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Daniel Purjes on Understanding Fair Asset Division in New York

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One of the big problems with the forces is that there is often a lack of agreement on who gets to have which assets. Assets can be anything from a long-standing investment to pillowcases inherited from a favourite aunt. One of the reasons why divorce is often take so long to complete is because it is nearly impossible to develop an agreeable final list. Pick up any edition of the New York Times and you are guaranteed to find at least one main story about a bit of divorce and its terrible consequences. According to Daniel Purjes, this is in part due to the fact that New York is an equitable distribution state.

Daniel Purjes on Equitable Distributions in New York

Equitable distribution means that assets are not divided 50/50 by looking solely at their fair market value. Rather, a lot of other factors are taken into consideration on the court is bound by a number of established guidelines on determining this. Some of the factors that will be considered when dividing the available  marital assets include:

  1. The difference in property and income between the date the marriage started and the date of divorce filings.
  2. The age of both spouses and the length of the marriage itself.
  3. The needs of the child or children in a marriage and those of the parents with custody. For instance, they may have a need to keep the house in order to look after the children properly.
  4. Whether either party has or will lose an inheritance or pension as a result of the equitable distribution.
  5. How much was contributed by each of the parties in order to acquire the contested property.
  6. The potential for earnings each of the parties has.
  7. Any tax consequence associated with dividing the property.

There are strong arguments for and against the concept of equitable distributions. One of the main advantages is that it Focuses on situation rather than on monetary value. It also means people can lay claim to those items that have sentimental value irrespective of what they are worth in money. However, because some of the criteria that define value are quite esoteric in nature, the downside of this type of division is that it can become a long and drawn out process to identify who gets to keep what.

It also clearly highlights the importance of having a good lawyer on board who has an in-depth understanding of equitable distribution and who is also experienced in mitigating and mediating between the two parties. While a divorce can absolutely be amicable, there will always be a degree of bad blood, stress, and heartache, and it is all too easy to be driven by those emotions. A good lawyer will be able to recognise that and act in the long-term interests of their clients rather than two short term knee jerk reactions. Daniel Purjes believes that it is possible for both parties to come out of a divorce reasonably undamaged if they work with and listen to a very good lawyer.

Adam M Smith on What a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Do

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Criminal defense attorneys, explains Adam M Smith, are very special types of lawyers. Their main role is to make sure that men and women who they represent are protected as much as possible under the law after they face criminal charges. Their role, as such, is to keep people out of prison if at all possible.

Adam M Smith on Different Criminal Violations

There are tens of thousands of criminal violations that someone can face. A snapshot of an average town in this country in June alone would reveal charges for:

  • Hit and runs
  • Drunk driving
  • Shoplifting
  • Reckless driving
  • Burglary
  • Larceny
  • Battery
  • Assault
  • Manslaughter
  • Murder
  • Drug possession
  • Record expungement
  • Drug trafficking
  • Selling a controlled substance
  • Rape

Adam M Smith on What a Layer Can Do

Criminal lawyers do a great deal of things, including:

  1. Lowering charges. They will do this by investigating all the available evidence, challenging each element on the tiniest details.
  2. Criminal lawyers are often court appointed because the defendant cannot afford their own lawyer. Unfortunately, court appointed lawyers are often inexperienced and young and they struggle to stand up against the arguments of the District Attorney. However, they will try, but it is best to hire a professional attorney if at all possible.
  3. Motions to dismiss. This is where the attorney will try to convince the members of the grand jury to simply dismiss the case altogether. If they are successful, the process ends here and the defendant will not have a criminal record either.
  4. Pre trial conferences. This is where the attorney and the district attorney are brought before the judge to indicate whether they are ready to go to trial and a date will be set.
  5. The trial. This is where plea bargaining negotiations and discussions will start as well, usually outside of the court. Often, they will reach an agreement and the judge will simply accept the settlement that the two parties have reached. However, a trial will start if no agreement is reached.
  6. A good defense attorney will always fight for the minimum sentence. For instance, they will try to have someone acquitted in full and, if that doesn’t work, to offer a suspended sentence. If the crime is too serious for this, they will argue for county jail instead of state prison. If the crime is even more serious, they will argue for a sentence with parole instead of without. And, if necessary, they will argue for life imprisonment instead of the death penalty.

