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Q: Can my father's wife win a court case over life insurance beneficiary in Michigan?
My father recently committed suicide, and on the day of his death, he changed his life insurance beneficiary to make me the sole beneficiary. His wife is aware of this, yet she has taken legal action, and the funds are currently on hold. I have reasons to believe her actions may have contributed to... View More 
Edward Gudeman
answered on Jul 26, 2026
answered on Jul 26, 2026
If this dispute proceeds to court, your father's wife could prevail if she establishes that your father lacked the requisite mental capacity to execute the contract on the day of his death or if she proves the change failed to comply with the policy's structural requirements. Your... View More
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Construction Law, Civil Litigation, Consumer Law and Real Estate Law
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New Jersey
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Q: What actions can I take against a contractor who took a deposit and didn't start the project in NJ?
I am facing an issue with contractor fraud in New Jersey. I gave a contractor a total deposit of $26,000 in August and November 2025 for a kitchen renovation project, with each installment being $13,000. Although the contract specified a start in January 2026, the work never commenced, with the... View More
Leonard R. Boyer
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answered on Jul 26, 2026
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answered on Jul 26, 2026
You need to retain an experiencesd civil litigation attorney and your situation will require a $300.00 consultation fee. As someone who has successfully handled a significant number of these cases, I can make some statements with a very high degree of certainty, which is good news for you. It is... View More
Q: Accidentally encountered illegal content through pop-ups; concerned about legal trouble.
I accidentally encountered illegal content through automatic redirect pop-ups while browsing the internet a few weeks ago. Each time I clicked, it took me to increasingly concerning sites. Out of shock and curiosity, I revisited these pop-up sites over 12 times on separate occasions. Even after... View More
Mark Cheser
answered on Jul 26, 2026
answered on Jul 26, 2026
More information is needed. You do not say what the content may be. If sexual with underage children the cops consider just viewing it as criminal and deadly serious. Jail time serious. Your post indicating multiple hits is a great concern. I would stop. I would erase it all if you can. You may... View More
Q: Can a judge be part of an investigation and testify under oath by phone in New York?
In a real case in New York, is it legally permissible for a judge, who is a friend, to be involved in the investigation and provide testimony under oath over a phone call?
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 26, 2026
answered on Jul 26, 2026
A judge cannot testify in a matter over which they are presiding; this is precluded by Federal Rule of Evidence 605. The rule does not explicitly mention "investigation," but by the underlying line of reasoning, together with the operation of 28 U.S.C. §455, which holds that a judge... View More
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Personal Injury, Real Estate Law, Consumer Law and Insurance Defense
for
Pennsylvania
on
Q: Is structural fire damage covered if caused by third-party fireworks?
My property in Lackawanna County, PA, was damaged by a fire on July 4 after fireworks launched from a large vacant lot owned by a local hospital struck the exterior of my house. The fire department condemned the property, leading to displacement of the occupants. There is church surveillance video... View More
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 26, 2026
answered on Jul 26, 2026
I'm sorry about your fire. A Pennsylvania attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for three weeks. Those components are generally part of such policies, but an exact answer would involve reviewing the terms of your specific policy. At the time of your posting your question,... View More
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