Protection From P*rn Online

With the prevalence of p*rn sites and advertisements on the Internet that seem to just pop up out of nowhere, people are wondering if they are inadvertently breaking the law every time they open one of these sites.

In general, the answer is 'yes' since local community laws regard the possession of material that is offensive as illegal almost anywhere in the USA, except in certain communities such as Tahoe or Las Vegas, Nevada and New York City. But if you live elsewhere, you may have a problem say, if local authorities confiscate your computer and find p*rn in your files. Technically, you can be charged with a violation of decency laws, especially in a conservative community. However, there are rarely any prosecutions in these cases.

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In cases where you are viewing p*rn online or getting it through your cable or satellite TV, your lawyer can argue that you were not in possession of the offensive material. The exception is if minor children are involved viewing p*rnography with you, in which chase, you can be prosecuted and, frankly, you should be.

Protection From P*rn Online

One way to safeguard against legal entanglements is to avoid downloading p*rn on a shared computer even if you're at home. Another way is to purchase a browser cleaner, which can delete cookies, cache files and your browser's history log as well as block ad pop-ups

You can also clean your browser manually on Microsoft's Internet Explorer, in a few simple steps. First, go to the top menu and click on Tools, open the menu and click Internet Options to open a new pop-up screen. Find and click the General tab to open a new section on Temporary Internet files. Click on two buttons here: 'Delete Cookies' and 'Delete Files'. The first one erases cookies that were placed onto your computer by adult web sites while the second erases temporary or cached files from the web sites you have been browsing.

Finally, near the bottom of the General tab, under the History section, click on the 'Clear History' tab to erase all your browser's records of the websites you have visited.

Now, you can rest assured that nosy friends, neighbors and relatives, including those who are computer savvy, will not be able to track your footsteps online. And if some of them decide to view p*rn on your computer, then you know how to clean their tracks.

Protection From P*rn Online

Quick Tax Tips For 2011

Are you the type of person who waits until the 2nd week of April every year to even look at your taxes? Millions are. Or are you the kind of person that sends their information to a tax professional at the last minute and hope for the best? I've been there, too. Well, if you are looking to be better prepared this year, here are some tips for you to make filing your taxes a little less, well, taxing. (Sorry about that pun)

Commonly Missed Deductions:

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State-tax refunds for AMT taxpayers

Quick Tax Tips For 2011

- As long as the amount of your refund is less than the amount of income tax disallowed under Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), state tax refunds aren't taxable.

Environment Friendly Home Credit

- If you install energy friendly windows, solar hot water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, wind turbines, and roofing that have been approved for low-energy you may qualify for a 30% credit (maximum of 0 for 2011). Helping the environment can be helpful to your wallet.

Car Insurance

- You can include your car insurance as a deduction on your federal return. If you use your car for work you can deduct for oil, tires, licenses, and the insurance premium itself. If you choose not to deduct any of the previously listed items, you can deduct mileage, but you can't do both.

Health Insurance

- Deduct your health-care insurance premiums on your federal return. If you are self-employed it is possible for you to deduct 100% of your health-care costs, as well as those of your spouse and dependents. However, if you have a health insurance, you will not be able to deduct it.

The American Opportunity Credit

- This is a tax credit for people paying college tuition. It is good for up to 00. Extended through 2012, this credit is available for individuals whose modified adjusted gross income is equal to or less than ,000.

Common Audit Triggers:

Large Mortgage Interest Deductions

- Typically anything over ,000 will get the IRS's attention. Taxpayers are allowed to deduct mortgage interest on a loan of up to million, which usually comes out to ,000 (5%). Deducting the maximum amount allowed is a common audit trigger for the IRS.

Rental Real Estate Losses

- This is a common red flag for taxpayers who claim to be professionals in real estate because the losses are then deductible against ordinary income. Filing as a real estate professional, which often requires 750 hours of work to qualify for, can be something the IRS is suspicious of. Given the current housing market, many taxpayers are losing money on rental properties, but do not qualify as real estate professionals and therefore do not qualify for the tax break associated with it.

Homebuyer tax credit

- Beginning in 2008, Congress has passed three different versions of this stimulus bill. Through the research of official watchdogs, it was found that the initial bill prompted quite a bit of fraud. In the current form, Congress requires a more stringent documentation as proof of qualification.

Common Human Errors:

Overstating Charitable Work

- If you attend a charity dinner with 0 plates, you can only deduct a portion of that plate. This is the case with all charitable activity. Any foundation is required to inform you of this rule. So check those letters you get from them.

