Title: [Tx] Advice on Adoption in a Complicated Situation

Question:
The basics:

In March of 2011, I met a woman, we hit it off, started dating, moved in together, etc. She was a single mother with an infant son. For four years we lived together and raised him together as a family. As far as he and everyone else are concerned, I'm the father. Unless there's something I'm unaware of, legally, that's not the case.

Recently, our relationship has ended and considering I've been the only male figure in his life (he's 6 now), we discussed the idea of my legally adopting him. I'd love to, and she supports the idea. I've been told by people who aren't versed in legal matters that it should be easier because he doesn't legally have a father. His birth certificate doesn't have one listed. His biological father is not at all in the picture.

The questions:

1. How would I go about actually adopting him? What would the cost on that likely be?

2. What rights would that give me? What obligations?

3. Is there an alternative that would make more sense in this case that I haven't considered? Someone mentioned becoming a legal guardian, but I'm not even sure what that means.

Any help would be truly appreciated. I've been looking around for advice in person in my area, but I can't seem to find anything. And I don't want to wait too long on this, just in case things go south.
Topic:
Custody Divorce and Family

Answer:
 You'd have all the rights and obligations as if he was your child. Including child support.

However since you aren't actually with her it's unlikely you'd be allowed to adopt.

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/FA/htm/FA.162.htm

And expect to spend thousands. I've seen adoptions and it can take years and cost north of 10 grand.

Edit:

Reading your posting history. You both have issues you need worked on and I recommend some counseling for the benefit of the kid.


Title: How does rounding of the time clock work in michigan?

Question:
I noticed my pay is being skimped by 15 minutes each day. I asked HR and was told that pay is based on a 15 minute scale: if you aren't clocked in by 6:45, you don't get paid until 7.

I had a day, for example, where I worked exactly from 5:10 am until 5:10 pm. I thought that should be 11.5 hrs of pay (1/2 hr lunch), but was told I was wrong.

Can anyone clarify this for me?

Answer:
 Under the federal rules for pay rounding, your time can be rounded, **providing** that it's rounded fairly.  By "fairly", we mean that there's an equal chance to be rounded down as there is to be rounded up.

If your office rounds to 1/4 hours, your pay should have run from 5:15 AM to 5:15 PM, and you should have been paid for 12 hours minus breaks.


Title: [FL] Child Custody - Father going for primary custody, do I have a case?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 I didn't read all that but GOOD GOD YOU NEED TO TRY FOR FULL CUSTODY.

Did she leave the state?  Drag her back.

File for EMERGENCY custody--if you let this continue you're saying she's safe.


Title: Roommate creeping me out, what can I do?

Question:
I live in Georgia. I have a roommate who is also on the lease, and he's been creeping me out for the last few months. (He had a literal temper tantrum a month or so ago, and today he was chanting creepy stuff about how he's mad at me because he didn't know I was here.) He refuses to communicate with me in any way - no texting, won't answer when I knock on his door, and won't respond to emails. He's paying his half of the rent & utilities. I have re-signed the lease for next year, but he hasn't, and he will have to move out by the end of July.

I've asked my landlord if there's anything he can do, and there isn't, because we're both on the lease. I'm planning to talk to the local PD tomorrow, but I doubt that "my spidey sense is tingling that this guy could snap & harm me and my pet, but there's nothing concrete I can show you" will get very far. He's much larger than me.

Is there anything I can do? Anyone I can call? Will the police take me seriously?

Answer:
 I don't think there's any legal avenues.  You could stop by the police station, but from your description, it sounds like there's nothing criminal going on there.
And as his name is on the lease until July, there's not much your landlord can do for you either.
If you have the resources to do so....   It might be worth telling this person something along the lines of "this isn't working out, here's a sum of money to get a new place, and I'll cover your half of the rent for the rest of the lease".  Granted, this is an expensive way out.  And he would not be required to accept your offer.  But it sounds like he's unhappy too, so that might be just the out he needs to go away, and leave you in peace.


Title: If you use Family Medical Leave for the approved amount of time can your employer fire you in NYC.

Question: So I had to use FML to help take care of someone who was unable to do anything on their own after a surgery. I talked to my employer and filed out of the correct paperwork and got it all approved and then I was scheduled to go back, I went to my job and was called into the managers office. They said they had to fire me because I missed to much the few weeks I was out. They said it would be too complicated on them to try and catch me up. My question is, is this legal since I was approved by cooperate to take this leave and is there anything I can do about it.

Answer:
 Talk to an employment lawyer I believe you have a solid case.Answer #2: Sounds pretty bad, retaliation is illegal.

>**2. What is retaliation?**

>Retaliation is any act that is reasonably likely to deter an employee from exercising rights guaranteed under the law and includes any threat, discipline, discharge, demotion, suspension, or reduction in employee hours. For example, an employer who physically threatens an employee outside of the workplace may be found to be committing a retaliatory act.

>Retaliation is established when DCA shows that a protected activity was a motivating factor for a retaliatory act, *even when other factors also motivated the adverse employment action.*

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dca/about/paid-sick-leave-FAQs.page#8

Good news is you don't need a lawyer if you don't want one, the City prosecutes these for you if you file a complaint:

http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dca/downloads/pdf/about/PaidSafeandSickLeave-ComplaintForm-English.pdf


Title: I was denied employment because of the HS I graduated from.

Question:
EDIT: Since people seem to be misunderstood: I am being denied because of the private Christian high school I attended & graduated from in my senior year. NOT because of my secondary schooling. I went to a nationally accredited public community college and completed Phlebotomy & Medical Assisting program. No diploma mills, no sketchy fast-paced private nursing college.

I'm looking for advice on whether this is A) legal for a company to do and B) how I can challenge this.

After being offered employment, finishing HIPAA & OSHA classes, TB & drug testing, I was denied employment in Florida, because while the private school that I graduated from is nationally accredited, it "doesn't meet the employer's standards." This is according to the recruitment agency I was to be hired though. I graduated from college & have been nationally certified in my field, and I have 3 years working experience in the field. I was not fired from my last job, but quit for personal reasons. The recruitment agency refused to give me a phone number or name to the hiring manager to get any more information. HR said that they're unsure why that would be the case, but I need to contact the recruiting agency to sort this out. Is this even legal to deny employment because of my HS? What can I do about this?!

Thanks ahead of time for all advice.

Topic:
Removed - PII Removed

Answer:
 >Is this even legal to deny employment because of my HS?

Yes.

It might get a little sticky if you went to a school that focused on a particular race, gender, or ethnicity, AND you can prove that they refused you because of your membership in that protected class.Answer #2: Dude you have a certificate (I assume) from a college and previous work experience. Why are you even putting your high school on there?Answer #3: It's definitely legal to deny you employment because the high school you attended.  It sounds like bs but it's not against the law.


Title: Would love to hear thoughts on potential charges here.

Question:
The story posted with the video is the driver is a teenager who was speeding in a residential area. The pedestrian warned him to slow down (methodology unspecified) and the teenager then circled back around a minute later and what you see in the video occurred.

Would love to hear thoughts from legal folks on potential charges, and sentences for those charges if found guilty. Unknown if driver has priors at this time.

Answer:
 The driver was charged with attempted murder and is being held without bail.

[Source](https://www.ktvu.com/news/man-charged-with-attempted-murder-in-oakland-car-attack)


Title: Jury Perception of Tools

Question:
Location: Ohio/Indiana, US.

So a discussion came up on the martial arts subreddit about how a Jury would perceive different tools used by someone in legal self-defense. Specifically how you would have a difficult time explaining why you every day carry certain styles of knives culturally seen as "fighting knives" such as [karambits](http://www.blowgun.com/images/SKSM1_800.jpg), switchblades, and [balisongs](https://thebladedhand.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/wpid-fe0eb672588fe0170a3d05460aebf2ab.jpg).

