—Suggestions from an Experienced Divorce Lawyer in Bossier City, Louisiana
Divorces are hard on families. It tears them apart and can leave children feeling lost. Positive co-parenting is the best way to ensure your children stay strong emotionally and mentally. How do you handle the many different items that must be communicated in today’s busy world? You need to make sure the custody arrangements are met and important school events, summer vacations, and important documents are shared. It can get a little overwhelming, especially if you and your ex are not on good terms. A great option to communicate with each other easily is by using your smartphone or computer. Luckily, technology has kept up with the needs of split families.
Make co-parenting easier when you seek out the services of an experienced divorce lawyer in Bossier City, Louisiana. Whether you are in a nasty divorce or want to ensure your parental rights are covered, they can help.
7 Helpful Co-Parenting Apps
You and your ex-spouse must keep the lines of communication open and as harmonious as possible. It’s possible with today’s technology. We’ve searched the internet for options to aid your family’s communication needs. Some are free, and some cost a fee, but all of them have the same goal—better co-parenting communication:
Our Family Wizard: Designed by a divorced couple, OurFamilyWizard is a platform dedicated to keeping communication between ex-spouses harmonious. You and your ex will each have your own account. Then, you can add as many third-party, child, and professional accounts.
2Houses: Use this app to easily organize your custody schedule, manage children’s expenses, upload photos and notes, and exchange necessary information. 2Houses also has a messaging service and mediator access.
WeParent: With the goal of stress-free co-parenting, WeParent helps you and your ex manage events and appointments. You can also use it for documents, expenses, custody schedules, and messaging.
Custody connection: You can use this app when you find that agreeing, and sticking to a custody schedule is frustrating. Custody Connection is a central calendar with a synchronized custody schedule. You and your ex can make ‘trade requests’ through the app, and it automatically records when requests to switch dates are accepted or denied.
Parentship: This is another useful app to help you and your ex commit to co-parenting. There is a customized dashboard for events, reminders so no one forgets, and coordinated calendars. Parentship also has a digital document center for other important information.
FamCal: Not specifically designed for divorced couples, FamCal has many features you can use to keep important dates, events, tasks, and notes in. You can color-code things to help you and your co-parent keep up with what is going on with your children’s lives.
Google Calendar: Some co-parents use Google Calendars to keep track of schedules. You can create the calendar and give editing access to those who need it.
Co-Parent Successfully with Help from an Experienced Bossier City Law Firm
Seek out the services of a qualified family law attorney with your best interests in mind. David L. White and his team understand the Louisiana legal system and family laws. David has decades of experience with couples and families through divorce and custody matters. He can help ensure you and your children are adequately protected. Schedule a free phone consultation today to learn more. Contact an experienced divorce lawyer in Bossier City, Louisiana, who can handle all your family law needs. Give us a call at 318-747-7023.
Taking precautions is the best step in preventing accidents. While no one wants to be involved in one, they happen and people can suffer injuries. When that happens, you can rack up medical bills for something you had little control over. Additionally, you can lose time from work while you heal. While you may suffer financially, you might suffer emotionally as well. Sometimes, seeking legal help for compensation for someone else’s negligence makes sense. Be sure to find a personal injury attorney in Bossier City who fights for you to help you regain your life.
4 Essentials When Documenting a Personal Injury Accident
You may not need a personal injury lawyer yet, but if you are in an accident, these four suggestions can help you:
Seek medical attention: Before you do anything else, you should get medical attention for your injuries. Even if you feel okay, some conditions don’t reveal themselves immediately. When you seek medical help, trained health professionals may be able to identify unknown injuries and emphasize the severity of an injury you think is minor. Finally, seeking medical assistance creates a record of your injuries and evidence that you intend to treat your injuries.
Obtain and organize medical files: Ask for copies of your medical records after every visit with a healthcare professional. Items to keep in a file include the initial treatment report, medical bills, insurance questionnaires, benefit letters, medical test results, and copies of any medical imaging results. Each document can be valuable information for your personal injury attorney.
