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LegalShield Blog
Explore our blog for the latest news, advice, and more across the world of legal coverage.
Recent Articles
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...
4 Tips to Navigate Inflation During Back-to-School Shopping
School is officially back in session or just around the corner for many American students, and families are feeling the stressful surge of inflation as they head to big retailers for pencils, backpacks, and other classroom needs. According to a national survey from...
How to Change Your Child’s Last Name
You might want to change your child’s last name for a number of reasons. For example, you or your spouse may have kids from a previous marriage, and you’d like them to have the new spouse’s last name. Or maybe your child’s biological parents did not raise them, and...
Adoption
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....
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...
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
The Student Loan Forgiveness Program is Changing. Here’s Why It’s Critical to Understand the New Eligibility Rules
What is Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), and what's the problem? Congress created the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Progam (PSLF) in 2007 to encourage more college grads to pursue jobs in public service. The promise: If employees of governments or nonprofits...
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,...
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
New Law Prevents Medical Bill Surprises—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...
Real Estate Developer Will Begin Accepting Crypto for Property Payments. What Do You Need to Know About Digital Currencies?
A real estate development company will start accepting digital currency for properties. By this point, you’ve probably heard at least a bit of the stir around currencies like Bitcoin, Dogecoin and other cryptocurrencies (cryptos). After a breakthrough in 2021 of this...
As Inflation Surges, So Does the Stress Level of Americans. Follow These 5 Tips to Better Manage Your Money
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
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...
A Separation Doesn’t Have to Leave Families Divided. How to Peacefully Negotiate Child Visitation Over the Holidays
Most people don’t go into a marriage thinking they will later separate or divorce. But life happens; people change and sometimes they don’t change at all. For many newly single parents, the holidays can be a painful reminder of the difficult emotions and circumstances...
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
When is it Time to Revisit a Child Support Arrangement?
When parents separate, child support agreements are often put in place to ensure that children (and their custodial parent) have the financial resources they need for food, clothing, education, healthcare, and all of the other expenses that come with raising a child....
Civil Litigation
Depp v. Heard Trial: What is Defamation? What You Should Know
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...
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...
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...
Coronavirus
Omicron is Causing Mass Worker Shortages. What Should Business Owners Do When They’re Short Staffed?
"I tested positive for COVID-19, so I can't come to work today." Millions of Americans have tested positive for Omicron, the latest COVID-19 strain, and businesses industry-wide are facing the consequences. With so many staff members out sick and workloads continuing...
Southwest Airlines Employee Got Punched by a Passenger. Before You Head Home for the Holidays, Do You Know Your Travel Rights?
A Southwest Airlines flier punched an employee, and this is not the first unruly traveler of 2021. When you pack up your briefcase and get ready for work, you would never expect to get there and get punched in the face – right? For many airline employees, however,...
“I Quit”: Millions of Americans Are Leaving Their Jobs Due to Employment Rights. Here’s Why
Over the past several months, millions have decided to quit their jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 4 million Americans quit their job in July. This trend is nothing new – these numbers started soaring over the spring and have been consistent...
Coronavirus, Small Business
Can I Require My Small Business Employees to be Vaccinated Against COVID-19?
Navigating the pandemic has been difficult for all, particularly small businesses. Supply chain issues, travel restrictions, and a labor shortage have hampered companies of all sizes. Some businesses that proactively implemented mandatory vaccination policies have...
Divorce
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,...
Bill and Melinda Gates Are Divorcing with No Prenup—Why Having an Exit Plan is Critical
After 27 years of marriage, Bill and Melinda Gates are getting divorced. And while that news is massive in its own right, we’re more concerned with the legal aftermath of the mess because this couple, one of the wealthiest in the world, does not have a prenuptial...
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...
Estate Planning
5 Potential Risks of Passing Without a Will
Actor Chadwick Boseman passed without a Will Beloved actor Chadwick Boseman, AKA the star of Black Panther, has passed away after a battle to colon cancer. Due to the unpredictable nature of his death, Boseman died without a Will, leaving the court to decide who will...
