4 Questions You Should Ask When Purchasing a Home

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Buying a home is the largest investment many people will ever make. It is one that should be approached thoroughly and thoughtfully. You want to find something that is suitable now, but also that can accommodate your needs over time. Asking these four questions can help you narrow the selection of possible properties. 

Purchasing a Home

1. Where Is It Located?

Even if a home seems perfect for you, it’s location can become the main deciding factor on whether or not it is a good purchase for you. In order to know if you are in the right neighborhood, consider things like surrounding home values, access to transportation routes, and proximity to work, school and recreation.

2. Are There Any Property Restrictions?

Some types of property have legal restrictions that can affect how you use them. Many restrictions are designed to maintain the character and appearance of a neighborhood. It might be a good idea to talk with a real estate lawyer Ashburn VA before buying a condominium, townhouse or a single-family home in an HOA-deeded neighborhood. 

3. Does the Home Meet Your Needs for the Foreseeable Future?

Be honest about what you want in a home and how you plan to use it for the next several years. If you are only planning to stay for a couple of years and then move onto something larger, will it still fit your needs if house values crash and you have to stay for longer? If you are planning to make this your last home purchase, will it accommodate age-related adaptations? 

4. How Old Is the Home and Its Major Systems?

A final and very important question concerns the age of the house in question. Many people choose newer homes to capitalize on modern construction techniques, but older homes can be a great buy, too. They tend to be built very sturdily, but replacing heating, plumbing or electrical systems can be costly if necessary, so you will want to have those inspected — and possibly replaced — before signing a contract.  

Asking questions during the home buying process helps ensure you find a home that works for your needs now and into the future.

Struggling To Pay Bills? Bankruptcy Laws Could Help

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Sometimes debt mounts. It happens for various reasons. Jobs are lost, cutting off the main source of income. Medical bills escalate, draining savings accounts. No matter the reason, the mounting bills mean people simply cannot manage their responsibilities. With the help of a bankruptcy Maryland lawyer, the stress could be relieved, and the accruing tabs might be diminished or eliminated. Various plans are possible, but it requires deciding what works best for each individual. During your professional consultation, consider whether one of these three common avenues works for you.

1. Chapter 7

Filing under Chapter 7 means you agree to forfeit your assets or accept liquidation, granting the state authority to sell off possessions. Any money gained is applied to what you owe. If you’re worried about your major holdings, some states permit you to keep retirement plans, cars and houses. This is only done, though, if current payments are up-to-date. Credit card and medical debt is usually erased. Keep in mind that this route does impact your credit score for up to ten years.

2. Chapter 11

This path might be available to you if your personal business is suffering financially. Proprietors don’t have to close shop; rather, they reorganize, determining methods to strengthen the operations and generate more income. The prior debt isn’t forgiven, but owners have the chance to spread out the accumulated amount through a payment plan.

3. Chapter 13

Personal restructuring is also available. Plan to meet with court officials to review how much you owe. At that conference, discuss how to consolidate obligations, recalculating them into one affordable note that spreads over the next three to five years.

Life may have created obstacles, but don’t let mounting deficits ruin a perfectly viable, prosperous future. Work with professionals to establish a strategy to get you and your finances back on your track.

2 Reasons To Get a Bail Bond

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Getting sent to jail can be terrifying, especially if you don’t have enough money to get out of jail before your trial. Luckily, you can find Wayne County bail bonds or similar services near you. A bail bond lets you get out of jail while you wait for your trial, and you get a bondsman to be your cosigner. You have to hold up your end of the deal by showing up to the trial, otherwise, you could face harsh consequences. Here are a few times when you may want a bail bond.

1. You Can’t Afford Bond

Bail bondsmen have agreements with your local court to pay the bond for you, and they’re liable if you don’t show up to court. But it gives you the chance to get the money you need to get out of jail before your trial. If you don’t have much money in savings or can’t afford to miss work, you can hire a bail bondsman. You can pay the bondsman a fee of around 10 percent of the bond, which is better than paying the entire thing or using your home as collateral.

2. You Don’t Want to Spend the Money

Even if you have the funds to pay bail yourself, you may not want to. In that case, you can save a little money but still get your freedom. As long as you show up to court, you shouldn’t have to worry about paying the full bond. But you shouldn’t just use the extra cash for anything. Consider hiring an attorney who can help you with your case. That way, you can increase your chances of remaining free after your trial.

A bail bond can be an easy way to get out of jail while you wait for a trial. But if you can’t afford it, you can consider working with a bondsman to pay to bail you out.

5 Common Workplace Injuries Due Compensation

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workers compensation attorney oregon

In spite of the precautions you may take, you could happen to get injured while at work. Due to state and federal regulations, most employers carry workers compensation insurance, but it can be difficult getting the compensation and benefits you are entitled too. If you find that you aren’t getting the assistance you need, consider calling a workers compensation attorney Oregon companies are familiar with. With legal help, you stand a better chance against your company. Here are some of the injuries you may experience at work that might be eligible for compensation.

Vehicle Accidents

Believe it or not, motor vehicle accidents are a common claim on workers comp plans. Those who drive for work could be exposed to faulty automotive equipment, other drivers on the road, or poor driving conditions. These all increase the risk of a collision with injuries.

