Author: John T. Kelley

A prenuptial agreement can protect various assets and income in divorce. However, the terms of a prenuptial agreement need to be fair and legally binding. State law governs how property is divided in divorce cases. It can differ significantly from state to state.

Spousal Support

Prenuptial agreements can protect you from having to pay support (also known as alimony or maintenance) to your former spouse. It is often used when one spouse is not earning enough to maintain living standards while supporting children and a home.

A court generally terminates spousal support if the recipient becomes self-supporting. This can happen through employment, receipt of other forms of financial aid or cohabitation.

Depending on your state, this can be a long and contentious process. A prenuptial agreement can help you define a reasonable amount, terms, and duration for support that will be fair to both parties.

It can also help you avoid prenuptial disputes NJ during a divorce or death. You may need a lawyer in this situation. It is essential if you and your partner plan to own separate businesses or has significant future investments that you may not be able to share in the event of divorce.

Asset Protection

Prenuptial agreements can protect your assets, thereby preventing them from being divided in divorce. These include property acquired during a marriage, investments, retirement funds, and outstanding debts.

Assets can be physical property or intangible ones, such as patents, copyrights, trademarks, and other intellectual and structural assets. They are all worth protecting.

Some of the most robust asset protection methods include creating limited liability companies (LLCs) and corporations and setting up trusts to hold your assets. These strategies can help shield your wealth from creditors without committing illegal transfers or evading taxes.

Assets are the things you own that have value and can be used to create income, such as real estate, stocks, gold coins, and other valuable items. The earlier you start forming an asset protection plan, the more likely it will be that it will work to protect your assets from those seeking to collect on them. Planning can also prevent creditors from filing a lawsuit against you and ensure you receive a favorable ruling in court.

Business Ownership

When you start a business, choosing a suitable ownership structure is essential. There are several options – from a sole proprietorship to a limited liability company – so discussing your specific needs with an experienced lawyer is a good idea.

Choosing the proper business structure can significantly impact its future success and longevity. It can also be essential when passing on your business or other assets to family members.

If you have a business and are considering getting married, a prenuptial agreement could be an excellent way to protect your investment in your company if the marriage fails. The prenuptial agreement can protect your assets from a complicated division by stipulating that you will keep the business intact during a divorce.

Inheritance Protection

Inheritance protection is one of the most critical issues for many couples to address in a prenuptial agreement. It is especially true if your spouse’s estate may be subject to a divorce proceeding.

In most states, inheritances received before marriage are considered separate property and are not subject to division and distribution in a divorce. This rule does have a few exceptions, though.

If you have inherited assets that are now marital property, a prenuptial agreement can protect these inherited properties by separating them as separate property and defining how the inheritance will be distributed in case of a divorce.

You can also secure future financial arrangements by establishing an Inheritance Protection Trust with your prenuptial agreement. This trust can help prevent gold diggers and other opportunists from taking advantage of your children’s inheritances.

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Knowing what you’re getting into is vital whether you’re trying to secure a bail bond for yourself or someone else. This article will explore the basics of a bail bond and how to secure one from a bail bonds company.

A bail bond is an agreement to post a specific amount of money in exchange for guaranteeing that you’ll return to court for your scheduled court date. A sealant can be secured through several different types of collateral.

Collateral

Collateral is anything of value you put up as security when a bail agent issues a bond. It ensures you attend all court hearings and makes all bail payments.

Collateral can be cash, property, or jewelry. When you pledge something as collateral, the bond company will hold it until your case has been completed and the premiums have been paid in full.

Real estate is often the most popular type of collateral. It requires that you show the deed to the property and prove you own it fully. Additionally, it must be free and clear of any tax liens.

Cars

A bail bond is an insurance that allows someone to be released from jail while waiting for their court proceedings. It is a three-party contract between the court, the person being bailed out, and a surety company.

Using the title of your automobile is one of the more sensible ways to pay for bail bonds in Harrisburg, PA. To qualify, the car must meet many requirements, including being insured, registered, and having a book value close to the bond amount.

Car titles are usually used as temporary collateral and must be replaced with another form of payment as soon as possible. They can be lost if the person bailed out fails to show up for their court date. So, it is vital to establish and follow a plan to replace the car title as quickly as possible. Alternatively, consider using a loan against your vehicle.

