Houston Boat Insurance Information

The Houston boat insurance market is large because of a huge population near the gulf and lake areas. Several different types of coverages are available and most insurance companies will allow you to select a package to fit your needs.

The most important coverage is liability. This would pay for injury to other people and or their property up to the policy limits. The liability coverage may also include pollution coverage if your boat suddenly discharges a pollutant into the water. You will probably have several levels of limits to choose from. I suggest a high limit for this type of policy and the cost to upgrade to a high level is usually small.

Most policies will offer an option to get uninsured watercraft coverage. This would give you coverage in the event another watercraft injures you or damages your property, if they have no insurance coverage. This is valuable protection and the cost is usually quite low.

There will be an option to get medical payments coverage at additional cost with most policies. This will usually come with options for the amount of coverage.

Coverage for your watercraft will usually cover things like collision, fire, theft, vandalism, and other named risks. There may be an option to insured your boat for a preset value (agreed value), or the policy may state the coverage is for the actual cash value of the watercraft. If you have a trailer you can usually insure that on the same policy. You will generally have a choice of deductibles to choose from. Larger deductibles will result in lower insurance premiums.

Other options may be available so ask your agent to explain all your options. Also be sure to deal with a financially stable company with a good reputation.

Texas residents can visit our boat insurance Houston site for more information. Or call our office at 281-537-2700.

Lamb Insurance Agency, (Farmers Insurance) Auto, Home, Life, and Business Insurance for Texas - http://farmersagent.com/glamb/ or http://www.insurance-for-texas.com

How to Start an Online Bankruptcy Forms Processing Service

Due to the dramatic increase in technology, business professionals now have the ability to outsource their skills and earn extra money working from home as a bankruptcy forms processor. Unlike an attorney or notary public, a bankruptcy forms processor does not have jurisdictional limits. In other words, a bankruptcy forms processor could live in Yellow Springs, Ohio and prepare bankruptcy petitions, pleadings, Motions and other court documents for attorneys practicing in California, New York or any other U.S. state.

In fact, a bankruptcy forms processor can set up a bankruptcy business in their home with very little money and earn a full-time income very quickly. This concept has also opened the door for attorneys practicing in other areas of law to open a sideline bankruptcy practice, and many of these attorneys seek a freelance forms processor to process their paperwork for them.

This is where you as a bankruptcy forms processor can fill a need that is becoming more popular as electronic filing procedures become more the norm. In fact, some states now require electronic filing of all court documents. Paper documents are only accepted by the court from consumers or in other rare circumstances. It will not be long before all the states will have electronic filing procedures in place and those resisting the change will be left behind.

A typical bankruptcy forms processing business might operate like this:

1. Client either downloads or is emailed a set of Client Intake Forms in PDF format to print and fill out at their leisure.

2. Client will fax or email their completed forms to the attorney or forms processor for review. If the attorney decides to accept the bankruptcy case, the forms processor can begin drafting the bankruptcy petition from the information provided on the Client Intake Forms.

3. Areas of the Client Intake Forms that are not properly completed by the client or containing statements that require a more detailed answer would be easy to take care of. The forms processor or attorney will simply call up the client and obtain the information. No appointment would be necessary.

4. After the drafting of the bankruptcy petition, the forms processor saves the document in PDF format and sends it to the attorney as an attachment on an email.

5. At this point the attorney may wish to meet with the clients to review their bankruptcy petition before filing, but it is not absolutely necessary. Some attorneys I worked for never meet the client face-to-face except when they showed up at court. They communicated with the client by email or telephone.

Note: Electronically filed documents do not require the clients signature so it is not necessary to meet the clients face-to-face before filing the bankruptcy petition. An attorney is provided with an electronic signature by the court that he uses to sign all electronic documents filed on behalf of the client he or she represents.

6. After the attorney receives the bankruptcy petition by email, he or she will save it on their computer under the client file name and begin the review. The attorney can either print out the bankruptcy petition and make changes with an ink pen, or review it on the computer screen and note any changes in an email to the forms processor.

7. After the attorney has approved or made changes to the bankruptcy petition, he or she will email it back to the forms processor. The forms processor will make the changes and prepare a final bankruptcy petition ready for electronic filing. The forms processor emails the final petition to the attorney for final approval.

8. Upon approval by the attorney, the forms processor will electronically file the bankruptcy petition with the proper court or email to the attorney for printing, copying and filing.

As you can begin to see, it would be very easy to start a forms processor service working from home. So if you were like me and are tired of the office politics and playing the mental games, you now have the opportunity to work from a peaceful home environment where you can focus more on each case and give your clients the personal touch that will set your business apart from the big companies.

** This article is a book excerpt from, How to Start a Bankruptcy Forms Processing Service by Victoria Ring, Certified Paralegal. More information is available online at http://www.50statenotary.com/bankruptcybook

Victoria Ring is a Certified Paralegal and Notary Signing Agent. She started the first electronic bankruptcy paralegal service on the internet (The Lawyer Assistant) to serve attorneys nationwide. Visit her website at http://www.50statenotary.com/bankruptcybook

Establishing Child Support In Los Angeles

What is a Summons and Complaint?

