For some people, becoming a homeowner is the product of years of hard work. For others, the land or home where they live could be part of a legacy from a family member. Regardless of how someone acquires real property, they probably expect to enjoy ownership of that property until they die or decide to sell it to someone else. Unfortunately, some people lose control over real estate holdings due to government action rather than economic choices. In Montana, local authorities can attempt to acquire real property for projects that benefit the public good under eminent domain laws. Eminent domain ..read more

When men have heart attacks, they often complain about one main symptom: severe chest pain. They may say that it feels like their chest is being crushed. Men will often talk about difficulty breathing. If you watch movies and TV shows where people are supposed to pretend they have a heart attack, they will often clutch their chest as if they are in pain. It’s important to note that women may have much different heart attack symptoms, however. Their symptoms are much more likely to include things like neck pain, jaw pain, indigestion, nausea, general discomfort and fatigue. They may also have t ..read more

Obtaining Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits is notoriously difficult, with the vast majority of initial claims being denied. What can you do about it? Plenty. A proactive approach can make it easier to avoid common problems that cause valid claims to be denied and put claimants on the long path of an appeal. Here are three steps to take: 1. Talk to your doctor and get their support You don’t have to have a doctor’s permission to file for SSDI, but it definitely helps to get their support. Doctors aren’t in the business of telling people when they need to file for disability ..read more

As a single parent, you shoulder the responsibility of raising your child, often without the support of a co-parent. While it’s not something we like to think about, it’s essential to consider what would happen to your child if something were to happen to you. This is where estate planning comes into play, and it’s absolutely crucial if you are a single parent. Estate planning allows you to designate who will receive your assets and manage your affairs after you die or become incapacitated. For single parents, estate planning is critical as it also involves picking someone to care for your chi ..read more

Automotive technology has really come a long way over the years. Today, there are many innovative types of tech designed to prevent car accidents. An example is a forward collision warning system, which may be paired with an automatic braking system. This type of technology allows the vehicle to sense an imminent collision and stop itself, even if the driver doesn’t do so. Does this technology make the roads safer? There is some evidence that it is actually making people worse drivers. They’re making mistakes that they wouldn’t have made otherwise, leading to more accidents. So, while it is tr ..read more

Figuring out what to tell your spouse after you decide that you want a divorce can be challenging. What statements should you use? What reactions can you expect? The concerns can be endless. Here are three tips to help you initiate the conversation: Plan what to say Impromptu speech may not be the wise approach to a divorce conversation. Take time to be sure you want a divorce, and then plan what to say to your spouse. Your words/statements should be kind, brief and calm, and should depict you are sure about the divorce (be direct and clear). Besides telling your spouse that you want a divorce ..read more

Motor vehicle accidents are unfortunate and often unpredictable events that can cause a wide spectrum of injuries, some of which may not be immediately apparent. One such injury is a spinal cord injury (SCI), which can result in serious and long-lasting consequences. The spine is a bundle of nerves that runs from the base of the brain down the back. It conveys messages between the brain and the rest of the body, controlling movement, sensation and various bodily functions. When the spine sustains an injury, it can lead to loss of function and sensation below the level of the injury. Familiariz ..read more

You may have heard that very few criminal cases ever go to trial. If all or even most of them did, our courts, judges and prosecutors would be overwhelmed.  A big part of the reason they don’t is because prosecutors and defendants reach a plea agreement. That’s when a defendant pleads guilty — often to a lesser offense than they’re charged with — and get their potential sentence reduced.  In return, prosecutors don’t have to spend time and manpower on preparing and trying a case and risking a “not guilty” verdict by a jury. They also get a “win,” which looks good on their boss’s reco ..read more

Suppose you went through a high-conflict divorce and you start noticing your child rejecting you without any justifiable reason more and more with each passing day; your co-parent might be alienating the child from you. Understanding the dynamics of parental alienation is crucial. It typically involves a range of behaviors, such as unfairly criticizing the other parent, interfering with visitation rights or even making false accusations. These actions are often subtle and can lead to the child developing a skewed and negative perception of the alienated parent. Recognizing the signs Recognizin ..read more

Fatigued driving inspires serious risks for drivers and others sharing the roadway. It can lead to significant accidents and injuries. Virtually all of those accidents and injuries are fully preventable because an affected driver could have stayed off the road until they were rested enough to drive safely. Driving while fatigued involves operating a vehicle while too tired to do so safely. Fatigue can severely impair a driver’s cognitive and motor skills, similar to the effects of alcohol or drugs. It can lead to slowed reaction times, decreased vigilance, impaired decision-making and, in some ..read more