Mcgrath Law Firm

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SPF children: Avoiding the Potential Burn of Summer Visitation

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SPF children: Avoiding the  potential

burn of summer visitation!

As the school year ends, divorced parents face the challenge of managing extended summer visitation with their children during the summer.  Even with a court-ordered schedule, this can be a difficult time under any circumstances.

Between going to the beach, having cookouts with friends, attending a local event, or enjoying a round of golf, summers in the Lowcountry offer plenty of activities for families to enjoy.  Whether you choose to “tee up” or not, below are a few tips to ensure that a smooth transition into extended summer visitation is “P.A.R. for the course.”

Plan accordingly.

Children thrive on routine, and summer visitation schedules usually vary substantially from the routines they became accustomed to during the school year.  To efficiently switch into an extended schedule of summer visitation, it is vital to plan ahead.  Whether you have to schedule time off from work, or alter your work schedule when your children are visiting, make sure to set aside appropriate time to participate in summer activities with your children.  Be open to some changes in the schedule, but implement a set schedule to ensure stability for everyone involved.

Acknowledge the other parent.

Despite the feelings you have towards your former spouse, it is important to realize and acknowledge that they are the other parent.  Keeping children in the animosity of separation or divorce may cause them to develop feelings of insecurity and divided loyalty.  Check your ego at the door, focus on your children, and help them participate in a productive relationship with their other parent.  Allow your children to speak frequently with their other parent and spend time with them during their summer vacation.  This will only help build your bond with your children.

 

 Recognize the potential impact on your children.

A significant change in schedule can bring up emotions for your children, both good and bad.  Try to understand the situation from your children’s perspective and help them control their emotions and focus on connecting with their other parent.  How you react during this time greatly affects everyone involved, especially your children.  If children are to benefit from spending extended time with either parent, they need to feel a sense of security and stability from both parents.  Speaking about the stability of parents, humorist Franklin P. Jones once said “Children are unpredictable.  You never know what inconsistency they’re going to catch you in next.”

Contact McGrath Law Firm to learn your rights!

If you are interested in avoiding unnecessary conflict, prefer to be fully informed of your legal rights, and want your interests pursued and protected, we invite you to speak with our attorneys at McGrath Law Firm, P.A. The seasoned family law and divorce lawyers at the McGrath Law Firm, founded by attorney Peter McGrath, will walk you through every step of the challenging process of divorce, custody, and visitation to address your concerns and achieve your goals as efficiently as possible.  Call us to schedule your consultation at (843) 606-2755.

 

Prenuptial Agreements: Something to Consider?

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Prenuptial Agreements: Something to Consider?

Your boyfriend just took you to your favorite restaurant, got down on one knee and proposed! And of course you said yes! You have dreamed of this day since you were a little girl and all of sudden, your mind starts racing and you begin to imagine what your dream wedding is going to look like. You’ve probably thought about it a hundred times before, but now it’s actually happening. You need to figure out the style dress you want, the venue, the cake and flowers, whether it’s going to be a big wedding or an intimate one, and of course, choosing a honeymoon destination. There are so many things to think about after you’ve decided to take that next step with the love of your life, and it can seem overwhelming, whether you are the bride or the groom. Certainly, your mind is not on prenuptial agreements, and how you can protect yourself in the event the relationship fails.

You’ve most likely started a to-do list of things that need to be accomplished before your big day. On that list are probably a few items that are not so fun, but still need to get done; one of which is deciding whether or not to get a Prenuptial Agreements (or prenups for short). Though it has been known to cause some controversy between couples, and it’s probably the last thing you want to think about while planning your wedding, it is a very important decision that can have a huge impact on your future. Here are some things to consider before deciding if a prenup is right for you.

Prenuptial Agreements are not just for the rich.

This is important to remember when considering a prenup.  Prenuptial Agreements are not just about dividing up assets, but also about debts. An agreement such as this can help protect you and your partner from any debt either one of you might be bringing into the marriage.

Prenuptial Agreements can help keep certain property in your birth family.

This can include any heirlooms that are important to you and your family, future inheritances, and even a share in the family business.

If you have children from a previous relationship, prenups allow you to specify and make sure they receive a reasonable portion of your property and/or assets in the case of a divorce or death.

Prenuptial Agreements and divide up responsibilities in the relationship early

Dividing up responsibilities as part of your prenup might be worthwhile to consider. Now that you’re tying the knot, you need to think about whether you are going to have joint or separate bank accounts, file your tax returns together, who is going to be responsible for paying the bills, etc.… Discussing with your partner and preparing for these responsibilities early on, may just save you from future arguments.

Don’t let the court decide

The bottom line is don’t let the court decide how your property and assets are divided up if a marriage fails or a spouse passes away. You never know what the future holds, and having a Prenuptial Agreement on file will clarify exactly how you would like your property and assets distributed, just in case something happens. It is a lot to think about, but it’s definitely worth seeking legal advice prior to making your vows.

Contact McGrath Law Firm to learn your rights!

