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Children Claims Domestic Violence

What Is a Vulnerable Adult and How Do We Protect Them?

Vulnerable adults are people older than eighteen years of age who need a caregiver, and who are unable to protect themselves or look after themselves. Vulnerable adults include elderly people in nursing homes, people who are sick or frail, people with memory problems, or people who have difficulty communicating with others. Individuals with physical or mental disabilities are also classified as vulnerable adults. Unfortunately, because these individuals need care and are unable to look after themselves, they are at greater risk of abuse. Read on for more information regarding vulnerable adults and how we can protect them.

Why Are Vulnerable Adults Targets for Abuse?

Unfortunately, there are many reasons why vulnerable adults are the victims of abuse. Violence toward vulnerable adults can be a single outburst, or it can be a premeditated attack. Sometimes vulnerable adults are targeted for abuse because caregivers are frustrated at the adult’s inability to communicate or inability to act “normal.” Lack of knowledge or training by health professionals working in nursing homes, hospitals or residential homes can result in violence, as professionals are not taught how to appropriately deal with this frustration.

While poor management and inadequate training can result in abuse toward vulnerable adults, sometimes violence can result simply because caregivers have a violent history. Caregivers are not always health professionals, and therefore training in how to appropriately help vulnerable adults is not required.

What Are the Signs of Abuse Toward a Vulnerable Adult?

Some vulnerable adults, especially elderly individuals, may be reluctant to speak out about the abuse they are suffering from. They might excuse their bruises as being “nothing.” Having injuries and not fully explaining where they came from can be a sign of abuse. Unexplained physical symptoms, such as bruising or scarring, can be explained by abuse. The appearance of the vulnerable adult might also change: they might look dirtier or thinner than before due to improper care or neglect.

Also keep an eye out for behavioral changes. A vulnerable adult who is suffering from abuse or violence might become withdrawn, quiet or depressed. However, behavioral changes on the other end of the spectrum are also possible; a vulnerable adult might become inexplicably angry or aggressive. Not wanting to be alone with certain individuals is also a red flag.

How Do We Protect Vulnerable Adults?

There are several ways to protect vulnerable adults. The most effective way to help and protect vulnerable adults is never to ignore signs of abuse and never to shrug them off as nothing. If you are suspicious, ask questions. It’s best to speak with the vulnerable adult in private. If your suspicions of abuse are confirmed, you can either call a General Practitioner or you can speak with a social worker. Depending on the nature of the abuse, you might even want to get the police involved, as abuse toward a vulnerable adult can be a crime. Additionally, help lines and help from Adult Protective Services are available specifically for these instances.

Vulnerable adults are most at risk for abuse and violence, and because of this they need to be protected. If you suspect that a vulnerable adult you know has been abused or neglected in some way, speak with them and figure out how you can help them. Don’t ignore the situation, but speak out so something can be done to protect them.

If you have evidence that a loved one is being abused, report it to the police immediately, and seek legal counsel to represent the case.  Hughes & Coleman, Injury Lawyers are nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys located in Kentucky.  For more information about nursing home abuse and neglect, visit the website at www.NursingHomeNeglectLawyers.com.

Categories
Family Law

Causes and Prognosis of Klumpke’s Palsy

Modern medicine has changed dramatically in the last hundred years. What was seen as untreatable even a few decades ago is now managed with relative ease. Despite these improvements in health care, some conditions—such as Klumpke’s Palsy—continue to provide challenges to doctors and nurses. Individuals who have been diagnosed with this condition or are concerned about its development may want to have a basic understanding of the disease itself, its symptoms, causes, and prognosis. Working with a health care team experienced in the management of Klumpke’s Palsy is important for those who want to achieve optimal results in the treatment of the condition.

What is Klumpke’s Palsy?

As with all conditions, obtaining some knowledge about the basics of Klumpke’s Palsy is important for those living with the disease. Traditionally, Klumpke’s Palsy is defined as a condition characterized by the complete or partial muscle paralysis of the lower roots of the brachial plexus. Specifically, Klumpke’s Palsy has been found to affect the C7 and T1 branches of the brachial plexus, though other roots may also be involved. This palsy results in weakness in the fingers and hands, and loss of use of various fine muscles in the region.

Symptoms of Klumpke’s Palsy

As mentioned above, individuals who have been diagnosed with Klumpke’s Palsy often experience weakness in their fingers and hands. In more advanced cases, complete paralysis can occur, leading to the development of a “claw hand.” Ulnar nerve numbness is another common symptom of Klumpke’s Palsy, and can be very disruptive to individuals living with the disease. The loss of nerve sensation associated with Klumpke’s Palsy can sometimes lead to serious burns, lacerations, or other physical ailments, as the sensation of pain is no longer present.

Causes of Klumpke’s Palsy

There are a number of different factors believed to be behind the development of Klumpke’s Palsy. According to Erbs Palsy, babies that are large for gestational age may be at the greatest risk for the development of this condition. Similarly, mothers who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, have had a history of caesarean sections, or are themselves quite small-boned may be more likely to deliver a baby with Klumpke’s Palsy. Finally, mothers that have gained a substantial amount of weight during their pregnancy, are of an advanced age, or suffer from an extended pregnancy may give birth to a baby with Klumpke’s Palsy.

Prognosis for Klumpke’s Palsy

So what, exactly, is the prognosis for Klumpke’s Palsy? Can babies who are born with this condition expect to see a resolution in their condition? Unfortunately, there is currently no “tried and true” treatment for those who have been born with this serious health condition. Most experts recommend early immobilization, followed by a regimented program of physical or occupational therapy to manage the symptoms of Klumpke’s Palsy. In the more severe cases of the condition, certain types of surgery—such as those which promote nerve stimulation—may be recommended by experienced health care providers.

Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. is a personal injury law firm located in Chicago, Illinois.  For more information, please visit us at www.salvilaw.com.

Categories
Family Law

Is Alimony Still a Reasonable Concept?

Guest post from US family law bloggers.

Despite the salary inequalities that still persist between men and women, many modern-day wives are working alongside their husbands. Some women even earn more. You might wonder why we still have alimony, where the ex-husband pays a monthly sum to the ex-wife. Some people argue that alimony should be a thing of the past, while others feel that it’s still an valid law.

