Terre Haute Law Blog

As a passenger, do you have legal rights after a crash?

On behalf of Timothy R. Hayes, Attorney At Law on Friday, March 6, 2020.

Hopping into a vehicle with another person driving is not an uncommon event. You may catch rides with friends, family, a friend of a friend, or even a rideshare or taxi. You may even enjoy riding as a passenger rather than driving yourself because the activity can be nerve-wracking. Of course, as a passenger, you do not have control over the actions of the person driving, the vehicle or those traveling around you.

You may not consider yourself a backseat-driver, but if you have concerns about the way a person is driving, you may speak up in efforts to keep everyone safe. For example, if your driver looks at his or her phone, you may politely ask the driver to put the phone away. You may also request that a driver slow down when speeding. Unfortunately, these actions may not help you avoid a car accident caused by another driver.

Is delaying estate planning really in your best interests?

On behalf of Timothy R. Hayes, Attorney At Law on Wednesday, December 11, 2019.

When you hear about estate planning, you may have thought of it as something you needed to do...one day. Perhaps for years, you have been putting off creating an estate plan because you think you have plenty of time to complete it, or you may believe that you do not need one right now or that your family will know what to do if you do not get around to creating a plan.

Though many people think that their loved ones will automatically know what to do at times of importance, that is not always the case. For instance, if you suddenly become incapacitated, your loved ones may not know who should make medical decisions on your behalf or know what treatment you may want. For this and numerous other reasons, creating an estate plan should be a priority.

Contingencies may give you an 'out' when buying a home

On behalf of Timothy R. Hayes, Attorney At Law on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.

When you begin looking for a new home, you probably already realize you will have many documents to sign. You may feel overwhelmed at the amount of legal red tape involved in a real estate transaction. Many of the papers you sign outline your responsibilities to the mortgage lender and provide information about the laws that pertain to your new Indiana home.

Once you find a home that checks off the boxes on your wish list, one of the first documents you will sign is a purchase contract. This legally binding agreement says that you intend to buy the property, and you typically put down a good faith deposit to prove your intentions. However, this does not mean you are stuck buying a home that may end up being wrong for you. It is important that you read your contract carefully and understand the options you have for canceling the sale.

Your ex-spouse's bankruptcy filing may lead creditors to you

On behalf of Timothy R. Hayes, Attorney At Law on Monday, June 17, 2019.

Your divorce was something you did not expect to take so long and result in such pain and stress. Now that time has passed, you do not wish to revisit much about it, especially the deals with your ex.

A mutual friend expressed concern over the fact that your ex filed for bankruptcy. While you do not believe this is your concern, think again. Depending on the debts included in the filing, you may wind up on the hook for some or all debt your former spouse took in the divorce.

Debt consolidation versus bankruptcy

On behalf of Timothy R. Hayes, Attorney At Law on Tuesday, March 19, 2019.

When you have gotten in too deep into debt to see a reasonable way out, you may start looking at your long-term goals. Will paying eight credit card companies hundreds of dollars a month for the next six years really get you where you want to go?

People looking to clean up their credit and get back in good financial standing have a few choices. Debt consolidation companies promise to help get you back on track for a small fee, while bankruptcy may wipe out your debt entirely. What is the better choice overall?

Making an effective will in Indiana

On behalf of Timothy R. Hayes, Attorney At Law on Friday, December 21, 2018.

A will is an important part of your estate plan. Some people rely on their will to make their final dispositions, while others may also use instruments such as trusts to make the process more efficient.

An effective will communicates your wishes and serves as a mechanism to implement them. A form will or a carelessly drafted one can give rise to disputes and prolonged litigation, dissipating the estate's resources and generating conflicts.

Carbon monoxide dangers in the workplace

On behalf of Timothy R. Hayes, Attorney At Law on Tuesday, September 18, 2018.

Nearly everyone understands the importance of having a carbon monoxide detector in their home. Those who heat their homes with natural gas or wood have a valid risk of succumbing to carbon monoxide poisoning while they sleep or even when relaxing with their families. However, you and other Indiana residents may not think as often about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning at work, which can occur as easily as it might at home.

What exactly is carbon monoxide poisoning? According to the Mayo Clinic, this extremely hazardous event can occur if you have too much carbon monoxide in your bloodstream. Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of fuel burning, most often associated with natural gas, propane, wood and charcoal. Carbon monoxide poisoning happens when there is insufficient ventilation in an enclosed space.

Why many people could be closer to bankruptcy than they realize

On behalf of Timothy R. Hayes, Attorney At Law on Thursday, June 21, 2018.

If you are living paycheck to paycheck and dealing with credit card debt, you might be just a hefty car repair bill away from having to file for bankruptcy.

However, what if you have some decent savings, say, $5,000, and are able to keep your debts in check? There is no way you would have to deal with bankruptcy in the next year, right? Hopefully not, but many people have learned otherwise.

Important steps to take after a car accident

On behalf of Timothy R. Hayes, Attorney At Law posted in blog on Tuesday, March 20, 2018.

Terre Haute and neighboring cities are home to their fair share of car accidents. In 2016, there were 3,959 total collisions in Vigo County. Of those, 14 resulted in fatalities. This data is available due to publication in the Indiana University Public Policy Institute.

If you ever find yourself injured from an auto accident, then it is critical you follow these steps. Following proper protocol ensures you get the most coverage out of your auto insurance policy and that you have a greater chance of success if you need to go to court to attempt to collect damages.

How to handle partnership disputes

On behalf of Timothy R. Hayes, Attorney At Law posted in blog on Tuesday, December 26, 2017.

Disputes are not always avoidable between business partners in Terre Haute. What was once an amicable arrangement may become a contentious relationship that could shake up the very foundation of your company. Before you start looking for ways to cut your business partner out of the equation, you should keep in mind that disputes are sometimes necessary to ensure the integrity of your business.

How you handle conflicts can affect your company’s success and longevity. Here are some strategies for you to consider on business dispute resolutions.

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