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Questions Answered by Michael David Siegel
2 Answers | Asked in Business Law for New York on
Q: I own a business and did not pay the rent for one month because I had a buyer for the business but the landlord made

it too difficult for them so after 5 months they backed out-now I received a petition for non-payment to recover possession of real property.

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Mar 25, 2024

If you owe the rent you need to pay or be evicted. While your lease will govern, most commercial leases have a provision that counterclaims must be brought in a separate case, like your claim the landlord killed your deal.

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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Banking, Business Law and Collections for New Jersey on
Q: Am I personally liable for an EIDL loan of $130k taken out by my S Corp if I close the business?

I have a small business set up as an S Corp in NJ. Took out a $130k EIDL loan as well as a $30k loan from my bank. Business is dying. Will the SBA be able to go after my personal assets if I close the business? No personal guarantee, only against collateral/inventory which is hard to sell right... View More

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Jan 26, 2024

This is actually an evolving area of the law. If you have no guarantee, the answer should be no. But, the SBA has been investigating whether proceeds were properly used. If you took the money for improper purposes, the US Attorney could come after you. But, there are so many of these loans, it... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation for New York on
Q: I am being sued by a creditor. I received two summons in the mail. Are they able to serve me a summons in the mail?

I thought I had to be served in person? Nothing was attached to my door. Both the summons and copy were sent by mail. How long do I have to respond?

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Aug 29, 2023

There is something called "nail and mail" service, which means another copy was supposed to be posted to your door. Thus, the mail will probably mean service was done. You have 35 days to answer, but do not wait until the last second.

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3 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Contracts and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: I entered into a contract with a company to sell my property to them but have not heard back. What are my options?

As the sale date nears i have not heard from them about my payment. Can i make them honor the contract?

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Aug 27, 2023

Maybe. Depends on the terms of the contract. But, it would take a lawsuit, and whether you can collect the costs of a suit or even a judgment, is speculative.

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2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: pls see below

I have rented, in Rockland County, NY, a small cottage, for more than 6 years, always paying early. There is a small shared wall in living room w/main house. The 6 month signed lease we had expired 05/31/23. Landlord emailed he agreed to renew, for 12 months this time. However, before he gave... View More

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Aug 17, 2023

I am sure the buyer does not want you there. It would de-value the property to have a lease. Thus, if you have no lease, you are a month to month tenant, and can be evicted. There is no obligation to give you a new one. You might have some leverage to ask for a few dollars to leave peacefully,... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Civil Litigation and Employment Law for New York on
Q: A startup declared bankruptcy when it was time to pay me and 14 interns, what can we do?

Initially, my 13 coworkers and I signed a contract which specified that we were interns for this startup. We signed 1099 forms. Later, before the start of the internship, we signed an amendment that said we would receive 100% of our salary at the end of the internship.

Throughout our... View More

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Aug 15, 2023

File a claim with the New York State Department of Labor. Non-payment of wages is the responsibility of the owner, if the company does not pay. File a proof of claim in the bankruptcy. As to a labor lawyer, these kinds of cases are usually on contingency, so talk to labor lawyers that do wage... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for New York on
Q: My father is starting to lose his memory. I need him to place his house in a trust for me.

I would like to get power from my father without my uncle knowing, because my uncle is trying to establish a condition that I do not want. However, does my father's condition make legal action null since he cannot remember that well?

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on May 31, 2023

Capacity is an issue that can be raised to challenge whatever you do. Try to get a doctor to write that he has capacity to make a deed on the day you do the deed.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, International Law and Probate for New York on
Q: Is a Heir Search required in NYC if we as the stepchildren are named in the will of our stepfather who came from Poland?

My stepfather came from Poland at ten years old with only one brother and parents (all deceased). He was with my mom for forty years and never mentioned Polish relatives as he was here since a child. He named me and my siblings in his will specifically. I am named executor of his estate in NYC. The... View More

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on May 12, 2023

Even if there is a will, the next of kin must be cited, as the next of kin is a necessary party. Here, you do not know the next of kin, as it will likely be a cousin. Thus, the court is right. However, you can do your own search. Call the Polish consulate in NYC, and see if there are records... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Collections and Contracts for New York on
Q: How do I create a motion to dismiss in NY based on a time lapse of 13 yrs (dormancy) with regards to a rental contract?

Had an agreement with an apartment complex back in 2010. Moved out and didn’t hear from them for quite sometime.

All of sudden started being harassed by a debt collection agency. Asked for them to produce a right of ownership of debt and written contracts. They were unable to do... View More

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Mar 29, 2023

You did not state the reason for the failure of your defense, but you are not handling this correctly, and you should really talk to a lawyer if the sum being sought justifies it. You should answer to avoid default, and not re-make the same motion you already lost. Service issues are not relevant... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Estate Planning for New York on
Q: My grandparents died and the house is still under their name, I need to put the house in my mother's name.

I also have to change the electric and water to her name and was told I needed an Affidavit.

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Feb 7, 2023

A little more complicated. Assuming the house was held by your grandparents as husband and wife, you need to make an estate for the second to die, and then have your mother be conveyed the house as next of kin. If she has siblings, they need to sign off.

