Appointments – Manage Your Time Better At Home to Be Effective

What would happen to you if your home life was more organized than it is right now? Can work-life balance be achieved? What are the tools at our disposal? Could scheduling appointments and keeping them at home help us save time and prioritize?

What is the challenge we face? I sometimes find that time spent at home can be the busiest time, especially in the times we live in. Imagine someone working from home, home-schooling children, and sometimes even doing a side hustle. Imagine also the full-time home-based entrepreneur. How do they manage to do all they need to do in a day?. We are living in a time when many entrepreneurs and even company employees have adopted work- at – home culture. This comes with its challenges as the lines become blurred between home and work. These blurred lines and constraints on the limited resource called time result in over-worked, under-rested, burnt-out individuals. Whilst good time management has been encouraged and indeed, embraced in the workplace, I believe more needs to be done in changing the mindset for the elusive work-life balance to be achieved.

What are the tools at our disposal? To manage time effectively at home, there are many interventions one can employ including setting goals for the day, prioritizing wisely, setting a time limit for every task, organizing oneself, and instituting the discipline of appointments. Yes, an appointment at home! We can spend time pontificating on the pros and cons of each intervention, however, I believe we need to focus on appointments and see how this can powerfully change the course of one’s day regardless of whether it’s a workday or weekend. Life is busy as it is without any intrusions. The question is how do you handle the one who announces that they are at the gate. These can be friends, neighbors, a salesman of some product you do not even need. I am not promoting regimentation here but rather a culture of filling your day with what’s important. Everything that we succeed at is because we carefully plan and execute it. I am a firm believer that you cannot manage time if you do not manage yourself thus I implore you to incorporate planning and appointments into your repertoire. I am not talking about something I do not do. I have to achieve many things in a day therefore I set appointments with my work, others, and myself.

Could scheduling appointments and keeping them on the home front help us save time and prioritize? Whereas we have established that it is a normal business practice to set appointments and keep them, we need to abandon the liberal open-door policy of allowing all and sundry to have access to us as and when they please on the home front. Please understand where I am coming from. We each have greatness within us but for us to achieve it we need to culture great habits. Employing the use of appointments at home and seeing only those people you had agreed to see removes non-essential encounters especially during the most productive hours. I know this will vary with culture, geographical region, or even level of affluence, whether you live in a low density or high-density residential area, but doesn’t negate the need to be organized and effective. Controlling access determines how organized you are and how well you will work and rest when the time for scheduled rest comes.

What do we need to do differently? We need to be disciplined and diligent, learn to say no, now is not a good time, let’s make an appointment for next week. What are the benefits of this approach? You are not always fire-fighting to meet deadlines, You are not always tired because you have not taken time out to rest. You have set aside enough time to spend with your loved ones or a loved one. If you are a busy person, I am sure you appreciate what I am saying. Whether it’s time to work uninterrupted, family time, or “me-time”, it takes some kind of order to enjoy it.

I am not saying that those that come unannounced are bad people. No, not at all, they probably are people you enjoy spending time with. Nevertheless, there must be prior communication so that you can attend to your visitor(s) when it is convenient for both you and them. It can be quite disrupting and a whole day can just pass by without achieving anything that you had planned to do.

As we grow older we begin to appreciate that rest and recovery need to be scheduled. The fact that I am relaxing doesn’t mean that I don’t have anything to do. One therefore cannot assume that just because you are at home you are available. Maybe you have scheduled that time to rest. That is important. You need to make an appointment with yourself, spouses need to also set aside time for each other. Parents need to schedule a time to spend with their children. When you have some sort of order in your life you determine who sees you and who you see. It also means that your relationships will be healthy and that makes you a happier person.

In conclusion, I believe that the work-life balance can be achieved. There are many tools at our disposal just like it is in the workplace.I believe we could do more and be happier if we are disciplined enough to make only the commitments we can keep.I am certain that setting appointments and keeping them at home help us save time and prioritize.

Find a Cheap Lawyer?

What do Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and cheap lawyers have in common? A dumb question to be sure, as there is no Santa Claus, Easter Bunny or cheap lawyers; however if you have a legal problem and you need to get it fixed, there are some alternatives to consider before you give a lawyer a retainer.

