Title: My friend had a visit from Child Protective Services for her boyfriend, can they legally drug test her or her boyfriend?

Question:
This is in Indianapolis IN.

So at 6:30 pm today, my friend got a knock on the door from CPS. They asked for her boyfriend (his name isn't on the lease nor has he done a change of address yet with the post office or DMV, so we aren't sure how they knew he lived there) and also asked if my friend was his wife by name (he isn't divorced but he hasn't been with his wife in years). He was/is at work, so my friend said as much. The CPS lady had paperwork and a small bag of drug tests with her, so my friend asked what everything was about...but the lady said she couldn't say and that she would be returning on Wednesday and everyone had to be present (my friend, her boyfriend, his child, and my friend's child from a previous relationship). Last week, the boyfriend's child went to school late because his phone alarm didn't wake him (that never happens, just the one time), and the estranged wife later said that the school opened an investigation; no one knows if this is true, and it is worth noting the wife has Bipolar disorder and doesn't always take her medication, which causes trust issues with anything she says.

My question is, can CPS drug test friend and her boyfriend without their consent without their refusal causing more harm? They both smoke marijuana, but never around the children. And neither one is mean or neglectful in the slightest, so this whole ordeal is confusing and surprising. Do CPS officials need a warrant to test? Is this justified? Also, should she have to be there/be subject to a drug test when she isn't even married to him?

Any information would help.

Edit: My friend and her boyfriend know marijuana is illegal! I don't need anything "spelled out for me." The ACTUAL question was, "Can CPS force them to do a drug test?!" You all can keep being rude, (like giraffe guy down below) I expect that from reddit. They know marijuana is illegal here, so let's quit talking about how their marijuana use is sooo evil because, honestly, it has nothing to do with why I reached out to this sub. They shouldn't be smoking (they know that and so do I), but they still have rights. I came here to find out their rights, not to have people start petty arguments over how bad and illegal marijuana is. WE ALL KNOW IT IS ILLEGAL HERE, now move on and answer the actual question.

Answer:
 Two things:

1. Without a court order the CPS lady doesn't get to do pop-in drug tests, nor does she get to demand that everyone be present for her next visit.

2. Your friend and her boyfriend should not be smoking weed in a weed-illegal state if they are raising children. In a weed-illegal state, the rules you have to play by is that yes smoking marijuana is an illegal drug, and as awesome as weed might be, if you're using it then you are violating state and federal law.


Title: Lawyer did not prepare for trial or read my file, Accepted final divorce agreement/orders against my instruction, Appeared in court to sign consent without telling me, Now I lose kids to abuser with no financial settlement (Canada)

Question:
ETA- thanks for helpful responses, I am keeping this post for now for the info. I have [paraphrased] and ... edited content.... for privacy since this post had had no attention for the past fees days so its relevance has changed.

I have only 14 business days to over turn order. Does my case warrant complaint to law society?

I left my abuser who hit my kids and I.  He's stated in record he would continue to hit. My paid lawyer stepped down because I couldn't pay trial cost estimate...

Legal aid didn't talk to me for weeks after retained. There was no trial prep.  After 2 months they have not read my complete file. I was not instructed or prepped for discovery.

Ex hit kids and I, lied in all affidavits and to police, has not disclosed all assets, wrote saying never wanted kids ...[hasn't contributed consistently over separation and a great deal of evidence not addressed]... all can be proven with documents.... my lawyer said is not relevant to final order or makes trial necessary. Lawyer refused to conduct his discovery.

The Final Order: My lawyer accepted without my consent.  I did not read it before they appeared in court and signed it. My lawyer did not tell me to appear, I was a no show. My ex provided evidence for divorce.  I have yet to find out what that evidence is, if anything was filed on my behalf.

My instructions were ignored.  I will go from [full custody interim order with his visitation] to 1.5 days a week with alternating weekends, no holidays, and no Christmas.... no financial settlement, and my income is imputed.  I'm entirely dependent on him....

Plus, the assets I can prove and gave lawyer documents, my lawyer signed the Order that says I won't make claim as all assists are settled.

...

I told my lawyer I wanted to go to trial. They accepted the awful settlement. How do I get this Order set aside? ....

More details in comments if interested

Answer:
 What you need to do now is find an attorney.  And by "now" I mean put aside everything else not necessary for daily survival, and pound the pavement until you find an attorney who is in your jurisdiction and can take your case.

That's it.  That's the ONLY thing that will help now.

You might try one of these options:  http://yourlegalrights.on.ca/common-question/what-are-my-options-if-i-cant-afford-lawyer

As a side note, even if your lawyers were not good, trash talking them to another lawyer isn't going to help.  Tell them that your prior lawyer did not communicate clearly and you did not agree to the settlement, and you need it overturned.  That is all.

And yes, if what you said is true, that would be a breach of attorney duties (the attorney represents the client and cannot accept an offer unless the clients instructs them, even if they believe it is the best available option.)
Answer #2: You have a million excuses about why you are in your current predicament. Everyone lies, everyone is incompetent. And lawyers accept settlements without your consent.

Meanwhile you stand in your flowing robe against the waves of injustice. The problem is that you have far too many coincidences for me to believe any of your story. There are certainly circumstances where a set of events leads to real injustice in court. There are also circumstances where someone is delusional and unrealistic about the events surrounding them and their own actions.

You need to find a good attorney and follow his or her advice. Leave the crazy and the conspiracy views outside the lawyers door. Thats all you can do at this point. Good luck.


Title: Car missing features in contract

Question:
I recently entered into a leasing agreement with a used auto dealership in Iowa for a 2015 Kia Rio, I've had it for about 3 days. The features of the car on the contract say the car has cruise control, which I've just noticed it actually doesn't. I can buy a cruise control kit for $250 and pay someone an arm and leg to install it. I did lease the vehicle "as is" with no warranty but I'm wondering if somehow I can make them pay for parts and labor of the cruise control installation. I want to get some advice before I call the dealership.

Edit: I was totally wrong as per the "leasing part". This is my first vehicle I've gotten on a loan so I wasn't sure about the wording. It doesn't say anything about leasing in my contract, but there is a "purchase agreement". I'm buying the car through a lender that works with the dealership. Making monthly payments. I do not have the original title as I guess Iowa doesn't give it out (even with the lien on it) until it's paid off.

Answer:
 Not a Lawyer, but since you lease the car you and the lessor need to uphold the terms of the contract. If the contract states that the car has cruisecontrol you should get a car that has cruise control.

I wouldn't just install it yourself. Since you lease the car isn't your property. Best thing would be to go to the dealership and politely tell them the car isn't on term with the contract and you want to work on a solution.

I believe the only recourse you have if they deny is to end the lease contract and try to get your money back through small claims court. However, I'd advise you to get some 'real' legal advice on the matter from a legal aid clinic in your region first.

edit: I say you also typed you bought the car in your post. There is a difference between leasing and buying. Which of the 2 is it?

Answer #2: "As-is" does not override specific claims.  If the contract included cruise control, you should have it.  Call the dealer first.  See if they are willing to correct the situation (discount, different vehicle, refund).  If so, great.  If not, then you will have to explore your options.

Do not make alterations to a leased vehicle.


Title: Paid Sick Hours towards benefits

Question:
I live in CA and get health insurance through my employer. In order to qualify for my health insurance I need to work at least 30 hours a week. Recently I was pretty sick and there were a few weeks where I called in sick 2 days. I used my paid sick hours and was paid for those missing days. However my boss says that paid sick hours do not count towards my minimum 30 hours per week for health insurance and that I may be in danger of losing coverage.

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Is this legal? How can paid sick hours not count? Need help here because I really need my health coverage due to an illness but also will need to call in sick periodically due to my illness.

Answer:
 To lose coverage, you would need to average less than 30 hours a week *for the last 3 months.*

Falling below 30 for a week or two within that timeframe is okay.

But your employer is correct in that it only counts hours worked not hours paid.


Title: Parents and OBGYN appointments [NY]

Question:
Hi everyone, I imagine you’re going to see me post here a few more times before I get in contact with a lawyer. I’m in Vermont, ex girlfriend is in New York, this time around I have a question about OBGYN visits. I’m assuming I know the answer for multiple reasons but I’d like to be sure.

Ex is completely irrational, is mentally unstable, and has threatened me multiple times to eliminate my involvement with my child. My question is if she can keep me away from any appointments she has concerning the baby? I’m assuming so because paternity will not be established until birth and they are her appointments after all.

The baby is still a ways off, so paying to talk to a lawyer starting now and leading up to birth will be difficult, I’m thinking about waiting until it’s closer to the birth in order to discuss things for court as I see no other option at this point unless she changes drastically, and even then chances are good that I will have to take her to court over it. Thank you for any help you can give.

Answer: You mean you want to go to your ex's appointments at her OBGYN? No, you don't have any right to be involved in her medical appointments. If she doesn't allow it you won't even be allowed in the room while she gives birth.Answer #2: You have zero rights to be present at her doctor appointments or hospital when the baby is born. When it is born request a DNA test, custody/visitation, and child support


Title: [NYC] Trying to kick out my sister from my mother's house. We've tried, but she called the cops on us.

Question:
Hey Reddit,

I'll try to keep this as quick to the point as possible.

My sister moved in to my mom's house over a year ago cause my aunt convinced her to. My mom didn't want her to come back home cause she knew what type of shitty person she is, and that she will never leave. But out of the goodness of her heart, my mom allowed it. My sister said she'll be out once she finds a job. 6 months roll by and she finally gets a job, but doesn't leave. My mom, struggling with the bills, asks her to start paying rent. My sister tells her to fuck off, and telling my mom to go get a legal lease. The house is under my mothers name, so my sister has no right to stay there. She has said that she will never live the house no matter what. So one day I took her house keys. She then called the cops on all of us (Me, my mom, and my dad) and opened a domestic violence case on us (We never played a finger on her). The cops came and demanded that we hand back her keys. I want to either change the locks, or call 911, but i cant do so with her [my mom's ] approval. I've tried convincing her.

