About S.M. Oliva
Articles written by S.M. Oliva
What Are My Rights Against Police Misconduct?
Police officers have a difficult job. They run towards danger when everyone else is taking cover. They approach vehicles not knowing what awaits inside. Law enforcement officers are heroes in their own right. But nobody is above the law. Instances of police misconduct shake public trust. When it occurs, victims have the right to hold the individual officers or their employers accountable. It's critical to know your rights concerning police misconduct and how to protect yourself legally. An …
Bad Faith Lawsuits When Health Insurance Is Denied
With the costs of healthcare continuing to skyrocket, Ohioans are more dependent than ever on their insurance companies to pay for necessary procedures and treatment. But as we all know, an insurance company is a for-profit business that often puts its own bottom line ahead of patient needs. And this often means Ohio insurers will delay or deny paying valid claims for medical care. An Insurance Policy Is a Contract But at the end of the day, an insurance policy is a contract between you and the …
What To Do When You’re Arrested for a Crime You Didn’t Commit
People are arrested and criminal charges are filed in Oregon every day. Many of these accused individuals are innocent. Unfortunately, simply protesting your innocence to the police or a prosecutor is unlikely to put an end to the matter. Even worse, many people panic at the police station when they are arrested and take drastic actions that will only hurt their case going forward. Such panic is understandable. After all, if you have never been through the Oregon criminal justice system, you do …
What If You Disagree with the Department of Labor and Industries?
Workers' compensation provides “no-fault” accident benefits to Washington residents who are injured on the job. Employers are legally required to pay for workers' comp coverage that includes both wage replacement and medical benefits. While most workers' compensation claims are paid without incident, there are cases where an employer may dispute the employee's right to receive benefits or the amount of benefits allowed under the law. “People think the state or employer is on their side, …
How Do I Make a Zoning Change or Exception in Rhode Island?
Zoning refers to a set of land use regulations adopted by a Rhode Island municipality—that is, the local government of a city or town—to govern both existing structures and land development within its borders. State law requires municipalities to establish their own planning board or commission to oversee local zoning. These boards and commissions, in turn, establish different types of zoning districts, each with its own permissible land uses and structures, from industrial uses to …
What Is a Supplemental Needs Trust?
Trusts are a common estate planning tool that make it possible for individuals to provide for themselves or a loved one and still accomplish a specific goal or objective such as minimizing taxes or protecting a beneficiary. There are many kinds of estate planning trusts, each of which serve a particular function. One specific trust is a special needs trust (also called a supplemental needs trust), which is a specialized trust designed to provide for individuals with disabilities who also …
Penalties for Probation Violation in Tennessee
Although probation is considered by some people to be a “get out jail free” card, in reality, it is a serious sanction and parole or probation violation. When a Tennessee court sentences a defendant for a probation violation, that person is required to strictly comply with a number of conditions of parole. Any failure to comply with the conditions of your probation may serve as grounds for parole revocation to send the defendant to serve jail time for the remainder of their sentence. What …
Powers of Attorney Help You Cope with Dementia and Alzheimer’s
As we get older, we often start to forget things. In many cases, this is not cause for alarm. But when a parent, spouse or other family member starts to suffer from regular memory loss — or exhibits difficulty in speaking or performing basic household tasks — they may be showing early signs of dementia or a related neurological disorder, such as Alzheimer's. If that’s the case, it’s critical for that person to have certain legal protections in place to ensure their personal and …
The Tax Benefits of Charitable Estate Planning
Many Oregon residents incorporate charitable giving into their everyday lives. But charitable gifts can also a form an important part of estate planning. For instance, placing real estate or securities into a charitable trust can help minimize potential the potential tax on any capital gains that would otherwise apply to the sale of such highly appreciated assets. “We do recommend them to some clients as being an appropriate estate planning tool,” says Abby Wool Landon, an attorney at …
How To Defend Against Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is probably the most common criminal charge faced by Oklahoma residents. And while you may not associate DUI with a more serious crime like murder or assault, you can in fact spend serious time in jail for drunk driving charges. This is why it is crucial to speak with an Oklahoma criminal defense lawyer if you have been arrested on suspicion of DUI—and as soon as possible. “The first thing is: Use your constitutional right to shut up. Then call an attorney,” says Bruce Edge, …
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