New Orleans Law Blog

With divorce on the rise for people over 50, older couples in Louisiana might be more likely to split up than their parents or grandparents were. However, a survey by UBS Global Wealth Management found that many couples still fall into traditional patterns of money management. The study surveyed 1,500 couples and 600 women who had been widowed or divorced in the last five years. It found that 56 percent of women left major financial decision and investments in their husband's hands. More millennial women, at 61 percent, reported this arrangement than baby boomer women at 54 percent.

However, nearly all the divorced and widowed women said that in retrospect, they should have been equal participants in financial decision-making. Over half said they were surprised by something financial after their marriages ended. Negative surprises included learning about hidden debts or spending. Women in second marriages were much more likely, at 80 percent, to become involved in marital finances.

If a Louisiana police officer asks you to step out of your vehicle, chances are he or she suspects you of drunk driving. The moment you pulled over, the officer detained you and you are no longer free to leave the scene unless the officer grants permission. Once you step out of your car, you may have a lot at stake, including perhaps, your freedom. Police often use three tests to determine probable cause to make DWI arrests. These are known as field sobriety tests.  

You're not legally obligated to take an FST; however, if you refuse, you can expect legal complications down the line should you wind up facing DWI charges in court. It's best to be as prepared as possible regarding what to expect if a patrol officer asks you to walk a line, stand on one leg or follow a pen light with your eyes. If you fail one of these tests, you may land in jail, in which case knowing where to seek support can help protect your rights. 

The phone you carry with you every day to your New Orleans job is far more powerful than the computers and software that initially made Steve Jobs and Bill Gates famous and rich. Technological advances continue to come at a rapid pace, transforming our jobs, homes, family lives and more.

That advancement makes it reasonable to wonder if tech might one day soon wipe out the problem of drunk driving. Clearly, it's a problem worth addressing, with people harmed and killed in accidents every day and more than a million Americans arrested for drunk driving every year.

New Orleans is known for a few things, such as their warm weather, close proximity to the gulf, Bourbon Street and Mardis Gras. All of these reasons cause locals and tourists to visit the city, most of them partaking in celebrations or consuming alcohol. While this is a perfectly legal action, it is not legal to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming alcohol that puts the driver over the legal limit or is not capable of driving safely. Such a situation could result in a DUI charge, causing a motorist to face serious penalties.

While it can be an overwhelming situation, it is important to take timely action following a DUI charge. In the State of Louisiana, if a defense action is not filed within a certain timeframe, he or she could face a driver's license suspension. Therefore, the legal team at Craig E. Gibbs, Attorney at Law is available to help individuals charged with a DUI understand their defense options.