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I have not received any official court orders from the Rhode Island court or from a sheriff or constable regarding an eviction, nor have I been given a court date to appear before a judge. My landlord stuck a typed/handwritten letter to my front door demanding that I pay back rent for May and June... View More 
I'm currently facing eviction attempts from my landlord without following proper legal procedures. I have a valid lease agreement, but due to being laid off from my job, I'm behind on my rent payments for May and June. My landlord has issued a 5-day demand to vacate, but I have not... View More
I recently received a ticket for operating an off-road vehicle on a city street in violation of statute 15-103. I was riding my dirt bike around my house to test if the chain repair was successful when a police officer stopped me at a traffic light. I explained to him that the bike is mine and I... View More
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answered on Jun 11, 2025
It sounds like the situation caught you off guard, especially since you weren’t trying to cause any trouble and were just testing your repair. Even though you weren’t riding recklessly, operating an off-road vehicle on public streets—especially near traffic signals—is usually a violation... View More
I need advice on my 11-year-old son wanting to sever his relationship with his father due to discomfort with the father's use of marijuana and alcohol at home and borderline harassment towards me. We've had an informal agreement for weekend visitations, but my son has requested to stop... View More
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answered on Jun 12, 2025
You're in a difficult and emotional situation, and it's understandable to want to protect your son while also trying to navigate what’s fair and legal. If there's no formal custody order in place, then the current parenting arrangement is informal, which gives you more... View More
I am trying to find out the end results of my civil court case. I have a letter with a number on it but no longer possess the document that the judge sent to me. When I visited the court, they informed me that I need a document number to access information. Although I have reached out to legal... View More
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answered on Jun 12, 2025
What you’re going through sounds incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re just trying to understand the outcome of your own case. Even without a document number, you still have a right to access public records for your civil court case in Rhode Island. If you can provide the court with... View More
I'm seeking legal advice for my boyfriend, who is in prison after being falsely accused of a serious crime. Although found innocent at trial, he is serving a 4-year sentence for intimidation of a witness due to a call made to the accuser. He believes police ignored evidence from his phone that... View More
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answered on Jun 11, 2025
It’s heartbreaking to see someone you care about go through something so painful, especially when they believe they've been wronged by the system. Even though your boyfriend was found innocent of the initial accusation, the conviction for intimidation of a witness complicates things. Civil... View More
I have been renting my apartment for 10 years, and recently, my landlord sent a notice terminating my tenancy effective June 1st. We suspect this is retaliatory because we have complained about a cockroach infestation that has been ongoing for 2 years, and he threatened to call child services on us... View More
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answered on May 31, 2025
Yes, it’s possible that your landlord’s notice of termination could be considered retaliatory under Rhode Island law. Rhode Island law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who make good faith complaints about housing conditions or code violations, such as a cockroach... View More
My partner and I have a verbal agreement with my parents to live in a house they own, with us paying the mortgage with the intention of buying it from them in a few years. The agreement states that my parents can visit but cannot stay more than two weeks at a time. Since we moved in November 2024,... View More
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answered on Jun 12, 2025
Your situation involves complex legal issues because you're essentially tenants with a rent-to-own arrangement, but your landlords (parents) are violating the occupancy terms of your verbal agreement. The good news is that your text messages documenting the agreement, including the two-week... View More
I moved into a home in Rhode Island in November 2024 under a verbal agreement with my partner's parents, who own the house. According to our agreement, we pay the mortgage, and they would reside in a separate home. However, my partner's mother has returned and refuses to leave, claiming... View More
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answered on May 31, 2025
You’re in a tough situation, but Rhode Island law does recognize some verbal rental agreements as valid, especially if you can show proof of payment and the details of your arrangement. Your financial records, messages, and any communications about your agreement can help establish the terms you... View More
I had a tummy tuck surgery on December 27, 2023, and experienced complications from the start, including swelling and issues with my belly button. Despite raising concerns, the surgeon insisted everything was fine and later treated my belly button without informing me. I had to undergo ultrasounds... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
You have a civil claim for medical malpractice. For surgeries performed in Rhode Island there is a three-year statute of limitations, meaning that a claimant has to file a case in court within three years, otherwise they cannot move forward on it. You've got time but it's important that... View More
In Rhode Island, I was incarcerated for over three years without any income, yet I continued to receive monthly child support bills during my time in jail. The child support order was active before and continued while I was in prison. Do I have to pay these amounts, and is there a way to modify or... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
In Rhode Island, child support doesn’t automatically stop when someone is incarcerated. If no motion to modify the order was filed while you were in prison, the amount continued to build each month as if you were still earning income. That’s likely why you received monthly bills despite having... View More
In April 2021, I was charged with possession of marijuana in Rhode Island, before it was decriminalized. I completed the Diversion Program through the Superior Court, but my motion to seal the records was never properly processed. As a result, my court-ordered drug tests through Family Court are... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
You're dealing with a complex and deeply frustrating situation, and it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed when your privacy and legal rights have been compromised. If your diversion program was completed and a motion to seal was filed but never fully processed, it’s critical to follow up... View More
In Rhode Island, my child support obligation ended in April 2025, and there is no specific court order about health coverage continuation. Currently, health coverage for my two children, aged 18 and 21, is provided through my employer. Given that my child support amount decreased when my son turned... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
Your obligation to carry health coverage for a child in Rhode Island ends at the same point your child‐support duty terminates—namely when the child turns 19 or graduates high school, whichever is later, but no later than the child’s 19th birthday.
