Practice Areas

LAW OFFICE OF STEPHEN J. MURPHY 28 BARRE STREET MONTPELIER, VT 05602 Tel: (802) 229-0444    Fax: (802) 223-8017  Email

I have been practicing law in Montpelier, Vermont, since 1975, and have more than thirty years of legal experience. Over the course of my practice, I have worked on diverse cases for clients throughout Vermont.  My main areas of expertise include, but are not limited to:      

• Family Law
• Personal Injury
• Wills and Estates
• Real Estate
• Civil Litigation

Family Law -  Through years of experience, I have learned that family law issues are generally very emotional for my clients.  I strive to provide each client with the best possible legal representation, while being aware of his or her emotional connections.  I have the experience and training to help you make decisions you will be comfortable with and decisions that are best for you and your family.  I routinely assist clients with issues related to various family matters, including divorce, separation, child custody, child support, visitation rights, parentage, paternity, abuse, juvenile delinquency, juvenile in need of care and supervision, modification of court orders, alimony (spousal support), annulment, division of assets,, domestic violence, enforcement of court orders,  father's rights, prenuptial agreements, termination of parental rights, adoption and guardianship,

Personal Injury - I have extensive experience in personal injury lawsuits.  I believe it is important that people are compensated for injuries incurred in accidents that are of no fault of their own.  I assist clients in dealing with the often difficult process of dealing with insurance companies to achieve the best possible outcome of their claims.

Wills and Estates -  Over the years I have helped numerous clients draft and execute their last wills and testaments, as well as living wills and trust instruments.   I have also acted as administrator and executor and represented numerous clients in the probating of estates and in the defense or challenge of wills through probate.

Real Estate -  An important part of my practice involves assisting individual and business clients with their real estate transactions.  I routinely handle all types of residential and commercial real estate matters, including drafting the terms of purchase and sales agreements, negotiating leases or mortgage agreements, and advising clients on a variety of real estate transactions.  My experience in this area of law will help my clients to sell a home, buy a new home, or invest in commercial property, sell land, negotiate a lease agreement with new tenants, secure a mortgage from a lending institution, or refinance loans.

Civil Litigation - I have years of experience in assisting clients with civil lawsuits including personal torts, contract disputes, real estate matters and personal injury cases.  In my experience, I have learned there is a time to be aggressive and a time to be flexible in settling a lawsuit and getting the best possible results for my client.