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I have been having issues with my roommate and, in a moment of poor judgment, placed broken glass near her car tire. I later removed the glass and disposed of it after realizing my mistake. My roommate saw me and called the police. The police came, and I told them I just dropped the glass while... View More

answered on May 22, 2025
Lying to the police was another moment of poor judgment. You have the right to remain silent (other than identify yourself) when questioned by police about anything that could potentially lead to a criminal charge. You now may potentially be arrested (or be given a notice to appear in court) and... View More
My aunt passed away in 2018, and my mother, who passed away in 2022, was supposed to be the owner of a house originally dated to her by my aunt. However, there were discrepancies in the deed missing the lot numbers, which caused the property to revert back to my aunt’s name. The deed from my... View More

answered on May 23, 2025
You may be required to pursue probates, If a deed transfer is invalid for any reason it could result in a defective title and lead to questionable or unclear ownership and the property cannot be sold or insured and getting title insurance will be problematic. The result of this is that the... View More
I discovered around two years ago that our HOA was inactive, having last met 14 years ago. This has resulted in the city refusing to carry out necessary street repairs, including fixing a potential sinkhole, due to the HOA's default status. As a long-time resident since 1995, I am not a board... View More

answered on May 21, 2025
Dissolving an association doesn't terminate the restrictive covenants or solve problems with the city or county. The restrictive covenants have a provision on how to terminate them and it requires at least a majority of the lot (or lot owners potentially) and probably their mortgage companies... View More
I am concerned about the extent of authority my wife's son has over her decisions, as he has a power of attorney for her. Recently, he decided to place her in an assisted living facility without consulting me, her husband. I'm unsure about the specific terms of the power of attorney,... View More

answered on May 21, 2025
I am sorry for your struggles, the power of attorney will override the ability of the spouse (you) to make decisions in the State of Florida, you would have to petition the court for guardianship or you would have to get a power of attorney to override and replace the one that the son has in place... View More
I exchanged mutual pictures with a married woman over Snapchat, and we have never met in person. Now, her husband is planning to file for divorce. Could my pictures be brought up in court as part of the divorce proceedings, even if they weren’t saved?

answered on May 21, 2025
Infidelity is not an issue in Florida divorces. Only if she spent money on you will the relationship be an issue. There is no reason for the court to consider the pictures. Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.
I'm looking for both physical and online resources where I can obtain a free Durable Power of Attorney document in Florida. This document should cover most matters, including financial, healthcare, and personal. I plan to appoint one agent with a second as a backup if the first is unable to... View More

answered on May 21, 2025
Florida went through a lot of changes in recent years and a lot of what you will find online is unreliable and inaccurate, or it will be from another state and Florida financial institutions and other entities will simply reject them and not accept them, so you have to be cautious. Most estate... View More
I'm currently in the United States on a visitor visa with an expiration date in 2028 and have been here for two months. My husband, a naturalized citizen, recently moved back to the US, and I accompanied him. He works as a carpenter. I have no previous immigration issues and am considering... View More

answered on May 21, 2025
A foreign national who lawfully enters the United States may later seek to adjust their status through sponsorship by a U.S. citizen spouse. However, the issue of intent at the time of entry can become a critical factor. If an individual misrepresented their purpose upon entry—concealing an... View More
I took my brother to the ER with a swollen, painful foot, and after waiting 3 hours, the doctor spent only about 30 seconds with him and didn't examine his foot. There was no diagnosis given at that time. After three different rounds of antibiotics from our primary care doctor, with no... View More

answered on May 20, 2025
Whether any medical professional fell below the professional standards of care (that is, committed malpractice) is an issue that must first be reviewed by a physician in collaboration with a medical malpractice attorney, upon obtaining the medical records. Your brother's first step is to pick... View More
I'm currently in a divorce process and pregnant by another person, with my due date set for mid to late June. I'm concerned about complications with the newborn's registration. I've discussed custody informally with my spouse, who's been absent at mediation, delaying... View More

answered on May 20, 2025
Your situation raises both legal and practical considerations, and I’m glad you’re seeking guidance now.
In Florida, being pregnant by another person does not automatically expedite a divorce, but it can complicate the timeline—especially with regard to establishing paternity and... View More
I have been paying child support for my daughter for 21 years. According to the agreement, I am obligated to pay until she turns 21 unless she is enrolled in school. She previously flunked out of college, but just before the last payment, my ex informed me that she re-enrolled in school and is... View More

