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You May Need an Attorney and Not Even Know It

People take legal matters into their own hands every day, and sometimes they lose money and property in the process. You can make a legally binding contract without using an attorney, but you are risking missing some big legal loopholes and laws you may not be familiar with that can not only make your contract invalid but can actually cost you in the end. When you are selling or purchasing real estate, tackling the creation of a will or even just loaning money to a friend, a consultation with an attorney can be a positive step. I'll show you when and why you need an attorney.

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You May Need an Attorney and Not Even Know It

The Benefits of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
Car accidents are unfortunately common and can be highly stressful events that lead to physical, emotional, and financial strain. In the aftermath, one of the most crucial steps you can take is hiring a car accident lawyer. This decision offers several significant benefits that can greatly influence the outcome of your case. Expert Guidance and Legal Knowledge Navigating the legal system alone can feel overwhelming. A car accident lawyer offers in-depth knowledge of the laws relevant to your case, covering personal injury law, insurance regulations, and state-specific statutes.

5 Ways a Divorce Lawyer Can Simplify Your Separation Process
Going through a divorce can be one of the most challenging experiences in life. It's a time filled with emotional turmoil, legal complexities, and significant life changes. However, having a skilled divorce lawyer by your side can make a world of difference in simplifying the separation process. Here are five ways a divorce lawyer can help you navigate this difficult time with more ease and confidence. Legal Expertise and Guidance

Why Hiring an Elder Law Attorney Is the Best Decision for Assisted Living Estate Planning
As individuals age, their need for specialized legal services increases. Estate planning, particularly for those who are going to be moving into assisted living facilities, requires the knowledge and experience of an elder law attorney. An elder law attorney can provide invaluable guidance and counsel for families navigating the complexities of estate planning during the transition into assisted living. Learn the various benefits of hiring an elder law attorney for assisted living estate planning.

The Benefits of Hiring a Bankruptcy Lawyer
Filing for bankruptcy is never an easy decision. It can be a stressful and overwhelming process that requires a lot of legal knowledge and attention to detail. That’s why hiring a bankruptcy lawyer can be a wise decision. The right lawyer can help you navigate the complex bankruptcy process, protect your rights, and ensure that you get the best possible outcome. If you’re wondering what benefits a bankruptcy lawyer can offer, keep reading.

Common Traffic Crimes and Their Legal Implications: What You Need to Know
Navigating the roads requires responsibility and adherence to traffic laws. However, there are instances when drivers commit traffic crimes, which can have serious consequences. Understanding common traffic crimes and their legal implications is essential for every driver. Here are the most common traffic crimes and shed light on the potential legal ramifications of each offense. By familiarizing yourself with these offenses, you can make informed decisions while driving and avoid legal trouble.

Pedestrian Accident Lawyer: Injured By An E-Scooter
Electronic scooters, or e-scooters, have become increasingly prevalent in urban landscapes across the world. While they offer a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to traditional transportation modes, their widespread use has also given rise to new legal challenges, particularly in the realm of pedestrian accidents.  When someone is injured by an e-scooter, navigating the legal avenues for compensation can be a complex process. That's where the role of a pedestrian accident lawyer becomes critical.

How Are Auto Accident Lawyers Paid?
Car accident lawyers typically utilize a fee structure known as a contingency fee arrangement when representing clients. This means that the lawyer's payment is contingent upon successfully recovering compensation for the client. Read on for what you should know about the main method of paying a personal injury lawyer after an accident. Contingency Fee Arrangements Under a contingency fee arrangement, the lawyer agrees to represent the client without upfront fees or hourly charges.

Dealing With A Spouse That Refuses To Participate In The Divorce
You can be divorced even if the other side refuses to participate. However, a cooperative spouse will mean a smoother experience. To avoid a default divorce situation, follow the below tips to encourage your spouse to take part in the divorce so that the parting is fair and equitable.  When a Spouse Is Uncooperative Dealing with an uncooperative spouse can be a frustrating and emotionally draining experience. When you're going through a divorce, it's important to find ways to manage the situation and communicate effectively with your partner.

