Cogdill Nichols Rein Wartelle AndrewsFindLaw IM Template2026-07-19T21:01:26Zhttps://www.cnrlaw.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1101634/2019/06/cropped-cnrwa-favicon-min-32x32.pngOn Behalf of Cogdill Nichols Rein Wartelle Andrews<![CDATA[Can you appeal a court martial conviction?]]>https://www.cnrlaw.com/?p=525992026-07-19T21:01:26Z2026-07-19T21:01:26Zmilitary appeals are reviewed within a separate system of military appellate courts. These include your branch's intermediate Court of Criminal Appeals, the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and in rare cases, the United States Supreme Court.
These courts examine the legal procedures and facts of the case to determine whether legal errors occurred and whether the findings and sentence were supported by the evidence.
What issues can be raised?
An appeal is not just an opportunity to argue that the outcome was unfair. Instead, appellate courts focus on whether mistakes affected the integrity of the proceedings. Potential grounds for appeal may include:
Improper admission or exclusion of evidence
Errors in the military judge’s rulings
Violations of constitutional rights
Prosecutorial misconduct
Insufficient evidence to support the conviction
Errors in sentencing
Even a seemingly minor procedural issue can become significant if it affected the fairness of the trial or contributed to the outcome.
Timing matters
The earlier potential issues are identified, the better. A prompt review of your case can help uncover mistakes that may have affected the outcome and determine whether grounds for an appeal exist. It’s also worth noting that appeals are subject to specific rules and timelines. Missing deadlines or failing to preserve important issues can limit your options later.
If you are considering an appeal, seeking informed legal guidance can help you better understand the available paths forward and evaluate whether errors in the proceedings may warrant further review.
]]>On Behalf of Cogdill Nichols Rein Wartelle Andrews<![CDATA[Your estate plan needs more than just a will]]>https://www.cnrlaw.com/?p=525962026-07-09T01:15:42Z2026-07-09T01:15:42Zestate planning, there are other documents that you should include in your plan as well.
Your will outlines how your personal property should be distributed after you pass away. It can also name someone to serve as your estate executor. Besides those basic tasks, your estate plan should also do a few other things.
What else might you need in your estate plan?
You’ll have to consider your circumstances and wishes when you’re trying to decide what else you need to have in your estate plan. These items may be beneficial:
Trusts: These are legal tools that provide a place to hold your assets and outline the terms of distribution to your chose beneficiaries.
Guardianship documents: This names a guardian for your minor children if you and their other parent become incapacitated or die.
Advanced directives: This document provides specific instructions for your medical care team if you become incapacitated.
Medical power of attorney: This names someone to become your agent who will make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re incapacitated.
Financial power of attorney: This appoints someone to take care of your finances, including paying bills and managing assets, if you’re incapacitated.
Each of these items should reflect your wishes in a legally enforceable manner. It may be beneficial for you to work with a legal professional who can help you to set everything up in a way that gives your loved ones clear instructions and can be upheld by the court if there are ever any disputes.]]>On Behalf of Cogdill Nichols Rein Wartelle Andrews<![CDATA[Why financial infidelity can lead to divorce]]>https://www.cnrlaw.com/?p=525942026-06-19T19:17:22Z2026-06-19T19:17:22ZWhen couples are dishonest or even directly lie to each other about money, it is often referred to as financial infidelity. They may be concealing financial information, lying about transactions and much more.For instance, one spouse may tell the other that they have not gotten a raise for years, when the reality is that they have received numerous raises, but they have been putting the money aside in an undisclosed personal bank account. Or someone may use shared funds to make a major purchase, but they lie about how much they spent or where they got the money. Things like this are more common when one spouse handles the bulk of the financial transactions and the other takes a more hands-off role.
2 reasons for divorce
In some cases, financial infidelity can lead to divorce simply because it causes a lot of stress. If one partner is recklessly spending marital funds that the other thought were being saved or set aside, they may suddenly find themselves facing unexpected debt. Maybe their partner was fueling a gambling addiction, for example, and now the couple does not have enough money to pay the mortgage.But even when people can still make ends meet, dishonesty over financial transactions can undermine the trust that the couple has in one another. They may start to question other things they have been told by their partner, or they may never be able to trust each other again when it comes to their financial resources. This causes a rift to form between the partners that can cause their relationship to deteriorate over time.When couples do get divorced, financial infidelity can make the property division process very complicated, so it is important for them to understand what legal options they have.
]]>On Behalf of Cogdill Nichols Rein Wartelle Andrews<![CDATA[3 tips to make custody exchanges less contentious]]>https://www.cnrlaw.com/?p=525922026-06-04T10:23:40Z2026-06-04T10:23:40Zbecomes for the children. Adopting certain practices and reduce the likelihood of contentious disputes during custody exchanges. The three tips below can help keep custody handoffs as calm and peaceful as possible.
