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3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury for Florida on
Q: my attorney had received an offer which was a 1/4 worth the value of the at faults claim coverage my attorney

My attorney is encouraging me to think more medical treatment and he says it will help to ensure more payout for my claim as opposed to me just closing out now is it true that if I seek more medical treatment I could get a bigger payout or is this a hoax

Robert Edward Heyman
Robert Edward Heyman
answered on Oct 29, 2024

I suggest you have a heart to heart discussion with your attorney, as I see a communication breakdown here. You should seek additional treatment if you truly NEED it, not just to increase the value of your case. Experienced adjusters are not stupid and are looking out for claims that appear to be... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Scenario for a $10,000+ water damage problem in a condominium. Who is responsible?

Jill (pseudonym) suddenly finds the condo water was shut off. She leaves her apartment, and returns to find her bathroom floor flooded. Upset that the faucet was accidentally left on, she mops up thoroughly.

Six days later she gets a text from resident below saying there is extreme water... View More

Linda Liang
Linda Liang
answered on Oct 29, 2024

Unfortunately, Jill should be responsible for repairing Bob's bathroom damage. If there is a question regarding the extent of the damage caused by the leakage and the mitigation that Bob should have done (is there?), the damage can be reduced.

As far as the app is concerned, Jill may...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Can I be charged with a crime I didn't commit based on hearsay?

I currently live in Hillsborough county Florida and my soon to be ex-husband and his Friend accuse me of having a weapon (knife) . I haven't been officially charged assault w/ deadly weapon. But the only thing is my husband (person that said I committed the crime) a couple of months ago went... View More

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Oct 30, 2024

Hearsay is a statement made about what someone said to a testifying witness. If your husband were to tell the court that although he was blind, you told him you had a knife and that you were going to attack him with it, there is an exception to the hearsay rule because it would be something you... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: Could you tell what are the responsibilities when a state prosecutor is involved with a criminal case?
Robert Edward Heyman
Robert Edward Heyman
answered on Oct 29, 2024

As a former prosecutor in Pinellas County for 15 years, my function was to thoroughly investigate all criminal cases referred to the office by law enforcement and determine whether a prosecutable case existed and what was the likelihood of obtaining a conviction. The prosecutor's function is... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law for Florida on
Q: can a Cuban who enters the usa and is given an I220A, apply for an I485 and I130 without being sponsored by US citizen

or having a parent, brother, spouse, or child over 21 with a permanent green card petition for the Cuban or an employer petitioning for the Cuban so long as they are in the uS 1 year and 1 day?

Kevin D. Slattery
Kevin D. Slattery
answered on Nov 11, 2024

Part of your question implies that you are asking about adjustment of status through the Cuban Adjustment Act. Notwithstanding a recent Board of Immigration Appeals case saying otherwise, there is ongoing federal litigation about whether issuance of an I-220A might constitute a grant of... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: Walmart loss prevention made me sign a paper

Walmart loss prevention made me sign a paper trespassing me not alowing me to come back for 2 years police was in the room but t I don’t think they charged me with anything

If the police didn’t give me anything was I not criminally charged and just the store saying for me to not come... View More

Leonard Louis Cagan
Leonard Louis Cagan
answered on Oct 28, 2024

You will need to speak to a local attorney. A Walmart employee is authorized to request that you be trespassed from their store. If you signed it and agreed, then you cannot go back to the store because you have been warned. This does not necessarily mean that you are not being charged. Law... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Florida on
Q: How to reverse a no cohabitation

If the state is saying that as long as I am on probation me and my spouse can not live together because we both caught a domestic violence case how do we go about getting that changed because we share a home and have no where else to reside

Leonard Louis Cagan
Leonard Louis Cagan
answered on Oct 28, 2024

If you are on probation, I am assuming that you have entered a plea to your case and the case is closed. "No Contact" provisions can be entered as a condition of bond, as part of a domestic violence injunction, or as a condition of probation. If you agreed to no contact as part of a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Legal Malpractice for Florida on
Q: Attorney settled PI case w/out consent; insisted it is legal. FL Bar was contacted and case opened. Now what?

After non-consented settlement, no further documents were signed.

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Oct 28, 2024

You reported your attorney for malpractice, so the attorney is probably going to keep the settlement money in trust until and unless the Florida Bar tells him to disburse it. He can't very well keep part of it for himself if he's not supposed to do so; on the other hand if what he did is... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Florida on
Q: Can lawsuit compensation be used to pay off bankruptcy debt?

My elderly father passed away in a nursing home due to neglect. I filed a lawsuit against the nursing home. It is still pending, and could take up to two years to resolve. If I file for bankruptcy now and win the lawsuit in a year or two. and receive compensation, would I be required to pay off the... View More

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Oct 27, 2024

The Official Bankruptcy Forms you are required to file whether you choose a Chapter 7 or 13 case require you to disclose your lawsuit and put an estimated value on it.

