Small Claims Court

What is a small claims court? This is just simply a court that handles claims of $5000 and under.

This court will resolve civil disputes such as property and contract disagreements. The first step would be for you to determine if you think you have a case and enough evidence to support it.

You might want to consult with an attorney before you file your claim they can give you advice on gathering evidence and preparing the proper paperwork. In some states like Florida you can have a attorney represent you in the court.

Before you file suit collect enough evidence such as contracts, receipts, canceled checks, and even witness testimony if possible. This will go a long way in helping you win your case.

It is best to file your suit in the County where the dispute has occurred. You should prepare a statement of claim the County Clerk's office can help you with this. Once this is done you will have to serve the defendant with the statement. This can be done by having the clerk of courts mail it to them. Another option would be to have the sheriff of the county serve them with this paperwork there is usually a small fee for having this done by sheriff 's department. Remember when taking someone to the small claims court the better prepared you are with the necessary evidence the more chance you have to win your case.

Telemarketing & Junk Mail

We all hate to be bothered by telemarketers and junk mail in your box. It seems like every day we are bombarded with unwanted phone calls and mail.

There are some steps you can take to prevent being harassed by telemarketers and junk mail. The federal government has taken some steps as well as state legislators to reduce this type of annoyance on its citizens.

If you have a computer and a valid e-mail address you can sign up for the national do not call registry. www.donotcall.gov follow the directions on this website and it will help you put an end to some of the annoying calls. For junk mail you may request from the company in writing to remove your name from their mailing list. It may take a couple of letters to achieve this but most companies will comply. There are exceptions to these rules if you have been doing business with the company for example ordered a product from them they may contact you at any time in this case when called you should request to be put on the do not call list. You should follow this up with a written request to them also.

On Facebook

Written by Sherri Hicks:

I’m all about being online but Facebook is starting to take over my life. For example, when I meet a new person and they tell me they’re not on Facebook I instantly decide we can’t be friends – what’s up with that? I don’t know when and where it became so important to me that all my friends are available all the time to social network but you know, at the end of the day I think it’s great I’m able to detach myself when I need to. I have clear internet so I’m able to get online from my laptop probably more often than I should but it’s important to me to know what’s going on in my friends’ lives on a day to day basis and that’s all there is to it. I wish I wasn’t so interested in their new baby pictures or what vacation they just went on but at the end of the day that’s what social networking is all about, right? Knowing what your friends are up to?

Quick Claim Deed

What is a quick claim deed? This type of deed transfers only the interest the seller has in the land and not the land itself.

A quick claim deed will pass ownership to the buyer but the deed does not guarantee there is a free and clear title or any liens against the property. Generally speaking purchasers of land will want the best kind deed. This would be the general warranty deed. This type of the deed will guarantee the buyer a free and clear title with no liens against the property. Be sure to consult with a real estate attorney when entering into any land negotiating.

Processing Transactions

I went to a gas station the other day, pulled up to gas up but then, I saw a sign "we do not accept cards". I thought that was ridiculous! Any business that does not have merchant accounts will not go a long way in the business industry. Consumers like me are used to convenience. I am on the rush all the time. I do not have the time to walk inside the store to pay cash to the register. That was a hassle for me so; I drive down the next gas station and gas up a full tank.

They have no merchant account because they do not want to pay the high transaction rates. But, they lost costumers because of this mentality. There are cheaper transaction rates available online if they only check it out.

I thought I saw two cars pulled up and in minutes, drove away. Those are customers and they just went to the next gas station which I did after knowing the problem.

Anyway, if you have a business, you should apply for a merchant account. Most people these days does not carry cash and only transact using cards. The best way to compete in the business industry is to find the best credit card processing.

Warranty Deed

If you own property I'm sure you are familiar with a warranty deed. If you do not you might be asking what is a warranty deed?

A warranty deed is used when buying or selling real estate. They are official documents that have to be used in both real estate transactions. They are recorded documents that are kept with the land records at the county courthouse. They prove ownership of the property.

Many people get confused thinking that a quick claim deed and a warranty deed are similar. This is not true. The warranty deed states that the property being sold is free and clear of any liens and has a clear title. This is an advantage for the buyer that other deeds do not have such as a quick claim deed. So when entering a real estate transaction for your benefit go to a real estate attorney for the best advice on the documents you will need.

Credit Score

Have you ever wondered how your credit score is computed? Different agencies supply details to the credit bureaus.

