Vacaville Lawyer Archives - Page 11 of 13

What Makes a California Lawyer You Can Trust

At David Knecht Law, we focus on providing our clients with honest and reliable legal services. Whether you are in need of a lawyer for family law or a lawyer for estate planning, our experienced team is here to help. We are one of the leading law firms in the Vacaville area. Our attorneys are here to guide you through your legal case, ensuring you have the right team on your side to provide you with sound advice. When you are facing any legal case, it is important to do your research and find a lawyer who will focus on offering a number of options, while encouraging you with your endeavors. Here are four things you need to consider as you seek out legal counsel.

Lawyer Experience and Expertise

One of the things you need to discuss with the lawyer is the amount of experience they have with cases similar to yours. While some lawyers have experience in multiple facets of family law, do all of them have experience with difficult divorce cases? Do they have experience in the courtroom with cases like yours? How about cases dealing with child custody issues? It is vital to spend time looking for someone who has dealt with cases like yours, and has had successful outcomes.

Communication Skills

Another thing to look for with legal cases is to focus on an attorney with excellent communication skills. If you have someone that doesn’t do well in handling communication via email, phone, or text, you may want to consider a different lawyer. It pays to hire someone you know will answer your calls and will be diligent in replying to you. If the lawyer doesn’t respond in a timely manner, it can lead to frustration and a general wondering of what is happening. Some law firms have legal assistants who will focus on replying to general inquiries and making sure their clients are in the know.

Discuss Legal Fees

The legal fees of the law firm are another important element to consider as you look at your options. Some law firms will charge for each email, text message, and phone call. Other law firms do a flat rate fee. It all depends on your case, and what you need from the law firm. Typically law offices will have you come in for a free consultation about your case, and will determine the fee amount based on the potential outcomes of your case.

Look at Client Reviews

Another way to know you have a good lawyer is to look at their client reviews. What are people saying about them? How well have they worked for other clients in the past? It is important to look into online reviews, and ask around to hear word of mouth and find out what people think about them in the area. Check with the California Bar Association as they too have information about the attorney and their win-loss record along with client reviews.

Consult with several attorneys before you hire someone to represent you. Failure to find the right lawyer can leave you in a difficult situation. It pays to work with experienced, trustworthy professionals who always put you first. Contact the Law Offices of David Knecht today to schedule a consultation.

Filed Under: Fairfield Attorney, Fairfield Lawyer, Vacaville Attorney, Vacaville Lawyer

What makes a great 2020 Vacaville Lawyer

When you are going through a divorce, or any difficult legal manner, it always pays to hire a good lawyer. How do you know what makes a good lawyer? It is important to meet with multiple lawyers to find the one that you get along with, listens to your concerns, and will do their best to handle your case in the right way. Now that 2020 is upon us, how do you know if you have hired a Vacaville attorney that will be updated with the latest laws and changes?

In a difficult and confusing time, it pays to hire someone with plenty of experience handling similar cases. Far too often people hire the first lawyer they meet with, and this can easily land them in a bad situation. Some people end up losing custody of their children, others end up losing assets like their home, retirement accounts, or more. So what makes a good Vacaville lawyer? Here are some things you need to look for as you meet with different lawyers.

Passion for the Job

A good lawyer loves what they do. Upon meeting with the lawyer, you can find out quickly how they feel about their job and their career. Successful lawyers have a passion for the job and they enjoy helping people. Does the lawyer seem excited and ready to help?

Compassion

A lawyer will have compassion for their clients, and they will be able to do all they can to help. When you explain your case and your situation, does the attorney seem like they are willing and ready to help? Do they feel compassion for you, and want to do what they can to provide you with sound advice?

Excellent Communication

Lawyers need to be excellent communicators. Not only does the attorney need to be able to talk to you directly, they need to have excellent communication when it comes to working with the other lawyers, and communicating with the court. Failure to meet a deadline can set your case back several months, or could cost you a lot of money. Through effective discussions, lawyers will be able to communicate their ideas in the right way.

Listening Skills

The lawyer not only needs to be able to communicate well, they need to listen. Strong listening skills are necessary as they will need to be able to understand your side of the case, and do their best to construct a clear strategy. You can find out almost immediately if the attorney listens by their body language with you during the consultation.

