Year: 2020

4 Benefits of Hiring an Estate Planning Attorney in New York

October 27, 2020 Madison Bates Leave a comment General
  • Writing, Pen, Man, Ink, Paper, Pencils, Hands, Fingers

As people age, safeguarding against unexpected events and ensuring their assets are passed down to their children, grandchildren, and other close relations takes on critical importance. Fortunately, such provisions can be organized through the establishment of an estate plan.

That said, several factors go into drafting a thorough and effective estate plan. New York residents are encouraged to read on to learn the value of hiring a NY estate planning attorney to assist in completing said action.

Estate Planning Overview

Estate plans are carefully conjured outlines containing important documents like:

Wills

This legally-binding document is officially referred to as the Last Will and Testament, which contains directives regarding how the author’s final affairs are to be handled. lists said individual’s heirs, and provides instruction about how their assets are to be distributed.

Health Care Proxy

Health Care Proxy document names a trusted individual to make medical decisions on the author’s behalf should they lose the capacity to offer such renderings.

Power Of Attorney

This document authorizes a trusted family member or associate to perform financial or legal transactions on the author’s behalf should they become unable to do so.

Benefits Of Hiring An Attorney

An experienced NY estate planning attorney may expedite this process by providing the following benefits:

Ensuring The Plan Coincides With New York Laws

It is important established plans coincide with State law. Failing to do so could result in a host of future problems for the author or their heirs. An experienced estate planning lawyer understands the laws and knows how to draft documents satisfying such regulations.

Authenticity

Documents like wills can often be challenged on the grounds of authenticity. Wills authored, witnessed, and reviewed by established legal professionals are less likely to be challenged in court on such bases.

Identifying All Pertinent Issues

A reputable estate planning attorney will help prospective planners identify all pertinent issues. While estate plans are known for including documents like wills and powers of attorney, said blueprints might also contain financial plans and other crucial undertakings. Knowledgeable legal professionals will account for all possible concerns.

Trust

An estate planner can typically trust the intentions of an attorney. The legal professional in question serves the client’s best interests and works to help said individual establish a plan most befitting of their own and no one else’s needs or desires.

Questions to Ask Personal Injury Lawyers in Charleston NC

October 21, 2020 Madison Bates Leave a comment Personal Injury, Personal Injury Law

When you get into an accident, keep in mind it is not something you would want to happen. However, you need to do what is needed to do next and that is hire a personal injury lawyer. There are a lot of personal injury lawyers and you would need to make a selection so you will end up with the best possible choice for your case. You can get referrals from your friends who you trust so you won’t end with someone who is a dud. Better look at the lawyer’s past cases so you would know what to expect from the counsel when it is time to get down to business. Here are a few questions you must ask each lawyer you have your eyes on:

What will happen next?

The process will be a long one so you would want to know what will happen next. You would want to know where you will go and the documents you would need to sign. Of course, the defendant would not give you the money right away. If it works out that way then personal injury lawyers would not have jobs right now.. It is possible you would want to make a schedule of the things you will need to do so that you can make room for them if you are a bit busy with a ton of meetings on your plate. You would not need to think twice about having people try and schedule meetings that are in conflict when you need to go to a hearing. It is about to go down

How much will I get?

Your hospital and medicine bills will pile up so you must know how much you are going to get from the defendant. The attorney can only assume how much you are going to get as the judge will make the final decision. As much as possible, you would not want to spend for anything in this situation. After all, none of it is your fault so the person who caused the injury should be liable for all the damages. There will be a ton of computation so you will find out if the amount the defendant will pay will match the amount you will need to pay for the hospital and medicine bills. Yes, prepare to have a calculator by your side because it is going to be a long night. Also, you would want to have an amount in mind and see if the defendant would agree to that or not.

How much would you want?

There are times when the Charleston lawyer would want a commission of the amount you are going to get from the defendant. Aside from that, the lawyer can also demand an acceptance fee. It depends on the level of expertise of the person you are going to hire. One thing is for sure, this is not one time where you would want to save money because a lot is on the line when you are taking on the person who caused a minor or major injury to your body. Remember, we all have just one body so we must do everything in our power to take good care of it. When someone damages it, it is even possible it won’t be restored to where it once was so you deserve a lot more than what you are supposed to get. In fact, it is possible no amount can pay for a broken hand as that will take time to heal. When you would need to undergo therapy, imagine the time you will need to spend for that.

What is needed from me?

You may be required to do quite a few things or even let the lawyer xerox them for you like your ID. Of course, since you are injured you would not need to do that as that would be quite a big of a hassle. You will most likely need to pay the lawyer right now if you are incapable to do so. The lawyer will explain to you the payment terms and it would be up to you whether you will accept it or not. This is the part where you would know what you would need to contribute for the case to be won. It is all that matters because if you don’t want to win then you should not be here. The counsel would want to win and he or she is in it until the very end.

How long will this last?

This will go from several months up to a year but you can grow impatient from time to time. Therefore, it is important to know from the start how long this is going to last. You would want a clear estimate so you would not need to expect too much. There will be a ton of cancellations too because the weather can be bad or one of the participants can get sick. When that happens, this will become longer and you would want to get it over and done with as soon as possible. Of course, not everything will go according to plan and you would need to adjust to what happens each time. When someone cancels, you just need to accept it and move on. It is going to be over one way or the other. When that happens is anybody’s guess.

Once you get favorable answers from all of the above questions, you know you have a keeper with you. You would want this person to represent you in the coming months. We all know it is going to be a long and grueling process. It is possible you are going to win or even lose the case but you must ensure the counsel will do his or her best for you to come out on top of the case. Besides, you would want to do what needs to be done in order to win. It is not because you are competitive but because you want to win.

