Post-Divorce Checklist
The divorce procedures are not always complete after you’re officially divorced. There are quite a few things that still need your attention before you can take that glass of wine and celebrate. Even though a settlement has been made, a judge must sign off and declare your divorce official. Based on your location, this process could take several weeks to several months. There is no definite time period since things involving the court usually take longer than you might expect.
Post-Divorce Checklist
The first things you should do post-divorce is to make sure you receive and relinquish all things you initially agreed to in the divorce and update all your accounts to make sure they reflect your current status. Below are some more things you should consider doing to get your life organized post-divorce.
Study Your Settlement
Read and note down everything related to your divorce settlement and learn things your ex-spouse and you must complete. This stage could entail transferring assets or money, completing a QDRO, and/or creating custody schedules.
Make a Calendar
Divorce settlements usually have multiple dates. Some dates could happen every year over the next decade, while others could be wrapped up within a week or two. It can be challenging to stay on top of all the different dates, therefore, is wise to create a calendar and stay organized.
Setting Up Your Fresh Start
Quite a few people find it hard to lead a new life after divorce, as they do not seriously ponder over the several elements that are required to start afresh again. Many of those things are tedious to begin with, but they are important, and you just cannot overlook them.
Check Your Credit Status
Always go through your credit report to make sure all things on it make sense. If there’s a problem, look for solutions right away. Close active joint accounts even if the balance is zero. Several years later, these joint accounts could pose problems. In case there’s an outstanding balance and the account can’t be closed, look if freezing it is an option. Most lenders are quite willing to assist customers who have a divorce settlement case looming over their heads.
Create New Financial Accounts
After your divorce, it’s wise to create new bank accounts. Your ex-spouse could still have access to your current account numbers, favorite pet’s name, social security number, and all conventional security queries that financial institutions usually ask. A financially strapped or vindictive ex-spouse could try accessing those prior accounts.
Other Measures
Update your estate planning and will documents. Also, check who is the beneficiary on all your financial accounts such as bank account, insurance policies, retirement account, and pension plans. When you get married, your spouse becomes the beneficiary by default, but these accounts don’t take note of your divorce or change the beneficiary settings automatically. You’ll have to do that yourself. A divorce attorney in Rancho Cucamonga would guide you through this process.
How Do Personal Injury Lawyers Help Clients?
If you have sustained an injury that was no fault of your own, you might be wondering if you should file a personal injury claim. If the negligence of another party has contributed to your accident, you are likely entitled to receive financial compensation from that party.
Also known as damages, financial compensation can include the costs of any accident-related medical treatment or recovery, property damage, pain and suffering, and missed wages due to time away from work. Personal injury lawyers can help clients in numerous ways.
Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
One of the best things you can do in the process of filing a personal injury claim is to enlist the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer like Crain Lewis Brogdon, LLP. Your personal injury lawyer will assess your case and advise you on how best to proceed. They will collect all pertinent paperwork, such as medical information and witness reports and ensure that it is filled out correctly and filed on time. With a personal injury lawyer advocating for you, your claim will not face any delays due to missed deadlines or a document being filled out incorrectly.
Pre-Litigation Preparation
Your lawyer will prepare you on how to best answer questions in the event of a deposition or your claim going to trial. In the event of an independent medical exam, your lawyer will help you anticipate the kinds of questions you will be asked and how to answer them in the best interest of your case. Your lawyer will know your case’s strengths and weaknesses and will build your case around maximizing the pros and minimizing the cons.
Demand Letter
For a personal injury claim to officially begin, a letter of demand must be written by the plaintiff to the defendant. In this letter, you will clearly state your intent to pursue damages for your injury. Your lawyer will advise you on an appropriate amount of money to request and what to expect in return. With the assistance of your lawyer, you will draft this letter and wait for the defendant’s response. Should the defendant or their insurance company refuse to pay or refuse negligence for the accident, your claim can become a lawsuit and potentially go to trial; in that event, your lawyer will assist you in all trial preparation and compiling all necessary documents.
Personal injury lawyers can help you in several ways. From assessing your case to advising on what kind of compensation you can expect to taking the claim all the way to trial, having a competent personal injury lawyer advocate for you is invaluable.
Not only will your lawyer assess your case and advise you on how best to proceed, they will know every step that needs to be taken to ensure the lawsuit is processed with strict adherence with the law. If the defendant is not accepting negligence, your claim becomes a lawsuit and becomes even more complicated. Being injured in an accident is a stressful and emotional event. Having the help of a personal injury lawyer can help make the process of seeking damages as efficient and stress-free as possible.
