Articles Written by S.M. Oliva
The Penalties of Delaware’s Blue Sky Laws
How securities law violations are enforced on the state level
The Legal Benefits and Pitfalls of a Joint Venture
Advice for establishing a business agreement in Massachusetts
What Benefits Do I Get From Temporary Partial Disability?
How relief is determined for workers’ comp in Massachusetts
The Types of Commercial Leases in Massachusetts
What business owners should know about renting real estate
What If I Disagree With the Insurance Adjuster?
Consider a public adjuster assessment and, perhaps, legal counsel
Can I Sue for a Data Security Breach?
Legal remedies for a New York business victimized by data theft
Recovering Damages Against a Texas Local Government
How “sovereign immunity” can affect your personal injury claim
First Steps in the Texas Adoption Process
Can I adopt even if I am single and don't make a lot of money?
Making the Divorce Process Easier
Splitting up does not mean there needs to be a lengthy court fight
What Trust Should I Choose in Texas?
An overview of the types within which you might place your assets
What Are the Bankruptcy Exemptions in Texas?
Automotive, livestock, unlimited homestead and other debtor options
Seniors Can Stop Paying Property Taxes in Texas
What happens if a 65+ homeowner doesn’t pay them? (Hint: They don’t go away.)
If You Can’t Find a Job After a Workers’ Comp Injury
Oregon’s vocational rehabilitation system prepares you for the next career
How to Report Elder Abuse in Oregon
An overview of the laws meant to protect you, and how a lawyer can help enforce them
Working With the IRS When You Can’t Pay Your Taxes in Full
The collection process, payment options, compromises, and how an attorney can help
Can I Still Get Comp Benefits When I Return to Work?
Yes, if you qualify for temporary partial disability in Florida
Can I Sue if My Brand is Used in a Domain Name?
How to resolve trademark disputes in Washington state
Can I Sue When Kickstarter Fails to Deliver?
How the Consumer Protection Act covers crowdfunding in Washington
Where the Money Goes in a Successful Birth Injury Suit
Damages are often awarded to the child, sometimes in a trust
Should I Choose a Chapter 11 or 12 Bankruptcy?
An overview of these filings and reorganizations for Florida businesses
What If My Business or Product Name is Already Being Used?
Intellectual property issues in selecting a name in Pennsylvania
The Penalties and Defenses for Boating Drunk in Pennsylvania
The state has five classifications for BUI
Proving an Injury was Due to a Product Defect
Pennsylvania product liability law and how to recover compensation
The Penalties for Severe Tax Crimes in Colorado
What happens when they go unpaid, evaded or are fraudulent?
What If My Home Insurance Claim is Denied?
The steps to take when fighting back against insurers in Colorado
Can I Sue for Continued Exposure to Noise at Work?
Claiming workers’ compensation for loss of hearing on the job
Forms Companies Must File with the SEC
An overview of the documents required to avoid charges of fraud
Can Immigrants Be Indefinitely Detained?
What is allowed by law when the U.S. government detains you
Soft vs. Hard Insurance Fraud in New Jersey
What a white-collar criminal could face for committing it
The Ways You Can Break the Law by Protesting
The First Amendment isn’t all-encompassing when assembling in Georgia
You Can’t Sue Your Employer for an Injury in Georgia
No injury suits, no pain and suffering: Workers’ comp is the only remedy
What is Considered Secondary Liability in California?
The policies and punishments of indirect copyright infringement
California’s Legal Protections for Sexual Orientation
It’s a protected status, making discrimination illegal for any business
What You Should Do in an OIG Investigation
A lawyer comes in handy when the Inspector General comes knocking
The Ins and Outs of a “Free Fall” Bankruptcy
How an Illinois debtor can use Chapter 11 to restore its business
How a Class Action Judgment is Distributed
The compensation options that Illinois class members stand to receive
A Legal Guide to Zoning Changes and Exceptions
How to apply for rezoning, variances and conditional use permits in Illinois
Filing Chapter 7: Good News and Bad News
Weighing the pros and cons of this form of bankruptcy in Illinois
How Do I Prove Medical Malpractice in a Birth Injury Lawsuit?
Determining negligence and standard of care in Maryland
Should My Injury Lawsuit Be a Class Action?
