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Three months ago, my landlady had my car towed with my deceased wife's ashes and other valuables inside while my husband was in the hospital, despite being informed of the contents. She claimed it was due to unpaid rents and threatened legal action if contacted further. What can we do next... View More

answered on Apr 22, 2025
Your post is confusing because you refer to your deceased "wife's" ashes, then refer to your "husband" in the hospital. In any event, regarding a landlord towing a vehicle from the premises, the first issue is whether the lease (if any) and any accompanying written rules... View More
I need a DNA test with my deceased parent to claim my father's last name legally. The morgue informed me that a lawyer's assistance is required to proceed. We never needed a DNA test before, as we always accepted him as my father, but now that he has passed away, I cannot get any help... View More

answered on Apr 21, 2025
That's a new one on me. If you are an adult, and your legal last name is different than your father's, you may petition the Circuit Court (in your area) for a name change to any name you feel like, no DNA test needed. Consult a general practice attorney near you. Also, if you do on... View More
Value of money is $1775 and a 42” and 50” tv . I have all my text messages between him and I

answered on Apr 20, 2025
First try online searches for the person, as well as call 411, and if that doesn't work, get a skip trace, which private investigators and many process servers offer for a reasonable fee. See if you can find one who can do it for around $100 or less. A skip trace turns up potential addresses,... View More
I want to submit an answer in a civil litigation case to the Seventh Judicial Circuit in and for Volusia County. The deadline is 20 days from April 9, 2025. Does the court accept written answers delivered via USPS? I haven't contacted the court directly yet for submission guidelines.

answered on Apr 17, 2025
The Clerk's Office of that Court should accept the filing by any delivery method, but you should not trust the US Postal Service to get it there on time unless you pay for special service, such as Priority Mail or Express Mail, and of course, track it. If you send it that way, it's a... View More
I left a one-star review on my sister's Google business without any comment. She texted me, threatening to sue me for defamation and slander. She hasn't taken any legal action yet. Her business has only two reviews: a five-star from another person and my one-star. Can she legally sue me... View More

answered on Apr 15, 2025
Can she run to the courthouse and file any lawsuit complaint she feels like? Yes. Would it fly? It should not, and it should be tossed out upon an appropriate motion to dismiss. A pure opinion without any false statement is not actionable.
I received emails and a certified letter from the plaintiff's attorney in a personal injury lawsuit involving my former employer. They are asking me to schedule a deposition, but I have not yet received an official subpoena. As a retail employee at the time, I don't feel I have... View More

answered on Apr 4, 2025
That depends on your role as deponent (person being deposed). If your employer (through counsel) designates you as the employer's "person with knowledge" of particular subject areas in a notice of deposition of the EMPLOYER, then counsel setting the deposition does not need to issue... View More
I need assistance with executing a Power of Attorney at a nursing home where the staff has previously given the notary a hard time. Despite having two signed POAs, I require a revised one to be signed. The situation demands the presence of a credible witness. How can an attorney help facilitate... View More

answered on Mar 30, 2025
Not sure if you mean you have the revised POA ready and only need execution (signing/witnessing/notarizing), and not sure what you mean by "staff giving the notary a hard time." If you mean you have the revised one ready, and the only problem is that no one on staff is willing to be a... View More
My son is currently facing criminal charges in Miami, Florida, and has been diagnosed with brain cancer since being incarcerated. His court dates keep getting postponed, and the latest one was supposed to be today but didn't occur. He is feeling unsupported by his court-appointed lawyer, who... View More

answered on Mar 29, 2025
The only pro bono representation available for criminal court is the Public Defender's Office and other court-appointed lawyers. However, there are jail/prison rights advocacy organizations that might be able to provide assistance regarding the medical treatment issue. One is the Florida... View More
Hi, I’m planning to interview a person who uses steroids and an illegal steroid dealer for a YouTube video. I’ll be blocking the dealer’s face and voice for anonymity. I just want to confirm if it’s completely legal to feature these interviews, or if there are any potential legal issues I... View More

answered on Mar 28, 2025
From a civil law perspective: Best to get each interviewee's signed consent, specifying in detail exactly what you will do with the video(s), how long the video(s) will be public, and releasing you from any liability in connection with the video(s); otherwise, you are potentially opening... View More
I am a member of a woodworking association in Florida, which is not a registered entity. There are no signed agreements for members, and I am concerned about personal liability if the association gets sued, especially in cases involving injuries from tools like saws. As just a member with no... View More

answered on Mar 25, 2025
An association that is not a registered legal entity (such as corp. or LLC) is not an entity that has the legal capacity to be sued - it's simply a group of individuals associating with each other, and therefore, there is potential liability for each and every individual that can be accused of... View More
My parked car and house were damaged by another driver who was at fault and has insurance. A police report was filed, but I haven't contacted my own insurance company yet. Will I be able to be compensated for those damages?

