Frequently Asked Questions for Attorneys

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C. of the Law Offices of Louis Stober in Garden City, New York, answers some of the most frequently asked questions they get asked on a regular basis. Some of the topics covered include how much they charge for litigation, how long the process takes, how often you'll see your attorney, and what hours they're available. 

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Estate Planning: Common Objectives for Married Couples

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

The best estate plan for your future depends on your individual needs and concerns.  Despite this variability, many couples share the same values when it comes to planning their estate.  Here are a few common estate planning objectives that couples share.

Common Estate Planning Objectives:

• Providing for Family and Loved Ones – Most married couples want to ensure that their loved ones are provided for in the unfortunate event both spouses become incapacitated or pass away.
• Minimizing Tax Payments – Federal estate taxes, state estate taxes, federal income taxes, and state income taxes are all concerns.
• Protecting Assets – Married couples want to ensure that their assets are getting passed on to loved ones and are kept away from creditors.
• Maintaining Privacy – Elderly individuals are increasingly the targets of fraudulent schemes and fraudulent solicitations.  Couples want their estate plan to protect their surviving spouse from these schemes.

Learn more about common estate planning objectives of married couples in Forbes.  You can also contact the Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr.  Our experience, combined with our successful track record makes us Long Island’s premier law firm. Contact our office for a consultation by calling 877-791-8076.  You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest news stories and legal tips.

National Safe Boating Week

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

It is National Safe Boating Week!  Before boaters head out to the Long Island Sound, the Fire Island Inlet, the ocean, and the bays, we recommend taking necessary safety precautions.  New and experienced boaters alike should know how to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience on the water.  Here are a few tips for boaters to keep in mind as they take their boats out for the first time this year.

Boater Safety Tips:

• Life Jackets – Make sure that your vessel has enough life jackets for all of the people who are traveling on the boat.
• Weather – Keep an eye on the weather.  Conditions can change quickly when you are out on the water.
• Designated Driver – You should never operate a boat while under the influence.
• Registration – Your registration sticker should be displayed on your boat.
• Distress Equipment – Keep visual distress equipment, including flares and a VHF radio, aboard.

In addition to following these boating tips, anyone born on or after May 1, 1996 will need to obtain a boating safety certification in order to legally operate a motorboat.  However, it is encouraged that all drivers take this course.

The Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. are experienced in auto accident injury cases and traffic violations. Our experience, combined with our successful track record makes us Long Island’s premier law firm. Contact our office for a consultation by calling 877-791-8076.  You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest news stories and legal tips.

Specialized DWI Unit Returning to Nassau

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

Photo Source: Wikipedia

Nassau County is looking for new ways to make the roads safer for drivers by cracking down on DWI arrests.  The Selective Enforcement Team (SET) will return this year with a focus on finding DWI hot spots and establishing checkpoints.  The new DWI Alcohol-Related Incident Team will be targeting drunk drivers not just this Memorial Day weekend, but all year round.

The DWI program was initially abandoned in 2011 because it was thought that it was not an effective tool in the department’s DWI-enforcement strategy.  However, new reports show that the program could be effective.  According to Mangano, the program is “looking to prevent senseless alcohol-related accidents and looking up those who break the law.”  The 2014 version of the Set unit will become part of the county’s broader crime-fighting strategy.

Read more about the new DWI program in Newsday.  The Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. are experienced in DWI and traffic violations. Our experience, combined with our successful track record makes us Long Island’s premier law firm. Contact our office for a consultation by calling 877-791-8076.  You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest news stories and legal tips.

“Click It or Ticket” Campaign

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

The Nassau County Police Department is warning motorists who refuse to wear their seat belts. The “Click It or Ticket” campaign has begun on Long Island this week and will run through June 1st.  This initiative is cracking down on drivers and passengers who fail to buckle up.

The “Click It or Ticket” campaign is an annual initiative sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It stresses the important role wearing a seat belt has on your safety. In 2012, 10,335 unbuckled vehicle occupants died in automobile accidents.  According to the state police, enforcement and education increases usage rates and makes vehicle travel safer for everyone.

New York State law mandates that all drivers, front-seat passengers, and rear-seat passengers under the age of 16, must wear seat belts. 

Read more about the campaign’s return in Newsday.  The Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. are experienced in auto accident injury cases and traffic violations. Our experience, combined with our successful track record makes us Long Island’s premier law firm. Contact our office for a consultation by calling 877-791-8076.  You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest news stories and legal tips.

New Veterans Law in New York State

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a new law last week, awarding 6 percent of state contracts to businesses owned by disabled veterans.  This Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act will affect the nearly 106,000 service-connected disabled veterans who live in New York state, according to the US Department of Veterans Affairs. 

