Volume IIII - Issue No. 4- Winter 2001

BANKS BEWARE!

A Michigan Court of Appeals has held that banks that prepare legal documents such as mortgages, deeds of trust, notes or deeds, for residential mortgages and charge a fee for same are engaged in the unauthorized practice of law. Although the Michigan case is not binding in Illinois, the ruling is consistent with similar court cases in other states.

ENVIRONMENTAL DISCLOSURE LAW REPEALED

The Responsible Property Transfer Act which required an environmental disclosure statement for real estate transactions affecting some commercial real estate and real estate with underground storage tanks has been repealed. Any action which accrued under the Act prior to August 9, 2001, may still be pursued.

CALLED TO DUTY

There are several federal and state laws to protect members of the military and their families when the service person is called to active duty. For a copy of a summary of these laws, contact our office and ask for "Called to Duty", a publication of the Illinois State Bar Association.

COST OF MEDICAL RECORDS

Starting September 1, 2001, Illinois allows health care providers to charge a handling fee not to exceed $20 for the copies, 75 cents per page for pages 1 - 25, 50 cents per page for pages 26 - 50, and 25 cents per page for all pages in excess of 50 pages, plus actual shipping costs. Reproduction of microfilm and microfiche may not exceed $1.25 per page. X-rays may be copied at a reasonable cost. Charges are subject to adjustment annually based on the Consumer Price Index.

Now You Know

A jury numbering 12 members harkens back to the days when astrologers picked who would sit on a jury. In order to be fair to the defendant, it was believed that jury members representing each of the 12 zodiac signs would ensure a diversity of personalities to sit in judgment.
From Lawyers: Jokes, Quotes and Anecdotes.

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