Buy Cheap Car Insurance Info: How to Find an Affordable Auto Insurance Policy Online

Whether you are hoping to buy cheap car insurance for the first time or want to get a new policy, you need to shop online and do some comparison to make sure you get the best deal. You will need some type of coverage, no matter where you live. Your auto lender and state’s laws will require you to have at least the basic coverage.

To help you get the most affordable auto insurance possible, here are some things you need to know:

• Even if you already have a policy, you still need to review it at least once a year. There are so many factors that affect the rate, some of which you might not even realize. If there is anything in your life that has changed recently, there is a possibility that your auto insurance is affected. This can include divorce, moving, marriage, new home purchase, adding / removing a driver, buying a new car, change in credit score, etc.

• Start looking online to try and get quotes from multiple companies all at once. Know what the minimum requirements are in your state, and consider getting more coverage if you think you might need it. If you are unsure how much you need, check with your DMV or Dept. of Insurance.

• Don’t buy any unnecessary coverage. If you have an old car that isn’t worth much, it probably isn’t worth comprehensive coverage. Drop any coverage when the actual cash value you would receive for your old car doesn’t justify the insurance expense. It’s still a good idea to have insurance that will cover medical bills (the other party’s and your own) in the event that you are involved in a bad accident.

A Clean Driving Record Helps You Buy Cheap Car Insurance

• Know that your driving record is going to play a huge role in how much money you will have to pay for insurance. If you have negative marks on your record, you are going to pay more. Your credit score might also affect the quotes you get when you search for rates.

• Look for discounts wherever and whenever you can get them. For instance, it’s usually easier to buy cheap car insurance if you already have house, property, or some other type of insurance with a particular company. Insurers will give huge discounts to individuals who have multiple policies with them. If you are a student, there are student discounts you are likely to qualify for. Look for coupons and promo codes as well.

Start doing comparison shopping right now. Just enter a bit of info about yourself and your vehicle and you’ll learn about your options to buy cheap car insurance. The best place to start the search is esurance. The site offers very helpful resources and makes it easy to file claims. You might even qualify for esurance discounts on auto insurance.

6 Key Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Forclosure Attorney

The 2008 financial crash put a lot of people out of work. It hurt business owners, emptied personal savings, destroyed American home values and lead to massive foreclosures.

What Many Homeowners Don’t Know

The crony network of big banks, financial institutions, government, politicians, the courts, and their corporately owned media have used propaganda, lies and spin doctors to convince Americans that naïve and greedy homeowners crashed the global credit markets in 2008.

They blamed the crash and current economic chaos on homeowners who bought too much house. Yes, some mortgagers made some people believe they could buy more home then they could afford. However, the blame here is often misleading.

Why? Obscene broker commissions were a big part of originating mortgages. Banks were on a tear to bundle, securitize, sell and re-sell mortgages. It lead to irregular mortgage practices.

The bigger truth has been revealed that there are no mortgages to back the mortgage-backed securities. Thus former treasury secretary Hank Paulson told taxpayers, “We must bail the banks out, or else everything will collapse.”

Iceland Let Their Banks Collapse

In fact, Iceland arrested the financial offenders and put in actual safeguards to restore the capital markets and consumer confidence. We in America got the toothless Dodd-Frank bill that makes it appear legislators are minding the store.

Banking and the financial industry needed major reforms. Instead, after the Wall Street financial crash our American banks actually got 38% BIGGER!

Too Big to Fail and Too Big to Jail

Today banks are bigger than before the economic crash and the Dodd-Frank bill does nothing significant to keep Wall Street from trashing the economy again.

Insanity is doing the same thing you’ve been doing but expecting a different result.

Fast forward and today, these quasi-patriotic cronies continue the lies and prop up the fraud on the taxpayer’s dime. They brazenly continue to cover up their partners’ crimes while still receiving a massive transfer of wealth from taxpayers without impunity.

Can You Name One Banker That Went to Jail?

By the way, in 2008 that 800 billion dollar bail out has turned into trillions out the back door of the Federal Reserve straight into bank coufers.

What few Americans realize is that crony capitalists who fleeced institutional investors out of $17+ Trillion, clouded the title on all the mortgages they originated and supposedly sold on the secondary market.

They stole our pension money, wiped out savings and now they’re still after your home. In fact, more than 4.9 million homeowners were foreclosed since the Wall Street crash and there’s more on the way.

