Just Blogging

David M Siegel asked:




While is true that a change in the ability of a recipient of maintenance to support herself could constitute a substantial change in circumstances, the court record indicated that the husband failed to present evidence of a change in the wife’s ability to support herself and the court found that the husband failed to meet his burden of showing a substantial change in circumstances. Without a substantial change in circumstances, the order remains in full force and effect.

In another case, however, the court found differently. In that case, the woman had become employed. The court record supported the trial court’s determination that she remained unable to adequately support herself through her employment and that no substantial change of circumstances had occurred for her financially. Thus, she continued to receive the support from her ex-spouse.

The court will often look at the income and expenses of the parties to see if a change has occurred. If the change is minor, the court will not likely amend the support order. For example, in another case, neither husband nor wife demonstrated a material or substantial change in their relative positions. Thus, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in refusing to modify the original maintenance award.

When you are considering going back to court to change a support order, keep this in mind; there is a great expense in petitioning the court. Cases are not often resolved in one appearance. Thus, make sure that you truly have a change in circumstances prior to involving the post-decree courts.

Alison Yates asked:




The tarot consists of 78 cards of which 16 are court cards (similar to face cards in a normal playing card deck).

A tarot court card can disclose much in a tarot reading and has messages to be revealed for the recipient.

There are 4 Court Cards for each suit - King, Queen, Knight, and Page (sometimes the names differ in different tarot decks and can be known as King, Queen, Prince and Princess.)

The revealing of a court card in a tarot reading can be confusing at first. It can be quite difficult and challenging for the tarot reader to interpret the meanings of court cards, and it takes some skill to get to grips with the several different interpretations.

The challenge exists for tarot readers in interpreting the court cards because, in your tarot reading, the Kings, Queens, Knights, and Pages can represent:

* actual people in your life,

* events — past or predicted, or

* aspects of a your personality revealed to you.

Court Cards as representative of actual people you know

Court cards can often represent someone who is of significance in your life. Parents, spouses, bosses, lovers, potential partners, and friends, all can sometimes be recognised within the court cards.

Each of the court cards can indicate the age, sex, character and even eye and hair colouring of a real person.

The Page of Wands for example can represent a child of either *** or someone who perhaps behaves like a child. The colouring of the child would be brown hair with blue or hazel eyes. Another example is that of the Knight of Pentacles, which indicates a man less than 35 years of age. The physical characteristics of the man would be brown hair with brown or dark eyes.

Court Cards as representative of an event or situation

The court cards can often indicate an event in your life. For example, the Page of any suit represents an invitation, gift or opportunity related to their specific suit. So if the Page of Cups comes up it can mean a new love, engagement ring or even the birth of a baby as the suit of Cups relates to love.

Knights often show movement in your life. So if the Knight of Swords shows up it could mean a new course of study to undertake, as the suit of Swords relates to the mind.

When Queens show up in a tarot reading they signify a time of growth and development, a time when you are taking practical steps to get the results you want.

When Kings appear in a spread it can show the motivation or inspiration to begin something. Making plans, coming up with ideas and thinking about the future.

Court Cards as representative of an aspect of your personality

Court cards in a tarot deck most often describe a certain type of person. The Queen of Wands is passionate, warm and outgoing while the Queen of Swords can be sharp, brittle and aggressive. The King of Cups is a sensitive, caring soul trusting his intuition, whereas the King of Swords is very analytical and logical, relying on hard evidence rather than gut feelings.

When a Court Card appears in a tarot reading you are doing for yourself, it may be indicating one of your personality traits or qualities that you need to be aware of. Similarly, if you are giving a tarot reading for a client, it can show some aspect of their personality they need to perhaps subdue or develop.

Bear in mind that there is no definitive right or wrong way to interpret the meanings of court cards in tarot readings. Remember the above possibilities, but listen to your intuition for guidance when doing a tarot reading.

Jeremy Kelsall asked:




Have you ever tried to access criminal court records? If you have I am sure that by the end of the process you were nothing short of ripping the hair out of your head. This is because there really is no clear cut way to complete the process and get a copy of someones criminal history.

