Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

DUI Law Information

If you’ve been pulled over and accused of a drunk driving offense, or more commonly referred to as a DUI or DWI, then you probably have a lot of questions. You are probably scared, confused, and a little angry if you didn’t feel you deserved it.Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your incident you need to take immediate action to protect yourself, your freedom, and most importantly you. . .

Anatomy of an International Debt Collection Case

IntroductionIn late June of 2003, I received an e-mail from Daniel Harris, who introduced himself as maritime lawyer from Seattle. He had found me through the internet and was asking me whether I was interested in helping arrest transshipped cargo in Dalian. I was excited about the task and I surfed Dan's website [http://www.harrismoure.com] and learned Dan owns a small international law firm i. . .

Lawsuit Anatomy

Anatomy of a LawsuitLearning the anatomy of civil lawsuits is as easy as spelling "CAT".Complaint - Answer - TrialIt's as simple as that!Master this simple truth and you will soon be operating successfully in court.Plaintiffs file complaints. Defendants file answers. Judges examine the facts and law at trial to decide who wins. It's not difficult if you keep these three steps in mind. Every law. . .

Case Watchers Make It Easy To Keep Up With Criminal Trial...

Nothing is more frustrating than trying to search for news about a specific trial, especially when the mainstream media isn’t interested. Now, Case Watchers keeps readers apprised in an easy to read format. Updated daily, Case Watchers provides a summary of the case, links to the latest news stories and comments from readers. Our hottest and most frustrating current trial is the case ag. . .

Affordable Insurance Quotes To Save You Money!

Whether you're looking for insurance quotes for auto, life, travel or health you can find some great rates on the internet. Insurance quotes coverage can provide peace of mind and also financial coverage in the event that something untoward happens.Originally health insurance in the United States took the form of a voluntary program. Such programs date from about 1850, when health insurance was. . .

Health Insurance Coverage

Health insurance is something that everyone needs today. The rising cost of visiting a health care provider or a hospital stay makes it imperative that everyone have some type of health care coverage. Government statistics estimate that over 40 million people in America are not covered by any type of health insurance on any given day. That's an enormous number of people who really are taking a . . .

Service by Substitution in California

The following article was written for Resources For Attorneys.com by David Hallstrom, a private investigator, he is not now nor has he ever been an attorney.Section 415.20 (b) of the California Civil Code Of Procedure States: If a copy of the summons and complaint cannot with reasonable diligence be personally delivered to the person to be served, as specified in Section 416.60, 416.70, 416.80,. . .

Inexpensive Life Insurance To Protect What You’ve Earned

Adequate life insurance to cover your income producing ability is a product that is really needed today to give peace of mind. Life insurance was originally conceived to protect a man's family when his death left them without income. Over time is has developed into a variety of policy plans. In a "whole life" policy, fixed premiums are paid throughout the insured's lifetime; this accumulated am. . .

Travel Insurance Might Be Just What You Need!

Travel insurance is something that many people haven’t considered. Sure, it’s possible that you may never have to access your travel insurance, but just having it can really give you peace of mind. As it so often happens, there are many different circumstances or situations that could cause you to cancel your trip, interrupt your plans and possibly return home early or force you to seek emergen. . .

Frequently Asked Questions About Wills, Living Wills and ...

Frequently Asked Questions About Wills, Living Wills and Powers of AttorneyWHAT DOES A WILL DO?The simplest way to ensure that your funds, property and personal effects will be distributed after your death according to your wishes is to prepare a will. A will is a legal document designating the transfer of your property and assets after you die. Usually, wills can be written by any person over . . .

Turnitin.com Infringes Upon Student's Rights

Turnitin.com is undeniably an effective deterrent to plagiarism, but it is the very issue of copyright infringement that has people questioning the legality of the site. What many people don't understand is that works do not need to be registered to be copyrighted. Every literary work that is saved to a tangible medium (this includes paper, computer disk, etc.) is protected by federal copyright. . .

TV Signal Theft – Robbing Canadians

(NC)—According to some recent ads, there's no such thing as 'free' cable or satellite TV.The bottom line message: television signal theft is just that, theft.It's all part of a recent campaign program by Canada's broadcasting industry to try and educate the Canadian public to the serious problem of signal theft.The reason is simple: Hundreds of thousands of Canadian households are estimated to . . .

Divorce Online Sevice. Why Should We Lose Money And Time ...

