Reasons To Contact a Lawyer When Setting Up a Will

If you’re interested in protecting your family’s financial future, setting up a will is the most important thing you can do—especially from the age of 50 and beyond. 

However, this isn’t something that you want to tackle alone. Although DIY will-making options are available, the risk of making a mistake is not worth it when dealing with such an important document. 

We will explore five essential reasons you should contact a lawyer when setting up a will and the benefits these professionals can bring to the process.

Ensuring Legal Compliance

Though many individuals view their will as a list of requests for after their passing, it is, at the end of the day, a legal document. 

As such, several rules and regulations govern its creation. An experienced lawyer will be well equipped to help you understand and navigate the complexities of these laws. 

A lawyer will ensure your will follows all legal requirements, avoiding any potential challenges or disputes that could jeopardize your intentions.

Personalized Advice for Complex Situations

Estate planning often involves intricate financial, family, and tax situations. Having a lawyer’s guidance can help you make the best possible decisions for your unique circumstances. 

For example, a lawyer can advise you on issues like dividing your assets among children from multiple marriages, setting up trusts for minors, or managing tax implications.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

DIY wills can result in avoidable errors and unclear instructions that lead to confusion or disputes. Some common mistakes people make during this process include forgetting assets, using improper phrasing, and even forgetting to choose an executor. 

When you work with a lawyer, they will catch any mistakes, loopholes, or contradictions to ensure your will is clear and comprehensive. 

This will minimize the risk of your estate falling into any legal complications, making the process smoother for your loved ones during a challenging time.

Regular Updates and Reviews

Another important reason to contact a lawyer when setting up a will is that they’ll keep your documents up to date. Laws related to estate planning may change over time, impacting your will’s validity or appropriateness.

A lawyer can monitor any such changes and keep you informed. They can also regularly review and update your will as your life circumstances change, such as a new marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or significant financial shifts.

Peace of Mind for You and Your Family

Finally, having a professional lawyer draft your will provides peace of mind for both you and your family members. You can be confident that your will covers all critical aspects, remains legally binding, and accurately represents your wishes. 

Your family will also appreciate the reassurance that they’re following your precise intentions and can rely on the lawyer for guidance if necessary.

Working with a lawyer to set up your will is an investment in your family’s future that offers numerous benefits. Take this essential step in estate planning to ensure your loved ones are well taken care of. 

Contact a reputable lawyer today, and have peace of mind knowing your will is in expert hands.

Fighting for Your Property: How a Real Estate Attorney Can Help

Real estate is one of the largest assets one can ever own. As such, losing it to unforeseen circumstances can be devastating. Property disputes can arise from several sources, including neighbors, contractors, or even government entities. 

These disputes can range from boundary disagreements to zoning restrictions, and if not addressed properly, they can cost you your property. 

In such instances, a real estate attorney can help to protect your property rights and fight for your interests. 

This article explores how a real estate attorney can help you fight for your property.

Legal Expertise

A real estate attorney is a specialist in property law who can provide legal advice and representation when property disputes arise. A real estate attorney can help you understand the legal implications of your situation, identify your options, and develop a strategic plan that meets your specific needs. 

Additionally, a real estate attorney understands the nuances of property law and can ensure that your rights are protected.

Dispute Resolution

A real estate attorney can help you resolve property disputes through formal legal proceedings or alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation or arbitration. 

A real estate attorney can advocate for your interests and negotiate with other parties to reach a fair and acceptable resolution. 

They can also represent you in court if necessary and argue your case before a judge and jury.

Document Review

When buying or selling a property, many legal documents are involved, including contracts, titles, and deeds. A real estate attorney can review these documents to ensure that they are legally sound, accurate, and complete. 

They can identify any concerns, such as hidden clauses or errors, and address them before the transaction is complete. This step can help prevent disputes from arising in the future and save you from costly mistakes.

Transactional Assistance

A real estate attorney can provide transactional assistance, including negotiating and drafting purchase contracts, conducting title searches, and facilitating property closings. 

They can also ensure that all legal requirements are met, including zoning and building regulations. 

This assistance can help ensure the transaction is completed legally and without unforeseen issues.

Property Tax Disputes

A real estate attorney can help you dispute property tax assessments often based on inaccurate valuations or outdated data. 

They can appeal your tax assessment and represent you at hearings before the tax assessor's office or local board of equalization. This can help reduce your property tax liability and save you money in the long run.

Final Thoughts

Property disputes can be time-consuming, complex, and costly. Having a real estate attorney who can help you navigate such disputes, protect your property rights, and fight for your interests is crucial. 

