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Rhode Island Small Claims Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims for Rhode Island on
Q: I am 82 years old and handicap and my legs are getting weaker, so I was looking for a ride on mower that was easy to run

So I found one on market place for 1,150 dollars. Seller described mower to be like.New I tryed it seemed ok but he told you have to run at full throttle, then bring it right down to slow to shut it off. He even came over when I stoped and put to slow write away. I really didn’t think anything of... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jun 22, 2024

A Rhode Island attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. If you brought the mower "as is," it could present difficulties. But you mention some issues and suspicions, that if you could prove to be true, could be helpful to you. Reach out to local attorneys -... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Small Claims for Rhode Island on
Q: I’m disabled can I be sued in small claims
Albin Moser
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answered on Jun 20, 2024

Yes. You can be sued and if the court finds that you owe the money then the court can enter judgment against you to pay the money. The court can also order interest, Attorneys fees and court costs to be paid by you, if the court find that is warranted. But, if your income is all from public... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Small Claims and Collections for Rhode Island on
Q: received a voicemail saying I was being sued and to call a number.when I call it’s from a loan from 2020

It was from a company called zaca I had a loan for 900

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 14, 2024

A Rhode Island attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. If you're being sued, that generally involves receiving legal papers such as a summons and complaint. If you're the subject of a collection action, that could involve being notified by phone. You'd... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims and Civil Litigation for Rhode Island on
Q: I'm asking for my elderly parents. Wondering if this worth to go further.

They hired a company to repair their roof. During the repair, they found the wood was rotted. They couldn't go on to the next step because we were told that they had to run it through the insurance company. They put a tarp on the roof which I assume it wasn't not secure enough. We had a... View More

Albin Moser
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answered on Dec 21, 2023

If the insurance money was sent for the repairs to pay for the repairs that the contractor is doing pursuant to a budget that they submitted to the insurance company, then yes, you have to give the money to them in order to keep them under the obligation to finish the work. If there is a problem... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Small Claims for Rhode Island on
Q: It’s a very long story, but I’ll just give you a brief summary of my issues. I was in a 12 year relationship .

We became legal Domestic partners. He is refusing to give me some of my furniture. He’s blocked me in his phone, email and texts

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Nov 2, 2022

If the furniture is all that you are concerned about, consider filing a case in the small claims court. To explore the implications of "legal domestic partners" and whether that may involve court proceedings to dissolve, meet with a practicing attorney to discuss those details in private.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Small Claims for Rhode Island on
Q: Can a lawyer serve me court papers for a credit card bill 13 years old in ri?

This collection agency has been doing this to me over and over. I'm on disability and can't afford this and I can't handle the stress.

Albin Moser
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answered on Sep 21, 2021

Usually you cannot be sued on a credit card debt that is older than ten years. Also, recipients of Social Security Disability are usually not subject to collection. If all you have is disability benefits, then the collection agency or law firm cannot take your money. If you explain that you are on... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Federal Crimes and Small Claims for Rhode Island on
Q: Which official could I discuss filing a charge of theft, embezzlement against a Rhode Island resident with?

My mother died in 2006 and left $100,000 for my children. The money was put into two individual money market accounts managed by my half brother (a Rhode Island resident). We have those documents. In 2014 my son received a $25,000 disbursement along with a text chain which confirms in... View More

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on May 21, 2021

This message will likely be deleted due to the inclusion of proper names, consult with a private attorney to bring a civil action in the appropriate court. They will also be able to advise you on any potential criminal charges after you present all of your evidence in a private and confidential... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure, Real Estate Law and Small Claims for Rhode Island on
Q: I just found out I have been paying rent since October to a person who didn't own the house. It was a foreclosure

the people who actually bought the house got the paperwork yesterday and showed up today. What can be done about the rent we have paid so far to the shady person who did this to us

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Jul 6, 2020

Report them to the authorities. http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE34/34-18/34-18-38.2.HTM compliance is mandatory. Retain an attorney if you are served with an eviction complaint.

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation, Civil Rights, Small Claims and Products Liability for Rhode Island on
Q: Hi, I moved in with a close friend like 5 months ago to rent out a room in her house. No verbal agreement was signed, be

sides that i would pay half. now shes trying to "evict" me. What do i do ????

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 2, 2020

This is something a Rhode Island landlord-tenant attorney should advise on. But your post remains open for four weeks. The other categories aren't really relevant. But as a practical matter at this point, if the dynamic in such close confines is uncomfortable, whatever the state of affairs... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Small Claims for Rhode Island on
Q: My now ex girlfriend is refusing to give me my paychecks that were set up to be direct deposited into her account.

She is saying because I owe her money, which I admit I do. However we made an aggreement of $300/month towards what I owe her. Now she wont give me any of my checks. What can I do?

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Oct 23, 2019

Locate the signed copy of the agreement you wrote for the $300 a month repayment of the loan.

File it with your case in the small claims court, IF the total amount is less than $2500

see:...
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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Small Claims for Rhode Island on
Q: My boyfriend's dad is our landlord, his son just got locked up last night and next day he writes a note saying I have to

Move in 2 days and he just accepted my payment for rent this month, can I get my money back

Andrew Bilodeau
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answered on Sep 1, 2019

Hello,

Based on the info you provided, your boyfriend’s father would have to evict you and give you proper notice.

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3 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Criminal Law, Products Liability and Small Claims for Rhode Island on
Q: hello i have lost an $2200 camera that i rented whats going to happen to me ?
Thomas Briody
Thomas Briody
answered on Feb 13, 2019

If you truly lost the item, then you have most likely not committed a crime. However, you are responsible for the loss, and you will have to reimburse the person who loaned you the camera. That means you are most likely going to have to pay the value of the camera back.

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1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims for Rhode Island on
Q: friend will not acknowledge any of my attempts to reclaim my possessions which he said he would if i ever got to nervous

This friend of mine showed interest in a brand new Xbox One X. Although I was very reluctant to let him "try" it out, he assured me that if at any point I became uncomfortable, that he'd bring back to me no problem. After sleeping on it I decided I was very unnerved and felt I needed... View More

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Feb 17, 2018

If you can't resolve it amicably, it may be time to take your "friend" to small claims court.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Small Claims for Rhode Island on
Q: Can I take someone to court because they threw out my things that was at their house after an argument?
Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Sep 6, 2017

Small claims court is open to everyone. Good luck.

1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims, Criminal Law and Employment Law for Rhode Island on
Q: At what point is this harassment?

I was told by a police officer yesterday to not speak with my roommate/co-worker and to get a restraining order on her because I had to write two police reports on her yesterday. Word got around work that I was going to get one and now she is having my other co-workers come to my desk and taunt me,... View More

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Jun 25, 2017

For your own peace of mind, you might be looking for a new live/work situation. A restraining order will likely necessitate exceptions to allow for incidental contact at work/home and may be of little help to you.

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