Why it is important to have a will?

Paralegal school covers many topics. One of the most important topics affects all of us: Wills and Estates. It is so important to have a will and yet many of us do not. Do you have a will?

When someone dies without a will, they die intestate. The decedent’s property then passes according to the state laws of intestate succession. In general, intestate succession laws determine the identity of heirs, set for the rights of family members, and establish guardianship of minors. Thus, the state law determines the distribution of property to the heirs and it may not necessarily coincide with the decedent’s wishes.

There are many advantages of having a will.  Some advantages to having a will are: (a) one can select the people who or institutions that will inherit from one’s estate, (b) one can name a guardian for one’s minor children, (c) one can choose who will be the personal representative of his or her estate, and (d) one can leave property to others in trust. Having a will ensures that the testator’s (decedent who died with a will) wishes are carried out as to who inherits what property and who will become guardian of any surviving children.

Although, writing one’s own will can be risky for a layperson because the law of wills is highly technical and differs widely from state to state. Laypeople who write their own wills are often not aware of the many rules that apply to the writing of a will. In addition, they are unfamiliar with the true meaning of some of the terms that are commonly used in wills. They tend to throw in all of the legal mumbo jumbo without really understanding the legal consequences. The money you spend on an attorney is certainly worth it when you are talking about your estate and heirs.

Paralegals working in an Estates practice often help prepare drafts of wills, review drafts of wills with the supervising attorney and client, gather documents upon the testator’s death and track expenses. You can learn more about wills in the Wills and Estates course at the American Institute for Paralegal Studies paralegal school.

To find out more information on the American Institute for Paralegal Studies paralegal school program, please visit:

http://www.youtube.com/AIPSParalegal or the curriculum page of the AIPS website (www.aips.com) at http://www.aips.com/advanced-courses/course-descriptions/

What do you want in a paralegal school? 

How would you create a paralegal school?  If you were in charge of pulling together the best and most important paralegal program features, which would you choose?  Many adults, like you, are researching paralegal schools from a very personal viewpoint.  They have specific needs and would like their continuing education experience to meet those needs.  Let’s say, for the sake of this article, that you could custom make a paralegal school.  What would you want to find? 

Thankfully, you don’t have to create your own program.  AIPS 100% Online Paralegal Program has been developed with you in mind.  Check out the following list.  Place the topics in the order that works for you. 

 Convenience

Attend class from the comfort of home!   AIPS classes are open 24/7! 

Relevant Curriculum

Learn the paralegal skill set.  AIPS paralegal school is real life!  You learn what you need to know!

Interactive Online Format

Connect with fellow students and instructors, daily!!  Interaction is required.  Sorry, sitting at the back of the class is not allowed! 

Technical Support

Tech support = peace of mind.  Students need to know that technical issues will be addressed in a timely fashion.  AIPS provides award-winning-level tech support.

Online Instruction Experience

AIPS has been a paralegal school for a long time, and has been teaching online paralegal programs for over 15 years.

Paralegal Programs

You choose the AIPS paralegal program that works the best for you.  Do you want to take your time; specialization; or, do you want an accelerated program?  It’s your choice!

Affordability

AIPS is affordable!  You are spending money on specific classes that fit a specific skill set. 

Alumni Association

AIPS provides CLE opportunities for grads.

If this fits you, call 800-553-2420!

http://www.elearners.com/guide/why-online-education/why-consider-online-education/

How to facilitate your paralegal career visions!

Hmmm…visions of a paralegal career.  Do you find yourself, chin in hand, thinking about what you want to be when you grow up?  Never mind the fact that you have spent over 20 years in the workforce.  You just know that there is untapped potential inside of you.  You may even feel a bit career stagnant.  If you have been considering a paralegal career, but don’t know where to begin, you have come to the right place!  

You don’t need to start at the VERY beginning…

You have skills, right now!  They are called transferable skills.  Value them.  Highlight them.   They, combined with paralegal skills, are like gold!  Make them shine!  Revamp your resume and cover letter to highlight skills that a law-related employer would like to see.  As you know, the job posting is going to give you a list of desired qualifications.  See how many match up with your skills and experience. 

Begin where you are…

You may be able to begin a paralegal career right where you are.  It would be an optimal choice to find a law-related position within your area of expertise.  Is there a legal department associated with your organization?  Is your corporate headquarters nearby?  Is there a compliance or risk management department?  There are law-related pieces to any organizational puzzle.  You just need to know where to look for them.  Do some paralegal career sleuthing.  You may find something that you like. 

Listen to your gut…

When you have your daydreaming sessions, where do your thoughts fall time and time again?  There is a reason for that.  You might have to dissect those thoughts a bit; however, don’t you agree that your passions act as catalysts for those amazing goals you make?  At this point in time, you are considering a paralegal career.  So, what is the next step?

