The Court Of Public Opinion

My mom told me she has a living will. That way she’s going to avoid probate

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this when a new person finds out I was a living trust lawyer.

They go on to say, She got one of those forms at the seniors’ center. You know, the one she can fill out herself. They even witnessed it for her.

I hate it when this comes up, because I have to set the record straight, I have to let the person know that a living will and a living trust are two different instruments that serve two different purposes.

One, the living will, is your statement that If I am terminally ill or mortally injured (I’m using simple language here to get the point across), then don’t hook me up to life support that will never return me to life. It’s the issue that’s currently being fought in Florida, with Governor Bush signing a law to keep a woman alive over her family’s wishes and a court ruling.

Her living will has nothing to do with avoiding probate. It is a health care document. Really it should be called a death desire, but our society can’t handle that bluntness.

A living trust, on the other hand, IS a probate avoiding document.

Basically, probate is used to transfer property you own when you die. If you have a will, your executor uses the probate court to carry out the terms of your will. If you die without a will, the laws of your state has statutes that describe where your property goes and who is in charge of getting it there.

So, if you don’t own any property when you die, then (generally…there are always exceptions) there is no need for probate.

This is where the living trust steps in. It called a living trust because it is created while you are living.

When you create a trust, you transfer title to your property to the trustee of the trust. You, as an individual, no longer own the property.

So, if you die, no probate is needed (remember, there are always exceptions), since YOU don’t own the property. The property is owned by the trustee of the trust. The trust instrument instructs him/her on what to do with the property upon your death.

A living trust is a LOT more complicated to set up and maintain than a living will. They accomplish different tasks.

So, when you hear that a loved one has a living will to avoid probate, it might be smart to ask a few questions.

Good luck and until next time,

Phil Craig

P.S. Feel free to forward this on to any friends.

Phil Craig, All Rights Reserved

Phil Craig is a licensed attorney and entreprenuer. He started practicing law at age 25 in 1979. He does not take on any more clients, but is advisor to some of the biggest names in the internet world. He shares his knowledge gained over the last 25 years at his Living Trust Secrets newsletter site: click here=========>http://www.LivingTrustSecrets.com

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If you do use the material please send us a note so we can take a look. Thanks.

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In the United States court of law, if a person or party is involved in litigation or legal action, and is dissatisfied with the verdict or result from that litigation, they have the right to ‘appeal’ that decision to a higher court. An appeal is a challenge, or dispute, of the original verdict. Because an appeal case is very different than a typical court case, and because the appeals process needs to follow a very specific protocol, finding experienced appeals lawyers to handle the case is very important.

If a person does decide to appeal his/her case, it must be done immediately after the conviction takes place. The appeal itself is a written document that lets the higher court know that the defendant will be appealing his/her conviction. If an appeal is not entered immediately, or if the notice is not filed, the defendant may not be able to file an appeal at a later date. And this is why appeals lawyers are so important.

The appeals process differs from a normal trial in several ways. In the appeals trial, referred to as a hearing, there is no jury, and the appeal is focused on an appellate brief which is filed by the defendant’s lawyer. The appellate brief presents the defendant’s argument on why the verdict in the original trial was incorrect, and also the other party’s argument on why the verdict was okay. The judge will question each of the appeals lawyers about the brief, and may allow a short time for oral arguments. In an appeal hearing, there are typically many referrals to precedents set in other trials and court cases.

Because of the strict steps and protocol that are demanded in an appeals case, having experienced appeals lawyers who have dealt with them before can increase your chance of success. These lawyers have experience with appeals and finding problems or mistakes with the original trial that can be used as the basis for an appeal. They are familiar with arguing on precedents set in other cases. The appeals process is very lengthy, so both parties should be prepared in terms of time and cost.

Finding appeals lawyers with experience is often done by referrals and word of mouth. Ask friends, co-workers, business professionals, or other lawyers. Public interest groups and non-profit groups may also give suggestions. Most State Bar Associations provide lawyer referral services that can give a list of appeals lawyers in your area who are available for consultation. Appeals lawyers usually charge a small amount of money for initial consultations, although some may provide a free consultation. If you can’t afford a lawyer, check with a local free Legal Aid agency to find out what your options are.

