate methods to resolve these very difficult issues. 

Through our collective experience, we have learned that “scorched earth” litigation results in only one sure outcome: the attorneys win and the family loses. Our approach to divorce is both direct and compassionate, which clients often thank us for when the divorce is final. Divorce has a lasting impact on people's lives. We strive to address our clients’ concerns in the most understanding way possible. We truly want all family members to be the best versions of themselves possible when the divorce is final. Accordingly, we refrain from using divisive tactics and inflammatory rhetoric. We recognize that we are involved in the breakup of a family and we want our clients to feel that their lawyers helped them to achieve the best possible future for themselves and their children.

Civil Litigation

Life happens. While no one has any desire to be involved in the court system, serious matters do arise which require the assistance of skilled, experienced attorneys.  From employment issues to personal injury and wrongful death cases to disagreements over real estate matters, having strong legal representation is essential to obtaining the best resolution.  Our firm has a substantial civil litigation background spanning nearly four decades in the state and federal court systems in Vermont, and has significant experience in all aspects of civil litigation, from pre-suit mediation to post-verdict motions.

Appellate Litigation

In addition to trial court litigation, our attorneys have substantial experience representing clients before the Vermont Supreme Court. Appellate litigation requires significant analytical and advocacy skills, as attorneys working on an appeal are dealing solely with a written record. Only a small percentage of trial court decisions are ever reviewed by the Supreme Court. When we take on an appeal, we do so because we are convinced that the trial court decision merits thorough scrutiny by the appellate court, to either withstand a challenge made by the opposing party or to advocate for the reversal of the decision.

It may be a classic Vermont farm estate or access to funds in a  checking account at a Downtown Rutland bank, but the assistance of an experienced lawyer can be the lynchpin to a successful outcome. Too many times, a poorly worded will can be contested with the result that one’s last wishes are not fulfilled as they intended. As well, the probate process itself comes at a very difficult time for families and loved ones. It is often comforting to know, for any individual, that an experienced and knowledgeable attorney has created an iron-clad legal document that will help carry out the last wishes of a decedent.

Probate Court is also the court which addresses guardianships, both voluntary and involuntary, and adoptions. It is unfortunate that, given the scourge of opiate addiction in our Vermont communities, there has been significant growth in the need for family members, whether they are grandparents, aunts and uncles or other close relatives to assume guardianship of their young relatives, while the child’s parent obtains necessary treatment so that they may again safely parent their child. We have vast experience in assisting in these kinds of cases. Thankfully, many cases turn out positively, and a recovering parent is successfully able to reunite with their child. However, should that not be the case, we also assist in those cases where it is in the best interests of a child that a guardian eventually adopts their ward.

Real Estate Transactions

Whether you are buying or selling a home in Rutland County, Vermont, we can help facilitate the process by providing a range of services that includes a title search and preparation of sales contracts that should keep you out of trouble with the sale of a home or business. Buying a home is the biggest single purchase most people make in their lifetime, so while there are many things you can do to protect yourself during a real estate sale, having an attorney on board can ensure that the process is trouble-free. Far too many homebuyers in Rutland County, and in other parts of Vermont, have been shocked after their home purchase to find an underground oil tank in their yard, or an easement that allows neighbors to walk across the land. Using an attorney is a great way to reduce the risk of any surprises. While it may not be a panacea, it can be another excellent tool to use that is often very low cost, especially when compared to the risk in the biggest single transaction in a person’s life.

Employment Litigation

Whether you are an entry-level employee or a senior executive, you may confront legal issues with regard to your employment.  Whether the issues concern workplace harassment or discrimination, whether you are being properly compensated as an hourly employee, or whether you have been terminated after years of working for your employer, Corsones and Fitzsimons can assist you in investigating your concerns, and addressing them through both administrative processes and litigation in state or federal court. 

Mediation

Our law practice also offers mediation services, where we do not represent any of the parties. Mediation is a procedure in which the parties in a case can discuss the issues with the help of an impartial third person (known as the mediator) with the intention of helping the parties reach a settlement without going to trial. The format of the mediation can be an informal meeting or it can be a formal settlement conference. Many parties find that being able to have a mediation with a retired judge is an excellent way to discuss their grievances and gain insight into potential ideas for resolving their grievance, without incurring the runaway costs that can occur at trial. Mediation can also help one to understand the other party’s positions and often creates an opportunity for a creative and comprehensive resolution. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), including mediation, is mandatory in most federal and state civil litigation and is strongly preferred by the family division in state court.

The choice of a mediator is critical to the overall satisfaction of all parties and the traits that define a great mediator include patience, persistence, legal knowledge, the ability to facilitate communication, and common sense.