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How Lawyers Can Navigate the Ethical Minefield of Legal Advertising | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

25Oct

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How Lawyers Can Navigate the Ethical Minefield of Legal Advertising | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

Attorney advertising is vital to law firm success and profitability, but marketing continues to pose legal ethics issues that must be addressed at every turn.In the decades since the Supreme Court issued its 1977 opinion of Bates v. State Bar of Arizona, which legalized attorney advertising, states have become more lenient about lawyer marketing, while the courts often strike down onerous limitations.When it comes to the formal limitations on advertising, “All the restrictions are eroding,” says Thomas Spahn, counsel at McGuireWoods, who has authored several books on attorney ethics.In the meantime, there is probably more variance between states on ethics rules for attorney advertising than there is on any other issue, according to Spahn. And this is hurting consumers on a national scale,...

What Credit Score Do I Need to Get a Credit Card? | Credit Cards

24Oct

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What Credit Score Do I Need to Get a Credit Card? | Credit Cards

Some folks have credit scores that soar into the heavens. But many of us have scores that are a bit more down to earth. What type of credit score do we need to get the best credit cards, or any type of plastic at all?Your score will have a major impact on your ability to borrow, and at what terms. But you can find cards for fair credit or even no credit to help you build or rebuild your credit score.Here's more about the credit score you need to get a credit card.What Credit Score Do You Need for a Credit Card? There is no hard-and-fast rule about the credit score you need for a credit card. However, issuers will look closely at your credit score before extending a credit offer, and a low score could keep you from getting a credit card, or at least the one you want."A lower score can impa...

Is a 15- or 30-Year Mortgage Right for You? | Mortgages and Advice

23Oct

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Is a 15- or 30-Year Mortgage Right for You? | Mortgages and Advice

If you're preparing to buy a home, you will need to look at not only mortgage interest rates, but also loan types and terms. Your mortgage term is how long you have to repay the loan, and most terms are 15 or 30 years.Should you get a 15- or 30-year mortgage? If you can afford the payment on a 15-year mortgage, the long-term interest savings are great. But the lower monthly payment of a 30-year mortgage could offer you more flexibility if your financial situation changes.Here, we break down the 15- vs. 30-year mortgage debate, including the pros and cons of each and how to decide between the two.What Is the Difference Between a 15- and 30-Year Mortgage?The primary difference between a 15- and 30-year mortgage is the length of time to pay off the loan.A 15-year mortgage pays off your home ...

Payday Loan Consolidation: What You Need to Know | Personal Loans and Advice

19Oct

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Payday Loan Consolidation: What You Need to Know | Personal Loans and Advice

Payday loans are designed to be short-term loans for modest amounts to bridge the gap from today until payday. While they can quickly get you the cash you need, those fast funds come with a price. While some states cap the interest rate, others allow lenders to charge annual percentage rates in excess of 600% – far more expensive than the average credit card.If you have this type of loan you can get out from under those high interest rates through payday loan consolidation. With this strategy, you'll use a personal loan to pay off your payday loans. If your credit is less than stellar, you may face a higher interest rate than borrowers with good credit. However, that interest rate will likely be far lower than what you're paying with a payday loan.Find the Best Personal Loans for You Lend...

How to Spot and Avoid Mortgage Scams | Mortgages and Advice

19Oct

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How to Spot and Avoid Mortgage Scams | Mortgages and Advice

Mortgages are big business. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, U.S. consumers owed $12.01 trillion on their homes in the second quarter of 2023.Unfortunately, scammers see mortgage transactions as a chance to get a piece of that pie. "Because a lot of money is switching hands at one time, that's literally the most attractive thing to any scammer anywhere in the world," says Jason Zirkle, training director at the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.Protect yourself by learning how common mortgage scams work and how to spot some telltale signs of fraud.Compare Top Mortgage Lenders Lender Learn More Min. Down Payment Min. Credit Score Lender Learn More Min. Down Payment Min. Credit Score Lender Learn More Min. Down Payment Min. Credit ScoreCommon Types of Mortgage Sca...