Omitting Payments On interest

- Many people forget about the small amounts of interest they pay throughout the year. This is largely attributed to the fact that banks and other institutions aren't required to provide a 1099 form for amounts less than . These small amounts are still taxable income and must be reported. Any unreported income may be noticed by the IRS computer and may lead to further investigation.

Mortgage Deductions

- Often, taxpayers miscalculate the mortgage "points" they deduct. For the first mortgage on a home, the mortgage fees are deductible. When refinancing the points must be amortized and then can be deducted over the life of the loan.

When filing your taxes, first, I recommend hiring a tax professional. Short of that, it's important to remain organized with your receipts and possible deductions throughout the year-not just in April.

Quick Tax Tips For 2011

Dog Bite Rules and Dangers

In general, dogs are amiable animals that make great pets for individuals and families alike. Because of their friendly and loyal personalities, it is no wonder that dogs have often been referred to as "man's best friend." 

We must remember, however, that dogs are still instinctual animals that have the potential to attack if they feel defensive or territorial. Even family pets that have shown no previous signs of hostility can inexplicably attack another human. Because of this, many states have established laws that determine responsibility for domestic dog attacks.

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Nevada Dog Bite Law

Dog Bite Rules and Dangers

The state of Nevada does not uphold statutory liability for dog bite owners. This means that the owner will not be held responsible for the dog's attack unless he or she was already aware that the animal possessed such dangerous tendencies. Therefore, the dog is granted "one free bite" before action is taken against it and its owner.

Dogs that make two attacks within an 18 month period are considered to be dangerous. Those that attack a human and cause serious bodily harm are considered to be vicious. Those that possess dogs who are known to have vicious tendencies are guilty of a misdemeanor.

Dog Bite Injuries

Dog bites can be quite dangerous, especially if the victims suffer serious harm or if the dog was ill with a disease, such as rabies. Bites can cause any of the following injuries, several of which may be disabling or even life-threatening:

·         Puncture wounds

·         Cuts and lacerations

·         Damaged tissue

·         Bone fractures, crushes, sprains and strains

·         Dangerous infections such as rabies

·         Nerve damage

If you have suffered a dog bit wound, then you may or may not need outside medical attention. If you have any bleeding, apply pressure and try to stop further blood loss. Make sure you also clean out all wounds, as the risk of infection is present. Call your doctor and explain to him or her what happened. If necessary, go in for treatment. If the injuries are obviously severe, then immediate medical attention should be sought.

Contact Us

If you have suffered a dangerous dog bite because the pet's owner failed to adequately secure or restrain the animal, then you may have the right to claim damages. The Las Vegas personal injury lawyers of Palmer & Associates, P.C. can help you assess your situation and assert your right to compensation. To learn more, please visit http://wpalmerandassociates.com/.

Dog Bite Rules and Dangers

Top 10 Short Sale Myths Exposed

1. Banks don't like doing short sales

The fact is that all banks do short sales, some are easier to work with than others and some banks approve more of them than others but regardless of how easy or hard they are to deal with banks have large departments set up to do nothing but handle them. So why do banks like doing short sales? Because of one reason only... it makes financial sense for their balance sheet and their shareholders. Banks are not in the business of owning property, there are in the business of lending money. Banks are required to set aside a loan loss reserve fund against their foreclosure assets. This is money that is not available to them to lend out to new borrowers. It helps a bank to clean up its balance sheet and frees up money to lend.

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2. A short sale will still hurt my credit so what's the point?

Top 10 Short Sale Myths Exposed

It's true that you will experience a drop in your credit rating following a short sale, however if you see yourself owning another home again in a couple of years then it will definitely be beneficial. Under current Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines you will have to wait between 5 and 7 years to qualify for another mortgage. Following it that wait will be as little as two years and in some cases maybe less. Foreclosures are reported twice on your credit report, once by the lender and once in the public records section, a foreclosure on your credit report will be there for at least 7 years.

3. Nobody wants to buy short sales

Finding a buyer that will not only make an offer but will stick around and see the process through is the Achilles Heel of the short sale process, this is why it's an advantage to use a real estate investment company that specializes in short sale negotiations. Not only will you have your buyer right away but also they will still be there at the finish line.

4. You Must Be Behind On Your Mortgage

While this may have previously been the case, today's lenders are looking for verifiable hardship, monthly cash flow shortfall, or pending shortfall and insolvency. If you meet these requirements and believe that you soon may be unable to afford your mortgage, act immediately. Any delay could limit your options. Do not wait until you fall behind or receive a Notice Of Default before you take action.

