30_558307 bindex.qxd 1/24/05 6:52 PM Page 351

Index

testing for, 90, 223 • Numerics • workplace and, 229 401(k) plan, 244, 245, 248, 251 alcohol testing, 114, 115 403(b) plan, 245 alibi, 318 alimony, 63 All Handicapped Children Act, 230 • A • American Institute (Web site), 184 abortion, 74 American Bar Association, 30 abuse and neglect of children, 78, 141 American Prepaid Legal Services Institute accelerated life insurance benefits, 302 (APLSI), 42 accidents, 103, 113–114 Americans with Disabilities Act, 105, 160 act of delinquency, 330 Annual Credit Report Request Service acting as your own attorney, 34, 46, 312 (Web site), 174 adjudicated delinquent, 330 annulment, , 58 adjudicated minor, 330 AOA (Administration on Aging), 262 adjustable rate mortgage, 212 appeal Administration on Aging (AOA), 262 criminal, 326–327 administrative law, 11 grounds for, 24 small claims court, 33 fathers and, 81 appellate court, 13 options for adoptee, 82 appraiser, home, 205 overview, 79–80 arbitration, 28, 30 traditional (or closed) versus open, 82 arraignment, 315 types of, 80–81 arrest Adoption.com, 80 avoid arguing with police, 342 advance directive, 294 being formally charged, 315–316 adversarial process, 15 getting booked, 313–314 affirmative action, 89 going to jail, 314–315, 327 agreement. See also contract interrogation and the Miranda cohabitation, 50–53 warning, 311 home listing, 203–204 juvenile’s rights during, 330–331 , 65–66COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL legal help, 312 partnership, 151–152, 343–344 making your plea, 315, 316–317 reading before signing, 341 overview, 309 for separation, 59 phone call, making, 314 written, 340–341 planning your defense, 317–320 AIDS and HIV posting bail, 319 discrimination, 229, 230 search warrant, 311–313 financing treatment for, 269 warrantless, 310, 313 health insurance and, 231 articles of incorporation, 153 hotline, 231 assisted living residence, 271 organizations for, 231 assisted suicide, 303 privacy rights, 229–231 assumable mortgage, 212–213 30_558307 bindex.qxd 1/24/05 6:52 PM Page 352

352 Law For Dummies, 2nd Edition

ATM card, 129, 135 balloon mortgage, 212 attorney bank account, 135, 137–138 accrediting organizations, 38 bankruptcy acting as your own, 34, 46, 312 attorney, 184, 187 advertising and, 346 business, 148, 164–165 avoiding a need for, 46 Chapter 7, 165, 175, 185–186, 251 bankruptcy, 159, 165 Chapter 11, 164, 165, 251 benefits of using, 36–37 Chapter 13, 164, 165, 175, 186 business, 148–149, 151 and, 68 choosing, 37–38, 346–347, 350 filing for, 184–185 consumer law, 176, 181, 182, 227, 239, 261 liquidation, 184, 185 contracts, 349 pension plans and, 251 court-appointed, 312 rebuilding credit after, 186–188 courtroom track record, 349 reorganization, 164–165 dissatisfaction with, 44, 45 types of, 164 , 60–61 bankruptcy attorney, 159, 165, 184, 187 elder law, 267 bench trial, 23, 320 employment, 94, 100, 106 beneficiaries, 276, 279–281 estate planning, 274–275, 279, 283, 285 benefits, job, 95–98 ethical standards for, 43–44 Better Business Bureau (BBB), 30, 196 expenses paid by client, 44 beyond a reasonable doubt, 308 fees, 37, 41–43, 275, 345–346 Bill of Rights, 10 finding, 39–41, 100 board and care home, 271 firing, 37, 45 board of directors, 153 first meeting with, 40–41 Breathalyzer test, 114 free or low-cost, 39, 312 burden of proof, 131 invoices from, 37, 45 burial site restrictions, 297 labor, 159 burial societies, 300 malpractice suit against, 44 burial vaults, 299–300 mistakes made when hiring, 345–350 business patent, 161 bankruptcy, 148, 164–165 public defender, 312 copyright, 163 qualification and experience of, 38 corporation, 152–154 real estate, 202, 206 employees, 159–160 retainers, 37, 42 failure, 147–148, 159, 340 tax, 159 franchise, 154–156 tips for working with, 44 home-based, 156–157 when to use, 35, 36–37 partnership, 150–152, 343–344 winning by intimidation and, 347 patents, 160–162, 163 withholding information from, 312, 348 scams, 147, 156 at-will employee, 106 sole proprietorship, 149 , 85 starting, 148–149, 340 automobile insurance, 115–116 taxes and, 150, 153–154, 157–159 avoiding legal problems, 339–344 trademark, 162 Web sites, 154, 156 business attorney, 148–149, 151 • B • business name, 149 background check, 88–89 Business Owners’ Idea Café (Web site), 148 bail, 319 30_558307 bindex.qxd 1/24/05 6:52 PM Page 353

