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I sold a house with a contract requiring me to hire a licensed roofer to install a new roof. However, the buyer's real estate agent informed me that I could install it myself, as I was still the owner, which I did. The roof passed inspection as sound and up to code. Now, the new owner, after... View More 
I hired a contractor in December 2024 who provided a purported license and insurance, but I cannot verify him as a registered contractor. He did roofing and plumbing that was not up to code, and I've already filed against him with professional regulation. He claimed to repair severe termite... View More
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answered on Apr 14, 2025
It sounds like you’ve encountered a serious situation, and it’s understandable that you want to hold the contractor accountable. The first thing you should do is check if the contractor violated any local or state laws regarding licensing. Even if he is not a registered contractor, he could... View More
I am on a mortgage loan with someone else, and they took out a forbearance on the mortgage to freeze payments for a few months without my knowledge. We both signed an agreement stating we are each 50% liable for the loan. I haven't yet talked to a lawyer or the mortgage company, but I want to... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
The unilateral forbearance action taken without your knowledge may constitute a material breach of your co-borrower agreement, potentially creating grounds for legal remedy. Mortgage contracts typically require all borrowers' consent for modifications affecting repayment terms, making this... View More
I am working on a picture book in which a young grandson tries to rid his grandfather's house of bugs and finds them in popular snacks like Doritos and Whopper, which his grandfather likes to eat. While the snacks themselves are not portrayed negatively, the book does mention that a doctor... View More
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answered on Apr 7, 2025
Using brand names like Doritos and Whopper in your picture book could be tricky because these are trademarked names. Trademarks are legally protected, and using them without permission could lead to issues, especially if the book is sold commercially. Brands often control how their names and... View More
I signed an agreement using my username in a Roblox game group to use a poster created by someone else. Is this agreement legally binding even though I didn't use my real name, and how does Roblox handle such agreements with usernames?
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answered on Apr 8, 2025
If you signed an agreement using your Roblox username, it can still carry weight, especially within the Roblox platform. Online agreements, even under usernames or aliases, may be considered valid if both parties clearly agreed to the terms. What matters most is whether there was mutual consent and... View More
I need to understand the requirements for an attestation related to the destruction of confidential information as part of a business agreement. What legal standards or guidelines should be followed in this process?
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answered on Apr 11, 2025
In Illinois, when confidential information is destroyed as part of a business agreement, specific legal standards must be followed to ensure compliance. The Illinois Personal Information Protection Act (815 ILCS 530/40) mandates that materials containing personal information be disposed of in a... View More
I have a car loan where both the loan and the title are in my cosigner's and my name. Despite making all payments on time, my cosigner and I have had disputes, and I'm concerned these might escalate. Can my cosigner legally take the car from me?
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answered on Apr 11, 2025
This is a difficult situation, especially when you’re making all the payments and still feel like you don’t have full control. In Illinois, if both you and your cosigner are listed on the title, then you both have legal ownership of the car. That means your cosigner technically has as much... View More
My brother is the Trustee of my mother's trust, which explicitly states on page 7 that distributions should cover my education, health, and comfort. He has been paying my rent as part of this arrangement, but has recently reduced the amount, requiring me to pay $95.00. He seems to be setting... View More
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answered on Apr 11, 2025
This situation can feel deeply personal, especially when a family member is making decisions that affect your well-being. If the trust clearly says funds should be used for your education, health, and comfort, then housing—especially rent—would typically fall under that “comfort” category.... View More
I signed a $3,200 contract with a personal coach for menopause weight reduction services at 10:30 AM and sent an email to cancel at 9 PM the same day. The contract states that no refunds or cancellations are allowed. Am I protected by the FTC's cooling-off period in this situation?