Whether you are buying or selling a property, resolving a dispute, or facing a tax assessment, a real estate attorney can provide legal expertise, dispute resolution, document review, transactional assistance, and property tax dispute assistance. 

A real estate attorney can help ensure that your property is yours to keep and protect.

Tips For Getting The Compensation You Deserve After A Wrongful Death

If you have a loved one die due to the negligence of others, it can be devastating to you and your family. This is especially true if your loved one provided most or all of the financial support for your family since you may now be left wondering what the future will hold.

To help ease your financial burden and give you and your family peace of mind in the years ahead, you need to gain compensation from a wrongful death lawsuit. 

To ensure this happens, here are some tips you should always remember.

Document Everything

When you have as many details as possible documented regarding your loved one's death, it becomes much easier to win compensation from a wrongful death lawsuit. 

This can include witness interviews, photographic evidence, testimony from expert witnesses, and more. Remember, the more evidence your attorney can present to a jury, the harder it will be for them to rule against you.

Don't Handle it On Your Own

After a loved one dies wrongfully, the worst thing you can do is try to handle what follows on your own. Unfortunately, an insurance company will have no problem at all denying you and your family the compensation you need and deserve. 

Instead of trying to negotiate a settlement on your own, always turn to attorneys like those at the Dennis Law Firm so that an experienced attorney can build a strong case on your behalf. 

Once this is done, your attorney can convince the insurance company it is in the best interests of everyone to settle the case out of court.

File the Lawsuit in Time

No matter the circumstances surrounding the death of your loved one, a court will have no choice but to toss your case aside should you fail to file your lawsuit within the time allotted by your state's statute of limitations. 

While this can vary among states, the general rule is you must file your lawsuit within two years following the death of your loved one, so always keep this in mind.

Be Patient

Finally, you will need to remain patient as your lawsuit progresses. Remember, your attorney is on your side but will need time to examine evidence and form a case that will be winnable. 

By staying patient, saying nothing about your case on social media, and using common sense along the way, you can gain compensation that is fair and reasonable.

By keeping these tips in mind and taking the advice of your attorney, you and your family can get justice for your deceased loved one by gaining substantial compensation for a death that never should have occurred.

5 Reasons to Meet With an Attorney to Write Your Will

Many people put it off writing a will until it's too late. This is often because they don't know where to start or think they don't have enough assets to warrant meeting with an attorney. 

However, there are many reasons why you should meet with a will attorney sooner rather than later. This blog post will discuss five of the most important reasons.

What Is a Will?

A will is a legal document that designates who gets your property after you die and how you want your property distributed. If you do not make provisions in your will for someone else to receive your property, your property goes through probate.

Protects Your Interest

The first reason you should meet with an attorney to write your will is to protect yourself. You may be surprised by what happens if you die without making any provision for someone else to inherit your property.

Keeps Your Family Together

Another reason why you should meet an attorney to write your will is so that you can keep your family together. So many families get separated because one person dies, leaving behind no will. 

Without a will, the deceased person's spouse (or other relatives) could end up getting nothing from the deceased person's estate. Having a will written up ensures that everyone gets what they deserve.

Helps You Avoid Probate

Probate is the process whereby your property passes through court proceedings before being given to the rightful owner. It takes time and costs money. Therefore, if you have made adequate provisions in your will, you can skip the probate process altogether.

Saves on Taxes

Another reason you should meet a lawyer to write your will is to save on taxes. If you don't have a will, the government has to go through the probate process to determine who inherits your property. They also have to pay out all of the inheritance tax owed. A properly drafted will avoid these problems.

It Provides Guidance on Inheritance

When you create a will, you can designate exactly how much each beneficiary will get upon your death. So, for example, if you name your children as beneficiaries but only give them $10,000 worth of inheritance, then the rest of your property would go to your spouse.

When writing a will, you need to remember that it is better to plan than to regret it. So, if you haven't already met with an attorney to draft your will, now is the perfect time to schedule an appointment with a will attorney.

5 Benefits of Hiring an Attorney for Any of Your Legal Wants

Not all situations involving legalities will require you to have a lawyer; however, having one is an important play, especially if you are an investor. 

There are countless situations when you will need the experience and expertise of a lawyer to help you deal with certain legalities involving your business operations.

Not only is having an attorney essential, but so is having the right one, that is--the one most suitable for the job you need to accomplish. 

For instance, a rider who's been involved in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else has the right to sue for a motorcycle wreck and will be best represented by a motorcycle accident lawyer.

Once you choose the right lawyer to hire, your legal wants are as good as accomplished. Read more below to understand the perks of having a lawyer.