Paralegals

When talking to a paralegal they cannot give you specific legal advise, but they can talk to you in general terms, and you might be surprised at some of the solutions they might suggest that you as a lay person might not even be aware are available, like talking to the Small Business Administration if you have problems with your business. SBA offices will often times have retired lawyers that they can refer you to get free advise. SBA offices usually have libraries with lots of reference tools that you can use.

Legal Forms Online

One resource that you might consider is Nolo which provides many legal forms that you can fill out yourself; many times if the item under consideration is straightforward this can be a simple and easy solution. They also provide articles, many are very topical such as using bankruptcy to avoid or forestall foreclosure of your home. They also have forms for simple wills and simple incorporation.

Mediators

Many times both parties would if possible like to avoid going to court and a mediator might be a solution that works for your circumstances. Divorces in particular using this strategy might save you thousands of dollars, which in this taxing emotional period not introducing or enlarging existing money problems can make a bad situation, a little more bearable.

There is always going to be a need for lawyers and figuring out when is always going to be tricky. Many lawyers will answer some questions for you for free to see if you do need there services, others might charge a small consultation fee. If you do need a lawyer, looking for a cheap one might actually cost you more money in the long run!

This is not legal advice and should not be acted on as legal advice. This is general information for you to consider. If you have legal question get legal help from a licensed attorney or paralegal.

The Basics of Acquiring a US Visa

It’s not uncommon to dream of visiting places you see in the movies. Let me guess, most of them are in the United States. To name a few, New York, LA, Miami, Washington and Chicago are some of the common tourist destinations in the US. You have the resources but you harbor this apprehension of being denied.

This should not stop you from making your travel plans a reality. If you have relatives in the US or you would like to travel solo, the key is to know what type of visa you must apply for, the necessary documents you must fill out, and more importantly, the purpose of your visit to the US.

First things first, know the difference between a US Visitor Visa (B-2) and a US Visa Sponsorship.

These two things are not the same.

The visitor visa often known as B-1/B-2 visa is a non-immigrant visa for people wishing to enter United States temporarily for pleasure, medical treatment, and business. In this case, you apply for your US Visa with the US Embassy or Consulate. Whereas, a U.S. visa sponsorship is applied for by the employer or close family member by filing an immigration petition with the U.S. government for getting a residency card (Green card) for their employee or close family member. This is also known as non-immigrant petitions such as work visa (e.g., H, L visa) as well as family visa (e.g., Fiancé or K visa).

What is the purpose of your visit?

You will be asked this question by the US consul who you will meet when you get to the embassy. But before that, determine the purpose of your trip. If the purpose of your trip is to visit USA for a short duration for pleasure, tourism, and visit relatives, family, or friends, then visitor visa known as Tourist visa to USA or B-2 visa is the right visa for you.

However, keep in mind that you if apply for a visitor’s visa, among other things, you must show to the US Consular officer that they have strong ties to the Philippines as you home country and they intend return after their temporary stay in the U.S. You must also show that you have enough money available to take care your expenses for your U.S. trip such as air tickets, visitors insurance, lodging/boarding, transportation expenses, tourism expenses and all other expenses.

What if I don’t have enough resources but my friends and relatives in the US are willing to shoulder my stay there?

Then this is where sponsorship sets in.

Who can sponsor my trip?

Any US-based person can sponsor visa for his/her parents, relatives, and friends. This means that he/she must either be a holder of an I-94 (US Green card) or a US Citizen. Your sponsor should provide an affidavit of support (form I-134). The form is a confirmation that the sponsor is ready to undertake the financial liability of the applicant during the visit.

What documents do I need to submit?

Must have Documents for US Visitor Visa interview:

  1. A valid passport that does not expire prior to 6 months beyond of your intended stay.
  2. Printout of your confirmation page from the form DS-160
  3. Fee receipt US Visa Fees
  4. One photograph
  5. Original/Copy of Visa interview appointment letter

Supporting documents to show your Ties with your home country include:

You must demonstrate strong economic, social, and familial ties with your home country. You must also show that you will not become a burden on US by proving your financial stability to cover the expenses in US. These facts will ensure the interviewing officer that you will return to your home country after the authorized period of stay in USA. The required documents are:
1. Evidence of sufficient funds for the visit to US (Bank statement and passbook, etc.)
2. Evidence to show that you have strong ties to your home country. Documents related to the property you own and your employment are good evidence
a. If you are employed get a verification letter of employment
b. If you are self-employed get a financial and other documentary proof of the ownership
c. If you are a government employee get a Certificate of Employment and an Authority to Travel Certification
d. Tax ID, and recent tax-related documents
e. Original property papers like house, shop or business ownership documents etc. which you own in the Philippines/home country. If no papers available, make a notarized affidavit for the same
f. Documentary evidence of running any business or organization
g. Evidence of family ties like unmarried children, old aged parents and other family responsibilities
h. If person is an employee, other than proof of employment and proof of leave granted from the office, any such document that would show proof that you have reasons to come back

Documents and other proofs aside, the assistance of an immigration counsel/consultant who would facilitate your application and better your chances of getting approved is strongly suggested and highly encouraged.

Select an Experienced Defense Lawyer

Some of you may be wondering why you would ever need a San Antonio defense lawyer. Well, any time a person is accused of a crime-whether they are innocent or guilty-they have to build a defense to present in court. An experienced lawyer will help to not only build a strong argument, but also deliver it during the trial.

Lawyers will assist you from the time you have been arrested and throughout your court case. They provide legal services after your case, if you have been tried and convicted through the appeals process. You can obtain a professional San Antonio defense lawyer privately, meaning you, a relative, or friend researched credentials, and secured one personally.

In selecting the right legal representative, you want to make sure they have expertise in the area in which you were charged. Someone that has experience going to trial and fighting cases similar to yours, preferably with a high success rate would be very beneficial. It wouldn’t be a good idea if you have a felony case, and the lawyer has only handled misdemeanors in the past.

The lawyer you secure will examine your case and look at you as being innocent. They will advise you and secure all of the documentation they need to present the best case on your behalf. The types of crimes a San Antonio lawyer can help you with are crimes of a violent nature, like assault, murder, sexual assault, molestation, possession of drugs or trafficking drugs.

While many lawyers can handle federal and capital cases such as murder, sexual assault, and drug violations, they are usually also adept at handling what are known as “white collar” crimes, such as embezzlement and fraud. Another thing to keep in mind when looking for an attorney is that many of them offer free consultations, so inquire about this before setting up a meeting with any lawyer. This can not only save you money, but can also take off any pressure you may feel to choose a lawyer that you don’t really want.

What Damages Can I Claim After a Drunk Driving Accident

Being injured in a drunk driving accident can be life-altering. You need to hire a professional personal injury attorney. Only he can educate you regarding the legal process and eventually help you win the case with the best possible compensation.

As per the Florida law, you are a victim of a drunk driving accident if the accident causes you loss of any form that demands compensation. Under Florida Statute for victims of DUI crashes, there are certain “allowances” provided for the victims. However, the victim or his lawyer often requires to pursue these allowances he is subjected to!

You must be aware about the multiple ways through which a victim can obtain benefits. A set of Qualification Requirements has been established by the Florida’s Bureau of Victim Compensation for receipt of funds under its Crimes Compensation Act. Here are the requirements:

  • The reporting of the crime to law enforcement needs to be done within 72 hours.
  • It is necessary for the victim to have suffered some form of personal physical injury. There is an automatic reduction in the funds for those who have just suffered psychiatric or psychological injury due to the accident.
  • Application needs to be filed within the time period of one year after the crime date. In case a valid cause is shown, the time period might be expanded up
  • to 2 years.
  • The victim must cooperate with law enforcement, State Attorney’s Office, and the Attorney General’s Office fully.
  • The victim must not have been engaged in any form of unlawful activity at the time of the accident.
  • The victim must not be responsible for the accident in any way.
  • The victim must not have a record of felony conviction.

What are the benefits available to the victim?

You need to meet all the above criteria in order to be proven as the victim. Only then, as per the Bureau you are entitled to the following benefits:

  • Loss of wage
  • Loss of support such as the death of a close relative etc.
  • Disability of any form
  • Expenses related to funeral
  • Expenses pertaining to medical treatments
  • Mental health counseling
  • Compensation for any kind of Property Loss

However, the truth is that you and your lawyer need to pursue your compensation actively in order to avail all the benefits available under the Florida Law. This specific statute helps to save you a good deal of your medical costs.