An important point that can’t be overlooked when discussing the relevancy of alimony in today’s culture is that it is not necessarily the responsibility of the husband. Alimony is a court-ordered duty of the top earner in the marriage. The difference in the earnings of the two spouses has to be significant for alimony to be decreed. However, both historically and traditionally, the male has been the one to pay the alimony bills. Judges have consistently awarded alimony to the female, even in cases where both ex-spouses had jobs during the marriage.

Today, many family court justices are working on adapting the law so that alimony isn’t set up as an unfair burden on men, but as a fair distribution of martial property.

How did alimony come to be? In the past, women were not allowed to own property. Thus, in a marriage, all the land and property were owned solely by the husband and never the wife. And in cases of divorce, the ex-husband would keep everything and the ex-wife would be left with nothing. Alimony was established as a way for the ex-wife to be able to survive after divorce.

Obviously, the circumstances have changed today. Martial property is usually divided equally between two parties in a divorce and if there are children, the home is often given to the ex-wife on the grounds that it would be less traumatic for the kids. The more you look at it, the more it seems like alimony should become obsolete.

On the other hand, you could argue that women are still at a disadvantage after a divorce. Even today, many wives choose to leave the workforce in order to stay home and raise children. Some of them move across the country when their husband gets a new job and leave their career behind. After years and years of contributing to the marriage through raising kids, taking care of the home, and managing the finances, should these women be left with no career prospects and no monthly income when divorce happens? Alimony helps level the playing field and allows these women to continue living on as they have before.

What about husbands who took on the stay-at-home role? They probably would benefit from alimony payments from their ex-wives as much as a woman would.

An important issue to consider is whether the ex-husband should be legally required to pay alimony for the rest of his life. Should the sentence of alimony be reduced to a certain amount of years instead, with the purpose of providing support to the women until she is able to enter the workforce and earn enough money to maintain her lifestyle?

Alimony will become a much more acceptable and fair concept if it truly becomes an equal opportunity responsibility.

About the author

This piece was written by Trevor Patterson, a freelance writer and blogger based in the greater metro area of Las Vegas, Nevada. Patterson focuses on law, politics, economics and real estate. Legal needs come in various forms; for those with needs in the area of Pedestrian Accidents be sure to consult a professional with sufficient expertise in this subfield.

Categories
Child Custody Children Claims Domestic Violence

Signs that Your Child May Be Abused or Neglected at Daycare

child negligenceA daycare is a place where you expect your kids to be safe and happy while you’re away at work. You have to be able to instill trust in a daycare because they are spending just as much time with your children as you do, thus you expect them to protect your youngster. A neglected child is the last thing that you would expect at a daycare, but the sad truth is that some kids are either abused or neglected at daycares all across the country. The important thing is that you’re able to spot the classic signs of the abused or neglected child. Here are some indicative signs that your child may be abused or neglected at daycare.

Changes In Comfort Level Are a Warning Sign

Let’s say that your child has always been happy or even excited to be left behind at daycare. Suddenly, though, your child’s demeanor changes to the point where he’s anxious or reluctant to be left alone at daycare. That can be a very telltale warning sign of either abuse or neglect occurring at the daycare. If your child was abused or neglected at daycare, he’ll naturally exhibit these signs of fear when faced with the prospect of going back there.

Are There Any Unusual Bruises?

Another telltale sign that your child is the abused or neglected child at daycare is the mysterious appearance of bruises on his or her body. This is especially true if you leave your child at daycare with no bruises, and when you pick him up, there are noticeable bruises on his body. Of course, it is always a possibility that your child could have gotten some bruises from the typical play in which kids engage. However, a big, red flag ought to go off in your head if these bruises occur much too frequently.

Withdrawal Is a Suspicious Sign

Children are naturally outgoing, playful and highly energetic. That’s why a child who withdraws and becomes more reserved is suspicious, especially if this withdrawal starts to occur only after you’ve been leaving him at a daycare. A child who begins to become withdrawn could be doing so not only from physical abuse, but also from mental abuse, such as neglect during the time you leave him at daycare. If you see your child becoming more withdrawn, you should investigate.

Does Your Child Flinch?

Flinching is a sign of expecting something bad and forceful to happen. If your child unexpectedly begins to flinch when you do something harmless like raising your hands or arms, then that should also set off alarm bells in your head. If your child was ever hit at daycare, then they’ll develop the flinching reaction as a way to brace them self for what they expect to be another smack in their direction.

An abused or neglected child is an extremely serious issue, especially if it’s your child. Daycare is one of the last places on Earth in which you expect child abuse or neglect to occur, but it does happen from time to time. The best thing parents can do is to be vigilant and monitor their children for signs of abuse or neglect.

If you suspect your child has been a victim of neglect or abuse in their daycare, it is important to find a new daycare and seek the help of a legal representative.  Hardison & Cochran, Attorneys at Law are child care negligence lawyers located in North Carolina.  For more information about negligence and abuse at day care, visit the website at www.LawyerNC.com.

Categories
Child Custody Child Support Children Divorce Law Family Law

Guidelines for Being Awarded Alimony

divorceWhen two people decide that it is time for them to end their marriage and get a divorce, the idea of alimony payments is always brought up. Alimony is a monthly financial payment from one spouse to support the other after a marriage ends. Alimony payments were historically made from the husband to the wife, the idea being that the husband was the one who worked and the wife would be the one to stay home and raise children. Since the ’70s there has been a movement in the other direction towards equality, and today where many wives support stay-at-home husbands, alimony is paid both ways.  This is determined by assessing the financial situation of each person involved and after taking into account certain factors concerning the marriage. Here are the guidelines that are followed to determine who is awarded alimony after a divorce.

Determining Who Has the Ability to Earn an Income

The main factor that is taken into consideration when it is determined which person will pay alimony is the ability to earn an income. Alimony used to be easier to determine when there was only one earner in a marriage, but in today’s world it’s far more difficult. In many cases, both members of the marriage have good careers and earn their own income, but they still wish to be awarded alimony. It can be difficult to discern which party needs the extra income. When there is only one person with an ability to earn a living because the other spouse gave up a career to raise children, then that person would be the one who would be required to pay alimony. The court also takes each person’s ability to earn a future income into consideration, so if a stay-at-home wife left a successful career, that would also count.

