Posted on December 20, 2019 in Immigration

Many people all over the world have hopes and dreams of becoming a U.S. citizen. They may want to flee their homelands because of religious persecution there or to obtain a better education or career path here. In some extreme cases, foreign nationals are desperate to escape a dangerous situation. If the proper legal steps are not taken to lawfully enter the United States, criminal charges can result. For example, falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen can carry significant consequences.

Penalties for False Claims of Citizenship

Falsely claiming citizenship is a serious offense in the United States. The most common wrongful claims to citizenship occur in the below scenarios:

• Registering to vote in a local, state, or federal election if prohibited from doing so
• Checking “U.S. citizen” on an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form
• Claiming to be a U.S. citizen on a student loan application

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 Posted on December 18, 2019 in Personal Injury

The moments immediately after a car accident can be stressful and confusing. You may not know exactly what happened or what you should do next. One of the first things you should do is assess yourself and any of your passengers for obvious injuries and call 911 if anyone needs immediate medical attention. Next, you should call the police. Some people may think that calling the police after a traffic accident is unnecessary if the injuries or damages are seemingly minor, but there are a number of reasons why you should always call the police following a collision.

Damages to Your Vehicle Could Be Extensive

You can never be certain of the extent of the damages to your vehicle upon first glance. Even if no paint is chipped and no parts are visibly broken, your vehicle could still have suffered damage that could be expensive to repair. Even a minor accident could damage the body of the vehicle or any of the complex sensors in newer vehicles. If you did not call the police to the scene of the accident, you may be unable to establish fault for the collision, it may be difficult to get insurance companies to cover the costs of repairs.

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 Posted on December 17, 2019 in Family Law

A vast number of studies and a seemingly endless sea of family psychology experts assert that money is one of the biggest points of conflict in marriages, and it is often a root cause of divorce. Experts say that if you are not careful, financial difficulties throughout the course of your relationship can ultimately lead to the end of your marriage, and these difficulties have the power to severely divide a couple and bring forth residual waves of resentment that linger long after the marriage is over.

Financial Troubles That Often Cause Divorce

A resounding opinion from many marriage experts is that the key is that spouses should assess and discuss each other’s attitude about money in the very beginning stages of a relationship, in order to prevent bigger problems down the road. For some couples, however, it is too late for that initial discussion, and they are forced to deal with the damage after it happens. Whether you are in the beginning stages of your marriage and wish to avoid money-related drama down the road or have been married for years and are just now realizing the major financial flaws in your relationship, chances are one of the following common financial areas is responsible for the conflict:

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 Posted on December 13, 2019 in Immigration

Not all members of the same family are born in the same country. In many cases, parents choose to immigrate to the United States from another country as a way of escaping religious persecution and to provide their family with new opportunities and a better life. Many of these immigrants come to our country for employment through work visas or permits. Recently, however, the Trump administration released a proposal to restrict the number of work permits given to asylum seekers.

What Is a U.S. Work Permit?

A work permit is a photo identity card issued by USCIS. It is also called an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The EAD looks similar to a U.S. driver’s license. Those immigrants who possess an EAD can show it to prospective employers as proof of their right to work in the country for a specified amount of time. The other documents that allow an alien to work in the United States include a Green Card, also known as a Permanent Residence Card, or an Employment-based Visa. Every employer in the United States must request proof of a new employee’s immigration status or right to work. Companies that violate this rule can face repercussions.

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 Posted on December 09, 2019 in Family Law

Facing an impending divorce can raise multiple concerns for both parties, especially when special circumstances arise that can further complicate the process. Arguments over parenting time or the inability to agree on other crucial issues, such as property division and alimony, are just a few examples of problems that often surface between a divorcing couple. Financial matters, in particular, are a major landmine for many separating spouses, as months or years of shared investments, purchases, and accounts have accumulated and must now be divided. Monetary concerns do not necessarily have to increase the tension between you and your spouse, however. Preparation is key to sorting out financial decisions during your divorce.

