Title: Maryland. My friend is being threatened with legal action for being pregnant by the HOA for a condo she owns if she doesn't sell. More details in comments.

Question: Here is the letter she received http://imgur.com/wjLRpZB So I did some research and the community she lives in 55+ no children 19-, it's advertised clearly now at least.  With that said, my friend is in her early 30s, and was in her mid/late 20s when she bought the house.  So they shouldn't have even allowed her to purchase. At the time condos weren't exactly selling so I'm sure they were desparate, and they didn't make it clear that it was a senior community and children weren't allowed.  This info was essentially hidden.  It was not brought to her attention by either her agent or community when she was signing paperwork.   Does she have any recourse, is it even worth lawyering up?

Answer:
 I'm no lawyer, but this piqued my interest and maybe this would offer some fuel for discussion:

http://www.hoalawblog.com/ccr_and_rule_enforcement/

> "...Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (the “Act”) provides an exception for communities for older persons (55 and older), which allows restrictive occupancy without violating the Act by discriminating against families with children or against persons that are 54 years of age or younger. The FHA has been amended by the Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995 (“HOPA”). HOPA sets forth standards, which allows, if followed, the 55 and older communities to satisfy the exemption by completing the age restriction requirements.
**55 and older communities must survey their residents every two years** to ensure the 80% threshold requirement is met (units must be occupied by at least one person 55 and older). **Failure to complete and confirm the age status of each resident in the community could, if the threshold fails, impair the ongoing exemption** for the 55 and over housing exemption (meaning that they would lose the right to be an age-restricted community)..."Answer #2: It is hard to believe someone bought a home in a 55+ community without knowing and without having to lie on the paperwork at some point.


Title: [OR] Update: Deferring an Assault Charge in Oregon

Question:
[Original Post](https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/3ed589/deferring_an_assault_charge_in_oregon/)

First off, thank you to any of you who offered advice on this!

To recap, I was being charged with misdemeanor Assault 4 and Harassment as a result of a fight that I got into. I didn't go into details before, but the short version of the story is that my Ex's new boyfriend was physically preventing me from seeing our little girl, things got heated and emotional, and I punched him.

Something that developed after I posted was that they both went and got restraining orders against me (He got a stalking protective order, and she got a FAPA Domestic Violance restraining order). They both gave very similar, false statements that I threatened to kill them and our little girl, and that I beat up my ex. This was going to be pretty easy to fight because they didn't mention any of this in their police report. Fortunately, neither of them showed up to the hearings so the orders were vacated.

Please believe me when I say I didn't threaten anyone, and I didn't lay a hand on her. The only reason I took a swing at her boyfriend was because he had me pinned up against my car and was behaving in a threatening way. I thought he was going to attack me. My ex later told me that she didn't want the restraining orders and tried to leave the courthouse multiple times, but they were convinced she was a scared victim and bent over backwards, basically coercing her to go through with it. He was also exceptionally heavy handed in dealing with her in the situation, and dictated to her what she should say in her written statement, becoming angry if she disagreed.

So yeah, he's a super cool guy, and a harmless victim of my aggression.

The topic of my post was asking if it was possible for me get a deferred sentencing agreement (DAP) for the charges in Oregon, since some of applicable laws seemed to state that causing physical harm precluded that option - but I was also able to find several cases where people successfully deferred their sentencing.

I did end up retaining a lawyer who told me unequivocally that a DAP was possible, but he encouraged me to pursue a civil compromise with the guy I got into a fight with.

This was a huge pain in the ass, but I was fortunate in the fact that my ex didn't want me to be in trouble and she ultimately convinced him to sign an Acknowledgement of Satisfaction. My attorney expected that the district attorney would protest and we would have to have a separate hearing over it, but we were pleasantly surprised that she accepted - and all of the charges were dismissed.

I asked my attorney about having the record expunged, and he told me that it's common for municipal court cases in this area to not even show up on background checks, but that if I did a background check on myself in a month and it showed up - he'd help me out for free.

So for anyone else out there looking for options - it's possible. I got out of a jail sentence, a criminal record, and $2000+ in fines with a $1000 attorney's fee and some luck.

Thanks again for all the advice!
Topic:
Criminal Law

Answer:
 $1,000 for your attorney cost?  That's terrific, even for a case like yours.  I might be biased but please consider a nice bottle of hootch for him.

Do you have a custody and parenting time judgment regarding your child?  If not, talk with a family law attorney in your area.


Title: Advice needed with selective service Issue(Texas)

Question:
I was applying for financial aid and they asked for my selective service number I went online to the selective service website to look myself up and it says no records were found.

I know I should be registered for a fact since I applied in Texas and received my drivers license in 2012. 2011 in texas being the year in which governor Perry added an amendment to the drivers license legislation which states that if person under the age of 26 who is required by federal law to be registered is to be automatically registered with selective service when applying or renewing your drivers license.

Any advice on where to go from here as I am 28 now so I can't register now. Did the DMV employee screw me over? Don't have much money at the moment to hire an attorney (hence applying for student loans)I can save up for one If I really needed too.

Answer: Just call selective service and ask how you can verify that you registered.


Title: Cancelled but they did it anyway

Question: I contacted a company beginning of June to perform a survey on my property. They were backed up and behind schedule so I found another option. I emailed the original company to cancel on June 29th and they replied to the email confirming that the survey has been cancelled. Today I came home from work and there are fresh survey stakes all over my yard. Since I cancelled and have an email verifying it with them, will I still be held responsible to pay them for the service they did? I tried calling them and sent them an email, but have not gotten any response back. (Sorry for any misspellings or grammatical errors )

Answer:
 If they try to invoice you for the work, show them that you cancelled and you received a confirmation of the cancellation.Answer #2: Just checking, but are you sure it wasn't the new company that came out?

Reason I ask is I called 811 a while ago to have my utilities marked and they just showed up a few days later, notice or anything.

To answer your question, you cancelled and they confirmed your cancellation so you don't owe the first company anything.


Title: Landlord juts called, says I they are demolishing the apartment I rent in 2 months. My contract does not expire for another 7 months. What to do?

Question:
Hey reddit,

Juts got a call from landlord saying they are demolishing the building in 2 months, and I need to move out before then. I did read the leasing agreement and it says if I decide to cancel my contract before it is due, I am responsible for the remainder of the rent +utilities +advertising cost +sanitizing costs. No mention of if they cancel the contract. It has something that they reserve the right to make minor changes to to contract, but nothing about cancelling. Anybody know if they are liable for anything, since they are the ones who cancelling the contract? I am from Missouri if it makes difference.

PS: Also I am an international student that live 2 block from the school campus. So it is very hard for me to look for new apartment. Most apartments here require guardian co-signer or anything similar which I do not have.

Thanks!

Answer:
 Did you let him know that your lease doesn't expire for 7 months?  What did he say in return to that?

Send a copy of your signed lease to your landlord via certified mail or email, if that his how you normally correspond, stating that you have 7 months left on your lease, and he cannot unilaterally cancel it.

I'd be realistic that your landlord is going to go ahead with this and start looking for a new apartment.Answer #2: Did the LL say why they are demolishing the building? Has it been condemned?

Unless the city/state has declared the place uninhabitable the LL is bound by your lease and will have to buy you out to get you out. They can't just unilaterally end your lease.Answer #3: Unless the building has been condemned, this is a negotiation. They need to tear down the building and build something new. You have a contract obligating them to not do that.

You can ask for any sort of compensation you like. I suggest asking for moving costs (say, $1000) so you can hire professional movers to move your stuff without spending any of your own sweat. Or just pocket the money and do it yourself.

But start looking for apartments now. Often times apartments are okay with waiving a cosigner requirement in exchange for a larger deposit. Once you find out how much they want for a deposit, go back to your old landlord and ask them for that much.

Or ask for more than the deposit, since they'll probably counteroffer. Again, this is a negotiation, and you have the upper hand.


Title: Help! Arrested for accidental shoplifting, how to get out if it.

Question:
I have an absolutely spotless record and have never been convicted of anything more than a speeding ticket. I work second shift at a factory and have been working so late lately that I often can't figure out what day it is. I got home at around 3am and SO wanted to go finish christmas shopping yesterday morning at like 9am so after finally getting to sleep around 5am I didn't sleep much.
Fast forward to morning, went to a store (not disclosing store for added security) and I had our reusable bags in the top of a cart. We go about our shopping, also shopping for each other and I place things in the bag so she can't see them and she places things in a different bag she is carrying with her. I stop and am looking at frames and an employee does the standard "can I help you find something" spiel to which I reply I was looking for something similar to what they had but it wasnt exactly what i was looking for. Continue to stand there to wait for SO to come back for us to check out. We go by the registers and she goes in line to check out without me seeing things and I sit on a bench with the cart I forgot I even had anything in because I'm tired and dazed and ready to go home and sleep more before work. She comes out of line and puts her bags in the cart and we go out the door to leave. Enter LP officer who says stop and we were trying to shoplift and I needed to come back inside to which I reply she just bought these things and we are trying to leave. He insists and then points out things in the cart I entirely forgot where there. I comply and go back to his office with SO.  While there he says I was concealing merchandise by putting it in the bag and that I was intending to steal it all and calls police. I am entirely compliant with his demands. Police arrive and search me and find nothing. Run my background, nothing. Then tell me to sign a civil demand and store banishment page LP presents with the amount of goods "stolen" stating I have to now pay for them when I get a letter from store lawyer and not keep the merchandise. Police inform me I am detained and released at the scene for being compliant but thg at I should expect a summons from court. I'm shaken as I have no criminal record and dont want one. What should my next step be to get rid of this disaster?

