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I am currently on an F2 visa, and my husband changed his status from B1/B2 to F1. We don't have OPT yet, and my brother-in-law is sponsoring our education and expenses. I would like to start personal trading with reputable brokers from home using my skills, not as a job but as a way to earn... View More

answered on Jun 11, 2025
F-2 visa holders are not permitted to work or earn income in the U.S., including through self-employment, online work, or any form of active trading for profit.
Selling your personal gold jewelry occasionally is allowed, as long as it is not part of a regular business or commercial... View More
I recently had my I-485 approved, so I am now a green card holder. My husband's application status, however, has not changed and remains pending, even though we applied for adjustment of status at the same time. He is currently on an H-4 visa with an EAD card (code 26), which expires in April... View More

answered on Jun 10, 2025
Congratulations on your green card approval! That’s a big milestone—and your concern about your husband’s status is completely valid and very common in adjustment of status filings. Now that you're a permanent resident, he can continue using his H-4 EAD until it expires, as long as his... View More
I recently had my I-485 approved, so I am now a green card holder. My husband's application status, however, has not changed and remains pending, even though we applied for adjustment of status at the same time. He is currently on an H-4 visa with an EAD card (code 26), which expires in April... View More

answered on Jun 10, 2025
Once you became a lawful permanent resident, your husband is no longer eligible to maintain H-4 status, as that classification is only for dependents of H-1B visa holders. Although his H-4 EAD (category C26) may appear valid through April 2026, it is only valid as long as he remains in valid H-4... View More
In 2017, my wife and I each filed separate asylum applications, listing each other as dependents with identical stories and submitted documents. Our interview dates are scheduled one day apart. After consulting with an attorney who suggested consolidating the cases, I am considering whether to... View More

answered on Jun 9, 2025
I am surprised they issued you receipt notices for both cases field in 2017. In those years they did not have a system where both spouses can file separate asylum cases and be receipted.
Whether you should withdraw one case depends on several factors.
Are both cases strong? Or is... View More
I am the principal applicant for asylum and my interview is scheduled for about a month from now. In my Form I-589, I listed my child in Part A.II ("Information About Your Spouse and Children") but marked "No" to "If in the U.S., is this child to be included in this... View More

answered on Jun 9, 2025
Yes, you can still file Form I-730 for your child if you are granted asylum.
Even though you marked “No” on your Form I-589 regarding including your child as a derivative, and even though your child is now over 21, the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) protects your ability to petition... View More
My husband and I live in Central America. He is an American citizen, and I am not. We have been married for 5 years and have two minor children who are American citizens. I previously held a green card but stayed outside the U.S. too long; now I have a tourist visa. Can my husband start the process... View More

answered on Jun 7, 2025
If you have stayed outside the United States for too long, then you have to file again anew. You can process your green card overseas at the US consulate, but at the interview, you will have to convince the consulate officer that you and your husband will relocate to the United States. Once you... View More
I live in a community governed by an HOA with a covenant stating that there shall be no fencing or hedges in front of the front plane of any dwelling. Despite this rule, the HOA board refuses to enforce it. I haven't received any response after raising this issue with the board. I've been... View More

answered on Jun 6, 2025
If the HOA doesn't want to enforce, you have several choices:
1. Run for the board on a ticket of enforcing the HOA guidelines and win;
2. Retain counsel to review the HOA covenants and rules to determine whether you have a private right of action, and then either sue to other... View More
Is it a criminal offense if I was unknowingly videotaped having sexual encounters without my consent? I know who recorded it but am unsure if the video has been shared. I have confronted the person and am seeking legal advice on possible actions to take.

answered on May 29, 2025
In Virginia, it is a criminal offense for a person to photograph or video a person when they are nude or in a state of undress without their consent. Likewise, it is a separate criminal offense to disseminate those images or videos without the person's consent.
Based on your question,... View More
I have discovered that my mom has been secretly recording conversations between me and her, and between her and my dad, without our knowledge. These recordings are done in our private home, and she uses her phone for this purpose. She is the only one aware of these recordings and does not disclose... View More

answered on May 29, 2025
Under Virginia law, recording a conversation is legal so long as one person in the conversation is aware and consents to being recorded. Therefore, it is legal for your mom to record conversations between her and you, even without informing you of the recording. Likewise, it is legal for your mom... View More
I own a vehicle that my daughter-in-law drives. It is registered in my name, and I am responsible for the loan and all related fees. We added her to our insurance policy so that she and my son could have a safe vehicle for our grandchildren. Now they are separating, and she believes she is entitled... View More

answered on May 28, 2025
You probably should consult with your son's legal counsel. A court is likely to give your son the responsibility to pay the loan and the insurance and satisfy all obligations to you, so that his children can be safely transported, but I don't think the court will have jurisdiction to... View More
I own a vehicle that my daughter-in-law drives. It is registered in my name, and I am responsible for the loan and all related fees. We added her to our insurance policy so that she and my son could have a safe vehicle for our grandchildren. Now they are separating, and she believes she is entitled... View More