Index 353

Business Use of Your Home (IRS Publication AIDS discrimination and, 230 587), 157 , 84–86 Buyer’s affidavit, 217 custodial account for, 284–285 custody of, 64–66 discipline and, 76–77 • C • education for, 75 Call for Action (consumer hotline), 30 estate inheritance and, 277, 280–281 car. See also driver’s license; driving kidnapping by , 66 inspection/maintenance, 115 legal obligations of , 75 liability insurance, 115–116 living trust for, 286–287 police search of, 111–112 medical care for, 68, 75–76 registration, 115 Choosing a Medigap Policy: A Guide To CARE (Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Health Insurance For People With Resources Emergency) Act, 230 Medicare (Medicare), 261–262 case law, 11–12 Citizenship and Immigration Services cash, using, 128 (CIS), 159 Casket Gallery (Web site), 300 civil law versus criminal law, 12 caskets, 299–300 Civil Rights Act of 1991, 100 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid civil union, 51 Services (Web site), 234 “closed at the consumer’s request,” Chapter 7 bankruptcy, 165, 175, 134–135 185–186, 251 CMS (Medicare & Medicaid Services), 251 Chapter 11 bankruptcy, 164, 165, 251 COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Chapter 13 bankruptcy, 164, 165, 175, 186 Reconciliation Act), 107, 234 charitable donations codicil, 283 scams, 195–196 cohabitation agreement, 50–53 telemarketers soliciting, 194 collecting your money will and, 281 child support from deadbeat parent, Charmasson, Henri (Patents, Copyrights & 68–71, 343 Trademarks For Dummies), 160 methods for, 33–34 checks, 129, 135 common law, 11 , 78, 141 common law marriage, 54 child care community property states, 62, 168, 279 au pair, 85 community service, 325 day care center, 84 comp time, 93 home-based, 84–85 complaint, filing tax obligations, 85–86 against your attorney, 44 , 64–66 discrimination, 99–100 child support against employer, 93–94, 98–99 collecting from deadbeat parent, against a financial institution, 125–126, 68–71, 343 182–184 overview, 67–68 for fraud victims, 194, 198 unmarried women and, 71 housing discrimination, 214 Child Support Enforcement (CSE) identity theft, 136 program, 70 medical rights violation, 227 Child Support Recovery Act, 70 privacy complaint form, 140 children. See also juvenile justice system regarding credit report, 176 abortion and, 74 wage violation, 93–94 abuse and neglect of, 78, 141 30_558307 bindex.qxd 1/24/05 6:52 PM Page 354

354 Law For Dummies, 2nd Edition

computer making changes to, 20 privacy issues, 138, 143 new home, 218 program scams, 197 nursing home care, 263 software, 15, 104 oral, 16 “wipe” utility for, 137 overview, 15–16 Computer Matching and Privacy Protection paper, 18 Act, 143 reading before signing, 341 confidentiality agreement, 91 with surrogate, 83 consent form (medical), 222–223 written, 17, 340–341 Consolidated Omnibus Budget Cooling-Off Rule, 190–191 Reconciliation Act (COBRA), 107, 234 copyright, 163 constitutional rights corporate bylaws, 153 Eighth Amendment, 319, 334 corporation, 152–154 Fifth Amendment, 311, 313, 324 court judgment, 175 Fourth Amendment, 112, 311 court systems overview, 10 federal court, 14–15, 310 Sixth Amendment, 321 overview, 12–13 Consumer Credit Reporting Reform small claims court, 31–34 Act, 171 state court, 13, 310 consumer issues. See also scams covenant not to compete, 90–91 consumer hotline, 30 credit. See also bankruptcy; credit report; Cooling-Off Rule, 190–191 credit reporting agencies door-to-door sales, 190–191 applying for, 168–170 fraud alert, 132, 133 benefits and dangers of using, 167–168 FTC complaint line, 29 billing statement problems, 177–179 Internet shopping, 190 correcting problems with, 175–179 mail order shopping, 190 debt collector, 179–182 product warranty, 198–200 federal laws regarding, 167–168 telemarketers, 194, 196 inability to pay bills, 179–181 consumer law attorney, 176, 181, 182, 227, rebuilding after bankruptcy, 187–188 239, 261 rights violations, 182–184 Consumer Sentinel (Web site), 136, 194–195 starting a business and, 149 Consumer World (Web site), 189 using and protecting, 170–175 contingency, 42, 43 credit card continuing care retirement community, 271 bankruptcy and, 187 contraceptives, 74 billing statement problems, 177–179 contract e-mail and, 137–138 attorney, 349 privacy protection, 128, 129 breaking, 19–20 Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA), dos and don’ts, 20 187–188 Electronic Signatures for, 18–19 credit report form, 18 bankruptcy and, 185 franchise, 155 correcting, 175–177 home purchase and sale, 208–210 cost of, 174 home-based child care provider, 84 fraud alert and, 132, 133 implied, 16, 18 free copies, 173–174 30_558307 bindex.qxd 1/24/05 6:52 PM Page 355