Creating a Foundation for Financial Negotiations

Even if you have not had the time to take stock of your finances before pursuing a divorce, there are still plenty of steps you can take that can provide a clearer picture of what you are working with, what your challenges will be moving forward, and how you can stay organized throughout the divorce process. The following tips can help tackle monetary issues that may be associated with your divorce:

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 Posted on December 06, 2019 in Personal Injury

Driving can be a difficult task that requires a good deal of multi-tasking, and despite popular beliefs, humans are actually not very good at doing more than one thing at once. Nevertheless, most Americans will drive a vehicle at some point in their lives. Although operating a car or truck can be difficult at first, it will become second nature once a driver spends enough time behind the wheel. However, drivers can also become so accustomed to the act of driving that they do not pay full attention to what is happening on the road around them, and serious car accidents can occur as a result. While lane change or merging accidents may not be the most serious types of collisions, they can cause significant property damage and injuries, and if you have been involved in this type of accident, you should be sure to work with an attorney to determine how to recover financial compensation.

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 Posted on December 06, 2019 in Immigration

The topic of immigration can be confusing, especially with all the terms associated with the legal process. Under U.S. immigration law, DACA stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. DACA is a policy that allows certain people who are in the United States unlawfully (after coming to the country as children) to receive a renewable two-year period to defer deportation and become eligible for a U.S. work permit. The current administration announced the rescission of DACA in 2017. However, some illegal aliens are still able to renew their applications through federal court orders that have allowed USCIS to resume accepting requests. It is important to note that USCIS will not accept requests from individuals who have never before been granted deferment under DACA.

Who Is Eligible for DACA?

DACA began under the Obama administration in 2012. Individuals who meet the following criteria can apply for DACA:

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 Posted on November 29, 2019 in Immigration

Immigration issues have been in the news over the past few years, specifically tensions at the U.S. - Mexico border. However, there are many aspects to how the immigration process works. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that administers our country’s naturalization and immigration system. The U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a bureau of the DHS that targets illegal immigrants, particularly those who promote terrorism and other criminal activities. In some cases, foreigners may enter our country illegally without following the proper procedures. When illegal immigrants are detained by ICE, they are given a Notice to Appear (NTA) as part of the deportation/removal process and officials decide whether to set or deny an immigration bond .

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 Posted on November 29, 2019 in Personal Injury

Obtaining a driver’s license is a rite of passage for many teens in the United States. Although teenagers are often eager to get behind the wheel, they may pose a significant danger to both themselves as well as other motorists and pedestrians. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 3,255 teen drivers involved in fatal car crashes in 2017. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claims that car crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers. Why is it that teen drivers are more susceptible to car accidents?

Inexperience on the Road

Teenagers do not have years of driving experience like most adult motorists do. Even after they have earned their driver’s license, teen drivers are still learning the rules of the road and how to react to certain driving conditions. For example, a teenage motorist may not know how to handle his or her car in heavy traffic or during a snowstorm. Due to their lack of knowledge and understanding, teenagers may be at a higher risk for auto accidents and injuries.

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 Posted on November 29, 2019 in Family Law

Predicting the types of conflicts you may experience throughout your divorce process can be difficult, if not impossible. Sometimes, you do not know trouble is brewing until a particular issue is discussed and suddenly spawns an argument that seems unmanageable. Many couples experience nothing but smooth sailing during the first stages of divorce, only to find later that buried tensions have morphed into a series of toxic interactions. Whether you have been fortunate enough to have an amicable separation thus far or are dealing with a contentious divorce, exploring mediation as a tool to help achieve a peaceful dissolution of marriage can be beneficial for both parties.

Conflicts That Can Be Better Resolved With Mediation

Divorce stirs up an array of emotions for everyone involved, often triggering irrational exchanges and heated responses between both parties. If tension starts to build or conversations cannot be conducted civilly, mediation may be the best resolution. Utilizing a trained professional to negotiate the terms of your divorce can help reduce stress, allowing you to reach an agreement that both parties can be satisfied with. Some common points of dispute that can be resolved with the help of a mediator include:

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