About Canaan Suitt, J.D.
Canaan Suitt received his J.D. from William & Mary Law School. After serving as a senior editor for the law school’s comparative law blog, he was a staff member of the William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review (ELPR). As a legal intern at the National Center for State Courts, he assisted in international rule of law projects and policy review; as a research assistant, he studied political dynamics in the U.S. federal judiciary. His articles on law and philosophy have been published in the ELPR as well as the academic journal Dewey Studies. He loves using his background in research and writing to make legal information accessible. Canaan currently writes for SuperLawyers.com. In his free time, he enjoys reading, travel, and being a cat dad.
Articles written by Canaan Suitt, J.D.
What Are the Legal Requirements To Adopt?
Adoption is a process that terminates the parental rights of a biological or birth parent and transfers those rights to new adoptive parents. Once final, adoptive parents have all the rights and responsibilities of parenthood over the adopted child. Adoption can be a complex and lengthy process depending on the child you want to adopt and the adoption procedures you have to follow in your state. Given the legal complexities of adoption, it’s a very good idea to consult with an …
Do I Need a Lawyer for an Uncontested Adoption?
It is not uncommon for the birth parent of a minor child to remarry, and their new spouse wants to adopt that child as their own. Oftentimes, the other biological parent is no longer present or has no interest in contesting such a stepparent adoption. Does this mean the stepparent can proceed with an uncontested adoption without an adoption attorney? Strictly speaking, you do not have to hire an attorney to complete the adoption process. That does not make it a good idea. Even in the best-case …
How To Get Child Custody
To obtain child custody, you must file a custody petition in the family court jurisdiction and serve the summons on the other parent. Using legal representation, create a draft parenting plan, a visitation schedule, and demonstrate why you should have sole physical custody based on the child's best interests standards. The family court can issue a temporary custody order before an evidentiary hearing for a sole or joint legal custody, where the parents and a guardian ad litem can present …
Landlord Rights and Responsibilities
Landlords are individuals or businesses that rent property to tenants in exchange for payment. If you’re a landlord, you have several important rights and responsibilities towards your tenants. Whether you’re planning to be a landlord for the first time or already have experience renting real estate, it’s important to understand the landlord-tenant law governing your role. Knowing your rights and responsibilities as a landlord can help prevent legal issues with your tenant from …
Know Your Tenant Rights
If you rent an apartment or house, you have important basic rights. Landlord-tenant laws at the local, state, and federal levels protect tenants' rights and interests, including the right to a habitable living environment, protection from unfair eviction, and the return of security deposits. For advice on your legal rights and how to enforce them, speak with a local landlord-tenant attorney. Quiet Enjoyment As a tenant, you have the right to enjoy your property without obstruction or intrusion …
When and How To File for Bankruptcy
To initiate bankruptcy proceedings, you must file a bankruptcy petition and pay the filing fee in federal court. When you are facing insolvency, debt default, and need an automatic stay from creditors, bankruptcy provides discharge options, credit counseling, and debtor education. A means test determines whether you can file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Chapter 7 asset liquidation bankruptcy appoints a trustee to sell off non-exempt property. Chapter 13 bankruptcy, with financial …
Types of Traffic Tickets and Penalties
If you are a driver, it’s likely you’ll get a traffic ticket sometime in your life. If it does happen, what are the consequences? The first thing to know is traffic laws vary from state to state, and traffic violations can range in severity from civil infractions to misdemeanors to felonies. Most traffic violations are non-criminal civil infractions, such as “speeding tickets or small traffic accidents. Civil infractions only ever carry a fine,” says Michigan DUI defense attorney Daniel …
What To Do if You Get a Traffic Ticket
When it comes to traffic violations, the bad news is most drivers will get a traffic ticket at some point in their driving life. The good news is most traffic violations are relatively minor offenses called civil infractions. “Civil infractions are non-criminal traffic violations that carry fines, never jail time," says Daniel J. Larin, a DUI defense attorney in Troy, Michigan. Infractions include: Illegal turns Parking tickets Speeding violations Running a stop sign or red light There are …
What Are the Consequences of a DUI?
It’s a crime in every state for someone to operate a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Commonly known as “drunk driving,” every state defines and labels this offense in its own way, including Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), and Operating Under the Influence (OUI). This article will use the general term “DUI” to refer to these laws. While the specifics vary from state to state, there are two general elements of a DUI offense: The driver was …
What Is a Mechanic's Lien?
A mechanic's lien is a construction law security interest on a property to enforce subcontractor rights in a payment dispute. A mechanic's lien is a cloud on the title or property sale obstruction to guarantee payment for building improvements by a licensed contractor or material supplier. Direct contractors must provide preliminary notice and notice of intent to file a lien. Perfecting a lien by paying within the redemption period removes it from the public record. If the owner does not make …
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