Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Guardianship of a Minor Child



A guardian is someone who is given the legal right to care for a child if the parent is no longer able to for any reason. A guardian accepts all legal responsibilities for supporting and educating the child, and is accountable for the child's well-being and financial interests.

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring A Divorce Attorney


Q How much does a divorce attorney charge?

A. There is not a set fee. Each divorce is unique and the divorce attorney will set their fees depending on the amount of time they will need to invest in the case. The amount of paperwork they will have to file. The amount of traveling they will have to do. The area they are located in.

Q. Is a woman divorce attorney better than a man?

A. The gender of your attorney has nothing to do with their abilities to represent you in court. Female lawyers are sometimes more sympathetic to female issues, but that does not mean that the females are better equipped to represent you. Hire a lawyer based on their experience, their willingness to help, and their availability.

Q. Are consultations always free?

A. Most law firms do offer a free consultation visit to potential clients. These visits give the lawyer the opportunity to hear the facts of the case and to decide if they have the time, and the resources, to represent you. It also gives you the opportunity to decide if you want to retain the attorney. You should ask if there is going to be a charge for the consultation visit.

Q. Do all divorce lawyers handle child custody cases?

A. No. Each lawyer decides what types of cases they will handle, and there are some lawyers who choose to only represent clients who have no children involved in the dissolution.

Q. Can you hire a lawyer online?

A. You can visit the websites of lawyers online, and you can read about their experience, their offices, and their practices, but you need to sit down face to face with a lawyer before you retain them.

Q. Is the information you tell a lawyer confidential?

A. The information you tell your lawyer is confidential, but the confidentiality applies to law firms you have retained. If you have simply talked to a lawyer, and you did not give them a retainer, then they are not technically your lawyer, and the confidentiality agreements may not pertain to them.

Q. Can a lawyer refuse to take a case?

A. A law firm does have the right to refuse to represent anyone. That is one of the reasons why they do consultations.

Q. Can a divorcing couple use the same legal representative?

A. Most attorneys would not entertain the thought of representing both parties in a divorce because it would be a conflict of interest. A couple can file their own papers with the court if they are amicable, there are no children involved, and they agree on every point in the dissolution of the marriage.

Q. Does your lawyer have to be from your home town?

A. The legal representative that you hire must be licensed to practice law in the state you reside in. they do not have to be from your town or county, but if you hire someone from another town they may charge more because they will have higher travel expenses.

A divorce attorney represents one person in the dissolution of a marriage. The amount a divorce attorney charges depends on the case and the location.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shawn_Nejad

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9002804

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

John D. Hodson Selected as a Member of the Nation's Top One Percent by the NADC


John D. Hodson, managing partner of Hodson & Mullin, has been selected to the 2015 list as a member of the Nation's Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. NADC is an organization dedicated to promoting the highest standards of legal excellence. Its mission is to objectively recognize the attorneys who elevate the standards of the Bar and provide benchmark for other lawyers to emulate.

Members are thoroughly vetted by a research team, selected by a blue ribbon panel of attorneys with podium status from independently neutral organizations, and approved by judicial review board as exhibiting virtue in the practice of law. Due to the incredible selectivity of the appointment process, only the top one percent of attorneys in the United States are awarded membership in NADC. This elite class of advocates consists of the finest leaders of the legal profession from across the nation.

Mr. Hodson is a Certified Family Law Specialist (California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization), Solano County's AV-Preeminent rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbel, and the only family law attorney in Solano County's history to be elected to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML). He has chaired the State Bar Family Law Section and Executive Committee (FlexCom) and is the only family law attorney in Solano County to be named a Northern California Super Lawyer every year for the past decade. 

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Interstate Custody Disputes



When parents live in different states, custody disputes can be very challenging. One of the first issues to resolve is figuring out which state court will hear the custody case.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Things You Can't Put in a Prenuptial Agreement


A prenuptial agreement, or "prenup," is an important consideration for many couples contemplating marriage. Also known in some states as a premarital agreement or antenuptial contract, prenups are often believed to be necessary only for those with substantial assets. In reality, many people are choosing to execute prenuptial contracts today. Although these agreements are highly effective and enforceable in most cases, the law prohibits certain provisions.. Should you endeavor to include a non-allowed provision, courts may invalidate your prenup in whole or in part. Read on for some important information on this subject.

Reasons You May Want a Prenup

Even if you don't have a lot of assets, you may want to consider executing a premarital contract before walking down the aisle. For example, some couples choose a prenup to minimize the cost and pain should they later divorce. Many modern couples choose to work out the details of a potential split before getting married, when decisions are more likely to be dictated by logic rather than emotion.. Prenups can also help to establish ground rules for the marriage and set forth clear expectations for both parties. Other reasons for entering into a prenup may include the presence of children, property or debts from the past.

Provisions that May Be Disallowed

The legal system simply won't allow certain provisions in a premarital contract. This varies from state to state, but some concepts are universal. For any matters involving children, you will likely be unable to compel either party to relinquish future parental rights. Family courts consider the best interests of children ahead of that of either parent. Any attempt to restrict either party's custody or support obligations would likely be unenforceable. Some states also disallow attempts to limit alimony rights. Finally, most non-financial terms may fall under scrutiny. For example, attempts to enforce behavior (for example, who is responsible for specific chores, what religion children will be raised in or family pet matters) may not be enforceable. Trying to include provisions of this nature could result in having the entire agreement voided by a judge.

