Connecticut Legal Issues Blog

The benefits of mediation during divorce

On behalf of Mariani Reck Lane, LLC on Friday, November 9, 2018.

Even if you feel ready to end your marriage, the prospect of going through the overwhelming divorce process could be holding you back from moving forward. However, divorce does not have to involve drawn-out legal battles performed before a judge. For Connecticut couples who are ready for an amicable end, mediation provides an effective alternative.

Although still not well-known, mediation is an alternative dispute resolution that is typically both quicker and cheaper than the traditional approach to divorce. It is also helpful for parents who want to continue co-parenting peacefully regardless of their marital status.

Why college costs belong in your divorce settlement

On behalf of Mariani Reck Lane, LLC on Sunday, October 14, 2018.

You already know that raising children is expensive, but you may not have realized just how many costs were involved until it was time to figure out child support during your divorce. Sure, there are the basics, such as housing and food, but what about medical care, extracurricular activities and more? While you were busy focusing on these details, you might have forgotten about one other important cost: college.

Sending your child to college is perhaps one of the most expensive undertakings you will encounter. If you are divorced, is it your responsibility alone? If you did not plan for it in your divorce settlement, it may be.

Dangerous product: Suzuki knew of brake issue

On behalf of Mariani Reck Lane, LLC posted in Personal Injury on Wednesday, October 3, 2018.

Consumers in Connecticut and across the country have certain expectations when they use the products that they purchase -- understandably so. They expect that manufacturers and designers will go to great lengths to ensure the safety of users and inform users if they become aware of any problems. Unfortunately, this may not always be the case, resulting in injury. In fact, a man in another state recently sued Suzuki Motor of America due to its failure to appropriately respond to a potentially dangerous product.

The lawsuit involved an accident that occurred in June 2013. According to reports, the plaintiff was driving his motorcycle below the speed limit when a car pulled into his pathway. He braked but claims that the brakes failed, causing him to collide "violently" into the vehicle.

Charges expected following Connecticut car accident

On behalf of Mariani Reck Lane, LLC posted in Personal Injury on Wednesday, September 19, 2018.

People in Connecticut have various hobbies and pastimes. For some, viewing cars at car shows is something that engages their interests. Though viewing such vehicles may inspire a driver to attempt to demonstrate the features of their own vehicles, doing so could ultimately cause serious harm. In fact, police believe that a recent car accident was caused by a driver attempting a "burn-out."

The incident happened one afternoon on a day in September. According to reports, a Connecticut police department was hosting a car show. Unfortunately, a woman -- whose identity was not immediately available following the accident -- revved her engine in an attempt to "smoke the tires" while leaving the show.

Dangerous driving behaviors that are unfortunately all too common

On behalf of Mariani Reck Lane, LLC on Friday, September 14, 2018.

Unless you live close to all your preferred destinations, you may rely on your vehicle as your primary means of transportation. Prior to jumping behind the wheel each day, you might decide to stop to consider all the scenarios you could encounter on the road and form a strategy on how to handle them.

Unfortunately, being prepared for every possible circumstance could prove difficult, if not impossible. However, by gaining an understanding of the most prevalent driving behaviors that could pose a threat to your safety, you might be in a better position to spot a hazard in time to avoid a catastrophe.

Dangerous product: $289 million award against Monsanto

On behalf of Mariani Reck Lane, LLC posted in Personal Injury on Wednesday, August 29, 2018.

People in Connecticut likely come into contact with a variety of different substances each and every day. In many cases, people are unaware of this contact but put their faith in manufacturers that all products have been determined to be safe or, if not, proper warnings are provided. Unfortunately, a man in another state claims that his contact with a dangerous product, an herbicide, has left him with incurable cancer.

The man purportedly worked for years as the groundskeeper of a school system. As part of his job responsibilities, he claims, he applied Roundup, a Monsanto product. In a recent lawsuit, the man claims that years of applying the substance caused the development of his cancer.

3 hospitalized due to Connecticut motor vehicle accident

On behalf of Mariani Reck Lane, LLC posted in Personal Injury on Wednesday, August 22, 2018.

Because some people in Connecticut and across the country spend so much of their time behind the wheel of a vehicle, it may be easy to take their safety for granted. Unfortunately, something as simple as momentarily crossing a dividing line could ultimately result in a serious motor vehicle accident. In fact, three people were recently hospitalized following a head-on collision.

The incident is said to have happened just before midnight on a day in late July. According to reports, two sport utility vehicles experienced a head-on collision on a Connecticut road. Three people were transported to the hospital.

Suffering from concussion symptoms after an accident?

On behalf of Mariani Reck Lane, LLC on Friday, August 17, 2018.

As Connecticut readers know, the ways that car accidents can affect victims differ on a case-by-case basis. It is impossible to accurately predict how your injuries will affect you after an accident, and sometimes, the signs and symptoms of an injury do not show up immediately.

If you are suffering from injuries that were not apparent in the aftermath of your accident, you have options. This is rather common, especially concussion injuries. Concussions are one of the most common car accident injuries, yet they affect each person differently. If you are suffering from the symptoms of this specific type of injury after an accident, you are not alone.

What happens if I violate my probation?

On behalf of Mariani Reck Lane, LLC on Saturday, August 4, 2018.

You were likely relieved when the court granted you probation. This either means you already spent part of your sentence in jail or the judge granted you probation instead of jail time. While your probation likely has stipulations attached to it, you and your loved ones probably agree that it is better than spending any time at all behind bars.

However, those stipulations can trip you up quickly, and it is important to understand what could happen if you violate the terms of your probation. If the court has offered you this chance to stay out of jail, you can imagine there are likely some harsh consequences for violating the conditions of your probation.

Larceny case: Connecticut woman accused of stealing from father

On behalf of Mariani Reck Lane, LLC posted in Criminal Defense on Tuesday, July 31, 2018.

Families in Connecticut and across the country often come with complicated dynamics, with some families being more functional than others. In some situations, family members are also co-workers, which can create more complications than the average family may experience. In fact, one woman was recently arrested on a larceny charge, accused of stealing from her father's business.

Police became involved with the situation in March 2017 after the woman's father contacted them. He claims that he was contacted by his bank after his daughter reportedly attempted to cash a check that would transfer money from his retirement account to her personal bank accounts. Bank employees reportedly became concerned after they claimed the signature on the check appeared to be forged.