TL;DR My sister refuses to leave my mom's house. She [my sister] called the cops on us when i took her house keys. She threatened to call them again if we "try anything funny" (i.e. changing the locks).

Answer:
 You tried an illegal eviction. She is a de facto M2M tenant and has 100% of the legal protections of someone on a M2M lease and/or someone paying rent. You need to give her a one-month written notice to vacate.

>*Except in communities with some form of rent regulation, rent stabilization, or rent control  your landlord does not need to give you a reason (although acting on discriminatory or retaliatory motives is illegal). A landlord can simply give you a written notice to move, allowing you one month as required by New York law and specifying the date on which your tenancy will end.*

If she is not out by that date then you have to file in court for an eviction.


Title: Fixed friend's car. Three weeks later he got into an accident and is blaming me.

Question:
Hello!

Long time lurker and never thought I would have to post here!

I am a mechanical engineer for a large company in Richmond, Va.  In my spare time I enjoy rebuilding cars and generally building things.  I have a pretty expansive car garage where in addition to working on projects I do the majority of preventative maintenance and repairs on my daily vehicles.

Every once in awhile a friend will call me up and say their check engine light is on.  Normally it is just a unscrew old part and screw in new part.  Every once in awhile more work is needed and I'll do it while showing them and teaching them a little bit.

About a month ago a friend of a friend (who I know but do not hang out with regularly) calls me and says his car failed inspection.  In Virginia, if you fail inspection you get a "fail sticker" placed on your windshield and you have two weeks to fix it.  He tells me that he failed due to worn tie rods and brake pads.  I tell him to swing by and everything he told me seemed correct.  I mentioned that anytime you mess with the steering components you need to do an alignment which I couldn't do.  He acknowledged.  He went online and ordered the necessary parts.  After they were delivered to his house he swings by.  We replaced the outer tie rod ends and replaced all the brake pads.  We took the car for a test drive and he mentioned the steering felt like new and the car stopped on a dime.  Everything was in order.  He took the car back to the inspection place and he passed.

Thought that was the end of story.  Apparently a week ago (three weeks after car was fixed) he rear ended someone.  He is now trying to place the blame on me and say it was my shotty mechanical work that caused him to rear end someone.  He wants me to pay for all the damages to his car as well as the car he damaged.  I told him to piss off which seemed to send him into a rampage.  I have not been contacted by anyone but I want to stay proactive in case something does happen but I don't expect anything to come of it.  I guess I'm asking if there is anything I can do to prepare myself if something does happen?  Could I be held liable?

Thanks for any advice!

Location: Richmond, Va

Answer:
 It would be pretty hard to prove negligence on your part if it passed a state safety inspection after you fixed it.

My advice: Ditch friend like a bad habit and move on. He can make demands all he wants but until you get a court summons, nothing will come of it.


Title: Husband and wife separated, but not yet divorced. Husband adopted child without wife's consent. help

Question: I'm a law student in Iowa working on this case and was wondering if anyone has encountered this before. The husband lied to the adoption attorney and adoption court saying they were single, and got an adoption through the state. The wife is now wondering how to make sure she is not legally responsible for this child in any way. Can anyone give advice for the process to ensure this end? Do we file in the adoption court? If the adoption is voided are we in the clear? Is the adoption void or voidable? very confused and would appreciate any input people have on this topic

Answer:
 It's difficult to believe that the social workers involved didn't do a home inspection or check out his story about being single.Answer #2: When I was adopted by my step dad, the courts were very thorough.

I would think that it would be required for the courts to ensure the parents were single?


Title: [NYC] Slip and Fall - Major Chain Restaurant - Surgery

Question:
I will bullet point the issue to make for easier reading.

* Store had shoveled the front of the store. But left the side of the store with ice and snow all season
* Storm night before 4 inches of new snow. No new snow in the morning.
* Walked to work. Same route as always. Carry my child in his baby carrier
* Had on high top timberland's
* Walked past the store on the ungroomed sidewalk. Slipped and fell on my back with my child attached to me.
* Back hurt and developed a slight headache. Did not call an ambulance. No witnesses. But there are cameras.
* Son was fine. Dropped him off at daycare.
* Email company about bad conditions.
* They respond with a call saying it was cleaned up.
* I walk by and conditions are the same. So I take pictures.
* Call back and tell them it was not fixed.
* Later that night develop terrible pains.
* 4:30AM go to the hospital
* 9AM find out I have appendicitis and need surgery

I hope that is easy to read. The conditions have always been bad on that side of the block and several times I had avoided it. However, this time I did not. And I slipped and fell with my poor son. I know its hard to prove the connection between the fall and the surgery. But I just wanted to make sure.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

tl;dr - Had appendicitis surgery 24 hours after fall.
Topic:
Personal Injury

Answer:
 1. if you have health insurance tell them ab't the trauma so they can go after the business. if they get anything (though not sure how you'd know of the outcome), that'll be a good clue to you if you're likely to recover your out of pocket from the business.

2. get a consult with a personal injury attorney. there are zillions in NYC. and if one doesn't want you (but still thinks you have a case) he can set you up with another one.


Title: Broke up with best friend, now being nickle and dimed for past memories

Question:
Throw away account of course

I broke up with a friend. It was a long time coming and has a lot of history.

The friend and their parent are millionaires. The friend (let's call them Andy) lives their life at home with multiple health problems. They lead a very unhealthy lifestyle that further damages themselves, with no improvement in the 8 years I have known them.

I came into their life 8 years ago, and we became friends. We were in high school. They liked anime, I liked anime, they liked cake, I liked cake. pretty simple, right?
When Andy moved to live with their other parent (parents are divorced.), they invited me over constantly. We would go shopping and Andy would willingly offer to buy me things. If we were both at a til to purchase, Andy would take my things and say don't worry about it. It's apparently faster to have the one transaction that two.
Andy and I would also go for annual trips abroad. Paid for by their parent. My flight, hotel, and food was paid for. In full. Tickets were in my name and everything. I brought spending money.
Over the years, I was bullied by Andy. I didn't want to see it, but sometimes I would try to say something and I was met with yelling, or being told to just "do what (Andy) wants to do, since my  (parent) is paying for this trip! You wouldn't be here if it wasn't for us!". Basically things like that. I constantly felt guilty. I felt not trusted. I felt like a play thing. Bought and paid for play thing. When I was with Andy, I always had to watch their health. I always knew what they were eating, drinking, energy levels etc. I drove us everywhere as Andy does not have a license. It is high stress for me driving in a city. I often was yelled at because I didn't drive like their parent did, and was ridiculed and called "Stupid", "idiot" etc.

This past week, I finally broke up my friendship with Andy. I felt so good. I sent them a long message outlining my feelings, and why I was doing this. I did everything in my mental power to keep it professional, and about how I felt. I explained how I felt, and even touched on some of my own flaws, as we all have them.

My problem now is this:
Andy and their parent are adding up all of the trips, all of the things they bought me. Everything. And telling me I have to pay $8000 or else they will bring lawyers into this. I have attacks on both my personal Facebook, as well as my texts on my cell phone demanding money and bringing lawyers into this. Along with a barrage of insults of course. I have replied to nothing and have both Andy and the parent blocked on everything possible now.

This past weekend, I attended a large event in a city nearby with a group of about 10 friends. There was going to be photoshoots and some events I was going to attend.
My friends saw Andy and their parent (probably 6ft 8.) coming down the street to our shoot. They knew about it. I (small, about 5ft 4) panicked and left the area. I was able to get into a friends vehicle and hide in the back. I did NOT want confrontation. I do not handle is well in person, and did now know what they would do. I have seen them both when they are angry, and it is something I wanted to avoid, especially in public.
They did not leave the area, and asked all of my friends where I was, what hotel I was staying at, how I was getting around, who I was there with, what I was attending at the event in town. Everything. Andy wanted everything about me. They walked around the block of the area we were in looking for me. They then loitered in the hotel lobby for about 3 hours to see if I would go upstairs. Andy knew my friends were sharing a room there. I happened to move my stuff there that morning, as I was staying there for a bit that day and it was easier to have my stuff there. Their hotel was closer to the event. I was unable to get anything or go upstairs as they were in there waiting by the elevator.
Once we were done shooting photos, we were moving locations. I was still hiding in the vehicle at this point as I was too scared to be in public. I had no idea what would happen. They have millions at their disposal. I don't know what money can buy. I was scared.
When my friends moved to the next shoot location, Andy and their parent left the building and followed them down to the next area. I was able to bolt from the vehicle and go up to the room. I stayed there until the evening. I was receiving updates from my friends via FB where Andy and their dad was, so I thought it best to just stay in the room.
I was going to attend a small event in the evening, and Andy knew about it. Andy told my friends that they would go with their dad and wait for me at it. I had already cancelled going earlier, but no one knew. I was also informed by my friends that while Andy was with my friends and I was hiding, all they and their parent did was talk inappropriately about me. How horrible I was, how I stole from them and owed them money, so on and so forth in that type of manner. This is something that never should have been brought to my friends at all, and created a very uncomfortable situation for them.

TL;DR Broke up with friend, now being nickle and timed by them and their parent for everything they ever spent on me and threatening with lawyers. Have it all in text form. Also having my character attacked through verbal and text with my friends.
All money spent was as a gift, and there was never a contract written or verbal. There was never mention of payback or anything of that matter.

