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Q: Can my mom inherit her late husband's home in Texas without a will?
My mom’s husband recently passed away, and she didn’t live in the same state at the time of his death. They were married in Texas, where he owned a home solely in his name, but he purchased it during their marriage. Unfortunately, there is no will, and he has three other children. Is my mom... View More 
John Michael Frick
answered on Jul 1, 2026
answered on Jul 1, 2026
It depends on whether the home is community property or separate property and on whether the three children are also your mom's children. Typically, property acquired during marriage is community property. If all of the deceased husband's children are also your mom's children, then... View More
Q: How to join/start a lawsuit against Pacific Credit Solutions LLC for credit report access?
I recently discovered that Pacific Credit Solutions LLC has attempted to pull my credit report twice. I have no knowledge of who they are or why they're accessing my credit information. I'm interested in joining or starting a lawsuit against them. How should I proceed?
John Michael Frick
answered on Jul 1, 2026
answered on Jul 1, 2026
You should locate and hire an attorney who practices in the area of consumer law in or near the county where you reside who has experience handling cases involving alleged violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This is a highly technical and specialized niche of consumer law that most... View More
Q: How can my brother's children receive their inheritance in Georgia?
My father died intestate, leaving behind a wife and four children. The estate was not settled before three of my siblings passed away. We are now nearing the closure of my dad’s estate. One of my brothers, who passed away intestate and without assets, left behind children. There were no legal... View More
Michael John Hudson
answered on Jul 1, 2026
answered on Jul 1, 2026
First (1), your late brother does appear to have had assets when he passed away because he received his share of your father's estate upon the death of your father. Second (2), upon the closing of your father's estate, your late brother's share of the inheritance will go to his... View More
Q: What to do if my wife mentions having power of attorney in Georgia?
I recently overheard my wife mentioning that she still has power of attorney. This was said without any specific context or reasoning that I am aware of. I am trying to understand what implications this might have in Georgia. Could you provide guidance on what steps I should take or what I should... View More
Michael John Hudson
answered on Jul 1, 2026
answered on Jul 1, 2026
Whether it is a healthcare or financial POA, it generally means your wife can make healthcare or financial decisions for you or whoever the principal is. You should be able to continue making decisions for yourself, but she can also make decisions and enter into transactions on your behalf. Your... View More
Q: What can I do about harassment despite having a TPO against me?
I have a Temporary Protection Order (TPO) against me for a menacing charge in Ohio. The other party involved has been continuously harassing my family and me by coming to our property, shouting my name, and rollerblading on our street despite the posted no trespassing and video surveillance signs.... View More
Emily Michelle Smith
answered on Jul 1, 2026
answered on Jul 1, 2026
Using the police reports and video evidence you have collected from these incidents, you may consider going to your county Court of Common Pleas to file an application for a Civil Protection Order or Civil Stalking Protection Order. There, court staff can provide the necessary forms and... View More
Q: Can a former attorney be a judge in my case in Ohio?
Is it legal for my former attorney, who represented me in a past criminal case, to be the judge in a current criminal case against me in Ohio? I am concerned about potential conflicts of interest or bias. I have not filed any motions for the judge's recusal, and I live in Morgan County, Ohio.
Emily Michelle Smith
answered on Jul 1, 2026
answered on Jul 1, 2026
It is not automatically illegal for a judge to preside over a criminal case involving a former client from a prior, unrelated matter. The Ohio Code of Judicial Conduct, require recusal only where the judge’s impartiality could reasonably be questioned. For example, when there is personal bias,... View More
Q: Can my probation officer inquire about my presence and drug screens at a detox center and access my urology results, while I'm in Ohio's lieu of conviction program?
I am currently participating in a year-long lieu of conviction program in Ohio, and I want to know if my probation officer can contact a detox center to verify my presence or inquire about my drug screenings. I have previously been to a detox center without direct contact from my probation officer.... View More
Emily Michelle Smith
answered on Jul 1, 2026
answered on Jul 1, 2026
Much of this depends on the documents you signed at the time you were placed on Intervention in Lieu of Conviction. While you do retain privacy rights, those rights may be significantly affected by the conditions imposed by the court as part of your supervision.
