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It’s almost summer and brides across the country are picking out flowers, mailing invitations, and subjecting bridesmaids to ugly dresses. But for that bride who has chosen a destination wedding, there’s something else to think about. Potential legal issues. That’s right, a destination wedding legal reminder is in order this time of year. If you’ve chosen to have a wedding in a different state from which you reside, here’s a list of state-by-state requirements....

Pope Francis recently announced the most radical reform to the Catholic Church’s annulment procedures in centuries. Instead of taking years for the church to recognize a severed marriage, it can now take a month or two. So does this mean it’s easier for Catholics to get divorced? Not quite. Here’s how the Pope’s new plan and the legal status of divorce will work: The Church An annulment, in the religious sense, consists of the church deciding that a marriage was never valid in the first place....

You have a right to a livable, or habitable, rental. That means your landlord must ensure that conditions are safe. A broken window is not safe for anyone, and could lead to more serious damage and crime. Generally speaking, landlords are responsible for fixing a broken window belonging to a rental property. But of course there are exceptions. If you broke a window and the landlord can prove it, then the landlord may make the repair but you will have to pay....

A Kentucky jury cleared the doctor who cut off a man’s penis during surgery. Penis amputee Phillip Seaton was awarded no damages in the case. Seaton, 64, was suing Dr. John Patterson. He accused the doctor who cut off his penis in 2008 of doing so without his consent during a circumcision procedure, reports ABC News. During the procedure, Patterson said he discovered the cancer. He said he believed that the penis needed to be amputated right away, and that he had no other options, ABC News reports....

A New Jersey-based franchisee that operates 55 Dunkin’ Donuts stores was dunked in a wage and hour dispute over back wages. An investigation by the U.S. Labor Department found violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act, according to the department’s press release. QSR Management, which operates franchises throughout New Jersey and Staten Island, New York, will have to pay nearly $200,000 to 64 employees for overtime and minimum wage violations, reports the Manasquan-Belmar Patch....

Over 20,000 “Kappa” and “Sigma” pacemakers manufactured by Medtronic, Inc. are being recalled because of a wiring problem that can cause the devices to fail, posing an obvious and very serious health problem for patients. While more than 1.7 million Medtronic “Kappa” and “Sigma” pacemakers have been implanted in patients worldwide, the recall announced last Thursday affects about 21,000 of those devices: specifically, the Kappa Series 600/700/900 and the Sigma Series 100/200/300....

So, you want to know how to finance a small business? For a small business, there are many avenues you can wander down, if you’re seeking financing. Now that we have your attention, here are 5 ways to finance your small business: SBA Loans. You can go to your local bank and ask about SBA backed loans. Different banks will have different criteria on the types of loan offered. Check out the SBA website for information and to find small business loans where you live....

As court proceedings and the debate continues over the passage of California’s Proposition 8, which amended the state’s Constitution to limit the definition of marriage to a union between a man and a woman, the AP reports that the battle over gay marriage is raging on in New England. Although the reasons why the focus has shifted to New England are debatable, laws legalizing gay marriage are now being considered in the legislatures of three states in the region....

Divorcing spouses often hope that a judge will award them attorney’s fees as part of a crushing legal victory over their former partners. As satisfying and poetic as it might be to have your ex-spouse pay for your divorce lawyer, in most cases, the bill is on you. Generally speaking, it’s only in extreme or special circumstances that you’ll be able to get someone else to pay your divorce attorney’s fees....

Small business owners with an eye on morale may need to increase their workplace transparency. Transparency can be difficult to master, and Forbes notes that for many companies, the balancing act is too tough to even pursue. But according to a recent poll by People Driven Performance, 71 percent of employees feel they’re in the dark about company goals and plans. Can your business boost morale and productivity by being more transparent?...

With all the changes happening at the state and local levels regarding weed, it’s hard to know exactly what’s legal and what’s not. Can you smoke at home without a medical marijuana card? Can you grow your own weed? Can you have it on you in public? The answers to these questions depend on where you live, but if you’re an herbal aficionado and you live in Manhattan, you don’t have to worry as much about being charged for minor marijuana offenses anymore....

The Supreme Court today lowered the bar for aliens facing deportation to be able to get courts to put a temporary hold on such deportations until their appeals have been heard. The case dealt with a particular provision of laws passed in 1996 designed to limit and streamline appeals for aliens in immigration proceedings. The alien in this case was Jean Marc Nken, a citizen of Cameroon, who had applied for (and been denied) asylum and other immigration relief....

Being married for a few decades may make it tougher to leave your spouse. (Or, it might have finally convinced you that you’re just not right for each other.) Divorce is far from a young person’s game, and older people seeking divorce may face some legal dilemmas their younger counterparts do not. So here are a few tips and considerations if you’re thinking about getting divorced in your golden years....

Most people imagine getting holiday decorations ready as a fun family activity, but it can sometimes lead to injuries. There are lots of things that can go wrong when putting up those decorations, and it’s just not as much fun if it ends with a trip to the doctor. This year, make a point to avoid the typical injuries that prematurely end an afternoon of holiday decorating. It doesn’t matter what holiday you celebrate....

Thinking about hiring your first employee? If so, you’ll want to consider a few legal ramifications as well. Many small business owners start out as sole proprietors with no extra help – but then reach a point when they’re ready to expand. Hiring and managing your first employee can be a daunting task, especially if you’ve never been someone else’s boss before. Here are our Top 7 legal tips to consider when it comes to hiring and managing your first employee:...

What may be legal in the United States can get you arrested in another country. Toyota and its new head of global public relations, Julie Hamp, are learning that lesson the hard way. A U.S. citizen, Hamp was arrested recently on suspicion of illegally importing a drug into Japan. Importing Oxycodone Hamp recently relocated to Japan earlier this month. On June 8, a parcel labeled “Necklaces,” was sent to Hamp from the United States....

With gas prices soaring, driving has become more expensive than ever. The last thing anyone needs at this point is a traffic ticket. The worst part about a speeding ticket (and other moving violations) is that it doesn’t come and go–it stays with you for at least a few years. In fact, with the help of the traffic ticket points system, your infraction or accident can cost you a lot more down the line....

International students have it slightly harder than domestic students, and not just on the language front. Those in the U.S. on a student visa must not only stay in school to keep their visas valid, but also stay away from even being suspected of certain crimes. And if found guilty, the punishment could be harsh. Know the Stakes for a Plea If an international student is charged with a crime, he or she may not be able to leave the country under certain circumstances until the case is resolved....

Like its name suggests, a durable power of attorney can be a powerful long-term legal tool for managing your healthcare and finances during an emergency or other unexpected situation. But what exactly can a durable power of attorney be used for, and how does it work? Today in Part I, we’ll cover the “whats”: A power of attorney is a legal authorization for one person to make decisions on behalf of another....

Like the rest of the healthcare mess, the Medicare “donut hole” has been around for quite a while now and no one has done anything to fix it. And we hope, like the healthcare mess, someone is going to try to fix it now. The health care bill passed last month in the House of Representatives fully closes this coverage hole. The Senate Bill on the verge of passage looks like it will also attempt to close the donut hole, but would not begin to do so until mod 2010....