Pittsburgh Better Times

A Lifestyle Publication for the Pittsburgh Community

Low-Income Women in Abusive Marriages in Beaver, Butler Counties Can Now Get Free Legal Help through ‘New Beginnings’ Program

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Allegheny County Bar Foundation Expands Program into Neighboring Counties

Many women are trapped in abusive marriages because they can’t afford the legal representation needed in to navigate the divorce process. The Allegheny County Bar Foundation aims to help women in these situations through its New Beginnings program.

Through the program, ACBF staff and volunteer attorneys provide free legal representation to women with very low incomes who have experienced abuse in their marriages and wish to be divorced in order to move on with their lives. The program has been in place in Allegheny County for decades and is now expanding into Beaver  and Butler Counties.

“It is tragic that so many women in our community feel trapped in abusive marriages simply because they don’t have the financial resources to hire an attorney,” said Barbara Griffin, director of the ACBF Pro Bono Center. “We have successfully helped hundreds of women in Allegheny County escape these situations, but until now, there have been few resources to help low-income women in the surrounding counties.” [Read more…]

9 Ways to Protect Everything You Own–From Everyone, Everytime

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By Hillel L. Presser

Lawsuits have become big business, especially since the economic downturn. They’re a cheap way for people to make lots of money, often with an investment of just a few hours’ time. Consider — the plaintiff may never even have to prove a thing; the prospect of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal bills can scare a defendant into opting for a settlement without ever putting up a fight. Even if he did nothing wrong.

More than 100 million lawsuits are filed each year; one in three people will be sued in the next 12 months. No one’s immune, but people with a lot of assets showing are especially vulnerable. If someone thinks you’ve got a lot to lose – and thus, they’ve got a lot to gain – you become a choice target. People who are less affluent are vulnerable in a different way: If a person with $100,000 in assets gets sued for $1 million, they’ll be wiped out, whereas the person with $5 million can survive a $1 million lawsuit.

[Read more…]

Protecting Your Legal Rights if You’re Injured on the Job

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By Dennis Liotta, Esq.

If you’re separated, divorced, or widowed, you may be working hard to get your life back on track. The last thing you need is to suffer a work-related injury, worry about your job security, or deal with the confusing legal system.

Pennsylvania workers’ compensation is designed to help injured workers. If you are ever hurt on the job, you need to know what to expect.

After a Work Injury…

If you’re hurt on the job, report your injury to your supervisor immediately, even if you don’t think the injury is serious. Many workers sustain injuries that may be more serious than they first appear.

Once you report your injury, your supervisor should file a “First Report of Occupational Injury.” The insurance company has 21 days to accept or deny your work injury.

[Read more…]

What to Do if You’re Injured in an Accident During Vacation

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By Michael H. Rosenzweig

If you’re widowed, separated, or divorced, you may need to rely on yourself for your own financial security. Injuries during summer vacation aren’t fun, but unfortunately, trips to the ER are quite common and can be very expensive.

That’s why you need to take the proper steps to prevent injuries and protect your legal rights if you’re involved in an accident.

Step 1: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities

First and foremost, you need to understand your rights and responsibilities. Know the state-by-state laws that will apply to you where you plan to travel, including traffic laws, motorcycle helmet laws, seat belt laws, drunk driving laws, cell phone and texting laws, etc. Even if you’re from another state, you must follow the laws that pertain to wherever you are. If you fail to do so, you could face fines, jail time, and compromise your legal rights if you’re injured.

Your Pennsylvania auto insurance policy will almost always determine your rights, and your first-party medical benefits coverage should “follow” you if you travel to another state – or even out of the country.

Keep in mind, however, that every state has its own set of conditions that could affect your claim. If you’re seriously injured and need compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, you should consider contacting an attorney in your home state to protect your legal rights.

[Read more…]

Don’t Let Ice and Snow Become a Winter Woe

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Those Who Are Widowed or Recently Divorced: Know Your Responsibilities

By Edgar Snyder, Esq.

Spring is right around the corner, but winter weather still can arrive quickly and unexpectedly. If you’re widowed or recently divorced, you may shoulder many responsibilities. Taking care of your property is no exception.

Removing snow and ice is necessary to help protect yourself and anyone living in your household from falling and sustaining injuries. You also will help protect your legal rights if someone else injures themself while on your property.

Removing Snow and Ice: Am I Responsible?

Owning a home versus renting a home – who’s responsible for removing snow and ice?