In many cases, probation or... View More
Q: How to verify power of attorney in Georgia?
I am trying to determine if I have granted power of attorney to my father in Georgia. We discussed this matter, but I don't recall signing any documents. How can I verify if a power of attorney is in place, and what steps should I take if I want to establish or revoke such authority?
Michael John Hudson
answered on Jul 1, 2026
answered on Jul 1, 2026
If you don't recall signing anything and can't locate a document that you signed giving your father a POA, and if your father does not recall such a document, then you may not have executed a POA. Also, you can check your county recording office where you live and where your father lives... View More
Q: Am I eligible for workers' comp for a work-related back injury?
I have a chronic back condition, which my manager was aware of. Recently, while working in Effingham, IL, at a customer's location, I was repairing a massage chair. The space was very confined, and I had to frequently move the chairs and squeeze into tight spots. After leaving the location, I... View More
Charles Candiano
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answered on Jul 1, 2026
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 1, 2026
If the doctor STATED IN HIS CHART NOTE that "the mechanism of injury described caused you to suffer a temporary exacerbation of a preexisting back condition," then YES. If the doctor wrote almost anything else, it will probably be denied. The question states that you are in... View More
Q: How to file an application review for an employment appeal decision in Oregon?
I'm seeking legal assistance in Oregon to file an application review for an employment appeal decision made on April 27, 2022. I was not aware of this decision because the correspondence was sent to an old address where I no longer reside. I would like to understand what options are available... View More
TeAnna Rice
answered on Jul 1, 2026
answered on Jul 1, 2026
If you are appealing a decision from the Office of Administrative Hearings (the first level of appeals for unemployment insurance benefit claims), then you need to file with the Employment Appeals Board and explain, in writing, why it is so delayed. Generally, there is a time allowance for a couple... View More
Q: Can I argue against constructive possession for a meth charge in Indiana?
I was arrested in Indiana for possession of meth found in my wife's purse in the back of our car. My wife was hospitalized, and I inadvertently left her purse in the car, not knowing meth was inside. She's willing to testify that the meth was hers and I had no knowledge of it. However,... View More
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Andrew L. Bennett
answered on Jul 1, 2026
answered on Jul 1, 2026
Constructive possession requires the State to prove that you maintained dominion & control of the item and also knowledge of its existence. Clearly you had the ability to maintain dominion & control. However, it appears there is an issue with your knowledge of the meths existence. Unless... View More
Q: How to handle joint property in divorce when given by spouse's parents?
My daughter and her husband, married for 16 years, are now getting a divorce. Two years ago, they were jointly gifted 2.5 acres of wooded property by his parents, and both their names appear on the deed as joint tenants. They even signed the deed at an attorney's office. Despite this, the... View More
Robert Kane
answered on Jul 1, 2026
answered on Jul 1, 2026
I’m sorry your daughter and your family are having to navigate this, especially after a long marriage and after both spouses invested time, money, and hope into building a home on the property. It is completely understandable to feel concerned when property that was deeded to both spouses is now... View More
Q: What are our options for an employee on medical leave with ending grant funding?
I have an employee in California on unpaid personal medical leave, which is not covered by FMLA or CFRA. Her position is funded by a grant, and this funding will be exhausted by July 6th. We've initiated the interactive process, but we lack open positions for which she is qualified if she is... View More
Michael R Trust
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answered on Jul 1, 2026
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 1, 2026
Hello. The employee is not on a protected leave and you've exhausted the interactive process, although you don't necessarily know what her work restrictions will be, if any, three to four weeks from now; you know what they are as of the last healthcare provider note, so you haven't... View More
Q: How to remove mother from birth certificate in Nebraska?