TL;DR: went Christmas shopping after getting no sleep from working late, accidentally walked out of store with merchandise, now charged with shoplifting and want to get out of it as I had no intentions of stealing.

PSA: this is a throwaway account so it cant be traced to me just to be safe.

Answer: This is one of the most common forms of shoplifting, and intent or not, "It was an accident and I forgot it was in there" is the most common defense attempt. It very, very rarely, if ever works. If you don't want this on your record you need a criminal defense attorney. Answer #2: Your next step is to get a lawyer.


Title: My employer charged my paycheck for required training.

Question:
(Montana)

My employer made me do a CPR course as well as required training a few months ago. I was not paid to be there. The training was two full days and the CPR was approximately three hours. In recent paychecks I was charged for these events. I was not originally bothered  by not being paid but now that I am getting charged I am pretty upset.

It is my understanding this is illegal. How should I address this and what Montana Code Annotated would back these things up?

Answer: Contact the MT Department of Labor. Not only can they not charge you, but they have to pay you for your time there. Answer #2: OP: http://dli.mt.gov/  Scroll toward the bottom for their phone number, email, and snail mail.  I'd just call them and explain the situation and ask what I should do from there.


Title: Employer requiring employees to put their own money in register

Question:
This is in Texas.

I work part time in a restaurant as a hostess and sometimes to go. It started with them requiring the bartenders to fill their own bank. There is only 2 of them and they were okay with it. Seems strange to me.

Now they have told those of us who work togo that we are required to bring in our own change. So he gives me a $100 "bank" to make change out of but now expects me to bring my own coins.  Honestly I'm just annoyed about it because I don't really carry coins.

But it also seems like it may not be legal? Any insight would be appreciated.
Topic:
Employment Law

Answer:
 Im going to assume you are hourly like most restaraunt workers.

He can give you $100 and ask you to make change, but he has to pay you for it as it would be considered work.  If you have to go to the bank and do this on your own time, you are working off the clock which yes is against labor laws.  Answer #2: Ive worked a few waitress jobs and I brought my “bank” at a couple. I just give the house whatever it shows I owe in cash at the end of the night and take my bank, plus tips, home. My bank just stays in my apron shift to shift, doesn’t mingle with my regular cash at all. As a waitress I brought like $15 worth of ones and coins. If I forgot my bank I’d just ask the bartender to break whatever bill the customer gave me, once I’ve got some tips on my pocket I have my missing bank.

I actually prefer it to having to count in and out a house bank, or worse, share a register with someone else.


Title: 17, Senior in High school, California, USA. Was sent a letter from District Attorney about truancy, since I have more than ten unexcused absences from school. Will this go on my record, and will I have to report this to colleges?

Question: My senior year, I have been feeling kind of burned out, and stupidly decided to just not go to some of my classes. I did not know that it was so serious, and was sent a letter of truancy from the district attorney's office. They have set up a meeting for me and my parents to discuss this. I don't want this to go on my record, since I still have some schools that haven't sent out their admission results yet, and something like this could seriously affect any offers of admission. Will this go on my record?

Answer:
 It depends on how they decide to proceed. California truancy laws are pretty strict. You need to take an attorney with you--you're considered habitually truant because you've missed much more than 3 days. You can be referred to the juvenile courts and your parents can be charged with misdemeanors/receive fines and/or up to a year in jail depending on circumstances and severity.

Edit: these things can and do seriously impact college admission decisions AND future job prospects. Also, you could find yourself on probationary supervision.


Title: What to expect in OVI/DUI Court (Ohio)

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 If you don't have an attorney, expect to be convicted of OVI/DUI.

The refusal to take the breath test can be used against you in court, along with your performance on the field sobriety tests, and all of the officer's observations of your behavior supporting his conclusion that you were intoxicated.  All together, that is a TON Of evidence against you.

A lawyer would at least be able to secure a favorable plea bargain for you.

>  When he asked if I had any drinks that night I said no.

But that was a lie, right?  Because you *had* been drinking.  There is a clear difference between someone who had some beer spilled on them and the odor of beer or alcohol on someone's breath.

Maybe it was the trooper's very first day on the job, but that seems unlikely.


Title: I keep getting voicemails claiming I committed "tax fraud"

Question:
This is a scam, right? The first call was from a 205 number, in Alabama. The second was from a 206 number (Seattle). It's a robot voice that isn't even grammatically correct. My instinct is to ignore them but I wanted to know if there's anything I need to do about this.

I am in TX.

Answer:
 yes, ignore, this is a scam.Answer #2: Scam.

The tax man doesn't call, he sends snail mail.Answer #3: Scam. It's better you don't answer the call because you are then validating to them that they have a live number, and you'll start getting more calls. I recently changed my phone number and now get scam calls from IRS, scam medical equipment suppliers and vacation clubs several times a day. Apparently an elderly person named Bruno who passed away had my number previously.


Title: 7th floor penthouse apartment, tons of noise on the roof and what sounds like muffled commentary during my private moments, peeping tom perhaps. What to do?

Answer: Do you have a carbon monoxide detector in your apartment?


Title: Management Company's Handyman endangered my dog and poisoned my neighbors dog.

Question:
My neighbor and I live in units 1 and 2 of an old house that's been converted into a triplex (**We live in Minneapolis Minnesota**). We share a basement, mostly for storage and laundry, but I do have a TV down there.

Early last week I submitted a work order for a leaky pipe and asked if they could treat for mice as well. Last Friday, the 11th, a man named Julio comes over and spends an hour or two working on the pipe. He leaves to go buy a gasket for the shower drain, returns, and spends another hour or so in my apartment. Almost this entire time I'm outside cleaning the yard with my dog. I see him leave, he doesn't say anything to me.

Yesterday, my girlfriend finds a note left for us in the hallway that leads to our shared basement. It's from our neighbor and he thinks we've poisoned his dog! He was in the basement doing laundry with his dog and she (a chihuahua mix named Tequila) ended up eating 2 or maybe 3 [blocks of mouse poison](https://mobileimages.lowes.com/product/converted/048745/048745224787.jpg) (by his estimation).

My girlfriend and I went looking in the basement a found ONE [dog/child proof container](http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/400/35/3581cb31-3547-4476-8342-11e727c13f63_400.jpg) and SIX bare blocks as pictured in the first link. We called management and informed them of what happened. They said that the handymen can use poison, but if they do it HAS to be in a container and they HAVE to show us where each one was placed. This absolutely did not happen.

Is there anything I, and more importantly, my neighbor can do for legal recourse? We've both filed the proper paperwork with Management to have our dogs here so they should be very aware that dogs live here. My neighbor is kind of a loner, but I'm pretty sure his dog is still alive for now.

Thank you for your help, Reddit.

Answer:
 Sounds like your management company said that they have guidelines for how the handymen can use poison, and those guidelines were not followed.  I would get documentation of the improper use of the poison to your management company, and let them sort it out.

If your/neighbor's dog actually dies, or has to be taken to the vet as a result of the poison,  then you can explore a legal action against the handyman.  Until then, you don't have the damages required to start a suit.


Title: [TN] In-law is kicking me out of house he owns. I don't pay rent and there is no lease.

Question:
I know this makes me sound like a deadbeat, so let me explain my situation.  My wife and I have been discussing divorce for several months, and she wants me to move out.  Her father owns the home (not his primary residence), and we've been living there for several years.  We never had an official lease, and have just been paying utilities and basically treating it as our home.  Now that things have gone south, I was presented with a "2 week notification" to vacate the house and all my belongings.  I also have a pending divorce complaint that I have picked up last week, which includes an injunction, which to my understanding means I can't "transfer any marital property".  So I have a few questions, and please let me know if I need to provide more details.

1. The 2 week notification to vacate includes no reason.  My understanding is with there being no written lease, I must be given a 30 day notice.  Is this correct?

2. Would I be violating the divorce injunction if I were to vacate? Since we haven't gotten far enough along in the divorce to split property, would me moving out with items that could be argued to be my wife's be a violation of this injunction?

Thank you for your time, this situation has me very stressed.

Answer: He must give you 30 days notice


Title: (WA) Hypothetically legal to hunt small game with laser guided missile?

Question:
Reading the RCWs and WACs plus some US federal law I found the following:

* Laser sights are banned for deer and elk, but allowed for small game. Laser rangefinders are unrestricted.
* You cannot spot game from an aircraft, or hunt from an aircraft without a special permit.
* Missiles with explosive payloads are DDs per BATFE.
* Rockets used as weapons with >4 ounces propellant are DDs per BATFE.
* Guided missiles \*intended to track and destroy aircraft\* are federally illegal.
* You may not use any weapon other than a modern firearm or recurve bow to hunt game outside of crossbow season.

&#x200B;

Reading between the lines, I conclude that a surface fired munition with a laser guidance package, a kinetic warhead like the Hellfire R9X (i.e. a giant broadhead tip a few inches across), and a small rocket motor with <4 ounces of fuel, plus maybe some software to prevent it from flying more than \~100ft above ground level to eliminate any accusations of hitting aircraft, would be legal for civilian hunting use when targeting small game during crossbow season.

&#x200B;

It would certainly put you on lots of watchlists (plus the game warden's shit list, lol) but can anyone find a specific law this would violate?

Answer: I don't know but I highly support this.


Title: Bought a gift certificate to a spa for my wife and it's "expired" so they refuse to honor it. What can I do?