Banks, service providers, credit card companies, and lenders supplied the details of your transactions to the credit bureaus this is done on a monthly basis. The credit bureau then calculates this data and determines your credit worthiness or score. Your score will determine if you will be eligible for a loan or a credit card. In years past a score of 600 was considered good credit but now it has risen to around 750. Many lenders will not take the time to read your full credit report and would just judge you on your actual score. So it is very important that you check with the credit bureau exactly what your score will be and if you need to improve it. If you contact a financial advisor in which many cases is free from various organizations they can advise you on exactly how to repair your credit score and worthiness.

Problems When Purchasing A Home

If you are planning to purchase a home in the near future now is the best time. Mortgage rates are at an all-time low some as low as 3.25%.

So you go to your bank to have your mortgage financed and to your surprise you are turned down for a loan how can this be? You met the standard for mortgage financing a few years ago and you still have a high credit score but you are unable to qualify today.

Probably one reason would be your less than perfect credit score. You must remember a few years ago Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were lending money to just about anyone and your credit score was much lower than today. In today's market your credit score is much higher if you had any events in your life that could have lowered your score even a little bit you cannot qualify for a loan.

Another major reason could be a low cash down payment on your home. Before banks would only require a small down payment and would finance as much as 90% of the loan. But now most banks require at least 20% down. To qualify for a mortgage you probably have to wait a little longer to secure a larger down payment. You may also check with your credit bureau as to the status of your current score and try to improve it. Another option would be rent to own check with your local real estate agent about this program.

Warranty Deed

If you own property and are planning to sell it the best way to do this is with a warranty deed.

What is a warranty deed? A warranty deed is a document where the seller guarantees that he or she owners clear title to the real estate and has a right to sell it. The guarantee extends back to the property's original beginning. This is simply stating that there are no liens or claims other than those previously disclosed. If you are planning to sell the property on your own you might check with a real estate attorney to prepare the proper paperwork such as the warranty deed.

Real Estate Agent

When selling your home you might want to consider consulting a real estate agent there are certain advantages to using one.

When we are selling our home of course we want to do it as fast as possible this is where your real estate agent comes in. A real estate agent could sell your home much faster that you. A good agent will have a long list of contacts who are looking to buy a home. Most agents are very knowledgeable about how to sell your home. A good agent can also estimate the value of your home and advise you on the selling price.

There are some disadvantages in using a real estate agent. If an agent has a lot of homes to sell he may put your home at the end of the list. A real estate agent normally shows quite a few homes in a day. Many people try to sell their own home for the simple reason they do not want to pay the agent a commission. I think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages and would recommend that you use a real estate agent when selling your home.

Walgreens and Express Scripts Big Dispute

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Walgreens and Express Scripts have been negotiating for a new contract and sad to say, it was unsuccessful. Express Scripts is a pharmaceutical provider network  for Walgreens and the latter's contract expired last December 31, 2011. As a result of the unsuccessful negotiation, Express Scripts has dropped Walgreens from its pharmacy network list.

The company said that  this decision would not have any effect for the patients but, in all reality it really does! Because of this dispute, the health plan of the patients are greatly affected including the clients of Tricare which is the health and prescription drug program for the  men and women in uniform. Most of the clients are searching for an alternative network for their pharmacy benefits. Other pharmacies do not have the convenient hours offered by Walgreens so; patients will definitely experience the inconvenience. Check out the press release here:  Dispute.

Some of the holder of  Prescription Savings Club at Walgreens under the Express Scripts plan will be forced to find another pharmacy. Walgreens Pharmacy wanted to accommodate all of them but now, they are forced to leave Walgreens system to use the coverage stated in their contract. Walgreens wanted to offer lower price of prescriptions and the convenience but, Express Scripts rejected the proposal. I am dismayed with this facts! How about you? You can express your thoughts thru Walgreens on Twitter and Walgreens on Facebook. If you are a customer of Walgreens, share your thoughts now.

As Time Goes By

As time marches on over the last hundred years we have seen many changes in our environment and daily living.

I recently got an e-mail from a family member pointing out how much different the world was in 1910. It is really amazing how far we've come in the last hundred years.

For example let us take the year of 1910. The average life expectancy for men was 47 years ago. The popular car in this day was the Ford model R. the fuel for this car was sold at the drugstore. Very few homes had a bathtub only about 14%. The maximum speed limit in most towns was 10 mi./h. Only about 8% of the homes had a telephone.