Determining Who Has the Ability to Pay Alimony

In some cases, neither spouse earns an income, but instead live off of a passive income. Lotto winnings, a trust fund, income from investments, or savings are all examples of passive income. In these cases, the person who the money belongs to is the one who has the ability to pay alimony, even though they are not actively earning an income.

Standard of Living and Length of the Marriage

One of the big factors of a divorce is making sure each person has the ability to maintain the same standard of living that they had during the marriage. A high standard of life would need to be maintained for each person, which would result in higher alimony payments.

The amount of time the marriage lasted is also a major factor. If a week-long marriage ends in divorce, then there would not be a significant amount of alimony paid out. However, if a marriage lasted over 10 years the amount of alimony would be significant.

It can be difficult to see your marriage come to an end, but even worse is being in a situation where you give up your career and dedicate your life to one person only to end up divorced with no form of income. Alimony is designed to protect people from situations like that, and the first step to getting alimony is to know the guidelines that are followed when determining who is awarded alimony.

If you are going through a divorce and you think you will have to pay alimony or are hoping to receive alimony payments, contact a lawyer who can advocate for you.  Charles R. Ullman & Associates is a spousal support/alimony divorce law firm located in North Carolina.  For more information about spousal support, visit the website at www.DivorceLawCary.com.

Categories
Family Law

5 Ways a Felony Can Impact Your Life

A felony can adversely impact your life in all sorts of ways. You don’t want to plead guilty to a felony, whatever you do. That’s why it’s always a good idea to get a seasoned lawyer to represent you when you are facing any criminal charges. Here are the five ways a felony can impact your life.

You Won’t Be Eligible for Federal Assistance

If you are found guilty of a felony or plead guilty to one, you won’t be eligible for federal assistance. This means that you won’t be allowed to, for instance, receive any food stamps or get help with paying for higher education. You will not be allowed to get loans, grants or work-study. If you’re short on savings, not getting federal assistance can adversely impact your life.

You May Have to Forfeit Professional Licenses

If you have established your career and been professionally licensed, a felony conviction can undo all that. Let’s say, for instance, that you were licensed either to practice medicine or teach before your felony. A conviction can lead to the revocation of your professional license.

It is Hard to Find a Job

This is probably the most ruinous way in which a felony can adversely impact your life. A lot of employers will be skeptical of hiring a person with a felony conviction, as they will presume that you are at the very least untrustworthy – or worse – dangerous. Without a job and the ability to support yourself, your quality of life will undoubtedly suffer.

Your Ability to Travel Will Be Impacted

Your ability to travel to foreign countries will be negatively impacted by a felony. If you are an immigrant to the U.S., you may not be permitted to become a naturalized citizen of the U.S. In Canada, for example, you won’t even be allowed into the country since Canada doesn’t allow people who have been involved in criminal activities into the country.

You Will Not Be Allowed to Own Firearms

If you like to hunt or carry guns for personal protection, then a felony will rob you of the right to carry firearms. After a felony conviction, your right to own guns goes out the window, so you can’t hunt or use a firearm for self-defense purposes. If you enjoy hunting, you’ll need to find another hobby. If you live in a bad neighborhood, it may be time to move.

While being convicted of a felony is by no means the end of the world, it will make your life very difficult. Of course, you can always restore your community standing and enjoy success after a conviction, but it is going to take a long time and be very challenging.

If you have been accused of a felony or other criminal activity, it is important to find a legal representative to defend your case.  Paul J. Tafelski is an experienced criminal defense lawyer located in Michigan.  For more information about felonies and other criminal charges, visit the website at www.MichiganDefenseLaw.com.

Categories
Family Law

Elderly Parent Legal Rights

As you age, you might worry about who will handle your estate if you no longer have the mental capabilities to handle it yourself. This happens with many people all over the world and there is no shame in assigning power of attorney to a friend or family member. Contrary to popular belief, however, your next of kin is not legally entitled to take over your finances unless you assign power of attorney to a particular individual. If you do not want your children to delegate your care or finances in the future, you have the right to prevent them from doing so.

Power of Attorney

Before anyone can deal with your finances; he or she must have power of attorney, which is a document which gives him or her right. This is important because the legal system does not grant this power automatically. If your children do not have this document, they are not able to delegate your care or finances without help from the courts. Many children wrongly believe that handling your care and finances is both their right and their responsibility, but this is not the case.

Court of Protection

When it becomes clear that an elderly person is no longer to deal with his or her finances, a caregiver can apply to the Court of Protection. Going through this court is much more expensive than gaining power of attorney beforehand, but it is the only legal option once it reaches this stage. The Court of Protection will look at the situation objectively and decide what to do with the elderly person’s care and assets.

Purpose

The purpose of the Court of Protection is to make a decision on the elderly person’s finances if he or she is unable to handle them. The court begins by deciding if the individual has the mental capacity to handle his or her finances. If the court rules that the elderly person can still take care of him or herself, the children have no right to handle his or her finances. This court is in place to protect an elderly person’s assets by preventing children from illegally taking this money.

The Court of Protection also has the ability to make decisions in the best interest of the elderly person. Therefore, if you have not granted your children with the right to handle your finances and they have no legal right to this money, all of the decisions will be made by the courts. The courts can then delegate money for your medical care and do everything that someone with power of attorney would normally handle.

Putting Someone Else in Charge

In some situations, the Court of Protection might put someone else in charge of the elderly person’s estate. That person, however, must act in the best interest of the elderly person and if these duties are not met, the court can remove the deputies from the case. The court can appoint a family member, friend or attorney to handle these duties, depending on the situation.

Your Rights

If you are aware of your children trying to handle your finances without your permission, you have a few different options. Many people will immediately go through an attorney, as this attorney can take this matter to court. It is very important that you know your rights in this situation, as your children do not have the right to handle your finances just because they are your children. You have the right to handle your own care until the courts decide that you are no longer capable of doing so.

Categories
Family Law

Matrimonial property rules cannot be maintained says family lawyers group

Law Commission was backed by the Resolution on need for reform to avoid postcode lottery saying that the current laws on matrimonial property was not sustainable policy choice and the rules should be reformed on a principled basis.

The Family Law Bar Association yesterday questioned Law Commission’s plans to introduce a “clear, principled basis” for sorting out disputes, warning that they could make settlements harder to achieve.

Responding to the commission’s consultation on matrimonial property, Resolution said it shared concerns of the commission about the lack of an ‘objectives clause’ in section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973.

