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Your current state is Virginia
I have been dealing with unresolved issues in my apartment since 2019, including mold, plumbing problems, and rental breakdown. Despite reaching out to my landlord numerous times, these issues remain unresolved. I have also contacted Code Enforcement multiple times and have all the notices... View More 
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answered on May 16, 2025
The answer to this question is tricky. Are you speaking about simply the "conditions" of the space, or personal injuries suffered as a result of those conditions. If you are speaking about personal injuries, you should certainly contact an attorney to investigate the causal connection... View More
My grandma, who lives in Arkansas, has her sister as her power of attorney. During COVID in 2020, her sister sold my grandma's house in Oregon without her permission or knowledge. The sale was made to the sister's son for their personal gain. My grandma, who is still alive, did not want... View More
answered on May 16, 2025
If the house sale happened five years ago it's unlikely you will be able to undo it. However, your grandmother could 1) revoke her Power of Attorney to her sister (be sure she informs sister of the revocation), 2) ask for Adult Protective Services to start an investigation into possible elder... View More
I'm seeking legal guidance regarding my elderly parents' care and financial safety. My younger sister is attempting to take over their finances and put them in an elderly living facility, despite my parents being fully capable of making their own decisions. They are drafting Powers of... View More
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answered on May 16, 2025
You’re right to be concerned. What you’ve described may constitute elder abuse and financial exploitation under California law. The behavior—coercion, verbal and physical abuse, false accusations, and fraudulent changes to financial accounts—raises serious red flags.
You should... View More
I’m an independent truck driver, and on April 8, 2025, I was involved in an accident in Geismar where I hit a United Rental forklift that was parked on the shoulder. It wasn't properly marked, lit, or barricaded, creating a safety hazard. My truck was towed for repairs costing $52,535.84,... View More
answered on May 15, 2025
Yes, you can sue. But it might not be United Rental that you can sue. United Rental rents forklifts to other companies and people. The dangerous condition may have been created by the renter of the forklift, and not by United Rental. You need to identify who that renter was, if there was one.... View More
I was served a lawsuit by Patenaude & Felix, A.P.C., regarding a debt owed to Synchrony Bank amounting to $2,927.65. On May 9, I attempted to dispute the charges with Synchrony Bank and sent a letter requesting validation and documentation, but I have not received a response. Synchrony Bank has... View More
answered on May 15, 2025
Put up your best defense, including and counter-suit. Then, if the debt is valid, show what has been paid and negotiate a settlement.
Note, You must respond in the legal way and on time with, for example a motion or an answer with affirmative defenses. Failure to do so could result in a... View More
I received a notice to appear at a Massachusetts magistrate's hearing, where I am accused of assault and battery. The incident occurred in April, and witnesses were present. I went to the hospital but sustained no lasting injuries. Additionally, the police department has accused my accuser of... View More
answered on May 15, 2025
Ideally, you should contact a Criminal Defense Attorney. These hearings are very important and at yours, the magistrate will decide whether you are officially charged with a crime or not. If successful, the case would be dismissed with no record of it on your criminal background. If you are... View More
I received a notice to appear at a Massachusetts magistrate's hearing, where I am accused of assault and battery. The incident occurred in April, and witnesses were present. I went to the hospital but sustained no lasting injuries. Additionally, the police department has accused my accuser of... View More
answered on May 16, 2025
Your next step should be to consult with an attorney in order to prepare for the clerk magistrate hearing. This is a very important step in the case. If you can convince the clerk magistrate not to issue the complaint against you, then the matter is dismissed and you will never be formally charged... View More
My mother recently passed away, and she had a trust where my older brother is named the successor trustee, and I am the second successor trustee. Although I was close to my mother, I know very little about her wishes after her passing, particularly regarding a memorial and her wishes for her and my... View More
answered on May 14, 2025
Successor Trustees should send a Notification by Trustee telling all immediate family and all beneficiaries that they have a right to receive a copy of the trust. If the Successor Trustee refuses to give someone a copy of the trust, it would be a good idea to demand a copy of the trust in writing.... View More
I am facing a charge of being a felon in possession of firearms. The only evidence is a one-page typed police report stating that I consented to a search, but I did not actually give consent. A gun was found in the center console of a borrowed truck. The officer involved in my case is deceased, and... View More
answered on May 14, 2025
Generally the witness must be present to testify as to what they saw, said, or heard. Otherwise it is considered hearsay and hearsay is generally excluded from evidence. However, there are many exceptions where hearsay can be submitted into evidence if it meets the criteria for the exception.... View More
I own a house jointly with someone, but I have been the sole occupant and have covered all maintenance and taxes for the past 20 years. Both names are on the property deed. Initially, we had a verbal agreement to share expenses, but this has not been followed. I've attempted to address the... View More
answered on May 14, 2025
Without a written agreement, if you sue the co-owner, it could be difficult to get any reimbursement. You could file a "partition action" asking the court to order the property sold. The court could credit you with the co-owner's unpaid share of the costs in the distribution of... View More
