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SMALL LAW FIRM VS. LARGE LAW FIRM: The size of the law firm has absolutely nothing to do with how well that office will represent you and/or handle your case. A large law firm (10 or more names on their letterhead) will not impress an insurance adjuster into giving you a better settlement. On the contrary, adjuster’s who’ve been around, know that huge law offices have multi-million dollar clients with mind-boggling legal problems. Because of this those types of law firms often do not put the time (nor concern) into a several thousand dollar personal injury case that a small office would. The bottom line? You’ll receive more and better attention from a small law office. Many of the best personal injury lawyers operate within the confines of a law firm with only two, three or, at the very most, four associates.

BEWARE OF LAWYERS WHO REPRESENT “DEFENDANTS”:The practice of law has become incredibly specialized. Find a lawyer who has experience representing claimant’s(called “Plaintiffs” in legalese) in personal injury cases.(You’re a “Plaintiff”). Be careful not to be represented by someone who is primarily an attorney for “Defendants’. These lawyers way of thinking are usually too closely tied to the values, attitudes and mental outlook of their cold and calculating insurance company clients.More often than not they’ll not extend themselves nor battle as hard - - consciously or unconsciously - - to obtain top dollar for your claim.(To you four or five hundred dollars more is a lot of money.To them it’s a drop in the bucket)!

COMPARISON SHOP: Talk to friends, acquaintances and/or co-workers who may have been represented by a lawyer on their own personal injury claim. Personal Injury lawyers normally don’t charge for an initial consultation.But, before you meet with them, find out if they do.If the answer to that is “yes”, go somewhere else.

While chatting with the lawyer, getting to know him and (generally speaking) what your case is all about, you should find out:

(1) How long have they been in practice?(10 years - plus - that’s good. 6 to 8 years is just okay. 3 to 4 years is highly questionable. 2 years or less is totally unacceptable).

(2) Roughly what percentage of his practice involves personal injury cases? If it’s less than 75% say “goodbye”.

(3) Does he often represent corporations and/or insurance companies? If he does than forge it, excuse yourself and take a walk.He’s not a Plaintiff’s attorney (you’re a “Plaintiff”) he’s a Defendant’s attorney (the insurance company is a “Defendant”). He’s not for you!

PAYING THE LAWYER - THE WRITTEN FEE AGREEMENT”: After you’ve discussed the fact’s of your case you may be able to get some sense from the attorney how much he thinks your case is worth, and how difficult it may be to get the insurance company to pay that amount.(He probably won’t commit himself. He’ll do a song and dance that would put Madonna to shame). Once you’ve grappled with that ask him exactly how much he’s going to charge you for handling your case?

If you’re at fault for the accident and it’s only your damaged ego that demands legal action he’s going to charge you for every move he makes - - and there can be a ton of them - - at hundreds of dollars an hour.If you have a case in which the other driver is clearly at fault (and your damages are substantial) his heart will be pounding with glee and he’ll be salivating furiously to have you hire him. In that instance he’ll be quite willing to waive all potential charges.

Usually, in the majority of cases, it should be a straight “Contingency Fee” with no costs assessed to you. Once your financial deal has been agreed upon ask him to put that into writing, in his “Written Fee Agreement”.(If he balks at a Written Fee Agreement you should begin to hum that old tune “I’ll See Ya’ Later Alligator”, get up, thank him for his time, and exit that office)

Copyright (c) 2003 by Daniel G. Baldyga. All rights Reserved

DISCLAIMER: The only purpose of this insurance claim tip FINDING THE RIGHT LAWYER is to help people understand the motor vehicle accident claim process. Neither Dan Baldyg nor ARTICLE CITY make any guarantee of any kind whatsoever; NOR do they purport to engage in rendering any professional or legal service; NOR to substitute for a lawyer, an insurance adjuster, or claims consultant or the like. Where such professional help is desired it is the INDIVIDUAL’S RESPONSIBILITY to obtain said services.

