The Missouri Bar

Even Spielberg Can't Get Enough Credit

Legendary director Steven Spielberg wants to be out on his own. He is trying to raise enough cash to take his DreamWorks studio solo - but even the mega Hollywood player can't get banks to give him enough credit to do so. (Read more in the LA Times)

The economic crunch is hurting families across the nation. Credit lines are frozen, or drastically reduced by lending institutions that are trying to lower their default rates. Add to that, it is even tougher to get credit now. A credit rating that used to be considered high is now average, and companies are searching for squeaky-clean credit reports before lending.

What do you need to know about your rating to get the credit you need? What is the best way to manage your credit? The Law in Your Life host Angela Wilson finds out from Bruce McClary with Clearpoint Financial Solutions.

Alcohol Shrinks Brain

Studies have shown that alcohol in small moderation can be good for your body. But a new study says that any amount of alcohol consumption can speed the shrinking of the brain - something that happens with age. Results were especially pronounced in women. (Read more at the Chicago Sun-Times)

Whether alcohol leads to a smaller brain faster than nature's timing or not, it can definitely impair one's judgment. Sometimes people imbibe a little too much - particularly around the holidays - and they get behind the wheel, not realizing that they may not be fit to drive. Other times someone who has had a sip of wine gets caught in a DWI checkpoint and isn't sure what to say to officers about drinking that night.

What should you know if you get pulled over on suspicion of driving while intoxicated? What if you just had a glass of wine with dinner and are not drunk? Should you take a breathalyzer? What should you tell an officer in this situation? The Law in Your Life host Angela Wilson gets the details from attorney Robert Murray of Columbia.

Gubernatorial Candidates Talk Higher Ed

Student loan debt rises

As Missouri gubernatorial candidates Republican Kenny Hulshof and Democrat Jay Nixon square off with their visions for higher education, families across the state find themselves wondering how they will pay for college.

Some have urged government officials to buy up bad student loan debt, along with housing loans, to save the U.S. economy. Even if that is an option, it doesn't help students in bad financial straights now - or those in still in school and staring down a mound of debt that could remain for a lifetime.

Students are borrowing more for higher learning - and adding on some whopping credit card debt for books, parties, food and other items. With credit limits being reduced or, in some cases, retracted, and with students finding jobs that make a wage smaller than they need, the credit crunch has put the pinch on these young graduates.

But there is hope for some through the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007. What is it and how can it help you or your college grad? Law in Your Life host Angela Wilson finds out from attorney Steve Murrell in this podcast on college debt.

CT Judge Makes Gay Marriages Traditional

Gay couples now have the right to marry in Connecticut. A state Supreme Court judge struck down a civil union law, which allowed couples to marry. But some gay rights activists said that wasn't enough - gay couples should be able to marry, not just get a civil union. In the ruling, the court called bans against gay marriage and the use of civil unions discrimination. The New York Times has more details.

Gay marriage was banned four years ago in Missouri with the passage of a constitutional amendment. Some Missouri couples go to other states to get married, but are these marriages legal in the Show-Me State?

Host Angela Wilson finds out from attorney Allan T. Stewart in this Law in Your Life podcast on gay marriage. 

Law in Your Life #56: Medical Bills

Medical expenses are some of the most costly to pay - especially for the uninsured. What you may not know is that hospitals typically overcharge for services, or bill you for services that were not performed. What else should you know when dealing with mounting medical debt? Law in Your Life host Angela Wilson sits down with attorney Larry Ferguson to learn more.

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October Is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Communities across the nation are discussing ways to combat domestic violence as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. When economic times are tough, the weather is bad or substance abuse is present, rates of domestic violence increase.

What should you know if you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship? The Law in Your Life host Angela Wilson finds out from attorney Brandi Byrd.

Hacker Indicted in Palin Email Scandal

The 20-year old University of Tennessee student who hacked Republican vice presidential hopeful Sarah Palin's email was indicted this week by a grand jury. David C. Kernell face a $250,000 fine and up to five years in prison if convicted of unlawfully accessing Palin's personal email and posting its contents on the Web site 4Chan.

Kernell is the son of a prominent Tennesee Democrat. Some had accused the Alaskan governor of using her personal email for government business, a claim never proven. Read more in PC Magazine.

This case raises several online consumer issues:

Whether you use your personal or work email for clients, is what you type and save really confidential? Just how much privacy do you have in the workplace? Attorney Bill Martucci discusses this topic with host Angela Wilson.

Another issue with hijacked email is identity theft. What should you do if you think your ID was taken? How can you prevent it? We have the answers!

What if you share a confidential document subject to copyright and it is illegally posted online? Copyright law is the focus of this Law in Your Life podcast with attorney Annette Heller. 

Court Refuses to Hand Over Mother Charged with Kidnapping

In Costa Rica, a court refused to send back a woman charged in the United States with kidnapping her daughter. The U.S. asked the court to extradite Nicole Kater, 28, who fled to the country three years during a contentious custody dispute with her American husband. The child's father was awarded custody in 2005, which led Kater to flee. She claims her husband was abusive - a standard tactic used in such cases. (Read more in the Nicaragua Daily News.)

International child kidnappings are on the rise as a global economy and the Internet bring together couples from various nationalities. These cases are tedious and difficult to win, depending on which countries a fleeing spouse resides in.

The Law in You Life tackles this topic with attorney Chris Schmidt, who explains to host Angela Wilson how to fight in these situations - and how to avoid them.

Tomorrow Last Day to Register to Vote

If you want to vote in the November race, you have until tomorrow to register with your local county clerk's office.

Absentee ballots can be cast now at your local county clerk's office.

The Missouri Secretary of State's Office has the details on how to register and absentee voting.

Law in Your Life #55: International Child Abductions

Parental child abductions are frightening - especially when the children are taken overseas. These cases are difficult to navigate as international laws come into play. This week, Law in Your Life host Angela Wilson finds out just how common these abductions are, and what you need to know if it happens to you from attorney Chris Schmidt. Schmidt will also discuss ways to prevent international child custody issues before they happen.

Download audio to your computer. (MP3, approx 12.9 meg)
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Download audio to your computer. (MP3, approx 12.9 meg)
Note: in some browsers, the file may not begin playing until full file is downloaded.