The suit will be treated as an asset of the bankruptcy estate and the bankruptcy trustee may become a replacement plaintiff...
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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Insurance Bad Faith and Insurance Defense for Florida on
Q: Is a plaintiff required to respond to defendant's opposition to an amended complaint?

provide rule governing response to amended pleading

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Oct 25, 2024

It depends on (A) what you mean by "opposition" to an amended complaint (motion to dismiss?, answer and affirmative defenses?), and (B) which court you're in (State or Federal, and if in State, which level (small claim or a level above small claim?). I therefore suggest you post a... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for Florida on
Q: a mother sued for neglience on baby death/ father did not know there was neglience. what can he do to be added to suit

Father just found out his son died due to neglience of hospital in 2009. mother started a suit in 2019. she just contacted him and told him about the suit and actually showed the death certificate. he was unaware of suit and the hospitall neglience. what should he do? she did not included him in... View More

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Oct 24, 2024

You appear to be sending this question in on behalf of the father, as friend or relative to the father. If that's the case, tell the father to pick up the phone and call a lawyer. He should've been notified of the suit at the time it was being pursued, which apparently was a long time... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: My mother passed away in 2011. I never had the deed transferred in my name. How do I get the deed in my name?

I have kept the property up and have paid all taxes and fees for the property during this time. I acquired it at the time from my 3 siblings.

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Oct 24, 2024

You will need to have the deed reviewed and you will need to see what interest if any your siblings transferred to you. If the property is in your mom's name still, some version of probate will be required, you will likely need a Florida Probate Attorney in order to accomplish this... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: Am PR for my late father’s estate for almost 3 yrs now. Difficulties working with estate attorney. Options?

Should I have legal representation to deal with estate attorney as PR and as an heir to the estate?

Marc J. Soss
PREMIUM
Marc J. Soss
answered on Oct 24, 2024

As the Personal Representative you are free to engage any attorney you desire to assist you with the probate process. I would express my concerns first to your current and then, if necessary, you can hire a replacement attorney. You must have an attorney assist you through this legal process.

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4 Answers | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: Am PR for my late father’s estate for almost 3 yrs now. Difficulties working with estate attorney. Options?

Should I have legal representation to deal with estate attorney as PR and as an heir to the estate?

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Oct 24, 2024

One time in my 28 year career I did recommend that my PR client retain a separate attorney to represent them in their capacity as an heir for the limited purpose of explaining how a life estate worked, because they did not agree with my explanation and thought that I was somehow working on behalf... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: Am PR for my late father’s estate for almost 3 yrs now. Difficulties working with estate attorney. Options?

Should I have legal representation to deal with estate attorney as PR and as an heir to the estate?

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Oct 24, 2024

There should be no difficulties if you are the Estate PR for probate, the attorney works for you and the estate, if the attorney is not responsive you as the named PR, then it is likely that you should and need to get rid of the estate attorney, their duty is to represent you as the PR, if they are... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: What are my legal rights for compensation before I file a quitclaim on the house I bought with my ex boyfriend?

I am on the deed for a house in Florida. Me and my then boyfriend got the house. He paid for the down payment and is paying the mortgage. I just wanted to know my legal rights for compensation as I decide to file for a quitclaim. This relationship ended badly since he abused and cheated on me. I... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Oct 24, 2024

If the property is located in Florida, you can file a partition lawsuit. In the lawsuit, the court will decide how to equitable split the property. If that cannot be done, the court will order the sale of the property with the parties splitting the funds from the sale. This would be your best... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: What are my legal rights for compensation before I file a quitclaim on the house I bought with my ex boyfriend?

I am on the deed for a house in Florida. Me and my then boyfriend got the house. He paid for the down payment and is paying the mortgage. I just wanted to know my legal rights for compensation as I decide to file for a quitclaim. This relationship ended badly since he abused and cheated on me. I... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 23, 2024

Do not just give away valuable property. Hire a TN attorney to represent you, negotiate an agreeable purchase amount, and have your attorney draft the FL Quit Claim Deed. He can take receipt of the funds, then have you execute the Deed. Only then he can send it to BF, and give you the money... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Florida on
Q: A friend owes $30,000 (I have IOU) claimed bankruptcy in 2016 then made a few payments 2023 can I sue for remaining?

I have signed IOU and texts of her stating that she felt ethically and morally obligated to pay me back even thought she claimed bankruptcy. I have a letter stating her bankruptcy was dismissed but she had one says it was granted I don’t know if I can sue for remaining debt since she opened the... View More

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Oct 23, 2024

Check to see whether her bankruptcy case was dismissed or whether her debts were discharged. Check at https://pacer.login.uscourts.gov/csologin/login.jsf

If your claim was listed, and if her debts were discharged, no, you can't sue her. Her statements that "she felt ethically...
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3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Rights for Florida on
Q: Someone working at a dollar general grabbed my throat and I shoved him away is there anything I can do?
Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Oct 22, 2024

If someone grabbed your throat, and it was not for self-defense purposes, you are a crime victim, so you may contact the police in the jurisdiction for the store. They should then investigate to determine if the aggressor should be charged with battery. I am assuming from your description that... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Probate and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: How to get reimburse for estate related expenses after Summary Administration order?

Florida. Will directs all estate related expenses to come from estate, not from me alone (I am one of two beneficiaries and the PR named in the will). I paid 100% of all estate-related expenses totaling around $50k and my sibling (the other beneficiary) paid nothing. The only "asset" in... View More

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Oct 22, 2024

You can ask the closing agent to include all the estate expenses to be put on the closing statement when the house is sold, and if your sibling doesn't sign the closing statement, then the closing cannot take place. That is your leverage. The closing statement is the last opportunity for you... View More

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