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1 Answer
| Asked
in
Child Custody, Family Law, Education Law and Domestic Violence
for
California
on
Q: What can I do if my ex refuses to let my 17-year-old son return to live with me in California?
I have a 17-year-old son who was taken out of his school in California by his mother and moved away. He wants to come live with me, but his mother refuses to let him return. There is no formal custody arrangement in place. He is currently not enrolled in school and has expressed that his mental... View More 
Martin Louis Winfield Jr
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answered on Oct 30, 2026
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answered on Oct 30, 2026
Take your son's statements about suicide seriously; his immediate safety should not wait for a custody hearing. If he may act on those thoughts or you cannot confirm he is safe, contact emergency services where he is located and explain his statements and location. Arrange prompt professional... View More
Q: How can I locate my marriage certificate from 1995 in San Francisco?
I am trying to locate my marriage certificate. I believe I got married around 1995 in San Francisco, California, possibly at City Hall, when I was 18 years old. I am currently 49, having been born on April 17, 1977. Could you help me find out the exact date of my marriage and the location where it... View More
Martin Louis Winfield Jr
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answered on Oct 30, 2026
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answered on Oct 30, 2026
You can request your own marriage record, but your age and recollection alone cannot establish the exact wedding date or location. If you were 18, roughly 1995–1996 is a sensible starting search period, rather than assuming the wedding necessarily occurred in 1995.
Start with the San... View More
Q: How can I seek legal help for a 6-year-old assault in California with no resources?
I was sexually assaulted six years ago on a date in Rancho Cucamonga, California, specifically in the Victoria Gardens parking lot. At the time, I didn't report the incident to the authorities. I'm seeking guidance on how to proceed legally now, considering I have no financial resources... View More
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Emery Brett Ledger
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answered on Oct 30, 2026
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answered on Oct 30, 2026
Six years is not too late for a civil case in California. Under Code of Civil Procedure section 340.16, an adult survivor of sexual assault generally has 10 years from the assault, or 3 years from discovering an injury caused by it, whichever is later, to file a lawsuit for damages. Not reporting... View More
Q: Can we seek compensation for vet costs after dog attack on our property?
In Missouri, our small, friendly cockapoo was inside our fenced yard when it sneaked under the fence and approached three dogs walking on the sidewalk with their owner. One dog attacked ours, requiring hospital care for an overnight stay and stitches, costing $6,000. Despite my intervention, the... View More
Rob Schmittgens
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answered on Oct 30, 2026
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answered on Oct 30, 2026
I am sorry this happened and I am sure it has been overwhelming. I hope your dog is healing. Missouri has a strict liability dog bite statue: RSMo. 273.036, which provides in relevant part, "Owners and possessors of dogs shall also be strictly liable for any damage to property or livestock... View More
Q: What are my options for legal action after being assaulted by my neighbor in PA?
I was assaulted by my neighbor for parking on my own property, resulting in injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed, and my neighbor was charged and had to cover my medical expenses. What are my options for further legal action against my neighbor, considering the attack... View More
John Anthony Mattiacci Jr
answered on Oct 30, 2026
answered on Oct 30, 2026
I'm sorry to hear about what happened to you. No one should have to experience a physical assault, particularly on their own property.
In Pennsylvania, you may have grounds to pursue a civil lawsuit against your neighbor for assault and battery, separate from any criminal charges that... View More
Q: How can I address a discrepancy in a police report from a car accident in California?
I was recently involved in a car accident in California and have received the police report, which I believe contains a major inconsistency. The report states that both myself and the other driver were heading westbound, but I was actually traveling eastbound. Due to how the collision occurred and... View More
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Emery Brett Ledger
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answered on Oct 30, 2026
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answered on Oct 30, 2026
Police reports get details wrong more often than people expect, and a direction-of-travel error like this one is usually fixable.
Start with the agency that wrote the report, whether that was CHP or the local police department. Ask how to request a correction or submit a supplemental... View More
2 Answers
| Asked
in
Car Accidents, Consumer Law, Insurance Defense and Personal Injury
for
Pennsylvania
on
Q: Do I need a lawyer to negotiate with other driver's insurance after accident?