Mass torts vs. civil suit: What you stand to gain in Maryland
How to Legally Redevelop a Historic Property
Staying within the confines of the federal and state landmark rules in Ohio
The Tax Responsibilities When a Business is Sold or Closed
The legal requirements laid out by the IRS and state of Ohio
Bad Faith Lawsuits When Health Insurance is Denied
Ohioans can appeal, and sue, their insurance when medical treatment is denied
Should a Lawyer File My Workers’ Comp Claim?
How to file and what to consider when you’re injured at work in Ohio
What Happens if You Refuse a Breathalyzer Test?
Missouri’s implied consent laws for DUI or DWI cases
Getting Damages from a Car Accident That Wasn’t Your Fault
How to establish proportional comparative fault in a Wisconsin
Can I Appeal to Get My License Back After Refusing a Breathalyzer?
How to appeal your suspension at a test refusal hearing in Mississippi
Modifying Child Custody Arrangements in Massachusetts
Why divorce doesn’t always end disagreements over parental rights
We’ve Agreed to Joint Custody, But Now What?
How Rhode Island family courts decide placement, visitation and support
What Is Considered Reasonable Accommodation in Massachusetts?
Federal and state employment rights for individuals with disabilities
Steps to Take if You're Being Wrongfully Evicted in Texas
A landlord cannot just change the locks without warning
Personal Injury Damages and Proportionate Responsibility
Texas limits recovery to plaintiffs who are 50 percent or less responsible
Child Custody Considerations Under Texas Law
Joint custody is the default, but it all depends on the circumstances
Is a Prenup a Good Idea in Texas?
A prenuptial agreement is a legal contract and should be treated as such
Considerations When Looking for a Personal Injury Attorney
Hiring a lawyer is a major decision that requires careful thought
What to Know When Injured in a Car Accident in Texas
How you conduct yourself may affect your right to compensation
Do I Need an Attorney to Apply for a Trademark?
Potential legal hurdles in the trademark application process
Another Driver Caused My Accident. How Much Can I Get?
When motorcycles, cars, and the law collide in South Dakota
The Legal Traps of Filing a Citizenship Application in Washington
An immigration attorney can help; just make sure they're legitimate
What Happens to My Property After Declaring Bankruptcy?
The items considered exemptions in a Washington bankruptcy claim
Suing Your Employer for Injuries at Work
What happens when you sue in a Pennsylvania workers’ comp claim
Hell on 18 Wheels: Crashes Involving Semi-Trucks
How to build a case if you were in an accident with a commercial vehicle in West Virginia
Will I Go to Jail for a Drug Possession Charge?
The state and federal penalties you could face in West Virginia
How Long Do I Have to Make a Workers’ Comp Claim?
The deadlines and details of work injuries in New Mexico
The Laws and Penalties of Drugged Driving in Colorado
Driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal
Recovering Damages for an Injury Where I'm Partly at Fault
The basics of New Jersey's “modified comparative negligence” rule
My Intellectual Property Was Stolen
Steps to take after copyright, trademark or patent infringement in New Jersey
How Does Informed Consent Work?
When and what a physician is legally required to tell you in Georgia
How to Obtain a Work Visa in California
What does it take for a foreign worker to be admitted to the United States?
Establishing Fault in a Car Accident Lawsuit
Who is liable and considered negligent in a San Diego auto accident?
How Civil Asset Forfeiture Works in Illinois
How you can lose your property even without a conviction
How to Make a “Clear and Convincing” Argument in a Workers’ Comp Suit
Louisiana’s standards of proof for disability claims
What Benefits Am I Entitled to If I’m Permanently Injured at Work?
Filing for permanent partial disability in Maryland
DUI v. DWI: What is the Difference?
The charges and penalties are separate, albeit similar, in Maryland
How Prenuptial Agreements Work in Minnesota
Is there a difference between prenuptial and postnuptial agreements?
Washington State’s Strict Liability for Dog Bites
Are owners responsible even if their dog has never previously bit anyone?
How Businesses Protect Trade Secrets in Pennsylvania
What qualifies as a trade secret, and what damages can you seek for unauthorized disclosure?
Bankruptcy Considerations for Small Businesses in Pennsylvania
Your business structure can limit your options, so plan ahead