 Receive your Paralegal Certificate!

If a paralegal career…or law-related job…sounds exciting to you, then you need the credential that will add law-related credibility to your existing skills.  Your Paralegal Certificate will show potential employers, or your existing employer, that you are willing to take the necessary step to set yourself up!  American Institute for Paralegal Studies (AIPS) will help you with that.  

Keep dreaming…but start moving!

As amazing as daydreaming is, you must move toward your goal of beginning a paralegal career.  Apply, today!

http://www.paralegal-work.net/

One of the things that I teach new students at the AIPS paralegal school is that prime time law shows do not depict real life. These shows are fictional where cases go to trial within days and the underdog always wins. The parties (actors) say what they want to say during trial and admit every type of evidence. Not true in real life. In real life there are rules of evidence that prohibit some of those controversial pieces of evidence at trial and prevent your client from dramatically confessing on the stand.  The topic of evidence is taught in the Advanced Litigation course as part of the Litigation specialty at the AIPS paralegal school.

The rules of evidence govern what evidence is admissible and what is excluded. The evidence must be relevant and admissible. Relevant evidence is evidence that tends to make a fact or consequence more or less probable than it would be without the evidence. However, even though evidence is relevant it may be excluded by the U.S. Constitution, a statute, case law or other contrary evidence rule. For example, some rules of evidence that exclude relevant evidence are:  the evidence is unduly prejudicial which means that the probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, evidence of a character trait if that evidence is used for the purposes of proving that the person   acted in conformity with the character trait, evidence that a party took measures to correct something after the damage leading to the lawsuit was done, evidence of settlement offers, and hearsay. There are many other rules that may prohibit relevant evidence from being admitted at trial.

There are many rules of evidence to learn in paralegal school. Litigation is a very interesting and demanding area of law. Students at the AIPS paralegal school have the option of obtaining a Litigation specialty, in addition to the paralegal certificate. The Litigation specialty certificate is a valuable piece of the paralegal school education that contributes towards the success of a paralegal. 

To find out more information on evidence in the Advanced Litigation course at the AIPS paralegal school visit http://www.youtube.com/AIPSParalegal or the curriculum page of the AIPS website, or the course description page.

What you need to know about a paralegal career! 

Is a paralegal career in your future?  Before you consult a crystal ball, let’s look at some statistics about the paralegal/legal assistant career area.  If you are in the beginning stages of paralegal career research, you will be pleasantly surprised to learn that the paralegal job outlook is strong.  Who says?  Well, several sources, such as Money.com and Lexis-Nexis, are saying that things are looking good for paralegals.  

Good News/Bad News?

Are there any downsides to such good news?  Well, if there is, it would be that many folks may want to get into a paralegal career, which means the field of applicants might increase.   That’s not a bad thing, but you will want to make sure that you are a competitive applicant.  How can you increase your chances of entering a paralegal career?  Here are some tips:

• Get your Paralegal Certificate – Gain the necessary knowledge and understanding you need
• Refresh your resume – Showcase transferrable skills that fit with a paralegal career
• Network – You never know what might open up to you, or how a referral might benefit you
• Check out the job market – Search online job search engines for available jobs in your area

 Set yourself up!

It is totally within your power to connect with a paralegal school where you can learn the paralegal skill set that is so important.  In fact, connect with the AIPS 100% online paralegal school, and you will receive the education you need and desire, as well as the ability to learn from the comfort of your own home.  Can’t beat that!! 

What about the AIPS paralegal programs?

Here are some things you need to know about our respected paralegal programs:

• AIPS is affordable and convenient
• Classes start monthly – not every quarter, semester or year
• Classes provide a real-world perspective – only comprehensive legal courses taught
• You choose the program that fits – 8 and 12 month programs or 4 and 6 month accelerated programs
• We have been teaching online paralegal studies programs for over 15 years
• We have stellar technical and academic support
• AIPS provides continuing education opportunities for graduates, as well as a national certification test prep course.  

What next?

Invest in yourself!  Stretch your mind and your career horizons!  Sign up for the next AIPS class, which is May 21!  Pursue your dream of beginning a paralegal career. 

http://law.lexisnexis.com/communityportal/articles/articles.aspx?g=QfsTyLJ1USs=&c=PwxHBJCs5QM=&a=TWu7qSnDRM8=

What skills can you combine with your paralegal skills to help your job search? 

Paralegal skills are key in landing the law-related job you are applying for.  But, what additional skills do you have…or do you need…to look really good to the interviewer and potential employer?  Most probably, you have additional skills that employers desire in their employees.  It is important to know how to identify them and how to communicate them to the individual that is interviewing you.  Let’s chat about some of the top skills that employers look for.  We are going to put an asterisk * beside the skills that are paralegal skills. 

