Legal Bugle

In a development which sounds as if it is straight out of a science fiction novel, the FBI have announced that they are going to be creating an early warning system based on information posted on social media sites.

Aiming to inform them to any threats at home and abroad, the program scrapes social networks, including Facebook and Twitter, for specific keywords or phrases which can then be mapped on an application such as Google Maps. Looking for words and phrases such as bomb, gangs, white powder and suspicious package, the application will also translate messages into English and then plot the data on the map using a colour code to signify alert levels. (more…)

One of the worst feelings any of us can experience is the confusion and helplessness which grips you when you realize your car has gone missing. Walking out to the driveway and finding only empty space where your prized ride should be can be a harrowing experience indeed, but in the case of auto theft you at least have the assistance of the police on your side. When your car is repossessed, however, because you failed to make your monthly payments on time or at all, the situation can become excruciating simply because it seems like there is nowhere to turn. Cars are repossessed throughout American neighborhoods every single day because ordinary people find themselves unable to meet their monthly financial requirements. If your car has recently been repossessed, the initial shock will soon subside and give way to dread as you realize the full implications of the situation. In a case where it seems like you have no rights whatsoever, it is important to keep a cool head and remember that you still have legal rights available to protect you when your car is repossessed. (more…)

Being taken to court’s a process where you’re served with papers and in the next day or two you have to present your defence in court in front of a hostile judge and a panel of jurors who are naturally predisposed against you, right?

Well, not, not unless you live in a soap opera!

If someone decides that they want to sue you or a company that you own, court is actually the last thing that will happen. Instead their solicitors will in all likelihood try to find out your insurance details and go through them. On the other hand the lawyers will send you a pack containing claims forms. These include a defence form in which you can lay down your side of the case and their lawyers will then let them know if the case is worth pursuing.

There is also an admission form you can send back where you admit your responsibility, once they receive this they will get back in touch in order to negotiate how much compensation they want. (more…)

It has to be hard getting knocked out of the playoffs right before the biggest game of the year, and considering how long it’s been since the San Francisco 49ers were anywhere near the Super Bowl (nearly two decades), this year’s underdog team must have been bitterly disappointed when they lost to the Giants in the NFC Championship (especially with that fumble in overtime that set up the Giants for a game-winning field goal).  And apparently, rookie linebacker Aldon Smith took it pretty hard.  Either that or he decided to party it up before he has to head back to training camp to start prepping for next season.  In any case, he was busted in Florida on January 28^th on DUI charges stemming from erratic driving, and this just a few days after his team got knocked out of the playoffs. (more…)

In the modern world, where legal and financial transactions can be conducted over the Internet, and where most personal financial transactions are conducted by credit or other cashless methods, identity theft has become a greater concern than ever.

A case of identity theft can not only cost vast amounts of money, but the victims can be left with ruined credit ratings and may have to spend years restoring their financial status and reputation. (more…)

There are four 21st century federal laws that impact how political campaigns can be financed. These laws have been developed to ensure that no one person or group had undue influence over political processes and to ensure that fraud and other crimes were not committed in relationship to political campaigns. While most people understand that there are legal restrictions that are guiding political campaign finances, few know what these restrictions are. (more…)

Amidst the latest drama surrounding Congress, the internet community rallied against a very ill-considered pair of proposals known as The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect IP Act (PIPA).  The two bills aim to halt the steadily increasing amount of digital piracy in a pro-Hollywood agenda, which will see benefits for the entertainment industry by giving rights to censor sites that allegedly “engage in, enable, or facilitate” any form of copyright.  However, while this seems a proactive bill in theory, it threatens to censor the voice of the online community by inhibiting the freedom of speech. (more…)

Two years ago Lord Justice Jackson produced a report for government outlining changes that could be made in the law to reform the costs involved in making a personal injury compensation claim . This report is now being looked into carefully in order to inform government decisions regarding cost cutting and freeing up court time. One of the key recommendations in the report is to stop solicitors who defended accident and injury victims from receiving “success fees” from the insurance company of the person found to be at fault. Success fees make it possible for solicitors to pursue other riskier cases on a no win no fee basis which might otherwise never be heard. (more…)