What Is a Nondisclosure Agreement? | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

18Oct

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What Is a Nondisclosure Agreement? | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

Approximately 57% of U.S. workers have some version of a nondisclosure agreement, or NDA, with their employers, while 70% to 88% of American firms require employees to sign them.According to a team of researchers at Syracuse University and the University of Maryland, there is about a 40% to 50% chance that if an employer asks an employee to sign an NDA, it's also asked them to agree to a noncompete contract or another agreement restricting the worker's ability to seek future employment. And on the flip side, almost every company that requires employees to sign a noncompete contract or other restrictive agreement also requires them to sign an NDA. Nevertheless, NDAs, also known as confidentiality agreements, have been given less scrutiny than other restrictions on workers.But NDAs are rece...

What Should I Keep in a Safe Deposit Box?

13Oct

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What Should I Keep in a Safe Deposit Box?

A safe deposit box is a well-secured storage box housed at your banking institution. Think of it as your own private bank vault. You can use a safe deposit box to store valuable items, important paperwork or other items you want to keep private and secure.In the age of cloud storage and digital record-keeping, a safe deposit box may seem like a relic from another era. But a safe deposit box can make sense if you need secure storage away from home.Considering opening a safe deposit box? Here's what to know.What's a Safe Deposit Box?A safe deposit box is a small, secure container housed at a bank. The boxes can range in size from 2 inches high by 5 inches wide, to 10 inches high by 15 inches wide or even larger. Rental prices vary according to the bank and box size, but generally start arou...

What Is Pro Bono Law? | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

11Oct

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What Is Pro Bono Law? | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

The American Bar Association and other organizations encourage lawyers to do “pro bono work,” providing free legal services to low-income clients dealing with legal issues. While the Sixth Amendment of the Constitution provides that everyone has a right to counsel, only criminal defendants – those facing the possibility of imprisonment – are entitled to free legal representation. In civil cases, people can have an attorney represent them, but it’s up to them to pay for that lawyer. That’s true even in proceedings with life-altering impacts – such as child custody hearings, veterans’ benefits petitions or applications for a domestic violence-related restraining order.What Is “Pro Bono Law”?In the practice of law, pro bono (an abbreviation of “pro bono publico,” a Latin phrase meaning “for ...

What Is Loan-Level Price Adjustment? | Mortgages and Advice

9Oct

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What Is Loan-Level Price Adjustment? | Mortgages and Advice

Loan-level price adjustments, or LLPAs, are fees that influence the cost of a conventional mortgage based on a borrower's risk level. LLPA fees lower mortgage pricing for low-risk borrowers while raising the cost for higher-risk borrowers. Here's what you need to know about LLPAs if you take out a mortgage.What Are Loan-Level Price Adjustments?"LLPAs are adjustments to the price of a mortgage that compensate for risk," says Casey Fleming, a mortgage advisor and author of "The Loan Guide: How to Get the Best Possible Mortgage." Ultimately, it's what affects your price quote, he says.When you get a conventional mortgage quote, your lender will determine the interest rate and cost of discount points by using an LLPA fee matrix set by Fannie Mae or a credit fee matrix from Freddie Mac. These ...

What Is a Noncompete Contract? | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

5Oct

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What Is a Noncompete Contract? | Explore Law Firms and Legal Advice

Within the U.S. workforce, researchers estimate that nearly 30 million workers are bound by noncompete contracts that prevent employees from holding jobs where they would compete against their former employers. Approximately 38% of Americans will have a “noncompete” (as they’re referred to in legal parlance) at some point in their careers. In May 2023, the U.S. Government Accountability Office reviewed the impact of noncompetes, finding evidence that few employees negotiate or reject these contracts, and many workers don’t fully understand the provisions. Jurisdictions with more noncompete enforcement have lower job mobility, reduced wages and lower entrepreneurship.Concerned about the impact these agreements have on workers, dozens of states regulate these contracts in some way. Four sta...