Young people & debt: How does it affect lives?

What is bankruptcy? Personal bankruptcy can be generally defined as a legal process that either eliminates or discharges the debts of an individual, or provides a mechanism for some percentage of a person’s debts to be repaid over three to five years. How does debt affect lives in the short- and long terms? Too much debt will have both short- and long-term impact on young lives. When applied to for credit, banks or other lenders look at the percentage of debt as compared to assets. So if, for example,... More

Young people & debt: How do teen-agers and young adults fall into financial trouble?

And is this becoming more frequent? Teen-agers typically fall into financial trouble by trying to keep up with their peers. Because so many of today’s activities involve immediate gratification, teen-agers often do not learn how to save for purchases. As a bankruptcy trustee and attorney, I see more and more 20-something people and even teens in financial trouble. What’s the youngest age at which someone can get a credit card? A teen-ager with a co-signer can obtain a credit card under the... More

Have electrical problems? Steer clear of ‘Mike the Electrician’

A recent Mafia indictment in Brooklyn, N.Y., featured some colorful nicknames, including “The Greaseball,” “Bobby the Jew” and the ever-fearsome “Mike the Electrician.” Green cards (also known as United States Permanent Resident Cards) aren’t actually green. They’re yellowish-white. Don’t want a lawyer as your tenant? No problem. The Fair Housing Act does not prohibit discrimination against lawyers when renting out premises. Italy’s highest court has ruled that it is a criminal... More

30-foot catapult full of chicken poop raises legal concerns

British police are investigating whether the owner of a portable flooring empire is breaking the law by threatening to attack trespassers with a 30-foot-tall Roman catapult filled with chicken manure. More  Read More →

One breast implant, not two, covered by workers’ comp

A woman who was involved in a car accident at work is entitled to have workers’ compensation pay for one new breast implant, but not two, according to the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Penny M. Rumple Richardson claimed that the collision caused her breast implants to become smaller. But the court determined that only her right implant had become smaller due to the accident; the left one was simply losing size due to “underinflation.” Therefore, although Richardson received two new implants... More

Update: Tribune drops fees for smokers

Tribune Company, which owns The Sun and its new daily tabloid, b, has ended its policy of charging an extra $100 a month for smokers who were covered by its health insurance plans. Employees who had paid the fee since it was enacted in January will be reimbursed, according to a report in b. Tribune will continue to offer smoking cessation programs.  Read More →

Landlords & tenants: How can a lease be terminated?

The landlord may terminate a lease before its end if the tenant substantially breaches the lease. To do so, the landlord must send a notice to the tenant that states the tenant has breached the lease and indicates the landlord wants possession of the rental unit. If the tenant does not move out, the landlord may go to court and ask for eviction of the tenant. If the court determines that the breach warrants eviction, the court will issue an order evicting the tenant. There are cases where the landlord’s... More

Landlords & tenants: Who is responsible for maintenance?

Unless required by the lease or by state or local law, the landlord is not responsible for maintaining the property other than to insure that dangerous conditions do not exist on the property. The tenant must notify the landlord about the problem in writing. If the tenant’s property is damaged by the landlord’s failure to make repairs required by the lease or law, the tenant may file a civil action for damages against the landlord. However, the landlord may not be liable for damage that is beyond... More

Landlords & tenants: What is a security deposit?

The law permits the landlord to collect a security deposit. This deposit usually may not exceed two times the monthly rent. In federally subsidized housing, the security deposit usually may not exceed $50. It protects the landlord from damage to the leased unit caused by the tenant or rent owed by the tenant. The landlord is not required to use the security deposit for rent while the tenant still occupies the property. The tenant is not responsible for damage due to ordinary wear and tear. When the... More

Landlords & tenants: What are the requirements of rent?

Leases usually require that the rent be due on a certain date. Sometimes, leases contain provisions for grace periods during which the landlord may elect to waive late charges. However, grace periods usually do not extend the time for payment of the rent. There are very few times when a tenant may withhold rent because the landlord has not performed an obligation of the lease. However, the tenant may be entitled to withhold rent where dangerous defects exist because the landlord has failed to perform... More

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