A turf war between department store rivals J.C. Penney and Macy’s just might have been sparked by the machinations of maternal-minded home living magnate Martha Stewart. A recent lawsuit filed by Macy’s, seeking to block the planned launch of Martha Stewart Living brand products throughout J.C. Penney’s stores, comes in response to the latter’s announcement of a new marketing deal. The 10-year agreement between J.C. Penney, which recently purchased a 16.6% share of Martha Stewart Living, would install a series of sales centers throughout the store specifically carrying the Martha Stewart line of cookware, linens, and other home design products. Despite their $38.5 million outlay for this venture, J.C. Penney executives are encountering stiff resistance from Macy’s, their traditional enemy in the department store marketplace, because the latter had recently extended its own exclusive agreement with Martha Stewart Living. The resulting imbroglio between the two icons of American commerce has caught the attention of the global business community, as investors and consumers alike look to align themselves with the eventual winner in this battle. (more…)

Right after your divorce proceedings, I’m pretty sure you have been reciting this line in your head a million times: “I have to know how to end my obligation to pay alimony.” I’m sure this is also a line that you’ve told your lawyer. Judging by the fact that you’re on this page, I’m certain you were told that there’s nothing you can do about it, that you cannot end your obligation to pay for spousal support.  Well, I’m happy to tell you that your lawyer was absolutely wrong. You can end your obligation to pay alimony; you just have to know how to do it properly.

The Only Rule to Follow: Show Cause to Reduce Support
According to the lawyers at Dishon and Block Divorce Attorneys, there’s one great plan that will surely make you succeed in terminating spousal support. All you have to do is file an order to show cause to reduce support, and you’d be good to go.

These are the following circumstances that may work as a valid cause for terminating support:

1. Significant financial changes in the life of the supporting spouse.
   Losing your paycheck as a result of being laid off from your job is a valid cause to end your alimony obligations. One successful case handled by lawyer Aaron Dishon involved a husband ordered to support his ex-wife and child with an amount that’s ludicrously higher than his unemployment benefits. The court ruled in favor of the husband, terminating spousal support and dramatically reducing child support fees as a result.

2. Significant romantic development in the life of the supported spouse.
   Cohabitation with a lover presents strong grounds in the termination of spousal support. For this reason, it’s good to be inquisitive about the romantic involvements of your ex-spouse. One case handled by Aaron Dishon was largely successful because the client’s ex-wife was cohabiting with a man, as the court immediately ordered the termination of support upon learning the information.

3. Lacking efforts in self-sufficiency.
   It’s easy to miss the “Gavron Warning” supposedly issued by the court to supported spouses. This Warning prescribes a period wherein the supported spouse must gain employment in order to be self-sufficient. In the same breath, he or she must also undergo “vocational assessment” that determines his or her capability to find a job.

Make the Best Preparations
While California’s divorce laws are just and unbiased, it’s an entirely a different story when the courts are concerned. Most judges are still gender-biased. This observation was noted by divorce lawyer Aaron Dishon, as most of the rulings against men are heavier compared to rulings made against women. Dishon then advises that in order to counter such bias, supporting husbands must effectively show cause to reduce or altogether terminate spousal support.

To succeed in your goal in terminating alimony obligations, it’s best to be prepared with all the data and evidence that will guarantee your success. It’s also wise to get a lawyer who understands what you want and who is genuinely concerned in helping you achieve the set goals.

Time for a New Beginning
Following this simple strategy, you could now take steps in terminating spousal support. This time, you could finally tell your friends, “I finally know how to end my obligation to pay alimony!” with much excitement and hope. You deserve a new life after your divorce, and being free of alimony, you can finally start fresh with a clean slate.

About the Author: Jason Munroe became an expert on divorce when he began helping a friend do some in-depth research on reducing spousal support in California. Based in Nevada, Jason is a freelance writer who is passionate about topics that interest him. He enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife and two grown children. This article was written by a guest author. Would you like to, submit a guest blog post?