Dan Baldyga’s third and latest book AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM (How To Evaluate And Settle Your Loss)can be found on the internet at http://www.autoaccidentclaims.com. This book reveals “How To” successfully handle your motor vehicle accident claim, so you won’t be taken advantage of. It also goes into detail regarding the revolutionary BASE (The Baldyga Auto Accident Settlement Evalation Formula). BASE explains how to determine the value of the “Pain and Suffering” you endured - - because of your personal injury.]]>

Most experienced and effective divorce attorneys charge by the hour and require an advance retainer (or deposit) that is paid at the beginning of the case. Fees and expenses will be charged against the retainer until it is exhausted, at which point the client will be responsible for any additional sums incurred.

Clients will sometimes seek an attorney who will represent them on a flat fee basis, thinking that this will save them money. The problem with this arrangement is that the attorney has no incentive to do anything beyond the bare minimum. The client often feels like his case is being ignored, the attorney often feels like the client is intentionally trying to take up as much of his time as possible, and they may both be right.

Whether you hire a lawyer on an hourly or flat fee basis, it is extremely important that you get a written fee agreement that makes clear the terms of the representation, including whether any retainer is refundable, how often you will receive statements, the attorney’s hourly rates, etc. You should get and keep a copy of this fee agreement.

2. Don’t Mistake Your Divorce Lawyer for Your Therapist

Divorces are extremely emotional. Because your divorce attorney is (or at least should be) firmly in your corner, talking to him can be a very reassuring experience. This person understands your side of the situation and it feels good to talk to someone who sees the righteousness of your position. Because it makes you feel better you get into the habit of calling often, almost daily.

Unless you have more money than you know what to do with you should NOT fall into this trap.

Remember that every time you call your lawyer the clock is ticking and you are getting billed by the hour. Think of it as a very expensive cab ride. As soon as you get in the cab, the meter starts running. It works the same with a lawyer, as soon as you are on the phone with him the meter is running and you are getting charged.

This does not mean you should never communicate with your lawyer. On the contrary, you should communicate with your attorney anytime you need legal advice on your case. But before you pick up the phone make a list of questions or issues you want to discuss and limit your conversation to these points without wasting time ranting about the unfairness of the situation.

3. Don’t Use Your Attorney to Negotiate a Division of Personal Items

Arguing about which party deserves the blue sofa or the bread maker is not a good use of attorney’s fees. As much as possible, you should try to resolve these issues with your spouse. Ideally, if you and your spouse have already separated, you could divide these items by agreement and exchange them before the case has been completed.

Then, when it is time to finalize the divorce the term in the agreement and/or Final Decree, the document would simply state that each party keeps all personal effects (furniture, clothing, electronics, appliances, kitchen equipment, etc.) in that party’s possession. This can save a great deal in fees by avoiding debates over property that has very little market value.

4. Don’t Throw Away Dollars Trying to Save Nickels

This is extremely important. People will often be extremely frugal about hiring an attorney and think they are saving a lot of money by hiring a lawyer for a small flat fee, or hiring someone who is not very experienced but will work cheaply.

This is a mistake.

Your goal should be to reach a reasonable settlement as quickly as possible. In order to reach this goal you will need an effective lawyer who sincerely shares that objective with you. That lawyer will then use his experience and skills to help you reach that objective.

But notice that I said “reasonable” settlement, not just any settlement. If the other side cannot be convinced to settle the case on reasonable terms it is imperative that your lawyer be skillful and confident enough to effectively try your case.

Someone who is learning on the job, or is simply unprepared, can cost you a great deal of money. So don’t cheat yourself out of dollars in an attempt to save nickels.]]>

Those living in the West, Midwest and South can obtain copies of their reports now; those in the Northeast will have to wait until September 2005. Those who are seeking a copy of their free credit report should be careful, though. While there is an official Website for the free credit reports, other Websites are also offering them for “free” but those who visit those sites may find that what is promised is not what is delivered. And the price could be steep.

