Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Nigerian Scams – Finally Going To Jail

Ah, don’t you love those Nigerian scams? I’m the brother of Finance Minister… Well, they are finally being prosecuted and going to jail. Banco Noroeste – BrazilIn the biggest scam of its sort, three Nigerian scammers managed to steal $242 million dollars from Banco Noroesto, a bank in Brazil. The Nigerians came up with a fake contract to build an airport in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. They p. . .

Forget Divorce Court – Most Florida Divorces Never Make I...

Conjure up an image of divorce. The average person visualizes people sitting in a courtroom, giving testimony, with a judge at a bench presiding over everything. The reality of most divorces is dramatically different. Forget high profile, exciting confrontations in courtrooms built 50 years ago. The vast majority of divorces in Florida are relatively boring exchanges of paperwork and telep. . .

Hiring a Criminal Lawyer

There are a number of situations in life when you have todecide whether to hire a lawyer. For instance, if you'repurchasing a house or having trouble paying your bills,hiring a lawyer may not be a necessity, but it's a goodidea nonetheless. However, if you've been charged withdriving under the influence, assault, or some other crime,hiring a criminal lawyer is mandatory. You'll want to makes. . .

Fear of Fake Marriages Making Permanent Green Cards Diffi...

The quickie green card marriage may not be so easy anymore. CIS is limiting green card issuance that can directly impact the immigrant and his or her sponsor's future. Even if an immigrant is married to a U.S. citizen, if the marriage is less than two years old at the time the green card interview (adjustment of status interview) takes place, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (“CIS”, prev. . .

17 Fatal Marketing Mistakes Lawyers Make

Lawyers who rely on traditional marketing methods are fast discovering that many "time-proven methods" no longer work. Lawyers could dramatically improve their marketing results by avoiding the following mistakes and heeding this up-dated advice. Lawyers who rely on traditional marketing methods are fast discovering that many time-proven methods no longer work. MISTAKE #1: Relying on referrals.. . .

Holiday Shopping Online – Delivery Laws For Your Orders

Holiday shopping online has taken a lot of stress out the holiday season with one exception. What if your order doesn’t show up on time? Here are the delivery rules.Holiday Shopping – Prompt Delivery RulesThe Internet is the fastest growing source of holiday gifts orders. The FTC, however, has received complaints in the past about gifts not being delivered on time. To stop this, the agency has . . .

The Umbrella Effect of The Bankruptcy Stay

Updated to comply with new BAPCAP (advanced training for bankruptcy paralegals)The following article is for training purposes only. It is not intended for legal advice.Regardless of whether an entire petition or a skeleton petition is filed, the very moment the bankruptcy petition is filed with the bankruptcy court, a type of umbrella for the debtor(s) is put into effect. This is called the ba. . .

Divorce and Health Insurance Benefits

Divorce causes major issues with health insurance benefits. Many families have employer provided and/or paid for health insurance benefits that cover the entire family. It is not uncommon to see situations where the other spouse is a stay at home parent, with absolutely no access to health insurance benefits, or employed at a job with either no health insurance benefits available or those ben. . .

How To Build Your Law Practice With Dignity

Lawyers spend thousands of dollars on complex marketing plans. But then, often, other priorities seize their attention and their marketing plans gather dust. Here's the marketing plan I use for my clients.STEP #1: Identify the services you want to market and the niche you want to fill. When prospects hear your name, you want them to associate you with a specific type of services. For example, J. . .

How Social Security Will Affect the Younger Population

Young professionals often spend their career thinking about graduate school, finding good jobs and providing for their families. But few of them think about their financial security when they retire or when they become disabled. But all Americans should be aware that Social Security will impact their lives one way or another. Social Security allows your grandparents to live independently throug. . .

Lawyers At Work

Lawyers…Defenders of the oppressed, heroes of people who crave for justice. Sounds a decent professional job right? It is indeed a good job but being a lawyer does not merely mean having to stand before judges and juries and making your point. It requires endurance, creative thinking and lots and lots of guts. Lawyers interpret the law for the protection of an individual, a business concern o. . .

Car Crash Auto Accident Lawyers & Attorneys – Side Impact...

Side impact collisions are a very common type of accident. These collisions occur when the front of an oncoming vehicle strikes the side of your car, causing a strong impact. Side impact car crashes are responsible for around 9,000 deaths every year. The only collisions that are more deadly than side impact collisions are head on crashes. In 2004 around 26% of all fatal car accidents and ab. . .

