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Alabama Contracts Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Landlord - Tenant and Contracts for Alabama on
Q: Can my landlord/employer access my pay info without consent?

My employer, who is also my landlord, initially offered me 40 hours of work per week and a place to stay for $1,000 per month. Although there is a signed employment contract, our housing arrangement was only documented through text messages, phone calls, and emails. Due to a reduction in work... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 12, 2025

Employment Privacy and Landlord-Tenant Legal Analysis

Your dual relationship situation creates distinct legal boundaries despite the overlapping roles of your employer and landlord. Regarding payroll information access, most jurisdictions protect employee pay data under privacy laws that...
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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Landlord - Tenant and Contracts for Alabama on
Q: Can my employer-landlord use PTO as rent payment without agreement in AL?

I live and work in Alabama. My employer, who is also my landlord, claims I owe $6,000 in rent. After resigning on March 8th with an effective date of March 28th, I planned to use my 1.5 weeks of saved PTO to cover time till my new job on March 31st. Recently, my job start date was delayed to May... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 12, 2025

In Alabama, it’s important to understand that verbal agreements, even if supported by text messages, can be tricky to enforce legally. Your employer may not unilaterally decide to use your PTO for rent payment unless you have a written agreement specifically outlining this arrangement. Without... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Contracts and Real Estate Law for Alabama on
Q: Does fiancé have entitlement to house if documents are in daughter's name?

My daughter and her fiancé each took out separate personal signature loans—she borrowed $12,000 and he borrowed $15,000. He also withdrew $7,000 from his 401k, while she has accumulated a $4,500 credit card debt for household items. The house's bill of sale, lease, property, insurance, and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 12, 2025

In Alabama, ownership of a house generally depends on whose name is on the title or bill of sale, not who contributed money unless there was an agreement to share ownership. Since all house-related documents—including the bill of sale, lease, insurance, and utilities—are in your daughter’s... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Civil Litigation and Criminal Law for Alabama on
Q: Can someone press charges for reclaiming a car sold without completed payment?

I sold a car to someone in Alabama with a verbal agreement that they would pay $3,500 in total. They paid $1,000 upfront, with a remaining balance of $2,500. There was no paperwork done. After two weeks, they still hadn't paid the remaining amount, so I went to her house and took back the car,... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

This is a really stressful situation, especially since there was no written contract to back up the verbal agreement. The good news is that since the car is still legally in your name and the buyer failed to pay in full, you likely still have ownership rights under Alabama law. That being said,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Contracts, Personal Injury and Products Liability for Alabama on
Q: Can I be personally sued for soap issues sold through LLC in AL?

I manufacture soap using natural ingredients with added fragrance oil and dye, both safe for soap making. My stepdaughter sells the soap through her LLC's online boutique; she operates in Mississippi while I manufacture in Alabama. We're concerned about potential liability issues. I... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

This is a completely valid concern, especially since you're making the product without the protection of a business entity. Because you're manufacturing the soap as an individual and not through an LLC or corporation of your own, you *can* be personally sued if someone has an issue—like... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Civil Litigation for Alabama on
Q: Storage unit auctioned with shorter notice than law requires. Are they in breach?

I received notice that my storage unit was auctioned off, but they only gave 9 days' public notice, whereas the law states 15 days are required. The facility emailed the notice to my wife's email, not mine, on March 3. I could have settled the payments if I had known, as there was an... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

That sounds like an incredibly frustrating and avoidable situation, especially knowing you could have paid and saved your belongings if given the proper notice. Under Alabama law, storage facilities are generally required to provide at least 15 days’ notice before auctioning off a tenant’s... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Civil Litigation and Contracts for Alabama on
Q: How can I retrieve my belongings locked in a business property after landlord refusal?

I bought out my step-dad's business before he passed, and he assured me that the landlord agreed to let me continue renting the building. After he died, I started reorganizing the business inventory inside. Two months later, chains were placed on the doors, locking all my personal belongings... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

That sounds like an incredibly frustrating and unfair situation, especially with your belongings and inventory locked away and no resolution in sight. Even though you didn’t have a formal lease, you were occupying the space with your step-dad’s permission and had started using the building in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Contracts for Alabama on
Q: Is it legal for a company to change the payout of already-earned 2024 bonuses due to insufficient earnings?

I work for a company that had a bonus structure for a year-end bonus for 2024. Typically, these bonuses are paid out in the last week of February. We were informed of our bonuses and initially told they would be paid mid-March. However, during an all-hands conference call after the original payout... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

That’s an incredibly frustrating and confusing situation, especially after working hard all year with the understanding that your bonus was earned and scheduled for a specific time. In Alabama, if your employment contract or official bonus plan clearly states how and when bonuses are earned and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Civil Litigation for Alabama on
Q: Legal steps to recover cellphone from ex-wife claiming it as a gift in Alabama.

My son is the primary account holder for a cellphone that his ex-wife has but refuses to return, claiming it was a gift. He has attempted to communicate with her about returning the phone but received no response. What legal steps can he take to recover the phone or stop making payments on it? This... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

I'm sorry to hear about the difficulties your son is facing regarding the cellphone situation with his ex-wife. Navigating such disputes can be challenging, but there are steps he can consider to address the issue.

