Frequently Asked Questions
Please call our office if you have further questions about a specific situation or need more information.
No. There are many other lawyers who can assist you with this type of case.
Primary areas of practice include:
- Criminal defense
- Felony charges
- Limited liability company (LLC) formation
- Personal injury
- Real estate consultation
- Traffic matters, tickets, car accidents and DWI
- Transactions and contracts
- Wills, trusts and estate planning
- Wrongful death and medical malpractice
On January 1, 2018 changes were made about getting things “off your record”. However, the process may not completely erase your record. You can get a first DWI conviction (after 10 years) taken off of your record under some circumstances.
It might or it might not. Lawyers do not make cases go away. Lawyers make sure your rights are protected throughout the case. Sometimes during the process, the State figures out the case against you is not very strong or there is a problem with the case. This can result in the case being dismissed. You always have the right to challenge the case by going to trial. If a judge or jury finds you “not guilty,” your case will go away.
Get in touch with a lawyer within 15 days. Some things you can handle without a lawyer but a DWI is not one of them. If you are convicted, you could lose your license, be required to get high-risk insurance or complete a Substance Abuse Traffic Offenders Program (SATOP) in addition to any punishment from the court. You need a lawyer for a DWI.
If somebody is still driving their vehicle after they got a DWI, that does not mean they are driving legally. They also might not have been convicted of a DWI or lost their license. Every case is decided on the facts and circumstances of that case. If you get a DWI, hire a lawyer to help you through the process.
It depends on your situation. If you were in a minor car accident and have no lingering injuries, you can deal with the insurance company. If they make an offer to settle and you are satisfied with the amount, you do not need a lawyer.
If you were hospitalized, it would be a good idea to talk to a lawyer. A doctor treated your injuries, let a lawyer treat your case.
Yes, it will get the bills paid quicker and the medical professionals will prefer that.
You can but the other person’s insurance company is not going to pay them until your case is settled. You may not be done getting treatment and your bills will not be getting paid. If you have health insurance, turn the bills into your health insurance.
How much do you think 12 people on a jury would think your case was worth? There is no magic formula. The insurance company wants to pay as little as possible and pay as soon as possible. Sometimes people’s injuries are more serious than they thought but once you settle with the insurance company, your injuries are no longer their problem.
Most lawyers get paid based on a percentage of the settlement. If you already have an offer from the insurance company, the lawyer’s fee is based on a percentage above your offer. Sometimes, if you already have an offer a lawyer may not want to take your case because they can’t get you that much more money.
No, only if you have no blood relative anywhere. In general, if you do not have a will, your property will go to your spouse and/or blood relatives. There are laws that set out how your property is divided if you do not have a will.
No, it is your property and you can leave it to anybody you want to.
In general, no one has a right to inherit anything. If your parent had a will and wished to give you something, you get what they left you under the will. If your parent had a will and decided to leave everything to the neighbor, you are “entitled” to nothing.
No, your property is yours to divide up how you think is best.
No, anyone can contest your will. That does not mean they will be successful. Leaving someone $1 is actually worse than leaving them nothing. The threats of contesting a will are often exaggerated.
You should check with a lawyer to see if anything needs to be done. If the property is in the name of the person who passed, it will need to be transferred to the people who are supposed to get it. Nothing has to be done immediately upon death. Get through the funeral and saying goodbye, then follow up with a lawyer.
A lawyer can help you do things so your property will pass outside of probate. Things can be done with real estate, bank accounts, vehicle titles, stocks, etc. that will transfer your property immediately upon your death to your loved ones. However, probate is just a division of the court and can be helpful in making sure your property passes the way you want it to. Probate does not take everything and having a will does not mean you avoid probate. Talk to a lawyer and get the facts about probate. It is not as bad as everyone says.