The things that people usually try and fail at when trying to access criminal history records are things like searching through search engines or trying to find information on different information blogs and even public investigation forums.

While search engines are useful for many things, accessing public records is not one of them. Lets say that you go to Google to try to look up someones criminal past and you enter there name into the search box and away you go. Normally, over a million results are returned which would essentially mean that you will have to be planted to your chair for the next year to get an accurate criminal background check on someone. Those result of getting a complete and accurate records report is assuming that you read every word on every page. If you don’t it is very likely that you might miss a piece of important information.

When trying to get arrest records and the such via information blogs and investigation forums you are almost always approached by some helpful forum member who is more than willing to part you with about five hundred bucks to do an investigation report on someones criminal history for you. Basically, this boils down to you getting ripped off.

There are several sites online which can give you access to criminal court records in a matter of a minute and the only effort that it takes on your part is to enter the persons name into a search box and kick back and wait for the results. When trying to get something like a criminal background check I always recommend these types of sites because the results are not only fast but, I have found them to be accurate and complete.

Andrew Bicknell asked:




Doing a Texas court records search the old fashioned way can be an overwhelming task. In the past you would have had to request by filling out the required paper work and submitting it to those court jurisdictions where the person in question may have made a court appearance. Considering there are 254 counties in the state of Texas each with its own courthouse you can see why these types of record searches used to take a lot of time. And when you factor in all the state and federal courts it gets even harder.

Upon putting in a request for court records to be pulled an employee of the court known as a court retriever would begin the search. It normally takes them around 72 hours to find the pertinent records, if they exist. This can be quite frustrating and is not a good use of time or energy.

Many times those who wished to do a criminal records background check would hire a private investigator. They know the ins and outs of conducting records searches and can use the system to their advantage. Unfortunately there is a price to be paid for this type of service which can be more then the average person can afford.

With the advent of the internet and websites that specialize in background checks in the state of Texas this is no longer the case. You can now access and search court records state wide from federal, state, county, and city criminal databases right on your own computer at a fraction of the cost of hiring a private investigator. In fact many PI\’s are probably using these same resources.

This new found ability to run background checks quickly and easily is a great boon for just about everyone. Small businesses and individuals can look up and do criminal record checks on prospective new employees, check up on their child\’s daycare provider, see if that online dating prospect is who they really say they are, and do a check against just about anyone they are in daily contact with.

You also do not have to worry about leaving a traceable trail when using one of these online records services. You will remain completely anonymous when you do a search query on an individual. The only time you would need to reveal the outcome of your records search is when you need to reveal the truth you have found, if need be.

Jeffrey Broobin asked:




Divorce attorneys and their clients often use the same tall tales to ignoring court orders. One excuse is the other party also did it or the court’s order was based on inaccurate information. These excuses rarely work.

One of the most common excuses is He or she started it! It works as well as any silly nonsense does, it does not work at all. To say someone else is disobeying the law does not help you in your excuse for disobeying the court. We are all responsible for our own actions.

If you state the court order was wrong or unfair because of some mistake or a lie, is also worthless. If the court made a mistake there are avenues to address it, and the court can be asked to reconsider it. Only a court has the ability to change the court order. Until the court changes the order you are bound by the current order and it will be strictly observed. If the court order is violated as bad as things seemed to be will only get worse.

A man was back in court because his wife said he had not paid is child support that he was ordered to pay. His attorney as well as himself stated he had not paid the child support because his ex wife had lied about her expenses and he felt he had a right to hold back payments because she had lied. He had not asked the court to review the case but made his own decision not based on the law but his anger that was unsupported by the court. By the time he came before the judge he was deeply in debt with back support.

As it turned out the man was wrong about the expenses but even if he was right he was wrong, and as a result he violated the court order and caused more hardship for himself.

He was forced to pay back support plus interest and to make things worse he had to pay his entire wife’s legal expenses, which included airfare to come to court and an extra 3,000.

There are only two legal excuses for not obeying a court order: Either the party didn’t know about it or it was not possible to obey. Not inconvenient, impossible, or difficult!