What Benefits Do You Experience When You Hire a Lawyer?

1. Makes Legal Matters Less Complicated

It may be hard to understand or keep up with some laws and statutes involving your processes, but hiring a lawyer ensures you have an assistant to help you stay on the right side of the law.

You may be trying to start a business or file a legal complaint about some issues involved with your enterprise, lease, or security. 

Therefore, when you have a lawyer by your side, you won't have to deal with legal tasks that you may not be familiar with, making it less complicated for you.

2. You Avoid Certain Mishaps That Come with Not Having an Attorney

When dealing with any case, whether civil or criminal, not having a lawyer puts you at a disadvantage. By opting for self-representation, you may end up serving jail time or having to pay hefty fines even when you do not deserve to just because of lack of proper representation.

Sometimes not having a lawyer may cost you more than what you would have spent hiring one. In situations where you know you have a lot to lose, you may need to consider hiring a legal representative to help you fight for your case.

3. Help Filing Paperwork and Documentation

Because of their experience and knowledge, a lawyer can provide adequate services such as documenting the necessary files for your case. 

You may not know which documents are needed at which times, but your lawyer will be able to stay up to date with all the necessary documentation.

Some cases may require you to turn in a document within a short period, failure to which your case might be thrown out. Your attorney can help you avoid such dilemmas.

4. Can Review or Collect Necessary Evidence

Your lawyer will help you review evidence when dealing with your case to help determine whether some of the evidence is viable, as it may have been improperly obtained. They will look through the evidence presented against you and determine which parts do not apply to the case.

Additionally, your attorney can help you collect the necessary evidence required to win a case.

5. Help You Avoid Risks

You can avoid getting into bad deals and investments by having your attorney take a look at some contracts before you sign them. They can also help you organize all the necessary documents to ensure you do not suffer any penalties or losses.

It Is Worth the Cost

Having an attorney to take care of legal needs makes more sense than not having one. You need not worry about staying on top of all legal processes, since you can hire some to ensure it is done correctly.

5 Tips on How to Choose a Good Accident Lawyer in Manhattan

The first step taken when seeking justice after being involved in an auto accident is getting an accident lawyer. Selecting a suitable attorney is a crucial determinant of the success of your case.

Every accident victim in Manhattan needs a skilled and experienced accident attorney who's familiar with the latest changes in laws and regulations in New York City. 

Suppose you are a resident of the city and have faced a serious car accident, you may need a Manhattan auto accident lawyer to help you get reimbursement for damages suffered due to that incident.

A skilled auto accident attorney is equipped to support you during such an arduous experience; they'd ensure the negligent party is held accountable for the pain and suffering you endured from the accident.

To ensure this is successfully achieved, you need to know how to select a suitable auto accident attorney.

What Factors Should You Consider When Choosing a Suitable Accident Attorney?

1. Adequate Experience

You can get the best quality insight from an attorney that is experienced in handling cases similar to yours. When choosing between personal injury attorneys, it's advisable to look for one who specializes in auto accidents, since you'll be able to compare the past cases they've handled with your own.

Seeking the past case results of a lawyer will help you analyze their experience with such cases. Inquire about how the attorney would handle your case both in and outside of the courtroom.

2. Check Their Success Records

You want to choose an accident lawyer who ensures their clients win their cases and receive fair settlements for their damages. Find out about their winning and losing experience with cases similar to yours; your attorney should have a history of winning similar cases so you can be sure that your claim, too, will be successful.

3. Resources

Cases involving injuries from auto accidents often require extensively thorough investigations. The attorney you chose should be able to have the right expert contacts that will make the investigation of your case less arduous.

They should have enough time to dedicate themselves to the case and have access to the best expert services. Such an attorney can build you a case strong enough to acquire the highest possible settlement.

4. Records of Any Disciplinary Issues

Do some research about your lawyer of choice; check out their disciplinary records to ensure that they do not have any negative complaints from past or present clients. You can access such details through an online search.

Make sure you look at other clients' feedback about the lawyer you choose to ensure you're making the right choice by hiring them.

5. Flexibility

You need an attorney who will be easy to work with in terms of flexibility. Your lawyer should be able to reach you even when you're at the hospital and bring you documents at your home or workplace to sign. 

Because you will be going through a tough time with your injuries, having a flexible attorney will be very convenient to your needs.

Your Attorney's Devotion to Your Case Will Significantly Impact the Success of Your Case

A skilled attorney will have ample experience in dealing with cases similar to yours and will be familiar with auto accident claim formations. 