Question:
Long story short, I bought a $300 spa day for my wife for Christmas back in 2015. We misplaced it in a move last year so it "expired" and they are refusing the certificate. Now my understanding is that gift certificates and gift cards that are paid for up front cannot actually expire because the service was pre paid. What kind of legal action can I take to get my money back or the certificate honored?

Edit: forgot to mention I am in North Carolina.

Answer:
 Federally:

>*...thanks to the federal Credit CARD Act of 2009, gift certificates issued after August 22, 2010 cannot expire for five years. However, gift card issuers can still charge an "inactivity fee" if the card has not been used within twelve months.*

[Source.](http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/question-legal-gift-certificates-expire-27997.html)
Answer #2: Looks like you might be able to still use the card or certificate depending what's printed on it

N.C. Gen. Stat. §116B-53(c)(8)
Any gift certificate or electronic gift card bearing an expiration date and remaining unredeemed or dormant for more than three years after the gift certificate or electronic gift card was sold is deemed abandoned. The amount abandoned is deemed to be 60 percent of the unredeemed portion of the face value of the gift certificate or the electronic gift card.

N.C. Gen. Stat. §116B-54(b)
A gift certificate or electronic gift card is not abandoned property when the gift certificate or electronic gift card: (1) Conspicuously states that the gift certificate or electronic gift card does not expire; (2) Bears no expiration date; or (3) States that a date of expiration printed on the gift certificate or electronic gift card is not applicable in North Carolina.


Title: Who owns Bonded Products in the USA?

Question: I work in a Duty Free store, and we can only sell alcohol and cigarettes to international flights because no taxes were paid on them. Our stock is considered Bonded, and my manager and I were curious as to what that actually really means and who would actually own it?

Answer:
 Bonds (in this sense) are basically piles of money that is available to pay liabilities.

This bond is similar to the bond that "licensed and bonded" home contractors have.  It's there so that, should the contractor fail to finish his work, the client has recourse (even if the contractor is broke).

Similarly, the goods in your store have some limits on them.  Were they to be sold to a domestic traveler, taxes would be owed.  If the taxes weren't collected for a domestic transaction, taxes and penalties would be owed.  The bond would cover those taxes and penalties, even if the shopowner is broke.

These essentially act as loans, if triggered to cover a loss, the contractor/shopowner then owes the bonding agency the amount in question.  If not repaid, the contractor/shopowner loses the protection of the bonding agency and will lose any licenses that are contingent on being bonded (likely the contractor and business licences are required to have a bonding arrangement in place).

As for who owns the products, just like any other shop, the shopowner (or possibly the vendor, depending on arrangements).


Title: Maybe not the right sub, but can I please get some help?

Question: I have some community service to do, and I'm just wondering if it's possible to do most of the hours and then just pay the rest in cash, or if I just have to do all the hours. Any help is appreciated, thanks. This is in San Antonio, TX by the way

Answer:
 If you are assigned or punished to do X community hours, you have to do X community hours.

If you are given Y community hours and $Z fine, you have to do Y hours and pay $Z fine.

You can't exchange money for hours.


Title: [GA] Sexual Assault case and I'm unsure of what is happening

Question:
I was the victim of a sexual assault at the hands of my ex-boyfriend who was two years older than me, he was older than 16 and I was younger than 16. I reported it to my parents and my counselors at school, who reported it to the police. We have received no case number yet. I wrote a statement of what happened, a single incident at a school function, but more occurred in our relationship that I now realize was sexually abusive.  He was brought in and also wrote a statement that it occurred but he said that it was consensual.

There was no physical evidence as I reported it at the beginning of this school year and the incident occurred during the last school year. There are also other girls who have gone through the same experience with the same person, the most recent being an underage, around 14 year old girl who was kicked out of her house as a result of what happened.

What could happen now? Should I try to get a lawyer when the police get back to us? I intend to press charges, I'm just not sure what is happening.

I'm extremely scared because we are both good students, as in the top of our classes, and the school threatened me with expulsion when I told my story, because it happened at a school event.  I am also scared that he'll hurt me again or hurt someone else, I share classes with him and its extremely awkward, especially when the teachers know about the circumstances. I make no attempts to have contact with him but I am exposed to him constantly on a daily basis at school and it gives me extreme anxiety.

Answer:
 You don't need an attorney -- but if you want one, feel free to retain one -- to file a criminal complaint. Sometimes cases move slowly. Contact the detective in charge of your investigation to get a status update and/or share new information. They expect and hope for you to do exactly that.

Please also consider contacting [RAINN](https://www.rainn.org/after-sexual-assault) as they have good personal support for you, and can help/advise you through the legal system.


Title: [NY] cops sent bill for presence at protest organized by random volunteers as if we were a business/nonprofit, and we already paid permit fees.

Question:
In upstate NY not NYC.

I jumped into the hype of a grassroots "march" event, and worked with other volunteers to fundraise and hold an event with speakers and tables at a public space. All insurance and city paperwork was filled out, paid for, and approved, and police officers came and helped people cross streets/directed traffic. I filed the paperwork first as a local chapter of the national movement with myself as the contact person and my address as contact address. A month after the event i have received a bill in the mail saying our group name (unofficial group, not a company or a nonprofit or anything that) with my name under it saying we owe extra money to pay for the police presence. They asked for $1200 and gave a donation saying we only owe $300. Do I have to pay for this as an individual? 1000s of people showed up and were involved, and all the permit stuff was through crowdfunding, so having this bill just on me kinda sucks. I could fundraise the money, but i also feel weird i have to pay for the cops to do their job.

Answer:
 It's fairly routine for festival organizers and similar groups to pay for additional police coverage; the larger cities (Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, etc) all have "special events" officers in the police department who are tasked with organizing these things.

However, those things are worked out ahead of time, people shouldn't be getting surprise bills.

It's possible they have no right to charge you but did, it's possible you signed something saying they could charge you without realizing it, it's possible the special events head at the police department just made a mistake.


Title: (NYC) Mom is a manager for a property and a squatter is in her building. Because of squatter’s rights, she can not evict him.

Question:
The squatter cannot be removed by police, and the squatter also scared away the previous tenants in my mom’s building. He is now charging money for people to rent the units that were once occupied (around $50 for a night). Mom says he seems dangerous and she didn’t want to offend him in fear of revenge or assault. She is taking him through the legal eviction process, but it seems like it’ll take at least half a year before he can leave.

He says that he’ll leave if my mom pays him $20,000.

Is there anything we can do to make this go easier/quicker?
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer:
 She should contact an attorney and move forward with legal eviction through the courts.  Answer #2: >  He is now charging money for people to rent the units that were once occupied (around $50 for a night)

This seems like a serious future squatting nightmare as these ‘tenants’ move from trespassing to additional legitimate squatters that will also need to be legally evicted. Hopefully proper legal minds can add to this, but shouldn’t you trespass all these ‘tenants’ on a regular basis. If it takes two weeks to become a legitimate squatter, shouldn’t your mom have someone come by at a shorter interval and have everyone there be declared trespassing?
Answer #3: Your mom is a managing agent for a landlord in a multiple-dwelling in NYC and she has never dealt with someone holding over in an apartment before?


Title: Do i need a license to label my products as cruelty free and/or vegan friendly?

Question:
Hello guys. I have an e-store that sells handbags. They are all made of synthetic PU leather and not real leather so technically they are cruelty free and vegan friendly etc.

**The question is:** Am i obligated based on the US law to have a certificate to prove my claims in case i decide to use this as a marketing strategy/approach (on my website, ads etc)? And if yes are there any legitimate certificates out there?

Thank you in advance!

Answer: There are no regulations governing "cruelty free" signage


Title: [MD] College Biology Lab Exposed Me, Knowingly, To My Food Allergy.

Question:
Hey all,

I am in a food biology and nutrition class in a private college in Maryland. I wish the lab was going better for me. But it isn’t. I’ve been exposed to my severe food allergy, twice now. I am still on medication to suppress my reaction. I am allergic to avocado. I know it is odd but whatever. There is a bit of a timeline for this so I apologize for formatting as I am on mobile and such.

Day one of class everyone who has an allergy (just myself) discloses the allergy and it’s severity.

Lab two weeks ago involved the cooking of avocado. I email the professor as a reminder however the group at the table next to us was able to still cook the avocado for the experiment. I had a severe reaction to this. I went down the street to urgent care from the school and got treated (epi penned there) then given steroids and was watched for awhile and sent home.

The next lab that was just this last week was also using avocado. I email the professor over ten hours in advance. His TA, who is leading our lab as the professor is out, has prepped the avocados for tonight. They’re in the room. I am embarrassed as a result of last week so I subject myself to about ten minutes of her talking before I inform her that I should leave the lab because of the avocado. She gets a professor. This professor decides it is best to grab the prepped avocado with the bare hands and then while it is in her hands, ask me if I am “weird avocado girl”. I said yes. She holds it in front of my face to inform me she is removing it. I tried to go back to the lab but after the TA informed me she cannot be sure I am not still being exposed because the lab hasn’t been cleaned. I leave again. I call my PCP as a result of another hives break out from this second incident. She decides that it’s best to continue the steroids for longer at a higher dose to make sure I am okay.

I feel like shit, prednisone is the fucking devil.