Alabama Road Construction Can Cause Accidents
If you live in Alabama, you are probably familiar with the chaotic transportation situation in most parts of the crowded southeastern part of the state. Alabama has a relatively high population, and it requires improvement in its road network to match the growing population. This is one reason for the large number of current road construction projects in the state. The unfortunate correlation is that Alabama road construction can cause auto accidents. Below are some things you should know about the road system and road accident laws in the state of Alabama.
Expansion of Existing Roads
There are always ongoing road construction projects in Alabama to expand existing roads in the major cities of Birmingham and Montgomery. In some cases, flyovers and overhead bridges are constructed to ease traffic congestion. In other cases, new roads are constructed to open-up new thoroughfares to other areas in the state.
These projects cost billions of dollars, but they are necessary to ensure that commercial and industrial activities run smoothly in the state. Sometimes, road construction in this state leads to accidents and if this happens to you, you will need to enlist a smart Alabama car accident attorney.
Construction of Bridges
The Alabama River passes through many parts of this state, meaning there is a need to construct and maintain bridges in different parts of the state. The Edmund Pettus Bridge in the Selma area is one of the most important bridges in the state. This bridge has been around for a long time and it is no longer in first class shape. However, recent repairs and maintenance have helped to make the bridge safe and usable for residents of the state.
The Connection Between Construction and Accidents
The objectives of road construction and road maintenance is to make the roads safer for users. Road construction and repairs are vital because Alabama is congested and attracts millions of tourists. The problem here is that it is not always possible to close all roads when construction or road maintenance is ongoing, inconveniencing road users for a time.
In some cases, the repairs and construction work lead to accidents. These things happen, even though the agencies responsible take safety precautions to protect road users. Below are some steps you should take if you are involved in a car accident in Alabama.
Report the Case
You cannot just walk away from the scene of a road accident in Alabama. If you do this, you might be breaking the law. The right move is to report the accident to the police and get information on other steps you should take.
Consult A Competent Road Accident Lawyer
If you are involved in an accident in Alabama, the smart move is to consult an experienced and competent car accident lawyer immediately. This is because road accident laws in this state are complicated. You cannot navigate all the twists and turns of the law without the assistance of a specialist in road accident law.
Start Litigation Early
If a road construction company or a government agency is responsible for an accident, you should not be intimidated. The right move is to sue the company or the agency so that you get justice. Discuss the matter with your lawyer and start litigation early because this improves your chances of success.
What Kinds of Injuries Are Not Covered by NC Workers Comp?
Being injured at work is not a situation you hoped to be in, but in most situations, your injury will be covered by your employer’s workers compensation insurance. Almost any injury that occurred at work or because of your work duties will qualify you for benefits under workers compensation.
There are always exceptions, however, so it’s a good idea to read up on what types of injuries and situations will not qualify you to collect benefits under workers comp. For instance, if you are injured while either engaging in horseplay or fighting at work, you likely won’t be covered.
What Types of Injuries or Circumstances Are Not Covered by Work Comp?
There are other situations where your injury won’t qualify you to collect benefits. Let’s examine a few of those.
If you are injured while commuting to or from your place of employment and are not technically “on the clock” yet, you might not be eligible for benefits. Some employees, such as those who drive for work, might still qualify for benefits, however. It’s best to check with your employer or with an attorney.
When your injury took place during a lunch break in which you were not on the clock, you might not be eligible for benefits. In some cases, such as when you’ve been injured during a “working lunch,” you might qualify for benefits.
Injuries that occur during breaks where you left the premises and were not on the clock will likely not qualify you to receive benefits.
If you are injured while engaging in illegal activity—whether you are on the clock or not—you will likely not be able to collect workers comp benefits in North Carolina. For instance, this would be the case if you were driving for work but were simultaneously under the influence and then injured in a vehicle crash.
Workers compensation laws will not cover certain instances in which an employee was hurt during a team-building activity. You should check with an attorney to see if the activity would be covered.
Need Help from a North Carolina Workers Comp Lawyer?
Workers compensation can be complicated, and some cases are less clear-cut than others. You might strongly believe that your injury should be covered by work comp laws, but the insurance company might believe otherwise. They could even deny your claim, so it’s advisable to have an attorney’s help with your claim.
Partnering with an attorney, such as Ricci Law Firm, P.A. workers comp lawyers, can be a big help when submitting your work comp case. They can assist you in investigating your workplace accident, gather proof for the insurance company, and deal with the insurance company on your behalf. If your claim is denied, your attorney can also assist you with an appeal.
Public Defender or Private Attorney for Criminal Charges in TN?