Obtaining a copy of your credit report through the official Website is easy, and takes only a few minutes. Applicants need only provide their name, address, Social Security number and date of birth. It’s a fairly simple process, but there are many companies, some legitimate and some rather unscrupulous, who would like to obtain such information for other purposes.
As a result, scams are flourishing throughout the Internet as people flock to Websites to obtain their “free” credit report.

Some of these companies have built Websites that look very similar to the official one and may even have similar Web addresses. What they offer is said to be free, but they are really only interested in stealing your name, date of birth and Social Security number. With this information, they can steal your identity and proceed to run up huge amounts of debt in your name.

A change in the Federal bankruptcy law that takes effect in October 2005 will hold everyone responsible for their debt, even if it is incurred by someone using a stolen identity. Other companies solicit business by e-mail, offering free information, but these are usually “phishing” expeditions, where the senders of the e-mail are only interested in having you reply by providing your sensitive personal information. The end result of the phishing trips is a stolen identity.

One company is currently being investigated by the FTC for fraud. They promised a “free” report, but required a credit card number for purposes of “verification.” Customers were astonished to receive credit card bills for as much as $75 for their “free” product!

These scams can easily be avoided. It is a rare occasion when you receive something for nothing, but you can receive one free copy of your credit report each year from each of the three main bureaus simply (and only) by visiting the official Website.

Copyright 2004 Leadsandtraffic.com]]>

prenuptial agreement can be one of the all-time romantic turnoffs, for people heading into their second marriage, a prenuptial agreement can give the trade-off of a better relationship through the security of financial and life planning.

A prenuptial agreement is a legal contract between two people about to marry, specifying how assets will be distributed in the event of divorce or death. A prenuptial agreement is a good idea, even if you aren’t rich or own a home. It saves future arguments and can even save you money.

A prenuptial agreement requires that each partner prepare an inventory of assets owned before the marriage, and it allows you to establish your separate priorities about those assets.

Even if you do nothing more than that in your prenuptial agreement, this gives children from a previous marriage a chance to have half of that property and establish what belonged to Mom or Dad before the second marriage, and it establishes what you’re taking with you should you leave the marriage.”

Statistically, second or third marriages are more likely to result in divorce than first-time unions. Because of this, a prenuptial agreement is an especially wise idea.

•A prenup is important if one of you is wealthier than the other.

•If you have assets such as a house, stock or retirement funds, you should have a prenup.

•A prenuptial agreement is essential if you own part or all of a business.

•A prenup can discuss your wishes if you may be receiving an inheritance.

•If you have relatives who need to be taken care of, such as disabled children or elderly parents, a prenuptial agreement is very important.

•If you expect to receive a big increase in income because of a growing business, a prenuptial agreement can address this issue.

•A prenuptial agreement is essential if you have children and/or grandchildren from a previous marriage.

We recommend that each partner draw up a list of assets. Furthermore, for professional couples, prenuptial agreements can be the ultimate protection against all-too-common lawsuits or medical malpractice suits. You can’t predict all of your life events, and prenuptial agreements are a means of keeping your own assets safe in the event of any financial problems that your spouse may experience.

Note that Legal Helpmate provides an easy-to-use, quick, and economical online method for creating Prenuptial Agreement (Premarital Contract).]]>

Why is it important to get to know your possible lawyer quickly? Well, it is because of the fact that the laws on personal injury have the so-called “statute of limitations” which sets a time limit during which legal action must be taken. So even if you believe that you have lots of time to find the best lawyer, you have to take the appropriate action immediately to avoid losing your legal rights and win your lawsuit in just a short time.

Basically, you want to hire a personal injury lawyer who is really an expert in representing victims in lawsuits effectively and successfully. The most convenient way to locate a reputable attorney not only in your area but anywhere in your region is to look search online. There’s a lot of online referral services that can help you find the best possible personal injury lawyer. You can also ask for recommendations from your friends, workmates or other lawyers that can refer the lawyers that they trust.