1. Let the children do the walking
Parents who feel the need to make a face-to-face exchange create opportunities for conflict. If children are old enough to get out of a vehicle and walk to another car or to a front door, parents can completely avoid face-to-face interactions. Letting children manage the actual transition can prevent unnecessary disputes.
2. Keep communication child-focused
When children are younger or when issues arise during parenting time, interactions may be necessary. In such cases, keeping the conversation focused solely on what is relevant to the children is of the utmost importance. Parents who start talking about personal matters during custody exchanges are more likely to end up embroiled in conflict with one another over their interpersonal issues.
3. Choose a neutral location
Whenever possible, selecting a custody exchange location that is convenient for everyone can reduce stress and conflict levels. People sometimes pick a park between the parents' homes. Other times, they may pick a church or even a police station parking lot to ensure there are other people nearby to incentivize better behavior.
Making reasonable efforts to limit conflicts in a shared child custody arrangement is beneficial for everyone in a family. Parents who limit conflict with one another can co-parent more effectively and protect their children from the stress of familial disputes.]]>On Behalf of Cogdill Nichols Rein Wartelle Andrews<![CDATA[People too often put off their estate planning]]>https://www.cnrlaw.com/?p=525892026-05-26T02:51:53Z2026-05-26T02:51:53Zputting off estate planning until a later date.
Why is this a risk?
Procrastinating when it comes to estate planning is common because people think it is something they only need to do nearer to the end of their lives. They also assume that they will live into their 70s or beyond.
However, the risk is that someone could pass away unexpectedly at any time. A person could have a heart attack in their 50s or die in a car accident in their 30s. These are simply realities of the unpredictability of life.
By constantly putting estate planning off, people could pass away and leave their family without much clarity or guidance regarding distributing assets among beneficiaries, guardianship of minor children and pets and many other important issues.
Setting up an estate plan
Rather than procrastinating, as so many people do, it is wise to get an estate plan in place early. Take the time to look into the legal steps necessary to create a plan that meets your and your family’s needs and give your family peace of mind.]]>On Behalf of Cogdill Nichols Rein Wartelle Andrews<![CDATA[Is it fair to leave the family business to only one child?]]>https://www.cnrlaw.com/?p=525872026-05-19T14:03:47Z2026-05-19T14:03:47ZWhy equal ownership may create problems
A family business is not like dividing money in a bank account. A business requires leadership, financial oversight and consistent decision-making.
Equal ownership can create challenges if your children do not share the same goals or level of involvement. Some of the problems families may face include:
Creating disputes over management decisions
Delaying major business actions because of deadlock
Triggering pressure to sell the company
Increasing conflict between siblings
Undermining the company’s long-term stability
You may want to treat everyone equally, but equal ownership does not always work well when only one child is prepared to lead the business.
When leaving the business to one child may make sense
In some families, one child may already play a central role in the business. That child may manage employees, oversee operations or help guide the company’s growth over many years.
You may decide that leaving the business to that child gives the company a better chance of continuing without disruption. It can also reduce ownership disputes between siblings who do not want to participate in running the business.
How you may balance fairness
Leaving the business to one child does not automatically mean the other children receive less overall. Estate planning can use other tools to create a more balanced distribution across your estate. Some planning options may include:
Distributing other assets to children who do not inherit the business
Using life insurance to balance inheritances
Creating buyout arrangements for ownership interests
Defining future responsibilities through a succession plan
Discussing expectations before conflicts arise
These decisions will depend on your family’s assets, the value of the business and each child’s role in the company.
Fair does not always mean equal
Estate planning for a family business involves more than simple math. You may need to consider what will protect the company, reduce family conflict and support your long-term goals.
Leaving the business to only one child is not automatically unfair, but it can raise emotional and legal concerns if you do not plan carefully. A thoughtful estate plan can help you protect your legacy while reducing the risk of future disputes within your family.
]]>On Behalf of Cogdill Nichols Rein Wartelle Andrews<![CDATA[What is a default divorce judgment?]]>https://www.cnrlaw.com/?p=525852026-05-11T19:14:23Z2026-05-11T19:14:23ZA default divorce judgment is a ruling in which the court approves the divorce, even though only one spouse is involved in that legal process. The other party is in default and has not participated as intended.For example, perhaps you served the divorce papers to your spouse, but they never signed those papers and never responded to the divorce petition. They did not communicate with you or the court. They did not attend the initial court hearings or make any financial disclosures.In a case like that, it does not mean that your divorce is impossible. You can still end the marriage, but the court may need to make a default divorce ruling in order to do so.