Do they have a case? I'm absolutely terrified and have no idea what to expect.

We are in Canada BC

Answer:
 They have absolutely no case at all, and this is an idle threat. They sent the letter themselves because there's no case and any lawyer they asked to write such a letter would tell them so.

What you should do is make a note of everything they do, because you have a case against them for harassment. Take screenshots of the Facebook stuff in case they delete it, save the emails and texts. Get those friends to write you emails which spell out in detail what this family did and said. Go to a lawyer and show them all of this and ask them to send a letter to the family telling them to stop.

Are these people famous or prominent in some way or just rich?Answer #2: Legally they don't have a leg to stand on.  You can't give someone a gift, and demand payment when the relationship ends.  These were not conditional gifts.

However, if they are rich, mad, and vicious, they can certainly make your life difficult.  Keep yourself clean (meaning don't do anything illegal or hang out with anyone who is doing anything illegal), and don't engage.Answer #3: On a personal note. Next time you break up with a friend don't send a letter stating why, just become too busy to do anything. Pretty sure that letter is what pissed them off. Just drift away.Answer #4: No, they have no case.  Just ignore them.

Or pay a lawyer a couple hundred bucks to send them a cease and desist letter.


Title: If I own a house that is not part of an HOA, can it at any point come to be subject to an HOA without me agreeing to it in writing?

Question: We are shopping for a house in San Diego, and one of our most important preferences is that it not be subject to an HOA. My question is, once I own the house (with a mortgage), can an HOA be imposed on my house without my consent, or through coercive tactics? If so, how can this happen, and what precautions, if any, can I take to reduce the risk of this happening?

Answer:
 You can start by making sure you get an *owner's* title insurance policy in addition to the usual lender's title insurance policy that is required. Being in an HOA is something that is reflected on the title/deed.

If someone down the line says that your property actually does belong to an HOA, you can go to your title insurance company for relief.

Creating an HOA is a lot more involved than just having a group of homeowners come together with an agreement. They have to draw up bylaws and covenants and, most importantly, the deeds would have to be amended to reflect this.

There have been a few posts here by folks where neighboring HOAs have tried to bully them into joining. They can request, coerce, plead, lie etc, but it's very unlikely they'd be able to successfully add your home to their organization without you first agreeing to it.


Title: Divorced father forcing 17 year old to go to church against agreement, can we force him to stop? (Pennsylvania)

Question:
So I'm not sure if there is anything we can even do in this situation but here goes.

As of this morning my father has started forcing my 17 year old younger sister to go to church on Sundays against her will.  I know that that in and of itself is not illegal (to my knowledge) but I when he divorced my mother they signed an agree meet saying that neither parent could begin taking any of the children to a different type of religious worship.  The church my father has begun taking my sister to is a different denomination of Christianity than the one we were attending at the time of the divorce (our original church was Presbyterian and his current one is Lutheran).

Is it likely that this discrepancy violates that agreement in any way and if so what can I (20F) do about it to protect my sister?

Answer:
 If the order says the parents agree not take the kids to a different church, your dad may be in violation. The remedy is for your mom to take your dad back to court to seek to enforce the order. There is nothing you can do at all. Also, at 17, it may be easier just to wait until your sister turns 18 than going back to court because of weekly church services. Again, you cannot help. It is up to your mom and dadAnswer #2: If your father is in violation of the divorce decree, then your mother can petition the court to enforce the decree.

As a third party to the divorce agreement, you have very little legal power here. It's unlikely that the police will act on this as they probably have more important things to do than intervene on which church a child is going to.Answer #3: It would be an interesting case as to whether or not "Presbyterian" and "Lutheran" are the kinds of different types of religious worship contemplated in the divorce decree.Answer #4: You can’t do anything. If it’s specifically in the divorce judgment, your mom can take him back to court for violating it.


Title: Malpractice? Missed appendicitis caused me (24F) to lose over a foot of intestines at 30 weeks pregnant.

Question:
I will try to keep this relatively concise. Feel free to ask for clarification about anything. For law reference, I am in Louisiana.

I made 29 weeks pregnant on last Friday, 11/09. That morning I noticed some abdominal pain but figured it could very well be pregnancy indigestion or gas. I took a couple Tums and some Tylenol and made sure to hydrate. Through the next Saturday and Sunday, my pain continued to increase and I decided to head to the ER at our local woman’s hospital (same hospital I’ll be birthing at). This pain is a solid 8/10, very sharp, and concentrated in my right flank, with radiation into my back area and down my right leg. At this point, I could barely walk and it hurt to breathe. ER doc orders urine and blood labs. Urine comes back spotless, but blood shows a WBC count of 14 (normal is 6-10). He also orders an ultrasound, but only of my gallbladder, liver, and right kidney. The ultrasound comes back “clean,” according to doc. He says “it could be muscular,” and “it could be round ligament pain.” I know for a fact it’s not a pulled muscle, and round ligament pain resolves within a few minutes, so I knew it was neither of those. I asked “could it be a digestive or bowel issue.” The doctor looks at me, shrugs, and says “sometimes weird things happen when you’re pregnant.” I was discharged without antibiotics or an explanation for the elevated white blood cell count or the pain. He wrote me a script for 6 Lortab pills and sent me on my way. I wish I had pushed harder at this point - I had hallmark signs of appendicitis.
Monday through Wednesday, I continued to feel sick. Thursday morning when I woke up, I couldn’t lift myself out of bed. My husband had to pick me up and take me to the toilet to pee while I vomited from the other end. We called my OB’s office immediately and got a same day appointment with one of her partners. When we arrived, OB did an ultrasound of the baby, my cervix, and my placenta to make sure baby was ok. After noticing I had a fever and that my white cells were at a 15, OB admitted me for 24 hours of observation.
 I was finally admitted late Thursday (around 5pm). Am ultrasound revealed one small (5mm) kidney stone. From Thursday night to midday Sunday, I fought a fever. It would break and then spike again. My doctor admitted to me that they didn’t know why I had a fever, and put me on broad spectrum antibiotics to combat whatever I was fighting. All this time, my urine was still bacteria free - indicating that the infection obviously wasn’t a urinary tract issue. Finally, around 4pm on Sunday, I was taken for a CT scan because my OB suspected appendicitis. Within 15 minutes of the scan, a general surgeon was in my room telling me I had a ruptured appendix and perforated colon and would probably be waking up with an ostomy bag and possibly a preemie. 30 minutes later, I was in the OR. When I woke up, I didn’t have an ostomy bag and the baby was still inside, but I was told I had just lost a foot of my large intestines. My intestines apparently “looked like hamburger meat down there.” I have a 27-staple midline abdominal incision. I am in excruciating pain from my bowels waking up. I still haven’t passed a kidney stone.
The trauma of surgery irritated my uterus to the point that I was having contractions every 8 minutes. I was moved to Labor and Delivery and put in a Magnesium drip to stop contractions and monitored closely. After a day, I was released from L&D back to an antepartum unit. It took a few more days to get my contractions under control and to get the pain from my bowels managed. I’ve been discharged home, still in pain but managing it with medication.

When discharging me, my GI surgeon made sure to tell me how lucky I am to even be here, much less for baby to still be inside. I just really feel like this was mishandled and would like some input as far as malpractice. I understand that most PI/malpractice attorneys would take it on a contingency basis if they felt I had a case. Should I go ahead and get copies of my charts and get a consultation?
- [ ]

Topic:
Medicine and Malpractice

Answer:
 If you want to get a consultation, get a consultation.

Misdiagnosis does not necessarily mean malpractice.


Title: Hospital purged surgery records for a minor

Question:
At the age of 3 I underwent a small surgery to correct the musculature in my eyes at a hospital in Michigan. This surgery went according to plan and had no further complications. However, now I am 17 (still a minor) and need another surgery to further correct problems with the muscles in my eyes. This surgery cannot be performed on the same muscles as the one when I was younger for fear of damaging scar tissue. When my family went to try to obtain surgical records from this hospital we were told they did not have them anymore. This complicates my surgery and may significantly increase the cost, time, and scope of the corrective surgery I must currently undergo in order to fix my eyes. My question is: Are there laws mandating records be maintained by hospitals pertaining to surgeries performed on minors until a specific age/date and, if so, what legal action can my family pursue in the situation?
Topic:
Medicine and Malpractice

Answer: You could try contacting the surgeon who did the work. They may have notes and records separate from the hospital.


Title: Please help - worried my spouse implicated me in loan fraud.

Question:
Would you ever do this?  Say you have a marketing company —  and your spouse has a business. I'm in Texas
Your spouse recently took a business loan to get their business off the ground.  However, the loan requirements include that the owner provide direct receipts for all purchases and there can only be so much money per category.

Your spouse comes to you and asks you to write a receipt for a certain amount (20k per year) to do the marketing for said business.  You do so — and get paid.  However, your spouse tells you 3 days later it was all a scheme to get the cash and demands it back ASAP to help the business survive.

I say no — it’s for marketing.  He accuses me of trying to “steal” the money and demands it back at once or says he will call it theft!
I returned the money, but now I’m scared.  Is he going to get in trouble for loan fraud and will he take me down with him?  I did not know he was going to sabotage me!

He also went and bought a bunch of computers and returned them, as well — to take the cash.  Sure, he will still have to pay it back — but this is LYING.  Am i too sensitive?

**tl/drHow do I deal with a spouse who is committing what I would consider loan fraud and has now involved me…  advice?**

Answer: Do you want legal advice or relationship advice?


Title: [serious] Ordinary guy stripped of 14th (and other) amendment rights by Vermont State Judiciary with no possible recourse. Lost right to raise 3 kids. Debt ridden, bills overdue, homelessness immanent. Fit/willing/able father kept from children w/o reason [x-post to /r/law ; /r/nottheonion] Advice?