When you’ve determined that you can already start finding a personal injury lawyer, you have to think if what kind of attorney you really need. Remember that there are lots of specializations in the field of law. And a specific attorney specializes only in one type of law. However, there are also some lawyers that handle a wide range of matters. With this, online referral services can give you a better and clear idea about the perfect lawyer to handle your personal injury case even before you set an appointment with him.

On your first meeting, you have to figure out if your compatibility with each other. Being comfortable with your lawyer is important so that everything will run smoothly as you go through the legal process. Also, you have to ask him some questions for you to get to know him better before deciding to commit your case to him. Knowing the professional background of your possible attorney can make you expect for good things to happen in your personal injury lawsuit.]]>

The California Lemon Law allows new and used car buyers to demand for refund or replacement when the cars that they have purchased have been proven to be defective. Here are some tips that will help you get the most “juice” from your “lemon.”

1.Never let the manufacturer or dealer discourage you
The California Lemon Law provides guidelines by which you can determine if your car qualifies. A car is considered a “lemon” under the California Lemon Law if it has been repaired four times and the defect has not been fixed within the period of 18 months or 18,000 miles whichever comes first. Two repair attempts are given to defects that may cause injury or death.

2.Know your rights
Research the guidelines provided by the California Lemon Law and decide for yourself if what you have is a “lemon. Don’t let some scrupulous salespersons fool you into not filing a complaint or selling your car to them at a loss. There are a lot of websites in the Internet that could provide you with relevant information on California Lemon Law.

3.Read your manual
Don’t let that manual gather dust in one of your drawers. Know everything about your car especially the things that you cannot do with or to it. Take care of your car and follow the manual to the letter. Otherwise the manufacturer could blame the problem on your poor use. Remember that though the California Lemon Law protects your right, you have to prove that the defect has not been caused by you.

4.Don’t waste time
Remember that the California Lemon Law provides a deadline for complaints. Don’t wait for the last minute to file yours.

5.Take it to authorized service center
In having your car repaired, make sure that you go only to authorized service centers to ensure that the car is repaired properly. Under the California Lemon Law, buyers should have the defect repaired by the manufacturer through its service centers and at least inform the manufacturer of the need for repair.

6.Keep records
Never fail to ask for proper documentations, even if the center has not seen anything wrong with your car. Those are needed when you file a complaint under the California Lemon Law. So, it is important that your complaints be documented from the onset. Make sure also that when they do give you a receipt or record, the information is complete and accurate.

7.Put it in black and white
Send a letter of complaint. This is one way to legally give notice to your problem under the California Lemon Law. Inform them of the problem and outline the number of repairs that you have done. If possible, send it over through certified mail to make sure that they did receive it.

8.Know your options and seek advice
Most car companies have arbitration program that take care of Lemon Law complaints in California. If arbitration does not work, you can always seek legal counsel. Remember that arbitration decisions are not final and some companies even give a quick refund when a lawyer gets involve.]]>

This feature of the Internet can certainly help you save time and effort. You must not be discouraged by the myriad law firms and independent attorneys who are present everywhere because the web is a more efficient means to locate them. The web offers fast and accurate way of tracking the best attorney for your case. Another thing is the fact that it only searches through records of competent, carefully-screened lawyers with a winning professional background in his area of law and your geographic region, too.

Professional background or the experience of an attorney in handling cases that are similar to your case is very important. Through this, you can make sure that you’ll put up a good fight and that you can expect for justice to be served on you. The geographic region is also a major consideration when choosing a legal specialist for your lawsuit. As we all know, laws vary from state to state. And your lawyer must be proficient enough in the area where the incident, that has lead to your case, has taken place.