Finding Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Finding effective medical malpractice lawyers to handle your case completely and thoroughly may seem like a difficult thing to do. Many of the lawyers that you come across, will not seem that high in quality. Or, you may be shocked to learn that they have many cases on their plate and may not have enough time to take care of your needs as well. So, finding a medical malpractice lawyers that are. . .

Mesothelioma Lawyers - How To Choose Them Correctly

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers many of our internal organs. In around 80% of cases people who develop mesothelioma have worked in environments where they have been exposed to asbestos particles. The tumour begins as nodules in the pleura which surround the lungs, later invading the chest wall.If your life has been affected by m. . .

Business Laws: What you Need to Know

There are a myriad of things you must think about when opening any type of business whether it is a small business or a large corporation and one of those is how business law may affect you. Failure to pay attention to business and corporate law can land you in a world of trouble-both legal and financial. The good news is that you do not necessarily need to be a graduate of a fancy business law. . .

Accident Compensation - Why Bother With A Claim?

People are injured everyday, some worse than others. After a serious injury, many people are so thankful that they're still alive and they fail to realise that the other party are responsible for their debilitation. Hit them where it's going to hurt them with an accident compensation claim!Many people brush off this fact and just want to get on with their life as it was, but soon find out that . . .

Rejected Hurricane Insurance Claims – Hurricane Katrina &...

The catastrophic damage caused by hurricanes Rita and Katrina have combined to be the costliest disasters in the history of the United States. They have completely destroyed costal towns and cities and virtually destroyed the lives of millions of Americans. The estimated damage to the battered Gulf Coast has already been estimated at billions of dollars. Hurricane Katrina alone has already . . .

California Estate Planning

1. WHAT IS ESTATE PLANNING?Estate planning is a process. It involves people -your family, other individuals and in many cases charitable organizations of your choice. It also involves your assets and all the various forms of ownership and title that those assets may take.As you plan your estate, you will consider:* How your assets will be managed for your benefit if you are unable to do so* Whe. . .

Big Verdict For Janitor Who Complained About Broken Toilets

Recently, the New Jersey Supreme Court upheld the Appellate Division’s decision to let stand a $194,000 jury verdict in favor of a part-time janitor who complained about broken toilets and a burnt out light-bulb. In addition to holding that the janitor was a legitimate “whistle-blower” under the Conscientious Employee Protection Act (“CEPA”), the Supreme Court also ordered that the case go bac. . .

Social Security Member’s Concerns

Changing of NamesThe Social Security has set some rules and regulations to be followed by members who wish to have their names changed. There are various circumstances where name changing is allowed and these are as follows: if a member marries, if the member divorced and if there are certain corrections to be made on the name of a member. If you are a Social Security member and wishes to chang. . .

Hurricane Insurance Claims

Hurricane Insurance ClaimsMany homeowners along the Gulf Coast have spent decades making saving up and making mortgage payments on their homes. Unfortunately, hurricanes Rita and Katrina have wreaked havoc on the area and most of the homes in the area are either damaged or destroyed. Most of these homeowners are now learning that their insurance claims are being rejected by their insurance co. . .

Causation, Science And The Law: Industrial & Environmenta...

IntroductionOccupational and environmental exposure to potentially toxic chemicals has been reported more frequently in the last five (5) years, most likely as the result of 1) increased public awareness, 2) improved reporting by physicians, 3) unlimited access to the information data banks, 4) more efficient regulatory support, 5) increased recognition by treating and evaluating physicians. A . . .

FORENSIC TOXICOLOGIST: Establishing Causation in Forensic...

"The doctor should use the same standard and method that he is using in daily practice. (This has been the standard applied to physicians by the federal and state courts). How do physicians who practice medicine establish causation? Do they say to a patient ""sorry, sir, I need to use the Daubert criteria before I can tell you that your chest pain can be a sign of an aortic aneurysm?"" NO! Do t. . .

No Win No Fee Personal Injury Claims In The UK

Making a No win No fee personal injury claim in the UKIf you have suffered a personal injury in the UK as a result of an accident, you may wish to pursue a compensation claim against the party who was responsible for causing you harm. It is now extremely easy for most people to access a personal injury solicitor or lawyer to help with their claim. You no longer have to find a high street solici. . .

