Blog

Becoming a guardian is an admirable thing to do. Guardianship protects children but does not strip away the rights of the biological parents. In other words, once the parents are again able to provide the child a safe environment, the child may return to them safely. However, there may be occasions when the biological parents are never able to properly care for their child. When this happens, it may be time to sever all rights the biological parents may have by officially adopting the child. Below are five steps to go from guardianship to adoption of a ward. 1. Ask the child if they would like to live with you permanently Depending on their age, the court may ask the child directly if they would like to be adopted. Talking to the child about what adoption would mean and why you would like to adopt them makes sure they are mentally ready for the next steps, and that it is the right course of action. If the child is younger, having this conversation with them will ensure that what you are doing doesn’t frighten them or cause friction later. If the child is closer to 18, it may be best to remain a guardian. 2. Contact an adoption lawyer If both the guardian and the child are in agreement that adoption is appropriate, the next step is to hire an adoption lawyer. This will help ensure the process runs smooth and that all paperwork is done correctly. A good adoption attorney will also walk you through the process with ease and help fight for you when it comes to objections from the biological parents. 3. Obtain a home study In California, the guardian must first obtain a home study to adopt a child. A home study helps the state verify that the home is stable, answers any questions you may have, and helps you understand all adoption opportunities. The process may feel overwhelming at first, as it requires individual interviews, home visits, background checks, physical exams, and the verification of financial and employment records, but it’s the best, most thorough way to verify the adoption is in the best interest of the child. 4. Finalize the guardianship to adoption process in court Whether the biological parents voluntarily agree to terminate their parental rights or the court mandates such termination, the final step for adoption is getting a judge to finalize the adoption. Contact King Law Firm Attorneys at Law, Inc. for more information and a complimentary consultation.

People change, jobs change, environments change. When you have children, these changes can become complicated and stressful, especially if it means relocating a child out of state. Whether you have custody or guardianship over a child, if another parent or family member is still in the picture, moving with a child can become complicated, especially if one fails to adhere to court agreements. Below are a few things to know before deciding to move a child out of state. Custody vs. Guardianship Custody is when someone has full (or shared) responsibility over a child. Sole custody gives the bulk of the responsibility to one parent (and visitation to another) while joint custody gives responsibility and shared living arrangements to both parents. Guardianship, meanwhile, grants responsibility of a child over to a non-biological caretaker. This means the biological parents may still be in the picture but have been deemed unable to provide a healthy life for the child. Relocation as a Primary Custodial Parent Whether moving for a job, a change of scenery, or a better education, the primary custodian (aka the parent for which the child lives the most) should review the custody arrangement before making any final decisions. If the primary custodian is moving outside of a court-approved radius, they must provide the court and the non-custodial parent written notice about their decision 45 days prior to the move. This gives the secondary custodian time to contest it. Parents with sole custody usually have a presumptive right to move out of state, however, a parent with joint custody who wants to move a child out of state must file a move-away order. Factors a judge will consider during a move-away hearing include: The distance of the move The emotional, environmental, educational, and physical needs of the child The child’s relationship with the parents Whether there’s a support system in place in the new location If granted, the move-away order would force the modification of the original custody arrangement, which may not always go in favor of the primary custodian. Relocation as a Guardian Unlike custody, guardianship is much more involved when choosing to move a ward out of state. In California, the guardian must fill out the following forms and submit them to the court 45 days prior to moving: Petition to Fix Residence Outside of the State of California (Form GC-085) Notice of Hearing – Guardianship or Conservatorship (Form GC-020) Order Fixing Residence Outside of the State of California (Form GC-090) These forms must also be served to all interested parties, including the biological parents, within 15 days of the move. Should an interested party object, a hearing will decide if relocation is in the best interest of the child. If the move is granted, the guardian will need to file for guardianship in the new state and relinquish their guardianship in the old state. If this all seems overwhelming, contact a family lawyer who can help mitigate the stress.

