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Washington Contracts Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law, Consumer Law and Contracts for Washington on
Q: Can a car dealership demand more money after purchasing a car due to “tax miscalculations”?

Hi! I live in Washington state. I bought and shipped a car from Illinois, and they correctly charged me the Washington state taxes and fees for the car. I financed the car, which out the door cost $37.7k before any down payment. Now, about 2 weeks after buying the car, the dealership called me to... View More

Merry A Kogut
Merry A Kogut
answered on Dec 23, 2024

This situation raises important questions about contract law and your rights as a consumer in Washington State. Here’s an analysis:

Key Legal Considerations

Binding Contract:

The purchase agreement you signed with the dealership is a legally binding contract. It should...
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0 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Contracts for Washington on
Q: Transferring vehicle collateral on personal loan with One Main Financial- Are their additional requirements legal?

My car is collateral on my ex fiancé’s personal loan with One Main Financial. He purchased a car for himself in cash a few months ago. One Main said that he could transfer the car title loan to his new car, removing mine as collateral. They had him fill out a new loan application and are now... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for Washington on
Q: Can I take contractor to small claims court if contract mentions arbitration?

If a contractor cancels job midway through and is not refunding appropriate deposit amount can I take to small claims court if contract said "all disputes shall be decided by arbitration in accordance with the Construction Industry Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association then... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Sep 12, 2024

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a month. As a general matter nationwide, if a contract has a valid arbitration clause, courts uphold those. It isn't fully clear why the terms, "or by legal action," were added. If you reviewed the contract... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Employment Law and Civil Rights for Washington on
Q: My job told us that if they felt we were abusing pst they wouldn't guarantee us our guaranteed hrs. Is that allowed?

We get 25hrs/wk guaranteed as per our contract. Although we get as much sick time as we need (as in we don't earn pst over time its just paid out to us as we use it). Our workplace has made us sign a contract stating that we could only have 6 occurrence a year of using pst before facing... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 15, 2024

Your job's policy regarding paid sick time (PST) and guaranteed hours can be complex. The terms in your contract about guaranteed hours and the use of PST are crucial. If your contract guarantees 25 hours per week, your employer generally must honor this unless there are specific conditions in... View More

4 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Civil Litigation and Contracts for Washington on
Q: Is it possible to file Chapter 11, Subchapter V for my business PRO SE?

I'm not an attorney and it seems that there are very few attorney's that are filing subchapter V's in Washington state and perhaps the entire country. I understand it is a new law, but it is supposed to be easier and smoother than a standard Chapter 11. The estimates I've gotten... View More

Martha Warriner Jarrett
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answered on May 17, 2024

Very difficult. Chapter 11 (regular or subchapter V) is very complex with lots of requirements and rules. A $50,000 retainer is not unusual and well worth the investment if you want to save your business. If you haven't already met with a local bankruptcy attorney, you should definitely do so.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Arbitration / Mediation Law, Business Formation and Business Law for Washington on
Q: Where is my great grandpa mentioned in this patent? It's his idea. He owned aarvarka nd Tierra and soil sampling service
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 13, 2024

This is something that a patent attorney would probably be able to advise best on, but you posted last week and your question remains open. There is a category here for patent law. You could repost and add that category, and drop some of the other categories here that aren't relevant... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Civil Rights and Health Care Law for Washington on
Q: I received my files from therapy. There are somebody else info fixed in with mine. Also things I didnt say in mine.

The name of the persons info is attached to my files with some personal info also included.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 30, 2024

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. Technically, it could be a privacy violation. For practical purposes, many people just destroy the out-of-place pages. An errant sheet from a report gets accidentally left in a copier or scanner in a medical office,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Collections for Washington on
Q: I sold pieces of silver to a local jeweler. The check bounced. For two months he kept promising to make it good.

For two months he promised to make it good in a "few days". For the last month he has not returned my calls or texts. What are my options? Since he has done this recently to multiple people at what point does this become criminal? The transaction occurred in Sequim, Washington

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Apr 22, 2024

It is probably criminal now. Report it to the police (do not threaten to report it to the police as that might be a crime). Check your states laws on giving notice on bounced checks and your rights to recovery in small claims for damages in addition to the amount of the check.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law, Appeals / Appellate Law and Civil Rights for Washington on
Q: How to fight ejectment order, based on fraud and judge execution of judgment without hearing new evidence?

