Tennessee Legal Help

Are you thinking of starting a business?  Looking to purchase real estate?  Injured in an accident?  These are just a few examples of times when having the help of an experienced attorney can be highly advantageous.

Now, you can find almost any information you need by doing a search on one of the major search engines.  You can find sites that provide legal definitions, legal forms, specific laws and even locate a local lawyer that specializes in your specific need.

In this article we wanted to provide some resources for those that live in Tennessee.  Below are links to helpful legal resources that should give you a good start on finding the information you are looking for.

Bar Associations

Legal Web Sites & Resources

Lawyer Directories

Are You Ready For Winter?

Summer is coming to an end and Fall will quickly lead into chilly Winter months, are you prepared?  Taking a little time to ensure your heating system is functioning properly now can save you from some chilly days and nights in the coming months.  A local heating company will be able to quickly inspect your furnace to ensure it is functioning properly.  They will also be able to perform any routine maintenance that may be needed.

Most heating systems require the filter to be cleaned or replaced regularly and this one of the first things you should do before using your furnace.  Changing a furnace filter is an easy task that almost all homeowners will be able to do.  Most other maintenance and repairs should be left to a trained and certified HVAC company.

When considering hiring a local furnace maintenance and repair company, there a few things you should consider doing for each company you are considering.  Below are a few things you can do quickly that will ensure you hire a good and reputable HVAC company:

  • Check to make sure they are licensed as a HVAC contractor in your state.
  • Check the BBB or state contractors board website to see if they company has any complaints.
  • Look at online review sites to see what past customers are saying about them.
  • Check their rates to see if they are comparable with other local companies.

Performing the items mentioned above will help ensure you hire a good heating and cooling company for you furnace or heat pump installation or repair needs.

Visiting Orange County CA? Check Out Current Traffic Conditions First!

If you are going to be visiting Orange County, CA or if you live in the area you should check the local traffic conditions before heading out.  For those that have driven in Orange County, you know that the traffic can be a nightmare.  Even if there are no car accidents, traffic can still come to a stand still during peak hours.

As the population of Orange County continues to grow and because of it being an economic hub with many businesses and tourist destinations the roads are almost always jammed.  With packed freeways and busy side streets it is no wonder that many car accidents happen on a daily basis.

To check for current traffic conditions you can visit this web site:  http://www.sigalert.com/Map.asp?region=Orange+County#lat=33.69964&lon=-117.80006&z=1

Here is an image showing what type of information it provides:

orangecountytrafficconditions

 

Another great site to check for real time traffic information is the CHP traffic site here: http://cad.chp.ca.gov/Traffic.aspx

Here is an image showing the type of traffic information you can expect to find on the site:

chptrafficinformation

 

Remember, if you do find yourself involved in an accident, be sure to contact an experienced auto accident lawyer in Orange County.  A good Orange County personal injury lawyer can help ensure your legal rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you are entitled to.

Above all, drive safe when driving in Orange County, CA!

 

Current Gold Prices Rising After Reaching Lows

Over the last couple of months Gold prices have seen a decline, but recently prices have begun to tick up.  Currently, prices are up as investors move back into the gold precious metal.  After falling from its high of over $1900 per ounce, it is good news to gold investors and those looking to sell gold jewelry that prices have begun their upward trend.

As with any investment vehicle, gold and precious metals will fluctuate because of many different reasons.  It is almost impossible to determine which direction the price may go because there is no telling what events may occur to drive the price one way or the other.

Below is an image of the current Gold price chart:

Live New York Gold Chart [Kitco Inc.]

The below chart shows how the price of Gold has been moving lower over the last 60 days:

For those looking to sell gold jewelry the first thing you should do is get a jewelry appraisal from a certified jewelry appraiser in your area.  In many cases, jewelry can be worth more than just the value of its weight in gold.  Here is a link to learn more about the benefits of jewelry appraisals.

Current Tennessee Continuing Legal Education For Attorneys

Like other states, Tennessee has a continuing education requirement for licensed attorneys.  Below is the actual wording from the law:

Section 3. Continuing Legal Education Requirement.