When someone is mentally or physically incapacitated, they may not be able to perform tasks necessary to live. When this happens, family members or friends may have the right to become a guardian or a conservator and take legal responsibility for performing personal and financial tasks for them. Which one, guardianship or conservatorship, is right for your situation? That mostly depends on which state you live in. Because King Law Firm Attorneys at Law, Inc. practices in both California and Arizona, we’ve compiled some key similarities and differences these states have when it comes to guardianship or conservatorship. Guardianship Becoming a guardian over another person Is taking legal responsibility over day-to-day medical, educational, and personal decisions for that person because they have become physically or mentally incapacitated. However, in California, guardianships refer to only those persons who represent the affairs of a child. When a child’s parents pass away or are no longer able to safely care for the child, a family member can assume permanent or temporary guardianship. If petitioning for guardianship becomes combative, there are a couple of other options to guarantee a child’s safety: 1) a clear and concise private agreement can be entered into between the guardian and the parents; or 2) the guardian can present a Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit, which gives the guardian legal right to make educational and medical decisions. Both alternate options can be revoked by the parents at any time. In Arizona, guardianships are appointed for anyone, regardless of age. Guardianships can be general (covering all medical, educational, and personal decisions) or limited to a specific purpose, such as making emergency medical decisions or finding specific living arrangements. Guardian’s may also suspend a ward’s driver’s license or ability to vote. Conservatorship In general, conservators provide care and protection for the ward, such as providing meals, purchasing clothes, maintaining the home and hygiene, arranging for medical care, and managing the estate. Conservatorships are not normally setup if the person in question drafted a durable power of attorney prior to becoming incapacitated. In California, a conservatorship acts the same as a guardianship but for adults. This includes both personal and financial responsibilities. These conservatorships can be limited (usually meant for the developmentally disabled) or general (which covers all other types of mental or physical issues, such as dementia, physical injury, or those susceptible to undue influence). In Arizona, though, a conservatorship strictly focuses on financial responsibilities, such as a person’s everyday bills or the estate, for a child or adult. There are three types of conservatorships in Arizona: General (covers all financial responsibilities), limited (covers only a select type of financial responsibility), or single transactional (covers one specific task, such as investing funds or paying taxes). If you aren’t sure if you should take the next step, King Law Firm Attorneys at Law, Inc. can help you decide between guardianship or conservatorship for you and your loved one.

In the broadest sense of the word, justice is receiving the most deserving reward or punishment for a particular act or decision. This makes the term extremely fluid, as defining what someone “deserves” can mean many different things to many different people. In the case of criminal convictions, justice has been served under the law once a person has fulfilled their sentence for their crime. This doesn’t always equate to the reality of someone who has completed their required sentence, as their conviction can continue to haunt them for the rest of their life. One way to fix this issue is through expungement, and King Law Firm Attorneys at Law, Inc. now has a comprehensive platform to assist in expunging your records and giving you a fresh start. What is expungement? According to get-expunged.com, expungement is the process of erasing, removing, or sealing a criminal conviction from one’s permanent State or Federal record. To get a record expunged, you must file in the state in which the conviction was levied, and all states have a different process for expungement. For example, in California, you must file a petition of dismissal to re-open your case, have the plea set aside, and the case dismissed. Why should you get expunged? Though an expungement will never erase your record completely, it does change the guilty plea to a dismissal, which means that, in the eyes of the law, you were not convicted of a crime. This will help to secure employment, obtain a professional license, or join a professional organization. In other words, it provides more freedom in your day-to-day life than it would if you continued to carry the baggage of conviction, regardless of having served your time. Why get expunged through King Law Firm Attorneys at Law, Inc.? King Law Firm Attorneys at Law, Inc. has set up an expedient way to get your criminal record expunged. It starts by going to our website, get-expunged.com, and getting a quick qualification and conflict check. Once those have been completed, you will fill out one simple online form and King Law Firm Attorneys at Law Inc. takes care of the rest. We have several different types of expungements we can work with, and we can answer all your burning questions and provide other information you may need to complete the expungement process. We are also planning to setup expungement clinics for those who may want to handle the expungement themselves and are simply looking for a fast, easy way to have their questions answered and the paperwork completed properly. Head over to get-expunged.com now to get the process started. And if you have any questions, please feel free to email us at recordclearing@get-expunged.com.

