| Volume 102 Number 8 |
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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.
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Gas Prices Headed Below $3 Per Gallon
Gas below $3 a gallon?
By the end of the year, as many as 30 states could have average gas prices below $3 a gallon. Global oil prices have fallen to the lowest levels in two years at $97 a barrel. Between September 1 and December 31 of last year, the national average gas price fell by $0.28.
When gas prices fall, the economy tends to see an upswing. As consumers save at the pump, they tend to shift spending elsewhere. With the holiday season approaching, falling gas prices could help out consumers when it helps the most.
What's the outlook for gas prices in your state?
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Chrysler Recalls Nearly 350,000 Vehicles
Chrysler has ordered a recall of nearly 350,000 vehicles from model year 2008 to fix a defective ignition switch that could shut the engine off while driving. If the ignition switch moves to "off," the airbags won't deploy.
General Motors has recalled 2.6 million vehicles to address a problem with the ignition switch in its own vehicles. Although it doesn't appear the Chrysler recall will be nearly as extensive, problems with Chrysler ignition switch should be treated seriously.
The recall includes the Dodge Charger, Dodge Magnum, Chrysler 300, Jeep Commander, and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
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Apple Releases Update to Fix Bad Update
arlier this week, Apple released an update to its new iOS operating system. The update, called iOS 8.0.1, caused some users phones to lose cellular connectivity. Apple quickly pulled the update, but many consumers has already downloaded and installed the update. Now, Apple has an update to fix the problems generated by the last update. Users having problems can patch iOS 8.0.1 with iOS 8.0.2.
Bugs are to be expected whenever a new software is released. To protect yourself, make sure you consistently backup important data, especially before you update your phone's operating system.
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Your Money
What is the best kind of credit card for you?
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For the Lawyers
Arbitration agreement unenforceable as illusory and lacked consideration.
The Missouri Supreme Court found an employee’s arbitration agreement was unenforceable. The court concluded that, “there was no consideration to create a valid arbitration agreement” for two reasons: continued at-will employment was insufficient consideration; and the arbitration agreement was illusory. The court characterized the arrangement as at-will employment, and followed earlier Missouri cases finding “continued at-will employment is not valid consideration to support” an arbitration agreement. The arbitration agreement also allowed the employer “to amend, modify or revoke this agreement upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Employee.” The court concluded that that statement allowed the employer to modify the agreement “unilaterally and retroactively,” making it illusory.
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