Can You Work for a Company After Suing? Legal Considerations to Weigh

Creating a Cohabitation Agreement: Essential Advice and Templates

What is a Cohabitation Agreement?

When couples who are not married choose to live together, they may decide to enter into a living together contract. These agreements are also referred to as premarital agreements, cohabitation agreements, or marriage contracts, and serve to protect each person’s rights, property, and financial interests. A living together contract truly defines the nature of the relationship for legal purposes, and can be useful in a number of circumstances.
For example, a contract can detail the rights and responsibilities of each partner if the relationship should end. Domestic disputes are a common cause of litigation, and can result in expensive court intervention. When a couple has a legal agreement that outlines what is expected of each person, there is often no reason for going to court. A living together contract can also include requirements regarding children. More states have passed laws that strip non-married parents of parental rights over biological children . Those individuals who are raising children in a cohabitating relationship can use a contract to ensure that their rights and interests are protected.
Legal issues can also arise when one partner owns all property, but the other has contributed to the upkeep of that property. Those who need legal protection for property investments may also want to consider entering into a cohabitation contract. For example, suppose a couple purchases a home together, but when they separate only one partner is legally entitled to the house. A living together contract that names specific conditions for the sale or buyout of the other person’s share can prevent disputes and a lengthy court battle.
As more and more couples choose not to marry, it is critical for those individuals to understand their legal rights. A living together contract is an excellent way to protect those rights, as well as property investments, financial interests, and children.

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What to Include in a Security Guard Contract

What Is a Security Guard Contract?

Security guard contracts fall under the category of service contracts within the fold of business contracts. Wholly separate from the purchase of goods or products, service contracts are agreements between a buyer and a seller for the performance or construction of some kind of service.
Defining the nature of the agreement and the responsibilities of each party to the contract are key to the arrangement. What both parties must be sure to do – and not do – are laid out in great detail in a security guard contract.
Much like other business contracts, a security guard contract is a legally binding agreement between two or more parties for the purpose of laying out the terms of an undertaking that will benefit them both.
While a seller or service provider agrees to provide something of value to the buyer , the buyer agrees to pay a certain amount of money and/or other compensation in exchange for that product or service. This entire transaction, legally speaking, falls under the umbrella of business law and is protected by the original contract.
Not only do service contracts fall into this category, but the same can be said of security guard contracts, which are one type of business service contract.
Although the contents of security guard contracts may vary from one to the next, there are some basic components that will always be included.
Each contract contains the following basic elements:
All of these details help to not only establish the terms of the contract but also help both parties determine what to expect from the other and who exactly is responsible for any given aspect of the arrangement.

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Overview of West Virginia Labor Laws

Understanding labor laws in West Virginia is vital for both employers and employees. For employers, labor laws provide guidance on the legal obligations and rights of employers. Specifically, most labor laws place requirements on employers regarding the employment relationship. Failing to comply with these laws can be costly to employers because employees can seek recourse for violations. For employees, a labor law violation can mean lost wages and benefits. For example , a LGBT employee facing discrimination in the workplace can file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and obtain relief if the claim is substantiated.
Labor laws are generally divided into five categories: hours and days of work, minimum wage, equal pay, child labor and overtime. In addition to these, there are also specific laws governing hiring and termination. In West Virginia, the primary law governing minimum wage and overtime pay is the West Virginia Minimum Wage and Accountability Act. The Wage and Hour Division of the United States Department of Labor also governs many aspects of employment law, which complement the state laws.

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Helpful Free Legal Resources for Not-For-Profit Organizations

Not-For-Profit Law

The legal landscape for non-profit organizations can be complex and, at times, overwhelming. Non-profits often do not have the benefit of in-house counsel and can fall behind on developing and maintaining a legal foundation that protects corporate and public interests.
Often, new and existing non-profits will start their journey by becoming tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) and filing for state tax exemption. Generally, this process goes smoothly but can be a year or longer in process before all applicable tax-exempt status is obtained. It is therefore the best option in most circumstances to begin the incorporation process with an attorney who has experience in non-profit law in order to get the process started out on the right foot.
After a non-profit is established and initial tax-exempt status is obtained, either through federal or state , the legal issues begin to shift into other areas including establishing and maintaining good governance and compliance practices, entering into contracts and agreements, and hiring employees. These four areas contain major and smaller legal issues that non-profit organizations need to address, some on an annual basis, including but not limited to the following:
 Board composition and by-laws,
 Conflicts of interest,
 Related party issues,
 Other policies,
 990s (federal and state),
 Financial reporting,
 Fundraising laws,
 Employment issues, and
 Grants and contracts.
When taking a pro-active and preventative approach to legal matters, an organization can easily and effectively address some of these issues with cost of compliance in mind and will be protecting the organization from a negative event down the line.