Precious Metals

Precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, and palladium are used in various applications. They are also valuable investments and can help protect you against inflation or economic instability.

When you need to secure a bail bond from a bonding company, precious metals can be used as collateral. The bondsman will value them and apply that amount to the premium you owe them.

The process is simple and can be done without leaving your home. If you have gold bars or coins in your safe at home, they can be placed as collateral, and the bail bond agent will assess the market value to see if it is sufficient to offset the bond.

While precious metals are a great way to diversify your investment portfolio, you must be wary of unscrupulous dealers who may use high-pressure sales tactics and try to scam you out of your money. The following tips can help you avoid scams:

Property

The property can be collateral if you can’t find enough cash to secure a bail bond. It is a good option if you or a loved one owns a home or condo.

The advantage of using real estate is that it usually covers the bail amount in full. However, the downside is that the state will put a lien on your property if you do not appear in court.

To remove this lien, you must meet all of your obligations for the bond, such as paying fines or following court dates. Once you’ve completed these requirements, the bonding company will release their claim on your property. They may need additional documentation before they can remove the lien, so be sure to check their terms and conditions carefully.

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When dealing with family law, there are a lot of factors to take into consideration. Finding the right family law attorney to help you navigate the legal waters is essential. Asking questions regarding fees and other charges ought to be your first course of action. In addition, you should be clear about how long you expect the lawyer to take on your case.

Getting Temporary Child Support Orders

In the legal system, temporary child support orders give a child financial support while a case is in court. These orders are issued by standards established by state courts. You should consult a family attorney tampa if you disagree with child support.

It would be best to verify your income and assets to get temporary child support. You should also check the costs of your housing, child care, and debts.

Once you have the information you need to request, you must fill out forms. You can choose to file these in person or by mail. The Family Court Commissioner’s clerk will schedule a hearing to review your request.

During a temporary order hearing, the commissioner will ask questions to clarify your situation. The judge will leave the order alone or change it after the hearing.

Negotiating With The Other Party

Engaging the services of a family law attorney is among the best ways to achieve this. They can steer you in the right direction and provide you with many helpful tips and tricks. This is especially helpful when bargaining with your ex-spouse. The reward will be worthwhile if you are willing to make the necessary effort. The cost of the attorney’s services should be in the vicinity of a couple of thousand dollars, but well worth the trade-off.

Moreover, you can be assured of the best possible outcome. You’ll also know that you have a fair chance of keeping your shingle. After all, it is a legal contract, not a living room or bedroom.

Dividing Marital Assets in New York

During a divorce, couples must decide on how to divide marital assets. This process is often a very stressful and complicated one. Fortunately, there are legal solutions to help you.

Property is divided according to the principles of equitable distribution. This state law requires that each party’s property be divided fairly. The term “equitable” does not mean equal; instead, it means that the property will be distributed based on the needs of each person. Generally, the court will look at many different factors before dividing a property.

A couple must first identify and define their property. This includes personal property such as cars, boats, art and furniture, and items brought into the marriage. They must also determine the value of these properties. Once they have identified their assets, they can sell them and split the proceeds.

Marital property is generally defined as any property acquired during the marriage. This can include both income and debt incurred during the marriage. In addition, it can also have any investment accounts, retirement plans, pension plans, or a home.

Asking About Fees

When you hire a lawyer for a family law case, you need to ask the right questions. Not all attorneys are created equal. You should look for an attorney who is experienced in your type of case. If you are considering divorce, child custody, or other family issues, you need an attorney who can work with you to resolve your issues.

You need to ensure that you hire an attorney with a reasonable fee. A fee that is too high will not be in line with the skill level of the attorney or the attorney’s experience. This cannot be easy to determine. Some attorneys bill clients for communications and other expenses.

To save money, you can choose an unbundled lawyer. These lawyers will save you thousands of dollars in upfront fees. Most attorneys will bill you for the services they provide. For example, an attorney who handles all your divorce matters will be more expensive than an attorney who concentrates on only one aspect of the case.

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If you are involved in a car accident, motorcycle accident, slip, and fall accident, or something else, you may strike your head and experience a TBI (traumatic brain injury). Unfortunately, even minor TBIs can cause serious pain and discomfort, while more serious ones can have life-long consequences.