If you own your home…

Homeowners are responsible for keeping their property safe – that includes removing winter weather hazards. If a visitor falls on your property because you didn’t shovel and salt your walkway, you could be responsible for covering those injuries. Additionally, you could be held liable for injuries caused by falling icicles or patches of ice that form near downspouts.

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Auto Insurance: Cutting Corners Could Cost You

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By Edgar Snyder, Esq.

Another year has begun, and the economy is still unpredictable. Nearly everyone is looking for ways to pinch pennies, and people who are widowed or divorced may be scaling back their finances. Cutting coverage from auto insurance policies is common, but it could cost you thousands.

Even though it’s illegal to drive without car insurance, nearly 14% of drivers don’t have it. If you’re ever in an accident, you need to have adequate coverage to protect your financial security – especially as someone divorced or widowed. You can make changes to your auto insurance policy at any time, so there’s no better time than now to make changes to protect your legal rights.

Reviewing Your Auto Insurance Policy

If you’re not sure how much coverage to choose, here are some guidelines to help you understand the options available to you:

Tort

In Pennsylvania, you have the option of selecting Full Tort or Limited Tort. If you choose Full Tort coverage, you can collect money for pain and suffering if you’re injured in an accident, as well as compensation for medical payments, lost wages, and property damage. Limited Tort doesn’t allow you to collect money for pain and suffering.

[Read more…]

Allegheny County Bar Association Releases Legal Tips to Remember for the New Year

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The officers of the Allegheny County Bar Association released legal tips that could come in handy for the new year. These tips are the sixth in a series of monthly briefs from the association on a timely legal issue.  The legal tips are part of the association’s ramped-up marketing efforts to better inform the general public about the free legal information, assistance, and services available through the bar.

According to Howard J. Schulberg, President of the Allegheny County Bar Association, “While many of us make our resolutions for the new year, we tend to forget the measures to take to ensure that the new year does not begin with any legal issues that negatively impact both our financial and personal well-being.”

Schulberg said that several of this month’s legal tips could help almost everyone, while some may only impact a certain group of individuals, such as parents who have custody issues.  “Experiencing a legal issue  can be a trying time for our Allegheny County residents and that is why we encourage taking preventive legal measures to ensure you and your loved ones are protected,” he said.

[Read more…]

How to Avoid Home Repair Problems and Scams

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Tips provided by the Allegheny County Bar Association

There are many reputable and honest home repair persons and contractors, but, unfortunately, we hear about how dishonest persons prey on innocent homeowners or the elderly, take their hard earned money and leave them stuck with uncompleted repairs and projects.

  • Generally, you will be best served by dealing with local contractors who have an actual place of business and have been recommended by friends, family members, or reputable building supply stores. Be wary of unmarked or out-of-state trucks.
  • If you have been tricked into signing a contract by a door-to-door salesperson, you do have the right to cancel a door-to-door purchase within three days of the purchase if the item sold is for $25.00 or more. The seller has to give you written notice of that right and must tell you that you have the right to cancel. As long as you return whatever goods have been sold to you in the same condition, you are entitled to a refund of the money you have paid out. Keep in mind though that you must be able to find the person who sold you the items and took your money in order to get the refund. This is why it is so important to ensure you are dealing with someone reputable and who has an actual place of business. ALWAYS FEEL FREE TO SAY NO.

Divorce, Modern-Style

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By Barbara Ann Mohajery, Esquire
Mohajery & Associates, PC

Divorce is painful.  Marriage is a contract between two individuals but, unlike other contracts, it is not an “arms’ length” arrangement; i.e., divorce involves intense emotions which are often difficult to conceal.  A break-up of the family unit is particularly hard on the children.  Children who have always thought of their parents as all one word — “Mom-n-Dad” — are now compelled to think of them as individuals; i.e., “Mom, Dad”; or, even worse, led to believe that they must choose; i.e., Mom or Dad.

In Pennsylvania, the rules relating to the three major areas of family law are based upon principles of fairness.  Support calculations take into consideration the net monthly incomes of both parents; the standard in custody determinations is the best interests of the child.  The law allows for divorce without attributing blame (i.e., “no-fault”), and distributes marital assets and liabilities equitably, not necessarily equally (i.e., again, based upon principles of fairness – assuming, that is, that the court must become actively involved in support, custody, equitable distribution of marital property and/or divorce battles between the parties). [Read more…]