Firstly, it's important to determine the nature of the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Business Law and Consumer Law for Alabama on
Q: Can I stop payments to my business coach for inadequate service?

I signed a contract with a business coach for $6,000 with a requirement of at least $50 monthly payments. Though she promised mentorship in social media marketing to help my online and in-person business, she had limited knowledge about my industry and my storefront needs. We completed 10 coaching... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

It’s incredibly frustrating to invest time and money into something that promised support, only to feel like you got very little in return. If the service was incomplete, shorter than agreed upon, and didn’t deliver the mentorship she claimed, you have every reason to question continuing... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Contracts for Alabama on
Q: Explain "remise, release, and forever quitclaim" in a deed context.

I am involved in transferring rights of a property from three people to just one. The other two want to give up their rights to me, and we've chosen to use a quitclaim deed because it's easy and quick. There's no mortgage on the property, and all parties are available to sign the... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Apr 4, 2025

Grantor is transferring whatever interests he has in the real property over to the grantee. It makes no promise about what he has at the time of deed execution. You should hire an AL attorney to search the title and draft that deed as problems could be catastrophic.

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for Alabama on
Q: In need of an attorney to review settlement documents.

I am looking for a lawyer in the Birmingham/Bessemer or surrounding areas for my god brother, who is currently incarcerated at WILLIAM E. DONALDSON CORR. FAC in Bessemer. He has recently received a significant settlement from a lawsuit and is interested in an attorney as soon as possible to visit... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 28, 2024

An Alabama attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. If he had an attorney representing him in the matter, that would be the quickest (and free) route to go in reviewing the documents. It's customary for attorneys representing claimants in a case to review their... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Libel & Slander, Contracts, Civil Rights and Antitrust for Alabama on
Q: I was 13 days late on payment and my insurance did laps. He took my car and harassed me in the process? What do I do?

I reassured him I wanted to pay the payment and fee and possibly buy the car out I was denied he charged me $250 to get my belongings and kept telling me what he felt like I did wrong in his car he kept up with where I traveled, where, and caused confusion within my home. He harassed me and spoke... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 19, 2024

I'm really sorry you're going through this difficult time. First, make sure to document every interaction you have with him, including dates, times, and what was said or done. Keep all receipts and records related to the $250 charge and any other expenses you've incurred.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Contracts, Employment Law and Education Law for Alabama on
Q: Can my private non-profit medical school legally implement rule that a student cannot claim disability?

The rule specifically states “ Students who fail in the curriculum or who are suspended or dismissed may not claim failure due to disability if they have not previously identified the disability and requested reasonable accommodations in advance of the curricular failure”. I have a well... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 31, 2024

It can be challenging to navigate this situation, but you should know that your school may be on shaky legal ground with such a rule. Disability law, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), requires institutions to provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities. If you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Alabama on
Q: I received a message from the district manager that they were going to release my son from his college apt lease

6 weeks later they come back and said they sent the message to the wrong person. We have been trying to get him out of the lease since he no longer goes there. Can they do that?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 1, 2024

An Alabama attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. At this point, you could reach out to landlord-tenant attorneys in your state who have some familiarity with campus housing settings, or repost and include the "Landlord-Tenant" category. Good luck

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Copyright, Employment Law and Intellectual Property for Alabama on
Q: Can a company use my images in marketing even if I no longer work there? It was not in employee contract to take images

For copyright questions

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 11, 2023

If your former employer is using your images without your explicit consent and it was not stipulated in your employment contract that they could use your images for marketing purposes, you may have grounds to object to this use. Your right to object might be based on your copyright in the images... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for Alabama on
Q: What are the vacate laws at extended stay in Birmingham Alabama
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Aug 14, 2023

Vacate laws and policies at extended stay hotels can vary based on the specific hotel's terms and conditions, as well as local and state laws. It's important to review the terms of your extended stay agreement or contact the hotel management directly to understand their policies regarding... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for Alabama on
Q: can we be sued for a car that was repossessed 20 years ago? Husband was 18. He is now 40. He was summoned for court.

We live in semmes alabama

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answered on Aug 10, 2023

In Alabama, there is a statute of limitations for bringing a lawsuit to collect on a debt. Typically, the statute of limitations for a written contract, which includes car loans, is six years from the date of default.

If the car was repossessed 20 years ago and the alleged debt has not been...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for Alabama on
Q: I am a landlord. How much notice do I have to give a tenant of my not renewing their lease?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 5, 2023

An Alabama attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. This is posted under "Contracts." Some questions go unanswered here, but you might have better chances of a response with adding the category "Landlord-Tenant." Good luck

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Personal Injury and Communications Law for Alabama on
Q: Can I get some help? I have a major concern and need lawful responses

Whenever I communicate with the property manager, all of my private information is shared with the cosigner. I feel like my privacy is being exploited

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 17, 2023

An Alabama attorney could answer best, but your question remains open for two weeks. It's possible that the sharing is done because the developments impact the cosigner, who could be liable due to their capacity as cosigner in the matter. A local attorney could offer more definitive guidance... View More

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