Not only do you have to deal with the physical impact of a TBI, but there is also an emotional toll to consider. Because of how serious the impact of a TBI can be, knowing more about these injuries can be helpful.

If you were involved in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness, it is smart to contact an experienced personal injury attorney. They can help you file a claim and recover compensation for your injuries and losses.

Learn more about TBIs and their impact on you and your life here.

Types of TBIs

There are two types of TBIs – open and closed.

An open TBI occurs if something penetrates your skull and enters your brain. On the other hand, a closed TBI occurs when your head experiences blunt force trauma, but your skull remains intact.

Both injuries can be serious and cause long-term effects.

If you experience any head injury, seek medical attention immediately. Your health should be a priority.

Traumatic Brain Injury Defined

TBIs occur when an external force causes damage to the brain. A TBI can range in severity and be mild, moderate, or severe. It all depends on the extent of the damage.

When a TBI occurs, it disrupts the normal functioning of the brain. This is true whether you experience a jolt, blow to the head, or penetrating injury.

On the mild end of the spectrum, you can experience a concussion. More severe TBIs include extended periods of unconsciousness or even a coma. These injuries can result in cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and physical changes that may be permanent or temporary.

Understanding the Different Types of TBIs

The three types of TBIs that you may experience include the following:

Concussion or Mild TBI

This is a common type of TBI that occurs in car accidents, slips and falls, and more. It is possible to recover from a concussion after just a few days or weeks. However, some people may experience lingering issues like fatigue, dizziness, or headaches.

Moderate TBI

This usually occurs after a more severe head injury. If this injury occurs, you will likely lose consciousness for a few hours or days. Many people who experience a moderate TBI experiences cognitive issues, like problems concentrating or thinking. They may also have problems with their memory and information processing. Physical issues may also occur, such as a loss of coordination, weakness, and paralysis.

Severe TBI

As mentioned above, this is the most serious type of brain injury. It is seen in high-speed car accidents, truck accidents, and similar situations. This type of injury will likely cause long-term issues, including problems with mental health and physical function.

Hire an Attorney to Help with Your TBI

If you experience a TBI after an accident caused by another person, you may be able to file a lawsuit to recover compensation. You should hire a TBI injury attorney to help with this process.

Recovering compensation through a personal injury claim can be challenging. With the help of an attorney, you have someone who will negotiate with the insurance company to ensure the settlement offer is fair and fully values your claim.

A TBI can impact your life for just a few weeks or the rest of your life. Regardless of how severe it is, if it was caused by someone else, you should not have to deal with the financial burden alone.

 

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Being involved in a minor fender bender seems like no big deal, right? If you are rear-ended at a stop sign or stop light, but the other vehicle was going slowly, you may not think too much about it.

However, a few days or weeks later, you may start to experience aches and pain in your back. When you go to the doctor, you learn that your rear-end accident may have caused this injury.

At this point, you may wonder – should you sue for damages?

This is a good question and one that is answered here. One of the best things you can do is schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer, who can investigate your case and determine if you have a viable claim. Some other tips can be found here.

Lower Back Pain from Rear End Accidents

After a rear-end accident, you may experience lower back pain. This is centered in your lumbar spine and caused by a sudden impact, which is common in these accidents.

Even at low speeds, this type of impact can cause a bulging disc, herniated disc, chronic pain, or a spinal fracture.

Compensation for Your Pain and Suffering

Back pain can take a significant toll on your physical and mental health. If you experience this after a rear-end accident, it may be possible to receive compensation for your pain and suffering, medical costs, and lost wages. To receive this compensation, you will likely need to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Hiring an attorney to help with this is recommended.

Remember that when you file a personal injury lawsuit, it’s up to you to prove that the other driver was at fault. To do this, you will need evidence. Some of the ways you can collect evidence after a rear-end accident include the following:

  • Report the incident to the authorities. You should report even seemingly minor accidents to the authorities. When the police come to the scene, they will create an official report. This report can be used as evidence in your personal injury claim.
  • Take photos while at the scene. Another source of evidence after a rear-end accident is photos. Take pictures of the positions of the vehicles, damages to your vehicle, and any visible injuries.
  • Talk to witnesses. You should take time to talk to anyone who saw what happened. Get their contact information, so your attorney can reach out to them if you file a lawsuit.
  • Exchange information with the other driver. You need to gather information (for your own records) from the at-fault driver.
  • Seek medical treatment. Even if you don’t think you are seriously injured, get checked out by a doctor. This will help you find any hidden injuries and have documentation of what type of injury the accident caused.

