LeBaronLogic

Free (as in "Free", no strings attached) Legal Clinic October 25

Through a joint effort between Utah Valley University’s Legal Studies Program and the local legal community, people will be able to receive free legal advice at a Clinic scheduled for October 25 from 6-8:30pm in the Timpanogos room at UVU Library, Orem Utah.

News You Can Use: In Case of a Motor Vehicle Accident

IN CASE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT 

 (You may copy, paste, reduce and place in glove compartments of all of your vehicles along with registration papers and proof of insurance if you would like).

• Call 911 to notify police and obtain any medical attention needed.

• If you do not need immediate medical attention, don't move vehicles unless notified by police. If vehicles need to be moved for safety reasons, take pictures of vehicles after impact (inc. pics of damages to both vehicles) with your camera on your phone.  If the police ask for a written report. Tell them that you do not feel like giving one "at this time."

• Do not admit fault (even if you think you are at fault). This admission can be used against you. Discuss accident only with the police, YOUR insurance company, family members, medical providers or your lawyer. 

• Write down pertinent facts (see space below):

    a.  Names and addresses of all persons involved:

 _________________________________________________________________________

 _________________________________________________________________________

        (drivers, owners, witnesses, injured parties, etc.)

 

    b.  Date, time and location of accident.

____________________________________________________

 

    c.  License plate numbers of all involved vehicles.

____________________________________________________

 

    d.  Insurance information on all involved vehicles.

___________________________________________________

• Seek medical attention by ambulance or private vehicle if you are injured. When being treated report accurately what specific part of your body was injured. Give an accurate history. (Note that because of the epinephrine rush and anxiousness, injuries may not manifest itself for hours or days). If asked if you are injured at the scene, and at the time you may not see or feel any apparent injuries, say "not that I can detetrmine at this time."

• If the police give you an accident report number,  write it here #__________________

• At a later time at home, write a brief statement of the facts of the accident, how the accident happened and pertinent details. Do not give to anybody but your insurance company or your lawyer. Once given to your lawyer it becomes privileged and cannot be given to anyone else without your permission. 

• Do not discuss the accident with the other drivers insurance adjuster, refer them to your attorney. Do not give a recorded statement AND do not sign anything.

• Contact your insurance company to report the accident. ph. #__________________________________________

• Call your lawyer. ph. #________________________________________________

• Keep receipts of medical, prescription, towing and property damage costs.

• Document lost wage information at a later time. A statement by your employer on their letterhead will suffice. Your lawyer can help with this. 

• Start keeping a daily journal regarding your injuries, pain level, sleep patterns and your ability or inability to do certain things.

Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and does not create an attorney/client relationship. For more information contact an attorney in your jurisdiction. 

Courtesy: LeBaron Law Offices: 801.756.6288

 

LeBaron Law Offices - Help Wanted: Full Time Secretary/Receptionist/Property Management Assistant

JOB OPENING:                        

       

Full Time Law Offices Receptionist/Secretary/Property Management Assistant

American Fork, UT.  Can start immediately.  Hourly Wage DOE

Job Description: (This is a long term career track position)

Full-Time Law Offices Receptionist/Secretary/Property Management Assistant to work 8-5p M-F. Answer phones, greet clients, file maintenance and calendar upkeep. Also includes general legal secretary duties inc. document prep, file maintenance, research & basic bookkeeping. Law Practice involves Personal Injury, Family/Divorce, Criminal Defense, Bankruptcy, Estate Planning and Business. Currently a three-attorney firm with one paralegal. The successful candidate will also be involved with commercial and residential property management. This is a long term non-benefits position.

Click the following links for more info: 

Website: http://lebaronlaw.com

http://facebook.com/LeBaronLawOffices

http://twitter.com/lebaronlaw

http://twitter.com/ShirlLeBaron

http://linkd.in/shirllebaron

Blog: http://lebaronlogic.com

Job Requirements:

• At least ONE (1) YEAR LEGAL OR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE. (Preferred) Excellent office and clerical experience may be substituted. A.D. or equivalent. 
• Strong people skills. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Have strong Microsoft Office application skills. 
• Ability to learn new tasks quickly and efficiently.
• Operate independently, without supervision, if needed after orientation and training.
• Demonstrate initiative and focus on detail and organization.
• Understand the importance of confidentiality and privileged communications.
• Ability to work swiftly but carefully.
• Organize and prioritize time and tasks.
• Receive rents and communicate effectively with tenants, service providers and vendors.
• Work effectively and with others in high pressure environments and on tight time lines.

How to Apply:  email: [email protected]  w/resume, references and wage requirements. No phone calls please. 

