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Posts Tagged ‘Chapter’

Keane Memorial Award for Excellence in eLawyering Goes to Orange County Legal Aid

24 Mar

The James I. Keane Memorial Award for Excellence in eLawyering for 2011 is going to the Legal Aid Society of Orange County for their Legal Genie Project, reports the eLawyering Task Force of the Law Practice Management Section of the ABA, the group that makes the Award.

James Keane was the first appointed Chair of the group, and passed away tragically from cancer six years ago.

Legal Genie - Keane Award Winner - 2011

Bob Cohen is the long time leader of Orange County Legal Aid, and provided the leadership for this Project. 

This project combines the use of advanced web-enabled document automation technology to generate Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 documents, as well as California divorce pleadings. It is unique because it involves a network of lawyers who provide legal advice, document review,  and other assistance to clients who use the program. The use of Internet technology makes it possible for the lawyers to be involved, and to also get paid a fee, because the entire transaction is made more efficient. The lawyers who participating get the benefit of the Legal Aid brand, and the marketing that results from promoting the project.

The Project demonstrates how a vertical branded network of attorneys, empowered by a robust technology platform, can provide legal services at an affordable fee to individuals who could not normally afford a lawyer.

This is from the Legal Genie website:

 “Legal Genie is a simple, affordable and reliable online service created by Legal Aid Society of Orange County. It is designed for people who do not qualify for legal aid and cannot afford the services of an attorney. It asks simple questions and puts answers on the forms in the correct place.

"Legal Genie is different from other services because it connects you to a licensed attorney on our Lawyers Referral Service panel. The LRS attorney will give you telephone consultations, review your documents and give you legal advice. Legal Genie combines the magic of technology with the help of a professional at a price you can afford.”

The formal granting of the Award will be on April 12, 2011, at a Lunch for all of the attendees of  ABA TECHSHOW in Chicago, Illinois at the Hilton Hotel.

 
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Posted in ABA, Award, branded, Cohen, County, elawyering, eLawyering Events, I., James, Keane, lawyering, LegalGenie, networks, of, Orange, Robert, services, Society, TECHSHOW, virtual

 

Orientation Program for Pro Se Parties Required in King County

10 Feb

Effective January 1, 2011, the King County Superior Court passed an emergency rule that requires all self-represented parties to attend an Orientation Program.

The goal of the orientation is to effectively explain the court process to pro se parties in person instead of just handing out forms with instructions.

Attendance is mandatory and the rule is as follows:

LFLR 20. ORIENTATION PROGRAM IN FAMILY LAW MATTERS
Adopted on an Emergency Basis; effective January 1, 2011

(a) Description and Applicability. To assist self-represented parties involved in family law matters and improve the efficiency of the court, King County Superior Court Family Court shall conduct an Orientation Program for parties in all cases filed under Chapter 26.09 RCW, including dissolutions of marriage, legal separations and major parenting plan modifications.

(b) Mandatory Attendance. In all cases referred to in Section (a) above, all self-represented parties shall successfully complete the Orientation Program within thirty (30) days of filing or service of the summons and petition. Successful completion shall be evidenced by a certificate of attendance filed with the court by Family Court Operations staff. Any party attending the Orientation Program prior to obtaining a King County Superior Court cause number shall be responsible for filing his or her certificate of attendance in the court file when the cause number is obtained.

You can read details about the rule here, on the King County Superior Court website. The orientation will require a small fee that the pro se party is responsible for.

What does this rule mean for me, a pro se party?

We all know that the legal process can be confusing – which is why Pro Se University offers a number of workshops and services to help you navigate the process. So it’s a good sign that the King County Court is starting this program. What the orientation will look like in implementation is still to be seen.

The details about this program and how Family Court Services will notify pro se parties that file after January 1, 2011 are yet to be determined. If you are one of these people, you can contact Family Court Services for more information.

Related: LFLR 20. ORIENTATION PROGRAM IN FAMILY LAW MATTERS (http://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/Clerk/Rules/EmergencyLocalRules.aspx )

 
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Posted in family court, Family Law Court Services, King County, King County Superior Court, pro se law

 

What Happens If You Die Without a Will?

06 Oct

In truth, you have a will whether you know it or not. Note, the government does not take your property, this is a common misconception. However, if you never made a formal will, your state government made one for you. It is located in statutes commonly referred to as the laws of intestate succession. In Ohio, it is located in Title XXI of the Revised Code, Chapter 2105. You can see exactly what it says here. In a nutshell, your estate would be distibuted to your next of kin as defined in the code.  To get a good idea of how your property would be distributed, here is a valuable resource to calculate that for you.

This only applies to probate assets. What probate assets are and how to avoid probate will be the subjects of future articles.

If you do not like that distribution, you will have to prepare a will to ensure your estate is distributed the way you want it. Even if intestate succession does distribute your property to your liking, there are other reasons to have a will. Often there is question as to whether you had a will, which can lead to arguments and complex litigation among family members. This is especially true if one or more family members were under the impression that you were leaving them something (or lie and say you did). Your will would clarify that. Also, you can put other dieing wishes in your will such as who you want to raise your children and your burial wishes. While these clauses may not be enforcible, at least your wishes will be known (again subjects for future articles).

Avoid Probate Court: Will Software from Standard Legal

 
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Posted in Estate Planning

 
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