5 Rights Beneficiaries of a Trust Have
You may be asking yourself, what is a Trust? Trusts and Wills clearly spell out the rights of beneficiaries and responsibilities of legal guardians or executors of estates. As a beneficiary, it is important to thoroughly understand and be aware of the rights you have...
Types of Wills—Which is Right for You?
When it comes to estate and end-of-life care planning, there are a lot of different types of Wills that you can choose from. It can be confusing trying to figure out which one is right for you. Still, choosing the right Will can impact your well-being, estate,...
Family Law
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...
How to Change Your Child’s Last Name
You might want to change your child’s last name for a number of reasons. For example, you or your spouse may have kids from a previous marriage, and you’d like them to have the new spouse’s last name. Or maybe your child’s biological parents did not raise them, and...
5 Travel Tips for Separated or Divorced Co-Parents
It’s the last leg of the summer before school starts up again, and for many families, this means it’s time to start packing for that long-awaited vacation! When you’re co-parenting during the summer, though, preparing for a trip with the kids is a bit more extensive....
Family Law, Home Buying, Home Selling, Small Business
As Pandemic Relief Programs Expire, Should You Be Concerned About the Economy? Here’s What You Need to Know
LegalShield data show overall consumer stress remains muted. Despite economic challenges faced by American consumers, the LegalShield Economic Stress Index shows overall consumer stress remains at bay as we enter the fourth quarter of another pandemic year. While the...
Family Law, Minors
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...
Paris Hilton Urges Reform of Youth Congregate Care Facilities. Here's What Parents of Teens Need to Know
Paris Hilton recently urged lawmakers on Capitol Hill to reform young congregate care facilities in the U.S. You may know of Paris Hilton – but do you know her whole story? Until she recently shared her personal traumatic experiences during her teen years,...
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
The Different Types of Guardianship
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...
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...
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
Is Your Home Sturdy & Safe? 4 Tips to Avoid Red Flags in Your HOA Contract
On June 24, 2021, tragedy struck at the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida. Families and individuals in Surfside, Florida are mourning the tragic loss of many residents of a condo building in Florida that tragically collapsed on the night of June 24....
Home Buyers Beware: A Fort Worth Family Lost Their Home Due to a Contract Loophole. Why It’s Important to Read the Fine Print
After Building their Dream Home, a Fort Worth Family Got the Rug Pulled Out From Under Them Every home buyer’s worst nightmare: Spending time and energy into building your dream home only for something to go terribly wrong with the deal in the end. That’s exactly what...
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
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 ten essential steps...
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...
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
States are Taking Action on Privacy in 2022. Here’s What to Look Out For
In 2022, State Lawmakers are Committed to Focusing on Privacy Over the years, federal lawmakers have slowly crept to pass new rules for the tech industry, but no noticeable improvement has been made. This year, states vow to plow forward in tackling key privacy...
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...
9 Tips for Safe and Secure Holiday Shopping
Tis' the season for shopping and retailers big and small are enticing customers with their best deals of the year. According to TIME, this year also represented an important shift: sales in brick-and-mortar stores on Black Friday dropped from $11.6 billion to $10.4...
Landlord-Tenant
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,...
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...
Who Needs to Sign a Lease?
As real estate prices continue to soar, more and more Americans are forced to rent. This means, of course, signing a lease. This is not as simple as it sounds, especially when there are multiple occupants in a single property. So, for the protection of landlords and...
Living Will
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...
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
Do Prenuptial Agreements Hold Up in Court?
Nothing says 'romance' like negotiating a prenuptial agreement in the months leading up to your wedding, right? But, as awkward as it may seem, negotiating a prenuptial agreement with your future spouse is practical and a good idea, particularly if one spouse has more...
Signing a Prenup? Here are 14 Things to Consider
Planning for a wedding and divorce at the same time might feel like you’re setting yourself up for failure. However, financial experts will tell you getting a prenup can strengthen a marriage by getting future spouses to agree on essential money matters ahead of time,...