If you have any other reasons for disobeying the court, it will be a costly unpleasant mistake.

Alexander Sutton asked:




Choosing the best security cameras for your home should not have to be a difficult task. If you keep in mind the things that matter most to you, that will ensure you get the right security cameras for your needs the first time. Determining what part of the home you wish to view is the first step.

There are so many areas to your home, it can become expensive getting enough cameras needed to view them all. With a few carefully placed cameras with a wide lens to capture those key areas, you save on money and worry. You can also keep in mind that some security cameras might be mounted outside of your home and need to be weatherproof, especially in areas where the weather changes more often than not.

Some surveillance systems might require holes to not only mount to your home but transmit video to your recording device, but this is avoidable using wireless security cameras. If the things you are concerned about are indoor, then look into the various security cameras available to not only use inside but to also look like household items.

Wireless cameras can be made from a variety of items, including clocks, radios, lamps, packs of cigarettes and almost anything you can think of to keep your possessions safe. For those areas where there is barely any light in the room but you still want to capture any movement, there are cameras with night vision so you don’t miss a moment. Hopefully with these options in your knowledge, you can find the right products for you.

Martin Underwood asked:




Good home security need not cost you a fortune. These inexpensive home security tips will go a long way to help keep your home, and family, secure.

1) Lock up when you go out. Yes, it is simple, so simple that folks forget to do it. A staggering amount of burglaries are carried out by the thief simply walking in an unlocked door or climbing through an unlocked window.

Undoubtedly you lock up when you leave your home to commute to work, but how about when you make a quick trip to the store? You would be amazed how quickly a thief can be in and out of your home. Lock up each time you go out, that’s so inexpensive it cost nothing at all.

2) Join your local Neighborhood Watch. There is not a better way to improve your home security. Your neighbor looks out for you, you look out for your neighbor. It’s effective and very, very inexpensive.

3) Wooden double hung windows are often only fitted with a latch that keeps the two halves together. These latches are easily defeated by the burglar. Fitting window locks will make your windows far more secure, or for an inexpensive alternative use window pins.

4) If you have an older sliding glass door investigate the possibility of fitting an up to date secure patio door lock. However, older sliding glass doors can be made more secure by low cost methods.

Some older patio doors can be simply lifted off their track by a burglar. Fit two screws into the channel above the opening door with the heads protruding just enough to stop the door being lifted, but still allowing the door to slide.

5) Don’t be tempted to hide a spare key someplace outside. You may think that yours is a unique hiding place but burglars know all the places to look and they will find it. Instead give a spare key to a neighbor that you can trust.

6) Many thieves only steal items that are easy to carry away such as cash, small electrical goods, laptop computer, jewelry etc. Make sure that you don’t keep such items where they could easily be seen by a burglar looking in your window.

7) When you leave your home empty after dark, leave a light or two on and a radio playing. Light timers are inexpensive and can be set to a random pattern to give the impression of someone being at home.

Keep all bushes and shrubs around your home trimmed right down so as to prevent giving cover to an intruder. Also, it will pay you to keep up your home’s appearance well maintained, this need not cost much and could lessen the chance of your home being picked as a target by a burglar. A well cared for home looks like the owner will also have good home security.

9) Keep your garage door locked even when your car is not in the garage. If there is a door that leads through into your house from your garage, then this should be kept locked and be as secure as your front door.

10) Many external doors are fitted with glass panels and that presents a home security risk. Consider replacing the panes with laminated glass or use window security film to protect the glass.

And an extra inexpensive home security tip.

Don’t leave ladders unsecured in your garden, lock them away (and chain them up if possible) otherwise a burglar will make use of them to enter your home. The same goes for any other kind of tools. A spade, for example, could be used like a jimmy to force open a window or door. Don’t let a burglar use your own tools to break into your home, lock your tools away in a shed with good quality locks.

Debbie Jacobsen asked:




What is a Computer Security Suite?

