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Massachusetts Civil Rights Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Elder Law, Land Use & Zoning and Municipal Law for Massachusetts on
Q: What can I do? My bad neighbor dumped junks (big old larger snow plow and more) to my property 4 days ago.

It is impossible to sell my house with all the heavy junks they dumped into my property. I need to sell my house.

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Feb 17, 2021

Also sounds like a real estate trespass case.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody, Child Support and Civil Rights for Massachusetts on
Q: I'm looking for legal help for my divorce.

I have a complicated situation with a seven year old, don't have job, and my husband doesn't want the divorce we have been separated for 4 years. I was hoping you could help me and point me in the right direction.

Thank you in advance,

Maria

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Oct 6, 2020

So, depending upon your financial circumstances the Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association may be able to assist you. If your husband has income and assets which are sufficient, the Probate Court can order him to pay toward your counsel fees.

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Civil Rights for Massachusetts on
Q: Do I need to attend the meeting before the pretrial conference? MA probate.

Custody battle. I am filing on terms of parental alienation, emotional and physiological abuse. There's a pre trial conference but the other parties lawyer emailed me stating the court requires a meeting beforehand. I don't feel comfortable speaking in this meeting with just myself and... View More

Brian Waller
Brian Waller
answered on Aug 10, 2020

The pretrial order you received from the court should explain exactly what you need to do and when. Some judges require the parties to meet at least a week or two before the hearing. If you decline to meet the other party's attorney will likely bring that to the court's attention. This... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Personal Injury and Small Claims for Massachusetts on
Q: Does using a person’s deadname in a school yearbook constitute any legal action?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 2, 2020

A Massachusetts attorney could advise best, but your post remains open for two weeks. In terms of practicality, it would be a case that presents challenges. In terms of textbook law, it could depend on the mental state with which it was done, on one end being innocent oversight to the other end... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Civil Rights for Massachusetts on
Q: My husband fly back to US for treatment and he passed away on may 2,.2020. I cannot fly there because of this pandemic

So the daughter from he's first marriage was there and arrange for the funeral. And I was shocked for what I read about my Husband Obituary. Listed thier mother as he's wife and longlife love to there father! even they knew that thier father married to me and I have all the evidence our... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 24, 2020

I'm very sorry for the loss of your husband. You ask what to do. As a first step, you should consider contacting an attorney who works with wills and estates. Toward the end of your detailed post, one of the last items you mention is a will and your concerns about its disposition. As for any... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Civil Rights, Elder Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Massachusetts on
Q: in MA an offer was placed on my property on 8/9/19 we are now well passed the 45 days agreed upon for closing.

Closing was set for tomorrow 10/16/19. i have done repairs and updates to the lawful expectations of the original inspection in a timely manner by my agents father who i paid for his services. My real estate agent has not been forthcoming about many items through this process. A week ago the buyers... View More

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Oct 15, 2019

I strongly suggest you contact a lawyer to represent your interests as soon as possible. The agent/broker is supposed to be working for you, the seller, and no one else. Most P&S agreements state the buyer is prohibited from entering the premises and/or doing work n the premises with the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights for Massachusetts on
Q: Hello So,I got assaulted, and got into a fight at my job with a coworker. I filled a police report.
Gary Kollin
Gary Kollin
answered on Jul 30, 2019

Thank you for sharing. You have not asked any question.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Gov & Administrative Law and Government Contracts for Massachusetts on
Q: Who can contact me and help me with a complicated legal concern with a federal job?

I was hired after informing my job about my year long pending court trail and after working for 86 days they verbally put me on a unpaid suspension. When I asked for more information and asked for my suspension to be put in writing they stop responding to me, yet I am still working but not able to... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 10, 2019

An attorney can't contact you; that isn't the way it works. This is only a question and answer board. You could contact an attorney using the Find a Lawyer section, or you could conduct your own independent searches. You can add Employment Law to your categories, and hopefully your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Civil Rights for Massachusetts on
Q: Difference between false arrest and false imprisonment?

Hello,

I filled a lawsuit because I was detained by security guards after I was accused of sleeping on a couch and therefore 'trespassing' and 'stealing' there was no evidence to support this and the company never proved their claims nor was I charged by police.... View More

Gary Kollin
Gary Kollin
answered on Jan 31, 2019

It is amazing what you can find on the internet by googling

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-false-imprisonment.html

1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy, Civil Litigation and Civil Rights for Massachusetts on
Q: Auto Dealer Bankrupt | Did not deliver the car not giving the money back

Hello All,

My Sister who is doing her masters here in USA, She applied for a car loan and received a bank cheque. We ha

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Jan 7, 2019

What is the question?

