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LegalShield Blog

Explore our blog for the latest news, advice, and more across the world of legal coverage.

Recent Articles

A seated man and woman negotiating a lease with a man as they review document.

How to Negotiate a Lease

The Big Question: Can You Negotiate a Lease? You’re a business owner looking for a bigger, more prominent place to run your business. Or maybe you want to open a store in a new location. Or perhaps you need a new car, but you don’t want to buy one outright. You’ve got...

A blended family of 7 sitting on the ground for a portrait.

Legal Tips for Blended Families

What is a blended family? When two partners with children of their own marry each other, they create a blended family. Blended families are becoming more and more common in the U.S. While these types of families can be just as stable as any other type of family, they...

Adoption

Adopted child playing with father

What is the Process to Adopt a Child?

Legally Adopting a Child Understanding the legal process to adopt a child can help you make important choices about your options. The legal process and related costs to adopt varies depending on the type of adoption, state law, and a number of other factors....

Family with an adopted child taking a photo while sitting on sofa

What Are Adoptive Parents Rights & Responsibilities?

What Are Adoptive Parents' Rights? Adopting parents will assume the same legal rights as birth parents when the adoption is finalized. The adopted child will be seen as the biological child of the adoptive parents in the eyes of the law. As such, it’s essential to...

Woman with small daughter and pet Yorkie dog reviewing her Last Testament & Will

Thinking About Adoption? 3 Things To Consider

1. What are the most common legal obstacles to the adoption process? Birth parents and consent Seeking to adopt a baby can potentially present complications for adoptive parents. Sometimes a birth parent will change their mind and challenge an adoption. Most states...

Banking

Businessman mentoring his younger colleague about debt

Take Action Now to Reduce Your Debt

When bills and collection notices pile up they begin to feel insurmountable. If you are struggling with debt, know that you are not alone; millions of people in the U.S. and Canada are also struggling with debt. Renowned figures like Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson,...

Group of college students talking and studying

Student Loans: 10 Things You Need to Know

As the cost of higher education continues to rise many students require financial assistance to pay for school. For many students, a significant portion of their financial aid consists of student loans. Both students and potential co-borrowers need to understand the...

Billing Disputes

Couple discussing & distraught over a surprise medical bill

The No Surprises Act: What You Should Know

The No Surprises Act targets medical bill surprises If you’re like most Americans, “invoice” is probably your least favorite word. “Surprise invoice,” though, is on a whole different level of nightmare. If you haven’t experienced it yourself, you’ve probably at least...

Collage of people looking stressed due to the rising cost of groceries and other necessities

5 Tips for Managing Your Money During Inflation

This year, rising prices have cost consumers their confidence in the economy. As we have all witnessed at the gas station and grocery store, prices are skyrocketing due to inflation. In fact, prices jumped in November to 6.8% over the previous year, according to the...

Child Custody

Woman and child in garden

Co-Parents: 6 Tips to Share Child Custody this Summer

Co-parenting during the summer It’s officially summer, and in addition to the freedom of wearing bright colors and white pants again, families have the freedom to spend more quality time together with the school year out of the way. Cue family vacations, s’more...

Parents and two daughters cooking dinner at kitchen stove

How Are Child Custody Arrangements Made?

Best Interests of the Child Child custody arrangements are usually made through a court-approved agreement, or through court orders following a hearing or trial. Child custody arrangements or parenting plans are legal documents that are either approved or mandated by...

Child Custody, Divorce, Family Law, Minors

Civil Litigation

A judge's gavel in court

Depp v Heard Trial: What is Defamation?

Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard trial, explained It seems like all of America is tuning in to watch Johnny Depp and Amber Heard battle it out in a defamation trial to uncover the truth of abuse in their year-long marriage. While a lot has happened since the beginning of...

Judge using his gavel while sitting on the bench in a courtroom

Understanding the Small Claims Court Process in 5 Steps

It’s an unfortunate fact of life that sometimes, people don’t pay you what they owe. This, obviously, applies to so many situations, from late rent to contractually owed amounts to money owed for work done. There’s a perfect venue for such disputes, especially if the...

Female employee looking at social media on her smartphone

Lawyers Warn Employees: Take Caution on Social Media

The impact of social media Newsflash: We live in an increasingly online world. Nowadays, we can communicate, get things done, take photos and videos, entertain ourselves, and do business all within the palm of our hands. When a thought or opinion comes to mind that we...

Consumer Finance

Happy bride and groom on their wedding day

What Do You Need a Wedding Contract For?

You and your partner have decided to tie the knot! You feel like you’re floating as you begin the process of finding the perfect venue and vendors for your wedding day. From location and clothing to food and music, you know everything is going to be perfect. But soon,...

Bride-to-be wearing a veil wondering if she needs wedding insurance

What Is Wedding Insurance? Why Do You Need It?