In choosing the right one, you are assured of quality services and top-notch effort in winning your case and getting you the justice you deserve after great suffering. Choosing a lawyer from your locality also allows for flexibility and speedy case practice.

6 Causes of Wrongful Death

Losing a loved one through an accident caused by a negligent person is very painful. In such situations, you may want to do everything in your power to ensure the deceased gets justice. As the surviving spouse or relative, you have the right to file a wrongful death suit and recover damages from the liable party.

A wrongful death case is a way of seeking compensation for the wrongful death of a loved one. If you believe that your loved one lost their life through an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you can hire a wrongful death lawyer and recover the damages.

To be eligible for a claim from a wrongful death suit, you need to be aware of the different situations that make a wrongful death claim. Here are six causes of wrongful deaths.

Automobile Accidents

These are the most common causes of wrongful deaths in the United States. Automobile accidents may include car, truck, and motorcycle accidents. Inattentive or intoxicated drivers are among the leading causes of death on the road. 

Therefore, approved relatives of a pedestrian using the road can seek compensation for wrongful death if they get killed by a driver or motorcycle rider.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice is another leading cause of wrongful death in the United States. If your relative loses their life and you can prove that the actions or omissions of the health care provider caused the death, you can sue them or the hospital for wrongful death. 

A person’s death can occur through wrong prescriptions, misdiagnosis, emergency room errors, and surgical mistakes, among others.

Product Liability

Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of products owe a duty of care to all their products’ consumers. If your loved one lost their life because of a defective product, you could sue the manufacturers, distributors, and retailers for wrongful death.

You can also sue for wrongful death if the manufacturers failed to warn the consumers about their product. For example, manufacturers of dangerous products have to put warning labels to caution people to use their products carefully.

Workplace Accidents

Accidents are quite common in the workplace, especially where tools are used. The employer must ensure that all their workers are safe. If a worker loses their life while carrying out their duties due to company negligence, you can sue and recover damages. 

You can also sue the equipment manufacturer if your loved one was using defective equipment while carrying out their duties.

Airplane Accidents

Airplane accidents are also another cause of wrongful deaths. A plane will crash if the pilot is negligent, or if the airplane has defective parts, is poorly designed, and is poorly maintained. However, it is quite complicated to initiate a wrongful death suit because it can take time to establish the guilty party.

You have to wait until investigations are complete before you initiate legal proceedings against the liable party. You can sue the pilot, the airplane company, or the airplane manufacturer for wrongful death.

Nursing Home Accidents

Most people take their elderly relatives to live in nursing homes where they can be taken care of by experienced personnel. The health care providers have the duty of care to all people in their nursing homes.

Sometimes, healthcare providers might neglect their duties, and your relative loses their life because of it. For example, most older people have age-related ailments and need to take medicine to keep them under control. 

 If the nurse at home fails to give your relative their medicine on time, leading to their death, they should be held responsible for the death.

How to Sue for Medical Malpractice

Doctors, medical practitioners, and hospitals owe a duty of care to their patients. They are expected to attend to patients with the most reasonable amount of care a qualified practitioner should have. Once the duty is breached in negligence, patients have the legal right to seek and receive compensation for medical malpractice and any resultant injuries.

Medical malpractice laws are meant to protect the rights of patients that have suffered as a result of substandard medical care. While this protection is provided for in the law, the first step to asserting these rights requires initiative from the patient. 

The following is an in-depth discussion on medical malpractice cases and how to go about them.

Act Before the Expiry of the Statute of Limitations

The biggest mistake any patient can make is taking too long a time to file their medical malpractice. There are statutory time limits requiring patients to file their medical malpractice claims promptly. Time limits vary from state to state; they could be as short as a year since the malpractice occurred. 

Therefore, ensure you find out the statutory provisions for medical malpractice in your state. Pay attention to how long you have to make your claim.

Discuss Your Case with a Medical Malpractice Attorney

Quite plainly, medical malpractice lawsuits aren’t the kind of lawsuits you would risk handling by yourself. These cases are often very complex since they cut across a variety of medical, legal, and procedural standpoints. 

Proving medical practice requires a law firm that understands the laws applying to your situation and familiarity with all the hoops a medical malpractice plaintiff must jump through.

From the moment you realize you want to file a medical malpractice claim, consult with an attorney. A medical malpractice attorney will have access to all the needed experts, such as expert medical witnesses.

Determine Whether the Hospital Was Negligent

Before filing the claim, you must determine who was negligent. Just because medical negligence took place at a hospital doesn’t automatically imply that the facility, i.e., the hospital, must be held liable. 

For instance, if the substandard care was provided by a doctor that is an independent contractor; therefore, not an employee, you should be pursuing action against the doctor herself/himself.