Protecting Your Assets and Rights before Marriage

If you believe a prenuptial agreement is necessary, contact a family law attorney in your state to discuss your goals and objectives. A lawyer who is experienced in the successful preparation and enforcement of prenups can advise you on what may or may not hold up in court, should your marriage fail in the future. If you elect not to execute a premarital contract with your future spouse, state law will govern how assets are distributed during divorce proceedings.

Jen Stott is the Director of Digital Content at Be Locally in South Jordan, Utah. Spiker Card attorneys may be able to help you with prenuptial agreements or other family law matters.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jen_Stott

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8990570

Friday, April 10, 2015

Workers Compensation - 5 Facts That Everybody Ought to Know


Every state has workers compensation laws designed to compensate employees for work related injuries. In some states it may be called workman's compensation or workmen's compensation, but it is the same thing. While specific workers comp laws and systems vary from state to state, there are general principles applicable to all states. Here are 5 facts the everybody ought to know.

1. Not every employer is required to have workers compensation.

Every state has set a minimum number of employees that an employer has to have before the employer is required to have workers comp. The number may be one employee, but is usually 2 to 4 employees. Therefore, if you work in a very small business, your employer may not be required to have workers compensation.

Also, not every employee is always covered. Most states recognize that businesses sometimes hire "casual" employees and these employees are not covered by workers comp.

2. You do not need to prove that your employer did something wrong or was at fault.

In normal personal injury situations where you are hurt. you must prove that another person caused your injury in some way. However, to make it easier for workers to receive medical treatment and compensation for injuries suffered at work, worker compensation laws exclude proving fault. Whether an employer was is at fault or not doesn't make a difference. All that an employee has to do is prove that his/her injuries occurred while at work.

3. You must go to the medical provider (doctor, hospital, etc.) to which your employer sends you.

It may seem unfair, but your employer (or its workers compensation insurance carrier) gets to pick the medical provider that you go to for a work related injury. And, if you refuse to go to the medical provider that is chosen by your employer, you may lose your workers compensation claim.
Employers must pay the medical bills of the medical provider to which you were sent by the employer. If you want to go to your own doctor, you will probably have to pay the bill yourself.

4. Most workers compensation lawyers will handle workers comp cases on a contingency fee basis.

Most states will not allow a lawyer to charge a worker/client a flat fee to handle a workers comp case. They require workers compensation lawyers to work on a contingency fee basis which means that the lawyer is paid a percentage of the amount he/she recovers for the worker/client. If the lawyer does not recover any compensation for the worker/client, then the lawyer is not paid.

5. Lawyer fees must be approved by the Workers Compensation Commission or Board.

Every state has a Workers Compensation Commission or Board. A state may call the commission or board a different name, but its purpose is the same - to settle disputes between the employer and employee that relate to an employee's injury. As part of settling disputes, the commission or board is also required to approve worker compensation lawyers fees. Normally the fee is either one quarter (25%) or one third (33 1/3%) of the compensation awarded to the injured employee.

This is general information only. If you have any questions whatsoever about workers compensation, talk with a lawyer licensed in your state. This article may be republished, but the wording must not be changed and the author links must remain active.

Stop! You may be entitled to workers compensation. For a FREE eBook and more information, click here on Workers Compensation. And click here for more insights on Workman's Comp Settlements.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Bingman

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1972441

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Social Security Disability



The Social Security Administration defines disability as any physical or mental problem that prevents you from working.

Saturday, April 4, 2015

How Do You Choose the Right Child Custody Attorney?


Child custody is one of the biggest issues in the family court system. When a couple is getting a divorce they have to determine where the children from the marriage will live, who will pay for the things the children need, and what is in the best interest of the children.

Child custody and child support are two issues that usually go hand in hand with volatile emotions, psychological stress, and the need for a mediator. You want to make sure you have the best possible attorney in your area to help you with your child custody issues, but how do you decide who is the best?

1. Consider the experience they have

You will need an attorney that has dealt with child support issues in the past. You need an attorney that knows the child support laws in the state you live in, one that is going to fight to make sure that the other parent pays an adequate amount to help support the children produced by the marriage.

2. Consider their proximity to you

You are going to have to meet with the attorney several times during the course of your family law proceedings. If the attorney you choose has offices in another town then you will have to consider what you will have to do in order to get to their office. If it is impossible for you to get to their offices then check to see if the attorney is willing to meet you somewhere closer to your home.

3. Consider their fees

You hate to base your selection on the amount of money that it is going to cost you, but if you cannot afford to pay for your lawyer then you are going to be in even worse shape than you are in now. Ask the attorney to explain their fees, and explain their payment arrangements before you become too involved with them.

4. Look for reviews and referrals

If you have the name of an attorney then you need to look at any reviews you can find about them before you go and see them. Do an online search to see if you can find any written reviews about the lawyer, or the law firm they work with.

5. Interview them

On the first visit to the office of the attorney you are essentially interviewing them for a job. You want to go to this meeting prepared to conduct a thorough interview. Take a small tablet and write down all of the pertinent questions that you want to ask them and carry this tablet with you to the consultation.

6. Listen to your gut

Your gut will let you know when you have found the right person for the job. You will feel confident in the choice you are making. If you feel uneasy about hiring the attorney then your gut is trying to tell you that your subconscious is aware of something that your conscious might not be acknowledging. Listen to your gut.

Child custody cases, and matters concerning child support, require an attorney that is well educated in the family laws of your jurisdiction. You can get more information from child custody Orange County and child support Orange County.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Afshin_Nejad

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8917736

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Workers Compensation Attorneys



In this sometimes complex field, an experienced lawyer can make a big difference to an injured worker seeking benefits.