Ask a Question

Get free answers to your legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Questions Answered by David H. Relkin
2 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: What happens if someone breaks a real estate contract/intent to sell contract? What are my options

I'm in the process of buying a home from a less than friendly seller (who lives in another house elsewhere). In late Feb 2024 the two of us met to sign a contract which stated his intent to sell me the property, the price, and some other minor details. He hired the lawyer who wrote it up, we... View More

David H. Relkin
David H. Relkin
answered on Apr 3, 2024

It depends on the contract. The escrow deposit is generally forfeited to the seller if the buyer doesn't close on time or apply for a mortgage quickly enough. But, as the buyer, your next step is to schedule a new date to close by and make the date "time of the essence." This will... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation for New York on
Q: Good evening, I have a business name registered as a not for profit in NYS. Can I change it to an LLC?

I registered the name in New York State as a not for profit organization. I have not done anything thereafter--all I have is just the name. However, I realize that I would rather have a LLC instead. How can I change the name to a LLC? Or must I come up with another name and register it as an LLC?... View More

David H. Relkin
David H. Relkin
answered on Apr 3, 2024

You say you registered a "name". And, in another place, you call the existing not-for-profit entity an "organization." Even if it were an LLC, you need to form a new LLC since that entity was formed and exists under a special provision of the law. If there were significant... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: What kind of contract should I sign between a real estate agent and a wholesale buyer? We want to partner to buy homes.

I (a wholesaler) want to partner up with a real estate agent to help me find properties to sell to my investors (who are cash buyers). I contacted an agent who said to send over a contract between our partnership to ensure terms and agreements of work and profit. Would I use a buyer's... View More

David H. Relkin
David H. Relkin
answered on Apr 3, 2024

You fail to describe the exact nature of your business. Are you looking for the Agent to find you properties that you would contract to buy and then remarket (or, "assign contracts," as you put it) to investors? Have you signed the investors to an LLC? This might work but there are... View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for New York on
Q: If a judge has 60 days to make a decision; what happens after that if the time has run out? Do i still get a trial?

Brief procedural background:i am the moving party; i filed a petition to modify custody and OSC 11/3/23. A series of conferences were scheduled monthly on the calendar; including TWO trial dates for May.opposing counsel served me in court during January hearing: “notice of motion”,“attorney... View More

David H. Relkin
David H. Relkin
answered on Apr 3, 2024

First, a motion to dismiss scuttles the trial dates until it is decided. After the Court issues a Decision on the motion, there should be a Trial Conference to schedule new dates and procedures for pre-trial disclosure.

And, while the CPLR (not even the Uniform Trial Rules promulgated by...
View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Arbitration / Mediation Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: I recently had a $30,000 judgment in my favor back in October have not gotten any money yet why

It has been 8 years since my slip and fall never went to court just arbitration and mediation and have been told that I will get nothing after attorney takes everything

David H. Relkin
David H. Relkin
answered on Mar 18, 2024

This suggestion is confusing and requires some explanation to determine your rights. First of all, you raise the issue of arbitration. That is not a judgment. An arbitration Award must be "confirmed" as a Judgment. This must be done since only Judgments allow for strong-state endorsed... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation and Contracts for California on
Q: Should a demand letter include a threat of advertising the complaint against the defendant/company ?
David H. Relkin
David H. Relkin
answered on Feb 2, 2024

Creditor-debtor law, whether litigation or negotiations is about obtaining an advantage without undermining your own position. There is a rule of defamation (or libel) that anything that is contained in a pleading filed with a Court is absolutely privileged and hence cannot be a basis for libel.... View More

View More Answers

Q: Is it normal for a multi million $ company to ask to pay me in 2 payments 12 months apart & ask we drop lawsuit asap?

I was wrongfully terminated from my employment and offered a lot of money which I turned down. I hired an attorney and we filed a lawsuit. The company requested we go to mediation so we did. After a lot of going back-and-forth all day with a mediator, we finally decided on a number however, they... View More

David H. Relkin
David H. Relkin
answered on Jan 26, 2024

If you have stated the facts correctly, I would have a problem with the payout. According to your statement of the case, you have to "drop" the lawsuit after the first payment but "they are not ok with you going through the courts to enforce the payment" --[presumably] the... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights and Business Law for California on
Q: Can I add a cause of action to a california federal court case?

I filed a case in Superior court of los angeles. The defendant removed it to federal court. Can I add a cause of action to that? they recently removed it to the federal court.

Thanks for reply

David H. Relkin
David H. Relkin
answered on Dec 28, 2023

The question is whether you can assert your (new) cause of action in Federal Court. You could assert a cause of action that does not raise a cause of action that could deprive the federal Court of jurisdiction. Counterclaims are compulsory in federal court if they arise out of the same... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Civil Litigation and Intellectual Property for California on
Q: Can I sue someone for appropriation of name, image, likeness under the federal RICO act

Group of advertisement companies associated with a specific brand appropriate my likeness, and name to build value to their brand. (I am a French Canadian girl, living an Italian lifestyle (influencer)). They are different companies, they make advertisement using my name and likeness and they all... View More

David H. Relkin
David H. Relkin
answered on Dec 17, 2023

You have asked a very good question. I believe that both the advertising companies and the brand are legitimate defendants, certainly at this point, before you have taken discovery. I would argue that the fact that the brand benefitted from seven different advertising companies could create a... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law for New York on
Q: Will participating in legal proceeding bar an arbitration award from being confirmed by the court?