Question:
**tl;dr - yes, divorce.** MIDDLE CLASS NEWS ALERT!: Testimony only (no evidence); adulteress, greedy spouse pulls every f^&king trick in the book to eject spotless-record dad of 3 kiddos from home. Evidence of mom's fraud, hiding money, coercion, aggression, threats, malice, false claims of abuse, frustration of visitation, hostile aggressive parenting, parental alienation etc. All ignored by Judge(s).

Dad's Atty sucked balls.

Mother got full (legal/physical) custody (3 kids), 85% assets (including "nest egg" $600K/12 acres home), retirement accounts, tractor, father's pain and suffering check($35K), etc.

Spousal support set ($3000/mo). Child support set ($2500/mo) picked by mother('s)(attorney). Ridiculous, right?

Father gets 4 overnights with kids, 100% marital debt (~$100K) & car that died a couple of months ago. Wage garnishment makes basic monthly living costs mathematically impossible.

Although he earns about $5,200 monthly (as a programmer) his impending eviction will find him unable to pay utilities, homeless, penny-less, w/o med benefits and unable to care for his kids mid winter in the great state of Vermont, USA

Answer: Hey guys... I know this sounds surprising, but I think I found a crazy guy on the Internet.Answer #2: I cannot imagine how such a person wouldn't get the court's sympathy. Answer #3: Can you phrase that in the form of a question?


Title: Nightmare neighbor restraining order situation.

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 > His attorney found out and asked us to drop the restraining order if he signs legal documents promising to stay away and sell his place and move.

You'll never be able to enforce that document. You can enforce a restraining order. If he doesn't want to be under a restraining order, he needs to go back in time and not do the things that supported your petition.

Don't take legal advice from the opposing party's lawyer.Answer #2: Don't bother to take the deal, and instead enforce the TRO. You have the leverage here.


Title: How can the defendant get all charges cleared?

Question: The offense charged was a felony for fighting in a bar.  After it was proven that the suspect was a witness and not the attacker,  the felony charges were dropped. However, law enforcement wants to charge the witness a misdemeanor for being in a bar during lockdown orders. The DA wants the witness to testify voluntarily about the fight that took place as key evidence from the video found. Can the witness ask for those charges to be dropped in exchange for witness testimony? Does the DA sometimes use this to obtain witness? Is it possible to walk away with a clean record?

Answer:
 The witness can ask for anything that he or she wants.

The witness does not have to testify if that testimony would implicate him in a crime for which he can be prosecuted.


Title: (Canada)Medical dispensary worker. We're operating in a legal grey zone. My province just decided to ban dispensaries once federal law comes in to place in July.

Question:
The police have already raided us twice. One case is still before the courts. The company I work for is across Canada, we supposedly pay taxes and definitely have a business license.
I'm worried I'll get caught up in a raid and ruin my security clearance to work in the fully legal market.
How likely is it that the charges they lay will stick past July?

Answer:
 There is no "legal grey zone." Operating a dispensary is clearly illegal in Canada. Laws rarely apply retroactively. Operating a dispensary outside of the provincial regime will remain illegal past July. No one can give you chances but I wouldn't count on a stay being entered. Answer #2: You do not operate in a "legal grey zone", a fact which this-

>The police have already raided us twice

and this-

>One case is still before the courts

Should have clued you into.

You sell illegal drugs. You're a drug dealer. Legally you're in the same position as the guy on the street corner wearing Timberlands and a puffy jacket.

>How likely is it that the charges they lay will stick past July?

I'd say pretty likely, especially given that what you've done will *still* be illegal after July.


Title: California- my landlord keeps coming to my door unannounced to tell me things or accuse me of things. I know he's not allowed to enter without a notice, but can I legally tell him to stop showing up at my door without notice?

Question:
I moved into a new apartment recently. It's 4 unit building, and the landlord lives on site in one of the other units. I'm a young female and live alone, so I feel uncomfortable with my landlord showing up unannounced as he does.

A few examples of when he's showed up:

When I moved into the apartment, he left me a small plastic vase with a flower from his garden and note that said "Welcome!". He showed up a few days later at about 7pm to ask for the vase back.

I owed him prorated rent when I moved in of $320.50. I wrote the amount correctly on the check, but on the bottom line where you write the amount out in words I accidentally left off the "and fiftey cents". So he showed up to my door around 7pm to ask me to fix the check.

A week after I moved in, I noticed that the bathroom window was broken, so I asked him to have it repaired. He had the window company come take a look at it while I was at work (I agreed to this), but later in the evening when I was at home in my pajamas he rang my doorbell just to tell me the details of when the repair will be. I told him 'Oh you can just call me with updates, no need to come over", and I thought that was the end of that.

A few days ago, I was stepping out of my apartment via the garage to go somewhere, and I saw him at my front door He had some cleaning supplies for the hardwood floor,  stove, etc. that he wanted me to use to maintain the apartment and wanted to give me instructions on how to use them. I told him 'I'm about to head out right now, this isn't a good time for me. You can just leave the supplies at the door". He said he wanted to give me instructions on how to clean the floors, so I told him he'd have to call me and schedule a time. So he left, and we later scheduled a time for him to come.

All of this was mildly annoying, but not that big of a deal to me until tonight.

 I was sitting in my living room skyping my mom and he rang my doorbell. I ignored it, because I was busy and didn't feel like seeing him. But I guess he could hear me talking because the window was open and rang the doorbell again. I got up to answer and he told me he was here because there was a broken board in the fence and he was wondering if I knew why. I told him I didn't (because I haven't touched the fence), and he essentially accused me of breaking the fence with my car or something. I looked over at the fence, and one of the boards did look a bit loose. However, this property is about 100 years old and the fence is basically deterioriating, so I told him "maybe it just fell apart because it is old. Maybe someone on the other side of the fence hit it. I don't know". He seemed really mad that I wouldn't confess to breaking the fence, and was like "well OK then, I guess I'll just have to ask my handy man to fix it." and just stared at me. I asked him "OK? Is that all you came for?" and he said 'No, I came because I hoped you'd be honest and fess up to hitting the fence."

We got into an argument where I said I didn't appreciate being accused of being dishonest and that it's not like I'd have any reason to lie because 1. I'm not afraid of him and 2. I can afford to fix the fence if it was my mistake. And further, I don't appreciate him showing up to my door unannounced to accuse me of things without cause.

He tried to play me off as some kind of irrational woman and said "I didn't realize this would be so traumatic for you" and left.

I'm pretty annoyed with him now, and I want to formally request that he not show up to my door without notice from now on. I want to be able to rest in my pajamas without having a strange man suddenly show up at my door. Am I within my rights to request this?

Thanks.

Answer:
 Over what period of time is all of this? A few weeks/months/years?

You can start by sending him written notice to cease, citing Ca Civil Code 1927, and request that all correspondence be handled in writing unless it's an emergency situation.

If LL is violating your right to quiet enjoyment, you can bring a cause of action against him. Check out [Ca Civil Code 1940.2](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1940.2.&lawCode=CIV). You could also nail him for breach of contract or request relief from the court.

If this is over the course of a year you may have a harder time, but if this has been frequent and recent it may be easier.

Depending on where you are in the state, you at have a local tenant's rights group that could help as well. Would be worth looking for.

>Am I within my rights to request this?

In short, yes.


Title: Mushroom neglect in renting apartment - can I be reimbursed?

Question:
(living in Austin, TX) A few months ago, I noticed a mushroom growing through the caulk next to my shower and toilet. I told my landlord and maintenance used a dehumidifier in my bathroom for 3 days and replaced the caulking. A month later, another mushroom grows up through the new caulk. As I originally suspected, there's probably an issue deeper in the floor boards, right? They came out again, only this time with "fungus spray" only, and they ripped out that section of the caulking and a section of the wall above it. They said if they just replaced this it would be fine because they "couldn't see further damage". A month goes by and they blow me off about fixing the hole. Meanwhile, yesterday another mushroom sprouts up in the open wall space. Not to mention - there's been a foul smell in the bathroom the last few months. I've voiced my concerns about health issues with mold spores - and now I have a cough that seems to have settled in my lungs. Could be a coincidence, but my boyfriend has the same thing and we're worried it's from the fungus. Is there anything I can do to basically say "you owe me" for the past few months of foul smells and mold exposure? Along with the negligence of fixing the hole in the wall?
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer:
 May I recommend taking a photo of the mushroom and posting it in r/mycology for identification purposes, just to know what you're dealing withAnswer #2: Can't comment about legal issues - but can comment about mushrooms.  Many of the ones you see sprouting are harmless and probably won't harm you in any way.  They're decomposing the wood, and the mushroom is just the "fruit."  It doesn't give off any spores until it's very mature.

HOWEVER, mushrooms growing is a big sign that there's water intrusion into the wood to the point that it's decomposing.  With water getting into the floor, there's a chance that there are other unpleasant things that would be worse than this mushroom - and could be bad for your health - molds, mildews, etc.


Title: (NY) Girlfriend was hit while parked by car who fled the scene. Driver appeared to be heavily intoxicated with a child inside her vehicle, more details inside.

Question:
This just happened a few minutes ago. GF was picking up her little sister from school (9yo) when a women hit her parked car while trying to park herself. The woman got out to pick up a kid from school and ignored my gf when she got out to confront her,  the woman just walked back to her car and drove off.

My gf took clear pictures of her vehicle and license plate, police where called to the scene and a report has been filled. My gf and her sister are fine thankfully and the damage to the car is not something I would consider serious but still very noticeable. Mother in law was with her and witnessed the whole thing, they both agree the woman was clearly under the influence of something

What should we do next?  Press charges? If so for what exactly? Sue?  I don't really know how what we should do at the very minimum repayment for the property damage but I feel like something more needs to be done to keep scumbags like this out of the street.

