Dustin, Author at Only About Law

Family Law Firm: Do You Need One?

March 21, 2018 by Dustin Leave a Comment

Family law is a major branch of legal arena that takes care of legal matters entailing family relationship and domestic litigations. Attorneys associated with family law firms in Houston offer specialized legal services from case evaluation to consultancy and settlement to lawsuits in connection with divorce, child support, child custody, visitation, adoption, paternity, marriage disputes and more. In the US, all states have their personalized legal structure, which may or may not be identical to its counterparts.

When You Need of Family Law Firms?

Divorce

Whether you are planning to go for a mutual separation or intended to take your spouse to the courtroom for settlement of marital property, hold sole guardianship of your child, or ascertain visitation schedule, a family lawyer Houston can service you in the following ways

Effective assessment and proper allocation of marital assets;

Ensuring child custody and support is as per the law guidelines;

Protecting the legal rights of children over their parents and vice-versa;

Creating visitation schedules mutually across the table or based on legal order;

Fighting on your behalf to ensure your rights are protected overtime as required;

Time to time negotiation on custody, alimony or parenting with your ex- spouse;

Child Custody/ Child Support/ Spousal Support

Child custody, child support, as well as spousal maintenance are certain critical areas of family law, which have been legitimately designed to defend the rights of dependent spouse and children. You critically in need of a family lawyer’s support to receive compensation that you deserve apart from regular recompense against spousal maintenance and child support.

While parents have equal rights on their children, type of child custody (sole/joint/legal/ physical/temporary) can be decided mutually or by the court. In case of a divorce, regardless of settled mutually, jointly or by court the agreement must include all instructions concerning child custody, spousal support (alimony). Depending on the financial situation of non-custodial parent, the amount of alumni may be revised. Typically, you need backing of family law firms in Houston to address the above issues and offer you solutions.

Adoption

Among the variety of reasons people think of legal adoption of child or adult, few are biological helplessness to become birth parents, demise of birth parents, remarrying of birth parents, unwillingness to assume guardianship, and individual or spousal desire. Adoption must be followed by all legal formalities whereas family law firms in Houston can help you with needed consultancy, finding authenticated agencies, obtaining services of physicians and in completion of the procedure in the court.

Why You Need Hiring Family Law Firms?

Litigation is Complexion

Family law attorneys are supported by law degrees with specialization in the area and with their long experience in family law cases; they help millions of people go through varieties of family disputes get justice as specified by law. No wonder, litigation issues related to family law are multifaceted, complex, and vast which can be effectively handled by an expert only.

Protect Your Legal Rights

You simply do not understand the difference between sole custody, joint custody, or what is meant by alimony? If your crooked ex get remarried and deprive you being paid with spousal support that formerly agreed mutually, only family law firms in Houston come beside you and make you ex pay you child support with lawsuit. Keep in mind that among the services offered by family lawyers one is making you conscious of your legal rights when it comes to family law.

Guard You from Bullying

Bullying by telephonic threatening to harassment on the street by strangers hired by ex-spouse, mental or physical torture in the process and next to divorce are common happenings, which can make you existence a nightmare. Family law attorneys not only ensure your absolute protection but also punish your ex and his/her relations with the support of administration and law.

Filed Under: Family

How to Choose the Right Property Damage Lawyer

December 21, 2017 by Dustin Leave a Comment

Property loss or damage can be costly, and beyond that, it can cause hardship to the person who loses the item, or has the item damaged, and then needs to replace it. Finding the right property damage lawyer can make a big difference when a damage claim, or property loss, needs to be settled to your advantage.

What is property damage

Property damage is damage to personal property through negligence, an act of nature, or a deliberate act of destruction. The kinds of things damaged are costly assets that will need to be replaced, such as vehicles, houses, fences, or landscape or gardens. Any property that belongs to a particular, specific and named individual or group can fall under the category of personal, liable property. Property damage can fall into two categories generally, as mentioned above: intentional or negligent. Both require a lawyer when one is seeking damages or liability to recover the losses of the property. The amount of loss and the amount of recovery can vary and depend on a good property damage lawyer.

What does a property damage lawyer do?

There are ways to seek damages without help, but a good lawyer will make things a lot easier. A lawyer will be able to advise you as to when the claim is valid, when to accept, and when the settlement is not adequate. The biggest advantage to having a lawyer is that a lawyer understands legal matters. Regardless of whether the damage is willful or negligent, the lawyer will work with you to proceed and will be able to point out the things you can do in order to be sure that you are compensated as needed, both to cover the costs of replacement and the hardship and suffering incurred. The lawyer will also be available in your defense if there is a countersuit. This is when the advice the property damage lawyer will give will be invaluable. Be sure, however, to choose the right lawyer.