An injury caused due to drunk driving accident might cause you loss of time at work and subsequently loss of high wages. You might have to struggle to pay the bills. When your general bills are added on by your medical expenses, you might lose your sleep at night. So, it is more than essential for you to claim lost wages in a drunk driving accident. This includes future wages If the injuries you suffered leaves you disabled or incapable of functioning properly to provide output to the company, you need to count your future wages as well for compensation.
You are also entitled to seek damages for pain and suffering caused by such an accident. This involves the physical or mental distress caused due to someone’s death. You need to prove the nature and severity of your injury as well as the prognosis issued by the doctor with the intent to claim such damages.
Out of all the damages claimed, those related to medical expenses is the most common. This is because in most cases, medical expenses can add up at a striking rate into a lump sum. The situation might be the same even when you have medical and auto insurance. You can demand reimbursement for ambulance rides, consultations, medical equipment, physical therapy, in-home medical care and all other expenditures.
What to do just after a drunk driving accident occurs?
  • Dial 911

When you find out you are the victim in the crash, dial 911. Make sure to receive treatment for your injuries instantly, if possible. Police officials soon test the other driver for the accident.

  • Gather contact information

Collect important contact information. It includes the other driver’s name, contact number, address, and details related to insurance. Also, gather relevant info from the witnesses on the scene. Gather their basic contact information as well since it might come handy later.

  • Gather every possible piece of evidence

Click pictures of the crash scene, the vehicles or vehicles that were involved, and any injuries that you suffered. If there are other pieces of evidence like torn clothing, crashed debris etc., make sure you keep those handy as well.

  • Hire a drunk driving accident attorney

Only the qualified drunk driving attorney has an absolute knowledge on law. At first, the case might seem to be simple but things might get tense with the progression of the case. So, be on the safe side and get yourself a proper attorney with specialization in this field.

Who is usually responsible for drunk driving accidents?
If the person who apparently caused the accident is found to have a BAC that is higher than the legal limit, you can go ahead in filing a lawsuit against him. You can also file a claim against a restaurant or bar if it is responsible for providing alcohol to the person accused for the accident.
  • The accused person needs to be Under 21 years of age.
  • The accused need to be someone who is “habitually addicted” to alcohol.

It is pretty difficult to put the blame or a part of blame on the third parties that might actually be liable for the drunk driving accidents.

The Search For a Defense Attorney

If you watch much television, the odds are you seen a program where someone gets arrested and read their Miranda rights. Included in these is the right to an attorney, even if the court has to appoint one. This is a very important right in our country and if you are arrested in San Antonio, guilty or innocent, you will need to find and hire a San Antonio defense attorney.

Granted, it would be wonderful if every attorney was as talented as the fictitious Ben Matlock or Perry Mason, however in reality, all lawyers differ in regards to talent, perseverance, and overall passion for law and defending the rights of American citizens. Whether their client is guilty or innocent, a defense lawyer must not only have the skills to build a good defense for their client, but also be able to present that case effectively in trial. Unfortunately, some lawyers are simply more skilled and accomplished than others.

When you’re on the prowl for a good San Antonio attorney, the best way to get a good idea about the capability of a lawyer is to have a look at their history. For instance, read up about the results of their past cases and determine whether more cases are won or lost by this lawyer. Pay particular attention to the cases which are most similar to yours. You may find that some lawyers with exceptionally high win/lose ratios and well-known reputations will usually charge more for their service, especially if the attorney uses public advertising such as TV and radio commercials. But regardless of the lawyer’s price range, it is important that you do choose proper representation rather than attempting to represent yourself in trial, particularly if it is a criminal offense.

In jail, you are likely to find many different people from different backgrounds. Talk to some of them about who they have as attorneys. This will help you to decide on the best San Antonio criminal defense attorney for your case and increase the odds that you will get off or have a less than maximum sentence for the crime you are accused of committing.

Received a Copyright Infringement Notice? Now What?

Are you one of those who just received a TCYK LLC letter? In order for such a letter of claim not to become a TCYK LLC lawsuit eventually, it is a must to know some what-to-do guidelines when receiving notices for copyright infringement. So, read on; this article might help.

Let’s start with some FAQs:

Who sends a letter of claim?

