Blog

My legal tip of the day is that if you're going to Court, leave the illegal drugs at home...

As many of you know, I now do a lot of Chapter 7 bankruptcy work. It is good for cash flow and I truly enjoy helping people out of their jams. But this week, it got to me. I saw so many good people who were losing their homes or who were in some awful financial straights it started to depress ev...

The Secret Career Killer Facing Real Estate Investors By John Nuzzolese So, you want to be a real estate investor? You are probably thinking the way I did when I started as a real estate investor. I thought the most important objective was to buy as many properties as possible. Well, I was onl...

You can find great local West Hartford, Connecticut real estate information on Localism.com Jim Aspell is a proud member of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network, a free online community to help real estate professionals grow their business. Posted by Law ...

As we head into the Spring Real Estate market (yep it is almost March) it is important to keep some important tips in mind when listing your home for sale. This post by a Minnesota real estate agent offers tips that work well for those of us on this coast as well.

The State of Connecticut Judicial Branch is offering up a survey for those of us of the common ruck to participate in. I have taken the survey and would urge you, dear reader, to do likewise. For all of my gripes about Connecticut, I do feel that the Judicial Department does its best to do right...

As a member of NOSSCR, I have rerpresented individuals in their quest for Social Security DisabilityBenefits since 1986. Anyone who has an even passing familiarity with this system knows that the backlog and roadblocks thrown up to thwart those seekinging SSD and SSI benefits are daunting. At la...

Reprinted from Jill Micaux's blog: Her advice is right on and is in keeping with what I have seen asked here in Connecticut. What Will They Ask Me at My Bankruptcy Hearing? By Jill Michaux, Kansas Bankruptcy Attorney on Feb 3, 2008 in Kansas, Bankruptcy Practice and Procedure, General Bankrup...

Findlaw is reporting today that in 2007, foreclosure filings rose by 75% over previous years. This is a grim statistic that I have not seen since the late 80's. If you find yourself in such a situation there are a few options available to you and I would be happy to sit down with you and go ov...

Lawyer Joke! A man dies and goes directly to Hell. While he is milling around, he spots another man who he recognizes as a lawyer, and the lawyer is snuggling up to a beautiful woman. "That's totally unfair!" he protests to the Devil. "I have to burin in Hell for all eternity, and th...

About the only thing that would have struck fear in my heart going into the 08-09 baseball season would have been the prospect of left handed ace Johan Santana in pinstripes. Thankfully, that does not appear to be coming to fruition as it appears he has inked a deal with the Mets. As an add...

This is truly a sad story on so many levels. The fact that the defendant is an attorney only makes the taste in my mouth that much worse.

As the Winter drones on, our colleagues at Findlaw are reporting that new home sales continue to drag. This news, together with all the other water cooler gossip going on would lead you to believe this may be the end of the world as we know it. Fear Not! Sure, things have slowed down, but b...

I was rocked to my core as much as anyone by the unfathomable tragedy that befell the Petit family in 2007 and as a matter of political necsessity, I understand the need to "do something" that all pols feel is required in this stituation. I just dont really buy that these measure would have ma...

The Connecticut Worker;s Compensation Commission is tonight reporting that Governor Rell has appointed Jodi M. Gregg, a Fairfield County attorney in private practice to be the latest worker's compensation commissioner. The author welcomes Commissioner Gregg to her new role and wishes her all t...

Back in the Spring of 2007 I settled a sizable worker's comp case for a client that had followed me from my old firm. I sent him my usual thank you note at the conclusion of his case and heard nothing further from him until last month when he called me out of the blue and told me that he wanted t...

This week's Connecticut Law Tribune is reporting that lawyers are coming under increasing scrutiny for answering questions on line in such venues as blogs, Linked In, Myspace and other social networking sites. The harm, it seems, is that in the even a member of the public reads something the l...

My friend in the solo trenches, Susan Cartier Liebel, has an article in her blog today that is worth a read. The Connecticut Statewide Greivance panel, that entity which oversees those of us lawyering on your behlaf, implemented strict regulations on lawyer advertising back in July 2007. The imp...

Connecticut State employees that are placed in harm's way on an almost daily basis have always been given special status under Connecticut Worker's Compensation Law. One such group is Corrections Officers who are often exposed to the danger of physical harm on a daily basis. In a right thing to ...

I love dogs, I really do. I have a 125 pound Newfoundland and an 11 pound miniature dachshund to prove it. But when it comes to dog bites, I tend to agree with the rule in Connecticut that it's one bite and you're out. Connecticut has what is called strict liability when it comes to dog bite...

We stop and take some time to be with those who are nearest and dearest to us. From all of us at the Law Offices of James F. Aspell, P.C., we wish you a safe and merry Christmas. You my clients and friends are the best present anyone could ever wish for. Thank you for being in my life.

Recently, a $700,000 settlement was disclosed concerning an alleged kick back scheme between a prominent Farmington law firm, a realtor and a mortgage company. As a consumer, the take away message for you, is that your closing is a commodity like so many other things, and it behooves you to p...

On those days when your ceremonial office happens to go up in smoke, even the slightest appearance of foul play may be grounds for a criminal investigation. When in doubt, remain silent and by all means call me. Well...Dick???...I'm waiting?....

I represent a fair number of landlords in Hartford County and a recurring problem I hear is that the tenants fail to maintain the apartment in a clean and habitable condition. The high degree of squalor that my clients recount to me frequently comes to light only on the post move out inspection...

I find myself more than skeptical of the Rocket's recent protests that he has been ridden roughshod over by the Mitchell Report. When the Sox released Roger, he had worn out his welcome in Boston, winning only 11 games in his last season at the Fens, and thought by most to be in the twilight o...