When you use the Internet to locate a lawyer, you have to know that your location is also being considered and weighs tremendously in the search results. But this is only second to the lawyer’s capacity to handle your case successfully based on his previous experiences on the same type of case. Among others, the lawyer’s background is the most important thing to consider in hiring one to ensure that you’ll get the best legal assistance possible.

Finally, a good lawyer is someone who can identify the causes and the level of fault of your case. He is also the one that prepares and organizes the necessary documents that will be used in court trials to establish the truth. An advantage on your part is the fact that you don’t have to pay your personal injury attorney unless you win your settlement. But in other areas of the law, a consultation fee is being asked by some lawyers. With this, you have to be very keen in choosing the perfect lawyer to fulfill your legal needs.]]>

When you are looking for better-quality information about marriage agency, it will be tricky separating value-packed advice from ill-advised marriage agency proposals and guidance so it is wise to know how to judge the advice that is offered.

Here’s several guidelines that we believe you should think of using when you’re seeking information about marriage agency. It is important to remember that the advice we tender is only applicable to internet advice about marriage agency. Unfortunately we are unable to provide any guidance or advice when you are also conducting research offline.

Find marriage agency
Your relevant result is a click away!

A good hint to track when you’re presented with help and advice regarding a marriage agency page would be to determine who owns the site. Doing this could reveal the owners marriage agency credentials The easiest way to reveal who owns the marriage agency website is to look on the ‘about’ page or ‘contact’ page.

All decent sites providing information on marriage agency, will always have contact information that will list the owner’s details. The details should divulge some specifications about the owner’s skill and understanding. This means you can conduct an appraisal about the webmaster’s familiarity and qualifications, to advise you on the topic of marriage agency.]]>

select a loan that has the cheaper rates. Over the course of any loan, a borrower will pay a
deposit on a equity loan. The deposit is a contracted agreement exchanges between seller and
borrower. The deposit is usually a percentage of the home value, which extends as much as ten
percent, or more.

Other fees, such as the legal cost and conveyance fees will cover the legality of the agreement.
This is important to understand, since lenders will often hire in a solicitor to inspect the home.
The homeowner has the right to request his own inspector, thus potentially saving costs and fees.

The valuation and surveying fees are also inspectors that guarantee that the home equity is worth
the lending amount. Again, the borrower has a right to select his own inspector to save costs and
fees.

Stamp duty is unavoidable, since this is the tax that goes to the government. The indemnity
guarantee is a form of insurance if the home purchased has a “high LTV Ratio.” This means that
the home is worth the amount of the loan, but not much greater than the amount borrowed.
Therefore, you are paying for insurance and premiums, which may be optional for reducing costs
if you select the best value.

Insurance of course is not optional in most instances, but is optional for cutting costs, since the
homeowner can select his own choice of coverage in most instances. The Arrangement costs are
applied to the wages of the lender, since he took the time to find you a loan. This fee may be
optional for including in the repayments. Finally, many lenders will obligate borrowers to life
insurance polices. This is also an optional charge that you can select to cut costs on equity loans.

Talbert Williams offers debt consolidation referrals and advice. For more information, articles, news,
tools and valuable resources on debt solutions, visit this site: http://www.1debtfreedom.com
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divorce is the Internet.

An important polling firm in England has discovered that 1 out of 10 people (Around 90,000) has claimed the Internet as one of the major reasons for ending a marriage that often ends in divorce.

The findings of the poll indicate that married men and women both experience hardship when their mates become addicted to the Internet. Pornography and Gambling sites as well as Chat Rooms and Searches for old friends from back in the day when things were simple.

The most endangered of becoming divorced are generally young men and women between 25 and 35 years old, the most computer literate group, as older men and women especially blue collar workers are less likely to suffer because they are computer illiterate. Only the more educated are likely to have marriage problems with the Internet. There are always exceptions but for the most part this is the rule.

The good news is if you are computer literate and the Internet had destroyed your marriage you can apply for divorce online and meet someone brand new who you can divorce later!]]>