Monthly Archives: April 2021

As a lifestyle blogger who focuses on various people, professions, and things, we go beyond the traditional concept of ‘socialite’ diving deep into finance, fashion, beauty, food, travel, and everything that influences your typical and atypical socialite. In our article on how to integrate legal knowledge into your socialite lifestyle, we’ll shine a light on how knowing a little more about the law can empower you to live life on a budget.

For hundreds of years, responsible legal counsel was something only the wealthy could afford. Luckily, with the internet’s expansion of knowledge, everyone can have an attorney in their pocket at all times (figuratively, of course). You might be surprised at how many people spend money on things, or make costly decisions, because they didn’t know the legal context of what they were doing. We recently wrote an article discussing the attorney witness rule with the surrounding legal practices. The attorney witness rule is a perfect example of how a little knowledge can save you big.

The attorney witness rule is a legal principle that prevents a party to a lawsuit from offering the testimony or opinions of an attorney who was also involved in a group of attorneys that worked on the lawsuit itself. The attorney witness rule is an extension of the attorney-client communication privilege, which allows an attorney and client to speak freely about a case without the fear that others will learn what they discussed. Often when an attorney expects to testify as a witness to a case they are working on, they will withdraw as counsel in order to avoid a conflict created by the attorney witness rule.

At first glance, the attorney witness rule seems like it could be a huge problem, rendering many attorneys unable to testify on behalf of their own clients. However, upon closer examination, situations that directly involve the attorney are few and far between. In general, attorneys who work tirelessly on a lawsuit want to testify for their clients when needed, unless for a good reason that is usually irrelevant to the actual facts of the case. In the context of the attorney witness rule, attorneys want to testify when they are most able so that they can join their clients in the courtroom and fight for justice. On the opposing side, attorneys and their clients don’t want to face an attorney witness who has spent months or even years doing nothing but studying their case. These attorneys will know more than anyone else on the planet about every nuance and detail of the case.

Nevertheless, although the attorney witness rule is harmless for the most part, it’s easy for people to jump to conclusions about what may happen in their own cases based on a simple Google search. Some of the complaints we see online about the attorney witness rule are confusing. Some people seem to think that the attorney witness rule renders the client’s entire case moot because their attorney cannot testify. Others think that the attorney witness rule means their attorney can never show their face in court again. Everyone in the room quietly laughs while clearing their throats hopelessly.

The attorney witness rule is part of an internal system of rules and procedures that govern the legal industry. Without a solid understanding of the law, it’s easy to make certain assumptions that lead to unnecessary expenditures. In addition to the numerous hangouts at bars around the country, the internet provides people with a wealth of information about everything that affects their lives. Whether you want to learn more about your rights, responsibilities, or potential pitfalls in any situation, we suggest you take the time to read up on them before making any big decisions. Understanding the legal context behind your decisions can save your long-term budget a lot of stress.

Picture this: you’re living the chic life, establishing your career and discovering the world around you. You’ve finally found ‘the one.’ You both feel the pull of fate and decide to live together. Now comes the question of how to make that union official. For some, this leads to the altar, although this route isn’t for everyone. Enter stage left: the all-important laws governing domestic partnerships in Florida.

So, what is a domestic partnership in Florida? As the Law Offices of Mark A. Lichtenstein explains, it can be defined as two individuals who may be legally recognized as part of the same household. Just like a marriage, partners are “coupled” based on a commitment they make to one another.

At its core, a domestic partnership aims to provide the individuals with the same legal rights and claims as a married couple. In addition to these rights, a registered domestic partnership can impact elements of your budget. For instance, filing separate tax returns is often more financially beneficial to the couple than filing jointly.

Filing tax returns separate can save you money when it comes to many areas of life as a couple. Health care is another area where you might see savings. While it was once a foregone conclusion to have one partner add the other to their employer’s insurance, today’s upwardly mobile career seekers are often enrolled in a variety of healthcare plans. Under domestic partnership laws in Florida, you may find that it’s possible to choose the plan that works best for you.

Not only does a domestic partnership provide you with the right to make medical decisions on behalf of your partner; it also serves as a consideration when driving a covered vehicle. If a car accident were to take your partner’s life, domestic partnership laws in Florida would allow you to sue the responsible third party for wrongful death and ask for damages. With any luck, this is an outcome that you’ll never have to experience. However, if it does happen, knowing that you’ll have the legal capacity to act on behalf of your partner can help you to sleep better at night.

You don’t need to have a fancy degree to understand the importance of employment rights when living together in a committed relationship. When considering domestic partnership laws in Florida, it’s essential to get a handle on the ways in which employment can be impacted. For example, if one partner receives a promotion, the trajectory of one career might be perceived as having an impact on the other. The spouse may also have a say concerning the domestic partner’s job-related expenses.

Make no mistake about it: domestic partnership laws in Florida introduce a layer of complexity in estate planning. Why is this the case? Simply put, it’s because even if you’ve chosen to form a domestic partnership, there’s still a chance that you’ll want to add a live-in romantic partner to your will, estate plan, or trust. This leads to a scenario in which two different documents could create disputes when it comes down to what happens to the named assets in the event of your death.

If budgeting and style are your top concerns, you’ll be happy to know that there are affordable options for advice and counsel. The cost of domestic partnership registration will vary depending on the location, but luckily, you don’t need to consult an expensive attorney to understand your options. Instead, you can contact the Domestic Partner Recognition Project to get all the details you need to make an informed decision.

While you might expect domestic partnership laws in Florida to work exactly like marriage laws, there are some notable differences. For example, if you choose to break up, the dissolution of domestic partnership laws in Florida is not as simple as a divorce. Additionally, due to the fact that domestic partners aren’t recognized in the same way that married couples are, a domestic partnership could be deemed illegitimate if it were at any time deemed a sham marriage. This means that the burden of proof falls on domestic partners to show that they have a legitimate relationship.

In many situations, couples don’t realize that they aren’t legally considered domestic partners. For instance, you may believe that simply by signing the paperwork, you’re protected under domestic partnership laws in Florida. However, the truth is that you also need to file the forms with the circuit court.

Who says that a lifestyle of style has to come with a hefty price tag? Even amid the complexity of domestic partnership laws in Florida, there are still opportunities to enjoy the perks of domestic partnerships without purchasing designer clothes. Plan activities at home that allow you to enjoy your time together without the expense of going out. Over time, you may be surprised by the amount that you’ll save simply by making lifestyle adjustments.

Even if you understand your financial state before choosing to become domestic partners, it’s important to keep in mind that this state can change over time. For example, what happens if one of you decides that you want to buy a house? If this were to happen, you might choose to use some of your joint savings to purchase a new home in either partner’s name. Unfortunately, this could cause problems regarding ownership should you choose to part ways down the line. You could sue for unjust enrichment, but the outcome is not guaranteed.

Myth: Domestic partnership laws in Florida aren’t the same as marriage laws. Fact: Domestic partnerships aren’t the same as marriages. While there are indeed many similarities, there are also several key differences. For instance, domestic partnerships are not a right under federal law; instead, they’re a privilege.

Finally, for all those things you need to do to become a domestic partner, you’ll also need to follow some simple steps to end your domestic partnership.