| Volume 74 Number 5 |
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Your Guide to Small Claims Court
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1-713-743-2168
The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
You can sue in Texas Small Claims Court for up to $10,000 and you do not need an attorney to assist you. Next time you have a dispute, consider the real people's court. Small Claims Court is quick, informal and easy to use. In many cases, once the other person knows you know your legal rights and will assert them, they quickly try to settle the dispute. Click here for more.
Gas Prices Trending Down
Over the past month, the price of unleaded gasoline has dropped by $0.20. As oil prices continue to drop, prices for gasoline are expected to continue the downward trend. Gas prices peaked on April 6 at $3.936 a gallon. By Thursday, May 10, gas prices had dropped to $3.739 a gallon. Just a few months ago, industry analysts were predicting gas prices to rise above $5 a gallon. Where do gas prices realistically go from here? Click here for more.
Honda Wins Small Claims Appeal
Recently, a woman opted out of a class action against Honda and sued individually in small claims court. After winning over $9,000, she encouraged everyone else to do the same thing. Her case has been reversed, and it looks like others will also lose their claims. Click here for more.
Your Money
What are the advantages of a 529 college savings plan? Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Purchaser of mortgage may be a debt collector under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The Sixth Circuit held that a mortgage purchaser may be a "debt collector" liable for violations of the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The court also noted that although the debt was not actually in default, the FDCPA still applies. “A FDCPA defendant cannot escape coverage under the Act by asserting to the court that the debt was not actually in default, despite having dunned plaintiffs for months or years in the face of plaintiffs’ pleas or proof that the collector has made some error.” Click here for more.