Courtesy of the national law firm of Charles Jerome Ware, P.A., Attorneys and Counselors, www.CharlesJeromeWare.com, (410) 730-5016/(410) 720-6129.
Unfortunately, there are many predatory reverse mortgages that victimize the elderly. One alleged case is currently ongoing in New York courts:
A New York woman is fighting with a bank after the reverse mortgage her mother bought in 1997 continued to add charges, including compounding interest, so that the homeowner benefited little from the deal. The bank in this case still has not given her the total amount she owes on the reverse mortgage, which could be as much as $1.6 million, when compared with the actual payouts the woman received of just under $273,000.
While reverse mortgages are supposed to benefit senior citizens by providing payouts and delaying repayment, that didn't happen in this situation, so the daughter has now filed a lawsuit. In real estate transactions across the nation, this type of scenario is all too common.
The bank, OneWest and its subsidiary, Financial Freedom Acquisition, LLC, is not discussing the case due to the pending litigation, and the law firm that represents the bank hasn't commented either. The bank tried to foreclose on the home and added interest, legal and other fees. The financial institute claims that some of the money they are owed is half of the value of the home's appreciation, which has grown from about $556,000 in 1997 to an estimated $1.8 million in 2013.
The daughter, Sarah Havemeyer of Southhampton, New York, is challenging the foreclosure due to a lack of documentation and because of the excessive terms of the loan. While most reverse mortgages don't charge such outrageous fees, some do. In another incident, a number of people filed a class action suit for $8 million against the companies that used reverse mortgages to take advantage of others.
A homeowner may initially think that a reverse mortgage will give them easy access to cash and be a quick solution for someone suffering from financial difficulties. A qualified attorney might be able to help clients determine the best solution for them.
[www.tricities.com, "The Nation's Housing: A Reverse Mortgage Nightmare", Kenneth Harney, July 29, 2013].
Among attorney and author Charles Jerome Ware's best-selling books are:
(1) The Secret Science of Winning Lotteries, Sweepstakes and Contests;
http://amzn.com/1432793888
(2) Understanding the Law: A Primer;
http://amzn.com/1440111456
(3) The Immigration Paradox: 15 Tips for Winning Immigration Cases;
http://amzn.com/1440171920
(4) Legal Consumer Tips and Secrets: Avoiding Debtors' Prison in the United States; and
http://amzn.com/1462051847
(5) Quince (15) Consejos Para Ganar Casos Del Inmigracion.
http://amzn.com/1462068952
www.CharlesJeromeWare.com ("We fight. You win.")
Attorney Charles Jerome Ware is renowned and consistently ranked among the best attorneys and legal counsellors in the United States. [GQ Magazine, The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, The Columbia Flier, USA TODAY, The Howard County Sun, The Anniston Star, The New York Times, CNN, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX-TV NEWS, WHUR, WHUT, MPT, BBC, The Wall Street Journal, ABA Journal, et al.]
Thursday, August 1, 2013
DRONES ABOVE US: THE LAW
www.CharlesJeromeWare.com
dronewars.net/aboutdrone
Washington Lawyer/July-August 2013/Drones
www.salon.com/07-26-2013/USGovernmentArguesDroneStakes
www.huffingtonpost.com/09-19-2013/drones in U.S.
DRONES
"DRONES", unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or unmanned aerial systems (UAS), are aircraft either controlled by "pilots" from the ground or increasingly autonomously following a pre-programmed mission. While there are dozens of different types of "drones", these aircraft essentially fall into two categories: (1) those that are used for reconnaissance and surveillance purposes, and (2) those that are armed with bombs and missiles.
The use of drones in the U.S. has grown quickly in recent years because, unlike manned aircrafts, drones can stay aloft (fly) for many more hours than manned aircraft, they are much cheaper than military aircraft to manufacture and operate, and they are flown remotely so there is little to no danger to the flight crew.