Social Security Disability Applications: The Basics To Know
Social Security disability benefits are important for those who suffer an injury or illness that prevents them from supporting themselves. Unfortunately, many people are ill-informed about the application process, the standards applied during application review, and what they can expect when they apply for benefits. Here's a look at some of the things that you should know about what affects your chances of approval. Are you able to or currently working?

Get Ready For The Workers' Compensation Independent Medical Examination
If you have been asked to appear at a workers' compensation independent medical examination (IME), being ready is vital. This exam can determine what happens next with your workers' compensation claim. There is much you can do to ensure that the results of the IME are agreeable. Find out more by reading below.  The Reason for the Exam: This exam is requested by the insurance company handling your injury claim. If you have been unable to return to work after an accident, the insurer will ask that you undergo a special exam focusing on your injuries, treatments, and current status.

Steps To Avoid Common Mistakes During Divorce Proceedings
A divorce can be a stressful experience to go through. However, it can be one of the most important steps for giving yourself a new start after a failed marriage. As a result of the importance of this process, there are steps that can help you with managing the process of going through a divorce. Seek Legal Advice Promptly A divorce can be an extremely complex process to go through. Due to the complexity of this process and the importance of making good decisions, individuals should make sure to retain a divorce attorney as soon as possible.

Three Situations When You Should Use The Services Of An Attorney
There are many situations when an attorney will perform valuable services for you. In some of these situations, they are protecting your legal rights by helping you get all the money you are entitled to. Unfortunately, people often neglect to consult an attorney because they think it is unnecessary. Here are a few ways attorney services can help you. You have assets that you want distributed in a specific way after you pass

Issues That May Arise Because Of An Improper Root Canal Procedure And How To Seek Compensation If They Occur
Most dental procedures are successful and provide the desired results. However, others may result in harm that forces patients to seek additional treatment. A possible cause of dental-related injuries is an improper root canal procedure. This can cause you to suffer significant health complications. If this happens, you may have the right to file a medical malpractice lawsuit and seek compensation. Below are some complications that may arise after an improper root canal treatment and how to seek compensation if they occur: 

Facing Legal Problems With Your Tenants? Signs You Need A Landlord Lawyer
If you're a landlord, you owe it to yourself to have a lawyer on retainer. You never know when you're going to need legal services. In most cases, you won't have any problems with your tenants. But, some tenants can cause serious problems for you. When that happens, you need legal help. If you're not sure that you need a landlord lawyer, read the list provided below. If you're dealing with any of the situations described here, it's time to seek legal help from a landlord lawyer.

All You Need to Know Before Filing a Claim After Sustaining Injuries in a Hotel Accident
Hotels are some of the facilities you least expect to be involved in an accident. However, many travelers are often injured in hotels; some undergo significant treatment or even lose their lives due to complications. This may also happen to you, and you should consider taking legal action against the hotel. The facility's management should take full responsibility for your damages, and a premises liability lawyer or personal injury lawyer can help you to get the payments you deserve.

Some Of The Costly Mistakes That Can Weaken Your Disability Claim
If you've suffered physical or mental impairment that has affected your working ability, you might be eligible for disability payments. Therefore, you should decide to file a claim to enable you to get monthly payments to handle your day-to-day expenses. If you're unsure how to apply for these benefits, contact a lawyer dealing with disability insurance for guidance. They will review your case to know the evidence needed to strengthen it.

It's All About Your Earnings With SSDI
If you need to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you may know that the Social Security Administration (SSA) reviews several aspects of your application for benefits. In most cases, claimants must pass through several levels of evaluation before a ruling is made. The SSDI process involves checking your work credits, your medical condition, and the work tasks in relation to your medical condition. If you don't get past the work credits section, though, your application is automatically rejected.