What have any of you seen or experienced on this matter? Do you feel that the tool used to defend yourself greatly affects the outcome of your trial? (Let's assume two different scenarios, one where the defendant was forced to kill the attacker in self defense, the other where the defendant only needed to injure the attacker).
Topic:
Criminal Law

Answer: None of those knives are tool knives.


Title: So this gaming company has been unfairly banning people and taking their money....

Question:
This is just a really complicated situation so I'll start from the beginning. Around October, there was a rather large event where people could farm for some really good items. The market exploded with these items and players were selling them left and right.

The next update included an accidental bug. This bug allowed a player to copy an item an infinite number of times. There were very few who knew about this, but those who did were making a huge profit selling to victims who didn't know. The copied items included anything that was bought from the cash shop to normal drops from the game.

The gaming company finds out about the bug and they ban everyone who has a duplicated item. Permanently. This means you are banned for simply buying from someone whether you knew about the bug or not.

Fast forward to now. The company apparently realizes what a big mistake it was to ban all those players and are starting to unban them. However, they are deleting all the duplicated items from the accounts. This would be fair, except they are providing no compensation to victims who spent their in game currency buying the items AND the company is also deleting normal items mixed in with the duplicated ones.

In my personal case, they deleted a year's worth of in game currency from my account as well as items I bought with real money. Upon looking at the timeline, I realized a good majority of my items deleted existed BEFORE the bug ever occurred. I had gotten them in the October event.

The company's support is obviously terrible. They continuously state that they have checked the logs and we are responsible for abusing the bug and they are providing us no compensation.

I don't want to play the game anymore even if I'm unbanned. I just want my money back, because I received absolutely nothing for it. Is there anything that can be done about this situation?

Answer: You probably agreed to this in the TOS.


Title: (California) USPS delivered by int'l package and claimed it was damaged during processing, but it's very obvious it was searched. Possible to sue for invasion of privacy?

Question:
I ordered some cheap stuff on eBay to build my feedback score. I searched based on lowest price, and one of these was a nail polish or nail paint from Malaysia, which is a liquid.
Upon receiving it, it was shipped in a bag and the disclaimer said that it was damaged during processing, but it was obviously ripped open and searched.
The damage to the envelope was as if it was cut open with a knife, and there was a hole in the bag inside the padded envelope that was obviously used so that they could open the liquid and test it for whatever. If it was actually "damaged during shipment", then how come there was a perfect hole in the little baggie, and how come the nail polisher/paint wasn't damaged at all?
The overall value of the package was less than 1 usd, but can I sue for invasion of privacy? I'm actually pretty pissed off. What is our country coming to?

Answer:
 No, you can't sue US Customs for doing their job.Answer #2: >What is our country coming to?

There has never been a time in this country when imports could not be searched.Answer #3: > What is our country coming to?

This is nothing new. Strange packages from strange countries get searched occasionally. Big deal. You have no case.


Title: The lady I live with wants me to move out Monday, I don't think that what she is doing is legal.

Question:
I'm in Columbus, Ohio.

http://www.franklinclerk.com/evictions.aspx

We have an informal oral agreement for me to pay half rent every 2 weeks when I am paid. She recently raised my rent for the second time since I moved here in September, telling me I would need to pay her 50% more than what I'm paying now. I refused, and last pay I did not give her the full rent of her raised rent. She told me I was short and I needed to pay more.

We argued over it and finally she agreed to me paying the regular price. 2 weeks later and here we are again, except now she is telling me if I don't pay the new full amount I had to leave today. I told her that was not legal. She then told me I had to leave on Monday because she only had to give a 3-day notice.

My interpretation of the law is she must give me 15 days notice before the next rent payment is due because there is no formal lease. Is there anything I can do to make sure she doesn't try to throw my stuff out on Monday?

Answer:
 Sup. the fact it was informal vs a written lease is largely irrelevant as laws deal with minimum standards anyway....

All evictions begin with a "notice to leave premises" (that 3 day notice you got). This should have been done in writing.

After the three days (assuming you haven't left) the landlord may file an eviction notice with the local court. If this is done you will get a summons and a copy of the complaint.

At no point prior to this can a landlord remove your property, remove you by force, or otherwise harass or intimidate you. You will want documentation if any of this occurs (police report if necessary).

Document all rent you are paying and insist on a signed receipt acknowledging payment. If this is refused consider opening up an account at the bank for rent (an escrow account showing you are ready, willing, and able to pay your rent on time but withholding it due to their failure to properly document with receipts)

Good luck (and if you should start looking for a new place)

Edit to add- the sentence of "at no point prior to this".... Even after a court eviction it's the court, and not the landlord who decides. So should be along the lines of "at no point prior to the courts decision"


Title: What are your thought on this? Have intermentent FMLA at work, they don't give overtime, they use my sick/vac. time for my FMLA days. Can those sick/vac. hours be adjusted so there is no overtime?

Question:
EDIT- OKLAHOMA

I just want to know if it's legal to give me back sick or vacation time when I have it used for my FMLA. I was told they will adjust it so I wont have over time and give me some sick time back.

Answer: Sick time isn't counted towards your total for OT.  Overtime is based on hours actually worked, not hours paid.


Title: Renting with pets? Deposits + eviction + application refusal.

Question:
Location: Kingston Ontario Canada

I heard from a friend that unless there is significant damage to the property, the owner cannot evict the renter because of their pets.  We have been declined over and over and over again based solely on the fact that we have a dog and a cat.

With our last ditch effort, we applied to town house A.  Town house A told us that we can't live there with a dog and cat, I told them okay we will ditch the dog and cat. They said sure, if you get get rid of the animals you can rent here. However they want a 500$ deposite because they think since I am going to give the animals to my parents, that they will still visit.

My plan: I know it seems scketchy, but since I think we can't be evicted because we have a pet, then we will give our pets to our parents, and after a week of living in the town house, we will just take ownership of the animals again.

Is my plan legal?
Are they allowed to evict me because i have animals?
Is it illegal to ask for pet deposits when we wouldn't own pets at the time of move in?
They also said that she has the right to stop by within 24 hours for no reason. Is that legal?

There is no carpet, so i am not afraid of ruining that, the only thing is that there is a screen door and my cat isn't declawed.  But i can easily replace that.

Thoughts? I am really worried about this, but if we can get approved and keep my animals that would make my life so much better.

Answer:
 The landlord cannot evict you for having a pet, and they cannot prohibit you from getting a pet. However, they can screen applicants and avoid renting to anyone with a pet.

Pet fees are illegal in ON, so they cannot demand one.

>They also said that she has the right to stop by within 24 hours for no reason. Is that legal?

Yes, that is standard law in ON.

If the townhome is part of a condo association that prohibits pets then the landlord can ban pets, they can also do so if this rental falls outside the RTA (most likely because you share living space with the owner or their relative).

You are absolutely responsible for any damage your pet does.


Title: Citizen's Arrest [California]

Question:
A month or two ago, my bike was stolen off my balcony. I (stupidly) did not make a police report about it because I assumed I would never see or hear about it again. Then, last Friday, the neighbor who lives right below me was blasting music and pounding on my floor, because I had called a noise complaint on me. This has been an ongoing issue, but had never been this bad.

The next morning, the air in my tires was gone and some balcony furniture was missing. I reported this to my apartment management and the police, but even though it was pretty apparent who did it, there was nothing they could do without hard evidence, which was understandable. Last night however, my neighbor and his roommate, who I hadn't had a chance to speak to yet, told me that he actually witnessed the downstairs guy climb up to my balcony and steal my chair. Apparently he even bragged about it to them. I updated my police report and two deputies came out, but told me that they can't do anything because they didn't witness it themselves.