Only 3 sources are authorized to send you a letter of demand for copyright infringement, and these are:

  • An exclusive licensee or someone who has an exclusive copyright license of a certain creative material
  • The owner of the copyright
  • The solicitor/s and anti-piracy entities who have been hired by copyright owners to chase infringers

In some territories and selected cases, the ISP may also have the right to send a copyright infringement notice to warn subscribers of their illegal downloading and/or file-sharing activities.

What to do next?

You need to respond to the letter of claim within the period specified on the letter. In England, it is a general rule to reply to a letter of demand or copyright infringement notice within 14 days after receiving the letter, whether you are guilty of the allegation or you are not directly responsible for the infringement. This is why proper understanding of the letter’s content is a must before even thinking of responding through email or phone call. Take your time knowing the details of the allegation, and consider seeking professional legal assistance if there are things you want to be clarified. Aside from asking legal advice from a solicitor, you may also get in touch with the letter sender directly through the hotline provided on the letter. This way you can easily get more information regarding the allegation against you as well as prevent any more serious consequences like litigation. Responding to a letter of claim immediately also lets you clear your name if ever you did not really commit the infringement.

So what should you do to stop receiving another copyright infringement notice?

  1. Stop downloading copyrighted materials. Yes, it is as simple as that. Most things you see online are owned by someone, and it is better off not to take something that’s not yours, unless you have already acquired permission from the rightful owner. However, there are also copyrighted materials that are made available by the copyright holders themselves through a Creative Commons License, which means you are actually free to make use of certain music and other creative materials online. Although there is this exception, it is still important to note that most free films you see online should not be really free and are still owned by people or entities, therefore you are most likely required to pay for downloading and/or sharing them.
  2. Check your internet connection usage. It is also important to know everyone who has access to your Wi-Fi connection to easily track the person/s responsible for any infringement, especially if you are very much aware that you haven’t really tried downloading or sharing copyrighted materials through your PC and other devices at home. You can check who accessing your wireless router by looking into its logs of connections, which most routers do have. You may also acquire assistance from your ISP in order to make sure that only you and your family or anyone in your household are the only ones accessing your internet connection, therefore not putting you at risk of any illegal downloading and other copyright infringement allegations.

These are just some of the basic precautionary measures you can do to stay away from letting a letter of claim turn into a TCYK LLC lawsuit.

Finding a Good Family Lawyer

Family lawyers are needed in different situations including divorce. Such situations are very stressful and if you are not careful, you may have a very hard time during such times. There is a need to have a professional with a deep understanding of the law on your side so as to handle different situations that you may not know how to handle completely. This can make the process much easier for you and the whole family.

When you are looking for a family lawyer, there are some qualities that should be outstanding. These will help you know whether the person you have chosen to represent you is capable of handling himself and the case at hand. Some important qualities include:

  1. Communication: the lawyer should be able to communicate and communicate well. This is very critical. The lawyer needs to be able to communicate in an easy and clear manner. When you have a lawyer, it is necessary that you are able to voice your expectations and concerns. It is the job of the lawyer to explain things clearly to you as well as those that have to do with the case and to give you expectations that are realistic. The lawyer should also be able to communicate with other parties to the case. Good communication leads to effective negotiations keeping costs down. A good communicator will also be very helpful should the case go to court.
  2. Experience and skills: while it is important to have an attorney to represent you, it is important that he is able to represent you well. So as to do this, skills are required. A case such a divorce can touch on many aspects of family life as we know it. This may include career, retirement, finances and so on. The lawyer should be experienced and very knowledgeable so as to make sure that all your interests are protected. Experience in family law cases is an added advantage especially if such a case has a lot of similarities with yours.
  3. Availability: when you are searching for a representative, make sure it is a person that is available in all the important points of your case. If he can’t be present all the time, he should have support available to cover when he has other matters to attend to. The lawyer should avail himself to respond to questions in a good and timely way, he should work with timeframes so as to reassure you of his dedication. He shouldn’t be too held up with pother cases so as to be able to pay attention to yours.
  4. Composure: your family lawyer should be able to maintain his composure at all times. This isn’t only about staying focused and calm, but also exhibiting a lot of self-control when in the courtroom or when dealing with other lawyers, even if he feels frustrated, your interests need to represent very strongly but he shouldn’t take things too personally when the turn of events isn’t completely to his favor.
  5. Support and resources: lawyers have other clients too, and it is not possible that they will always be available to answer questions every time something comes up. It helps when the lawyer has a team working with him so that even emergencies can be handled swiftly.