Attempts to use the worldwide Web as an effective means of struggle against bureaucracy are undertaken constantly and sometimes successfully. Today it is possible to fill in a tax declaration, apply for bankruptcy or to receive a legal consultation. And lately there are sites offering online divorce services. It is usually easier to marry than to divorce, especially if the spouses who wish to d. . .

Fighting Identity Theft

Chances are good that you know someone who has been victimized by the fastest growing crime - identity theft. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that there were 10 million cases of identity theft in 2002 alone. It’s estimated that someone’s identity is stolen every 79 seconds.The bad news is with increasing amounts of personal information available to an experienced identity thief, i. . .

Alternative Billing -- Win Win Strategies

Better Legal Billing: Time Slips for the FutureOptions Abound, But It's Often Up to Clients to Suggest Them In the old days of legal billing, lawyer's invoices — usually a single page of elegant letterhead—contained only the phrase, "legal services rendered," and a hefty dollar amount. No time breakdowns, no list of activities performed or equipment and supplies used—just a final, usually shock. . .

Identity Theft Shield

We live in an information-oriented society. Technology allows us to do business and make transactions literally in a matter of seconds. This abundance of information has given rise to a new crime - identity theft. In fact, according to a 2003 release from the Federal Trade Commission, almost 10 million people in the United States may be victimized by identity bandits each year. So what does tha. . .

Limit Your Liability to Protect Your Assets

If your business runs into serious difficulty, will it bring you down too? For example, what if one of your employees got involved in a serious car accident while working for you? Will the resulting lawsuit bankrupt you personally? Here are just a few ways of protecting yourself against catastrophic losses and lawsuits. 1. Obtain Adequate Insurance Coverage If someone slips on the sidewalk of y. . .

Living Will And Durable Power Of Attorney For Health Care...

A Living Will is a legal document addressing only deathbed considerations; a client unilaterally declares his/her desire that life-prolonging measures be discontinued when there is no hope of ultimate recovery. On the other hand, people use a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care to appoint someone to make all healthcare decisions, limited by certain elections regarding deathbed issues. The. . .

How To Win Your Case For Social Security Disability Benef...

Winning a Social Security Disability case for someone who suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and/or Fibromyalgia (CFS/FMS) can be very difficult. However, with proper preparation I am often able to win client's their Social Security Disability benefits. I approach a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia case using the following five factors:1) Was the Diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndro. . .

How to Start an Online Bankruptcy Forms Processing Service

Due to the dramatic increase in technology, paralegals now have the ability to outsource their skills and earn extra money working from home as a bankruptcy forms processor. Unlike an attorney or notary public, a bankruptcy forms processor does not have jurisdictional limits. In other words, a bankruptcy forms processor could live in Yellow Springs, Ohio and prepare bankruptcy petitions, plead. . .

An important part of lifetime planning is the Power of At...

An important part of lifetime planning is the Power of Attorney. Valid in all states, these documents give one or more persons the power to act on your behalf. The power may be limited to a particular activity (e.g., closing the sale of your home) or general in its application, empowering one or more persons to act on your behalf in a variety of situations. It may take effective immediately or . . .

What to Know Before Signing a Home Improvement Contract

It is important to be a very careful consumer when it comes to home improvement contractors. For instance, I had a case where my client, an elderly and blind woman, signed a contract and paid $30,000.00 to a home improvement company that disappeared with all of her money! Unfortunately, the company was a scam operation, my client lost her life's savings and it will take some time in court befor. . .

Stop Collection Agency Harassment

Owing a debt does not automatically subject you to harrassing, threatening and other inappropriate collection agency behavior. Some collection agencies go too far with what I call "renegade collectors" they will repeatedly call you at your home and/or business, threaten to send a marshall over to serve you with lawsuit papers or send intimidating letters, appearing to come from an attorney or l. . .

The United State Court System, an Eye for Research

A Cup of Tea, Coffee, or Something Else www.quiettable.comWhenever investigating an individual or business, one of the most basic checks is for lawsuits, criminal charges, and bankruptcy filings. But how do you research the court system? Is there one simple site to go to where you pop in a name and are rewarded with a listing of all court filings across the country pertaining to that individual. . .

Do You Own Your Web Site Design?

Your web site has been up for a few months and you are making money hand over foot. While surfing sites one evening, you are shocked to find a competitor using your design. You find out your designer sold them the same design. They must be breaking the law, right? It all depends on whether you own the copyright to your web site design. Many site owners are shocked to find out they do not. . . .