California law, legal system and justice concept with a 3d render of a gavel on a wooden desktop and the Californian flag on background. With the arrival of the new year, Californians saw 770 new California laws signed by Governor Gavin Newsom go into effect on January 1, 2022. Of the hundreds of new bills, Newsom is proud of making, “…meaningful progress on an array of issues… in advancing historic measures to improve the lives of Californians, including new tools to boost our housing supply, improve workplace conditions and build a stronger state.” So, which of the nation-leading new California laws will affect your health and way of life the most? You be the judge. (AB = Assembly Bill; SB = Senate Bill) Public Safety AB 43 provides cities more control over their speed limits (new speeds which cannot be fully enforced until 2024). AB 48 prohibits the use of rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse crowds during a protest or be used if someone has violated a curfew or is non-compliant with an enforcement directive. AB 1171 removes the section in the California penal code that differentiates spousal rape from all other cases of rape. Ghost guns (guns ordered in parts and assembled at home) may now be seized upon a judge’s order should a concerned citizen believe someone is at risk. Health SB 380 shortens the amount of time someone is required to wait between filing a request for end-of-life drugs from 15 days to two and eliminates the requirement of a written statement from the patient. SB 1383 requires all excess food waste to be separated into its own organic recycling waste bin. Beginning in the fall, public schools (grades six and above) must stock all restrooms with free tampons and other menstrual products. Education AB 101 requires all students to take at least one ethnic studies class to graduate starting in the 2029-2030 school year. Beginning July 1 (and for the school year beginning in August), SB 328, signed back in 2019, goes into effect, restricting middle schools from starting classes before 8 a.m. and high schools before 8:30 a.m. Food and Restaurants SB 314 makes outdoor dining space in parking lots permanent, and AB 61 allows for easier access to temporary liquor licenses for restaurant pop-ups. SB 389 makes permanent the temporary emergency order from March 2020, which allowed restaurants and bars to sell wine, beer and cocktails as a to-go item. Housing SB 9 allows property owners to add up to three additional housing units and SB 10 allows for the building of up to 10 units per parcel in transit-dense areas. Employment SB 62 requires all factory workers in the garment industry to convert piece-rate compensation to an hourly wage. SB 331 prohibits employers from including non-disclosure clauses as part of settlement agreements in relation to discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation. Any business with over 25 employees must now pay all employees a minimum of $15 an hour, and those under 25 employees must pay $14 per hour. Elections AB 37 akes permanent the emergency mail-in ballot provision, and expands it to include all local elections.

King Law Firm Attorneys at Law, Inc. is excited to officially announce their newest venture: The Lawyer Kings Podcast! Earlier this year, attorney Rachel King, owner of the California-based King Law Firm Attorneys at Law, Inc., wanted to build confidant relationships with those seeking answers to their burning legal questions by expanding the dissemination of her ever-growing knowledge of legal processes beyond Facebook and other social media platforms. Thus came the idea to speak to her audience in length in a weekly podcast. To accomplish this feat, Rachel enlisted her father, Patrick O King, Esq., a Nevada-based lawyer with King and Russo, Ltd., to join her on her new venture. Patrick has been practicing law since 1982 and specializes in estate planning, business and family law, and personal injury cases. Together, the duo seeks to bridge the gap between old-school law practices and 21 st century techniques while helping the laymen navigate the sometimes confusing and stressful world of law. The ultimate goal is to succinctly cover a bevy of topics from civil litigation and criminal justice to estate planning and family law. And they are certainly on their way. Since their debut podcast in August, weekly topics have included discussions on the Kyle Rittenhouse trial, domestic violence, medical malpractice, expungement, and the discovery phase of law cases. The podcast has welcomed several guests as well, including Marc Wasserman, one-half of the Pot Brothers at Law, and Justin Brooks, Director and co-founder of the California Innocence Project. If you have a question or a topic you would like Rachel and Patrick to discuss in a future episode of The Lawyer Kings Podcast, email podcast@thelawyerkings.com. And head to https://thelawyerkings.com now to get caught up on all past podcasts. You may also listen on your favorite podcast sites, including Anchor, Spotify, Apple podcast, Breaker, Google, and Radio Public. Rachel has always been committed to the legal success of her clients, and The Lawyer Kings podcast is just one more bow in the quiver of bringing truth to justice. To learn more about why the podcast was started, check out our previous blog post. And stay tuned over the next year for even more big news from Rachel King and her team at King Law Firm Attorneys at Law, Inc.

