What You Should Know About Common Law Marriage Common law marriage, once a common practice in many areas, was a means through which couples could gain legal recognition of their relationship without a formal ceremony, license, or other state authorities. Through this manner of cohabitation, couples would come to be...
Your Guide to Knife Length Rules in California
Introduction to California Knife Laws California, known for its strict knife laws, has several regulations including the definition and classification of knives, transit provisions, and penalties for violations. Defining the term "knife" can be deceptively complicated. In general, a "knife" can be any instrument sharp enough to cut or stab,...
Minnesota Dog Bite Laws: What You Should Know
Snapshot of Dog Bite Laws in Minnesota Laws associated with dog bites in Minnesota come from two sources: the Minnesota dog bite statute and the common law. Under the Minnesota dog bite statute, set forth at Minnesota Statutes §347.22, the owner or custodian of a dog is strictly liable for...
Determining the Enforceability of Non-Disclosure Agreements in California
What is a Non-Disclosure Agreement? A non-disclosure agreement ("NDA"), also known as a confidentiality agreement, is a contract between at least two parties that requires one or both parties to keep certain information confidential. Agreements of this kind are typically long and tedious documents containing clauses that detail what information...
Buyer Agency Agreements in Colorado: An Overview
What is a Buyer Agency Agreement? Buyer Agency Agreements are mutual services contracts between a buyer and a licensed real estate broker which create an agency relationship where the broker has certain fiduciary duties to their clients in and through the sale and purchase of real property in Colorado. A...
Commission Sharing Agreements: Key Elements and Considerations
What is a Commission Share Agreement? Commission sharing agreements commence when two or more brokers agree to share the commission which is earned from the sale of real property. This concept is a necessary component for the administration of cooperative brokerage in the MLS arena and has spread into other...
Understanding COA in Law: Concepts, Definitions, and Applications
What Is COA in Law? COA — the full form is 'cause of action' — is a legal term that refers to the set of facts that enables a party to bring a lawsuit against another. The phrase appeared as far back as 1580, when an English scholar used the...
Legal Writing Essentials: A Complete Guide for New Legal Writers
The Basics of Legal Writing At its core, legal writing requires competence in both analysis and communication. In general, if you're a competent legal analyst, you write just by doing what any good lawyer is supposed to do. But writing that is effective (that moves the reader) demands more. It...
Understanding Release Agreements in Real Estate Transactions
What is a Release Agreement? Release agreements are legal documents that relinquish a party's right to a claim, whether it be an actual claim or one that is in dispute. A release is used to protect one party from being vicariously liable for another party's negligence and therefore absolving them...
Understanding the Right to Represent Agreement: Key Elements and Importance
What is a Right to Represent Agreement? A Right to Represent Agreement is a mutual understanding between two parties regarding the services to be provided and the agreed upon compensation for said services, usually in relation to a recruiting professional who is attempting to find an employed position for a...