Puddles Reinvigorated

It was heartbreaking going though weeks of limping, pain and leg dragging. On the recommendation of our vet my walks were cut short, I was not allowed to walk, jump or otherwise have fun. How is a charming dog like me to beg if you can't sit up. It was embarrising to be carried to a spot to mark and do my business. I could not run or walk. I even had to change the way I pooped. This was drastic. I was tripping and falling like an old dog.

Now, after two months of restricted movement I am better, fatter and feeling great. I am back to feeling like a good house dog. The paralysis is gone! The difference is clear. The left leg moves better and there is no obvious signs of the former pain.

Last week at the mall I worked my usual charma on a mall store employee. Humans are weak and suseptable to the Pudman's charms. After lavishing attention on the Pudman, she asked if she could give me a little bear. As you can see the Pudman imediately took to his new friend.

This week Puddles had three canine guests (and their masters) at the Law Office. Three Poodles from a local CPA office came by for a refinance of their dog house. Puddles enjoyed meeting and greeting his new friends.

North Carolina Real Estate Closings

Buying real estate in North Carolina is nothing like other purchases that you may make. More importantly buying real estate in North Carolina is unlike buying real estate in Illinois, New York and other states.

Most other states use title insurance agencies for closing. The closing itself is performed by the title insurance agency. In many states you come to closing and find a title company attorney, an attorney for the lender and an attorney for the seller. The North Carolina closing process typically only includes one attorney and that attorney represents you and the lender. In rare cases -if you allow it - the attorney represents you, the lender and the seller.* (Ask yourself do you really want the attorney for the seller representing you when it comes time to a dispute?)

If you are about to make one of the costliest purchases of your life; when do you hire the attorney? Most people don't bring the purchase contract to their attorney until after it is signed and at that point there is little that the attorney can do. Think about it, the attorney can give you more insight into the contract and the closing then any other party to the closing process. Before you sign the contract there are four things that you should do (1)walk the property; (2) view the property on the recorded plat; (3) check the covenants that apply to your property and (4)have the attorney review the contract and ask him or her any questions that you may have!

Once the contract has been reviewed, approved and signed consider what inspections and services you will need. You lender will obtain the appraiser but you should consider a survey, a home inspection and a radon inspection. A survey can uncover problems that may be very costly at a later time it can also give you guidance for landscaping, fences or walkways. At an average cost of $350 many find that the long term advantages of the survey outweighs the cost. Your closing attorney will order the survey for you.

Typically, the buyer and the agent will coordinate the pre-closing process (ordering inspections, arranging the walk through and reinspecting repairs). The closing attorney will send to the agent a summary of all costs associated with the closing. The costs of the closing appear in document called a settlement statement (HUD1). The agent will typically review the HUD1 with you shortly before the closing.

It is important that all repairs and inspections be completed prior to the closing. At closing you are normally accepting the delivery of the property. If there are things that have not yet been completed wither delay the closing or have a writing created setting out what is to be completed.

Your NC closing will most commonly occur in the lawyer's office. Demand that the lawyer be in the room to answer your questions and explain the documents. Don't accept answers from the paralegal talk with the lawyer.

At our office Puddles and I will be with you for the closing ceremony. Another entry will discuss the closing ceremony. Have fun!

Puddles Paralysis

Puddles has not been out among his fans lately. The doctors tell us not to allow Puddles to walk. Seeing Puddles walk is sad and upsetting. As a result of the bulging disc in his neck Puddles has a paralyzed rear left leg.

When Puddles is allowed to walk he frequently falls, limps and drags his leg. It is heartbreaking seeing this little dog struggle to walk or even urinate. The Pudman still loves attention from friends, family and even strangers so we will continue to carry him out to the community and bring him to the Firm.

We do not yet know if Puddles is a candidate for surgery. To those out there that know or have met Puddles we know that you will hope and pray that he comes through this in a manner that will allow him to continue to bring joy and smiles to others.

Puddles is Hurting

Puddles has brought smiles and laughs to so many children and adults that it seems important that I tell his fans of his current condition. Puddles has been so excited renew ties with the humans closest to him that he has once again strained his back. When the Pudman sees one of his dear friends he gets so excited that he runs back and forth and wiggles his body like a flag in a heavy wind.

So Puddles cried last night until we tricked him into swallowing his pain medication. Now puddles lies motionless on his mothers pillow, his breath is labored and he tears in his eyes.

Mistakes People Make in Traffic Court

Around town I am Puddles' Dad but in court I am Dan Coleman. I have practiced law in NC since 1988. If you stop by the firm Puddles will introduce himself. Puddles is an 8 year old chiweenie that is intent on meeting and greeting as many people as he can. Up and down the east coast more people know me as Puddles' Dad then know that I am an attorney.

In eighteen years of practicing law I have watched as people go before a judge and shoot themselves in the foot. People go into traffic court with legal concepts that they appear to have learned while drinking jello shots. Lessons to learn before you go into a NC traffic Court:

1. Do not ask the Judge for a prayer for judgment continued (PJC) unless you have a record that requires a PJC. If you have a clean driving record and you are charged with a minor speeding violation ask the DA to reduce the charges to 9 miles an hour over the limit Under NC law if you have a clean record and one charge of speeding less than 10 miles an hour over the speed limit then a conviction will not result in insurance point. You can only effectively use one PJC per household per 3 years - save the PJC for a stop light violation, a second speeding violation or other charges. Do not waste your PJC.

2. Despite what street lawyers claim, if the police officer that stops you fails to show you his radar gun it does not matter. Many people think that if the officer refuses to share the radar gun or is not wearing a hat then the "offender" can get out of the ticket. Give it a rest folks--these things affect nothing!

3. Remember Judges are public figures and as a general matter they are not there to make an example of you. If you are young and live at home with your parents don't hesitate to bring your mother or father to show that they are being supportive. Tell the judge about your good grades and your college plans. Many judges will want to work with you and your attorney to preserve your future plans if they understand that you have a future worth saving.

4. Dress like you respect the Court. You would be surprised at how it can make a difference.