There was also a great difference when you were shopping in the supermarket. The cost of sugar was four cents a pound, coffee $.15 a pound, eggs $.14 a dozen.

Here's a real eye-opener marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over-the-counter at the local drugstore. In 1910 these drugs were not considered harmful.

The population of Las Vegas was 30. Ten out of every adults could not read or write and only 6% of Americans had graduated from high school. There was also no Mother or Father's Day. Canned beer and Ice-T had not been invented yet. The last amazing statistic there was only 230 murders in the entire United States. As the saying goes we've come a long way baby can you imagine what the next hundred years may bring.

The Deed Of Trust

If you are planning to purchase a home in the near future there are some terms that you should be familiar with.

Deed of Trust this is just another name for a mortgage this document is used in some states in place of a mortgage.

When purchasing a home after all the paper work is complete you will go to what is called the closing. There you will be confronted with a ton of paperwork so
you should know some of the terms and what they mean in the paper that you will be signing.

One of the documents will be titled the deed of trust. This document will give you vital information on the mortgage your about to sign. It will state the loan amount, who the lender is, who the borrower is, a when your loan is due, the trustors and trustees, states loan is secured by the property and last a description of the property. So when entering any real estate deals be sure to consult a reputable real estate agent or even a real estate attorney will give you peace of mind.

The Note

If you are planning to purchase a home in the near future you should be familiar with some of the paperwork you will be signing.

Let us start with the Note what is a Note? This is simply just a basic contract between the the person borrowing the money and the lender. It will contain the basic terms and conditions of your loan.

What does a Note consist of? Number one it will have your rate. It have all of your prepayment terms. Payment amount of principal and interest. Your taxes and insurance will not be included in this. It will inform you on what day of the month your payment is due and if you are late what the penalties will be. It will also inform you the amount of your loan.

It is important that you know if you feel that after signing the loan documents you did not understand it or later on have any objections you to have the right to cancel. You will have three days to cancel your loan. The three days are excluding Sundays and Federal holidays. So good luck in the future closing of your new home and always remember to use a reputable real estate agent as they can advise you on your closing.

Tebow Strikes Again

I really enjoyed watching the NFL wildcard playoffs this weekend especially since my team the New Orleans Saints have advanced and are headed to California. Congratulations also to the New York Giants for their win on Saturday.

But I think the best game of the weekend was the Denver Broncos facing the Pittsburgh Steelers. As they battled back and forth at the end of the game they were tied and would have to go into overtime. The Denver Broncos won the toss and elected to receive the ball. I cannot believe what I saw next. On the first play of overtime Tim Tebow threw 80 yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas which ended the game and the Denver Broncos were victorious.

I have to give a lot of credit Ben Roethlisberger for continuing to play with a bad ankle as I know he must have been in pain. I cannot imagine the pressure that Tebow must've been under before the game as he has been criticized by so many people. It was even rumored that he might be replaced in the second half if he did not perform well. I hope this will put some of the vicious rumors about him to rest. It is very easy for these critics to run their mouths let us see what they have to say now that Tebow has shut it for them. I noticed after the game Tebow did kneel down and said a short prayer good for him this is a man that sticks to his beliefs. So again congratulations to the New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, and the Denver Broncos for moving up in the playoffs good luck.

Real Estate Agents

While driving through the community you may see signs on some property for sale by owner. You may be asking yourself when buying or selling property do I really need a real estate agent?

My answer to this question would be never entered into a real estate deal without a reputable real estate agent. Number one most agents are familiar with the surrounding area and know the pitfalls of different neighborhoods. A good real estate agent can advise you on what the surrounding properties are worth this is very helpful when purchasing a property as it will prevent you from paying too much. And agent has access to many different types of properties that you might be interested in and can go with you for a physical tour. Once you have selected a property they will do the necessary paperwork and submitted to the buyer. Most agents are knowledgeable on the process of buying foreclosures and short sales and can advise you accordingly. Another advantage would be if you don't have your own home inspector they can generally recommend a a reputable one. You should never purchase a home without your own home inspector he working for you and can point out any major defects in the property this could save you a lot of money. So if you're looking to sell or purchase property contact a reputable real estate agent in your area to help you this will take a lot of stress and aggravation out of your life.

Your Home Is Your Castle

Your home is your castle and you do have a right to protect yourself when in it. There is a law in the United States referred to as the castle law.