Why would this happen?
There are many reasons why someone may not respond to a divorce petition. Perhaps your spouse never intended to respond and let you know from the very beginning. They did not want to get divorced, so they intentionally refused to participate.But there are also situations in which people want to get divorced but have no ability to contact their spouse. Say that you married someone from overseas, but they abandoned the marriage years ago. They moved back to their home country, and you have no way to contact them or even serve the divorce papers. They cannot practically respond to the divorce petition or be involved in the process, but you can still end the legal marriage so that you can move forward with your life.Although most divorce cases will not need to use a default ruling, it is important to know that it is a legal option you have as you take steps to end your marriage.
]]>On Behalf of Cogdill Nichols Rein Wartelle Andrews<![CDATA[Does Washington ever dismiss pending DUI charges?]]>https://www.cnrlaw.com/?p=525662026-04-22T18:51:25Z2026-04-22T18:51:25ZDismissing charges is sometimes necessary
In some cases, a defense attorney assisting an individual can gather compelling evidence to show that there is a clear explanation for a failed chemical test or other evidence that led to a DUI arrest. In such cases, the prosecutor may agree to dismiss the pending charges after reviewing the new evidence provided by a defense attorney.
In other cases, a review of the state's evidence could reveal issues with chemical test device maintenance or issues with evidence handling that undermine the usefulness of critical chemical test results. It is even possible for a defense attorney to convince the courts that a traffic stop was illegal and to suppress or exclude the evidence gathered during that traffic stop.
The successful exclusion of chemical test results and other evidence gathered during an illegal traffic stop could result in the dismissal of pending DUI charges. Defense attorneys can also help their clients negotiate plea bargains or mount defense strategies that result in acquittals.
Reviewing the evidence supporting pending DUI charges with a skilled legal team can help DUI defendants evaluate their options. An attorney's guidance is critical in cases where people hope to secure the dismissal of their pending charges.]]>On Behalf of Cogdill Nichols Rein Wartelle Andrews<![CDATA[Is choosing a close family member as executor wise?]]>https://www.cnrlaw.com/?p=525642026-04-12T02:43:31Z2026-04-12T02:43:31ZEach situation is unique
To make the right choice of executor, you need to consider your unique circumstances, as there is no one-size-fits-all best choice. The advantage for most people of choosing a close family member is that they are sure they can trust them. In some cases, however, that trust does not exist.
Reasons not to choose a close family member include the following:
Not wanting to burden them with such matters when they will be grieving
The potential for self-serving (or accusations of it) if they are also a beneficiary
They may live far away or have a number of family or work obligations.
They may lack the requisite skills or stability to handle the role well.
Not everyone has any close relatives, either. Some people outlive their relatives and have no children of their own.
Sometimes it is better to turn to someone outside the family, such as a long-trusted friend or business partner. In all cases, family member or not, you should remind the person you pick that it is wise to seek legal guidance when it’s time to carry out the job. You could even select and provide funds for this in your estate plan.]]>On Behalf of Cogdill Nichols Rein Wartelle Andrews<![CDATA[How to communicate with your spouse during divorce]]>https://www.cnrlaw.com/?p=525622026-03-26T14:33:56Z2026-03-26T14:33:56ZSpouses are not legally required to communicate during a divorce, as conversations can be handled through attorneys and mediators. However, communicating with each other can make the process more manageable. If you are going through a divorce, and it’s possible to hold conversations with your spouse, consider doing so.
Below are a few tips to help you:
Choose a communication method
You and your spouse should agree on the mode of communication to use, such as in-person meetings, phone calls, texts, email or co-parenting apps. For instance, you can use emails for document exchanges and phone calls for emergencies. Note that written communication is vital for keeping a clear record.
Use the BIFF method
The BIFF method (brief, informative, friendly and firm) is a communication technique that works well among divorcing couples. Your conversations should be short, communicate facts or relevant details, have a polite and calm tone and set clear boundaries. Use this technique in all modes of communication, be it during a face-to-face discussion, on a phone call or when sending an email or text.You can employ the BIFF method when discussing finances, co-parenting matters, schedule changes and so forth.For example, if you notice a discrepancy in your spouse’s list of assets and liabilities, instead of asking, “Are you hiding money from me?” you can send an email saying, “Hello, I’m reviewing the financial disclosures, and I noticed that asset (name) was not listed. Please provide the documentation so it can be included by (date). Thank you.”
Take time before responding
Unless it’s an urgent matter, you don’t need to respond to messages immediately. Taking time allows you to provide thoughtful responses, especially when a message is hostile.Spouses communicating during divorce can facilitate a smooth process. Obtain more information about other ways you can prevent conflicts with your soon-to-be ex-spouse. ]]>