Index 355

how it is used, 172 death penalty, 326, 334 requesting a copy, 129, 172–173, 174 debt. See also bankruptcy rights overview, 173–175 business partnership and, 150 credit reporting agencies dealing with collectors, 179–181 child support debt reported to, 70 filing for bankruptcy, 184–187 contacting, 172–173 minimizing, 341 credit scoring program, 177 rights violations and, 182–184 described, 168 taxes, 160 fraud alert, 132, 133 unsecured, 186 information sources for, 171–172 Web site, 180 opt-out opportunities, 131 deductions, wages, 94–95 suing, 132, 175 deed, 217 credit score, 172, 175, 177 deed of trust (mortgage deed), 269 cremation, 299–300 defendant, 12 crime. See also arrest; juvenile justice defense, planning, 317–320 system; trial defined-benefit pension plan, 242, being convicted, 308 243–244, 248 drug-related, 309, 326 defined-contribution pension plan, 242, federal, 309, 310 243–244, 248 overview, 307–308 Department of Health and Human Services pardons, 326 (DHHS), 227 prisoner rights, 327 Department of Labor, U.S., 87, 93–94, 159 types of, 308–309 Direct Marketing Association (DMA), 131 victims of, 327–328 disability, employee with, 105, 160 criminal law, 12 disability insurance, 98 CROA (Credit Repair Organizations Act), disability leave, 95–96 187–188 disciplining children, 76–77 CSE (Child Support Enforcement) disclosure statement, 155 program, 70 discovery, 22 custodial accounts, 284–285 discrimination AIDS and HIV, 229, 230 credit and, 167, 168 • D • employment-related, 98–100 damages, 42 housing, 214 day care center, 84 medical, 225 deadbeat parent, 68–71 dispute resolution, 27–30, 31 death and dying. See also wills divorce child support payments and, 68 attorney for, 60–61 durable power of attorney for health child custody, 64–67 care, 53, 224, 289–290, 293–295 child support, 67–71, 343 euthanasia and doctor-assisted community property states, 62, 168, 279 suicide, 303 health insurance and, 233 funeral, 296–302 no-fault, 60 hospice care, 254, 270 overview, 59–60 living will, 291–293 pensions and, 62, 250 planning for incapacitation, 224, 289–290 property settlement, 61–62 without living will or durable power of spousal support, 62–64 attorney, 294–295 statistics, 56 will and, 62, 279 30_558307 bindex.qxd 1/24/05 6:52 PM Page 356

356 Law For Dummies, 2nd Edition

DMA (Direct Marketing Association), 131 do it yourself problem-solving • E • acting as your own attorney, 34, 46, 312 earnest money, 209, 211 avoiding legal problems, 339–344 EBSA (Employee Benefits Security dispute resolution, 27–30, 31 Administration), 244, 247 easy solutions, 25–27 ECOA (Equal Credit Opportunity Act), 75, organizations and agencies for, 30–31 168–170 small claims court and, 31–34 EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Do Not Call registry, 131, 194 Commission), 98, 99 doctor Eighth Amendment, 319, 334 assisted suicide, 303 Eldercare Locator (Web site), 262, 268 living will and, 292, 293 elective share, 279 medical privacy rights and, 138–139 Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 143 patient confidentiality and, 141 Electronic Signatures, 18–19 documentation, 26, 27 e-mail, 104, 131, 137–138 domestic partnership, 51 employee. See also wages donating your body to science, 300 at-will, 106 door-to-door salesperson, 190–191 classifying, 159–160 double jeopardy rule, 324 copyright law and, 163 double taxation, 153–154 exempt, 92 drinking and driving, 114–115 foreign workers, 159 driver’s license independent contractor versus, 159–160 alcohol testing and, 115 key, 97 name change and, 57 monitoring by employer, 104 obtaining, 109–110 new hire registry, 71 privacy protection and, 129 nonexempt, 92 Social Security number, keeping off, 129 payroll tax, 158–159, 160 suspended or revoked, 110 employee benefits. See also pensions Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, 143 and medical leave, 96–98 driving health insurance, 95 accident, 113–114 overview, 95–96 being stopped by a cop, 111–112 prepaid legal plan, 42 drinking and, 114–115 Employee Benefits Security Administration license, 57, 109–110, 115, 129 (EBSA), 244, 247 ownership responsibilities, 115–116 Employee Retirement Income Security Act rules of the road, 110 (ERISA), 232–233, 239, 246–250 traffic and parking tickets, 112–113 Employer’s Supplemental Tax Guide (IRS drug cards for prescriptions, 259–260 Publication 15-A), 160 drug screening test for employment, 90, 105 employment. See also business; wages drug-related crime, 309, 326 affirmative action and, 89 DSL (high-speed Internet connection), 138 AIDS and HIV persons and, 229 durable power of attorney for finances, 53, application, 87–91 224, 289–290 background check, 88–89 durable power of attorney for health care benefits, 95–98 dying without, 294–295 conditions and, 90–91 importance of, 224, 293–294 discrimination, 98–100 incapacitation and, 289–290 drug screening test, 90, 105 unmarried couples and, 53 employer’s rights, 103–105 Web site, 224 30_558307 bindex.qxd 1/24/05 6:52 PM Page 357

