Retainers, contingency fees, flat fees…what does it all mean? These are the most common methods of paying lawyers. Some stick to one fee structure while others employ a variety. The type of law they practice usually dictates how a lawyer is paid. Estate planners and family law attorneys often charge flat fees for some of their services. Personal injury attorneys generally work on a contingency basis. Criminal defense lawyers and civil litigators often take retainers and charge an hourly rate. There are exceptions to these generalizations, of course, and other factors apply, such as the simplicity or complexity of a case, and how many hours it may take. …
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Don’t Let These Two Imposter Scams Fool You
The IRS Imposter Scam Calls from the IRS can be scary especially if the person on the other end of the line threatens to arrest if you if you do not immediately pay your unpaid taxes. This scam is on the IRS’ “Dirty Dozen” list which is a list of scams involving the IRS. Many of the other scams on the list are aimed at taxpayers who try to cheat the system, whether it’s hiding their money in off-shore tax shelters or falsely inflating refund claims. However, this one is aimed at scamming the taxpayer, not the IRS. According to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA),…
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Don’t Let Legal Liability Cast a Shadow on Viewing the Solar Eclipse
You’ve probably heard by now about the total solar eclipse that will pass over the United States on Monday, August 21st, 2017. The path of totality is approximately 70 miles wide and stretches from Oregon to South Carolina, touching fourteen different states. A partial eclipse will be visible in every U.S. state. To see how the eclipse will look in your area, click here. With millions of American expected to travel to the path of totality, it is one of the most highly anticipated solar events in recent memory. What you might not have considered, however, are the legal implications of the solar eclipse. Don’t be an interloper. If…
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The Motorists’ and Cyclists’ Guide to Biking Laws in North Carolina
Recreational and commuter biking have increased in recent years, making road safety more important than ever. Since 2007, bike commuting has almost doubled in the largest 50 of America’s cities largely due to the addition and/or improvement of bike lane and pathway infrastructure. Despite some motorists disdain for bicycles on the road, cycling to work benefits everyone. Not only does biking directly benefit cyclist by providing an entertaining source of exercise and numerous health benefits, but even those that don’t bike benefit from the resulting cleaner air. North Carolina’s laws on bike safety are similar to those found in other states. Some apply to motor vehicle operators while others apply to cyclists. If you…
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The Importance of Being Earnest: Contracts Edition
Most people don’t like reading contracts and it’s no surprise why. They are usually boring, wordy, and full of legalese that can be difficult to understand. Reading them requires an attention span longer than most of us have and it’s easier to just sign on the dotted line rather than slog through each of the terms and determine whether they are agreeable. If a person does not make a living as a general contractor, wedding photographer, or any profession that signs contracts with clients on a regular basis, they may not realize how important a contract is. At it’s very core, a contract is an agreement defining the rights…