Last month, while driving a rental car near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I accidentally side-swiped another vehicle, resulting in cosmetic damages (broken mirror, scuffs, and scratches) to their car. Unfortunately, I was under an insurance plan through my late mother's auto insurance, but due to... View More
John Anthony Mattiacci Jr
answered on Oct 30, 2026
answered on Oct 30, 2026
I'm sorry to hear about your mother's passing and the insurance complications you've encountered.
The good news is that you generally do not need an attorney simply to communicate or negotiate with another driver's insurance company regarding property damage.
It... View More
1 Answer
| Asked
in
Animal / Dog Law, Landlord - Tenant, Personal Injury and Real Estate Law
for
New Jersey
on
Q: Can I face legal issues if my dog approaches a visitor, causing them to injure themselves?
I am moving out of my rental property in New Jersey. Recently, my landlord brought someone to view the property but left the gate open, and my dog got out. The dog approached the person viewing the property, but did not bite or bark at anyone. In his attempt to avoid the dog, the person was injured... View More
John Anthony Mattiacci Jr
answered on Oct 30, 2026
answered on Oct 30, 2026
Based on what you've described, you may have some valid defenses if the injured visitor attempts to pursue a claim against you.
Under New Jersey law, there is an important distinction between injuries caused by a dog bite and injuries that occur without any physical contact. Since your... View More
Q: Can I get a temporary driver's license from the DMV if my mail-in form is delayed?
I originally mailed my driver's license form on October 9th to the DMV but had to resend it today with the back of the form filled out, which I previously forgot to do. Can I visit the DMV in person to get a temporary driver's license if the new license doesn't arrive on time?
Scott Kennedy
answered on Oct 30, 2026
answered on Oct 30, 2026
If they have available appointments that work for you, then you may be able to go in person with the necessary paperwork to receive a temporary license before any action is taken on the mailed-in form. I represented a client dealing with DMV licensing issues, who also had to resend her form and... View More
Q: Can a Texas lawyer settle a case without client consent?
In Texas, can a personal injury lawyer settle my case without prior communication or informing me of the settlement amount? I received only a text saying the case has been settled and they're waiting on the check.
Corey Scott Gomel
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answered on Oct 30, 2026
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answered on Oct 30, 2026
As a rule, a lawyer must obtain a client's permission to not only settle a case, but to convey any offers or demands on their behalf. However, the rule does have some flexibility. If an attorney is negotiating a case and is exchanging offers and demands with opposing counsel or insurance... View More
Q: How can my boyfriend avoid jail time for child support arrears in Texas?
My boyfriend is facing a child support lawsuit in Texas, and he owes $26,000 in arrears for child support and an additional $1,000 for medical expenses for his three children. He has a Zoom court hearing scheduled for the first week of November. He is currently on parole and was on a monitor, which... View More
Ieshia N. Champs
answered on Oct 30, 2026
answered on Oct 30, 2026
Hello,
Jail is a possible outcome if contempt is being requested, but it is not automatic. His strongest protection is to obtain counsel immediately and present documented evidence of his inability to pay. Neither his parole restrictions nor cirrhosis automatically excuses missed... View More
Q: Served with divorce papers in Texas while in Oklahoma, what to do?
I have been served with divorce papers through email, as authorized by a judge in Texas, but I currently reside in Oklahoma. There are children involved in this divorce, but there are no significant assets. What steps should I take first in response to this situation?
Ieshia N. Champs
answered on Oct 30, 2026
answered on Oct 30, 2026
Good Afternoon,
Your first step should be to have a Texas family-law attorney promptly review the papers, the judge’s order authorizing email service, and the date service occurred. Do not ignore the case because you live in Oklahoma. Court-authorized email service can be... View More
Q: What documentation should I gather before contacting a nursing home neglect lawyer?
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Jim Higgins
answered on Oct 30, 2026
answered on Oct 30, 2026
Dated photos, medical records, a written timeline of what happened and when, names of staff and witnesses, the care plan, and any complaints you've already filed with the facility.
Q: How do I tell the difference between normal decline and possible neglect?
