Ask a Question

Get free answers to your legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Iowa Questions & Answers
3 Answers | Asked in Intellectual Property and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Iowa on
Q: I need to know if this is breaching a Patent.

For school, I am planning a a Solar Array for the roof a vehicle such as a Pickup Truck or Van. My idea is similar to an existing patent, Patent Publication Number 20180175785, however my idea is smaller in size, by more than half, and designed for a different purpose, renewable energy generation... View More

Liliana Di Nola-Baron
Liliana Di Nola-Baron
answered on Sep 2, 2021

The issue is how different is your invention from other products claimed in patents and patent applications, or disclosed in the literature. You should consult a patent attorney to assist you with a patentability evaluation of your product.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for Iowa on
Q: If someone says they want to see you hang your self is that illegal
Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Aug 3, 2021

Generally no--it's more like a curse "I wish you to get Covid"

In some circumstances it could be actionable but that would take money because no lawyer would take the case. Spend the money on getting counseling on any fallout, and how to avoid or deal with creeps like the person who said that.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Employment Discrimination and Sexual Harassment for Iowa on
Q: can someone get fired for an affair?

with a coworker both subjects are married union job that is salary

Carrie Dyer
Carrie Dyer
answered on Jul 28, 2021

Generally, yes - there is nothing unlawful about firing an employee for having an affair with a coworker.

2 Answers | Asked in Trademark for Iowa on
Q: Is Red Dead Rocket trademarked

I started a YouTube channel and chose this as a name. Is it okay to use?

Linda Liang
Linda Liang
answered on Jul 24, 2021

You need to hire an attorney to conduct a thorough research to be sure.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Iowa on
Q: Sadly Tim I've already been through all that. They said anybody in the household 14 and older to be listed on the policy

I didn't know that because of that they actually dropped me. Now I have no insurance and is looking for new insurance but in the meantime I need to figure out if I have to pay him the deductible and pay them the $6,000 that they gave him. He text me again today asking for the deductible but... View More

Tim Bottaro
Tim Bottaro
answered on May 25, 2021

I assume by your answer you are satisfied you have no insurance coverage for what happened. If this is the case then you are responsible for any negligence on your part and the damages you caused. You need to be given proof of the amount of the damages and the amount of his deductible. You use the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Iowa on
Q: I'm in Council Bluffs,IA
Tim Bottaro
Tim Bottaro
answered on May 24, 2021

Just because your son is not on your policy doesn't necessarily mean he is not covered. Instead of relying only upon what the other driver is telling you, file a claim with your carrier. If they deny it they must tell you why and show you the language of the policy which they say supports... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Iowa on
Q: My daughter let my son who is not covered under my insurance drive her car and he hit someone. No personal injury.

Do I have to pay the guy the 1000 deductible back and pay his insurance the $6,000 that they gave him? The guy is texting me asking me for the deductible back but he also stated that his insurance company will probably come after me for the other money they gave him. What am I supposed to be doing?

Tim Bottaro
Tim Bottaro
answered on May 24, 2021

What state are you in/is the policy written in?

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for Iowa on
Q: I fell down on someone's property and was wondering if I could take them to court

The sidewalk leading to the apartment building was raised up and my toe caught it. I busted my mouth open, broke my finger that I now have had surgery and pins put In, I can't work and I can't afford the medical bills

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 17, 2021

I'm sorry about your fall and the resulting injuries. An Iowa attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. It's possible you have a case, but it could depend on the circumstances of the fall. You describe a raised sidewalk, and if that amounts to a serious enough... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Products Liability and Contracts for Iowa on
Q: i bought a motor home from a private seller who told me it ran perfectly and had no issues. it caught fire a month after

a day after i got it it started dying on me anytime i started it. i found out the carburetor was rebuilt and wrongly at that, pieces missing and bent. then i found out they rewired it to add air conditioners which crossed with the fuel line. i was driving it the next day and it caught fire with my... View More

Tim Bottaro
Tim Bottaro
answered on May 6, 2021

I'm sorry but I don't practice in this area of the law. I would suggest you search for someone under auto sales; possibly breach of contract. Your matter deals with a transaction rather than a personal injury such as in a car crash case. You should try to focus in your part of the state... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Iowa on
Q: Hello. If someone can get this message. Can you tell me if possible to get a pro bonus lawyer to represent someone

Thank you

Katherine Sears
Katherine Sears
answered on Apr 28, 2021

It is possible (but unlikely) that an attorney will offer pro bono representation in the sort of case you're describing.  You are always free to call around and ask, but bear in mind that you are essentially asking someone to pay to work for you. Time that lawyers spend working pro bono is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Family Law for Iowa on
Q: If I were to attempt suicide while pregnant in the state of Iowa would I get in trouble
Katherine Sears
Katherine Sears
answered on Apr 21, 2021

If you attempted suicide and *succeeded,* you would be dead. Can't really get in trouble if you're dead, right?

