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Santa Barbara County, California recently enacted a social host liability ordinance, which makes it illegal for anyone to knowingly allow minors to imbibe alcohol on their premises. Social host laws, as they are known, are not exactly unheard of, and many states around the country have implemented these. However, as more and more plaintiffs begin to file lawsuits against parents whose homes were the venues for underage drinking that caused an accident, more local administrations are enacting their own laws holding parents and other adults responsible for minors drinking on their premises. In the Santa Barbara ordinance for instance, if parents knowingly allow minors to consume alcohol at their house, they could face a civil penalty of $500, $1,000 for a second offense and up to $2,000 for a third.

That amount is peanuts compared to the kind of liability you could face, if a teenager who drinks at your home goes out and causes a fatal or serious accident. Recent reports of such lawsuits have come in from California and Texas. In several cases, parents have been held accountable for underage drinking on their premises. These kinds of risks and hazards will increase during the holiday season when you can expect your teenage children to use your home for a party.

Don’t assume that the party has to be a raucous, hell-raising one for you to be held liable. Even if you have a few teenagers gathered at your home for an evening celebrating the holiday, and one of them drinks any amount of alcohol and causes an accident, you could be held liable under social host liability laws. You may be named in a claim even if you had nothing to do with purchasing or supplying the alcohol.

There’s little insurance can do to offset the damage if a jury decides you need to be punished for failing to stop underage drinking on your property. A massive verdict against you could mean plaintiffs’ attorneys moving to attach your property and other assets. Wealth preservation strategies designed by an experienced asset protection attorney can help you protect your wealth from such attacks.

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Pashmina Lalchandani

CEO & Co-Founder, Bar & Cocoa / Owner, Flow Simple
December 9, 2010, Douglass was a client of Pashmina’s

I’ve known Doug in many contexts, as a friend, as a client and as a business partner and he impresses me on all levels. He’s dependable, smart, generous and I wouldn’t hesitate recommending him and his law firm to anyone.
He’s the best and most ethical lawyers providing asset protection with rock solid strategies to give you peace of mind about your wealth. Straight forward, and straight talk. Doug is exactly the lawyer I want on my side. If I send someone to Doug, I know they’ll thank me for it!

Social & Solar Entrepreneur, Pan Afrikan Theorist, Translator/Interpreter,
Founder & Visionary Leader @ Afrikanpride.
March 12, 2011, Marlon E. D. J. worked with Douglass but at different companies

Doug is one of the most powerful thinker i have came across. During the short time that i have known Doug he has been a great source of inspiration. He has a simplistic yet effective and accurate way to analyze anything you bring to his attention, and then by asking you key questions he gets you to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Besides being extremely bright, he is a genuine and caring individual which is why I feel fortunate to know him. I can say without a doubt that he his the person you would want to talk to if you were in need of a person with his expertise.
Most of the lawyers out there will probably meet your needs, but if you are looking for someone to exceed your expectations and give you that wow factor, look no more he is the person for the job.

Patricia Salter

Associate Dentist at Smileology
December 1, 2010, Patricia was a client of Douglass’

I have been a client of Douglas Lodmell’s since 2001. My main concern was asset protection in this litigious society. I can sleep alot better at night knowing I have the instruments in place to protect the fruits of my labor, and that they will not end up in the hands of a slick trial attorney.

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