The family lawyers group said there were currently “wide differences of approach” in the way courts across the country dealt with disputes, resulting in a “postcode lottery” on orders for periodical payments raising difficulties in advising some clients, but also the issue of forum shopping.

An expert practitioner would have the knowledge of whether a particular court would transfer a matter back to the home court and the possibility of a different type of order likely to be made against the home courts orders.

Resolution said that unreliable evidence meant that clients were more likely to get a joint lives order if the matter was heard at the Principal Registry of the Family Division in London rather than a less generous order if issued in Birmingham.

The family lawyers group stressed that litigants in person were unlikely to make a starting point for the payment of spousal support from section 25 of the MCA in principle or guidance. The group said that principled reform should take the place of a “reformed discretionary approach” rather than a formulaic calculation.

It favoured “non-absolute limits” on the extent of financial support for former spouses, both on the percentage of net income one should pay the other and the length of time the payments should last.

The group illustrated that the limits should not cause hardship to wives over 55 years of age who have not worked during the marriage. It also said that there was merit in reform to prompt the courts to fully and properly consider the exercise of their powers. The courts normally ignore question of any increase in earning capacity which should be reasonable for a party to expect to take steps to acquire.

Resolution said courts should be under a stronger obligation than that contained in section 25(a) of the MCA to decide whether it would be possible for support to be terminated, but the hardship rule should be retained. A term order could encourage increasing income and earning capacity and recognise the vanishing of the historic gender imbalance in earning capacity.

Resolution added that there could be guidance warning clients not expect to get ‘half’ of the other party’s income, “to provide more certainty, soften the unrealistic expectations of some claimants and avoid discouragement to payers making them seeking to reach agreements on their own or in mediation.

Categories
Divorce Law Family Law

The end of legal aid for divorce is nigh – All hail the rise of DIY

Online divorce is set to rise as legal aid cuts, mean it will no longer be available for divorce cases in April 2013.

The Government has cut legal help ( basic legal aid) and legal aid itself for most private law family cases unless there is an serious allegation of domestic violence.

That means people with little means such as single mothers, the unemployed, disabled people and low paid workers will have to either find free legal advice, at a time when the advice centres and Citizens Advice Bureau are themselves having their funding cut, or they will attempt to do it themselves with many of then using the internet to gather relevant information and forms.

Divorce-Online are the UK’s leading provider of “online divorce” services having dealt with over 100,000 cases since launching.

With the experience of handling such a large volume of cases, one would think that the service is impersonal and does not suit individual needs. This could not be further from the truth with many clients commentating on how good the communication is with the staff as they go through their divorce.

The key is that we have used technology to create a streamlined and efficient back office which allows us to process cases quickly and to communicate with our clients 24/7.

Each client is given their own secure client area where they can see progress on their case in real time, download documents and send and receive messages from their case workers.

So, when legal aid stops, there will be places people can turn and they will know that a good, low cost service is waiting for them.

Categories
Family Law

Treat kinship carers like foster carers, says survey

Guest post from family lawyers based in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Almost three-quarters of adults agree that kinship carers – grandparents and other family members who are bringing up a child because their parents cannot look after them – should receive similar support to foster carers, says a new nationwide poll.

Boost for kinship carers

The YouGov survey has been welcomed by charities Grandparents Plus, the Family and Parenting Institute and Family Lives, as a massive boost for the estimated 200,000 kinship carers in the UK.

It reveals that:

  • 76% of those surveyed agree or strongly agree that kinship carers should receive practical help from the local authority;
  • 67% agree or strongly agree that kinship carers should receive a financial allowance;
  • 78% agree or strongly agree that kinship carers should receive a financial allowance if they are on a low income; and
  • 60% agree or agree strongly that kinship carers should be entitled to a period of paid leave from work.

Wider family networks

The charities commissioned the poll in the wake of new welfare reform proposals, which they fear could impact on families who have taken on additional caring responsibilities.

“The poll findings demonstrate clear public support for a diversity of family forms in the UK and the importance of drawing on wider family networks in times of strain. Even in austere times, there is public support for valuing the enormous contribution that kinship carers make in bringing up vulnerable children,” said Katherine Rake, chief executive of the Family and Parenting Institute.

Flexible working

The positive poll ratings have been followed by more good news for kinship carers, in the form of the announcement earlier this month that the Government will extend the right to request flexible working to all.

A report by Grandparents Plus last year found that 47% of kinship carers give up work when they take on the care of a child. Forty-one percent are then dependent on welfare benefits, while 60,000 have dropped out of the labour market entirely.

Flexible leave entitlements

Sam Smethers, Chief Executive of Grandparents Plus, welcomed the move.

“This is something that we have been calling for for some time,” she said. “Grandparents who are trying to juggle work and caring for their grandchildren are one of the key groups who will benefit.  One in four working mums rely on them for childcare.”

“The next step is to make it possible for parents to transfer unused periods of parental leave to grandparents, if that’s what families want to do,” she argued. “And to create leave entitlements for those grandparents and other family members who step into the parenting role, keeping children out of care.”

Contact Family Law Solicitors

For specialist advice, contact FLE, family lawyers based in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Categories
Family Law

Do Your Homework When Choosing a Family Attorney

You want a lawyer that’s a shark, a bullet—unstoppable. Or at least that’s what you’ve been led to believe. Choosing an attorney is a big deal, but oftentimes people just randomly choose a name or firm from the phonebook. You’re investing your money and rights into this expert, and you deserve more than that.

Just like choosing a doctor or university, you need to find the right match for you. This is especially true if you’re looking for a business or estate planning attorney who will be helping you out for many years. Personality matters nearly as much as experience and prior success. Consider choosing an attorney similar to dating.

Come Prepared

When you’re first meeting with an attorney, this isn’t necessarily your “first meeting.” It’s a time for you to decide if this is the right person or firm to be in your corner. Most people get flustered and don’t remember everything they want to ask. Write down all of your questions and make sure the attorney gives you clear answers.

It’s often smart to meet with a few attorneys before choosing one. Let them know that you’re “shopping around,” and you should expect them to respect this. Their job is to work for you and help you succeed. This involves making you comfortable and ensuring that you’re happy as their client.

Check the Chemistry

If you’ll be working with an attorney for many years, it’s important that there’s some chemistry. This includes them being polite and friendly and maybe having the same values. You might want your attorney or law firm to be active in the community, or have a family-oriented perspective on things. It’s your money, and your decision.