Ever since I started King Law Firm Attorney’s at Law, Inc., I’ve been committed to your legal success. Part of this commitment is the effective communication of information, which I’ve provided in various forms on this site. We offer plenty of links to information you may need to better understand your particular situation, and videos on our YouTube and TikTok pages offer everyone quick tips on what makes the law tick. In an effort to expand on this commitment, I’m proud to announce my new podcast, The Lawyer Kings. What is The Lawyer Kings Podcast? I started The Lawyer Kings Podcast with my dad, Patrick. Together, we will share our many years of knowledge in all facets of the law. We’ll answer any questions you may have about how the law works and we’ll talk with expert guests on everything from civil litigation and criminal justice to estate planning and family law. Most importantly, my dad and I will attempt to bridge the gap between old-school law practices, like paper everything, and twenty-first century digital-style practices. Who is Rachel King? Being raised in a family of attorneys, I had a clear idea of where I wanted to be in my career. I earned my Juris Doctor degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law and served in the Army as a paralegal and Communication Specialist. Right now, my expertise is in estate planning, family law, bankruptcy, and real estate law. But, whatever your needs, I strive to provide professional representation that meets the diverse legal needs of each individual. As for licenses and accomplishments, I am an active member in good standing with the State Bar of California, the Riverside County Bar Association, Southwest Bar Association, Richard T. Fields Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. I’ve also developed the Attorney Mentor Program within the Southwest Valley Youth Court and was named one of the best probate attorneys in Murrieta, California in 2021 by Expertise.com. Who is Patrick King? My dad has been practicing law since 1982. He got his Juris Doctor from Southwestern University School of Law, after which he argued hundreds of appeals, including over 250 Supreme Court Appellate cases. Much like myself, my dad provides expert representation in wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, divorce, guardianship, and child support. He also provides assistance with funeral directives, articles of incorporation, by-laws, and accident injuries. His licenses include the Nevada State Bar Association, Washoe County Bar Association, Douglas County Bar Association, American Bar Association, and Washoe, Carson and Douglas Bar Associations. You can visit his firm’s site at kingandrussolaw.com. Questions about the Law? The law is much more demanding than it’s portrayed on television. If you have a question about a specific case you may be dealing with or of the law in general, please fill out the form found on the official podcast site, TheLawyerKings.com. You can also listen to our weekly podcast on any of your favorite podcast stations.

On the surface, Britney Spears is a successful entertainer worth nearly sixty million dollars. A flourishing music career and a seemingly upbeat public persona would indicate she’s living a healthy life. However, as evidenced by Britney’s outcry to end her father’s conservatorship, her life behind-the-scenes is a lot darker than we’ve been led to believe. What is a Conservatorship? Conservatorships allow someone to gain legal guardianship over an adult. Its original intent was to protect the best interests of those who have been in a serious accident or have been found to be mentally incapable of making rational financial or medical decisions. Conservatorships can be limited to the control of someone’s finances or healthcare, or they can be given full control over the entirety of another’s decisions. A probate or family court will determine if a conservatorship will be short-term, temporary or permanent. What Led to Britney Spears’s Conservatorship? The road that led to Britney’s conservatorship began in 2002 with her very public breakup with Justin Timberlake. She spent her days mired in work and her nights partying with the likes of Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. In 2004, Britney met and married Kevin Federline. The couple divorced shortly after the birth of her second son two years later. Although both parents partied after the divorce, Britney got the brunt of tabloid fodder. This constant deluge of attacks on her character eventually led to the infamous shaving incident. Her downward spiral continued after losing shared custody of her children. During one of her visitations, Britney refused to let her kids go and was placed under an involuntarily psychiatric hold. A second incident a few weeks later led to the inevitable request for a conservatorship. How was Britney’s Conservatorship abused? Abuse happens due to the broad aspects of conservatorships. In Britney’s case, a lot of factors opened the door for her father, Jaime, to take advantage of his daughter’s hardships. Legal proceedings for Britney’s conservatorship took very little time, with no questions or testimony. The California law requiring a five days’ notice before the enactment of a conservatorship was waived. Monitoring of the conservatorship was lax, allowing Jamie to revoke Britney’s marriage and reproductive rights, monitor her friends and conversations, and limit her spending. She was also constantly threatened if she refused to perform or agree to jobs her father assigned her. #FreeBritney and the Future An online movement that would become known as #FreeBritney has led the United States Congress to draft bipartisan legislation to reform the state-run conservator system. A judge in the case has finally agreed to allow Britney to hire her own lawyer and file a petition demonstrating that the conservatorship is no longer required. The rise in Britney’s net worth after the conservatorship was put in place would indicate that everything was done in her best interests. Only those close to the matter may ever know for sure. But, regardless of whose story is true, Britney’s case has brough a spotlight to the possibility of conservatorship abuse.

