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New York Contracts Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Contracts for New York on
Q: is it legal that POA changed beneficiary of a life insurance to themselves.

My mother made my sister POA. My sister made herself a beneficiary of life insurance policies. Is that legal.

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jul 11, 2023

A Power of Attorney (POA) does not grant the agent (in this case, your sister) the authority to change the beneficiary of a life insurance policy to themselves unless specifically authorized by the principal (your mother) or allowed by applicable laws.

Changing the beneficiary designation...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Contracts for New York on
Q: I took my vehicle to have new brakes put on, the mechanic did more than I approved without my permission, is it legal

They gave me a bill for 713.00 because they went ahead and replace things I didn't ask them to replace, I haven't paid them until I can find out if they had a right to do that , they didn't call and ask me about the other items they repl

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jun 27, 2023

A mechanic generally cannot perform repairs or replace parts without the customer's approval unless there is an immediate safety concern. If the mechanic performed unauthorized repairs and charged you for them, you may have grounds to dispute the charges and seek a resolution, potentially... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Contracts for New York on
Q: Where can I find all of the Federal & NY State laws which regulate the Credit Repair Industry?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jun 25, 2023

This is something that the collection attorneys and banking attorneys here would know best. But your question remains open for two weeks. Until you reach an attorney who is knowledgeable in this area, a starting point in terms of regulatory agencies for guidance could be the Federal Trade... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for New York on
Q: What happens if I buy a new car but stop my check and refuse to take possession?

I wrote a down payment check and filled out all the paperwork. But I haven't taken possession of the car.

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Jun 9, 2023

You may be in breach of the contract, and sued for what you owe. You would have to have a reason for not doing it. Stopping payment of the check may have been wrongful.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Civil Litigation, Small Claims and Libel & Slander for New York on
Q: Can my friend sue me for rent and transportation services after I stayed with them as a guest?

I recently stayed at my friend's apartment. I had asked in advance if I could come and she consented. We did not discuss any payment. I slept on the apartment floor for 5 nights. They picked me up from the airport and we did some travel activities together. We also did some outdoor photo shoot... View More

Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on May 20, 2023

A text, after the fact, stating “ I’m happy to pay the expenses you demanded” is not itself a contract. The factual circumstances and your friend’s specific claim as to why they claim you owe the money will be the relevant points. If, for example, your friend claimed there was in fact an... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation and Contracts for New York on
Q: Attorney is steering me

When when I first spoke with him we agree that there was a breach due to the failure to ensure in the loss from the fire. Now he is trying to convince me that it will cost too much money while at the same time no proper appraisal has been provided. He's stonewalling me, I say I understand the... View More

Jack Mevorach
Jack Mevorach
answered on Apr 19, 2023

You're better off retaining new counsel. Have a free telephone consultation with counsel.

Jack

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: is it legal to sublet to multiple tenants if the leasing contract didn't prohibit but require landlord's written consent

I live in a 2-bath,2-bed apartment. I have sublet to one tenants and consider future one for the last 2 months which doesn't violate the contract I signed with the apartment. However, the apartment unreasonably reject for the second sublet process. Also, can my roommate refuse to sign the... View More

Steven Warren Smollens
Steven Warren Smollens
answered on May 3, 2023

Generally, a sublease is not for a room but for the entire apartment in NYC. You already have a Roommate that is now a breach of lease since a Roommate is not a lawful occupant of an apartment when the tenant does not live there with the Roommate.

A 'Roommate' has no legal status...
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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law, Land Use & Zoning and Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: I guess the question is, how in any way could a contract, lease, agreement, etc. be enforceable if it wasn't signed?
Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Mar 30, 2023

Contracts generally do not need to be in writing to be enforceable. Certain types of contracts do, such as those for the sale of real property or leases for periods of more than year. But unless excepted from the “statute of frauds” which requires certain agreements to be memorialized in... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: My sister was "offered an agreement" in her mobile home park. She did not sign the lease. Is she bound by the agreement?
Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Mar 30, 2023

As a general matter, and there may be some exceptions where, e.g., performance begins or acceptance may be implied, an “offer” is just that, and until both sides agree (by the other side accepting the offer) to something, it is not enforceable.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Civil Litigation for New York on
Q: The reason for my failure in using the statute of limitations was that just before the 6 yr period elapsed in NY.

I was supposedly served by mail, yet my claim is I was not and there is no supporting documentation to prove it. No affidavit of service , no certificates usps signed return, nothing but an envelope with a return address and no identification on it.

How do you claim service if there is... View More

Daniel Michael Luisi
Daniel Michael Luisi
answered on Mar 29, 2023

In general duplicative motions are not allowed. A motion to vacate or renew might be appropriate. You haven’t included all the relevant information in your question. No attorney should advise you without reviewing the facts and court documents in your case.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Collections and Contracts for New York on
Q: How do I create a motion to dismiss in NY based on a time lapse of 13 yrs (dormancy) with regards to a rental contract?

Had an agreement with an apartment complex back in 2010. Moved out and didn’t hear from them for quite sometime.

