Can a bankruptcy attorney in Utah help you with discharging tax debts? We hear this question often and the general answer is yes under certain circumstances. There is no doubt Uncle Sam has caused many people to file bankruptcy and we are sympathetic to your plight. While our revolutionary for fathers fought a war with Britain over 2-5% taxes in the 1700s, Americans today find themselves taxed at an average rate of 30-40%. The middle class has especially been hurt by burdensome taxes in the last 20 years. Indeed, if you are a small business owner, own a home, or even recently retired, you may be finding yourself stuck with a huge tax bill to the feds or state you can’t possibly pay. At Salcido Law Firm, our bankruptcy professionals can help you get relief from specific types of tax obligations through the bankruptcy process. While income tax debts and some other taxes are typically non dischargeable in bankruptcy, certain rules allow for discharge nonetheless.

Dischargeable Taxes in Bankruptcy

Understanding the rules behind taxes and bankruptcy is key to planning your financial turnaround. Generally, taxes may be discharged through bankruptcy only if (1) they are not the product of fraud, (this means if you have tried to defraud the federal or state government in the way you filed certain taxes, you will likely not be able to discharge said taxes because fraud is a barrier to almost all types of debt including credit cards, personal loans, etc; (2) the taxes are income taxes (many other types of taxes are not dischargeable under any circumstances whatsoever); (3) the taxes are 3 years old or more; and (4) certain other specific  rules and exceptions may apply. To find out the details of how your particular set circumstances may apply, and to get game plan together foryour future, contact one of our Salt Lake City Bankruptcy Lawyers today.

Celebrities and Tax Debts

Tax debts and Hollywood celebrities often go together like peas in a pod. How many times have you seen news stories about celebrities not paying their taxes and ending up with a huge bill to the government? Celebrities often take advantage of the bankruptcy system when it comes to income taxes. The most recent celebrity to hit the news about failing to pay taxes was Lionel Richie. Mr. Richie reportedly owed the U.S. a little more than $1 million dollars in taxes just for 2010. Lindsay Lohan was also recently found to owe over 1/4 of a million dollars to the federal government in back taxes. No doubt these and many other celebrities have retained competent bankruptcy lawyers to get them through the bankruptcy court and back in their games. The moral of the story is that even wealthy celebrities can find themselves in trouble with taxes. Many times simple oversights in filing can lead to huge penalties that seem impossible to get out of. That is where we can help. Whether you have thousands of dollars in back income tax owed, credit card debt, medical debt, or anything else, call us today at 801-413-1753.

Salcido Law Firm – Utah Bankruptcy Law Firm

At Salcido Law Firm, we are a Utah bankruptcy law firm dedicated to getting our clients the best results possible in the bankruptcy process in Utah. We understand the bankruptcy laws and will help you each step of the way. We are available 24/7 and provide free consultation so there is no reason not to call now. While discharging taxes can be difficult, we have the knowledge and experience necessary to ensure you get your best chances of success. We look forward to helping. Call us today at 801-413-1753. Our team is standing by.

Utah Family Law Attorney

Problems involving domestic relationships are typically the most emotionally charged problems we can face.  Litigation deriving from such disputes such as divorce actions, annulment lawsuits, and separate maintenance actions are some of the most involved cases for both attorneys and their clients because of the emotional nature of such disputes.

In many such cases one party does not wish to divorce, annul the marriage, or separate from his or her spouse.  Although dissolving a marriage cannot be prevented indefinitely, Utah has provided a way for spouses who wish to give their marriage a second chance to force the unwilling spouse to at least try to get some kind of professional counseling for the marriage.

The Conciliation Petition

The procedure for forcing a spouse to undergo marriage counseling is called a conciliation action.  It is commenced by the filing of a petition for conciliation.   The petition must be filed before a divorce, annulment, or separate maintenance action is filed.  The purpose of the petition is to preserve “the marriage by effecting a reconciliation between the parties or an amicable settlement of the controversy between them so as to avoid litigation over the issues involved.”

If a spouse is able to successfully get the conciliation petition filed it acts to preclude a divorce action for 60 days.  After the conciliation petition has been filed the court will refer the matter to the domestic relations counselor or counselors and will give notice to the spouses.  The 60 day period can be cut short if a domestic relations counselor writes a letter to the court informing it that a reconciliation of the parties cannot be effected.

