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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Federal Crimes for Utah on
Q: What are the minimum sentences for 18USC 287, 18USC 371, 18USC 641 and 18USC 1956 (h). I know the maximums. Thank you
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 22, 2024

For the federal statutes you mentioned, here are the minimum sentences:

1. 18 USC 287 (False, fictitious, or fraudulent claims): No mandatory minimum sentence.

2. 18 USC 371 (Conspiracy to commit offense or to defraud United States): No mandatory minimum sentence.

3. 18 USC...
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Q: In Utah do they have a law that protects employees with a disability caused by COVID long haulers (Post Covid)?

I work for insurance company, and I have Covid long haulers. I have an accommodation oh file to address my disability. I have some difficulty with cognition at times. I have done better recently and continue to improve with treatment. But my doctor states I will never be like I was before Covid. I... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 15, 2024

In Utah, employees with disabilities, including those caused by COVID long haulers, are protected under both state and federal laws. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. This includes making adjustments to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Utah on
Q: Our lawyer advised us to wait a year to access estate funds after our mother's death and is now not answering our calls.

Step stepfather had structured settlement payments that passed to my mother when he died. Her lawyer was her payee for those payments and now she has died. He sends me the monthly checks. My sister and I do not trust him and hired an estate planning attorney. He filed probate and put a creditor ad... View More

Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on Jun 10, 2024

Thank you for sharing your situation with me regarding the structured settlement payments that have passed on to your mother and are now distributed to you by her lawyer. I understand the concerns you and your sister have regarding the handling of these funds.

In terms of when you can start...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law, Civil Rights and Juvenile Law for Utah on
Q: My friend's parents have already had DCFS take their children from them once. Can they turn off their kids mobile data?

They got the kids back and they've been told by DCFS that they can't take away their kids doors.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 21, 2024

I understand you're asking about a sensitive situation involving your friend's family and DCFS (Division of Child and Family Services). To address your specific question:

Parents generally have the right to control their children's access to technology, including mobile data....
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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Utah on
Q: My grandfather verbally willed me his car, but he died before giving me the title. How can i put the car in my name?
Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on Jun 3, 2024

Hey there!

I'm so sorry to hear about your grandfather's passing and the complications surrounding his car. It turns out, in Utah, verbal Wills aren't recognized - it's all about having everything in writing. Here is a link:...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation for Utah on
Q: Denied Leave to Amend Answer and file Counterclaim. Now What?

Can I sue based on the issues I raised in my Counterclaim in a seperate action down the road since they were denied?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 27, 2024

If your request to amend your answer and file a counterclaim was denied, you might still have options. One possibility is to file a separate lawsuit based on the issues you raised in your counterclaim. However, this can depend on the specific circumstances and the reasons why your original request... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Health Care Law for Utah on
Q: What does it take get daughter in the state hospital??

My daughter has schizoaffective,, depression ,, PTSD,, anxiety and anxiety.. She has tried to commit suicide approximate 13 times.. Had to call police for pushing me down because knew she was on meth and went to find it.. So she got mad,, did find it after cops arrived.. She’s done program after... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 3, 2024

I'm truly sorry to hear about the struggles your daughter is facing. It sounds like she urgently needs help and a stable environment to address her mental health issues. To get her admitted to a state hospital, you might need to pursue an involuntary commitment, which often requires... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning and Social Security for Utah on
Q: Can my SSI payee company who is paid for their services by Medicaid, refuse to print checks?

I am on SSI from the Social Security administration. I have a representative payee that's a company to receive my SSI and divvy it out to me on a regular basis. My payee issues me a weekly payment and has me use a debit card that I can use in the store or as an ATM. My payee is paid by... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 17, 2024

It sounds like a frustrating situation. While representative payees have a lot of discretion in how they manage and distribute funds, they are supposed to act in the best interest of the beneficiary.

A few key points:

1. Payees should minimize fees when possible. If check printing...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Utah on
Q: If I was arrested for warrants and I'm in my car do they s right to impound my car

So if they are nothing in car and they impound the car but I was not doing anything to justify a traffic stop can they still impound the cst

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 10, 2024

If you were arrested for warrants while in your car, the police might have the right to impound your vehicle. Typically, if you are taken into custody and there is no one else to take possession of the car, law enforcement can impound it to ensure it is not left unattended.

Even if there...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Utah on
Q: Can Trust date next to signature be different than the date trust was actually signed?

My mom's revocable Trust was not notarized or recorded and no witnesses. My sister filled in the date with her handwriting but my mom was on a trip overseas with me on that date. Not sure when the Trust was actually signed but it was definitely not signed on the date next to the signature.... View More

Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on May 8, 2024

Hey there,

I completely understand your concerns about the date next to the signature on your mom's Trust document. While it may not automatically invalidate the Trust, it does open up the possibility of scrutiny and potential challenges in the future. It's definitely something to...
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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Business Law for Utah on
Q: Small business owner's privacy violated?