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Can my employer mandate that I sign a release of all claims because I filed a charge of discrimination with the EEOC?

I do not agree with a single part of the settlement agreement and I do not want to lose my rights to sue. Can my employer terminate me if I refuse to accept and sign the release of claims.

John Espinosa
John Espinosa
answered on Mar 24, 2018

Is your employer asking you to do this as part of a settlement of your claim? If so, then it is up to you whether or not the settlement is worth signing the release and withdrawing your claim.

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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Employment Discrimination and Civil Rights for Massachusetts on
Q: Can I sue?

I work for Amtel and they told me because I called out twice because the first time I went to the clinic do to high blood pressure and I’m diabetic so my sugar was really low the second time was because I got sick with strep and fever and because of my fever I had a really high blood pressure... View More

Jonathan R. Roth
Jonathan R. Roth
answered on Jan 30, 2018

Contact an attorney who specializes in suits under the American's with Disabilities Act. You can call the Boston Bar Association or the Massachusetts Bar Association for a free referral. It would seem that the Company has terminated you for an invalid reason. One issue is however if you were... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Libel & Slander, Employment Law, Civil Rights and Education Law for Massachusetts on
Q: I am a teacher who has recently been placed on administrative leave due to an undisclosed allegation made by a student.

I would like to consult with a private attorney (outside of the union) regarding next steps.

1 Answer | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law, Divorce and Civil Rights for Massachusetts on
Q: I’m getting a divorce. Is my partner responsible for half of my students loans I just acquired 3 months ago?

I just finished my associates degree and I would like to know if my partner should pay for half of my loans.

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Jan 24, 2018

The factors on property division are also applicable to debt division. Without knowing the circumstances and the duration of the marriage it is not possible to respond other than that if divorce was already contemplated when the educational program was commenced, that it may be unrealistic to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Education Law for Massachusetts on
Q: can someone at my school or the police search my bag without a warrant

Also there is a school resource officer at my school

John Espinosa
John Espinosa
answered on Oct 22, 2017

Because of the lower expectation of privacy that students have in schools, school officials need only have "reasonable suspicion" to conduct a search of a bag a student brings to school, not a warrant. This document summarizes the applicable laws (but it is several years out of date,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Criminal Law for Massachusetts on
Q: If i have a clearly displayed sign that i am video and audio recordingmy presence, in public, is that ok?In MA, RI.?

Are there only vague laws or are there definitive laws that exist?

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Jul 2, 2017

Where are you recording this? Where is the sign? 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 credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Social Security for Massachusetts on
Q: I am 19 years old and I am currently going to school in Massachusetts, and I used to live in New York.

When I started school my mother disowned me and is holding my birth certificate, social security card, and my passport hostage and won't give them to me. is there anything i can do to get them back

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Jun 29, 2017

If she doesn't give them to you, you can file for new ones. It is a federal crime to withhold such documents of yours. 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... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Family Law, Juvenile Law and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Massachusetts on
Q: Where can I turn for real help with an out of control 12 year old when the police wont help?

He has physically hurt his 8 year old brother. He doesn't listen to his father or me. Yells at us, hits walls, throws things and does as he wants.Leaves thw house when he wants, tells us he isnt doing chores becuase he isnt a slave. I am scared of him, what he can do to me and my yougest son.... View More

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on May 27, 2017

Perhaps therapy is the answer. You and your husband may start with a therapist to learn how to deal with this. 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,... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights for Massachusetts on
Q: Is it legal to keep two people who love each other apart?

Hey, im on exchange in the US with a program that has a rule and thats no dating. But im dating a girl in Vermont and im in Massachusetts. She's 18 and im 17. They told us we couldn't see each other any more and im wondering if that is legal or not for them to keep us apart?

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Apr 18, 2017

It depends on whether you're interacting sexually, since sex with a minor is illegal.

See: http://www.aeesq.com/criminal-defense-lawyer/sex-crimes/

More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Health Care Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Can reasonable accommodation include religious setting for school tutoring
Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Mar 27, 2017

As in requiring a public school to set up a special church for you to study in? No, that would violate the Establishment Clause. 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,... View More

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