Last Attempt to Save the Marriage

A Petition for conciliation is the final attempt at saving a marriage.  Marriage is usually worth saving if it can be saved and the conciliation process may be the way to do it.  Contact your Utah family law attorneys at Salcido Law Firm to start the conciliation process.  If it works to save your marriage, great; if it doesn’t, we’ll be here to guide you through the divorce process.

If you found this article, chances are you have been injured in a car accident, workplace accident, through medical malpractice, or in some other manner due to the negligence of another, and you need an experienced personal injury lawyer in Utah. You may ask yourself, “Do I really need an attorney?” The answer is simply yes, because in most cases, having an attorney can really make or break your chances of getting the most fair and most appropriate settlement. In fact, many studies indicate that on average, injured victims often receive 3x more in settlement from the insurance companies when they are represented by an injury attorney in Utah, as opposed to when said individuals do not have a lawyer. The reasons for this are many. For more information about what Salcido Law Firm can do for you and your family following an injury, call us now at 801.413.1753, or continue reading below.

Salt Lake City Injury Law Firm

So why the alarming statistics about the difference in settlement figures for those who hire lawyers and those that do not? The answer is simple, when you hire our Salt Lake City law firm to take your injury claims, we fight tooth and nail to ensure your rights are protected and the appropriate parties are held accountable for fair compensation. In many cases, following a car accident, the insurance company may offer you a quick and easy settlement. Many people are inclined to take the first amount of money offered by the at fault parties insurance. The truth is that after you have been injured you may not even know the full extent of your injury if you have not had a thorough medical exam. Often people settle for a small amount because they believe they are not too badly injured, only to later find out they have a long term injury that will require significant treatment. Don’t fall into this trap, call and speak to one of our highly capable car accident lawyer now.

 Different Types of Injuries

No matter what type of case, the statistics show the same thing, it pays to have a lawyer when you have been injured. This is true for medical malpractice in Utah, accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, and most everything else. You may think you can get by without hiring a lawyer, of that the insurance company is being fair with you. However, the best advice we can give is to at least consult with a legal advocate before you make any decisions on how to proceed in your case. Something this important is worth fighting for.

Salcido Law Firm – Free Consultation

When you call Salcido Law Firm, you will speak to a Utah Personal Injury Attorney right away, not a legal secretary or paralegal. We offer free consultations over the phone and in our office so do not delay. We know this has taken a toll on you and your family and we will work hard to ensure you get the best possible resolution to your claims. We will take your call 24/7 so call us now 801.413.1753. We look forward to helping.

Field Sobriety Test

One of the Utah DUI field sobriety tests (FSTs) given by Utah law enforcement to those suspected of driving under the influence is the walk and turn test.  There are three primary FSTs used in Utah, the walk and turn being one of them.  The other two are the HGN test and the stand on one leg test.

The instructions for the walk and turn test is given as follows:

• The DUI suspect is asked to assume a heel to toe position on a line on a flat dry surface;
• He is to place his left foot on the line;
• He is then to place his right foot on the line ahead of the left foot, with the heel of the right foot against the toe of the left foot;
• He is to keep his arms down at his sides;
• He is to maintain his position until the law enforcement officer is finished giving his instructions;

The officer then demonstrates the walk and turn test which goes as follows:

• The officer takes nine heal-to-toe steps, turn, and then takes nine heel-to-toe steps back;
• Upon making the turn the officer keeps his front foot on the line, and turns by taking a series of small steps with the other foot;
• The officer keeps his arms at his sides, watches his feet and counts his steps out loud;
• The officer does not stop until he completes the test and then asks the DUI suspect if he understands the instructions.

There are several clues the officer looks for to determine if the suspect is driving under the influence:

• The suspect cannot keep balance while listening to the instructions;
• He starts before the instructions are finished;
• He stops while walking;
• He does not touch heel-to-toe;
• He steps off the line;
• He uses arms to balance;
• He makes an improper turn
• He makes an incorrect number of steps.

If the suspect exhibits two or more clues there is a 68% likelihood that the suspect’s blood alcohol content exceeds 0.10.  Two or more clues will result in a DUI arrest.

DUI Lawyer

The way the officer gives the FST instructions and the way he demonstrates the tests are key to a DUI defense.  Let our law firm’s DUI defense attorneys defend you against the many potential negative consequences involved with a DUI.  We offer free consultations anytime of the day.  Call us at 801.413.1753.