A Summons and Complaint is a legal document used to establish paternity (the child's father), child support and medical support.

What is a proposed judgment?

A proposed judgment is what a parent or the local child support agency on their behalf is asking the court to order.

How will I be notified if a Summons and Complaint is filed against me?

You will be served (given) the Summons and Complaint personally, or sometimes someone you know will be served on your behalf. Before serving you the papers, a local child support agency may send you a courtesy letter that informs you of the complaint. The letter tells you that you can pick up the complaint at the child support office rather than being served at your home or workplace.

What should I do when I am served?

You have 30 days to respond from the date you were served. There are several ways to respond you may:

File an answer. If you disagree with any part of the proposed judgment you must file an Answer to Complaint with the court within 30 days. The forms are included with the complaint. You should retain an attorney to help you file and serve an Answer or the Family Law Facilitator at the courthouse can help you prepare an Answer. The Family Law Facilitator provides free legal assistance and is not part of the local child support agency.

Sign a Stipulation. You can contact the Petitioner named in the Summons and Complaint to sign an agreement (Stipulation) to establish paternity, child support and medical support.

Get testing. If you don't think you are the father of the child named in the complaint you can request from the court testing. If you are served by the local child support agency you should contact them to arrange for testing to determine whether you are the father.

Hire an attorney. A Summons and Complaint is a legal document. You are being sued. You may want to hire a private attorney to represent you.

Get legal help. You may ask the Family Law Facilitator for free help in reviewing and completing forms.

What happens if I do not respond?

If you ignore these legal papers you will be considered the legal parent and you may be ordered to pay child support.

If you do not sign an agreement (Stipulation) or file an Answer to Complaint within 30 days, the proposed judgment will become a final judgment, which means a decision is made without your input. This means the amount of support you have to pay may be incorrect.

It is in your best interest to take care of this lawsuit before it becomes a final judgment. The information you provide will help ensure the child support order is correct.

If you are not sure you are the child's father, you must request genetic testing! If you don't request testing you will become the legal father of the child even if you are not the real father.

Information

http://cssd.lacounty.gov
http://www.childsup.ca.gov
Telephone number of DCSS: 1-866-249-0773

2007 Warren R. Shiell. All rights reserved. The information contained in this website is an "Advertisement." It is for informational purposes only and shall not constitute legal advice. Nothing in this Website shall be deemed to create an Attorney-Client relationship. An Attorney-Client relationship shall only be created when this office agrees to represent a Client and a Client signs a written retainer agreement.

By Warren R. Shiell Esq., Attorney at law http://www.la-familylaw.com

What You Should Know About Lap Band Surgery And Weight Loss

One difference in the early days between the Lap Band system and the Swedish adjustable lap band is that the SAGB didn't have a self-closing mechanism and had to be closed with sutures. An American company, INAMED Health, designed the BioEnterics Lap-Band Adjustable Gastric Banding System, which was introduced in Europe in 1993. The Swedish adjustable gastric band differs from the Lap-Band because it wasn't designed for use with keyhole laparoscopic surgery.

An allergic reaction to materials contained in the band or for people who have exhibited pain intolerance to implanted devices are contraindications for lap band surgery. Failure of dietary or weight-loss drug therapy for more than one year can make one eligible for the adjustable gastric band procedure. In order to be considered one must have the comprehension of the risks and benefits of the gastric band procedure and willingness to comply with the substantial lifelong dietary restrictions required for long term success.

Inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract like ulcers, esophagitis or Crohn's disease don't make one a good candidate for lap band surgery. It's usually contraindicated if the surgery or treatment represents an unreasonable risk to the patient.

As the upper part of the stomach believes it's full the message to the brain is that the stomach is full and this sensation helps the person to eat smaller portions and lose weight over time. The surgeon uses a specialized needle is to avoid damage to the port membrane. When fluid is introduced into the stomach the lap band expands, placing pressure around the outside of the stomach; this decreases the size of the passage in the stomach and restricts the movement of food.

The band is inflated and adjusted by way of a small access port placed just under the skin subcutaneously; then radiopaque isotonic solution or saline is introduced into the band via the port. Lap band or gastric band placement, unlike the traditional malabsorptive weight loss surgery (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, biliopancreatic and duodenal switch) does not cut or remove any part of the digestive system. The adjustable gastric band or Lap Band is an inflatable silicone prosthetic device which is placed around the top portion of the stomach using keyhole laparoscopic surgery.

Post surgery the patient should consider eating less, eating more slowly and chewing food thoroughly. The patient may be prescribed a liquid-only diet, followed by soft foods and then solid foods for a varied length of time; each surgeon and manufacturer will vary. The lap band may remain deflated during pregnancy and once breast feeding or bottle-feeding is completed the band may be gradually re-inflated to help with postpartum weight loss if essential.

The World Health Organization recommendation for monthly weight loss is approximately 1.1 to 2.2 pounds per week and an average gastric banded patient may possibly lose this amount. Weight regain can happen with any surgical weight loss procedure including the more radical procedures that initially result in a rapid weight loss.

