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Have legal questions? Justia Ask A Lawyer lets you get free answers to your legal questions from experienced attorneys. Whether you need guidance on family law, criminal defense, personal injury, immigration, employment law, real estate, or another legal matter, you can ask your questions anonymously and get the answers you need.

Recent Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law, Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: Can parolees and homeless be placed in a condemned building in NY?

I am a resident living in a building in New York that has been under investigation by Code Enforcement for nine months. They have declared it uninhabitable and demanded abatement. I'm concerned about whether parolees and homeless individuals can be legally placed in such a building that is... View More

Thomas Anthony Sirianni
Thomas Anthony Sirianni
answered on Jul 14, 2026

I am a New York landlord-tenant and real estate attorney with 27 years of practice on Long Island.

The short answer is no. Once a building has been declared uninhabitable by code enforcement, it cannot lawfully be occupied by anyone, and that includes placements of parolees or homeless...
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1 Answer | Asked in Collections and Consumer Law for Texas on
Q: Can a law firm sue for a 14-year-old loan in Texas?

I've been living in Las Vegas for about 14 years and have a clean credit history with no unpaid loans. Recently, a law firm contacted me, claiming I owe money for an old loan with Cash USA, dating back over 14 years ago when I lived in Texas. They attempted to send a certified letter while I... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jul 14, 2026

It depends on the applicable statute of limitations and any legal doctrines that might apply to toll or revive the claim. The applicable statute might be the state where you live, or it might be another state (or sovereign) with contacts to the lending relationship. Many lenders include consent to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law, Federal Crimes, Employment Law and Criminal Law for Arizona on
Q: How to locate and assist a family member detained for suspected smuggling in Arizona?

I'm seeking help locating my family member who was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. They were detained near Sells, AZ, for suspected human smuggling. As far as I know, they have not been formally charged yet, and no legal representation has been obtained. I believe they might be... View More

Sean Robert Kautenburger
Sean Robert Kautenburger pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 14, 2026

If your family member was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), they may initially be held at a CBP facility before being transferred to another federal agency, such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or the U.S. Marshals Service, depending on whether criminal charges... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence, Family Law and Criminal Law for Arizona on
Q: Am I required to answer CPS questions about domestic violence in Arizona?

Child Protective Services (CPS) in Arizona wants to question me about a criminal incident involving allegations of domestic violence in front of a child. They have issued a Notice of Duty to Inform, but I am not facing any charges and have no previous history with CPS. The case is against my... View More

Sean Robert Kautenburger
Sean Robert Kautenburger pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 14, 2026

In Arizona, you are generally not required to answer CPS investigators' questions simply because they ask. You have the right to decline an interview or to have an attorney present before answering questions. If there is a related criminal investigation, speaking with CPS could potentially... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Probate, Real Estate Law and Contracts for Florida on
Q: Am I responsible for my late husband's loan in FL?

I live in Florida, and my husband passed away in May 2026. He had a home improvement loan for hurricane windows in his name only. My name is on the deed and mortgage to the house, and all bank accounts were joint. There was no probate since it wasn't needed. I have continued making the loan... View More

Andrey Mangushev
Andrey Mangushev
answered on Jul 17, 2026

The loss of a spouse while simultaneously facing debt collectors is an extremely difficult situation, and the key question under Florida law is whether you were a co-signer or co-borrower on your husband's home improvement loan. In Florida, a surviving spouse is generally not personally liable... View More

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