Category Archives: Law

How to tell if a lawyer is experienced

As I mentioned in the 10 Rules on Finding a Good Lawyer, I think that experience is overrated. Nonetheless, it seems an important criterion for some clients. So, here is a simple test to determine a lawyer’s experience: you have to approach … Continue reading

Posted in Law, Life | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Lynching in Bolivia

In many places in Bolivia, I saw life-size dolls dangling from lamp posts, power poles, walls and even next to the church. I was unable to figure out what they were supposed to represent. When I asked about it, I always … Continue reading

Posted in Bolivia, Law, Photography, Travel | Tagged | 11 Comments

AllExperts is dead

Quite a number of readers have come to this blog through AllExperts, where I have been answering questions on German law for a decade. With more than a thousand thoroughly answered questions, my profile there was a great source of … Continue reading

Posted in Family Law, German Law, Germany, Immigration Law, Law, Technology, Travel | Tagged , | 43 Comments

Random Thoughts (11)

Mohammad Mostafaei, the lawyer with whom I was arrested in Iran, has written a book. He says I am in it too, but I can’t read Norwegian, so I have to wait for a translation. Does anyone still remember José Echegaray … Continue reading

Posted in Books, France, History, Human Rights, Iran, Language, Law, Mexico, Military, Politics, Sports, Travel, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

10 FAQ on Getting Married in Germany – updated 2023

As part of my very popular series of legal FAQ, I now address a subject which I am personally completely opposed to: How to get married in Germany? My personal advice would be not to do it. Don’t throw away freedom like that! … Continue reading

Posted in Family Law, German Law, Germany, Immigration Law, Law | Tagged , | 228 Comments

If you insist on free advice, you will get it

You might think I am stupid because I give heaps of legal advice for free in my FAQ. I could earn millions by charging for this service. But I am a nice guy, and it makes my heart warm and fuzzy when I can … Continue reading

Posted in Family Law, German Law, Law | Tagged , | 16 Comments

Germanize Yourself

Thanks to my FAQ on German citizenship law and my professional help, hundreds of additional people each year are able to obtain German citizenship and/or move to Germany. – But once there, the real problems begin. If you want to blend right … Continue reading

Posted in Germany, Immigration Law | Tagged | 5 Comments

Random Thoughts (9)

In Bolivia, I spoke with a lawyer about feminicidios, the killing of women by their partners, which carries a higher sentence than a “regular” homicide. Out of curiosity, I looked up the figure for Germany – and was shocked: 331 … Continue reading

Posted in Bolivia, Economics, Germany, History, Human Rights, Immigration Law, Law, Mexico, Military, Music, Poland, Politics, Romania, Russia, Travel, Ukraine, USA, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Neil Gorsuch may have over-prepared

If anyone would ever ask me to become a Justice on the Supreme Court, I would re-read the Constitution until I had it memorized and then I would try to read as many previous decisions by the court as I … Continue reading

Posted in Law, Politics, USA | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Crime Prevention in Bolivia

On my hike to Chacaltaya, I came across a remote and deserted village in the mountains. The doors of the partially decaying houses are open, but none of them contains anything of use for me. One door is adorned with … Continue reading

Posted in Bolivia, Law, Photography | Tagged , , | 4 Comments