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California Contracts Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Personal Injury and Consumer Law for California on
Q: Can I sue a mechanic in California for faulty car repairs?

I took my car to a mechanic to fix a cracking sound. After leaving it overnight, the mechanic claimed that it was fixed. However, the problem persisted when I got the car back. I returned to the shop and asked if it was safe to drive back, and the mechanic assured me it was. Unfortunately, the car... View More

Scott Richard Kaufman
Scott Richard Kaufman
answered on Mar 18, 2025

Sorry for your issues. A licensed facility MUST give you a WRITTEN estimate and of course a final invoice showing what they did and the result and how much they charged. Failure to do so tells me that EITHER they are NOT licensed or they are IN trouble or they are simply CROOKS.

You...
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3 Answers | Asked in Legal Malpractice, Contracts and Civil Litigation for California on
Q: Contingency fee increase and legal dispute with lawyer in CA

I signed a contingency fee contract with my lawyer at 33%, but I found out it may increase up to 80%, plus I'm responsible for all bills. They didn't inform me about these terms. I received a $1,000 loan with interest on my $2 million case, but the check was not valid. After attempting to... View More

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Mar 14, 2025

The fees are determined by the fee agreement. But the fees must not be unconscionable; what you describe may be unconscionable.

If you hire a new attorney, the former attorney will likely be entitled to a fee but it will be limited.

Consult with and hire another attorney before...
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3 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Employment Law, Intellectual Property and Contracts for California on
Q: How can I reclaim my intellectual property from a Corporation using it for unjust enrichment?

I am a co-founder of a California C Corporation startup, and I discovered that the company tricked me into working for free without any signed documents or issuance of shares. My business attorney informed me that I should have been paid under California law. The company is ignoring multiple... View More

Pavel Kolmogorov
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answered on Mar 13, 2025

Based on the circumstances described, your situation touches on both employment law and intellectual property (IP) principles.

California law requires employers to pay wages for work performed. If you were tricked into working without pay, you may have a claim under the California Labor...
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2 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Contracts and Business Formation for California on
Q: Seeking options regarding a request to sign a personal guarantee for an SBA loan after leaving a company.

I was the Chief Marketing Officer and a 25% owner of a company, with no prior written agreement about stock ownership after departure. I never saw or approved an SBA loan taken by the company. Since I was terminated a year ago and signed releases, my former partner is now asking me to sign a... View More

Pavel Kolmogorov
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answered on Mar 13, 2025

You are not obligated to sign a personal guarantee for the SBA loan unless you explicitly agreed to do so in a prior agreement. Since you mentioned there was no prior written agreement about stock ownership after departure and you never saw or approved the SBA loan, you are not legally bound to... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Business Formation and Business Law for California on
Q: Business contract dispute with missing party and unpaid monthly fees

I signed a contract with another party to open a business, and the business license is in my name, registered with the Secretary of State in California. The business is located at my address. However, I haven't heard from the other party since November 26, 2024. There are websites running with... View More

Pavel Kolmogorov
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answered on Mar 10, 2025

Assuming you have a valid contract (oral or written) between you and your partner, you can file a civil action for breach of contract. To prove a breach of contract claim you would need to establish the existence of a contract, your performance or excuse for nonperformance, the other party's... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Contracts for California on
Q: Can an easement holder's tenant park in my driveway?

I have a written agreement for a private easement that allows the owner of the adjacent property to use my driveway to access his garage. However, the tenant of the owner, not the owner himself, has been intermittently parking their car in my driveway almost daily over the past three years. Despite... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Feb 27, 2025

You will need a CA attorney to read your recorded easement. If personal only to the adjacent owner, then it might be actually a license where noone else could use it. But if an easement, owner's tenant probably has the right also. Litigation for a declaratory judgment and an injunction... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Contracts and Civil Litigation for California on
Q: Settlement delay after automobile accident case in California.

I won a settlement from my automobile accident injury case, and it's been 6 weeks without receiving my settlement check. My lawyer initially told me over the phone it would take 3 to 4 weeks, but I haven't received any updates. I was informed that the delay is due to the liens department... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Feb 26, 2025

Yes, its normal. The chance that another another will want to take over now is almost 0%, unless you want to pay an hourly fee, which would almost certainly be prohibitively expensive. There are no steps you can take. This is in the hands of the companies asserting the liens and medical billing... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Civil Litigation, Landlord - Tenant and Contracts for California on
Q: Seeking guidance on personal injury tort case in California, self-represented.