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3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for New York on
Q: In 2010 my mother took out a $200K Home Equity Line of Credit on her home in New Jersey to give me a mortgage to

purchase an investment property in New york. There was a signed mortgage note for the loan. The note states the loan is subject to the laws of New York. In 2014 my sister learned of the loan and coerced mom to requesting repayment. The building was sold and mom accepted $100K, had the attorney... View More

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Jan 8, 2023

Your sister very much has a claim. Given a lawyer was involved, this was very sloppy all around. An interest in real estate can only be altered with a writing. You have none. The mortgage remains of record.

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4 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Foreclosure for New York on
Q: Does bankruptcy court have jurisdiction regarding a state judgment of foreclosure that is void?

Refinance was canceled 8 years ago, and lender was allowed to proceed with void mortgage and note in state court.

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Dec 28, 2022

Yes and no. It applies State law if the claim is not final in State court. If it has been made final in state court, then the bankruptcy court must honor the state court judgment. There are bankruptcy options to modify, etc., even if there is a judgment.

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3 Answers | Asked in Business Law for New York on
Q: I have a holding company (S corp) and three separate LLC's. I'd like to make the LLC's subsidiaries of the S corp. How?
Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Dec 27, 2022

If these are wholly owned by you, you should be able to just change the membership agreement. If you are doing this to avoid creditors, it could be a fraudulent conveyance. Also, depending on how you carry the books, there may be tax consequences.

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Small Claims for New York on
Q: we have sold our apartment and we have $10,000 in escrow account.

Buyers are not releasing our money, stating that we have to fix windows, we have to provide 4 new Air conditioners and we have to provide 2 custom closets that was never there. Our lawyer is holding the money and says that he is not going to finish this case, since he finish with his part at... View More

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Dec 15, 2022

If there is not consent to release the money, you are going to have to bring a lawsuit. If the deposit is $10,000, it can be small claims. Name the lawyer holding the money, and the buyers. You do not need a lawyer.

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: How to review a NJ property contract?

Hi--

My wife and I are reviewing a contract to buy property in NJ and we would like to retain the services of an attorney as soon as possible in order to handle the attorney review. We'd like to sign the contract today so we'd at least to retain somebody since we would have 3 days... View More

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Nov 22, 2022

This is bread and butter work. You are posting on the NY board. I am admitted in NJ and NY. However, if you just call a local lawyer near the property (which you can find on this site or Google), it would be fine. Do not sweat it. Once you hire the lawyer, attorney review can be extended by... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for New York on
Q: Can I get some of my money back from an immigration lawyer for uncompleted work?

I paid about 9.5k for a couple of applications. The attorney only completed 1 of them. I changed my representative. Now when I contact them, they tell me that since I changed representatives, they won’t refund me. Isn’t that unethical? They haven’t worked on the rest of my case, so why take... View More

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Nov 21, 2022

You can sue for a refund. Since it is in NYC and under $10,000 it is small claims. You can do it yourself. Go to the Civil Court at 141 Livingston Street and go to the Small Claims clerk.

2 Answers | Asked in Business Formation, Contracts and Business Law for New York on
Q: Made an investment of $10k (with a total of $40k-$50k with other investors). business dissolved and told I get nothing?

The business was never operational. Expenses we’re very minimal & no debt was accrued. I know some goes to taxes, but I get absolutely nothing back?

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Nov 17, 2022

Depends on what your deal was, and what an accounting would show. Very hard for $10,000 to make something happen here. You can sue, but it would cost a high percentage of the recovery unless others joined. For $10,000 you can do a small claims case in NYC, and see if anything shakes out.

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3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: I recorded a lien on a home for $400k for money I’d given that was not returned,foreclosure now,Iamserved as defend. Y?

A person I knew asked for a $400k investment with the promise of a return. Never materialized. Waited substantial amount of time before recording a lien for the $400k on his home in 2008. He would not answer the entire time so I waited. And now I was served papers last night and I am named as a... View More

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Nov 11, 2022

I agree with Mr. Nelson as to why you are a defendant in this case, and what will result. However, as a matter of law, you cannot just record liens on property because you think you are owed money. Thus, I am not sure what you did, and how you did it. The problem is that there is a statute of... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: The selling agent of the house we were going into contract with had prior knowledge of a lien and did not disclose

PROPERTY LOCATED in AVERILL PARK NY what are my options as the buyer if the sellers agent was aware of an imminent lien was to be placed on the property but let me go into contract anyway only to have the closing being stopped the very day of the closing because a $75K lien was placed on the... View More

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Nov 9, 2022

No. The agent is not your agent. The contract will govern what happens. I am sure if drafted correctly this must be cleared at closing, or seller is in default.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for New York on
Q: Are LLC membership interests in New York have to go through probate when the member dies?

In New York, can you have Transfer On Death Beneficiary designation in the LLC Operating Agreement to avoid Probate of LLC membership interest?

Please note that the LLC holds Real Estate and I understand that real estate Cannot be transferred on Death in New York and New York only allows... View More

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Oct 28, 2022

Absolutely the operating agreement can provide for transfer on death to a specific person, which would avoid probate of that interest.

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