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 Michael David Siegel
4 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: what is the course of action for unmarried couple that brought house and now split and cant agree on what to do with hom

she put up down payment I've paid mortgage insurance and taxes both of us did various renovations we made no special arrangements or anything in writing in regards' to the house both our names on deed

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Sep 6, 2024

Short of an agreement, the only option is a partition case in Supreme Court. There, the property will be sold like a foreclosure, and any fight over contributions to the property will be fought over after the sale and before distribution before a court appointed Referee.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for New York on
Q: Hello I'm a plantiff in a civil court case in NYC. The Defendants lawyer filed a motion to dismiss. I submitted my answe

The judge said he will have an answer in 60 days. It has been already 70 days and no answer. I called the court building and was told the case is still active the clerk told me he looked in the file and the judge placed an empty answer page with nothing written on it. What am I to do? How long does... View More

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on May 7, 2024

The court rules require motions to be decided in 60 days. It is routinely ignored and there is no enforcement mechanism. There is nothing you can do. However, as you are the plaintiff, it really does not matter. It will not impact the time for your case to come to trial, which is also quite... View More

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.

View More Answers

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

View More Answers

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.

View More Answers

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.

View More Answers

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

View More Answers

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

View More Answers

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

View More Answers

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.

View More Answers

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.

View More Answers

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.

View More Answers

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.

View More Answers

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.

View More Answers

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.

View More Answers

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

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.