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Questions Answered by Michael Joseph Larranaga
1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Colorado on
Q: My Grandson signed a lease with his roommate. The roommate is now spending his portion of the rent on drugs

My Grandson is now paying for himself and roommate. What are my Grandson's options ?

Michael Joseph Larranaga
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answered on Feb 2, 2023

You should probably have your grandson talk to an attorney.

His roommate’s actions could constitute theft, unjust enrichment, or other. The lease will govern much of what your grandson can do. Just generally, your grandson may wish to move out. Heavy drug use often leads to bad...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Colorado on
Q: Can an apartment complex change the date rent is due before being charged a late fee, from the date in the lease?

My lease says I have until the 8th of each month, but my complex says they've changed the date to anytime after the 1st.

Michael Joseph Larranaga
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answered on Feb 1, 2023

As with all legal questions, it depends.

CO has very recently passed certain laws relating to late fees. The change may be an attempt to comply with that law. But it sounds like they may be moving in the wrong direction. If they start to charge you late fees then you may wish to reach out...
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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for Colorado on
Q: My daughter had a slip and fall accident in Colorado but lives in Florida. Can she retain an attorney in Florida ?
Michael Joseph Larranaga
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answered on Feb 1, 2023

It depends. Determining where a case must be brought, can be brought, and who can practice in front of those courts is a question of law. Therefore, you need to talk to an attorney, maybe in both states.

That being said, here are a few comments to aid in your search for an attorney....
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Colorado on
Q: Is it legal for my landlord to tell me about his other tenants and vis Versa with out my consent

My landlord is telling his other tenant's all my business about eviction

Michael Joseph Larranaga
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answered on Jan 27, 2023

Free speech is generally protected by the 1st amendment. That being said, the 1st amendment does not protect all types of speech. It has long been recognized that false statements may give rise to a legal claim for defamation. While not criminal in nature, false statements can give rise to civil... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Colorado on
Q: When having a person served papers do you have tp use a process server or sheriff.

My ex tried hand delivering papers to restrict my parenting time

Michael Joseph Larranaga
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answered on Jan 26, 2023

No. Process service is governed by the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure for cases filed in CO state court. While a sheriff is an option, CO permits non-parties to complete service provided they comply with the requirements.

Parties typically are not allowed to serve items that require...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation for Colorado on
Q: When opposing defendant's summary judgement, does the case law cited need to be Supreme Court decisions only?
Michael Joseph Larranaga
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answered on Jan 16, 2023

No. While supreme court precedent controls the lower courts, it may not always be the best cite, or even available. This is not legal advice and citing has to be decided on a case by case basis. Attorney's have a duty to the court to provide them with good case law. That varies based on the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Colorado on
Q: Who is responsible for spousal debt after death in COlorado?

My father passed away and most of his debt is in his name only. There was no will and the only evidence I have is my mom listed as the beneficiary for both his life insurance and retirement plan. Is that money safe or can creditors take from there? What about their house, is that at stake with... View More

Michael Joseph Larranaga
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answered on Jan 16, 2023

Allot of this really depends. If I recall, If the debt is solely in your father’s name, I would think his estate would be liable for the debt. If the debt was in both your mother and father’s name, then you mother could be jointly liable. If the debt was attached to a security interest such as... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Civil Litigation for Colorado on
Q: In a property line dispute, can on party take ownership of another party's house/property?

My neighbor is in a property line dispute with the neighbor on the other side. My neighbor can't sell his property because of a Lis Pendens against his property. Even though he has 2 certified property surveys, he just lost a civil judgement in this property dispute. If the neighbor has to... View More

Michael Joseph Larranaga
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answered on Jan 16, 2023

Having dealt with surveyors in the past, I can tell you there are different quality surveyors, different levels of survey, and different types of surveys. They all carry different weights. Property line disputes often come down to the history of the property. The longer you have owned your property... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Colorado on
Q: Received letter in mail that is incorrectly post-dated to reflect within sixty day legal limit as expressed in lease?

I believe this was falsely post-dated as I received the letter over a month beyond the sixty day time frame as expressed in my lease. Correct forwarding address was given before my move-out. I have been attempting to contact property management to no avail. Letter states I owe rent for months and... View More

Michael Joseph Larranaga
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answered on Jan 6, 2023

The date of the letter is only a factor in determining the true date the letter was drafted and mailed. A better indication may be the envelope in which the letter was mailed. Often, the post office will electronically stamp the date at the top right-hand corner.

If you feel like your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Colorado on
Q: With regards to CO Rev Stat § 38-12-103 (2016)

If the time specified in section 1 passes and the landlord has not returned the security deposit or provided an itemized list of deductions, are damages and fees still deducted from the amount of 3x the original deposit?

Michael Joseph Larranaga
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answered on Dec 29, 2022

Think of them as separate topics. The security deposit is meant to secure the performance of the lease. Once the time period has passed, the landlord forfeits the right to retain the security deposit. At that point, you have the responsibility to send the appropriate letters and bring legal action... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Colorado on
Q: Hi I had a few questions regarding my summons for an eviction. I just wanted to double check the time I needed to be to

Court on the dockets website and now I don't see my name. Why would I all of a sudden not be on the docket?