Gathering evidence is a crucial part of any personal injury claim. If you cannot do this yourself, ask someone with you or contact an attorney who can begin working to gather as much evidence as possible.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer for Help with Your Claim

If you start to experience back pain after a rear-end collision, you have the right to recover compensation from the at-fault party. Just remember, you have to prove what happened and that your pain was caused by the other driver.

Remember, most personal injury attorneys provide a free initial consultation to discuss your claim. Use this opportunity to learn about your rights and options.

 

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There is no denying the fact that it is much easier to hire U.S. citizens than it is to employ people from overseas, but sometimes there are valid reasons for dipping into the international pool when hiring new staff. It might be because you want to strengthen the workforce or build a global team with people who have local knowledge of the areas you are hoping to expand to. Or it could be that you need people with specialized skills but are struggling to find suitable staff here in the U.S. Whatever the reason, say the experts at Graham Adair, anyone you hire to come to work in your company will need to have the relevant permission. Moreover, if you are hiring someone to work in a specialty occupation, you may need to hire a H-1B visa attorney in Austin.

The H-1B Visa

The H-1B is designed for non-U.S. citizens arriving to work here in a specialty job in fields such as:

  • Engineering
  • IT
  • Architecture
  • Mathematics
  • Social Sciences
  • Business administration.

The employer hiring the individual to work in these positions will be ‘sponsoring’ the worker, meaning that it is the employer’s responsibility to apply for the H-1B visa. This is where the H-1B visa attorney can be especially useful.

The international worker will need to have the skills to do this specialty job and will be expected to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in that field. The employer will also need to prove that there is a lack of U.S. applicants qualified to do the job.

A part of the H-1B visa requirement is that the international employee is paid the higher of the actual wage or the prevailing wage. The actual wage means the amount that the employer currently pays other employees in similar jobs at the same location of the advertised position, and the prevailing wage means the amount that other workers in similar positions in the geographical area are paid. Because of the complex rules surrounding the H-1B visa application, it is recommended that you use an attorney.

How Can an Attorney Help

An experienced immigration lawyer will know the ins and outs of the complex application procedure. Employers need to submit a form called the Labor Condition Application (LCA) to the U.S. Department of Labor. This form is a declaration that includes information about the wage being paid to the worker as well as a certification that no U.S. citizens are being displaced and that there are no strikes or work stoppages in the location where the foreign worker will be employed.

Once the LCA has been certified by the DOL, the application can be made to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) with the relevant fees and documentation, which may include evidence of the applicant’s education as well as training certificates and any appropriate membership documentation.

Because of the complexity of the application process, it is worth hiring an attorney to help. An attorney can navigate the complicated rules and can guide both employer and applicant through the process, helping to minimize delays by ensuring all the right documentation is submitted first time around.

Conclusion

Employers hire foreign workers for a variety of reasons, but those wishing to hire international employees to work in specialty occupations will need to apply for a H-1B visa. To navigate the complex rules surrounding the application process for this visa, it is a good idea to hire an experienced immigration attorney who can help to ensure the process runs smoothly. It can take months for this visa to be approved, so it is worth getting the application right.

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When you’ve been in a car accident, it’s very common to experience whiplash. Many times, we shrug this injury off as something that will just go away and was simply triggered by the jolt of the accident. However, if you’ve experienced whiplash from a car accident, we recommend using a Sacramento accident attorney to help you get the relief you need. 

Whiplash has been rated as one of the most common injuries that occur in car accidents. All too often, the real side effects of whiplash don’t show up until later and you might not even make the connection to the accident when you do notice it. 

Whiplash often leads to neck pain and quite possibly mobility issues as well. You need an attorney on your side. 

Recognizing Whiplash Symptoms

Whiplash happens when you have a violent back and forth experience, typically with your neck. When you think about the impact of a car accident, your neck likely jolted sharply forward and backward at impact. It might have even moved back and forth more than once. 