In March 2020, California Governor Newsom signed legislation for AB 3088, or the COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act (CTRA), putting a freeze on tenant evictions if they could prove a financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill was a landmark piece of legislation that has helped plenty of tenants remain in their homes during this unprecedented crisis, however, many landlords have also suffered, as they are unable to meet their own financial obligations. The CTRA does include some protections for landlords, but that doesn’t mean it protects or mitigates them from all financial impacts. What can landlords do, then, under this law to help protect their investment? Contact Your Lender Some landlords may have cash in reserve to help them weather the storm. However, if you rely heavily on monthly rents to pay your mortgage, contact your lender to see what types of protections may be in place. Make sure to ask if your loan is backed federally. If it is, you may request forbearance in accordance with the CARES act to help you from becoming delinquent. If not, there may still be forbearance options and other state and federally funded programs or property tax breaks available. Seek Agreements from Tenants No one wants to cause undue burden on their tenants. Make good-faith efforts to help them as much as possible. For instance, if your current financials allow, waive rent for a month or two, postpone rent payments or create a payment plan that will help them get back on their feet. If you are struggling, ask the tenant if they can pay a small portion, or help them seek financial assistance from the government. Refer to the disaster loan assistance web page for guidance. Make sure to document these efforts. Evictions Although the CTRA Act places a moratorium on evictions due to COVID-19 financial hardships, a landlord may still evict a tenant for a variety of other reasons, including pet violations or nuisance claims. However, make sure to follow the steps mandated by law and seek the guidance of an qualified attorney before moving forward. For example, Landlords must provide their tenant with a Declaration of COVID-19-related financial distress along with any eviction notice. The tenant is required to sign and return this declaration within 15 days. This is just one of many requirements landlords must meet in order to evict a tenant while the CTRA is in effect. State Rental Assistance Program If a landlord chooses to file for the State Rental Assistance Program, they may be reimbursed for any unpaid rents up to 80 percent if the landlord agrees to waive the other 20 percent. Lawsuits Remember, the CTRA is a moratorium on evictions, not rent. Upon the termination of the CTRA, landlords may file a suit in small claims court (beginning August 2021) for all unpaid rents. You must prove that you have made all good-faith efforts in helping the tenant with this burden.

The calendar has changed once again. Although a new administration has entered the White House and there’s hope that the 2020 chaos is officially in the rear-view mirror, there is still uncertainty in what 2021 has to offer. One thing we can count on, though, is the annual enactment of new California laws. Due to the pandemic, the number of new laws going into effect on January 1 (372 in all) is the lowest amount since 1967. Here are some highlights of the new California laws that may most effect you, your family and your business. Safety AB47 –Beginning July 2021, two convictions for texting or talking on the phone while driving will now add a point to your record. AB1196 - Police officers are no longer allowed to use chokeholds or other restraints that may suffocate a suspect. AB2717 – A person is now protected from civil or criminal liability If they break a car window to rescue a child. Youth football leagues can no longer have more than two half-hour full-contact practices per week and medical personnel must be present at all games. Business AB979 – By the end of 2021, any publicly-owned company with at least five members on their board must include at least two women, and any board with over six members must have at least three; boards with at least four members must also have two or more directors from underrepresented communities. AB2017 – Employees may now use sick leave for whatever reason they deem necessary. SB 973 - Businesses with one hundred or more employees must submit annual pay data based on race, ethnicity and gender. SB1159 – Employees who contract COVID-19 on the job now have expanded worker’s compensation assistance. SB1383 – Companies with five or more employees (down from fifty employees) must now allow up to twelve weeks of family leave. The minimum wage rises $1 to $14 per hour for companies with over twenty-five employees and $13 at companies with twenty-five or less employees. COVID-19 and Health AB685 – Businesses will be required to notify employees (and the general public) within a day of any exposure to COVID-19 until 2023. AB 2537 - Hospitals may be fined up to $25,000 per violation if they fail to maintain at least a three-month stockpile of personal protective equipment (PPE). SB855 – Private insurance companies must cover all medically necessary mental health and substance abuse disorder treatments in full. Home Proposition 19 requires inherited property to be used as a primary residence or have its tax value reassessed. Education AB376 - Student loan service regulations now require companies to inform borrowers if there are any programs to lower their monthly payments or forgive the debt. Students who enroll in the fall semester of any California State University will be required to take an ethnic studies course to graduate. Misc. Pet stores may display dogs, cats and rabbits from shelters or rescue groups, but can no longer sell these animals. Proposition 17 allows felons who have served their time the ability to vote.