Divorce: Coping With The Family Law Process

The EmotionsDivorce is a scary, lonely and misunderstood process for most people, particularly when there are children involved. The mutual friends enjoyed during the marriage may not be of help because those individuals may not want to "pick a side." A divorce will introduce you to an entirely new balancing act.The Effect on Productivity at WorkYou must be conscious of how the divorce process . . .

Plans Aren't Wine, And They Don't Always Age Well

The following crossed my desk recently. The author gave me permission to share her story:"Please alert people to something we're experiencing right now - having to clean up the mess of someone not naming more than one person as beneficiary on a life insurance policy. We are having an impossible time trying to get the funeral expenses paid for my sister and my mother. They died within four days . . .

How to Start a Bankruptcy Forms Processing Service

Due to the dramatic increase in technology, business professionals now have the ability to outsource their skills and earn extra money working from home as a bankruptcy forms processor. Unlike an attorney or notary public, a bankruptcy forms processor does not have jurisdictional limits. In other words, a bankruptcy forms processor could live in Yellow Springs, Ohio and prepare bankruptcy peti. . .

Debt Consolidation. Just lump it all together!

In a world where people use credit as much as they drink water, it is no surprise that so many people need debt consolidation loans. Debt consolidation loans sound like a good way of getting your debt cleaned up, but are they? If you need help getting out of debt, consider all your options before choosing. You will be surprised to learn what is available to help you.Whether you need to consolid. . .

What Type of Loan Do You Need?

There are many types of loans available to consumers. There is no shortage of people willing to lend money to qualified individuals. It is a matter of knowing what you need and what is available to you. Student loans, personal loans, auto loans- all types to offer to you. In order to get the best loan that fits your needs, You can find this information by contacting lenders, or researching onli. . .

Are You In The Market For a Car Loan?

Car loans are a tempting way to purchase a new car. While they provide for easy access to a car, these loans can get quite expensive if you do not know enough about what you are getting into. Simple research will provide you with information that can save you some real expenses. Even if you are getting a used car loan or a car title loan, you need to understand what you are getting into.Most of. . .

Our world of Credit Cards! Which One Is Right For You.

There are not many of us who do not have a credit card these days. But, not all of us are as wise in the area of understanding how they work and how they make money. There are many types available to the young and old. Student credit cards even begin to get teenagers into the world of credit cards. Secured credit cards, cards that usually can't be written off, are even misleading in their name.. . .

What on earth are Home Equity Loans?

Home equity loans are one of the most common types of financing for doing improvements on your house. These loans are not necessary used for home improvements but can also be used to simply obtain extra cash. It is essentially a standard loan, based on the equity you have in your house. This is as opposed to mortgage loans which are the loans used to purchase a home. Equity is the value that yo. . .

Protect Your Job & Wages

When people call me about employment issues they don't realize one important law- in almost every state you are terminable at will. That means that your employer can fire you anytime and for no reason at all. The only way you are protected from being fired on the spot without notice is if you have a contract of employment. A contract of employment must be in writing and should specify your l. . .

Filing a Simple Bankruptcy

We all know times are tough and, for some of us, bills are getting harder to pay each month. If the debts you owe are more than what you can afford, you should read on.Filing a bankruptcy can be the answer to your problems. A bankruptcy is a way to discharge your debts completely so you can have a fresh start in your financial and personal life. You can only file a bankruptcy once every 6 years. . .

Are you ready for Your Student's Student Loans?

Your son or daughter is a high school senior and your worried about the coming year, and more importantly, the coming student loans? College has become so important in your children's future that parents have begun to plan for it at their child's birth. But, not all of us, as new parents thought that far ahead or could afford too. So, now what? Student loans, whether they are federal loans or n. . .

I Comply, You Comply, We Comply ... Are You Sure?

Failure to follow corporate formalities may expose corporate officers, directors and shareholders to personal liability. Maintaining good records, including corporate minutes, on a timely basis goes a long way toward maintaining the limited liability benefit of a corporation.If incorporating was your first step to a new and safe way to do business, compliance with the law is the easiest way to . . .

How To Protect Your Privacy

(NC)-With the advent of new computer and communications technology, the potential for privacy invasion has never been greater. Easier access to personal and financial information, credit ratings and Social Insurance Numbers, and the unauthorized collection and sale of personal data, are issues that concern many Canadian consumers. Privacytown is a Web site from Industry Canada's Office of Consu. . .