American’s need help staying in their home. If the banks and servicers won’t deliver then where do homeowners turn for guidance through this financial maze of fraud and corruption?

Many are programmed to think, “Lawyer, that’s what I need to stand up for me, to sort out the fraud, to keep my family from being kicked into the streets.”

Are Lawyers Best Suited to Standup For Homeowners?

As Americans we’ve been conditioned to believe that the only people who can help us navigate, legal matters are lawmakers and attorneys. Fortunately, in the realm of foreclosure law, there are a few good ones.

However, when it comes to ferreting out truth or fraud in your foreclosure, few attorneys (Real Estate attorneys included) are equipped or have any desire to fight as hard as a regular educated homeowner.

It’s a fact that no one will ever care more about saving your home than you. If staying in your home is not all that important, then most attorneys will do. But buyers beware.

How Do You Choose the Right Lawyer in Foreclosure Matters?

I’ve personally talked with hundreds upon hundreds of homeowners all across America who routinely pay from $1,000 to $30,000+ in attorney’s fees plus monthly retainers and still loose their home. This is more common than you’d think.

I ask homeowners, “What was the attorneys strategy? Was it to help you buy time until you are evicted or actually stay in your home?”

Many homeowners had not thought the end game through. How often do we hire attorneys? There are no Consumer Reports on America’s best foreclosure strategies, fighting bank fraud or attorneys.

Most Americans are busy trying to make a living, caring for loved ones, keeping their heads above water and would rather avoid the legal realms. Who can blame them?

So, unless new information is introduced it makes perfect sense that many homeowners don’t know what to ask to hire an attorney or figure out what makes one effective over the next.

When it comes to defending your home, the following basic questions will get most homeowners started.

The following six questions came from an interview with Justin James. He is the founder of The Foreclosure Relief Network, a company dedicated to helping homeowners stand up for their legal rights.

The company with its network of private investigators, paralegals and law firm was developed to educate and arm the American consumer with the information necessary to protect families and property against the unlawful actions of banks.

Mr. James emphasizes that “Every homeowner who suspects mortgage fraud or are in foreclosure or about to be, needs to be educated.

They need to know upfront if an attorney will work on your behalf or instead see you as a tool to collect fees while they stall things off in court. By asking these basic but key questions, this is knowable.”

You want to interview an attorney just like you would choose a doctor, dentist, CPA or a contractor to work on your home. You want a good fit.

Write Your Questions Down

Mr. James suggests that before you phone or visit an attorney in person, have your questions written down and refer to them.

6 Key Questions to Ask Before You Hire an Attorney to Get a Modification or Defend Your Home Against Banks

  1. Do you feel that the banks and their servicers commit mortgage security and/or foreclosure fraud? (Yes) Correct answer.
  2. Do you believe that if a bank shows up with a piece of paper that alleges it’s the original Note-do you still believe there’s a chance of winning court? (Yes)
  3. Are you willing to challenge the banks claim of ownership of the note, mortgage, chain of title, etc.? (Yes)
  4. Are you willing to cross exam a witnesses? (Yes)
  5. Will you challenge and call a robo-signer as a witness? (Yes)
  6. Are you willing to be that attorney at the party that went up against the big bankers or challenged a court that seems to lean in favor of big banks? (Yes)

If you get so much as one “no” to the above questions then be aware, your situation may be at cross-purposes with this particular attorney.

To the few that are actually competent and not bluffing their way into your back pocket, these basic but telling questions are not difficult to answer.

Other than the details of your situation, each question does not require you as homeowner to expound any further. Either they know it or they don’t. Either they believe banks can do no wrong or believe in justice for homeowners.

When to Walk Away

Bottom line is that if the attorney interviewed is…

  • Not comfortable breaking down your chain of title if necessary
  • Does not believe the bank is ever wrong about a note or mortgage
  • Not willing to challenge the bank or the courts
  • Not willing to cross examine a witness…

Then why are you there? Why should they take your money? Don’t give them a dime Pack your bags and find another attorney or other expert to interview. Consider…

Who’s Paying Your Bill?

You are paying the attorney for a service. You wouldn’t go into a car dealership and say…

“I’ve got $400 a month to spend on a vehicle. Just give me whatever you got to drive.”

You’d be surprised how many people would accept poor treatment when it comes to attorneys. Why?

Because some homeowners are intimated and think, the lawyer knows more. That’s usually true about civil law matters. That’s when a good educated attorney makes sense.

