Because matters like death and divorce are not a daily occurrence, the necessity of learning about them might not seem pressing. But not knowing your rights and a few basics about the law could come back to haunt you.
Some basic knowledge about the following areas will give you a little edge if ever you find yourself in a sticky situation.
Your rights and responsibilities in a divorce
If you live in the US or other Western country, there is a 90 percent chance that you will get married by age 50. Now, for a downer: There’s a 50 percent chance a divorce is also in your future.
No one wants to have one eye on a possible divorce while planning a wedding. But knowing the legalities of what a marriage and/or a divorce means to your finances is a smart move. Add children to that mix, and there’s a little more to think about.
According to Miller & Steiert, Denver divorce lawyers, “Maintenance, also known as spousal support, isn’t part of every divorce case. When considering maintenance awards, the court will look at the finances of both spouses, what time is needed for that spouse to get an education or training that will help him or her get an appropriate job, and how the couple lived during the marriage. The physical age, health and emotional condition of the spouse seeking support is also considered, along with the length of the marriage. Spousal support is not meant to be permanent; it’s a short-term net so the receiving spouse can get back on his or her feet post-divorce.”
Your driving rights and responsibilities
A driver’s license is often seen as a rite of passage into adulthood. By one estimate, there are about 685 drivers for every 1000 individuals. So chances are good you know how to drive. But what you might not know of are the various bans on texting while driving that differ from state to state. While most put a ban on cell phone use, some states forbid any mobile use while you are behind the wheel.
Find out about the laws that govern your roads in the state that you are in, and you might be in for a nice surprise. For example, in California, it is illegal for police to use radar to measure speed outside of school zones. And in some states, it is illegal to refuel your own car. It must be done by someone with a permit to do so, that is to say, the gas attendant.
To summarize, know your state’s driving laws.
Your rights as an employee
The US Dept. of Labor has established regulations that outline the rights of employees in the US. Knowing the basics of employee rights can help protect you from unfair situations in the workplace.
The regulations that govern employee rights include your right to a safe work environment. This means that employers must provide a safe work environment for you to carry out your duties. If the environment is found to be unsafe, and you are harmed as a result, you have legal grounds to sue. Additionally, if you feel that what your employer is asking you to do is unsafe, you are within your rights to refuse without fear of being fired.
Other rights include the right to equal opportunity employment. Your age and ethnicity should not prevent you from being hired if you are otherwise qualified for the job. This also applies if you have a disability, or fear discrimination for some other aspect of your appearance or circumstance.
Death and what happens to all your stuff
It’s not something we are asked to think about often. This could be why a Gallup News poll found only 44 percent of Americans with a will. That means 64 percent of us have left no instructions on what to do with our stuff if we happen to kick the bucket tomorrow.
Getting your legal affairs seen to in the case of your death is something you do for your family and those you love. It will reduce their stress during a very trying time. Of course, if you care about what happens to your beloved collection of Star Wars figurines, then now is the time to say so!
Of course, as with most legal matters, tying up your affairs is not a walk in the park. The Wall Street Journal lists 25 essential documents that you need before you die. While you may not need to do all 25, start off with the essentials–a will–and what happens to your assets.
