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LegalShield Blog

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

Recent Articles

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Test for CMS time zone publication

Test for CMS time zone publication Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type...

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

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

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

Woman holiday traveler wearing Santa Claus hat looking at airport flight status board.

Legal Tips for Traveling this Holiday Season

The holidays are here again! Thanks to a safer travel environment this year, many people are planning to visit friends and family this holiday season. Are you one of them? If so, you are probably busy checking calendars, booking tickets, and packing gifts and...

stack of papers

Student Loan Forgiveness: What You Need to Know

President Biden announced a plan to move forward with canceling thousands in federal student loan debt, plus an extension on the student loan payment pause. While this announcement brings many Americans a financial sigh of relief, it also prompts questions. Let’s...

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: Actions You Can Take

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...

Woman sitting and thinking

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...

Grandparents hugging their granddaughter.

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...

Family Law

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...

Mother kissing young daughter as they lay on bed

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...

Parent & child looking at snow-covered mountain view

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

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

Grandma legal guardian talking to her granddaughter while sitting on sofa

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...

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

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...

3 roommates reviewing their rental lease on smartphone

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

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

Courtroom judge's gavel on desk with prenuptial agreement

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...

Happy couple sitting on a sofa and looking at prenuptial agreement on a smartphone

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,...

Prenuptial Agreement document with wedding rings & money nearby

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

People wearing gay pride rainbow flags in street

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...

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

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...

A white picket fence along a piece of real estate property.

How to Place a Lien on a Property

So you want to know how to place a lien on a property? Liens come about because someone owes you money and refuses to pay or only partially pays. Make no mistake, they take time—they don’t happen overnight, and different jurisdictions have different laws governing...

Small Business

Smiling man working and talking on a cell phone in a casual workspace.

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!...

Female shoe business owner

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...

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

Young couple smiling and reviewing financial documents at their kitchen table

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...

Mature man calculating his U.S. taxes

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

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 on mobile phone.

Test for CMS time zone publication

Test for CMS time zone publication Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type...

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...

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