FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions on Family and Insurance Law

Family and insurance law situations can have the most direct and long lasting impact on a person’s lives, which is why it is so important to ensure everything is handled properly. In order to help alleviate stress and anxiety associated with these types of issues, we have put together a list of some of the most frequently asked questions we hear, and their answers. Read through the following FAQs to learn more about your situation. If you still have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us to set up a consultation with our attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce in Atlanta

Do I need an attorney to get a divorce?

Though it is not legally necessary to utilize the services of a lawyer if you are interested in dissolving your marriage, it is important to remember that you could greatly benefit from the experience and knowledge of a skilled Atlanta divorce attorney at E. Jones & Associates. The Georgia legal system can be very confusing and difficult to navigate if you are at all unfamiliar with family law. You deserve to have the best possible legal help when you are going through a divorce so that you can ensure that your legal rights are protected.

How can an attorney help me?

There are many forms and documents necessary to collect and return within a certain amount of time. When you are working with an attorney, she will be able to help ensure that you meet all deadlines appropriately and she can also make sure that the forms are filled out correctly. In addition, if you have questions about how the process will work or what to expect from your divorce, your attorney will be able to give you a good estimate.

How much alimony will I be required to pay/will I receive?

When you meet with your lawyer at E. Jones & Associates, she will be able to discuss in great detail your circumstances and the situation that you and your family are facing. Every divorce is different, just as every family is different. Though there is no hard and fast method of how you can figure out how much alimony you might pay or receive, your attorney could be able to give you a good estimate in addition to ensuring that you rights are upheld in the process.

What is a contested divorce?

If you and your spouse are unable to reach an accord in the many areas encompassed by your divorce, such as custody, alimony, child support and property division, your divorce is considered to be “contested.” In these cases, it is in your best interests to speak with a lawyer who is knowledgeable and experienced in the area of family law and divorce. At E. Jones & Associates, our family law attorney is very experienced to navigate these issues.

What if I need to modify my divorce agreement?

Modification to custody or support agreements become necessary over the years as circumstances change, remarriages occur or children reach majority. At E. Jones & Associates, we are able to provide you with the legal counsel you need if you need to change your divorce arrangement.

In which areas can E. Jones & Associates offer me legal assistance?

E. Jones & Associates can provide you with experienced legal counsel and representation in the following areas:

Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance in Atlanta

What should I do if my insurance company does not pay the full value of my claim, or denies my claim and refuses to compensate me?

You do not have to accept the valuation assigned to your claim by your insurance company. You have rights under your insurance company to receive all of the benefits for which you have paid insurance premiums. If the insurance company and its insurance claims adjuster have under valued your claim, you should immediately contact a lawyer to review your case. Unlike insurance companies, who maximize profits by charging the highest possible premiums and paying the smallest possible amount for claims, an insurance claims lawyer works only for you, to protect you and your interests. An insurance claims lawyer will review your case, and with a team of professionals determine the full value of your claim and the benefits to which you are entitled under your insurance policy.

What if the insurance company refuses to pay me any money for my claim?

If your property insurance claim has been denied, you may fight the insurance company to obtain the benefits you deserve. An insurance claims lawyer will represent you and your family, and will fight to obtain the coverage you deserve and for which you paid. The law requires that insurance policies be read in favor of the insured, and whenever there is doubt the decision must always be to afford coverage to the property owner. The law also requires the insurance company to pay for your legal fees when you win the case. When your insurance claim is denied, an insurance claims lawyer may be able to help you obtain the coverage you deserve.

Who’s side was your insurance adjuster on?

Insurance adjusters sometimes undervalue or deny claims because their loyalty is to the insurance company, which signs their paycheck, and not to you and your family. There are several types of insurance claims adjusters:

– Staff adjusters – employed by the insurance company

– Independent adjusters – usually hired by the insurance company but can also work for the policy holder

– Public adjusters – employed by the policy holder (claimant)

Do you know which type of insurance adjuster assessed your claim? The insurance company has an army of claims adjusters and lawyers on their side. You should have your own representation too.

Why do you need a lawyer to handle an insurance claim?

Gone are the days when you could fill out the forms for your insurance claim and simply wait for your losses to be reimbursed fairly and quickly. As far as property insurance goes, you pay a premium to protect your property and reasonably expect any claim to be reimbursed in full. You may be disappointed to find out that the insurance companies look to minimize their losses and pay you the lowest figure that they can. This is why you need to hire your own insurance claims lawyer to represent you.

How will my case be addressed?

Insurance companies use insurance adjusters, and sometimes insurance company lawyers, to determine the amount of your claim. The claims adjuster will visit your property and conduct detailed inspections. You would be well advised to have your own adjuster and/or lawyer at this stage of the process to protect your interests. The insurance company will ask questions of you and other parties that have knowledge of what caused the claim and the resulting damage. Photographs will also be taken and reports completed. If you say the wrong thing, give inaccurate figures or out of date information, the insurance company will use this against you to lower the amount of your claim.

What sort of property damage claims can my insurance claims lawyer help with?

An insurance claims lawyer can help with any scenario that causes damage to your property and is covered by your insurance policy. A few examples are:

When should I contact an insurance claims lawyer?

You should hire an insurance claims lawyer for your case as soon as possible. Your lawyer will present your claim in the light most favorable to you, so that the insurance company and their claims adjusters are given the correct and proper information to adjust your claim and to maximize the value of your claim so that you are fully reimbursed for your losses. By saying or doing the wrong thing you could unknowingly jeopardize your claim and lose benefits to which you are entitled and which you paid for under your policy.

Your lawyer will act solely on your behalf, with your best interests in mind, and will do everything possible to maximize your claim. The initial consultation with the lawyer is free. Most of our cases are handled on a contingency basis, which means that we will not collect any fee unless we are able to collect on your insurance claim for you.

Should I use a public adjuster or an insurance claims lawyer?

Both will work in your best interests so which one you use may depend upon the size and value of your expected claim.  If you are unsure, contact both, have a discussion with them and take their advice.  The upside of using an insurance claims lawyer is that he or she can take your case right through to final valuation and legal proceedings if necessary.  She will also understand the intricacies of your insurance policy wording and will be able to interpret it in your favor as much as possible. So as you can see, there are many reasons why it is worth employing your own insurance claims legal representation.

When it comes to property damage of any type, just because you have insurance in place, it does not mean that your insurance company will always act in your best interests.  This may seem very unfair particularly if you have been paying premiums for many years and possibly have never made a claim before. However insurance companies, like all businesses, are out to maximize their profits and reduce their losses and they do this by denying and minimizing claims.

If you are dedicated to your cause and seriously want to obtain the most money possible, using the services of an insurance claims lawyer makes a lot of sense.

Do your research carefully, and take advice from professionals that have your best interest in mind before you start talking to your insurance company in too much detail.  The best advice is to merely advise them of your claim and then let your lawyer take over.