I live in Nebraska and want to know if I can go through a court process to have my mother removed from my birth certificate. She was never present in my life, and when I allowed her back in, she framed me and slandered my character, which led to Child Protective Services becoming involved in an... View More
Julie Fowler
answered on Jul 1, 2026
answered on Jul 1, 2026
The birth certificate stating that your mother is your mother is stating that she is the person that gave birth to you. It doesn't mean that she treated you as a mother should. Thus, generally you can't remove your parents from your birth certificate for how they treated... View More
Q: Can I find a Minnesota divorce attorney paid upon settlement?
I am seeking a divorce attorney in Minnesota who is willing to accept payment upon settlement, as I cannot afford to pay upfront fees. Although the timing is not urgent, I am looking to proceed with the process soon. I have been married for over 56 years, and my husband receives a monthly Minnesota... View More
Robert Kane
answered on Jul 1, 2026
answered on Jul 1, 2026
I understand that starting a divorce can feel overwhelming, especially when paying attorney’s fees upfront may not be possible.
While Minnesota divorce attorneys generally cannot take cases on a traditional “pay only if we win” or percentage-of-settlement basis, there may be other... View More
Q: Why are my child support payments inconsistent when deducted regularly?
In Nebraska, my employer is not making consistent payments to my child support case despite consistently deducting money from my paycheck every week. This issue has been ongoing for years. I've contacted my employer about the inconsistency, but they haven't responded effectively. The... View More
Julie Fowler
answered on Jul 1, 2026
answered on Jul 1, 2026
An employer that withholds income for child support is required to submit the payments to the Child Support Payment Center timely. There have been instances where the employer withholds but doesn't submit the payments timely. This is effectively not paying the employee timely and potentially... View More
Q: How to reconcile birth certificate name discrepancy in NY?
I have been trying to obtain my birth certificate from New York, but the first name that I've been using for 63 years is missing four letters on the record New York has on file. I have legal documents, such as my Social Security card and driver's license, under my full name. Additionally,... View More
Brandon Andres Nunez
answered on Jul 1, 2026
answered on Jul 1, 2026
Generally, the distinction comes down to this: a name correction (amendment) is used when the birth record contains an error — the name was recorded wrong from the start — while a legal name change is used when you're changing to a name different from the one correctly on the record. Since... View More
Q: Do I have to pay a 26-year-old traffic ticket in NY?
I received a traffic ticket from a county authority in New York 26 years ago, and I've just now received a past due notice. The ticket concerns a traffic violation. Do I have to pay it, considering it has been so long, and what are the statute of limitations on such tickets in New York State?
Brandon Andres Nunez
answered on Jul 1, 2026
answered on Jul 1, 2026
The practical answer depends on what actually happened 26 years ago. Before paying anything, verify the notice is legitimate and pull the details: contact the specific court or DMV Traffic Violations Bureau referenced and ask whether there was ever a conviction or judgment entered, what the notice... View More
Q: Do I need to split home sale proceeds with siblings if my name is on the deed?
I live in my family's home, which is in Florida. My name is on the deed because when my father passed away (and there was no will), we updated the deed to include my name. My brother insists that if I were to sell the property, I would need to divide the proceeds with him and my sister. I am... View More
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Jul 1, 2026
answered on Jul 1, 2026
It may depend on the manner in which you are named on the deed. Two things are possible: you became the sole owner of the home the instant your father passed (in which case you owe your siblings nothing) OR you only own 50% of the home and his estate owns the other 50%. (Rhetorical question: why... View More
Q: Do I need to split home sale proceeds with siblings if my name is on the deed?
I live in my family's home, which is in Florida. My name is on the deed because when my father passed away (and there was no will), we updated the deed to include my name. My brother insists that if I were to sell the property, I would need to divide the proceeds with him and my sister. I am... View More
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Jul 1, 2026
answered on Jul 1, 2026
I am very sorry for your loss on the passing of your father, please accept my condolences for you and your family at this sad and difficult time. I would encourage you to speak with a Florida Probate or Real Estate Attorney, it will be important for an attorney to review the deed and what precisely... View More
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