*Communication – Listening, Verbal and Written

You may have the most incredible skill set in the world; however, if you cannot communicate them, you are in trouble.  Developing and practicing these skills will help you.  Defining and refining these will make your paralegal skills shine.

*Analytical and Research

Looking at the broad picture is great, but can you identify key points?  Sometimes, you may need more information to address an issue or facilitate a plan.  How to search for specific information is a critical skill to possess.  Research and analysis are two of the main paralegal skills used. 

*Computer and Technical

Can you think of a career that doesn’t utilize computer or technical skills?  We can’t either.  It is critical for an employee to know how to use a computer, and to continue to learn and become proficient in the applications that are specific to a career area.  Find out what applications are used in the office where you want to work; and, take classes, if necessary, to add these computer skills to your paralegal skills.  

*Organizational

You are given a project and you need to figure out a plan to facilitate the project.  How do you get from Point A to Point Z?  You put together the plan piece by piece, using the tasks and knowledge you possess to get things done in a timely fashion. 

As you can see, some of the top skills that are valued by potential employers are paralegal skills.  The following article lists additional top skills that will help you in your job search.  Learn how to communicate them on your resume and in an interview.  

Become a paralegal!  If you possess these paralegtal skills but you are not a paralegal, AIPS can help with that.  Click here to find how!

http://www.quintcareers.com/job_skills_values.html

Online Paralegal Studies Just a Mouse-click Away! 

Online paralegal studies!  The thought excites you; however, thoughts of sun, sand, boating, camping, traveling…whatever your idea of vacation is…are also pumping you up!  You are seriously considering taking the AIPS online paralegal studies program, but you aren’t sure if you will be able to do both…vacation and study.  You are certain that attending a traditional classroom is out of the picture; however, you aren’t sure if online paralegal programs are as convenient as advertised.  The AIPS 100% Online Paralegal Studies programs will go wherever you go; will work into your vacation plans; and, will allow you to move toward your important career goals.  You don’t have to take a vacation from your studies to have some summer fun.  Listen to this! 

If you can connect to the internet, you can connect to your AIPS classroom!

The AIPS online paralegal studies program is very user friendly. If you do not own a laptop, consider purchasing one.  The flexibility of being able to take your classroom with you is amazing!!  Everything is at your fingertips.  

Let your instructor know of your vacation plans!

Communication is the key!  Let your instructor know when you plan to go on vacation, and you can develop a plan for submitting homework.  You may be able to turn homework in early or later.  You will be able to keep up with the Discussion Question (DQ), which is one of the most important exercises in the AIPS interactive online paralegal studies format.  You can take your laptop with you to the beach and log on to AIPS; respond to classmates’ DQ; check for the instructor’s additional DQ; or, work on any other homework you feel to work on.  Doesn’t that sound perfect?! 

AIPS tech support travels with you…remotely, of course. 

You may be concerned with technical issues that may arise, while on vacation.  You can contact AIPS tech support staff from wherever you are…via telephone or internet.  It might be a good idea to jot down AIPS staff numbers, in case you run into some technical issues.  As always, you will receive tech support as immediately as humanly possible.

Don’t wait!  Sign up for class, now!

You do not need to take a break from online paralegal studies just because of vacation plans. Next class begins May 21!  Sign up, today!

http://www.elearners.com/projectworkingmom/resources/be-an-online-student/how-to-choose-a-pc-or-laptop-for-online-learning/

Have you checked paralegal training online off your resolution list? 

It’s May and the flowers are blooming, but have you crossed paralegal training online off of the resolution list you drafted when it was snowing?  We at AIPS believe you put paralegal studies on the list for a reason.  You want to move toward your Paralegal Certificate and a career in a law-related career, where you can use your paralegal skill set.  There are such huge benefits in continuing your education…there are no downsides.  Continuing education provides relevant career information and knowledge.  Information and knowledge is empowering.  Empowerment brings confidence, which translates into excitement to move toward career goals. 

Be your own advocate

Are we wrong in assuming that you are considering paralegal training online because you are looking to advance in your career, or would like to begin a new career?   No matter the reason, you are interested in checking into a paralegal career and are reading this, right now.  We believe your time is precious, and we want to validate your thought process.  Take charge of your career and advocate for yourself.  

Gain the credential that will set you apart

The Paralegal Certificate is the credential you will receive upon graduation from the American Institute for Paralegal Studies.  It is the credential that, often, is required or recommended in paralegal job postings.  Set yourself apart from other applicants by taking paralegal training online prior to searching for law-related jobs.  That way, you have an edge over those who do not have their Paralegal Certificate. 