Why does the right lawyer matter?

The right property damage lawyer matters because there are a lot of different legal specialties—and a lot of different lawyers with varying levels and types of experience. Some lawyers have a greater amount of experience in certain areas than others. Selecting the right lawyer can make the difference between winning or losing, so be sure to choose one who is committed and able to handle the case. Loss from property damage is highly personal, and an honest lawyer should at all times be there to help you make the best decision for you.

What to look for in a property damage lawyer

You want someone to be your lawyer who specializes in and has had experience in property damage law, but more importantly, you want a person with a good understanding of your situation. In this case, you have suffered a loss, and it is essential that the lawyer cares about that. This should be a lawyer who understands that the property damage has caused you hardship and that the replacement will also be difficult. In other words, the lawyer should not be focused more on winning the case or adding this case to the list of wins and paydays. They should understand your loss, your hardship, and they should be on your side.

On a more practical side

You will want to have a clear focus on your situation as well. You are looking for a law firm that specializes in the type of situation you bring. Find a law firm that is within your price range and that will provide you with a consultation and hear your story before deciding whether to take the case or even if you have a case. If the right property damage lawyer does not feel that your case is sound and that you have a good chance of winning, they should let you know quickly.

What happens in consultation?

During the consultation, you should be assured of the costs of the lawsuit, if you choose to go ahead. After meeting with the property damage lawyer, you will have a better understanding of your next steps, whether you choose to proceed or not. Even if your damage was unavoidable due to someone else’s ill intent or negligence, the loss is still a loss. Seek the help of a property damage lawyer that you feel good about.

Filed Under: Property

Hiring a Good DWI/DUI Attorney: 5 Important Tips!

October 2, 2017 by Dustin 2 Comments

When you are charged for a DUI/DWI charges, then for avoiding much legal harassment it is very important to work with a DUI attorney. Selecting the right DUI/DWI attorney for yourself or your friends or family is very difficult, but with proper planning and strategy, you can find the best DUI lawyer in Denver for your case.

A person who is facing criminal charges can suffer from severe penalties such as loss of relationship, jail sentence along with many other consequences. A criminal arrest of any kind needs an attorney’s advice and an attorney is the only person who can help you protect your rights.

Here are the five important tips that can help you find the best attorney.

1. Expertise, knowledge and skill of an attorney

The DUI defense attorney or the lawyer should be skilled enough to understand your DUI/DWI case. The lawyer should have good knowledge about all the laws of a criminal charge, only then he or she is able to protect the accused from any kind of severe punishment. The attorney should handle most of the work need to be done in the criminal case.

The lawyer has the power to reduce the criminal charge of the accused and even lessen the severity of the punishment. This is only possible if the attorney has years of experience in handling such criminal cases.

2. Attorney fees

You are already convicted of a criminal charge and you do not know that how much money you will have to pay and if in such a case, you hire an attorney whose charges is going out of your budget, then it can have severe consequences at the end.

It is better to ask for all the charges to the lawyer in the first meeting itself. A good attorney will always clear the charges in the first meeting only. If he or she has handled a number of criminal cases, then he or she has good experience in handling your case as well. The attorney can also have payment plans also, so better ask for them.

3. Difference between a defense attorney and a public defender

It is important to understand the difference between the defense attorney and the public defender. Public defenders are for people who cannot afford a private attorney. They have fewer resources to use in your case. They may misdirect you in some very crucial stage of the case. It is better to go to a private attorney for your case as he is the only person who will spend all his time on your case.

4. The educational background

It is important to find out the educational background of the attorney you are going to work with. Find out the school or college, he or she attended before becoming an attorney. You can find most of the information on the attorney’s website itself. The attorney’s standing in the legal community is also important to know before he or she starts working on your case.

5. Defense as the core area of the attorney

There are many lawyers who work in different areas of the law, but this is an old trend now. Criminal defense requires great expertise. It is important for you to understand the difference between different types of lawyers and the type of cases they are working upon. You might find amazing attorneys, but you only need a defense lawyer. Significant experience in the criminal cases is required in a defense attorney or lawyer. It is important to find a lawyer who has addressed a hundred of criminal cases before you.