That whipping motion is not natural and tends to cause strain to muscles or ligaments around the shoulder and neck area. In some cases, whiplash can even affect your spinal cord and nerves. 

Car accidents are common sources of whiplash, but whiplash can also result from falling hard or even sports injuries. These are some of the most common symptoms of whiplash: 

  • Dizziness or random dizzy spells
  • Unusual fatigue
  • Shoulder pain
  • Headaches at the base of your skull
  • Neck pain 
  • Neck stiffness
  • Neck mobility issues
  • Numbness or tingling of your arms
  • Blurred vision
  • Ear ringing
  • Mental or psychological effects 

If you’ve been in a car accident and begin to experience any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor right away and contact an attorney to be sure your treatments will be covered. 

If left untreated, you may have chronic pain for the rest of your life, and it will only get worse over time. 

Treatment of Whiplash

How whiplash is treated will heavily depend on the severity of your injury. In some cases, physical therapy may be sufficient to restore movement and ease the strain that resulted from your accident. 

In more severe cases, there will likely be the need for pain treatment, extensive care, and possibly even surgery to correct the problem. Even mild conditions need to be treated by a doctor to ensure they are treated properly and that you can recover fully. 

Only a medical professional will be able to determine the extent of the injury and what can be done to help treat the injury effectively. 

Legal Compensation for Whiplash Injuries

In the state of California, whiplash is considered a condition that can be approved for compensation. Just like other injuries, it will require treatment and may result in medical bills or missed work. 

You will need to make sure that you seek treatment as quickly as possible if you suspect whiplash. Make sure the doctor knows why you need treatment and that you think whiplash is possible. 

In addition, it would be wise to get a Sacramento accident attorney to handle your case and help you get the best settlement possible. Contact insurance under the advisement of your attorney. Be mindful that insurance companies always try to settle for as little as possible, so only work with them as your legal counsel recommends. 

Mild cases of whiplash can settle for anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000. This depends on the case, treatments, and your attorney. Some cases settle for even more than this when they are severe cases. Don’t look at dollar signs, but rather getting your bills and missed work covered. If you come out ahead, that’s a plus, too. 

Whiplash Claims Statute of Limitations

Most claims like these do have statutes of limitations to protect individuals and companies alike. In the state of California, you are allowed to file within two years of a car accident. 

Since whiplash tends to show up later and not immediately following the accident, this is a good rule to be aware of. You will need to take action as quickly as possible, but you do have two years to do so if needed. 

There are some exceptions for minors and government entities, but the standard timeframe is within two years. 

Hire an Attorney for Your Whiplash Case

If you or someone you know has experienced whiplash and is within their two-year timeframe, you need to contact a Sacramento accident attorney right away. Use an attorney who has experience handling this type of case and will go to bat to help you get the compensation and coverage that you deserve. 

No one should have to suffer after an accident for any reason, including whiplash.

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Are you thinking of renting a piece of property? While renting property, you have no ownership rights. You only own the right to use the space for a certain amount of time. If you want to buy real estate, you need to make sure that you understand what you are getting yourself into before signing any documents. You need to use a free rental agreement for specific lease duration.

There are many different types of leases, and they vary depending on the type of property that you are leasing.

  1. Lease Agreement

A lease agreement is a legal document that gives the landlord (the person who owns the property) permission to rent out their property to tenants. A lease agreement includes terms and conditions that describe how long you will be able to live in the apartment, how much you will pay each month, whether pets are allowed, and if utilities are included in the monthly cost.

There are many different types of lease agreements depending on the purpose and type of property being leased:

  1. Equipment Lease Agreement – Equipment leases are used to cover any kind of manufacturing equipment, construction equipment, heavy machinery, etc.
  2. Rental Lease Agreement – Rental agreements are typically used for short term leases. These agreements are generally used for personal items such as furniture, appliances, vehicles, etc.
  3. Commercial Lease Agreement – Commercial leases are usually long term agreements covering real estate, commercial buildings, machinery, equipment, etc.
  4. Industrial Lease Agreement – Industrial leases are often used for business purposes, including office space, warehouses, factories, etc.
  5. Real Estate Lease Agreement – Real estate leases are used to cover land, houses, apartments, etc.
  6. Personal Property Lease Agreement – Personal property leases are used to cover things like household goods, furniture, appliances, etc.