But when it comes to foreclosure, commercial law and challenging the banks-think again. I would challenge you to think outside the box.

Defend Yourself? Really?

Others will say, “YES BUT you can’t defend yourself against fraud or a foreclosing bank. You must have an attorney.” Many homeowners felt that way in the beginning. However…

We now know plenty of average homeowners who’ve been educated and succeeded with the guidance of companies like The Foreclosure Relief Network.

But, what few homeowners at first realize is that attorneys are not traditionally schooled in banking and finance.

In fact, I’ve interviewed some well informed average homeowners who educate their attorneys.

You Deserve to Know What You are Getting for Your Time and Money

If your prospective attorney is the real deal, they will understand your need to interview. That’s why it’s important to know…

  • What does the attorney actually believe about banks and foreclosure?
  • Make them lay their cards on the table. Time is of essence.

You simply want to insure that you are investing your energy and money wisely into a winning strategy and NOT prolonging what many attorneys feel is an inevitable foreclosure.

It’s a little known fact that if you, as a homeowner are educated and have a complete and correct strategy then foreclosure is NOT always inevitable.

Follow The Money

If you hire an attorney that did not adequately answer these questions, then be advised you, your family and your home may be taken for a professional ride.

According to Mr. James extensive experience with homeowners, banks and courts across America, rare is the attorney who will answer your call, who will fight banks on behalf of your homeowner and constitutional rights.

Most attorneys will not intentionally do you harm because they genuinely believe what they believe. That banks can do no wrong is just part of their many years of education and training.

As important, attorneys take an oath to protect corporations. It’s what they do.

That said… put yourself in the attorney’s shoes for just a minute. They have a lot of competition. A title, though impressive is no guarantee of success. They are businessmen and women and for many economic times are tough like many homeowners.

Yes, attorneys enjoy a measure of prestige but that doesn’t pay the bills. Like you and I, they have to make a living or find a way to survive. Just make sure it’s not at your expense.

Who Has More Money? Influence?

A homeowner called Mr. James and was livid because he spent over $7,500 on an attorney who believed that his counsel had defected to the bank side.

Even with documented fraud (common today) as the centerpiece of his defense against the bank, this homeowner lost his home.

The homeowner asks, “Who’s got more money here? The Big American Bank or me as homeowner?”

Do you think you’ll ever see this homeowner’s story on the evening news? It’s not likely. Remember who owns and controls media, advertising and reporting.

Of course I don’t expect you to believe any of this. Check it out for yourself.

Bank Walks Away

Speaking of a good homeowner story, while working on this article one of Mr. James clients called about Quiet Title action which forces a bank to produce valid documents.

The banks have to prove they have ownership before they can foreclose. In today’s heavily securtized financial system that’s more and more difficult for banks to validate unless they manufacture documents from thin air. This is known as robo-signing and yes, it’s illegal.

Gary is out of the Midwest. He applied several times for a modification and then found himself in foreclosure. He suspected bank fraud. Gary began looking and found a young and hungry attorney out of law school.

The attorney had not yet adopted “a bank can do no wrong” attitude. However, the first hurdle was overcoming this attorney’s lack of knowledge on foreclosure fraud, banking and securitization, etc.

Remember few attorneys have this profound knowledge, seek it out or even believe it’s possible to help a homeowner to win. It’s not taught in law school.

To compensate, Gary began working with Mr. James to gain the education, knowledge, legal templates and strategies. This also saved him thousands of dollars in attorney’s research fees.

Gary reported that his homework paid off and the bank walked away. Finding a lawyer willing to listen was the exception in this case. However, keep in mind that…

The Courts Are Available to All Homeowners

Remember, you as an American citizen have constitutional rights.

An attorney is not the only way to stand your ground against bad behaving banks. In fact there are far more effective strategies homeowners can and do take every day.

The majority of homeowners do not realize that with the right kind of education they can in fact represent themselves in court. It’s referred to as Pro Se’, a petitioner or simply an American citizen. Often it’s an effective option. Here’s why.

The fact is that the courts cannot hold a regular homeowner to the same standard as they do lawyers. It turns out that with an effective strategy, presented properly, defending yourself against banks often leads to settlements.

Mr. James reports that he sees it everyday and as the courts become more educated, the tides are shifting in favor of homeowners.

