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Pennsylvania Contracts Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Contracts for Pennsylvania on
Q: A small nonprofit is trying to cut my pay to profit the owner under threat of termination. What can I do?

The nonprofit is a stakeholder in an after school program I work for that gained grants through the Department of Human Services to operate in a school district. The grant proposal specifies my pay, and the director/owner is trying to claim 20% of my hourly pay, claiming that she has not been... View More

Joseph Korsak
Joseph Korsak
answered on Aug 31, 2024

I do not believe that the mentioning of your wage jn the grant app gives you any vested rights. Unless you have a written contract for a specific term, you are an at-will employee. As such, an employer can change the terms of employment at any time.

You should be looking for other...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Insurance Bad Faith for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can insurance company deny claim if the claim isn't reported within the time contraints that were in the contract?

A tree fell on my house in April. It didn't look like a like a lot of damage. However 2 weeks later there is significant down pour and water is coming in through the roof. It is past the 14 days the incident actually happened, but because it didn't rain, you didn't know there was... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jun 14, 2024

A Pennsylvania attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. Yes, they can deny for not being placed on notice of the claim in a prompt manner. However you raise some valid points of your own, being the policy jacket and not being aware of the water incursion until the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Civil Litigation, Collections and Small Claims for Pennsylvania on
Q: What legal rights do I have for doing mechanic work at my house on someone else's car

I perform mechanic work for people that can't afford the price of dealerships or a mechanic shop I charge half price or less before I start the work the owner of vehicle and myself having agreement on cost of parts, labor and total price. When I complete the work and it's time to pay... View More

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Apr 24, 2024

First, is your agreement with an owner in writing?

And that document should set out the work to be performed, the costs for that work, and the due dates for payment.

And then the document should state the various remedies for default in payment.

In PA, and most other...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Contracts for Pennsylvania on
Q: If my wife & I have paid for upgrades to my jeep. Parts were never installed how long do I have to get a refund.

These were all separate transactions. Some work was done, some were never done. I asked more than once for the parts to be installed. It never happened and I've since traded that jeep in. The mechanics shop has since changed names, but still have the same owner,.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 23, 2024

If you have paid for upgrades to your Jeep and the parts were never installed, you may have recourse to seek a refund. The timeframe within which you can pursue a refund depends on various factors, including the laws in your jurisdiction and any agreements or contracts you entered into with the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Employment Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: My employer has paid for a class. I was given a NDA from the organization teaching the class. What can I disclose?

They received money for a class. Do they have to declare something is confidential to be covered? Can my employer ask me to share what I learned with management and staff?

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Feb 8, 2024

In Pennsylvania, when you sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) for a class paid for by your employer, the terms of the NDA dictate what information is considered confidential and what can be disclosed. Typically, NDAs require specific mention of what constitutes confidential information, which... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Family Law, Child Custody and Civil Rights for Pennsylvania on
Q: Really need advice, not sure how to go about this

Hi my name is Alicia. I'm not sure who I contact or even how to go about this issue. Me and my ex have a 3 yr old daughter, she hasn't let me see her in months. We have a signed and notorized contract. The baby also has my lastname. Is there any chance I have some type of rights? Or... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 22, 2024

Alicia, in your situation, having a notarized contract regarding custody or visitation rights is significant. This document may outline your rights regarding your daughter. However, the enforceability of such a contract can vary depending on its contents and how it aligns with Pennsylvania family... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Real Estate Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can forgery invalidate security interest in a mortgage?

Lender believed that the address on the mortgage, note, and notice of assignement were incorrect. To correct it, they completed a modifcation document with the assigned servicer and forged the signature of the borrower. Because there was no real mutual agreement based on the forgery, do the... View More

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jan 16, 2024

Forgery can have significant legal implications, and if a signature on mortgage-related documents, including a modification document, has been forged, it raises serious concerns about the validity of those documents. In Pennsylvania, as in many jurisdictions, a forged signature can potentially... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Business Law and Contracts for Pennsylvania on
Q: is a software company at fault for damages if the software is faulty?

I paid for a yearly subscription to a appointment based book keeping software. I used the reports function to pay my commission employees. Some of the numbers were faulty so i overpaid my employees. Is the software company responsible for any compensation?

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Dec 27, 2023

In Pennsylvania, if you experienced financial damages due to faulty software from a subscription-based appointment bookkeeping service, you may have grounds to seek compensation from the software company. The responsibility of the software company depends on the terms of the agreement, including... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Employment Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Please interpret this. Am I liable for the penalty of 25,000 dollars if I terminate the contract?

Section 10 of Contract states that I can terminate it without cause. Section 11 breach has a penalty of 25000 dollars. Employer insisting 25000 dollars penalty when I resign. I think they are wrong.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 28, 2024

A Pennsylvania attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for over a week. It could be difficult for attorneys here to comment on the terms of your contract. The format is limited to quick Q & A. Any law firm would likely want to see the contract in its entirety. You may lose... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts, Civil Rights and Elder Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: can a hotel front desk turn me away and deny me a room after a paid confirmed resrvation because I am a local resident

On 10/23 around 10PM I made reservations by phone for a room at the Holiday Inn Express a few miles away from my home.

A UGI utility crew was working in front of my home looking for a gas leak. As a precaution I made that reservation for safety reason

for myself my wife and small... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 29, 2024

I'm really sorry you had to go through that stressful experience. Denying a reservation based on being a local resident can be troubling and may raise questions about fairness and legality.