Personality is critical, but so is fee structure. It’s no secret that attorneys can be expensive. You need an attorney who works with you and your budget. A firm with creative fee structures or that offers unbundled packages is a huge plus for many clients. Even if you’re rolling in the dough, it’s still important that you spend wisely.

It’s Not Marriage

You’ve done your research, met with a few attorneys, and made your decision. Maybe you’re choosing an attorney for complicated estate planning—that means you’ll need them for your entire life. Don’t let fear of commitment get to you. You don’t have to stick with an attorney forever.

Your attorney is an important part of your life, but not necessarily permanent. Make sure you take the time to pick the best one for you—at that time in your life. Doing so can ease your stress and ensure that truly everything you need is being addressed.

Categories
Divorce Law

Significance of Divorce Lawyers in Complicated Divorce Cases

No couple is ever prepared or expects to go through a divorce, but it is an uncertain event and you better need to be prepared if it happens to you. Divorces are probably the most complicated cases and more sensitive than any other case. It is smart to take the help of appropriate legal firm if the case involves legal proceedings. But you must remember it is not easy to find a good, reliable and experienced lawyer, nevertheless it can be done with little effort put in that direction.

Before you go out searching for a divorce lawyer here are a few questions that I have tried to answer for you, as I think you must be having these thoughts in your mind.

How can a good divorce lawyer help?

First of all it is important for you to understand that if the case is complicated and legal proceedings are involved, it is necessary to hire a professional who has knowledge of legal proceedings. Many legal issues pop up during divorce and a lawyer can help you get through them smoothly. The financial issues and child custody problems are generally common in divorce cases and if you hire a wrong lawyer you may lose on both these fronts. But if you have hired a good lawyer, you can be certain to win the case and have the financial rights as well as rights over your children.

The next question you must be having is – It is inevitable to hire a divorce lawyer?

Well in answer to that, it is not necessary to hire a divorce lawyer if you and your partner are getting separated under a mature and mutual understanding. This means that you have come to an agreement on all the matters involved like fair distribution of property, assets and finances; including your rights on your children. It is very much possible to go through the divorce without any or very less complications in such cases, but on the other hand if you have your doubts about the property settlement or other issues with which you are not satisfied then it is better to hire a divorce lawyer as the divorce laws are complicated.

How to choose the right divorce lawyer?

Once you are convinced that you need a divorce lawyer for your case, you might wonder how to find a good divorce lawyer. You can start by searching for a good law firm. You can also ask for the references for a good lawyer from your colleagues, friends or relatives. There are many factors you need to consider when you are searching for the lawyer. First of all you need to know how experienced your lawyer is, then what is the way he charges fees and is that amount favorable to you, and in the end you also need to know the accessibility of the lawyer.

Conclusion:

Once you are satisfied that you have found the right lawyer for you, go ahead and hire him and keep faith in his abilities, he will get you through the divorce with least difficulty.

Categories
Adoption Children

Things You Need to Know About Adopting a Child from Abroad

AdoptionThe process of adopting a child can be simultaneously complicated, intense, rewarding, exciting and even frightening at times. Regardless of the particular circumstances surrounding your individual adoption, there are a few key aspects of the process that, when kept in mind throughout, can help you and your family avoid complex legal and emotional issues in the near future.

Government Resources for Prospective Parents

On the official website of the United States Department of Homeland Security, prospective adoptive parents can gain quick and easy access to free, downloadable forms that are necessary in the establishment of immigration status for the child. This step is mandatory and should be carefully considered before an adoption agency is contacted.

Your choice of agency is also a very important aspect of the adoption process. If you happen to know someone who has experienced an overseas adoption firsthand, ask for information about the organization they used. Online reviews and testimonials from previous parents can help you determine which agency best fits your personality, values and lifestyle. For added reassurance, contact the Better Business Bureau and request information on accredited adoption agencies that process international adoptions.

Determining Eligibility to Adopt Internationally

Your eligibility status is one of the most critical components of the entire process. Before you can adopt a child from another country, you must be approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS. The information that will be requested of you in order to determine eligibility will be evaluated by a social worker or state official, depending on your state’s individual laws. References from professional and personal contacts, fingerprint checks and verification of health insurance are typically included in these home studies, as are verification of employment, sufficient income and proof of a healthy, safe environment in which the child will reside.

If your eligibility application is approved, it will be forwarded to either the United States Embassy or the government organization in charge of adoption procedures in the country from which you plan to adopt your child.

It is important to remember that, depending on the type of adoption and the country involved, the process can be incredibly time-consuming. Many individuals and couples who wish to adopt internationally find that a number of very long months and, in some cases, years pass between the time that the first pieces of paperwork are filed and the adopted child is finally scheduled to come home.

Preparation for Parenthood

During the period of time that passes between application, approval and international travel to retrieve the adopted child, adopting parents must complete at least ten hours of pre-adoption training, as according to The Hague Adoption Convention of 1993. The Convention is designed with the legal protection of the child in question, the prospective parents and the adoption agency through which the process is completed in the foreign country.

Financial Considerations

Though the joy of finally meeting the newest member of your family is an experience that you will always cherish, the lingering effects of the financial expenses involved can induce stress in even the calmest and most collected of individuals. Considering the impact of these factors before, during and after the adoption process can help make managing it far more feasible and considerably less stressful. Talk to an experienced attorney with a proven track record of success in adoption cases, set aside money for translation documents (if required) and the future costs of childcare. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of what the process entails will better equip you with the confidence and forward thinking you will need throughout the process of your child’s adoption.

 

Janet, Jenner & Suggs, LLC is a Family and Cerebral Palsy law firm located in Baltimore, Maryland/Columbia, South Carolina/Asheville, North Carolina.  For more information, please visit www.cerebral-palsy-injury.com.

Categories
Divorce Law Property issues Separation Law

What Happens to College Payments During a Divorce

Most marriages end in divorce. Different jurisdictions have different rules pertaining to how assets and liabilities are distributed to the parties after a divorce. When young married couples decide to divorce, student loan debt is a common liability that the parties must cope with. Ongoing expenses that may be incurred if one spouse is actively attending college can influence the amount of alimony awarded to a spouse.