Thanks for any and all advice!

Answer:
 Call Police, tell them what happened, follow their directions. Call insurance, tell them what happened, follow their directions. Answer #2: >What should we do next?

Comply with the police in their handling of the matter.  The police will decide how and if they will pursue the other driver.

>Sue?

You might wait to see what comes out of the police involvement.  But yes, ultimately you may either file a claim against their insurance, your insurance, or sue them for the damages to your vehicle.

>I feel like something more needs to be done to keep scumbags like this out of the street.

You are not Batman.  Allow the police to do their job.


Title: My job may have broke Americans with Disabilities Act regulations

Question: Hello.  I am from Wisconsin, and have been discharged from my union job over walking away from a supervisor and leaving the premises.  I have already gone through a grievance process and have been given the option to sign a resignation or be discharged.  The company I worked for was made aware at the time of my application that I am covered in the Americans with Disabilities Act, but my disability is a mental one (autism) and did not require physical accommodations.  I had received an order from a supervisor, a then grunt employee like me I had months ago been allowed to work away from as I suffer from poor impulse control under high-stress work environments.  My legal question is whether the accommodations under the ADA include such things as separation from those workers and if termination was legal in light of my requests to work other areas of the building.  Thank you for your time and do not hesitate to request more non-identifying information.

Answer:
 "I don't want to interact with my boss" is generally not a reasonable request for accommodation.

"I don't want the employee I dislike to become my boss" is generally not a reasonable request for accommodation.Answer #2: You can't just walk out of your job because you don't want to interact with your supervisor. That's tantamount to quitting in most circumstances.Answer #3: Did you actually request an accommodation? Because you need to actually request one, and it needs to be reasonable.

Perhaps I’m misreading this but it sounds to me as if you took the position that “I have autism and thus I have to have x, y and z” without actually requesting x y and z.


Title: [Michigan] No water provided at music festival, only overpriced bottled water. Is this legal?

Answer:
 Sure.  Why wouldn't it be?  It isn't their responsibility to provide you with free water.  Bring some yourself, or buy it.Answer #2: I forget where I read this, but I recall reading somewhere that music festivals often have some sort of medical assistance tent where they'll give you water for free if you really need it.

Please don't assume that I'm correct. Even if I am correct, don't be a jerk and just use such a facility to get free water.


Title: I got locked out of my apartment in Germany for two days after my landlords changed the lock and didn't give me a key.

Question:
Hi. I'm sorry if I'm posting in the wrong place, if please let me know what subreddit I should be in.

I just moved to the Stuttgart area in Germany from Mexico a month ago for an internship. This last Wensday, the landlords said they were changing the locks. That morning I had to leave for a business trip, so I obviously could not be there when they changed the locks and I told them that (they gave just 24 hrs notice). I went on my busness trip, and when I came back on Friday there was no way for me to get in. They did not leave me a key or anything. So, after waiting for seven hours and having nowhere to go, I wandered around my town all night to stay warm...

I contacted them asking them to bring me a key so I can get into the apartment, but they seriously did not care. I spoke to them all day trying to get a key, but they did not try to help me at all. I emailed, called, texted, facebook messaged, everything I could think of. Anything they answered was very unhelpful. I could tell they had no intention of helping me.

I have pretty severe asthma. It gets worse and worse when it is cold outside, I am stressed out, or I exercise too much than I'm used to. So the night I was walking around, I used up the rest of my inhaler in that night. I needed to get inside to get my refill, but they would not give me a key.

I did what I thought I had to, and had a dad on the floor below me break the lock open so I could get my medicine. I would have hired a locksmith, but my phone had died by then and I had only 15 euros to my name. So the door and lock are pretty damaged, and I feel horrible about it since it also affects my roommates who moved in late the next day so they already have a bad impression about me.

What can I do in this situation? I hate this apartment. They have treated me horribly since the first day. I pay a lot of money for the apartment, how could they lock me out? Am I responsible for paying for the door? Or are they?
Is there any way I can get out of  the lease without losing my deposit (message me for the lease please)? I'm incredibly stressed out and I really don't know how to handle this, I'm in such a foreign place and I don't know how they handle things here.

Please help me, I am desperately in need. Any kind of advice, legal or not, would help me a lot.

Answer:
 There will be a local tenant's union (mieterverein) that you can join. Usually they decline to help for the first couple months of membership because they want people to join rather than wait for a problem and join once it happens, but maybe they'd make an exception given the urgent-ness and the fact you've just arrived. If you tell me where you are I can help you find yours, or you can go to this website http://www.mieterbund.de/startseite.html and type your town or PLZ in the box on the righthand side that says "PLZ/Ort".

Do you speak German or can one of your roommates help you?Answer #2: Hmm, I'm not a lawyer and I know very little about German tenant law, but I know the following:

Absent a court order that is basically the German equivalent of an eviction, your landlord cannot just lock you out. So you are within your right to force entry into that apartment you are renting. IIRC you have a duty to mitigate the damages, so depending on the damage to the door, you might be liable to some of it.

Last but not least: There are very few people around here who know German law and also people don't do PMs around here to give advice. If you feel like you need to post your lease, please remove personal information and post it publicly.


Title: Question about custody of child between two unmarried people

Question: So one of my good friends and his girlfriend have a 1 year old child and they are engaged. He is 22 and she is 21. They have been engaged for awhile not. Recently the girl cheated on him while in another country and decided not to be with him anymore, claiming he was abusive. Now, that is something I have never witnessed myself and can't really find any proof of as the three of us spend a lot of time together. He has never once been violent in any way, they bicker sometimes but it seemed pretty normal, and for a 22 year old he has been a good dad so far. She has decided to move back to her home country of France and take the baby with her to live with her mom. He is absolutely destroyed by this and does not want to give up his 1 year old daughter. They both live in the state of California and apparently she has dual citizenship in France. Does my friend have any options, or because they aren't married is he at a complete loss power here? They are both still in the US, and she isn't planning on leaving for awhile.

Answer: He needs to hire a lawyer ASAP ! And, have a paternity test done if she claims he's not the father, or pulls some other shifty thing. As a father, he has just as many rights as the mother. Also, a legal agreement will set up things such as custody, child support, etc... And, if she runs with the child to another country, it's in essence, parental abduction. From the way she sounds, if I were him, I'd do it silently in the background , just in case she follows through on her threat to run with the child.


Title: WA state dad died, his wife is being sneaky

Question:
On July 9th, my dad died, it was sudden and although expected was still unexpected.

On July 11th, his wife since 2003 arranged his funeral and service and during that time explained to my brother and I that my dad's 401k was recently being transferred to a new finance company but that the old finance company was saying that they never received the paperwork. She was working the issue between the old and new companies.

On July 15th, we had a service, it was there that she started to freak out about the house because it was not willed to her, it was willed to my brother and I. The home was purchased in 2002 prior to the marriage. She was told us that she was unsure who the executor was during that convo. She also asked that I purchase his truck that had a $10k bank bill in good standing.

On July 17th, I went to the house to drop off the truck I borrowed, her and her adult daughter handed the will to me and told me to read it. It says that the home goes to my brother and I 50/50 and that she is to stay in the home until she dies. No mention of who pays the hoa dues, property tax etc. She was very upset because she only receives $1600 a month through SSD and a stipend from my dad's life insurance. I figured but did not say 'well we'll charge her to live here at whatever the property tax and hoa dues equate too, which would be $750 a month. She now tells me that the 401k has been transferred to the new company but no one will return her calls.

Emotional moment, I give zero shits about any of this stuff. My dad died. But I do want to move through the process and basically get there new normal figured out.

Back to July 17th, she tells me meet that the executor is a close cousin, my dad's niece and wife is unhappy about this because she doesn't believe executor will be fair. I tell her it's a piece of paper and there is really no way to mess around with it. Executor is a fair person, was not given any significant assets in the will, she has zero skin in the game.

Later that evening, wife's daughter calls me and is very upset because the will says that the executor was supposed to arrange the funeral and wife had done it without even inviting or extending courtesy to executor. She is also upset that my brother and I may charge 'rent' to her mom, she feels that my brother and I should pay $330 a month for hoa dues and $4k a year for property taxes. I simply said 'well, I really need to see the 401k distribution to see where I am financially'

July 18th, wife calls me and says we can't charge her to live there, a lawyer says so and she only has to pay hoa dues but we're on the hook for property taxes. I said okay, have you notified executor, she hadn't so I did because this is bullshit.

Executor did not know she was named because wife had told her right after my dad died that wife was. Apparently, my dad had drafted a new will prior to death but it was never signed and she was asking around to family how to get that will invoked, it gave her portion of the house and left items to daughter. I told wife that this will needs to be given to executor so she can begin the process, wife tells me that she has hired a probate lawyer and has been instructed to not give executor the will. She then tells me that the $10k truck bill and $2k credit card will have to paid by executor and that she has gone to the bank and closed out or taken my dad off the checking and savings accounts. She says the physical items left in the will for my brother and I are community property and she doesn't have to hand it over, we're talking about stuff my dad had looooong before he ever this lady and stuff that my family brought over from Italy in 1920 when they became citizens. Still no word on the 401k.

I'm at a fucking loss here. Wtaf.

I'm ready to hire a lawyer for my family because this lady is sneaky as shit.

Like I said, whatever the will says it will be followed, my brother and I don't care. There is an issue with us paying for the property tax though, neither of us can afford it. We both have houses of our own with incredibly high property tax (Yay king county), we both have 2 small kids, I'm not married. We both do alright in life but it's not like we have money lying around wanting to be spent on someone that isn't even a relative.