That you're asking this question therefore suggests that you're considering "attempting" suicide *without* succeeding. (I'd call that more of...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Foreclosure for Iowa on
Q: If a property that was deeded to me prior to the death of the mortgage holder is being foreclosed on, am I responsible?

Is the estate holder responsible for the debt?

Nina Whitehurst
PREMIUM
Nina Whitehurst pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 12, 2021

You are not PERSONALLY responsible for paying the mortgage, but if you don’t pay it the lender can foreclose. Also, given that the decedent transferred the property to you prior to death, it is not part of his or her estate. The transfer removed the property from the decedent’s estate and was... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Iowa on
Q: Daughter was arrested, she had phone ON HER. When released they kept her phone and her driver's license. No warrant

Arrested for possession. She was living with someone and the police searched his house and founds drugs. He admitted they were his. My daughter was arrested as she was walking down the street. She wasn't marandarized, she asked if she could bond out they said no, wasn't given her phone... View More

Katherine Sears
Katherine Sears
answered on Apr 21, 2021

Your daughter needs an attorney. If she is an adult, she should not give you more information about what happened. She should not discuss the situation with anyone other than her attorney. She will have attorney-client privilege with her lawyer. She does not have that privilege with you.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Iowa on
Q: If my name is on the deed to a property with my x boyfriend can I ask for half of the equity to sign off?

my name is not on the mortgage and I have not lived there in the last 5 years.

Anthony M. Avery
PREMIUM
Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 29, 2021

You certainly can demand consideration for your conveyance. But you have not stated the exact estate you have. If the agreed monies are not provided to you, do not sign. The other owner could file a Partition Action against you to sell the property.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Contracts and Real Estate Law for Iowa on
Q: Do I have to sell my home if co-owner wants to sell.

I was awarded the property in my devorce. Former friend Co signed for a loan for $63,550 5 years ago. To pay off the existing $35,000 and repairs to the home .

he want to sell it with him getting. 1/2 after I refused marrage to him.

Its all I have . Iam on disability.

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Mar 28, 2021

Yes. In this situation either owner can force the other owner to sell the property. It is called an action for partition.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Sexual Harassment for Iowa on
Q: If I'm 18 & this has happened to me, can I still take them to court?

If one was sexually assaulted by someone who is not blood related but related by marriage and the victim is now 18, can the victim still take their abuser to court?

Katherine Sears
Katherine Sears
answered on Apr 21, 2021

If the victim was under the age of 18 at the time of the offense, the State can prosecute for sexual abuse in the first, second, or third degree within 10 years of the person turning 18. See Iowa Code Section 802.2(1).

The victim should report what happened ASAP. Waiting makes evidence...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law for Iowa on
Q: I owe back taxes. Should I hire a tax attorney?

My husband passed away 9 months ago. We were five years behind. I have them filed now. I owe quit a bit to the irs.

Eric  Day
Eric Day
answered on Mar 1, 2021

It depends on how much you owe and some other factors with the innocent spouse possibilities. I would be happy to discuss with you if needs be 702-309-3333

1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law for Iowa on
Q: Do I need to refile for 864? Green Card Interview in 3 weeks.

My wife applied for aos, I 485 and I 864. I changed jobs during this time to a much higher paying position. All benifits are the same. Our interview is in 3 weeks. Do I need to refile for I 864? Or can I just bring my updating income to the interview?

Hector E. Quiroga
PREMIUM
Hector E. Quiroga
answered on Mar 10, 2021

No, but do bring pay stubs from the new job.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Iowa on
Q: What do I do if my previous employers hasn't paid the severance promised?

I took a voluntary separation package which I received confirmation that payment would be made within 20 days on Jan 12, 2021. If I'm counting right today is day 22 and I haven't received payment. What can I do? There is no phone number I can find for HR, I only have an email address and... View More

Kyle Anderson
Kyle Anderson
answered on Feb 17, 2021

This may be a breach of contract issue, but more information is needed. I would recommend reaching out to an employment law attorney in your state for a consultation.

2 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law for Iowa on
Q: Do I need to pay I 765 filing fee when I 485 is pending?

We applied for AOS I 485 back in June 2020. Our application is still pending and my wife who is on F1 status, is getting ready to graduate. She is interested in working so we are looking to apply for I 765. Since our I 485 is still pending will our I 765 Fee of $410 be waived? Or do we still need... View More

Agnes Jury
Agnes Jury
answered on Jan 5, 2021

The last sentence of the question you posted is the answer. You do not need to pay for the I-765 but you must show proof of the pending I-485. So when you mail your I765 application, include the Notice you got after you filed for AOS. Best wishes!

View More Answers

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.