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Q: What to expect at probation violation hearing for unpaid fines in FL?
My boyfriend was arrested for having a firearm on school grounds and received 1 year of probation. He is now in the last month of his probation, but he has received his first violation due to not paying fines/fees. He has otherwise been compliant, made a few payments, and his probation officer is... View More 
Andrey Mangushev
answered on Jun 11, 2026
answered on Jun 11, 2026
Your boyfriend is facing a probation violation hearing under Fla. Stat. § 948.06, which governs the process for alleged violations of probation in Florida. Because the original offense — possession of a firearm on school grounds under § 790.115 — is a serious felony, the stakes at this... View More
Q: Can my landlord evict me without a formal process if I miss a rent payment in Florida, and restrict my bathroom access by locking it?
I am renting a room in a house in Orlando, Florida, for $750 per month. Unfortunately, I was unable to pay the rent due on June 1, 2026. My landlord, who doesn't reside locally, sent his handyman to my door, demanding that I leave the property. I have a lease agreement with my landlord, and I... View More
Andrey Mangushev
answered on Jun 11, 2026
answered on Jun 11, 2026
What your landlord is doing — locking the bathroom door to coerce you to leave — is a textbook "self-help eviction," which is expressly prohibited under Florida law. Fla. Stat. § 83.67 prohibits a landlord from interrupting or terminating utilities, removing the tenant's... View More
Q: How to regain parental rights for a child in Florida foster care?
I am seeking to regain my parental rights to my daughter who has been in a foster home in Florida since 2021. Initially, the court system did not cooperate with my attempts to reunite with her. There currently aren't any ongoing legal proceedings or upcoming court dates related to my case. How... View More
Andrey Mangushev
answered on Jun 11, 2026
answered on Jun 11, 2026
Your situation involves the termination or ongoing dependency of parental rights under Florida's child welfare system, governed primarily by Fla. Stat. § 39.621 through § 39.8145. If your parental rights were formally terminated by a court under § 39.806, Florida law is extremely... View More
Q: How to distribute estate funds without tax consequences?
I'm in Colorado, and my 89-year-old mother, who has an estate valued at about $1 million plus three homes, wants to distribute some of her money now rather than through her will. She plans to give me approximately $100,000 to cover the cost of roofing repairs on my home, shop, and barn to... View More
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Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Jun 11, 2026
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answered on Jun 11, 2026
Based upon the facts presented, your mother does not have any estate or gift tax concerns. Colorado does not impose an estate tax and the federal estate tax exemption is over $15 million.
However, you should be mindful of the possibility of your mother incurring a lengthy Medicaid penalty... View More
Q: Is reporting money found in a purchased safe required?
A person bought a locked gun safe on Facebook Marketplace without a combination. After purchasing, they contacted the safe company to get the combination and found a smaller safe inside, which contained money. There was no discussion with the seller about possible contents, as the seller... View More
James H Sutton Jr.
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answered on Jun 11, 2026
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answered on Jun 11, 2026
Since you don't know that any crime has actually been committed, you shouldn't have to report the money to the police. You purchased a locked safe with the potential of there being something in it. It was a gamble. The gamble paid off. Federal tax law does require the funds to be... View More
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