British Schools, Safety Incidents And The Courts

Introduction:This article sets out some of the background some and examples of prosecutions and litigation against UK schools. Whilst Scottish Law and its’ Legal System differs from that in England and Wales the writ of the enforcing and regulating body the Health and Safety Executive(HSE) runs across the border and matters are decided in the Criminal Courts.Litigation takes place in the Civil . . .

5 Key Strategies For Protecting Your Ideas And Stopping P...

We have all had that Eureka moment when we think we have thought of something new. Sometimes we think there may even be a viable business behind it. So how do you go about protecting that idea, particularly if it is so fundamental and integral to the success of your business model? Ask yourself a few questions: Can I protect it so that my competitors cannot copy me? How practical is it to do so. . .

Whiplash Compensation Claims In The UK

Claiming for whiplash injury compensation following a road accident in the UKIf you have been involved in a road accident and suffered injury, you may wish to consider making a personal injury claim against the responsible driver.The most common form of injury following such an accident is that of “whiplash”. This is a potentially serious injury that needs to be treated and managed very careful. . .

Accident Claim With A Specialist Solicitor

Everyone has heard of an accident claim, but few people know how to deal with the traumatising experience when it comes. Life quickly becomes confusing and frustrating as you deal with physical pain and the bureaucratic red tape. While there is no shortage of accident solicitors that deal with injury or accident claims, there is definitely a shortage of actual efficient and reliable ones. Choos. . .

Compensation Solicitor - Meet Your Expectations

Compensation solicitors have a well-earned reputation of being aloof. Their offices are like something out of the Victorian era. They're professionals who don't like outsiders telling them how to run their private little clubs, called "Firms". All in all, they may even have a horrible reputation. So, what should you expect when you first meet a personal injury solicitor?The OfficesUnlike the Di. . .

Finding And Using Litigation Support

You need litigation support. Where are you going to turn for your needs? Surely your client expects high quality and you expect to do much better than those at the other side of the courtroom. But when it all comes down to it, there are simply some things that you just can't do on your own. In these cases, having an effective and reliable litigation support on your side can make all of the diff. . .

How To Appeal Your Denied Social Security Claims?

Social Security is an agency of rules and regulations. These rules and regulations command for strict compliance among its members. During the processing of claims it cannot be helped that some claims are rejected or denied. The rejections of the claims are based on a thorough analysis of all supporting documents and papers submitted to the agency. Nevertheless, it is also natural for members t. . .

Sexual Harassment And Sex Discrimination Answers

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII applies to employers with 15 or more employees, including state and local governments. It also applies to employment agencies and to labor organizations, as well as to the federal government.Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical condu. . .

Pierce the Corporate Veil

The corporate structure of your business will provide shelter for your personal assets. There are several events that will cause a judge to disregard the corporate entity or "pierce the corporate veil." There are several reasons why the corporate veil may be pierced. There are also several easy steps you can do to avoid the corporate veil from being pierced. The corporate veil can be pierced if. . .

Bankruptcy Means Testing Under the New Bankruptcy Law

The rush to file bankruptcy ahead of the new bankruptcy law over. Now what? Did you miss the boat if you didn't file bankruptcy before the new law went into effect?Absolutely not. Although the new bankruptcy law has made it much more difficult to file bankruptcy, most attorneys are finding out that the new bankruptcy law is manageable and filings are on the rise.One of the most confusing parts . . .

Don't Divorce Your Children

Divorce is certainly an emotional time for families. In fact, it ranks as one of the most stressful experiences in life. However, it is not only the adults who experience this stress. If the adults are parents, their children often suffer greatly. Their suffering can not be entirely eliminated. A certain amount of grief at the 'death' of their parents' relationship is to be expected. Neverthele. . .

Federal Income Tax

Federal income tax is withheld from the pay of almost all employees. Employee pay is inclusive of salaries and wages, bonuses, commissions, and vacation allowances. It is the responsibility of the employer to provide the employee with a W-4 at the onset of their employment. The determination of tax withheld is computed from the information provided on the W-4. The employee must inform the em. . .