As a citizen of the United States, we all feel as if we know how laws should be enforced simply because “that’s how it’s done in my state.” What we all fail to understand (or don’t want to understand) is that each state has the constitutional right to create laws for the benefit of their residents, so long as they do not infringe on federal law. This means that there are a multitude of differences in state law when it comes to families, estates and business. Divorce When filing for a divorce in California, you are guaranteed at least six months before the divorce is finalized, as well as an equal distribution of property. However, many states, such as Oregon, do not have a required length of time to finalize a divorce, and some rely on equitable distribution of assets, which means all assets are divided fairly, if not equally. Child Support California is one of thirty-five states that utilizes the Income Shares Model, basing child support on the combination of both parents as if they were still living together. Twelve states, on the other hand, implement a version of the Percentage of Income Model, which is based solely on the noncustodial parent’s income, while three others use a more complicated model known as the Melson Formula, which takes the parents needs into consideration as well as the child’s. Estate Law Many estate planning laws differ between states. These include: Holographic Wills California accepts holographic wills while others do not, or in the case of Florida, only do so if they meet all the requirements of a standard will. Simple Templates If you have a small or simple estate in California, you can fill out a basic template that doesn’t get too technical. In other states, all statutory requirements must be met regardless of the size of the estate. Probate Costs At upwards of $500, California tends to be one of the more expensive states to open probate. In other states, the cost can be less than $250 and attorney’s fees are based on a sliding scale in relation to the size of the estate. Business Whether it be protections for minority shareholders or differing Intrastate laws, you must understand the differences in state laws to run a successful business. For example, in order to merge with or acquire another company in California, a majority share of each class of stock is required, whereas in other states, such as Delaware, all classes can vote together, making it more preferable for investors. Also be prepared to pay the California franchise tax fee if you plan to conduct business in California as an LLC, regardless of where your business is licensed. As you can see, consistency among laws across states is nearly non-existent, which is why you always want to have a great lawyer by your side to help navigate these laws so you’re never caught unaware at the most inopportune time.

As COVID-19 continues to swarm our lives with negativity, King Law Firm Attorneys at Law has remained positive. When it comes to law firms, court houses and legal matters, there are a lot of aspects that on the surface could be considered harmful or cause unnecessary hardship to the client. However, when you really get to the root of these issues, the majority of them are actually a blessing in disguise. Here, we take a look at the top five positive impacts that COVID-19 has had on the legal industry. 1. Client Communication Instead of trying to remember to update the client, missing phone calls, leaving messages, and the constant back-and-forth of setting meetings, many law firms have started utilizing cloud-based client-portals to store all client information. Everything from billing, messages and documents can now be found in one convenient place. Zoom meetings and conferences calls are also becoming more prevalent to the point that almost all meeting and consultations are done this way. 2. Document Signings Much like client communication, electronic devices have become almost indispensable. Before COVID-19, standard practice was that all documents had to be signed in person. This isn’t the case any longer, as almost all non-notarized documents can be signed with an e-signature. This one small change created a convenience no one knew they needed. 3. Electronic File Sharing Along those same lines, electronic file sharing has made life much easier for both lawyers and clients. Instead of having to print, copy and send a myriad of documents, lawyers can now utilize cloud-based services to transmit documents to everyone involved. Not only does this save everyone money, it saves a few trees in the process. And who doesn’t want that? 4. Telephonic Court Hearings What if you were a single mom, juggling two jobs and three kids? Before COVID-19, scheduling a court appearance was extremely stressful and could cost a lot of money in daycare and wages. The continuing threat of transmission of the virus has since led courts to hear cases telephonically. This allows someone who has to stay home for school or work to attend their hearing without ever stepping foot outside the house. 5. Less Travel Travel used to be a necessary evil in litigation. Lawyers would charge for their time commuting to and from the courthouse and clients had to deal with the added stress of traffic. As the courts transition into telephonic hearings, travel time has been cut down dramatically, saving money and time for both lawyers and clients. A lot of this is never going away, even after the hysteria behind COVID-19 subsides. King Law Firm has adapted to these new regulations seamlessly and without ever closing our doors. No matter how long COVID-19 lasts, you can count on us to help you through all of your legal matters, fight for families and businesses every day, and continue to win cases despite having not stepped into a courtroom since the pandemic began.