The Missouri Bar

What Does Immigration Reform Cost Indiana?

Indiana lawmakers are searching for the cost of illegal immigrants to state agencies. At least $5 million is spent through Indiana's Medicaid program. Other services, including prisons and education, aren't certain. Read more at WTHI TV10.

This year, Missouri lawmakers passed one of the most strict immigration laws in the nation. This Friday, Law in Your Life host Angela Wilson will find out what the new law is and how it impacts businesses.

Law in Your Life #52: Trademarks

Trademarks. These emblems, images and names are the consumer symbols of businesses. What items can you trademark? How do you protect your trademark. Law in Your Life host Angela Wilson sits down once again with attorney Annette Heller to get the facts.

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Note: in some browsers, the file may not begin playing until full file is downloaded.

Ohio Institutes Castle Doctrine

Ohio prosecutors are concerned that residents will take advantage of the new Castle Doctrine there. The law means that residents who fight intruders at their homes or in vehicles are automatically assumed to have been acting in self defense.

Missouri law also includes Castle Doctrine. Find out what that means to you in this Law in Your Life podcast with attorney Kevin Jamison.

On the Web:

Story on the Ohio law

Highlights of Ohio law

Special Needs Children in Political Spotlight

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has put the spotlight on families who have special needs children. Palin has an infant with Down syndrome. Not only do families need to adjust their lifestyle and find the best ways to care for their children, but they also must have a plan in place in case they die or become too ill to care for them.

What should families with special needs children know before estate planning? Attorney Doug Lee explains in this Law in Your Life podcast.

{Associated Press file photo/Al Grillo}

Feds Take Over Fannie, Freddie

On Sunday, the federal government announced that it would take over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two major players in the housing market. The companies are on the verge of going under with the collapse of the housing market, where Fannie and Freddie are leading lenders.

According to USAToday:

Fannie and Freddie will be placed in a government conservatorship that will assume the powers of their boards and management, said James Lockhart, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which regulates Fannie and Freddie.

The Fannie and Freddie shake up is part of a housing market filled with foreclosed homes and some families who now face bankruptcy as a result. The Law in Your Life has several podcasts to help understand the situation.

Bankruptcy

Conservatorship

Foreclosure

Foreclosure and Bankruptcy

Law in Your Life #51: Copyright

Author Stephenie Meyer says she won't complete the next in the popular Twilight Saga because someone shared a rough draft of the story online. Even though it wasn't complete, the document became viral and continued sharing violated the author's right to copyright.

In the digital age, it's tough to protect copyrights - especially when some don't realize they are violating the law by sharing music, books and other documents, or failing to cite sources in blogs. Today Law in Your Life host finds out more about copyright - and how to protect your work - with attorney Annette Heller.

(Internet Explorer users click twice.)

More on the Web:

Federal Copyright Office

Dog Bites Up in AU - Especially at Home

Dog bites rose 22 percent over the last 10 years in Australia. A new study also found that children under 4 are more likely to be bitten by Jack Russell terriers and Kelpies. Eighty percent of dog bites occur in the home, the study says. (Read more from The Advertiser)

What if your dog bites someone - or you are bitten? Get the answers you need - before an emergency arises - in this Law in Your Life podcast. Host Angela Wilson finds out what you need to know from attorney Keith Culter.

Missouri Couple Co-Parents For Son

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch recently profiled a couple who use co-parenting for joint custody of their son. When they divorced, they tell the Post-Dispatch, they wanted to put their son's needs first. (Read more)

Not all separations and divorces are that amicable. Sometimes couples need help to civilize custody battles and put their children first. It's called parenting coordination, and it works in some of the stickiest custody fights. Find out more about parenting coordination in this Law in Your Life podcast.

Meyer Drops Midnight Sun After Illegal Copies Show Up Online

Fans of teen vamp author Stephenie Meyer won't get a taste of the Twilight Saga sequel anytime soon. The author pulled her latest project, Midnight Sun, after someone illegally distributed copies of the first rough draft online.

I did not want my readers to experience Midnight Sun before it was completed, edited and published, Meyer says on her Web site. I think it is important for everybody to understand that what happened was a huge violation of my rights as an author, not to mention me as a human being. As the author of the Twilight Saga, I control the copyright and it is up to the owner of the copyright to decide when the books should be made public; this is the same for musicians and filmmakers. ...

Unfortunately, with the Internet, it is easy for people to obtain and share items that do not legally belong to them. No matter how this is done, it is still dishonest. This has been a very upsetting experience for me, but I hope it will at least leave my fans with a better understanding of copyright and the importance of artistic control.

This Friday, the Law in Your Life host Angela Wilson delves into copyright law with attorney Annette Heller. If you blog, podcast, share music, stories, or use works for school papers, this podcast is a must listen!

Guest Worker Shortage Worsens as Congress Debates Immigration

Tourists are flocking to Cape Cod for some sun and fun, but business owners are scrambling to meet their customers' needs. The guest worker program that provided up to 7,000 workers to help during Cape's busy season was not renewed this year as Congress debates immigration law.

The Boston Globe has an eye-opening story about the worker shortage and what impact it has on business finances.