A computer security suite (also referred to as an Internet Security Suite) is a bundled software package from the same manufacturer that includes several different types of internet security protection. The security software applications are all compatible with each other and work together to provide a thorough blanket of protection against viruses, spyware, adware and intruders. PC security suites normally include anti virus software, anti spyware, and personal firewall protection. Some also include a form of privacy protection, which protects personal data such as account numbers and passwords. Many anti spyware programs will also kill most adware, which is a distant cousin to spyware.

Do I Need a Security Suite?

If you use your computer on the internet, you need (at minimum) anti virus software. If you are using a broadband connection, you also need to use a firewall (hardware firewall, software firewall or both). If you do any business, shopping or banking online, or just spend more than a few hours a week browsing – you really should have anti spyware software. If you download anything at all (software, screensavers, clip art, pictures, etc…you really need some form of adware protection. Although you don’t need to buy an internet security suite to get all this protection, it is the cheapest, quickest, and easiest way to go. You can of course, pick and choose your internet security software from different manufacturers, but buying a suite is much easier.

Can I Count on an Internet Security Suite to Protect My Computer?

The key to successful computer protection with a computer security software suite (or any internet security software) is regularly updating the software. New viruses, spyware, adware and hacks are introduced every day, and your degree of protection is only as good as the last update. Just about all top quality security software includes an “auto update” feature that lets you choose to have the software automatically check for and install updates daily. It’s always a good idea to turn on automatic updates so you don’t have to remember to manually do this.

As with just about any program that requires regular database updates, a subscription is usually required. After purchasing the software, it will normally run for a year before it’s time to renew the maintenance subscription. This is normally a small annual fee that also ensures you get program upgrades.

Recommended Computer Security Suites

Internet security software suites produced by large, reputable vendors like Symantec, Trend Micro, McAfee, Zone Labs, and Panda are excellent and should provide you with great overall protection. Although a bit more expensive than their small company counterparts, it’s best to stick with one of the big boys; especially if you are relatively inexperienced with computers and software. After all, you are buying the internet security suite software to protect your data, your computer and your most valuable asset - your privacy and identity!

John Kessel asked:




Legal transcription is about conversion of dictation/ audio recordings done at law firms and court houses into neat typewritten transcripts. Transcription technology has been evolving over the years and has gone digital today. Legal transcription is increasingly being outsourced to other global locations though not as much as medical transcription. Who are the court reporters and what do they do? Well as the name suggests the court reporters create verbatim transcripts of legal proceedings, speeches, meetings, and also conversations. They use several methods to ensure that the spoken word is accurately recorded. Court reporters have the expertise in transcription / proof reading and editing of all types of court reports and legal documents besides being trained to assist lawyers and judges.

when we talk of just legal transcription it means legal dictations of various types and this may include client letters, depositions, court hearings that are recorded and sent to legal transcription professionals who may be located either within the same city or even out of the country.

Many court reporters use stenotype machine and computer-aided transcription. Whether in the court room or in the law firms office most voice recordings today depend on digital dictation programs that enable convenient recording of voice often supported with automated typing. Dictation is done using either one of the different methods;
Using a dictation device Dictation on to a computer or laptop PDA dictation and recording Dictation by telephone Dictation over the Internet Court recordings & meetings

Today with many court reporting software being available, recording of court proceeding has become a more efficient process. Here are some of the features we can find when using court reporting software;

Simultaneous recording possibility (up to 32 channels) Digital audio recording with high quality signal processing. Transmission using FTP /email or computer network. Automatic file size management/ breaking Overlapped file breaks at preset intervals. Must be user friendly Possible time stamping of bookmarks with notes/ recording Audio listening possibility in real time Recording in formats like to wav, mp3, etc Sorting of recordings by name /date /size and search using keywords. Automatic error notification. Various types of password security. Free minor upgrades

Legal transcription work when outsourced to countries like India, is best done under the supervision of professional lawyers. There are many schools that offer certifications for just doing legal transcription. Specific certifications for court reporters are also much sought after. Here is the link to the official site of the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) that offers certification opportunities : http://www.ncraonline.org/testing/

Other bodies that offer certifications are The National Verbatim Reporters Association (NVRA) which is the professional association of verbatim court reporters and The American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers.