The only option I have is for a "citizen's arrest" that can apparently bite me in the ass if he doesn't get prosecuted. This arrest would also only be for the chair that was stolen, since there was no witness to the bike theft or the tire vandalism. Does that sound like a smart course of action based on the fact that I have 2 witnesses? Is there really nothing else the officers can do? Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Answer:
 >Does that sound like a smart course of action based on the fact that I have 2 witnesses?

God no.  A citizens arrest in your case doesn't work like you can investigate yourself, collect witness statements yourself, think you have enough than effectuate an arrest.

[Here is a short primer on citizens' arrests.](http://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-procedure/citizen-s-arrest.html)  What they stole is very unlikely to rise to felony levels, and you didn't witness the misdemeanors, so you can't legally do anything.

Did you have renters insurance?  If so, file a claim with your insurance.  If not, then get it...it's literally only a couple bucks a month.

This is life.  Police won't always arrest when you think an arrest should be made.

In the alternative, what you should do is file a civil small claims complaint for the value of the chair.  Answer #2: >I updated my police report and two deputies came out, but told me that they can't do anything because they didn't witness it themselves.

Well that's not true at all.  They can't arrest, sure.  But they can write a report, and forward that report to the district attorney's office.  If the DA decides to prosecute, then they can arrest the guy on the arrest warrant.

They just decided *not* to do this.  You could see if there's some sort of community liaison from the PD's office or DA's office you could talk to.


Title: Possible Medical Malpractice? Please help!

Question:
[deleted]
Topic:
Medicine and Malpractice

Answer:
 > This morning my boyfriend suffered a penile fracture

> He is in Virginia right now, 11 hours away from home on a road trip

I think you two have some issues to discuss...


Title: Can an illegitimate adult child inherit from fathers estate in Missouri?

Question:
Hey /r/legaladvice
My grandmother was my grandfathers secretary, they dated for a while (like 5 years) he still left her voicemails calling her "the prettiest girl in town" up until the week she died three years ago. He died last week. My grandmother took my dad out of state when he was age 5 and changed their names, my dad tracked his dad down in the 80s when he was 21 based on the little true information my grandmother gave him. They've never had a real "father son" relationship, but we have visited his house a number of times and he has sent cards and I think letters. My dad is very secretive about this but we do also have load of pictures etc. He has acknowledged that he is my father's father. My mom told me something about canceled checks in the 70s that my grandma never cashed but I can't validate this for certain as all parties are now deceased. We don't know anything about the state of his will/estate planning. His estate is (likely) above 20M. It's certainly above 1M. This is in MO. What should my dad do? What is your opinion of his and his two children's likelihood of having a right to a portion of his estate?
Thank you so much.

Also this is obviously a throwaway, I don't want any of this to bite my dad in the ass.

Answer: It's far more complicated an answer than I can give you here, but in short, no, illegitimate children in your father's situation probably cannot inherit in Missouri. Of course you wouldn't be entitled to anything even if your father had been legitimated. Grandchildren don't get anything automatically generally. (Unless those before them in line are deceased, etc.) Here's a good article: http://scholarship.law.missouri.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2261&context=mlr.


Title: Can I be sued for defamation if I report someone's drug use to their employer?

Question:
My ex boyfriend works for the railroad, loading, unloading, and securing freight to those large mile-long cross-country freight trains.

Before we broke up we got into a huge fight because by some odd happenstance I found out he drinks on the job.

His job is VERY dangerous, even while sober. He has to work closely with a crane operator, and often has loads as large as a couple of tons teetering over his head.

Three weeks before my ex started at the company, a groundsman was crushed by a crane operator who was drunk on the job, a mere 2 weeks before his wedding. The crane operator is now serving a prison sentence.

My ex drinks enough that he is impaired enough to actually get injured while working(minor bumps and bruises, nothing as severe as workers comp, although he did bash his head while drinking on the job and ended up with a nasty bruise that went untreated.).

I have screenshots of texts where he admits drinking on the job.

My ex is also an avid weed user as well. He had to pass a drug test to get the job, and others have been turned down for THC being present in their hair samples.

His weed use would be fine if it was legal in our state, but it isn't.

If I report him to his workplace for drinking on the job (of which I'm not sure he does anymore, but since we are broken up now, he might have gone back to it), as well as alert them to his weed use after securing the job with the company; can he sue me for defamation of character?

**TL;DR: Ex drinks on the job and smokes weed off the clock. Can I be sued for defamation for reporting his drug use to the company?**

We live in the southern suburbs of Chicago.

Answer:
 It is never in your best interest to start shit just because you can. Walk away instead of going for one last drama bomb.

That said, the truth is a defense to a defamation suit.


Title: [MA] I saw my rapist at a cafe, he sat down next to me and made some comments. It’s been 12 years, can I report it just so it’s on record?

Question:
When I was 13 my ex boyfriend raped me violently. To spare the details I was left with bruises and bleeding for over a month. I went to my mother but she blamed me for it and refused to go to the police and backed him up on it and forced me to continue to date him since he was a jock and I had 0 friends. (I know very messed up she is a narcissist and very bipolar) It was a very terrible relationship and I never told anyone about it besides my mother, but I heard rumors that he had raped other girls but nothing concrete.

We broke up after a few months when we changed schools and he ghosted me (Thank god) and fast forward to current day. I was at a cafe sitting at the bar and he sat next to me, he has a very distinct look. I almost died on the spot. He made suggestive comments to me and asked if I was still “As tight” down there ect. Along those lines. I paid for my tab and left. He ran out after me saying we unfinished business and he’ll find me and I still didn’t respond. I felt so ashamed still and belittled. He’s much larger than I am and I just wanted to get out of there before he attacked me again. I was alone and just trying to relax and now I feel like I can’t go back there again. Now all these memories and thoughts are coming back. Can I report him just so it’s on record? If he really did do this to other girls maybe they will come forward if they hear something?

**TLDR; My violent abusive ex bf raped me 12 years ago. Reported to my mother she refused to go to police because she has mental problems. I saw him at a cafe this morning. He was making very suggestive comments. I walked out and he ran out after me and he said he’ll find me. I’m afraid. My personal information is online because I bought a home and am afraid he will find me. Can I report this just so it’s at least on record?**

Answer:
 > He ran out after me saying we unfinished business and he’ll find me

That is a threat. For that alone you have grounds to go to the cops.

I’d focus on your personal security first. How safe is your living situation? Do you have housemates, neighbors you like and can trust, etc?Answer #2: >  Can I report him just so it’s on record?

You can report him, sure.  Once you do, you lose control of the situation - that is, the police may choose to pursue it, even if you don't want to, and they can compel you to participate in this process.

If you want to report it because you think it makes your statement stronger or more believable, it doesn't do that.  Answer #3: It is very possible that the statute of limitations has not yet run out for the original crime.  You may still be able to report the original rape if that's something you want to do.Answer #4: Invest in some security cameras for your new home OP


Title: [Oklahoma] OOS college tuition after a divorce?

Question: [deleted]

Answer: You're 19. You're an adult. No he does not need to pay for your college. She can ask for a division of assets and to allocate money for your schooling during the divorce proceedings?


Title: International model here - my image was used all over the world without my permission. What can I do?

Question:
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In 2011 I did a photo shoot for a pharmaceutical company. My modelling agency compensated me for the job in cash, saying that it was for 2 years use in a few specified countries, but only as 'internal usage' for medical publications.

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Within the year the image was sent to me used in brochures in the hospital. In the years that followed, I have received pictures from friends around the world with it used as posters at university and pharmacies, with product samples, and in-store displays.