Some homeowners combine the idea of Pro Se’ (without an attorney) along with private mortgage investigations to uncover irregularities that stop foreclosures.

Bottom Line-Trust Your Gut

Remind yourself that if your home is worth defending then no one will ever fight for your home like you can.

After interviewing the attorney, if you can’t say yes, then SAY NO FOR NOW.

Keep looking. If the attorney doesn’t feel right-move on. There are viable alternatives. Do your homework.

Finally, if you have a compelling enough why and are willing to do a little legwork, then there are resources that can help you to learn how to stay in your home and prevail even without an attorney.

What Can a Traffic Lawyer Do for You?

Whenever you are having problems with the law, it is crucial to find a lawyer that will best suit your particular needs, to have a better chance of winning your court case; at the same time, you can avoid paying a heavy fine, among other penalties, or – if you are aiming for this – you can get a compensation for yourself. You will need a criminal layer for criminal court cases, while for divorce settlement, you will need a divorce lawyer.

The Type of Lawyer To Choose

It is extremely important to select the right type of lawyer that will be fit for the particular area of law involved in your case. This way, you can be sure that this lawyer has enough significant experience and expertise to help you in winning your case – which is better than having a wide range of knowledge that has less depth.

Role of Traffic Lawyers

When it comes to parking tickets and disputes over car accidents, traffic lawyers can provide help in these circumstances. In case you are caught speeding or violating a traffic rule, but you believe that it is not your fault, you can ask the help of a traffic lawyer to defend you so that you will not get marks on your license, plus you will not have to pay an expensive fine.

How Can Traffic Lawyers Help?

In any of the aforementioned situations, traffic lawyers can assist in several, different ways. When it comes to speeding ticket cases, there are several loopholes that can let you find a way out. For example, if a speed sign or a road sign appears to be unreadable or may be hard to decipher, you can argue that you are not aware of the speed limit and this can help prevent you from getting a ticket.

Various Circumstances

Traffic lawyers can provide help in a lot of related cases, since many times, drivers pay for speeding tickets which they should not pay for; furthermore, if they lose their license in the process, it will significantly change their lives for the worse. When it comes to road accidents, a traffic lawyer can either come to your defense or prosecute another party in a civil case. In such cases, the role of a criminal lawyer may coincide with that of a traffic lawyer, where you may be prosecuted for causing a crime while driving, like hit and run.

Evidences That Work to Your Advantage

If you are not guilty, there are a lot of small pieces of evidence which can work to your advantage. As an example, a spot on the street can let the court know where you stepped on the break or your exact trajectory. At the same time, witnesses and CCTV can add more to the evidences, as they show clear details with regards to the damage to property and vehicles. You will definitely find a traffic lawyer helpful in listing the names of possible witnesses, including their numbers and any other details that may be significant, later on. If you want to have positive results in your court case, you should definitely seek a traffic lawyer to help you with your legal issues.

Duties and Responsibilities of a Corporate Lawyer

A corporate lawyer is a person who works for a corporate house or a company or a firm and specializes in corporate law. Corporate law is the study of how shareholders, directors, employees, creditors, and other stakeholders such as consumers, the community and the environment interact with one another. Company law involves the study of Companies Act 2013, etc. So, corporate law is a part of a broader company law.

It is the duty of corporate lawyers to understand the laws and regulations to help the company and their clients to work within the legal boundaries. The role of such lawyers is to ensure the legality of business practices and transactions. The other duties of corporate lawyers include ensuring viabilities of commercial transactions, advising corporations on their legal rights and duties, including the duties and responsibilities of the employers and other officers. In order to do the effective compliance, they must have knowledge of aspects of contract law, securities law, intellectual property rights, taxation law, accounting law, bankruptcy law, licensing, and the laws specific to the business of the corporations that they work for. He has to maintain the confidentiality between the company and the clients of the company. This is so because if the company clients are not assured of confidentiality, they will be less likely to seek legal advice.

