How to Launch Your Paralegal Career

Are you thinking about becoming a paralegal, or are you already working toward a paralegal degree? On this edition of The Paralegal Voice, co-hosts Lynne DeVenny and Vicki Voisin address the most frequently asked questions from people interested in becoming paralegals. They talk about the realities of the profession, including assessing the traits paralegals need to succeed, working in a legal environment, and preparing for and finding that first job. Lynne and Vicki talk about the importance of networking, education and training, and share their personal experiences and their paths to becoming paralegals
Please Click the Link Below to listen to the Podcast!

http://legaltalknetwork.com/podcasts/paralegal-voice/2011/07/paralegal-101-how-to-launch-your-paralegal-career/

Acrobat for Legal Professionals

Missed the “Acrobat X and PDF/A Standards” eSeminar last week?
No worries!
You can watch the recording by clicking the link below.

RECORDING

http://seminars.adobe.acrobat.com/p248eqa7fje/ (Opens in new window)


http://blogs.adobe.com/acrolaw/

Trusts vs. Wills - You Don't have to be RICH to have one!!!!!!!!!!

STOP using the fear of your mortality as a reason for postponing doing your own will or trust.

Simply think of estate planning as a way to ensure that your legacy will go to the people you want, in the way you want, when you want.  It will also allow you to save your loved ones court costs, attorney’s fees and most importantly, will allow them to mourn your loss without the additional burden of dealing with government red tape, a chaotic court system and financial confusion.

• Will- A will is a document that specifies what should happen to your assets if you pass away.  A will may also contain guardian nominations to dictate who will care for your minor children if something unexpectedly happens to you.  

• Trust- A trust is a legal entity that can hold title to property. With your assets securely placed in a trust, you can minimize your financial exposure to lawsuits, divorce and bankruptcy while alive.  Upon death, a trust will keep your affairs private and out of the probate court.  It also allows a great deal of control for people who do not want their inheritance going outright to their heirs if something unexpectedly happens.

Your Life Insurance Policy is probably  the most Valuable asset you have.
If you want your beneficiary to do certain things with that money; you may want to have a Trust Account, which puts stipulatations on how he/she can spend that money.

Ex. My Mother is the Beneficiary of my Insurance Policy, but to make sure she doesn't RUN to Vegas and splurge... I set up a Trust account that will make sure she pays for my sons college tuition etc. :)

Or I can Leave the money to my son & set up a Trust, so that HE can't run to Vegas & get Married!
He can receive 20k a Year ONLY IF HE GOES TO ST.JOHNS, DUKE or UNC! Just kidding--

If you need more information on obtaining a Policy or Trust Account, please contact:
Darryl Washington - New York Life
919-280-2640

Knowledge is Power!!!
LaChauna J.

Free Webinar Today On Living Wills, Health Care Proxies

Free Webinar Today On Living Wills, Health Care Proxies

http://blogs.forbes.com/hanisarji/

5 Ways to Make Sure Your Children & Assets Stay Protected if Something Happens to You.

If one of your New Year’s resolutions this year includes getting your financial and legal affairs in order should something unexpectedly happen to you, it's NOT too late. Please check out this report written by Steve Worrall Esq.

 “What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt Your Family: 5 Easy Ways to Make Sure Your Children, Wishes and Assets Stay Protected Should Something Happen to You”.

In this report you’ll learn 5 easy ways to get your legal and financial affairs in order, just in time for the New Year.  You won’t even need the help of an attorney for some of these important steps; simply follow my instructions in the guide and cross each item off of your “to-do” list as you go.
You’ll also discover:

• How to legally name guardians for your minor children in a way that will hold up in a court of law
• The difference between a will and a trust, and which tool you really need to make sure your family, wishes and assets stay protected upon your passing.
• The details about simple document you can use to give someone legal permission to act on your behalf if you were incapacitated in an accident but did not die (…and without this document, no one will be able to help you under the current HIPPA laws!)
• How to amass your “entire family wealth” and leave a true legacy to your children (hint: you don’t have to be wealthy and it’s easier than you think!)
• And so much more!

To grab a copy of this report, simply visit http://bit.ly/gNUxIJ.

I’d also like to encourage you to forward this to any of your family or friends who really need to get their affairs in order  I would especially encourage you to reach out to anyone who has minor children, owns their own home, cares for aging parents or is approaching retirement age themselves.

Again, you can get a copy of this free report now by going to http://bit.ly/dGpJM1.

Knowledge is Power!!
LaChauna J.

Carolina Paralegal News -

Taking a look back at an article that I was featured in...Check it out! p.9

http://nclawyersweekly.com/wp-files/cpn-pdfs/cpnfebruary2010.pdf

Duke's Paralegal Program

There are many Paralegal Programs in the Triad, but I chose to attend Duke Universities 6 Month intensive program. The drive from North Raleigh isn't that bad, but after 4 hours of Contracts and Essential Skills that 45 minute drive feels like an eternity. But, I'm a firm believer that hard work and dedication pays off! The schedule consists of Mondays, Wednesdays and alternate Saturdays. Today was our first Saturday session: We covered "Wills, Trust and Estate Planning". I must say, there's something exciting about "Death & Taxes" :-) June 28th can't come soon enough~

http://www.learnmore.duke.edu/certificates/paralegal/