Filed Under: DUI

Sexual Assault – Four Tips to Help You Stay Safe

September 23, 2017 by Dustin Leave a Comment

In every day or better to say in every single moment a great number of people, particularly women become victim of sexual assaults and given the kind of condition or situation that led to such incidents, the sex assault lawyer in Denver, Georgia, Boston, New York etc. find that often such crimes can be avoided if we just stay a little extra alert and conscious. One can avoid forceful sexual advances from known and unknown people if she follows a series of simple precautions. Though, staying alert from unwanted advances all the time is not possible at least one can prevent such occurrences just by developing some good habits. Still, many places on earth is not safe as far as such heinous crimes are considered and so you cannot help but looking after your own security by following some rules and precautions.

Let us provide here some effective tips

1. Make sure your cell phone is ready with the emergency alert

Facing sexual assaults or situations as dangerous as rape the victim often desperately tries to reach for his phone but in most cases before she becomes able to do so the offender comes in her way. That is why it is extremely important to know the set an emergency alert message text or an alert call to someone of your family or close acquaintance. Various cell phone apps now provide easy distress message or distress call option from your cell phone. You can choose a number of persons from your phonebook as the receiver of distress calls or messages. Make sure that they know the meaning of such messages and calls and why they are important for your safety. It is advisable to choose someone from your family or close ones as the receiver of such distress calls as their reaction will be prompt to such situations.

2. Make sure you do not need to ask for lift on your way back home

After a midnight party or late night show often people need to get back home through the dark streets and often being surrounded by strangers. If you do not have your personal vehicle it can be even more dangerous as you may be lured to take an easy lift to somewhere close to your residence. It is synonymous to leaving yourself at the hand of strangers and a great many rape and other sex abuse defense cases are reported from such situations. Even when you are driving your own car it is advisable to be on your guard concerning any request for lift. Take or offer lift only when you know the people you are travelling with.

3. Take well-lit places for moving around at night

Sexual advances normally occur by shunning the visibility and psychologists agree on this primitive instinct. Naturally, as far as reports of sex crimes are concerned, most of them happen during night time and in dark alleys or invisibly challenging places. To prevent vulnerability of facing such situations it is advisable to avoid moving around in such nooks, corners or dark areas and instead take always well-lit places with people and vehicles buzzing and moving around.

4. When going somewhere, make sure you know there someone trustworthy

When going to somewhere as a stranger among the strangers, being alone would be risky as far as chances of sexual assaults are considered. On the other hand, if you know some people in the crowd or attending guests in a party or celebration or a gathering, they can always keep an eye over you and you can feel yourself protected.

Filed Under: Sexual Assault

Tips for Defending Yourself Against a DUI Charge

June 1, 2017 by Dustin Leave a Comment

Driving under the influence (DUI), driving a vehicle while intoxicated more precisely drunk driving, drinking while driving are criminals. In some states, police charge DUI even if you are there in the car with the engine turned off and the keys in your pocket.

If you caught on suspicion of drunk driving, you may face a DUI charge. The charges are generally law-breaking. The circumstances of your case will settle on the specific charges. The penalties completely depend on the type of crime. Felonies are at times punishable by over a year in jail. A DUI defense attorney can assist you to handle the situation.

Are you worried and confused on what to do about your DUI lawsuit? Are you facing problem deciding the right DUI defense attorney to handle your case? It is important that you get assistance and guidance from an expert to overcome the charges imposed on you.

DUI

The driving under the influence case is not at all a simple case to deal with. You may face severe punishments and penalties. How many times the police arrest you for the DUI charge is not at all important. The severity of the punishment depends on the type of misconduct committed by you.

It is imperative to understand the severity of a DUI charge. There are countries that give you a possible criminal record even though it is just a DUI. The charge can impact your professional career, change your future, and even limit your freedom. Therefore, it is sensible to understand how a DUI type conviction may crush you before you consider driving while you have had a couple of drinks.

The police may carry out illegal stops without good cause. A well-informed DUI attorney can guide you with the process to follow. There are attorneys who offer a free, confidential consultation. Ask your local friends and relatives to suggest a dependable attorney. An online search tool can give you a satisfactory result. It is important to confirm certain information about the attorney before appointing. Confirm if the DUI defense attorney handled the following types of cases: Driving While Intoxicated; Criminal Law; Drug Crimes; Traffic Violations; Juvenile Law; Parole and Probation; Homicide; Felonies; Misdemeanors; Automobile Accidents; White Collar Crime; Personal Injury etc.