&#x200B;

Following it up for the millionth time with that old modelling agency, they told me they have zero documentation on the job other than emails saying  usage rights were not extended to other countries or to other mediums. They also said they had no record of any contract with me, so I thanked them and decided to take it up with the company directly.

&#x200B;

The company has admitted to using it as a marketing campaign and has done their best to remove the image. They've been very responsive, courteous and professional at dealing with it. I asked for $25k in compensation for my losses and would hand over rights to the image without involving further legal measures. They emailed me back yesterday offering me a settlement of $15k with 7 days validity to the offer.

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Thoughts, comments, advice?

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Answer: See an IP attorney for consultation. At 15k or 25k on the line or more, you can afford to get a consultation for a few hundred.Answer #2: They are offering you $15000 b/c your case is worth far, far more than $15000. Get an IP attorney ASAP; you might just be seeing the tip of the iceberg presently.Answer #3: Only 25k, i wonder how much they earned off your image. Try find out and if it much. Ask a%Answer #4: You may want to reverse image search the image(s): they could be posted on stock/free stock image services as well. Whether you want to negotiate takedown or rights payments would be up to you.


Title: I got married at the end of last year and still haven't received the photos from the photographers we hired. Actually, we haven't even heard from them since that night.

Question:
TL;DR: Paid over $3K for wedding pictures that we never received. Haven't been able to get a hold of the "professional" photographers in over 6 months. We are at a loss and would like to know what we could possibly do at this point.

Okay, so last May my husband and I entered into a contract with photographers we found online in our area. They run their own business and are a married couple themselves. It's just the two of them.

Anyway, they responded to my email promptly and met us to go over packages and showed us their portfolio. Their work was good and they seemed SUPER nice. We fell in love immediately. So we entered into a contract with them after going over the packages and landing on one that suited us. We had a non-conventional wedding wherein we opted to do a simple ceremony at the courthouse with no one in attendance but the photographers as our witnesses. They took our courthouse wedding photos free of charge as our "free engagement photo" session. We got those pictures not that long after they were taken and they were uploaded to an online gallery we could access. Quite a few of the pictures looked terrible--they had some weird distortion on them making them unusable for much. Many others didn't even look retouched but being handy with Photoshop I could salvage many of them. I tried not to sweat it because we still had our actual photos to take.

Instead of a ceremony followed by a reception like most weddings, we did our own courthouse thing and then a month and a half later we had a big party of sorts for close family and  friends. I wore a nice dress and my husband dressed up. Our families color coordinated and we decorated my father in laws backyard. It looked just like a traditional reception. And that day was the day we paid our photographers for. We wanted pictures with our families (me especially with my ill grandmother who flew many many miles to be there) and we wanted pictures with our friends and each other.

The photographers got there early and took "getting ready" shots and did everything we asked. They set up a photobooth and engaged all the guests to capture some really great shots. They were great and even uploaded 4 sneak peak shots that very night.

But fast forward to today. We have literally heard nothing from the photographers since that night in November. No calls. No emails. No texts. Nothing. I have tried multiple times to reach out (always courteous and understanding because they have 4 kids and I know it can be hectic trying to juggle a lot at once but there's only so much I'm willing to understand) and even sent a letter to their residence, which I sent certified so I would know they received it. All that did was make them take our courthouse and sneak peak photos off the online gallery so we could no longer access them. Luckily I had already downloaded them all. No word from them but all of a sudden one day the gallery no longer worked.

Since then we have done some digging and this has apparently happened to many people since last year. A couple wedding sites warn against using them (I wish these reviews had been posted before we used them). They have an F rating on the BBB, as well. At first I was enraged seeing as how I had paid them in full in January (part of the contract said we had 10 months to pay) and it was the most expensive part of us getting married (over 3000 dollars for photos and a photo booth for the night). It was the one splurge we allowed and it was a comparable price to many other companies in the area so we figured it was fine.

Now I am no longer angry, just sad. I don't think I will ever get the photos back and don't even really know what I can do. Surely what they've done is illegal? Their contract says they have 8-12 weeks to get you your pictures unless an act of God wipes the memory card or something. If they fail to deliver they have to pay us all the money back. I know I can't really afford to take this to court and I bet they're banking on that being the case. All I want is to get those pictures.

EDIT: Whoops, I forgot to include I live in Lexington, KY.

Answer:
 Going off your TLDR, the short answer is, sue him.

Have you sent him a certified letter demanding your photos or a refund? If not send it and give him like 2 weeks to respond.

After that, sue him in small claims court. It's a self serve process and generally the people at the court will help you(never had to go through it myself, IANAL). Sue for a refund or a copy of your photos.

Also, what does the contract say about arbitration or suing if anything?

Answer #2: Looks like the Kentucky limit for Small Claims court is $2500.  If you think it's likely that the $500 difference is more than what you would spend on a lawyer, then you should sue them in Small Claims court for $2500, no lawyer needed.

Kentucky has a [PDF Handbook](http://courts.ky.gov/resources/publicationsresources/Publications/P6SmallClaimsHandbookweb.pdf) on the small claims court process.


Title: Let's say someone agrees to an obviously illegal contract to commit a crime, accepts payment, and then refuses to deliver. The contract is invalid...but does he have to give back the money?

Question:
Tom is upset with someone and decides to hire an assassin, Bill, to kill him. He pays the assassin $5000, but after taking the money, Bill refuses to kill the target.

Legally, what happens now? It's an illegal contract, so the courts won't enforce it, right? But does the money count as stolen? Would bill have to give it back?

Answer: legally the money is part of a criminal conspiracy.money will probably be seized.  possible charges of conspiracy to attenped murder.


Title: AZ/Pima County/Tucson - Real estate agent ghosted me after showing her land that just got listed we wanted - 5 days later land is off the market. I just now found out, looking into it a month later that my now former agent bought the land herself and is splitting it into 3 properties for resell.

Question:
So, the full story is we are currently building a home right now, but we still are always looking at neat plots of land to buy at good deals, either to flip ourselves or to build on. I particularly have been looking for good land close to us since my parents are retiring at the end of the year and moving back here to be close to the grand kids.

New land goes up on the market, roughly 7 acres, beautiful location. We tell our realtor about it and get her to take a drive with us out there. We tell her we intend to put an offer on the land. She says everything looks pretty good, she'll contact them and get back to us.

A day goes by and I hear nothing. Unlike her. She usually will even respond to a text message in 30 minutes or less, even to just say "With a client, get back to you at X time" or something. She has been reliable in the past on 2 separate deals. Ok, now a couple days go past and we call her brokerage, leave a message. No response.

I am patient, and I know land doesn't often sell as fast, but we really like this place so I decide I am going to contact their agent myself directly. I pull up the listing and boom, listing is off the market. I call the agent and I find out someone made a cash offer on the land and they accepted and it got pulled. I was pretty disappointed in this, and I was especially annoyed at my agent now.

This agent completely and 100% ghosted us, never got back. I said screw it, didn't lose too much sleep over it, but it annoyed me. I wasn't going to use her again at least.

So, as I occasionally am looking at properties in the area I do a little looking into the property we lost, out of curiosity who bought it, and I find out that it was purchased by my real-estate agent that ghosted me. WTF - pretty livid over this!

So, what are my options? Should I just send an ethics complaint in for licensed realtors? Will that even do anything? Is there anything else I should do?

Answer:
 I'd report her to her state real estate regulating agency for ethics violation.

[http://www.re.state.az.us/Inv/InvFaqs.aspx](http://www.re.state.az.us/Inv/InvFaqs.aspx)

[https://www.aaronline.com/resolve-disputes/filing-an-ethics-complaint/](https://www.aaronline.com/resolve-disputes/filing-an-ethics-complaint/)Answer #2: You can also contact the seller of the land, if you can find him.  He's also got an ethical cause of action, as if the RE agent had showed you the land, you might have offered a higher price or gotten in a bidding war.

