An overview of family-based immigration to the United States Article provided by Genzale & Haven, LLP Visit us at http://www.genzalehaven.com For many people, coming to live in the United States represents a life-long dream. However, it can be very difficult to get legal authorization to live or work in the U.S. The American immigration system is notoriously complex, and the government sets strict limits on the number of people who will be granted immigrant visas each year. The immigration process can be somewhat simpler for prospective immigrants who already ...

Bankruptcy has answers debt-settlement schemes do not Article provided by Law Office of John W. Rose Visit us at http://www.johnwrose.com/ Debt-settlement companies are for-profit businesses that offer to negotiate with creditors to reduce the amounts owed by consumers. Debt-settlement companies make money by charging high fees for every settlement achieved and sometimes even charge high fees without obtaining a lowered or forgiven amount owed. According to federal and state officials, debt-settlement companies fail to work in nine out of 10 cases, which means consumers ...

Help your kids reduce stress with these post-divorce parenting tips Article provided by Law Offices of Doris D'Ambrosio Visit us at http://www.dorisdambrosiolaw.com It's no secret that a divorce is one of the most stressful experiences a person can ever go through. When a marriage breaks up, there is much more to deal with than dividing up property and adapting to a new way of life. Often, the emotional fallout from a divorce is much more difficult to cope with than any of the financial or logistical consequences. This is even more true for children than it is ...

Special considerations for military divorces Article provided by Law Office of Kevin L. Beard, P.A. Visit us at http://www.kevinbeardlaw.com When they divorce, military spouses face the same divorce process as civilian couples. The petition for divorce is filed in a state court and a family court judge divides assets and property and determines child support and alimony payments. However, military divorces can present unique issues involving jurisdiction over the divorce, the time frame in which the divorce is completed and the way assets and property can be divided ...

Why you should create an estate plan Article provided by Cohen Fineman, LLC Visit us at http://www.cohenfineman.com/ Creating an estate plan is one of the most important things a person can do. An estate plan is not just for those facing illness or old age -- one never knows what will happen, and an estate plan can help people prepare for the worst. An estate plan can help people control their assets upon death, and make sure that their families can focus on grieving instead of dividing up the estate. But, what is the best way to go about making an estate plan? ...

Adding a patient to nurse workloads increases infections, study finds Article provided by Cranwell, Moore & Emick P.L.C. Visit us at http://www.cranwellmoorelaw.com/ A new study published in the American Journal of Infection Control found that adding just one patient to a nurse's already heavy workload adds one hospital-acquired infection to every 1,000 patients admitted to the facility. Study finds burnout plays a large role in patient safety Researchers at the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research at the University of Pennsylvania School of ...

Recent Texas Supreme Court decision allows do-it-yourself divorce forms Article provided by Carlock & Gormley L.L.P. Visit us at http://www.carlockgormley.com A decision from the Texas Supreme Court may make it easier for couples with comparatively uncomplicated divorces to use a standardized form to petition for divorce. The form may be helpful to some couples, but in other cases it may carry a risk of significant mistake that can be difficult to undo. Standardized form may help couples divorce without an attorney In a 5-3 decision, the Texas Supreme ...

Data shows fatal car accidents still a major problem in Tennessee Article provided by MART G FENDLEY ATTORNEY AT LAW Visit us at http://www.fendleylaw.com There are few things worse than getting an unexpected phone call from the police letting you know that your loved one has been killed in a car accident. In nearly all cases, this news brings a sickening mix of shock, grief and anger -- both at the loved one's death and at the negligent driver who caused it to happen. Thankfully, these phone calls have gotten much less frequent in Tennessee over the last few ...

Additional factors present in a military divorce Article provided by Michael T. Webster, P.A. Visit us at http://www.mtwlaw.com Even if you have no property to divide or child custody and support details to work out, few -- if any -- divorces could ever be called uncomplicated. If you or your spouse are in the armed forces, that military service also means you'll have special factors to consider along with all the usual concerns if you decide to end your marriage. The Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act The Uniformed Services Former Spouses' ...

Surviving a small business tax audit Article provided by Baker Law Firm Visit us at http://www.cttaxlawyer.com No matter how meticulous the records are kept, perhaps nothing strikes fear into the heart of a small business owner than an audit notice from the Internal Revenue Service. Although the process can be stressful, the following tips can help you avoid being audited, as well as help you deal with the tax audit process. Avoiding an audit Although every tax return filed can be subject to an audit, the IRS is more likely to choose to audit a small business ...

Overview of prenuptial agreements in California Article provided by Law Offices of Victoria S. Linder Visit us at http://www.sacramentoattorneys.net/ California residents entering into a marriage may wonder if they need a prenuptial agreement. Although most couples do not want to think about divorce before even being married, creating a prenuptial agreement is a practical approach to dealing with the reality that a substantial percentage of marriages end in divorce. A well-drafted prenuptial agreement can help protect valuable assets and prevent future complications. What ...

Hiding assets is common during divorce Article provided by Law Offices of Victoria S. Linder Visit us at http://www.sacramentoattorneys.net/ California residents know divorce is complicated. It is even more difficult when one spouse attempts to hide assets during the divorce process. Unfortunately, lying about assets is more common than most people think. According to the National Endowment for Financial Education, 34 percent of adults in the United States admit to lying to a spouse about finances or debt. Additionally, over half admit to hiding a minor purchase ...

Strong defense for increased enforcement of California DUI laws Article provided by Law Office of Gregory M. Alonzo Visit us at http://www.alonzocriminaldefense.com Driving under the influence of alcohol can be common, especially during the year-end holiday season. In recent years, 13 county law enforcement agencies in and around Santa Clara, California, have strengthened DUI enforcement through what has become an annual lookout program called "Avoid the 13." In the last two weeks of 2012, Santa Clara County's law enforcement agencies made 432 DUI arrests. ...