Picture this: You’ve rented a beautiful venue for the wedding of your dreams. You arrive the day before your wedding to decorate and make it perfect. But you discover that the kitchen flooded overnight! You bring in some fans and try to make do. Later that same day, a...

Coronavirus

Coronavirus, Small Business

Divorce

Stressed man sitting down as a woman holding a young child look on in a house being packed for a move.

7 Tips When Going Through Divorce

The pandemic has taken a toll on marriages It’s no secret that since the pandemic began in 2020, the world has taken on a lot of stress. Much of that tension falls on relationships and marriages, and there has been an uptick in divorces in recent years. In fact,...

Divorce definition in dictionary next to 2 wedding rings

What You Need to Know About Divorce

Getting a Divorce The reasons for divorce vary widely. While a married couple and their children may be better off after a divorce than before, the unfortunate fact is that all parties lose something. Here are several important issues to review if you are considering...

Employee Rights

An image of a scale and various other legal logos surrounding it.

Your Guide to Employee Rights

When it comes to work, everyone expects to be treated fairly and enjoy the work they’ve been hired to do. But unfortunately, many Americans are subject to cruel and illegal treatment by their employers. Whether it’s wrongful termination or sexual harassment, or many...

An image of a large hand throwing a man out of a room.

Wrongful Termination: What is it?

Employees are sometimes wrongfully terminated from their jobs. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as discrimination, retaliation, or simply because the employer wants to get rid of the employee. If you have been wrongfully fired from your job, there are a...

An image of a doctor pointing to a clipboard, surrounded by drug testing equipment.

Random Drug Testing at Work. What are Your Rights?

It's no secret that random drug testing is becoming increasingly common in workplaces across the United States. Since federal laws mandated employer-issued drug guidelines in 1988, companies across the country have rushed into compliance. But what are your rights when...

Estate Planning

baby birth certificate

4 Reasons Expecting Parents Need an Estate Plan

Did you know that August is National Make a Will Month? Having an estate plan is so important, and in this article, we’re diving deeper into why it’s a good idea for expecting parents to set up a Will before their child is born. Experts recommend creating an estate...

Family Law

A blended family of 7 sitting on the ground for a portrait.

Legal Tips for Blended Families

What is a blended family? When two partners with children of their own marry each other, they create a blended family. Blended families are becoming more and more common in the U.S. While these types of families can be just as stable as any other type of family, they...

Happy couple engaged to be married talking to a prenup lawyer

What Is a Prenup? (And Do You Need One?)

If you are considering marriage, you have probably heard about a prenup by now. Perhaps you are trying to decide if it is a good choice for you and your future partner. This means you have questions: What is a prenup? What does it do? How do you get a prenup? How much...

Mother holding her child as she looks at mobile phone and smiles.

Yes, You Can Change Your Last Name Without Getting Married

“What’s in a name?” The answer is: a lot! Our names are a major part of our identities and follow us wherever we go. Reasons for a name change other than marriage The reality is, that you may want to change your given name for a variety of non-marriage-related reasons...

Family Law, Home Buying, Home Selling, Small Business

Family Law, Minors

Mother with daughter talking about cyberbullying

Legal Responses & Consequences of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying has become an all-too-common event in daily life. The Pew Research Center tells us that 66% of all Americans have witnessed online harassment, while 41% have experienced it themselves. Who are the bullies? They can be your classmates, co-workers or...

Highschool students listening to their teacher in a classroom

If Your Child is Being Bullied, School Policy Can Help

Since 1999, every state has passed laws to address the problem of school bullying. Public awareness about bullying and the harm it causes has increased, and many school districts have adopted anti-bullying policies. Yet, bullying has become an even greater problem. To...

Guardianship

Young child hugging older woman who serves as child' guardian

Types of Guardianship & What Will Work for You

Seeking guardianship for a loved one is a request to the court for decision-making power about where they will live, the medical care they will receive, or how they will handle their finances. Choosing a guardian itself is difficult, and sometimes an emotional...

Woman helping an older mature woman use a laptop

The Purpose of Legal Guardianship and When It Is Needed

Sometimes, a loved one is unable to take care of their own physical and financial needs. Legal guardianship is established when a person petitions their local court to allow them to act on behalf of a loved one who cannot make decisions on their own, and usually...

Happy guardian of young girl

How to Obtain Legal Guardianship

Family courts assign legal guardianship for minor children under the provisions set by state laws. There are several situations that may prompt parents to appoint a legal guardian for their children. In some cases, a parent may suffer from an illness or disability. In...

Home Buying

Realtor showing a home to a young couple

What to Look out for When Buying a Home

How to Avoid Home Buying Missteps Trying to buy a home is exciting and a little bit terrifying, and possibly overwhelming for those unprepared for the work and the details. If you’re new to the home-buying process or just unfamiliar with what’s involved, it can be...

