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Your current state is Virginia
I have been working for RV Trader as a sales representative for 14 years. I do not have a signed non-compete agreement or any other written contracts restricting customer contact or competition. I am considering a position with a competing company. Under Section 16600, what restrictions might apply... View More 
answered on Apr 17, 2025
Generally, for a position such as yours, a non-compete would be unenforceable. The client list may be considered a trade secret, and if it is, then you can't take or use that directly. Obviously, your market is such that you're likely to run into the same customers, and they can't... View More
As a landlord of a duplex in Florida, I have installed a fire extinguisher in the tenant's unit. I understand that while Florida law doesn't require landlords to provide fire extinguishers, it mandates that existing extinguishers be checked monthly to ensure they are in the green pressure... View More
I am an Amazon seller planning to purchase gummies from a brand to resell within the United States. I don't have any written agreements or communications with the brand yet, and I've only considered the Amazon platform for sales. I haven’t found any specific resale restrictions,... View More
I am a non-performing songwriter who signed an administration publishing deal. My publisher advised me to join PPL UK as a recording rights holder and appoint them as my representative. Since I'm not a performer and won't be monetizing the production and promotion of the songs, could this... View More
I have subleased a room, and the subleaser wants to change the terms of the agreement by adding that I am responsible for sharing the internet service that I pay for. The original lease and sublease agreements were provided to me three days after I paid the rent. Can the subleaser legally require... View More
In Indiana, my company has a policy that employees acknowledge regarding deductions for company equipment. If an employee leaves before fully repaying these deductions, can the remaining balance be withheld from their last paycheck, given that they signed a form acknowledging the policy, terms, and... View More
I attempted to cancel my gym membership on January 29th via email, as advised by the gym owner via text, even though the contract specifies cancellation through mailed letters only. I received a cancellation confirmation on March 5th but was charged for February. There were no discussions or... View More
The company has made a mistake with the health insurance plan. Some employees have not had any money deducted from their paycheck for health insurance, while others have. The health insurance coverage is functioning. Now, the employer is trying to charge the employees who didn’t have deductions... View More
I need to know if a rental contract is legally binding under these circumstances: My sister and I created a lease agreement when she needed a place to stay as she was getting back on her feet. She jokingly filled in the lease length as 10 years instead of the intended 1 year. My husband, who owns... View More
I have full legal and joint custody of my children with a 50-50 split, and I'm not married to the other parent. My children and I were involved in an accident, and we went to the ER. The expenses are being covered by the other party’s insurance. If my lawyer sues for compensation, do I owe... View More
answered on Apr 17, 2025
The father of your children has no claim to the proceeds of your personal injury claim unless you are in arrears to him with a prior judgment or support order.
I want to terminate my lease early due to coercion from my parents, and there is an early termination clause in the lease specifying a fee for early surrender and rent due through the end of the month of possession. If I pay this fee, does it prevent the landlord, which is a larger rental company,... View More
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answered on Apr 17, 2025
Usually yes. However in order to provide correct advice I would need to see a copy of your lease to advise. Feel free to email it for a consult.
I am preparing a case against my former landlord's property management company in Virginia, citing Young v. Lambert and Kiddell v. Labowitz to support my claims regarding de facto landlord liability and breach of contract. The property management company performed all typical landlord duties,... View More
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answered on Apr 16, 2025
In Young v. Lambert, Virginia courts held that a management company performing all landlord functions can be treated as the de facto landlord for liability purposes. Kiddell v. Labowitz reinforces that an agent who controls rent collection, repairs, and communications owes the same contractual and... View More
I recently paid off my car loan, but the car dealership where I bought the vehicle is refusing to issue a lien release letter because I made the final payment with a credit card. They mentioned their concern is about a possible charge dispute. The final invoice I received only shows the payment... View More
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answered on Apr 16, 2025
I know it can feel frustrating, but you’re entitled to a lien release letter because paying off your loan extinguishes the lender’s security interest. Reach out to the financing institution (not just the dealership) and request a written payoff statement and lien release, citing your final... View More
I have a tenant on a one-year lease from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025. Despite a "no pets" clause, he brought in two cats, referred to as "care animals." The lease states it becomes month-to-month unless terminated or renewed mutually. Due to property condition and... View More
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answered on Apr 16, 2025
Your fixed‑term lease simply expires on August 31, 2025; there’s no need to serve a 90‑day termination notice before that date.
If the tenant remains in the unit after August 31, the tenancy converts to a month‑to‑month arrangement, and because they’ll have occupied the... View More
I was involved in a car accident where the other driver was at fault, resulting in a head injury for which I'm receiving an insurance settlement. However, I haven't agreed to the settlement yet because it releases the other driver from liability for future medical bills. My neurologist... View More
answered on Apr 16, 2025
Hi - Unfortunately, it is extremely unlikely that any insurance company would agree to a settlement keeping future medical treatment open. I strongly suspect that will not be an option.
It is always important in situations like this to be able to show the insurance company what types of... View More
I have created an innovative idea that could transform grocery shopping, boost overall sales, and cultivate customer loyalty. As I plan to discuss this idea with prospective employers during interviews in two weeks, I am concerned about protecting this concept. I seek legal advice on how to avoid... View More
answered on Apr 16, 2025
Though there are several ways to try to protect your rights, a relatively inexpensive, secure method is to detail your invention in a written document and then file this as a provisional patent application with the USPTO.
Do I need a real estate attorney to create a valid lease agreement for my rental property in Florida? We haven't had any issues with our current tenant, but I want to ensure we are legally protected. I would like the lease to include specific qualifiers such as no pets, no changes to the... View More
answered on Apr 16, 2025
It is not absolutely necessary, but I would highly recommend having a seasoned Landlord/ Tenant Lawyer review the agreement to avoid any potential issues and include the provisions you referenced. I have drafted and reviewed thousands of them and would be happy to help.
I am almost 80 and live in Baja California, Mexico. My wife divorced me in December 2015, claiming no assets, but we have a joint trading account with E*Trade. When I tried to remove her from the account, E*Trade's legal department froze it and requested court documentation to remove her. She... View More
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answered on Apr 16, 2025
It sounds like you’re in a tough situation. Since your ex-spouse is unresponsive, your next best step would be to pursue legal action through a California court. It might help to contact a family law attorney in California who can provide guidance on how to proceed with obtaining a court order... View More
I caused a minor accident in a McDonald's parking lot and offered to pay for the damages. We exchanged contact information, and they provided me with a repair quote of $780 using OEM parts. I suggested using aftermarket parts for $650 and offered an $800 payment to cover their quote. Our... View More
answered on Apr 16, 2025
For your protection, speak with your insurance company regarding this matter.
How does a company justify attorneys’ fees when collecting identical debts from numerous customers? The company's in-house attorneys are enforcing a contract with attorney fees by suing me, and they file nearly identical lawsuits against other customers weekly, using a longstanding template.... View More
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answered on Apr 16, 2025
When a contract includes an attorneys’ fees clause, it typically allows the prevailing party to recover “reasonable” attorneys’ fees incurred in enforcing the agreement. Even if the legal work is repetitive or done using templates, the key issue is whether the fees claimed are reasonable... View More
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