Recent revelations that the National Security Agency is engaged in data mining that includes surveillance of U.S. citizens, and that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Border Patrol all use drones in domestic airspace have alarmed civil libertarians who regard such tactics and technology as an Orwellian threat to basic freedoms and a violation of the Fourth Amendment. Their apprehensions have been heightened by the production of technologically advanced drones that can be shrunk to the size of a quarter—with infrared cameras, sensors that spot movement, and automatic license plate readers, the next generation of UAVs will be able to easily go places that prying eyes have been unable to visit in the past.
Limiting the use of drones is becoming a cottage industry among the states, with legislators battling back efforts by police and industry groups to expand the use of UAVs once the FAA gives the green light for commercial drone use.
dronewars.net/aboutdrone
Washington Lawyer/July-August 2013/Drones
www.salon.com/07-26-2013/USGovernmentArguesDroneStakes
www.huffingtonpost.com/09-19-2013/drones in U.S.
DRONES
"DRONES", unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or unmanned aerial systems (UAS), are aircraft either controlled by "pilots" from the ground or increasingly autonomously following a pre-programmed mission. While there are dozens of different types of "drones", these aircraft essentially fall into two categories: (1) those that are used for reconnaissance and surveillance purposes, and (2) those that are armed with bombs and missiles.
The use of drones in the U.S. has grown quickly in recent years because, unlike manned aircrafts, drones can stay aloft (fly) for many more hours than manned aircraft, they are much cheaper than military aircraft to manufacture and operate, and they are flown remotely so there is little to no danger to the flight crew.
Recent revelations that the National Security Agency is engaged in data mining that includes surveillance of U.S. citizens, and that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Border Patrol all use drones in domestic airspace have alarmed civil libertarians who regard such tactics and technology as an Orwellian threat to basic freedoms and a violation of the Fourth Amendment. Their apprehensions have been heightened by the production of technologically advanced drones that can be shrunk to the size of a quarter—with infrared cameras, sensors that spot movement, and automatic license plate readers, the next generation of UAVs will be able to easily go places that prying eyes have been unable to visit in the past.
Limiting the use of drones is becoming a cottage industry among the states, with legislators battling back efforts by police and industry groups to expand the use of UAVs once the FAA gives the green light for commercial drone use.
More than 80 bills or resolutions have been introduced in 42 states, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The proposed laws are as varied as the states. Some states want to ban efforts to attach weapons to drones, while others want to require police to obtain a warrant first before using drones for surveillance. Still others would allow people to sue for damages if drones illegally tracked them.
Six states—Florida, Idaho, Montana, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia—have already enacted laws addressing drone use. Virginia has created a two-year moratorium on law enforcement use of drones to allow more time to study the issue, while Florida and Idaho require police to obtain permission from a judge before using drones. The laws in Montana and Tennessee reflect that same approach.
The Texas statute, which has been disparaged by both sides, takes a crazy–quilt approach to drone regulation. It bans most private uses of drones, but specifies 19 exceptions that reflect industry considerations. For example, realtors can use drones to take photos of property, and oil companies can use them to monitor their rigs.
THE LAW
While there is much talk about how the courts could and should handle cases involving drones and privacy, there is no certainty that drones will fit within prevailing jurisprudential analysis. There are three U.S. Supreme Court cases on aerial surveillance and tracking that likely could have some sway on lower courts.
In California v. Ciraolo, the justices concluded in 1986 that police officers did not need a warrant to use information gained by an airplane flying over the individual’s fenced property because it was visible to the naked eye. The Supreme Court in later rulings began to see dangers associated with new surveillance technologies.
In its 2001 ruling in Kyllo v. United States, the justices determined that surveillance of a home using a device not in general public use, such as a thermal imaging device in this case, constitutes a search under the Fourth Amendment.
Finally, in 2012, in United States v. Jones, the justices found that a person’s privacy was violated when police attached a GPS tracker to a car and monitored its movements for four months.