If action taken by a party to case (such as interposing a

cross claim or procuring a deposition of

plaintiff) waives their contractual right to compel arbitration, does that also cause that if they do continue at arbitration an arbitration award on that matter cannot be confirmed by... View More

David H. Relkin
David H. Relkin
answered on Dec 17, 2023

You are quite correct regarding the waiver of arbitration: any act that is inconsistent with the agreement to arbitrate will waive that right. While the simple act of interposing a cross-claim may not, in all circumstances, waive the right to arbitrate, taking a deposition conjoined with the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation for New York on
Q: I must do a deposition and I have severe anxiety disorder. Can I do the deposition on video?

Is video deposition the same as in person?

David H. Relkin
David H. Relkin
answered on Dec 5, 2023

An application for a video deposition should succeed. Section 3113(b) of the Civil Practice Law and Rules allows for testimony to "be recorded by stenographic or other means[.]" Section 202.15 of the Uniform Rules for the New York State Trial Courts allows for depositions to be recorded... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Contracts for New York on
Q: Can a service contractor in NY add a surcharge to credit card payments if it is noted in the contract?

I do work for businesses as well as individuals, and am wondering if I can pass along credit card fees to customers who want to pay with a credit card.

David H. Relkin
David H. Relkin
answered on Apr 3, 2024

This is so common that even the Courts now charge credit card fees when filing complaints or making motions. The tide has shifted.

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Business Formation and Business Law for New York on
Q: Can I partially own one LLC(A), as another LLC(B)? The other % of ownership of LLC (A) would be to an individual not LLC

Do i have any problems here? Or is this possible to partially own one company as another LLC ( B ) while still sharing ownership with a single individual of LLC (A)

David H. Relkin
David H. Relkin
answered on Apr 3, 2024

This type of structure is very common. But don't get involved in multiple LLC ownership levels unless you are guided by a knowledgable attorney. Taxation and control issues generally multiply exponentially.

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Banking for Georgia on
Q: I have a order to cease and desist letter what should I do?
David H. Relkin
David H. Relkin
answered on Nov 2, 2023

I would need to read the cease and desist. There can be a whole background that I don't know. I can provide an answer if you provide more information. It should not be ignored.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Banking and Family Law for Minnesota on
Q: my parents got divorced in 2006 when they signed the papers it stated that both of them will have a college fund set up

When i got accepted to college and i asked my dad for my college fund he told me no. What can i do? (The divorce papers have account numbers of the fund)

David H. Relkin
David H. Relkin
answered on Nov 2, 2023

He said "no" or he said he didn't set up the account? College funds are generally trust funds controlled by the Trustee who generally provides in the Trust fund document that he has discretion. That would prove a difficulty especially since you don't want to antagonize him.... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Banking, Contracts and Entertainment / Sports for Tennessee on
Q: I am wanting to find out if any entertainment contracts have been fraudulently signed in my name or who approved the use

Of my insinuated self through the Kardashian -Jenner family and the Ozboure's family on TV shows and CNN etc. How do I find out if such contracts exists

David H. Relkin
David H. Relkin
answered on Nov 1, 2023

You should retain counsel to demand copies of all contracts. You have your suspicions about fraud and you should discuss the facts underlying these suspicions with counsel. Your prior contracts should be provided to counsel to review to identify to whom such demands should be made.

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Civil Litigation for California on
Q: Next steps in pro se Civil lawsuit, my amended complaint was accepted and served to defendant

What forms do I file next, or do I wait for an answer? CMC is set for 3 weeks from now

David H. Relkin
David H. Relkin
answered on Oct 19, 2023

The affidavit of service must be filed.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law, Collections and Construction Law for Arizona on
Q: Hello Chad flooring installed in my home. The contractor installed the floors wrong twice.

I did not pay after the second install because the floors are still uneven, wavy and buckling income areas. I reached out to them again and they said the floors will have to be reinstalled. I was just told my account will go into collections if I don't pay them. I wrote to them twice for a... View More

David H. Relkin
David H. Relkin
answered on Oct 19, 2023

You have posted your question in Arbitration so I assume you have some basis for believing that there is an agreement to arbitrate in the contract. Go to the Chad site and see what it provides regarding disputes. Perhaps it provides for arbitration. They are required to provide you with a copy of... View More

4 Answers | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: How do I start an arbitration action between myself as an owner against my condominium building which it requires?

I attempted a civil lawsuit but the Court dismissed it saying the Court lacks subject matter Jurisdiction to hear an action and I must use mandatory arbitration.

David H. Relkin
David H. Relkin
answered on Oct 17, 2023

I would like to view the Decision dismissing your action. I am an expert in arbitration and have handled over 100 cases. I aslso need to read the clause in the agreement and your claim against the Condominium to advise you. Arbitration can be a speedy device to resolve the issue, and an Award of an... View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation for California on
Q: Before I sue, I want to send the defendant a demand. Can I send it to their registered agent?

They have a registered agent. Can I send a demand letter to them. I want to see if they are willing to settle before I sue them.

David H. Relkin
David H. Relkin
answered on Sep 28, 2023

When any entity applies to do business in a State it must designate how it may be served by providing a registered agent for such purpose. You say you are hopeful of a possible settlement and ask whether you may send an initial demand to such a registered agent for the entity. The answer is yes... View More

View More Answers

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.