An enormous number of people don’t hire a private attorney when facing criminal charges in Tennessee. This could be for a variety of different reasons.
Perhaps they truly believe they can’t afford an attorney, and that they must settle for a public defender. Perhaps they have the money, but think it would be a waste to pay for a private lawyer. They might even underestimate the seriousness of their charges and don’t believe it’s even necessary to hire a defense attorney.
Whatever the reasoning, it’s probably wrong. Private attorneys will often work with your budget, so chances are you can afford one. You should never underestimate the seriousness of your charges; even misdemeanor charges can change your life forever.
Not using a private attorney is usually not a good idea. It’s your future we’re talking about here. Nothing is worth more than that. Let’s look at how public defenders and private attorneys are different.
What’s the Difference Between Private Counsel and a Public Defender?
There is nothing wrong with public defenders. Many of them went to the same law schools that private defense attorneys go to, so how do they differ?
- Public defenders aren’t specialized. They receive cases in all different areas of criminal law, which means they are learning every time they get a case. They don’t have the knowledge needed to truly win your case because they have a more broad understanding of criminal law, and not a specialized understanding of, say, drunk driving laws.
- Public defenders have high case numbers—you’re just a number to them. It’s not that they don’t want to help you—it’s just that they don’t really have time. Many people who have a public defender don’t even meet their attorney face-to-face until their court date. This isn’t much better than representing yourself.
- Sometimes public defenders work closely with the prosecution. They know them well and work in the same offices. This can help you if you’re looking to get a good plea deal, but it doesn’t help if you want to avoid a conviction. The public defender will often recommend plea deals to you because they don’t want to go up against their “friends” in court.
- Public defenders don’t care whether they win or lose your case. They don’t have as much vested in it as a private criminal defense attorney does. Your private defense attorney cares about you and about winning your case. They care because their reputation is on the line. They care because they see you as more than just a number.
Don’t Know Whom to Call to Help with Your Criminal Matter?
If you need help with a criminal matter you don’t have to just assume that you can’t afford a private attorney. You should contact experienced Nashville attorneys to get an idea of your options. More than likely you can afford an attorney and it’s also very probable that you will need one to win your case
Public defense attorneys aren’t bad attorneys. They’re just overwhelmed by a system that is constantly handing them cases, whether they feel confident that they can handle that case or not. Criminal defense attorneys can be selective and choose cases they feel confident they can win. That makes them fight harder for you.
Can I Sue for a Car Accident in a Parking Lot?
When you hop in your car, chances are good that you’re being watchful, in case of an accident. You don’t want to deal with the aftermath of a crash, but you should be fine, once you’re in the parking lot, right? Unfortunately, your fellow drivers might not be so courteous, even in the parking lot.
That means you’re at risk of being hit by a dangerous driver, leaving you injured and suffering because of the other driver. So, can you sue them?
Suing someone for a parking lot accident can be tough, so you’ll need help on your side. Make sure you speak to your attorney can get the help you need to recover compensation for your accident.
Common Parking Lot Accidents
When you’re in a parking lot, it’s not uncommon to see minor accidents happening. As the parking lot is a crowded place, it can be tough to keep track of everyone looking for a spot or walking to their cars. As such, parking lot accidents can happen at any time.
In a parking lot accident, however, someone did hit your car and cause you damage or even physical harm. This is a serious incident, and you should be able to fight for the compensation you deserve.
If another driver did any of the following, you may be entitled to compensation after your lawsuit:
- Backing out of a space and striking another person or vehicle
- Clipping a parked car
- Striking another vehicle with a door
- Speeding
- Failing to stop at a stop or yield sign
When Can I Sue?
Unfortunately, it’s not so easy to seek compensation for your accident. Often, fault isn’t clear, and you’ll need to provide plenty of evidence to prove that the other driver was at fault. Often, though, the nature of the accident can help with that.
For example, let’s say another driver was pulling out of their space, and they hit your car. In most cases, other drivers have the right-of-way. If you were parked, that’s more proof that they were at fault for the accident.
If both vehicles were moving, it can be a little more difficult to find who’s at fault. Fortunately, your lawyer can help you find evidence. Many parking lots now have security cameras, for example, or there may have been eyewitnesses to the accident. Either of these can help you fight back against accusations of fault.
Proving fault isn’t always easy, but it can help you recover from your accident. You’ll need proof to protect your claim and get your compensation.
Fighting for Parking Lot Accident Compensation
Unfortunately, a parking lot accident can leave you reeling for some time after the accident. Your car is damaged, and you don’t want to pay for the damage you didn’t cause. So, you’ll need to file against the other person, but how?