[California v. Cirado, 476 U.S. 207 (1986); Kyllo v. United States, 533 U.S. 27 (2001); United States v. Jones, 132 S. Ct. 945 (2012)]
TOP CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, 2013:
Legal Consumer Tips and Secrets: Avoiding Debtors' Prison in the United States [Hardcover]
Charles Jerome Ware (Author)
____________________________________________________________
http://amzn.com/1462051820
Top 10 consumer complaints
1. Auto
Issues with auto sales once again topped the list. Car shoppers reported misleading advertising for new and used cars, faulty repairs, leasing and towing disputes and getting suckered into buying lemons.
One California consumer noticed mechanical problems with her used car within a week of purchasing it, while an elderly Florida woman paid more than $1,000 for repairs that left her car undriveable, according to the report.
2. Home Improvement/Construction
Home owners griped of shoddy work, as well as failure to start or finish the work altogether.
A New Jersey awning company cited by the report would disappear after signing a contract and pocketing a $1,300 deposit.
3. Credit/Debt
Borrowers complained of billing and fee disputes, mortgage-related fraud, predatory lending, illegal or abusive debt-collection tactics and questionable credit repair services.
Mortgage-related complaints were common in many states: In Florida, consumers were tricked out of thousands of dollars by loan modification and foreclosure scams.
4. Utilities
Consumers singled out service and billing disputes with a variety of providers, including phone, cable, satellite, Internet, electric and gas companies.
The report cited a Wisconsin investigation, which found 6,500 unauthorized cell phone charges for third-party services users never signed up for.
5. Retail Sales
Shoppers listed a range of complaints, including false or deceptive advertising, defective merchandise and problems with rebates, coupons and gift cards.
In Pennsylvania, hundreds of customers sought help after a dry cleaner closed with their belongings locked inside, according to the report.
6. Services
Consumers said they had fallen prey to misrepresentations and subpar and unlicensed work from a variety of service providers, like moving and transportation companies.
Connecticut scammers, for instance, targeted immigrants with phony legal services.
7. Home Solicitations
Problems with home solicitations moved up the list in 2012. Consumers griped about misrepresentations from door-to-door salespeople, telemarketers and mail solicitations, as well as violations of the "do not call" registry.
The report noted that door-to-door meat sellers in Maryland pushed consumers with high-pressure tactics and did not have proper licenses to sell food products.
8. Landlord/Tenant
When complaining about their landlords, renters reported unhealthy or unsafe housing conditions, deposit and rent disputes, illegal eviction tactics and a failure to make repairs.
The report noted a Los Angeles tenant who said her landlord was unresponsive to complaints about unworking toilets and pest issues.
9. Internet Sales
Shoppers griped of deceptive practices from online retailers as well as failed deliveries.
Some online shoppers fell prey to free trial offers that resulted in high charges, while others were duped by fraudulent magazine sales.
10. Household Goods
Consumers reported many issues related to household furniture and appliances, including misrepresentations about the goods and faulty repairs.
In Cape Cod, a woman lost hundreds of dollars worth of food after her refrigerator and freezer broke down multiple times mere months after purchase.
Charles Jerome Ware (Author)
____________________________________________________________
Book Description
Publication Date: September 20, 2011
If you owe too much money, you can go to prison even though you have not committed a crime. You can also be kicked out of your home and face a myriad of other negative consequences. Even so, the largest religion in the United States continues to be "consumerism"-the deeply held belief that buying goods and services makes us better and happier. Attorney Charles Jerome Ware explores how you can keep spending, maintain your freedom, and stand up for yourself. He shares ways to prevent foreclosure, discourage identity theft and other forms of fraud, avoid debt settlement scams, and rebuild your credit. This insider's guide reveals hundreds of facts to educate and inform the faithful American consumer. Don't be bullied into living like a pauper when you can take reasonable steps to improve your financial position. Changing your life and avoiding pitfalls starts with learning Legal Consumer Tips and Secrets.
Product Details
- Hardcover: 236 pages
- Publisher: iUniverse.com (September 20, 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1462051847
- ISBN-13: 978-1462051847
- Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.5 inches
- Shipping Weight: 15.4 ounces
Top 10 consumer complaints
1. Auto
Issues with auto sales once again topped the list. Car shoppers reported misleading advertising for new and used cars, faulty repairs, leasing and towing disputes and getting suckered into buying lemons.