Corporate lawyers work includes legal drafting, reviewing agreements, negotiating deals, and attending the meetings with the clients of the company. He handles the internal legal work of the company with fewer or no litigation work. However, he has to assist the external lawyers of the company in legal matters. Although they work for large companies, they may also be self-employed and contract themselves out to many different firms. Generally, they serve only one client, i.e., the corporation they work for. As a corporate lawyer, he is called upon to handle a variety of legal tasks including corporate taxes, mergers and acquisitions, corporate structure issues, employment law, and various other legal matters. They generally need to be knowledgeable in a wide range of legal fields and will need to be able to handle a large number of issues. Some corporations hire multiple lawyers depending on the work and requirement and each one of them is a specialist in one or two areas of corporate law. So, small corporations retain one or two lawyers while larger corporations may have more than one or two lawyers, each with their own specialty. Generally, corporations like banks, insurance companies, retail companies, hospitals, oil firms, and biotechnology companies, manufacturing companies, energy and communications companies require the full-time corporate lawyers.

In order to be a corporate lawyer it is essential that he must have a specialist course on corporate law and this can be done by getting a LLM degree after completing LLB course. A corporate law LLM course will generally include work on corporate and securities law, contracts and commercial law, intellectual property rights, banking laws, international trade laws and other areas.

Dating a Lawyer: 10 Pros and 10 Cons

If you enjoy intelligent and hardworking people, you will love dating lawyers. To compete a degree in law and be licensed to practice is a great achievement, which only conscientious and smart people are capable of. Besides, legal professionals are good communicators, as their jobs require fine-tuned skills to argue and converse. Such specialists also need to be reliable and present themselves well. In short, the legal line of work shapes a certain type of individuals, who are exciting to be with. But are there any hidden issues you should be aware of? Discover pros and cons of dating a lawyer, and use proven tips to impress a professional to establish rapport with personalities of this caliber.

10 pros of dating a lawyer:

A research by a dating site recently found that law is one of the most popular professions among singles in search of a mate. Indisputably, there are many advantages of being friends or lovers with a justice whiz, as well as reasons to marry a lawyer. Several considerations are listed below.

1. Lawyers are smart.

If you find intelligence an aphrodisiac, members of the bar possess it in the highest extent. It’s not an accident that lots of senators have law degrees.

2. They are hardworking.

To be accepted to a law school requires high marks and a list of past achievements. The ability to perform consistently is an important strength of qualified counselors.

3. Legal professionals are great communicators.

They have to make speeches and argue various points of view, and be extremely good in public speaking. Adepts of jurisprudence are also excellent writers.

4. They dress elegantly.

Some people try to say that looks don’t matter but it’s been proven that the way a person presents herself or himself is vital in love and life. Being presentable is part of the job description for people employed within the justice system.

5. Attorneys-at-law earn good money.

This could be one of the reasons why this is such a popular occupation among singles of both genders. Some barristers charge $500-1000 per hour and up to $7,000-15,000 per court appearance. Justice is one of the highest paid occupations.

6. They are used to compromising and finding win-win solutions.

It is natural for a law consultant to seek a resolution, which suits all parties involved. Although some criminal solicitors are highly competitive, they have enough arguments in the court room to save their wits for the job, and take it easy with their loved ones.

7. They have learned to accept you cannot always win.

Losing gracefully is part of the job, as well as picking the battles worth fighting. Counsels are balanced and able to tell right from wrong in their personal lives as well.

8. They give awesome advice.

Because they are trained in examining an issue from all possible angles, legal wizards are able to pick on details you might have missed. Their ideas are useful and practical.

9. They are fair.

It becomes like a second nature to a legal adviser to strive for fairness in everything. They have a built-in integrity radar.

10. They are devoted.

Attorneys, as a rule, make committed partners. Their profession requires to be upfront and straightforward. They are not into playing games. You can rely on them.

10 cons of relationships with legal professionals

With all the benefits we have discussed, are there any potential pitfalls of getting involved with someone from the DA office or a private advocate? Be aware of the following things.

1. You need to match their intelligence and wit.

Being highly intelligent and educated, legal experts enjoy the company of people who are on their level. In lifetime partnerships or dating, they get bored of people who are unable of an intellectual and logical conversation.

2. They log long hours and take work home.

Young aspiring partners in a law firm work days, evenings, nights, and weekends to progress through the ranks. Once they have made a partner, the amount of cases they are expected to take on seldom decreases in volume, but they have more responsibility for the successful outcome. Even at home, they often work before and after the family dinner. They need your support and understanding to be able to deliver results and continue effectively helping their clients. Otherwise, you may find yourself undesirable in a relationship.

3. They may get calls any time of day or night.

Criminal lawyers in particular get emergency calls at the most inconvenient hours. Defenders are not getting paid all this money for nothing.

