Archive for Uncategorized
Our Prayers are with Haiti and the Haitian People
Posted by: | CommentsAs we witness with horror an unprecedented human tragedy unfold in Haiti, our prayers go out to the victims as well as to the responders. We pray that the people of Haiti may see restoration, and that conditions in the country, far from ideal even prior to the earthquake that struck on January 12th, may improve with this surge of international attention. Please see Hank Hanegraaff’s post for a terrific Christian reaction to the tragedy.
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Unemployment/Underemployment Rate is Now at 17.5%
Posted by: | CommentsThe New York Times ran an article on Friday that reciting a Department of Labor statiistc that adds the rate of underemployed to the unemployed. This rate is an ominous 17.5 %, or one out of every six workers. The NYT believes that this is the highest rate that we have seen since the Great Depression. Toward the end of the article, the author observes a strange characteristic of our present-day severe recession, making it oddly different from the Great Depression — the fact that workers who remain fully employed are doing better than in other recent recessions.
Read the source article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/07/business/economy/07econ.html?_r=2
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Reading Area Bankruptcy Attorney Volunteers for “Get Help Now, Pennsylvania” Help Desk
Posted by: | Comments
Helping hand extended to those struggling in Berks County because of the recession
(Source: Reading Eagle)
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Home Prices since 1890
Posted by: | CommentsA chart which shows the activity of home prices in the United States since 1890 shows that prices may still have some room for decline, unfortunately. Attorney Gene Melchionne of Connecticut brought this chart to my attention.
The chart was authored by Yale economist Robert Schiller and is based on the Schiller’s 1890 benchmark of “100″. This means that, adjusted for inflation, a home worth $100,000 in 1890 would be worth $199,000 based on the housing market in 2006.
Chart of Housing Prices
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Recent Television Appearance on KDKA on Youtube
Posted by: | CommentsLaw Office Principal Stephen Otto recently appeared on KDKA to discuss the impact of securitization and mortgage note negotiation on the growing trend of mortgage foreclosures.
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Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers!
Posted by: | CommentsCongratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers as the 2009 NFL Champions and victors of Super Bowl XLIII.
As many of you know, our firm serves much of eastern Pennsylvania in addition to Western PA. It is unfortunate that the Philadelphia Eagles did not make it to the big game — nonetheless, I think all of us in Pennsylvania can be very proud of this Steeler team. I think it was a win-win for everyone — those who did not have a direct stake in the outcome of the game won in the sense that it was a very exciting game to the end, and the NFL certainly won in terms of viewer ratings.
We send a special congratulations to Santonio Holmes, a man who personally has an inspiring story to tell. He is evidence of the fact that destinies can be changed, from something that may have been very negative to something that is obviously extremely positive.
Photo Courtesy of USA Today
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A new era dawns in Pennsylvania - MONTGOMERY COUNTY (PA), Part of the Red County Network
Posted by: | CommentsA new era dawns in Pennsylvania - MONTGOMERY COUNTY (PA), Part of the Red County Network
Posted using ShareThis
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A Word of Caution About Credit Card Lawsuits Filed in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Posted by: | CommentsIn Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, when a credit card company or debt collector sues an individual on a delinquent credit card debt, it is typically filed in the Arbitration Division of the Allegheny Court of Common Pleas. When the case is filed, an arbitration hearing is automatically assigned. Increasingly, potential clients have been contacting our offices regarding defense of these suits. Many are under the mistaken impression that no response is required because a hearing has already been scheduled. This is not the case. You must still abide by the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure and file a response to the Complaint within twenty days of service of the Complaint on you or a judgment by default can be entered against you. If you intend to defend the lawsuit, you must file a response (either by Preliminary Objection - a document that challenges the sufficiency or legal correctness of the lawsuit - or by an Answer) within the time printed on the notice attached to the front of the Complaint. Do not wait for the scheduled arbitration hearing or you will most likely appear at the hearing only to find that a judgment by default has already been entered against you.
If you would like more information or are looking for an experienced consumer attorney to defend a credit card lawsuit filed against you, contact us.
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PA Consumer Resource for Complaints About Abusive Debt Collectors
Posted by: | CommentsThe Pennsylvania State Attorney General’s Office, Bureau of Consumer Protection is another resource for consumers harassed by debt collectors. The AG’s office will not bring a private action for you, but they will take your complaint. Please click here to read about the AG’s complaint process.
The following are links and telephone numbers to assist you:
- Consumer Complaint form (online)
- Consumer Complaint form (printable)
- Do Not Call Complaint form
- The PA Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection Booklet (see pg 25-26)
- PA Bureau of Consumer Protection - 1-800-441-2555
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They Aren’t “Technical Violations,” It’s Called STRICT LIABILITY
Posted by: | CommentsCongress’ intent on creating strict liability lies within the FDCPA. Section 1692k(a) reads “any debt collector who fails to comply with any provision of this title with respect to any person is liable to such person…” (Emphasis added.) Further, the sections of the FDCPA repeatedly refer to “may not use any” and “may not engage in any” which further supports Congress’ intent on making the FDCPA a strict liability statute.
(Copyright - Amy B. Good-Ashman 2008)
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