Not honoring someone's final wishes seems disrespectful, which is why many people shy away from questioning a will. Some people might not want to step into the legal arena on estate matters because they feel it will look like they are seeking something for themselves...
Civil Litigation
Liquor and recreational marijuana don’t mix
According to Oregon law, you can't mix marijuana and liquor use in a public place where liquor is being served. That means recreational marijuana is verboten at bars. It's also not allowed at places such as breweries, wineries or any other business that is licensed to...
Who does Oregon law consider to be heirs to estates?
Like all states, Oregon has set up some parameters around who might be considered an heir to an estate. Some individuals are automatically considered to be heirs while others are only heirs if a document, such as a will, names them so. Oregon law allows anyone to be...
Can you sue for defamation?
Requirements for civil defamation lawsuits differ for each state, but some common rules tend to apply. Some of those rules are involved in determining whether you have the basis to file a defamation lawsuit. You can't necessarily sue everyone who says or prints...
What is a petition or complaint?
The petition or complaint is typically the very first document that is filed in a civil case. It is the document that begins the case, and it is supposed to outline the case that the plaintiff has. That means that the petition names the defendant or defendants and...
Is mediation and arbitration an option?
When you are dealing with civil litigation, it's important to understand your options as well as your requirements for bringing the case to a court. If you don't understand all of your options and requirements correctly, then you could find yourself losing the case on...
Oregon appeals court affirms workers’ compensation decision
Not every case that is appealed is won on appeals. Winning an appeal takes a lot of preparation, but it's not enough to prepare. You also need a strong legal basis on which to build your appeal. The Oregon appeals court has recently affirmed a lower agency's decision...
2 ways to increase appeals success
Most businesses bring a civil case to court because they believe they have a good chance of winning the case. Most of the time, if you are sure you will lose, you will probably settle out of court. But what happens if you do lose in court? It does happen, and that's...
Litigation can prove disruptive to small business. Mitigate your risk.
From the moment a business owner sets up an LLC or other legal entity to structure the company, he or she is acutely aware of the potential for lawsuits. Whether or not the risk for legal troubles is high, the possibility is in the back of most business owners' minds....
What are pleadings in civil litigation?
When a civil lawsuit is filed, the documents that are filed by plaintiffs and defendants into the court record at the start of the case are called pleadings. There are different kinds of pleadings that serve different purposes, and an experienced legal professional...