The next day I get an email from the head of the department informing me that she was made aware of what happened by the TA. She will assure the removal of my allergy for the rest of the semester will be implemented immediately. She assures every lab will be sanitized as a result as well. I inform her I am upset but grateful for her immediate reaction. She informs me that *my professor admitted to remembering my reaction from the initial lab but it “slipped his mind” to inform both the dept head and his TA*

I decide to let it slide, because I thought it was being taken care of.

Until tonight. After class the professor asks to talk and for me to recall my timeline. I did. He said they will “try” to assure my allergen is omitted. I was shocked and simply left because I didn’t know how to respond. It seemed as though I still need to worry there will again be avocado in the lab.

I emailed the department head. I told her what happened and asked for assurance that this WILL NOT happen. I am awaiting a response. If there is avocado in the classroom and lab on Wednesday I fully intend on leaving immediately and going to the deans office. I also intend to pursue legal action as a result of this if it was promised to me that my allergen would be gone and then is in class again.

My question is I suppose, where do I stand on this? It seems cut and dry to me that they knew (and then knew again as I emailed prior to every lab). Can I demand a refund of my money despite it being past the refund dates because they cannot assure my allergen will not be exposed? This class was $5,000. (Private school tuition woooo) and if I cannot keep coming to lab because of this recklessness, I feel it is only fair... I get law isn’t always fair but that’s why I came to ask if this is reasonable to pursue?
Topic:
School Related Issues

Answer:
 Your school should have a specific procedure for dealing with disability realted accomodations; it is probably more involved than just raising your hand at the beginning of the class.

Is there an office that deals with disability accomodations? I would start by talking to them so that you can get the acomodation and not fail the class because you're missing lab work. Answer #2: You should have gone to your university's office of disability services.  They would have sent out a letter to the professor, the TA and the head of the department informing them of your allergy.  Once they are involved they *can* and *will* enforce the accommodations to avoid exposure.  The professor *can't* refuse to accommodate you and claim to have forgotten about it.  That office has teeth and the professor can get into deep shit with them.  If you try to file a complaint with the Department of educations OCR the first thing they are going to ask is did you go to disability services?  When you tell them no they aren't going to do anything because you didn't follow procedure.  Sorry but this is basically your fault that you didn't follow proper procedure and therefore you have no case.


Title: [Alabama] can my retail employer force me to go to the back break room to put on my vest before clocking in?

Question:
We have to keep our work vests in the break room which is in the back of the store. We clock in at the entrance. Formerly we would all clock in when we enter and make our way to the back to put on our vests. Our boss recently decided we have to put them on before we clock in, which means spending personal time walking to and from the break room at the request of my employer.

This seems like something they can't do, butt I would like to know what you all had to say about it.

Answer: This is what's called de minimis.  In lay terms, that means it's one of those times you let the wookiee win.  (You are not the wookiee in this metaphor.)Answer #2: Seriously? Even the largest stores, it takes you what, 3-4 minutes to walk it? Even if *illegal*, what do you hope to accomplish? There's one outcome here, you get terminated as an at-will employee.


Title: [Texas] Being sued - can they take my assets?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 > I'm super poor, can't really afford to even hire a lawyer.

It's cheaper to hire an attorney then to not hire one at this stage, especially if you don't have any insurance that might cover this (if you do have insurance then they need to know this shit ASAP, like two weeks ago).

What you said is way to little to think about what might happen, what will happen is that you 1. go to your insurance company, and 2 hire an attorney right now.


Title: Why is there so much misinformation about drunk people being unable to consent to sex?

Question:
So on this website and in some super feminist circles and victim advocacy groups, there seems to be this blanket statement that drunk people are incapable of consenting to sex.  Now Im not a lawyer, but when I looked up that issue, the general message from lawyers was that the blanket statement is not accurate.  Rather, it is rape when the person is so intoxicated that they do not realize they are engaged in sexual activity, and that there are signs when someone is that drunk, like if they are unable to stand up by themselves, are incoherent, puking or pissing themselves, etc.

Is my understanding of American laws correct?

Here is where I got my information, but the sheer number of people claiming that drunk people cannot consent to sex is so large that it has me questioning my interpretation of what I've read:

https://np.reddit.com/r/TwoXChromosomes/comments/8hsfeu/psa_consent_and_intoxication_and_identity/

https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/is-having-sex-with-someone-who-is-drunk-considered-1238342.html

https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/what-amount-of-alcohol-makes-the-drinker-incapable-605609.html

I also read a pdf from the NDAA that distinguished between consensual drunk sex and facilitated sexual assault, though it is no longer available to access

Answer:
 What is legally right and ethically right are often conflated.

It's one of those areas that being "too cautious" is a good thing. Everyone is different, and you don't know what level of inebriation causes someone's faculties to become questionable. So ethically speaking, you shouldn't have sex with someone who is intoxicated.

Legally speaking, we work on a reasonable doubt standard for criminal cases. If someone is so inebriated they can't consent, the odds are high that they can't give a reasonable recollection of that night, and you can use that to cast doubt on their testimony. It's a scummy defense tactic, but it's allowed within the law.


Title: My girlfriend is stuck over 72hrs in involuntary confinement

Question:
She was transferred there Saturday morning and was told it would only be for 72hrs.
Apparently they didn't "record" her there until today so her 72hrs are just now starting. Her roommate there has been told the same thing.
I don't know what to do, she might need a lawyer but we can't afford one, but if I could would it be possible to get her out or at least to a better place?
It sounds like they're just keeping here there as long as they can to take what they can from her insurance.

Edit: Las Vegas, Nevada USA
My girlfriend is in a mental facility for attempted suicide. We talk everyday and the doctors only prescribe pills and refuse to talk about anything other than if she's taking her medication. There isn't a therapist onsite which, from what I here, is what most people there want.

Answer:
 In order to hold her, they will need evidence that she is a threat to herself or to others.

How old is she?Answer #2: Think of this as emergency treatment. They will do their best to get her level, and then will release her with instructions for a psychiatrist (for medications) and/or therapy.


Title: Bought a car in California a week ago and now the dealer wants it back.

Question:
Was shopping around for a car and found a good used car. The dealer texted me saying that I was approved. I came in the next day, signed the contract, bought an increased insurance policy and drove off. A few days later I received a welcome call from the bank confirming my address, employment and when the payments would start. I donated my previous car to a charity since it was such a gas hog but still drivable and in ok condition.

After having the car a week, the dealership called this morning claiming the bank would not approve my loan based on my employment status. I confirmed that it had not changed since I filled out the application, however they insisted that they’re within their contractual rights to ask for the car back under the “Sellers Right to Cancel” section of the contract.

I have spoken with a few other banks who said they would not qualify me due to the number of inquiries in my credit report from the purchase of this car.

My question is do I have any type of recourse. I and now facing being without a car and on the brink of homelessness again. Unfortunately I have no family or friends capable of co-signing.

Answer:
 Dealers will frequently let a customer sign and drive without having an actual approval. Usually on a deal they are pretty sure will get bought, but sometimes the details change and the customer has to come back in and resign. Only once in the 2 years I sold cars did I see a customer have to bring a car back. You even got the call from the bank confirming everything. I would call the bank, mention who you talked to confirming everything including what date your payments would start, and see what they say. Answer #2: What you've described so far sounds legal, but beware the yo-yo financing scam.  In California, the worst the car dealer can require is that you return the car.  You do not have to agree to different loan terms if you don't like them.  If you return the car, you are entitled to all your money back: any downpayment, taxes, etc..  They cannot charge you for mileage, depreciation, or any sort of restocking fee.

Some predatory car dealers will take advantage of a situation like this, or even make a spot delivery when they know full well the customer won't qualify for financing, then coerce the customer into less advantageous terms.  Since they informed you within 10 days your only obligation is to return the car.

If you had traded in your old car with the same dealer, they would have had to either give you back that car, or reimburse you the greater of a) The fair market value or b) The trade-in value on the contract for the new car.  Since you gave your old car to charity, I don't think you have recourse against the dealer for that.

Good luck.


Title: Friend wants to use my Lyft account with his picture added and his own vehicle plus his insurance on there

Question:
My friend who was banned from Uber for a false accusation decided to drive Lyft right after only to find out he got banned from there a week later after Lyft caught on he claims Uber notified Lyft resulting in his chauffeur license being banned permanently.

He proposed the idea of me letting him use my Lyft account but attaching his picture on there as well as his own insurance since he will be driving his own vehicle. I am not sure how in the world he thinks he could get away with this since our names wouldn’t match and eventually Lyft would catch on or not even approve it in the 1st place. After I told him that it probably wouldn’t get approved cause of our names being different he suggested he photoshop my name on his insurance card which raised an even bigger red flag. I told him that would be insurance fraud which could cause even bigger issues. He said he wants to at least try the insurance card with his name on there 1st. He claims he has a friend who uses his uncles account and a different name on the insurance and supposedly his deposit goes straight to his friends bank account.

He claims the worst that could happen is Lyft banning my account permanently and that they wouldn’t bothering suing us for fraud. I told him what would happen if he got in to an accident with our without a passenger being present? He claims I am being negative and that he is extra careful when driving for work related purposes and that he would never get in to an accident. I find this silly since he can’t control if someone decides to hit him or he somehow hits someone. After all it’s called an accident for a reason. No one ever intends to get in to a wreck. In fact I’m worried I could even be held more liable than him since the Lyft account is under my name and I allowed him to use it. He’s been my friend for a while and he seems like he has a response for everything when I tell him it’s extremely risky. He claims I’m stubborn and that the worst thing that could happen is Lyft banning my account. I told him to find other ways to make money such as delivery and he claims it doesn’t pay much but some money is better than no money.

