| Volume 92 Number 4 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
In Texas, a will does not have to be notarized to be valid. Having said that, a self-proving affidavit (a notary form) will make it easier and less costly to probate it.
For more general information about the law, check out my website.
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Southwest Late to the Electronics Party
Recently, the Federal Aviation Administration approved gate-to-gate use of personal electronic devices. Since then, virtually every major airline announced plans for policies that would allow consumers to enjoy uninterrupted usage of their electronic devices.
Except one.
Southwest Airlines still hasn't announced plans to allow the use of electronic devices below 10,000 feet. While Southwest remains the lone holdout, other airlines are embracing the new consumer privileges. In fact, one airline is having a photo contest, encouraging passengers to take pictures below 10,000 feet.
Most airlines hope to have policies in place before Thanksgiving.
Why is Southwest still holding out?
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UPS Fights Fraud With Unusual List
Does UPS have a "Do Not Deliver" list?
It turns out they may.
Recently, a consumer experienced problems getting UPS to deliver packages while she wasn't home. Despite leaving notes on the door allowing the release, UPS wouldn't deliver the packages. While none of the neighbors experienced any such problems, UPS wouldn't deliver to the specific address without an in-person signature release.
According to a report by the Consumerist, the consumer's address was associated with past fraud. That is, someone other than the person living at the address had packages shipped to that address only to later report them missing.
This new form of fraud forced UPS to track unusual address behavior in a database.
Could your address be associated with past fraud?
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Dodge Issues Recall for Ram Trucks
Do you own a 2008 to 2012 Dodge Ram 2500 or 3500 truck?
Dodge has issued a recall for 1.2 million pickup trucks in order to inspect the vehicles for potential front-end problems. Due to a tie-rod installation mistake, the steering system could experience safety problems. Drivers face a potential road hazard and increased risk of accident if the problem isn't fixed.
Dodge expects that about 450,000 of the vehicles will need to be fixed.
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Your Money
How much will an auto lease really cost?
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For the Lawyers
Manifest disregard alive and well.
The Federal Arbitration Act sets forth only four bases for vacating arbitration awards. After the 2008 decision in Hall Street, at least half of the circuit courts have concluded that those four bases are exclusive, de-legitimizing the creative bases that judges had developed over the years.
However, a recent Fourth Circuit opinion vacated an arbitration award for ”manifest disregard of the law,” a judicially-created basis for vacating arbitration awards that is not contained in Section 10 of the FAA.
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