Can she really live there and my brother and I have to foot the bill? What if she remarries, what if she moves in her jobless daughter, her jobless husband and kid, do you we pay for that too?

Can she really remove the executor just because she doesn't like it? Can she withhold the 401k distribution? Can she really drag this out?

My dad was not a rich man, he lived simple, had a paid off home, some 401k and some things that were important to him. So we aren't talking a million dollars here. To me this is ludicrous.

Answer: Good thing you're prepared to hire a lawyer because you're going to have to. Sounds like wife has a life estate.


Title: My brother's documents have been destroyed by an angry ex girlfriend. All he has is his social security card...How can he prove his identity and get an ID?

Question:
He has an old photo student ID and a social security card and literally nothing else. She destroyed everything and to even get a birth certificate you need to get a notarized form filled out...Which you need an ID for!

&#x200B;

He has access to W-2's but they are all online and he was never given a physical copy. We're in NC.

Answer:
 Brother can request copy of birth certificate online

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/pages/vital-records.aspx

Once he has that, he can take his SSC, birth certificate, and two pieces of mail (usually only need one but DMVs can be picky with proof of address) establishing his residence in NC. He can use a lease (as long as his name is on it and it isn’t a printed copy), recent utility bills, etc

https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/identification/Pages/default.aspx


Title: Friends full name being used in newspaper during murder trial.

Question: (UK) Friend is a "key" witness in a murder trial and was giving evidence today. There has been an article posted online on a scottish news website (The Scottish Sun) using his full name and age. My friend said there was no agreement regarding his name, age or evidence being used in the press. Is there something wrong with this? Are the reporters allowed to freely use his details and evidence?

Answer:
 /r/legaladviceuk would be a better choice. In the US, this would be perfectly lawful absent a (rare) gag order, but you've got different laws on the other side of the pond.Answer #2: Although not specific to the U.K., the concept of open justice means that by default most court proceedings are open to the public and can be freely reported upon in the media. This is a cornerstone of legal systems based on British law, with the idea (rightly) that at a basic level, the more transparent the justice system the greater chance that legal proceedings can be fair and equitable.

In your friend's case it's understandable that they would want their identity concealed. However, if that was going to be the case, the concealment would have to be requested and the judge would have to rule for it to take place. The default is openness.


Title: Dash Cam footage - Am I obligated to produce it to the police?

Question:
I have a neighbor across the street that has a Harley. He's a nice guy but I just have one major complaint. He goes out riding on his Harley every Sat and Sunday morning at like 5-6AM, and he leaves his driveway with turning his throttle to the full making this obnoxious sound.

Anyhow, 2 days ago, his Harley was stolen. Now, here is the problem. I have a 2 channel (Front & Back) dash cam on my car that records when motion is detected even when the car is parked. I usually park in the garage but happen to park on the driveway and went to work that particular day (I work in NYC and usually take the public transportation)

My neighbor already filed the police report, but he knows that I have a dash cam installed on my car because he saw me install it few months ago. He came over last night and asked me if I can check on my dash cam to see if anything was recorded when his bike was stolen.

So I did take a look at it this morning, and voila! I do see this one truck passing by his house 3 times and two guys jumping out and throwing the bike to the back of the truck.

Now, as much as I want to be the good Samaritan, I am hesitant to hand over the footage to him for few reasons

1. if he doesn't fine the bike, there is a change that he won't get another one, and my sat and sund morning sleep won't be interrupted.
2. i am worried that if my video is ever used as an evidence in the court to prosecute the thieves, then they will know where that video came from as the footage is shot directly across from the guy's house, and I am worried that those guys might retaliate.

At the same time, I don't want to be charged with destroying the evidence either, so I wanted to ask /r/legaladvice before pressing the Format button on the dash cam.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Answer:
 He’ll get another one through insurance anyways. Turn it over and bank the good will to tell him to mind his manners.Answer #2: His insurance will buy him a new bike. Turn over the footage and report him for violating the noise ordinance instead.Answer #3: Practical advice:

1. If you help your neighbor recover his Harley, he may be more receptive to your requests that he reduce his throttle roll-on in the morning.   Gratitude is a powerful motivator, and you never know when your neighbor might be in a position to return a favor.
2. Cowardice in the face of petty thieves is not a good look, and allows them to continue their predation of your community and neighborhood.

Legal advice:

You know there is a police investigation and that you possess material evidence, and you "believe that evidence is about to be used in a prospective official proceeding".    That likely fits t[he description](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/215.40) of felony criminal destruction of evidence in New York.

There are no issues with subpoenas, yet.   Obviously if you never admit to possessing the evidence and thieves are never caught, then there is no violation of a subpoena.

&#x200B;Answer #4: You don't have to give the evidence over unless the police get a search warrant or subpoena.  Don't destroy it (or let it be destroyed) either.  And don't worry about retaliation; that is exceedingly rare.


Title: A coworker "mistakenly" fished my empty jug from the trash, filled it with bleach water and left it in the exact spot (with no labeling) where I always set my fresh jug of water.

Question:
If you haven't guessed already, I had come in from a job in the 100° heat and guzzled a good amount before my esophagus registered the intense burning.

My employer won't fire him (for fear of repercussions) and this is far beyond his strike 3.

Answer: File a police report.Answer #2: Have you sought medical treatment yet?


Title: Samsung mistakenly sends me something, will pay for shipping label to return an item, but will not pay for packaging. Am I required to pay for that packaging?

Question:
I'll try to keep this short:

- I sent in my laptop for in-warranty service.
- UPS damaged the laptop severely. They paid damages to Samsung who now have that money.
- Samsung was unable to repair/replace the laptop after more than two months, at which point I left the country permanently as I had warned them from the beginning (they kept saying it was no problem, I'd have it back long before then, even once it was broken) so they agree to refund me instead. This however took calls to Samsung every morning afternoon and evening for many weeks just to get them to either repair or refund it. All this time the laptop just sat there, broken, while Samsung already had the UPS money.
- Suddenly, without notifying me first, Samsung *accidentally returns the broken laptop to me*, even though I did not request to receive it back. At this point we had already agreed that I'm only supposed to receive a refund.

So now Samsung, which had already told me two weeks ago that I would get a check in 3-5 days, has realized that they accidentally sent the laptop back to me. (In the same packaging UPS destroyed that is now definitely not usable a third time anymore) They are now refusing to issue the refund unless I send the laptop back to them.

I'm happy to send it back, I'm not trying to keep it and somehow resell it, however, I am NOT going to pay for new shipping materials out of my own pocket. Especially after more than two months of pointless 60-70 calls (each lasting 30 minutes on average) and emails to Samsung just to get it repaired.

To make matters more complicated, it's now with my in-laws in America because I left the country two weeks ago. So not only do I have to pay for it, I also now have to convince my in-laws to buy it, package it, and take it to UPS on my behalf.

So why should we be responsible for the trouble of packing the laptop and paying for the materials, when Samsung has not only taken more than two months to do something about my notebook, but also *mistakenly returned the broken laptop AFTER we agreed on a refund*?

Do they legally have the right to withhold the refund they owe me for breaking my laptop, until I send it back at my own expense?! We're happy to make the effort to send it back, which is already a favor to them, but I'm not going to pay for their mistake. Especially after how they've treated me in the last two+ months.

Answer: Life advice as I won't get into the legal side of things on this post:  Pick your battles wisely.  What happened to the box that the laptop was sent to you in?  If that isn't around anymore, do your family members have a spare box in their garage?  A lot of times grocery stores/big box stores have boxes they will give you if you ask.  Yeah, it stinks and shouldn't be on you/relatives to do this, but why make a mountain out of a molehill?


Title: Allowing neighbor access our property for their lawsuit with the previous owner

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 My initial reaction would be

1. Sure, no problem, pick a date and we'll be happy to show them around, and
2. We're not interested in giving a statement.

However, this is a lawsuit over a large number of trees, including old growth? It's a large suit and everyone involved is already lawyered up to the nines. Their lawyers don't represent you and don't have to consider your interests. You could well be better served by denying both requests and waiting for a subpoena - and then by having your own lawyer review the subpoena before proceeding.

You have no legal obligation to either help your neighbour build a defence or to hinder them. What you decide is, ultimately, your problem. However, I would speak to a lawyer before moving forwards anyways, even if you ultimately decide to cooperate politely.Answer #2: IANAL: I've been involved in property disputes similar to this in CA. My take is you have a neighbor who cares only about his own interests and is presently "nice" only because he got caught and slapped with a lawsuit that he may well lose. The moment it's over he'll be back to his old ways, digging up your backyard for his drainage or whatever, especially if he thinks you're a "nice guy" who won't challenge him. You cannot generate enough "good will" to prevent his misbehavior in the future, unfortunately.

Sorry to be such a sceptic, but if I were you I would be having my lawyer send his lawyer a note warning him of my plans to do a survey and put up a fence.


Title: Used a fake social security number to get payments on an online job but haven't started?

Question: I didn't get response on the application but it said that the number is valid and the application takes 24 hours to process. Can i get in trouble? it was for an amazon online job where you conduct surveys for money. I realized how serious it can be even though I put it on a website. Should I be worried?

Answer: Yes, Social Security fraud is still illegal.


Title: [VA, US] Is it legal to require employees to install an application on their personal phones? Also a bonus add-on question.

Question:
We are implementing a two-factor authentication system, and one of the ways to authenticate is to verify a push notification sent to a smartphone. Employees must authenticate into this system to access their computer and do work; without authenticating, they can not work. **Is it legal to require an employee to install an application on their personal phones in order to do their work?**

*Bonus add-on question*: The other option is to give employees key fobs for authentication. **Is it legal to dock an employee's pay for the cost of a key fob replacement if their key fob is lost or destroyed?**

Answer:
 Not in law, but in IT, and have configured this type of system more than once. My answer is that both are legal and common.