What can realistically come out of this?

Answer: I would strongly recommend not doing this. If any further incidents happen YOU will be banned as well. Totally against this.


Title: [Calgary, AB] My employer may try to demote me when I return from maternity leave.

Question:
I have been on maternity leave for ~7 months (out of 12 allowed in Canada, but I have been considering going back to work sooner) from my job as a retail manager.  I visit occasionally as I am friends with several of my co-workers and they love the baby updates.

Recently, one of them told me that the store manager intended to have me return in the entry level position of cashier.  I'm not sure my source is trustworthy, but I want to be prepared for my next visit when I'll meet with the store manager to discuss my return.  I've done a bit of reading and I'm pretty sure they aren't allowed to demote someone on maternity leave, but when my source raised that concern she was told that "it's different in retail".

I just want to be sure that they aren't allowed to do this, that there aren't different rules for retail, and, if they do attempt to demote me, what my next step should be.
Topic:
Labor Law

Answer: [Page 44](http://work.alberta.ca/documents/becoming-a-parent.pdf). It's not "different in retail."


Title: Got unemployment benefits but I feel I was wrongfully terminated...

Question:
Here's my story.... This is in Illinois

I was on my last break and 2 of our company drivers where in the lunchroom with me. They where leaving for the day. I noticed 2 containers sitting on the table. I asked if they knew who it belonged to. They said a driver dropped it off for whomever wanted it. Turned out to be food for 2 employees the we worked with.  The drivers and I both approached the employees and apologized. One was very nice and understood it was a mistake.  The other wasn't so accepting. The 2 company drivers left and returned with replacement food.... Again the second employee was having nothing to do with it and continued to be very aggravated about the situation..

 On to the next day.... I start my day...  Employees start coming up to me asking me why did I steal food. Six separate employees approached me asking the same thing... Turns out the one guy still had a problem with the food and was going around the warehouse telling people I stole his food and I was a thief...  At this time I was very upset... I work in a warehouse but we deal with outside contractors (semi-truck drivers) all day. When word travels I felt like everyone would think I'm a thief and my professional standing would be permanently tarnished. I approached my supervisor, who was standing next to the warehouse superintendent. I told them the situation and that I was extremely upset. The superintendent asked, "Are you a thief?" I responded, "No." To which he responded, "Then fuck it."  I felt like I had no choice but to confront the employee that was telling people this lie. I did. I asked why he was saying this. A yelling match ensued. My supervisor stepped in and told me to go home. I left.  As I left I made a statement to another employee not involved, "If he calls me a thief again I'll knock him the fuck out." I received a call later that day from H.R. telling me not to return until they investigated the situation. That was Thursday. Monday H.R. called back to tell me they where terminating my employment for a threat of violence against another employee. H.R. also informed me I will receive my final check plus a 52hr check for my vacation time.

 At the time I did not question anything but it seemed strange as I didn't have any vacation time left.

 Also I didn't feel what I said was reason enough to fire me. For the simple fact I work in a warehouse, not a corporate environment.  .

Fast forward to yesterday.... I received Unemployment's determination on my eligibility of benefits.... It reads as follows.....

Was the claimant discharged for misconduct connected with the work? The evidence shows that the claimant was discharged from \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ LLC for grossly negligent conduct endangering the safety of the claimant or co-workers. The claimant states he was discharged for making a comment after a coworker accused him of being a thief. A spontaneous expression of exasperation, coupled with no prior history of threats did not rise to the level of misconduct. The claimant's conduct did not constitute misconduct under section 602A8 of the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Act. the claimant is not ineligible for benefits from date in regard to this issue.

I feel sick to my stomach.... I feel like I was paid off with 52hrs of vacation pay to cover for a wrongful termination.

Any advice would help.

Answer:
 It's not wrongful termination. Not even close. Answer #2: >Also I didn't feel what I said was reason enough to fire me.

You are incorrect. You can't behave like that at work and expect to keep your job, warehouse or otherwise.

The determination of no misconduct relates only to your qualification to receive unemployment benefits. It in no way suggests that your termination was improper. Answer #3: >As I left I made a statement to another employee not involved, "If he calls me a thief again I'll knock him the fuck out."

That is absolutely, 100% good grounds for firing.Answer #4: A layperson's definition of "wrongful termination" usually isn't the same as the legal definition. What people think is unfair or wrong is often perfectly legal.

This however is a ridiculous question. This falls so clearly on the side of "rightfully and deservedly terminated" that I'm amazed anyone would think it's wrong.


Title: Sexual phone call harassment sourced to "mental health hotline"

Question:
Hawaii/New York

I've been getting calls from a "No Caller ID" for weeks now. I answer these because I have out-of-country family members who call using 3rd party apps that block their names as well, but I stopped answering.

The first few times I did answer, a male voice would say my name, and whisper/murmur obscene things like "[___], I want you to suck my dick" or "I want to put my dick inside of you" and then proceed to moan. I ended up subscribing to TrapCall which unblocked the number and revealed a number tracing back to my hometown.

Thinking it might be someone I know, I called the number, but it directed me to an automated message from a supposed "mental health hotline." This is so absurd and strange to me that 1) the number is traced back to my hometown 2) I have used a suicide hotline before but never through a number from my home state.

What can I do to report or investigate this number? I tried calling my local hometown police department, but they said I would need to meet with them in person. Is this a normal occurrence for scam callers to hide their machines under "mental health hotlines"? Please help!

Answer: They could be "spoofing" the number. It happens a lot these days with spam calls.


Title: It has been 9 months since Amazon put a hold on my selling account with all my selling money still inside of it. (Without any notice or reason)

Question:
Amazon has put a hold on my selling account without any notice and with all my money still inside of it. It has been 9 months and I still don’t know what is going to happen to my funds.
One day out of no where my Amazon selling account was not recognizing my password. I changed my password and it still gave me error. I called the customer service and the representative said that my account is on hold. I had a good standing, shipped on time and wasn’t selling anything illegal. Customer service said that they don’t know why and that I have to email a team that looks over seller performance, because they don’t have a phone number. They can only be reached by email. So I sent several emails and they didn’t respond to any of my emails. Now it has been 9 months and still haven’t heard from anybody from Amazon. Don’t know why my account is on hold. I had thousands of dollars in my account from my sells. I had invested on inventory. What do I do? I am a college student and I put most of my money in this business and now it seems like Amazon wants to steal all my money. I don’t know what to do. I think if I get a lawyer to sue Amazon I might end up paying more lawyer/court fees that what I have stuck in the account. Is that true? What do you think I should do?

Answer:
 Not legal advice, but very relevant: Have you tried tweeting your issue at them? It's free, quick, and you don't have much to lose.

I've had similar issues with a major company in the past, and couldn't get through using their normal/official method, so in desperation I tried contacting them via twitter. Had it solved within a day. I'm guessing the PR people have a hotline to support so they can quickly handle incidents that might otherwise fester in the public spotlight and make them look bad. Or maybe they just have a better vested interest in solving issues (since their job depends on making the company not look bad), at least moreso than a minimum-wage call center worker or support clerk. Not sure if it'll work with Amazon, but no harm in trying.Answer #2: Have you tried calling anymore? I know this seems ridiculous but these customer service centers typically have people that want to check boxes and people that actually want to help — I find you have to roll a few times to get someone on the line who’s willing and able to help.


Title: I have sold my business to a buyer who is defaulting on their payments by declaring personal bankruptcy.

Question:
Two years ago I put my grocery store business on the market, I was approached by a potential who wanted to buy my business. After doing my due diligence and looking inti their credit reports I have decided to sell my business to them. And for extra assurance I had them sign personal IOUs on the installment payments.

They have made three payments on their due dates. Afterwards, they stopped making their payments and declared personal bankruptcy, but not commerical bankruptcy. My lawyer says I have to see a "Bankruptcy lawyer" to prove that this was done intentionally to default on my payments.

I reside in Orlando, and now I am not sure which legal route to take. Any advice on what to do next or any recommendations of good bankruptcy lawyers in Orlando will be appreciated.

Thank you.

Answer:
 >My lawyer says I have to see a "Bankruptcy lawyer" to prove that this was done intentionally to default on my payments.

You've already got the answer you need.

We don't do recommendations here.Answer #2: This is why escrow is a thing.Answer #3: You will need a bankruptcy attorney to represent your interests in the individual's bankruptcy.  There are claims and debts that cannot be discharged in bankruptcy (like debts and claims founded in fraud), and there is a "look back" period that could cover this person's dealings with you.  It could have been intentional, or it could be that he just happened to get overextended because some other debt (not the one to you) surprised him.Answer #4: What lawyer helped you set up this transaction?  What contingencies did that lawyer put into the sales contract to deal with bankruptcy?  Did you sell to this guy individually or to a business he owns?  Was any money escrowed? Did he take a loan to pay you any of the amount? Did you retain a security interest in the business?


Title: An app is claiming to create a legally binding contract to provide consent to sex. Is it actually binding? Would it hold up in court? [Netherlands/global]

Question:
I put location as Netherlands, because that's where the app devs appear to be based, but the app I assume would be available globally.

I just read about an app that claims to create a legally binding contract between two parties over consensual sex.

Leaving aside logistics and what ifs, and getting down to the core: would this app hold up in any court? Is it actually creating a legally binding contract?

Thanks!

Answer:
 It’s for sure not binding. There is no contract that can be legally written that would ever obligate someone to have sex. Consent is always an ongoing thing with sex. It can be withdrawn at any time.