This law simply means that if you come under attack in your own home you do have the right to protect yourself. An example of this was on New Year's Eve in the state of Oklahoma a young mom called 911 for help as two men were trying to break into her home.

First let me say my heart goes out to this woman as she had lost her husband to cancer on Christmas Eve two men attempted to break into her home on New Year's Eve where she was alone with her three-month-old baby. She called 911 and asked for help. She did inform them she was sitting there with two guns in her hand. She asked if she could shoot these people if they came into her house she was informed by the operator do what you have to do to protect your baby. As the burglary proceeded they entered her home where she promptly shot one dead the other fled but was later captured by police.

The question being asked now is can she be legally responsible for killing the intruder? Under the castle law in Oklahoma she had a perfect right to defend herself and her family no charges will be filed. Many states have this law. In most cases anyway if someone breaks into your home you to have the right to defend it. The castle law states that you to have the right to use deadly force if an unauthorized person is trying to gain entry into your home. Home invaders be aware you may be at the end of a smoking shotgun on your next job.

The Witnesses

For many types of legal documents a witnesses is required. Some people will tell you that this is really not necessary but they are wrong.

If you are signing any kind of legal document and at the bottom of the page there is a space for a witnesses make sure you have a reliable one. For example in many states such documents as a last will and testament, real estate deeds and leases of more than one year will require a witness. Many documents will require at least two witnesses. This is really to protect you and make the document legal validity. Having a witness to sign the document can be helpful if you would have to go to court in case the parties involved deny that they signed a document. So when entering any kind of legal agreement be sure to take the time to find a reliable witness.

Rental Property Inspections

Before you commit yourself to a rental contract in an apartment or condo or a single-family home you should do a property inspection with the landlord.

By doing a property inspection this will protect you against any false claims when your lease is up and you move out. One of the big issues between the landlord and tenant is the condition of the property before and after the tenancy. By doing a room by room inspection you will have a more accurate record of what condition the property is in before you moved in. Taking photos of the property will also be a important factor in case you are falsely accused of damaging the property and would have to go to court. This will definitely give you an accurate record of the condition of the property. So take the time to make a room to room inspection and documented it. You will sign it and have your landlord sign it this will save you a lot of stress and keep you from any responsibilities of damage that you did not do.

Legal Agreement

Most people do not realize if they do not have a legal agreement defining family living arrangements if a problem comes up you are actually putting your fate in the hands of an outside party such as the courts.

It is in your best interest whether you are living together married or have a child on your own your legal rights can be easily decided by you in advance with just a little prior planning. To ensure that your desires and wishes are met you should come to an agreement with your partner and put it in writing. This will protect you if a dispute arises and you will be able to avoid going to court over it. There are some do-it-yourself forms that you can buy to draw up a legal agreement but the best course to take would be to see an attorney this is a simple document and should not cost very much.

Corporate Gift Baskets

In the world of corporate dealings, extending goodwill to the corporate clientele is a must. Creating a harmonious relationship will gain trust so; during holidays and special occasions giving client holiday gifts are positive thing to do. Make a list and show gratitude to your clients by sending corporate gifts. Showing appreciation will boost good rapport between your business and your clients. By establishing that positive vibes, it will definitely result the loyalty to your business.

Giving is just showing gratitude and the price does not matter at all. Just give what you think are the best for them or better yet, give them the corporate gift baskets. When your clients know that they are special to your company, the more they patronize your business and your products. You should think about them after all, they are the ones who make your business prosper and have you on the top in the corporate world. It is but right to return the favor by sending your thoughts of appreciation by giving the gifts. It is good to give back and in return they will stay loyal all year round.

Baby Registry

Thanks to Roman May:

After five years of trying, my husband and I are expecting our first baby. We are both very excited. It feels like it is not real yet because it is still very early. We are almost at the three month mark where it is supposed to be safe to tell everyone. But last night I could not wait any more and broke down and told my parents on the phone. I hated to tell them on the phone, but ever since we moved to Las Vegas three years ago, I am not able to see them in person as much as I want. Of course, then we had to call my husband’s family and then everyone got to talking to everyone else, and before we knew what happened everyone we knew was calling to congratulate us. So now, I am on North Las Vegas wireless internet, registering at three different places on their baby registry. At least all our family and friends can see what type of presents we would like for the baby and still feel a part of everything even though we live so far away. I cannot wait until we get to back home for a visit. My mom says she is going to plan a baby shower for the week we are home.