Index 357

employer-supplied health insurance, Fair Credit Reporting Act, 10, 130 232–233 Fair Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), 171 family and medical leave, 96–98, 160 Fair Housing Act (FHA), 214 foreign worker, hiring, 159 Fair Isaac Corporation, 177 personnel file access, 105 Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), 91–94 pre-employment tests, 89–90 family , 279 quitting, 106–107 family and medical leave, 96–98, 160 references for, 88 , 49–50 safety issues, 102–103 FBI, 138, 142 sexual harassment, 100–101, 342–343 Federal Citizen Information Center (Web time off for legal problems, 26, 132 site), 193 wages, 91–95 federal court, 14–15, 310 employment law attorney, 94, 100, 106 Federal Court of Appeal, 14 encumbrance, 217 federal crime, 309, 310 Enron (oil company), 244, 245 Federal Drug-Free Work Place Act, 105 entrapment, 318 Federal Privacy Act, 105, 119–122 entrepreneurship. See business Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Environmental Protection Agency, 11 consumer rights, 182 Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), Consumer Sentinel, 136, 194–195 168–170, 215 credit information brochures, 179 Equal Employment Opportunity Do Not Call registry, 131, 194 Commission (EEOC), 98, 99 filing a privacy violation complaint, 126 Equifax (credit reporting agency), 173, 177 filing an identity complaint theft, 136 equitable distribution, 61 filing credit record complaint, 176 ERISA (Employee Retirement Income franchises and, 155 Security Act), 232–233, 239, 246–250 functions of, 29 estate planning. See also wills funeral industry regulated by, 297 attorney, 274–275, 279, 283, 285 ID Theft: When Bad Things Happen to Your custodial accounts, 284–285 Name, 137 importance of, 344 identity theft hotline, 136, 137 insurance policies, employee benefit reporting fraud to, 198 plans and IRAs, 278, 284 Web site, 29, 179 inter vivos gifts, 278, 284 felony, 308 overview, 273–274 fertilityplus.org, 83 taxes, 288, 289 FHA (Fair Housing Act), 214 trusts, 285–289 FICO score (Web site), 177 unmarried couples and, 52, 278 fiduciary, 247 Web sites, 273 Fifth Amendment, 311, 313, 324 euthanasia, 303 filing a complaint. See complaint, filing executor, 276, 281–282 fill-in-the blanks will, 280 exempt employee, 92 financial institutions, 125–126, 182–184 Experian (credit reporting agency), financial privacy 173, 177 filing a violation complaint, 125–126 financial services companies and, 123–126 • F • opt-out opportunities, 124–125, 131 Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act Patriot Act and, 143 (FACTA), 130–131, 133, 134 Financial Services Modernization Act Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA), 178 (FSMA), 123–126 30_558307 bindex.qxd 1/24/05 6:52 PM Page 358

358 Law For Dummies, 2nd Edition

FindLaw Web site, 12, 273 fingerprinting, 90 • H • firewall protection, 138 health care. See also medical record FirstGov for Seniors (Web site), 242 for children, 68, 75–76 fixed rate mortgage, 212 dealing with rights violations, 227–228 Flex Your Rights Foundation durable power of attorney for, 53, 224, (Web site), 311 289–290, 293–295 FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act), 91–94 home, 254, 269–270 foreign worker, hiring, 159 legal rights of patients, 222–228 foster parent, 77 living will for, 291–293 401(k) plan, 244, 245, 248 managed, 223, 235–237 403(b) plan, 245 medical malpractice and, 231–232 Fourth Amendment, 112, 311 nursing home, 262–269 franchise, 154–156 paying for, 232–240 fraud. See also scams privacy rights, 138–141 alert, 132, 133 public hospital and, 225 victims of, 194, 198 refusing treatment, 226 Web site, 193, 197, 198 Web site, 222 FSMA (Financial Services Modernization health care directive, 292. See also Act), 123–126 living will FTC (Federal Trade Commission). See health care proxy. See durable power of Federal Trade Commission (FTC) attorney for health care funeral Health Information Privacy Complaint accelerated life insurance benefits, 302 form, 140 burial site restrictions, 297 health insurance. See also Medicaid; burial societies, 300 Medicare caskets, burial vaults, cremations, 299–300 AIDS and HIV and, 231 cost, 296, 297–298 COBRA benefits, 107, 234 cremation, 299–300 divorce and, 233 prepaying, 296, 298–299 employer-supplied, 232–233 viatical settlement, 269, 300–302 health care rights, 229–231 Funeral Consumers Alliance (Web site), 300 Health Savings Account (HSA), 237–238 Funeral Rule, 297–298 for high risk people, 333 inadequate or going without, 222, 223–225 • G • long-term care, 268–269 medical leave and, 97 gag clauses, 223, 236 Medigap, 260–262 gay or lesbian couple. See same-sex couple pre-existing conditions and, 239 geriatric care managers, 264 problem with claims, 238–240 graduated payment mortgage, 212 Web sites, 222 grand jury, 143, 311, 316 Health Insurance Portability and group home, 271 Accountability Act (HIPAA), 138–141, guardian 227, 232, 239 for children, 77 Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), health care, 295 139, 235, 236–237 property, 277, 280 Health Privacy Project (Web site), 226 30_558307 bindex.qxd 1/24/05 6:52 PM Page 359

