Property Law ? Real Property vs Personal Property

February 10, 2011 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Law and Property

Property law in the United Kingdom is divided into three regions – Scotland, England & Wales, and Northern Ireland. The property laws of Scotland are quite different from that of England and Wales. However the property laws of Northern Ireland and England are fairly similar. Scottish property law had originated and was derived from the Scottish feudal law system. However it has undergone extensive adaptations and changes under the modern statute. English and Welsh property law originated and were derived from the English common law and English traditions. Many people are under the false notion that the property laws of England were derived from Roman law.

Property under the English law is briefly divided into “personal property” and “real property.” This demarcation of property into personal versus real is synonymous to dividing the same into immovable property and movable property. This concept of movable property originated from the Roman era, where Roman law considered that personal belongings would essentially include goods, money, and all other movables which the owner may carry with him wherever he sees fit.

This essential demarcation between real and personal property still prevails in England and is characterized by the following:

In real property there can only be limited ownership.
Personal property cannot include estate property.
Personal property can be considered to be complete ownership.
Personal property cannot be subjected to the other incidents of real property – mainly lease, renting, dowers or escheat.
With personal property, upon the demise of the owner, in case of him dying intestate, not having left behind a will intestate real property will descend to his legal heirs, whereas all other personal property will be distributed as per the Statute of Distributions.
Real property needs to be transferred through a deed, whereas personal property does not require any such formal approach for transfer.

Texas Property Laws Need a Pound of Cure

November 18, 2010 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Law and Property
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure-except with regards to Texas property laws.

Old Ben Franklin was discussing fire fighting when he wrote this sage advice during the 1700s. My corruption of Mr. Franklin’s idea refers right now to the sorry state of Texas eminent domain laws.

Voters overwhelmingly blessed an ounce of prevention this past year with the passage of a Constitutional amendment backed by Texas Farm Bureau which stops the government from taking private property to offer to another entity for your primary purpose of economic development or enhance tax revenue.

That has been a good start, but falls far in short supply of the pound of cure Texas property laws need. Condemners have a license to steal, how Texas eminent domain laws are written today. Don’t assume all condemners abuse legislation. But horror stories abound of landowners suffering the injustice of unfair condemnation practices.

Look, by way of example, at Bryan Adamek, a South Texas farmer who fought against a lowball offer in eminent domain proceedings to take his valuable farmland for any landfill.

Or Covey Neatherlin, who could only watch from his back porch as his pecan grove, taken by eminent domain, was reduced to mulch.

Even city folk like Jim and Nazneen Talukder , whose 25-acres were sliced and diced by water and sewer lines through eminent domain proceedings that turned their idyllic country retreat in a living nightmare.

While the report on horrors is endless across the Lone Star State, the abuses must stop.

The opportunity for reform is ripe. The Texas legislature convenes in January. Both gubernatorial candidates are saying positive things about eminent domain reform. We’ve got a broad election in November. All 150 state representatives and 16 state senators are up for reelection.

Inform your favorite candidates they might depend on your support. Therefore, tell them you anticipate their support for Texas property law reform. Remind them that:

• The necessity for eminent domain reform is popular among Texans, by having an over 80 percent favorable vote for Proposition 11. However, Proposition 11 was just the beginning for needed reform.

• The Legislature should complete penalties for condemners who do not negotiate in good faith.

• There has to be adequate compensation for loss of access.

• A 10-year buyback provision is necessary for land which isn’t used by the key reason why it had been condemned.

Wise Ben Franklin also said energy and persistence conquers all things. I’ll not corrupt that quote.

For quite some time, Texas Farm Bureau leaders and members have carried your dream for Texas property law reform. We failed once as a result of veto. We failed the 2nd time due to legislative mayhem.

I don’t think we will fail again. Texas Farm Bureau contains the energy to help keep the problem alive. Texas Farm Bureau members have the persistence to see it through.

The next time, I do believe, we’ll right the wrongs of Texas property laws.

What Constitutes Marital Property In A Rhode Island Divorce Subject To Equitable Distribution?

October 01, 2010 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Law and Property
Rhode Island is definitely an equitable distribution of assets state. R.I.G.L 15-5-16.1 may be the statute that relates to equitable distribution of assets. The Rhode Island Supreme Court has stated on numerous occasions that marriage is surely an Economic Partnership.

Article by Rhode Island Lawyer David Slepkow. You can contact David Slepkow at 401-437-1100. Please contact a RI divorce Attorney if you need legal help.

The equitable distribution statute was designed to fairly assign marital property in the Rhode Island Divorce based totally on the contributions that all party built to the marital estate. Judges in Rhode Island have a wide range of discretion to equitably divide marital assets. Equitable doesn’t imply equal!

