Northern Virginia Trial Lawyers Handling Church Disputes
Conflict within a church group is difficult for all concerned. But when unity breaks down and the parties are at any impasse, it may be time to call in seasoned legal help from lawyers who know how to resolve church disputes fairly.
At Gammon & Grange, we are experienced in the representation of clients involved in such disputes, and are committed to helping them cut through the tension and move forward. Contact us at our offices in northern Virginia to learn more about how we can help.
There are three main situations where property and governance issues come to the fore in a church dispute:
- Governance issues / struggles for control within a congregation or church body
- Disputes over control of church property when a church splits up (non-hierarchical church body)
- Disputes over control of church property when a church splits off from a larger church body that is hierarchical in nature
All of these situations must be handled with the utmost care and sensitivity. Governance issues can result in religious employment litigation. When a church splits from a denomination, it is more than a matter of conflicting belief systems or leadership squabbles. Ownership of church buildings must be settled between a denomination and a congregation that is leaving that denomination. Possession and management of endowment funds may also be in question.
It is often in the best interests of both sides to resolve the real property or governance question without resorting to costly litigation. However, a desire to settle church building ownership or other questions of congregational control may not be enough to avoid a major lawsuit. It is critical to find a well-qualified attorney with experience handling church disputes, both to contain legal fees and to move forward with confidence toward a satisfactory resolution.
Gammon & Grange, P.C., is a valuable resource for churches and denominations engaged in disputes over real property or governance following a church division. We are prepared to help settle these disputes out of court or in court. Call or e-mail our law firm to schedule a consultation with an attorney at no cost. Learn about our previous successes on behalf of clients such as the following:
- Hierarchical churches
- Methodists
- Presbyterian churches (PCUSA, PCA, EPC, OPC)
- Lutheran churches
- Episcopal churches
- Evangelical Free churches
- Korean Presbyterian churches
For information on how Gammon & Grange, P.C., can put more than 25 years of legal experience to work in your church real property dispute case, call us toll free at 800.761.5002 or contact us online. Discover how we earned our reputation for legal excellence and our track record of success. Se habla español.