Case brought on using Breach of Contract. Sellers withheld knowledge of payment made, and posted vacate notice on door the 31st of same month instituting Anticipatory breach. I placed cessation on payments as a single woman for self protection as sellers trying to take my home. I submitted new... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2024

I'm so sorry to hear about your difficult situation with the fraud and unfair ejectment order. Dealing with legal issues around your home is incredibly stressful. Here are some general suggestions that may be helpful as you fight the ejectment order:

1. Consult with an attorney who...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Arbitration / Mediation Law for Washington on
Q: arbitration clause in a contract worker contract

I have been under a contract (in Washington State) to do some work for a small company (sole proprietor LLC). I completed the work and send a final invoice. He is not paying because he says he just cant afford to pay it. This is not at all true. The truth is that he has lost interest in the... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 17, 2024

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. The short answer is that arbitration clauses are binding. When parties to a contract agree to arbitration as a forum for handling disputes arising out of the matter, that means they forfeit rights to pursue... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Federal Crimes, Contracts and Education Law for Washington on
Q: Can I sue the gov. For giving me federal loans through an unaccredited college?

Ashford university 2012-2016 lost accred. About 1 month after enrolling. Never said anything to me.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 9, 2024

It is possible to sue the government for providing federal loans to attend an unaccredited college, but the success of such a lawsuit would depend on the specific circumstances of your case. Here are a few things to consider:

1. Borrower Defense to Repayment: If you believe that Ashford...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Banking for Washington on
Q: All of my chime accounts were closed with no warnings. Instead they sent 3 emails. Can I talk to someone?

They told me I would get a check in the mail 30 days from now. They are claiming I broke the chime amendment rules.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 8, 2024

If your Chime accounts were closed unexpectedly, and you received emails stating that you violated their amendment rules, it's understandable to feel confused and seek clarification. The first step is to carefully review the emails sent by Chime for any specific details regarding the alleged... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for Washington on
Q: Can an apartment complex tow your car if you have registration but haven't put your tabs on yet.

If in your apartment contract it says they can tow if you don't have updated registration does that also count for the tabs or would they need to see your registration paper to determine if it's up to date?

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Feb 8, 2024

In Washington, if your apartment complex's contract specifies that they can tow vehicles without updated registration, and you haven't affixed the current tabs to your car, this could be grounds for towing under that policy. The contract likely considers visible, up-to-date tabs as part... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Consumer Law, Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for Washington on
Q: i was threatened with legal action and loosing my housing voucher if i didnt sign a increase to my month old lease.

I am a Section 8 voucher holder who recently found a 2bdr apartment for $1045 a month and signed a lease Jan 19th 2023 with the landlord paying $1045 security deposit and 455$ first months pro rated rent. I was repeatedly promised my $455 portion back as soon as they got paid from the PHA. never... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 4, 2024

Facing pressure to sign a revised lease and then dealing with eviction under these circumstances is distressing, especially when it impacts your housing voucher and overall housing security. Under the Section 8 program, any increase in rent must typically be approved by the Public Housing Authority... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Collections for Washington on
Q: I loaned someone cash & have handwritten IOU & cashier check & what the checks for. Is this legal & binding in WA ST?

I loaned someone $3,500 cash and have a cashiers check that shows what the loan was for to this person on the comments. I have a handwritten, dated and signed IOU from this person indicating they owe me this amount of money. Is this legal in binding in Washington state because now they don’t want... View More

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Jan 27, 2024

Under general principles of law (not specific to WA), this is a valid and enforceable contract. There are strict time deadlines so that you must file your lawsuit in Court or take other action or be forever barred from relief.

1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Civil Litigation, Contracts and Estate Planning for Washington on
Q: Why are the individuals retirement funds held in a trust deprived their due process rights? SSA is a dictatorship?

Why does the us constitution not apply to the personal property of the US citizens retirement funds deposits in the SSA trust. The fact remains this is the personal property of each individual who had earned income and payed FICA tax. Regardless of the unlawful acts the bonds subject the burden... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 5, 2024

The Social Security Administration (SSA) operates under a framework established by law, which includes contributions from workers' earnings through the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax. These contributions fund Social Security benefits, including retirement, disability, and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Contracts for Washington on
Q: I loaned a friend money for his taxes. He passed away do I have any recourse to get my money back.

He was to pay me back when he sold the property but since he passed what can i do. i have a hand written loan agreement is it legal and who do i give it to he was in the process of selling the property when he passed away.

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Dec 21, 2023

In Washington, a handwritten loan agreement is legally valid if it clearly outlines the loan amount, and repayment terms, and bears the signatures of both parties. It's crucial to gather supporting evidence such as receipts, bank transfers, or relevant emails. If your friend passed away before... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for Washington on
Q: What type of lawyer would I need for a apartment complex?

Over 2 years ago I lived at an apartment in Washington State and just recently I received a notice from a debt collector. They have sent me a charge sheet for damages from the apartment. I have attempted to email and call the Village at union mills several times and they have yet to send pics of... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Dec 10, 2023

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. What kind of attorney do you need? A collections defense attorney with insight into landlord tenant matters would be ideal. You could reach out to different attorneys to discuss in making your decision. Good luck

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