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2 Answers | Asked in Collections, Arbitration / Mediation Law and Contracts for Florida on
Q: How to handle non-jury trial notice for debt repayment in Florida?

I have received notice of a non-jury trial date in Florida regarding a debt I owe to Discover Card/Capital One. The debt is valid. I have previously attempted to resolve the issue through arbitration and directly with the creditor but have not been successful. I am willing to pay the debt but would... View More

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Aug 3, 2026

Contact the law firm that filed suit. Trust me when I tell you that they would rather do a reasonable payment plan that go to trial. Your payment plan should be realistic - something that will make the creditor want to take your offer. If you owe, 5, 6 thousand, don't think they are going to... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Collections, Arbitration / Mediation Law and Contracts for Florida on
Q: How to handle non-jury trial notice for debt repayment in Florida?

I have received notice of a non-jury trial date in Florida regarding a debt I owe to Discover Card/Capital One. The debt is valid. I have previously attempted to resolve the issue through arbitration and directly with the creditor but have not been successful. I am willing to pay the debt but would... View More

Andrey Mangushev
Andrey Mangushev
answered on Aug 6, 2026

Receiving a notice for trial after unsuccessful settlement attempts is a serious escalation, and you are right to want to understand your options before that date arrives. In Florida, once a case is at issue, either party may file and serve a notice for trial under Florida Rule of Civil Procedure... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law and Contracts for California on
Q: Can I negotiate my severance agreement after a company-wide layoff in CA?

I worked as a Senior Art Director at Ralph Creative in Los Angeles, California, from December 2022 until July 30, 2026, when I was laid off without advance notice as part of a company-wide reorganization. My termination letter states that the layoff was not performance-related. During my... View More

Michael R Trust
Michael R Trust pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 3, 2026

Hello. You can always negotiate, provided you have leverage. Without leverage, your emoloyer has no reason to consider increasing the offer. The leverage would come from the very items you're being asked to release; as you review them, if you have no actual or potential claims, you likely... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law for Virginia on
Q: Could booking a visa appointment before H-1B petition approval affect my change of status request?

I have a pending H-1B petition with a request for change of status from F-1 to H-1B. I've already booked a visa stamping appointment in India using my H-1B receipt number due to the backlog in India for H1B stamping. If I remain in the U.S. with my petition pending, could merely booking the... View More

Karol Dezwager Brown
Karol Dezwager Brown pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 3, 2026

Hi! Based on what you've shared, simply booking a future visa stamping appointment does not, by itself, generally determine whether USCIS approves or denies an H-1B petition or a change of status request. USCIS and the U.S. Department of State handle different parts of the immigration process,... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Traffic Tickets for New York on
Q: What is typical plea bargain for VTL 1144-a in Suffolk County, NY?

I am seeking information about the typical plea bargains for a VTL 1144-a violation in Suffolk County, New York. There was no accident involved, and my goal is to reduce both the fine and points on my driver's license. What can I expect, and what are my options?

Stephen Bilkis
PREMIUM
Stephen Bilkis pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 10, 2026

I understand why you would want to know what to expect before deciding how to handle the ticket. In Suffolk County, there is no single guaranteed plea bargain for a violation of Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1144-a, but depending on your driving record and the circumstances, a reduction may be... View More

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