5 things that the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act aims to achieve:

• Create the Division of Service-Disabled Veterans’ Business Development within the Office of General Services.
• Compile a public directory of businesses owned by disabled veterans.
• Annual progress reports on meeting the 6 percent goal.
• Extend the Jobs for Heroes program and the Hire-a-Vet tax credit.
• Certify eligible businesses that are allowed to bid on state contracts.

Read more about the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act in the NY Post.  The Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. are experienced in all aspects of law. Our experience, combined with our successful track record makes us Long Island’s premier law firm. Contact our office for a consultation by calling 877-791-8076.  You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest news stories and legal tips.

Memorial Day Weekend Driver Safety Tips

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

Photo Source: Wikipedia

Memorial Day weekend is just two weeks away.  As families gear up for long road trips, we recommend taking a few precautions with your vehicle to ensure a safe trip.  Here are a few safe driving tips for your Memorial Day weekend road trip. 

Safe Driving Tips:

• Stay Calm – Almost everyone has experienced road rage, but there is no sense in getting agitated.  Turn the radio on and enjoy your ride.
• Vehicle Inspection – Have your car checked before you leave.  Keep the air pressure in your tires up to standard and purchase new wiper blades.  This will improve your visibility, make your ride more comfortable, and make your trip more fuel efficient.
• Use Signals – So many drivers fail to put on their signals when switching lanes or turning.  It’s important to warn the drivers around you about what you are going to do when driving.  It improves your safety and reduces your risk of getting into an accident.
• Be Aware – Distracted driving is unfortunately common.  If you see someone who is texting or is distracted for any other reason, move a safe distance away from them.  If you stay alert, you can avoid most accidents.

The Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. are experienced in auto accident injury cases and traffic violations. Our experience, combined with our successful track record makes us Long Island’s premier law firm. Contact our office for a consultation by calling 877-791-8076.  You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest news stories and legal tips.

Don’t Overlook These Estate Planning Elements

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

When was the last time you thought about your estate plan?  New government regulations are constantly changing the way that we should plan for the future.  The American Taxpayer Relief Act that was enacted last year reduced the number of US residents that are subjected to federal transfer tax.  Here are a few techniques and strategies that shouldn’t be overlooked when planning your estate.

Source: Wikimedia

Estate Planning Tips:

• Reexamine – Estate tax is no longer applicable to many people.  If you completed your estate plan before the American Taxpayer Relief Act, you should reexamine the document to make sure that your plan is effective.
• Focus on Income Tax – Many who were once subject to federal estate tax are now exempt.  The focus for many should be on income tax, rather than federal tax.
• Catch Mistakes – It is always important to take another look at your estate plan to make sure that your finances are in order.
• Discuss with Family – Unfortunately, many of us are unable to manage our assets properly as we age.  It is important that your children or trusted family member understands how you want to manage your assets.

The Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. are experienced in all aspects estate planning. Our experience, combined with our successful track record makes us Long Island’s premier law firm. Contact our office for a consultation by calling 877-791-8076.  You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest news stories and legal tips.

300 Miles of Long Island Roadways to be Repaired

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

Photo Source: Wikimedia

Many Long Island roadways are scheduled to undergo resurfacing this year.  Governor Cuomo announced that more than $100 million will be spent to repair roads in poor condition from the harsh winter.  These projects will provide relief and improve the safety of Long Island drivers who travel on rough roads.

After a rough winter, this project will help drivers who have damaged their tires, shocks and alignment while dodging potholes.  The funding is designed to provide Long Islanders with safe, reliable transportation routes.  The resurfacing projects will remove the worn top layer of pavement, repair the base concrete, improve drainage, and install a new asphalt riding surface.  The repairs also include replacing traffic signal detectors and pavement markings.  The majority of this work will be completed during off-peak and night-time hours. 

The following roadways will be resurfaced this fall:

• LIE between exits 37 and 46
• Northern State Parkway (NSP) between the Wantagh State Parkway (WSP) and the LIE
• Meadowbrook State Parkway between Glenn Curtis Boulevard and the NSP in the Town of Hempstead
• NY Route 24/Hempstead Turnpike between the MSP and NY Route 110
• NY Route 25A between the Nassau/Suffolk border and Bread and Cheese Hollow Road
• NY Route 24/Flanders Road between County Roads 104/63 and Bellows Pond Road
• NY Route 25A between NY Route 111 and Edgewood Avenue
• NY Route 25 between Kings Park Road and NY Route 111
• Simeon Woods Road between the LIE and Kings Highway
• NY Route 25/Jericho Turnpike between NY Routes 106/107 and Robbins Lane
• NY Route 25/Jericho Turnpike between Brush Hollow Road and Jericho Quadrangle East
•  NY Route 878/Nassau Expressway between Burnside Avenue and Rockaway Turnpike

The Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. are experienced in auto accidents and traffic violations. Our experience, combined with our successful track record makes us Long Island’s premier law firm. Contact our office for a consultation by calling 877-791-8076.  You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest news stories and legal tips.