4. You cannot lie to them.

Lawyers see you through. Remember, they have to deal with liars all the time, and knowing when the person is telling fibs is the industry skill. If you are found to lie once, you could be out. Even if you thought this was innocent, they have a different motto: “Once a liar, always a liar.”

5. Their jobs are highly stressful and demanding.

The demands their positions put on them can lead to elevated levels of stress. It’s harder for them to relax at home than for people doing less mentally engaging types of labor.

6. They may be too analytical and methodical.

They tend to analyse and dissect things. Inability to understand something makes legists apprehensive until they figure it out. In dating, they may seem a little bit distant at first.

7. They don’t like risks.

To be precise, they are content with taking calculated risks, when rewards outweigh potential perils. However, they may not be your ideal parachute-jumping buddies.

8. They are highly structured.

You will probably find lack of spontaneity in a relationship with a lawyer. They prefer security and predictability.

9. Your life has to be transparent.

Jurists, especially prosecutors, justice servants, and magistrates cannot afford to have dubious connections. Your life must be crystal clear and legitimate.

10. They take time to trust you.

Law specialists tend to be wary of people’s intents. They need sufficient grounds to be able to trust you, which usually requires weeks or months to observe and make a judgment. And remember point #4: You cannot bend the truth, ever. Honesty is always the best policy.

Meeting law practitioners through online dating

Just like ordinary people, legal consultants, too, embraced online dating. Skills to ask correct questions and observe human behaviour give them confidence in their ability to select a worthy individual for a relationship or a lifetime partner.

Internet gifted us the opportunity to connect with such specialists in other cities, states, or even countries. For instance, you could be dating a Russian lawyer

or judge, which is easy to do via trusted websites for singles.

Mobile apps linked to matchmaking sites offer instant connections on the go. If you never had an opportunity to date someone from the justice department before, today it is within your reach.

Characteristics of Universal Life Insurance


Here are some characteristics as follow

1. Account Value

The account value of a universal life plan is the sum of the gross values of all the investment accounts within the policy, including income, after deductions for the current month expenses.

2. Cash Surrender Value

The cash surrender value of a universal life plan is the current account value, less outstanding loans and surrender charges. Surrender charges are usually based upon a multiple of the minimum required premium for the policy back-end charges are larger than front-end charges.

3. Premiums & Contributions

Premiums are those amounts needed to pay the cost of insurance charges and other expenses for the policy. Deposits are those excess amounts that are of a pure investment nature.

4. Death Benefit Options

The amount of death benefit payable under a universal life policy is based upon 1 of 4 different options

a)Level death benefit: Level coverage throughout the lifetime of the policy.

b) Level death benefit plus cumulative gross premiums: Death benefit increases by the amount of each gross deposit to the policy.

c) Level death benefit, indexed: The amount of death benefit increases, yearly, by a predetermined percentage.

d) Level death benefit plus account value: The total amount of death benefit is always equal to the initial face amount, plus the gross account value. This is the most popular chose by 90% of universal life insurance policies’ owners because

the gross account value is tax free.

5. Premium Flexibility

The premium deposits, plus accrued investment income, must be sufficient to pay for all expenses and deductions, so as to keep the policy in force, tax exempt life insurance contract, flexible premium.

Universal life is not for every consumer

It’s flexibility tends to be reflected in much higher administration costs than are found in traditional whole life plans and the variable nature of the plan may make it unsuitable for those clients wanting guarantees

I hope this information will help. If you need more information, you can read the complete series of the above subject at my home page:

New Jersey Attorney Ethics Investigations – The "Ten-Day Letter"

You have just received a “ten day” letter from the NJ Attorney Ethics Committee. Someone has filed a grievance against you, and you are now a respondent in an Ethics matter. A person identifying herself as an Investigator for the Attorney Ethics Committee has given you ten days in which to reply in writing and to provide certain records and documents. Perhaps the grievant was a client or a former client. Perhaps it was an adversary. Hopefully, it was not a judge. You are instructed to cooperate with the investigation.

At this point, you should review your E & O coverage, specifically the notice requirements and terms of coverage. As required, advise your E & O carrier of the pending investigation. Not only may they provide counsel for you in an appropriate case, but your failure to advise them may result in forfeiture of coverage in a potential malpractice suit down the line. With or without insurance, you don’t have much time to respond Ethics.