How States Treat Assets During Divorce

Our lawyers at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. tell us that states generally fall into three categories when discussing divorce. In community property states and if the parties have not agreed to distribute assets in a certain manner, the court will divide the marital assets in half. If the debt is incurred during the marriage, the courts will view student loan debt as community property. Student loan debt is a liability and hence is subject to being apportioned between the parties.Other states follow a common law rule. For example, New York also seeks to divide marital property equitably. Unlike a common law jurisdiction, however, the court need not divide everything equally. A court that follows a common law rule will consider a wide array of factors in order to achieve what it perceives to be a fair outcome. Such factors include whether one spouse has title to a property, whether a spouse has commercial interests, and the couple’s living arrangements.

Some states stretch the equitable distribution concept even further. Some states, like Massachusetts and New Hampshire, also seek to provide an equitable distribution during the asset and liability allocations. These states uniquely consider all property owned by both parties, regardless of whether the assets were acquired during the marriage or owned personally. The fact that a party owned an asset or a liability prior to marriage may be a factor for consideration, but is not determinate of the outcome.

Responsibility to Pay for an Education

Whether a party is responsible for continuing payments on a divorcing spouse’s student loans varies depending upon the court’s decision. Even in community property states, courts have some degree of latitude in making asset decisions. Most states permit courts to order parties to pay other liabilities if the court finds that it would be in the interests of justice to do so.

If one spouse is actively attending college, the issue becomes one of spousal support. Tuition and literary expenditures may increase one party’s living expenses, which can increase the alimony award. Among other factors, courts will often consider retraining or educational expenses in awarding spousal support to one party. If a party who is receiving alimony is attending college or seeking job retraining, the court may increase the award of alimony accordingly. If a court order is issued compelling one party to pay spousal support, that party must do so regardless of whether he or she agrees with the award.

While courts normally follow statutory guidelines, the goal in most states is to achieve an equitable dissolution of the marriage, not an equal one. In most states, courts have a wide degree of latitude to make decisions regarding asset allocations, liability allocations, and spousal support. Navigating the laws and presenting a compelling case in the pleadings requires the knowledge of an experienced local attorney.


Saam Banai is a freelance writer and editor and proponent of fair dispersal of assets after divorce. If you find yourself in the midst of a divorce and have costly college payments to make in addition to everything else, contact a divorce attorney from the firm, Tenn And Tenn, P.A. Their experienced attorneys are uniquely equipped due to their training and experience to provide large law firm excellence in a more client-centered atmosphere.
Categories
Child Support Children Divorce Law Family Law Finance

Organizing Your Finances after Divorce

divorce and finances The process, as well as finalizing a divorce can be extremely hard on a person mentally. Facing possible financial ruin definitely adds to the stress. In general, most people lack the knowledge they in order to recover and move on financially. Knowing what to expect and how to handle it, is the only way to get through a divorce with your assets still intact. Surviving financially is especially important if you have children and other dependents.

 

How Divorce Impacts Your Money

Getting a marriage license is less than $50 in most states, but dissolving that union is going to cost much more than that. Even if the couple kept their finances separate and agreed to take their own money & assets and part ways amicably, the filing alone can be costly. If for some reason a mediator is needed, fees can go into the thousands. The situation only gets more complicated from there. Married people generally see an increase in wealth through their union, while divorced people lose 77% of their net value on average, according to DailyFinance.com. When children are involved, one spouse may end up owing child support or alimony which can greatly reduce their money left for all of their other independent expenses. On the other hand, the spouse who is supposed to receive child support or alimony may have a hard time getting their former partner to pay up. Additionally, divorce means splitting your assets and income while doubling the bills.

 

Take Action Before You Even File for Divorce

This is a very important step that could save you loads of money and time when the proceedings start. Once your partner knows you have filed, they may make every effort to hide money, transfer funds from mutual accounts to their own, and put away assets. Even if the judge rules against these actions, it’s going to be very hard to recover them, and waiting for a judgment could take a very long time. Smart actions for you to take include: getting copies of all financial statements, acquiring credit reports, and setting aside money for living expenses.

 

Restructuring Once the Divorce is Final

Here is where the real work begins. Getting back to stability once the divorce is finalized will be challenging, but possible. If you are paying child support or alimony to your ex-partner, it may take a while to adjust. Having your support payments drafted automatically from your checking account is the best way to handle it. This way there won’t be risk of forgetting to make payments, and there will be an electronic record of paying. Keeping other financial obligations simple for a while is advisable; now is not the time to go out and purchase high ticket items. The divorced person needs to be very forward thinking for at least the first year after separation; make plans for tax returns, stocks, and savings ahead of time. A well mapped out plan for paying existing and new bills will get you through it. This will put you on the path to rebuilding your financial worth. MoneySmart.gov has additional information on adjusting to the change in income and additional expenses spawned from divorce.

Categories
Child Custody Child Support Children Divorce Law

Managing Life as a Single Parent after Divorce

When a divorced couple has children, life can get very complicated. Each parent is now on their own and suddenly realize all of the small things they did not notice when they had the other parent to back them up. Parents of babies and toddlers are tested by late nights and early mornings, with no one to alternate sleep, feedings, changing, and difficult nights with. Mothers and fathers of school aged children have to handle the morning routine: getting the kids to school, meeting with teachers, and driving the kids to after-school activities, all on their own. Managing life after divorce as a parent is not easy, but life will get back to normal much faster if steps are taken to deal with the challenges, instead of just hoping for a solution.

Struggles of Single Parents

Going through a divorce and living with divorce are very complicated life events which statistics show that many people in this country go through. Below are the two main challenges for single parents:

  • Childcare

This can be tricky one when the other parent doesn’t want to play nice. Developing a set schedule, if at all possible, for visitations will make it a little easier to figure out childcare. After visitation is established, each parent needs to find their own sitters or agree on one childcare or babysitter for both schedules. Both parents should have their own backup in case help bails at the last moment. This will keep the other parent from having to cancel their own plans to watch the children.

  • Finances

If child support or alimony is in play, you could come out a little better or a little worse; this depends on if you are the one receiving it or not. Large house payments and car leases might not have fazed you before, but now that there is one income, it’s likely time to downsize. The best way to downsize is to move into a smaller house with lower rent or mortgage; otherwise, make sure you’re not overdoing it on the spending – credit card bills can drown a single person.

