Monthly Archives: April 2012

One big question at stake in the trial of George Zimmerman for the killing of Trayvon Martin is whether Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” self-defense laws will shield Zimmerman from conviction, as well as subsequent civil action by Martin’s family. However, regardless of Zimmerman’s fate, the homeowners association in the gated community where Martin was killed could be liable for the teenager’s death. Zimmerman was the official watch captain for the neighborhood Questions abound about training and guidelines put forth by …

Contrary to some recent rosy predictions of a recovering housing market, thousands of homeowners are still underwater on their mortgages and lawyers who represent homeowners say the next wave of foreclosures is looming. Companies that track foreclosures have already seen a rise since the beginning of the year. Lawyers working in the trenches with distressed homeowners see no let up. “We’re constantly deluged by calls,” said Patrick Dunlevy, a Los Angeles attorney with the country’s largest pro bono law firm …

Last week a federal judge signed off on a $26 billion settlement agreement negotiated between five major banks and attorneys general in 49 states and the District of Columbia. The banks were originally charged with having unlawful and unfair foreclosure practices. Among the allegations: Lenders employed “robo-signers” who signed off on foreclosure affidavits attesting they’d personally reviewed foreclosure documents without actually doing so Because of robo-signers and other shoddy practices, banks improperly foreclosed on homes   Does the Mortgage Settlement …

Living together before tying the knot is not the scandalous prospect it was considered to be in more conservative times, and adults in the U.S. are now putting off marriage at unprecedented rates. With the stigma of “shacking up” diminished, more couples are finding reasons to move in together before marriage, prompting some to lay down a few ground rules with cohabitation agreements. Similar to prenuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements are premarital contracts that are used to specify ownership of assets, …

Insurer on the hook for $34 million for denying Alzheimer’s coverage  A 90 year-old woman was awarded $34 million dollars in a lawsuit brought by her daughter against an insurance company that refused to cover her Alzheimer’s treatment. In 1997, Montana resident Arlene Hull purchased long term care insurance with her husband, Bill. Her husband died but Arlene  continued to pay the premiums. In 2007, she was diagnosed with dementia and moved into an assisted-living home because she was not …