Experience and Education

It pays to hire a lawyer with plenty of experience in their industry. Hiring the wrong person can lead to disaster, and could string out your case for months or years. Look around for a lawyer who has the education needed, but experience with cases similar to yours. Great lawyers know their area of the law well, and they are effective in the courtroom.

Use these tips to help you find a quality Vacaville lawyer. Contact David Knecht today to schedule a consultation and find out how we will work hard for your legal rights!

Filed Under: Vacaville Attorney, Vacaville Lawyer

3 Most Important Things to Avoid After Being Charged with DUI

Drunk driving continues to be one of the most serious crimes in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about 1.5 million people are arrested yearly for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. First-time offenders are not always prepared to handle the legalities that start when they have been charged with a DUI. Hiring a good attorney is one of the most important things you can do as you navigate the next steps to take.

Not Contacting a DUI Attorney

Many people aren’t sure what they should and should not do following a DUI charge. In some states, you can make your situation worse by doing the breathalyzer test or volunteering information to law enforcement. An attorney will be able to help you understand what you should and should not do so you don’t make the charges worse. DUI laws are complex and do require in-depth knowledge of the legal system.

An experienced and skilled DUI attorney will have experience with cases similar to yours and will be able to create a case strategy that provides a favorable outcome. The judges are another thing to consider as some are tougher on different types of DUI cases, so you do want an attorney who has dealt with the judges previously. The right attorney knows how to effectively present the information to the court in a way the judge prefers. Always make sure you are protected and do yourself a favor and hire an experienced DUI attorney.

Social Media

After you have been charged with a DUI, avoid social media. Make sure you have set your social media account to private so the information on your accounts cannot be used against you. Unfortunately, many people make their situation worse with pictures and postings showing you with drugs or alcohol on the night of the arrest. Prosecutors often use social media accounts and pull the incriminating photos to use against you in court. Not only do the images on the account hurt your case, they can also damage your reputation. Even if you are innocent, photographs and posts are not the information you need circulating about you. Do yourself a favor and avoid social media in the wake of a DUI arrest and do not post anything!

Acting Nonchalant

Following a DUI arrest, you need to take the situation seriously. Unfortunately, too many people act nonchalant after the arrest and assume their attorney will swoop in and take care of everything. If you haven’t taken a moment to write down everything that has occurred, you can make your attorney’s job extremely difficult to negotiate the best deal possible. Here are some things you need to work on following a DUI stop:

When and where were you when you were stopped?
Why did the officer stop you?
Did you take a breath test? What did the device look like?
Did you tell the officer anything about what you ate or drank?
What tests did the officer do in addition to the breath test? Did you do a eye tracking test, talk and turn, and one leg stand?

Taking a few minutes to go over everything and writing it down can help your attorney work on your case. The Law Offices of David Knecht Law in Vacaville has years of experience in criminal law. Our attorneys are here to help. Contact our office for a consultation.

Filed Under: DUI, Vacaville Attorney, Vacaville Lawyer

3 Differences Between Top Notch & Mediocre Family Attorneys

With the number of attorneys in the Vacaville area, how do you know if you are hiring the right one? Here are three key differences that will help you identify a top-notch attorney from a mediocre family attorney.

Time

A big indicator of a good attorney is how much time they spend with their clients. If you struggle to get them on the phone, or even to get a response to an email, they may not have the dedication to you that you desire. A good attorney is focused on spending time with you and focusing on your case. The attorney should have one of their paralegals send you updates on the case so you do stay informed, even if nothing changes.

A top-notch attorney will spend time studying the facts of the case and looking at the case from all angles. Attorneys will also consult with experts and other attorneys to ensure they have identified all problems and possible issues that could arise with your case. Speak to your attorney and find out how many other cases they are currently working so you know how much attention they will provide to you.

Empathy

Family law is a personal matter, leading to many emotions for clients. You need to have an attorney that understands the sensitive nature of your case and wants to help. A good attorney will know how the decisions they make with you can impact your children and your future. Here are some of the signs that show the signs of a good attorney from a mediocre one:

The attorney gives you the confidence to talk candidly.
The attorney will listen to you.
The attorney makes you feel comfortable with everything that you are facing.
The attorney will answer questions you ask.
The attorney will be honest about your case including fees, timeframe, and how the process will work.

A good attorney has a heart and they understand how difficult this entire process will be for you. If you do not feel good about the attorney when you meet with them, contact a new attorney to find one that shows empathy for your situation and your case.

