SUPPLEMENTAL SPOUSAL LIABILITY INSURANCE:
Spring 2004
As you may or may not be aware, a new law was passed last year in New York allowing a person to make a claim against their spouse for injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Previously, if you were a passenger involved in a car accident in which your spouse was driving, you could not make a claim for personal injuries against your spouse. The new law changes this, but such coverage is not automatic.
In order to obtain supplemental spousal liability insurance, you must contact your car insurance company and add this coverage to your policy. Usually this supplemental coverage is obtained for a relatively small increase in your premium and is well worth the benefit.
We encourage all of you to review your policy and if you do not have supplemental spousal liability insurance, contact your carrier and add it to your policy. If you do not have this coverage, you and your spouse are in effect uninsured in this regard. This coverage, like uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, is not a money maker for the insurance companies, so do not expect them to eagerly solicit you to add this coverage to your policy.
If you have any questions regarding supplemental spousal liability insurance or any other legal matter, please do not hesitate to contact us at (631 ) 928-1430 or visit our new website at LIATTORNEY.COM
In order to obtain supplemental spousal liability insurance, you must contact your car insurance company and add this coverage to your policy. Usually this supplemental coverage is obtained for a relatively small increase in your premium and is well worth the benefit.
We encourage all of you to review your policy and if you do not have supplemental spousal liability insurance, contact your carrier and add it to your policy. If you do not have this coverage, you and your spouse are in effect uninsured in this regard. This coverage, like uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, is not a money maker for the insurance companies, so do not expect them to eagerly solicit you to add this coverage to your policy.
If you have any questions regarding supplemental spousal liability insurance or any other legal matter, please do not hesitate to contact us at (631 ) 928-1430 or visit our new website at LIATTORNEY.COM
THE CONSEQUENCES OF DRIVING
WHILE ABILITY IMPAIRED / INTOXICATED
Summer 2004
Maintaining a license to operate a motor vehicle in the state of New York is a privilege and not a right. With this privilege comes the serious responsibility of complying with the Vehicle and Traffic Law (V.T.L.). If one violates the V.T.L., serious legal consequences may result, such as in the case of driving a motor vehicle while ability is impaired (D.W.A.I.) or while intoxicated (D.W.I.).
A conviction for a first violation of D.W.A.I. for a passenger vehicle is a traffic infraction. This offense carries a minimum fine of $300, up to 15 days in jail and a mandatory 90 day license suspension. If there is a prior D.W.A.I. or D.W.I. conviction within the last five years, the offense is still a traffic infraction. However, there is a minimum fine of $500, up to 30 days in jail and a mandatory license revocation of at least 6 months.
A conviction for a first violation of D.W.I. for a passenger vehicle is a misdemeanor.
This crime carries a minimum fine of $500, up to ] year in jail and a mandatory license revocation of at least 6 months. If there are two or more such violations within 10 years, then the offense is a felony. This crime carries a minimum fine of $1,000, up to 4 years in jail and a license revocation of at least 1 year.
If the person is under the age of 21 years, a first offense carries a mandatory fine of $125 and a 6 month license suspension. If under 21 years with two or more such offenses, there is a mandatory fine of $125 and a license revocation of 1 year or until the person reaches the age of 2 l, whichever is longer.
At Paul A. Lauto, P.L.L.C., we stand ready to fight for your rights and help you handle all of your legal needs. We are committed to providing personal service and attention that is uncommon among attorneys and we always strive to truly serve the best interests of our clients. If you have any questions regarding the above or about our firm, please do not hesitate to call us at (631)928-1430 or visit our website at LIATTORNEY.COM. Please drive safely and always wear your seatbelt.
A conviction for a first violation of D.W.A.I. for a passenger vehicle is a traffic infraction. This offense carries a minimum fine of $300, up to 15 days in jail and a mandatory 90 day license suspension. If there is a prior D.W.A.I. or D.W.I. conviction within the last five years, the offense is still a traffic infraction. However, there is a minimum fine of $500, up to 30 days in jail and a mandatory license revocation of at least 6 months.
A conviction for a first violation of D.W.I. for a passenger vehicle is a misdemeanor.
This crime carries a minimum fine of $500, up to ] year in jail and a mandatory license revocation of at least 6 months. If there are two or more such violations within 10 years, then the offense is a felony. This crime carries a minimum fine of $1,000, up to 4 years in jail and a license revocation of at least 1 year.
If the person is under the age of 21 years, a first offense carries a mandatory fine of $125 and a 6 month license suspension. If under 21 years with two or more such offenses, there is a mandatory fine of $125 and a license revocation of 1 year or until the person reaches the age of 2 l, whichever is longer.
At Paul A. Lauto, P.L.L.C., we stand ready to fight for your rights and help you handle all of your legal needs. We are committed to providing personal service and attention that is uncommon among attorneys and we always strive to truly serve the best interests of our clients. If you have any questions regarding the above or about our firm, please do not hesitate to call us at (631)928-1430 or visit our website at LIATTORNEY.COM. Please drive safely and always wear your seatbelt.
AVOIDING CREDIT CARD AND
IDENTIFICATION FRAUD
Fall 2004
In the current age of telemarketing and high speed internet service, credit card and identification fraud have emerged as a serious and common problem. In order to help you avoid the potential nightmare of becoming a fraud victim, we recommend that you incorporate the following simple preventative measures into your everyday lives:
* Keep a list of all the credit cards and other important cards or documents that you have in your wallet, in a secure place. Record the credit card account numbers, expiration dates and the telephone numbers to call in the event of theft.