Take photographs and video: It is vital to take pictures of your injuries, no matter how minor you believe them to be. Also, you should take photos of the accident scene. Look for anything that may indicate how you received your injuries. For example, take pictures of the damage on each vehicle, the lighting on the street where the accident occurred, and any road hazards that are present./li>
Keep a journal: Use a journal to document your thoughts and impressions throughout this time. Include thoughts at the time of your injury and continue through your treatment and recovery. You can also use this journal when you visit your doctor, as it can provide valuable information about any changes to your condition. Some trauma comes in the form of stress, restlessness, sleepless nights, anxiety, confusion, and difficulty remembering the accident.
Get Your Life Back! Hire an Experienced Bossier City Personal Injury Attorney
Get your life back from the effects of an accident with the assistance of an experienced and dedicated personal injury lawyer in Bossier City. David L. White and his team understand that this is a difficult time. David uses his decades of experience to take a complicated and challenging personal injury case and get a favorable result. He can help you understand your rights and answer all your questions. Schedule a free phone consultation to learn more.
Contact a capable personal injury attorney in Bossier City, Louisiana. Call us at 318-747-7023.
Walking down the aisle to say “I do” is a monumental moment in a person’s life. You expect to stay with your chosen one until death do you part. For many different reasons though, couples do experience divorce. Some endings are friendly, and some are contentious. Which is why every couple can benefit from a prenuptial agreement. Commonly known as a prenup, this document outlines how certain assets and property will be divided in the event of a divorce or separation. It helps prevent many legal disputes.
Prenuptial agreements may not be exciting and romantic, but they can do a lot to relieve pressure and stress if the marriage turns sour. As with other legal documents, you want to ensure your agreement abides by the state laws and is equitable to the parties involved. Utilizing a qualified Bossier City law firm is the best step you can take for this vital step in your marriage.
6 Areas to Cover in Your Prenuptial Agreement
Prenuptial agreements are meant to protect both parties. When drafting yours, your family law attorney will cover many areas, including these six:
All premarital assets and debts: You both may come into the marriage with some assets and debts. You’ll need to decide if any will become marital property or if you will keep them separate. Separate property is considered the assets you acquired before you said, “I do,” or anything you inherit during the marriage. Thinking about this now will help if your marriage does fail later.
Assets and debts attained during the marriage: Once married, any property obtained or debt incurred, is generally considered marital property. If you want something to remain solely yours, you’ll want to make provisions for that in your agreement.
Children from previous marriages: A prenuptial agreement is also used to allocate assets after the death of one of the spouses. This is helpful when you have children from a previous marriage. The agreement will ensure your children receive their fair portion of your estate. While this doesn’t replace a will, it can aid your estate planning efforts.
Spousal support and alimony: When one spouse makes significantly more than the other, contentious conversations may occur over spousal support during divorce proceedings. Without an agreement, the judge can rule by state laws. That may mean that the higher-earning partner may feel disadvantaged. A lower-earning spouse may feel they don’t receive enough. A prenup can mitigate this for both parties.
Retirement accounts: The money you set aside for retirement is often considered marital property. To keep it separate, you’ll want to address that in your prenup, especially if you are entering into a marriage with an established retirement account.
Marital property division in divorce: Another part of the prenuptial agreement addresses what to do with marital property obtained after the vows are made. If a divorce does occur, this section can help alleviate some disagreements. It’s also beneficial if you are a business owner.
Enter Matrimony with a Prenup from an Experienced Bossier City Law Firm
Marriage is meant to be forever, so focus on making your marriage strong. But planning for contingencies with prenup can ease fears for both parties, particularly when aided by an experienced Bossier City law firm. David L. White and his team know about the Louisiana legal system and family laws. David has decades of experience with couples and families through different stages of marriage. He can help you ensure assets are adequately protected. Schedule a free phone consultation to learn more.
Contact a Bossier City law firm capable of handling all your family law needs. Give us a call at 318-747-7023.
When someone says to you, “You’ll hear from my lawyer,” the chances are they have one on retainer. You’ve probably heard that reference in movies and television shows. The idea is that the character has an attorney available to them at any time by paying in advance for future legal services. It may leave you wondering if an individual can have legal counsel ready when they need help. Each situation is different, but there are instances when hiring an attorney in Bossier City on retainer makes sense. It gives you peace of mind and ensures you can get answers quickly instead of searching for help later.
