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I was involved in a car accident where the other driver was at fault, resulting in a head injury for which I'm receiving an insurance settlement. However, I haven't agreed to the settlement yet because it releases the other driver from liability for future medical bills. My neurologist... View More

answered on Apr 16, 2025
Hi - Unfortunately, it is extremely unlikely that any insurance company would agree to a settlement keeping future medical treatment open. I strongly suspect that will not be an option.
It is always important in situations like this to be able to show the insurance company what types of... View More
I inherited a house along with my siblings, and we're all listed on the deed. My oldest brother, the executor, obtained a signed POA for the sale because two of us live out of state. He claims we need to pay for expenses like a dumpster rental, but initially, there were no debts mentioned.... View More

answered on Apr 8, 2025
Yes, of course your brother can deduct expenses of fix up and repair and sale before distributing sale proceeds. It would be highly inequitable for you to reap the benefit of those things without bearing any of the burden.
I would like to consult on how to process work visa, Employment Authorization Document if I have a B2 visa? I am currently here in the US. I also need to ensure my son who’s 15 yrs old will be able to get his SSN and what’s the process for obtaining green card for both of us? He’s also with... View More

answered on Dec 5, 2024
While it is technically possible to apply for a change of status to employment-based status while you are legally on a B-2 visa, there are significant challenges to consider. One important limitation is that your I-94 was likely issued for a specific period, typically six months. Given the... View More
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) asked the US Supreme Court to clarify whether 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(1) can constitutionally prohibit both violent and non-violent offenders equally from owning guns in light of the Second Amendment, which guarantees the right to keep and bear arms.

answered on Jul 21, 2024
The issue of whether non-violent federal felons can exercise their Second Amendment rights to own firearms is currently under scrutiny. The US Department of Justice has sought clarification from the US Supreme Court on whether 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(1), which prohibits felons from owning guns, applies... View More
I would like to relinquish a trademark.

answered on Apr 21, 2024
To relinquish a trademark, you need to follow these steps:
1. Determine if you want to fully abandon the trademark or assign it to another party.
2. If abandoning the trademark:
a. Stop using the trademark in commerce entirely.
b. File a "Voluntary Surrender of... View More
can the board consist of 3 family members or 2

answered on Apr 10, 2024
In Vermont, the law does not specifically prohibit family members from serving on the board of a nonprofit organization. However, the Vermont Secretary of State's office provides the following guidance:
"The majority of the directors of a public benefit corporation may not be... View More
I order from Revolve in the checkout they charge me 10% for import fee and also in the document clearly state that the duty fee and tax have to collect from exporter.. whe the product came the duty fee is more than 10% and they refuse to pay for it n not refund me back as well.. I have to pay for... View More

answered on Mar 14, 2024
I understand your frustration with this situation. Whether you can sue the international online store depends on several factors, such as the store's terms and conditions, the laws of the countries involved, and the specific circumstances of your case.
Here are a few points to... View More
The vehicle has been parked on public property since September of 2023 or longer, there is no plate, registration sticker or emissions sticker and the car is partially gutted on the inside, is missing a side mirror and has lots of exterior damage.

answered on Feb 23, 2024
To claim an abandoned vehicle on public property in Vermont, you typically need to follow a specific process outlined by local authorities. Begin by contacting the local law enforcement agency or the Department of Motor Vehicles to report the abandoned vehicle and inquire about the steps for... View More
I work for a state government, and requested previously to be allowed to flex my schedule to allow me to go to my prenatal appointments without having to use sick leave due to the employer not paying maternity leave and requiring employees to use their own sick time. And it was denied. I recently... View More

answered on Jan 24, 2024
Under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, employers are required to treat pregnant employees the same as others who are similar in their ability or inability to work. This means if your employer provides accommodations for other employees with medical conditions, they should also do so for... View More
I work in Vermont, and I was recently placed on a temporary job assignment with a business casual dress code (no jeans, no leggings). I asked if I would be permitted to wear leggings due to my pregnancy causing me to rapidly outgrow my business pants. Others in different divisions within the same... View More

answered on Jan 23, 2024
In Vermont, employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with medical needs, including pregnancy, unless doing so would cause undue hardship to the employer. The request to wear leggings due to pregnancy could be considered a reasonable accommodation under these laws,... View More
I rent a work space in a small industrial area. Cars can drive in, but have to drive out the way they came. There is a No Trespassing sign as you enter. Recently, a surveillance camera has appeared above the door I use to enter the building, the kind that records audio and transmits audio/video to... View More

