Practice Areas
Woodward Law Firm is a personal, boutique advocacy experience. We don’t have a long roster of attorneys—if you hire Woodward Law Firm, you’ll be working with Mr. Evan Woodard, Esq. personally.
Woodward Law specializes in personal injury law, wrongful death, guardianship, estate planning, and probate law.
If you find yourself in need of legal assistance but don't see your specific area of concern on our list, don't hesitate to reach out. We understand that every case is unique, and our commitment to our clients extends beyond predefined categories. If we can’t help you with your case, we’ll try to point you in the right direction.
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In New Mexico, adult guardianship and conservatorship are court-appointed roles that allow a trusted individual to make decisions for an adult who is unable to do so themselves. The adult under guardianship or conservatorship is called the protected person.
A judge may appoint a guardian or conservator if they find that the protected person is unable to manage their finances, property, health care, or living arrangements on their own. The court must also determine that there are no other alternative resources available to provide for the protected person's needs. Guardianship and conservatorship can be limited or full, and must be tailored to the protected person's needs.
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Estate planning is the process of anticipating and arranging for the management and disposal of a person's estate during the person's life in preparation for a person's future incapacity or death.Item description
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Insurance bad faith law is a legal concept in the United States that describes when an insurance company acts unfairly or unreasonably in handling a claim. It's a tort that occurs when an insurance company violates the "implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing" that's automatically part of every insurance contract.
Examples of bad faith include:
Denying or delaying claims, misrepresenting policy terms, inadequate claim processing, failing to investigate claims, delaying communications, shifting blame onto the insured, or refusing to pay for covered repairs or replacements.
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New Mexico's Kinship Guardianship Act allows an adult to ask the court to establish a legal relationship with a child if the child's parent has left them in their care for 90 days or more. This arrangement must leave the child without proper care, guidance, or supervision. The purpose of kinship guardianship is to provide a child with a kinship caregiver who can help them develop.
The adult, called the "legal guardian", is appointed by the district court and given the power to make decisions on behalf of the child, such as health and education decisions. This arrangement suspends most of the rights and duties of the child's parents and transfers them to the legal guardian.
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Personal injury law encompasses a legal framework that addresses cases where individuals suffer harm or injury due to the negligence or wrongful actions of another party. These cases can include a wide range of incidents, such as car accidents, slip and fall accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, and more. The core principle of personal injury law is to provide compensation to injured individuals for their physical, emotional, and financial losses. To pursue a personal injury claim, the injured party typically needs to establish that the other party had a duty of care, breached that duty, and that this breach directly caused the injury. Personal injury cases can result in settlements or court judgments that cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages suffered by the injured party. Attorneys specializing in personal injury law often represent plaintiffs in these cases to help them seek fair compensation and justice for their injuries.
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Probate law is a legal framework that governs the process of administering a deceased person's estate and distributing their assets after they pass away. The primary objectives of probate law include validating the deceased person's will, identifying and appraising their assets, paying off debts and taxes, and ultimately transferring the remaining assets to the designated beneficiaries or heirs. Probate courts oversee this process to ensure it is carried out fairly and in accordance with the law. While probate is often necessary to settle an estate, it can be a complex and time-consuming process, involving legal procedures and fees. As a result, individuals may seek legal counsel to navigate the intricacies of probate law and ensure the efficient distribution of assets to heirs or beneficiaries.
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Wrongful death law pertains to legal actions taken when an individual dies as a result of another party's negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. This area of law allows surviving family members or designated beneficiaries to seek compensation for the loss of their loved one. Wrongful death cases can arise from various situations, including car accidents, medical malpractice, workplace accidents, defective products, or criminal actions.
In a wrongful death claim, plaintiffs must typically establish that the defendant owed a duty of care to the deceased, that this duty was breached, and that the breach directly caused the death. Damages in wrongful death cases may cover medical expenses, funeral costs, lost financial support, and compensation for the emotional suffering experienced by surviving family members. The laws surrounding wrongful death claims vary by jurisdiction, and they are intended to provide a legal avenue for family members to seek justice and financial redress after a tragic loss. Attorneys specializing in wrongful death law can help guide families through the legal process to pursue their claims.