When to use a lease agreement? Basically it is intended to be used for a short period or brief duration. You can easily find lease agreement template forms online, at websites where legal forms and templates are available for free or at a minimal cost, download them and customize them to use for your specific needs.

  1. Tenancy-at-Will

This is the most basic kind of lease. In this type of lease, the tenant does not have any rights to the property. The landlord can terminate the contract at any time without notice.

  1. Month-to-Month

In a month-to-month tenancy, the landlord cannot terminate the contract unless the tenant breaks the lease agreement first. However, the landlord can raise the rent at any time.

  1. Fixed Term

With a fixed term lease, the landlord cannot increase the rent until the end of the lease period. At the end of the lease, the landlord can either renew the lease or let the tenant move out.

  1. Ground Lease

A ground lease is similar to a free rental agreement except that the landlord owns the land instead of the building. Landlords often use ground leases to build commercial buildings.

  1. Life Estate

If you sign a life estate lease, then you become the owner of the property after the initial lease expires. This means that you get to keep the property even if the landlord wants to sell it.

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In the United States, a divorce occurs every 13 seconds. Even though the process is overwhelming and painful to the people involved, the reason for the divorce and the agreement during the separation process will determine the type of divorce you will undergo.

Divorce is complex. Therefore, consulting an experienced divorce lawyer in Richmond will inform you of your legal rights and ensure you are perfectly protected. The following article discusses the different types of divorce.

Contested Divorce

In a contested marriage, one or both spouses disagree over precise divorce details. Divorces that are challenged are painful, time-consuming, and costly. If necessary, you will go through a long process of exchanging financial and other pertinent information.

Uncontested Divorce

An uncontested divorce is the least stressful and takes the shortest time to complete. Couples settle on disagreements such as child custody, property distribution, co-parenting, and alimony. You can file for divorce after your case has been resolved. In some places, you may be able to avoid going to court entirely by filing an affidavit with the court visit now https://justicefamilylawyers.com.au/.

Mediated Divorce

Here a trained mediator assists you and your spouse to settle the issues. It is not the role of the mediator to make decisions for you. Instead, mediators provide counsel and assist you in communicating with one another until you reach an agreement. If the mediation is successful, a property settlement agreement is drafted.

Same-Sex Couples Divorce

Most states now understand same-sex marriage concepts. Divorce for same-sex marriage is similar to any other married couple.

Default Divorce

You have a default divorce when you file for divorce, and your spouse does not respond or cannot be found. Even if your spouse has not participated in the court processes, a judge can approve the divorce if you have followed the court’s norms and regulations. Although no one is contesting with you, there are advantages and disadvantages to a default divorce.

Summary Divorce

In many states, couples married below five years who do not own much property, do not have children, and do not have large joint debts can get a divorce quickly. Both spouses must agree to the divorce and file court documents together.

Limited Divorce

In a limited divorce, you remain married but no longer live together. The court supervises your separation and establishes temporary child support, health insurance coverage, spousal support, and property partition. A limited divorce is the best alternative for a married couple who need more time to handle their legal and financial concerns.

No-Fault Divorce

When applying for a no-fault divorce as a spouse, you don’t have to prove the other spouse’s fault. “Irreconcilable differences” are cited by parties seeking a no-fault divorce. The spouse receiving the divorce petition has no right to oppose the other party’s no-fault divorce petition.

In most cases, these jurisdictions demand that the spouses reside apart for a set amount of time before either can marry.

Fault Divorce

Couples file for a fault divorce based on marital offenses such as prison confinement, adultery, abandonment, and physical and emotional abuse. A fault divorce is attractive to some individuals, since the person not at fault receives more settlement during a divorce.

Collaborative Divorce

During a collaborative divorce, you and your partner agree with the attorney to negotiate and mediate your divorce process before litigating in court. In case of disagreement, the person involved will hire another lawyer. Collaborative divorce has several advantages, such as that it’s not costly, allows you the freedom to settle disputes, and takes a shorter time if you can negotiate terms that are suitable for you.

The legal proceeding in a divorce is complex. Therefore, finding a trustworthy and experienced attorney is crucial.