One California consumer noticed mechanical problems with her used car within a week of purchasing it, while an elderly Florida woman paid more than $1,000 for repairs that left her car undriveable, according to the report.
2. Home Improvement/Construction
Home owners griped of shoddy work, as well as failure to start or finish the work altogether.
A New Jersey awning company cited by the report would disappear after signing a contract and pocketing a $1,300 deposit.
3. Credit/Debt
Borrowers complained of billing and fee disputes, mortgage-related fraud, predatory lending, illegal or abusive debt-collection tactics and questionable credit repair services.
Mortgage-related complaints were common in many states: In Florida, consumers were tricked out of thousands of dollars by loan modification and foreclosure scams.
4. Utilities
Consumers singled out service and billing disputes with a variety of providers, including phone, cable, satellite, Internet, electric and gas companies.
The report cited a Wisconsin investigation, which found 6,500 unauthorized cell phone charges for third-party services users never signed up for.
5. Retail Sales
Shoppers listed a range of complaints, including false or deceptive advertising, defective merchandise and problems with rebates, coupons and gift cards.
In Pennsylvania, hundreds of customers sought help after a dry cleaner closed with their belongings locked inside, according to the report.
6. Services
Consumers said they had fallen prey to misrepresentations and subpar and unlicensed work from a variety of service providers, like moving and transportation companies.
Connecticut scammers, for instance, targeted immigrants with phony legal services.
7. Home Solicitations
Problems with home solicitations moved up the list in 2012. Consumers griped about misrepresentations from door-to-door salespeople, telemarketers and mail solicitations, as well as violations of the "do not call" registry.
The report noted that door-to-door meat sellers in Maryland pushed consumers with high-pressure tactics and did not have proper licenses to sell food products.
8. Landlord/Tenant
When complaining about their landlords, renters reported unhealthy or unsafe housing conditions, deposit and rent disputes, illegal eviction tactics and a failure to make repairs.
The report noted a Los Angeles tenant who said her landlord was unresponsive to complaints about unworking toilets and pest issues.
9. Internet Sales
Shoppers griped of deceptive practices from online retailers as well as failed deliveries.
Some online shoppers fell prey to free trial offers that resulted in high charges, while others were duped by fraudulent magazine sales.
10. Household Goods
Consumers reported many issues related to household furniture and appliances, including misrepresentations about the goods and faulty repairs.
In Cape Cod, a woman lost hundreds of dollars worth of food after her refrigerator and freezer broke down multiple times mere months after purchase.
AVOIDING FORECLOSURE IN COL., HO. CO., MD: "Chapter Four --- Fifteen (15) Tips", By Attorney and Author Charles Jerome Ware. 100% Effective!
Legal Consumer Tips and Secrets: Avoiding Debtors' Prison in the United States [Hardcover]
Charles Jerome Ware (Author)
Charles Jerome Ware (Author)
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
CHARLES WARE'S MED. MAL. TODAY: 2 Conferences
www.CharlesJeromeWare.com
Sponsors: Center for Human Genetics, Inc./Tufts University School of Medicine
The major objectives in these two conferences are to enhance the continuing education of a range of specialties in medicine and allied professions, including obstetrics, gynecology, midwifery, neonatology, medicine, surgery, family medicine, emergency medicine, cardiology, radiology, human genetics, and ethics. The key reasons that have characterized the success of these conferences for the past 28 years are the highly qualified and renowned medical faculty, and the insights and lessons concerning the role of law and lawyers, communicated by acknowledged "super lawyers." Only through a thorough understanding of the complexities of medicine and law can physicians and litigators hope to effectively deal with the continuing challenges of medical and legal practice.