How To Fight A Cell Phone Ticket In NY?

March 14, 2020 Madison Bates Leave a comment General
Mobile Phone, Car, Talk, Run, Phone, Apps, Sms, Mms

Cell phones are a staple of most peoples lives. Such mobile devices are used not only to communicate but perform countless other important functions. Though traffic law stipulates that motorists should not be utilizing said contraptions for any purpose while driving their vehicles, many still do.

Unfortunately, however, drivers who get caught are often administered NY traffic tickets that could cost them significant amounts of money. Fortunately, motorists can fight cell phone tickets in New York and, with the help of a competent and experienced traffic ticket attorney, might have these penalties reduced or possibly get the associated charges dismissed altogether.

The Value Of Fighting These Tickets

Many ticketed individuals fail to realize that they have the legal right to plead not guilty to the associated charges in traffic court. Merely relenting and remitting the fine might cost someone several hundred dollars depending on factors, such as their driving record and how many previous offenses they have incurred.

Moreover, cell phone violation charges could yield points on the motorist’s license. Should enough points accumulate for this and other traffic infractions, the motorist’s license could be suspended. Additionally, their auto insurance premiums could skyrocket.

The Ticket-Challenging Process

If the motorist in question opts to challenge cell phone tickets in New York, the process’s first step is formally entering a plea of not guilty to the presiding court. Typically, this action is done in person. However, should the defendant be unable to appear in court, not guilty pleas entered online or through snail mail might be accepted.

In certain cases, the ticketing law enforcement officer might not appear in court. In such instances, an experienced attorney might be able to persuade the presiding judge to dismiss the charges. Should the officer in question be present, a lawyer might attempt to have their client’s charges reduced or formulate some type of defense argument.

Experienced cell phone ticket attorneys might employ defensive strategies, such as:

  • Inquiring if the officer in question possesses any type of visual proof demonstrating the an offense actually took place
  • Procuring eyewitnesses who could refute the officer’s claims
  • Discerning of the accused should be excused if the accused was executing an emergency call
  • Refuting the charges using evidence like cell phone records or GPS technology

These are only common defenses. Every motorist’s case is different and other stipulations might to each individual proceeding.

Final Considerations

Though NY traffic tickets for cell phone use violations can be difficult to challenge, the process is not impossible. However, the prospect for a favorable outcome will be significantly increased with the assistance of an experienced traffic ticket lawyer.

Questions to ask your Criminal Defense Attorney in Utah

February 15, 2020 Madison Bates Leave a comment Criminal Defense

If you are a Utah resident and looking for a criminal defense attorney, you should know that there are specific questions you will have ask your lawyer for you to be sure that you are working with the right lawyer. Failure to do this, you may end up getting an incompetent lawyer, and this may affect your case; hence you may end up losing the case. Criminal cases are exceptionally delicate, and because of this, you wouldn’t want to go for a lawyer you aren’t sure will help you through the case and help you win it. So with these questions, you will be guaranteed that whichever lawyer you have settled for is the right lawyer for your case.

Questions to ask your Criminal Defense Attorney in Utah

How long have you been in the field as well as practiced criminal law?

This is a very important question when it comes to inquiring about the experience of the lawyer in criminal law. This will enable you to know how many criminal law cases he has handled and how many successful cases related to yours he has also handled. This will give you confidence that he can handle your case. Always choose to go for one who has many years of experience in cases similar to yours. This way, you will be guaranteed that you have a higher chance of winning your case.

Thank you to Greg Smith and Associates for their help in creating this article.

Which specialized area of law do you have?

Criminal law is very wide, it covers a variety of other cases, some specialize in murder, and some specialize in drugs and many others. So if you find a lawyer that has specialized in a case similar to yours, then that is an added advantage. This will not only boost your confidence in the case, but you may also end up winning the Case. However, you have to make sure that they have practiced whatever they are specialized in several times.

What are your rates?

Most criminal lawyers give flat fees to their clients. Even if the prices differ, it will be in a small range. Some of these prices are different, and this is because of the geographic location as well as the availability of these lawyers in your area of residence. Some of these rates are calculated on hourly charges, and that is why you need to inquire about the rates so that you can know the total amount you will be paying your lawyer. Once you know the rates, it will also be easier for you to determine whether you will go for the lawyer or look for one with slightly cheaper rates. However, the rates shouldn’t be your determining factor when looking for a criminal lawyer.

Are you the only one who will work on my case?

This is very important, especially if you want to save some money. This is because the lawyer will partly work on your case, while most of the work will be delegated to his associates. However, if your case is very sensitive and would prefer to be handled by only one person, then you can as well choose a lawyer who will always be available for the entire period of the case. This way, you will ha e prevented the leaks and cracks that may have been brought by the associates.

How often will we be communicating?

While facing criminal charges, you will want to have a lawyer that will always be available whenever needed. You want a lawyer that you can call and talk to him whenever an issue about the case arises. You should, therefore, ask this question to know of the kind of a lawyer you are choosing will always be available when needed. In addition to that, the lawyer should also provide you with a convenient form of communication; this way, you will be sure that you can always reach him whenever you need him.

The above questions are very vital when choosing a lawyer. As a Utah resident, there is nothing as good as finding a good lawyer of you a criminal case before you. Utah criminal lawyers are some of the best lawyers. However, not all of them are the best, some can mess up your case, and that is why you should use the above questions as often as possible while looking for a criminal defense attorney.