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Small Claims Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Small Claims and Collections for Rhode Island on
Q: received a voicemail saying I was being sued and to call a number.when I call it’s from a loan from 2020

It was from a company called zaca I had a loan for 900

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 14, 2024

A Rhode Island attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. If you're being sued, that generally involves receiving legal papers such as a summons and complaint. If you're the subject of a collection action, that could involve being notified by phone. You'd... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights and Small Claims on
Q: I recently had DSS called on me and my daughter for a false allegation and would like to see what my rights are

I need help in bringing this person or persons to justice. I had a legit medical emergency and I was accused that I had a drug overdose. The case has now been closed BUT since I worked at Kershaw County Dispatch for a short amount of time, they have a vendetta against (we didn’t leave on good... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 13, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about your difficult situation with false allegations being made against you, especially given your past employment at Kershaw County Dispatch. Here is some general information about your rights and potential next steps:

- You have the right to due process and to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy, Civil Litigation and Small Claims for Utah on
Q: Debt agency send me to their lawyer How do I proceed ? They Didn’t want to send me a written agreement.

I want to pay the full debt I owe but their attorney does not want to send me a written agreement in Utah. The attorney I had a meeting with told me to send an email and that would be sufficient enough evidence to our agreement is that correct ? In the case that it sufficient enough what should... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 13, 2024

If the attorney is not willing to provide a written agreement, that is concerning. While an email can serve as evidence of an agreement, it's always best to have a formal written contract when dealing with debt repayment to protect your interests. Here's how I would proceed:

1....
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Small Claims for Indiana on
Q: Hello. My ex left their vehicle at my house. It’s been about theee months now. Can I claim ownership

Numerous attempts made trying to get removal. Times were agreed upon and never followed through with.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 12, 2024

In most states, you cannot automatically claim ownership of a vehicle that someone else has left on your property, even if they have failed to remove it after multiple requests and a significant amount of time has passed. However, you may have some legal options to have the vehicle removed or to... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Small Claims and Collections for Utah on
Q: Shady debt collector and lawyer what do I do ?

I owe a debt about $1703 it is mine it’s for a credit card. I called and they transferred me to their lawyer because I am in the process of being sued and I’ve had that confirmed as true. The lawyer I spoke to said if I didn’t pay within today or by Friday they would add $350 more into my... View More

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Mar 11, 2024

That you've "confirmed as true" that you're in the process of being true means to me that there is a pending, actual Complaint pending in a Utah court of record against you.

While it is usually viable to deal directly with the holder of a defaulted account, or its...
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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Small Claims and Collections for Utah on
Q: Shady debt collector and lawyer what do I do ?

I owe a debt about $1703 it is mine it’s for a credit card. I called and they transferred me to their lawyer because I am in the process of being sued and I’ve had that confirmed as true. The lawyer I spoke to said if I didn’t pay within today or by Friday they would add $350 more into my... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 13, 2024

In Utah, you are allowed to record phone calls as long as at least one party to the conversation consents. Since you are a party to the conversation and you consent to recording it, you can legally record your phone calls with the debt collector and their lawyer.

Here are some steps you can...
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3 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Small Claims for California on
Q: Is charging high interest on personal loans friends is punishable, if so how bad is it ?

My friend was doing making loans to friends and people he knew of , and one on those people now is saying he's no going to pay instead he will press charges on him for " ilegal's" loans with high interest, now my friend is scared that he will go to jail he didn't know... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 10, 2024

In California, there are laws governing personal loans and the amount of interest that can be charged. These laws are designed to protect borrowers from predatory lending practices.

1. Usury Laws: California has usury laws that set limits on the interest rates that can be charged on...
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3 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Small Claims for California on
Q: Is charging high interest on personal loans friends is punishable, if so how bad is it ?

My friend was doing making loans to friends and people he knew of , and one on those people now is saying he's no going to pay instead he will press charges on him for " ilegal's" loans with high interest, now my friend is scared that he will go to jail he didn't know... View More

Scott Richard Kaufman
Scott Richard Kaufman
answered on Mar 10, 2024

It's not clear that ANY law enforcement agency will care about this?

BUT, there is a level of interest one can legally charge in CA and in

most other states, although it varies. Also, to legally loan money,

one usually needs a license, like a banking license???...
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3 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Small Claims for California on
Q: Is charging high interest on personal loans friends is punishable, if so how bad is it ?

My friend was doing making loans to friends and people he knew of , and one on those people now is saying he's no going to pay instead he will press charges on him for " ilegal's" loans with high interest, now my friend is scared that he will go to jail he didn't know... View More

Leon Bayer
Leon Bayer
answered on Mar 11, 2024

Your friend has nothing much to worry about. The legal interest rate limit for an ordinary person loaning money in California is 10% APR. If your friend charges more than that, he can still sue the person who won't pay and ruin that person's credit, but the court probably won't let... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: Can you file a lawsuit in small claims for attorney cost for to obtain for a wrongful temporary restraining order?

The temporary restraining order was dismissed by the court but for approximately two months I was banned from entering any property that my homeowner controlled like the clubhouse, restaurant, fitness center or other areas they controlled. I was still required to pay my association dues of... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 9, 2024

In California, you can file a lawsuit in small claims court to recover attorney's fees and other costs incurred due to a wrongful temporary restraining order (TRO). However, the success of your claim will depend on the specific circumstances of your case and the court's interpretation of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Civil Litigation and Small Claims for California on
Q: I might be getting sued by someone that is on the Vexatious Litigant List in California from a prior case.