Index 359

Health Savings Account (HSA), 237–238 hotline, 136, 137 HealthCareCoach (Web site), 222 online transactions and, 137–138 hearing police report, 133–134, 136 grand jury, 143, 311, 316 preventing, 127–130 juvenile, 331–332 recovering from, 130–137 preliminary, 316 Identity Theft and Assumption of heirs, 276 Deterrence Act (ITADA), 126–127 high-speed Internet connection, 138 Identity Theft Resource Center, 132, 134 HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and immigration and citizenship, 159 Accountability Act), 138–141, 227, immunization, 76 232, 239 implied HMO (Health Maintenance Organization), consent for alcohol testing, 115 139, 235, 236–237 contract, 16, 18 home warranty, 199–200 building, 217–218 incapacitation buying, 201–202, 208–211, 215–218 living trust and, 287 closing the deal, 215–217 planning for, 224, 289–290 contracts, 208–210 income tax, 158 divorce settlement and, 62 independent contractor, 159–160 insurance, 157, 341 Independent Contractor vs. Employee (IRS mortgage, 211–215, 269 Topic 762), 160 real estate lingo, 217 industry trade associations, 30–31 search warrant and, 310 infomercials, 192 selling, 203–208, 216 informed consent, 222–223 senior’s options, 241 injunctive relief, 12 working out of, 156–157 insanity plea, 318–320, 324 home health care, 254, 269–270 insurance. See also health insurance home-sale party, 190–191 adequate, 341 , 75 car, 115–116 hospice care, 254, 270 credit score and, 175 house hunting, 201–202 home, 157, 341 Household Employer’s Tax Guide, 86 home-based business and, 157, 341 Housing and Urban Development (HUD), life, 269, 300–302 213, 214 unemployment, 107 HSA (Health Savings Account), 237–238 inter vivos gifts, 278, 284 Inter-Law’s ‘Lectric Law Library (Web site), 15 • I • Internal Revenue Service (IRS). See also icons used in this book, 5 taxes ID Theft Affidavit, 133, 135 Business Use of Your Home (Publication ID Theft: When Bad Things Happen to Your 587), 157 Name (FTC publication), 137 e-mail access by, 138 identity theft Employer’s Supplemental Tax Guide described, 126–127 (Publication 15-A), 160 free credit report and, 174 ignoring, result of, 342 30_558307 bindex.qxd 1/24/05 6:52 PM Page 360

360 Law For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) (continued) Independent Contractor vs. Employee • L • (Topic 762), 160 labor attorney, 159 Starting a Business and Keeping Records lawsuit, civil (Publication 583), 158 avoiding, 339–344 Web site, 86, 157 heard by Supreme Court, 14 Internet overview, 21–24 house-hunting with, 201 lawyer. See attorney preventing online identity theft, 137–138 legal aid, free, 39 privacy issues, 129, 142 legal guardians role, 77 scams, 195 Legal Services Corporation, 39 shopping on, 190 legal system IRAs, 278, 284 civil law versus criminal law, 12 ITADA (Identity Theft and Assumption of contracts, 15–20 Deterrence Act), 126–127 court systems, 12–15 federal courts, 14–15, 310 • J • laws, 9–12 lawsuits, 21–24 jail, 314–315, 327 Web site, 15 job. See employment Library of Congress, 163 joint custody, 65–66 license joint owners with the right of business, 149 survivorship, 53 driver’s, 57, 109–110, 129 joint property, 53 home health care, 269 joint tenancy, 278 marriage, 55–56 judicial separation, 59 nursing home, 264 judicial waiver, 334 residential care home, 271 jury lie detector test, 90, 105 defined, 23 lien deliberation, 323 defined, 217 grand, 311, 316 on property, 33, 69 hung, 323 tax, 175 selecting, 321–322 Life Advice About Selling a Home juvenile detention center, 332, 333, 335 (MetLife), 206 juvenile justice system life insurance, 269, 300–302 age limits, 330, 333 limited liability company, 154 being tried as an adult, 332, 334–335 limited partnership, 151 found guilty of a crime, 332–334 liquidation bankruptcy, 184, 185 harsher treatment and, 334–335 listing agent, 204 hearings, 331–332 living together, 50–54, 63 overview, 329–330 living trust, 174, 286–288, 290 parental accountability, 335–336 living will rehabilitation and probation, 332 dying without, 294–295 rights when arrested, 330–331 form, 224, 292 overview, 224, 291–293 • K • long-term care insurance, 268–269 key employee, 97 kidnapping a child, 66 30_558307 bindex.qxd 1/24/05 6:52 PM Page 361

