Practice Areas

DUI/Reckless Driving and Other Serious Driving Offenses

Speeding, reckless driving, and alcohol related offenses can lead to significant penalties including jail time, loss of driving privilege, and significant fines. In addition to fines assessed by the court, driving offenses can also lead to a significant increases in your automobile insurance premiums. All too often, people facing these charges do not fully understand the consequences of a serious driving offense conviction until it is too late. For instance, in Virginia, if you are caught driving 20 miles over the speed limit, you could be charged and convicted of reckless driving (a six point driving offense) and face signficant fines, potential jail time and suspension of your driving privileges. Contact Fairfax DUI attorney Sean E. Underwood for a free intial consultation.

Unfortunately, the outcome of your case often depends on weather or not you have the assistance of an experienced attorney. Sean Underwood has defended hundreds of DUI, Reckless Driving and other serious driving offneses during his 17 years as criminal defense counsel. The firm's primary goal is to get you the best result available by guiding you through the court system. Further, even if your license is suspended for any period of time, The Law Office of Sean E. Underwood will endeavor to obtain a restricted drivers license so that you can continue to support yourself and your family.

Bankruptcy

The decision to file for bankruptcy protection is typically a last resort option. However, in many cases, bankruptcy is necessary in order to protect individuals and their families from creditors and further financial ruin. Prior to filing for bankruptcy protection, various documents such as a Petition, Schedules and a Statement of Financial Affairs, as well as numerous other documents, need to be carefully prepared and filed with the court. You will have to pay a filing fee to the bankruptcy court. Once your case is initiated, you will be required to attend a "meeting of the creditors" which is officiated by a bankruptcy trustee. Your creditors have a right to attend the hearing and ask questions. We strongly encourage you to seek the assistance of a qualified bankruptcy attorney if you are contemplating bankruptcy. Although you have the legal right to represent yourself in a bankruptcy case, you will be held to the same standard as an attorney admitted to the bankruptcy court. Note that most practicing attorneys are not even admitted to the bankruptcy court. Mr. Underwood has many years experience as an Alexandria bankruptcy lawyer.

The first step in the process is to determine if you are a good candidate for bankruptcy. Mr. Underwood understands that bankruptcy is not a "one size fits all" solution. When consulting with Mr. Underwood, he will analyze your eligibility for different forms of debt relief available under the United States Bankruptcy Code and determine which form of bankruptcy relief is appropriate for your given situation. All bankruptcy consultations with Mr. Underwood are free, in-person and confidential.

You May Be Able To Discharge All Your Debts!

Are you tired of your creditors calling to ask for money that you don't have? Have you received a notice that your wages are going to be garnished? Debt relief and freedom from your creditors is possible. Filing for bankruptcy stops wage garnishment, stops creditor harassment and in many cases you can still keep your home.

The Law Office of Sean E. Underwood can guide you through the bankruptcy process and help you find the debt relief you need to get a fresh start. Filing for bankruptcy relief is a major decision, but often a necessary one, in order to protect yourself and your family from creditors. Filing for bankruptcy can help you discharge your debts and start over, allowing you start rebuilding your credit sooner and live a less stressful life.

Alexandria bankruptcy attorney Sean E. Underwood has years of experience representing individual consumers and companies in various bankruptcy matters.

Starting the Process

Before filing, Mr. Underwood will analyze your eligibility for the various forms of debt relief under the United States Bankruptcy Code and determine which form of bankruptcy relief is best for you. You may file either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. In either instance, the bankruptcy laws are complex and filing should not be done without the guidance of an experienced bankruptcy attorney. Even a small error in the filing process may preclude you from bankruptcy relief or delay the process substantially.

Qualifying For Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

To qualify for chapter 7, you must pass a "means test." Mr. Underwood will guide you through the process and determine if you are able to qualify for Chapter 7. Debtors filing without the benefit of an experienced attorney can face serious challenges after the case is filed. The complexity and subtleties of the "means test" are best navigated with the aide of an experienced attorney in order to balance your allowable expenses compared to your gross income. Even if you don't think you qualify, let Mr. Underwood walk you through the process — you may be surprised.

Saving Your Home Even If You Are Behind On Your Mortgage

A Chapter 13 Bankruptcy can help you to save your home from foreclosure even if you are behind in your payments. Contact Fairfax bankruptcy lawyer Sean E. Underwood for a free consultation.

Short Sales

If you are considering a short sale of your property, make sure you talk to an attorney. Short sales can have unintended tax consequences and often do not fully absolve you from your real estate debts. It is important to find out all of your options before you proceed with a short sale.

Call Fairfax bankruptcy attorney Sean E. Underwood today for a free initial consultation. You really have nothing to lose and at worst will be fully informed about your options.

Personal Injury

We handle a broad range of personal injury cases. Mr. Underwood has handled hundreds of automobile accident and premises liability cases during the last 17 years. Remember that the insurance companies have attorneys on their staff and are interested in resolving your case for the least amount of money possible regardless of the nature of your injuries. It is not in their best interest to be "fair with you." As with any negotiation, knowledge is the key to success. If you are not informed about the true value of your case, you are at a distinct disadvantage. We strongly recommend that you contact an attorney experienced in personal injury law before entering into any settlement. In many instances, your legal rights may be forever impacted as a result of a rash decision. Let Mr. Underwood use his many years of experience to advocate on your behalf. If you have been injured in an accident, you are probably concerned about your financial situation. Are you going to be able to return to work? How are you going to afford your medical expenses? On top of those worries, you are also injured and are in pain. Let experienced personal injury attorney Sean E. Underwood guide you through the legal process and help you obtain fair compensation for your injuries.

The Law Office of Sean E. Underwood has experience handling all sorts of motor vehicle accidents including, but not limited to, cases involving commercial truck accidents; accidents caused by drunk drivers; accidents involving mass transit carriers and motorcycle accidents.

In addition to motor vehicle accidents, the firm also handles premises liability claims (injuries sustained when you become injured on someone else's property) and dog bite cases.

Mr. Underwood is an experienced litigator who is willing and prepared to go to court to defend your rights. Unfortunately, some attorneys only want to negotiate personal injury cases and resolve them without going to court. Mr. Underwood will only settle your case if you are offered adequate compensation.

Consumer Law And Cases Involving Contractors

Each year, our office represents consumers in asserting their rights under a wide variety of state and federal consumer protection laws. Mr. Underwood has many years experience enforcing consumers' rights through litigation in Virginia courtrooms. In particular, the firm is often involved in actions to enforce individual consumer rights pursuant to the Virginia Consumer Protection Act and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. We understand that Virginia consumers need strong and aggressive representation when their rights have been violated. Contact consumer rights lawyer Sean E. Underwood for a free initial consultation.

Did you have a bad experience with a contractor who ripped you off? Mr. Underwood may be able to recover your money for you. Did you know that in Virginia, you may be eligible for recovery from the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) Recovery Fund. In addition to recovering your money, you may even be eligible to recoup your attorney's fees. Contact consumer rights lawyer Sean E. Underwood today to schedule a consultation.

Criminal Law

Mr. Underwood has been handling felony and misdemeanor criminal defense matters for nearly two decades. The firm currently handles a broad range of misdemeanor cases that include, but are not limited, to: assault and battery; public intoxication; vandalism; marijuana possession; eluding police; indecent exposure; concealed weapons; larceny; illegal transportation of goods; shoplifting; domestic assault; disorderly conduct; underage consumption of alcohol; and various offenses involving juveniles.