answered on May 20, 2025
You need to read carefully the court order on child support. If the child was 21 and not in school then you can probably stop paying. Let the other parent take you to court and prove that you do still owe child support. Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.
I adopted my niece along with my husband in Florida, and we have a final judgment showing her new name. She was born in Puerto Rico, and despite having a certified copy of the adoption judgment, we've been unable to reach the vital records office there to understand how to update her birth... View More

answered on May 20, 2025
Contact a lawyer who is a member of the P.R. Bar, who practices family law. Other than lawyers in P.R. itself, you likely can find some Fla. lawyers who are members of the P.R. Bar by contacting the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service, which you can find at Floridabar.org.
I am my daughter's biological mother, and her stepdad had temporary custody. Recently, her biological father, who has been absent for the past 5 years, obtained a court order and took her from her stepdad's home unexpectedly. There is no existing court order involving custody between her... View More

answered on May 19, 2025
Good day,
Your rights to get back your daughter depends upon the type of court that gave an order to the stepfather and the type of court that the gave an order to the biological father. For instance, if DCF is involved or if it is family court. You may need to join the cases so that there... View More
I am facing a complex situation at my church where the former Pastor, due to adultery, has not yet been reinstated because of opposition by members, including myself as the Vice President of the Board. His spouse, the acting Pastor, barred me and my family from entering church premises without due... View More

answered on May 19, 2025
There is no "due process" with non-governmental entities, nor are there violations of your right of association and religious freedom. These are rights which protect you against the government, not private entities like your church. What you describe are basically issues of contract law;... View More
Is probate required after the death of my spouse, whom I was married to for 56 years, given that we have a trust and a will in place? Our home property, which we owned for 30 years, is titled in both our names and is not included in the trust. We have two surviving adult biological children who... View More

answered on May 18, 2025
I am very sorry for your loss and please accept my condolences on the loss of your spouse for you and your family at this difficult and sad time. No, probate is not required unless there are any assets in the name of your spouse alone that would need to be addressed via probate, based on what you... View More
I requested specific accommodations under the ADA, specifically asking for meeting notes due to my ADHD and ASD conditions. My employer refused, citing privacy concerns, and claimed they are not subject to federal or state laws. I have supporting documentation, but they did not ask for it. Is... View More

answered on May 18, 2025
We are located in New York, but here are a few things to consider under federal law. You say that your employer claims that the federal ADA and State law do not apply to them. Note generally speaking, once you make an accommodation request, your employer:
• Must engage in... View More
I am the primary caregiver for my child and have been with her during a two-week hospital stay for her surgery. I signed all the necessary paperwork and stayed overnight, taking time off work. Our custody agreement states she lives with me, attends school in my town, and visits her father three... View More

answered on May 17, 2025
These are the types of issues that the court expects you to work out directly with the other parent. Legally you are supposed to follow the parenting plan. Both parents are expected to do what is best for the child. Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.
I am a member of the Florida Cascades of Groveland HOA community, governed by 2005 FL720 with Kaufman Language. Our HOA offers a fitness program that is operating at a financial loss. I believe this program operates as a commercial enterprise and should not be funded by my monthly assessments.... View More

answered on May 17, 2025
A lawyer couldn't possibly answer that question without reading your Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions, the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws as well as any amendments to these documents. It all depends on the authority the association has, the definitions and any... View More
I have a handwritten will in the state of Florida that bequeaths my car and house to my daughter. It is signed by me and two witnesses, with an executor named. There have been no disputes, and my daughter is the sole beneficiary. Is this will considered legally sufficient to proceed with... View More

answered on May 16, 2025
Yes, while the Will may be valid under Florida Law (see below Florida Statute 732.502), it will be subjected to greater scrutiny if it is a handwritten Will, also, the Will is going to have to go through probate (time, potential delays and expense). I would encourage you strongly to do proper... View More
I signed my personal injury settlement release on April 17, 2025, and was initially informed by my attorney via text message that the check would be sent within 20 days. Upon following up with my attorney for an update, I was then informed that they actually have 20 business days to respond, which... View More

answered on May 16, 2025
Once a case settles, an insurance company typically has 30 days to issue a check to the plaintiffs counsel, but in this case, they are delivering it earlier. However, if there are medical liens or bills that must be negotiated and paid from the settlement proceeds, the process can take much longer... View More
I want to know if a collector can seek payment from me for a credit card debt solely under my deceased husband's name, after over two years since his passing. I was not on the card, there was no probate nor estate, and I provided the company with his death certificate and estate-related... View More

answered on May 15, 2025
No, they can't file suit against you, they would have to sue your late husband's estate. If there is no probate case, in theory they could open one and seek to sell his assets if any, but that is unlikely.
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