Home Selling

Realtor showing home to potential home buyers

How to Start the Legal Process of Selling Your House

Selling a home, just like buying one, is among the largest financial transactions you will undertake. It can also be the most stressful, given that you’re dealing with relocation at the same time. To help make it all go a bit easier, here are the 10 essential steps to...

Homeowner talking to potential home buyers or renters

9 Reasons to Use a Real Estate Attorney to Sell Your House

Many homebuyers find themselves asking, “Do I need a lawyer to sell my house?” While hiring a real estate attorney to help you navigate the home-selling process may seem like a luxury, and an expensive one at that, it may be essential. In fact, many states require...

Mother & father playing with son in moving boxes

What is the Best Time of Year to Move?

Not all of us have the luxury of choosing when to move, but if you’re undecided on your moving date, there are many perks to moving in different seasons.  You’re close to setting a moving date and you know your basic moving costs and you’re getting ready to pack up....

Identity Theft

Woman getting ready to use her credit card number while shopping online

Protect Yourself from Cyber Monday Scams

Cyber Monday has surpassed Black Friday as the biggest shopping day of the year in the United States. As a result, online shopping scams and legal disputes have greatly increased. It is important to do your homework and protect your holiday shopping budget from...

Landlord/Tenant

A seated man and woman negotiating a lease with a man as they review document.

How to Negotiate a Lease

The Big Question: Can You Negotiate a Lease? You’re a business owner looking for a bigger, more prominent place to run your business. Or maybe you want to open a store in a new location. Or perhaps you need a new car, but you don’t want to buy one outright. You’ve got...

Two people on couch holding a gay pride rainbow flag

LGBTQ: What to Do if You’re Denied Housing

Home. It isn’t just a roof over your head—it provides you with a place to center yourself and leave each morning and return to each evening. If it’s a happy one, it’s filled with memories and items that bring you joy. If it’s a safe one, it brings you belonging,...

4 roommates discussing their lease

9 Tips for Landlords Leasing to Multiple Tenants

Renting a single-family home to multiple tenants has become increasingly popular, especially in college towns and neighborhoods with a high cost of living. The tenants save money, and the landlords can walk away with considerably more income than they would from a...

Living Will

Young loving couple standing close

The Importance of a Living Will

What is a Living Will? A Living Will is an important health care document in estate planning as it provides clear and unambiguous directions of a person’s healthcare wishes at a time when they cannot speak for themselves. It avoids uncertainty when emotions are...

Young couple looking at a Living Will document in their kitchen

How to Cancel a Living Will

A Living Will is a vital component in your estate-planning efforts. As important as writing a Living Will, is knowing how and when it is effective, who can change it, and who can revoke it. A Living Will, also known as an advance directive, is a document that guides...

Marriage

Happy bride and groom on their wedding day

What Do You Need a Wedding Contract For?

You and your partner have decided to tie the knot! You feel like you’re floating as you begin the process of finding the perfect venue and vendors for your wedding day. From location and clothing to food and music, you know everything is going to be perfect. But soon,...

Bride-to-be wearing a veil wondering if she needs wedding insurance

What Is Wedding Insurance? Why Do You Need It?

Picture this: You’ve rented a beautiful venue for the wedding of your dreams. You arrive the day before your wedding to decorate and make it perfect. But you discover that the kitchen flooded overnight! You bring in some fans and try to make do. Later that same day, a...

Happy couple engaged to be married talking to a prenup lawyer

What Is a Prenup? (And Do You Need One?)

If you are considering marriage, you have probably heard about a prenup by now. Perhaps you are trying to decide if it is a good choice for you and your future partner. This means you have questions: What is a prenup? What does it do? How do you get a prenup? How much...

Member Benefits

Is That Even Legal Podcast with Attorney Bob Sewell

The Future of Legal Services: Lawyers by Subscription?

Interview with LegalShield CEO Warren Schlichting on the Is That Even Legal? Podcast   “The law impacts almost everything we do, several times a day. Sometimes we break the law and don’t even know it! Attorney Bob Sewell explores what is legal in today’s society...

Minors

students in classroom raising hands

Back to School: Everything Parents Need to Know This Year

COVID-19 and back to school 2022 Backpacks, check. School supplies, check. But what else do you need to cross off to make sure your child is prepared for a safe and healthy school year? Over the past few years, the pandemic has changed a lot within schools, and...

Woman petting dog on porch

Animal Protection: How to Give Justice to Pets in Need

A viral video has shocked and upset pet lovers online Recently, a hard-to-watch video has surfaced online revealing a man beating his dog in the back seat of his car outside a gas station in South Ft. Meyers, Florida. The Lee County Sherriff’s office filed a civil...