answered on Jan 14, 2024
In a commercial environment, your expectation of privacy is generally less than in a private setting, but it's not entirely absent. The specific nature of the rented space and the terms of your rental agreement play significant roles in determining your reasonable expectation of privacy.... View More

answered on Jan 11, 2024
Dealing with a situation where both you and your ex are named on the title of a vehicle can be challenging, especially when threats to take the car are involved. If both names are on the title, legally, you both have equal ownership rights to the vehicle. This means that neither party can... View More
My friend is involved in an ongoing legal case from 2023, where he is accused by his ex-girlfriend of domestic assault, unlawful restraint, aggravated domestic assault, and burglary. These charges arose after he visited her at 4 a.m. to retrieve his dog following their breakup due to her mental... View More

answered on Apr 16, 2025
Given the complexity of these charges and the context surrounding the incident, your friend’s legal strategy should focus on establishing the absence of criminal intent and highlighting his actions as driven by concern for someone in crisis. The fact that he was responding to suicidal threats and... View More
I want to know if I can sue my mortgage lender due to unlawful practices undertaken to foreclose on my home. After a COVID forbearance, I was instructed to file paperwork to reinstate my loan. Despite submitting the required documents, bank representatives provided conflicting and deceitful... View More

answered on Apr 16, 2025
Yes, you may have legal grounds to sue your mortgage lender if they engaged in deceptive, unfair, or unlawful foreclosure practices. Misrepresenting the status of your loan reinstatement, losing submitted documents, and sending notices to wrong addresses can be strong indicators of bad faith and... View More
I need a legal separation from my wife of 30 years, but we continue to reside in the same home in Vermont. The reason for this action is over 25 years of her infidelity, which I have medical proof of. I suffer from serious health issues including lung transplant rejection with a life expectancy of... View More

answered on Apr 13, 2025
In Vermont, legal separation is similar to divorce in terms of property division and other legal aspects, but it allows you and your spouse to remain married while living apart. You can file a petition for legal separation with the court, outlining the reasons for your request and the terms... View More
I am currently separated from my spouse, and our separation agreement does not address tax responsibilities. We have been filing taxes jointly for the last three years. Recently, my spouse withdrew a substantial amount from an inherited retirement account and did not withhold enough for taxes. They... View More

answered on Apr 11, 2025
You're absolutely right to be cautious about this. When you file jointly, the IRS and the Vermont Department of Taxes consider both spouses equally responsible for the entire tax liability, no matter what private agreement you make between yourselves. Even if your spouse signs something saying... View More
I attend a private college in Vermont that requires purchasing parking passes to park on campus. I have a disabled parking placard issued by the state of Vermont, which allows me to park in disabled spots without time restrictions. Does my disabled placard exempt me from having to purchase a... View More

answered on Apr 7, 2025
Your Vermont-issued disabled parking placard allows you to park in designated disabled spots without time restrictions, but it does not automatically exempt you from purchasing a parking pass at your private college. Private institutions often have their own parking policies, which can include the... View More
In St. Albans Town, Vermont, a proposed ordinance restricting nudity on public property has been passed. My concern is that Vermont state law generally allows public nudity with minor restrictions, so it seems questionable whether a lower-level government can enforce stricter exclusions. There are... View More

answered on Apr 1, 2025
Vermont stands as one of the few states without a specific state law prohibiting public nudity. Unlike most states, Vermont does not have a law against public nudity, though local ordinances can ban indecent exposure and state laws prohibit lewd and lascivious conduct in public places. This creates... View More
I recently found out that the motel where I'm staying uses cameras with audio recording just outside the room doors. There were no signs or notifications about audio recordings, and I did not consent to this when I checked in. My concern is whether they can hear conversations inside the rooms... View More

answered on Mar 24, 2025
The legality of audio recording outside hotel room doors varies by location, but generally, areas directly outside your room are considered semi-public spaces where privacy expectations are lower than inside the room itself. However, audio recording typically faces stricter regulations than video... View More
"As a U.S. citizen residing in the States with children living in Montreal, I travel across the U.S.-Canada border every weekend to see them. Given the recent tensions between the two countries, I’m concerned about how these developments might impact cross-border travel. I have a court order... View More

answered on Jan 24, 2025
Your concern about maintaining regular visits with your children is completely understandable, especially given your court-mandated obligations. Cross-border travel between the U.S. and Canada remains open, and both countries continue to honor legitimate travel purposes, particularly those... View More
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