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District of Columbia Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Estate Planning for District of Columbia on
Q: How to add my name to the deed of my wife's house in DC?

I live in a house in Washington, DC, which is in my wife's name because she owned it prior to our marriage. We both agree on adding my name to the deed. There are no existing liens on the property. We are concerned about possible future circumstances in which my wife could become incapacitated... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Mar 19, 2025

It’s a simple process of your wife executing a deed from herself to you and her as tenants by the entirety. Any real estate lawyer can draft the deed and record it for you. However, deeding the property alone will not address how either one of you may manage the property (sell or borrow against... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Elder Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Looking for a lawyer to help with power of attorney for my elderly mom's health and finances.

I'm seeking a lawyer to create a power of attorney for my 91-year-old mom to ensure decisions regarding her healthcare and financial matters are covered. She is currently capable of making her own decisions. Could a lawyer assist with the process and advise on any specific conditions or... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Mar 19, 2025

Make an appointment with a lawyer who drafts estate planning documents in your jurisdiction. Your mother (and you, really) needs four documents at least: (1) a last will and testament; (2) a durable statutory-compliant financial power of attorney (POA); (3) a healthcare POA; and (4) an Advance... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Can I get U.S. residency by marrying a green card holder?

I am a British citizen currently in the U.S. on a B1/B2 visa, and I've been here for about 2 months. I would like to know if marrying my girlfriend, who is a Yemeni citizen with a green card, will grant me the ability to obtain U.S. residency. I haven't yet consulted with an immigration... View More

Stephen Arnold Black
Stephen Arnold Black
answered on Feb 18, 2025

No, unless you’re in status at the time your priority date is current for the category that you fall under. You can check when the priority date for your immigration category becomes current by going to the visa bulletin board department of state. That being said, if you are not in status at the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for District of Columbia on
Q: My daughter is in a month to month rental in DC. Her lease expired in July. The owner wants her to move so he can sell.

What notice is the owner required to give? It is not owned by a real estate firm.

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Jan 4, 2025

DC Landlord & Tenant law is extremely complex, and it is extraordinarily tenant-friendly. Your daughter is in a much more powerful position than you would be -- or than a Virginia lawyer in Virginia Beach would believe. If she wants to stay, it is very likely that she can mess with the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Personal Injury for District of Columbia on
Q: Hello, I own a delivery company with 15 plus vans in Northern VA. Employ over 50 people. In early August one of my

Drivers was involved in ann accident four hours after consuming a beer (caught on dash cam). Since it was deemed as minor accident at the time, my former employee went through the process of calling the cops and going through typical post accident protocol. He was not tested for alcohol at the... View More

Maurice Mandel II
Maurice Mandel II
answered on Sep 19, 2024

In your second post, you said this was a "former" employee. I responded to that with considerations regarding his continuing employment status. The dash cam video is important evidence because it is probably time stamped, be sure to keep it secure in case this whole thing blows up and... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Employment Law and Personal Injury for District of Columbia on
Q: Hello, one of my former employees was involved in a minor car accident during his work shift in company van.

Hello, on 8/4 one of my former employees was involved in a minor car accident during his work shift in company van. He was at fault as he was leaving where he was parked and bumped into another car that was coming up on his left hand side. Turns out he drank 1 beer 4 hours before accident occurred... View More

Laurence L. Socci
Laurence L. Socci
answered on Sep 19, 2024

Good morning -- If this case goes to litigation, you will have to duty to turn over any dashcam video if the other side asks for it. On the other hand, you have no duty to voluntarily relinquish it since him drinking one beer does not appear to be an issue. I am assuming he was not charged with a... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Employment Law and Personal Injury for District of Columbia on
Q: Hello, one of my former employees was involved in a minor car accident during his work shift in company van.

Hello, on 8/4 one of my former employees was involved in a minor car accident during his work shift in company van. He was at fault as he was leaving where he was parked and bumped into another car that was coming up on his left hand side. Turns out he drank 1 beer 4 hours before accident occurred... View More

Maurice Mandel II
Maurice Mandel II
answered on Sep 19, 2024

I agree with Attorney Socci's analysis, but you have some other problems. You haven't said where he drank the beer, or whether the vehicle was moving (appears to have been drinking in vehicle b/c on dash cam video.) Virginia's vehicle code would probably prohibit drinking alcohol... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Hola quisiera saber si pudieran ayudarme con un caso criminal
Cesar Mejia Duenas
Cesar Mejia Duenas pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 22, 2024

Hola, por favor responda con la pregunta con la que necesita ayuda, para poder darle información general sobre casos criminales. Sin embargo, si necesita asistencia legal directa en un caso criminal en Washington, DC, le recomiendo que contacte a un abogado especializado en derecho penal a la... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Altantic Energy MD LLC hire peoples knocks on people's door claim they can lower your utility bill still you account no.

Go back they switched people over without you knowing it. I cannot afford lawyer I have three kids oldest in college and my light been off over month and gas about off and to hot we can't stay my apartment this this company committed fraud if check into not only they this too.I just want my... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 17, 2024

A Washington DC attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a month. If your issue hasn't been resolved yet, your first and least expensive option could be to reach out to the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia. Nationwide, public service commissions... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law for District of Columbia on
Q: My boss is threatening to sue me for damages on a customers car I scratched up while driving it into the mechanics shop.