Understanding the Basics of How Retainers Work
Not every situation requires keeping a lawyer on retainer. However, if you have a business or are of high net worth, it can be wise to have accessible legal counsel. If you’re entertaining the idea of hiring a Bossier City lawyer’s help on a retainer, here are the basics to help guide you:
Types of retainers: There are a couple of basic types of retainers, including:
General – You pay this fee to be used over a specified period of time. Your lawyer would be available to discuss and answer questions about legal matters.
Special – This is a flat fee that you pay to be used for a specific case or project. Some states prohibit this type because you can’t discharge the lawyer until the project is complete.
Retainer agreement: The attorney will have a contract that outlines the scope and fees. It’ll cover many areas, for example:
Compensation – It will describe how the fee is calculated and what you’ll pay for services.
How the attorney will work – Typically, the law firm will take your advance payment, place it into a trust account, and draw from it when fees are incurred.
Additional costs – This area will list additional costs above the retainer fee. They include court costs, costs for depositions, travel expenses, postage, photocopying, and long-distance phone charges.
Billing frequency – You must know how often you will receive a statement or bill. Usually sent monthly, it will list costs and the remaining balance of your retainer.
Terms of disputing invoices – This section is established based on the laws of the state in which you live.
Retainer trusts: Your attorney must legally and ethically deposit your retainer fee into a particular trust account separate from their business account. Once they perform services on your behalf, they transfer money from the trust account to their business account. You will receive a statement that reflects the activity.
Retain a Lawyer in Bossier City Focused on Your Legal Needs
Choosing an attorney can be a challenging experience if you are under legal duress. Keeping one on retainer may be the solution you need. You can build a relationship and know you have counsel just a phone call away. David L. White has decades of experience in the areas you require. His areas of practice include estate planning, criminal defense, family law, personal injury, commercial litigation, and interdiction. He and his team strive to assist you with your legal needs and understand how the Louisiana court system works. No case is too challenging. Find out more when you schedule a free phone consultation today.
Contact a reliable attorney in Bossier City ready to fight for your rights. Give us a call at 318-747-7023.
—Tips from an Experienced Lawyer in Bossier City, Louisiana
Crime shows on TV sometimes depict police officers questioning someone on the street after putting them in handcuffs. When enough TV drama shows similar actions, you may assume this is true and make you wonder if this can happen in real life. The answer is more complex. TV shows are fiction and take a creative license that stretches freely. It’s better for you to understand the reality of what the law allows.
For answers to questions about the arresting process and your rights, seek the counsel of an experienced criminal defense attorney in Bossier City. They can give you the facts so you’re properly informed. This can save you time and angst if an officer confronts you, or if they possibly show up at your home or that of a family member.
When a Law Enforcement Officer Can Handcuff You
It can feel intimidating if a police officer stops you or shows up at your home or work. Keep in mind that they have certain limitations, including when they can and can’t handcuff you. You should always seek out the services of a criminal defense attorney for your specific situation, but here is a general overview to help you:
Common scenarios when an officer has the right to handcuff someone:
During the execution of a search warrant. If the police arrive with a valid warrant and commence searching your home, they could handcuff you. You would not be under arrest, but they can arrest you if the search finds probable cause.
To protect their safety. This scenario leaves the officer with the broad authority to put you in handcuffs. They determine how safe they feel and if they need to protect themselves.
If there is a flight risk. When the officer believes that a suspect may try to flee the scene while being questioned, they can place them in handcuffs. This scenario applies when they’re conducting an investigation too.
After placing the suspect under arrest. If they place someone under arrest and take them into custody, they can put handcuffs on the person.
Common signs that a police officer may use handcuffs for safety reasons. There are times when an officer is concerned about their safety. Signs they look for include:
You fail to cooperate with their commands.
You hide your hands.
You tense up.
You make intense eye contact.
You’re impaired by drugs or alcohol.
Common signs you may be a flight risk. If an officer sees these signs, they may handcuff you:
You appear to be looking for an exit.
You’re pacing.
You rock back and forth.
You attempt to move away from the officer.
You lie to the officer.
