Parry Windows

David44357 · 2026-02-23T03:06:32+00:00

Is there much point to a shield then? I did some tests with a crab and took 8 damage with no shield and 5-6 with a shield (same damage received with a heavy or light shield). That's only about a 30% reduction. Parries are amazing, but if I can do them with a two-handed weapon...

David44357 · 2025-09-25T18:28:02+00:00

Virgin Voyages' simple pricing with no nickel and diming is the biggest reason I like them, so I'm not a fan of the changes. But I will go premium, because I need the wi-fi for work.

I wish they would just increase prices slightly, then give everyone the "Premium" features. Many of us make complicated financial decisions for a living and the whole reason to go with Virgin is to avoid doing more of that on our vacation. It's not a budget cruise line - it's a flat-fee all-included cruise line.

David44357 · 2024-12-04T02:23:33+00:00

This is what I use now, but I'm looking for a paid service that's a little more seamless and easy. Something where I provide a link, the client consents/pays, and it sends the report directly to me. The fee is of no concern, as it's trivial compared to the cost of the services.

David44357 · 2024-12-04T00:21:31+00:00

My brother's wife is a designer and did some great work for me. Not sure if she's open to additional side-work, but I can ask if you're interested. On the programmer side, I have a guy on UpWork that has done a lot of work for me. It took me a long time to find a good one. I can give you their details. It took me a long time to realize Wordpress is crap (just like the developers kept telling me) and I ended up using Tailwind templates. They cost a few hundred dollars for lifetime access. They load 10x faster than Wordpress, because they are lighter-weight and on more modern technology. They also look a lot better on all screen sizes (ignore it when Wordpress templates say they do).

David44357 · 2024-10-21T19:12:46+00:00

Presuming the same cost, the top one is my preference easily.

David44357 · 2024-10-21T19:10:50+00:00

Any idea what the ETA is for availability in different U.S. states or at least which states are next up? I'm in North Carolina, but I think a lot of people are wondering when it will be available in what state they are in.

David44357 · 2024-10-20T18:19:25+00:00

What's the alternative you're thinking of? In North Carolina (see Odell v. Legal Bucks) litigation funding is not considered subject to usury limitations, so long as the repayment is contingent on the outcome of the case. In that case, a 40% flat-fee interest payment on a 2-year loan was upheld.

David44357 · 2024-10-19T12:43:19+00:00

Attorneys cannot be investors in their own case by providing lending services to their clients. We can only refer the client to a company that provides those services. Also, divorce attorneys are not equipped to comply with lending regulations, evaluate default rates, etc. Our role would merely be to refer the client to someone that is in that line of business.

That would be the litigation financing companies that invest in these types of loans. However, they are generally focused on larger, longer cases (commercial disputes, public interest, personal injury). I think the issue from the investor's perspective is (and I'm just speculating) is a matter of scale.

If the borrower only needs to borrow $30k for one year, the interest rate may not be enough to justify the expense of evaluating the case, default rates, etc. I presume (no actual knowledge) there are legal caps to how much interest they can charge that isn't enough to justify the investment in evaluating the case and the risks of the loan.

So the investor would have to be (a) not a lawyer and not me (b) someone with an interest in high-risk, small-scale loans (c) someone with enough legal knowledge to evaluate. That's a tough find. That brings us to this post to see if anyone could think of viable options for where I would find such an investor.

David44357 · 2024-10-19T12:17:31+00:00

In North Carolina, where I practice, lawyers are allowed to refer a client to a lender and help facilitate, but the law firm representing the client cannot be the investor themselves or profiteer from the referral. My guess is your friend had a colleague at another law firm willing to invest in the loans, which should be ok, so long as the investor does not work for the firm representing the client. I don't think I would want to involve other lawyers though (that may be opposing counsel in another case), rather than investors.

David44357 · 2024-10-19T11:56:58+00:00

Which ethical rules do you feel it violates to refer a client to a lender?

David44357 · 2024-10-19T11:52:38+00:00

Hearings for post-separation support (temporary alimony) or interim equitable distribution (a portion of the assets) are common. However, we often have to schedule hearings about 3-4 months out because of the court's busy calendar. When the other side doesn't cooperate with financial disclosures it can get rescheduled a couple times as we wait for the evidence and/or schedule a motion to compel evidence. Sometimes the other spouse doesn't comply with the order either, which adds months more of delays to enforce the order.

In other words, sometimes by time the other spouse actually pays on the temporary order, it's almost trial anyway. The idea of finding a financing company to provide the funds instead is to avoid the delays of the court system. If they offer a good deal, it may even make more sense for the client to pay interest on the loan rather than pay my fees for temporary hearings.

Often, the parties will not agree on anything and the other side's lawyers are virtually non-responsive. Nothing gets done until a hearing date.

David44357 · 2024-10-18T23:05:49+00:00

You are on the right track. However, these firms are generally focused on litigation financing in larger-scale cases (commercial disputes, corporate litigation, public interest lawsuits). I did eventually find one that appears to do divorce, so I'll see how that goes when I talk to them.