I am representing myself in a personal injury tort case due to inability to find counsel. My complaint includes causes of action such as harassment, implied warranty of habitability, utility shut offs, malicious prosecution, breach of contract, and conversion of personal property. I've drafted... View More

Patrick William Steinfeld
Patrick William Steinfeld
answered on Feb 25, 2025

Personal Injury (PI) attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only get paid if they win your case. Kind of similar to a Realtor who only gets paid if they sell your house. So, if you had a strong PI case, with a $4mil. valuation... AND puni's, against a financially strong... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Business Law and Civil Litigation for California on
Q: How can I find an attorney who works on contingency basis for business litigation case?

I need help filing a business lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court but as a low income individual cannot afford an attorney who charges full sum of representation upfront. Where can I find an attorney who works on contingency basis?

Robert Kane
Robert Kane
answered on Feb 21, 2025

Quite simply, you will need to contact attorneys until you find one willing to represent you on a contingency basis. This will be challenging. Law firms do not gamble. It will need to be a sure thing with the settlement/judgment paid immediately upon resolution. This will be based on the law... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Civil Litigation and Criminal Law for California on
Q: How to protect myself if someone falsely claims I stole millions given as a gift?

I had an agreement with someone who provided me financial support, amounting to millions of dollars, as a gift without any conditions attached. I've decided to stop communicating with him, and I have informed him of this decision in writing. Now he is threatening to go to the police, claiming... View More

Bart Kaspero
Bart Kaspero
answered on Feb 20, 2025

The quick/short answer is Forensics. Records will be key to battling this accusation and you must prepare yourself for whats coming around the corner. This will also help you if there are any secondary reporting issues (taxes) if a regulatory agency will be motivated to look more closely into the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts, Business Law and Products Liability for California on
Q: Can I sue a business for selling a medical device without verifying my license?

I purchased a medical-grade device from a business that did not verify whether I have the proper license to use it. The company claims you don't need a license to own it, but industry standards and my research indicate that a license is required for business use. They provided minimal... View More

Robert Kane
Robert Kane
answered on Feb 14, 2025

If you can establish they were prohibited by law from selling it to you perhaps you have an argument. Admitting you have been using it illegally is a problem that would likely have consequences. For you to be absolved of any responsibility for not knowing you had to be licensed seems very unlikely.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Construction Law, Small Claims and Contracts for California on
Q: How to serve unreachable contractor in small claims court?

I hired a contractor to work on my house, but he stopped showing up and doesn't respond to my calls or messages. I have a written contract and I've made four payments by check. I've filled out forms to sue him in small claims court, but I'm unsure how to "serve" him... View More

Robert Kane
Robert Kane
answered on Feb 13, 2025

Ultimately, a judge could allow service by publication. As a practical matter, you should exhaust all resources to locate and personally serve them. A default judgment isn't worth much if you can't find them. If you do eventually find them, they will undoubtedly try to set the default... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Civil Litigation, Entertainment / Sports and Small Claims for California on
Q: I just need an attorney to respond for me and review a case in which I was never served. How much should this cost?

It’s frustrating looking for a civil attorney in Riverside County everyone I called wants $25-$50,000 just to respond to a letter is this common? I only discovered that I was served because of my credit search that was the only way I found out.

Gerald Barry Dorfman
Gerald Barry Dorfman
answered on Feb 11, 2025

Your problem is not limited to a letter: even if the other side agrees to vacate the Judgment, you will still have to deal with the underlying lawsuit. The lawyers don't want $25-$50K to respond to a letter, except in the sense that "respond" involves representing you in a civil... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation and Contracts for California on
Q: Can I bypass the arbitration clause in a contract if the company has not finished the job in a reasonable amount of time

We hired Flagship Solar in California to install solar panels on our roof. However, our roof wasn't suitable for the installation, so the solar company contracted Daniels Roofing to replace the roof before proceeding. Since the new roof and solar panels were installed, we’ve experienced... View More

Diana Isyanova
Diana Isyanova
answered on Feb 6, 2025

Sorry to hear about your situation. Whether you can bypass the arbitration clause depends on the specific language of your contract and the circumstances of the dispute. Arbitration clauses are generally enforceable in California, but there are limited exceptions. For example, an arbitration... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Employment Law for California on
Q: Settlement reached with timeline to meet all requirements. Timeline breached, but requirements met after. What then?

