| Volume 84 Number 5 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
If you die without a will, the law determines who will inherit your property. If there are no living heirs, your property will it go to the state. In Texas, as a general rule, if you die without a will your property goes to your spouse. If you do not have a spouse, it will go to your children. If you have no children, it will go to your parents. If they are not alive, it will go to your brothers and sisters. If you're concerned about how your property will be distributed after you pass, consider making a will. They're generally inexpensive and can save your loved ones a lot of time and trouble.
For more general information about the law, check out my website. Click here for more.
IRS Has Millions in Unclaimed Refunds
According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), over $900 million in unclaimed refunds will expire on April 15. The refunds are owed to nearly one million people who failed to file returns in 2009. After April 15, the money will become the property of the United States Treasury.
Does the government owe you money? Find out now!
Click here for more.
New Health Care Law Brings Old Scam
Since the Affordable Care Act became law, consumers across the United States have been working hard to understand the law. In an effort to take advantage of the situation, scam artists have been calling consumers to inform them that they've been selected to receive a health insurance card. In order to get the card, the caller ask for personal information like name, address, and bank account number. Don't be fooled!
Never give out your personal information unless you're absolutely certain its safe. If you receive a bogus solicitation, contact the Federal Trade Commission at 877-382-4357.
Click here for more.
United States Leads in Texting-and-Driving
In a recent survey, more than two thirds of Americans admitted to texting-and-driving. According to a study out of University of North Texas Health Science Center, driver distracted by cell phones killed about 16,000 people from 2001 to 2007. Although some states have made it illegal to use a cell phone while driving, there is no universal rule.
Find out how the United States compared to European countries like Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.
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Your Money
What is the best kind of credit card for you? Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
TCPA suit is governed by federal not state limitations. The Illinois Appellate Court held a private action under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act was not barred by the state’s two-year statute of limitations for claims seeking statutory penalties. The court decided that TCPA claims brought in state court are subject to the four-year federal catchall statute of limitations rather than the state two-year limitations period, citing Mims v. Arrow Financial Services (132 S. St. 740). Click here for more.