Criminal defense attorneys are always busy. Criminals do not wait until June, when the weather is nice, to commit their crimes. And attorneys don’t have the luxury of waiting until something is convenient for them either. After all, it is everybody’s constitutional right to have a speedy and fair trial and to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. Working in this field is incredibly rewarding but also incredibly challenging and it takes a very special person to be able to take on the job.

Stephen Varanko III Goes Over an Application Checklist for Prospective EMT Paramedics

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Obtaining EMT paramedic certifications means completing an education above and beyond that of a high school diploma. In fact, an associate’s degree is the closest comparable degree to the EMT certification. Many actually study far more, which means their certification is closer to a bachelor’s degree. Each state has its own rules and regulations and some local counties have even instated more rules for someone who wants to be accepted to EMT Paramedic training. This is why Stephen Varanko III recommends that people look into the requirements they have to meet specifically in their local area. That being said, the following checklist is generally correct across the board and therefore a good way of preparing yourself for the training.

Stephen Varanko III on an EMT Paramedic Training Checklist

Before you can be accepted onto an EMT training program, you are likely to have to meet the following specifications:

  1. You must be at least 18 years old.
  2. You must hold a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
  3. You must have proof of all your immunizations and show that your varicella, mumps, measles, rubella, and tuberculosis vaccinations are up to date. In fact, your TB shots may be no older than six months by the time you start training.
  4. You must complete the Hep C vaccination series. Some EMT courses allow you to indicate that you do not want to take part in that series, but this must be properly documented.
  5. You must complete a college level course in English and math.
  6. You must be able to pass a physical exam, or have completed one in the past 12 months.
  7. You must provide proof of medical insurance.
  8. You must pass a background check.

If you meet the above eight requirements, it is likely that you will be accepted to an EMT training courses. Locations that offer these courses include:

  • Universities
  • Colleges
  • Hospitals
  • Technical schools
  • Firefighter training centers

Before you enrol in a paramedic school or EMT training program, Stephen Varanko III recommends that:

  • You look at the reputation of the program and the qualification you will received.
  • You look at how much the program costs, but you shouldn’t let this be the deciding factor in whether or not you should enrol. Financial aid is generally available.
  • You find a program that prepares you for the NREMT examination and certification. This is the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and must be passed if you want to become licensed as a paramedic.
  • You learn about the expectations of the training and its schedule.

Once you start your training, you must be fully committed to completing it and be consistent in your work. If you find that the schedules or routines are difficult for you to cope with, you should speak to a guidance counselor at your school as soon as possible so that they can find an appropriate solution. Once you become certified, you will embark in a challenging career that is both very rewarding and very difficult to manage. It takes a very special person to be able to do this job and if you believe that you are that special person, then you should go for it.

James Feldkamp Provides Tips for Aspiring FBI Agents

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The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigations) is one of this country’s most important law enforcement agencies. It is respected the world over. James Feldkamp explains that the Bureau was formed in 1908 and they have been at the forefront of development of new forensic techniques and strategies to analyze and solve crimes. Of course, the FBI also plays a hugely important role in Hollywood culture and this has led to many young people aspiring to join the Bureau. For them, James Feldkamp has provided a number of tips to help turn their dreams into reality.