With a Boca Raton auto accident attorney, you can get the compensation you’ll need to recover completely. It’s not always easy to recover, especially if you’re struggling to find evidence that they were the ones at fault. Fortunately, your attorney can help.
If you’re struggling to deal with a car accident in a parking lot, keep in mind that you do have options for recovery. Get the help you need suing the other driver, so you can recover the full compensation you deserve.
How Does the Michigan Offer in Compromise Program Work?
Benjamin Franklin once said, “In this world, nothing is certain, except death and taxes.” However, changes in the tax laws are proving that famous quote wrong. A Michigan Offer in Compromise allows you to negotiate an amount less than what you owe to the State of Michigan.
Do I Qualify for a Michigan Offer in Compromise?
As an individual, there are three ways to qualify with the state.
Doubt of Liability: The tax debt does not belong to you. It may belong to a former spouse, someone with a similar name, or even is simply a clerical error.
Doubt of Collectability: You are unable to pay the tax debt and attempting to would be a severe burden on your family. This situation is expected to be long term.
Federal Offer in Compromise: If you have an approved Offer in Compromise from the Internal Revenue Service for the same tax years, the State of Michigan will work with you. Usually this means accepting the same percentage discount that the federal government did on the debt you owed to them.
Once you have determined your eligibility, contact a tax lawyer in Michigan. Together you can fill out the appropriate forms to file. You will need to provide proof as to why you do not believe that owe the money, complete a worksheet proving payment would bring economic hardship to your family, or proof of an accepted Offer in Compromise with the federal government.
You will also complete Form 5181 with your tax attorney. This form states the amount you are willing to pay. Your attorney can help you determine an appropriate offer amount.
In addition to attorney fees, you must be prepared to offer a 20 percent down payment on your offer. In other words, if you are offering $1,000 on a $10,000 tax debt, you must enclose $200 (20 percent of $1,000) with your offer.
Be aware that this payment is non-refundable, even if your offer is denied. It will, however, be applied to your total debt owed no matter what the result.
What Can I Expect Next? How Long Does It Take to be Approved?
While the program can be a lifeline for many taxpayers in over their heads, it is not a quick process. Depending on how busy the state of Michigan is, it can take up to six months to process.
Sources:
https://www.irs.gov/payments/offer-in-compromise
https://www.michigan.gov/taxes/0,4676,7-238-74531_43515_68920—,00.html
Jail Time for a DUI in Florida? It’s Possible!
Every state has toughened up their DUI laws over the years, and Florida is no exception. The days of a cop asking you if you’re okay to drive home are long gone from both a revenue collection and a legal liability standpoint. The fact is simply that you are in a lot of trouble if you get pulled over for a DUI in the Sunshine State.
Of course, like other states, Florida does offer some leeway with regards to a first offense DUI, especially if there is no bodily harm or property damage involved in the incident. In Florida’s case, drivers are sometimes allowed to plead guilty to what is known as a “wet reckless,” which is reckless driving while under the influence of alcohol. These pleas are rare, and getting increasingly so, but they are designed to offer some degree of “fair warning” to someone who just made a single mistake in their life. Yet, even this escape hatch can later be construed as a drunk driving conviction if the violator ever does it again.
It is this process of escalation that can lead to someone facing significant periods of incarceration. Most first time offenders are let off with heavy fines and large amounts of community service and/or DUI classes. Once a driver repeats the offense, however, the risk of jail time quickly adds up. Even worse, what was initially handled as a misdemeanor turns into an increasingly serious level of felonious conduct if it keeps happening or if damage occurs.
Indeed, the threat of jail time soon becomes the promise of jail (or even prison) time as repeat violations add up. As a result, it behooves anyone who is facing an alcohol-related charge in the state of Florida to consult with qualified DUI lawyers, Many people simply do not understand the increasingly-complex ladders of escalation that are built into most current DUI laws. Even a borderline case that a motorist might regard as “no big thing” can set the stage for the next “no big thing” to turn into a free vacation in the Gray Bar Hilton.
Since all DUIs result in legal paper trails that can adversely affect one’s job prospects as well as their insurance rates, it is always in the best interest of the defendant to fight these claims to the best of their ability. You might think that simply “manning up” and admitting your mistake is the decent and moral thing to do, not to mention less expensive than hiring a lawyer, but you would be wrong in the extreme. Save your future and consult with a DUI lawyer before you do anything else.
https://criminal-law.freeadvice.com/criminal-law/drunk_driving/florida-dui-jail-time.htm
Why Do Semi-Trucks Crash So Often?