Trust

A good attorney is understandable and wants to help you through your case. If you ask questions and the attorney cannot give you clear answers, it may be wise to look for a different attorney. Everything you provide to the attorney is in confidence with them. Your attorney will listen and take the information and will not share it with other people. Trust is critical when it comes to family law case and you deserve an attorney that cares about you and will not break your trust.

After you meet with multiple attorneys, go over the pros and cons of the attorneys and determine which one checks all the boxes you need. David Knecht Law in Vacaville is here to help with all your family law needs. Our professional team has extensive family law experience, and our goal is to ensure the best outcome for you and your case. Contact our office to schedule a consultation today.

Filed Under: Family Law, Legal Advice, Vacaville Attorney, Vacaville Lawyer

Characteristics of a Great DUI Attorney

Finding a great DUI attorney can be a difficult process, especially if this is your first DUI. Finding a good criminal defense attorney comes down to the following five characteristics:

Excellent Communication
Confidentiality
Experience and Knowledge
Aggressiveness
Empathy

Excellent Communication

A good attorney will know how to listen to their clients. If you have an attorney that doesn’t put your needs first could cause you to have a larger fee to pay, or jail time to face. Not only should your DUI attorney be able to listen to you, they should be able to listen to the judges and opposing attorney. Having excellent communication is vital to making sure the case will go in your favor. A good attorney will know how to communicate with everyone and will know how to negotiate effectively.

Confidentiality

A DUI case can be embarrassing for some people. If you want to keep your arrest on the down low, you need to make sure you are working with an attorney who focuses on confidentiality. The information you communicate to your attorney should stay between the two of you. Make sure you talk about confidentiality with your DUI attorney prior to hiring them.

Experience and Knowledge

DUI law is always changing, which can lead to confusion for a lot of clients and even their attorneys. You need to make sure the DUI attorney you work with keeps up with the latest changes in the law and has recent experience in the courtroom with similar cases. Having more experience in DUI law is beneficial to your case as the attorney not only has recent information, but they have likely worked with the judge who was assigned to your case. A good attorney has experience with each judge and can tailor your case accordingly to obtain the best possible outcome.

Aggressiveness

A good attorney will have the experience in the courtroom you need in order to be aggressive. Having the right level of aggressiveness in the courtroom can help to improve your outcome in the case, and hopefully reduce the risk of large penalties and jail time.

Empathy

A DUI is not an easy thing to process for a lot of people. To some people, it’s a wake-up call to change their behaviors. To others, a DUI is simply a nuisance. No matter what, your attorney needs to have empathy for your situation. Some attorneys try to help their patients with their future by offering some counseling services to help you on your journey towards recovery and a positive future.

Contact the Law Offices of David Knecht Law in Vacaville, CA, today to discuss your DUI. These five characteristics will help you find the right attorney to represent you in court.

Filed Under: Fairfield Lawyer, Vacaville Attorney, Vacaville Lawyer

Why David Knecht is The Best Vacaville Attorney

An attorney is someone who needs to have experience and the right level of knowledge in all aspects of the law. Attorneys can learn from any law school, but it takes the right characteristics to truly become the best Vacaville attorney. With experience comes new knowledge, which allows many attorneys to become successful in the courtroom. David Knecht has been practicing in the Vacaville area for more than a decade. David brings years of experience in law to his clients and works in multiple areas of the law including:

Divorce
Child Custody
Child Support
Wills
Living Trusts
Probate
Trust Administration
Criminal
DUI
Juvenile

Why an Attorney Needs Excellent Communication

A good attorney will be able to listen well in addition to having good written communication. There are several documents that need to be filed, and one simple mistake on a form could delay your case for several weeks or months!

Analytical Skills

At the Law Offices of David Knecht, we focus on looking at each case we take on from all angles. We believe it is important to have both points of view in order to have a well-rounded position when working a case. Our team is able to take in large amounts of information, process it effectively, and use it to present the best place possible. A good attorney has to be capable of thinking on their toes as the courtroom will toss curveballs at them from time to time. David Knecht has proven time and time again that he is always willing and capable of getting the job done!

Personable Skills

Your Vacaville attorney needs to be able to work with all personality types. David Knecht Law Offices work with a skilled team of professionals who are accountable, organized, and have the listening and people skills needed to manage a courtroom. We know that we work with people, and the way we work on a case can impact a person’s life forever. Our team knows how to read people, and we know how to focus on presenting an honest case to the judge.