I’m gonna go out on a limb here and assume the folks who are making this app are not being genuine in their attempt to help folks establish consent. They’re trying to make some dumb political point. They know it won’t hold up in court. Answer #2: Such an app might be relevant in assessing whether sex was consensual in a criminal trial. No civilized country (and I am assuming the Netherlands is one) is going require specific performance of an agreement to have sex with someone, whether embodied in an app or otherwise. Answer #3: If marriage can't provide a durable, ongoing consent to sex, I don't think this app can. Moreover, it sounds like an MRA wetdream/nightmare - aren't those guys always carrying on about how men will soon be required to sign a form like this before they have sex and/or how you should "always be recording" your trysts?


Title: Mom is getting rejected to an apartment because of service cat.

Question: [deleted]

Answer: She doesn't have a service cat. She has an emotional support cat. As such it could be considered a reasonable accommodation, if the landlord has a property that is covered under the FHA. The landlord could still reject the cat, but the would need to show an undue hardships by allowing the cat to stay.


Title: Got human blood on me at the grocery store and it could have been avoided. (NC)

Question:
So today at the grocery store I picked up a carton that I noticed was sticky. I looked down to see that there was blood on my hand. The employee stocking the area right beside of me admitted to knowing that someone had cut themselves and had actually parked his cart over a pool of blood. He even pointed to where the person had cut themselves when he called the managers over. The person that cut themselves had apparently told said employee.

It took them over a long time to get me something to clean my hand off before I took matters into my own hands and cleaned it using off the shelf sanitizer. That I then had to pay for. The managers were completely unconcerned and walked off without even apologizing.

Could the store be found civilly liable for jeopardizing my health? Especially since the employee knew about it but didn't do anything.
Topic:
Personal Injury

Answer: You didn't suffer harm so no.


Title: Lied to about existence of potential child. Now being pressed for paternity test

Question:
I had a short fling on the other side of the country when I used to travel for work a couple years ago. I had contacted the girl previously when I passed back through the area, but she said she was busy and I thought nothing of it.

I found out about the existence of her child only by seeing a picture on Facebook and by doing the math of the child's age realized it may be mine.

I had contacted the girl in question to ask if there was any chance I was the father. She reluctantly agreed that it could. She is currently dating a man that is the father on the child's birth certificate, and believes he is the birth father.

Recently, things have soured with the birth father, and she is pressing me to take a paternity test yet wants to hide it from the alleged birth father. She says she wants nothing to do with me, wants no money, and if I'm the father she wants me to sign over custody.

I'm caught between feeling like a scumbag for not stepping up, but knowing that I could get railed for child support as I do rather well monetarily.

Is there worth in having her sign a notarized affidavit agreeing to those terms? Do I have any actual legal obligation?

Answer:
 if either of you want to establish paternity, you can petition the court. you should probably not agree to take a private DNA test at her urging.  and 'sign over custody' doesn't make much sense if another man is on the kid's birth certificate.  nor does it behoove you to cooperate in that plan if you aren't seeking custody in the first place.

I say ignore her until you get a proper court order for a paternity test.


Title: DUI for marijuana in California - attorney fees and charges

Question:
Hi guys!
First time posting here, just wanted some advice from my fellow redditors.
A few weeks ago I was arrested and sent to jail for a DUI for marijuana. I gave a blood sample and spent 12 hours before being let out. I had smoked a few hours before being arrested and giving the blood sample. By the time I was tested I wasn't high anymore but it was still fresh in my system. My question to you is how much should I pay for an attorney and what kinds of things should I expect in terms of fees and charges. I'm extremely worried and would appreciate any advice!
Thanks

Answer: There's no real set for fee. You're likely looking between $1,000 and $10,000 depending on their rate and the amount of time they have to spend. The best way to find out is to consult with a number of attorneys, find one that you feel will do well at a price you can afford, and retain them as soon as possible.


Title: Someone who was renting my house was doing illegal drugs.

Question:
I am in MN.

I was renting the house to a family up until the end of August of this year. Near the end of August the renters asked me if their son, Mike, (not his real name) could rent the house from September and on. I agreed. But later that week Mike and his friends were found doing and in the possession of illegal drugs. This was before we signed the contract for the rental of the house for the month of September. I did say in a email I would rent the house to Mike but this was before I found out about the illegal drugs. I issued him a notice to leave the the house in 7 days but 14 days later he still wants more time.

Currently, he is living in the house for free and is saying that he requires more time before he can move out.

The police had to break down the door to enter the house to search for the illegal drugs. Mike and his father do not want to fix the damages to the property and do not want to clean the house, but also doesn't want the security deposit.

What can we do in this situation? Is there a way to get Mike to move out?

edit: added location

Answer:
 >I issued him a notice to leave the the house in 7 days but 14 days later he still wants more time.

File an eviction. It seems like he already established residency.

> but also doesn't want the security deposit.

They dont want you to return the security deposit?


Title: Pittsburgh, PA Landlord Selling House and threatening "legal consequences" if sale falls through

Question:
My family and I have been renting a house for five years and during that time it was no surprise that our landlord was interested in selling the house.  He had asked us often if we would want to buy the house but we declined.  We've renewed our lease several times and our current lease ends Nov 30th.  He put it back on the market last year and we dealt with several showings with no major problems (save an occasion of an agent showing up without 24 hour notice and essentially letting herself in).

Eventually, a buyer made an offer that he liked and he has since become rather impatient with us moving out, even though we've said many times we will be out by the 30th as per our lease.  Yet he texts us nearly every week asking when we think we will be out (and we repeat "When the lease ends Nov 30th").

Today he came by to "do a walk through" and was quite annoyed that we hadn't moved out yet.  We have him no reason to suspect we would be moved out.  (We've found a new house and I just got the keys today.  My new landlord called my current landlord last week as a reference.  So current landlord assumed we'd have moved by now.). I told him I was planning to have most of our stuff moved out, optimistically, if I could manage it.  I still asserted that we had until the 30th and he agreed weakly saying basically "I know I said you have until the end of the month but I really kind of need you out..." He said the buyers will be here to finalize the paperwork the morning of 29th and that we should be out before that.  He tried to be more urgent by saying people will be in here to do some work.  He beat around the bush about consequences he doesn't even want to talk about if the sale doesn't happen and then eventually said he would sue me if the sale doesn't go through for some reason dealing with me not being moved out.

As far as I know, I don't have to be out until my lease is up and if, for some reason, he made false promises to the potential buyers and they back out that's not my fault.  Am I wrong?

Is there anything I should be worried about legally?  Can he successfully sue me if my residence affects the sale?

Answer: He can't successfully sue you for not moving out before your lease is up.


Title: MO USA: Grandparent rights and refusal of vaccines

Question:
Important information:

-Grandma (my MIL) is an anti vaxxer (vax are "poison and cause autism")

-SO and I are biological parents to our child, living together, and not married. He will be on her birth cert and paternity is not disputed.

-We have made it clear that Grandma is only welcome around baby with proof (like receipt from DR.) she has received her TDaP and Flu shot. Not getting the shots will result in Grandma not meeting baby until baby is finished with her shots. (Could be 6+months depending on when the pedi decides)

Question:

Does Grandma have a leg to stand on should she try to sue for visitation?

Answer: [Here](https://www.hg.org/article.asp?id=7609) is an overview of the relevant Missouri law; it sounds like she has no shot--in both senses of the word.Answer #2: Also you should stay clear of MIL if she hasn't had her MMR shots - rubella is a big deal while pregnant. Answer #3: There is no such thing as grand-parents rights as long as both parents are alive and together.Answer #4: Nope. Parents have the right to raise their kids as they see fit so long as it's not negligent or abusive. Grandparents don't get any say in that. Grandparents don't even get visitation rights except for a few scenarios. You're in the clear.


Title: Apartment Complex charging me for cleaning my apt and moving out furniture. I gave my 60-day notice only 11 days ago!

Question:
I live in Texas. I recently got married and moved in with my wife. I procrastinated on moving out of my old apartment. I moved out 75% of my stuff in early August. I basically just had to clean (a lot) and left a table, TV stand, entertainment center/bookshelf and just a bunch of random stuff. I finally got it worked out with management and turned in my 60-day notice on August, 25th. I then sent an email asking if there was a way to adjust the 60-day notice so I didn't have to pay an extra month's month rent. They very clearly declined to say my 60-day notice would start that day (august 25th). A 60-day notice was policy when canceling a lease early.

My plan was then to eventually, within the 60 days, finish cleaning/moving out and turn in my keys.

Today, September 5th, I get an email titled "final account statement". They billed me ~2,800 dollars. Charged me for things like "4 keys not returned and lock change" for 150. "trash out bags(16) and furniture out (5 pieces)" for 650. And a notice fee of 850. I don't even know what that is. Lots of other random charges adding up.

So they threw away all my stuff and charged me a lot for doing it? Didn't I have 60 days? I can't contact them today because it's Labor Day but I plan on calling them tomorrow.

I've never been involved in anything legal at all, but it seems to me that I have some grounds here? What should I do?

Answer: You have a right to possession of the premises the entire 60 days. Were your discussions with them in writing? Locate that documentation. If they cannot retrieve your possessions, they may be legally obligated to compensate you for them. Answer #2: Did you pay September rent? The only way I'd imagine this was ok for management to do was if you told them you abandoned the unit and they followed procedure to declare it as such. Answer #3: We gave our 60 day notice and were forced to keep it for 2 months, even though they knew we would be gone.  I didn't get our stuff til like a week before the 60 days was up...(free storage...kinda lol)....but they emailed us weekly asking if we were still there.  They told the mailman we no longer lived there so we lost so much mail.  It was messy as hell.  So glad to me out of that mess of a complex run by Greystar


Title: Who do you legally talk to when you are the victim of discrimination and racial profiling in the workplace by illegal immigrants?

