Get free answers to your Admiralty / Maritime legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Your current state is Virginia
I am facing an issue in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, where homeowners have erected fences that block access to the high water mark next to a boat ramp. According to the State of South Carolina, such obstruction on navigable waterways is illegal, as the property below the high water mark does not... View More 
If I sold a boat that may be considered my husband's separate property while residing at our marital home with court permission, despite him being granted exclusive use of the home—which was also his separate property—should I list the sold boat in the dissolution petition? My husband was... View More
7 days later they raised my slip rent 200 monthly. I do not have a signed lease with marina other than this.
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answered on Apr 24, 2025
Your situation with the marina is frustrating and feels like a bait-and-switch tactic. Simply clicking on a promotional offer typically doesn't constitute a binding contract - contracts generally require mutual agreement on specific terms, consideration (something of value exchanged), and... View More
Mrs. Smith submitted a statement to the court asking to declare her husband dead. He worked at a fishing cluster and, nine months ago, fell out of a dinghy and drowned while intoxicated. The statement included an accident report and a decision from the prosecutor's office refusing to initiate... View More
I am seeking legal assistance after my sister was fatally hit by a cargo train on March 8th. According to the initial coroner's report, she was walking on the tracks and the train captain sounded a warning but couldn't stop in time. We do not have any surveillance footage, and neither the... View More
answered on Apr 8, 2025
I am so sorry for your loss.
Do not speak with the insurance company or anyone else without an attorney.
First step contact an experienced. There are a number of us on Justia.
I signed a contract on September 16, 2024, in the Netherlands for a boat purchase, with terms stating "net price imported and delivered to the USA northeast." The contract does not include clauses about changes in tariffs or duties. Recently, new tariffs have been imposed. The seller... View More
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answered on Apr 11, 2025
This situation puts you in a tough spot, especially since the contract doesn't mention how tariff changes are to be handled. Because the agreement states “net price imported and delivered to the USA northeast,” that wording generally implies the seller is responsible for getting the boat... View More
I operate a boat rental business registered as an LLC in Virginia. We launch from Gravelly Point, Arlington, VA, utilizing the Potomac River under DC jurisdiction, and sometimes use the Occoquan River. The business is personally operated by me, without employees, primarily during weekends. Although... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
Operating your Virginia-based boat rental business on the Potomac River, which is under the jurisdiction of the District of Columbia (DC), introduces certain tax obligations. Even though your business is registered in Virginia and primarily operates from Virginia locations, utilizing DC waters for... View More
Upon disembarkation from a cruise, my teens' cards were revoked, and we were unable to leave the ship for over an hour. Cruise staff initially told me that my teens were part of an incident, while CBP later stated they were potential witnesses. Despite repeatedly asking if we were being... View More
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answered on Apr 7, 2025
It’s understandable that you’d be concerned about what happened during your disembarkation. In general, both the cruise line and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have the authority to question individuals if they believe there is a potential involvement in an incident or if they require... View More
I am a member of a yacht club in Washington State and own a boathouse. The yacht club is requesting members to provide a key for inspections, specifically to ensure there is a fire extinguisher present, but this requirement is not stated in any contract or bylaws. A few members, including myself,... View More
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answered on Apr 11, 2025
It makes sense that you and other members are concerned, especially if the inspection requirement and fines aren’t clearly supported by your contract or the yacht club’s bylaws. In Washington State, private clubs generally must follow the rules laid out in their governing documents. If those... View More
Do I have to pay taxes to Hacienda for boxes sent to the port in Puerto Rico related to my move?
answered on Apr 15, 2025
You could check with applicable port authorities for additional guidance. There are also maritime attorneys on this site who practice in Puerto Rico (under "Find a Lawyer")...
https://www.justia.com/lawyers/maritime-law/puerto-rico
Good luck
I’m fighting a TRO where the petitioner presented fake text messages as threats from me. The messages don’t show my real number, only my name, which could’ve been manually changed in her contacts. I suspect she used a spoofing app. The judge ruled against me, stating she’s not liable for... View More
answered on Mar 12, 2025
First, sorry you are going through this. It appears you may have gone through trial without counsel. I highly recommend you get an attorney. I have seen these cases before and they are becoming increasingly common. 1) You absolutely need to file a motion for reconsideration 20 days with phone... View More
I was on Cathay Pacific flight CX233 from Hong Kong to Milan, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER (B-KQV). After flying for 4 hours and 26 minutes, we had to make an emergency landing in Lanzhou, China due to an engine failure, which seriously endangered my life. The airline provided accommodation and... View More
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answered on Mar 12, 2025
You may be entitled to compensation, but since your flight was operated by Cathay Pacific, an airline based in Hong Kong, EU regulations won't apply directly unless the delay involved a European carrier or was departing from the EU. However, airlines generally have obligations under... View More
My Wife owns a 21' SeaRay boat and had a man give us a verbal quote of 5 to 6 thousand dollars for the work we wanted done. He wanted us to pay him $4000. last week and hit us with a total bill of 8 thousand dollars.
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answered on Dec 23, 2024
Under California law, merchant’s lien is on the agreed amount of repairs or the value of services provided whichever is less.
The verbal initial agreement and any subsequent modification agreement is also enforceable, but your consent to additional costs are key, although the merchant... View More
No further information or contractual provisions to consider
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answered on Dec 16, 2024
Under Cayman Islands flag state law, seafarers do not accrue annual leave while on paid leave (holiday). According to the provisions outlined in "Benedict on Admiralty," justified absences from work, such as holidays, are not considered as annual leave DOC. No. 9-1A MARITIME LABOUR... View More
Specifically, do the onboard shops follow the laws of the ship's flag state, the laws of the cruise company's home country, the local laws of the port of call, or another jurisdiction?
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answered on Nov 12, 2024
In summary, onboard shops and stores on cruise ships typically follow the laws of the ship's flag state, but U.S. laws apply when the ship is within U.S. territorial waters or under specific international agreements.
Sales on cruise ships are primarily regulated by the laws of the... View More
Have brain injury from Tylenol
answered on Nov 9, 2024
I'm sorry about your brain injury. I'm not certain if this is an admiralty/maritime matter (a category chosen for the post). It looks more like product liability (injuries involving dangerous/defective products, including pharmaceutical drugs). There isn't very much detail to go by... View More
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answered on Oct 21, 2024
Changing your status from a U.S. citizen to a State National does not exempt you from the laws established by the federal government. The legal system in the United States is based on the Constitution, which applies uniformly to all individuals within its jurisdiction. Attempting to alter your... View More
answered on Oct 11, 2024
It's difficult for attorneys here to take up your offer to represent you. The format is brief Q & A - no solicitation or attorney referral. The closest thing to an attorney referral here is the "Find a Lawyer" tab above, which lists attorneys by region and area of practice. You... View More
I was damaged by some Superior Court judges misconduct and fraud and I would like to file a claim against their official bonds and their owes of office but they will not inform me where to obtain them or or even provide me a copy when I write the court clerk / executive officer
answered on Oct 4, 2024
It is very unlikely you can obtain name of the surety (generally an insurance company that sells the bond to the principal (the judge.)) You can submit a request for information, but it will most likely be denied. If you have a viable case for judical misconduct and fraud you would file a claim... View More
A felon in possession was officially charged and is being tried on Unlawful possession of handgun. I thought one was a misdemeanor and the other was a felony charge.
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answered on Sep 18, 2024
DA has discretion on the criminal charge. So if he chooses a misdemeanor, that is his prerogative.
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