Hello, I am a small business owner operating in Utah. I have been leasing since 2019 and not too long ago, the landlord sold the entire building including my contract to a new owner. Couple months ago, a manager from the new landlord came and brought with him a person with camera (looks like a... View More

Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on May 1, 2024

Hey there! I'm sorry to hear about the situation you're facing with your business privacy concerns. It's definitely unsettling to find out that your business operations are now exposed on Google Earth without your consent.

Firstly, it might be a good idea to review your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Utah on
Q: Is attempted assault a real thing?

I would have been physically assaulted by a manager of a KOA Campground in Utah if his wife had not stepped in to intervene

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on May 1, 2024

Under Utah law, an actor commits assault if the actor:

(a) attempts, with unlawful force or violence, to inflict bodily injury on an individual.

So, for example, if the manager attempted to unlawfully punch you in the face but his wife stepped in between you and intercepted the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy for Utah on
Q: I have a car that repossessed and I want to get my possessions out of it. They want the keys. I am going to file chapter

13 bankruptcy to get the car back. Should I give the keys so I can get my stuff?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 25, 2024

In this situation, it's best to consult with a bankruptcy attorney before taking any action. They can provide guidance on how to proceed in a way that protects your rights and interests.

Generally speaking, if you plan to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy and want to keep the car, you may...
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1 Answer | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) and Intellectual Property for Utah on
Q: I have a patent assignee who failed to pay the maintenance fees. Do I have any recourse to reclaim abandoned IP?

Can I petition the patent office, pay the fees, and recapture the abandoned patent (for lack of fee payment) ? Are there other remedies? I am the inventor of over 25 US patents. I filed the last patent application pro se. It was granted without questions from the examiners.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 11, 2024

Regaining patent rights after the assignee has failed to pay maintenance fees can be challenging, but there are a few potential avenues to explore:

1. Petition to Accept Delayed Payment: If the maintenance fee payment window has not been closed for too long (usually within 24 months of the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Utah on
Q: If insurance is not collected at the crash what happens then?

I am doing a school project and I need to know what would happen in a scenario where two people got into a crash. Person 1 does not collect persons 2 insurance-only their phone number. Legally speaking, does person 2 have an obligation to communicate with person 1 and provide their insurance?... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 1, 2024

A Utah attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. Until you're able to contact a local attorney on state-specific laws, in most places there is an obligation to exchange driver info and insurance info. That would probably extend to phone follow-ups in most... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Utah on
Q: What is the percentage a nonprofessional ( a family member) trustee can charge a family trust?
Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on Apr 22, 2024

In Utah, there is no set percentage for what a nonprofessional (family member) trustee can charge a family trust. Compensation is typically based on what is reasonable given the duties performed, the time involved, and the complexity of the trust administration. The trust document may specify the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law for Utah on
Q: just asking about a green card renewal

I applied on line for I90 renewal card. I got my 2 year extension emailed and also my Biometric letter but it say Biometric reuse that they can reuse my past biometric . is that something new ?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 15, 2024

Yes, biometric reuse is a relatively new process implemented by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In certain cases, the USCIS may be able to reuse the biometric data (fingerprints and photographs) that were previously collected from you for an earlier application.

This...
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1 Answer | Asked in Banking and Social Security for Utah on
Q: My sole means of support is my Social Security income. I am in dispute with the bank that serves my checking /savings.

Can the bank attach my checking and savings accounts. I don't have the money to file for bankruptcy, the bank is my sole creditor. I have a small positive balance under $2000.00, consisting of my SS check and $763.00 proceeds from a loan from my term life insurance policy Are these ever... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 13, 2024

In most cases, Social Security income is protected from being seized or "attached" by creditors, including banks, due to a federal law known as the Social Security Act. This protection extends to funds in your bank account that can be clearly identified as Social Security income.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Utah on
Q: Have lease, expires May 2025. Landlord wants to sell and has ordered to vacate. Do they have to financial compensate. UT

Landlord won't respond and has ordered to vacate in a week. Causing duress and worry as this would put me homeless with 2 dogs. Wants to sell but have a lease till 2025. What recourse do I have? I know she must honor the lease but it's a form of harassment as she keeps calling and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 16, 2024

In Utah, if you have a valid lease that doesn't expire until May 2025, your landlord generally cannot force you to vacate the property before the lease ends, even if they want to sell the property. The lease is a legally binding contract, and the landlord must honor it.

However, there...
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1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Health Care Law for Utah on
Q: Is it legal to yell and belittle a resident/patient of a care facility? Can a employee of a care center search a friend

Tell them of a situation that happened?

Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on Apr 10, 2024

In Utah, it is illegal and unethical to yell at or belittle residents in care facilities. State regulations, specifically under the Utah Administrative Code R432-150-12, protect residents from mental and physical abuse. Such actions can be reported to the facility management, the Utah Department of... View More

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