Child Custody and visitation–what do you think?

> Last week,  Alabama legislators introduced a bill which would change child custody laws in that state mandating shared custody between divorced parents  The bill has stirred up controversy, and it is not clear it will pass.  The Alabama bill is part of a nationwide trend of legislatures reviewing and revising child custody and visitation […]

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Vermont Energy Efficiency Standards for residential construction–a potential trap for builders and a cause of action for injured homeowners

> Ed. Note:  this article was written by Attorney Bob Brazil and was the subject of last week’s “Law Matters” on Magic 97.7 In 1997 Vermont passed the “Vermont Residential Building Energy Standards” (“RBES”).  Pursuant to this law, all residential construction occurring after July 1, 1998 must meet specific energy efficiency standards. “Residential construction” is […]

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Fishy Law Facts

> Ed. Note:  This article is written  by Attorney Bob Brazil, our firm’s anglerphile,  who first broadcast this information on “Law Matters”, our Wednesday show on Magic 97.7, on April 6, 2011. Trout season begins in Vermont on April 9th this year, and there is one major change in the law that anglers should know […]

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Six Mistakes to avoid in settling accident claims

>             If you have been injured in an accident as a result of another person’s wrongful conduct, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.  Most claims settle before going to trial.  So you should know the pitfalls to avoid when settling your personal injury claim         1. Settling too Soon:   If you […]

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Containing your attorneys fees costs in Vermont and New Hampshire family courts

> Litigation legal services are expensive, but if you are involved in a family court case in Vermont or New Hampshire, you have options that can reduce the cost of litigation while still receiving legal assistance. Both Vermont and New Hampshire have made it easier for parties to represent themselves in family court while having […]

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Avoiding costly home construction litigation

> Author’s note:  This was first published in our Vermont and New Hampshire real estate blog, now discontinued.   In our office, we frequently have clients who have had work done on their homes–new roofs, additions, renovations, and even new construction–and the work is not satisfactory.  Homeowners are faced with potentially expensive litigation against the contractor […]

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2009 Changes in Inheritance Statutes

>In June 2009, the Vermont legislature changed rules involving how a person’s estate is distributed after death if there is no will.  The previous laws followed the centuries old common law of inheritance with dower rights for women and curtesy rights for men.  They were confusing, in that there were different rules for real estate and personal property, and dependant […]

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