Monthly Archives: May 2020

3 Things You Should Know About Guardian Ad Litems

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If you are in the unfortunate circumstance of going through a custody battle and are contemplating the engagement of a GAL, there are some things you should know. Divorces are hard, traumatic even, especially for children. Working with your ex-spouse can be immensely challenging, but you should try to agree with them if it as at all possible. If you are unable to do so and must use GAL services Lynnwood WA, here are three things you should know. 

1. GALs Can Be Expensive

While GALs involved in cases involving child abuse or neglect may be a volunteer, those involved with divorces are often not. They are often attorneys themselves, and they expect to be paid. A GAL may charge a lower hourly rate than an attorney fee, but it can still be a couple of hundred dollars per hour. Remember, you and your ex-spouse have people representing you and they are representing the child’s best interests. 

2. GALs Are Nearly Always Listened To by the Judge

In a custody dispute, especially in a highly contentious divorce, both parties agree to the use of a guardian ad litem and who that person will be. For this reason, judges place great emphasis on their recommendation. If you disagree with a GAL’s recommendation, it is incredibly difficult to get a different outcome.

3. GALs Represent the Child

If you obtain GAL services, please be careful in your interactions with them. Be honest, don’t pester them, refrain from attacking the other side, and let them do their job. They have seen a lot, which is a good thing. Present your side, always demonstrate respectful behavior, love your child, and trust the process.

If at all possible, try to come to an agreement through yourselves, your attorneys, or mediation in matters about child custody, If you are unable to do so, or if you are in a highly contentious divorce, leverage a GAL.

4 Steps to Take After a Work Injury

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A workplace injury can happen suddenly and quickly change your life, especially if you need to take time off to recover and heal. Before you turn to a workers comp attorney Portland Oregon for guidance, there are several steps you should take to protect your best interests, get the care you need, and ensure you are able to make a complete recovery. 

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1. Tell Your Employer

Tell your employer as soon as you can about the accident or situation that caused the injury. If the injury is due to a repetitive situation that caused your injury or illness, let your employer know as soon as you are able.

2. See a Doctor

If your injury requires immediate medical assistance, take care of your health first before contacting your employer. If your workplace injury does not require emergency medical care, go to your appointment and let the treating physician know your injury happened at work.

3. Give Your Employer Written Notice

Your employer probably already knows about your workplace injury at this point, especially if you received emergency medical care. However, you need to let your employer know about the injury in written form soon after the accident occurs. Keep a copy of this letter for your records to ensure your employer cannot claim they remained unnotified about what occurred.

4. Document Everything

To claim workers’ compensation benefits, there are many forms and types of documentation you will have to complete and provide. For this reason, it is essential that you document and keep everything related to your injury. For example, when you go to a doctor appointment to treat your injury, ask your doctor for a formal report. You should also document how much work you missed, what you paid to treat your injury, what kind of symptoms you experience, and any other form of information related to treating or recovering from the accident.

Why Do I Need Anger Management Classes?

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We’ve all got problems with anger from time to time. Your kids spilled a gallon of juice on the carpet. Your spouse returned home from work two hours late and forgot to pick up dinner, which led to a fight. Anger is a normal, healthy part of human relationships – but what happens when you get angry too often at small things? Anger can spiral out of control, and using anger to deal with a situation only makes it easier to explode the next time something bugs you a little bit. If you’ve been asked (or court-ordered) to complete an anger management course, you might be feeling wary of spending time in such a place. However, the skills you learn can greatly benefit your life. Read on to discover what to expect in this type of course:

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You’ll Learn New Skills

Depending on your offense, you might be sentenced to anger management in a group context or within individual therapy sessions. Your therapy might also be combined with other programs like Alcoholics Anonymous or a john school diversion program. Working with the right therapist in a personalized program can help get your life back on track.

You’re Not Alone

You might be feeling overwhelming emotions – not just anger – as you begin your group therapy or treatment program. Know that you are not by yourself in this: many people seek therapy for stress, anger, and depression that can lead to intense outbursts. There is even a diagnosis called IED (intermittent explosive disorder) for those with severe but treatable anger issues. 

Take heart in the fact that when you emerge from this program, you will have gained skills, confidence, and the training to keep your cool in a heated moment. As long as you practice your newfound skills, you’re well on your way to making better choices on a daily basis.