Index 361

publications, 261–262 • M • Web site, 252 mail order shopping, 190 Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), 251 malpractice Medicare Savings programs, 257 medical, 231–232 Medicare-Participating Physician suing your attorney for, 44 Directory, 256 managed care organizations Medigap insurance, 260–262 gag clauses, 223 mentally incompetent, 320 HMOs, 139, 235, 236–237 MetLife (Life Advice About Selling PPOs, 236 a Home), 206 marriage. See also divorce minimum wage, 91, 92, 94 annulment, 58 minor. See children breaking up, 57–68 Miranda warning, 311 ceremony, 54–55 misdemeanor, 308 common law, 54 mistrial, 323 license, 55–56 money issues. See also collecting your name change and, 57 money; wages prenuptial agreement, 56–57 child support, 67–71, 343 same-sex, 49, 51 cohabitation agreement, 52 separation, 58–59 inter vivos gifts, 278, 284 maternity leave, 95–96 restitution, 325 media, 30 spousal support, 62–64 mediation, 22, 28, 99–100 mortgage, 211–215, 269 Medicaid. See also Medicare mortgage deed (deed of trust), 217 benefits and services, 235 motion to dismiss, 22 enrolling in, 234–235, 257 nursing home care and, 264, 267–268 • N • medical and family leave, 96–98 Medical Information Bureau, 139 NACA (National Association of Consumer medical record Advocates), 181, 261 correcting, 227 name privacy rights, 138–141 of business, 149 requesting a copy, 139–140 change after marriage, 57 right to see, 226–227 taxes, 85 Medicare. See also Medicaid National AIDS Hotline, 231 approved charges and providers, 256–257 National Association for Home Care & benefit periods, 256 Hospice (Web site), 270 denied clams and, 258–259 National Association of Consumer enrolling in, 234, 255 Advocates (NACA), 181, 261 filing claims, 257–258 National Association of Exclusive Buyer financial difficulties and, 257 Agents (Web site), 202 lifetime reserve days, 256 National Association of Insurance Medigap insurance, 260–262 Commissioners, 126 nursing home care and, 267 National Center for Retirement Benefits overview, 251–252 (NCRB), 250 Part A, hospital insurance, 252–254 National Center for Victims of Crime (Web Part B, medical insurance, 254–255 site), 328 Part C, advantage plan, 252, 261 National Consumer Law Center prescription drug card, 259–260 (NCLC), 181 30_558307 bindex.qxd 1/24/05 6:52 PM Page 362

362 Law For Dummies, 2nd Edition

National Council on Aging (NCOA), 268, 270 opt-out opportunities, 124–125, 131 National Employment Lawyers Association oral will, 280 (Web site), 100 overtime pay, 91–93 National Fraud Information Center (Web site), 193, 197, 198 National Health Law Program (NHeLP), 222 • P • National Longer Term Care Ombudsman palimony, 63 Resource Center (Web site), 262 paper contracts, 18 National Partnership for Women and pardon, 326 (Web site), 98 parents NCLC (National Consumer Law Center), abuse and neglect of child, 78 181 adopting a child, 79–82 NCOA (National Council on Aging), 268, 270 child care, 84–86 NCRB (National Center for Retirement child support, 67–71, 343 Benefits), 250 choosing to have a child, 73–74 new hire registry, 71 discipline and, 76–77 NHeLP (National Health Law Program), 222 education for child and, 75 no bill, 316 legal guardians and foster parents, 77 no-fault divorce, 60 legal obligations, 75 no-fault insurance policy, 116 liability for child’s actions, 77, 335–336 nolo contendere, 315, 317 medical care for child, 68, 75–76 nonexempt employee, 92 using a surrogate, 82–84 nursing home care parole, 326, 327 cost of, 267 partnership, 150–152 dealing with problems, 266–267 Partnership for Caring, 224, 292 looking for, 262–264 password safety, 138 Medicaid and, 264, 267–268 Patent and Trademark Office, U.S., 161, 162 Medicare and, 253–254, 267 patent attorney, 161 ombudsman program, 262, 266 patents, 160–162, 163 paying for, 267–269 Patents, Copyrights & Trademarks For residents’ bill of rights, 265 Dummies (Charmasson, Henri), 160 Nursing Home Reform Act, 264–267 Patient Advocacy Groups (Web site), 228 Patient Self-Determination Act, 292 Patient’s Bill of Rights, 228 • O • Patriot Act, 141–143 Occupational Safety and Health payroll service company, 159 Administration (OSHA), 102–103 payroll tax, 158–159, 160 Office of Civil Rights (OCR), 141 Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency (PBGC), 243 Prevention, 334 Pension Rights Center (Web site), 249 Office of Management and Budget pensions (OMB), 122 being vested, 245–246 officers of a corporation, 153 defined-benefit plan, 242, 243–244, 248 ombudsman program, 262, 266 defined-contribution plan, 242, on your own recognizance, 314 243–244, 248 Online Women’s Business Center, 156 divorce settlement and, 62, 250 open adoption, 82 employee rights, 246–249 opening statements in a trial, 322 facts about, 250–251 30_558307 bindex.qxd 1/24/05 6:52 PM Page 363

