| Volume 50 Number 7 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Every state is different, but in Texas, a landlord cannot lock you out of your apartment even if you don't pay rent. The landlord may change the locks on the door but he must provide a key to allow you to come and go 24 hours a day. Click here for more.
How to Spot a Flood Damaged Car
Are you in the market for a used vehicle? When a big storm hits, like Hurricane Katrina, vehicles often become flood damaged. Despite the extensive damage "flood" vehicles can have, they still end up for sale in newspapers, on eBay, and on used car lots. Flood damage can be very difficult to detect, but the underlying problems can be significant and significantly reduce the true value of the vehicle. To find out how to spot a flood damaged vehicle, Click here for more.
Congress Seeks to Cap ATM Fees
Your bank probably charges you anytime you use another bank's ATM. The bank that owns the ATM will likely add its own fee. After getting hit from both sides, consumers are paying over $3.50 just to access their own money. Despite charging consumers over $3.50 per transaction, it is estimated that each transaction cost the bank 36 cents. As Congress debates the new rules of the banking industry, they are prepared to legislate a cap on ATM fees at 50 cents. The ambitious proposal has dramatic industry-wide ramifications. Click here for more.
Social Security Reform Up Next
For the past year, health care reform has garned the full attention of Congress. Now that health care reform is history, legislators are prepared to move on to Social Security reform. Although Social Security reform was once a hot-button issue, it is now one of the more politically acceptable matters on the table. As Congress moves to stabilize American debt, what roll will Social Security reform play? What will Social Security reform look like? Click here for more.
Your Money
How long will it take to save for your down payment? Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Arbitration award can not be challenged on the basis of non-statutory, judicially-created grounds. The Eleventh Circuit held that a consumer could not seek to overturn an arbitration award against her on the basis of non-statutory, judicially-created grounds. The court stated, “We hold that our judicially-created bases for vacatur are no longer valid in light of Hall Street. … [T]he categorical language of Hall Street compels such a conclusion. As [the plaintiff] has failed to demonstrate the existence of any of the statutory grounds for vacating or modifying the arbitrator’s award, the district court was bound by §9 of [the Federal Arbitration Act] to confirm the award.” Click here for more.