Firing Upheld for Officer’s Actions During Traffic Stop

Many people complain about the treatment they receive from Utah police officers during a traffic stop.  People complain of verbal abuse, excessive force, and other actions considered rude or offensive.  People along the Wasatch Front and southern Utah have little recourse against harmful police excessive force though, because the actions are usually within the realm of accepted police activities.  Occasionally however, an officer exceeds his or her authority and is actually reprimanded for behavior.  One such case recently happened pleasing many Utah criminal defense attorneys.

The case involved an assault by a former Utah Highway Patrol trooper.  The trooper assaulted a woman with a closed fist six times after she refused to cooperate with troopers trying to pull her over.  The woman was intoxicated and driving under the influence of alcohol.  She was also stopped for reckless driving.  When the trooper, along with other police officers, stopped the woman, she refused to get out of the car or otherwise cooperate with police.  The trooper feared the woman would drive off so he assaulted her by punching her with a closed fist six times.  This excessive force was not within the acceptable actions the trooper could have taken against the woman.  The trooper was fired from the Highway Patrol and an appeals board sustained the firing.  Unfortunately, his unacceptable behavior may continue because he is now a police officer for Ogden City.

Protect Yourself From Police Excessive Force

While most police officers act within their authority, there are those like the trooper who assaulted the woman who overstep their bounds.  Utah criminal defense attorneys can help those people who have been treated poorly by police.  Before a Utah criminal defense attorney is involved though, people can protect themselves by cooperating with police.  Cooperation does not mean speaking to them though.  Utah law requires you give an officer your name, address, and other personal identifying information but you do not have tell them anything else.  The best thing to do if arrested or investigated for a crime is to remain silent and to call a Utah criminal defense attorney.

Criminal Defense Lawyers Can Protect You From Excessive Force

If you feel you have been mistreated by the police, you have been arrested for a crime, or currently under investigation for a crime, contact a Utah criminal defense attorney from Salcido Law Firm.  Our lawyers will protect your rights and make sure a police assault or other excessive force actions by police are held accountable.  Contact one of our firm’s criminal defense lawyers today by filling out our criminal questionnaire or by calling 801.413.1753.

Make an Estate Plan

Many people in Utah do not like to make plans for their death because it is an uncomfortable dilemma everyone is faced with and not everyone wants to accept the reality of it.  As such, there are many people in Ogden, Salt Lake, Provo, St. George, and the rest of Utah who have not adequately prepared for death by having a Utah estate planning lawyer make an estate plan to protect their assets and their families from a tough probate process.  A will is one way to adequately put an estate plan into order but a better way to distribute assets after death is through a Utah revocable trust.

The Benefit of a Revocable Trust

A revocable trust is a trust which gives great flexibility in the administration of it.  One of the great things about a revocable trust is the fact that it is revocable.  A person may establish a revocable trust and if he does not like it he can simply revoke it.  Unfortunately, because a revocable trust is revocable, it does not protect assets from creditors and law suits.  An irrevocable trust would better suit someone who is looking to protect assets from being threaten by third parties.  For an irrevocable trust contact a Utah estate planning lawyer.

The main benefit for a person making a revocable trust is to bypass the probate process after one passes away.  Any time a person dies with a will or without any type of estate plan whatsoever, the person’s property is subject to the probate process.  The will process can be burdensome, time consuming, and expensive.  When a person places all of his or her property into a revocable trust, however, that property does not pass through the probate court before it is distributed to beneficiaries.  The new trustee of the revocable trust distributes the property according to the terms of the trust drafted by a Utah estate planning lawyer.

Contact Salcido Law Firm for Your Estate Plan

If you want to get your estate planning in order and would like to make a revocable trust to hold your assets, contact a Utah estate planning lawyer from Salcido Law Firm.  Our estate planning attorneys will help you make an estate plan that protects your assets from passing through the probate process and ensures your property goes to whom you want it to after you pass away.  To speak with a Utah estate planning lawyer today, call 801.413.1753.

Emergency Parent-time Problems

Many family law problems in Utah can take many months to resolve.  A divorce for example, can even take years depending on if it is a contested divorce as opposed to an uncontested divorce.  Many people who are part of family law cases easily become frustrated with the pace of their case because to them everything that is happening is an emergency.  This can especially be true when child custody issues are at stake.  Luckily, a Utah family law attorney knows of ways to speed up the process in some instances.  One way to speed up a family law case is by filing a motion to expedite visitation enforcement.  A visitation dispute may seem like an emergency to many because their right to see their children is hindered in some way or they may believe the child is subject to physical or sexual abuse.  This emergency parent time problem can be more quickly handled than other types of family law cases.