Without good people skills, an attorney would not be able to look at the case from all angles and bring you the right outcome. David Knecht has the personable skills needed to make him the best Vacaville attorney. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation.

Filed Under: Vacaville Attorney, Vacaville Lawyer

How to Find the Best Vacaville Family Attorney

When you deal with a divorce case, it’s hard to know who to trust and has your best interests at heart. No divorce is as simple as a cut and dry method. There are several things to handle like the division of assets, boundaries, custody, etc. A good child custody lawyer can help with this case as they have experience in similar cases. Finding the right one can come down to selecting through several Vacaville family attorneys. Here are a few tips to help you get started.

Experience With Similar Cases

Family law cases will work with a variety of areas in family law that include custody. There is a difference when you find an attorney who truly cares about their clients, and wants to help them individually versus an attorney who is in it for money. Focus on finding a lawyer who wants to help everyone in your family including your children as they will make decisions that are in their best interest.

Proximity

If you are going across state lines, you need an attorney who is in proximity to you and your region. Having a working knowledge of the case’s jurisdiction is important. Another thing to consider is where you live and how close it is for you to get to.

Personality

The personality of the attorney can make a difference in your case as well. You need to be able to find someone you can connect with. The attorney needs to be someone you can trust. If you feel like you cannot tell the attorney about your experiences and things that might help your case, you could end up with an unfair deal in whatever family law situation you are dealing with. You need an attorney that is kind, understanding, level-headed, and has your best interests in mind.

Communication

A good attorney will be prompt in the way they communicate with their clients. A good attorney will make sure they return phone calls from clients. Attorneys will send regular emails and updates to clients so they don’t end up feeling like they are not aware of what is happening with the case.

Experience

One of the important things to consider when working with an attorney is to review their experience. What do their other clients say about them? Read online reviews to learn more about the attorney and how their reputation is in the industry.

It’s not uncommon for people to have three or four different family law attorneys over time. It can be hard for people to find a person they feel does have their best interests at heart. Working with the right family law attorney doesn’t have to be hard. Contact David Knecht Law today!

Filed Under: Legal Advice, Locations Served, Vacaville Attorney, Vacaville Lawyer

What Makes a Great Vacaville Attorney?

If you find yourself in a difficult position and you need legal representation, how do you find the right attorney to help? Choosing a great Vacaville attorney doesn’t need to be as challenging as you might think. Here are some tips to follow to find a great attorney, and how you can tell if your attorney is a great one!

Experience in Legal Matters

When you begin looking for a Vacaville attorney, you want to start by looking at their experience. How long have they been practicing law? How long have they been in your area? What type of experience is their main expertise? What is their track record of success? Find out if they have malpractice insurance, how their fees are structured, and who will be handling your case. The more you learn about their experience, the easier it is for you to understand what type of attorney you are working with.

Referrals and Reputation

How do you know if you have a great attorney? One of the easiest ways to find out if you have a great attorney is based on their reputation. What do other attorneys say about this particular attorney? Take a moment to read over some of the reviews previous clients have left so you can gather a little information about them and how they have helped people before. Read both the bad and good reviews to ensure that you have the information you need to know the character of the person along with their experience.

If you are dealing with a certain type of case and you have worked with other attorneys in the past, contact them first. These attorneys, (as long as you have had a good experience with them in the past) can typically give you some referrals to get started in finding a good attorney for your new case. Other attorneys know the reputation and skill of others in the industry and they can give you some good information about the way they act in the courtroom, how well they have worked with people in the past, and their win-loss ratio. You want to learn as much as you can about the attorney so you can hire the right attorney.

Meet with Multiple Attorney’s

When you are looking for a great attorney, schedule consultations with multiple people. The goal is to get to know them and find out what their demeanor is like, how they treat people, how they talk to you, and of course their experience. When you have a brief tour of their office, you want to look around and see the staff. Are people friendly and helpful? Do you feel like you are treated with respect, or do you feel like “another number.” Watch out for some of those red flags that show they may not have a lot of experience and people in the office to work the cases.

Use our tips to help you start searching for the right attorney to represent your case. At David Knecht Law in Vacaville, our goal is always to work directly with our clients and provide them with the best outcome for their case. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and let us help you move forward with your case.