&#x200B;

By failing to follow up with you she cheated him and got a lower price for herself.

This is a HUGE transgression, and she can (and should) lose her R.E. license over it.Answer #3: Report her this is a serious conflict of interestAnswer #4: I just discussed your description with 2 people who have been licensed agents in AZ, one of which under a broker that was on the state ethics commission. If you so chose, you might be doing a service in filing a complaint with the AZDRE as well as the state NAR.Answer #5: Report her for a massive ethics volition plus I suggest you contact her broker and report it as well.  Reason being is the broker of the firm will more than likely not like someone like that working for them so it will get worse.


Title: Wes Welker was suspended by the NFL for doing drugs. Can he also legally be charged for this?

Question: Apologies if this is a stupid question. I was just reading about Wes Welker being suspended for 4 games for using amphetamines. Since it is proven by the NFL that he was in possession of an illegal substance, can this be used as evidence to legally charge him? I know the police didn't catch him in the act but can the NFL's "testimony" be used to bring charges?

Answer: It could be, if those amphetamines are also illegal substances.  The NFL's banned substance policy, and the legal list of banned substances, are not one and the same.


Title: VA- Apartment complex under new management... has changed pet policy and is being uncooperative. How can I exit this lease?

Question:
I'm a college student in Virginia. Myself and my two roommates signed individual leases (but together as a group) for a 4 bedroom apartment. Since signing, the complex was bought by a different company and has changed the pet policy to declawing the cat and a one pet per apartment rule. We would never have signed under these conditions.

The contract is useless and says no pets are even allowed, just service animals. This was not the case. I was told we had to sign an addendum for it, which my roommate (who is bringing the cat) did not sign originally. The cat was on our matching application, however. Unfortunately, we have been assigned a single girl who is allergic to cats and is unwilling to consent to the animal. My roommate is devastated and considering obtaining papers from her psychiatrist stating the value of the animal as an ESA... she is depressive and prone to panic attacks. He does wonders for her.

After going to the leasing office, the GM was extremely unhelpful. I asked her if it was legal to change the policy after we had been promised and led to believe bringing the animal was acceptable and she gave no answer. Stated she had no authority on the matter and gave me corporate's number... which was a fax number. Very helpful.

The complex is also full and there is no way for her to shuffle us as the housing assignments have been sent out. Is there any way for the three of us to exit this lease? The GM said all we could do was try to sublet... the likelihood of finding three new tenants is poor. Is re-renting a viable option? Any advice is appreciated. Literally everything that could have gone wrong has.

Answer:
 An emotional support animal is not a service animal.  Trying to classify the cat that way won't help.

Bringing the cat along would disrupt the 4th roommate's right to quiet enjoyment.  Trying to do that won't help.

If the landlord won't let you out of the lease, then you're stuck trying to sublet.


Title: [NJ] Just saw my tenant post on social media looking for a new roommate. Legal consequences?

Question:
Hi, Legal Advice!

&#x200B;

I own a two-family house and rent out one of the units (2 bedrooms) to two young guys.  They just moved in recently.  I just saw one of their public posts (we are not friends) and it mentioned looking for a roommate starting August 1st.  The lease they signed specifically forbids subleasing.

&#x200B;

What are the legal ramifications to our tenant moving in some random person and the person who signed the lease leaving?  What is the best way to approach this?  For better details, the building is only two residential units and it is owner-occupied.  I would really prefer to not live above someone I haven't screened and background checked.

&#x200B;

TL;DR: Tenant posting on FB about looking for a new roommate.  I live upstairs.  How do I approach this from a legal standpoint?

Answer:
 > What is the best way to approach this?

Politely.

Take a copy of their posting. Email them or text them and remind them that their lease forbids subleasing and that you'd appreciate if they took their roommate ad down. If you'd otherwise be okay with rolling over their roommate, you can also point out that you'd be okay with it if they got your permission and let you screen the new tenant first.

If they barrel ahead, you can evict for breach of the lease: NJ allows no-sublet clauses. New Jersey's unusual tenancy protections mean that having a lawyer help with the process is a good idea, but you can proceed without one if necessary. To get started, you would give your tenants written notice specifying the breach and giving them a deadline to remedy the problem or vacate the premises. That deadline needs to be at least 30 days from the notice date if you're evicting for violation of the lease.

If the problem is not remedied by the deadline, you'd file with your county courthouse to begin the formal eviction process through the courts.


Title: Illinois. Got badly burned at work, lied to hospital because I wont pass a drug test. Advice?

Question: I work at a fast food resturaunt that has a policy that in the case of injury at work, they will drug test before paying for anything. And they'll fire you if you arent clean. I was badly burned last night at work and had to go to the hospital. My bill is probably going to be around 2,000 to 5,000. I lied to the hospital and said that the injury happened at home because if work drug tests me, I will fail and lose my job. But my manager and area coach both know it happened at work. Is there anything I can possibly do to get assistance for my medical bill from them? Im sorry if this is the wrong place for this. Im not sure where to go. Im only 19, and I make very little money, so its going to be hell trying to pay the bill myself. Sorry for any grammatical or spelling errors. Im on mobile.

Answer:
 no, not really,either you are 1) screwed because you lied and lost the claim or 2) committing fraud on workers comp forms. neither works out well.

do note, even if they fired you workers comp would have applied, well, maybe, the drugs could change that. instead you chose the option that will likely lose the job and no claim for WC. for readers, don't do this.


Title: My kid's mom coerced me into paying paying more child support than the law would require. I want to pay what I owe but not more.

Question:
I live in Washington state in the U.S.  Forgive me for including more details than needed to give advice.
TLDR: My daughter's mom, who I never married, coerced me into agreeing to pay way more child support than the law would seem to require. How do I go about going about paying her what the law says my obligation is, instead of the amount she has coerced me to pay.

I'm seeking advice about a child support situation. I live in Washington state. There are many reasons I believe the child support I'm paying is unfair, but let me just get to the situation:

I was 22 when I met my daughter's mom. I'll call her Dora. Dora was 32. After a year together she became pregnant (after leading me to believe she was infertile), and we had a daughter. We lived together unmarried until my daughter was 8, at which time we separated. At the time we separated, I was paying $2,000 a month towards bills, and Dora owned a house in her name because we had never married.

When I moved out, Dora coerced me into verbally agreeing into paying her $1,000 per month plus child care expenses, which are about $600 per month. So all told I'm it's like my child support is $1,600. My daughter continued to live with her although I visited her frequently. At time of separation, three years ago, I made about $50,000 and she made about $61,000. The amount I was paying meant I could only live in a studio while Dora and our daughter lived in a 4 bedroom house which was and is wildly unnecessary for two people. I agreed to pay this amount because I didn't want Lola to have to move out of the house she grew up in, but at at this point I think it may be necessary.

As of now, I believe Dora makes around $65k gross. I currently make $85k gross. I am paying Dora $1,600 a month if you combine childcare and the $1,000 per month. I currently live with my partner and her son, and I basically support them. Our rent is $1,600 and I have several hundred in bills as well. I have been adding to my debt because my bills barely cover my expenses. God forbid I got laid off or had some other problem because I'm barely scraping by even though I'm making what seems to me like kind of a lot of money.

When I go on my state's child support calculator, it says my obligation should be around $800 per month if you factor in Dora's $65k income, my $85k income, and the fact Dora has what you would consider full custody. I'd like my daughter to spend at least every other weekend or something solely with me, and I could certainly accommodate more, but for now I'm just wanting to get a child support that is legally and somewhat morally fair even if you did consider Dora having 100% custody.

