Legal-Ease: What is a ‘notary’?

A notary public typically does two things on every document they sign: Add their signature after the person signing the document, and after one of the major paragraphs. There are two types of major paragraphs, a jurat paragraph and an acknowledgment paragraph.

Legal-Ease: Powers of Attorney only powerful if properly used

A power of attorney is an important legal document that many people misunderstand. There are different forms: healthcare and general.

Power of attorneys can be durable, meaning they allow the person named in the document to make decisions for the person who is incapacitated. However, once the principal dies, the agreement is void.

Legal-Ease: The rules in asking questions of witnesses

Although TV and the Internet portray lawyers in the courtroom as either geniuses or bumbling idiots, most of the time questioning a witness is a more mundane middle ground. Typically, one attorney questions a witness they believe will help their case—this is “direct examination.” Then, the other lawyer questions the witness during “cross examination.”

Legal-Ease: Whom should I sue, and for what?

Although anyone can technically sue anybody else for any reason, it’s a complicated process that should be thought over extensively before undertaking. There are several different types of lawsuits involving both individuals and companies, and knowing what to expect from each can be beneficial for all parties involved.