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COVID-19 New York Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law for New York on
Q: Heart issue fall under ADA? Employer requires filling reasonable accommodation form when I asked continue work remotely.

Does a heart issue qualify under the ADA Act of 1990? My company has asked its employees to return to the physical office. I asked to continue working remotely due to being in a high risk covid group. HR sent me a reasonable accommodation request form requiring me to describe my disability,... View More

Maurice Mandel II
Maurice Mandel II
answered on Jul 31, 2020

IMO your heart issue, standing alone, probably constitutes a Qualified Physical Disability entitling you to some kind of reasonable accommodation under the ADA . You should also be aware that many states, possibly NY, have their own ADA laws which are even more protective than the Federal ADA. In... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Discrimination for New York on
Q: I’m PerDiem employee. I emailed my boss saying I can no longer work Sundays. I’m Christian. She said no. She can do this

Can I say for religious reasons ? Church is very important to me. It wasn’t a problem before. I didn’t work Sundays in the beginning - I only worked Sundays now because of Covid. Church was closed. But now it’s going to open.

J.R.  Skrabanek
J.R. Skrabanek pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 27, 2020

Your employer is within its rights to not exempt you from having to work on Sundays so long as the employer does not provide preferential treatment to other co-workers of different faiths. If, for example, the employer gives other non-Christian employees one day off each week for their own... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for New York on
Q: Can My Mother sue my uncle to pay the bills and debts left since his passing in reference to his business?

Father passed away from Covid in April, he left a handwritten will which stated that my Uncle was the beneficiary of his bank account, and he was to distribute the money equally between My mother , my brother and myself. My father has left a business and since we trusted my uncle would do the right... View More

Lawrence Allen Weinreich
Lawrence Allen Weinreich
answered on Jul 24, 2020

This should be posted in the Estates and Trusts section. However, in general, since your father died in NY, NY has jurisdiction. In NY, a handwritten will is not usually legal. You would have to start a proceeding in the Surrogates court where your father resided. As part of that proceeding,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for New York on
Q: How long does it take to get the money from an accident ? If you have loans do the loans take the money?

My accident was in 2018 my lawyer told me it was settled and it was closed but he doesn’t give me clear answers. He said that if I had taken out loans that they might take it or Medicaid. But it’s been months. It is now 2020 and I still was not given the check. I give them time. And I wait.... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 23, 2020

If there are Medicare liens, those could take time to ascertain through NYC HRA. Some of the public agency-related liens could be handled by third-party contractors. The COVID situation has also resulted in delays. If your attorney is trying to negotiate the liens, that could take time too. But... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: Can my landlord tell me to pay more money for past months rent because we are switching our lease from a year to 3 month

We want to get out of lease early bc of covid and ability to afford rent because of loss of work. Our landlord said no but said we can switch from a year lease to 3 months. They want to charge us $500 to even just start the paperwork and then $500 for June and July rent that we have already paid,... View More

Elaine Shay
Elaine Shay
answered on Jul 23, 2020

Even with the havoc that the Covid crisis has created, generally tenants remain responsible for the remaining term of any unexpired leases. If the landlord is willing to release you from the remaining term of your lease, it is not unusual to require a payment of some type. Appears that basically... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: NYC apt sublease in CoopMy tenant just sent me a message that he wants to end the sublease.The rider states

That the sublease shall not end or be modified nor will sublessee obligations be ended or modified if for any cause not fully within sublessor’s control

Besides the board will not approve

What do you suggest I should do?

Please let me know ASAP

Thank you

Danielle

Elaine Shay
Elaine Shay
answered on Jul 17, 2020

As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, a flood of residential and commercial tenants are seeking to surrender possession and walk away from their lease obligations. Although there is an Executive Order imposing a moratorium on evictions until August 20th, there is not legislation that relieves... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: We need to leave our office due to covid downturn in biz after 16 yrs but have no "get out early" clause.

We have never not paid the rent except in the last month where we paid 50% as our business income has gone to zero since Covid started. Landlord suggested one smaller office space but cost to move and fact that we need to remove this overhead entirely means it's not necessarily a solution.... View More

Elaine Shay
Elaine Shay
answered on Jul 15, 2020

Many tenants with otherwise outstanding track records with their landlords have been unable to meet ongoing rent obligations as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. Sometimes, the terms of a specific lease or guaranty can provide a basis to end a lease early or at least suspend payments that became... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: my tenant is denying me access in the last month of the lease for a plumber to fix the shower due to COVID
Elaine Shay
Elaine Shay
answered on Jul 14, 2020

Many people are reluctant to have service people in their homes during the Covid crisis. If this is an emergency situation, you can commence a court proceeding to compel access. However, this generally means spending money on legal fees that are difficult or impossible to recover. Therefore, if... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for New York on
Q: Can a motion for summary judgment or to dismiss be made during trial w.new evidence or need it be a motion under 4401?