The goal of this activity is to address the following knowledge gaps:
(1) The Secret Science of Winning Lotteries, Sweepstakes and Contests;
http://amzn.com/1432793888
(2) Understanding the Law: A Primer;
http://amzn.com/1440111456
(3) The Immigration Paradox: 15 Tips for Winning Immigration Cases;
http://amzn.com/1440171920
(4) Legal Consumer Tips and Secrets: Avoiding Debtors' Prison in the United States; and
http://amzn.com/1462051847
(5) Quince (15) Consejos Para Ganar Casos Del Inmigracion.
http://amzn.com/1462068952
www.CharlesJeromeWare.com ("We fight. You win.")
Attorney Charles Jerome Ware is renowned and consistently ranked among the best attorneys and legal counsellors in the United States. [GQ Magazine, The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, The Columbia Flier, USA TODAY, The Howard County Sun, The Anniston Star, The New York Times, CNN, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX-TV NEWS, WHUR, WHUT, MPT, BBC, The Wall Street Journal, ABA Journal, et al.]
Sponsors: Center for Human Genetics, Inc./Tufts University School of Medicine
The 30th Annual Conference on
Obstetrics, Gynecology, Perinatal Medicine, Neonatology, and the Law
January 2-6, 2014
and
The 14th Annual Multispecialty Conference on
Medical Negligence and Risk Management in Medicine, Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Radiology, and Family Medicine
January 5-8, 2014
at the
Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort
Los Cabos, Mexico
- Teach healthcare professionals to better comprehend the machinations of negligence law, and to develop a more complete awareness of the need for anticipatory and safety practice.
- Teach legal professionals about the complex issues encountered in the practice of medicine, including the intricacies of decision-making, aiming to sharpen their understanding on behalf of their clients, both plaintiff and defense.
(1) The Secret Science of Winning Lotteries, Sweepstakes and Contests;
http://amzn.com/1432793888
(2) Understanding the Law: A Primer;
http://amzn.com/1440111456
(3) The Immigration Paradox: 15 Tips for Winning Immigration Cases;
http://amzn.com/1440171920
(4) Legal Consumer Tips and Secrets: Avoiding Debtors' Prison in the United States; and
http://amzn.com/1462051847
(5) Quince (15) Consejos Para Ganar Casos Del Inmigracion.
http://amzn.com/1462068952
www.CharlesJeromeWare.com ("We fight. You win.")
Attorney Charles Jerome Ware is renowned and consistently ranked among the best attorneys and legal counsellors in the United States. [GQ Magazine, The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, The Columbia Flier, USA TODAY, The Howard County Sun, The Anniston Star, The New York Times, CNN, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX-TV NEWS, WHUR, WHUT, MPT, BBC, The Wall Street Journal, ABA Journal, et al.]
INMIGRACION SECRETOS (USA)
Quince (15) Consejos Para Ganar Casos De Inmigracion (Spanish Edition) [Paperback]
Charles Jerome Ware (Author)
Book Description
Charles Jerome Ware (Author)
Book Description
America is a nation of immigrants; yet one of the most highly debated public policy issues discussed today is the so-called "immigration problem". According to the Center for Immigration studies in a November 2007 report, more than 10.3 million immigrants have arrived in the United States since the year 2000. This 2000 to 2007 period represents the highest seven-year timeline of immigration in American history. Further, the Center states that more than half (or about 5.6 million) of these foreign-born new arrivees are estimated to be undocumented. As a former United States Immigration Judge, I have always been amazed by the lack of knowledge shown by our elected officials particularly, and the American public generally, over the issue of immigration. As a result, I believe, views on immigration tend to gravitate towards the extremes.
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Charles Ware is a former United States Immigration Judge. He has published and spoken publicly numerous times on various legal topics. His previous three legal books published by iUniverse have all been well-received by readers: Understanding the Law: A Primer (2008), The Immigration Paradox" (2009), and Legal Consumer Tips and Secrets (2011). His national law practice is headquartered in Columbia, Maryland where he lives with his family. Charles Ware has been featured on his own number one legal advice radio program, "The Lawyer's Mailbox", as well as on numerous other television and radio programs.
CONSUMER SECRETS 101
Legal Consumer Tips and Secrets: Avoiding Debtors' Prison in the United States [Hardcover]
Charles Jerome Ware (Author)
Charles Jerome Ware (Author)
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