The seasoned family law and divorce lawyers at the McGrath Law Firm, founded by attorney Peter McGrath, will walk you through every step of the challenging divorce process to address your concerns and achieve your goals as efficiently as possible.  From spousal support, child support, fault, and equitable division of property and debt to valuations, prenuptial agreements, annulments, and restraining orders, the experienced attorneys at McGrath Law Firm have a successful track record in all aspects of family law. Call us to schedule your consultation at (843) 606-2755

NECC President Found Guilty of Racketeering

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The NECC President was found Guilty of Racketeering. Barry Cadden, the president and co-founder of the now-defunct New England Compounding Center (NECC), was found guilty of racketeering, conspiracy and fraud for his involvement in the 2012 nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak. The outbreak killed more than 60 people and sickened hundreds. It was the largest public health crises in the U.S. ever caused by a pharmaceutical drug.
McGrath Law Firm Represented More than 50 of the NECC Victims

McGrath Law Firm Represented More than 50 NECC Victims

Attorney Peter G. McGrath of McGrath Law Firm represented more than 50 of the victims nationwide and sued NECC in 2012 for distributing steroid medications tainted with bacteria.

McGrath said victims and their families have mixed emotions about the verdict. “Many of my clients thought Cadden should have been convicted for attempted murder,” McGrath said. “But at the same time many are relieved that the case had finally been heard and are hoping it will bring closure to such a devastating chapter in their lives. Let’s hope the sentencing in June will be just.”

McGrath Law Firm was the first law firm in the nation to file to attach Mr. Cadden’s homes on Martha’s Vineyard off the coast of Massachusetts.

McGrath Law Firm has unique litigation experience with infectious disease matters. Attorney McGrath, a former federal prosecutor and founder of McGrath Law Firm, was lead counsel in the nationwide Hepatitis outbreak in New England in 2010. The firm also represented 30 clients in the recent Hepatitis B outbreak in North Charleston, South Carolina.

With law offices in South Carolina and New Hampshire, Mcgrath Law Firm, founded by Attorney Peter G. McGrath, concentrates his practice in the areas of complex injury law, medical malpractice, business law, environmental law, real estate law, and general litigation matters. Attorney McGrath combines a unique and expansive background of litigation experience, both from the prosecutorial side and from the private sector. As a federal prosecutor with the United States Department of Justice, Attorney McGrath was the lead prosecutor for the government in several major federal cases, including several in New Hampshire. Attorney McGrath is the founding member of the McGrath Law Firm and can be reached at (843) 606-2755.

Five Things to Consider When Hosting a Super Bowl Party

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When you’re hosting a Super Bowl party, chances are you aren’t thinking about any legal repercussions. The truth? Just by hosting a viewing party, you could be at risk for violating trademark and copyright laws, and even be held liable if a guest of yours gets pulled over for a DUI. Here are five things you should keep in mind if you’re hosting a party to watch The Big Game this weekend.

  1. Be careful how you advertise. The NFL is a stickler when it comes to how hosts advertise their Super Bowl parties. For starters, if you own a bar, pub, restaurant or event space, don’t advertise a “Super Bowl viewing party.” The NFL has some trademark and copyright laws in place that prohibit unaffiliated partners from advertising “Super Bowl” parties. The right to do so rests with NFL-approved partners.
  2. Check your homeowner’s insurance policy. If you don’t have liability insurance as a homeowner, you could be in trouble if an accident occurs at your home. Check your policy before hosting a get-together to put your mind at ease, and to erase any liability from your hands.
  3. Keep the guest list small. If an accident does happen, chances are your friends are less likely to press charges or sue than an acquaintance or someone you just met. Even if you think it’s unlikely that an accident will happen, keeping the guest list to close friends and family protects you that much more.
  4. Offer non-alcoholic beverages. If you are drinking at a bar and get arrested for a DUI, the establishment you were served may be responsible for over-serving you. If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party and a guest is pulled over for a DUI leaving your party, that responsibility could fall on you. Try your best to keep an eye on how much alcohol your guests are consuming and offer also non-alcoholic beverages as an option for your friends and family.
  5. Don’t charge admission. Remember how we said the NFL is very particular about copyright and trademark infringement? That also applies to the actual Super Bowl telecast. If you host a party and charge admission, you could face legal trouble. The only work-around? Churches are allowed to host a viewing party at their usual location (no renting out event spaces), and are also permitted to take up a collection in order to off-set the cost of hosting the event.

The Super Bowl is a great excuse to have a great time with your friends and family – just make sure you know what’s allowed, and what’s considered breaking the law.

McGrath Law Firm: Home For The Holidays

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McGrath-NewYear

McGrath Law Firm attorneys, Matthew Pecoy and Evan Smith, recently visited the New England office in Concord, New Hampshire. The two joined Peter McGrath and his staff to reflect on this past year’s new and returning clients, achievements, case wins, transactions closed and pro bono work. McGrath Law Firm is looking forward to a successful and satisfying 2014.

Best wishes from the McGrath Law Firm in the coming year!