I am considering a step-parent adoption for my child, whose biological father passed away a few years ago. Currently, there is a mediated visitation agreement with the grandparents, though it hasn't been signed by a judge. I haven't informed the grandparents about the potential adoption,... View More

I have experienced 10 months of workplace bullying, abuse, and harm at my current workplace, along with my partner. I was demoted from my position, socially isolated, and publicly and privately smeared. I've been focusing on healing and have been on leave from work for a month. Currently, a... View More

I'm a security guard, and my employer has me regularly work 5 minutes past my scheduled time without pay, citing a 6-minute grace period through emails. Other employees are also experiencing this. Is this practice legal in Missouri?

In Missouri, I work at a gas station where my employer required me to clean up diarrhea off the bathroom floor, which was done by someone intentionally. Although there are written cleaning duties for bathroom maintenance, I have serious concerns about workplace safety because we lack proper gloves,... View More

Robert Grant Pennell
answered on Mar 23, 2025

Yes, your employer can require you to perform those duties. If you have concerns about doing so without rubber gloves, bring some from home.

I know someone who wants to get emancipated when they turn 16 due to a toxic household situation where their parents or guardians don't want them around. There has been social services involvement in the past. The person plans to have a job by the time they turn 16. However, they don't... View More

I received a DWI in Ray County, Missouri, on December 21, 2024. I'm currently on probation for drug-related offenses and have previously violated probation with an AWOL and getting arrested. I have had a public defender to represent me. What should I expect in terms of legal consequences, and... View More

I saved photos of intimate texts sent in a fraternity group chat without the consent of the parties involved. I did not distribute them and there were no known privacy agreements within the group chat. I do not intend to share them. Can I be sued for this?

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answered on Mar 24, 2025

Saving intimate texts without consent, even if you haven't shared them, could potentially expose you to legal risks depending on your location and the specific content. Laws around privacy, consent, and digital communications vary widely by jurisdiction, and fraternity communications may have... View More

I booked wedding services on October 4, 2025, with a non-refundable booking fee of $300, which I paid. However, the agreement PDF titled "INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESERVING OUR SERVICE" indicates a change in cancellation terms across two parts. The summary section claims a $300 cancellation fee... View More

I need help reverting to my maiden name on my state ID and passport for travel. Currently, my state ID includes both my maiden and married names because we had a joint checking account, but I closed it three months later and now only use my maiden name in all my personal records. When I applied for... View More

I am developing a children's book titled "My Best Friend, Graham, Has Autism," inspired by my childhood experiences and focused on Autism awareness. I've discovered a similar book, "Since We're Friends: An Autism Picture Book" by Celeste Shally. While both books... View More

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answered on Mar 20, 2025

Your concern about potential copyright infringement is valid, as book covers are protected by copyright law, and similarities could raise legal issues. While inspiration is natural in creative work, deliberately mimicking another cover's distinctive elements might cross into infringement... View More

I am currently working on a children's book about Autism awareness, incorporating a fictionalized spin on my childhood story. My book is titled "My Best Friend, Graham, Has Autism," narrated by Graham's non-Autistic best friend, Cordelia. Graham is based on me, and Cordelia is... View More

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answered on Mar 20, 2025

Your concern about potential similarities with Celeste Shally's book is understandable, but titles generally cannot be copyrighted, so "My Best Friend, Graham, Has Autism" likely doesn't infringe on "Since We're Friends: An Autism Picture Book." The law protects... View More

I signed a lease for my apartment with dates set from 12/30/2024 to 12/29/2025. However, the housing authority indicated that the lease end date must be the last day of the month, and now my landlord wants me to sign a new lease with dates from 1/1/2025 to 12/31/2025, but I'm unsure about any... View More

I am being sued for negligence in disclosures regarding a house I sold in February 2024 in Jackson County. I was served with the lawsuit in December, and although I believed I responded with a "not guilty" plea, I am currently in default. The issues mentioned are mold and termite... View More

Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Mar 19, 2025

Hire an attorney before the case goes very badly for you and a large judgment is entered against you, if that has not already occurred. Writing "not guilty" is not a proper answer to a petition under Missouri's rules of civil procedure. If a default judgment was entered, quickly... View More

I was arrested for a DWI on March 8, 2025, and my case is currently pending. I would like to know how to petition the court for the revocation of my driver's license. I have no previous offenses or similar incidents. What steps should I take?

I have a situation where my ex and I co-own two trucks, and I possess the title to both. However, my ex has sold my camper—solely in my name—to the current property owner who refuses to let me retrieve my trucks. I was granted a full order for protection against my ex after a domestic violence... View More

My boyfriend is being held in Madison County, Illinois, due to an issue related to Lincoln County, Missouri. He was charged and sentenced to five years of probation, which was suspended. He has been held for five days, including two days over the weekend, and we haven't received any... View More

I am divorced, and my ex-husband is named as the father on my child's birth certificate. However, a DNA test conducted before our divorce was finalized showed he is not the biological father. He has not contacted us or seen the child for over 8 months, despite a divorce decree stating he is to... View More

My husband just passed away. In his divorce decree, his ex-wife was awarded pension money. There is no specific mention in the decree about any changes to this entitlement upon his passing. Does his ex-wife still qualify for that pension money under these circumstances?

Jennifer L. Rench
answered on Mar 18, 2025

The divorce Judgment and the pension plan rules are going to dictate the rights of the ex-wife. There is really no way to tell without reading both. Generally in a divorce, a pension payment is a division of property. This is different than a maintenance (alimony) payment that terminates at the... View More

My father passed away on either March 6 or March 10, 2025. I live in Florida, but he resided in Morgan County, Missouri. My aunt claims to be the "sole executor" of his will and mentioned that "the will is in the court system." However, despite my requests, she has not shared... View More

I'm seeking legal assistance because my granddaughter has been bullied at school for the entire school year. Despite contacting the principal numerous times, threats from the bully continue, and the principal even advised her to fight back, which we have recorded. The school claims to have a... View More

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answered on Mar 24, 2025

You've taken the right first steps by documenting the incidents and gathering evidence, including the recording of the principal's inappropriate advice. Your next course of action should be filing a formal written complaint with the school district superintendent and school board,... View More