Determining Wrongful Employment Termination

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

At-will employment means that an employee can be fired with or without cause.  Fortunately, there are several exceptions to this rule that may help you keep your job or sue your former employer.  So how do you determine if your termination was legal or illegal?

Wrongful Termination:

• Implied Contract – Any agreement based on things your employer said and did is an exception to the at-will employment rule.  Although difficult to prove, implied employment contracts look at the duration of your employment, regularity of job promotions, positive performance reviews, assurances, and promises made when hired.
• Good Faith and Fair Dealing – There are several acts that can be considered unfair.  However, not all courts recognize this exception.  You may be able to argue this dealing if you were misled about chances for promotions or you were given undesirable assignments to coerce you into quitting.
• Public Policy – You can claim a violation of public policy if you are fired for taking time off to serve on a jury, to vote, or to serve in the military of National Guard.
• Discrimination – It is illegal to fire even at-will employees based on their race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability or genetic information.  There are strict time limits and rules regarding discrimination claims.
• Whistle-Blowing Violations – There are laws that protect employees who report illegal activities. 

The Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. are experienced in employment law, including discrimination, whistle blower, compensation and severance packages, and non-compete agreement violations. Our experience, combined with our successful track record makes us Long Island’s premier law firm. Contact our office for a consultation by calling 877-791-8076.  You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest news stories and legal tips.

Fighting Your Speeding Ticket

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

Source: Flickr

Speeding tickets are one of the main reasons that New Yorkers lose their driver’s license.  If you find yourself with a traffic ticket, it is important that you understand the options available to you.  Whether you choose to fight the ticket during a hearing or pay the fine, our traffic violation lawyers know what needs to be done to protect your right to drive.

DMV Tips on Fighting a Ticket:

• Notify the Court – Depending on where you obtained your violation, you will either appear at the Traffic Violations Bureau or the local courthouse. 
• Take Action – Be sure to take action within 30 days of receiving the ticket.  Those that fail to pay or plead not guilty can have their license suspended.
• Hire a Lawyer – An experienced traffic violations lawyer can help minimize your consequences and keep you on the road.
• Pleading Your Case – During the hearing, the judge will listen and accept evidence from both you and the police officer who cited you.  Unless the judge finds “clear and convincing evidence,” you will be found not guilty.

The Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. are experienced in fighting speeding tickets in Garden City and the surrounding areas.  Our experience, combined with our successful track record makes us Long Island’s premier law firm. Contact our traffic ticket defense law firm to discuss your needs by calling 877-791-8076.  You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest news stories and legal tips.

New Boating Safety Rules and Legal Requirements

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

Getting ready to put your boat in the water this spring?  As you prep your boat for the season, don’t forget to brush up on New York State’s legal requirements.  New York introduced few new laws and programs to improve boating safety this year.

Effective May 1^st, all individuals born on or after 5/1/96 are required to successfully complete an approved course in boater education before operating a motorboat.  NYS Parks, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Power Squadron all offer approved courses.  However, children need to be 10 years of age or older to qualify for the course. 

Also new this year, anyone who completes the New York Safe Boating Course can opt to have an anchor displayed on their driver’s license, non-driver ID, or learner’s permit.  The advantage of this program is that you will no longer need to carry your boating safety certificate with you when boating, as long as you have your ID with you.

These laws signed by the Governor supersede all local laws and ordinances with respect to motorboat education requirements.  We encourage you to learn more about boating safety and New York State’s legal requirements on the New York State Park website.

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. are experienced in all aspects of boating law.  Our experience, combined with our successful track record makes us Long Island’s premier law firm. Contact our office for a consultation by calling 877-791-8076.  You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest news stories and legal tips.

School Zone Speeding Cameras Approved

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

Speeding cameras are expected to be added to Long Island and New York City school speed zones.  These cameras will have photographic, micro-photographic and video electronic capabilities to detect drivers who speed in these zones.  The new law is expected to be signed fairly quickly now that it has been approved by the state Assembly and Senate.

This new law will add 125 high-tech cameras on Long Island and 120 in New York City.  Drivers who are caught speeding by these cameras will receive a $50 ticket in the mail.  If the ticket is not paid, there is an additional $25 fine.  Although these cameras are designed to reduce traffic fatalities, they are also creating revenue.  The tickets are expected to generate as much as $50 million in revenue for Nassau County and a few million for Suffolk County.

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. are experienced in all aspects of traffic violation law.  Our experience, combined with our successful track record makes us Long Island’s premier law firm. Contact our office for a consultation by calling 877-791-8076.  You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest news stories and legal tips.