* When making purchases on line, make certain the site is secure and that you are using a credit card that has an early theft detection system.
* Avoid whenever possible, giving out your credit card number or social security number over the telephone, especially if using a cellular or mobile telephone.
* When paying your credit card bills, do not write the entire account number on your check. The last 4 numbers of the account number is sufficient for the appropriate people to identify your account.
* When ordering checks, avoid having your telephone number printed on the checks.
* Always keep your social security card/information in a secure place and never carry it in your wallet or hand bag.
* Avoid using your full social security number on the internet whenever possible.
* Be wary of anyone who asks you to provide them with your social security number. Inquire as to the exact reason it is needed and if this is not answered to your satisfaction, consider withholding the information.
* Use your common sense before revealing your credit card and identification information to anyone. If your instincts tell you something is not right, do not ignore them just to avoid a potentially embarrassing situation. It is better to be embarrassed than to be another fraud victim.
At Paul A. Lauto, P.L.L.C. we consider all of our clients to be part of our business family, which is why we are always looking out for your best interests. We hope you find this information useful and if you have any questions about this or any legal matter you are faced with, please do not hesitate to contact us by telephone, fax or e-mail.
* Keep a list of all the credit cards and other important cards or documents that you have in your wallet, in a secure place. Record the credit card account numbers, expiration dates and the telephone numbers to call in the event of theft.
* When making purchases on line, make certain the site is secure and that you are using a credit card that has an early theft detection system.
* Avoid whenever possible, giving out your credit card number or social security number over the telephone, especially if using a cellular or mobile telephone.
* When paying your credit card bills, do not write the entire account number on your check. The last 4 numbers of the account number is sufficient for the appropriate people to identify your account.
* When ordering checks, avoid having your telephone number printed on the checks.
* Always keep your social security card/information in a secure place and never carry it in your wallet or hand bag.
* Avoid using your full social security number on the internet whenever possible.
* Be wary of anyone who asks you to provide them with your social security number. Inquire as to the exact reason it is needed and if this is not answered to your satisfaction, consider withholding the information.
* Use your common sense before revealing your credit card and identification information to anyone. If your instincts tell you something is not right, do not ignore them just to avoid a potentially embarrassing situation. It is better to be embarrassed than to be another fraud victim.
At Paul A. Lauto, P.L.L.C. we consider all of our clients to be part of our business family, which is why we are always looking out for your best interests. We hope you find this information useful and if you have any questions about this or any legal matter you are faced with, please do not hesitate to contact us by telephone, fax or e-mail.
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT AND
OTHER NECESSARY DOCUMENTS
Winter 2004
If you are like most people, you have done very little to legally prepare for the inevitable. Although it is human nature not to eagerly pursue planning for our own demise, one must realize that this is not done for ourselves, but rather for our loved ones.
There are certain basic legal documents we recommend that everyone should execute and possess in order to protect their assets and family. More specifically, they are a Will, Durable Power of Attorney, Living Will (depending on personal preference) and a Health Care Proxy.
A Last Will and Testament is the document that, upon your demise, provides for the distribution of your assets by the executor/executrix of your choice and in accordance with your wishes. If you have minor children, it is also the document that will determine who will care for and raise your children in your absence. If you do not have a Will, upon your demise a court appointed administrator will resolve all of your affairs and collect a significant fee for doing so. Accordingly, a Will truly falls under the category of a "must have" document.
A Durable Power of Attorney is the document in which you authorize the person you trust the most, to act on your behalf as to certain or all matters you deem appropriate. It is "durable" in that it remains in full force and effect should you subsequently become incompetent or disabled.
A Living Will is a matter of personal preference and is the document that authorizes the withholding or withdrawing of medical treatment that only serves to prolong the process of dying. A Health Care Proxy authorizes a person of your choosing to make medical decisions for you, in the event you are unable to communicate your wishes.
All of these basic documents in our opinion, are essential in order to properly take care of the business of your family and loved ones. If you would like more information or would like to schedule an appointment to have these documents prepared for you, please do not hesitate to call our office.
We wish all of you a healthy and happy holiday season. May the joy you experience from giving this season, be exceeded only by the love you receive.
There are certain basic legal documents we recommend that everyone should execute and possess in order to protect their assets and family. More specifically, they are a Will, Durable Power of Attorney, Living Will (depending on personal preference) and a Health Care Proxy.
A Last Will and Testament is the document that, upon your demise, provides for the distribution of your assets by the executor/executrix of your choice and in accordance with your wishes. If you have minor children, it is also the document that will determine who will care for and raise your children in your absence. If you do not have a Will, upon your demise a court appointed administrator will resolve all of your affairs and collect a significant fee for doing so. Accordingly, a Will truly falls under the category of a "must have" document.
A Durable Power of Attorney is the document in which you authorize the person you trust the most, to act on your behalf as to certain or all matters you deem appropriate. It is "durable" in that it remains in full force and effect should you subsequently become incompetent or disabled.
A Living Will is a matter of personal preference and is the document that authorizes the withholding or withdrawing of medical treatment that only serves to prolong the process of dying. A Health Care Proxy authorizes a person of your choosing to make medical decisions for you, in the event you are unable to communicate your wishes.
All of these basic documents in our opinion, are essential in order to properly take care of the business of your family and loved ones. If you would like more information or would like to schedule an appointment to have these documents prepared for you, please do not hesitate to call our office.
We wish all of you a healthy and happy holiday season. May the joy you experience from giving this season, be exceeded only by the love you receive.