Slips and Trips

The working conditions around may leave you susceptible to slips and trips. Whether it be from a wet or oily surface, tangled cords, or scattered debris, falling could create back injuries, sprains, or concussions.

Falls

In the construction industry, falls are the leading cause of death among workers. Falls could occur off ladders, roofs, platforms, scaffolding, or stairs.

Sprains and Strains

Workers who are constantly pushing, carrying, throwing, lifting, or pulling have a greater risk of sprains and strains. This category is considered the most common of job-related injuries. They aren’t always a single-occurrence claim though, as with slipping and falling. Years of strenuous activity could lead up to overexertion that creates chronic back or joint pain.

Hit by Objects

In warehousing spaces, being hit by a falling object is a common occurrence. Shelving units are often stacked high, and when trying to store or remove an item, it may shift and fall. Swinging pieces of equipment or machinery could hit an individual, causing blunt-force trauma.  Head injuries are the most commonly reported from falling objects.

Workplace safety should be your number one priority. If you get injured while on the job, report it to your supervisor immediately.

3 Types of Insurance Every Young Person Needs

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When you are young, you think about all the things you have to look forward to in the future. Whether it be a career, a family or something else, there are lots of things to be excited about. However, life does happen, and it is important that you are prepared for any situation that is thrown your way. When talking to your New Jersey insurance agency, be sure that you have these types of insurance policies under your belt.

Health

Even if you are the healthiest person you know, you still need health insurance. You never know when an accident might happen that leaves you with expensive medical bills. Some medical insurances have lower rates for those who can pass a health exam, so this might be something for you to take advantage of when you are young.

Auto

Car accidents are an unfortunate thing that can happen to anybody at any time. It is important to be prepared for these interruptions in life, so make sure that you have a good auto policy. You can choose a comprehensive auto policy or one that covers your liability only.

Home or Renter’s

Whether you own your home or rent your place, it is important to have insurance for it. If you are a homeowner, you need a comprehensive policy; if you are a renter, you need some type of insurance for the contents of your place. 

While it can be easy to feel invincible and on top of the world when you are young, it is also important to be aware of the responsibilities that adulthood brings. When searching for insurance deals, consider all the policies that you need, and ask if you can get a discount for having more than one policy with the company. Although you hope you never have to use the insurance, you will be glad you have it if you ever need it.

2 Questions to Ask Before You Move in With Your Partner

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Over the past hundred years, family customs have undergone incredible transformations. Now, most people in the United States have accepted these changes in structures and traditions. However, there are many questions associated with them, given that they are still relatively new. If you are planning to move in with your partner without the intention of marriage in the future, make sure you settle the following questions.

cohabitation agreement new york ny

Will You Legally Formalize Your Relationship?

Being married carries many legal benefits, including tax deductions and insurance benefits. However, it’s often harder for partners to receive these same benefits. Explore entering into a cohabitation agreement New York NY with your partner before you move in. While this process does not count as marriage, it helps you to decide what your rights are and whether your partnership is permanent. If you decide to get married later, this agreement will not work against you, but it does help to settle your questions now.

Will You Have Children?

This is a big question for any couple, regardless of marital status. You both need to be on the same page about whether you’re having kids, and you must agree not to pester the other person if you disagree. Raising children is a serious and time-consuming job and one to which both parents need to be fully committed. Additionally, if you are cohabitating without the intention of marriage, decide whose last name the children will take well in advance of their birth. You also need to figure out whose insurance will cover your children and how you will split childcare duties.

If you and your partner are prepared to take your relationship to the next step by moving in together, don’t forget to figure out these questions. While your answers to them may evolve, it’s important to know and respect each other’s opinions before moving day.

What to Include in an Employee Contract

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What to Include in an Employee Contract

As a startup business owner, you have a lot of firsts ahead of you, including your first hire. To protect yourself and your employees, you must know how to create a proper employment contract. Here are a few essential items to ensure you include on your agreement. 

Job Title 

So you and your employees remain on the same page, include the hire’s official job title and duties on the agreement. Sometimes, workers handle tasks they did not expect to fulfill, which can lead to bad blood, frustration and the potential loss of great talent.

Employee Classification

For taxes, make it plain whether a hire is a full- or part-time employee or an independent contractor. Sometimes, employers misclassify workers, which can lead them to not handle taxes properly, which can spell trouble for employers and employees/independent contractors alike. You may even find yourself on the receiving end of a lawsuit for misclassifying employees, which requires the experience of a trusted business law firm long island.

Benefit and Compensation

Note agreed-upon compensation and benefits on the contract, specifically if the employee receives an hourly wage or a yearly salary. Include whether you offer raises, bonuses or other supplementary forms of compensation. Detail how you handle employee benefits, and do not forget to note if you as an employer cover benefits costs.  

Termination Conditions and Terms

There may come a time when you or your employee wants to end your work agreement. Should that happen, you and your employee must know the necessity of severing your professional relationship. For instance, you may want to include an amount of notice requirement or note whether you prefer a written notice.

On a related note, do you want to offer employees a severance package if the two of you part ways? If so, include the terms of that package on the employee contract.

A properly formatted employee contract facilitates a healthy work environment. Keep the above insights in mind while drafting your first agreement.