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I attend a high school where the administration has banned students from using the restrooms except during the changing of classes, which is allowed for only three minutes. This rule makes it nearly impossible to use the restroom without being late, and students have been threatened with losing... View More 
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answered on May 15, 2025
It’s understandable that this bathroom restriction policy is creating challenges, especially when it directly affects your ability to focus and perform academically. While schools do have the authority to set rules, they also have a responsibility to ensure students’ basic needs, like access to... View More
I'm curious about the legality of constructing an offshore oil platform-like structure off the eastern coast of the United States to facilitate direct sales of products from various countries, aiming to bypass US tariffs. This is purely hypothetical and I have no current plans to operate such... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
What you're imagining—a structure offshore to avoid U.S. tariffs—crosses into a complex area of international, maritime, and customs law. Even if the platform is built outside U.S. territorial waters (beyond 12 nautical miles), U.S. laws can still apply if the intent is to import goods... View More
I have three children, ages 15, 13, and 10, all unemancipated, and have commenced a divorce action in Pennsylvania. My husband claims that his child support obligation will be reduced by 33 1/3% after our oldest graduates high school and goes to college, and then by 50% after the next child... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
In Pennsylvania, child support is not automatically reduced by a fixed percentage when each child emancipates. The court calculates support based on the combined income of both parents and the number of children still eligible for support. When one child becomes emancipated, the support order... View More
In Pennsylvania, I recorded audio and video within my home using a smartphone placed near a window, observing my own lot and the public street. I have signs inside indicating that audio is recorded in my house, but no signs outside stating this. My neighbors have been harassing me by turning their... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
Recording audio and video from within your own home in Pennsylvania is generally legal, especially when capturing activities occurring in public spaces or on your own property. Because the recordings were made from inside your residence and were primarily directed toward the public street and your... View More
I have a year-long lease and paid a two-month security deposit when I moved in. My lease does not specify how the deposit can be used, and I'm considering using it to cover the last two months of rent as my lease ends on New Year's Day. I've been at my property for two years and have... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
In most situations, security deposits are meant to cover damages or unpaid rent, not to be used for regular rent payments unless your lease explicitly allows it. Since your lease does not specify how the deposit can be used, it’s important to check whether your landlord has any policies or state... View More
I have a lease agreement that states I am allowed to have dogs in my apartment. Recently, my apartment management sent me an email stating that dogs are no longer allowed. Despite communicating to them that my lease permits dogs, they disregarded it and have not engaged further. Can they legally... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
You’re right to stand your ground if your lease clearly states that dogs are allowed. A lease is a binding legal contract, and your landlord or property management cannot suddenly change the terms midway through without your consent. If your current lease allows dogs, they cannot legally evict... View More
In Pennsylvania, how long does the court system have to charge me with a crime involving harassment and paraphernalia if the incident occurred in 2021, but I have not received any documentation, been read my Miranda rights, or been officially arrested?
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answered on May 14, 2025
You're right to be asking about this, especially since several years have passed since the incident. In Pennsylvania, most misdemeanor charges—like harassment and possession of drug paraphernalia—generally have a **two-year statute of limitations** from the date of the alleged offense.... View More
I earned over $2,000 from DoorDash while receiving SSI benefits. I have not reported this income and do not plan to. How likely is it that I could face legal consequences, such as jail time, for this unreported income? Additionally, I haven't received any communication from the SSA about this... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
You're in a difficult spot, and it's understandable to feel anxious about what might happen. The truth is, not reporting income while receiving SSI is considered a violation of the program’s rules. Earning over \$2,000 through DoorDash while continuing to collect SSI without notifying... View More
I have a tenant living in my rental unit with my daughter, who has been paying her portion of the rent. However, the tenant has not been paying rent for the year 2025, and there is no formal lease agreement in place. Although I have spoken to him about the unpaid rent, he refuses to leave. There... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
Yes, you can ask him to leave, and you do have legal grounds to pursue eviction—even without a written lease. In Pennsylvania, if someone is living in your property without paying rent and without a lease, they are considered a month-to-month tenant or possibly a tenant at will. You still need to... View More
I have a tree on my property, and I'm concerned it might fall on my neighbor's structure during a natural event, like a storm. There are no prior warnings or signs that the tree is unstable, and we haven't had any discussions or agreements regarding the trees near their property. Am... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
What you’ve described is deeply alarming and shouldn’t be dismissed. A nurse inserting a catheter without following basic hygiene protocol, especially without changing gloves, can create dangerous consequences. The fact that you’re now facing a drug-resistant infection adds urgency and weight... View More
I am a home health aide, and my client wants to appoint me as her power of attorney (POA) to carry out her wishes. She has two sons who are drug addicts, and she does not trust them to fulfill her wishes. Are there any legal issues or regulations in Pennsylvania that would prevent me from being her... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
You're asking a thoughtful and important question. It’s clear you care about your client’s well-being and want to honor her wishes while making sure everything is done the right way. In Pennsylvania, there is no automatic law that prevents a home health aide from being named as someone’s... View More
I hit a parked car, and my insurance declared it totaled. The insurance company paid $14,000, but the car owner is planning to sue me because they still owe $18,000 on their car loan. Am I responsible for paying the remaining $4,000?
