By Kristen Halliden
Finding a divorce or a family law attorney can be difficult. Referrals are always good, at least from people you know well and trust, but meeting with a potential family law attorney before you hire him/her is always a good idea. Whatever type of family law situation you’re going through, you are going to have discuss personal issues with your attorney. So you want to make sure that you hire someone you can talk to and someone that you feel you can trust to have your back. Someone that you can ask questions of. Someone who may intimidate the other side but does not intimidate you.
Clients always think they want the aggressive attorney. Beware! Being known as an aggressive or bull-dog attorney can all be very well, except when it’s your attorney acting that way towards you!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Protect yourself this Winter
By Carol Dillon
As winter drags on, here are a few helpful reminders for homeowners and business owners to avoid pesky slip and fall lawsuits. First and foremost, be reasonable. If you are having people over to your home, or you know someone will be on your property, for instance a Realtor, Meter person, etc., shovel your driveway and walkways and put down ice melt. You don’t have to get every scrap of snow and ice, but make a reasonable effort to make it safe for people. Also, if you are piling up snow when shoveling, don’t pile it so high or in areas that might block driver’s views, including your own. When you are driving, expect people to do the dumb thing. While you might be driving safely and cautiously because of snow and ice, expect others not to. Take extra time and room to put on your brakes and feel free to go slow.
As winter drags on, here are a few helpful reminders for homeowners and business owners to avoid pesky slip and fall lawsuits. First and foremost, be reasonable. If you are having people over to your home, or you know someone will be on your property, for instance a Realtor, Meter person, etc., shovel your driveway and walkways and put down ice melt. You don’t have to get every scrap of snow and ice, but make a reasonable effort to make it safe for people. Also, if you are piling up snow when shoveling, don’t pile it so high or in areas that might block driver’s views, including your own. When you are driving, expect people to do the dumb thing. While you might be driving safely and cautiously because of snow and ice, expect others not to. Take extra time and room to put on your brakes and feel free to go slow.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Dog Bite Liability in Indiana
By Jeb Crandall
Many people believe Fido gets “one free bite” before liability can be imposed on a dog owner following an attack. This is not the case in Indiana. In fact, an owner can even be held strictly liable if man’s best friend bites a public servant such as a mail carrier.
Overall, the common law presumes that all dogs, regardless of breed or size, are harmless. That presumption can be overcome by evidence of a known vicious or dangerous propensity of the particular dog. The owner or keeper of a dog who knows of any vicious propensity is required to use “reasonable care” in those circumstances to prevent the animal from causing injury. Furthermore, the owner of a dog is expected to use reasonable care to prevent injury that might result from the natural propensities of dogs. Thus, whether the owner or keeper of the animal is aware of any vicious propensity, the legal description of the duty owed is the same: that of reasonable care under the circumstances.
So if Polly the Poodle is known to have an aggressive side, her owner needs to do more to protect the public than does the owner of a gentle giant. Maybe that electric fence that Polly has escaped from in the past isn’t sufficient for “reasonable care.”
Many people believe Fido gets “one free bite” before liability can be imposed on a dog owner following an attack. This is not the case in Indiana. In fact, an owner can even be held strictly liable if man’s best friend bites a public servant such as a mail carrier.
Overall, the common law presumes that all dogs, regardless of breed or size, are harmless. That presumption can be overcome by evidence of a known vicious or dangerous propensity of the particular dog. The owner or keeper of a dog who knows of any vicious propensity is required to use “reasonable care” in those circumstances to prevent the animal from causing injury. Furthermore, the owner of a dog is expected to use reasonable care to prevent injury that might result from the natural propensities of dogs. Thus, whether the owner or keeper of the animal is aware of any vicious propensity, the legal description of the duty owed is the same: that of reasonable care under the circumstances.
So if Polly the Poodle is known to have an aggressive side, her owner needs to do more to protect the public than does the owner of a gentle giant. Maybe that electric fence that Polly has escaped from in the past isn’t sufficient for “reasonable care.”
Monday, January 4, 2010
Getting Ready for the New Year
By Jim Bleeke
Here in Indianapolis, we are trying to forget about the Colt’s decision to forego a chance at a perfect season and look ahead with great hope for the playoffs.
Here at SweetinBleeke Attorneys, we have taken time over the holidays to appreciate family and friends (which includes the many clients and colleagues we could among our valued friends). We hope to being a new decade in 2010 re-energized.
Here in Indianapolis, we are trying to forget about the Colt’s decision to forego a chance at a perfect season and look ahead with great hope for the playoffs.
Here at SweetinBleeke Attorneys, we have taken time over the holidays to appreciate family and friends (which includes the many clients and colleagues we could among our valued friends). We hope to being a new decade in 2010 re-energized.
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