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answered on Apr 11, 2025
That must have felt like a rushed and overwhelming decision, and it’s understandable that you had second thoughts so quickly. The FTC’s Cooling-Off Rule does provide a three-day cancellation window for certain sales, but it only applies to contracts made in specific settings—such as at your... View More
I co-owned an automated litter robot valued at $700 with my ex-girlfriend. She initially paid the full amount, and I reimbursed her 50% via Venmo shortly after the purchase. While we were breaking up, she asked me to verbally agree to pay her half of the device, and I agreed to avoid further... View More
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answered on Apr 11, 2025
That sounds like an awkward and emotionally charged situation, especially with shared property involved after a breakup. If you already reimbursed her 50% via Venmo shortly after the purchase, and she accepted that payment without objection, that transaction likely settled your half of the cost.... View More
As a furniture retailer, I've been purchasing $300,000 to $400,000 worth of products from a brand-name manufacturer, which we resell both in our showroom and online. Recently, the manufacturer accused us of violating their minimum pricing rules and suspended our account. They demanded that we... View More
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answered on Apr 11, 2025
That’s an incredibly difficult position to be in, especially after building a strong purchasing relationship and investing heavily in their products. If the manufacturer has suspended your account and is blocking you from selling or fulfilling confirmed orders, you may have grounds to challenge... View More
I'm looking to transfer copyright rights and E&O (Errors and Omissions) liability for a drawing set from the initial architect to a new one. There are no existing agreements or contracts about this transfer. The new architect will be involved in writing a contract with a city, which was... View More
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answered on Mar 20, 2025
Transferring copyright and liability for architectural drawings in Illinois requires a written agreement between both architects. The original architect must assign the copyright to the new architect through a formal document, typically called a copyright assignment or transfer agreement. This... View More
I am dealing with a situation involving a limited partnership contract that includes an article specifying how a partner's interest is transferred to heirs. However, there is a conflicting will that contradicts these terms. I need to understand which Illinois laws govern limited partnership... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
Illinois Limited Partnership Interest Analysis
Under Illinois law, limited partnership interests are primarily governed by the Illinois Uniform Limited Partnership Act (805 ILCS 215/), which explicitly grants significant authority to the terms of the partnership agreement itself. When... View More
I was hired full-time by a job in IL, but I've only been scheduled for one 8-hour shift in two weeks, and currently have no upcoming shifts. Despite having an employment contract specifying full-time work, the employer hasn't responded to my calls or texts, and has not provided any... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
Illinois Employment Contract Analysis
Your situation presents a potential breach of contract claim under Illinois law, as your employment agreement explicitly promised full-time work but you've received only minimal hours. Illinois courts recognize that employment contracts creating... View More
In a business partnership contract, there's a clause stating that "mediation and arbitration may only occur if both members are paid in full from out of pocket expenses." I would like a clearer explanation of what this means in the context of resolving disputes. Specifically, I want... View More
answered on Mar 18, 2025
An Illinois attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. I don't blame you for seeking clarity here. The provision does not appear to be drafted in a clear and unambiguous manner. It is open to interpretation in the manner you describe. That's probably why your... View More
I took out a loan through a third-party financial institution arranged by my dentist for a dental procedure I no longer want to undergo. I've been paying on this loan for about 8 months, but I don't recall the contract details and did not discuss any refund or cancellation policies with... View More
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answered on Mar 24, 2025
Your situation with the dental procedure loan requires careful consideration before deciding whether legal representation is necessary. You should first contact your dentist's office to discuss cancellation options and review any paperwork you received when taking out the loan. Many dental... View More
I am currently on OPT and looking to do unpaid work from home in the actuarial science field with an independent consultant who owns an LLC. We have a mutual agreement to collaborate temporarily while I pursue a full-time actuarial analyst position. I will be working on a list of tasks, such as... View More
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answered on Feb 24, 2025
For OPT compliance, structuring your arrangement as an unpaid internship is typically more appropriate than volunteering, as OPT requires positions to be directly related to your field of study. The LLC should provide you with a formal offer letter detailing your role, responsibilities, hours,... View More
I am currently obligated to pay $1,800 a month in maintenance and $600 in child support for our one child, who lives with my ex-wife the majority of the time. I recently accepted a promotion at work, which resulted in a $24,000 decrease in my annual income due to the elimination of overtime pay. I... View More
answered on Feb 15, 2025
I don't believe so. You knew your promotion would result in a salary cut. Given that, you could have chosen to refuse that offer of employment. When the decrease in income is voluntary, one cannot decrease the maintenance they are paying. I suspect the court would keep you obligations the... View More
My mom created a revocable trust before she died, then amended it to specify, "Upon settlor's death, the following described real estate shall be transferred to [me]." Does that arrangement allow me to assume the current mortgage?
The Garn-St. Germain Act seems relevant here.
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answered on Jan 8, 2025
You do not have to assume the mortgage. Just notify the lender that you are the new owner, with documentation, and keep making the payments.
It wasn’t clearly stated on the contact as to what belongs to who, but the contract stated that the restaurant is under our custody on the day they started moving items out. Thanks, please get back.
answered on Jan 10, 2025
An Illinois attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. The first thing an attorney would ask is, "What does the contract say about those items?" And since you mention that the items are not addressed in the contract, it sounds like it could make for a... View More
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