In short, I agreed verbally to pay my daughter's mom way more than I believe I would legally be obliged to pay. I want to go know about the best way to legally go about paying her a lower amount, something closer to the ~$800 the child support calculator indicates.

I would like to decrease the $1600 to $1000. For instance, I could just start refusing to pay her more than what amounts to $1,000 per month and tell her to do something about it, but that would look bad and I'm worried she'd stop letting me see my daughter as normal. I'm trying to do it in a way that would at least feel to her like it was a reversion to a normal, fairer situation.

I sort of thought I should contact a lawyer and get the lawyer to say in a letter that, as of now, I'll be paying an amount higher than my legal obligation but lower than my current amount. But the child support lawyer team I contacted wanted a $5,000 to even talk to me.

When you consider I'm just asking for a someone to listen to me for 15 minutes, provide 5 minutes of advice, and writer a letter that takes 10 minutes, that seems a bit excessive.

I'm renting and growing in debt while my daughter's mom is living in a house way too big for two, and accumulating equity in a home which is definitely not under water anymore. I just want to resolve this in a way that might feel a bit more legally just to my daughter's mom than arbitrarily saying I'm paying less and telling her to do something about it. I'd really like the state to say I've been paying too much.

I know some might think this posts makes me seem like a deadbeat, but I would hope a woman 10 years my senior who makes $65k per year would suffice on $1,000 per month child support considering it's destroying my possibility of retiring, or having a child with my current partner, which I'd like the option to do.

Answer:
 You need to change the way you're looking at this.  Getting a lawyer isn't an expense - it's an investment.

"I would like to decrease it from $1600 to $1000".  You are looking to save $600/month, or $7200/year.

A $5000 retainer (which is steep - shop around), will pay for itself in much less that a year.  You need to look at it that way.Answer #2: One of you is going to have to get a lawyer and form a custody agreement. This will entail child support amounts as well as custody days etc.Answer #3: I just want to add that since you have neither in place, custody and support are two separate matters, but your child support payment does hinge on percent of parenting time. You *can* manage without an attorney but nobody would recommend it. The 5k they ask sounds like a retainer, which they will subtract from as they do work. That's not at all am average "sit down and write a letter" fee -- it isn't a matter of sitting down and writing letters. In the long run you will almost certainly save much more than the fee, with thr added bonus of establishing custody/visitation formally and be able to be more included in your daughters life and vice versa.

Everyone wins. Also, family law attorneys will often work on payment schedules, especially when you're not dealing with a complex divorce and division of property. It doesn't have to be a gigantic financial hit all at once but it will be the least expensive option overall, especially if she hires one and you do not.


Title: [California] My in-laws have called in a false CPS/Police report on my wife.

Question:
My wife and I are planning on moving up to Northern California, our house is supposed to close here in the next 2 weeks.  When she told her parents about the plan, they threatened to call the police/CPS and have our 2 children (19 months and almost 4) taken from us.  We thought this was an empty threat, since we've never neglected, abused, beaten, or otherwise mistreated our kids.

As of mid July I've been in Eureka, CA.  I moved up before my wife and kids for work.  I received a frantic phonecall from *My* mother today, informing me that a Sheriff deputy and CPS had stopped by her house asking for me or my wife.  I'm assuming they stopped there because it's listed as my permanent address until the house closes.  My mother called my wife to inform her of what had happened.  My wife was not at home when they stopped by, so I'm not sure whether they were planning to take our kids, or what the charges may be.  My mother in law is currently holding my Wife's checkbooks and possibly her updated driver's license hostage.  Again, I do not know what was said to CPS or the sheriff's department.

I'm wondering what the best way to proceed here would be.  I'm terrified we'll lose our kids, our jobs, and have our lives ruined in general.

Answer:
 CPS won't take your kids unless there's a legitimate reason. Your MIL has no grounds to stand on here, file a complaint against her for a false report if possible.

Also, feel free to come to r/justnomil. We created a sort of ranting space/advice seeking area for people with shit maternal figures.

Answer #2: >My mother in law is currently holding my Wife's checkbooks and possibly her updated driver's license hostage.

Can you develop on that?Answer #3: Explain to CPS what's going on. This isn't the first time this has happened to someone. People get called on for spite way too frequently.

Too add, I'm going to agree to cut out the in laws. They don't deserve you in their lives and you don't deserve to be treated this way. Answer #4: I believe Eureka has a family services office where you can get documentation and help near the court house, definitely get documentation and assistance just to show you're proactive and not running.
Also, welcome to Humboldt County!!
(I also moved recently to Arcata!)


Title: Can I sue my college for not fulfilling their honors program?

Question:
I go to a major public college in New York City, which is also one of the best engineering schools in the Tri-state area. Currently, I'm a senior at this college in an honors program. Along with my cohort, there are two more cohorts in this program. The issue is with the honors program and what it promised.

In 2015, the honors program at this college was launched under the engineering department guaranteeing the following:

• $5,000 scholarship renewable for up to four years
• At least one guaranteed internship during course of study
• Research experience working alongside faculty
• Individualized advising to help plan college years and beyond
• Preferred admission to one of several master’s degree programs

This is what the college brought to the table in their welcome letter emailed before acceptance. So far, they have only fulfilled the scholarship, and individual advisement promise. It should be noted that I also got into another honors program at a major state engineering school. What this scholarship offered, heavily influenced my decision making process.

Four years on, the students in this program feel duped and feel that they missed out on better options at other schools for a program that is not delivering what it had promised. Many of us admitted into the program for the sole reason of a guaranteed internship. This has obviously inflicted some degree of damage to our career, and graduate studies. So, can we make a class action law suit suing the college for the damages?

Answer:
 The lawyers here will tell you about whether suing makes sense but if you took out federal student loans, this might actually be a good case for what's called borrower defense to repayment discharge.  Unfortunately that process is more than a little screwed up right now but it is an option.  https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/borrower-defense

Keep any and all documentation you have about what they promised.  I wouldn't file this claim until you give them time to fulfill what they offered and until you complete or leave the program.Answer #2: Have you asked for the internship or applied for the masters program?


Title: How often is bigamy even prosecuted? Does a spouse have to file or will the state do it?

Question: [removed]

Answer: I’ve prosecuted a bigamy case before. It’s a felony in Kentucky. However, most felonies start out in district (misdemeanor) court before being indicted by a grand jury. I don’t recall how the bigamy was discovered but we agreed to continue the case for nearly 12 months to give her time to get divorced from one spouse. After a year, she had still failed to do so. Unfortunately she was indicted and offered a deal where she would plea guilty but literally all she had to do was get divorced and the case would be dismissed and the conviction wiped from her record. I ended up leaving that job before it ever came to an end and I can’t remember her name or I would look it up. Hope this somewhat answers your question.Answer #2: I would classify bigamy as a crime that is prosecuted at a high rate when caught. It's pretty easy to prove.Answer #3: ...any particular reason you ask?


Title: Parents purchased 3 million dollar dream home, but Seller stripped many ' chattels '.

Question:
Hello all

I am reaching out to people for help.

My dad has decided to retire, and in that he believed he would invest in a piece of real estate in Toronto. He worked hard his whole life, and we've packed up and moved to a gorgeous home.

However, there has been several issues and I believe I need to step in and act on behalf due to English being his second language.

The seller has stripped the home from several chattels that were not included in the purchase agreement, but they are questionably fixtures for example, a wine celler in the kitchen.

The issue is we are having difficulty filling that hole, and it causes a giant inconvenicece, as it leaves areas uncovered.

Also he had a piece of equipment that was similar to an ipad that controlled all the speakers in the house installed into the wall. He stripped that and now there is a hole in the wall. The speakers are still installed all over but without that piece, they are more or less useless.

My question is whether I have any rights in this case
I mean is it worth pursuing it in small claims?

We never formally agreed to anything.

