Category: General

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.

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.