Communication with Authority

Communication with Authority

 Is there a difference between what you should do if you are questioned or arrested by the police and what your parents taught you?

 

The short answer is – maybe.  It is a common occurrence to have someone questioned or arrested and simply spill their guts to the officer.  The theory is that I was taught to be honest and tell the truth – so I did.  There really is noting wrong with this approach so long as you don’t care if you will have a criminal record for the rest of your life, maybe go to jail or prison, spend many days in court, spend a bunch of money on fines, court costs, and legal fees, and maybe ruin your chances of getting a good job or even working in the profession you have always dreamed about.

 

We live in America, and we all have certain rights and responsibilities.  The U.S. Constitution and the Washington State Constitution, give each of us certain rights when we are confronted with a police interrogation or arrest.  It is your right to exercise those constitutional rights, and if you choose to ignore them, you need to accept the consequences.

 

There is no good reason not to be polite to a police officer, and if he or she asks your name or wants to see your identification – be a responsible citizen and cooperate.  If, however, the encounter goes any further, you need to keep in mind that despite what the officer or anyone else tells you, everything you say will be used against you.  You have a right to remain silent – use it!  You have the right to talk to an attorney – use it!

 

It is my opinion that you are not violating the principals and morals imparted to you by your parents if you elect to exercise your constitutional rights.  Our founding fathers fought hard for these rights – use them!

Graduation is right around the corner

Your Child’s Future

 

Graduation is right around the corner.  There is always so much to do that it can be hard to think about the future.  If your child is graduating from high school this spring, you really do need to take a couple of minutes and consider you and your child’s financial future. 

Most urgent is to resolve any post-secondary education issues.  Who will pay how much for the child’s college or trade school?  In almost all cases, you have a very clear deadline for when you have to exercise your right to resolve this issue.  Usually, the deadline is the child turning 18 or graduating from high school, which ever occurs last.  If your child is now 18 and will graduate this June, your are almost out of time to take steps to preserve your right to ask a court to order the other parent to contribute to the child’s post-secondary support.  The day after graduation is too late! 

Going hand in hand with the deadline for post-secondary support is the reality that a court will take some time, usually at least four months, to make a decision.  If your child plans on starting school in September, filing for post-secondary support needs to happen very soon. 

 

Finally, I have seen many cases where promises were made regarding post-secondary support, and then those promises were broken.  To make any commitment for post-secondary support binding, it needs to be in an order signed by the court. 

 

A further concern is if there are other younger children.  The Order of Child Support will no longer apply to the oldest child, and the total amount of child support will decrease.  Unfortunately, the new lower payment amount is usually not accurate.  The way child support is calculated in this state, the amount per child is less the more children you have.  A modification of child support at this time will ensure that the correct transfer payment is ordered, and this can be done at the same time post-secondary support is sought.

If you have a graduation coming up – Congratulations!  Enjoy this time in your child’s life.  With all the celebrating, don’t forget the immediate future.  Failure to take action now can have a very negative financial effect on both you and your child.