Not sure of your objection to 2FA app on phone. That's different than an app that lets them control or wipe your phone (MDM).


Title: Employer not paying ot correctly?

Question:
Posted this in personal finance first and some of them told me to come over here...
 So I have been entering in employees' time since June of this year in a spreadsheet my boss made. I'm just an assistant and do what I'm told. We get paid on the 1st and 15th of each month - payperiods being the 11-25th and the 26th-10th.

My boss goes in and makes necesaary changes for holiday time and personal time that I do not know about. I calculate ot based on how I was first instructed by my boss.

I got suspicious one day after I calculated overtime for 4 employees and went in the spreadsheet the next day and boss had removed the overtime. I've been watching it a lot more closely since then.

I just read on the federal website that overtime should be calculated on a per week basis. And i understand that employers can make their own "week".

However, my boss calculates based on the payperiod. So if I worked 50 hours last week but 30 hours this week I do not get paid for overtime. They have been doing this for awhile and I went back and looked at the time sheets that I still have access too and some are correct just based on how the dates are worked out but some are not correct and people including myself did not get paid overtime that we worked.

I would prefer to somehow address this anonymously as my job could be at stake if I do say something. This is not the first time something like this has happened.

Any suggestions on how to go about this? We're in Georgia btw.

Answer:
 Your employer is calculating overtime incorrectly, it must be calculated based on seven consecutive days, while he is free to play with when that starts (e.g., tuesday-monday instead of monday-sunday) he cannot play shennanigans with the two week calculus.

If you are terminated, you will be able to sue under a whistleblower statute, but obviously that is not ideal.


Title: Apartment burned down, smoke alarms didn't go off.

Question: Recently, the apartment I lived at had a fire and burned down the whole complex at like 3 at night.The smoke alarms didn't go off at all though. Do I have a case here? All help and opinions are appreciated! Thanks.

Answer:
 what state and how old were the buildings?

odds are the smoke detectors failing would not make them liable for your property, as smoke detectors don't usually prevent property loss, they get you up and out before it's too late to escape.Answer #2: >Do I have a case here?

For what? Against whom? Do you have renter's insurance?


Title: Massive ambulance bill after a party

Question:
Hey guys,

LOCATION: Western Australia, Perth

I attended a party about a week ago and I drank a bit too much and had to throw up, I wasn't shit faced or anywhere near out of control - I just needed to throw up so I went to the toilet and did my business.

The two guys who are roommates with the person that invited me were running around high on weed and repeatedly kicked down the bathroom door while I was throwing up for 2 or 3 minutes.

Long story short, having woken up for work at 7am that morning I was extremely tired so I had a nap in an empty room after telling them I was fine.

I woke up, in the exact position I fell asleep with the clothes in the same position where I draped them as a makeshift blanket to two paramedics and those two guys in the same room laughing.

The paramedics asked if I was okay and I said I was fine and proceeded to leave.

I just received a bill in the mail for $872.00 when I didn't (as far as I know now) get treated or (I didn't consent) consent to treatment after I told these guys I was going to sleep. I woke up in the same position I went to sleep in so I wasn't moved at all, and the blanket covering my body wasn't moved (I had it clutched in my hands over my chest) and the fact that they were laughing means this is a joke to them.

How do I contest this bill? How can I find which paramedics came that night and ask them what happened?

Why is it that you can call an ambulance on someone asleep and they get an $872.00 bill when I am a student and would lose almost all my savings paying that off.

What do I do??

Answer: ask in /r/auslaw Answer #2: Call the number on the bill and dispute it with them.


Title: [MD] Does my landlord have the right to put off the final decision for 30 days on whether my Emotional Support Animal is allowed?

Question:
I currently reside in MD in a building that has more than 4 units. I have been living here for half a year now. I have been seeing a psychiatrist for nearly 2 years and I realized I needed an Emotional Support Animal (ESA). I talked to my psychiatrist and she agreed that I should be allowed one, and agreed to provide any proof or documentation to my landlord if requested.

I had all my paperwork and documentation in order, as well as making sure my roommate was OK with having an ESA (they are). The lease clearly states that animals are allowed if they are service or emotional support animals. I also bought all the furniture in my room so it's not like he has anything to worry about in terms of damages, since I'll pay for any damage. I read through the MD housing laws and under the Fair Housing Act, it appears he cannot say no to my ESA because I have all the documentation and support from my psychiatrist on top of that.

I adopted a kitten from a friend and she is the perfect ESA for me (and my psychiatrist agrees too). She is 100% litter trained and doesn't damage my things or disturb my roommate, so I don't see how she can be a liability to my landlord. She has been staying at my friend's place in the meantime.

I e-mailed my landrlod asking if I could finally bring my ESA home with me, letting him know I have allowed my psychiatrist to disclose any documentation he needs as proof. I also reiterated all the points above. He replied like 4 days later (he replies normally in 24 hours) saying he needs to think about it (?). He replied again today saying he has been in contact with the HUD and other agencies to make sure all the proper guidelines are being followed and all the paperwork is correct. He stated that all of this would take over 30 days.

I'm really confused because I don't know why this process should take 30 days, since it appears to be a pretty open-and-shut case for me. Do I have any legal right to dispute the 30 day waiting period? Or can he delay this process for 30 days, even though from what I have read online, this is a decision that is up to HIM, and not the HUD or third-party agencies.

Thank you!

Answer:
 The answer to this issue depends on your particular circumstances. Your landlord may not unreasonably delay a response, but "unreasonable" can vary. I'd argue that there are vast amounts of information on this issue on the internet, and if the landlord is seeing if he is obligated to allow the ESA, that determination can be made immediately, and does not require 30 days to do so.

Applicable language:

>A request for a reasonable accommodation may not be unreasonably denied, or conditioned on payment of a fee or deposit or other terms and conditions applied to applicants or residents with pets, and a response may not be unreasonably delayed.

https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=servanimals_ntcfheo2013-01.pdf


Title: City of Pomona, CA has denied my parents’ real estate deal for the third time with a different reason each instance. Do they have grounds to sue?

Question:
My parents have been trying to sell a building worth seven figures in Pomona, CA.  For the first time, they were about to sell it and then got denied by the city because Pomona demanded that 6 light poles be installed on the property’s parking lot at the buyers expense. The clients backed out. Then my parents found new clients who would pay for the lights, but the city would only okay the deal if they demolished the store and rebuilt it where the parking lot would be, so that the store would be closer to the sidewalk and there would be a bigger parking lot in the back. The clients backed out. Finally, my parents were about the close a deal with a third client who would installs the lights and relocate the store, but then the city butted in saying the street on the side  of the building had to be expanded by five feet, which would result in about 1300 sq ft of the building being lost. And now these clients are thinking about pulling out because of the significant loss in real estate. Now my parents are thinking about filing a lawsuit against the city seeking damages for these seemingly spontaneous building requirements.

Can my parents sue the city?

Edit: More reasons to think the city is being nebulous, but each client has pleaded their case to the city, even going so far as delivering PowerPoints to city officials. The city would be making more money off of them then with my parents 2-3 fold in terms of taxes. And this particular part of town could use some growth, so it’s hard to see why the city is being coy.

Answer: What does your parents' lawyer think?Answer #2: This is a seven figure business deal and there's no lawyer involved?


Title: [DC] Can my job require me to install an app on my phone that shows them my location at all times?

Question: Located in Washington, D.c. My office has a sign in/out website to show admin who’s in their office and who’s available for calls and who’s not. You can sign in and out manually or you can download an app that tracks your location and signs you in or out by seeing if you are located at the office or not. I am meticulous about signing in or out, but other people aren’t, and office management has announced that everyone needs to download the app now to stop with the problems. I don’t really want to share my location with my employer at all times. Phones are all privately owned, not given by my work. Is there any way I can push back against this?

Answer:
 Just buy a cheap throwaway phone to install the company app. Leave it at home unless at work.Answer #2: You can install the app and block its use of GPS every time you get ten steps away from the office.... as long as you’re meticulous about turning it back on the next time you arrive at work.

They can fire you if you don’t comply.


Title: Ex girlfriend canceled my debt card, what can I do?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Was she authorized on the account at all? Did she impersonate you? That might be worthy of calling the police (non-emergency) or going to the police station to make a report.

I would also notify the bank and ask how to put additional security on your account.Answer #2: Did you check to see if your address at the bank was changed or if she is having a new card sent to her address? At this point I would close the account then open a new one. She may be trying to drain your bank accounts and destroy your credit.


Title: Landlord served me 3 day notice "from her attorney", I think it's fake.

Question:
This is a twinhome unit in Fargo ND.

There is a long story of WHY I'm in this situation, but it is a matter of withholding rent due to BS living conditions, and we have said we will move out at the end of October.

Today I met with the landlord to negotiate rent payment depending on certain conditions being met, and she gave me a 3 day notice which she claims is from her lawyer. I don't believe her, it seems fake. The notice states that all past due rent shall be paid in full pursuant to N.D. Cent. Code ch. 47-32-02.

I looked up that code, and it talks only about eviction notices, which this is not. We have not been asked to evict, it was never even mentioned. We simply have withheld rent due to unit being not as advertised, health concerns, unfinished projects within reasonable time frame, etc.

What can we do if our landlord is threatening fake legal action and making up demands? Is demanding rent within the scope of that code even though it mentions rent nowhere?

I don't want to get screwed by failing to obey the law, but I also won't be duped into just paying when I shouldn't need to.