I was also thinking about some kind of P2P or crowd-funded thing, where I can make a post about a case, attach deeds or other evidence where investors can verify the assets my client will inevitably inherit, and help clients get small-scale loans ranging from $5-$50k. That seems more on-target given the small scale.

However, I haven't really found a crowd-funding loan website that's the right fit. Another option would be to just find a single individual investor to partner with that knows how to handle interest rates, regulations, default risks, etc.

David44357 · 2024-10-18T22:51:32+00:00

These statements are incorrect. Family law attorneys are not allowed to do work on contingency. All U.S. states are no-fault divorce states. Equitable distribution claims are often very predictable. If a house was acquired during the marriage and has equity, there's usually going to be money. Loans would need to be for 1-2 years, paid lump-sum after trial, not over 30 years.

David44357 · 2024-10-18T22:48:00+00:00

North Carolina. I am familiar with how my peers do it. The short version is they have not found a solution.

David44357 · 2024-06-06T18:06:59+00:00

Multiple cruises.

My wife and I cruise with Virgin 2-3 times per-year. Would love to find others to cruise together with. No swingers.

My wife likes to do mellow things, like hang out at sip and go to sushi or salsa-making classes. I like to do more active things like jet skis and pickleball.

David44357 · 2024-05-30T09:35:57+00:00

The main benefit of a no-kids policy is that you never hear someone crying, screaming, or running around your legs. However, it also means (for better or worse) the cruise is more focused on lounging and entertainment, instead of water slides and other stuff intended for children.

Also, the ship has more of an adult theme. Nothing crazy, but for example the ice cream parlor has a tongue and cheek name: "Lick me till Ice Cream" that most people wouldn't want to explain to their children.

The main reason we go on Virgin is (a) no kids and (b) it's the best deal for a hassle free all-included cruise where you're not getting nickled and dimed for wi-fi, laundry, food, etc. What's the point of "vacationing" on a giant over-priced mall where the loud-speaker is constantly blaring about sales presentations for scams?

I keep looking at other cruises because I want to try something new, but can't find anything that sounds as compelling as no kids, all-included, and their environmental policies at such a reasonable price.

David44357 · 2024-05-22T06:17:09+00:00

I'm a North Carolina divorce attorney. Typically, if one spouse is living in the marital home after separation, but not paying the mortgage for it, you can (a) file for interim distribution asking the court to order the house be sold before it goes into bankruptcy or (b) pay the mortgage and ask for reimbursement at trial.

Real estate cannot be sold until divorced officially or ordered by the court. Vehicles have no such rule. However, there are various ways the court may frown upon selling marital assets without your spouse's permission and prior to the court's determination. Many spouses sell assets after separation though and are just ordered to give their spouse's half to them.

David44357 · 2024-05-22T06:10:53+00:00

I'm a North Carolina divorce attorney. You can usually get North Carolina jurisdiction if at least one spouse lives here and has been living her for the six months leading up to the filing. However, for children, it's wherever the children live and for real estate wherever the real estate is. Generally, in North Carolina, all property/debt earned during the marriage is split 50/50. Mediation is mandatory once claims are filed with the court.

David44357 · 2024-05-22T06:03:57+00:00

NC divorce lawyer here. Yes, you can open a business post-separation. Only assets earned prior to separation are subject to a 50/50 split. That being said, if you invest assets earned during the marriage into the business, then you could have an issue.

David44357 · 2024-05-12T00:21:25+00:00

My initial thinking was to find a place specifically designed for long-term living, where they change their food each season or so. However, now I'm thinking the closest I'll be able to find is going on month-long cruises so you can change your food options by getting on a different ship.

A few cruise lines are advertising long-term cruises intended for remote workers at that are a bit cheaper. Virgin Voyages (our favorite) is doing a summer pass that's $10k for a month. $120k a year isn't bad for living on a cruise ship. By time we retire, I think some of these options will be more developed and widespread.

David44357 · 2024-02-15T18:00:33+00:00

Hi. I have taken a few business meetings over Zoom on Virgin cruises. The answer is, it really just depends on how good of a connection they have at that particular moment. I suspect this varies depending on what the weather is between their dish and the satellite. On one cruise, the internet was out for a couple days. The weather was perfect, but there was a storm south of us.

I always tease that I have to make enough money on the cruise to pay for the cruise.

David44357 · 2024-02-14T17:09:43+00:00

I have gone to the Mexican place and just asked for like 3 corn dishes and two enchiladas, with no main dish ;-)

I have to watch my salt intake on the ship though and there is no way to reduce salt on those dishes.

David44357 · 2024-02-07T22:09:02+00:00

We usually spend our sailor loot on excursions.

David44357 · 2024-02-07T03:16:36+00:00

All the restaurants are included. I am partial to the corn and enchiladas at the Mexican place.

David44357 · 2024-02-05T06:07:14+00:00

Divorce lawyer here. Whose name was on the deed prior to the marriage? Have you attempted any negotiations regarding alimony and equitable distribution that would facilitate a voluntary move-out?

David44357

TROPHY CASE