Intuition says you should exercise your right to remain silent; practice tells you to try to forestall the investigation. Should you cooperate with your prosecutors? Suppose you believe that your documents may actually result in the filing of criminal charges against you? What if the investigator asks you questions whose truthful answers would be an admission of crime. Can they make you testify? What can they do if you don’t? What about the Fifth Amendment?

There are a few facts you should know. The Office of Attorney Ethics (OAE), under the state Supreme Court, is responsible for attorney discipline in New Jersey. It investigates all grievances against all attorneys. If the OAE decides that your case requires immediate attention, or if you happen also to be a defendant in criminal proceedings, the ethics case may be handled directly by the OAE in Trenton. In such a case, the Investigator who contacted you is probably a paid professional. Sometimes, the case originates “automatically” when an Attorney Trust Account check bounces. Those cases, too, are generally handled out of Trenton. It is not often clear from the first letter or phone call.

Most grievances, however, are investigated by the District Ethics Committees, (DEC), whose investigators are attorney volunteers in districts around the state. Following its investigation, the DEC will determine whether discipline may be required. If so, a formal Complaint will be filed. Other times, the grievance is dismissed. Sometimes, in minor cases, you may be offered diversion, a non-disciplinary, conditional resolution of the case. In all cases, you ultimately have the right to a full evidentiary hearing on the charges.

It is important that you know that the OAE has the power to summarily suspend your license merely for your refusal to respond to respond to the ten-day letter. Usually, you will be given a few extra days to comply, if you need them, but your additional or continued failure to cooperate with the investigation (or even the mere appearance of such) can result in additional measures against you, including, in appropriate cases, summary disbarment. While the Ethics Committee cannot put you in jail, it can do something that the criminal courts cannot: it may penalize you for “pleading the fifth”. Unlike the trier of fact in a criminal case, an Ethics Committee Hearing Panel and the rest of the OAE, and even the Supreme Court, may draw a negative inference from your non-cooperation or your failure to appear or produce evidence or from your refusal to testify.

That is because there is no Constitutional, or even statutory right, to practice law – there only a license, not unlike a driver’s license. Where a trade or profession must be regulated by the state, and the practitioners must be licensed, the state may impose conditions and restrictions on that license. Accused violators do not get a jury, and the standard of proof is “clear and convincing,” not the Constitution’s “no reasonable doubt” standard.

Of course, if your ethics case also involves (or may involve) criminal charges against you or your client or someone in your firm, consult immediately with an attorney who has appropriate expertise. The issues are complex, the stakes are high, and there is no standard approach.

New Jersey Attorney Ethics decisions invariably give credit to attorneys who cooperate fully with investigations against them. They generally discipline attorneys who don’t. While you should always have experienced counsel whenever you are the focus of an ethics grievance, if you wish to continue to practice law, cooperation with Ethics is a no-brainer.

What You Must Know About Fees For Your Bankruptcy Attorney – Costs And Types

When you are planning for filing for a Bankruptcy, it's essential to know about the fees or the Attorney associated with filing the claims. Contrary to the popular myth that the fees for bankruptcy claims are decided by the court, it mostly depends on the type of bankruptcy claim and the law firm handling the case. Most of the times, there is a flat fee for filing, but it may vary depending upon the nature of the case and the legal aid being availed for filing such cases.

Let's look at some of the types of costs and fees that may be asked by your Law Firm while assisting you for filing the popular bankruptcy claims under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.

Average cost for Chapter 7 fees:

If you are going for filing Chapter 7, the fees of your attorney will largely depend upon the complicacy of the case. For simple bankruptcy claims, there may be a flat fee, but for complicated cases, it's the law firm that decides your fees and cost of arbitration. Also, if you are falling into a higher income group and your assets are more than the state median for a similar household, you may be asked for a higher fees as compare to the person who has no or negligible assets. Also you have to pay the fees upfront in most cases before filing.

Typically will charge something in between $ 500 – $ 3000 depending upon the complicacy of the case. Bigger and popular firms may charge you a bit higher as compared to individual legal practitioners. Similarly you can also expect comparably less fees from a new Law firm as compared to a well-established one. It's always advised to check with a few from your area to know about their specific fees structures before hiring them. Also if you are looking for a cheaper Bankruptcy Attorney, you must check their specialization and experience and not only the fees.