It’s obvious to every driver on the road that 18-wheelers are dangerous transportation vessels—one wrong move and disaster will result. But why are tractor-trailers so dangerous?
The vehicle itself isn’t the problem so much as human error is, and in order to reduce commercial trucking accidents everyone involved in the industry must make safety the number one priority.
Some Common Reasons for Big Rig Collisions in California
Tractor-trailers can crash for a number of reasons but most of those reasons will involve negligence. It’s not too often that a freak lightning strike causes a crash—it’s almost always the fault of a human somewhere down the line.
It’s not always the truck driver’s fault, but another human that was somehow connected to that vehicle could be to blame. See below for a list of common factors that cause tractor-trailer wrecks.
- Driver fatigue
- Drunk driving
- Overloaded trucks
- Speeding
- Poor driving conditions
- Oversized trucks
- Failure of breaks
- Aggressive and/or reckless driving
- Poor training
- Mechanical errors
- Defective parts
- Inexperienced drivers
What Can be Done to Make the Roads Safer?
Much can be improved upon to make the roads safer, especially with regards to the commercial trucking industry.
For instance, driver training should be extensive and background checks should be regular. Those caught driving intoxicated should have their commercial drivers licenses revoked. Trucks should never be overloaded and speeders should be promptly dealt with.
The most important thing that should be done to increase safety is to follow the rules of the road. Always keeping these factors in mind is paramount to everyone’s safety.
Another thing that can be done to stop these types of serious accidents from occurring is to hold accountable all those whose negligence has caused accidents.
For example, mechanics must be held accountable when they fail to properly maintain a semi-truck. Also, manufacturers should be held liable when defective parts lead to injuries. Reckless drivers must be held responsible. The list goes on. How do you hold these negligent parties accountable? You must file a personal injury case against them.
Why Should I File a Personal Injury Case for a Big Rig Crash?
Filing a personal injury case will make it possible to change legislation involving commercial trucking. It can also protect others from injury. If you’ve been injured, then filling a claim can allow you a chance to receive justice for your injuries and compensation to pay for all your losses and suffering.
Filing claims may seem difficult but there’s no reason you have to file your claim on your own. There are Riverside truck crash attorneys you can contact who can help you with your case. The only way to make changes in this world is to actually do something. In this case, you don’t even have to do it alone.
Remember, always watch out for semi-trucks and drive defensively, so that you can avoid a collision if possible. If you’ve already been injured then fight to protect others and help make better safety a priority in the commercial trucking industry.
Benefits of Family Mediation
Dealing with a divorce isn’t easy. Your family is separating, and you’ll need to make several major decisions. From splitting your property to splitting time with your kids, the decisions can be overwhelming.
Worse, you’re already dreading your day in court. You don’t want to fight against your former spouse, but you’re concerned that you’ll have to. Fortunately, family mediation is an option that can save you and your family some heartache.
When you and your spouse are considering a divorce, you want to make it as easy on yourself and the rest of the family as possible. So, reach out for help when you and your family are struggling with a divorce.
Avoiding Litigation
Avoiding a long dispute in court is already an appealing option for many people. You might still be amicable with your former spouse, for example, and you don’t want to fight against them. Unfortunately, the image of divorce many of us have are long days of fighting in court.
You likely have already thought of divorce that way. You and your spouse would be on opposing sides, and you’ll each be arguing to get as much of your shared property as possible. Fortunately, divorce today doesn’t have to look like that.
If you and your spouse want to compromise and come to an agreement that helps you both, reach out to a qualified family mediator, who can facilitate that.
Resolving Disputes Out of Court
Still, you might have some disputes to resolve with your spouse. You might be undecided on who will get legal and physical custody of the children, and you might be struggling to make that decision. Even so, you don’t want to go through the emotionally-exhausting process of proving that you should have custody.
Family mediation can solve these disputes without needing to fight. With a mediator, you can sit and reach a compromise to present to the judge that makes you both happy. For example, their other parent might have more time and live closer to the child’s school, but you want to see your child. In this case, your mediator would help you work out a plan for joint custody.
Mediation Makes Divorce Easier
When you and your spouse first decide that divorce is your best option, it can feel frustrating and hopeless. You’re already dreading fighting them, but it seems inevitable. Most media showing divorces suggest that it’s a painful, frustrating, sad process.
By choosing mediation over litigation, you have a chance to avoid that. You can get the fair property split you deserve, a compromise for your children, and the amicable split you want. With a mediator, you can protect your assets. If you’re considering a divorce but don’t want the worries and pain of litigation, speak to a family mediator about your claim.
