Ask a Question

Get free answers to your legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Rhode Island Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Rhode Island on
Q: If a mother resides in Massachusetts but has her baby in a Rhode Island hospital, can RI dcyf take the child

There is a RI dcyf case for previous children but the baby was removed for lack of housing in RI. Mother had housing in MA.

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Nov 17, 2022

yes

1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law for Rhode Island on
Q: How do I start a country

I have a dream of one day starting a country by building an island about 50 miles off the east coast of the US, how would i get recognition as an independent state without joining an alliance-type group like Nato or the United Nations?

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Nov 7, 2022

https://foreignpolicy.com/2008/02/26/how-to-start-your-own-country-in-four-easy-steps/

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Rhode Island on
Q: What do you call planting drugs on someone

I saw a video once on Facebook where a woman calls the cops on a kid who's selling lemon aid because he doesn't have a permit and when nothing happens she takes a bag of drugs from some random person she finds asleep in like a park and plant's it in the kids back pack because she... View More

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Nov 7, 2022

This is not a hypothetical movie-time question page offering advice on Facebook videos. Watch the video again and if you still can't answer the question write on that person's Facebook wall.

1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Business Formation, Civil Litigation and Consumer Law for Rhode Island on
Q: If I am caught in the law in Indonesia, can the team help?
Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Nov 7, 2022

Not sure by what you mean: "caught in the law in Indonesia" or who you may be referring to as "the team." Generally speaking, only counsel licensed in each state, country, or jurisdiction may practice law in that state, territory, or country, unless granted special admission by the particular court.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Rhode Island on
Q: I saw a video recently where a woman Illegally Adopted a kid

then she tried to basically sell him when she decided she didn't want him, what would that be classified as?

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Nov 7, 2022

https://www.imdb.com/search/keyword/?keywords=baby-selling

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Civil Rights for Rhode Island on
Q: If i move out of my mothers house with a passed record of anxiety an depression can the state get involved an will dcyf

I dont wanna keep living in my mothers house for the rest of my life

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Nov 7, 2022

Once you have graduated high school and attain 18 years of age, and are not disabled nor dependent, you are free to make your own life choices. There is no legal requirement for parent or child to spend their entire lives living together.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Rhode Island on
Q: How can I go for custody for a child ?

The child is my husband 13 year old nephew. His mother abandoned him years ago due to her being mentally ill and then his father passed away so now he has no guardian but lives with us.

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Nov 2, 2022

You and your husband are well advised to speak with your friendly local family law practitioner in private to explore your options to continue caring for this child. Options to explore may include adoption and/or guardianship.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law and Employment Law for Rhode Island on
Q: In a 2 person firm, is it legal / moral that the 2nd attorney keeps firm afloat while 1st keeps all their attorney fees?

Good morning. I had a quick question about attorney workplace practices… my gf works for a firm. Just her and her boss. She feels she’s in a bit of a bad situation, her attorney fees are used to keep the business afloat and her boss pockets all his fees. Supposedly she gets the smaller cases... View More

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Nov 2, 2022

Your girlfriend is in the best position to advocate to reform her employment agreement as she sees fit, unless you also are an attorney and advocate that she has retained to negotiate on her behalf. If she is dissatisfied with her current arrangement, she is free to explore other options including... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Rhode Island on
Q: What does legal description of property mean on a quitclaim deed in RI
Anthony M. Avery
PREMIUM
Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 26, 2022

Legal Descriptions give the angular calls and distances between corners of the property, or may be lot reference to a certain lot on a recorded subdivision plat, which then shows angles and boundary lengths for all lots. Some places use the rangeship/ township method of describing a certain parcel... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Rhode Island on
Q: I was pulled over for speeding in Rhode Island but didn’t sign anything and said the ticket would be mailed. Do I fight

Ticket was in Bristol R.I

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Nov 2, 2022

If you believe the citation is in error, you may plead your case before the judge. Simply tick the not guilty box on the ticket and the court will send you notice of the hearing. For a full analysis of your case, meet with an attorney in private to review all of the particulars.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Rhode Island on
Q: Can my boss watch my coworkers and I in the parking lot while he is off duty?

