| Volume 30 Number 13 |
Subscribe to the Newsletter
Forward this news alert to your family and friends
Helpful Links
Texas Consumer Complaint Center
Credit Reports and Identity Theft
Your Guide to Small Claims Court
Contact Us
1-713-743-2168
The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
As a general rule, a business is not liable for a slip and fall injury simply because it owns the property where the injury occurred. For the business to be responsible the injured person must show the business was "negligent" and that is why the injury happened. For example, if the business knew there was a slippery spot on the floor and did not take reasonable steps to clean it up, it would be liable to a customer who was injured as a result of its negligence. Click here for more.
Plan Your Retirement - Social Security
You are eligible for Social Security benefits at the age of 62. If you start collecting at age 62, you will receive about 30% less than if you waited until your "full" retirement age. If you were born between 1943 and 1954, you would reach "full" retirement age at 66. Some people can't afford to wait until they are 66 to receive Social Security benefits. If you start receiving benefits early, you will never receive full retirement benefits, despite actually passing age 66. Plan your retirement wisely and know all of your options as you approach retirement.
Click here for more.
Prioritize Your Debts
The credit crunch is now pressuring consumers to get out of debt. The reason? Lenders want higher credit scores. If you want to buy a new car, or a new house, a high credit score is absolutely critical. So, many consumers are rushing to pay off their debt. But where should they begin? Before you start to pay off your debts, you need to prioritize. Secured debt should be paid first. After making that determination, it's time to evaluate your interest rates. Find out how you can prioritize your debts, and boost your credit score! Click here for more.
The Presidential Race - The Economic Issues
Election day is approaching! As the economy continues to struggle, which candidate is right for you? This website breaks down the economic plans of both John McCain and Barack Obama. Find out what they want to do with your money! Click here for more.
Your Money
When should you take Social Security? How much will you receive? Will you get more money if you wait? Use this calculator provided by the Social Security department to help plan your retirement! Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Unpaid escrow payments are 'claim' in bankruptcy. The Fifth Circuit has held that unpaid escrow payments that accumulate pre-petition in the year that a bankruptcy petition is filed, and which the creditor had a right to collect under the loan documents, constitute a "claim" under the Bankruptcy Code. Click here for more.