Many places have policies to ensure equal treatment for all guests, and refusing service due to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts, Collections and Small Claims for Pennsylvania on
Q: Verizon charging me $1246 after not informing me that I was going to be charged if switching carriers.

I signed up with Verizon, got 2 free phones from them, stayed with them 9 months, the days I signed up, I was never told that I had to pay for my phone in case of leaving, I decided to move to another carrier, I went to verizon store asked for transfer pin that was needed for the new phone carrier,... View More

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Oct 20, 2024

The contract you signed with Verizon was a service contract which included the price of the phones. When you transferred carriers, you still owed for the phones. It doesn't matter what anyone told you, it's the written service agreement that counts.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts and Personal Injury for Pennsylvania on
Q: We had a sewage leak that created a poop pond in Pennsylvania is he required to have it hazmat cleaned now I'm very sick

I have pictures and photos for the least we are to notify him of anything that is broken or has a problem and I have and I have the text messages he sends people but doesn't follow up or follow through with whoever he contracts and now he doesn't care that I'm getting sick and been... View More

Stephen Murray
Stephen Murray
answered on Oct 18, 2024

It sounds like you’re in a tough spot, dealing with a serious health and safety issue due to that sewage leak. First off, if you’re getting sick from this situation, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately, and document everything—doctor visits, symptoms, and anything that... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Criminal Law, Traffic Tickets and Constitutional Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Where does the parking authority receive their authority?

In Philadelphia, where it must be similar to NYC, there is a parking authority. I asked their law department the following question and they could not answer, and I just want to know for my records:

Will you please show me the law that states that people who are not engaged in commerce and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 12, 2024

The authority of a parking authority, like the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA), typically comes from state legislation or municipal code that grants them power to regulate parking in public spaces. For Philadelphia, this authority originates from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Insurance Bad Faith, Consumer Law, Contracts and Health Care Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Had MSP , along with GHP as primary insurance. Medicare let providers overbill me. There is negligence and bad faith .
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 5, 2024

A Pennsylvania attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. One option is to discuss the matter with your state's department of insurance - in most states, they handle consumer-related matters involving insurance. Good luck

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Contracts for Pennsylvania on
Q: Rent a center

Rent a center is harassing me threating me with jail and being arrested I paid on time every time I recently went on fmla 4weeks ago and can't pay at the time they won't accept what I can pay I just wanna know my legal rights I live in oregon the rent a center is in washington state can... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 23, 2023

In the United States, you cannot be jailed for debt. While Rent-A-Center may have remedies if you breach the rental agreement, such as repossessing the rented items or suing for the balance owed, they cannot have you arrested or jailed for non-payment. Threatening jail time for debt could... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: I just got a bill from a plumbing company. Work was done by the guy he bought out and he billed me right before he sold.

The original plumber sent me an unitemized bill one year after the work. The verbal quote was less than 1/3 of the bill. I asked for more information. He sold the company. I called the new owner and he said I did not have an outstanding bill and all was good. One year later he bills me for the work... View More

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Oct 17, 2023

"Can he"?

Sure. Anybody with a couple hundred dollars for the court costs can sue anybody else for any reason.

But can the plaintiff win on what gets filed?

There's the rub, lol. From what you say, it sounds like this plumber's claim would fail. BUT,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law, Elder Law and Identity Theft for Pennsylvania on
Q: My father lost his fortune to a network of scam artists. I am looking to obtain power of attorney and recoup his losses.

elderly gaslighting, manipulation. social security fraud, real estate/financial malfeasance

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Oct 1, 2023

A Pennsylvania attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. You could consult with a local attorney about signing a power of attorney, or you could check with some of the online services that offer basic legal forms, which can include power of attorney forms. Good luck

2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Contracts for Pennsylvania on
Q: Is a contract void if there are contract-term pages AFTER the signature page?

I signed a contract with a contractor to do clean-up work in my apartment. The contract was not on paper. Instead it was displayed on his small electronic tablet. I signed on the electronic tablet signature page. Later, I found out there was a second page of contract terms that came AFTER the... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Aug 27, 2023

It is unlikely you will find any such law. There is no requirement that the signature page be last. In many common contracts, the signature block is on the front and the terms & conditions are on the back.

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Foreclosure, Real Estate Law and Civil Litigation for Pennsylvania on
Q: In Pennsylvania..if I'm only one on deed but another person on mortgage can I sell the house?

The mortgage payments have been getting paid I just want to get away from the person and rid of house ..

David Kennedy Bifulco
David Kennedy Bifulco pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 27, 2023

Short answer is that a mortgage must be satisfied before you sell the house or satisfied at closing. If the mortgage is not satisfied the purchaser will be buying the house subject to the recorded mortgage lien. Please feel free to call my office if you have additional questions.

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Contracts for Pennsylvania on
Q: I listed my house "as is". Got offer for full price. Buyer is going with a conventional mortgage. The house didn't pass

appraisal. The buyer wants to do the repairs so it passes, but wants me to reimburse him at closing. Doesn't that void the "as is" contract he signed?

Nellie T Schulz
Nellie T Schulz
answered on Feb 25, 2023

Without knowing what the agreement of sale says, it’s difficult to answer any question about it. In any event, if the buyer’s financing fell through, the agreement probably allows you to terminate the agreement. I doubt the agreement would allow the buyer to even enter onto the property without... View More

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