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District of Columbia Contracts Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Criminal Law, Immigration Law and Civil Litigation for District of Columbia on
Q: Should I take legal action on my u4u sponsor who have put my mental/physical health at risk,with force on being homeless

My sponsor under u4u, forcibly threw me out of the house and won't let me stay after 2 weeks of being the states. He knew I had health issues and risks as well. So I was already mentally, verbally, and physically abused. I have also been forced to stay in america and to remain homeless with... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jan 14, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about the challenges and hardships you've been facing. It's important to understand that your situation sounds serious and might require legal intervention. However, it's essential to consider a few key points before proceeding with legal action.

First,...
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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Gov & Administrative Law and International Law for District of Columbia on
Q: What can be done in order to regain control of my money?

I have stock dividends, interest payments on bonds and other funds in special non-resident bank accounts, known as Type C, now frozen due to Russian counter-sanctions against Western investors and bankers. What can be done in order to regain control of my money and return part of it to the USA?

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Mar 2, 2023

I’ve been asked a number of times about getting investment money out of Russia without violating US and EU sanctions and avoiding Russian monetary limitations enacted in response to the sanctions. Indeed, the topic appeared in a recent article in Bloomberg, but, handled correctly, this topic has... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Bankruptcy and Real Estate Law for District of Columbia on
Q: What is the worst that can happen when flipping a house with 100% private money financing??

If I am using someone else's money and a house that I flip sells for less then previously estimated am I out anything more then my time? Or can the private money lender sue me and make me cover the loss?

What if I am using an LLC?

I am mostly worried that the private lender... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Mar 19, 2022

If you find a private lender who would not require your personal guarantee and, often, security of your home co-signed by your spouse, you should hold that lender very close… or share his name with me. You will be completely liable on your project unless the lender is an idiot, and most hard... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for District of Columbia on
Q: i have a default judgement in washington dc, over ten years old. what is the statue of limitations?
Steven Krieger
Steven Krieger
answered on Feb 16, 2021

12 years to enforce the judgment. See this code section: https://code.dccouncil.us/dc/council/code/sections/15-101.html

Hope that helps.

Steven

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for District of Columbia on
Q: Upstairs apartment leaked human wastewater into my apartment kitchen. What is my landlord's responsibility?

I have asked for a plumber - they are using a jack of all trades. I have asked to move into another empty unit, with the move fee waived - denied. I have asked for alternative accommodations until the repair and clean up is completed - denied. I have asked for a break in the rent, since the... View More

Steven Krieger
Steven Krieger
answered on Jul 27, 2020

In DC, you're able to withhold rent for housing code violations and wastewater coming into your unit seems to qualify. The landlord may take you to court and you'd have to explain the housing code violation, but this is a viable remedy for you.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Civil Litigation for District of Columbia on
Q: What is the law regarding a moving company holding your items until you pay their demand for more money?

I hired a moving company to relocate my items in Seattle to DC. They are now claiming that my storage until which only held a capacity of 400 cu ft took up 425 cu ft of their trailer and that they have to transfer my items to a shuttle because the semi currently carrying my items is too big to go... View More

Andrellos Mitchell
Andrellos Mitchell
answered on Jan 21, 2020

Well, I think you should call a lawyer and see what he can do. It's going to cost, but probably less than the $853.00. If the lawyer can't work something out, if you want your property back you may have to pay now and sue later...if you have a legal grounds to sue. It all depends on whats... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Business Law and Contracts for District of Columbia on
Q: Agreeing to a company ToS (like Amazon) gives it the right to own funds and not belong to them

Amazon holds billions of dollars of merchants whose funds have been frozen due to a ToS violation. In fact, it is their unethical way of making interest-free money and using it at will. Any solution

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Nov 19, 2019

Wow.

Is your name Jeff Bezos? Or perhaps you work for Amazon in a very high-level operations position?

If not then please tell us (1) where you got this unbelievable information and (2) what your reason is for publishing this unbelievable information publicly here on Justia?...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for District of Columbia on
Q: is there case law that supports reducing attorney's fees based on lost counts of a summary judgment?

Example: Defendant motions for summary judgment for 3 counts (fraud, breach of k, and negligence)after 1 year of litigation.The court rules in defendants favor for 2 of the 3 counts, ultimately after 1 more year of litigation the court finds for the Plaintiff on the remaining count and they award... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Oct 8, 2019

No, but the amount of fees must be reasonable, and an argument can be made that the time and billing associated with the lost counts were not reasonable since the claims were rejected; therefore, some adjustment is appropriate. In the end, the amount of fees are left to the “sound judgment “ of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Appeals / Appellate Law for District of Columbia on
Q: For this case what statutory interpretation is demonstrated?

what kind of law is used and how would you define the statutory interpretation used?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Sep 10, 2019

It's possible part of your post was left off. As a general matter, statutory interpretation is essentially what the definition suggests - the operation of a court interpreting legislation. Good luck

Tim Akpinar

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Criminal Law, Real Estate Law and Elder Law for District of Columbia on
Q: My father, who lives in Washington, DC needs to get out of a reverse mortgage scam. He wasn't 100% to sign a contract.