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In-Depth Look at Bowen Law Group

About Bowen Law Group

Bowen Law Group was founded in 2002 by Gerald Bowen. Gerald Bowen is an experienced estate planning and probate attorney who has lived in Southern Utah for his whole life. Gerald has decades of experience working in the Utah court system and understands how to get things done for you.
Gerald worked in the Washington County Clerk’s Office before he graduated from Brigham Young University. After graduating, he began working at the Washington County Attorney’s Office prosecuting criminals who had committed crimes in Southern Utah. After several years at the Washington County Attorney’s Office , he went to work as a lawyer for a number of different law firms. While learning many different areas of the law, he also gained valuable insight into how to run a law practice efficiently, as he helped to open two different law firms in St. George. After determining that his real passion was helping families plan for the future and helping families after the loss of a loved one, he opened Bowen Law Group to carry on that work.

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Pro Bono Legal Aid Explained

Pro Bono legal services are generally defined as legal work done for no fee. Pro Bono work is undoubtedly a labor of love, and most of us know at least one attorney who is always looking for another pro bono case or two to fill their calendar. This is especially true in matters of family law. Pro Bono generally means "for a public purpose" and the attorneys who volunteer their time do it because their practice allows them choose, and they know that families are hurting. They also know that in every family law matter there are more people affected than just mom and dad and the kids. In Contra Costa County there are organizations like the Justice and Diversity Center (JDC), a program of the Bar Association of San Francisco that coordinates the efforts of lawyers who want to provide pro bono legal services to low income families. The JDC allows high achieving law students to provide free family law services to the underprivileged. They recruit and train law students and pair them with attorneys who want to be sure that lawyers from the Bay Area want to take pro bono cases, and that there is competency in those cases . I have filed fees waivers in countless cases, and sadly I have seen both lawyers and staffs at the courthouse be either frustrated by the process, or rude to self represented litigants. It has been the exception and not the rule to see a family law court clerk or judge who was understanding or even sympathetic to a litigant who is filing papers in pro per (without a lawyer). In the past few years, organizations like the JDC have formed volunteer attorney groups which offer family law equal access services clinics to folks who otherwise could not afford to hire legal help. Help can be found through the weekly Family Law Information clinics which currently meet in Martinez and Pittsburg on a rotating basis. There is also a monthly Family Law Legal Clinics in Brentwood and Concord, where volunteer attorneys provide short 30 minute consultations. There are also Family Law Clinics through Bay Area Legal Aid – Contra Costa, where attorneys help with matters such as divorce, custody and domestic violence restraining orders.

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What You Need to Know About Indiana Golf Carts

While golf carts are primarily used for recreational purposes, they also offer a viable form of transportation in some communities. In fact, Indiana state law permits golf carts to drive on public roadways in designated areas. However, there remain restrictions on where you can legally operate your golf cart in Indiana. Indiana Code Sections 9-13-2-106.5 through 9-13-2-106.8 legislate the use of golf carts on public roadways. These sections define important terms including "highway," "local unit," "local unit ordinance," "motor vehicle," and "utility vehicle." Let’s go over these terms in the context of a golf cart’s ability to travel on Indiana roadways.
Indiana defines "local unit" as a county, municipality, school corporation, or other political subdivision whose territory is located completely or partially within Indiana. "Local unit ordinance" means an ordinance enacted by a local unit in order to regulate the operation of a golf cart on a highway in the local unit. "Utility vehicle" refers to a four (4) wheel motor driven vehicle that: (i) is not manufactured for operation on a highway; and (ii) has an engine cubic capacity of not more than twenty-seven (27) cubic inches or is powered exclusively by electricity . "Highway" means: (i) a public street; (ii) a road; (iii) a road and street; or (iv) any other public way in Indiana that is: (A) maintained by a local unit; and (B) not otherwise designated as or found to be unsuitable for motor vehicles under IC 9-21-9-10.5.
According to Indiana’s definition of "motor vehicle," a golf cart is technically classified as a "motor vehicle" under state law because the definition of motor vehicle includes: (a) a motor driven cycle, a motorcycle, a truck, or a truck tractor that is: (i) normally operated at speeds of more than twenty-five (25) miles per hour; and (ii) was manufactured primarily for use on a highway. In other words, even though golf carts can only reach speeds of about 20 to 25 miles per hour, golf carts are still classified as motor vehicles under state law. Therefore, in most of Indiana, golf carts can only be driven on highways that have been designated as being suitable for operating motor vehicles. In some counties of Indiana, golf carts must be registered with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. These counties include the following: "County" means a county located in Indiana. Not all counties allow the use of golf carts, and not all golf carts require registration. When driving a golf cart through the county, make sure to comply with its regulations regarding golf carts.

