Blogs

In July, the U.S. unemployment rate was 10.2%--an improvement over April-June rates, but a dramatic increase from the beginning of the year. In February, the nationwide unemployment rate was just 3.5%.

Over the past 30+ years, Bond & Botes has been blessed with passionate attorneys who counsel their clients through trying times with care and attentiveness. Monica Blanding is a prime example of the passion and empathy we aim to embody as trusted partners in this practice area.

Payday lending has long been controversial. While payday loan providers bill themselves as an important safety net for people in need of quick cash to cover unexpected expenses, these high-interest loans can be a trap for consumers--typically, the consumers who can least afford it.

In a somewhat surprising opinion issued in early July, the United States Supreme Court ruled that certain protections under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) extend to those who owe government debts, such as federal student loans. Previously, while the TCPA prohibited most telemarketers and debt collectors from placing auto-dialed calls to cell phones, there was an exception for those collecting debts on behalf of the government. 

Most Americans are concerned about the impact of the pandemic and related shutdowns and business closures on the U.S. economy, and on their local economies and personal finances. State and federal government officials speak regularly about weighing the direct health risks of Covid-19 against the fallout from economic conditions created by extensive precautions. 

Many people have difficulty qualifying for credit because they don’t have a credit history, or that history has black marks on it. Others in this situation may qualify for credit, but with an out-of-reach down payment and higher fees and interest. The option of using a cosigner can be critical for people without established credit or with low credit scores to purchase cars, take out loans to cover emergency expenses, and meet other needs. A cosigned loan can also help establish or rebuild credit. 

When you’re in need of a medium-ticket item like an appliance or a new couch and can’t afford to buy it outright, rent-to-own might look like the perfect solution. On the surface, it looks a lot like buying the item on credit, but it’s much more accessible to people who might not qualify for conventional financing. That’s why rent-to-own services often appeal to people with lower incomes and not-so-great credit histories.

Most parents across the United States are facing an unusual choice this school year. The specifics are different from state to state, but the core question is the same: Should we send our children back into physical school buildings in August? 

Depending on the state, parents may have between two and four options. These include returning to a traditional school day, virtual learning on a traditional schedule, a hybrid model with limited classroom time, or opting out of the school system and homeschooling kids. 

Access to healthcare is an ongoing problem in Alabama and across the United States. In the early days of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the number of Americans without health insurance declined. However, the problem was never fully solved. Between 2010 and 2016, the number of uninsured Americans dropped from 46.5 million (17.8%) to 26.7 million (10%). U.S. Census data suggests slightly higher statistics (49.9 million in 2010 and 28.1 million in 2016), with the trend remaining the same. 

By Ronald C. Sykstus, 256-713-0221, rsykstus@bondnbotes.com

As a veteran myself, I have been handling VA disability claims for my clients with the VA for several years on behalf of veterans.  Unfortunately, many of my veteran clients suffer from hearing loss and/or tinnitus, which is a constant or periodic ringing in one or both ears.