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Rhode Island Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Rhode Island on
Q: My 18 yrold got rolling stop sign ticket. Officer put her middle as first and miss spelled mine totally.Could we fight?

How can he see her roll and not even be able to write the correct information that is directly in front of his face?

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Jul 2, 2021

Yes, you could fight the ticket on a technical basis, however if you go to trial and the office testifies that he stopped your daughter and that your daughter is one who committed the infraction, then the Court will almost always considered this technicality as a non-issue. That said, you should... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Trademark for Rhode Island on
Q: Is it legal to be using my name in a trademark store Jerris Apparel?
Carl P. DeLuca
Carl P. DeLuca
answered on Jun 30, 2021

Could you clarify that question? I'm not sure what you're asking.

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Criminal Law, Federal Crimes and Traffic Tickets for Rhode Island on
Q: If I live in CT & got a ticket in Rhode island. I would like to fight it in court. Do RI or CT laws apply 2 me in court

I have been driving 2 years, I have a clean record, great credit.

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Jun 23, 2021

Traffic ticket issued in Rhode Island so you are under the jurisdiction and law of Rhode Island. It is recommended that you contact a Rhode Island traffic ticket attorney to discuss your matter and options----depending on the circumstances, you might be able to hire the RI attorney and he might be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Rhode Island on
Q: i have 2yr old twins that have a biological brother they should be able to meet. Can i advocate for them legally?
Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Jun 8, 2021

A family court lawyer can review the details of your particular situation in confidence and assist you in presenting your case.

2 Answers | Asked in Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for Rhode Island on
Q: My son turns 18 this month in NH while I reside in RI. Ex-wife is claiming to take me to court to extend the support.

My two sons, (18,16) reside with their mother and I pay support for both. Son is turning 18 and she has been advised by the state that his part will be ending. She now wants to take me back to court to ask for more support for our 16 yr old to try and compensate. Can she do this and if so, how much... View More

Carl P. DeLuca
Carl P. DeLuca
answered on Jun 25, 2021

Unless the child support order that you currently have was separated into two amounts, one for each child, you are going to want it to be modified because that order won't be reduced to an amount appropriate to one child on its own. Either parent can move to modify based on a change of... View More

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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 Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Rhode Island on
Q: If me and my girlfriend don’t live together, I live in apartment upstairs and my girlfriend lives in apartment downstair

And we have a son together will court make me pay child support even thou we’re together in a relationship???? Why would we need to go to court if we’re together just because living upstairs n down stairs apartment...

Carl P. DeLuca
Carl P. DeLuca
answered on May 10, 2021

If you're in a separate household the Rhode Island Family Court could order you to pay child support. Usually, it's because the other parent or the state on behalf of the other parent is requesting it.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Rhode Island on
Q: Can I request being assigned the custodial parent since I am able to provide for my daughter without state assistance?

The mother of my child is on state help (section 8/neighborhood health etc.). The state of RI on her behalf came after me to provide the health insurance for the child through my job, which I did. Now the child support was never adjusted taking insurance into consideration. Am I able to have the... View More

Carl P. DeLuca
Carl P. DeLuca
answered on May 8, 2021

I don't think the state will do that for you but you can ask the Rhode Island Family Court to make the change in placement and they will do so if it is in the best interests of the child. In addition, if you have the child half the time or close to half the time, you could ask the court to use... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Rhode Island on
Q: I have physical custody of my 5yr old son in RI. Father who lives in Mass also wants physical custody. Can he do that?

He said my son said he doesnt want to live with me. I admit, I am not the fun parent but I have taken care of my son these last 5 yrs with out any help from his father and his father sees him whenever. Sometimes as much as 3 weeks will pass with out him seeing his father. He thinks I have ruined... View More

Carl P. DeLuca
Carl P. DeLuca
answered on May 8, 2021

I think you have to be careful in these situations because you can get dragged into court in MA if you don't act first in Rhode Island. You can still get dragged into court in MA if you file in Rhode Island, but if you can establish to a judge in Rhode Island that your son is living here then... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Rhode Island on
Q: Do I have to show for a deposition in rhode island
Albin Moser
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answered on May 6, 2021

Probably not. If you are in Dorchester and the case is in Rhode Island then you can't be made to go from Dorchester to testify in Rhode Island. Usually there is a subpoena that is served on you. If it were served upon you in Rhode Island then that's one thing, but if it were served on you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Rhode Island on
Q: In Rhode Island, when signing a lease for commercial space, can landlord request security deposit and last month rent?
Andrew Bilodeau
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answered on Apr 29, 2021

Yes. Unlike a residential lease, a commercial lease is not regulated as its a contract between businesses and agreed upon terms are not restricted. Hopefully that helps.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Divorce for Rhode Island on
Q: I am separated. Can't afford a divorce but desperately need one.I am concerned about ex's live-in girlfriend.MyOptions?
Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Apr 5, 2021

Consult with an attorney to explore your options. If you have a child in common, it is important to sort out custody and support issues soonest.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Rhode Island on
Q: If money is willed to 2 sons to be split evenly, but 1 passed away before their mom, does the other son get all of it?