Complications of gastric band surgery include: ulceration and irritated stomach tissue. Some mechanical malfunctions that can occur post-surgery are port leakage, cracking of the kink-resistant tubing or disruption of the tubing connection from the port to the band, port site pain and port displacement.

Some of the adjustable gastric band post-surgery digestive complications are nausea, vomiting, gastroesophageal reflux, stoma obstruction, constipation, dysphagia, diarrhea, and abnormal stools. Occasionally, the narrow passage into the lower part of the stomach may become blocked by a large portion of unchewed food.

The amount you pay for your surgery will vary; there is not one set price for lap band surgery. It's important to discuss post-surgical care and diet plans with your weight loss doctor if you are considering adjustable gastric band or lap band surgery. Mexico is one of the top destinations for adjustable gastric band surgery outside of the United States, where the cost for lap band surgery is usually about $8,000 to $10,000.

For more information on lap band weight loss surgery and lap band surgery complications visit http://www.Lap-Band-Surgery-Info.com a nurse's website offering tips and information on lap band surgery, adjustable gastric band surgery, medical travel for low cost lap band surgery and cost of lap band surgery

Rhode Island DUI - DWI Law - Should I Refuse The Breathalyzer?

1) Should I refuse a Breathalyzer test in Rhode Island?

The answer is - "it depends". There is no good definitive answer to this question in Rhode Island. The only proper answer is it depends on the circumstances. If you refuse the Breathalyzer test, your license and/or privilege to drive in Rhode Island will be automatically suspended after the arraignment but prior to any hearing or disposition of the matter on the merits. If you refuse a Breathalyzer test, the chances of winning are relatively slim. In a Breathalyzer case, the state must only prove that they had probable cause to arrest you and reasonable suspicion to believe that you are operating a motor vehicle in Rhode Island while intoxicated, that you were properly read your rights, and that you did in fact refuse the Breathalyzer. Even if you refuse, the state will typically still charge you with criminal DUI based on the officer(s) observations. Many, but not all, town and cities will dismiss the criminal observation case if you agree to take a plea for minimum sanctions (at least 6 months) at the refusal hearing.

If you lose the Breathalyzer case, for a first offense within five years, the penalty will be six months to twelve months loss of license as well as fines and driver retraining and community service. You will also be required to obtain expensive insurance on your automobile. The advantages of a refusal over a criminal case is that the penalty for a first refusal is a civil violation that will not be a criminal conviction on your record. (Please note that a 2nd offense refusal in Rhode Island is now a criminal offense!)

If you take the Breathalyzer test and fail it, you will be charged with a criminal DUI. These cases are much more difficult for the prosecution to prove than a Breathalyzer refusal. Your chances of winning a criminal DUI case is much greater than a refusal case! If you take the Breathalyzer, you will not automatically lose your license at the arraignment (as you would in a refusal case). You will only lose your license if you are convicted. In other words, you can drive while the case is proceeding. If convicted in a criminal DUI case first offense, you will lose your license anywhere between 3 months to 6 months. If convicted, you will also have to take driving classes, do community service and obtain expensive insurance for your vehicle. In a criminal DUI, the state must not only prove probable cause to make the arrest, they must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were too intoxicated to operate a motor vehicle in the State of Rhode Island as well as proving that you were properly read your rights and that other legal requirements were met. If you lose the criminal DUI case, you will have a criminal conviction on your record. A criminal conviction can severely hurt employment opportunities and in some case lead to loss of a job. Also, a second or third conviction for DUI/DWI will mean mandatory jail time. Please call Attorney David Slepkow if you have any questions, 401-437-1100.

2) Are there any bright line rules in Rhode Island?

a) Yes. If you are absolutely positive you will pass, take the Breathalyzer test.

b) If someone is injured in an accident - refuse the Breathalyzer.

c) If you already have a criminal DUI within the past 5 years, then you must refuse because you face mandatory jail time.

d) If you are in a profession in which a criminal conviction may hurt your career or subject you to professional discipline, i.e. lawyer, politician, teacher, then you probably should refuse.

If the bright line rules don't apply, then what?

Use a balancing test. You need to balance your need to drive your automobile versus what effect a criminal conviction will have on your life. If you absolutely need your license for your job and a criminal conviction will not affect your life, then take the test if none of the bright line rules (such as an injury) apply.

If you take the Breathalyzer test, you will not automatically lose your license and can drive while the criminal case is pending and will only lose your license if you lose the case. Your chances of winning the criminal case and retaining your license is much greater than a refusal case. However, the flip side is that if you lose the criminal case, then you will have a conviction on your record and minimum jail potential for a second offense.

3) Does Rhode Island allow a person to drive for work after their license is suspended for DWI or refusal?

No. There is no exception allowing a person to use their vehicle for work purposes when their license is suspended.

David Slepkow is a Rhode Island lawyer/ attorney practicing dui / dwi, breathalyzer refusal & criminal law as well as Divorce, personal injury, real estate and the general practice of law. David has been practicing for over 9 years and is licensed in Rhode Island , Massachusetts and Federal Court. Please goto http://www.slepkowlaw.com for more information or to contact David Slepkow. You can also call David Slepkow if you have any legal questions at 401-437-1100.