Know Your Rights – Choose the Right Criminal Defense Attorney
The police are responsible for working within the parameters of the law when handcuffing them. You deserve legal representation and must understand when parameters may have been breached. David L. White and his team are very knowledgeable about the legal system and criminal laws in particular and look out for your best interests. David has decades of experience in Louisiana’s criminal law. He has helped many individuals and families navigate the system and get a fresh start on life. No case is too challenging. Scheduled a free phone consultation to learn more.
Contact a Bossier City criminal defense attorney ready to fight for you. Give us a call at 318-747-7023.
– Suggestions from an Experienced Divorce Lawyer in Bossier City, Louisiana
You may believe that the only thing you can expect from divorce is heartbreak. After all, divorce can be devasting for some people. However, this isn’t always the case. Many people have made their way out of a bad relationship and into a happy new one after divorce.
Knowing how to rebuild your life after divorce is another story. Luckily, resources are available to help you get through it as stress-free as possible. The first step is to find an experienced divorce lawyer in Bossier City, Louisiana. They can help you navigate the legal process with care and understanding, giving you the advice you need to make responsible decisions during this emotional time.
4 Suggestions for Building a Happier Life After Divorce
Unfortunately, divorces happen. The emotional stress of a broken relationship can be devastating. You never dreamt you would be saying ‘I quit’ after you said, “I do.” You can rebuild a happier life and move on from your spouse using these suggestions:
Create a robust support system. When you’re in the middle of a difficult season of life, you benefit from others who can come alongside you and offer support. Reach out to family and friends when you need to talk. Look for those who won’t tear your spouse down but will help you better understand your thoughts and emotions. You may consider attending a support group, consulting a religious leader, or seeing a therapist.
Abandon the hate. They may have done you wrong, but holding onto the hate will only cause you mental anguish. If you have children, it’s crucial to let go of the anger and work to create a favorable co-parenting situation. Your support structure will be instrumental.
Rediscover yourself. When you were married, you shared many things with your spouse. You may have lost yourself in their hobbies and interests. Now is the time to list out all the experiences you’d like to have and go for it. Aim for those activities that will help build your confidence.
Avoid rushing into a new relationship. You may be lonely and even miss your ex but that isn’t a good reason to dive head-first into a new relationship. Give yourself some time to heal and be single for a while. When you do find someone, take it slow.
Get Reliable Guidance from a Bossier City, Louisiana, Divorce Lawyer
Divorce is heartbreaking, but it doesn’t mean you can’t pick up the pieces afterward. Choosing an experienced divorce attorney makes the process smoother. David L. White and his team understand the legal system and have your best interests in mind. David has decades of experience in Louisiana’s family law and has successfully dealt with many complex settlements. He fights hard to help resolve child support, visitation, child custody, spousal support, and property distribution matters. You can rest easier with David and his staff working on your divorce for you. Learn more when you call us today.
Contact a Bossier City divorce lawyer ready to fight for you. Give us a call at 318-747-7023.
Personal injury claims are a way to seek compensation when you have sustained injuries because of someone else’s neglect. The injury may result in extended recovery times and mounting medical bills, not to mention lost wages. When you have been hurt in an accident, you want relief from the pain of your injuries. You don’t want an insurance adjuster underestimating your suffering with lowball offers for compensation. However, if you try to settle your claim yourself, you may end up accepting much less than you deserve for your pain and suffering. When you have an accident in Louisiana, consider hiring an experienced Bossier City personal injury attorney to fight for you.
5 Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
When you are injured, your focus naturally turns to finding pain relief. Hiring a personal injury lawyer aids in receiving financial relief in these five ways:
They know and understand the law. Your attorney knows the legal requirements for proving fault. They handle the investigations in an objective manner to identify who may be at fault. You can trust that they will not let emotions impede their duty to get the best results for their clients.
They know the value of your claim and how to negotiate. Insurance companies typically want to offer the least amount of compensation to victims. A personal injury attorney knows this. They also know how to negotiate on your behalf to get you the largest settlement for your type of claim.
They advise you so you don’t make critical mistakes. Insurance companies will contact you as soon as they know you have been injured. If you share too much or allow them access to your medical records without consulting an attorney, they will find ways to use whatever they find against you.
