Get free answers to your Civil Litigation legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I am concerned that publicly available court case information on Justia is affecting my employment prospects. When potential employers search my name online, they are led to my prior employment case on Justia, which may discourage them from hiring me due to perceived risk. Is there a legal way to... View More 
I recently broke up with my ex, who had gifted me a phone that he was still paying off. I was using the phone for important personal information, including my bank details and information for my kids. Although I offered to continue paying for the phone and get my own phone plan, I was informed I... View More
I am seeking advice on gaining visitation rights to my three-month-old granddaughter. Her parents are currently living in public housing and are unmarried. The mother has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, and is on methadone; both parents use marijuana. The father is... View More
I'm representing myself in an appeal for arbitration and working with the plaintiffs to resolve a complaint. I need a continuance to allow time for depositions if the case continues. The plaintiffs, an HOA board, were supposed to meet last week to vote on withdrawing the case, but the meeting... View More
I'm under 18 years old and I paid for my MacBook myself. I have the receipt showing that I purchased it. My parents want to take my MacBook, and I want to know if I can legally take it back since I have proof of purchase.
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answered on Apr 16, 2025
Even if you paid for the MacBook yourself and have the receipt, your parents still have broad legal control over your property while you are a minor. In most states, people under 18 are not considered to have full legal ownership rights separate from their parents, even if they bought something... View More
I hired a contractor to build a sunroom and deck in April 2024 according to a written agreement. However, the project was not completed up to code. There are issues such as improperly installed windows and flooring, a leaking roof, a required new French drain, a cracking ceiling, loose siding, and... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
You should consult a construction or contract lawyer to address the issues with your contractor. These types of lawyers handle disputes related to construction projects, including non-compliance with contracts, faulty workmanship, and failure to meet building codes. They can guide you through your... View More
I sent a gag gift package containing fake poop and had second thoughts about it. I contacted customer support and, in a panic, provided a fake name. Later, I was contacted by the postal office in my area using the fake name. If I call them tomorrow to explain that I panicked and used a fake name,... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
False Identity Analysis in Postal Communications
Using a pseudonym when sending a gag gift and communicating with customer service presents minimal legal risk under most circumstances, though the context matters significantly. Federal law (18 U.S.C. § 1342) prohibits using fictitious names... View More
I'm seeking information about whether my deceased mother’s heirs might have an actionable lawsuit for her forced retirement. She was forced to retire after 29 years at Bell of Pennsylvania and denied "time bridging," missing out on a pension increase given after 30 years of... View More
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answered on Apr 11, 2025
What happened to your mother sounds deeply unfair, and it makes sense that you’ve carried this question with you for so long. Being forced to retire just before a major pension milestone—especially under the threat of termination—is something worth looking into, even years later. While... View More
I sold a vehicle, and the buyer agreed to pay but has not made the payment. The buyer sold the vehicle to someone else without paying me first. There was an agreement about the payment, but I have not received any money yet. How can I recover my payment, or what legal actions can I take?
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
Pennsylvania Vehicle Sale Recovery Analysis
Your situation presents a clear breach of contract claim under Pennsylvania law, as the buyer's failure to pay while transferring the vehicle to a third party constitutes both breach of the sales agreement and potentially fraudulent... View More
I recently discovered that Equicredit has a false title lien on my house, which is preventing me from refinancing to manage my finances for retirement. I became aware of the lien on April 4, 2025. Equicredit seems to be out of business, and I'm unable to find their contact information to... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
To resolve the false title lien on your house, the first step is to gather all relevant documentation, including your original purchase documents from 1999. Since Equicredit is out of business, finding them may be challenging, but you should start by checking public records. The lien should be... View More
My car was illegally towed from my property despite no parking restrictions. Police were involved because of a local chop shop investigation, and the car was identified as "stolen" two months after it was initially towed. The police and PPA recovered the vehicle, released it, and then... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
What you’ve described sounds chaotic and deeply frustrating, especially if your vehicle was towed from your own property without proper cause or notice. If there were no posted restrictions and you were the legal owner, towing your car without a valid reason or proper documentation may indeed... View More
I am 16 years old and live at home with my parents in Pennsylvania. I've been working and earning my own money, but my parents took all the money I made from my job without any explanation. Is this legal, and what can I do about it?