I moved out of state in August 2024. My daughter’s grandmother ceased communication in September 2024 after stating she isn’t chasing me over a baby, among other things, essentially abandoning her relationship with my child. She filed for visitation rights in New York State in November 2024. I... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
I understand your frustration with this situation, especially when you believe that false statements have been made against you in court. In New York, a grandparent may petition for visitation with their grandchild under Domestic Relations Law § 72, but they must demonstrate that they have... View More
I was involved in a car accident and am currently in a lawsuit related to it. I'm concerned about whether my lawsuit winnings can be used to cover my child support payments, as I have been ordered to pay child support but am behind on payments. Can my child support obligations affect the... View More
answered on May 14, 2025
Your settlement payment does not flow through the Child Support Depository in your county or in Tallahassee. Nowif there is any sort of lien on the settlement proceeds placed by the State or the other party, then yes, that lien would have to be satisfied before your settlement could be disbursed to... View More
In the last month, there have been at least four incidents involving airport crashes in and around Newark. These incidents resulted in deaths and injuries, and ongoing investigations have identified issues with air traffic controllers and outdated or poorly maintained equipment. The FAA is... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
Victims of airport crashes at Newark Airport may have the right to pursue legal action if they can show that their injuries resulted from negligence. In New York, and in neighboring New Jersey where Newark Airport is located, negligence occurs when a party breaches a duty of care, and that breach... View More
I'm seeking advice on retrieving my vehicle, which is locked in a shop that my ex-boyfriend was renting. The shop owner locked the premises due to my ex-boyfriend's debt, but my vehicle, which is registered under my name, is inside. The owner mentioned he might consider giving me the car... View More
answered on May 13, 2025
If your car is worth $20,000 or less, you can file a suit for replevin in JP court. The owner's landlord's lien does not apply to motor vehicles not owned by the tenant.
I own a rental home where pipeline workers damaged the septic system before Easter, leading to sewage flooding. This has occurred twice now. The pipeline company has acknowledged responsibility and is covering cleaning and home repair costs. However, my tenants will need to connect to the sewer,... View More
answered on May 13, 2025
I would get a good local attorney. You are probably sue them for negligence and recklessnes. You may be suing them for an intentional action, depending on whether they saw your sewer and just ignored it. The damages could be extream. Either they need to reconstruct your sewer or put them on the... View More
My house was foreclosed, and we were given ten minutes to leave the premises. Animal control took our valuable horses, claiming it was necessary because we couldn't move them ourselves, despite us having the means to do so with some additional time for arrangements. The sheriff threatened me... View More
answered on May 12, 2025
I'm sorry you had that experience and I understand how difficult it is to relocate horses on short notice.
Technically, the horses were not stolen and were likely considered abandoned just like any other personal property left on the premises. The sheriff has to post a 24-hour notice... View More
My mother passed away in September 2023, leaving no will. I believed my older brother was managing her affairs, but I recently discovered he took everything from her house and accounts. Now, a foreclosure company has contacted me about my mother's house, which is facing foreclosure. I... View More
answered on May 12, 2025
You will need to support your contentions. If there was no will and he was n't appointed as a personal representative by the court, your options are limited. You would need to prove he did not have rights to the property. The best case is to become the personal representative of your... View More
My mother passed away in September 2023, leaving no will. I believed my older brother was managing her affairs, but I recently discovered he took everything from her house and accounts. Now, a foreclosure company has contacted me about my mother's house, which is facing foreclosure. I... View More
answered on May 13, 2025
I agree with Mr Soble but I would add that CAN you sue is a very different question than SHOULD you sue.
People get confused about this a lot, and the short answer is almost always 'yes you can sue, but you probably shouldn't' SOMETIMES you cannot sue, and sometimes it is a... View More
My daughter's dog was attacked by my neighbor's dog, which also injured her children. The incident resulted in over $3,000 in vet bills. We have sent letters to the neighbors both by mail and hand delivery, but they refused to pay the expenses. There have been prior incidents of their dog... View More
answered on May 12, 2025
You should file a small claims suit in the justice of the peace court for the county and precinct where you and your neighbor live.
You should download, print out, and bring with you any local ordinance for your town or city that requires pet owners to keep their pets fenced or on a leash... View More
A neighboring rancher removed a cattle guard that's been in place for 40 years and installed a locked gate without any notification. This has severely impacted my daily routine, as I lost wages when I was unable to leave for work one morning. The rancher is now threatening me with trespassing... View More
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answered on May 12, 2025
You will have to hire an AZ attorney to file suit to declare your easement rights. Search both your's and the adjacent owner's titles. An express easement needs to be in his title chain. If nothing else maybe you have an easement by prescription, implication, necessity, etc. Access... View More
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