4 Services You Can Get From A Personal Injury Lawyer
Personal injury lawyers specialize in tort claims. They provide legal assistance to people who have suffered loss or gotten injured in an accident. Torts may result from negligence, medical malpractice, or carelessness by another party. If you have suffered injuries or damages, you can consult a lawyer for assistance with your claim. They will help you in the following stages of the process.  Gathering Evidence To get compensated after you're involved in an accident, your lawyer will need to prove your case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Do You Want To Get A Lenient Verdict After A DUI Arrest? Avoid The Following Mistakes
A DUI charge can profoundly affect various aspects of your life, even if you're facing it for the first time. For instance, you stand a risk of losing your job if you get a jail sentence. That means a significant drawback in your career.  For that reason, you have to be extremely careful and avoid errors that might jeopardize your legal defense. Here are the mistakes to avoid if you want to increase your chances of getting a lenient verdict after a DUI arrest.

Going through Probate? Follow These Five Tips
Have you been named the executor of an estate after a loved one passed? If so, know that going through probate law issues can be difficult if you've never done it before. Here are some things that you should do to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Learn About The Probate Process Probate is not something that you want to go into blindly and learn as you go. It is worth taking the time to do research about the process so that you have realistic expectations about what will happen.

Disability Benefits Assistance Is Essential When Appealing A Claim Denial
Most SSDI claims are denied, but a number of claims are approved on the second or third round of the process of obtaining SSDI benefits. After your claim has been denied the first time, you might be reluctant to file another claim. This is something you should not do alone and you should seek disability benefits assistance. Requirements for Appealing a Case To be able to appeal your case, you must meet all of the requirements.

Will You Need A Probate Lawyer?
Lawyers practicing this particular area of the law deal with wills and the court process known as probate. They may also advise people and help them create wills that are legal, enforceable, and fair. To find out more about what to expect from a probate law attorney and why their services are so important, read on. File the Will All states require that an estate (of a certain size) be probated.

Using a Will to Divide Estate Property
Many people believe that they can use a will to create a complete estate plan. However, there is much more to it than that. To find out more about what should go into choosing a beneficiary, read on. Per Stirpes Clauses The above term is a way of leaving an entire estate to a single person or several named people. With per stirpes provisions, individual items of property are not singled out in the will.

A Guide On The Work Of Probate Lawyers
When one dies, their estate gets disbursed per their directives or state laws. As such, the estate disbursement process depends on whether there is a will or not. Ordinarily, the will executor or beneficiaries may have to hire a probate lawyer to assist in the probate process. So, who is a probate lawyer, and why do you need one? Who Is a Probate Lawyer? Primarily, a probate lawyer is a state-licensed attorney who specializes in estate law.

What You Need To Know About Auto Accidents Caused By A Car Defect
Many car accidents are caused by driver misconduct. However, some accidents can be attributed to car defects. If you're involved in a car accident and believe that a defect in the car caused the incident, you should consult your auto accident attorney. Here's some basic information on auto accidents arising from car defects. What Are Some Common Car Defects? One of the common car defects involves airbags. Sometimes the airbags in a car may fail to deploy.

Protect Yourself After A Slip And Fall At The Grocery Store
When a person visits the grocery store, they do so with one goal in mind — to purchase food. What they do not expect is to slip and fall and leave the store with an injury. However, for a number of people, the latter scenario is the exact situation they find themselves in. If you happen to be a part of this group, here is some information you want to keep in mind.

Paternity: What You Need To Know
When unmarried couples have a child, you may think the paternity of the child is assumed. Ideally, the two of you would remain a couple and raise your child together. Sadly, this is not always the case. If one of you decides to leave the relationship, there can be ramifications for the child as well, particularly when it comes to paternity and child custody issues. Here are some things you need to know about paternity as an unmarried couple:

OBGYN Personal Injuries Are Serious
When most people visit their obstetrician or gynecologist (or OBGYN), they expect to leave an appointment safely. You do not expect to return home to experience infertility issues or to see your child experience the symptoms of a birth injury. Unfortunately, malpractice in the OBGYN field can lead to personal injury. If this is the case for you, it may be time to consider your future and file a lawsuit against the OBGYN who caused the problem to develop.

Getting Ready For Your Social Security Appeal Hearing
While getting denied your Social Security benefits can be difficult to deal with, you should make sure you don't forget to file for an appeal. It's commonplace for many applicants to be denied benefits only to be approved at an appeal hearing. Once you know you need to appeal, you have things to do. Read on to find out what should be occupying your time after you get a denial letter in the mail from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Planning Your Estate When You Have A Variety Of Heirs
Estate planning is a natural part of planning for your future and the security of any heirs you have in your life. While you may have named a beneficiary on a bank account or life insurance policy, estate planning goes beyond this. You can decide who you want to leave your assets to, if you want your entire estate liquidated before you divide it up, or who gets specific items that you currently possess.

