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Questions Answered by Thomas A. Grossman
2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: How can I get my dogs back from a rescue org. that I did not surrender them to but was forced to signed them over

I was being evicted and waiting for a ride to help remove my dogs when the sheriffs came and called animal control who then called new beginnings a rescue org. I was told i would get them back by one of the sheriffs when i asked why were they taking them, he said they were just going to check them... View More

Thomas A. Grossman
Thomas A. Grossman
answered on Jul 25, 2018

I do not have a good answer for you, but I think you have a right to call New Beginnings and have them explain things to you. Unfortunately, once the sheriff and Animal Control get involved, you can pretty sure everything is going to get screwed up, especially since you signed the document under... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Contracts and Intellectual Property for California on
Q: Is listening to your own music on spotify from different accounts illegal? I pretty much create my own royalties.

I currently have my own original music on spotify and use multiple phones and accounts to listen to my own music and therefore collect my own royalties. Is this illegal?

Thomas A. Grossman
Thomas A. Grossman
answered on Jul 24, 2018

Sounds like a scam to me. You will be fortunate to keep this up, as the Royalty company will ultimately find out that your phone accounts are all yours.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for California on
Q: Is Seller Liable to conform with their statements about the condition of the property as it was represented after sale?

I Purchased 2 brand new construction duplexes on adjoining lots. Seller represented the properties as having ALL individual utility meters for ALL utilities for all 4 units, Proforma expense sheet showed 0 cost for owner for water. My agent distinctly remembers the seller's agent stating... View More

Thomas A. Grossman
Thomas A. Grossman
answered on Jul 23, 2018

You can probably demand an Arbitration of the issue if the Real Estate Purchase Contract documents contain an arbitration clause which has been initialed by both parties. You should read all the paperwork.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Elder Law for California on
Q: WHAT TYPE LAWYER I NEED?HOW DO YOU DEFEND ME?

My eldest adult son obtained Orange County Superior Court determination that I do not have the capacity to handle my own financial and health care decisions. I need you to defend me. Please tell me what type lawyers will help me and defend me. Please explain to me your plan

Thomas A. Grossman
Thomas A. Grossman
answered on Jul 22, 2018

Your best bet is to find a lawyer who specializes in elder law and elder abuse. I am sure you can find one near you. A good Probate lawyer also might be able to help. Check out the internet to find one of these. Good Luck.

1 Answer | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law for New Hampshire on
Q: Hello. we've just purchased a house (closing was 4 days ago) and a few events make us suspect foul play from owner

Hello. we've just purchased a house (closing was 4 days ago) and a few events make us suspect foul play from owner who has been all along passive aggressive, disappointed with the price the house got sold for. He must have closed the water pump and opened the kitchen sink valve leading to... View More

Thomas A. Grossman
Thomas A. Grossman
answered on Jul 22, 2018

You may be able to demand an Arbitration proceeding, but that is under California Law. California has different laws than Massachusetts. Under California laws, most real estate purchase agreements contain such clauses. I don't know what Mass. laws say. You should review the paperwork. Good Luck.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for California on
Q: Seller of a property I purchased did not comeplete Work in time they agreed to in writing? What action can I take?

Seller was suppose to have repair work done by today but it is not completed. We were coerced into signing a waiver so that closing would not be delayed while termite work was completed. Work has not been completed by time agreed. Have a written statement in which they agreed to complete work by... View More

Thomas A. Grossman
Thomas A. Grossman
answered on Jul 22, 2018

Without seeing the papers, I cannot tell you much. Depending on whether or not you are in escrow, you can probably back out of he escrow (and seek damages), or sue the seller in Court. Suing is always an expensive proposition, show maybe you should simply allow another extension.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: Living in a hotel for last 6 months. Am I a tenant? Do I have any rights? Can the hotel randomly increase my rate?

I have been staying at a hotel for the last 6 months and have been paying a rate of $75/day. And since day 31, when the hotel had me fill out a transient occupancy tax exemption form stating I am a resident, my rates have been tax free.

On Sunday (4 days ago) I went to the front desk to pay... View More

Thomas A. Grossman
Thomas A. Grossman
answered on Jul 19, 2018

You are technically never a "tenant" when staying in a hotel. You are a "guest" or a "visitor." Since you have been staying there so long, I would assume that you signed a contract. Your contract would tell you the terms of your stay, and whether they have/had the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Business Law for California on
Q: Can install cameras inside of bars as part of a feature for an app in California?
Thomas A. Grossman
Thomas A. Grossman
answered on Jul 19, 2018

It probably depends on whether or not the owner of the bars will give you permission to do so. I doubt you can force the issue.

2 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Energy, Oil and Gas and Consumer Law for California on
Q: Can a utility company put ALL responsibility on homeowner in case of damage to a shallow buried gas line?

SoCal gas is charging me almost $1,300 for repairing a severed gas line which was burred shallow (~10" instead of 18") in a flower bed and was not otherwise protected. I didn't know I had to call 811 in case of shallow digging, so I didn't. Do cases like... View More

Thomas A. Grossman
Thomas A. Grossman
answered on Jul 19, 2018

I don't know that an Oklahoma Supreme Court decision will help you any in your case, as it is in a different sate, and judges can go one way or another. If there has been no lawsuit filed, you can probably go to your local small claims court and file your own small claims case against So Cal.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for California on
Q: I have a restraining order against an ex, who moved back to the city I live in. Can I break my current lease to move?

