Practice Areas

  • Home
  • Practice Areas

Areas of Practice

Below is each area of law James A. Schafer, Esq. practices and a definition of each.

General Civil & Trial Practice

James A. Schafer, Esq. is an active civil trial practice attorney representing both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts in Indiana. Our various cases involve such matters as business contract / tort issues, personal injury cases and real estate issues.

Personal Injury

We represent Hoosiers with various types of personal injury ranging from an injury to the body, mind or emotions, as opposed to an injury to property. Typically lawsuits are filed against the person or entity that caused the harm through negligence, gross negligence, reckless conduct, or intentional misconduct, and in some cases on the basis of strict liability.

Wrongful Death

Wrongful death is a claim against a person who can be held liable for a death. The claim is brought in a civil action, usually by close relatives, as enumerated by statute.

Real Estate

James A. Schafer, Esq. serves as legal counsel to a wide variety of real estate clients in the State of Indiana. We represent financial institutions, real estate developers, construction companies, property owners, individual buyers and sellers of real estate, landlords and tenants. Most of our matters consist of title and settlement services, residential closings, commercial property development and acquisition, real estate litigation, mortgage foreclosure and installment contract forfeiture.

Corporation

We represent Indiana businesses of all types. James Schafer, Esq. specializes in legal services to corporations, limited liability companies, general and limited partnerships at various stages from start-up through expansion to dissolution.

Social Security

The Social Security Act established benefits for old-age retirees and the jobless, as well as aid for dependent mothers and children, victims of work-related accidents, people who are blind, and those who have physical disabilities. Social Security laws are often complex, we can simplify the process and assist with disability claims, benefits, discrimination, unemployment benefits, and insurance.

Probate

Probate law evolves around matters such as administration of estates, trusts, guardianships and conservatorships as well as the preparation of wills, trusts and other estate planning documents.

Family Law

Family law is an area of the law that deals with family matters and domestic relations. There are laws and procedures in place that affect the family unit, especially concerning divorce and adopting a child. Family law is, therefore, an umbrella term that includes all legal procedures, which sometimes involve court dates, that pertain to family life.

Paternities

Paternity law refers to body of law underlying legal relationship between a father and his biological or adopted children and deals with the rights and obligations of both the father and the child to each other as well as to others.

Adoptions

An adoption is when an adult legally assumes the role of a parent for a child. Adoptions happen for numerous reasons, such as when the child's birth parents are unable or unwilling to care for their child, when the birth parents are deceased, or when one birth parent remarries a spouse who wishes to assume legal parental rights. Hiring a lawyer familiar with each type of adoption can help you sort out which method is best for you.

Criminal Defense

Criminal defense law consists of the legal protections afforded to people who have been accused of committing a crime. Law enforcement agencies and government prosecutors have extensive resources at their disposal. Without adequate protections for the accused, the balance of power within the justice system would become skewed in favor of the government.

SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION

Fill in the form below and we will contact you within 24-48 hours. If you need immediate attention, call (765) 282-1019.