He was approximately 80 at the time. Diminished vision. Emotionally compromised. Victim of phone and mail fraud.

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Feb 19, 2019

You should have a consult with a lawyer before he dies. The facts matter, and they should not be discussed in an open forum.

Q: Is this a matter for US Supreme Court?

I have a situation where I formed a contract by payment of ongoing fees with a US government department and for that contract I was lead to believe I would have legal rights protecting my property under US law given by U.S. Congress which has not happened, if things happened a certain way.... View More

Kevin E. Flynn
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Kevin E. Flynn
answered on Jul 3, 2018

I have worked with patents for a long time. I cannot think of any government agency that accepts money from an individual for protecting intellectual property beyond the normal processes of filing for a patent, trademark, or copyright.

You need to talk with an attorney that can review all...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Employment Law for District of Columbia on
Q: If I leave beofre 18 months I owe 6K. Is this legal?

I recently interviewed with a company in Tyson's and looked through the sign on contract. In this offer letter there is a clause that states if I leave or am terminated before 18 months I owe them $6000. I do not receive a signing bonus or money up front. This seems very weird to me and I am... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Apr 16, 2018

Usually these types of clauses are tied to educational or training expenses, or paying for professional licenses or certificates, that the employer incurs. The repayment is tied to reimbursement for a valuable benefit provided to the employee who may take the training or professional license and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Contracts and Construction Law for District of Columbia on
Q: WHAT TYPE OF LAWYER DO I NEED TO SUE A GENERAL CONTRACTOR FOR STEALING 22K FROM ME AND DOING NOTHING TO MY PROPERTY?

ALREADY FILED A COMPLAINT WITH DCRA AND UNSUCCESSFULLY WAS NOT ABLE TO OBTAIN MY MONEY BACK EVEN TRIED MPD WITH NO SUCCESS. I WAS ADVISED BY MY INVESTIGATOR FROM DCRA TO PURSUE LEGAL ACTION AND GET BACK TO HER SO THEY COULD POSSIBLY TAKE HIS LICENSE. I NEED A LAWYER BECAUSE HE HAS DONE NOTHING TO... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Feb 8, 2018

Unfortunately, unlike Maryland's MHIC, the DCRA does not have a proactive investigatory and civil enforcement arm to it, and there is no insurance fund for consumers to claim against in the event a licensed contractor fails to perform a home improvement. Homeowners in DC are left to sue on... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Copyright, International Law and Trademark for District of Columbia on
Q: I am an American citizen and want to trademark and artist's name in Canada - can I do that?

I would like to do it as an intent to use, seeing as right now there's no music to release. That being said, it would be great to start using the name as soon as possible and register it as the name for a registered songwriter/artist in Canada. Is it possible to trademark the same name in the... View More

Benton R Patterson III
Benton R Patterson III
answered on Nov 7, 2017

Yes, a US citizen can register a trademark in both the United States and Canada. There are international treaties that allow US trademark owners to extend their trademark rights to other countries and vice versa. You should speak with a trademark attorney on how to register your mark.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for District of Columbia on
Q: how soon after i file a complain in DC superior court can i begin serving discovery?
Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Jul 26, 2017

Check the court order re: discovery dates and the rules of court for all civil procedure questions. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as myself. You can read more about me, my... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Consumer Law and Contracts for District of Columbia on
Q: In 2008 Carrington Mortgage Company modified my loan without notice that they had modified the loan. What can I do?
Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Apr 18, 2017

They would have to have provided you notice. Have a lawyer review such facts. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Employment Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Does my contract of employment preclude me from having another part-time job?

The relevant clause is this: "7. EXCLUSIVITY. During the term of this Agreement, Employee will devote his/her full-time to providing services exclusively as directed by Employer and shall not perform services for others."

The choice-of-law provision puts it in PA (however in case... View More

Glenn B. Manishin
Glenn B. Manishin
answered on Dec 30, 2016

The choice of governing law is not particularly relevant because, to the best of my knowledge, neither PA nor DC/MD/VA have laws overriding exclusive employment agreements. The provision you quote is plain and precludes you from taking on a part-time job. On the other hand, all states follow the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law and Contracts for District of Columbia on
Q: How can I get back my money paid for a service that I never used?

I signed a contract agreement with a hotel to get an event service. The hotel's obligation was to provide dinner for my 300 guests. And my obligation was to pay 50$ for each guest. I made down-payment for 150 guests at initial, and agreed to pay the remaining one week before the event day. The... View More

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Dec 15, 2016

Looks like the contract you signed says no refunds. It's important to let an attorney review it for you in full. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me on my law practice website. This answer does not constitute legal advice; make any... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for District of Columbia on
Q: If someone leaves furniture out and it is believed to be trash and then someone else takes it?

If the owner leaves a sign out asking for it back are the people who took it legally obligated to return it

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Dec 15, 2016

Once you trash an item, you relinquish ownership of it. But it's key that the item was in fact thrown away rather than in transit or being temporarily stored somewhere. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me on my law practice website. This... View More

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