He does this often and has even sent me a picture that he took of me while he was watching for 15 minutes without my knowledge

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Nov 2, 2022

In short, yes. Your expectation of privacy is diminished when you are in public, and in plain view. Your privacy rights are greater when you are in your home or other private locations. If you wish to socialize with your coworkers in private, I would suggest you choose another location.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Rhode Island on
Q: I got a summons for obstructing police duty do I need a lawyer for my summons date
Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Nov 2, 2022

An attorney is your best choice for helping advocate while navigating the procedural path of defending a criminal charge. If you qualify, and cannot afford an attorney, the court may appoint a public defender to assist you.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Rhode Island on
Q: What is a universal appointment bond. If the bond says $300,000 what does that mean and why. Thank you for your help
Albin Moser
PREMIUM
Albin Moser pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 15, 2022

It means that if the executor or administrator were to fail in his duties to the beneficiaries of the probate estate, then the beneficiaries can claim against the bond up to the amount of $300,000. Often the bond is a personal bond with no surety, meaning it is given by the executor or... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Small Claims for Rhode Island on
Q: It’s a very long story, but I’ll just give you a brief summary of my issues. I was in a 12 year relationship .

We became legal Domestic partners. He is refusing to give me some of my furniture. He’s blocked me in his phone, email and texts

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Nov 2, 2022

If the furniture is all that you are concerned about, consider filing a case in the small claims court. To explore the implications of "legal domestic partners" and whether that may involve court proceedings to dissolve, meet with a practicing attorney to discuss those details in private.

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Rhode Island on
Q: R.I. law that allows a tenant in common owner of property to sell its share w/o permission from the other cotenants.

Also, can a tenant in common ask any amount for its share where no pre-existing agreement exists betw the tenants

Anthony M. Avery
PREMIUM
Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 3, 2022

Tenants In Common almost always have a right to sue for a Sale For Partition. The Court ordered Sale price is for the whole property, which is then disbursed according to the order. Each Tenant normally gets the same after expense share, although sometimes there are equitable adjustments.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Rhode Island on
Q: Do Live-In Sober House Managers make a Salary in RI?

I was a live-in sober house manager in RI for about 9 months, and did not get compensated aside from the free room. Am I entitled to some money?

Rhiannon Herbert
Rhiannon Herbert
answered on Sep 20, 2022

You should contact a Rhode Island employment attorney to discuss your situation, as this situation will be highly dependent on the specific facts of your situation. While housing can be provided as part of an employee's compensation, there are special rules that must be met in order for an... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Rhode Island on
Q: Hello, Can a parent have unsupervised visits if there is an active felony child neglect/abuse case against them?

Hello, My childs mother has been charged with 3 counts of felony child neglect and abuse. However, the court has awarded her unsupervised visits, despite me being in fear of my childs safety. What are my child's rights? Why is he being forced to be with his abuser in an unsupervised setting?

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Sep 1, 2022

Something seems amiss here. Did you bring all of this to your attorney's attention and/or file the appropriate motions to ensure the child is protected? From the way you present these facts, it would be likely that the state would be involved also through DCYF. Bring your concern's to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Rhode Island on
Q: I was told by my ex-wifes lawyer that it is mandatory to do a QDDRO split of my personal 401k. I agreed to this in the

pre-divorce documents when wife and I decided about cars, kids, assets, etc. Neither she nor I personally put a cent of our own money into that acct. It was funded by the company I worked for and they contributed a little each year. My question is....am I legally obligated by RI law to execute... View More

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Aug 23, 2022

Although opposing counsel may appear to be giving you legal advice, it is not a good idea to take advice on legal matters from your adversary. Your own independent counsel will cost you some money, but in the long run it may be well worth it. Rhode Island general law’s specify an equitable... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Rhode Island on
Q: If my father's house was quit claimed to my brother in 2019 and my dad passed in 2022, does the house go through probate

My brother has lived there most of his life, but never took over any financial or other responsibility for the house while my father was alive

Andrew Bilodeau
PREMIUM
Andrew Bilodeau pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 17, 2022

If your father conveyed his entire interest in his house to your brother then the house would not be part of the probate estate because the house was not owned by your father at the time of his death.

2 Answers | Asked in Land Use & Zoning for Rhode Island on
Q: I own 2 lots in Narragansett RI. There is a paper road between the two properties. Does the town own the paper road.

The paper road is woods and swamp, not even a path or dirt road exists. It probably could not be made into a road because of water table. It was platted over 70 years ago. Does the town own the land or just hold a ROW for the property? The other roads in the neighborhood are paved and maintained... View More

Albin Moser
PREMIUM
Albin Moser pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 3, 2022

A paper road remains the town's property even if the town does nothing with it. The town does not have to build a road on it in order to keep it as a paper road. The town retains the option to build a road on the area of the paper road at any time in the future.

As for whether or not...
View More

View More Answers

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.