Or would the dead son's half get passed to his heirs? The wording on the will is just that the remainder of her money gets split evenly between son 1 and son 2.

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Mar 31, 2021

Get a copy of that will and make an appointment to meet with your local probate attorney to discern whether the intention of the testator is per capita, or per stirpes.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights for Rhode Island on
Q: I have Put a restraining order on my ex who I have Had previously had domestic cases with in 2019 he has

been creating accounts to contact me and threatening me and I have Never gone through this I have Court on the 13th and I am Scared I dont Want them to drop the case i don't know what i am supposed to do if I need To get an attorney and if so how I go About that and the costs

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Mar 31, 2021

Contact an attorney to answer these questions privately. Document all of the violations from the invented accounts to have ready for your hearing.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Rhode Island on
Q: Can a 48a dismissal be re opened? is it legal?

I had a case simple assault/domestic case that was dismissed (48a) at trial. somehow it was later reopened months later and I was arrested again on the same exact charge. I took it to trial and was found not guilty. I also tried to remove it from my record and it still shows.

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Mar 31, 2021

Talk to your attorney in private to explore your options. Your attorney will know all of the appropriate steps to ensure the expungement/seal process is completed properly.

2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody and Child Support for Rhode Island on
Q: What can i do of the father is neglectful of my child? There is no visitation order and i am in RI.

Theres no physical proof but friends and neighbors as well as myself have seen it first hand.

Albin Moser
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answered on Mar 31, 2021

Begin by speaking with your child about anything you believe might be a harm to him or her. Follow up with the child's father. Try to avoid phrasing it as blame and encourage him to focus on what the child needs. If that does not work then consider a change to the schedule. If there is no... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for Rhode Island on
Q: School bus stop changed and now it’s on a busy dangerous road. What can I do?

Bus stop was changed 2x in 24hrs. It’s now in front of a business on a major street. They say due to living 2 miles from the school we are lucky to even get bussing. Sidewalks are a mess and not safe. Police chief was not notified to inspect and school department has no knowledge if that knew... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 18, 2021

A Rhode Island attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. One option, as a starting point, might be to see if a local elected official could help, based on the level of hazard and the age of the child. Good luck

Tim Akpinar

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Personal Injury, Products Liability and Legal Malpractice for Rhode Island on
Q: I have a GPS monitor on. It has caused permanent damage to my ankle. Can I sue for damages?

I'm on Interstate Parole. I had a violation and had to go back and serve 90 days. Upon release and arrival back to Rhode Island, a GPS monitor was attached. The first time I had a monitor, it was for 90 days. I did not get any marks then.

However, it has been six months since I... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Feb 23, 2021

I'm not hearing you had medical treatement. Until you get it there is no record showing you have anything caused by the monitor. Once you have that you can ask to have it switched to the other ankle or made so that you can work a sock in between the brace and your ankle.

You should...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for Rhode Island on
Q: I am in the process of a divorce. I am pregnant with someone elses child. What steps would I need to establish paternity

Husband and I have lived separately for over 5 years. Divorce papers have been filed. The baby's biological father admits paternity and wants to be on the birth certificate/ the child to have his last name.

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Jan 31, 2021

Your attorney will be able to help you collect and present the appropriate evidence to meet the burden of proof required to overcome the presumption of paternity of a child born during a marriage in the State of Rhode Island. If you have not yet met with, and retained an attorney to advocate for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Rhode Island on
Q: During divorce and in the agreement I put she has to go back to her maiden name and she signed it . So she has to right?

We have no kids . She in another relationship but she keeps saying oh just because I signed it doesn’t mean I need too

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Jan 15, 2021

Meet with your family court attorney to review the contractual language and evaluate its precise terms. Generally speaking any competent adult may use any name they like, as long as it in not for an illegal purpose.

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