Index 363

401(k) plan, 244, 245, 248 probate process, 282–283 403(b) plan, 245 probation, 325, 332–333 handling problems with, 249–250 problem-solving. See do it yourself people’s court. See small claims court problem-solving Personal Responsibility and Work product warranty, 198–200 Opportunity Reconciliation Act profit-sharing pension plan, 248 (PRWORA), 71, 84–85 proof, 26, 131 personnel file, 105 property. See also home pets, 281 bankruptcy and, 187 petty offense or citation, 308 children inheriting, 280–281 phone and direct mail solicitations, 131 cohabitation agreement, 52 photographs, 90 divorce settlement, 61–62 PIN number, 129, 135, 137–138 equitable distribution, 61 plaintiff, 12 lien on, 33, 69 Planning for Long Term Care (National palimony and, 63 Council on Aging), 268 seized by creditor, 181 plea bargain, 320 wills and, 276, 278–279, 286 plea, making, 315, 316–317 property guardian, 277, 280 police prosecuting attorney, 335 avoiding arguments with, 342 prosecutorial discretion, 335 being stopped by, 111–112 PRWORA (Personal Responsibility and identity theft report, 133–134, 136 Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act), searching your car, 111–112 71, 84–85 searching your person, 112 public defender, 312 politeness, 26 public hospital, 225 polygraph exam, 90, 105 Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), 236 preliminary hearing, 316 • Q • prenuptial agreement, 56–57 quarterly estimated tax payment, 158 prepaid legal plan, 42 quid pro quo sexual harassment, 101 prescription drug coverage, 259–260 prison time, 326 prisoner rights, 327 • R • privacy. See also financial privacy; real estate agent, 202, 203–205 identity theft real estate attorney, 202, 206 AIDS and HIV persons and, 229–231 real estate broker, 204 attorney-client relationship, 43–44 Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act employer’s rights and, 103–105 (RESPA), 212–213, 215 federal agencies and, 118–122 realtor, 204 jail and, 314–315 reasonable cause, 100 juvenile hearings and, 331 reasonable suspicion, 310 medical, 138–141 references for job, 88 opt-out opportunities, 124–125, 131 rehabilitation of juveniles, 332 overview, 117–118 relationships. See also marriage; same-sex Patriot Act and, 141–143 couple privacy-related federal laws, 143 breaking up, 57–68 workplace, 103–105 living together, 50–54, 63 Privacy Act, 119–122 unmarried couples, 49 probable cause, 111, 310 30_558307 bindex.qxd 1/24/05 6:52 PM Page 364

364 Law For Dummies, 2nd Edition

reorganization bankruptcy, 164–165 dealing with, 198 representing yourself, 34, 46, 312 Internet, 195 residential care home, 271 Medigap insurance and, 261 residential options for seniors, 271–272 overview, 189, 191–192 resolution, 27 signs of, 192–195 RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Web sites, 193, 194–195 Act), 212–213, 215 Schiavo, Terri (brain damaged restitution, 325, 328 woman), 295 retainers, 37, 42, 261 search and seizure retirement. See also death and dying; automobile and, 111–112 seniors Fourth Amendment rights, 112, 311 financing, 242–251 searching your person, 112 home health care, 254, 269–270 warrantless, 310, 311, 313 Medicare, 251–260 in your home, 310 Medigap insurance, 260–262 search warrant, 112, 311–313 nursing home care, 262–269 self-defense, 318 planning, 241–242 self-employment tax, 158 residential options, 241, 271–272 seller’s affidavit, 217 retirement benefits, 62 selling retirement community, 271 door-to-door, 190–191 reverse mortgage, 269 telemarketer, 194, 196 right of rescission, 170 your home, 203–208, 216 Right to Financial Privacy Act (RFPA), seniors. See also death and dying; 122–126 retirement right to sue letter, 100 home health care, 254, 269–270 Roe vs. Wade, 14, 74 Medicare, 251–260 Roper vs. Simmons, 334 residential options for, 271–272 rules of the road, 110 Web sites, 242, 272 Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS separate property states, 61–62, 279 Resources Emergency (CARE) Act, 230 separation (marriage), 58–59 Settlement Costs and You (HUD), 213 severance pay, 106–107 • S • sexual harassment, 100–101, 342–343 salesperson shareholders, 152–153, 154 door-to-door, 190–191 Sixth Amendment, 321 telemarketer, 194, 196 Small Business Administration (Web site), same-sex couple 154, 156 adoption and, 79 small claims court, 31–34 child custody and, 66 Social Security cohabitation agreement, 52–53 number, 57, 128–129, 137–138 funeral and, 296 retirement and, 242 marriage and, 49, 51 taxes, 158 scams software avoiding, 196–197 legal, 15 business, 147, 156 for monitoring employees, 104 charitable, 195–196 scams, 197 30_558307 bindex.qxd 1/24/05 6:52 PM Page 365