In most cases, you cannot sue a hospital for any doctor’s treatment error, unless the doctor in question is an employee of the hospital. However, exceptional cases occur, like when the doctor’s incompetence should have been apparent to the concerned hospital.

This is where an attorney comes in; once you consult with one, they’ll listen to your case’s circumstances and give you sound advice.

Obtain Your Medical Record and Determine Your Damages

Every hospital keeps their past patients’ medical records, at least a few years since their treatment. Upon making a request, the hospital should give you your records without hesitation. The most they should charge you is the copying expense.




At some point, the hospital or negligent practitioner may offer you a settlement; you must determine your case’s value beforehand. Consider all the possible harm and losses that stem from the malpractice, including future medical treatment that resulted from the error.

Evaluate the past and future lost wages. Valuing damages by yourself is risky since there may be some valid losses that should be compensated for that you are not aware of. 

For instance, you need to take into account any decrease in your life’s value due to the injury, a loss measured by lifestyle changes like losing the ability to walk, enjoy sports or play with children.

You may also get damages for the loss of consortium, which is the loss suffered by your family members due to your injury. A seasoned attorney will have the requisite knowledge to evaluate every single loss you suffered from the malpractice.

Draft and File Your Complaint

A lot of states have varied rules regarding the procedure involved in filing a medical malpractice suit. For instance, some states require their patients to file an affidavit of merit where a qualified medical expert has attested that the patient has a valid case.

Your attorney will take you through these processes to ensure your claim isn’t invalidated over a small step missed. Finally, you and your attorney will draft and file the complaint describing the occurrence of the injury, the harm caused to the patient, and the amount of money expected in compensation.

Make a Claim and Get Justice for Your Injuries

Sometimes, mistakes are just mistakes, while other times some mistakes are obvious and could have been avoided. If you suspect that you are a medical malpractice victim, seek a professional medical expert and medical malpractice attorney. 

Explain the circumstances and check whether you have a valid case. Once you have ascertained that you have a claim, go ahead and begin the process.

What Makes Being Arrested More Costly and How to Manage It

Being arrested is scary and stressful and your interaction with the police officer can make a difference. If you’re arrested, the cost of the arrest is going to cost you more in the end. The following will discuss why being arrested can cost more and how to manage it.

How Much Is The Average Arrest

The average arrest for a felony-level arrest can cost up to $55,400 whereas the average cost for a misdemeanor can be up to $1000. Although the lower amount is significantly less, it can still put a burden on low-income families. 

This does not include the cost of bail that can range anywhere from $40 for personal recognizance and up. If the individual is not able to make personal recognizance bail, they risk not being released from jail and could potentially lose their job.

Your Punishment Can Be Costly

If the court system decides on probation, you will be required to pay fees around %55 per month, not including testing for drugs. Drug testing can be costly from $35-$45 per test. 

If you’re ordered to complete community service, this may also cost you money due to transportation costs. Mandated counseling sessions can also be costly upwards of $10 or more per session. 

Even if you are incarcerated, the fees can get up there such as fees for meals, canteen, grooming services, phone calls, laundry services, etc.

The Cost of Lawyers

Getting an attorney should be on the must list after getting arrested, but comes at a hefty cost. An attorney for a criminal case can cost $25,000 or more and some lawyers charge a minimum retainer fee of $5,000 just to get started on your case. 

If you are a low-income family, you may have the fee reduced by getting a public defender where the court covers some of the cost.

Bail Bonding Agent

A bail bonding agent can help get your life back together. They will help with expedited bail bonds to get you out of jail fast and back to your life as much as possible. 

The bail bonding agent will help explain the process and gather all the required information for you to be released from jail. Although there is a fee for a bail bonds agent to help you get out of jail, it will help you continue to manage your arrest and charges by getting back to your normal life, job, and family to assist you.

Getting arrested is stressful and can put a damper on your life. It’s important to get back to normal by contacting a bondsman to get you out of jail to work towards recovering from your arrest.

Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best Whistleblower Law Firm to Take Up Your Case

Whistleblowers are courageous people that take up responsibility in disclosing information that helps in exposing wrongdoing. Whistleblowers deserve an earnest pursuit of the full available whistleblower reward, as well as the maximal amount of protection against any retaliation.

When considering making a whistleblower claim, you may find a host of law firms to pick from. Since a lot is at stake, it’s paramount that you choose the best whistleblower attorney. We’ve prepared a guide to help you narrow down the best whistleblower law firm.

