Kathleen Michon is an estate planning lawyer in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has been affiliated with Nolo in various capacities for more than fifteen years, including five years as Nolo’s in-house bankruptcy, foreclosure, and debt editor. Kathleen’s previous legal experience also includes directing Public Counsel's Consumer Rights Project and representing inmates on death row. Kathleen received a B.A. from Yale University and a law degree from Northwestern University School of Law.
Articles By Kathleen Michon
Constitutional Rights in Juvenile Cases
Minors in juvenile court delinquency proceedings do not have the same constitutional rights as those given to adults in regular criminal court cases.
Sealing Juvenile Court Records
Former juvenile offenders may be able to get a fresh start of sorts by filing a petition in court seeking expungement or sealing of their juvenile records.
Different Types of Credit & Debit Cards
Credit, charge, ATM, and debit cards are not all alike. Here's some information to help you choose wisely.
How to Get Out of Student Loan Debt
Most people can't eliminate student loan debt—but many can get better payment plans.
DUI Defenses: How to Fight a Drunk Driving Charge
The penalties for DUI (driving under the influence) and DWI (driving while intoxicated) offenses can be very serious.
Steps to Cleaning Up Your Credit Report
An accurate credit report is essential to good financial health. To clean up your credit report, you'll have determine what's inaccurate or out-of-date, request that the credit bureaus fix the information, and then follow-up with each credit bureau. Start by ordering a free credit report.
Tax Consequences When a Creditor Writes Off or Settles a Debt
If you settle a debt with a creditor for less than the full amount, or a creditor writes off a debt you owe, you may owe money to the IRS. The IRS treats the forgiven debt as income, on which you may owe income taxes. Learn the rules -- including reporting requirements and exceptions -- here.
Airplane Turbulence and In-Flight Injuries
Airline passengers suffering in-flight injuries may be able to sue the airline, the manufacturer of the aircraft, or the maker of any faulty equipment.
Cell Phones and Texting While Driving in California
It is illegal to use a handheld cellphone or to text while driving in California.
LGBTQ Access to Healthcare: Antidiscrimination Laws
Many gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) people experience discrimination and bias when attempting to receive health care. Learn more about federal and state antidiscrimination laws to protect them.