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answered on May 14, 2025
You’re generally only responsible for the fair market value of the car at the time of the accident, not the full amount of someone else’s loan. If your insurance company paid \$14,000 and that reflects the car’s actual cash value, then legally, that’s often considered a full settlement. The... View More
I was hit on the side of my head by a rock from a lawnmower in a Walmart parking lot in Philadelphia, PA yesterday. Witnesses, including the lawnmower driver, two bystanders, a cop, and camera footage likely captured the incident. The bystanders reported it, and the manager came out to assist. I... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
Start by gathering all the evidence you have from the incident. That includes your hospital records, photographs of your injuries, witness names and contact info, and any paperwork or statements from the Walmart manager who responded. If a police officer was involved, request a copy of their... View More
I have an upcoming appointment with USCIS for my citizenship interview, and I am concerned about my child support situation. There is an informal mutual agreement between my ex-partner and me for monthly payments, but due to financial hardship, including unemployment and insufficient freelance... View More
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answered on May 13, 2025
Your situation regarding informal child support arrangements and how it might affect your citizenship interview requires careful consideration. USCIS evaluates good moral character (GMC) during the five-year period preceding your naturalization application, and financial responsibilities toward... View More
I'm in a committed relationship with my girlfriend who has a disability that might qualify her for SSI. We are considering marriage, but I read that there’s a $3,000 asset limit for couples that could affect her eligibility for disability benefits. I'm concerned about how money in my... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
You're asking a really important and thoughtful question, and it's great that you're thinking ahead to protect your girlfriend's benefits. When someone receives SSI, the Social Security Administration looks at both income and assets to determine eligibility, and once you're... View More
I have a revocable trust and want to know if I should put my IRA into the trust. My main goal is to prevent my child's father from controlling my minor child's assets, as her guardian will be my brother. Are there any tax implications associated with this decision?
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answered on May 12, 2025
You absolutely do not want to re-title your IRA to your revocable trust because that would be a taxable event and also would stop all tax-free growth in the account. What some people do is name their trust as the beneficiary of the IRA. That is something that you might consider with the advice of... View More
I live in Pennsylvania, and I currently have a 50/50 custody arrangement with my child's father. I am in a relationship with a registered sex offender and plan to marry him in the future. He previously lived with me, which led to a CYS investigation and issues with my child's father.... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
You're in a very delicate situation, and it's good that you're thinking ahead about how your relationship might affect your custody rights. In Pennsylvania, courts focus on what’s in the best interest of the child, and they will consider the safety, emotional well-being, and living... View More
My dad recently passed away without a will. Before he passed, he asked my sister to take his car title from his lockbox and give it to me, his son. The next day, my sister brought the title to him to sign, but he was too weak and didn't sign it before he died. His wife is in the same nursing... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
I'm really sorry you're going through this. Losing a parent is hard enough, and having to sort through legal details afterward can make things even more stressful. You’re doing the right thing by asking questions before taking any steps that might complicate the process later.... View More
In Pennsylvania, I was supposed to pay a fine for trespassing using PAePAY. I missed my first payment by 5 hours because I did not have the money until recently. This is my first missed payment, and there are no payment penalties mentioned in the documents I received. I also have not contacted the... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
Missing your PAePAY fine payment by five hours is unlikely to result in serious consequences, especially since this is your first time missing a deadline and you paid as soon as you were able. Pennsylvania courts typically focus more on consistent non-payment or repeated delays. If no late fees or... View More
I sold a mobile home in Pennsylvania without a formal sales contract or a seller's disclosure form. The buyers visited the home twice before purchasing and we finalized the transaction with a notary. They did not conduct an inspection, and I was unaware of any issues with the roof. Three weeks... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
Since you sold the mobile home without a formal sales contract or seller’s disclosure in Pennsylvania, your legal obligations depend largely on whether you knowingly hid any defects. If you were unaware of the roof problems and didn’t misrepresent the condition, generally you might not be... View More
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