Please advise.

Answer:
 If your parents can spring for a 3 million dollar home, they can afford a lawyer to determine if this was a breach.  Small claims has limits hovering around $10k, but since you failed to list your location, we can't give more specific advice.

Things like a wine cellar could be fixtures.  The iPad, likely not.  It shouldn't be difficult for you to acquire another iPad to cover the hole.Answer #2: Asking a real lawyer to advise your parents on this will cost less than 1% of the purchase price of the house. Don't skimp here; real estate deals are fiddly and fact-sensitive things.


Title: [NC] Was rear-ended but Police report states I rear-end the person who rear-ended me and now can't get anyone to amend the report.

Question:
Hello, hoping someone can help me out.

Back in September I was involved in a multi car accident on a highway where, to make it short, 2 cars in front of me had to stop short which of course lead to me having to stop short and my car being rear-ended. This caused a chain reaction which caused the person that hit my car to get  rear-ended as well and so on and so on. Well last week I get a denial of liability email from the persons insurance who hit. After contacting my insurance company we find out that the Highway Patrol officer switched our names and information on the police report. Now it's stating that I rear ended the person who in fact rear ended me. So obviously their insurance quickly denied any wrong doing.

My trouble is, I contacted the trooper last week and explained the situation to try to get the report amended and he said he would give me a call back the next day after he looks of over his notes. 5 days later still didn't hear back. Decided call back on the 5th day and to my luck I had to leave a message. Two days later still no call back. Yesterday I decided to call back and asked for to speak with his higher to explained the situation and he said he would call me back in a few minutes, no call back and we are on the ending of the following day.

So I'm asking if anyone has had this situation happen where they patrol officer won't call back before and how they went around to getting resolved, like getting a lawyer. I understand officers are humans and make mistakes and might take some time, but I feel like they are putting me on the back burner in trying to get this resolved. I have proof in pictures that I was rear end by this car (his license plate is stamped onto my rear bumper) and told the patrol officers I had proof. So if anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciative. Thank You!

Edit: spelling and should state this happenend 3 hours from where I live

Answer: Have you tried going down to the station to talk to someone in person?


Title: I recently caught some felonies for running into a child molester/sexual predator I had already alerted, exposed, and helped law enforcement build a case on, but I seen him in public and kinda snapped a lil. Looking for advice.

Question: Obviously man, yeah I guess I shouldnt have done that but do I regret it? Nah, just that happened in public and the legal ramifications. Ive already got consultations with NUMEROUS lawyers. I'm in IL btw and one of his victims was a family member. Anyone have any advice on what else I should be doing while waiting for my consultations. Also of note, I had a $15,000 bond so im strapped as far as cash goes, lost my job while I was sitting in county waiting for bond to even be set, so any suggestions regarding how to find a lawyer that would do this pro bono or on an affordable payment plan would be very helpful.

Answer: What in the world made you think it was ok to be a vigilante?


Title: 999 operator said police were coming as soon as possible to investigate someone trying to break in to our house for the 3rd time in one night. Waited 40 mins, called back and told that no one was coming.

Question:
Hi guys,

We had someone try and break into our house three times in one night, the first two times police came round and as there was no one there when they arrived they did nothing, the third time we told the operator that the intruder was aggressively banging on our door to which we were told someone was being dispatched ASAP, after 40 minutes we rang and were told "officers were dispatched two times and found nothing (we had explained this in the last phone call to the operator) so we didn't see fit to send anyone else"

1: why did no one contact us to tell us this?

2: is this endangerment? Is there anyway we could prosecute or sue for being told people were being sent which was not true?

3: we are really thankful that the intruder left, although we expect he will be back again, however this situation could have gone in a very different way and it's just me and my boyfriend living here and we are both very young. Mostly we are upset that had this person (who knew we were in the house from the very first one they tried to break in) broke into the house with the intention to hurt us they could very well have done so and we thought police were arriving. Very confused and distressed and wondering is there anyway we can prosecute for being blatantly lied to and, what we feel, endangered.

I'm in the UK as well.

Thanks and any help greatly appreciated!

Answer:
 In the US, you would likely have no recourse, since police cannot be held liable for the quality of their service (Warren v. District of Columbia).

I'm not sure how state laws would play out thought. Theoretically a state could allow itself to be sued, but idk.

(None of this is relevant to you, btw)Answer #2: Try /r/LegalAdviceUK


Title: [Texas] Me (36)need help in getting back custody of my son (12)

Question:
As the title says my step father and mother took custody of my child. At the time I had no money for a lawyer and my step father hired a good one.
   They tried to get me to sign over my rights but I refused,but the judge still gave them my son. My son was ten at the time. Now he wants to come home to live with me and my mother has regrets. She claims that my step father forced her hand because she relies on him for financial support since she has not worked in over twenty years.
  I have contacted a few attorneys about taking on my case but almost all of them have asked for a $10,000 retainer which I don't have. And the legal aid centers in the area can't help because I live out of state in Oklahoma.
  I have done some research and found some documents online that I can file myself to petition of regaining custody but not sure how it works and would need help in walking me through the process. [Link]( http://texaslawhelp.org/resource/modification-kit?ref=fsnE6)
     I want to clear up a few questions that may be asked of me on here. First about my sons mom. She is out of the picture has been since my son was born. She left when he was a month old. At the hearing my step father and mother had a letter from her and she had given up her rights.
Other stuff I have a good home, a great job, and my son's other two brothers (from another mother) live with me full time.
  So my questions are what steps can I take that would help me get my son back. I have read up on grandparents rights and if I am correct this is what they used to get my son, but it made no sense. Because I would need to be imprisoned or dead or unable to support my child in some way for them to win custody. If unable to do myself, is there any way to get legal assistance without living in that state or county. Which is Dallas County, Texas. Thanks for any advice that can help.

TLDR:Mom and step father got custody of my son 2 years ago and mom regrets it and son wants to come home. I need to file for petition of custody in order to get him back. Found paperwork to help but need help in walking through the filing steps.

Answer: What grounds did they have to file for custody in the first place? Judges don't generally take kids from their parents unless there's a reason.


Title: My friend just bought his first car. Will his bad judgement land him in prison? NY

Question:
Today he transferred the title for his first car, he did something very stupid just to save a few hundred dollars.

He took out an auto loan through a credit union for $10,000 to pay a private party for a used car. When at the sellers house, seller's parents were there helping gather the documents. They drafted up two bills of sale. One with the full sale price of $10,000. This bill of sale was to be presented to the credit union to receive the loan in the form of a cashiers check. The other bill of sale stated the price of $5000 to be presented to the DMV on the title transfer applicaiton. They said, "Everybody does this so you avoid high sales tax at the DMV." This is all new to my friend, so he thought that was very clever and went along with it.

He went to the DMV, and presented the 'false' bill of sale for $5000. He paid his fees and went on my way in his new used vehicle. He did not think it was a big deal at the time, but now he is seriously concerned.

I realize that this could land him in prison or with a hefty fine. I know it states this fact clearly on the title transfer form, and he chose to ignore it. He knows he screwed up. I just want to know how exposed he is. What can he do after the fact to protect himself? What are the chances that he will end up in prison? I just know its going to get flagged on his taxes or something.

Please offer any constructive suggestions you can. If you have any questions, I can help clarify the situation? He is really distraught over this, and he knows he screwed up big time. Is it time to get a lawyer?

Answer: On the plus side, it's just your friend. It's not like *you* are going to be on the hook for tax fraud, right OP?


Title: [NY] Business uses keylogger

Question:
Hi /r/legaladvice!!

Was recently told my a friend that the business he's been working at has started a new practice to get social media likes. One of the employees will have an iPad and a stock of keychains, bottle openers, etc. The idea is that you find someone, ask them to log into Facebook or Twitter, and give the business's page a like/follow in exchange for goodies.

