Gregory Chandler - The Credit Card Act of 2009

In my law practice, I advise many clients on credit card debt. Today, I advise the public on the Credit Card Act of 2009 (the "Act" and H.R.627) was signed into law on May 22, 2009. The Act amends provisions of the "Truth in Lending Act" and "Electronic Funds Transfer Act" and changes the methods by which credit card companies treat consumers. The various provisions of the Act will go into effect at different times, starting ninety (90) days from May 22, 2009 to fifteen months thereafter. The majority of the Act's provisions go into effect on February 22, 2010.

Interest Rate Limitations and Modifications
Retroactive interest-rate increases: The Act provides that consumers may not be subject to a retroactive interest-rate increase on an existing account balance unless his or her payments are sixty (60) days past due. An individual can have the prior rate reinstated by subsequently paying the monthly minimum payment on time for six (6) months. These provisions will become effective ninety (90) days after enactment of the Act.

Double-cycle billing: The Act halts the practice of "double-cycle billing." This practice involves the assessment of interest on a late-paying consumer's prior month balance that had been paid in full in addition to a late balance.

Advance Notice of Changes: To be effective, credit card companies will be required to provide at least forty-five (45) days prior written notice (the "notice period") of any interest rate increase. The notice period will also apply to any change in fees or finance charges. The notice must (1) be made in a clear and conspicuous manner, and (2) contain a statement of the individual's right to cancel the card account (without it constituting an agreement default). This provision will become effective ninety (90) days after enactment of the Act.

First Year Increases and Promotional Rates: During the first year the credit card account is opened, the Act prohibits any (1) interest rate increase; (2) fee; or (3) finance charge. With promotional card rates, no increase will be effective during the initial six (6) month period.

Interest Rate, Fee, and Finance Charges: The Act bars a credit card company from increasing an annual percentage rate, fee, or finance charge on an outstanding balance. The prohibition will not be applicable to: (1) an annual percentage rate increase upon expiration of a specified term; (2) an increase resulting from completion of a workout or temporary hardship arrangement; or (3) an increase resulting from the consumer's failure to make a minimum account payment within sixty (60) days after its due date.

Fee Restriction:
Over-The-Limit Transaction: Restricts the imposition of an over-the-limit fee, if the credit card account limit is exceeded, only to once during a billing cycle. It also provides that an over-the-limit fee many only be imposed only once in each of the two (2) subsequent billing cycles.

Method of Payment Fees: Provides that a credit card company may not impose a separate fee for allowing a consumer to repay an extension of credit or finance charge by mail, electronic transfer, telephone authorization, or other means. An exception involves a fee for an expedited service.

Application of Payments:
Receipt of Payments: Upon receipt of a customer payment, the card issuer will be required to apply amounts in excess of the minimum payment amount first to the card balance bearing the highest rate of interest. Any remaining payment must be applied to each successive balance bearing the next highest rate of interest, until the payment is exhausted.

Deadline: A credit card company's receipt of a payment on or before 5 p.m. of its due date will be on time. Similarly, no late fees will apply if a payment's due date falls on a Sunday or holiday and the consumer's payment arrives on the following day.

Young Consumers and Students:
The Act provides that no credit card may be issued to an individual who has not attained the age of 21 without (1) the signature of a cosigner (parent, legal guardian, spouse, or any other individual over the age of 21); or (2) the submission of financial information indicating a means of repaying the account. A cosigner's approval will be require to increase the credit card line of credit.

Gift Cards:
The Electronic Fund transfer Act is amended to provide that it is unlawful for any entity to impose a fee (dormancy, inactivity, or service) with respect to a gift certificate, store gift card, or general-use prepaid card. The law also bans expiration dates earlier than five years after the card's original issue date. An exception to the law will apply if (1) there is no activity within the 12-month period ending on the date the charge or fee is imposed; (2) the account disclosure requirements are satisfied; and (3) not more than one fee is charged in any given month.

A review of credit card company activity during the second half of 2009 shows that many credit card companies are attempting to avoid the commands of the Credit Card Act of 2009. Many credit card companies are acting now to--lawfully--avoid the new legislation. The consumer should be aware of the Credit Card Act of 2009 and seek expert advice.

GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law
E-mail address AttatLawGC@gmail.com

Gregory Chandler on Preworkout Supplements

Before weightlifting, I recommend some of the following supplements:

• Caffeine-Caffeine provides energy for high-intensity training by enhancing the amount of fat you burn during workouts. Caffeine may be taken as a supplement or in a beverage such as coffee;





• Nitric oxide boosters-This supplement works to dilate the blood vessels. The dilation works to speed oxygen, nutrients, and anabolic hormones throughout the body;





• Whey protein-This type of protein is fast acting. Since whey protein acts fast, the protein is delivered to the muscles right before the weightlifting;





• Branched chain amino acids(BCAAs)-This supplement contains the essential amino acids of leucine, isoleucine, and valine. BCAAs act to stimulate muscle protein synthesis, which leads to muscle growth;





• Creatine-This supplement works to allow a weightlifter to perform extra repetitions on an exercise;





• Beta-alanine-This supplement enhances the impact of creatine in the body.

GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law

Gregory Chandler, Attorney, Go Green with Green Tea

Go Green. I am not referring to environmental concerns. Here, I address matters of good health.

Green tea is healthy drink that is loaded with protective phytochemicals. Green tea is a beneficial drink for bodybuilders and those concerned with good health. Green tea has few calories and very little caffeine. The primary benefit of green tea is that it contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the fat-loss compound used in many bodybuilding supplements. EGCG can increase fat oxidation and thermogenesis (the generation of body heat), which burns calories.

Green tea's many healthy benefits are that it:

• Contains antioxidants that combat free radicals, the electron-deficient molecules that cause damage to cells,





• Fights dental cavities,





• May help prevent many types of cancer,





• Has cardiovascular benefits in that an extract of green and black teas has been shown to lower cholesterol,





• May help detoxify the blood, thus supporting liver function,





• Maintains bone density,





• Reduces inflammation.

The bottom line is that one should go green and drink some green tea.

GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law

Gregory Chandler on Creatine and Brain Function

Most dedicated bodybuilders know about creatine's role in bodybuilding. Creatine supplementation can improve one's performance in anaerobic tasks. Creatine use may also play a role in increasing the volume of a person's muscle cells. Researchers are constantly looking for new benefits from creatine supplementation. Recent research has shown that creatine supplementation (8 grams per day for five days) reduces mental fatigue when subjects repeatedly perform a simple mathematical calculation. Specifically, after taking the creatine supplementation, subjects exhibited a task-prompted increase in oxygen utilization in the brain. As creatine is abundant in the brain, and is used as an energy source for ATP synthesis, its role in the prevention of mental fatigue is useful in one's tasks outside bodybuilding.

During September 2009, I was faced with some awesome deadlines. I do lots of work as a transactional attorney. My goal is to always perform my tasks at a high level of proficiency. Knowing the recent research on creatine, I increased my supplementation with creatine. Perhaps the increased creatine allowed me to perform my tasks.

In closing, the research is that creatine supplementation works both in the gym and in your everyday tasks.

GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law

Gregory Chandler - FBI Crime Lab

An attorney contacted me earlier this year for assistance. I was informed that the attorney's client was going through a nasty divorce. The client's wife (soon to be ex-wife) alleged that documents concerning the marriage were forgeries.

I have trained at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. As a result, I have an awareness of how common the wife's forgery allegations are. My personal and professional experience also tells me that most forgery allegations can be disposed of by hiring a questioned documents examiner.

A competent examiner of questioned documents will have training in handwriting analysis, hand printing, typewriting, printing, erasures, and alterations. The FBI trains individuals in these areas of expertise.

In the mentioned case, I retained a questioned documents examiner for the divorce case. The questioned documents examiner analyzed several signatures of the wife. The analysis concluded that the forgery allegations are without merit. The gist of the analysis is that the wife--like most individuals--rarely execute the same signature everytime.

The bottom line is that when documents are questioned, a questioned documents examiner is helpful. A questioned documents examiner is needed by the accuser,the accused, and other interested individuals or entities.


GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law

Gregory Chandler - Physical training in the modern military

I joined the United States Army in 1975. During my more than 34 years of military service, I notice that the military has changed along with the general society on the matter of working out.
During the 1970s it was common to run in combat boots instead of running shoes. It took the military a long time to realize that running in combat boots is a problem for service members, like me, who have flat feet (over-pronators).

Views of nutrition and diet have also changed. I still have vivid memories of the salt tablet dispenser being in the dining facility during Airborne School. Airborne students were, in the 1970s, encouraged to consume large amounts of salt to deal with the Fort Benning, Georgia heat. Today, it is realized that most individuals consume so much salt and sodium that salt tablets are not encouraged.

Today's service members are confronted with a mix of physical training from the past as well as modern ideas. In the 1970s, physical training was mainly running and calisthenics. The young service member of today might be amazed that weightlifting was not common 30 years ago.

Today's service members should keep the old base of running. At the same time, weightlifting should be incorporated into the service members' physical training. The service member should vary his or her physical training routines to ensure a good fitness foundation.

Gregory Chandler -Humanofort Gives a Natural Testosterone Boost

Many individuals want to boost their testosterone.

Humanofort is a natural way to boost testosterone. It is no fun, however, to receive unwanted attention from the United States government for money laundering, assisting illegal aliens, et. al. By unwanted attention, I mean law enforcements types looking for illegal anabolic steroids.

Humanofort boosts testosterone by stimulating the adrenal glands. Humanofort is a purified protein extract derived from chicken embryos. Humanofort contains oligoproteins that stimulate the cells of the adrenal glands. Humanofort also activates growth factors.

Most supplement stores do not sell Humanofort. Therefore, you probably have to buy the product on-line.

Gregory Chandler