The assets able to be divided obviously include property, pensions, retirement accounts, 401k, cars, boats, artwork, collectibles, bank accounts, ira’s, motorcycles, vehicles, time shares, furniture, televisions, computers, and business interests. Retirement benefits are marital assets under Rhode Island Law if acquired during the course of wedding ceremony. Certain disability pensions might not be marital asset.

What steps must a Rhode Island Family Court Judge use to create an equitable distribution in a Rhode Island Divorce?

Equitable division of assets in RI can be a multi step process. The initial step is perfect for the Judge to determine what property constitutes marital property in Rhode Island. Following a judge determines what constitutes marital property, the Rhode Island Family Court judge must apply the standards set forth in 15-16.1. The judge must lastly equitably divide the marital property.

Which are the Automatic Court orders so when will they go into effect?

The Husband and wife must be careful never to violate the automatic court orders pertaining to the parties’ assets. This automatic order enters upon the Plaintiff filling out the Divorce Petition regarding Plaintiff and becomes effective as to the Defendant within the divorce once the summons is served upon the Defendant. This order essentially prevents either party from unlawfully dissipating assets or canceling life or medical insurance amongst other things.

What property and assets constitute Marital Property at the mercy of equitable distribution in RI?

All property acquired throughout wedding ceremony by either party constitutes Marital property subject to equitable distribution with certain exempt property set forth below.

Gifts given by the parties together are marital assets that is equitable divided in a Rhode Island Divorce.

What assets are not marital property under Rhode Island Divorce Law?

Premarital property is not susceptible to the equitable division statute. Premarital rentals are property that was acquired by either spouse prior to the date in the marriage.

Income derived from premarital property during the course of wedding is subject to the equitable distribution statute. The appreciation in value of premarital property over the course of wedding can be subject to the equitable division statute.

To ensure the appreciation of worth of premarital property being equitably divided, the appreciation must result from the efforts of the spouse that would not own the asset prior to marriage. This provision requiring how the appreciation result of the efforts in the other spouse is frequently loosely applied in Rhode Island (RI) Family Court, specifically in marriages of long duration.

It is important to remember that the Rhode Island (RI) Legislature developed a distinction between interest and appreciation in determining whether or not the other spouse must have expended any effort. The RI legislature would not require any effort in the other spouse in order for interest produced by premarital property to get equitably divided through the Rhode Island Family court in a very divorce. It isn’t mandatory that interest earned from premarital property be derived from the efforts from the other spouse.

Gifts from others whether acquired before or through the marriage usually are not marital property at the mercy of equitable division under Rhode Island Law. The income and appreciation from gifted rentals are not marital property. This specifically includes term life insurance and distributions from trusts.

Inherited property is not marital property. The income and appreciation of inherited rentals are not subject to the equitable distribution statute in a very RI divorce.

A semi-pro degree isn’t a marital asset. A professional’s license for example being a lawyer’s license to practice law isn’t a marital asset.

Can property, that was originally non-marital separate property, be converted to marital property?

Yes. The Rhode Island divorce case of Quinn v Quinn could be the seminal RI case regarding doctrine of transmutation. The doctrine of transmutation can alter the type of non marital property to marital property.

In Quinn v. Quinn, 512 A.2d 848, 852 (R.I. 1986), the Rhode Island Top court stated that this “transfer of non marital assets from spouse to both spouses jointly, in the absence of clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, will probably be understood as evincing an intention to transfer the property to the marital estate. This doctrine, referred to as transmutation, is similar to the recognition that marriage is really a partnership … The provisions in 15-5-16.1 are designed to reach that goal end. Oliviera v. Oliviera

“In Quinn, the husband placed the proceeds from the sale of his inherited property, first, into a jointly held Certificate of Deposit and, then, ultimately, in a joint account. We held that action evinced an apparent consent to the wife’s interest on an ownership curiosity about the funds. The husband then used part of these funds to get a little bit of realty, which he held jointly along with his wife. We declared “[s]uch an act [was] consistent with, and suggestive of, an intent how the parcel end up part of the marital estate.” Oliviera v. Oliviera

If one spouse transfers non-marital property to the other spouse in joint names then that will usually customize the property to marital property. However, the spouse can by clear and convincing evidence prove the spouse didn’t mean to create an ownership interest in the home. There is, however, a rebuttable presumption the transfer was designed to gift the house on the other spouse.

Commingled assets

If your marital asset along with a non-marital asset are commingled and used to purchase or exchanged for other property then the new asset constitutes marital property.