This settlement aimed to avoid state penalties for employer. They set timeline for payment in their contract. Payment was due in 5 business days but was disbursed incorrectly. They claimed it was complete, forcing you into repeated disputes over misclassified payments. They corrected one item after... View More

Brad S Kane
Brad S Kane
answered on Feb 1, 2025

While no one can give you competent advice without reading the settlement agreement, as a general rule, if a party pays and corrects their mistakes within 4 days, then the contract is probably still enforceable under the doctrine of substantial compliance. If you want to void the contract, then you... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Employment Law and Employment Discrimination for California on
Q: WFH compny holds legal benefits till after 90 days to employee. Claims it's legal. Deposits cash only to his acct.

Company claims actions legal on workers benefits. Holds benefits till after 90 days of starting training and working. Only asks for employees Federal I.d. and valid bank account to deposit cash payments once a week. And holds 1 week back after employee starts to work. When asked about contract they... View More

Brad S Kane
Brad S Kane
answered on Jan 30, 2025

Bathroom breaks do not count toward your 10 min rest break every 4 hours. The employer is required to provide paystubs showing your hours and earnings. The employer is required to reimburse for all necessary business expenses including electricity and internet if you are working remotely from the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: How to get earnest money deposit back for a home purchased in california? our contract has no contingency clauses

I recently purchased a property in California and paid my earnest money deposit 10 days ago. However, I’ve since discovered that the house is located at a T-junction, which was not disclosed by the seller or their agent. There are no finance or loan contingencies in my contract(no contingency... View More

Pavel Kolmogorov
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answered on Jan 28, 2025

In California, a seller has a common law duty to disclose facts materially affecting the value or desirability of the property if those facts are not known to or within the reach of the diligent attention and observation of the buyer. This duty extends to the seller's agent as well.... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Civil Litigation, Consumer Law and Contracts for California on
Q: If a morgage servicer reported inaccurate information to the credit bureaus can you sue them in court?

I have receipts for the payments. Guy reported inaccurate information. I’ve been denied two loans because of it. Guy harassed the hell out of me with phone calls and letters motivating me to sue the morgage servicer. FCRA and TCPA.

Pavel Kolmogorov
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answered on Jan 24, 2025

Absolutely. If you have proof (like receipts or bank statements) that you’ve been making your mortgage payments on time, but the servicer is still reporting late or missed payments, that can form the basis of a lawsuit under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The FCRA requires companies to... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts and Civil Rights for California on
Q: I have prosthetic leg, sandals, flip flops don’t stay on my foot. I wore sneakers into sauna and was kicked out. Rights?

I told the 24 hour fitness employee my situation and he told me get out of the sauna or I’m shutting it down. I was embarrassed in front of a bunch of people. I told him shutting it down won’t stop anyone from slipping. I was wearing Skechers slip ons, they are easy to put on and take off.... View More

Louis George Fazzi
Louis George Fazzi
answered on Jan 21, 2025

You do have rights which might be protected under the Unruh civil rights act.

You should search for civil rights lawyers in the Bay Area, or in the county where you live.

I suggest you prepare a chronological statement of the facts, identify all the witnesses, and what they will...
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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Employment Law, Business Law and Collections for California on
Q: Does California's FWPA apply to equipment rentals?

I provide equipment rentals as part of my freelance services. California recently established the Freelance Worker's Protection Act which stipulates that I may collect up to double the amount stipulated in a contract for professional services when a client does not pay on time or at all. If... View More

Pavel Kolmogorov
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answered on Jan 16, 2025

The FWPA primarily focuses on the payment for services rendered by freelance workers. If an equipment rental is viewed as an ancillary part of the services you provide (for example, tools or equipment necessary to complete a freelance project), it may be argued to fall under the umbrella of... View More

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