 Coping with Stress

Divorce and death are the two most stressful events for people to deal with in life. Stress can take its toll on the individual and potentially destroy their life. With such a high stress situation, how does a single parent cope? Below are the five best ways to cope with stress during a divorce.

 Manage your weight with diet and exercise

It’s not about vanity or attracting another partner, keeping a steady weight will keep your hormone levels normal.

 Get out and be around the people you used to spend time with

 When you’re married, you tend to push aside others in your life to spend time with your spouse. If you’re dealing with divorce, now is a great time to reconnect with the people you lost touch with. Reconnecting will give you a chance to talk to people about things other than the stressful separation – it also gives you ‘adult’ time away from the kids.

Laugh

 Laughing is a great coping mechanism; when you laugh your body releases serotonin and reduces cortisol levels. Watch a funny movie, go watch a comedian, or just have your kids tell you about their silly perspectives on childhood things.

 Don’t turn to vices such as smoking, drinking or drugs

This one is important for everyone, but most especially for parents. As tempting as it may be to turn to vices to get you through the divorce, do not give in. Smoking, drinking, or using drugs will only make you feel ‘okay’ for a very short while; most of the time, using these substances end up making you feel much worse as soon as they clear your system. More importantly, you don’t want to set that example for emotionally vulnerable children.

Read more about coping with stress on the CDC webpage.

 

Ginarte O’Dwyer Gonzalez Gallardo & Winograd, LLP is a family divorce law firm located in New Jersey/New York. For more information, please visit us at www.Ginarte.com.

Categories
Child Support Children

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy
One of the most common of all childhood disabilities, cerebral palsy, is a disorder which impacts the individual in many different ways. People who live with this condition experience difficulties in movement, motor skills, and muscle tone. Also commonly known as CP, the main cause of cerebral palsy is brain damage which happens in utero, during childbirth, or very shortly after childbirth – in some rare cases, cerebral palsy cans be from brain injury which occurred before the child researches 5 years old. Causes of CP are varied and sometimes unknown; BBC Health points out that some causes include an infection during the pregnancy of the mother or fetus can cause this disorder – other factors include fetal injury in the womb and during childbirth, and infant seizures.

Facts About Cerebral Palsy

  • Cerebral palsy is the number one most prevalent motor disability in children
  • According to the CDC, an average, 1 in 303 children are diagnosed as having cerebral palsy by the time they are 8 years of age
  • African American and Caucasian children suffer from CP at a much higher rate than Hispanic children
  • Boys are 1.2 times more likely to have CP than their female counterparts
  • 40% of children with CP also have a mental disability
  • 35% of people who have cerebral palsy also have epilepsy
  • 1/4 of children with CP actually have both a mental disability and epilepsy
  • Babies born prematurely and/or of low birth weight are more likely to have CP
  • A twin is 5 times more likely to have cerebral palsy
  • Children conceived through IVF are 1.6 times more likely to be born with CP
  • Medical costs for children with only CP are ten times more than a child without a disorder
  • Children with cerebral palsy and mental disabilities will face medical costs which are 26 times higher than a child without either

Signs and Screening

Sometimes symptoms of CP are not clearly visible or easy to pinpoint. Signs of this disorder are not as cookie cutter as they can be with other conditions; each person may have completely different symptoms than the next person. Most commonly, cerebral palsy will start to raise questions around early infancy; when a baby fails to meet developmental milestones, parents often start to become concerned. Babies with CP often miss important markers for rolling over, sitting up, crawling/scooting, and walking. Less obvious signs in infants are abnormal postures, underdeveloped muscle tone, and twitching – these signs might only be noticed by a doctor with experience in this area. Most experts will agree that the earlier a child is identified as having CP, the better. Diagnosis is also very important for families of these children as they will then be able to receive help for care of the child through insurance and certain government programs. Diagnosing a child involves monitoring & screening for developmental cues, and medical evaluations.

Getting Treatment

While there is no cure for CP, there are treatments which can help the individual manage their symptoms. Intervention treatments and programs have proven effectiveness for both children and adults suffering with cerebral palsy. Common treatments include speech therapy and physical therapy, both of which are usually carried out through adulthood. Learn more about research and prognosis for cerebral palsy on the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s webpage.

Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. is a Cerebral Palsy injury law firm located in Chicago, Illinois. For more information, please visit us at www.cerebralpalsyinjuries.com.

Categories
Divorce Law Finance

Divorced But Neither Wants the House: What to Do?

Divorce But Neither want the houseThe marital residence can prove to be one of the most controversial components of a modern divorce. While the majority of divorces in the past involved arguments regarding which party would be allowed to keep the house, that trend has begun to change as the unstable housing market continues to fluctuate in a consistently negative pattern. Now, with foreclosure looming on the horizon for many divorcing couples, the question of who gets the house has a different desired answer.

Why Wouldn’t You Want to Keep the House?

In many cases, according to The Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts, the amount of money owed on a house’s mortgage exceeds the actual value of the property, making it a liability instead of an asset. Unless the house holds specific emotional appeal or value, getting stuck with a payment on a residence that isn’t worth the money can be financially devastating for the party who receives it.

Many married couples decide to divorce due to a variety of irreconcilable differences and, therefore, find themselves in a position in which they are far less likely to come to an amicable solution for both ends. It is possible that vindictive or hurt feelings may fuel a desire to cause the other person inconvenience, emotional pain and financial hardship. In these cases, the inclusion of a qualified and experienced divorce attorney in early proceedings and division of assets is highly recommended. Your counselor will help mediate these periods of correspondence, ensuring that all steps of the process are completed accurately and fairly as according to your state’s laws and regulations.

It is in this type of case, in which neither party can foresee any type of cooperation in the future, that a foreclosure or short sale is selected as the best way to resolve the issue. If the house is sold at a loss as compared to its purchase value or current market value, the spouses are advised to share the costs of the loss and call the case closed. If an agreement such as this cannot be made, bankruptcy is an option and should be discussed in detail with an attorney with experience in the field.

Possible Solutions

If both members of the divorcing couple are adamant concerning the situation and neither one agrees to take on the financial responsibility of keeping the house, other agreements may be made that still count as advantages to both parties.

First, if both people involved in the divorce are willing to work with one another on reaching a positive and lucrative solution, they may consider renting the property to a third party and splitting the money that is paid for it. If the amount of monthly rent, utilities and other bills exceeds the amount needed to pay the house’s mortgage, the difference is split between the ex-spouses.

