Reduce Litigation Risk: Business Risk Management Essentials

Reduce Litigation Risk: Business Risk Management Essentials

Christopher Winton, David Hughart & Mark Kelley
Published on: 05/09/2026

Business owners lower litigation risk through clear contracts, documented compliance steps, and consistent employee policies established well before disputes arise. The law firm now known as Ray, Winton & Kelley has been in continuous existence since it was founded in 1897, structuring corporate agreements and reviewing operational practices that close common legal gaps, protecting company assets and stability long before conflict reaches a courtroom.

Resolving Partnership Disputes in Business Agreements

Resolving Partnership Disputes in Business Agreements

Christopher Winton, David Hughart & Mark Kelley
Published on: 26/08/2026

A business partnership agreement should define ownership percentages, profit and loss distribution, decision-making authority, and dispute resolution methods such as mediation. General partnerships hold two or more owners jointly liable for business actions. A thorough partnership agreement should also document exit strategies, addressing how ownership transfers if a partner withdraws, retires, or passes away.

Estate Planning Attorney: How Often to Update Your Estate Plan

Estate Planning Attorney: How Often to Update Your Estate Plan

Christopher Winton, David Hughart & Mark Kelley
Published on: 06/08/2026

Estate plan reviews should occur every three to five years, according to estate planning guidance from Ray, Winton & Kelley. Major life events—marriage, divorce, a child's birth, a death in the family, significant financial changes, or a move to a new state—trigger immediate updates. Waiting too long risks outdated documents that fail to reflect current wishes or family circumstances.

What Happens If a Parent Violates a Custody Agreement in WV?

What Happens If a Parent Violates a Custody Agreement in WV?

Christopher Winton, David Hughart & Mark Kelley
Published on: 01/08/2026

This article summarizes possible outcomes in West Virginia, enforcement procedures, and options like counsel and mediation, focusing on sanctions, modification, and dispute resolution.