All of sudden started being harassed by a debt collection agency. Asked for them to produce a right of ownership of debt and written contracts. They were unable to do... View More

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Mar 29, 2023

You did not state the reason for the failure of your defense, but you are not handling this correctly, and you should really talk to a lawyer if the sum being sought justifies it. You should answer to avoid default, and not re-make the same motion you already lost. Service issues are not relevant... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims, Collections and Contracts for New York on
Q: I was contacted by a lawyer who presented himself as "a debt collector" through a motion to disclose in New York State.

The action in question was a contract for a rental agreement, Between a company that I can no longer locate and occured in 2010.

It is my belief that this lawyer, debt collector, purchsed the debt and after 13 yrs.

although there was some contact before the 6 yr period elapsed,... View More

Daniel Michael Luisi
Daniel Michael Luisi
answered on Mar 29, 2023

Realistically you need the help of an attorney to prepare your motion papers, or at least review what you plan to submit. That is what is indicated from the way your case has proceeded so far. Alternatively you can continue on your own and accept whatever result comes. Be aware that if the case... View More

4 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: Does my boyfriend have a claim to a house deeded to me?

I purchase a house fresh out of college. It is deeded to me; my boyfriend co signed on the loan. We broke up and I asked him to move out. For 2 + year, he contributed $200.00 to monthly expenses, while I paid the taxes, furniture etc. He now wants 50,000 from me. AM I wrong given the house is... View More

Peter J. Weinman
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answered on Mar 23, 2023

I agree with attorney Nelson - absent a written agreement to the contrary, he has no rights or interest in the property if he is not on the deed. Based on what you've stated, his payment of $200 per month sounds like it would amount to less than rent would have been, so even if he were to sue... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: Mortgage - Acknowledgement of Contribution - is he fully responsible now?

A few years ago my boyfriend’s parents were struggling financially and ended up modifying their mortgage loan (details unknown).

In this process, they asked my boyfriend to sign an acknowledgement of contribution stating that he lives there, is their son, and has been “contributing... View More

Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Mar 20, 2023

Acknowledging a contribution for the purpose of a loan modification does not create personal liability on the existing note. The lender does sometimes ask for authorization to run a credit report of a contributor, and if he was living there the address should show as a residence. But since he is... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Copyright and Intellectual Property for New York on
Q: Do I own the artwork after paying a "boardwalk artist" for my caricature?

I paid the artist for my caricature, and (because I have a sense of humor) I later decided to use it in my online marketing materials. Do I need his permission? And since he signed the work, must I include his signature when using the work?

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 15, 2023

Because you paid the artist, it is a "work for hire" and owned by you. If you are using the work for commercial purposes, it would be prudent to register the copyright in the work and in the application you will identify the artist as having created the work for you.

You have no...
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2 Answers | Asked in Business Law and Contracts for New York on
Q: Is my service contract I entered into enforceable or is it null and void

Accounting firm is based and registered in PA, they did not register to do business in NY. My company is based and registered in NY and all business is conducted in NY.

Mathew Paulose Jr.
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Mathew Paulose Jr.
answered on Mar 9, 2023

Greetings. It appears you would like to know if a contract between a NY company and an out of state company that is unregistered to do business in NY is enforceable. Generally speaking, a contract between two interstate parties is enforceable, notwithstanding registration. A state's... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Banking and Securities Law for New York on
Q: Can you purchase shares of a private Company on the Secondary Market but NOT disclose the purchase to the Company?

In other words, does the Seller of the shares have to disclose the sale to the Company, inclusive of who the Buyer is?

Mathew Paulose Jr.
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Mathew Paulose Jr.
answered on Mar 6, 2023

Greetings. It appears you would like to purchase shares of a non-public company. A purchaser who meets the SEC definition of a qualified purchaser may buy shares of a non-public company. Often brokers are required to facilitate the purchase. Due diligence is also required. During the due... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Business Law and Contracts for New York on
Q: Did a job with the client had a contract and a client tried to turn around and ask for some of their money back

Drew up a contract with a client supposed to do a move on a particular day. Was not able to finish the move on that day due to circumstances. Client stayed behind the following day till the client that they could leave tried to work out other arrangements of the client didn't have to stay... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 3, 2023

In large part, the answer to your question depends on what the circumstances are that prevented your company from completing the move on the designated day.

Ordinarily, if a contractor promises to perform a service on a particular day and then fails to do so, the contractor is responsible...
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4 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law, Tax Law and Business Formation for New York on
Q: Hi, I've put my apartment on Airbnb and curious how I should split the profit with my boyfriend.

I got the apartment(lease) by my self and lived there for a year by myself, I put down deposit, I paid a guarantor fee every month, decorated and bought all the furniture, I am doing all the daily maintenance of the Airbnb account and finding cleaner, photograper etc. My boyfriend moved in a year... View More

Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Feb 28, 2023

From a practical perspective (which is what it sounds like you are asking), an appropriate way to split income from the unit would be to first deduct all expenses and then to split the net income according to proportions of rent paid.

So first you would deduct all of the fees and costs...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and International Law for New York on
Q: I have an American client who has stocks, bonds, and other liquid assets in Russia currently frozen.

I have an American client who has stocks, bonds, and other liquid assets in Russia currently frozen. The US and EU sanctions don’t apply to me, to the client, or to these assets. Can US lawyers help me sell, transfer, or otherwise get them out?

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Feb 27, 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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