Question:
There's a moving n storage co. In Gaithersburg MD. The public ridicules them by addressing them as town n clown! It's notorious for its discrimination abd unfairness towards its American workers there. I work there myself and as an American I feel upset that these people are getting away. With paying illegal immigrants under the table. While the American workers which consist of 7 of us. 2 Puerto Ricans, One token black as the dispatchers so loosly put it and 2 krackers also terms used by dispatchers. Are being restricted to work 14 to 25 hrs a week. 3 of their workers commute from West Virginia every day 71 miles to an fro just to get sent home as we watch the illegals get dispatched for work. I had to be the brave one to reach out to you guys because everyone else is scared of loosing their jobs.
       The saddest part is the owner being Jewish agrees with all the illegal activity being performed by the dispatchers. One us from el Salvador the other Honduras. And they simply dispise us Americans and take full advantage of their positions to make sure their friends and families have work up to 40 to 60hrs a week.
     Any good legal advice and connections would be appreciated.

Answer:
 Kinda sounds like you're the one doing the profiling.

How do you know that the people from El Salvador and Honduras are not authorized to work in the US? Have you seen their documents? Do you even have the proper authorization in your workplace to see their documents? Are you in some kind of HR role?


Title: Can you legally laminate a dollar bill (US)?

Question:
So a few years ago, my grandpa gave me a laminated bill for my birthday (it was of a one dollar bill).  A few days ago I was reading online about the legality of defacing currency and am wondering if what he did was illegal.  Is is illegal to laminate a bill?  I know that likely nobody would care if anybody found out, but i'm personally curious now.'

(US, MN)

Answer: It's legal.  The law prohibits **fraudulently** altering currency.  Like attempting to make a $2 look like a $20.  But laminating it wouldn't be a criminal issue.  It's why those penny crushing machines are legal.


Title: (MO) Could I (22 y/o) buy my future spouse (19y/o) alcohol for consumption on our future honeymoon?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 In many states, yes, you can buy your underage spouse alcohol. An establishment is not obligated to sell it to you though.

What state are you honeymooning in?


Title: Phoenix, AZ - Question re: "unsellable" condo

Question:
Approximately four year ago, my brother bought a condo with an FHA loan in Phoenix.  Lived there for about three years, and then life took him off to Florida.  He's since decided that trying to maintain and rent a condo from across the US is not worth the hassle, and was looking to sell his condo.  The condo itself isn't the issue.  He had multiple offers.

Since starting the process, he's come across a lot of snags.  First the other party's lendor (Chase), required a certificate of occupancy or something (forgive me if I'm not using correct terms, I'm getting this all secondhand from my mother).  Apparently one of the issues is that the contractor who was building the condos went bankrupt midway through building.  Half of the buildings were fully completed, the other half never started.  Since then, the property has been sold off to a new contractor/investor/someone.  The condo has a HOA, they pay dues, etc.  It's fully functional with the exception of only half of the units were built.

So flash forward to today, my Mom called me up in tears, because apparently after being led around by the nose for the last two months, she was told my brother's condo is considered unsellable by lendors.  She hasn't been able to get a straight answer from the realtors because they apparently don't really understand either, but was told it may have something to do with the HOA and the fact that the condo units were not built with the original occupancy due to the bankruptcy.  Another unit in the complex just sold a month or so ago, with a loan though Washington Federal, although the buyer was required to put 35% down.

I guess my question is A) has anyone ever been in a situation like this, and B) are there any options other than just sucking it up and dealing with the fact that he's stuck with a condo he can't sell unless he can find someone willing to pay in cash?

Answer:
 Try /r/realestate

They may have seen similar cases previously.


Title: Engagement Ring Lost/Stolen, Need Some Help!

Question:
[NY] Last Tuesday my fiancé went to a local tanning salon. Inside the room, she placed her ring on a small table in the corner and then [at her fault] placed a small towel on top of the ring. After she was done, she picked up her things and did not remember the ring underneath the towel. About half an hour after she returned home she realized it was not on her finger, then proceeded to call the salon (they said they couldn't find it) then she immediately went there and looked for her self, without any luck. After she returned home, I did the same, without any luck.

It's now several days later. We've contacted management and they've looked at the camera footage and verified she entered with the ring on her finger. The employees of this tanning salon are required to clean the rooms after every use and prep them for the next customer. Knowing this, all fingers point to the employee that cleaned the room after she was done tanning.

The manager will not let me see any camera footage. We did file a police report that night, but not much has been done by the local PD up to this point.

Today I plan on calling the district manager, stopping by the local PD, and visiting the tanning salon once more with the intention of awakening the suspected employee to the very real consequences of third degree grand larceny. I've also been all over craigslist and plan on looking at some local pawn shops this weekend.

What else can I legally do to get this ring back?
Topic:
Criminal Law

Answer:
 Is it possible that when the employee picked up the towel they also picked up the ring, never knowing the ring was in it?  Answer #2: >What else can I legally do to get this ring back?

Periodically follow up with the salon. Keep an eye on Craigslist. Sorry, but this is not something the police are going to really investigate. There's not even evidence a crime was committed. The police are not here to help you find your lost stuff.


Title: Can someone else patent your idea after the provisional patent has expired?

Question:
My husband has an invention that he got a provisional patent on a while ago. It has expired and was also disclosed to the public. I know that that means he can't get an actual patent on it, but can someone else patent it? There's not much he can do to change the design. It's a pretty simple. I can't seem to find an answer anywhere online. I have also asked a few lawyers and have gotten different answers which is frustrating. I plan to talk to more.

What I have been told is that we nor anyone else can patent it. We can start selling them, but if someone else wants to start making them too they can. I've also been told that we can't do anything else with them. If we do we may be infringing on someone else because they can now patent the idea.

Edit: Forgot to add that we live in Colorado.
Topic:
Intellectual Property

Answer: If the provisional patent was enough to disclose the invention, then, no. The provisional would be prior art for anybody else's patent. Answer #2: Provisional patent applications are not published.


Title: Does Credit Karma count as a third party?

Question: [removed]

Answer:
 Your question, put in another way is:

Is it a violation of [15 U.S. Code § 1692c(b)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1692c) for you to go to CreditKarma, request them to access the credit profile from the three Credit reporting agencies, and then have CK actually show you the report. Your argument is that the only way Ck could show you the data is if the CRAs communicated with them; and since CK is not a CRA and not you, they are a third party under the statute; even though they’re just displaying the information from the CRAs.

The major problem you have with your argument is that the FDCPA doesn’t apply to the original creditor. If you owe the debt to the CRA, they aren’t bound by the same provisions. I’d also have issues with saying a communication you requested is an unwanted communication. But it’s an interesting theory.


Title: Deadbeat brother in law is late on payments for storage unit in my name.

Question:
Last year my sister and brother in law were having a financial crisis and had to move out of their apartment in a rush. Myself and my mother drove to come see them and help them move out. They were both strapped for cash and didn't have anywhere to put a lot of their stuff.

I offered to help my brother in law rent a storage unit. I felt bad for the guy, I'm doing ok myself financially and didn't mind giving him $100 bucks to rent the unit.

We went up to the place, and since I had the cash for it. I sort of thoughtlessly filled out the paperwork for it. I didn't think much of that at the time because we'd been moving all day and were just trying to get it over with but it was obviously a bad idea in retrospect.

I started receiving emails every month and realized that the thing was in my name. I called and asked for it to be taken out of my name and they told me it could only be done if I came into the office with him. ( I live an hour and a half away and work full time so it's kind of a burden to do this.) My brother in law was paying every month so I wasn't overly concerned with it.

So now a year later, the unit has sent me an email notifying me that a late fee has been charged to the account. Apparently my brother in law didn't pay this month.

I called the owner (which was a mistake) and had a really contentious discussion about it. I told the guy that I had just done my brother in law a favor in helping him set up the unit, that I had never since payed for it, and that I didn't consider the storage unit to be my storage unit but that it was my brother in laws that happened to have my name on it. What he said is that the lease had my name on it and was legally my responsibility. He advised me to pay for it and I told him I didn't think it was a good idea for me to offer payment for something that I dispute my ownership of, which clearly pissed him off. I wasn't trying to piss the guy off but just protect my own interests. I know if you have a credit card fraud you should never try to pay for it if you dispute your ownership of it.

I don't really care about the money, it's $160 which is a pain in the ass because I'm trying to save money, but certainly cheaper than a lawyer. I'm just curious from a legal perspective who is right?

To put my core question as simply as possible, There is a storage unit with my name on it, which I have never stored my property in, and I have never made payments on. I have a documented history of contacting this place and asking my name to be removed from the lease.
Would I be able to make an argument in small claims court that the storage unit is not my responsibility but rather my brother in laws who has stored his stuff there and paid for it?

Thanks guys.

Answer: You have to see it from the owner's perspective. To him it sounds like you are trying to fraud him out of the payments, he hears the same kind of stories all the time. You went in person to open it but now can't be bothered to close it when he told you what to do? You just have to take care of it and close it in person. Pay the late fee, it is your fault.