If a party feels they have been wrongfully sentenced during a court trial, or if he or she doesn’t agree with the outcome, then he or she should talk to an appeals lawyer immediately so that the lawyer can determine if there is a basis for appeal, and file the appeal notice immediately. Having experienced appeals lawyers on your side can make the difference in the outcome of the appeals hearing.

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My mom told me she has a living will. That way she’s going to avoid probate

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this when a new person finds out I was a living trust lawyer.

They go on to say, She got one of those forms at the seniors’ center. You know, the one she can fill out herself. They even witnessed it for her.

I hate it when this comes up, because I have to set the record straight, I have to let the person know that a living will and a living trust are two different instruments that serve two different purposes.

One, the living will, is your statement that If I am terminally ill or mortally injured (I’m using simple language here to get the point across), then don’t hook me up to life support that will never return me to life. It’s the issue that’s currently being fought in Florida, with Governor Bush signing a law to keep a woman alive over her family’s wishes and a court ruling.

Her living will has nothing to do with avoiding probate. It is a health care document. Really it should be called a death desire, but our society can’t handle that bluntness.

A living trust, on the other hand, IS a probate avoiding document.

Basically, probate is used to transfer property you own when you die. If you have a will, your executor uses the probate court to carry out the terms of your will. If you die without a will, the laws of your state has statutes that describe where your property goes and who is in charge of getting it there.

So, if you don’t own any property when you die, then (generally…there are always exceptions) there is no need for probate.

This is where the living trust steps in. It called a living trust because it is created while you are living.

When you create a trust, you transfer title to your property to the trustee of the trust. You, as an individual, no longer own the property.

So, if you die, no probate is needed (remember, there are always exceptions), since YOU don’t own the property. The property is owned by the trustee of the trust. The trust instrument instructs him/her on what to do with the property upon your death.

A living trust is a LOT more complicated to set up and maintain than a living will. They accomplish different tasks.

So, when you hear that a loved one has a living will to avoid probate, it might be smart to ask a few questions.

Good luck and until next time,

Phil Craig

P.S. Feel free to forward this on to any friends.

Phil Craig, All Rights Reserved

Phil Craig is a licensed attorney and entreprenuer. He started practicing law at age 25 in 1979. He does not take on any more clients, but is advisor to some of the biggest names in the internet world. He shares his knowledge gained over the last 25 years at his Living Trust Secrets newsletter site: click here=========>http://www.LivingTrustSecrets.com

** Attn Ezine editors / Site owners ** Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your site so long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include our resource box as listed above.

If you do use the material please send us a note so we can take a look. Thanks.

More articles at articles on database

Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyers are a class of lawyers experienced with and specialized in handling Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases. They help you obtain debt relief while providing valuable information, services, and guidance that will help you achieve a financially secure future. The bankruptcy lawyers can appraise and monitor your situation better than you are capable of doing and can fight aggressive and annoying creditors accordingly. So it is important that you provide a lawyer with a very honest picture of your situation in order to benefit from the service provided.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy, sometimes known as straight bankruptcy, is a liquidation of non-exempt property to disburse debts. Here, the debtors turn over all ‘non-exempt’ assets (or unprotected assets) to the bankruptcy trustees who then satisfy the demands of the debtors’ creditors.

In general, Chapter 7 is an extremely quick and simple form of bankruptcy. The proceeding is begun by filing a petition with the court. The best way to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy is to hire a Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer to guide you through the process. An experienced lawyer will be looking out for the debtors’ best interests and will guarantee that the debtors are directed every step of the way when it comes to filing bankruptcy.

In case you are not sure whether filing Chapter 7 is the only option or not, it is wise to seek the guidance of an experienced bankruptcy lawyer. The attorney can offer advice on other alternatives and advise you of the potential repercussions of filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. You can also consult a Chapter 7 lawyer to determine the exemptions available in the state where you reside.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyers have a high level of expertise in their area. They possess high ethical standards and maintain honesty and fairness when dealing with clients and adversaries.