Injury Settlements and Car wreck Claims in RI

An accident settlement or judgment for pain and suffering, future lost earnings and reimbursement for future medical bills aren’t marital property in RI. Awards for past medical expenses and past lost wages to get a accidental injury, slip and fall or workers compensation claim are marital property .Workers compensation awards compensating disfigurement isn’t marital property.

Are Social Security, SSI benefits or SSDI Benefits Marital property?

Social security benefits aren’t marital property.

If I hit the lottery following Divorce Trial or Nominal Hearing before entry of final judgment does my lady have an equitable share?

Yes, surprisingly assets acquired after trial before entry of Final Judgment are marital property.

All assets acquired approximately entry of final judgment are marital assets unless the parties inked a house settlement agreement stating specifically that people assets are non-marital.

Rhode Island Attorneys legal Notice per RI Rules of Professional Responsibility:

The Rhode Island Supreme Court licenses all lawyers inside the general practice of law, but won’t license or certify any lawyer / attorney as a possible expert or specialist in any field of practice.

Value Added Services offered by Intellectual property law firm

August 17, 2010 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Law Firm
Many times selecting the right intellectual property lawyer can be a very tough decision to have an individual innovator or perhaps a small company. Most larger companies are apt to have permanent relationships with reputed attorneys and don’t need to face this conundrum. However, when they are trying to switch to a brand new firm for better services, they too are faced with similar challenges.

The simplest way to select an excellent intellectual property law firm is always to look at the services they feature. Often times, it really is worth to spend slightly premium to a firm instead of get yourself a cheaper firm that could not serve the many necessities for the client.

One must are aware of the exact requirements it is usually to find the best law practice within the intellectual property business for litigation services. Many innovators might not need services in terms of protecting trademarks, copyrights and other such non patent related works. Similarly, filing patents in other nations can also be optional for many clients, in such cases, they want not pay limited for any services they many not use.

Services offered by intellectual property lawyer

Many lawyers provide a number of services within the domain of intellectual property law. Such as:

a) Patent filing services

b) Trademark registration services

c) Patent infringement protection services

d) Copyright infringement services

e) Filing for intellectual property protection in lots of nations, etc.

While necessities such as standard services, many intellectual property law firms in addition provide some kind of special services to their clients. Useful fast becoming important differentiators out there of law offices for intellectual property support. With the right combination of resources available and long history of having been in intellectual property rights litigation, some attorneys can offer greater than plain litigation services – they could offer important consulting services too.

Consulting services from intellectual property law firm

There’s a massive amount consulting services the intellectual property lawyer will offer. Some important services are mentioned below:

a) Trademarks: Within this domain, legislation firm looks at the potential pitfalls and challenges that the applicant could face beforehand. By ironing out your issues before the first registration, what the law states firms are help obtain the trademark registrations earlier possibly at dramatically reduced costs. Making changes and modifications for the applications is often rather time-consuming and expensive.

b) Patents: In the field of patent protection there are many nuances which could hamper a chance to secure a patent. Often times the innovation is created with the hope of monetising it and innovators have to secure investors which makes the patent process worthwhile. However, if your concept is brought out in public places domain before the patent is filed, many nations do not accept such ideas for patents.

Similarly with international agreements such as the TRIPS, it becomes necessary to make sure the idea being patented doesn’t coincide with existing patents varieties filed by third party anywhere else on the globe. All these services ultimately cause a smoother patent filing process.

Since it is see there are many important consulting services that intellectual property law offices will offer the clientele and help securing and protecting their intellectual properties less costly as well as simple.

Rights in Property

July 03, 2010 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Law and Property
The law of property is a branch of private law which regulates the partnership between persons and things, or property. This branch of law provides rules prescribing the way in which in which someone acquires rights in property, the way in which in which these rights could be transferred, and it supplies the remedies obtainable in the event associated with an infringement on such rights.

There’s two main forms of right that the person may hold in property, namely: real rights and personal rights.

The sole right recognised in our law could be the right of ownership. This is where a person has complete title (or control) more than a thing or property. It is important to be aware that a person can also hold a restricted real right with regards to property. It is a subcategory of real rights but an important distinction is that they are held by the person regarding someone else’s property. It’s possible to never have a complete real right regarding someone else’s property.

A personal right is one against someone else for the performance of an obligation, i.e.: your partner must either do or refrain from doing something. These rights usually are developed by contract.

Real rights tend to be described as absolute rights therefore could be enforced against anyone. Personal rights conversely, can only be enforced contrary to the other party to your contract.

A simpler solution to separate real rights and personal rights should be to understand that real rights set up a legal relationship between a thing/property plus a person, whereas personal rights begin a legal relationship between two persons (the relationship between the two persons could be relating to property however the rights are set up with regards to the 2 persons and each other, and never in relation to either of them and the property).