How Much Does a Prenup Cost?
In 2020, 45.1% of U.S. marriages ended in divorce, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is not a statistic couples want to consider on their wedding day, but if they wind up in divorce court, they may wish they had signed a prenup...
Member Benefits
LGBTQ: How to Celebrate Pride Parades Safely
Happy Pride Month! Every June, millions showcase their rainbow flags and clothing and gather in the streets to celebrate the "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer" (LGBTQ) community. Pride Month began to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, which...
The Fight for Justice: Celebrating Juneteenth with LegalShield
Happy Juneteenth! Let freedom ring! Juneteenth is officially a federal holiday, and there are multiple ways to pause, reflect, get educated and celebrate this holiday and its significant impact on African American history. Do you know what the holiday is and how it...
The Legislative History of Juneteenth
Juneteenth was established as a federal holiday in 2021 After years of efforts made by activists and Congress members to recognize Juneteenth as a national holiday, it finally became official in 2021: Juneteenth is a federal holiday! This momentous day represents the...
Minors
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...
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...
Lawmakers Change Rules About Fentanyl Test Strips—Here’s Why
The number of deaths from accidental drug overdoses on synthetic opioids like fentanyl has skyrocketed over the pandemic, and lawmakers in states like Wisconsin are changing laws to prevent more from happening. Their solution? To Decriminalize fentanyl testing strips....
Small Business
Does an Operating Agreement Need to be Notarized?
An operating agreement, one of an LLC’s (limited liability company) most important legal documents, should be one of the first documents you create when you form your LLC. So, does an operating agreement need to be notarized? Drumroll please . . . the answer is: no!...
5 Steps to Write an Operating Agreement
As a business owner, it’s important to create a document that will serve as a list of rules by which your business will run. This is what an operating agreement is for. By creating an operating agreement, you’re crafting a document that states in no uncertain terms...
Top 10 Tips for Small Business Week 2022
At LegalShield, we celebrate entrepreneurs every week, but we're particularly excited for Small Business Week 2022 from May 1-7. This year, the theme is Building a Better America through Entrepreneurship, in honor of the pivotal role small business owners have played...
SMB Debt Collection
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...
How to Collect Money Owed to a Small Business
Seeking Late Payments If you are a small business owner seeking payment from an overdue account or unpaid invoice, you may be left wondering how to get paid. You’re entitled to the money but could be unsure what steps you can take or just how far you can press things....
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
How to Prepare Your Post-Tax Filing Checklist in 6 Steps
Tax filing season—everyone’s favorite time of the year! This year, try to make your life easier in the future by better preparing for filing season with this post-tax filing checklist. Use this IRS checklist for filing taxes to help you get ready early, protect...
Hiring a Tax Attorney? Here are 5 Legal Questions to Ask in the Interview
Even the coolest of cucumbers break into a sweat when the taxman comes a-knocking. Dealing with unresolved tax issues can be stressful and mistakes can be made by even the most well-intentioned people. Any mistake, no matter how small, can come back to haunt you. And...
Understanding Your Rights as a Taxpayer During an IRS Audit
Nobody likes paying taxes. Chances are, you get a little nervous when you think about the upcoming tax season. Maybe you’re worried that your math will come out wrong. Perhaps you’re confused about whether the tools for your freelance job count as business expenses or...
Traffic Violations
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...
7 Important Tips to Remember if You Receive a Traffic Ticket
Let’s face it, we’re all human, which means we can all make mistakes while driving. We may inadvertently speed, roll through a stop sign, or pick up that phone call from a family member. Getting pulled over by a police officer and being issued a ticket can not only be...
What Are Your Rights if Police Ask to Search Your Car?
The panic of being pulled over Have you been driving and suddenly felt the spine-chilling panic of seeing blue and red flashing lights in your rearview? If you’re like most people, you know all too well how scary it can feel to be pulled over by the police, even when...
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