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 Does a Guardian Ad Litem Do?
Guardianship is a legal relationship in which an adult is authorized to represent the best interests of a person who can't represent themselves. In family law cases, one kind of guardianship is especially important: The guardian ad litem. The court appoints a guardian ad litem to represent the best interests of minor children in disputes such as child custody, divorce, or the termination of parental rights. “Every state has some form of a guardian ad litem,” says Joseph P. Cadicina, a …
How Much Does It Cost To Get a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney?
If you live in a nursing home and have experienced neglect or abuse from caregivers or other staff, there are steps you can take to address the situation: Report the abuse: Nursing homes are subject to regulation and oversight by state and, in some cases, federal government agencies. Depending on where you live, you can request an investigation through your state’s department of health, adult protective services, or the state’s ombudsman program. File a lawsuit: Filing a report with …
Medical Power of Attorney and Advance Directives
A medical power of attorney and an advance healthcare directive are two important legal documents that prepare for what happens if you become unable to make medical treatment decisions for yourself. An advance healthcare directive outlines your healthcare wishes in the event you become incapacitated. A medical power of attorney designates someone to make healthcare decisions for you. These documents are among the most basic and necessary tools for planning your future. To make sure your …
What Is Elder Law vs. Estate Planning?
Estate planning and elder law are two related areas of law that address common issues for older people. Estate planning governs how assets and property are handled after someone passes away. Elder law governs end-of-life planning, including healthcare directives, Medicaid planning, and protection from elder abuse. This article introduces the fields of elder law and estate planning. For personalized help, talk to a local elder law attorney for legal advice. Understanding Estate Planning and …
How Elder Guardianship Works
A guardian or conservator is a court-appointed individual who manages the personal affairs of an older adult who has become incapable of managing their own affairs. When parents age, it presents children with many difficult questions. At times, there’s a fine line between trying to help and being perceived as meddling or taking over. Yet letting things go for too long can leave an incapacitated parent without the assistance they need. When is the right time for your dad to stop driving? When …
How To Get a Zoning Change or Exception
Zoning refers to the process of dividing a municipality into residential, commercial, and industrial areas. Within each zone type, there are restrictions on what a property owner may do. For example, residential zoning may limit the acceptable height of an apartment building. Local government zoning boards establish and enforce local zoning ordinances. For more information about getting an exception to your local zoning laws, talk to a land use and zoning law attorney. Real Estate and Zoning …
What Real Estate Owners Should Know About Land Use Laws
Land use and zoning is an area of law “associated with the tension between the landowner doing what they want to do with their private property and the government having the ability to regulate what the owner can do through its police power,” explains Texas eminent domain attorney Charles B. McFarland. Most land use and zoning laws are at the state and local levels. A number of federal laws are also relevant, particularly environmental regulations and the management of public lands. …
How Do You Determine Just Compensation in Eminent Domain Cases?
“The government always has to pay for the private property it takes through eminent domain,” says Texas eminent domain attorney Charles B. McFarland. This requirement is called just compensation. The key question is: How much? Determining just compensation can be complicated and is frequently litigated in eminent domain cases. This article will overview some of the factors that can go into determining just compensation. Since this area of law is complex and varies by state, it’s …
Can I Refuse To Sell My Property in an Eminent Domain Case?
“Eminent domain is the taking of private land for public use by the state or federal government,” says Texas eminent domain attorney Charles B. McFarland. Government entities exercising the power of eminent domain are called “condemnors.” This is why eminent domain attorneys are sometimes called condemnation attorneys. Of course, the government cannot simply take your property — they must pay you for it. It’s the last of the rights mentioned in the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. …
Steps for Employers To Avoid Employment Litigation
Employers want to avoid unnecessary employment litigation. Litigation is costly, uses company resources, and can harm the company's reputation. Though lawsuits can happen even with the best practices in place, employers may be able to avoid many lawsuits with strong workplace policies and enforcement. If a lawsuit does arise, employers can be confident that they have done what they can to prepare themselves for legal action. This article covers steps employers can take to reduce the risk of …
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