Since your support obligation... View More
I am located in Rhode Island and currently have a child support agreement in place for my children, who are now adults. At what age do I stop being legally obligated to provide coverage or support for them, considering the child support agreement is active?
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answered on Apr 17, 2025
Child support that is ordered by the Rhode Island Family Court pursuant to the Rhode Island General Laws will continue until the child turns age 18 or upon completion high school if still enrolled when 18, but no later than turning age 19. If your support order is from another state or if you... View More
I was convicted of assault with a device resembling a weapon in Rhode Island in 2014. I have completed all terms of my sentence and have had no legal issues or convictions since then. How can I get my gun rights restored?
answered on Apr 15, 2025
The answer to your question is complicated and uncertain.
In Rhode Island, whether a resident with an expunged felony conviction can legally possess a firearm depends on both state and federal law, as well as the specifics of the expungement.
Rhode Island State Law
•... View More
I'm looking to create a new trust to handle an inheritance from New York. I need guidance on setting up the trust and ensuring it aligns with legal requirements in both Rhode Island and New York. I am unsure about the specific type of assets to include and would appreciate advice on suitable... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
To create a trust for your inheritance, you will need to consult with an attorney who can help you navigate both New York and Rhode Island laws. Since you're dealing with an inheritance from New York, it’s important to ensure that the trust complies with New York estate laws, while also... View More
I am interested in pursuing the acquisition of the copyright for an old children's show marked as abandoned with the serial number 74144224 for commercial use. The original lawyer associated with the copyright has passed away, and there is no contact information available on the copyright page... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
I think that you have confused copyrights and trademarks. The number you provide is a trademark registration not a copyright registration. Trademarks, not copyrights, can be abandoned by non use.
If the trademark has truly been abandoned, then your path forward would not be overly complex.
I was involved in an accident in Rhode Island, but I am from California. My vehicle and the other party's vehicle were towed. At the scene, the other party stated he didn't need medical attention and seemed fine. I was at a stop sign and, after looking both ways, proceeded into the... View More
answered on Apr 21, 2025
I'm sorry about your accident. Although a Rhode Island attorney could advise best, as a general note, it sounds like you're handling things the right way. Leave it to the attorneys assigned to your claim by your insurance carrier to communicate with the attorney for the other side. If the... View More
I am a 17-year-old living in Rhode Island with my parents. I have had discussions and attended therapy with my mom, but she still doesn't respect me, and staying at home constantly is exhausting. There are no legal custody arrangements or obligations affecting me. Am I allowed to leave... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
In Rhode Island, the legal age for a person to make decisions about leaving their home is 18, as that is when you are considered an adult. However, at 17, you are not legally required to stay with your parents unless there are specific custody agreements in place. If you're not in any custody... View More
I filed for full relief from paying child support 7 years ago due to having no income because of ongoing health issues, culminating in a liver transplant in August 2023. I started receiving SSI in September 2024, and I understand that in Rhode Island, SSI recipients typically are not required to... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
It sounds like you're facing a difficult situation with child support arrears despite your efforts to resolve the issue. In Rhode Island, SSI recipients are typically not required to pay child support, but this can depend on whether the court granted full relief from child support payments at... View More
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