The advantages of filing for personal bankruptcy Article provided by Guthrie Law Office Visit us at http://www.guthrie-law.com Even now, in the years following the "great recession," when many people have found themselves in dire financial straits, many who could qualify for a personal bankruptcy would still never consider filing for one. First, they think of the stigma attached to it. Then, if they can get past that, they contemplate the effect of a bankruptcy filing on their credit report and that fact stops them in their tracks. But when someone ...

Mediation may help couples going through divorce Article provided by Vaught Law Firm, P.C. Visit us at http://www.austindivorcelawyer.com There are many reasons why a marriage may break down. When a married couple decides to end their relationship, it can be surprising how contentious a divorce can become. Issues that can be quickly resolved turn into costly and time-consuming legal battles, pitting the soon-to-be ex-spouses against one another. Individuals may find themselves spending a lot of emotional energy trying to get through the divorce as quickly as possible. There ...

Is Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy right for you? Article provided by Genova & Malin, Attorneys at Law Visit us at http://www.hudsonvalleybankruptcylawyers.com Bankruptcy is a legal process that allows consumers to manage their debts. There are two types of bankruptcy available to consumers: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a consumer's debts are discharged, meaning that they are no longer responsible for paying those debts. In a Chapter 13 case, consumers work with the courts to establish a payment plan, so that creditors can be paid ...

Bankruptcy remains common in Tennessee despite national decrease Article provided by Law Office of W. Thomas Bible, Jr. Visit us at http://www.tombiblelaw.com Many people are pleased when they hear that the number of individuals filing for bankruptcy each year has been declining nationwide. According to a law professor who reviewed data from the National Bankruptcy Research Center, nationwide bankruptcy filings for individuals dropped by 12 percent in 2011 from the previous year. In 2011, there were 5,800 bankruptcy filings per million individuals. This means that ...

Controversial Pop Warner game highlights dangers of head injuries Article provided by Clark, Hunt, Ahern & Embry Visit us at http://www.chelaw.com In 2012, the NFL set a new record: 111.3 million worldwide tuned in to watch the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots, making it the most watched television event in history. While a crushing defeat for the Bay State -- and one most would rather forget -- this record-breaking viewership underscores our national love affair with the game. And with approximately 4 million young adults playing football each ...

Cooperative lawsuit illustrates risks of 'unintentional' discrimination Article provided by Pentiuk, Couvreur & Kobiljak, P.C. Visit us at http://www.pck-cooplaw.com Cooperative housing associations are unique in that the members screen and select new residents to the community. While housing cooperatives do have a certain degree of latitude in deciding who will be allowed to join the community, it is important to remember that cooperatives are still required to follow the anti-discrimination policies outlined in the Fair Housing Act. The FHA covers both ...

Inefficient banks fall short in modifying mortgage loans Article provided by Durand & Associates, P.C. Visit us at http://www.durandassociatespc.com/ The financial crisis may be easing somewhat, but many Texas families still face the possible loss of a home to foreclosure. A federal program to help homeowners has been less effective than hoped because large banks have done such a poor job implementing its provisions. Mortgage loan modifications save homes When a borrower falls seriously behind on mortgage payments, there is an alternative to the bank foreclosing ...

Massachusetts alimony laws changed after reform efforts Article provided by Saunders & Saunders, LLP Visit us at http://www.saundersandsaunderslaw.com After much concentrated effort and debate, Massachusetts' alimony laws have changed, and the changes apply immediately to alimony judgments entered on March 1, 2012 or later, with the changes potentially applying retroactively for people who seek to modify their alimony judgments at later times in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The change in how alimony is calculated Under the new laws, alimony is treated similarly ...

Assisting children through a difficult divorce Article provided by Saunders & Saunders, LLP Visit us at http://www.saundersandsaunderslaw.com Divorce can be a stressful and emotional process. When children are involved, it can be even more challenging. Decisions about child custody, parenting time and what is best for the child come into play. Several things prove to be important for parents to make the process as smooth as possible for their children. The following tips may help parents ease their children's adjustment. Hide the fighting Children often ...

Qualifying for a mortgage or loan post-bankruptcy Article provided by Thomas G. Waldstein, Attorney at Law Visit us at http://www.thomaswaldsteinlaw.com With the financial difficulties in recent years, more Americans than ever have been through a bankruptcy. Once the bankruptcy discharge has been received, many people are unsure of how to begin the return to financial health. This uncertainty is understandable. When you file for bankruptcy, it remains on your credit report for up to 10 years, which can cause your credit score to be low. Since lenders rely on ...

Increased Missouri traffic fatalities partially caused by distracted driving Article provided by Law Offices if Dan Moody and Paul Wacker, L.L.C. Visit us at http://www.moodywackerlaw.com For those of us frequently on the road in Missouri, statistics recently released by the Missouri State Highway Patrol are troubling. According to the report, the number of fatalities caused by motor vehicle accidents in Missouri was higher in 2012 than the year prior. In 2012, the highway patrol reported that 818 people died in traffic accidents in the state -- representing ...

One in four US women harassed at work, but few come forward Article provided by Yadegar, Minoofar & Soleymani LLP Visit us at http://www.bestsexualharassmentlawyers.com/ Roughly one in four U.S. women has experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, according to a poll conducted in 2011 by ABC News and the Washington Post. As high as it may seem, this figure actually represents a substantial improvement from just two decades ago, when the sexual harassment rate was nearly one in three -- but there is still a lot of room for improvement. An important part ...