FYI I understand that legal counsel should be found locally, I only just found out today though and have not yet been able to find a single person who helps tenants.
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer:
 § 47-32-02 section says, in pertinent part:

> In all cases arising under subsections **4**, 5, 6, and 8 of **section 47-32-01**, three days' written notice of intention to evict must be given to lessee ...

§ 47-32-01 subsection 4 is failure to pay rent.

You were given a "three-day notice", meaning that you have three days to pay rent, or an eviction action may be filed against you. It doesn't have to come from a lawyer to be valid.

You should also be very, very careful when withholding rent. § 47-16-13 covers withholding rent in those circumstances. You must first notify the landlord (it doesn't specify how, but writing is best) and allow a reasonable time for them to address the issues. After that, you may complete repairs and deduct the actual cost of doing so from the rent.

Withholding rent in the way you specify is presumably illegal.

If you continue to withhold rent and an eviction action is filed against you, you can certainly bring up any major repairs that need to addressed, et cetera, but you aren't going to get much traction on withholding rent and it's likely you would be evicted under those circumstances.

Withholding rent in a "self-help" manner without legal advice from a local attorney versed in landlord-tenant laws is generally a bad idea.Answer #2: > it is a matter of withholding rent due to BS living conditions, and we have said we will move out at the end of October.

You have no statutory right to withhold rent in North Dakota, so why did you do this?

The 3 day notice sounds like a pay or quit notice. You need to pay rent.


Title: [MN]My Parents are getting divorced, and my dad wants my mom to sign a lie and her lawyer agrees

Question:
Hello Legal Advice,

My mom began the divorce process when she found out he married someone else behind her back, but the process has been much more draining then she expected. Initially my dad agreed to the requests my mom asked which was just to help financially with my two younger sisters who are still minors until they turn 18.

Once my dad got a lawyer he started to demand/claim a lot of BS like he paid for my entire college( lol no he only paid for the first two years) and that his car was worth the same as my moms ( 2009 corolla vs 2005 dodge caravan). Due to all these claims my mom is refusing to agree to, she has run out of funds and quite frankly her lawyer did nothing but take her money away and fill some paperwork. Her lawyer wants her to agree the statements he is making when it is blatantly false. Ultimately my dad agreed to help financially with my sisters for only a year, but they will still be years away from being 18.

What triggered this post was he claimed that he lived with us until July this year, when he had been living out of the state for 2+ years and that he wanted to put me in his taxes as a dependent even though I'm over 21( is that even legal wtf?)

My mom had fired her lawyer due to her not representing my mom right and my mom is on the verge to signing to all these lies just to end the process as she is emotionally exhausted. Is there anything that mom can do? I know the divorce system is stupid and built off of money but what are our options?

Thank you for your time :3

Answer:
 This doesn't really make sense.  There is no reason why any facts about the case need to be affirmed one way or the other.  Either your mother is not understanding what is going on or she is not explaining it to you properly.

It sounds to me like what you are talking about was just negotiations back and forth and the case has reached the point where her lawyer thinks it is advisable to just settle.Answer #2: As you've been told there's no need to affirm statements. It's a matter of what your parents agree to settle to.

You being a dependent is a matter of whether or not you support yourself and how your taxes are filed, not a court statement or your age (generally). If you're claiming yourself on your tax returns no one else can.


Title: My car was just impounded.

Question: Hi, I'm in California. My car was just impounded for expired tags. I have enough money to pay up the registration, hopefully. My concern is I have a couple of outstanding parking tickets. And then there is the impound fee. What if any are my options here.

Answer:
 Pay to get it out, pay the tickets, continue on your way.

Beg borrow pawn until you have enough money.


Title: (UK) Camgirl here, any legal advice on how I can remove my videos?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 >What other options do I have?

Own it. "Most people just aren't that interesting", and all that.

Right now you're one of thousands of ordinary young women who've made videos; you're a relative anon who's done comparatively little to attract attention to herself. Make enough noise about this and you might Streisand Effect yourself back into fame instead of sinking into the obscurity you all presently share.

Wringing your hands about it will only make you feel strung out about the whole thing, and the effort you put into takedowns won't yield commensurate results because, as you've seen, there's always one more and that rabbit hole turns into a rabbit chasm somewhere around Eastern Europe.

Let them slip into obscurity with the rest, and if one pops up later, show mock-astonishment that someone could go this long without meeting one of the vast number of women who'd been on cam. I'd wager that just about everyone in the western world knows someone who has.


Title: Anyone want to offer small DMCA takedown request advice for some NSFW fetish sellers?

Question:
I am part of the fetish item selling community on Reddit -we're all over the globe, so I can't pinpoint an actual location, but I do know that there have been some issues recently with DMCA requests being ignored, and other legal grey areas. Anyone with knowledge of the adult industry would be welcomed to share any advice or knowledge :)

Edit- location - primarily US.

Answer:
 >DMCA requests being ignored

Your option is to sue in court then.


Title: My ex employer is suing me for a months wages (UK), any advice?

Question:
Hello Reddit, I read the guide lines on this subreddit and I think this post should be in the rules.. I think.

So basically, I was with a company or 3 years; to which I knew it wasn't a great place to work but it was actually my first job and I needed the money. I was over qualified for it (It Support). So of course they started me on £10,000 a year. REALLY bad for what my job was.

So basically they piled more and more work on me, and my wages only ever hit a max of £15,000 after 3 years. I was doing work that wasn't what an IT person should be doing. Customer services, helping in the repairs department (I didn't leave because I needed the money) and I was never really even thanked. I often worked 7 - 7 because the MD had a crazy idea of how long tasks take from 1 person. My manager wasn't even in the IT dept, he was repairs.

I was being pulled left right and centre trying to get everyones work done (from people in different departments, again stuff I felt wasn't my job plus my actual job) and the MD would say "Are you low on work?", which I would always reply "Yes, very busy at the moment". So he would find more work for me.

It got to the point where I struggled sleeping at night, from thinking of the nightmare of what tomorrow would be like. The company was backwards, it stopped me doing my job so much. I was in charge of all the systems yet I wasnt allowed in the server room (I had to be taken in and out) and had all my tools and equipment in the warehouse, again I wasnt allowed in unless with someone. This slowed me right down, no matter how many times I provided a valid argument it was never changed.

Many people have left, they have a huge turnover of people. very low pay, over work and for the same reasons of taking on jobs that aren't theres to do or being paid for and basically treated horribly.

So in the end, dispite needing money I quit. I didn't give a notice, I thought about it and had every intention to when I wanted to leave but all I thought about was the horror of the amount of bull shit I'd be put through for a month and I couldn't take it.

In my contract:
If the person leaves without notice they have to pay each day the notice falls short. So basically a whole month and 3 days holiday I had taken.

I was in a bad place with family issues at the time to, and expressed this when I wrote a resignation email stating I've had enough and I cant keep doing it. They told me I should come back or face the consequences, I ignored them. It was a very bully-ish email. They even kept on asking why I was lieing to them (from the MD).

I offered them just over half the amount £1289 they wanted immediately but they refused. That was all the money I owned (around £690) and I didnt have a job as I left. I went to Citizens Adivce and they said the contract claim was unfair and I should tell them to prove that I caused them in damages. Which I know I havent, I mean there was another IT guy who was more capable than me. Other people have left and not had the same treatment, it's just out of spite.

So, basically. Although I've done what citizens adivice has told me and offered them the money for the over worked days (which i did, they refused) they want to get the whole amount.

Has anyone gone through this? If so I'd really appreciate to hear your story/side of things.

Again, really sorry if this isn't the right things to post!

Basically, does it look like I'll have to pay out £1200? I do not have that to hand.. :(

Edit: To add, I found a new job and I am very happy with it. It's a fantastic place to work and no one is always out to get me!
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer: It's legal in the UK to make somebody pay back their wages as a penalty? That's outrageous if that is true. I have a very hard time believing that would ever hold up in court. Don't you have a minimum wage law?


Title: Liquor license required for Pennsylvania wedding?

Question: I'm getting married in August and I have found a lot of conflicting information on Google about whether I need to get a license to serve wine and beer at my wedding. I was going to have a bartender and an open bar, but we're opting to just do self serving. Can anyone help a girl out?

Answer:
 What is your venue? Most venue's (or catering services) will have their own liquor license and you are covered. For the venue, they may or may not allow you to bring in your own outside alcohol.

&#x200B;

Also, if you are doing it at a private home or property, look at "social host" responsibilities/laws around serving.


Title: Dentist's cancellation fee

Question:
[EDIT: I'm in California]

Hello, first post here. Sorry for the text format, I'm on mobile.

I had an emergency dentist appointment to replace a filling that came out. I have never visited this dentist, but since my old dentist who did the work isn't in practice anymore, I scheduled an appointment with the new one for the next day. They have my insurance information, but no credit card or other payment information.

Today for reasons I had to cancel the appointment 30 minutes beforehand. I called to cancel and the secretary was obviously and extremely annoyed. She questioned me extensively and I asked if I could reschedule another time, but she told me that they would no longer take me as a patient and then told me I'd be paying a cancellation fee. She didn't disclose the amount before she hung up on me.

Is it possible that this practice can bill me if I've never even stepped in the door or signed any paperwork?

Answer: Yes, it is. They reserved their time for you to come in and get worked on. 30 minutes before that appointment you canceled. They now won't have a paying customer for that time. My dentist has me confirm my appointments via phone, email, and text. They make damn sure that I'm going to show up. One time I was pregnant and having contractions and they were cool with me canceling that one..didn't want to trigger labor in the dentists office. If you have to cancel, let them know at least 24 hours before hand. Now if the reason you canceled was a real emergency or for medical reasons, maybe they could overlook this one cancellation and waive the fee. My dentist charges $75 for no shows.