Why Timing Is Everything With Your Personal Injury Accident Case
For those impacted by a car accident, getting things back to normal is very important. Accidents can disrupt every area of your life, from your physical and emotional well-being to your job and your financial situation. Doing things at the right time after an accident can be a bit tricky so read on to find out how to find the sweet spot that means adequate and timely compensation after your car accident.

Tractor Trailer Accidents And Compensation
No one can argue that big rig trucks are indispensable when it comes to the transport of goods. These huge tractor-trailer rigs hold items as diverse as bread and milk or new 4K televisions and clothing. They are a constant presence on the roadways and you no doubt notice and respect them due to their size and speed. Unfortunately, the opposite is not always the case, and some big rig drivers are not as careful around smaller personal vehicles as they need to be.

Problems With Not Revealing Domestic Violence In Your Divorce Case
Even a single instance of domestic violence can be enough to end a marriage, but there are other scenarios in which one partner is repeatedly abusive and the victim does not speak up. If you end up getting a divorce and domestic violence has been a part of your life, you might be inclined to keep this news to yourself — perhaps out of a fear of making the divorce messier than it has to be.

Fair-And-Square Divorce: Can You Split Your Lives 50/50 Without Tearing The Family Apart?
No matter what the material possessions during a divorce, it's the family members themselves that seem to suffer the most. What may start out as an amicable separation turns into a nasty battle over every little thing. Don't let that be the fate of your divorce because it really doesn't have to be that way. Entering into negotiations with the intent of fairly dividing everything can help you and your soon-to-be ex part on good terms, preserving the family unit that's separate from your union.

Benefits of an Explanatory Letter for a Will
If you are writing a will, you should also consider writing an explanatory letter to go with the will. The explanatory letter gives you the chance to leave information for your loved ones that you cannot include in the will. Here are some of the specific things an explanatory letter can help you with: Offering Advice on Inheritance The explanatory letter is a good forum for giving your loved ones advice on how to manage their inheritance.

Things That A Child Custody Attorney Can Help You Work Out
If you have a child with someone that you are no longer in a relationship with, you may find yourself heading to court. The best thing you can do is to retain a child custody attorney like those with Van Gilder & Trzynka PC. While it is a fact that you do have the right to represent yourself in the child custody court, you may want to retain an attorney instead.

Dividing Property In A Divorce: How To Deal With Sticky Situations
In a divorce, it is difficult sometimes to decide who gets what. In some states, everything owned by a couple is immediately and automatically sold and the profits split to avoid the argument of who gets what. The only exception to this law in those states is when one person acquiesces to give the other something of value, such as the house in which they resided when they were married. In other states, this is still a possibility, although bitter and battling couples may argue to get what they want.

Telephone Interviews: Why You May Still Be A Victim Of Discrimination
Usually, telephone interviews for a job are a really safe bet that you can let your brains and personality shine and not let others' views of your physical self get in the way. However, telephone interviews do not stop discrimination from happening completely. You can still be the victim of discrimination during telephone interviews. Here is how, why, and what to do about it after the fact. The Interviewer May Have Listened for Accents or Changes in Pitch in Your Voice

Talk To A Traffic Attorney Before You Pay The Fine For Your Speeding Ticket
A speeding ticket is not only a financial burden, it can have negative repercussions on your life. The extra points could get your license suspended and it could affect your ability to work. Even if you suspect you might be guilty, you should still work with a traffic ticket defense attorney to help you get out of the charge or suffer the least severe punishment. If you pay the fine automatically, you admit to guilt and there's not much that can be done.

Product Liability Claims: Be Aware Of The Time Limits
Just like other personal injury cases, product liability injuries have the statute of limitations that determine how long you have to file a lawsuit. Here are some important things you should know about the statute of limitations for product liability injuries: Statute Of Limitations Vary By State Most personal injury laws vary by state, and product liability laws are no exception. The statute of limitations for product liabilities can be as short as a year in some states while is as long as six years in other states.

