Alexandra Wilson – The News Desk

How to Get a Divorce | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

1Dec

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How to Get a Divorce | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

While marriage is often considered a personal and romantic union, it is important to note that it is a legal institution. That means that the process of ending a marriage is not dissimilar to the dissolution of a business partnership.A divorce takes place when a court declares that a marriage no longer exists, according to the American Bar Association. The ABA recommends getting a lawyer as the first step in the process because divorce does require a court process, which a lawyer can guide you through. If an individual elects to represent himself or herself, it will require more time and attention, though some states offer self-help guides, such as this guide for divorces in Los Angeles County.Whether or not you hire an attorney, the next step is typically the same: make sure your decisio...

What Is Litigation? | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

23Nov

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What Is Litigation? | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

When a person or company has wronged you, the court system can provide an official forum for finding a resolution. Litigation is the term for the process of using the court system to resolve disputes. It is used across legal fields such as personal injury, real estate, civil rights and more.“Litigation is a way to use the power of the courts to make somebody pay attention to your rights and to remedy the problem if they haven't been paying attention to your rights,” says Louis Tompros, partner at WilmerHale and lecturer at Harvard Law School.There are two main types of litigation: criminal litigation and civil litigation.In criminal litigation, the government will prosecute someone for a crime. Usually, a district attorney for the state will ask the court to impose some sort of penalty fo...

What Is Family Law? | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

20Nov

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What Is Family Law? | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

When facing marital strife involving divorce or disputes over children, legal issues can quickly become complex. In these cases, it can be helpful to turn to a family lawyer who can help navigate the court system and represent your interests.Generally, "family law" refers to the laws that govern issues related to family relationships, primarily those between spouses or parents and children. But family law is not just limited to issues such as marriage, divorce and child custody. It is an industry – estimated to be $12.6 billion in 2022 – that encompasses a wide realm of topics and issues.According to the American Bar Association, family law extends to other categories such as military law and assisted reproductive technologies. Domestic violence will also often fall under family law. It c...

Can You Get a Prenup After Marriage? | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

11Nov

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Can You Get a Prenup After Marriage? | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

Deciding which partner gets what assets in a divorce can be costly. That’s why many couples take the time to complete what is called a prenuptial agreement before marriage.These agreements help set parameters for what happens after you go your separate ways. This may include decisions involving who gets custody of a child, who keeps a house or apartment, and what assets are considered joint or separate. Setting up an amicable legal agreement before marriage can make some of these choices clear, as well as streamline tough conversations down the road.For all of these reasons, many lawyers recommend a prenup. But what if you’re already married? Though significantly less common, a postnuptial agreement can help you obtain that same legal peace of mind.Who Needs a Prenuptial Agreement?A prenu...

What Does ‘Of Counsel’ Mean? | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

6Nov

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What Does ‘Of Counsel’ Mean? | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

Like most companies, law firms have a hierarchy of naming conventions that apply to the individuals who work for them. These titles typically range in ranking from paralegal to associate to partner.Most titles have straightforward meanings, but the title "of counsel" is used to reflect a multitude of employment arrangements. In general, it is typically applied to lawyers at a law firm who are neither associates nor partners.Under the American Bar Association Formal Opinion 90-357, "of counsel" is an appropriate title for a lawyer with a law firm when “the relationship between the two is a close, regular, personal relationship and the use of the title is not otherwise false or misleading.”When to Categorize a Lawyer as 'Of Counsel'Generally, a working relationship between a lawyer and a la...

What Is Arbitration and Who Does It Favor? | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

26Oct

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What Is Arbitration and Who Does It Favor? | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

The United States litigation process is both expensive and time-consuming. That is why many individuals who find themselves in a legal dispute will face the possibility of arbitration.Arbitration is handled outside of the traditional court system. In this alternative process, an arbiter is a qualified decision-maker – often a lawyer or a retired judge – who hears both sides and issues a decision.Nearly 8 million cases have gone through arbitration since the Federal Arbitration Act passed in 1926, according to the American Arbitration Association. The act established that arbitration decisions as “valid, irrevocable and enforceable.” Following arbitration, parties are prevented from subsequently entering the dispute into the traditional court system.The Arbitration ProcessGenerally, arbitr...

How to Legally Change Your Name | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

13Oct

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How to Legally Change Your Name | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

There are many reasons why someone might consider changing their name, including marriage, adoption or the desire to reflect a different gender identity. “The most common situations that prompt people to want to change their names are marriage and divorce or related family situations, such as stepparent adoption,” says Elizabeth Katz, visiting professor at Harvard Law School. “In more recent years, there's also been an increase in people wanting to change their first names to better fit their gender identity.”Nonetheless, you do not need a formal reason to change your name. Disliking your name or preferring a nickname, for example, is enough to kickstart the name change process in a court of law.The Name-Change ProcessName change requests are generally processed in a state court where the...

Civil Liberties vs. Civil Rights: What Is the Difference? | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

7Oct

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Civil Liberties vs. Civil Rights: What Is the Difference? | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

Civil liberties and civil rights describe two ways the United States legal system protects the interests of individuals. Though often used interchangeably, the two terms are distinct. The term "civil liberties'' stands for the constitutional guarantees of freedom from governmental oppression and tyranny. The term “civil rights” refers to a variety of laws protecting citizens from unequal or discriminatory treatment based on certain characteristics, including race, religion, gender and country of origin.In short, civil liberties protect an individual’s personal freedoms, whereas civil rights advance specific standards of equality.The First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of speech, which safeguards an individual’s right to express opinions without government censorship, is a textbook civi...

What Is a Morality Clause and How Is It Legal? | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

1Oct

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What Is a Morality Clause and How Is It Legal? | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

Morality clauses require an employee to abide by certain ethical standards for the lifespan of the contract with an employer. They are created to maintain the employer’s reputation and protect it from public embarrassment.“Employers often include a code of conduct, a type of morals clause, in employment agreements or handbooks to specify acceptable behavior both in and outside of the workplace,” says Kenneth Anand, employment law expert and former general counsel of the apparel brand Yeezy. If an employee’s behavior violates the morality clause, the employer retains the right to terminate the contract.Employers have broad discretion over that determination. For some, criminal behavior is regarded as worthy of contract termination. For others, it might be behavior that is at odds with the ...