Title: My mother received an odd email today from Snap(Snapchat) Inc. Law Endorsement Operations about the Arlington PD starting a legal process to obtain records, information, or content from a Snapchat account. My mother doesn’t have a Snapchat account...

Question:
My mother who barley speaks a lick of English and is over 50 years old called me today in a frenzy about this email .

The email also stated  Snap Inc. is providing you with this notice and will wait seven days from the date of this notice before responding to the legal process so that you can take any measures you think necessary or appropriate to object to or challenge the legal process in court.

She didn’t even know what Snapchat was so I had to explain that. I contacted the Arlington police and they think it’s a “scam” of some sort but after further research this seems or may be legit.

She lives in the Arlington , i found it odd that the email knew what general she lived in or how they obtained her email address when she never had an SC account

Thanks for your time hope u can help me calm her down

Answer:
 Don’t click on any links in the email, open any attachments, or respond. If it’s a scam those are all ways to get infected. If the lawyers here think it’s a scam it may be best to delete the email entirely, including out of the deleted folder. Answer #2: If she doesn't have a SC account and never did, I'm not sure what your worried about. Even if there was an open investigation they obviously wont find anything from SC...

&#x200B;Answer #3: In the title of your post, you say "Snap(SnapChat) Inc. Law *Endorsement* Operations..."  (emphasis mine)

Did you copy that precisely?  If so, delete it.  Law Endorsement Operations?  I'm really curious to know if this was a typo on your part, or if the email really said "Law Endorsement Operations."

 Answer #4: Scam.

If Arlington PD is interested in your mom, as a first step a cop will pay her a visit. Answer #5: r/scams


Title: Interview questions regarding personal matters.

Question: deleted

Answer: It's not illegal to ask the question but it is illegal to discriminate based on the answer.


Title: Will a lawyer turn me in if I tell them I committed vandalism while seeking counseling even if I don't retain them?

Answer: NoAnswer #2: Even during a consultation that does not result in you hiring them, the lawyer cannot reveal whatever you tell them... except in specific situations, like if you revealed an ongoing or future crime.


Title: Interstate texting with a minor

Question:
I'm a 21m in school in Illinois. I'm from New York City and met a 17f on tinder while on vacation in New York (she lied about her age to be on tinder, but told me she's 17 later).
17 is the age of consent in both Illinois and New York.
She's still in New York and I'm in Illinois. we've been flirty texting, and it's heading in a sexually explicit direction.
Is it legal for us to be sending sexually explicit messages back and forth?

Note, we will NOT be sending photos back and forth.

Answer: The safest thing to do would be to find someone who's out of high school to send your sexually explicit messages to.


Title: [TX] Replacement Hired While on FMLA; Fired

Question:
My father was in a car accident at  the beginning of January. He has several pre-existing medical conditions which limit his mobility, but he had always been able to do his job well. No disciplinary action, complaints, etc.

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He went on FMLA after the accident, and was due to return this Monday (April 22nd). He was still in pain and used his vacation days up until today (Wednesday). His company called him and said that they hired a replacement 2 weeks ago and that he no longer has a job with them. The person he spoke with on the phone  mentioned that she tried to get him another position in the company but was shot down by the higher-ups.

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During his time on FMLA, he regularly communicated with HR and sent all required paperwork in a timely manner. He did everything by the book and is blind-sided by this turn of events. Do we have any legal recourse here at all? My parents are looking into employment attorneys, but I am trying to help them determine whether this is even worth  trying to fight. Any advice offered is greatly appreciated.

Answer: This is definitely worth consulting an employment attorney. There are some legal reasons to fire somebody on FMLA, mostly having to do with people who would be fired regardless of whether they took leave (poor performers, disciplinary problems, business necessity, etc.), but firing somebody BECAUSE they took FMLA leave is wrongful termination, and there are remedies available for that. Your dad needs to discuss the details of what happened to see what sort of claim he can make.


Title: Left Coat at Salon, Workers Stole It

Question:
I accidentally forgot my coat at a salon I went to, it was a warm day so I didn't realize anything was wrong when I left. But we have security cameras around our house, I can be seen leaving the house with the coat and returning without it. But I didn't notice until today (Jan 5), this happened on December 23rd. I called the salon and they're denying ever seeing it, and saying that they donate any leftover clothes to charity. I'm almost certain whoever was closing that night would have stolen it.

They're a really sketchy place, their transactions are always in cash so I don't even have a receipt or anything of being there, my only witness is my sister. It was a really expensive coat, is there anything that I can do?

Answer: I guess you can call the police and tell them that a couple of weeks ago you left your coat someplace and now it is gone. Don't expect them to do much.Answer #2: You are making a wild assumption. You cannot know that someone working at the salon stole it. Even if you know 100% for certain that you left it there and not somewhere else, anything could have happened to it. Maybe another customer took it when they saw it sitting on a chair unattended before any staff had a chance to notice it. The salon bears zero responsibility for making sure you don't leave your property or that somebody else doesn't take it, unless the staff finds it or somebody turns in for lost and found. If it did go into lost and found, how long they are required to hang on to it varies depending on where you live. They may very well have held onto it for as long as legally required before donating it.


Title: Can my employer require me to drop off the deposit at the bank after hours & off the clock [New Jersey]

Question: I just started working at a third party cellphone retailer in New Jersey. Every day we bag up the deposit, clock out, lock up, but then one of us is required to drive about 10 miles to the bank we use and drop the deposit in the night drop. Every other job I’ve had in this industry they pay a company to come pick up the deposit once or twice a week. My concern is that I’m doing a job related function and not being compensated for it (while also using my own personal vehicle). Any information or advice is greatly appreciated.

Answer:
 You can do work-related errands using a personal vehicle (see pizza delivery drivers) and you can be fired for refusing to complete these tasks because NJ is an at-will state. It wouldn't be unreasonable to request reimbursement for mileage, but it's not legally required.

However, you have to be paid for all hours worked. That means yes, you have to be paid for the time you're locking up & running the deposits to the bank.


Title: Delusional wife wants to take everything from the family

Question:
Alright this is one of my first posts on reddit, so bear with me.

I'm 17, and a couple years back my mom married a person we'll call Karen. I'm currently being told different things from different people...

To give slight context, Karen may or may not be a bit mentally ill. It's apparent to us she's actually crazy, and she's medicated for it. I also have an anxiety disorder, so I've been shaking all day over this bs.

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Karen has emotional issues pretty much every day of the week where she starts a screaming match with my mom (who is lovely), over Karen not liking her tone of voice with a specific statement.

Yesterday she was upset with my mom for saying " I know what worry crystals are," and apparently that was her last straw. She yelled at her, then after that took her car and left. A few hours later, my mom finds out Karen's kicked her out of the bank account and off the card (its in Karen's name).

The next day she comes back, yells at her some more and then leaves again. During this, she tells my mom she's taking the truck AND the car. That truck is also in Karen's name, but only because my mom didn't know if she could put it in her own name before getting her license (is that possible?). The thing is, that's my mom's truck. It was purchased, as a gift, for her. By a good friend, of hers. She worked her ass off paying that thing off by cleaning the friend's home. Karen hasn't even driven it.

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We live in Florida.

I was told by a family member that Karen can't take the truck (by Karen's logic because its in her name) because in marriage, what's Karen's is hers and whats hers is Karen's? As in, my mom has rights to the truck too, since they're married and share the home.

I was also told that if they were to get a divorce, that she could keep the truck anyways, because apparently in Florida things are split 50/50? Karen already has a car, and the friend could testify that it is indeed my mom's truck.

I was also wondering if it's legal for Karen to go and get the power shut off in our house, because we're currently living in fear of that.

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tl;dr: In Florida, does a spouse have full rights to a vehicle in her name if the other person in the marriage actually uses it/claims it? And would the other person be able to win the vehicle in a divorce? Also, would the spouse be able to shut off the power in our house in order to make our lives hell while they move out?

Answer:
 If the vehicle is in Karen's name, it is Karen's vehicle as far as the law is concerned, until a court says differently.

Florida is an equitable distribution state; in divorce, property isn't necessarily split 50/50, but the court will attempt to work out something that is "fair," and yes, that could include the court awarding your mom one of the vehicles.

While the spouse *can* shut off the power, that isn't going to win them any favors with a judge. Your mom needs a lawyer.


Title: Parents want me to cosign for a house but their reasons are unclear?

Question: Hello, my parents are asking me to cosign for a house they intend on buying but according to them, the reason they need me as a cosigner is because they’re both illegal immigrants. A little background, both of my parents are illegal immigrants who make decent money (US, they still pay taxes and all that) and I’m on DACA making a decent income as well. They told me that because of their legal status, they can’t buy a house and therefore would need me onboard. Is this true? And even if it is, I’m not a permanent resident either so wouldn’t the same restrictions apply to me? Any help is appreciated, thank you.

Answer:
 If you're considering this, get a lawyer, and insist on having a share of the property as well. There's no benefit to you in being responsible for a loan on a property you don't own. If you're going to be the only person on the mortgage, and if you are considering this, you should also be the only owner - your parents would be your tenants, not your joint owners, with all that entails, but if things do go sour, you'd at least be able to evict them and get paying tenants in, or able to sell the property.

Personally, I'd pass. "No" is a complete sentence. However, I understand that your parents' immigration issues mean they have fewer options. It also means that they're more vulnerable to predatory lending and to real estate scams. Your parents _can_ buy a house, but they probably won't be able to get a mortgage, meaning that they may only be able to buy a house they can afford free and clear.