Understanding Product and Premises Liability

Detroit liability attorneys can come in very handy if you should ever be accused of or suffer from the effects of neglected or harmful products or property. If you were to manufacture a product that does not live up to the safety and performance you promise, or if you have suffered due to a company’s faulty product, then you should definitely seek the services of a Detroit liability lawyer. A liability lawyer is a lawyer who specializes in the representation of liability cases. This type of lawyer should be up to date on Detroit liability laws and of course be understanding and sympathetic to your situation.

When a product turns out to be unsafe or the service contract is not being upheld, it is time to seek out advice about the product liability or the legal responsibility of the product. Detroit product liability attorneys are also well versed in legal actions involving products that are defective. For instance, products that contain lead paint, PVC Plastic, pesticides or herbicides, and asbestos just to mention a few.

Prescription drugs that turn out to be harmful because of a defect or a recall also need the expert advice of the liability attorney. For example, medicines for treating hormone replacement therapy, diet drugs, antidepressants and atypical anti-psychotics to name just a few. These can be very complicated claims that definitely need the expertise of a trained professional to resolve.

A Detroit premises liability attorney will also be your best choice of advice when it comes to premises liability. This is also a very complicated legal issue that may include punitive damages, loss of work, and medical expenses that is caused by negligence of the owner of the property. A property must be maintained in a safe condition. The owner of the premises is legally held responsible for protecting anyone who enters. Proving this kind of negligence is a complex matter. Just like product liabilities, premise liability legation is best placed in the educated hands of a liability attorney.

If Traveling to Chicago, Know the Details of Chicago Traffic and Signal Rules

Chicago speed limits vary, and on most city roads it is 30 mph. however, the interstate highways, but for the congested areas accept a 55 mph speed limit. In Chicago at a red light turning right after stopping when there is no oncoming traffic is permitted, yet ensure there are no restrictions posted. In case of doubts, patiently wait for the green. Cameras are installed at most major city intersections to catch drivers running red lights and are the cause to other infractions. Chicago is filled with several one-way streets, particularly in and around, surrounding the Loop, so it is very essential to look for alert signs and also for other cars.

Likewise, the laws for drunk-driving in Illinois is quite strict. Anyone caught with.08 or more blood-alcohol content while driving will have automatically his or her license seized, besides will be issued a ticket. In fact, the home states authorities will also get notified. Drivers having Illinois driver’s licenses may have their licenses suspended on the first offense for three months.

Traveling to Chicago indicates following several rules and one is the passengers must wear seat belts and even children under the age eight may wear the strap in the child-safety seats. This city also does not permit using cellular phones handheld devices and is considered illegal while driving in the city. Of course these restrictions are not the same in the suburbs, it varies. There is a must for the headlights in case you are using the windshield wipers. In Illinois the radar detectors are legal.

Visiting Chicago is interesting, if you are ready to walk short distances. Most tourist attractions are close by that it can be covered by walking or you can use public transportation. But, if you wish to drive here, you must be prepared to accept the rules of Chicago. However Chicago is relatively easy to find your way around as it is logically laid out city. Although there is traffic jams in rush hours and is frustrating as in other large cities, yet you have to accept the fact that the traffic runs smoothly at most day times. Chicagoans are always ready for unexpected delays and one thing is definite that throughout the summer and spring months at least few downtown street or one major highway is sure to go under repair. That is the reason it is commonly told that Chicago has two seasons, construction and winter.

Driving in Chicago, make sure to take a spin along the stretch between the Museum Campus and North Avenue as it is truly stunning. However, do not miss out the posted driving rules. Be prepared always for some taxi occasionally to cut or made an unexpected turn without giving any signal. Generally, on seeing yellow light, the drivers here take speed and so hearing to honking is common, especially if you fail to make a mad dash prior to the light turning red. As expected, the parking price is at premium and street parking throughout downtown is limited for 2 hours, but get a ticket from nominated pay box and stick it to your dashboard.