An individual has a constitutional right to defend himself. This is not, however a wise idea. You may have been in court on a number of occasions; still it is advisable to appoint a lawyer. There are numerous court rules and only a good DUI defense attorney being aware about the rules, procedures, and court decisions. Good understanding of the prosecutor policies is essential. Defending a DUI charge requires knowledge of the scientific principles. If the case proceeds to trial, a knowledgeable trial lawyer will effectively present the defense. Nearly every DUI arrest involves proceedings at the Department of Licensing besides the court proceedings. An attorney can protect the driver’s license from getting suspended.

A lawyer can be of great help to you. He has a good understanding of the nuances and formal procedures that are required in criminal court. He can easily guide you in navigating the court system. A reputed and well-versed lawyer may be able to assist you in obtaining a lesser sentence than what the State is recommending the judge for you. A lawyer representing you could convince a judge that a lesser sentence is appropriate in your particular situation. He can defend you pointing the circumstances that lead up to your arrest and charge.

If you are looking to defend yourself against a DUI charge, appoint a reputed attorney and handle the legal obligations. Facing serious allegation for drunk driving getting the advice of a lawyer is highly suggested.

Filed Under: DUI

How to Select a Criminal Defense Attorney

March 21, 2017 by Dustin Leave a Comment

Defending your rights in the courtroom is the job of defense attorneys everywhere. If you are faced with criminal charges, it’s important that you choose the right attorney to defend you. You have rights, and it’s the prosecutions job to prove you are guilty and get a heavy sentence leveled against you. Don’t get railroaded, inform yourself of your basic rights and hire an attorney that is dedicated to upholding them.

Research

There are a lot of criminal defense attorneys out there and it can be difficult to narrow them down to a short list. It’s important that you research the attorneys in your area and choose when who is experienced with the charges you are facing.

Track Record

You obviously want to choose an attorney with a reputation for success. Remember, when it comes to criminal charges, success doesn’t always mean getting the charges dropped. Success is relative to your situation. A good criminal defense attorney will be able to plea down your charges and avoid court altogether, helping you avoid receiving the maximum penalty. If you do go to court, you want a defense attorney who has proven their abilities during trials.

Team or individual?

Selecting a criminal defense attorney may be more difficult than choosing a law team in general. By choosing a firm, you get access to a team of lawyers, with the one best suited to your case getting assigned to it. Law firms may also have a greater amount of resources available to them than a lawyer who works alone – including their co-workers, private investigators and the financial backing of the firm itself. This isn’t to say that choosing a lone wolf isn’t a good idea. There are many independent defense attorneys who may be perfectly suited to your case, it will be up to you to determine what will be the most appropriate option, and this may depend greatly on the nature of the charges you are facing.

Specialists

Some defense attorneys gear their efforts toward particular charges. Some specialize in murder cases, others in domestic assault, and other still on drug and alcohol related cases. Choosing a lawyer who is specialized in the charges you are facing is a good idea. When you are facing criminal charges and a criminal record, it’s best to go with an expert, not a jack-of-all-trades.

Not everyone is guilty

Just because charges have been laid against you does not mean you are guilty. People are falsely accused all the time, but it is not the end of the world. Your criminal defense attorney will dig through the evidence against you, as well as find evidence of their own to refute the prosecutions claims. If you are innocent, it can be proven – by a good attorney. Prosecutors see a lot of bad things in their day-to-day jobs, which often makes it difficult for them to see innocence. Proving your innocence is not only important because you deserve justice and freedom, but it’s also an important part of ensuring the right person(s) is sought out and charged, eventually.

You want an attorney that believes in you and your situation. If your defense attorney is just as jaded as the prosecution, you may have an uphill battle on your hands. Openly discussing your case with your attorney will help you get a sense of whether or not they are really on your side.

Cost

Legal defense can be expensive, but well worth it. Court appointed attorneys (or public defenders) aren’t necessarily going to do the job as well, or as thoroughly as a privately hired attorney. Public defenders are often over worked and unable to dedicate the time necessary to properly resolve your case. Cost should be one of the last things on your mind when deciding between your own legal counsel, and a public defender. What’s more important, your innocence and freedom, or your check book?

The day you find yourself trying to decide on which lawyer to hire may never come – then again, it might. Being prepared to choose the right defense attorney for your case is important, and something that you shouldn’t underestimate. The right attorney can be the difference between your freedom and your incarceration. Don’t take any chances.

Filed Under: Criminal Defense