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What is a legal separation?

In Ohio, a "legal separation" is when parties to a marriage obtain a "separate order’ from the Court delineating their rights and responsibilities toward each other while remaining legally married. For many, the separate order is preferable to a divorce for a variety of reasons. The spouses are entitled to all rights and duties of marriage except for the right to decide on divorce at a later time. In fact, even if one or both spouses in a legal separation desire to remain married, they may be permitted to convert the action to a divorce proceeding so that they may be divorced in the future.
Because Ohio does not recognize the status of "Separated," much of the discussion in this blog post are framed as the difference between "Separating" and "Divorcing." Separating is not generally a recognized status in Ohio. When the Court grants a legal separation, it remains the role of the Court to determine the rights and responsibilities of the parties just as in any divorce. However, parties are still considered to be legal spouses and must rely on the Court to determine all of the issues related to the separation from the point at which the legal separation action was filed to the point of finalization of the divorce or legal separation .
The decision to separate rather than divorce is highly personal. For some, the impediments related to divorce make separation preferable. For others, divorce is a more preferable option. Separation may also be preferable to divorce for parties that are apprehensive about exposing the private details of their relationship to family, friends, co-workers, or the public at large through the divorce process. Some people prefer to limit the amount of information that enters the public realm should they proceed with separation rather than divorce, for any number of reasons.
Some parties may choose separation to later assess whether they will actually divorce. For some parties, the decision to separate itself is a step in a process where one or both parties are open-minded about whether the marriage can continue after separating.
Ohio is a "no-fault" State, meaning that spouses do not need to prove "fault" in the breakdown of disagreement, arguments, as well as the common ground for divorce (i.e.: incompatibility) to "win" a divorce. Whether legally separating or divorcing, the same reasons are available as grounds for a divorce.

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Legal Separation in Florida Explained

Legal separation in Florida is an often-misunderstood term. While many states have legal separation as a status between marriage and divorce, Florida is not one of them. According to Florida Law, there is no such thing as "legal separation." You are either married or you are divorced. While you are still married, you can live completely separate and apart from your spouse, but there is no legal status for that. Furthermore, you can file for an annulment and technically be rendered never married at all. But that is somewhat different than being "separated."
Some people assume that separation is a way to avoid divorce, but this is a common misconception. You are only separated from your spouse as long as you choose to be until one spouse files for divorce. When you file paperwork with the courts for divorce, you are legally stating that you are no longer going to be married. Getting an annulment decree is also effectively saying that you are not married , but it is more like pretending the marriage never happened at all. It is technically possible to get an annulment while you are separated, under some circumstances. But as long as you are legally married, you are still legally married, even if you live apart every day.
The primary difference between legal separation, which is not available, and divorce is that in a divorce, legal documents are drafted that terminate the legal ties that exist in a marriage, effectively determining a negotiation above how to divide assets, debts and parental responsibilities. Legal separation does not divide property and debts, and you do not have to establish a parenting plan or time-sharing if you have children.
You do not necessarily have to establish a parenting plan if you have children during your separation, but it is recommended that you get some legal guidance to ensure that you are doing everything correctly. Most people who are seriously considering a divorce are already dealing with their lawyers on a full-time basis.

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The SFAA Residential Tenancy Agreement Explained

The Strata Finance Authority of Australia provides a simple and low-cost way for landlords to complete residential leases online, making them immediate and legally binding on both parties.
This agreement is known as the SFAA Residential Tenancy Agreement. Comprising six critical parts, the agreement allows landlords to simply and swiftly enter into an agreement with commercial parties with a minimum of fuss and without significant additional documents.
The SFAA Residential Tenancy Agreement contains the following:

Details of the premises to be leased.
Basic tenancy conditions, similar to those found in a lease from a real estate agent.
Details of what the premises may or may not be used for.
Details about the amount of rent payable and when it is due.

5 . At least 17 standard additional special conditions can be added as part of the agreement, such as special conditions relating to the use of facilities or rules that may apply.

6. Attachments relevant to the lease are included.

This easy-to-complete online form system means that once the agreement is submitted, the landlord prints off hard copies, signs it and sends a signed hard copy to the tenant for their signature. Once both parties have signed, the deal is done.
Why landlord and tenants need the SFAA Residential Tenancy Agreement
Commercial leases will often have terms and conditions that vary from business to business, so the SFAA Residential Tenancy Agreement form not only makes it simple and quick for landlords to lease their premises but also adds valuable flexibility for the type of leasing options that they can provide.

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