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Q: Missed a court date in a California civil lawsuit due to medical reasons. How to proceed?
I am the defendant in a civil lawsuit in California. I missed a court date on October 5, 2026, due to medical reasons and mistakenly believed the date was October 6, 2026. On the morning of the 6th, my caregiver contacted the court clerk about this situation. What steps should I take to address... View More 
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Emery Brett Ledger
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answered on Oct 7, 2026
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answered on Oct 7, 2026
The first thing to find out is what actually happened on October 5. Look up your case on the court's online case portal, or ask the clerk for a copy of the minute order from that date. A missed hearing can mean very different things. Sometimes the judge simply continues the matter or sets an... View More
Q: Can I stop paying collateral insurance for a car if I have my own insurance?
I recently purchased a used vehicle in Missouri and was initially told by the dealership that I would need to sign up for collateral insurance because I couldn't get an insurance quote at the time of purchase. Before leaving the lot, I managed to get my own insurance, making the car street... View More
Robert Grant Pennell
answered on Oct 7, 2026
answered on Oct 7, 2026
The lender will require you to have full coverage on the vehicle to protect the collateral. You can do that with your own insurance policy, or pay for it through the lender. If you obtained your own coverage that will suffice, provided you have full coverage. Missouri’s Financial Responsibility... View More
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Q: Will marital compensation affect housing benefits in CA?
I live in subsidized housing in San Francisco, CA, with a housing voucher, and currently pay 30% of my income from my pension and disability benefits. My husband recently got injured in a car accident and is set to receive monetary compensation. I'm concerned this may affect my housing... View More
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Emery Brett Ledger
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answered on Oct 7, 2026
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answered on Oct 7, 2026
The good news first. Under the federal rules that govern Housing Choice Vouchers, a lump sum personal injury settlement is generally not counted as income. HUD excludes insurance payments and settlements for personal or property losses, including car insurance payouts, from annual income. A... View More
Q: Can probation be granted for a first offense class B felony in Alabama for larceny?
What are the chances of receiving probation for a first offense Class B felony in Alabama related to larceny and theft by deception? The amount involved is less than $3,000, and there is no prior criminal record. I have recently learned of warrants for these charges.
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Jaimee Elizabeth Hunter
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answered on Oct 7, 2026
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answered on Oct 7, 2026
The short answer is yes, probation is very possible in your situation. Under Alabama law, probation can be granted for any sentence of 15 years or less, and Class B felonies carry a range of 2 to 20 years. More importantly, theft offenses fall under Alabama's presumptive sentencing standards,... View More
Q: Could firearm ownership affect my OPT extension, H-1B, or green card application?
I am an F-1 student currently on post-completion OPT and living in Texas. I hold a valid Texas resident hunting license and plan to purchase a shotgun solely for hunting purposes, relying on the hunting license exception in 18 U.S.C. 922(y)(2). I will truthfully answer the ATF Form 4473 and renew... View More
Kyle M. Kinzy
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answered on Oct 7, 2026
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answered on Oct 7, 2026
Hello, my name is Kyle Kinzy and I have been practicing immigration law for more than 25 years. Confirming the immigration consequences before buying the shotgun, rather than after, is the right order.
Lawful ownership under the hunting license exception should not, by itself, affect your... View More
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