3.01.  Each attorney admitted to practice law in the State of Tennessee shall attend, or complete an approved substitute for attendance, a minimum of twelve (12) actual hours of approved continuing legal education each calendar year, beginning January 1, 1987. In addition, beginning January 1, 1993, attorneys shall complete three (3) additional hours per year of approved continuing education in courses dealing with ethics and professionalism (“EP credits”). All hours of continuing legal education for each calendar year shall be earned by December 31 of that calendar year.

3.02.  Attorneys who have a permanent physical disability which makes attendance of CLE programs inordinately difficult may file a request for a substitute program in lieu of attendance and shall therein set out continuing legal education plans tailored to their specific interests and physical abilities. The Commission shall review and approve or disapprove such plans on an individual basis. Denial of any requested substitute for attendance will be accompanied by reasons for the denial of the application and suggestions how the attorney might improve his or her application for an approved substitute for attendance.

3.03.  Each attorney must actually attend fifteen (15) instructional hours of CLE per year. An instructional hour shall be determined by the Commission.

Complete Law: http://www.tsc.state.tn.us/rules/supreme-court/21

If you require the services of a Tennessee attorney for any of the reasons mentioned below, be sure to check the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility to ensure they have an active law license and they are current on any required continuing education requirements:

 

Virginia DUI Arrests Report

According to the Virginia state government website there were 27,732 people arrested for DUI within Virginia during 2012.  A DUI conviction in any state can be damaging to your career and have other serious effects on your life, not to mention the lives of others.

The Virginia police use many means in order to arrest drivers suspected of drinking and driving.  DUI checkpoints are one way that police departments utilize to identify suspected drunk drivers.  Because of the serious impacts drinking and driving can have on individuals within a community, more and more emphasis is being placed on finding and arresting suspected DUI drivers.  Once you are pulled over for suspicion of drinking and driving you will most likely be given field sobriety tests to help the police officer determine if you are over the legal limit for “blood alcohol content.

If you are arrested for DUI within Virginia you will most likely require the services of an experienced DUI attorney to help represent you in criminal court.  An experienced DUI attorney will be able to research your DUI arrest and determine if your legal rights were violated in any way.  The Commonwealth of Virginia will need to prove their case against you within court, so having the representation of an experienced DUI DWI attorney can mean the difference between a DUI conviction or not.

Richmond DUI attorneys Paula Bernstein Hough and Gregory Hough have been successfully representing clients arrested in the Richmond, Virginia area.  Both are licensed to practice law within the Commonwealth of Virginia and represent DUI clients within Henrico County, Chesterfield County, Hanover County and Richmond.  Visit their websites for more information: www.richmondtrafficattorney.com or www.recklessdrivingrichmond.com

Another experienced Virginia DUI lawyer is David Long.  David has been licensed to practice law in Virginia since 2003 and has successfully represented numerous clients who have been charged with a criminal offense, including DUI DWI. David represents clients who have been charged with DUI DWI in Richmond, Chesterfield County, Hanover County, Dinwiddie County, Goochland County, Powhatan County, Prince George County or Henrico County.  Visit their websites for more information : www.virginiatrafficlawyer.net, www.vaduilawyers.net, www.virginiacriminallawyer.net

Attorney Thomas Chaffe is an experienced Virginia criminal lawyer that has successfully represented clients arrested for DUI DWI throughout Virginia.  Chaffe & Chaffe P.C. represents clients arrested for DUI in Richmond, Chesterfield County, Dinwiddie County, Hanover County, and Henrico County, Virginia.  Visit their websites for more information: Chaffe & Chaffe P.C., www.virginia-family-law.comwww.va-criminal-lawyers.comwww.duiattorneyvirginia.orgwww.virginia-traffic-attorney.com

Here is some more information regarding drinking and driving within the Commonwealth of Virginia:

  • Blood alcohol content (BAC) is the amount of alcohol in a person’s body as measured by the weight of the alcohol in a certain volume of blood. Alcohol is absorbed directly through the walls of the stomach and the small intestine. It goes into the bloodstream, and travels throughout the body and to the brain. Alcohol is quickly absorbed and can be measured within 30 to 70 minutes after a person has had a drink.
  • A BAC as low as .03 percent adversely affects driving ability. As little as one drink on an empty stomach can impair your ability to drive safely.
  • A driver with a BAC of 0.15 is over 300 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash.