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Becoming a lawyer in todays society is a noble goal to undertake. There are many jokes about lawyers that we all have heard, but the truth is, it takes a lot of work to become a an attorney. Pursuing a career as an attorney allows one to experience the gift of helping people in ways that most people are unable to. If your heart ever goes out to struggling individuals legal battles, then this career may just be for you.

To get into law school, you must first have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. Unlike Medical school, there is not really a certain type of major that is required at this time of writing. Some may major in pre-law which focuses on the government, criminal justice and aspects of politics. But it would be perfectly fine to major in math or history. As long as your GPA is high enough to get into the college and your score well on the LSAT, then you increase your chances of getting into this field. Depending on what type of law you decide to study and the school you go to, requirements for your GPA will be different. For example, in you decide to go to Harvard Law School; your competition will be fierce because most of the people applying will have 4.0 GPAs. On the other hand, if you decide to go to a law school in Hawaii, the GPA requirements will be lower because most people will be trying to go to more recognized law schools. This is not to say that non Ivy League schools will not offer a wonderful education for any individual who is focused and determined. For example, the late Johnny Cochran did not got Harvard or Yale, but received his law degree from Loyola University School of Law in 1962. In 1977 he was named Criminal Trial lawyer of the Year. Cochrane later became one of the most sought after attorneys of his time.

Another point to mention is cost. Cost varies greatly depending on the affluence of the school. The tuition at Harvard is quoted on their website at 35,000 per year with an estimated 21,000 a year for living expenses. A law school in Hawaii is around 10,500 per year. Idaho is reported as one of the lowest with tuition cost of 6,700 per year. However, with inflation these costs are increasing each year. The Law college experience lasts three years currently. After this opportunities open up for Private Practice, Corporate Law, Military and teaching, just to name a few. This is an immense field and again, can offer some very rewarding experiences in your life if you choose to pursue this career.

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Running a company comes with a number of challenges, some which involve the services of legal counsel. When you consider workmens compensation, sexual harassment, contracts, labor laws, marketing and advertising, licensing, termination disputes, and so on, you can easily see that securing a reputable law firm could be to your advantage. However, situations arise all the time within businesses. Because of this, it is vital to know when you should and should not secure the services of a law firm.

Today, you can find a number of do-it-yourself legal solutions online. For example, years ago, tax and payroll issues were often handled by outside or inside counsel. However, with the ability to download forms and follow specific instructions, many times companies choose to handle things on their own. Obviously, this option means a huge savings and quicker turnaround in most cases. However, any do-it-yourself legal action also comes with risk if not done properly.

As you can imagine, knowing when and/or if you should ever hire a lawyer to represent you could be a very, fine line. Consider contracts as an example. If not written and executed properly, you could lose not only a significant amount of money, but also potentially the business you worked so hard to build. For this reason, many companies, small to large, will leave contract negotiations and implementation to that of legal counsel. Because contracts are so sensitive and even the smallest mistake in wording could be deadly, seeking out the advice of an attorney is probably a wise choice.

For relatively simple contracts you can choose to create it yourself or use an already created template. However, if you choose this route, review the contract carefully, eliminating anything that would hold your company or anyone within the company liable. An example of potential liability is indemnity. In addition, the do-it-yourself contract should include and even request mutuality. To give you an idea of what this means, if you were going to create a contract that protected the other party specific to limitation of liability, then you too should have this same protection.

It is also suggested that with any DIY legal contract that you ensure there is some type of clause, allowing you out of the contract if the second party does not live up to their end of the bargain. The key with any contract is to look closely for provisions in which fees would need to be paid by you for early termination or cancellation. The good news about handling contracts on your own is that a number of reputable online resources exist where you can download forms needed and sometimes, at no cost. These forms can then be modified specific to your needs and company.

The other side to this is that sometimes, contracts can be quite lengthy and complex. For example, a simple employee contract for an administrative employee would likely be something you could implement with no problem. However, if you need a contract created for a joint venture, or an employment contract that also protects intellectual property there is a higher potential of error and risk if done without professional input. In this case, hiring a lawyer to prepare the contract, provide guidance, execute, and then back it with legal support is wise.

