Woodland Park Legal Issues Blog

Football league chooses Chapter 7 bankruptcy

On behalf of Bastarrika, Soto, Gonzalez & Somohano, L.L.P. posted in bankruptcy on Thursday, December 12, 2019.

There are many organizations and businesses in New Jersey that are dedicated to achieving success. However, there are often a variety of different factors at play that could ultimately impact the ability to be successful -- often, these factors may be beyond the control of decision-makers. For example, there seems to be a variety of factors at play in the decision of the Arena Football League's decision to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

The AFL, an indoor football league, reportedly shut down its business operation units and team services approximately one month ago. Court filings indicate that the league holds approximately $22 million in liabilities and $1.28 million in assets. Their largest creditor, to which they owe $3.7 million, is Anacostia Sports.

Checking your holiday travel preparations before hitting the road

On behalf of Bastarrika, Soto, Gonzalez & Somohano, L.L.P. on Friday, November 29, 2019.

Though Thanksgiving has come and gone, the holiday season is far from over. You may have stayed at home and had family come to you for this latest get-together, but it may be your turn to travel when the Christmas holiday rolls around. As a result, you may want to start your holiday travel preparations now.

Traveling for the holidays can bring about mixed emotions. Some people may love it because it can seem like a mini-vacation with loved ones, and others may hate getting stuck in traffic or otherwise spending long hours on the road. No matter what category you fall into, it is important that you do your best to stay safe while on the road.

Methods to make the holidays more peaceful after a divorce

On behalf of Bastarrika, Soto, Gonzalez & Somohano, L.L.P. posted in family law on Wednesday, November 27, 2019.

For most people in New Jersey, the holidays are a time of family and making new memories. However, some parents who have gone through a divorce often struggle about how to continue to make memories with their children. Even once parents have legally resolved their differences, including child custody, further conflicts can be experienced over how children will divide their time over the holidays. Fortunately, there are ways to help reduce conflict and ensure that children are still able to enjoy time with their family even while adjusting to the changes in their lives.

Having two parents who are dedicated to peacefully co-parenting with one another is key to success. Rather than arguing over how children will spend their time, having a conversation over which activities and traditions children enjoy the most can be beneficial. Including children in this conversation can be even more helpful.

Family law: Fate of embryos following divorce determined

On behalf of Bastarrika, Soto, Gonzalez & Somohano, L.L.P. posted in family law on Thursday, November 14, 2019.

Couples in New Jersey who decide to marry often have a variety of different plans for the future. For many, this includes whether they will have children. In the past, couples who were unable to conceive had few options for becoming parents, but advances in medical technology have created more. As a result, however, courts of family law are facing decisions during divorce cases that are receiving a great deal of attention.

Specifically, courts are being tasked to determine the fate of frozen embryos following the end of a marriage. In fact, the Supreme Court in another state has recently ruled on such an issue. In the case, a couple created embryos, signing a contract at the time indicating that the embryos would be destroyed in the event of a divorce.

New Jersey woman charged with manslaughter after fatal crash

On behalf of Bastarrika, Soto, Gonzalez & Somohano, L.L.P. posted in criminal defense on Thursday, October 31, 2019.

Car accidents can happen at any time of the day for a variety of different reasons. The consequences of a collision can vary from no injuries to, unfortunately, fatalities. While the latter outcome is always a tragedy, it does not necessarily mean that criminal actions were the cause. However, a woman in New Jersey has recently been charged with manslaughter as a result of a fatal accident she is believed to have been involved in earlier this year.

The accident that led to the charges against the woman happened on a day in Feb. 2019. Police claim that a 66-year-old female driver was speeding when her vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic. Unfortunately, she was allegedly involved in a head-on collision.

Fatal accident at festival under investigation

On behalf of Bastarrika, Soto, Gonzalez & Somohano, L.L.P. posted in personal injury on Tuesday, October 15, 2019.

Families in New Jersey and across the country have a variety of different ways in which they can spend time together. For many, time spent at a festival with amusement park-style rides is a time to make new memories. Unfortunately, a fatal accident has left one family mourning the unexpected death of their loved one instead.

Reports indicate that the 10-year-old victim was attending a harvest festival in New Jersey. She was reportedly on a ride called "Extreme" during the evening hours of a day in mid-October. The ride, according to reports, was one in which riders are spun in a horizontal circle.

Are you putting off filing for bankruptcy?

On behalf of Bastarrika, Soto, Gonzalez & Somohano, L.L.P. on Friday, October 4, 2019.

Most people hope that they will have the financial security not to worry about how they will pay their rent or mortgage or generally make ends meet each month. Unfortunately, numerous New Jersey residents and people across the country have money problems that leave them feeling as if they will never achieve that sense of security.

You may be among that group, and due to significant debt, you may worry about your financial affairs on a daily basis. You may have considered taking various actions over the years in efforts to get back on track, but so far, nothing has seemed to help in a substantial way. If so, bankruptcy may be able to help.

Who qualifies for a green card?

On behalf of Bastarrika, Soto, Gonzalez & Somohano, L.L.P. posted in immigration on Thursday, October 3, 2019.

For many people around the world, the United States is a beacon of hope. They often strive to achieve the American Dream -- a life that will hopefully be safer and have a better standard of living. However, the process for being able to legally live -- and work -- in New Jersey or elsewhere in the country through the procurement of a green card can be a difficult one.

A green card is a Permanent Resident Card, known for its color. It gives the cardholder the status of a permanent resident and allows the person to both work and live in the country. Those who hold a green card can apply for a temporary work permit and another temporary permit that allows the holder to leave and re-enter the country.

New Jersey man accused of fraud in dating site scheme

On behalf of Bastarrika, Soto, Gonzalez & Somohano, L.L.P. posted in criminal defense on Monday, September 16, 2019.

The internet has changed the way people do a variety of different things -- from conducting business to meeting someone with whom they might enter into a romantic relationship. For example, many people in the United States turn to dating websites. Unfortunately, a man in New Jersey is now accused of fraud after he was accused of posing as a soldier and asking women for money on such sites.

The case involves a 35-year-old man. Prosecutors claim that the man and his conspirators, who allegedly live outside of the country, met women on online dating sites and began romantic relationships. They allegedly created profiles using stolen or fictitious identities, claiming they were military personnel from the United States who were stationed internationally.

New Jersey man charged with murder in co-worker's death

On behalf of Bastarrika, Soto, Gonzalez & Somohano, L.L.P. posted in criminal defense on Monday, September 2, 2019.

When a person's death is unsolved, the community, understandably, has questions and concerns. As such, police in New Jersey and across the country may be especially motivated to find someone to charge with a crime, regardless of the evidence that may support their allegations. Unfortunately, blaming an innocent person of murder will not result in justice.

In fact, there are many questions that still remain following the death of a 26-year-old woman and the subsequent arrest of her 30-year-old co-worker. Co-workers of the woman say that she never returned to work after she went home for lunch. Their concern led them to contact police to check on her.