Nick Adama asked:




When homeowners are in the midst of a financial crisis and have begun falling behind on their payments, many of them feel like crawling into a hole and hiding from their creditors. They ignore the multiple phone calls every day and they will set aside mail from their mortgage company, thinking the letters to hold nothing but threatening information and demanding money the homeowners do not currently have. Even after the lender hires attorneys to sue the family, they will often avoid having any correspondence with the bank or its legal counsel. By ignoring such letters, homeowners will remain in the dark about where their property is in the foreclosure process, and may miss an important opportunity to stop foreclosure before the situation progresses further.

Most often, when a lender is suing to sell a property through the foreclosure process to have their defaulted loan paid back, a formal hearing must be held at the county courthouse. The lender’s attorneys and the court system itself will typically send the homeowners information regarding what this hearing is for and when it will be held. Unfortunately, this hearing will be held in the early stages of the foreclosure process, and the likelihood is small that the homeowners have recovered from their financial hardship so quickly. Thus, the letter with the vital information may be thrown away or set aside until it is opened long after the hearing has been held, or the foreclosure victims will simply not attend the hearing, believing that nothing good will come of it and that they will be pushed into foreclosure right then and there. They may also fear being exposed as and reprimanded for missing numerous payments on their home.

However, the only way that the homeowners will automatically lose the lawsuit is if they do not show up at all for the hearing. The lender is awarded a default judgment against the homeowners, and the foreclosure process will proceed with no input by the actual owners of the property. They are given a chance to defend their position, or try and work out an arrangement with the lender and its attorneys, but, by ignoring the hearing completely, they are presumed to have given up these basic rights and opportunities, and the court enters judgment against them. At this point, the foreclosure process will begin to accelerate, with the attorneys attempting to set up the sheriff sale date as quickly as the law allows, and the bank will begin adding more fees, interest, and charges to the loan, making it more difficult by the day for homeowners to figure out a solution to avoid the foreclosure.

Especially in cases where the foreclosure victims suspect some sort of foul play or incompetence on the part of the mortgage company, it is extremely important not to miss this initial foreclosure court date. It is not uncommon for banks to misplace payments, report the mortgage as late, and refuse to accept any other payments, which leads the homeowners to foreclosure. The homeowners may futilely try to prove they made the payment, and have convincing evidence, such as canceled checks or online payment confirmation. But, if they do not provide such evidence to a court at the foreclosure hearing, a judgment will be entered against them regardless. As the size of the lender and the complexity of their mortgage operations increase, the possibility of homeowners facing foreclosure due to deception or incompetence rises.

Whenever homeowners find themselves facing a financial crisis and are unable to pay their mortgage, they should seek legal advice from a competent attorney. This advice should include the possibility of filing bankruptcy to stop foreclosure, although this may be held as a last ditch effort, rather than the immediate step taken. It is, though, more than a bit ironic that homeowners facing a loss of income or sudden extra expenses need the services of an attorney at exactly the moment when they are least able to afford legal advice. However, homeowners being sued for foreclosure are at a distinct disadvantage when dealing with the mortgage company and their seasoned local attorneys, who have worked with the court system for years and know exactly how the foreclosure process in that state works. Many foreclosure victims find it difficult, if not impossible, to get any information from the bank’s attorneys, which makes it even more important for them to have a solid understanding of how the process will work and how it can be stopped.

It is never a good idea for homeowners to avoid any of the correspondence from their lender or the attorneys handling the foreclosure. Although most of the mail will be strictly collections efforts, the foreclosure victims should make every effort possible to find out when is their day in court. Otherwise, they have no defense against the legal process and will not even be given a chance to relate their side of the story, their reasons for missing the mortgage payment, and what they have done and can do in the future to get the loan out of default and back back on track. A sympathetic judge can attempt to broker an agreement between the mortgage company and the homeowners, and give the two parties at least one final chance to work out a solution before entering the lengthy, expensive foreclosure process. Homeowners who are too busy avoiding this opportunity, though, may find out it has slipped through their fingers before they even knew they had it.