They help you get through the process quicker. When you are injured, your primary goal is to get well. This can take weeks or months, but time is of the essence for filing a claim. Your lawyer can handle the paperwork while you focus on healing and recovery.
They will represent you if your case goes to court. Watching exciting courtroom dramas and law firm TV shows does not prepare you for real life in the legal world. Without proper representation, you risk losing out on fair and just compensation. An attorney’s courtroom training is vital to your success in front of a judge.
A Personal Injury Attorney in Bossier City Gets You Rightful Compensation
Losing wages and being incapacitated is frustrating. Recovering is more than physical and emotional. There is also a significant financial component. David L. White and his team understand that successful recovery includes all these aspects. He fights hard to get you the compensation you deserve so that you can get your life back. David has decades of experience in the Louisiana legal system. He can take the most complicated and challenging cases and get favorable results. You can rest easier with David and his staff working for you. Learn more when you call us today.
Contact a Bossier City personal injury attorney ready to fight for you. Give us a call at 318-747-7023.
Death can devastate a family, especially if it was unexpected. Each member needs time to grieve and process their emotions. There will be moments of tears, reminiscing, despair, and somewhere in all that, the nagging reminder that there are legal aspects that need attention. Handling the decedent’s affairs is one aspect that needs to be done as soon as possible to ensure bills are paid and property is transferred. This can be difficult when your grief is still fresh from your loss. Utilizing the services of an experienced succession attorney in Bossier City can help. They understand the Louisiana laws and emotions that can drive decisions, and they can help guide you through the process.
Knowing When a Louisiana Succession May be Necessary
It may seem challenging to know when to go through the succession process. In general, there are two questions you can ask that will aid you in understanding your next steps:
Are there assets that must pass through succession? Not all property owned by the decedent must go through the succession process. For example, retirement accounts with named beneficiaries will generally pass outside of succession. Other property under the No Succession Needed category include life insurance policies, some bank accounts, property owned as joint tenancy, and revocable trusts. All other assets are subject to the laws of succession. Your Bossier City attorney can guide you through this process.
Are there specific circumstances where other options apply? In some particular cases, you may have alternative choices. For example, an affidavit may be used for very small estates, transferring motor vehicles, and transferring bank accounts and last wages to a surviving spouse. Talking with a succession attorney will help in knowing the necessary steps you need to take if these situations apply.
Steps to Help You Decide If Succession Is Necessary
You can make the process run smoother when you take these steps:
Locate the will. If an original will exists, you need to find it. Sometimes, there is only a notarial or holographic will available. The estate is considered intestate and will pass according to Louisiana’s intestacy laws when there is no will.
Make a list of anyone who may need to be included in the process. This list should be comprised of potential heirs, debtors, and people or organizations included in the will. You will also want to write down any potential heirs outside of the will.
List of all known assets and debts. The decedent’s estate comprises all assets owned and all debts at the time of death. Include personal property, financial accounts, real estate, mortgages, loans, and other obligations.
Contact a succession attorney. A lawyer who specializes in succession can help you determine if you need to go through the process and can guide you.
Utilize the Experience of a Succession Attorney in Bossier City
Put your loved one’s affairs in order properly after they pass when you seek out the services of David L. White and his team. He understands Louisiana’s succession laws and can offer advice to guide you through the steps. Call David today to learn more about your next steps in the succession process.
Contact a Bossier City succession attorney who will guide you through the Louisiana legal system. Give us a call at 318-747-7023.
When you need to hire an attorney, you want someone who will vigorously fight for you and your rights. Often, we take the ‘lawyers’ we see on television and assume all of them are the same. For example, we may believe they are aggressive or only out for money. TV shows don’t exhibit the reality of the day-to-day lawyer. It shows cases and exaggerated personalities to extract a reaction from the viewer. In other words, fiction doesn’t reflect reality.
You can find a top-quality law firm in Bossier City when you look for the abilities and skills that make them stand out. Fiction says you want an over-the-top, aggressive attorney that will go for the jugular on a speeding ticket. Reality says that you should look for a Bossier City law firm with the right qualities and experience, who is ready to serve you.