Index 365

sole proprietorship, 149 estate, 288, 289 specific intent, 308 forms to download, 157 spending down, 267 home-based business and, 157–159 sperm bank, 84 in-home child care and, 84, 85–86 spouse IRS Web site, 157 child care payment, 63–64 property inheritance and, 279 divorce settlement, 62–63 sole proprietorship and, 149 living trust and, 287 spousal support payments and, 64 Starting a Business and Keeping Records tax debt, 160 (IRS Publication 583), 158 Telecommunications Act, 143 state attorney general’s office, 31, 131 telemarketers, 194, 196 state court, 13, 310 telephone, 129, 314 state law tenant by the entirety, 278 abortion restrictions, 74 tenant in common, 278 funerals and, 297 terminal illness. See also death and dying juveniles and, 329–330 hospice care, 254, 270 overview, 10–11 living will and, 291–293 privacy rights and, 141 testamentary trust, 287 on same-sex marriage, 51 tests state or federal regulatory agency, 31 AIDS and HIV, 90, 223 statute law, 11 drug screening, 90, 105 statute of limitation, 21 lie detector, 90, 105 statutory exclusion, 335 pre-employment, 89–90 stock bonus pension plan, 248 sobriety, 114–115 stock certificate, 153 tickets, driving, 112–113 student loan, 180 Title, 217 Subchapter S corporation, 154 title insurance, 214–215, 217 suicide, assisted, 303 Title search, 217 summons, 21 TLA (Truth in Lending Act), 170 Supreme Court, U.S. trade associations, 30–31 famous cases, 14 trademark, 162 Roe vs. Wade, 14, 74 traffic laws, 110 Roper vs. Simmons, 334 traffic ticket, 112–113 surrogate , 82–84 TransUnion (credit reporting agency), suspended or revoked driving license, 110 173, 177 suspended sentence, 325 trial appeal, 326–327 bench, 23, 320 • T • closing argument, 323 Talking About Your Choices (Partnership for days or months leading up to, 320 Caring), 292 decision, 323–324 tax attorney, 159 grand jury, 143, 311, 316 tax lien, 175 jury deliberation, 323 taxes opening statements, 322 business partnership and, 150 overview, 320–321 capital gains, 216 selecting jurors, 321–322 child support payments and, 68 sentencing, 324–326 corporation and, 153–154 small claims court, 31–34 30_558307 bindex.qxd 1/24/05 6:52 PM Page 366

366 Law For Dummies, 2nd Edition

true bill, 316 lost, 26, 27 trusts minimum, 91, 92, 94 advantages, 286–287 overtime, 91–93 cost, 288–289 violations, 93–94 creating, 285–286 waiving the excess, 32 living, 174, 286–288, 290 warrant, search, 311–313 testamentary, 287 warranty wills and, 286 new home, 218 Truth in Lending Act (TLA), 170 product, 198–200 regulations, 29 WHD (Wage and Hour Division), 93–94 • U • wills. See also living will unemployment insurance, 107 alternatives to, 283–289 Uniform Interstate Family Support Act beneficiaries, 276, 279–281 (UIFSA), 70, 71 changes to (codicil), 283 Uniform Partnership Act, 151 child support and, 68 Information Agency cost of preparing, 275 (USIA), 85 divorce and, 62, 279 unmarried couples dying without, 276–277, 344 estate planning and, 52, 278 executor for, 276, 281–282 living together, 50–54, 63 legal validity of, 277–278 statistics, 49 probate process, 282–283 wills and, 276, 277 property and, 276, 278–279, 286 unmarried women, 71 spouse and, 279–280 unsecured debt, 186 trusts and, 286 types of, 280 women • V • building credit history, 169–170 variance, 157 maternity leave, 95–96 venire, 321 name change after marriage, 57 viatical settlement, 269, 300–302 Online Women’s Business Center, 156 victims unmarried mothers and child support, 71 of crime, 327–328 workers compensation, 103 of fraud, 194, 198 writ of habeas corpus, 313 Video Privacy Protection Act, 143 video will, 280 virus protection software, 138 • W • Wage and Hour Division (WHD), 93–94 wages deductions, 94–95 garnishing, 33, 181