Filing For Bankruptcy: 4 Reasons To Hire A Lawyer
Filing for bankruptcy can be a difficult decision, but in some situations it may be the only option for a person or couple to make a fresh financial start. If you are in debt and are seriously thinking about filing for bankruptcy, you may feel like hiring a bankruptcy attorney is an expense that you can't afford. While legal fees are not cheap, it is in your best interest to hire a lawyer to assist you when filing for bankruptcy.

What Can You Do To Maintain Your Privacy During A Car Accident Lawsuit?
Car accidents often occur at times when your life is already overflowing with stressful situations. It's all too easy to find yourself sitting in a totaled car after finding out you're getting divorced or losing your job, either due to the stress that caused a lapse in attention or simply due to poor timing. But if you're hoping to stay private after a serious accident and still want compensation, what can you do?

3 Reasons To Hire A Disability Attorney
Having a disability, whether it be a mental disorder or a physical one, can make staying employed difficult or even nearly impossible. It's estimated that 48.9 million Americans have a disability, with 24.1 million of those having what is considered to be a severe disability. For those who are unable to support themselves due to a disability, Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can help. The trouble for many is that receiving these benefits can be a difficult and confusing process.

Three Bad Bankruptcy Moves To Avoid
If you are considering a bankruptcy filing, you are probably at that point where you are ready for some real relief from your financial woes. You want to make sure that you get the most benefits possible from your chapter 7 filing, and there are a few issues to make yourself aware of before you file. Read on and take note of these three issues that could stop you from filing bankruptcy.

Two Life Changes That Can End Your Social Security Benefits
Although you may have undergone quite a bit of grief to get your Social Security benefits, the sad truth is that you may not receive them for the rest of your life. There are many things can cause you to lose your benefits and that includes normal life events. Here are two that can have a negative impact on your Social Security check. Relocating to a New Place Changes in your living situation can have an adverse impact on your Social Security disability benefit, depending on where you move to and how the change affects your finances.

Constructive Abandonment As A Ground Of Divorce
When your spouse "leaves" your marriage, the law allows you to use the abandonment as a ground for divorce (if your state allows fault divorce). However, your spouse doesn't have to physically leave the marital home for it to be considered abandonment. There is constructive abandonment, which may happen even when your partner is still living with you. What It Means Constructive abandonment occurs when your spouse withholds those things that are widely considered as essential or as natural elements of marriage.

Filing For Bankruptcy? Avoid These Mistakes That Could Derail Your Entire Case
With the way the economy is lately, many people are turning to bankruptcy as a way to get out from under burdensome debt. Unfortunately, it doesn't take much to find yourself facing out-of-control debt. Even if you were once able to afford all your monthly payments, sudden illness, a death in the family, loss of employment, and even divorce can leave you in a position where bankruptcy may be the only option.

Some Things You Should Know About Divorcing
If you are having a hard time in your marriage, you might be thinking about a divorce. For many people, a divorce is the right answer. It can help you to have a new beginning, it can dissolve toxic relationships and can allow you to potentially find someone new that you are more compatible with. However, if you are not careful you can make the process of getting a divorce very nasty.

Top 4 Reasons To Hire A Probate Lawyer
Having a loved one pass away can be very difficult emotionally, and in the weeks and months following it can be very hard to settle an estate. When an estate has to go through probate, settling an estate can be even more complicated. Probate is a legal process where a last will and testament is verified, the value of assets is determined, final bills and taxes are paid, and assets are distributed to heirs.

