Divorce is an emotional and challenging time. No one gets married planning for divorce. Yet, it is becoming more and more common. Although divorces are about so much more, from a legal perspective they are about care of the children and division of property. Here are five quick tips to consider that are often overlooked because a person is not legally entitled to these items: 1) TUITION. A custodial parent is entitled to child support and certain calculated percentages of uninsured medical expenses, but not tuition. Ask for it! It benefits your child and can make a huge difference. Whether college tuition and expenses, or private school tuition, it is a real expense that will need to be paid and planned for -- preferably in advance. 2) HEALTH INSURANCE. Although you are entitled to pay for continued health insurance coverages for anywhere from 18-36 months. Why not ask for your soon to be ex-spouse to pay your premiums for you for a transitional period? 3) PASSPORT & WRITTEN PERMISSION TO TR ...
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As we are in the summer months and lots of activity is happening around the city, this note is to remind everyone: get home safely. I often have conversations with persons I represent in traffic and criminal cases about interactions with police. The conversations goes something like this: your one and only objective is to GET HOME SAFELY. You can contest the legality of the stop, the rudeness of the officer, or any other issue that may arise - later! Your one and only objective is to get home safely in the face of a person who has the ability to take your freedom and your life! My suggestion is to be polite no matter how rude or wrong the officer may be because your one goal is to get home safely. Keep your hands visible and respond appropriately to questions with “Yes Mam/Sir” and “No Mam/Sir” and simply get home safely. I have been personally stopped for a pre textual reason and experienced by blood pressure rise, my voice get high and screechy, and the indignati ...
In the spirit of passing on the wisdom of an elderly client, I share this with those of you who are elderly, middle aged or young and in relationship with someone elderly or middle aged. First of all those of us that are elderly or middle aged probably do not call ourselves this - and yet, it is where we are in life! Here is the essence of what this wise man said to me: Growing old gracefully is a series of adjustments. When he said it, I got it as well as I could, but he could probably tell I just had a vague notion of what he was really trying to share. So he proceeded to physically demonstrate it. He is a tall stately gentleman with a receded hairline, wearing a soft plaid shirt, and khaki slacks as he sat in the chair in front of my desk. He suddenly curled up his long leg and stretched it forth towards my forehead and put his foot on my desk! He said, “See! This is an adjustment I made. I only wear comfortable sensible shoes! And, look here (as he pointed to his chest pocket on ...