5. I can't do a short sale because I have a second mortgage

A large percentage of the people we help have second mortgages or HELOCs. In this situation we have to negotiate with all parties. A second lien holder will only receive a small payoff but they realize that they will usually get nothing if the home goes to auction.

6. The auction date is in two weeks, there isn't enough time to negotiate

Once the bank sees a serious offer they will usually postpone the auction date, they know a short sale is there best chance to recover more of their losses. This is another advantage of working with an investor, an offer can be submitted right away, there's no waiting around trying to market the property and find a buyer before you can start talking to the bank.

7. By listing my home as a short sale everyone will know we are in default.

If you have received a Notice of Default from your lender it is already a matter of public record. It may be small comfort but just know you are not alone. Nationally as many as 1 in 5 homes are underwater and in some areas such as Las Vegas, NV that figure is as high as 64%. Short sales are predicted to increase by 50% in 2010. You have already taken the right step by educating yourself on the short sale process. The next step is to seek help in negotiating with your lender. Investment companies, such as ours, have helped many people in your situation put this behind them.

8. My home is worth half what I paid for it, banks won't accept that large a discounted payoff

This comes back to the reasons banks do short sales; the amount of discount on the payoff is based on the current market value not the original loan amount. The bank knows if the property goes to auction they will most likely end up taking the property into it's REO department, this will involve holding costs such as insurance, maintenance, HOA fees, in addition empty houses are a liability to the bank and are often vandalized or attract squatters.

9. I was told I can get money at closing

If anyone has offered to negotiate your short sale and told you they will be able to get you money at closing be very wary. Your lender is taking a large loss because there is negative equity; they require you do not get any proceeds from the sale.

10. If I short sale I will get a deficiency judgment

Most banks are now actively seeking deficiency judgments, in states that allow it, against "walk aways", this means if you do nothing and just let you home go to auction there is a strong possibility the lender will exercise their right to a deficiency and will pursue you for their loss. Often times this will lead to bankruptcy, if the homeowner could not afford the mortgage they will not be able to pay any deficiency. A short sale is your best chance to negotiate a no deficiency settlement. As long as the bank puts this in writing in their approval letter they will not be able to pursue you in the future.

Top 10 Short Sale Myths Exposed

How to Win a Child Custody Case - The Important Steps

Child custody cases are tormenting for a parent and child. Things turn worse, as the span of the case is quite time consuming. However, do not lose hope and prepare yourself with what you may need to confront during the proceedings and be equipped with all the necessities to win custody of your children. The following are some of the important steps.

Hire a well-resourced attorney - The first and foremost thing you should do is to hire an effective attorney. Search out for the best group of attorneys in your area and make an appointment to meet all of them. Visit them all, even if you are satisfied with the first one, to select the best in the lot. Consider the following points while choosing an attorney.

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-­ Before choosing your attorney make sure that he possesses a skilled and knowledgeable team of supporting staff, who can guide you properly in the absence of the attorney, whenever an issue arises.
- Find an attorney who belongs to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, for they are usually the most capable ones, possessing vast knowledge about child custody issues and is updated with the latest case laws. Above all, select a well-experienced and expert lawyer, skilled in dealing with all child custody related issues.
- If your case is dragged to family court, then consider a lawyer, who is well acquainted with the local politics and in particular the judge supervising over the proceedings.

How to Win a Child Custody Case - The Important Steps

Expert Witnesses - Find out from the attorney whether you need any expert witnesses, such as psychologists, social workers or investigators. An investigator can capture the immoral nature of the opposite parent, which will prove to be more credible in the court than your own. A psychologist's opinion dealing with the child's statement is considered quite important by the court.

Documentation - During this phase, you need to maintain a calendar to keep all the necessary notes on dates of events that takes place, in your own handwriting. This valued documentary evidence, is admired in the court, especially when the other party is unable to produce the same.

Record all the details - Buy an adaptor for your telephone and connect it to a recorder or purchase a mini pocket sized recorder. Record all the discussions between you and the other parent in detail, which will prove extremely helpful for your attorney. It often happens in custody cases that the parents behave violently in front of each other and they are camouflaged in front of their attorney or judges. Thus, these records will bring the other party in true light if the opportunity arises, such as in the case of negation.

Guidelines of your behavior - You should be well behaved during the court proceedings and maintain your politeness while conversing with the other parent also. Attend every school program and other extra-curricular activities of your child. Try to have your lunch at the child's school at least once a month. Visit the church regularly with your child. Remember that your child's teacher can make a great witness.

