Deanne Katz, Esq.

Latest Articles

• Away at College? How and Where Do You Vote?

  With a national voting age of 18, almost every college student can vote. But if you're away at school for most of the year and living far from home, how and where are you supposed to vote? The "how" question is relatively simple: You cast your vote either in person, or by absentee ballot. But the question of "where" depends on several factors, including the laws of the state where you're registered (or hoping to register).

• What Proof Do You Need for a Restraining Order?

  When it comes to advice about restraining orders, most of it focuses on the process of getting one rather than the proof you need. But without the proof, who cares how easy or difficult the process is? Getting a restraining order is similar to most other court processes. It involves filling out and filing some paperwork, going to a hearing, and then waiting for a judge to reach a decision. The key is proving to a judge that you need a restraining order.

• What Is Nepotism? Can You Sue for It?

  Nepotism is a decidedly negative word. But if you threaten someone that you're going to sue for nepotism, will you be laughed out the door? If you phrase it that way, you might get some strange looks. But favoritism at work can be a form of discrimination, as Demand Media explains. In some cases, you may even have a right to sue. There are few, if any, laws that specifically prohibit nepotism. But there are many laws, both state and federal, that prohibit discrimination.

• Is It Legal to Hand Out Flyers?

  Have you ever been annoyed by the guy handing out flyers in the street? Or worse, have you ever been yelled at by someone while you're trying to hand out flyers for a cause you believe in? Ever worried or wondered about whether it's legal to hand them out? Maybe you don't worry about those kinds of things but never fear; we worry about it for you. And because we worry, we wanted to let you know, it's probably OK. Or at least, putting up flyers and handing them out in general is OK.

• When Can Parental Rights Be Terminated?

  It's a sad fact that some people don't know how to be parents and deserve to have a court terminate their parental rights. It isn't a decision to be taken lightly, since it's often a permanent solution. But for parents who have shown repeated failure to care for the physical and emotional health of their child, it may be the only option. An unfit parent can choose to voluntarily terminate parental rights.

• Time Off for Jury Duty: It's the Law

  It's safe to say no one looks forward to a jury duty summons, but at least you get time off for jury duty when you're called. Yes that's right, you at least get to take a few vacation days in exchange for serving jury duty. The problem is your "vacation" will be spent in a courtroom. But at least you're doing your civic duty, right? But how do you go about telling your boss about this unscheduled, yet mandatory vacation? It might help to start with the law.