To find Virginia DUI lawyers in your area you can search online using one of the many attorney directories.  Here are a few of the larger attorney directories:

 

Common California Legal Services

Like most other states, California laws are complex and typically require the help of experienced attorneys.  There are many circumstances that require the help of legal counsel to insure you are following the laws within the state of California.  Having an experienced lawyer representing your legal interests can help reduce stress and anxiety caused by many legal matters.  Be sure to research any attorneys you may be thinking of hiring to ensure they are experienced in the specific legal matter you require.

Below are some common circumstances that typically require the help of an experienced local attorney:

Of course there are many other circumstances where you may want to consult with a local attorney.  In addition, there is a tremendous amount of legal resource sites online that allow you to research specific legal issues.  Some of the major online legal resource sites include:

All the various legal resources available online makes it a lot easier to research and understand legal matters.  However, having the guidance and representation of an experienced attorney is advisable in most situations.

 

Legal Help After An Accident

If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident you already know how stressful and and sometimes life changing they can be.  Any type of accident, whether it be an auto accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, work accident, pedestrian accident, slip and fall accident or another type of accident can cause turmoil in the person involved in the accident as well as their loved ones.

If there were serious injuries caused by the accident then there will be medical bills that can quickly devastate a family financially.  Although car insurance should cover medical expenses, many times insurance companies deny accident claims and refuse to pay medical expenses.  In addition, if the accident caused the death of someone, then an insurance company may be responsible for wrongful death benefits.

After an accident it is important to consult with an experienced local personal injury attorney to ensure all your legal rights are protected.  An experienced injury attorney will be able to determine exactly what caused the accident and who was responsible.  Understanding how the accident happened is critical in any personal injury lawsuit, and a good attorney can provide the experts and expertise to find the cause of the accident.

Even if you think an accident was minor, you should consult with an accident attorney because sometimes injuries do not present themselves until long after an accident.  Meeting with a doctor to get examined is important to determine if there could be injuries that you may not be aware of.

Accidents occur more frequently within larger cities and urban areas such as Portland, Oregon, Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County California, Tampa, Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, and Atlanta, just to name a few.  Even when you practice safe driving habits within these areas you can easily become a victim in an accident.  Paying close attention to other vehicles is critical, especially during “rush hour” traffic when traffic slows suddenly.

If you are involved in an accident you can search online using Google, Bing, Yahoo, or another search engine for experienced personal injury attorneys in your area to request a free legal consultation.  Below are a few of the larger legal directories that you can also use to find a local attorney:

 

Protect Yourself When Purchasing Real Estate

Purchasing real estate is one of the largest purchases most people make in their lifetimes.  This is why it is important to ensure you are legally protected in any type of real estate transaction.  Consulting with an experienced real estate attorney during any real estate transaction is a wise step to take.

Whether you are buying or selling real property you should consult with a local attorney that is experienced in handling all types of real estate transactions.  An attorney will be able to create or review real estate contracts and agreements to ensure the real estate laws of your state are followed and that you are legally protected.

Remember, real estate agents are not lawyers, and they can not give legal advice.  So, be leery of any real estate agent that says you don’t need an attorney to review your real estate purchase and sale agreements.  Only an experienced real estate agent can provide legal advice, so take the time to consult with a local real estate attorney to ensure your legal rights are protected.  Taking the time to talk with a lawyer can save you a lot of stress and money if something goes wrong with your real estate transaction.

Importance of Estate Planning

You’ve worked hard your entire life in an effort to provide for your family and to be able to leave your family an inheritance.  A well thought out plan that will ensure your family is taken care of and your wishes are followed is an important aspect of anyone’s life.  Consulting with an experienced estate planning attorney is essential to ensure your wishes are followed and your estate is legally protected.

Creating a will and or trusts can help reduce confusion, stress, and ensure your wishes are followed to the letter.  There are many things to consider when creating a will or trust and an experienced estate planning lawyer will be able to help ensure everything is legally valid and would stand up in probate court.

Probate is the process that is followed upon someone’s death and probate laws vary from state to state.  Consulting with an experienced probate lawyer in your state is important to ensure all probate laws are followed and your estate is legally protected.

Contact a local attorney in your area to ensure the assets you have worked so hard for are passed down to your heirs and your final wishes are followed correctly.