Qualities of an Excellent Law Firm
Besides understanding Louisiana’s laws, you want a lawyer and a law firm that has experience in your case type and has specific qualities and skills like the ones below:
Good communication skills: It’s your attorney’s job to keep you informed on the progress of your case. They need to be able to communicate with you, other lawyers, judges and juries professionally. They should represent you persuasively and positively in the courtroom and they must write well and communicate clearly and concisely on paper. Without these skills, they won’t be able to articulate effectively on your behalf, possibly jeopardizing your case.
Research skills: They must be able to research and absorb large amounts of information. They must also analyze what they find and make connections to your case as they investigate. Finally, they must distill that information in a format that can be presented to other legal professionals on your behalf and give you your options.
Ethical: Look for an attorney that is known for their excellent judgment and ethics. It can be helpful to find one with similar moral values and ethics as you, especially if you have a case involving moral values.
Empathy: When you’re going through a tough time, you want to work with someone who can empathize and have compassion for your plight. Most people don’t want to work with a lawyer whose aim is a big paycheck at the end of the case. Instead, you want to know they’re committed to you and your case.
Assertiveness: Not to be confused with aggression, an assertive attorney will make themselves heard while respecting others. An aggressive one will attack others and ignore their opinions. A good lawyer knows the difference.
Detailed: They need to be able to think analytically, pay attention to details, and think outside the box. Being able to pick up on details and creative thinking work together to produce better client results.
Hire an Experienced and Driven Bossier City Law Firm
Get the representation you need from a Bossier City law firm with top-notch qualities. David L. White and his team understand that going to court can be frightening. We have the compassion, empathy, integrity, and assertiveness to fight for you and get positive outcomes. Call us today, and let’s discuss your case.
Contact a Bossier City law firm with the right skills to effectively negotiate and fight for you. Give us a call at 318-747-7023.
The internet makes learning new skills possible. For example, you can learn to can food from a garden, do body work on an automobile, paint, or create computer code. You can even learn to invest, understand how to choose life insurance policies, and figure out how to budget for the future. Despite the convenience, some things are better left to experts licensed in their respective fields. Estate planning is one example of life’s essential tasks that need professional assistance. Hiring a Shreveport estate planning attorney better ensures that you meet the legal requirements so that your family is cared for after you pass away.
4 Benefits of Hiring an Estate Planning Attorney
It is typically assumed that you only need to hire an attorney when you’re facing a lawsuit or other legal issues. Not many people realize that they can utilize an attorney proactively for legal items such as estate planning.
Here are four benefits of hiring a lawyer to help you:
Decision-making guidance: You may not understand the implications of some decisions you make about your belongings. An attorney will get to know you and your values. Then they can help you better understand the law and the outcomes of your decisions. They will work with you to make a plan that best fits your circumstances while staying within legal parameters.
State law expertise: Each family has different desires and needs for handling their affairs. States do too. Your Shreveport lawyer understands Louisiana’s laws and can apply them to your specific circumstances to help you create the best plan.
Complexities within the law: The more complex your situation is, the more room for error, especially if you attempt estate planning on your own. For example, you may have property that you want your current spouse to keep but you also have children from a previous marriage. Do you know who gains the rights to that piece of real estate? Your estate planning attorney helps you navigate these and other complex issues.
Easy to access updates: Estate planning isn’t a one-time “make it and forget it” task. Life’s circumstances change and so should your estate plan. You may get married, get divorced, or have children. Each event is an opportunity to adjust your will and estate. Reviewing your plan on an annual or semi-annual basis is a good practice to make sure it’s always current. Your lawyer can help you do that and share any changes in the laws or new planning techniques that may apply.
Choose an Experienced Estate Planning Attorney in Shreveport
Estate planning doesn’t have to be a complicated undertaking, but it’s important to work with an attorney who can ensure your family is cared for the way you want. David L. White and his team handle different types of estate planning needs. We can help with probate, succession, estate planning, simple and complex wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. Take a proactive stand for your family’s future and call us for a free consultation today.
Contact an estate planning attorney in Shreveport who can navigate the complex Louisiana succession and probate laws. Give us a call at 318-747-7023.
