| Volume 143 Number 13 |
Subscribe to the Newsletter
Forward this news alert to your family and friends
Helpful Links
Texas Consumer Complaint Center
Credit Reports and Identity Theft
Your Guide to Small Claims Court
Contact Us
1-713-743-2168
The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Be on alert: sellers that peddle cures must have scientific proof to back up their claims. The FTC takes action when they don’t. Click here for more.
U.S. gas prices stay low due to coronavirus lowering demand for oil
A plunge in oil prices due to the fast-spreading coronavirus in China is giving motorists a break at the gas pump. Oil prices stabilized this week, but the effects of cheap crude are being felt nationwide. The AAA Fuel Gauge Survey shows the national average price of regular gas is $2.45 a gallon. That’s only three cents lower than a week ago but 13 cents lower than a month ago, as gas prices have drifted lower since the start of 2020. The average price of premium gas is $3.06, down from $3.09 last Friday. The average price of diesel fuel is $2.92 a gallon, also three cents less than a week ago. Click here for more.
Your Money
Claiming qualifying dependents on your taxes can save you thousands of dollars. But who qualifies? This is one of the top tax questions every year since it can be difficult to apply the rules to different living situations, especially with the changing dynamics of families. If you need help deciphering whether your son at college, a cousin who stays with you for the summer or the new family pup qualify as dependents, we'll break it down for you. Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
New standard for class action notice when arbitration clause may exist. The Seventh Circuit created a new test for district courts to utilize in these circumstances and concluded that a court: (1) may not authorize notice to individuals whom the court has been shown entered mutual arbitration agreements waiving their right to join the action; and (2) must give the defendant an opportunity to make that showing. Bigger v. Facebook Click here for more.