I should clarify, I would be fine getting fired but can't pay for damages, I've worked this place for 9 months and have no prior accidents. The boss is threatening to take me to court of I leave as an attempt to extort. The guy tried to do this by lying about my employment status stating... View More

Maurice Mandel II
Maurice Mandel II
answered on Jun 1, 2024

Your comment raises so many issues: 1. an employee is not liable for damages caused by his ordinary negligence (this is why employers carry insurance), 2. You are an employee not an independent contractor, there may be wage issues and more; 3. They are extorting you to remain working in order to... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law for District of Columbia on
Q: immigration/marriage questions related to a permanent resident and over-stayed visa

I have immigration/marriage related questions. I'm a U.S. permanent resident and I obtained my green card via EB2. My boyfriend entered U.S. legally via H2B but over stayed more than 5 years. He's currently in U.S. He has never received deportation letter. I plan to seek U.S. citizenship... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 28, 2024

Marrying your boyfriend who has overstayed his visa by more than 5 years could have implications for both his immigration status and your future citizenship application. Here's what you should consider:

1. Spouse of a permanent resident: If you marry your boyfriend while being a...
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3 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law for District of Columbia on
Q: immigration/marriage questions related to a permanent resident and over-stayed visa

I have immigration/marriage related questions. I'm a U.S. permanent resident and I obtained my green card via EB2. My boyfriend entered U.S. legally via H2B but over stayed more than 5 years. He's currently in U.S. He has never received deportation letter. I plan to seek U.S. citizenship... View More

Carlo Franco L. Borja
Carlo Franco L. Borja
answered on May 28, 2024

Marriage to a green card holder, by itself, will not provide any status protection for him before you become a US citizen but could be a basis for cancellation of removal if other requirements are met. The marriage will not have any negative impact on your future citizenship application. Consult in... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for District of Columbia on
Q: After dismissal, does a former local State Dep employee ( US Embassy) have the right to review the empl. handbook

If so, under what law would they be eligible?

Matthew T. Famiglietti
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Matthew T. Famiglietti
answered on May 7, 2024

First of all, you should have been given a state dept. employee handbook upon your orientation into the state department. So, having access to the state dept. employee handbook should not be a problem. Are you referring to access to your personnel file? If that is the case, then that would be a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Which laws and regulations may apply when dismissing a local employee of the US Embassy?
Matthew T. Famiglietti
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Matthew T. Famiglietti
answered on May 7, 2024

Generally, an employee who works in the District of Columbia is an at-will employee. This is true for federal, state, and local employees in the District of Columbia. However, the at-will doctrine does not apply if you could prove there was discrimination in your treatment at work or dismissal from... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Constitutional Law and Land Use & Zoning for District of Columbia on
Q: If the amount of homeless exceeds the amount of room in shelters how can homelessness be a crime?

And why is the supreme court taking on this issue? Especially considering its more of a local matter. Are they trying to impose a federal policy? If so how can it be a one size fits all.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 1, 2024

When there are more homeless individuals than available shelter spaces, it raises questions about the fairness and legality of criminalizing homelessness. This issue often centers on the fundamental rights of individuals versus public policy and safety concerns. The laws vary by location, but in... View More

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Q: Strategic Mediation Services contacted me stating I owed this huge sum from 1999. Arbitration started 2019

Company called and said I would have to go to court if I dont pay. They had my social security number and old employment from 1999 which no longer exists.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 20, 2024

A Washington, DC attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for three weeks. Before involving attorneys to review the file with you to examine legal theories that would serve as possible defenses, the first step might be to find out if some kind of mix-up resulted in the bill, given... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for District of Columbia on
Q: If I went and filled a will with the courts and was appointed executor would any new wills have to be contested

I filed my father’s will and was appointed executor by the courts but a few days after I did this someone else has presented a new will. Would they have to contest mine since the court already filed it or would theirs automatically be valid since it was more recent? And would they automatically... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Apr 19, 2024

The Register of Wills will automatically convert the proceedings to Judicial Probate, and schedule a hearing to determine which Will is valid. You will likely be converted from a PR to a Special Administrator, which limits what you can do, pending determination by the court as to which will is the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law, Divorce and Family Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Is it ok to provide the bigamous marriage certificate during consuler report of birth abroad application?

Is it ok to provide the bigamous marriage certificate during consuler report of birth abroad application?

My father married to two wives and i was born abroad to the bigamous wife and the first wife is american and the second marriage occurred abroad in 1995 prior to his naturalization... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 28, 2024

When applying for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), it's essential to provide accurate and complete documentation as requested by the consular officers. In your situation, where the marriage could be considered bigamous under U.S. law, this raises specific concerns. U.S. law generally... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Hi, can one ask for extension to respond beyond the 21 days from the court for a divorce case? Case is based out of DC.

-3 month marriage

- no joint assets, properties, no children

- both spouses have attorneys

- wife simply just doesn’t want to get divorced.

Laurence L. Socci
Laurence L. Socci
answered on Mar 23, 2024

If both parties have attorneys, you contact the other attorney and ask if they will agree to an extension. Then you file a motion with the court asking for an extension stating that both parties agree (called a consent motion) or they do not.

Q: Can the federal government ever have the power to put age restrictions on candidates? Without enacting a new amendment!

Is it constitutional to put age restrictions on candidates and can it work at the federal level through supreme court or legislative branch? Obviously this means as of today and not in the future if we enact a new amendment restricting age which is unlikely but just want to point that out.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 17, 2024

The U.S. Constitution clearly outlines the age requirements for candidates running for federal offices: Representatives must be at least 25 years old, Senators at least 30, and Presidents at least 35. These age limits are established by the Constitution itself, and any change to these requirements... View More

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