Average estimation of Chapter 13 fees:

Most of the courts in various states have set a guideline for average fees for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Attorneys. Unless, otherwise justified, no Law Firm will charge you more for filing Bankruptcy under Chapter 13. For different judicial districts the fees vary and its typically around $ 2000 – $ 5000 in different districts. There is always a facility to pay the fees in installments and you don't have to pay it upfront.

In most of the cases under Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, there is a upfront fees that is asked by your Bankruptcy Attorney and the remaining amount is asked through a convenient repayment plan scheduled over a few months. It's always advised to be ready to pay almost half of the fees in advance and the remaining through installments, if someone is going for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.

Hourly Fees:

Depending upon the nature of the case, you may be asked for an hourly fee by your Bankruptcy Attorney.
Flat fees:

Depending whether you are filing a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or Chapter 13, your Bankruptcy Attorney may set a flat fee for the case filing.

Courts approval:

If at any time someone thinks that the fee asked by the Bankruptcy Attorney is unusual and not justified, he / she may seek courts approval for any such fees structures. Approvals can be taken from the court for a justified amount of fees and that can be paid to the Bankruptcy Attorney upfront or in installments as decided by the court.

Always remember to clear your stance on fees from your Bankruptcy Attorney to avoid any confusion and file a favorable bankruptcy claim.

Donate Your Car to Charity – What, Why, Where, and How To

Donating your car to charity is probably the most unique and straightforward ways of giving back to your local community. In case you have a car which has not been in operation for a while, why not donating it for a good cause? Following is our suggestion for the what, why, where, and how to donate your unused vehicle.

What Do You Want To Donate?

You should not have any problem donating any types of vehicles: SUVs, trucks, RVs, boats, passenger cars, even junk cars… All you have to do is to have the vehicle’s title to prove your ownership.

Why Do You Want To Donate?

Probably the first question comes to your mind when planning to donate your car to charity is why. There’re lots of reasons that one can think of. The most obvious one is to assist humanitarian goals. They include anything from helping out the disabled, the orphans, the emergency relief… to assisting services that provide education and/or meal programs to the less fortunate.

Where Do You Donate?

Exist in almost all of the major cities in the U.S. are some types of car donation programs which you can give your vehicle to. The best thing to do is go online and type in “donate car to charity” followed by the city name, e.g. “donate car to charity miami”. This will give you a list of the local charity organizations you can work with.

How Do You Donate?

First thing to do is to use the technique in the above section “Where Do You Donate” to locate a program you want to work with. The next step is to find out the value of the car you plan to give away. This can be done easily by using the online version of the Kelly Blue Book at Keep in mind that you may not be able to deduct the full price which the organization receives when the vehicle is sold.

All charity services require some type of paperwork. You have to complete the form they send you before the vehicle is picked up. Finally don’t forget to clean your car and empty all possessions.

Make A Child Smile By Donating Your Car

When you think of helping children by donating to a charity, you think of naked third world children that are starving to death. Did you know that there are children in need in the United States? There are a few facts that may blow your mind about your own country. First, 1 in 50 children are close to being homeless, with that number growing as foreclosures rise. 42% of children who are homeless are younger than the age of eight. Can you imagine you being homeless at that age, or your child facing the world growing up homeless?

All of these are scary thoughts, and there are organizations available to help the children within the States. There are many ways you can help. You can donate your time, and volunteer to help a certain organization. You can pay money online to different charities or over the phone even. A newer way to donate, however, is getting rid of your old car. Giving away your vehicle is a great way to help raise money that can help kids throughout the United States.

Choosing the right organization will give you a great way for those who need to get rid of an old vehicle, to turn their dumpster trip into a donation. Any old car, truck, SUV or even trailers and boats are accepted by the these charities. Most of these organizations have no requirement for your vehicle to be in running condition. All you have to do is contact them, they collect the information, and take care of the rest for you.

Once you have decided that your old car is taking up most of the driveway, and hasn’t been used for a couple years, there are just a few steps to take. First, contact the organization and fill out their form. Within a reasonable time frame, they will pick up your vehicle wherever it is, and you won’t have to worry about it ever again. Another plus side to giving away your car, since it is a donation, is getting a tax return deductible from it as long as they are a registered charity.

The tax return and the car being towed away before it rusts all over your driveway aren’t the most important things to the whole process. The best part is in knowing that by giving away your old car, you can help the children in the United States have better lives. You will be helping those facing homelessness back away from the border line, and live normal lives. You will give back lives to those who have already lost their homes, and know that you are making a difference in the country you live in.