One of the most important things to understand when working with a lawyer (and one of the major deterrents in hiring a lawyer) is legal fees. Before hiring a lawyer it is important to understand the fee structure that is used, how much money is required upfront (also known as...
As social networking websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace gain in popularity, attorneys are dealing with issues regarding the use, or misuse, of these sites. Employers are using these sites to check up on employees, litigants are using these sites to uncover dirt on...
Divorce can be difficult, but you don’t need to be unprepared. Being prepared can help you handle the emotions, understand the legal process, and get through the divorce as stress-free as possible. Below are some steps to take towards a “nice” divorce: Find a Support Network...
While not everyone needs a will, most people could benefit from a will. You could use a will if: You would not want your property divided according to your state’s intestacy laws You would want to leave something to a person not recognized by your state’s intestacy laws (a...
In many households, the dog or cat has become an important member of the family. So it is not surprising that battles over Fluffy and Fido are becoming more common in divorce court. However, legally, pets are still viewed as property and options for dealing with pet custody in...
The holiday season can be a sensitive time for anyone but for those going through divorce, or trying to move on after the process of divorce, it can be even more difficult. Some people struggle with moving on at this time of year due to past hurts, children who need to split...
Often, during the divorce process, there are times when one party becomes entirely unreasonable. They won’t agree, refuse to be reasonable, and generally make themselves a giant pain in the you-know-what. Some people, in the throws of divorce, lose their ability to reason, and...
While retiling the bathroom floor or installing new switch-plates throughout your house may be great DIY weekend projects, writing your own will should not make your to-do list. In the instance that the tile job is botched, you can hire a professional. If you botch your own...
Sometimes the term “estate plan” can be overwhelming. Or people think, “I don’t have very much, I don’t need an estate plan” Estate planning is just the concept planning for the care of our children, our families, and our assets in the event of our incapacity or death. You...
In the divorce world, we get so focused on the children under the age of 18. Children between the ages of 18 and 21 may get a moment’s notice, but children over the age of 21 are routinely ignored. Unfortunately, children are always affected by their parents’ divorce: if they...
The term “estate planning” has a tendency to send many people in a panic -too complex, full of legal lingo and complicated tax concepts. In his article Estate Planning Without Anxiety Peter Keating with SmartMoney Magazine does a good job of explaining the basic concepts. There...
There are two big misconceptions when it comes to estate planning: 1. Only the rich need to worry about estate planning 2. Only people with kids need to worry about estate planning. When it comes to estate planning, young adults with minimal assets and no children are all too...