What you need to do when considering contracts, employment, termination, workmens compensation, or any potential legal issue for your company is to determine the potential risk and financial outcome if the right documentation is not in place. If the risk is minimal and there is a cap on the financial end, then using do-it-yourself legal forms makes sense. However, if the situation is complicated and has great risk attached, then consider the age old wisdom of being a penny wise and a pound foolish. It a wise decision to consider the price of an attorney as an excellent investment if failure to do so would result in a huge financial loss or worse the loss of your business if the risk were realized.

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Whistleblower laws and other laws that that have provisions for employer retaliation protection are enforced by numerous government agencies. An apt example of this would be the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and its divisions, which enforce several major laws that directly, protect whistle blowers or have provisions to shelter employees against retaliation. Protection is also provided for reporting desecration of the laws, refusing to engage in any action made illegitimate by the laws, or participating in any proceedings under the laws.

The Corporate and Criminal Fraud Accountability Act, which is a part of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, has been imposed by the Department of Labor. It safeguards employees of publicly traded corporations from retribution for reporting assumed violations of any rule or regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Protection is also provided for contravention of any provision of Federal law relating to deceit against shareholders. Not only does this landmark Act criminalize employer retaliation, it also requires publicly traded corporations to create procedures for internal whistle blowing. Apart from this, it also requires attorneys to become internal whistle blowers.

The laws based on Whistleblower Protection Act safeguards the interest of whistle blowers who work for the Federal government, and is imposed by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC). Apart from this, there are dozens of federal laws protecting whistleblowers or otherwise designed to protect workers from retribution or other unlawful treatment. There are also many related state and local laws. Often many lawyers are not familiar with the employment laws relating to whistle blowing and few are familiar of the laws outside the states in which they practice. Before making decisions based upon state laws, people are advised to do some research on their own and consult an experienced labor attorney, accustomed to representing plaintiffs. This should be done to educate themselves about the various federal and state laws, which might apply to protect them in their particular circumstances. Before blowing the whistle, it is advised to have adequate information regarding the protection provided by a whistle blower law or a like provision in another law.

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Alabama Child Support

In order to receive Alabama child support you must first establish child support. In order to establish child support in the state of Alabama, you must make sure you have a court order verifying the amount of medical support and payment required. You must also locate the non-custodial parent who is avoiding child support. Some parents avoid paying child support by relocating to another state. If you have difficulties locating the non-custodial parent, there are several agencies the will help assist you on locating the missing parent.

Child Support Payments

Alabama child support payment can be collected by using a system called Alabama Location Enforcement Collection System. Once payments are received at the Alabama Child Support Payment Center, they are distributed to the payee. Alabama has a voice response system which provides automated information on payments and distributions. It is a 24 hour a day service and you can find the number at the address below.

Alabama Child Support Enforcement

If a non-custodial parent refuses to pay child support, then the Alabama child support office has several actions on enforcing those child support laws. One action it to intercept the tax refund checks. Anytime that a non-custodial parent owes or is refusing to pay child support , the state of Alabama has the right to confiscate any tax refund checks made to the non-custodial parent. Another action would be to garnish the wages from the non-custodial parents pay check. The Alabama Child Support Office will contact the employer of the non-custodial parent and informed them on how much needs to be deducted in order to satisfy the child support payments.

End of Alabama Child Support

Child support usually ends when the child reaches the age of 19 or when they graduate from high school, or if they are emancipated,whichever happens later. However, if the child attends college and is not working, the non-custodial parent still has an obligation to continue the child support payments.

In these hard times it is very important that single parents files for child support. Every child deserves the right to a healthy and prosperous life. Receiving the child support you and your child deserves will help both the parent and the child live that healthy and prosperous life.

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Let’s say you had a drink or two but don’t feel you are under the influence of alcohol. However, you are arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and offered the choice of taking a breath or blood test (or, in some states, urine). Most DUI suspects choose the breath test — a choice which could doom your chances to prove your innocence. Consider the following advice when deciding which test to take:

1. If you smoke cigarettes, you may want to pass on that Breathalyzer mouthpiece the officer is handing you. Scientific research has shown that smoking can raise the test result considerably — enough to get you charged and convicted of drunk driving. This is because most breath analyzing devices will falsely report acetaldehyde as alcohol. Acetaldehyde is a compound produced in the liver in small amounts as a by-product in the metabolism of alcohol. However, scientists have found acetaldehyde concentrations in the lungs of smokers are far greater than for non-smokers. (Origin of Breath Acetaldehyde During Ethanol Oxidation: Effect of Long-Term Cigarette Smoking, 100 Journal of Laboratory Clinical Medicine 908). Translated: because breathalyzers cant tell the difference between alcohol and acetaldehyde, cigarette smokers will have a higher blood-alcohol reading.