How To React To Being Arrested For A Domestic Violence Charge
Domestic violence, which refers to any type or argument or altercation between family members, is a serious problem in the U.S. Domestic violence can happen between spouses, romantic partners, or people who are related by blood or marriage. If you're charged with a domestic violence offense, it is important to take the matter very seriously-- a domestic violence conviction can have long-lasting repercussions. Take the following steps after being arrested for a domestic violence arrest:

3 Things To Consider When Building Your Commercial Legal Team
If you run a business and need to be sure that you are covered from serious liabilities and always protecting yourself from a legal perspective, the best thing you can do is get in touch with commercial litigation professionals. The relationship that you have with professionals in the legal field will dictate the longevity and security of your company -- regardless of what sort of business you practice. Follow these tips so that you can find the help of the best commercial litigation professionals in your city:

Charged with Murder for Texting While Driving? It's Possible
A number of states have banned texting while driving and for good reason. According to the Federal Communications Commission, every day approximately 1,161 people are injured and another 8 are killed in accidents involving distracted drivers. Generally, you'll be issued a ticket and made to pay a fine if you're caught texting and driving. However, there are some cases where it may result a more serious consequences. Here's more information about this issue.

5 Steps To Take If A Driver Hits You While You're On Your Bicycle
When on your bicycle, you might do what you can to keep yourself safe, such as wearing reflective clothing, wearing safety gear, and using hand signals. However, no matter how careful you might be, there is always the potential that you could be struck by someone in a vehicle. If this ever happens to you while you're on your bike, these are a few steps that you can follow afterward.

What to Do When Your Accident Was Caused by a Drunk Driver
Wrecks can happen due to careless drivers, distracted drivers and sometimes by drivers who are impaired. While everyone knows that accidents are sometimes caused by human error, getting hit and injured because someone made the decision to consume alcohol and then get behind the wheel can be especially hard to take. You should know that not only could the driver be charged with criminal behavior, you may also be entitled to be compensated for your injuries and losses.

The Best Custodial Parent And How The Court Decides
If you and your spouse cannot agree with each other over who is to have primary physical custody of your minor child, you may find yourself facing further scrutiny. The family court judge will make an effort to look at the facts available to determine custody, but often the need for more fact-finding exists. In many cases, family court judges rely on third party opinions by specially trained professionals to assist in making this all-important decision.

Until Proven Guilty: How To Defend Yourself In Court
If you stand accused of a crime, you must depend on the fairness of the justice system to do its job. As a defendant, it is your (and your defense attorney's) job to convince the prosecuting attorney (the "state") of either your innocence or to show that your actions were less than criminal. While the system ostensibly places the burden of proof on the prosecution, the reality of most cases demonstrates instead a need for you to put up a good defense against the charges.

Get In A Car Accident With Another Driver On Their Phone? Know Your Rights
Cell phone usage is so natural these days that people often feel that they can use their phone while they are driving. Unfortunately, cell phones are responsible for a quarter of car accidents due to people that are too distracted by using the device. If you're involved in a car accident with a driver that was using their cell phone at the time, it's important to know what your rights are and what you can do about it.

Three Things You May Not Know About DUIs
Most people have a basic idea about some of the laws and penalties associated with DUIs, such as revocation of driving privileges and jail time. However, DUIs are a lot more complex and far reaching than that, and you could end up landing in serious trouble with the law if you're not careful. Here are three things you may not have known about DUIs to help you avoid or prepare for legal issues associated with them.

Defending Yourself Against A Lawsuit Employing The Family Purpose Doctrine
In general, if you let someone borrow your vehicle and that person gets into an accident, that individual would be held liable for any damages that result. In some states, however, you could be put on the hook for paying out compensation for injuries and damages if the person who caused the wreck was a family member. Here's more information about a law called the Family Purpose Doctrine and a few ways you can defend against it.

What Will Happen When The New Overtime Rules Take Effect?
If you work more than 40 hours a week in a salaried position, you may sometimes bemoan the fact that you're expected to put in extra hours without receiving extra pay. While salaried positions can often carry with them perks like higher levels of responsibility or autonomy, in other situations they may simply be a way for management to cut overtime costs by classifying employees as exempt from the overtime requirements of federal labor laws.

Informal Vs. Legal Separation: 3 Things You Should Consider
Making your marriage work can be difficult, which is why approximately 40% to 50% of marriages end in divorce. If you are struggling in your marriage, you may want to consider separating for a while. This will give you time to think about things and decide what you want to do. If you decide to do this, you have two main options. You could either have an informal separation, or you could go through with a legal separation, and here are three things to consider as you decide which to choose.