Extensive Experience in Representing Whistleblowers

While conducting your research, ask to see the number of whistleblowers the firm has represented. Significant settlements aren't a determinant of whether a lawyer is good; it just shows the whistleblower had good evidence. The best whistleblower attorneys will have at least five to ten successful settlements.

Whistleblower laws are extremely complex. The best law firm will have extensive relevant experience in the whistleblowing field. To begin with, your attorney should help you determine whether your case is viable. 

From there, they’ll gather the relevant information and evidence you need to pursue your claim. Not all claims are similar, and you will need an experienced attorney to make your case.

Adequate Resources and Time to Dedicate to Your Case

You need to hire an attorney from a law firm that gives your case all the attention it deserves. Even the most applauded whistleblower attorney won’t effectively have a case if they fail to provide it with the energy, time, and resources needed for your case.

Often, whistleblower cases require quite a share of resources, including investigators and expert witnesses. You need a firm with the right connections and resources to explore all factors that would strengthen your case. Preferably, pick a law firm that handles whistleblower cases explicitly, like Meissner Associates.

For an attorney, a look at their past cases is crucial. Seek an attorney with a track record of closely working with government agents, investigators, and other attorneys. 

That way, the officials already know that they can rely on your attorney for reliable analysis and information. This gives you an advantage even before you present it.

Aside from satisfying the government, check their track in maximizing the rewards for their whistleblowers.

Favorable Financial Terms

A typical whistleblower contract for representation will have or have the option of including a contingency - they only earn if you win the case, plus the attorney fees are settled by the defendant once you win the case. 

The main difference you will encounter between law firms is the percentage of your whistleblower settlement the firms wish to win.




Avoid firms that attempt to lock you in by making it hard for you to fire them. Inquire on whether any part of your claim will require the input of another expert, and if your attorney is willing to ask for help on aspects of your case that require particular expertise. 

However, ensure the expertise they seek is from a great resource and not just one with the best referral fee.

Find the Best Whistleblower Firm

In the U.S, the general rule is that whistleblowers don’t have to pay the opposing counsel’s attorney fees if they lose their case. A fact that should motivate you to whistleblow on any injustice you may be aware of.

Getting the best law firm for your case is the first step to a winning case. Check the track and experience record of your firm, their resource availability, and their financial terms before making that decision. Finally, trust your gut on the firm and attorney you settle on, then focus on your case.

When Government Negligence Causes Financial Damages in Accidents

 
When people think about the cause of accidents and who to sue when accidents occur, the common target is other drivers or regular everyday citizens. 

There are, however, instances where agencies such as the government can be found negligent and can be responsible for financial damages in accidents.

This could be the federal, state or local government. Each state has its own laws governing the procedures for filing a lawsuit against government entities. These cases can often be more difficult and need special attention and care. 

Though they may be challenging, if you follow the proper protocols and steps, it is possible to recover damages from the government following an accident.

Case Examples

There are several different examples of cases where government negligence can come into play. These are scenarios that people do not often think of, though they are more common than most might believe. 

For example, if you get into an accident because you hit a major pothole in the road, or perhaps someone else hits the pothole, loses control, and hits you, those responsible for maintaining the road can be found negligent. They are negligent for not fixing the pothole. 

This can also be the case with other hazards that impede traffic on the road. In most situations, the party responsible for maintaining the roads and keeping them free of hazards is the government.

Another example might be any accidents that are caused by road construction issues. Perhaps the traffic was routed incorrectly, or cones or barriers were misplaced. There is a possibility that the government may be found negligent should an accident be caused by these types of issues.

Another, lesser thought of the situation may be if a government employee is driving while in the course and scope of their duties and causes an accident. In this case, the government may also be held liable.

Understanding the Process

Going about an accident or personal injury case when the government is involved can be complicated. These cases run differently and generally have different rules and deadlines than normal personal injury cases. 

Suing the government is no simple task. Let’s say you are suing the government in Utah for negligence that caused your accident. In a normal case, you would have up to four years after the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. 

Due to something called the Governmental Immunity Act of Utah, if your personal injury case is against the government, you only have one year to file your claim.

Get An Attorney

Because of the special circumstances and issues surrounding a lawsuit against the government, it may be advisable to find an attorney to help you through the process. 

With the dates and deadlines being tighter, having an attorney will take some of the burdens and stress off of you.




Further, and possibly most importantly, an attorney will be able to say with more certainty whether or not you have a case against the government. 

Because of how big of an undertaking it can be, you want to be certain you have the correct parties identified before filing a lawsuit. An attorney will be able to help you navigate through the process no matter which path you eventually choose.