2. If you are a diabetic with possible low blood sugar, you should also avoid the breath test. A well-documented by-product of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a state called ketoacidosis, which causes the production of acetone — and acetone, like acetaldehyde, will be reported by the Brethalyzer as alcohol. In other words, the Breathalyzer will read significant levels of alcohol on a diabetics breath where there may be little or none. See Diabetes, Breath Acetone and Breathalyzer Accuracy: A Case Study, 9(1) Alcohol, Drugs and Driving (1993). To make matters worse, the reactions of a person in the early stages of a diabetic attack include dizziness, blurred vision, slurred speech, weakness, loss of coordination and confusion — the same symptoms which the patrol officer is looking for: the clear signs of a person under the influence of alcohol. And the officer’s observations are quickly followed by a failing performance on DUI field sobriety tests.

3. Are you on a low-carb diet? Or had nothing to eat in quite awhile? Avoid the Breathalyzer in a DUI investigation — for the same reasons stated in number 2. Perfectly normal, healthy individuals can experience temporary conditions of low blood sugar after consuming small amounts of alcohol, resulting in exaggerated but false symptoms of intoxication. Fasting glycemia can exist where a person has not eaten in 24 hours or has been on a low-carbohydrate diet. Production of glucose in the liver is stopped while the alcohol is broken down. Result: the blood sugar level will drop, affecting the central nervous system — and producing symptoms of a person under the influence of alcohol and a higher breath test result.

4. If you have acid reflux or have burped or belched before taking the Breathalyzer, offer to provide a blood sample instead. The reason is that you will be breathing alcohol from your stomach into your throat and oral cavity, where it will stay for 20 minutes or so — to be breathed directly into the breath machine. This is not a good thing. The machine’s computer is multiplying the amount of alcohol in the breath sample by 2100 times to provide a reading of the alcohol in the blood. This is because it assumes the sample came from the lungs, not the stomach, and the average person has 2100 units of alcohol in his blood for every unit of alcohol in his breath (called the partition ratio). The Breathalyzer does not know that your breath sample is not from your lungs and that it should not multiply the alcohol level by anything. Result: false high readings — and a DUI conviction.

5. When you see that officer in the rear-view mirror, don’t reach for the mouthwash or breath spray to disguise the drink or two you’ve had. Most of them contain significant levels of alcohol (Listerine, for example is 27% alcohol) and create a mouth alcohol effect: they remain in the oral cavity for 20 minutes or so — just long enough to be breathed into the Breathalyzer, with the same results mentioned in number 4. Some breath machines have a mouth alcohol detector, but these are highly unreliable.

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The state of Pennsylvania has a set of rules for DUI cases, which may be referred to as drunk driving, driving under the influence (DUI), driving while impaired (DWI) or the new driving after imbibing (DAI). A DUI / DAI arrest will trigger two cases: the court case, with a variety of potential consequences including jail, fines, mandatory alcohol education programs, loss of driving privileges, and more; and the driver’s license case, where the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDot) will seek to take away the driver’s license in a separate action.

There are also laws related to driving under the influence of drugs. This means that if arrestees have any measurable amount of a specified drug in their system, they will be punished. The law has a three-tiered system, where the punishments are decided based on the alcohol or drug level in the blood. The higher the level, the harsher the punishment.

According to Pennsylvania law, any person driving a car has given implied consent to one or more chemical tests of the breath, blood, or urine, if an officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person had been driving while impaired. If the driver refuses, then they will have their license suspended for 12 months, and 3 days of compulsory imprisonment. If the person is convicted of DUI or DAI charges, then the suspension will be in addition to the abatement of DUI or DAI statement. And the person is not entitled to have an attorney present for this particular test.

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