The trial began months ago w.the other side rested but due to Covid-19, put on hold. During the pandemic, I lost my job and attorney who got Covid-19. Pre-trial, he filed a MTD 3211 on estoppel based on a sister-state's trial they lost on same matter, but other side lied saying it was not on... View More

Benjamin Z. Katz
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answered on Jul 13, 2020

I would not do this by yourself. You should hire an attorney. CPLR 4401 usually relates to the evidence presented at trial. CPLR 3212 is a motion for summary judgment, asking the court for judgment based upon the law. If you previously moved for the relief requested a motion to renew or reargue may... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Business Formation for New York on
Q: My landlord is Evicting me I wrote a letter stating I would be out on this date but I can’t move out now

Do I still have to move out on that day or dose that peice of paper we wrote and signed mean nothing because it wasn’t notarize and I haven’t been evicted yet

Elaine Shay
Elaine Shay
answered on Jul 9, 2020

Whether or not the agreement you made was notarized is not what protects you in this instance. Instead, Gov. Cuomo's moratorium on evictions in connection with the COVID-19 crisis provides you with protections. See Executive Order 202.28. In addition, the landlord still needs a judgment of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: My landlord yesterday came and changed locks threw my belongings in garbage and packed boxes

He had an individual I do not know stay to do this cos had to come and let me in my home after just losing to sisters in 24 hrs he tries to throw me and my stuff and kids on street to pandemic he is a business owner and should no better then to change locks and throw my stuff in a dumpster he just... View More

Elaine Shay
Elaine Shay
answered on Jul 8, 2020

You can call the police. If you have proof that you live at that property the police should compel the landlord to restore you to possession. In the event the police are not helpful, you may file an emergency OSC with the NYC Housing Court, which has been hearing emergency applications throughout... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: been a tenant for 20+ years in my apt in queens ny. I wanted to use my security deposit $20+ years ago of $1100

Been renting more 20 yrs in my apt in woodside NY, (queens) and did alot of renovations and never bothered my landlord for anything. Before pandemic my landlord told me she needed her apt back to use she gave me 1 month notice. I told them i will look for an apt but till then i will continue paying... View More

Elaine Shay
Elaine Shay
answered on Jul 7, 2020

If you are moving at the end of the month, the Landlord has no means to enforce the demand for an additional security deposit before you move. Unless a tenant has an explicit agreement with a Landlord to provide reimbursement for renovations, a Landlord is not obligated to reimburse a tenant and... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: Hi, what happen if I break the commercial lease due to slow business due corona ?

can landlord go after me( my personnel asset ex: bank account .... ) if I break the lease again due to the slow business cause of corona

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Jul 7, 2020

As we sit here, the NYC law was changed to nullify personal guarantees. Thus, the landlord cannot do so. However, there are constitutional and jurisdictional issues that make this law suspect, so it is unclear now what will happen. If you want to break your lease, now is the time to do so, as... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for New York on
Q: Will I still be elegible for the extra $600 unemployment assistance if I work 4 days a week?

I’ve been told that if I work 4 days and makes less than $504 I am elegible for the $600 but not the regular unemployment. I am able to cut my days down to 3 if that allows me to still file.

V. Jonas Urba
V. Jonas Urba
answered on Jul 2, 2020

If you earn more than $504 per week or work more than 3 days per week, even 5 minutes on the 4th day, you will not qualify in New York. You must qualify for some partial benefits in New York unless you have no other income from any other source, in which case you may qualify for pandemic alone. But... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: Florida short term vacation rental will not reimburse my stay even after governor issued state of emergency & travel ban
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jun 26, 2020

Unfortunately, this situation is arising in many settings due to COVID-19. The outcome can depend on how the underlying contract has been drafted - it definitions, force majeure clauses, and how those elements could be interpreted, along with traditional contract law issues such as impossibility,... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets for New York on
Q: Hi I got $350 worth school zone tickets rushing to work during the pandemic because I work in a hospital.

I wrote the traffic department explaining the reason for my speed but they didn't throw out the tickets. Can I sue for the unnecessary stress it brought me?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jun 15, 2020

You can't sue for the stress. There is no legal theory on which to base such a cause of action. If you believe it won't adversely impact your job, you could politely ask if reimbursement from the hospital is possible. The answer is likely to be no at most workplaces, but these are unusual... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for New York on
Q: Hi, How does child support work with this pandemic? What can you recommend me to do about this case?

I give an amount of $ 368 every two weeks to my son's mother.($ 125 childcare is included.)

I also pay 280 a month for health insurance sharing it with my son

That’s what the court required.

my earnings are 22 per hour, working 40 hours weekly.

Now I am... View More

Howard E. Knispel
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Howard E. Knispel
answered on Jun 12, 2020

You must follow the court order as written. If you need to change that, you need to file a petition for modification. Even if you case is not heard right away as the courts are closed, your petition will be filed and any modification award would be retroactive to the date of filing.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for New York on
Q: Should I sign the waiver of statutory requirements and beneficiary receipt/release?
Sharon M. Siegel
Sharon M. Siegel
answered on Jun 5, 2020

I agree that you should consult a lawyer before signing any document (not limited to the one mentioned) which can affect your rights as a beneficiary. Also, I would mention that if you don't sign, you will have a lot of time before any next step due to covid. The Surrogate's Court is... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law for New York on
Q: Is there a time frame to file a adjustment of status after a marriage?

I just got married and because of covid 19 it affects us financially. I'm thinking of filing my adjustment of status on july once we have enough money

Ify Princess Ikeakanam
Ify Princess Ikeakanam
answered on Jun 5, 2020

Good Morning. You can file as soon as you get married provided the marriage is real and not just for immigration benefits. You will have to prove that with supporting documents.

When you say “have enough money” do you mean to pay for the application forms or to pass the public charge...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: I moved into an apartment. Signed a one year lease 2/2020. Since then I have lost my job due to covid closing.

I now am out of money and falling behind on all my debit. Can I get out of my lease?

Elaine Shay
Elaine Shay
answered on Jun 3, 2020

Generally, losing your employment or even the Covid crisis wouldnot constitute a legal basis to break your lease. However, that doesn't prevent you from negotiating with your landlord to be released. If you can present the situation in a way that persuades your landlord he/she would be... View More

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