 

Five Legal Tips to Give You Peace of Mind

Legal issues don’t have to be stressful. In fact, you can use the law to reduce your risks, eliminate uncertainty, and plan for the unthinkable. The law can help with your overall peace of mind.

1. Execute a will. Estate planning isn’t just for wealthy older people. If you’re an adult, you need an estate plan. This spells out what happens to your immovable and movable property when you die. While the state legislature provides default rules for people who don’t specify their intentions, (intestate) you might be surprised by what those rules say. For the average person, an estate plan is simply a will (or “last will and testament”). This document spells out who gets what from your estate. A handwritten will can be valid, but it’s safer to have a lawyer draft your will and help you through the formal execution ceremony. If you have a spouse or minor children, you need a will to ensure they are properly taken care of and guardians and alternative guardians named. 

2. Designate your health care wishes. How should medical decisions be made for you in the event of an accident or illness where you are incapable of communicating? Without the appropriate legal papers, your family will attempt to make the decisions that you would want. But do they know all your wishes? You should protect your health care decisions by appointing someone with a Health Care Power of Attorney. This designates the person who will make your decisions. They are bound to make the decisions that you want, not what they think is best. You should also execute a Health Care Directive (sometimes called a Living Will).  This document attempts to set forth your wishes for different medical scenarios, particularly your wishes with regard to terminal illnesses.  Your health care provider will be bound to act according to this document.

3. Select the correct insurance beneficiaries. Do you have a life insurance policy or retirement plan? Who are your beneficiaries? If “your estate” is listed as the beneficiary, your heirs could be in for a surprise when you pass away. Life insurance and retirement plans automatically pay the designated beneficiary when the policy holder dies. To make sure your family or other heirs get the benefits, you should designate them by name as the beneficiaries. If your estate gets paid directly, the true beneficiaries could be in for a long wait before they can be paid anything. And your creditors might claim the money before anyone else can be paid. Be sure to name the right beneficiaries.

4. Be properly and sufficiently insured. Property insurance isn’t just for homeowners. Even if you rent, you need insurance protection. Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance primarily covers against loss to your property due to damage or theft. But it can also be important if you’re ever sued.When guests come onto your property, you legally take on a certain amount of liability for their safety. If a guest is injured while on your property, you could be held responsible. Fortunately, the typical property insurance policy provides some protection for you. Guest medical coverage will pay for your guest’s medical bills as well as liability coverage for pain and suffering in event of a personal injury claim or suit. For the cost of a renter’s insurance policy (at most $15/month), you can’t afford to neglect this coverage.Also make sure you have adequate limits on auto liability $500,000 is well worth the extra dollars in cost. Also ensure you have adequate uninsured/underinsured coverage in the same amount. If you have an older car and have collision and comprehensive coverage, you are wasting money, cancel it. You may also want to consider umbrella coverage of up to 1 mill. to give overall protection to your assets.

5. Separate your business. If you run your own business, you should consider a limited liability business entity or S Corp. Running a sole proprietorship is simple, but it exposes you and your family to certain risks and liabilities. Creditors and people you could possibly wrong can seek a cause of action against you personally. Your sole proprietor business could be putting the family home at risk. To solve this problem, you can easily setup a basic corporation or a limited liability company (LLC). Then when you sign contracts and incur business debts, you are only putting the business at risk. It’s important to run the business properly to maintain your liability shield.   

(Such as having proper meetings with minutes kept, separate bank accounts, etc.) Without a formal business entity, you have no hope of limiting your personal liability. Your CPA can advise you in this regard as well.

Utah Advance Health Care Directive Information

In 2008, the Utah Legislature adopted the Utah Advance Health Care Directive Act.  This was intended, among other things, to standardize the many variations of “Living Wills.”

This four (4) page form is designed to take the place of a Health Care Power of Attorney as well as a Living Will (or otherwise known as Health Care Directive). In addition, this standardized form provides for an individual’s wishes for guardian nomination(s), organ donation, and access to medical records. 

A wealth of information regarding the Advance Health Care Directive is available on the website created by the Utah Council of Aging, which can be found here.      

A person may want to consult with their physician as questions arise as they fill out this form. Most important, individuals should plan to discuss the options they decide upon with their families and loved ones.

For statspecific downloads for Advance Health Care Directives other than Utah, this link is helpful: http://bit.ly/jYWBrl 

Please contact LeBaron Law Offices at 801-756-6288 for additional information or questions regarding this or other estate planning needs.

--- Prepared with assistance from Dorothy Gillespie of LeBaron Law Offices