It may seem like a daunting and almost impossible feat, but there are ways you can hold governmental agencies financially accountable for their negligence in an accident. 

Knowing where the government may be responsible, understanding the process, and potentially seeking help from an attorney are all ways to maneuver through cases like these with more ease.

Family Law Mediation Can Impact Your Finances

There is nothing good about dealing with a divorce. Divorce is rated as one of the most stressful processes one can face. This is because the divorce process brings much emotional turmoil and financial implications and tears families apart. 

However, during this hard process, family law mediation can alleviate your stress and give you a slightly simpler time as you make your life decisions after your divorce.

Such decisions include how to share your assets, support payments, and child custody. Family law mediation can impact your finances a great deal. Luckily, the impacts of family law on your finances are mostly positive. Here are some of how family law can impact your finances.

What Family Law Mediation Means

When a couple is involved in a divorce, things can quickly escalate and lead to disagreements, particularly with the more sensitive matters such as financial assets and child support. That is where meditation comes in handy. 

With the help of a professional, impartial mediator, the divorced couple converse and come up with an agreeable solution that will work for them both. Mediations are usually physical meetings and can only take part if both parties are on good terms and cannot harm one another.

How Family Law Mediation Can Impact Your Finances
Cost-Effective

As compared to other settlement measures available for divorced couples, family law mediation is one of the most pocket-friendly costs. 

This is because you only have to pay your mediator as compared to settlements whereby the divorcing parties have to pay both of their lawyers. 

Quicker Pace

Since your sessions with your mediator are personal and private, you can take them at your desired pace. You can slow down your mediator when you feel they are moving too quickly or hasten them up whenever they lag behind. 

You have power over your mediation sessions, and you can ensure you take the most minimum time possible. Therefore, doing this will go a long way in helping you cut costs and save you a lot of money.

Save on Legal Fees

Presenting your divorce case in court is not free. There are several legal fees you may be required to pay before the court decides your settlement case. Using family law mediation services will help you to cut down on these costs as you focus on resolving the contention at hand.

Allows You Time to Work

Since family law mediation moves at your pace, you do not have to put a standstill to your daily duties and routines. Instead, you can continue working and, in turn, get paid while you make plans for mediation with your professional mediator.

Negative Impact

If you are looking for a solution that will not cost you even a dime, mediation is not your go-to option. This is because you will have to pay your family law mediator for the services they have offered to you. But that should not be a big deal if you put this negative side by side with all the positives.

The Best Option

The whole divorce process can be rather confusing. It gets particularly harder when you are not fully equipped with the options you can use to settle all the crucial matters. However, by hiring an attorney for family mediation, you will make matters much easier.

It is the best option that you can employ while dealing with the issues surrounding divorce cases. An attorney for family mediation can be your mediator if they are trained, and if they are not, they may be able to recommend a good mediator to help you with your divorce troubles.

What Is a Ponzi Scheme?

When it comes to investing, an ability to spot schemes and possible fraud is an important key point to keep in mind. There are numerous types of scams that exist in the world of investments but perhaps no other is quite as bold as a Ponzi scheme.

A Ponzi scheme is a form of fraud that is characterized by fake investments at the hands of a scam artist. The schemer persuades a series of investors to invest in a fake company and proceeds to pay back small shares from the funds being invested to conceal the scam.

A Ponzi scheme can take on many different exteriors, yet the same type of fraud is always at play. Let’s take an in-depth look at the dynamics of a Ponzi scheme.

Why Is It Called a Ponzi Scheme?

The scheme gets its name from an Italian swindler by the name of Charles Ponzi who convinced a large number of New England residents to invest in a fake postage stamp investment in the 1920s.

The scam was so shocking and became so infamous that the name Ponzi was affixed to any scam that involved fake investments with no return promise on revenue to the investors.

How Do Ponzi Schemes Work?

Ponzi schemes work because the scammers rely on the inexperience of easily-recruited investors into the fake company. Investors who respond positively to scheming organizers frequently convey too much trust and lack of investment knowledge when they fall for a Ponzi scheme, which is why it is important to thoroughly research an organization before commitment.




The scheme operates solely on revenue from investors which is in turn paid back to other investors with no company growth or earnings to show for. It is a repeating cycle of dwindling profits and returns that yield no growth that typically causes investors to become suspicious and seek to cash out, which is the end of the scheme as the swindler(s) have nowhere left to hide at this point.

Ponzi Scheme Examples

A Ponzi scheme can be small or massive, with the scheme operating under the name GPB Capital being a notable example. This Ponzi scheme saw a large number of wealthy investors drop revenue into the unbalanced company with the promise of an 8% return on said investments.