I have a restraining order against an ex due to domestic violence. He moved away to San Diego, so I remained in Rancho Cucamonga. I have just got wind that he moved back to Rancho Cucamonga and is within the vicinity. I do not feel safe and would like to move asap. Can I break my current lease... View More

Thomas A. Grossman
Thomas A. Grossman
answered on Jul 18, 2018

I have a couple of answers for you. First of all, you should immediately contact the police if your ex violates the restraining order in any way. Second, it is probably up to your landlord whether or not your ex's presence in Rancho Cucamonga is grounds for breaking the lease. If your... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Banking and Business Law for California on
Q: Hello,If I have a judgement against me, in my name, can the other party put a lien on my business bank account?

My business is incorporated and the bank account is in my business name. The other side's lawyers obtsined a legal order to release my bank records.

Thomas A. Grossman
Thomas A. Grossman
answered on Jul 17, 2018

If the Judgment has been entered and served on you, the creditor can file a Writ of Execution and execute on your personal bank accounts(s). If your business is also named in the Judgment, the creditor can also execute on your business account. Sometimes banks screw up and allow their employees to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law for Illinois on
Q: If I can prove that a mediator is biased toward the other party, can they be replaced with a new one?
Thomas A. Grossman
Thomas A. Grossman
answered on Jul 17, 2018

Yes, although it is best for that to happen before the Mediation. Mediations, unlike Arbitrations, are not binding on the parties unless they settle with a written agreement acceptable to all parties. So, if during the mediation, it appears that the Mediator is biased, you can just end the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Business Law and Energy, Oil and Gas for California on
Q: Who do I need to get a hold of? I live in California's poorest county. The town I live in has only 1 service station.

It is the law the owner has to provide air and water to his fuel purchasing customers. The man is filthy rich. Sells out of gas all summer long. But refuses to make an air compressor available. There hasn't been a way to get air for 24 miles in any direction for well over 2 yrs.

Thomas A. Grossman
Thomas A. Grossman
answered on Jul 17, 2018

The answer of William Light, below, may be correct. The best thing to do is buy an inexpensive air pump that you can plug into the cigarette lighter, and always keep your own water and coolant in the car. There must be an auto parts store in the County you live in. The pump and my own water has... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury and Wrongful Death for California on
Q: My friends daughter was hit by an elderly woman as she was crossing the street. She died as a result of her injuries.

This happened in portland,Oregon. It has been nearly a year and the lawyer ( retained on a get paid when u get paid basis) keeps telling her that they are waiting to hear back from the insurance company. Is my friend obligated to continue with this law firm or can she seek different help? And can... View More

Thomas A. Grossman
Thomas A. Grossman
answered on Jul 17, 2018

You are not bound to stick with the lawyer you have, as a client can discharge his lawyer at any time. I don't know the facts about the case, but the insurance company may be arguing that the daughter was J-walking at the time, and claim so kind of comparative negligence on her part (under... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: stepdad legally owns our puppy,moved out,didn’t take, doesnt care about and didn’t raise. how do i get “custody” of him

he also said he was going to find him another home and said “i don’t give a s*** about the dog. “ also i know i provide a better home for him. this guy can’t even spell our dogs name correctly. i would do anything to keep this dog. i legally own this puppies litter mate and it would kill me... View More

Thomas A. Grossman
Thomas A. Grossman
answered on Jul 17, 2018

You will have to work this out with your stepfather. If you can buy the dog back from your stepdad, that would be the best solution. Your stepdad sounds like a real jerk, but getting the dog back should be your main goal. Hopefully, he will not injure the dog. Good Luck.

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1 Answer | Asked in Business Law for California on
Q: My small business is being increased over 3% with only a 30 days notice. What do you recommend I do? Please help
Thomas A. Grossman
Thomas A. Grossman
answered on Jul 17, 2018

Your question makes no sense. You need to give an attorney some facts to get an answer.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Real Estate Law and Probate for California on
Q: Uncle filed probate case which is fraud.He was administrator. I hired lawyer.Now I am administrator.But it's still fraud

I am now administrator of this probate case. I hired a probate attorney. I went and told this lawyer that my grandmother who passed away did not own real estate. My uncle is her only living son. He went and filed a document saying I gifted my home to my dying grandmother. I never gifted my home... View More

Thomas A. Grossman
Thomas A. Grossman
answered on Jul 17, 2018

Your lawyer may know things that you don't know, or he may simply not understand what is going on. If you feel he is not properly representing you, you should let him go. Probate is a very difficult field of law, and it is not always easy to prove fraud.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for California on
Q: My wife and I own an empty lot in CA, as joint tenants, with a loan. How do I remove my name from the title/grant deed?

We currently have a loan from US Bank used for the lot purchase. How do I remove my name from the deed and leave my wife as the sole owner?

Thomas A. Grossman
Thomas A. Grossman
answered on Jul 17, 2018

You can remove your name from title by quitclaiming your undivided one-half interest in the land to your wife by using a quitclaim deed. That does not, however, take your name off of the loan. I assume that you both signed the loan.

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Arbitration / Mediation Law for California on
Q: Can an HOA force a change in mailbox/post?

My HOA is forcing homeowners to remove their good mailbox/post and replace it with one chosen by the BOD which is to be paid for by the homeowner. Threaten fines/legal fees/liens. I am already at $1700 which I cannot afford.

Thomas A. Grossman
Thomas A. Grossman
answered on Jul 17, 2018

I can't answer your question on the minimal facts you have given. The answer provided by Attorney Merrick is a good start.

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for California on
Q: My neighbor cemented something in his backyard and to the wall of my home without my permission what can I do
Thomas A. Grossman
Thomas A. Grossman
answered on Jul 16, 2018

You did not give me enough information to speculate on your situation.

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