Expedited Visitation Enforcement

When a Utah child custody lawyer files a motion alleging that a court-ordered parent-time rights are being violated, the clerk of the court will refer the case to the administrator of the expedited visitation enforcement program and the administrator will refer the case to a mediator.  An expedited visitation enforcement motion can only be filed at the third district judicial court though.

When the mediator receives the case, the mediator must meet with the parents within 15 days of the motion being filed to address parent-time issues.  The mediator must try to facilitate an agreement between the parents and may refer the case to a service provider designated by the Department of Human Services.  After a mediator or another service provider evaluates the case, a judge may make orders to the parent-time agreement or order the parents to take further steps before a parent-time dispute can be resolved.  The expedited visitation enforcement process can also protect children from parents accused of sexual or physical abuse.  A child custody lawyer can address this issue in the motion.

Protect Your Visitation Rights and Your Child

If your parent-time visitation rights are not being enforced, or you want to protect your child from physical or sexual abuse from another parent, you need to contact a Utah lawyer from Salcido Law Firm.  Our lawyers have the expertise and knowledge of Utah family law to protect your visitation rights and to protect your child.  Our competitive lawyer’s fees will allow you to receive the legal help you need.  Contact us today for a consultation by calling 801.413.1753.

Criminal Lawyer in Utah

At Salcido Law Firm PLLC our experienced criminal defense lawyers do everything possible to get the best result for our clients. Most criminal cases result in a plea agreement. The remainder go to trial.  Whether you are interested in a plea agreement or going to trial we will fight hard for you. Call us at 801.413.1753 to find out how we can help you.

The Diversion Agreement

One of the best things your attorney can get for you is a diversion agreement.  A diversion agreement is an agreement between you and the prosecutor wherein the prosecutor agrees to cease prosecution of your criminal case for a period of time in order to allow you to complete certain terms requested by the prosecutor.  If you successfully complete those terms, the case will be dismissed.

A diversion agreement is different from a plea in abeyance.  A plea in abeyance agreement is when the defendant pleads guilty to a charge and then if the defendant does certain things within an agreed-upon time, the case will be dismissed.  Diversion, requires no plea – the defendant never has to plead guilty to anything.

The Best Deal You Can Get

Diversions are very rare.  Prosecutors hate doing them and in most cases a prosecutor will not agree to it.  Nonetheless, there are exceptions to every rule and your case may be one of those that will persuade a prosecutor to enter into the diversion agreement with you.  A diversion is really the best deal you can get absent a straight up dismissal, because you will have no criminal record as a result of a diversion agreement.

Immigration Consequences

If you are an illegal immigrant, legal resident, or otherwise have a visa to reside in the United States and have been charged with a crime there are almost always negative immigration consequences involved if you have a criminal conviction on your record.  A diversion can help you avoid those negative consequences because it does not constitute a criminal conviction.

We love it when satisfied clients let us know that we did a good job for them. Little thank you cards like that below make our day at Salcido Law Firm PLLC.

We can help you with your legal needs as well.  Call us at 801.413.1753

In the case of a DUI or DUI metabolite the accused driver can request a hearing with the Drivers License Division if he or she believes there is not the required reasonable grounds for a charge and if the DLD has not taken any action on his case. A DLD License Hearing gives the accused driver an opportunity to show that there is insufficient evidence to support their DUI charge. In the hearing the officer who issued the charge also has the opportunity to testify. In order to receive a DLD Hearing the accused driver must issue a request no later than 10 days after being charged with a DUI. It is best to issue a request as soon as possible if the driver has any doubts of the grounds for his charge; in many cases the DLD is not sympathetic to any late requests, however, a late hearing request can be made. In a case where the driver was not given notification of the charge or was not given a citation from the officer a late hearing request can be issued and should be granted due to misinformation.

Request for Reconsideration

In the case of a DUI where the DLD has taken action, the accused driver can issue a request for reconsideration if he believes there are not enough grounds for the charge. The request is just a simple letter addressed to the DLD with an explanation of why the DLD should not have taken action. A reconsideration request should be issued with 20 days of the charge.

Judicial Review

If the DLD has taken action, the accused driver can also petition for a judicial review. With an attorney’s help, this forum is usually the best option for the driver because the rules of evidence apply and will best aid in lowering or dismissing charges.

Utah DUI Attorney

In any of these cases it is best to seek the help of an experienced attorney in Utah from Salcido Law Firm. Our lawyers have represented hundreds of DUI clients and can help you protect your rights. Call or email us today to set up a free constulation.