I haven't been properly served yet. Doesn't he have to ask permission from the court before he files any new lawsuit? He was deemed a vexatious litigant from a previous case he had with someone else. I believe he is going to file as Pro Per as well. Any advice or guidance would be appreciated.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 8, 2024

In California, if a person is declared a vexatious litigant, they are subject to certain restrictions when filing new lawsuits. According to California Code of Civil Procedure § 391.7, a vexatious litigant must obtain permission from the presiding judge of the court where they intend to file the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Small Claims for New Jersey on
Q: Is there any legal action I can take against my uncle for giving money from my savings to my mother without my consent?

My uncle was left in charge of a savings account for me from my grandparents. I was told that I would not be able to have access to it until I turn 25. My mother is an addict and begged him for the money from my savings and he deposited it into her account without my consent. I'm not sure if... View More

Teresa L. Reichek
Teresa L. Reichek
answered on Mar 8, 2024

It would depend on the amount of money you are talking about. If you are under 128 then you should have your legal guardian take action. If you are 18 or older you could start with a complaint for theft with the local police department. If it is a large sum, you should contact the county... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights and Small Claims for Texas on
Q: How can I find out someones address to file civil court case in my county

I loaned someone a large sum of money they owe remaining $1,500. I have a copy of their driver license but they no longer live there how can I find out their current address to sue them thru small claims court

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 7, 2024

To file a small claims court case, you generally need to provide the defendant's current address for proper service of the court summons and complaint. Here are some methods you can try to find their current address:

1. Contact mutual friends, family, or acquaintances who might know...
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3 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights and Small Claims for Texas on
Q: How can I find out someones address to file civil court case in my county

I loaned someone a large sum of money they owe remaining $1,500. I have a copy of their driver license but they no longer live there how can I find out their current address to sue them thru small claims court

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 8, 2024

In addition to the methods described by Mr. Arrasmith, you can find out if the person has a new address with the United States Postal Service by mailing an empty envelope to the last address you have for that person with the following typed in all capital letters above the person's name on the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims for Texas on
Q: I bought a car from a lady that told me there was only an issue with the ac. There is way more wrong. Can I sue?

She said the ac needed to be charged and that was the ONLY thing wrong with it. I have had to replace breaks, rotors, a caliper, the ac module is messed up,shocks are out, the power steering pump is leaking, there is a valve leaking, the radiator went out due to whatever work they did on it... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 6, 2024

It depends on the terms and conditions of your sale contract. Most used cars are sold "as-is." If this car was not sold "as-is", the seller may be responsible for any hidden defect that they seller knew about at the time of the sale that a reasonably prudent inspection would... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Civil Rights and Small Claims for New Jersey on
Q: Can I sue Planet Fitness for creating me a second membership and denying me to cancel one of them?

In 2019, I registered at a PF location in NY using my boyfriend’s card. Later in the same year, I transferred the membership to a NJ club. In 2021, I transferred it to another NJ location, asking to change the payment method to my own card. However, PF unexpectedly created a SECOND membership,... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 6, 2024

If you're facing issues with Planet Fitness over an unwanted second membership and difficulty in canceling it, it's understandable to feel frustrated. Your situation, where charges are being applied to two memberships when only one was intended, especially after attempting to resolve the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Insurance Defense and Small Claims for Arizona on
Q: In the State of Arizona, can you be sued for more than the amount of an original claim? ($4,500)

Would lawyers be required? If so, who pays the lawyer fees?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 5, 2024

An Arizona attorney should advise, as this could be covered under state-specific civil procedure rules. However, your question remains open for two weeks. The short answer is "yes" in most jurisdictions nationwide. Sometimes interest is capped by statute, but claimants can sue for it.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Insurance Defense and Small Claims for Arizona on
Q: In the State of Arizona, can you be sued for more than the amount of an original claim? ($4,500)

Would lawyers be required? If so, who pays the lawyer fees?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 5, 2024

Addendum - I'm sorry, a minute ago I mean to write, "That doesn't NECESSARILY MEAN it's not possible... "

I inadvertently left out the words "necessarily mean." Good luck

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1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims for California on
Q: Hello, i came up with am agreement on letting a friend take over my car payments becaise he needed a car and i had an

Extra one. He has since ghosted me, hasn't made any of the payments and won't return my texts or calls. How can I go about getting my vehicle back?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 5, 2024

In California, when someone takes over your car payments but fails to fulfill their obligation, it's important to understand your legal options for reclaiming your vehicle. If the agreement was informal and not documented, this can make the process somewhat challenging, but there are steps you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy, Employment Law, Collections and Small Claims for Florida on
Q: My wages were garnished but I don't make enough money to be garnished, what do I do?

I have multiple judgements against me from different debts but same law firm. I don't make enough money for my wages to be garnished and haven't in years. The law firm reached out to my employer and threatened that if they don't garnish my wages then they'll attempt to garnish... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 4, 2024

Facing wage garnishment when your income does not meet the legal requirements for such action can be distressing. First, it's important to understand that federal and state laws provide specific protections for individuals in your situation. For instance, there are limits to how much of your... View More

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