Try not to be involved in any other affairs during this phase, if the child is your prime concern. Assume that the other parent's attorney has hired an investigator for you, which may be true also.

Make the Parent/Child Relationship smooth - Avoid interfering in the relationship between the child and the other parent and their family. Try to nurture those relationships for this will come to your credit, when the court will consider which parent can facilitate the relationship with the other parent more.

Some special cases - Certain situations arise when the custodial parent wants to shift with the child to some other state. The first thing a custodial parent needs to do is file the petition; you should be well prepared as the other parent can challenge the petition.

However, in such cases the final decision rests with the judge who takes into consideration the "best interest of the child". The judge will consider that how this shifting can affect the child or whether the move will improve the quality of the child's life, before offering the verdict. But if the parents are unmarried and the child resides with the mother, then the father will face difficulties in preventing the removal to other states. So, handle the child custody case with extreme precaution, a single error can result in you losing your child forever.

How to Win a Child Custody Case - The Important Steps

Six Ways a Prisoner Can Pass the Time While He is Incarcerated

A brisk business in the state of Nevada happens to be issuing Las Vegas bail bonds. There has proven to be quite a need due to the number of crimes that are being committed each day in this area of the country. It is always welcome news when someone in jail is given the news that a Las Vegas bail bond has been acquired that will allow them the freedom to go home. Of course, this is not an option if the crime that has been committed is of such a serious nature that the person may be dangerous to himself or others. When that is the case, a prisoner may find himself in the position of spending days or even months in jail and will have no choice but to adapt to the daily routine. Usually this will consist of some of the following activities:

1. Meal times in a common area: The majority of times prisoners are required to go to a cafeteria where they will wait in line to get their meals. They then sit at tables where they are overseen by a guard while they eat.

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2. Cleaning duties: Sometimes prisoners are given jobs that are useful in the cleaning and maintenance of the physical prison building or helping out with the laundry detail. Kitchen assignments can be varied and can include some cleanup duties such as dishwashing or washing vegetables and peeling potatoes.

Six Ways a Prisoner Can Pass the Time While He is Incarcerated

3. Reading: Most of the time a person is in jail he or she is confined to a small cell area and this is very limiting to what one can do during that time. A popular pastime is reading and many prisons offer inmates the chance to read by means of a lending library located on the premises.

4. Exercise times: Usually prisoners are provided a time when they can get some physical exercise either by taking part in sports with other inmates or even by exercising individually. This is an important tool to allow some pent-up emotions or frustrations to be dealt with in a positive way and it also helps promote better sleep at night for the prisoners.

5. Educational opportunities: Many prisoners take advantage of their time in confinement to begin or continue their personal education. Community colleges often will design courses with prisoners in mind and these classes can be taught right in the prison or they can be accessed online. This has been proven to be a wonderful asset to a prisoner who is interested in rejoining society as a rehabilitated person who is prepared to hold a job and be a good citizen.

6. Community cleanup: In many areas around the country, prisoners are put on a detail that will go to a designated spot in the community and proceed to clean it up. You will often see prisoners along the highway picking up litter and wearing orange jumpsuits. Of course these opportunities are only offered to men and women who are not a threat to the community when they are on such an assignment.

Six Ways a Prisoner Can Pass the Time While He is Incarcerated

What Happens When You File Bankruptcy?

First of all, upon filing bankrupcy a creditor will be notified of the filed bankruptcy. A creditor may object to the bankruptcy. Also, upon filing the bankruptcy, under all chapters in bankruptcy, any creditor must stop any collection letters, harassing telephone calls, or any pending litigation and any and all attempts to collect any judgment that was held against the debtor. This stopping of the creditors is done by the legal term or art called "automatic stay." This automatic stay occurs immediately after the bankruptcy is filed with the court. Basically, this automatic stay prevents any creditor from attempting to collect on a debt that you may owe them. This automatic stay lasts until that case is closed, dismissed or a discharge is granted or denied upon the debt. So, when a bankruptcy is filed any creditor may not call, or sue you for any debt that they think you owe to them.

Remember though, this is a serious thing and a creditor can be subject to penalties if they ignore the stay by attempting to collect. What this means is that a creditor must go through the court to collect on any alleged debt. A creditor does this by filing a "Proof of Claim." Also, the creditor may even object to the bankruptcy itself. A debtor also may try to persuade the court to not allow their debt to be discharged. So, this means that a debtor, by filing bankruptcy may stop harassing phone calls, wage garnishment and other legal actions.

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What Happens When You File Bankruptcy?

What Happens When You File Bankruptcy?