Filed Under: Vacaville Attorney, Vacaville Lawyer

5 Strategies for a Successful Financial Divorce Settlement

You are probably new to the divorce process, so you may be at a loss on how to successfully negotiate the financial side of your divorce settlement. This article will highlight five of the most important strategies for success in sorting out the money side.

Be prepared to change your mind and don’t draw lines in the sand with the other party until you know what’s for certain the best course of action for you. Over the course of a separation and divorce process, one or both parties often have a change of perspective on what’s the best course of action. For example, initially a party may want to keep the home or sell the home. Often expectations of custody arrangement play into this, where on parent may want to keep the home to keep the stability for the children in terms of schools, neighbors, activity programs, etc. As the terms of child custody become clearer, you may find it more advantageous to sell the home or rent it, or your original plan may end up being the best. Your goal is to look after the best interest of yourself and your children, so it’s often best to avoid drawing lines or going to battle until you know for sure what you want. You don’t want to pen yourself into a decision that ends up being disadvantageous.

Look into the tax consequences and financing realities of each decision course. Initially couples tend to gravitate to simple solutions: sell the house, sell the business, have one spouse buy the other out, etc. This may be the best for you, but it may not. Talk to a professional about the tax implications of each course of action. For example, if you have to liquidate tax deferred investments in order to finance a buy out, then it may not be in your best interest to do so. If selling a business at this juncture will significantly impact its value, maybe that is not the right decision. Talk to the experts and open your mind to solutions that may initially be more complicated, but may pay big over the long haul.

Be conservative and avoid making big decisions until your divorce is finalized. Negotiating the finances is emotional and stressful for all parties involved, and it is typically a very bad time to make huge changes in your life. Avoid changing or quitting a job during this time if possible. Keep the status quo as much as possible financially. Don’t do anything to destroy value in any of your assets or to hide income or assets from the other spouse.

Try to settle quickly and efficiently. Some cases cannot be settled and in those instances you should feel entitled to enforce your rights. However, in many instances a negotiated settlement saves money for both parties. To the extent you can, take your emotions out of the picture and look at the numbers. Educate yourself as soon as possible on the options and the ramifications of each option. The more you can take the lead in finding meeting ground that is favorable to you and acceptable to the other party, the faster your finances will be settled and you can move forward. Typically neither party will benefit from dragging the process out.

Consult the right people. You will get a lot of advice from family, friends and coworkers. Listen to that advice and take it for what it is worth. However, take the time to consult people with experience and knowledge. The final decision is always in your hands, but the right professionals can give you the information necessary to make good decisions.

Filed Under: Divorce Lawyer, Fairfield Lawyer, Vacaville Attorney, Vacaville Lawyer

4 Potential Consequences of Your Second DUI

If you are facing your second DUI, you are probably somewhat familiar with the process and the punishments. Don’t give up on your case, as you may have defenses and arguments that can get the charges dismissed or reduced. This article is to give you an idea of what consequences you are facing if your defenses are not successful to help you understand the worst case scenario, and it assumes you are 21 or over.

Driving Consequences

Suspended License: The DMV will automatically suspend your license for a year on a second DUI. You could have your licenses suspended for up to 2 years. The court suspension is two years, which can be run concurrently with the DMV suspension. It’s possible to apply for a restricted license after three months of DMV suspension.
- You need to request a hearing with the DMV within 10 days if you want to dispute the DMV suspension.

Interlock Device: The judge can order you to get an interlock device on your vehicle, which measures your breath alcohol every time you drive.

SR-22 Insurance. If you don’t win the DMV hearing or don’t dispute it, and your license is suspended, you will need to get a special type of automobile insurance called SR-22 insurance for three years.

Court Ordered Counseling and Probation

18 Month Programs: If this is your second conviction in 10 years, you will likely be ordered to complete an 18 month program. For a third offense, you would typically be looking at a 30 month program. You may also be ordered to attend AA, or Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD) or other programs.

Probation: Probation is typically 3-5 years.

Jail Time – Max is 1 year

Jail Time: Minimum of 96 hours in county jail, and maximum of one year jail time.

Financial Consequences

Fines, penalties and costs. The court at its discretion will impose a fine of between $1800- $2700. Additionally, you will likely incur costs of defense attorney, costs for counseling, interlock device, and SR-22 insurance. The total cost can be very expensive, but consult with your attorney for an estimate of total costs.

Filed Under: DUI, Vacaville Attorney, Vacaville Lawyer