PREMIUM
Jim Higgins
answered on Oct 30, 2026
answered on Oct 30, 2026
Normal decline is gradual and fits the diagnosis. Neglect tends to show up as sudden changes: weight loss, dehydration, new bedsores, repeated falls, bruising nobody can explain. One bad day isn't neglect. A pattern is, and that pattern is what a nursing home neglect lawyer will look for first.
Q: What actions can I take if recorded and posted online without consent in Illinois?
If a customer came to my job and recorded me using Meta glasses while I was behind the register to play a prank, and then posted it online, what legal actions can I take? No consent was given for the filming, and I am concerned because Illinois is an all-party consent state.
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Dennis VanDerGinst
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answered on Oct 30, 2026
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answered on Oct 30, 2026
Illinois is an all-party consent state, but its eavesdropping law does not prohibit every recording made without permission.
Under 720 ILCS 5/14-2, the law generally prohibits secretly recording a private conversation without the consent of all participants. The important question is... View More
Q: What eviction notice applies with durable power of attorney and no lease in FL?
I have a durable power of attorney for a home in Florida, where I currently pay rent but do not have a formal lease agreement. If the homeowner wants to evict me, what is the typical notice period that would apply to such a situation?
Alexander Patrick Johnson
answered on Oct 30, 2026
answered on Oct 30, 2026
It does not matter whether you have a written lease. To evict you for non-payment of rent the landlord would have to issue you a 3 day notice to pay rent. Then they would file the eviction case. You will receive a summons giving you five days to file your defense and pay the rent claimed to the... View More
Q: Can I face charges for assisting in court motions in Florida?
I assisted the father of my son, who is representing himself in a court case in Florida, by drafting motions on his behalf and filing them at the courthouse due to perceived corruption and misconduct in his case. There have been significant issues like lewd and lascivious charges with no actual... View More
Andrey Mangushev
answered on Oct 30, 2026
answered on Oct 30, 2026
Being told you could be arrested for helping someone with his own case is frightening, particularly when that case is itself serious. Fla. Stat. 454.23 makes it a felony of the third degree for a person who is not licensed or otherwise authorized to practice law in Florida to practice law in this... View More
Q: What are my rights and options regarding an unlawful detainer from new owners after landlord's death and clearing code enforcement fines?
I’ve been residing in a house in Hillsborough County, Florida, for over five years under an oral agreement with the landlord, who passed away over a year ago. We paid $100 per week and worked around the property. After the owner’s passing, we continued living there with the siblings being fine,... View More
Andrey Mangushev
answered on Oct 30, 2026
answered on Oct 30, 2026
Being sued for possession after five years in a home, with no notice, is alarming, and the details of your arrangement will matter a great deal. Under Fla. Stat. 83.46(2), when a rental agreement says nothing about duration, the tenancy is determined by how often rent is paid, so rent paid weekly... View More
1 Answer
| Asked
in
Car Accidents, Consumer Law, Civil Litigation and Personal Injury
for
Florida
on
Q: How can I handle a moving company coercing me to sign a waiver after a collision?
A commercial moving company hit my parked car on September 21, and I filed a police report. They are pressuring me to sign a waiver, claiming it's Florida law, and have refused to compensate me for my loss of use and income, which has prevented me from working as a flight attendant since I did... View More
Andrey Mangushev
answered on Oct 30, 2026
answered on Oct 30, 2026
Being without your car for 36 days while you cannot work as a flight attendant is a serious loss, and the pressure to sign quickly is understandable. Fla. Stat. 627.4137(1) lets a claimant send a written request asking the party who hit your car, or its insurance agent, to disclose the name and... View More
Q: Can NY employers require learning modules before work starts?
In New York State, my employer introduced mandatory learning modules as part of general company training after I accepted a job offer. The requirement was communicated through a hiring agency. Is it lawful for my employer to require the completion of these modules before I start working?
Scott Kennedy
answered on Oct 30, 2026
answered on Oct 30, 2026
It is generally legal to ask employees to complete training prior to starting work, but generally illegal not to pay employees for such work. So, the details really matter here.
The conditions of the training could constitute working time that entitle workers to compensation under the... View More
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