Debt collectors can be scary for many people, but then again, so can the idea of filing for bankruptcy protection. While bankruptcy should never be used as an easy out to wipe out debt and go back to old habits, bankruptcy can be a valuable tool for those who need it. Whether you are a facing insurmountable debt or not, the following myths may have you confused as to the reality behind bankruptcy protections under the law.…
Read More »Companion animals become important family members. There’s no doubt about that. When you split up with your spouse, dealing with decisions about custody of the children will take precedence over many other issues like splitting property and assets. However, one other important issue that comes up for families is custody of pets. Under the law, companion animals are currently considered to be personal property, but the issues surrounding the custody of pets are complex.…
Read More »When a couple divorces, one of the terms of the divorce may call for continuing financial support for one of the former spouses. Typically, these alimony payments become a monthly legal responsibility that one ex-spouse must continuously make to the other until the other one remarries. However, there is another option besides these typical month-to-month alimony payments, lump sum alimony. What is Lump Sum Alimony? Several states have made it possible for former spouses to settle their alimony obligations with a single lump sum payment rather than the traditional series of monthly payments.…
Read More »Probate can seldom be avoided entirely, in spite of numerous claims to the contrary. Not all estate assets are appropriate for trusts and transfer-on-death designations, and as long as a will exists, it will need to go through probate. Probate is a legal process that helps ensure that the estate’s assets are distributed according the deceased’s wishes and that all legal obligations of the estate are satisfied. It is to your benefit to have a good understanding of the probate process, so read on for the four simple steps of probate.…
Read More »Just because you plan to hire the cheapest lawyer in your town it doesn’t mean you will have the cheapest divorce possible. Legal costs aren’t the only things that affect the overall cost of the divorce. There are other salient factors to consider, such as: Chosen Divorce Route There are many routes for divorcing, and some inevitably prove more costly than others. Generally, the longer a divorce takes, the more costly it proves.…
Read More »When it comes to a successful law firm, efficiency is an important factor. No matter the size of the firm, its success is heavily dependent upon just how efficiently it operates. Having a paralegal on your team can give you a boost in the right direction. Paralegals aren’t just trained to handle low-level legal tasks; they can also handle administrative tasks. If you don’t have a paralegal on your staff and are convinced you don’t need one, here are three signs that say otherwise.…
Read More »You’ve put thousands of dollars and several years of your life into your education. Your school promised that you and other graduates help finding a job – and you find out that their promises are mostly smoke and mirrors or that your education doesn’t qualify you for what you thought. If you decide to sue, you’ll be among a growing number of disenchanted graduates who are trying to hold educational institutions accountable for their sales tactics through misrepresentation and fraud.…
Read More »If you get sick from secondhand smoke, often called environmental tobacco smoke, you may be eligible for workers comp benefits. In the past, it was hard for employees to get workers comp for secondhand smoke, but new laws have made it easier. Working around smoke puts you at risk for health conditions and the aggravation of existing conditions from breathing the chemicals. Here is some information on workers comp benefits and secondhand smoke.…
Read More »The challenges of being married can simply prove to be too many for some couples. Studies show that 45%-50% of first marriages do end in divorce. This rate increases significantly with second and third marriages, as well. If you’re in this unfortunate relationship predicament, you will want to know the various legal methods for divorcing. Uncontested Divorce If both of the spouses agree the marriage should end, the uncontested divorce is the simplest one to choose.…
Read More »If you have dependents, then it is never too early to start estate planning, regardless of how much money you have or make. A proper estate plan will ensure that your loved ones are cared for and that your belongings are distributed as you see fit in the event of your death. Here are some tips that you might want to think about when it comes to estate planning: Gifts…
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