James Feldkamp Provides Tips on Joining the FBI

According to Feldkamp, the FBI is like any other career in as such that those who work the hardest and learn the most have the greatest chance of becoming successful. Specifically, this means:

  1. Getting to know the minimum requirements for acceptance. The FBI has various assessments, interviews, and background checks that all individuals must first pass. Additionally, there is a difference between entry requirements for special agents and for support staff.
  2. Getting to know the different roles that are available within the FBI. Due to Hollywood movies, everybody wants to become a special agent. Naturally, this is the most exciting role in the Bureau as well. Becoming a special agent, however, means being physically strong and being able to keep your cool under very stressful situations. You will be trained in self-defense and in handling firearms properly. This training is so important that the FBI has developed Hogan’s Alley for it, which is an opportunity for prospective agents to apply their training in simulations. However, besides special agents, there are also many behind the scenes operatives who play a hugely important role. The support staff, as they are known, are just as vital in catching the bad guys. They include various experts such as writers, engineers, computer technicians, linguists, fingerprint experts, analysts, cryptologists, and scientists. They have the skills required to analyze crime scenes and use this to find a guilty party.
  3. Getting ready for FBI training. This means taking part in an 18 week program in which you will learn what it means to be an agent. This training takes part at the Quantico, VA Academy, where you will learn about self-defense, handling firearms, personal fitness, and police science. Only those who excel at this are likely to make it very far in the bureau – and in life for that matter.
  4. Getting to know the daily duties of an FBI agent. Before you start to work in the actual field, you will investigate and review different case files. You will work hand in hand with other agencies and officers in order to make sure you have all the relevant information available to you. Furthermore, agents often have to face gore and grime in crime scenes, must learn how to interview both witnesses and suspects, and how to identify experts on different subject matters.

If you can handle all of that, then you may want to consider joining the FBI.

Why A Good Amount of Sleep Is Needed For Overall Health

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For many of us, our health is one of the most important parts of our lives, and many people invest a great deal fo time, money and energy into trying to create a healthier lifestyle for themselves. Naturally people will look into the health benefits of various diets and exercise routines, but how many people look at their sleep pattern as a contributing factor to their overall health and general wellbeing? The short answer is not very many, which is surprising given the fact that a great night’s sleep has the power to do a lot of good.

Sleep Factors

To begin with we need to understand how to get that perfect sleep. To begin with you shovel have an excellent mattress which provides support and comfort whilst you sleep, a memory foam mattress is a great option here. Secondly you need to have a solid routine whereby you go to bed and wake up at the same time most days and nights. Finally you need a pre-bed routine which involves no energy inducing drinks or snacks, and no electronic devices for at least an hour before bed.

Energy Levels

To stay on track of our healthy lifestyles we need to have the energy to keep us pushing through the day. If you have not had enough sleep or if you have had a poor quality of sleep, your body and mind will not have had the sufficient time needed to process and recover, which will lower your energy supplies for the day.

Productivity

As a result of your lower energy levels, your productivity will be lower, and your ability to focus and concentrate will be worse. The consequence of this, is that you will become more frustrated and less able to deal with stress. Your stress levels raising is something which is very unhealthy and should always be avoided.

Weight Loss or Bulking Up

Whether you are looking to try and lose weight or trying to gain muscle, rest time is equally as important as what you do in the gym, or what you eat throughout the day. If you are not able to get a high quality amount of sleep during this time, you won’t see the physical results that you are looking for. You must allow your body the time to process, recover and rest, if you want to see positive results in line with your new health plan.

Disease and Illness

A lack of sleep has been linked to diseases which can occur later in life such as Alzheimers and Dementia. The reason for this is that a long period of time whereby your body is not getting the rets it needs, can result in the brain not being able to function at 100%, because it has not been given the necessary time to process data and recuperate. This is a very real danger and if you want to avoid neurological diseases such as this, you need to ensure that you are sleeping well.

There is no excuse for not sleeping well, get your routine right, get the right bed and mattress, and sleep your way to a healthier you.

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We left our home in Sydney, Australia many moons ago in May 2012 and, other than a brief stint back in Perth for Christmas and a wedding in early 2014, we have been travelling the world nomadically ever since, running a business from our laptops and we’re here to show you how to do it!