The Facts About Personal Bankruptcy

The thought of personal bankruptcy is very frightening, however over 5.4 per 1,000 people have filed for bankruptcy last year, and this rate has been growing at an average of nearly 7 percent. Researchers have determined that the primary cause of personal bankruptcy is uncontrollable levels of consumer debt oftentimes coupled with an unexpected event, such as a major medical expense not covered. . .

Construction Site Accident Lawyers & Construction Lawsuits

The OSHA (Occupations Safety and Heath Administration) assumes that there will be over 1,000 construction workers that will suffer a work-related fatality this year while many others will undergo substantial physical injuries which could have been avoided. Even though construction workers are skilled laborers who are trained in basic safety, accidents will still occur on job sites. Just a few. . .

State Taxes

Small businesses owners are dependent upon each state for their liability when it comes to payroll taxes for their state of operation. Each state varies, and there are even some states that do not withhold state tax and require no state income tax filing. Each state requires that an employer deduct and withhold unemployment tax, just the same as at the federal level. Generally, however tax r. . .

Employment Law

Are you paying attention to employment law requirements? If you aren't, you should be. Not only are you required to follow specific regulations concerning employment law, but you are also required to notify your employees of their employment law rights by placing an employment law poster in a conspicuous place in your business where your employees will be likely to see it, such as an employee b. . .

Credit Repair And Avoiding Court

If you ever entered a courtroom, you know that the stress elevates, even if you are in the room for someone else. Courts are an automatic source for lifting stress. Moreover, to avoid the courts means we have to abide by laws and pay our debts. If you have taking out a home mortgage, car loan, personal loan, or any other type of credit loan in some instances when the loans requirements are not . . .

Traditional Legal Lead Generation Is Dead - Discover How ...

Professional legal marketers recently discovered that lawyers were consistently generating two types of client leads. One type of lead increased the number of actual clients and got favorable results and the other type was a complete waste of time.Question Askers This is a type of lead that is filled out by people who are window-shopping the legal community with varying degrees of interest and . . .

Discover The Nine Vital Questions You Need To Ask Before ...

Once you know the right questions to ask, hiring your personal injury lawyer is not only easy, but you will have priceless peace of mind. Pick any three personal injury lawyers from the phone book or Internet ads that are conveniently located to you and begin the interview process. Remember, they are working for you so it is proper that you should take control of the interview and hiring proces. . .

Are You Thinking About Filing For Bankruptcy Protection?

Bankruptcy OverviewBankruptcy, when you come right down to it, is the process that enables those who are unable to pay their debts get a fresh start. It allows for some or all of these debts to be discharged or reorganized. Individuals or businesses may file bankruptcy. This enables you to clean the slate and get a 2nd chance with your finances. In most instances, bankruptcy provides a fair met. . .

The Medical Malpractice Problem Is Bigger Than You Think!

Give or take a few thousand, approximately 80,000 people in the United States die each and every year at the hands of medical "professionals."Medical malpractice is rampant in this country and it isn't receiving the kind of press it deserves.Consider this. If you run the numbers, 80,000 deaths a year is the equivalent of three fully packed jumbo jets nose diving into the ground with no survivor. . .

How to Start a Business in California

The State of California is a wonderful place to start a new business. There is unprecedented growth in California and corporations doing business here have reaped great rewards. Skilled labor, beautiful scenery and unbelievable commerce opportunities await every new business in California. Starting a California business is very simple and the first step is to make it legal. First you must decid. . .

Injury Compensation - How To Get Back What You Lost?

An injury compensation claim is a common procedure for those who have been unfortunate to suffer the consequences of a personal injury and know only too well the life-altering effects it can have. Things that used to be simple tasks are now major obstacles, the simple pleasures of life seem to be slipping away and everyday is a struggle just to get through. Work is no longer an option, along wi. . .

Personal Injury Compensation - The Edge

Millions of personal injury claims are filed every year. However there is only a small proportion that actually get settled. Learn more on how to get yours settled.There are too many situations in which an accident injury can happen. Whether outside or at home, even if you are a careful person, the rest of the world is not as perfect. The only thing you can really do is to protect yourself from. . .

Odds Are Your Motorcycle Accident Was Not Your Fault

Here's an astonishing fact. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident chances are it was your fault only 20% of the time. That means that in 80% of the accidents involving a motorcycle, it was due to the negligence of another. So the question remains, who or what was the cause of the injury? To accurately determine liability, you need the experience and expertise of an attorney trained to dr. . .