Police Crack Down on Cell Phone Use While Driving in Staten Island!

The New York Police Department is on a three week long traffic crackdown that has netted Staten Islanders 398 summons and two suspended licenses, according to the Staten Island Advance. The traffic crackdown began in response to the flurry of deadly car accidents that Staten Island has endured in recent weeks. According to figures given by the NYPD, the most common violation has been cell phone use while operating a motor vehicle, which made up over a third of the 398 summons given! 

Cell phone use while driving is not only extremely dangerous but highly illegal. If you are pulled over for cell phone use while driving, you will not only incur a hefty fine but gain three points on your license for a first offense. Additional offenses will carry higher fines and additional points. These points can easily add up to a suspended or even revoked license. If you have been pulled over for using a cell phone while driving or a different traffic expense, you should contact an experience traffic attorney. Feel free to contact my office at (718) 317-5007.

Don't Let Divorce Damage Your Credit!

Hashing out the financial aspect of a divorce can be difficult and stressful. Marriage is a financial partnership; During a divorce, these financial bonds must be broken correctly in order to avoid detrimental effects to one or both parties' credit. Below are some tips to help you avoid detrimental effects to your credit while dealing with divorce.

1. Check your credit and ask your partner to check his or hers at the very beginning of the process.
It's a smart idea to be aware of your credit score and what you and your partner owe before you begin divorcing. You can request a free credit report once a year from the official credit report site run by Experian, Equifax, and Transunion.

2. If you have no individual credit, now is the time to establish it.
Once the divorce is final, you will be dependent on your credit report alone. You can build up your individual credit by opening a card in solely your name. Opening a credit card can be an important step on the path to financial independence.

3. Discuss how to deal with joint loans, such as the mortgage and/or car loans.
You and your partner will need to decide which party will take on responsible for any joint loans acquired during the marriage. Joint bank accounts should be switched over to one name early in the process to avoid any one party withdrawing funds without the consent of both spouses. Likewise, any credit cards in both spouses' names should be switched over to one party immediately. Don't let your credit be put in jeopardy by an vindictive spouse! Additionally, be sure to check of all your financial records to avoid overlooking smaller debts such as a store card or gaming accounts.

4. Place a fraud alert on your credit.
You can request for one of the three major credit agencies to place a "fraud alert" on your credit for at least 90 days. Placing a fraud alert on your credit means that your credit bureau will contact you any time an account is opened in your name, obtain another credit card or increase your credit limit. With a fraud alert, you will immediately know if someone other than yourself is attempting to use your credit.

If you are considering divorce, getting in touch with a divorce attorney can be both a smart and comforting move. An attorney can review these steps with you and assist you with financial entanglements you may have as a result of divorce. If you or a loved one is considering divorce, feel free to contact our office at (718) 313-7563.

President Proposes Overtime Plan Changes

President Barack Obama recently had a proposal concerning overtime pay that could result in increased costs for small business owners. The President wants the Labor Department to expand the regulations concerning overtime pay so that many more types of workers would be covered, raising the pay of several million low wage workers. Critics of the bill worry that companies, especially small businesses that may be less able to afford to dole out large overtime payments, will be forced to cut hours and freeze hiring. For small businesses, payroll is often the biggest operating expense, and increases in this area could actually slow down the growth of these businesses.

This proposal could have a major effect on small businesses and the economy as a whole. If you are a business owner with questions or concerns about new labor regulations, feel free to contact the office at (718) 317 - 5007.