Greenfield Indiana Legal Blog

Tragic crash prompts state to review school bus laws

On behalf of Allen Wellman McNew Harvey, LLP on Thursday, November 8, 2018.

School bus accidents are prevalent throughout the entirety of the fall season. Though you would think more would occur more in September as many are adjusting to buses being on the road, they continue to happen due to the negligence of certain drivers, the changing seasonal conditions or sometimes both. Last weekend’s daylight savings will certainly throw many motorists off and could put several people in danger.

Recently, one family suffered significant losses thanks to the recklessness of one driver. This terrible incident is inspiring Indiana lawmakers to examine the state’s laws on school bus stops. Residents can also learn from this crash on proper school bus safety laws before they head out on their commute.

Answers to some common questions about estate planning

On behalf of Allen Wellman McNew Harvey, LLP posted in estate planning on Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

Estate plans provide peace of mind, so they're essential for everyone. Even if you don't think you have much in the way of assets, an estate plan is in your best interests and those of your loved ones.

Let's answer a few common questions about estate plans.

Bungee cord the cause of 8-vehicle collision

On behalf of Allen Wellman McNew Harvey, LLP posted in personal injury on Tuesday, October 30, 2018.

It is not always a drunk driver or drowsy driver who causes a crash. Sometimes, there are items that fall into the roadway or cause a driver to lose control.

One thing to remember is that you have to maintain your vehicle to prevent debris from entering the roadway. If you have bungee cords or other items on your vehicle, they need to be secure. If they are not, then they could come loose and cause a collision like this one.

Is a digital alibi worth using?

On behalf of Allen Wellman McNew Harvey, LLP posted in criminal defense on Tuesday, October 23, 2018.

One of the things that people can often rely on in criminal defense is a good alibi. A good alibi can go the distance toward helping you avoid penalties. However, not all alibis are made equal.

The prosecution has to do all they can to disprove your alibi or to show that the alibi isn't truthful. If your alibi is a person, they might have their story manipulated to do this.

3 tips as parents head toward divorce

On behalf of Allen Wellman McNew Harvey, LLP on Saturday, October 20, 2018.

The end of any relationship comes with its fair share of hardships and challenges. Dealing with these challenges becomes that much more difficult with others closely involved, particularly children. If you and your spouse are looking to divorce in Indiana, consider how you will handle this transition with the children.

Even though the marriage is ending, your relationship with your soon to be ex is likely far from over. Co-parenting after a divorce in a shared custody arrangement means the two of you will need a working, civil dynamic moving forward. Begin this new endeavor with a plan in place to mitigate the potential issues associated with co-parenting.

Understand the importance of your estate plan

On behalf of Allen Wellman McNew Harvey, LLP posted in estate planning on Monday, October 15, 2018.

When you're first looking into planning for your future, one of the things you may want to get more information on is estate planning. When you begin to gather assets, start a family and grow older, having an estate plan in place is a good way to protect everything you've done in your life.

Having an estate plan helps keep your assets and family safe. An estate plan contains basic legal documents that help manage your end-of-life wishes as well as your property. If you don't yet have an estate plan, it's a wise decision to start making yours now.

What are your responsibilities as executor for your parent’s?

On behalf of Allen Wellman McNew Harvey, LLP on Friday, October 12, 2018.

Have you been named to be the executor of your parents will and don’t know exactly what you are supposed to do? The simple answer to what your responsibilities are as an executor is, you have been entrusted to carry out the last wishes of your parents. In the role of executor, you will have to demonstrate both administrative and emotional aptitude. Maybe the most important thing to remember is your parents have put their faith in you and your abilities to handle this responsibility.

As an executor, you will have the legal responsibility of taking care of the final financial obligations and overseeing the distribution of your parent’s assets as laid out in their will. You will also maintain their property until the estate is settled and you will attend any required court appearances.

Man connected to gas-station employee's death in Indianapolis

On behalf of Allen Wellman McNew Harvey, LLP posted in personal injury on Friday, October 5, 2018.

Personal injuries sometimes lead to wrongful deaths, and for families dealing with the loss of a loved one, it's important to bring the responsible party to justice. When someone flees the scene of an incident that leads to death, that individual may be charged with murder, a hit-and-run or face other penalties. In the following case, a man may end up with a conviction for murder as a result of his alleged actions.

A 30-year-old man has been arrested and charged after being connected to a fatal shooting that took place in Indianapolis. According to the news report on Oct. 1, the original incident took place on May 29. It was at a Shell gas station where a 50-year-old man was discovered with gunshot wounds. He passed away as a result of the gunshot wounds just a short time after the police arrived at the scene.

What are 3 steps to begin planning your estate?

On behalf of Allen Wellman McNew Harvey, LLP posted in estate planning on Monday, October 1, 2018.

If you have not yet started to plan for your estate's transfer to your heirs, there has never been a better time than now to begin estate planning. With every estate plan, having a will is also important. Both of these documents are legally binding and can help protect your beneficiaries and heirs upon your death. In the meantime, your estate plan can help you protect the assets you worked so hard for.

It is important to begin planning as soon as possible, so you can protect your assets. Here are three helpful steps to take that can protect your estate.

Inexperience and intoxication lead to motorcycle death increase

On behalf of Allen Wellman McNew Harvey, LLP on Friday, September 28, 2018.

Motorcyclists find themselves at a far greater risk for getting serious injuries from a motor vehicle accident. While car crashes are more frequent, motorcycles leave very little protection for their riders and give them a much higher chance of getting a disability or death from the outcome.

Recently, Indiana has seen a sharp increase in the amount of motorcycle fatalities in the state. A report from the Governors Highway Safety Association states that there were 144 deaths in 2017, which is 44 more than the amount of deaths in 2016. The annual percentage increase in motorcycle fatalities was the highest in the nation. WFYI interviewed local professionals to see what some of the most common factors were that contributed to this dramatic increase.