A second option involves one member of the divorcing couple to remain in the house while the other moves out. The person remaining in the house pays a predetermined amount each month to the spouse who has moved out to cover rent and any other bills associated with the property. In this case, both people tend to retain ownership of the house and are responsible for any paperwork required to sell it in the future, should the market improve.

Ginarte O’Dwyer Gonzalez Gallardo & Winograd, LLP is a personal injury and divorce law firm located in New York / New Jersey. For more information, please visit us at www.Ginarte.com.

Categories
Child Custody Children Divorce Law

Divorce: Is Your Child the One Suffering?

divorceGoing through a divorce is a stressful and upsetting time for a couple, but you have to keep in mind that this is an extremely stressful time for your children as well. Learning that their parents are splitting and that everything they know is about to change is daunting. Make sure your choice to divorce does not cause your child to suffer unnecessarily. Below are three tips to help your child manage a divorce healthily.

Be Conscious of What Will Upset Your Child

A divorce will probably result in a lifestyle change for your child, and a huge change in their daily routine can cause a child to feel stressed. Try to keep your child’s life as consistent as possible: keep them in the same school, surround them with their same friends, and make sure they keep up the same activities they’ve always loved. Maintaining a routine and schedule when another aspect of their life has become chaotic is integral.

It is also hugely important to make sure you keep heated and emotional debates between you and your partner to a minimum. Arguing, fighting, name-calling or any other nasty behavior does not need to be witnessed by your child. Even if the divorce was messy, remember that this person is still a parent to your child. Avoid blaming their parent, bad-mouthing their parent or fighting if your child can hear. At the end of the day, a child needs to know that both his parents are still in his life and still love him, regardless of the divorce.

Encourage Conversation With Your Child

Another way to ensure that your child manages a divorce the best they can and doesn’t suffer through it is to encourage them to voice their feelings and concerns. Initiate conversation with your child and talk about the changes they can expect to happen during the course of the divorce. Help them put their feelings into words, and listen to their response. It is important to let your child know that the way they are feeling is normal and that you respect their feelings.

If your child isn’t encouraged to speak about the divorce, this could have a negative impact on their behavior. Young children might have a change in appetite, their sleep patterns might be affected, or their behavior in school could be impacted. If your kids are older, they might take uncharacteristic risks. Letting your children speak will only help them emotionally.

Talk Care of Yourself and Learn to Manage Stress

The way you take care of yourself and manage the divorce will also affect your child. If you let the stress of custody and divorce paperwork get the better of you, you might fail to properly care for yourself. When you properly care for yourself and manage stress well, your child will learn how to handle stress and change in a healthy way. Get support if need be so that you can take care of yourself and your children.

Going through a divorce is always going to be a difficult time, but don’t make it unnecessarily difficult for your children. Follow these three tips to help your child healthily manage the new changes in their life. Your divorce shouldn’t result in your child suffering.

If you are going through a divorce, it is important to seek legal representation to mediate the situation and protect your child.  Charles R. Ullman & Associates, Attorneys at Law, are experienced divorce lawyers who can help you manage stress during this difficult time, ultimately shielding your child from the unhealthy effects.  For more information about this North Carolina divorce law firm and how they can help you, visit the website at  www.divorcelawnc.com .  

Categories
Family Law

Ensuring Optimal Nursing Home Care for Your Loved One

Elder CareTransitioning an elderly family member into a long-term care facility can be a stressful and emotional process. Doing your homework on where your family member will be residing will help you to make an informed decision on the best residence and care for your loved one. The most obvious concern of having a loved one in a nursing home is the potential for abuse.

According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), elder abuse is defined as any intentional abusive act or negligence by a caregiver or other trusted individual. There are many types of elder abuse including physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, and financial. The NCEA estimates that for every one case of elder abuse that is reported, at least five go unreported. In 2010, the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman investigated over 211,937 complaints.

In order to ensure the most comfortable and enjoyable experience for your family member while residing at a nursing home, consider the following as part of your planning.

Geographic Region-

How many nursing homes are available in your area? What will be the distance to travel for family members who will be visiting regularly? Of the nursing homes available, what are the differences and similarities between them?

Comparison-

Once you have a list of the possible care facilities, you should contact them to get specific information about their policies and procedures, and standards of operation (such as staffing levels and licensure).  The care facilities you’re considering will likely vary greatly in size. In what type of environment would your loved one feel most comfortable?  A visit to each facility you’re considering should be made. It may be best to schedule a visit ahead of time to ensure staff members are available to meet with you, to provide a tour, and to answer any questions you have. You may want to keep a notebook to write down questions you have prior to the visits and also to record the answers you receive. You can also use this checklist to assist you with recording the information.

There are many on-line tools you can use to find and compare nursing homes in your area.  Among them, the Nursing Home Compare tool is perhaps the most comprehensive. Upon searching each nursing home you’re considering, you will be provided with information about how that facility ranks in the areas of staffing, health inspections, and overall quality.

Insurance-

 What level of care will your insurance cover? Will there be out-of-pocket expenses associated? Be sure to get detailed information about the prices of all care facilities you’re considering. If planning for care for a loved one, you will need to assess his/her financial situation to determine that adequate funds are available if out-of-pocket expenses are expected.

Special Considerations-

Does your family member have any specific medical conditions that would require care above and beyond what is offered at the facilities you’re considering?  If so, make sure to inquire about their willingness and ability to make accommodations. Would there be extra costs associated with accommodations? For example, if your family member suffers from Alzheimer’s or has dementia; you may want to consider facilities that have some type of memory care unit.

What are your family members specific religious/spiritual needs? Are there services available to meet those needs? If not, can accommodations be made?

What level of family involvement is acceptable? Some facilities may have limited visiting hours or may only allow a certain number of visitors each week or day. Some families are able to have very regular contact and to be involved in the daily care of their family member. If so, make sure that level of involvement will be supported by the care team. On the other hand, if the family members are unable to be involved regularly due to geographic distance or other limitations, make sure that is communicated and supported as well.

If you or a loved one is the unfortunate victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, it is crucial to seek legal representation.  Hughes & Coleman is a nursing home neglect and injury law firm located in Kentucky. For more information visit the website www.NursingHomeNeglectlawyers.com.