About Doug Mentes, Esq.
Douglas Mentes is an alum of Drake University with a degree in journalism, who has covered news in Washington, D.C., Minneapolis and Salt Lake City. He has a law degree from William Mitchell College of Law and ran his own law firm for more than 10 years in St. Paul, Minnesota, earning designation as a Super Lawyers Rising Star. He practiced in the areas of family law, real estate and probate, handling several successful appeals. He currently covers bankruptcy law for Thomson Reuters.
Articles written by Doug Mentes, Esq.
Finding a Minnesota Family Law Attorney You Can Trust
There are thousands of licensed attorneys in Minnesota who practice across different areas of law. Even when you narrow the field down to family law, it’s difficult to wade through the large pool of options. You want to hire the best-experienced attorney, but determining which lawyers are among the best is not easy. What should a consumer look for in family lawyers? Find a Family Law Attorney You Can Trust The Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct govern lawyer conduct. The state bar …
How To Prove Your Car Is a Lemon
Driving a brand-new motor vehicle should be enjoyable for any car owner, but some struggle with their new purchase and, instead, find their new car at the mechanic more than on the road. If new vehicle owners continue to experience car trouble after several visits to the mechanic, they may qualify for relief under the state lemon law. Speak with a consumer lawyer for personalized legal advice on getting help. Is Your Vehicle a Lemon? To be covered, a vehicle must: Suffer a significant …
How To Save a Pet from an Abusive Household
There are 78 million dogs and 86 million cats owned in U.S. households, meaning 44 percent of homes have a dog, and 35 percent have a cat. When living in a home that is dealing with domestic abuse, pets can often get stuck in the middle. Correlations Between Animal Abuse and Domestic Abuse Research shows there is a correlation between abuse toward significant others and abuse toward animals. In fact, pet abuse has been identified as a predictor of domestic abuse: up to 89 percent of female …
Frustrated With a Defective Vehicle Purchase?
Many new vehicle owners in Illinois simply grin and bear it when dealing with vehicle problems. Those car buyers may not understand that any breach of the manufacturer’s warranty by the defective vehicle can be remedied for no cost or risk to themselves. In fact, a vehicle owner’s first step should be to contact an experienced Illinois consumer law attorney like Scott M. Cohen. “The biggest challenge we face is educating the public that we are out there,” he says. “We can help people …
Do I Need an Order of Protection or a Harassment Restraining Order?
If you’re a victim of domestic abuse or harassment, you must understand your legal options to protect yourself and your family members. The two forms of protection orders used statewide in Minnesota are the Order for Protection (OFP) and the Harassment Restraining Order (HRO). There are important differences between the two, and to ensure a victim gets the relief they need, they must understand these differences and seek legal help. What Is the Difference Between an Order for Protection and a …
Should Your Business Be a LLC, LP, or LLP?
If you are starting a business, one of your first decisions will be selecting a legal structure for your new enterprise. There are multiple types of entities to choose from, including a limited partnership (LP), a limited liability partnership (LLP), and a limited liability company (LLC). There are important differences between these types of entities. Entrepreneurs need to understand the different structures to select the best option for their particular business. A local business attorney can …
Do You Need Comp Coverage for Your Employees?
Workers’ compensation coverage is insurance coverage purchased by the employer that provides benefits such as medical care and loss of wages to injured employees for job-related injuries. While some states have lenient requirements, chances are good that employers in the state of Florida must offer workers' compensation benefits. Except for some employers in the construction trade, Florida state law requires employers with four or more employees to carry appropriate workers' compensation …
Should I Get My Custody Agreement Signed By a Judge?
In an effort to avoid having to obtain a child custody order or potentially rocking the boat, many unmarried parents co-parent their children based on verbal parenting agreements. For most parents, however, it’s not a matter of “if” an issue arises, but “when.” And when a dispute does arise during the child’s youth, many parents wish they had a child custody agreement signed by a judge. For legal help with child custody agreements, reach out to a custody and visitation lawyer. The …
Can I Sell My House Without a Real Estate Agent?
Many home sellers hire a real estate agent for their home sale, and it may be the safest and easiest route for some. But selling a home isn’t complicated for all sellers. You can sell your house without a real estate agent by opting for a "For Sale By Owner" (FSBO) approach, taking on tasks like setting the price, marketing, and paperwork yourself. And if it isn’t for you, you can protect yourself by working with a real estate attorney at a cost that is often less than an agent’s …
Who Gets To Choose the Kids’ School if the Parents Are Unmarried?
School choice is a major decision to resolve for unmarried parents. Many of these parents live in different school districts from each other, or have different ideas regarding their child’s education. If parents share joint legal custody and still disagree, there is no simple solution. For legal guidance through child custody disagreements, reach out to a custody and visitation lawyer. What Is the Legal Custody of a Child Designation? If there is a legal custody agreement in place, the …
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