A woman using a cell phone in the dark. Her fingernails are painted bright red.

Cyberbullying on Social Media: 5 Tips for Prevention

Hailey Bieber begged people to stop cyberbullying her In a recent post, Hailey Bieber pleaded for cyber trolls to stop bullying her on social media, saying, “I beg of you, truly…I’m minding my business, I don’t do anything, I don’t say anything.” It’s no secret that...

Real Estate

Couple in their kitchen working on their digital real estate business

What is Digital Real Estate & How Does it Work?

Everything you need to know about the wide world of digital real estate Most of us have heard of real estate before. It’s a parcel of land that you can own, as well as the structures and natural resources that come with it. So, what is digital real estate? It is the...

6 kids in Halloween costumes getting candy from a woman on her doorstep.

7 Legal Tips for Real Halloween Scares

Be forewarned: on the night of October 31, you’ll have witches, werewolves, vampires—all manner of monsters banging down your door. Then, again, most won’t be older than nine and can be easily pacified with candy. Yes, Halloween is here, giving kids of all ages a...

Quitclaim Deed laying on desk next to eyeglasses and a coffee cup

Can You be Removed from a Deed Without Consent?

Can you remove someone from a deed? The general answer is yes—but you need the person’s permission. However, there are certain situations where you can remove someone from a deed without their authorization. Whether you have the person’s consent or not, you should...

Small Business

Smiling small business owner standing outside her Piece of Cake Bakery

Celebrate Small Business Week 2023

At LegalShield, we support entrepreneurs every day, but we’re particularly excited about Small Business Week 2023 from April 30 – May 6. Small business owners and communities across the country are invited to participate in National Small Business Week and support the...

Couple in their kitchen working on their digital real estate business

What is Digital Real Estate & How Does it Work?

Everything you need to know about the wide world of digital real estate Most of us have heard of real estate before. It’s a parcel of land that you can own, as well as the structures and natural resources that come with it. So, what is digital real estate? It is the...

A small business owner stressed while filing his business taxes

How to File Your Own Small Business Taxes

Filing taxes as a small business You are a hard-working business owner. You probably have deadlines to meet, employees to work with, rent to pay, and a hundred other things to think about on a daily basis. Tax season can creep up on even the most detailed business...

Small Business Debt Collection

Business woman working at home kitchen table on financials

Small Business Debt Collection Options

Small Business Debt Collection Seeking outside help is often the last resort for those looking to resolve an issue in their business. In the case of debt collection, hiring an attorney, or working with a debt collection agency may seem to defeat the purpose of what...

Small Claims Court judge's gavel & Scales of Justice

Debt Collection in Small Claims Court

Debt collection is one of the most common legal issues faced by small business owners. In addition to the effect unpaid invoices have on your bottom line, debt collection can be stressful and time-consuming. Your LegalShield provider law firm is ready to help by...

Taxes

New parents with a small baby reviewing their need to file a tax extension

How to File a Tax Extension

Taxes, taxes, taxes. Around this time of year, taxes seem to be all you can think about. But even if they are constantly on your mind, it’s easy to miss the window when you are supposed to file the paperwork. What happens if you miss the deadline to file your tax...

Mom laughing and playing with son on the couch

Will Child Tax Credit Payments Continue in 2023?

Here's what parents need to know Taxes can be confusing enough, but if you are a parent, tax season can bring up an entirely new batch of questions. What is the Child Tax Credit? Will payments continue in 2023? Do you qualify? How much can you claim for each of your...

Traffic Violations

Man looking at camera driving car

8 Tips for Rideshare Drivers to Protect Themselves

Passenger attacked driver over canceled rideshare A rideshare driver captured a disturbing video on his dashcam while driving one March night in southern Los Angeles – after arguing about a canceled ride, his passenger repeatedly attacked him. The driver received a...

Uncategorized

Woman sitting on couch scrolling on a phone

5 Things Elon Musk May Tweak on Twitter

Less censorship on Twitter It’s official: Elon Musk is buying Twitter for $44 billion in order to preserve free speech and limit censorship on the platform. Censorship is defined as “the suppression of any parts of books, films, news, etc., that are considered...

Black & white photo of a group of photographers

Photographic Privacy: Can You Take That Picture?

In the age of the internet and all things public, it might feel like your right to snap photos anytime is absolute. But is it? Let’s take a look issues surrounding privacy in regards to photography and videography. Intrusion Upon Seclusion Contrary to what popular...

Young, happy parents relaxing on a bed with 2 young children

Protect Yourself with 2016’s Top Legal Tips

Each year 57 million Americans experience some type of legal event. These events range from creating a Will to dealing with a speeding ticket. Understanding the nature of these issues will help you avoid problems and handle whatever comes your way. The following tips...

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