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Being involved in a car accident can result in severe injuries that can lead to a massive financial burden for all parties involved in the collision. Both sides are likely to be concerned about “who will pay for my medical bills?” This question does not always have a consistent explanation. The state in which you live is an essential consideration. Every state in the United States has its own set of rules and regulations. In most areas, the at-fault party is legally accountable for covering the accident victims’ medical expenditures. Keep in mind that even if the responsible party must pay for all medical expenses, the process to be reimbursed may take a long time. During this time, it is very likely that the accident victim will have to pay for their medical expenses out of their own pocket. However, there are 12 no-fault states in the United States. In a no-fault state, medical bills will be covered by the “Personal Injury Protection” (PIP) that every motorist should have, regardless of who is at fault. 

How Liability Impacts Medical Treatment

Liability will not impact medical treatment in any way that will make a difference if the person being treated is at-fault or not. Nonetheless, if the person who is at-fault receives medical treatment, they are financially responsible for paying all their medical expenses, unless they are in a no-fault state and their medical bills are covered by the personal injury protection. Normally, at-fault parties that required medical treatment will use their health or auto insurance to pay for their medical expenses. On the other hand, the party who was not responsible for the accident will have to pay for most medical bills out of their own pocket or use their medical payment or “med pay” insurance while they reach a settlement with the other party’s insurer to recover their damages.

What about medical liens or hospital liens?

If the non-responsible party is unable to pay the medical expenses, their attorney may attempt to negotiate with the hospital or doctors to postpone payment until a settlement is achieved. In addition, hospitals may ask the accident victim to sign a lien letter. This letter serves as an agreement between the accident victim and the hospital to ensure that the medical institution is reimbursed after a settlement or verdict is achieved. When the settlement or decision is paid out, the funds are transferred to a trust account. The funds must remain in this trust account until they are cleared. Once the funds are released, all liens, as well as legal and attorney expenses, must be paid. The money remaining in the account will be withdrawn by the attorney sent in a check to the plaintiff. 

What If I Have Health Insurance?

If you have health insurance you may be able to use your coverage to cover for all medical expenses that you have to incur while the settlement process is ongoing. Some people may use their health insurance coverage, med pay insurance, auto insurance if it includes some kind of medical expenses coverage and medicare. It is important to understand that there is primary and secondary coverage. Ask your insurance provider if their coverage classifies as primary or secondary. For instance, in no-fault states, personal injury protection will always be a primary coverage. This means that you cannot use any other coverage unless the primary coverage has been used completely. It is important to understand your policy limits in terms of money and the medical treatments that it covers. If you were at-fault and you still have an outstanding balance even after using all your health insurance coverage you are still required to pay the entirety of your balance. Failing to pay your outstanding balance will cause your case to be sent to collections. 

What If I Don’t Have Health Insurance?

If you do not have medical insurance you will have to pay for all medical expenses out of your own pocket. You can also try to arrange payment plans with your medical institution or hospital to pay your balance in monthly installments. Another option to reduce your medical bills is to ask for a discount and an itemized bill. In many cases people are able to get significant discounts by disputing the price of some things shown in the itemized bill. 

How to Deal With Insurance After an Accident

Dealing with insurance companies can be more difficult than you realize. Insurance companies are for profit, and their goal is to make money. To accomplish so, they will aim to pay as little in settlements as feasible. Insurance companies will try to prove that your injuries are not as severe as they appear, and they will look for anything that can undermine your claim. In some situations, they may even deny coverage if you did not report the automobile accident or did not do so within a certain time frame. As a result, it is critical to report a car accident to your insurance company as quickly as possible. Hiring an attorney can also be very helpful. Most experienced attorneys have dealt with insurance companies on numerous occasions and know how to negotiate with them. 

 Can a Car Accident Attorney Help Me Recover Compensation?

An automobile accident lawyer can undoubtedly assist you in recovering compensation. Attorneys with extensive expertise with vehicle accident claims understand how to deal with insurance companies and will assist you in building a strong case. Car accident attorneys can help you gather evidence to prove that the other party was at-fault. They also know other professionals that can provide an accident reconstruction analysis to assist in your case. Furthermore, they can assist you in negotiating with doctors and hospitals to obtain discounts on medical treatments you received, or they can persuade them to postpone payment until a settlement is achieved. Finally, an attorney will be of considerable assistance in your pursuit for fair compensation for your injuries and other damages that represent a big financial burden.

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