Paralegal training online will benefit you

There are many ways to use paralegal training online.  A paralegal can be employed in many law-related jobs.  There are legal departments, or law-related positions, in almost every business.  Let’s say that you work in the human resources or personnel department of your office.  You deal with Employment Law every day.  You may work for an electronics corporation, such as Microsoft.  These corporations deal with Intellectual Property, all of the time.  If you work in city, county, state or federal government, you will find legal department or agencies that employ paralegals.  The court systems (municipal, district, superior, etc.) hire paralegals because almost every position is a law-related position.  As you can see, paralegal training online can benefit almost any career. 

Never too late to meet career goals!

AIPS courses begin, monthly!    Choose continYOUed education, today!

http://www.nssb.org/the-benefits-of-continuing-education-over-time.htm

AIPS paralegal certificate

Invasion of privacy is an area of law taught in the Torts class as part of the American Institute Paralegal School (AIPS) paralegal certificate. With today’s technology it is easy for “big brother to watch. Do we really have a right to privacy after we share so much information on the internet? Most would say absolutely! We don’t expect the government to monitor our use of the internet and certainly don’t want private individuals intruding into our personal affairs. A lot of damage can through the power of obtaining information.

Invasion of privacy is a sub-category of intentional torts and covers four torts: disclosure, intrusion, appropriation, and false light.  These four torts protect a person’s right to be left alone and involve the intentional intrusion into someone’s private activities in a manner that embarrasses, humiliates, or is outrageous to the reasonable person.

Disclosure is the intentional publication of embarrassing private affairs that would be highly offensive to the reasonable person.  However, the facts can’t already be of a public nature or a legitimate matter of public concern. Intrusion is the intentional and unauthorized intrusion into someone’s private activities. Once again, the intrusion has to be highly offensive to the reasonable person.   A common form of intrusion is wiretapping. However, there are exceptions that allow this action such as government and criminal investigations.  The third invasion of privacy tort is appropriation. Appropriation involves the unauthorized use of someone’s name, personally or likeness and it must be done for the user’s benefit. For example, Kim Kardashian recently sued a weight loss company that used her image on a billboard to promote their product, but had failed to get her permission to use her picture. The final tort is false light. False light involves the publication of something about the plaintiff that places him/her in a false position in the public eye.  The important factor here is that the information must be false. All four torts are important in protecting our right to privacy. You can learn more about the right to privacy and the resources available to you under the law as part of the Torts paralegal certificate class.

For more reading on Invasion of Privacy, visit these links:

http://definitions.uslegal.com/i/invasion-of-privacy/

http://theamericanscholar.org/the-invasion-of-privacy/

http://www.cvc.sunysb.edu/334/ethics/Privacy.html

To find out more information on the paralegal certificate Tort Law class visit http://www.youtube.com/AIPSParalegal or the curriculum page of the AIPS website  at http://www.aips.com/advanced-courses/course-descriptions/

Various property ownerships in the Real estate course at the AIPS Paralegal School

With a fallen real estate market and lower interest rate, it makes sense to purchase real estate, but how does that fit in with paralegal school? Paralegal school can help by educating you in the area of Real Estate law so that you can make a smart and educated decision when purchasing a piece of property. Educate yourself, like taking a real estate course in paralegal school, and the results may affect you down the road and may even affect your children and heirs. The Real Estate law class at the AIPS paralegal school teaches you the different types of property ownership. 

Real property may be owned by just one person: ownership in severalty. Property owned by more than one owner is called concurrent ownership. There are four types of concurrent ownership. First, is joint tenancy with the right of survivorship. Joint tenancy means that the owners own equal shares in the property and in the event of death, a deceased’s owner’s share automatically passes to the surviving owner. Joint tenancy can be created either by a will or deed and normally occurs when property is transferred to two or more persons and the paperwork says as “joint tenants with the right of survivorship”.

The next concurrent ownership is a tenancy in common.  In a tenancy in common all of the owners are allowed to possess the property, but there is no right of survivorship so each owner’s interest passes on by will or inheritance and owner’s can own unequal shares. Another concurrent ownership is the tenancy by entirety. This ownership must be by husband and wife, is recognized in many states, and contains a right of survivorship.

The final concurrent ownership is community property. Those states that recognize community property hold that all property acquired during the marriage, either jointly or individually, is community property. It is owned equally by the husband and wife and can not be conveyed without consent.  Choosing which business property ownership can be an important decision and paralegal school can help you to make an informed decision.

Check out this short video on Paralegal Real Estate Jobs, found on lawcrossing.com.

To find out more information on the paralegal certificate Real Estate law class visit http://www.youtube.com/AIPSParalegal or the curriculum page of the AIPS website (www.aips.com) at http://www.aips.com/advanced-courses/course-descriptions/