About Judy Malmon, J.D.
Judy Malmon has blended law and writing throughout her career. She got her J.D. from University of California, Davis and practiced elder and disability law in California and Minnesota. She honed her writing by drafting appellate decisions in a nationwide class action, writing blogs for law firms, and writing for Westlaw. She loves digging into everyday legal questions, deciphering the complexities of law, and telling personal stories.
Articles written by Judy Malmon, J.D.
When You Need Disaster Insurance in Florida
Sandy, Irene, Katrina, Harvey, Irma. It seems like every year a major storm hits the U.S., causing devastation, tragedy and an influx of insurance claims. Even worse: A staggering number of people are left uninsured and undercompensated afterward. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to be aware of insurance coverage tips in case the next windstorm, flood or other natural disaster hits near home. “The insureds are human beings whose lives have been turned upside-down, and the stress of it …
How To Change Your Name in Maryland
There are many reasons why people seek to legally change their name, the most common being upon marriage, divorce, or adoption. You don’t need a specific event or reason to change your name in Maryland, however. You can do it simply because you don’t like the one you have. But there are a couple of limitations: You’re not allowed to change your name as a means to avoid creditors, financial institutions, or to perpetrate any kind of fraud You can’t take the name of a celebrity, an …
Why You Should Establish a Health Care Proxy
“Often when I see clients who want to develop an estate plan, they’re thinking about what happens to their wealth at their death. They want to be mindful of how that’s distributed,” says Melissa Langa, an attorney with Bove & Langa in Boston. “But what they’re not thinking about is something short of death: incapacity. When you talk about what happens to their wealth during incapacity, they get nervous because they don’t want to make their family go into court to get a …
Why You Should Establish a Durable Power of Attorney
“Often when I see clients who want to develop an estate plan, they’re thinking about what happens to their wealth at their death. They want to be mindful of how that’s distributed,” says Melissa Langa, an attorney with Bove & Langa law firm in Boston. “But what they’re not thinking about is something short of death: incapacity. When you talk about what happens to their wealth during incapacity, they get nervous because they don’t want to make their family go into court to get …
HIPAA and Protecting Privacy of Your Medical Records
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act protects private health information (PHI) and medical records from being used or disclosed improperly according to HIPAA privacy rules. Part of the federal HIPAA law is the Privacy Rule. The Privacy Rule regulates when a patient's protected health information may be disclosed or used by health providers and health plans. If you have concerns about your health information, contact a health law attorney for legal advice. Health Care …
Look Out Georgia Left-Lane Drivers!
In 2014, Georgia enacted a “Slowpoke Law,” making it a citable offense to camp out in the passing lane (or fast lane) of a highway and hold up traffic behind you, or to otherwise impede the flow of traffic. The stated basis for the law is that drivers going slower than the speed of traffic create risk, to themselves and others on the road, as well as add obstructions to already congested freeways. Proponents of the law, which has since spread to states like Indiana, Tennessee, Florida and …
The Pennsylvania Adoption Home Study Process
If you’re considering adopting a child, the state of Pennsylvania wants to ensure that you will provide a safe and caring home. As an initial part of the adoption process, you’ll be required to participate in a Pennsylvania home study — a review that assesses your home environment and those who live there, and provides an opportunity for you to learn about bringing a baby or adopted child into your life. “It’s important to start from the beginning with the attorney, especially because …
What Is a Public Benefit Corporation?
The phrase “social enterprise” may bring to mind a high-minded, community-oriented endeavor. Maybe one that serves a common good and uses its profitability to advance such values as empowering workers, supporting independent businesses or improving disenfranchised communities. But there is not a lot of specificity to the term in an official sense. Until recently, use of the phrase was largely a marketing and brand-building identifier rather than a term that carried any legal significance. …
California College Planning: Strategies To Save Money
If you’ve been living in a cave, here’s a news flash: College costs have gotten really expensive. And yet, those with a college education continue to out-earn those without a degree. If you’re saving for college expenses, there are savings and investment options to get more bang for your postsecondary buck through tax advantages, particularly if you’re able to start planning well ahead of the first day of classes. “There are a lot of factors to take into consideration. Each family has …
Utah DUI Laws: Strict Liability Rules To Understand
We all know that substances and driving motor vehicles don’t mix. It’s always wise to find another way home after you’ve had a few. Several states have upped the stakes for DUI in recent years, tacking on harsh first-time penalties like license suspension, stiff fines, and even jail time. Utahans are even more at risk for such penalties following a DUI arrest. Utah’s New Legal Limit for BAC Levels In 2018, the Utah state legislature lowered the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) …
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