answered on Mar 24, 2025
Yes, and the first step is to set up a claim with that driver's insurance company. You must obtain repair estimates for all damages, and if the limits of that driver's policy are not sufficient to cover your entire repair cost (both home and car), you can look to your own insurance... View More
I want to sue a nursing home for neglect of my grandmother. She was there for one week and ended up with bruises, a UTI, dehydration, and was left in dirty diapers for extended periods. She claims she was "manhandled" by four employees, and staff hid her cellphone to prevent her from... View More

answered on Mar 21, 2025
Sorry to hear about your grandmother's horrible ordeal. She has a potential claim for substantial money damages, which must be handled by an attorney. Promptly pick up the phone and call a lawyer who is in the County where the nursing home is to schedule a free consultation, either in person... View More
I lent my car to my cousin while he was visiting for the weekend. His friend took my car without permission and was involved in a car accident, totaling the vehicle. The police are not aware of the unauthorized use, as my cousin did not report it. The other driver was at fault, but the unauthorized... View More

answered on Mar 19, 2025
I assume you have made total disclosure to your insurance company of the facts. If not, you need to do so immediately. I'm guessing from your description that the unauthorized individual is attempting to receive the PIP benefits under your policy for payment of medical bills and/or is... View More
I am facing a possession charge and have a trial scheduled for next month. My public defender told me I could leave the courtroom, which led to a warrant for failure to appear, even though I was present. This was resolved with the judge, who lifted the warrant after we explained the... View More

answered on Mar 17, 2025
Sorry to hear about this incident that is worrying you. First, you currently have a lawyer - your APD (Asst. Public Defender), with whom you should discuss these concerns. That discussion might alleviate your concerns. If you have doubts about your lawyer's competence and/or veracity, you... View More
I recently got into a car accident while turning left into a plaza entryway in Florida. The entry has two lanes, one on the left and one on the right. As I was turning, another car from the right turning lane on the opposite side went straight despite there being no lane for that direction—only a... View More

answered on Mar 16, 2025
Your inquiry describes the other driver as being at fault, so you answered your own question. However, your inquiry is missing the reason that the police officer believed you were at fault. Accused you of changing lanes from where to where?, - while the other car was where in relation to your... View More
Can my parents legally take my phone if I am 18 years old, even though I don't pay for it? I currently live with them, they are my legal guardians, and there are no specific house rules or agreements about phone use.

answered on Mar 15, 2025
Not sure if you are saying that your parents have been APPOINTED BY THE COURT to be your legal guardians while you are an adult, or instead are using that phrase loosely, with them not actually being appointed. If appointed by the Court, they likely have the right to control your possessions as if... View More
A detective came to my house and asked me to identify my boyfriend in a surveillance video, where he was seen walking back and forth along a fence. I was not sworn in during this process. This identification is included in his discovery but notes in bold that I was not sworn in. Can this be used as... View More

answered on Mar 13, 2025
If you are not testifying in court, use of your out-of-court statement to prove the truth of that statement would be hearsay, and that would generally be inadmissible - but there are exceptions to the hearsay rule, so a prosecutor would want to try to find a way to bring it under an exception if... View More
I am part of the Boy Scouts of America class action sexual abuse case and categorized under Tier 2. Despite this, I am being told that I will receive a lower payment due to the statute of limitations in Florida, where the abuse occurred 30 years ago when I was under 13. From my research, it seems... View More

answered on Mar 10, 2025
Sorry to hear about your ordeal. Unfortunately, you will likely not be able to obtain legal advice on the statute of limitations applicable to your particular situation by making online inquiries. Rather, you must have direct communication with a lawyer, who would have to discuss and review your... View More
I was involved in a legal case in Florida concerning a forged endorsement by an unauthorized employee on a promissory note. Despite the forgery, the court's decision was against us. I have new evidence and am looking to request a retrial. Could the presence of a forgery be grounds to dismiss... View More

answered on Mar 10, 2025
Your inquiry is a bit vague because you say that DESPITE the forgery, the court decision was against you, then say you have new evidence, not indicating whether that evidence is connected to proving the forgery, beyond the proof of the forgery you already presented. In any event, your first issue... View More
My wife had $16,000 stolen from her 401(k) account with Fidelity following an identity theft incident in June. We were not informed by Fidelity until we discovered the account was blocked in November. We have reported this to the police, Identitytheft.gov, and social security. Fidelity claims to be... View More

answered on Mar 9, 2025
If your money is not refunded, you might have a potential negligence claim against Fidelity, which is likely insured for that. Schedule an appointment with a lawyer in your area who handles civil litigation including negligence claims against financial institutions. The lawyer should promptly... View More
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