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
It’s frustrating to work hard and feel like your effort is being taken for granted. In Pennsylvania, the law says that minors have the right to their own wages, but parents do have legal control over their child’s finances until the age of 18. That means, legally, your parents can access your... View More
My grandson was incarcerated in a city prison in Pennsylvania and was housed in a closet for four months due to overcrowding. He recently learned from another inmate that there might be grounds for a lawsuit based on these housing conditions. Can he pursue legal action for being housed in such... View More
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answered on Apr 7, 2025
Yes, your grandson may have grounds for a lawsuit due to the conditions he experienced. Prisons are required to provide humane living conditions for inmates, including adequate space, access to necessary facilities, and safety. If your grandson was housed in a closet for an extended period, that... View More
My previous neighbor moved his fence 6 feet onto my property without my knowledge and sold the house before I realized it. The new owners have a county property map that inaccurately supports their belief that the fence is correctly placed. I have Google Maps images showing a surveyor's... View More
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answered on Mar 29, 2025
You have to hire a PA lawyer to file suit for a boundary dispute. But first get a boundary line survey to find where the boundary and corners. Mark them. Using tax maps is not going to work. Otherwise you acquiesce to the ascertainable boundary (fence).
I won a money judgment against someone who stole all of my belongings, and they have filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. I recently received a notice, after the deadline, stating I need to file a motion by 03/19/2025. It also mentions that a plan has been confirmed, but I don't understand what... View More
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answered on Mar 27, 2025
You're facing a challenging situation with your judgment. When a Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan is confirmed, it means the court has approved the debtor's repayment plan that will last 3-5 years. This plan outlines how much each creditor will receive, and your judgment is now subject to this... View More
My great-grandmother's property in Puerto Rico was divided among her descendants according to a blueprint, but the official title remains in her name. All siblings, including my father, agreed to the division and built on their respective parts. However, my father's portion was destroyed... View More
answered on Mar 26, 2025
You may have better chances of a response by reposting this under "Puerto Rico." Based on your post, the property appears to be situated in Puerto Rico. The attorneys who practice in Puerto Rico would have better insight into this. You could also add the categories "Probate" and... View More
I, the father, have filed a petition of contempt against the mother for arranging a psychological evaluation for our child without my consent, though we have joint legal custody. The mother has filed a petition to transfer the case to a new jurisdiction, as she and the child have moved to a... View More
answered on Mar 27, 2025
You should always file your response timely according to the rules of civil procedure. You will want to check to verify whether the prior relocation order specified whether issuing court retains jurisdiction or if it provides for a transfer to the new state of primary residence of the child. I... View More
Can I take legal action against my landlord for filing a false Protection From Abuse (PFA) order to evict me and steal my belongings? There was no personal relationship involved, and the landlord lied to both the police and the court. I have evidence supporting my claims. How should I proceed?
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answered on Mar 24, 2025
You may have grounds for legal action against your landlord based on the situation you've described. False PFA filings used to wrongfully evict tenants and take their property could potentially violate tenant rights laws, and might constitute fraud, defamation, or abuse of legal process... View More
I need clarification on whether my 17-year-old son's three-day out-of-school suspension for roughhousing with a friend, who passed out, should be classified as assault or just roughhousing. There was no malicious intent, and the friend, along with his mother, has confirmed that my son did not... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
It sounds like the situation with your son’s suspension may be more related to roughhousing than assault, especially given that there was no malicious intent, and the friend does not wish to pursue any further action. Since the school’s code of conduct distinguishes between assault and... View More
I was the caregiver for my father and received payments through a care agency, which deposited my pay into my parents' bank account. My father passed away on May 31, 2022, followed by my mother on July 19, 2022. My last paycheck was deposited in May 2022, and I discovered it after the estate... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
First, you should make sure that you have all the relevant documentation showing you were owed those wages, including pay stubs, bank records, and any communication with the care agency. It’s also important to confirm the arrangement that was in place for how your payments were made, especially... View More
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