LawCall™ is a weekly, thirty minute call-in show about legal topics of interest. Each week, we discuss personal injury, auto accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, slip and fall, DUI accidents and birth injuries, as well as bankruptcy, family law, divorce, landlord and tenant law, dangerous and defective products, legislative matters, and current issues in the legal world. We take your calls LIVE every Sunday at 11:35pm. Call us at 1-877-525-LAWS (5297) during the show.
This Week On LawCall™ — Law For The New Year
In every new year, many people start thinking about lifestyle changes and improvements they’d like to make. It’s also a good time to think about some new year’s resolutions for your legal situation. Have you put off writing a will? Updating your insurance policies? Following up on an accident or injury claim before it’s too late? Maybe this is the year you finally move ahead with that business idea? This week on law call, Tallahassee personal injury attorney Harry Graham and his guest, David Switalski, will be talking about what you should be doing to get your legal affairs in order for 2016.
If you have questions about writing a will, setting up a new business or updating your insurance coverage, give us a call. We’ll take your questions live.
2016 LEGAL RESOLUTIONS (That you should DEFINITELY keep!)
WRITE A WILL
Many people who don’t have a will think they don’t have enough assets (property and/or cash) to bother with one. Or, they think that making a will might cost too much. In fact, a simple will isn’t that expensive—and you don’t have to have an attorney to write one. A will is simply a legal document that ensures your wishes will be carried out after your death, and it doesn’t need to be fancy; it just needs to get done.
Every adult should have a will, but for parents with minor children, it is vital to have one. In a will, you will clearly state your wishes if you die, which will prevent many of the difficulties that can happen when parents die without a will. Whether or not you have young children, it’s a good idea to make sure you have a will, a healthcare directive (which states your desires concerning end-of-life care), and powers of attorney for both your financial and medical decisions, should you become incapacitated.
REVIEW/UPDATE YOUR INSURANCE POLICIES
Life Insurance
If you don’t have a life insurance policy, make 2016 the year you get one! If you already have a life insurance policy, you should review it annually, updating your beneficiary provisions as necessary. Life insurance provides a safety net for your family. Depending on the amount of the policy, life insurance can pay off your mortgage, fund your children’s college educations, and ensure financial stability for your family after your death. However, it can’t do any of those things if you don’t have one.
Car Insurance
Not only is car insurance required by law, but driving without sufficient amounts of car insurance can cause you financial difficulties if you are ever in a car accident. Once a year, you should review your policy to ensure that you have adequate coverage, especially liability coverage and, in Florida, uninsured motorist coverage. Your insurance agent should be happy to help you with your review.
TAKE CARE OF ANY LINGERING LEGAL ISSUES (Many have a time limit on them.)
If you have been injured, you should know that there is a statute of limitations for most personal injury claims. Before time runs out on your ability to receive compensation for your injuries, contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
The personal injury attorneys at Tallahassee Law Firm Fasig & Brooks can help you if you have been injured, or if you need an attorney in another practice area of law, such as labor law or criminal law. For over 30 years, Fasig & Brooks has been a part of the legal community in Tallahassee and North Florida, and we have developed excellent relationships with lawyers in all practice areas. We will refer you to an attorney that we would use ourselves, and would recommend to a friend or family member.
Most people never speak to an attorney until they desperately need one. A good lawyer can help you get control of the legal issues in your life. Give us a call at (850) 222-3232. An attorney is always available, day or night, weekday or weekend, to take your call.
LawCall™ features Tallahassee personal injury attorneys, Vinse Barrett, Jimmy Fasig, Dana Brooks, and Mark Nonni, plus guest attorneys from across North Florida who answer your questions on a different legal topic every Sunday. Long-time newscaster Frank Ranicky anchors the program.