A Ponzi scheme doesn’t need to be small and unassuming to be a scam; high-level executives and brokers can execute a scheme with much more believability to the unassuming investor.

Conclusion

This was a brief overview of what a Ponzi scheme is and the many forms that a scheme of this nature can take on. To avoid falling victim to a Ponzi scheme, be sure to avoid suspicious sellers. If an organizer is not licensed or sounds vague and sketchy in their pitch, do some further research before making a commitment.

Be aware of terms like “no risk”; there is always risk involved in investing. If something seems off, always trust your gut instinct.

3 Things You Should Know about the Cost of a Lawsuit

There are many factors to consider as you decide whether or not to file a lawsuit against another party. Regardless of the type of case that you are thinking about pursuing in court, you must understand the potential costs of a lawsuit before you finalize your plans. While requesting an estimate for legal fees from your lawyer is a critical step to take, there are a few other things that you need to know about legal fees.

Different Legal Fee Structures

Each law firm or independent lawyer has a different fee structure. Some will only collect a fee if they win your case, and the fee may be a percentage of the award. Others will collect an up-front fee based on their time and energy spent on your case regardless of whether they win or not. 

Some will collect this fee with monthly billing statements as an alternative. There are also various hybrid variations that combine these fee structures together. Because fee structures vary dramatically, you should carefully assess the structures from several experienced attorneys before you make a decision about representation.

Rates Vary Dramatically

Likewise, rates for these various fee structures vary. A higher rate does not always mean that you will receive better service or enjoy a more favorable outcome. Many people worry about having to pay expensive legal fees out of their own pocket, and they may be inclined to find the rock-bottom lowest rate available. 




Understand that lawsuit funding is available. After learning about the lawsuit funding process, you may decide that this is an effective way to pay for legal fees upfront and obtain the services of the most experienced lawyer in your areas. 

Don’t forget to look on legal websites for information that can help you out. For example, if you had questions about settlement loans, you can learn about it here.

Judgments May Not Be Paid Promptly

You may assume that you can pay for legal fees after a judgment has been awarded, and your lawyer may tell you that you have a very solid case with a strong likelihood of having a favorable outcome. However, some people may not pay a judgment in a timely manner. 

An outstanding judgment typically will show up on the individual’s credit report as an outstanding debt, and this may interfere with is or her ability to obtain financing until the debt is paid to you. However, it still may be months or years until you receive a dime from the court case.

Legal fees can seem prohibitive, and you may consider not filing a case because of them. However, with multiple fee structures available and with legal fee funding available, there is no reason not to pursue justice with a lawsuit.

Broke & Broken? How to Afford a Personal Injury Case

Even if your personal injury case seems relatively straightforward, these legal proceedings can become extremely complex in the blink of an eye. 

Many victims accept unfair insurance settlements simply because they believe a civil case will be too expensive or time-consuming. 

Here is a look at a few steps that you can take to make sure that you receive a fair settlement in or out of court.

Understand Your Rights

If you were injured because of someone else’s carelessness or negligence, then you deserve compensation. Depending on where the accident took place, you might receive compensation even if it is determined that you were partially responsible for the accident. 

Spending a little bit of time researching your rights and responsibilities could end up saving you a tremendous amount of time and money later on. You should be able to find free legal resources online, at a local DMV, or at the county courthouse.

Start Keeping Records

Every bit of information that is pertinent to your injury must be saved and kept in a safe location. That data will be invaluable to your legal team as they create an airtight case for the trial or mediation process. 



Your team will need information such as the names of everyone involved, medical bills, your doctor’s diagnosis, a timeline of the injury, and firsthand accounts of the accident. Winning your case is going to be nearly impossible without that information.

Consider Mediation

Mediation is a good option for some people, but there are a few things to consider before accepting a settlement. The at-fault party’s insurance provider and legal team will do everything in their power to pay out as little as possible, and they might offer you a lump sum right away just to avoid a trial. 

Accepting that lump sum will restrict your legal rights in the future, and that is why you should have an attorney by your side during the mediation process.

Take a Look at Contingent Fee Arrangements

Many attorneys, such as Blomberg Benson & Garrett, offer contingent fee arrangements to those who are involved in personal injury cases. With one of these arrangements, the lawyer will not be paid unless they win the case, and that means you won’t have to worry about paying any fees until an agreement has been reached. 

The legal fees are generally taken directly out of the settlement, and the overall percentage is determined before the client hires the attorney.

You should never feel as if your back is against a wall following a serious accident or injury. There are many different ways to receive fair compensation as long as you explore all of your options and spend some time researching your rights.