The Top 10 Scams for 2001

Excerpt from Internet ScamBusters (tm) The #1 Publication on Internet FraudScams on the Internet are growing -- and with the vast selection, it was hard to only choose ten. We've tried to soften this list with a bit of humor. But please don't let the humor make these scams seem any less serious than they really are. Some of these scams are very dangerous. A word of warning, so to speak. These a. . .

Internet Shopping Tips

(NC) - Here are some Internet shopping tips from Industry Canada's Office of Consumer Affairs:Know the merchant you are dealing with. Look for detailed product information. Read the contract's terms and conditions and print or save them. Check for quality assurance certificates or seals. Verify that the merchant has a fair and clear complaint-handling process. Make sure that you're comfortable . . .

Watch Out For Internet Scams!

(NC) - Because the Internet offers easy access to huge audiences at a low cost there is no shortage of con artists using it to make a fast buck off the unwary. Industry Canada's Office of Consumer Affairs recommends that we be especially alert to the following: Any offer that sounds too good to be true. Any site that asks you to send personal or financial information before showing an offer.Pro. . .

Could You Be A Scam Victim?

1. Do you have a hectic lifestyle?2. Could you use extra cash? Are you always on the lookout for a good deal?3. Do you find it hard to say no to nice people?If you answered yes to any of these questions, visit Industry Canada's Consumer Connection Web site at http://consumer.ic.gc.ca and take ten minutes to do their Fraud quiz. Answer all of the questions on the Quiz and a computer program w. . .

Social Security Disability FAQ

WHAT ARE SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS?Social Security Disability is a benefit received from the Social Security Administration by disabled workers and in some cases their dependents, similar to those received by retired workers.WHO QUALIFIES?To receive benefits under the Social Security Disability program, you must have a physical or mental health problem (or a combination of problems) s. . .

Should You Hire An Accident Attorney

The following article was written for Resources For Attorneys.com by David Hallstrom, a private investigator, he is not now nor has he ever been an attorney.You have been in a accident, automobile, slip and fall, workplace, etc.. Should you see or speak with an attorney?As far as I am concerned, the answer is always yes.When should you consult with an accident attorney? You should seek the advi. . .

Types Of Wills

(NC)-Should I Write my own Will?A Will prepared in your own hand is called a holograph Will. A holograph Will is written entirely in your own handwriting and signed by you. This type of Will is not recommended as it may leave your family with a legal minefield to negotiate, as the interpretation of how you expressed your wishes may well differ from what you had in mind. If your holograph Will i. . .

Top 10 Reasons Why It Is Not Wise To Write Your Own Will

(NC)-Although some provinces accept a handwritten, self-made will (called a "Holograph" will), it is risky to do it yourself. The cost of having a will prepared professionally by a lawyer or notary is far less than people imagine.Here are just some of the common mistakes which can be made when individuals handwrite their own wills: Any wills written previously are not formally revoked. There is. . .

Psst.. Pass It On.. I Found Out It's a Hoax..

When you receive an email telling you about a virus, what do you do with it? Do you send it to everyone in your address book to help them protect themselves too? A virus warning is probably on its way to your inbox right now, claiming to be from a credible source and warning you of a dangerous virus on the loose. Beware. You might be tricked into taking part in an Internet hoax - chain mail vir. . .

Four Ways To Work Out Business Disputes

FOUR WAYS TO WORK OUT BUSINESS DISPUTESby Giuseppe Leone – Business and Workplace MediatorBusiness owners have four options to resolve disputes with partners, vendors or customers. Each option is based on different assumptions, and entails a different cost. Therefore, it pays to understand them better. Option #1 – Direct negotiationDirect negotiation is certainly the cheapest - but not necessar. . .

Tax Strategist Advises IRS Extensions Due to National Tra...

(ARA) - Taxpayers and companies whose deadline for tax returns was September 17th or in coming weeks, are being granted extensions by the IRS due to the national tragedy which disrupted lives as well as flight delivery and mail services.According to CPA and tax strategist Diane Kennedy of TaxCents, a tax education company that helps people make informed tax-advantaged financial decisions from a. . .

Check Out That Privacy Policy

Before you enter your name, address or any other data in that form, STOP! Wait. Don't enter anything yet. If you do, you may be giving away personal information to strangers, and you know what your mom said about talking to strangers. Okay, back up a minute. You want to buy a new necklace for your wife at that great dot com you recently found. They require you to fill out a form first - your na. . .