Archive for March, 2011

Consider When Hiring a Family Law Lawyer

A family law lawyer specializes in matters relating to issues that surround the family. These can include marriage, divorce, child support, spousal alimony, guardianship, adoption, domestic violence and child abuse.

Choosing a family law lawyer is an important decision, especially when dealing with child abuse and domestic violence. These legal issues are highly-charged events that require attorneys who are well-versed in domestic relations law and child advocacy.

Divorce can also be an emotionally-volatile arena that requires lawyers who can help both parties work through their differences while obtaining a fair settlement. When children are involved it is important to work with attorneys who will fight for the rights of minor children to ensure adequate child support is provided.

Issues related to family law often require clients to work closely with their chosen lawyer. It is best to determine what qualities you prefer before interviewing attorneys. Do you prefer a male or female lawyer? Do you require an aggressive attorney or one who remains calm? Do you need a lawyer with years of experience of would a recent law school graduate suffice?

It can be helpful to create a list of questions, concerns, and the desired outcome. Organize all records pertaining to the legal issue. For example, divorce lawyers will require financial records, real estate deeds, automobile titles, current and previous years’ tax returns, and information surrounding minor children.

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HOA Board of Directors Protection Act – Colorado Law

Notice to homeowners in HOA’s: You are not a special interest group. At least you are not a special interest group that your State legislature feels can influence an election, donate large sums of money, or can benefit them by providing you protections against abusive HOA Boards. If you were, by now you would have some legal tools of substance to protect your homeowner rights.

The most current sham coming out of your Colorado legislature involves a piece of legislation, Colorado H.B. 1278, that will (pending signing by the Governor) create an HOA Ombudsman position meant to enhance existing legislation and your by-laws related to protecting HOA homeowner rights. Sounds great but actually another bit of empty HOA-Homeowner legislation that is insulting and deceptive to homeowners and ends up protecting the interests of realtors, HOA’s. Boards, and developers.

Basically, the proposed legislation creates an Office/position for some bureaucrat to collect and catalog homeowner complaints. This “homeowner protection” legislation provides no means of enforcement or penalties in HOA – homeowner disputes, no legal guidance for homeowners in filing complaints, no authority to force HOA Board’s to mediate instead of forcing you to Court (which is set up for you to lose, you to pay, and enrich the legal profession), and the final “no” is that no one seems to know why this Ombudsman will exist.

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