Michael Joseph Larranaga
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answered on Dec 14, 2022

FED proceedings, evictions, are normally suppressed. In otherwords, you may not be able to see them on a normal docket search. You may wish to confirm the time with the clerk.

Please be aware that any answer is based on all the events occurring in Colorado. Further, please be aware that...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Colorado on
Q: Can a boyfriend have claim on my condo if has lived in it with me for 8 years? I want him out of my home.

I purchased my condo in 2008. He moved in 2014 and still in my place now in 2022. We have a child together. If I get him out of my home can he have claim on half of my condo?

Michael Joseph Larranaga
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answered on Nov 17, 2022

That really depends. If you never transferred any type of ownership interest to him then in theory you should still own 100% unless you held out as married or did something else that would allow him to acquire an interest in the property.

That being said, you need to be aware of other...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for Colorado on
Q: If I signed a lease w a private owner landlord of a condo, whom I've dealt with for all issues that arise,and whom

I've paid Rent to, hires a new realtor/management company 6 months into the year lease. I owe no obligation to the new realtor, because I never entered into a new contract w them?

Michael Joseph Larranaga
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answered on Nov 9, 2022

That depends on the contract. Typically your duty is to the property owner but they have the option of hiring a property manager to act as their agent. If you are asking then that means there is a potential problem. You should contact an attorney to help you work through it.

Please be...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for Colorado on
Q: I left my apt in CO in 2020 & despite many calls, I have yet to receive my deposit. Can I legally do anything about this

My wife and I moved out of our apt in Westminster, CO in 2020. We truly left the place significantly cleaner than it was when we moved in. They told us we would receive a fraction of our deposit. That alone can bring up another legal question in itself. We called so many times asking about when we... View More

Michael Joseph Larranaga
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answered on Nov 9, 2022

There may be potential legal actions you can take. But you should call an attorney ASAP. If you are going on three years, there is a good chance you may toll under the statute of limitations meaning any claim you could bring you can no longer bring because you waited.

Please be aware that...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Colorado on
Q: My landlord only return to small portion of my damaged deposit and is stating now if I take him to court he will charge

He stated I did not paid a pet deposit which is included in my lease and quoted as paid at time of lease he says if I take him to court he will charge me more than what he was originally going to even though I lived in the apartment for 7 and 1/2 years I do have what he was going to originally... View More

Michael Joseph Larranaga
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answered on Nov 9, 2022

You should get in contact with an attorney. They would need to review your contract to determine what your landlord could and could not charge you.

Colorado has a security deposit law. It may be worth reviewing.

Please be aware that any answer is based on all the events occurring...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Colorado on
Q: I went home today and my locks were changed. Can I break in my apartment?
Michael Joseph Larranaga
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answered on Nov 9, 2022

If the locks were changed and you were not evicted through the court process then you may have been unlawfully evicted/removed. You may wish to speak to an attorney. The court may be able to restore you back to possession if you have been unlawfully removed.

3 Answers | Asked in Business Law and Civil Litigation for Colorado on
Q: In Colorado, can personal civil documents intended for an individual be served to the registered agent of their LLC?

For example, if attempts to serve someone a civil lawsuit at their home address have been unsuccessful, could that person be served via the registered agent for an LLC they own, even if the LLC is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit? Specifically, if they're using a registered agent... View More

Michael Joseph Larranaga
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answered on Nov 9, 2022

I would recommend reviewing the rules of civil procedure as they pertain to personal service. There are quite a few ways to obtain personal service. If you are unsure, you should contact an attorney. If you cannot afford one, another option may be to hire a good process server that is familiar with... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Colorado on
Q: My husband says the money in the bank account isn’t mine

I’m a military spouse and I’ve never had my name on the account my husband and I both use. This is because we wanted credit scores esperares and also we’d have to practically jump through hoops to add me. If we separate are all the bank accounts considered shared since we both spend money out... View More

Michael Joseph Larranaga
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answered on Nov 9, 2022

It is more complicated than that. If the money has co-mingled during the marriage it may be considered marital property. It is possible to have separate non-marital property but safeguards need to be put in place. You should talk to an attorney to help you make that determination.

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Colorado on
Q: A tenant's association sues for property ownership

This is for a story I am writing. I am wondering if a tenant's association, as a legal entity, were to sue an owner for gross negligence in managing the building, if they could be awarded ownership of said property. How realistic of an idea is this?

Michael Joseph Larranaga
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answered on Oct 20, 2022

Sorry to say but it would be unlikely. Most of the time in litigation, if you prevail, you would be awarded monetary damages. There are certain exceptions such as when a contract has a specific performance clause or there is some reason in equity why another type of award is more appropriate.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning, Landlord - Tenant and Probate for Colorado on
Q: How do I revocate a contract / remove the trustee from trust/estate/property/etc.??

Acting as Durable POA for my incapacitated father, (with no limitations at all) - him being grantor of 1/2 a living trust within the family, I have been rejected 90% of the time I make a decision "as if I were him". Trustee will not respond to me at all or respect any of my father's final wishes

Michael Joseph Larranaga
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answered on Oct 20, 2022

I think you need to determine if the trust is revocable or irrevocable. If it is an irrevocable living trust then you may not have the authority to do anything as that authority may rest with the trust administrator. I am in no way an expert in trusts but you may be able to find some information... View More

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