answered on May 29, 2025
Based on the information you provided, it is your car and your daughter in law has no rights to the vehicle. You have to right to gain immediate possession of the vehicle, without notice. If you DIL fails to return the vehicle or prevents you from retrieving the vehicle, you may have to resort to... View More
My American citizen husband and I are both living outside the United States. We have been married for 5 years and have two children who are American citizens, born outside the U.S. I have a previously expired green card from my first marriage to another American citizen, which was not reactivated... View More

answered on May 24, 2025
So if a lawful permanent residence exits the United States without getting a reentry permit and is gone for more than one year, then the green card is basically going to be forfeited. If you have another American citizen spouse that wants to sponsor you, then yes, you can process at the US... View More
I'm currently filling out Schedule C of my Chapter 7 bankruptcy form in Virginia and need clarification on which code of Virginia exempts household furniture from creditors.

answered on May 20, 2025
If you have lived in Va. for 2 years then you can file Va. exemption laws under Va, 34-26 4a. THis section known as the poor debtor exemption has numerous exemptions you should go through as most people have only items listed in this section and nothing more. If you moved recently to Va. you are... View More
Hello, I have a question, I was a resident of the United States in 2019, I traveled to my country of origin and lived outside the United States for 5 years, for that reason I lost my residency, this year 2025 I want to return to the States with a tourist visa, I intend to process my new residency... View More

answered on Jun 10, 2025
Thank you for your thoughtful question — and it’s wonderful to hear that you have a strong family foundation with your U.S. citizen spouse and children. The good news is **yes, you absolutely can reapply for residency**, even if you previously had a green card and lost it by living outside the... View More
I've experienced significant issues with dangerous dogs belonging to tenants of my landlord. Despite complaining, the landlord hasn't taken action beyond stating that the tenants aren't supposed to have dogs. The dogs have come onto my property, attacking my pets and nearly killing... View More

answered on May 12, 2025
Dogs are considered personal property. It is only when a person is injured that there can be a recovery for non-economic damages. You can only recover from the landlord if their homeowners’ policy liability coverage applies to the dogs. You can try sending a letter outlining your damages and the... View More
I've experienced significant issues with dangerous dogs belonging to tenants of my landlord. Despite complaining, the landlord hasn't taken action beyond stating that the tenants aren't supposed to have dogs. The dogs have come onto my property, attacking my pets and nearly killing... View More

answered on May 13, 2025
Without knowing more, I doubt that any action against the landlord would be successful.
I'm assuming the property is in Virginia and subject to the Virginia landlord tenant act. That act requires that the landlord give the tenant notice to remove the dogs - and then the tenant... View More
I own a 1.8-acre parcel adjacent to an 8.2-acre parcel, which had an erroneous deed of sale filed by its previous owner. The original deed granted access to a cabin for two people, including myself, to the 8.2-acre parcel. However, a subsequent deed incorrectly changed this access to only the 1.8... View More

answered on May 7, 2025
If there is really no dispute among any of the current title owners of both parcels, it might merely be a matter of filing a corrective deed and trying to talk the registrar out of taxing the transaction. If the lack of a dispute is mostly from your perspective, then it is litigation. Either way,... View More
I am a California resident looking to hire a Virginia resident lawyer to draft a prenuptial agreement governed by California law. I seek advice on whether a non-local lawyer would be knowledgeable about California prenuptial agreements. Specifically, I need to include a spousal support/alimony... View More

answered on May 7, 2025
I think you are better off retaining California counsel who tells you they are familiar with or can become familiar with the federal pension issues. The Federal Government is in California and protecting pensions from it is part of a California lawyer's role when preparing a prenup. Further,... View More
I received my first traffic violation ticket under code 46.2-859 for mistakenly passing a school bus while students were onboarding. The incident happened a day before, and I was caught on the spot by the officer who issued the ticket. I am required to appear in court next month. What potential... View More

answered on May 4, 2025
The maximum penalty that you face is up to one year in jail, a license suspension up to 6 months and up to a $2,500 fine.
Every judge is different with these charges. However, it is more serious if kids were in the process of onboarding. This is something you generally want to prepare for... View More
Can I include non-U.S. residents, specifically my wife who isn't a U.S. citizen and resides full-time in the Philippines, in a Simple Will? We have one child, and I want to ensure my wife has financial protections when I pass away. My significant assets are held in bank accounts and a... View More

answered on Apr 26, 2025
You probably should sit down with a lawyer for a consult. You may not need a Will at all if all of your assets are liquid like bank or stock accounts. The beneficiary clauses work so well that such planning has long ago earned the informal name of a "poorman's will." There will... View More
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