Where this gets skeevy is that the iPad has a keylogger or in some way is storing information. I don't have too much detail into this but I'm imagining email/password. Is this legal? I would be afraid that someone who has access to this info can trial-and-error their way into a bank account.

Thanks for the help!

Answer:
 In the general case, it's not illegal to note usernames or passwords that are typed in on your equipment or that cross your network.

It would be illegal to **use** those usernames or passwords without authorization.


Title: Being sued after minor car accident

Question:
This is taking place in Austin TX. A couple of weeks ago my girlfriend rear ended someone and they got a slight scratch on the back bumper of their precious bmw (seriously, not even a dent).  After going through insurance claims he called asking for $200 that the insurance didn’t cover which he had to pay. We then talked to the insurance and found out he needed to file a supplement. After communicating this to the man he proceeded to rant for 30 minutes about how he’s a really important business man that doesn’t have time for this and now he’s threatening to sue. Should we be worried ? To what extent does insurance protect us here?

Edit: I’m also not sure exactly what the additional $200 is for, in his 30 min rant he mentioned something about how my insurance wasn’t willing to buy the specific bumper he wanted and also something about additional hours that were needed for the job.

Answer: Let your insurance handle it. He may be wanting OEM when he's not entitled to it or using a shop that's charging higher than prevailing rates for labor. That's his problem,  not yours or your insurance company's problem. Don't communicate with him. Forward anything you get from him on to your adjuster.


Title: Was I under Duress when I signed a contract saying I would't sue the county for double jeopardy?

Question: EDIT -- Thanks for the answers.

Answer: No, you were given a choice regardless of personal reasons. You were not under duress when you signed the contract.


Title: Elderly neighbor fell on wet tiles in front of apartment unit, broke hip badly, and couldn't work for 6 months. Today I saw an eviction notice on their door...

Question:
The title give a basic summary. We're located in Maryland.

About 7 months ago my elderly neighbor (~ mid 70's) fell on the wet tiles at the entrance  of our apartment unit and suffered a horrible broken hip. The steps leading to our apartment unit are concrete but the area directly in front of the front door where our mailboxes are located is lined with tile. There is a long outdoor rug on the tiles for some traction but when the tiles get wet from rain they are VERY slippery. I wouldn't describe her as overweight but she fell so hard that in addition to breaking her hip, she also broke the tile that she landed on.

The neighbors in the unit all signed a card and left balloon on her front door. We didn't see her or her husband for several days after that. A few months later and we could occasionally see her walking in her apartment with a walker (our apartments all have very large windows and their apartment faces the front entrance... not creeping).

They're a very quiet, nice, polite couple that keeps to themselves.  Occasionally you we would see a couple teenagers visiting them, most likely their grandchildren. I never spoke to the woman who fell until a couple of weeks ago. I assumed they lived off their retirement or social security but when I asked her how her hip was doing she revealed that she was only just recently able to return to her job at the grocery store deli counter. She was also only able to work part-time, whereas she used to work full-time, because, even after months of physical therapy, she can't stand for long periods of time.

Today I came home and noticed a yellow eviction notice on their door for past due rent (~$1500).

It breaks my heart. I'm sure that their financial troubles are most likely the result of her lost wages from her broken hip. They seem to have been living here for a long time.

I don't want to get in trouble with my landlord so I'd like to anonymously slip legal information under their door. Like I mentioned at the top, we live in Maryland. What are some good websites/sources of legal information that I can print off to slip under their door that could help them with this? The tiles are very dangerous when they're wet, I've nearly fallen myself a couple times and even my landlord once admitted to me in private that they are slippery when they're wet, although there's no sign warning us to that effect. Should they sue the apartment company for damages?

What are their options? What are their rights?

Answer: I do slip and falls and would almost certainly take this case.  I know slip and falls are viewed suspiciously by the general publix but even small falls like this can lead to devastating injuries, especially for the elderly.  She should immediately talk to a lawyer who handles this type of case.  It will be free of charge to do so and the lawyer will take the case on contingency.  Answer #2: You may want to contact elder services or whatever it goes by in your area if she can't take care of herself. But yes she can get evicted for not paying rent. The landlords don't have to give her a free place to live.


Title: Girlfriend[20] got fired for issues related mental disabilities/challenges but we have little documentation of her mental disabilities [OK]

Question:
Hello, my girlfriend(soon to be wife) was fired from a restaurant because she wasn't able to count money and run a cash register efficiently because of her mental disabilities, while being more than capable of performing almost any other task, she worked at a pizza buffet joint in Oklahoma.

I don't have any documentation of her mental disabilities other than her high school transcript saying that she was in special education. when I first met her I had no idea she had mental challenges. From what I can tell she has issues with math and reading comprehension. All I can get from her parents is that they say she's "slow".  I don't know where I could get documentation of her issues.

To be honest I'm extremely pissed off about the whole situation. I want to sue the company for discrimination, but I don't think I can because of our state laws( I don't know them but I'm pretty sure they favor the company) and the fact that she doesn't have much documentation of her issues.

Really all she needs is a job.

Any advice about a possible case against the company, or where to get documentation, or even just agreeing that this sucks would be greatly appreciated by both of us.

Edit- Included location

Edit2 - alright a lawsuit is out of the question which is fine, and I got advice on some things to get done so we don't run into this issue in the future, Thank you for your time everyone!

Answer: Unless you're a qualified professional you can't just decide she has a disability. She needs to be evaluated by a mental health profession. Then if she really does have a disability she can ask for accommodation which might include not running the register. But I'm going to assume that never happened which makes it perfectly legal for them to fire her because she can't perform a job function. She should file for unemployment.


Title: IL- Friend works night shift, called on jury duty. Employer says he still has to work because it doesn’t interfere with his work schedule.

Question:
Location: Chicago, IL.

Title pretty much sums it up. One of my good friends works third shift, 11pm-7am and has been called to serve on a jury. Who knows how long it will last. His employer says he can’t miss work because it’s not at the same time and doesn’t interfere with his work schedule. The obvious problem is that he’d have absolutely zero time to sleep. Pretty sure this is really illegal, but I could also see it falling into some legal technical loophole.

What say you, LA?

Answer:
 I love these easy ones.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=070503050K4.1

Employer is wrong. They must allow time off for jury duty.Answer #2: See if your friend can talk to the person that's dealing with the jury who can speak to the judge about what's going on.  He cannot be an effective juror if he's sleep deprived.  Answer #3: Recently selected to serve on a jury. Clearification: was your friend called for jury selection or were they SELECTED for a jury?
In my experience a judge will dismiss a jurer if they work night shifts for reasons mentioned above.
Plus I'm positive he makes more money working than serving on a jury unless their employer pays full wage for time.
My employer (unionized) only pays for two weeks.
Had a jurer fall asleep during proceedings and was dismissed a week into the trial.


Title: [Canada] Confronted an abusive teacher's behaviour through official channels - but now I have no idea what to do.

Question:
I had a year of school that *really* caused me significant abuse, mentally, and physically. I'm a bit uncomfortable getting into the details, but there was a lot. Between the teacher mocking my neuropathy, and severe physically harm (including a fifteen foot drop where I landed square on my chest - and the school didn't call an ambulance, with my mother having been called to drive me to the hospital when it caused a congenital heart defect to take effect for the first time - I have documentation to that effect) to making demonstrably bad teaching decisions (that's vauge, but for sake of the conversation, presume it's verifiable? I feel *really* uncomfortable getting into the details of my mental health).

I haven't been able to gather my life back together at any point up until now; that's changed because I've been able to get mental health help, and it's encouraged me to go out, and speak out about this.

I had a sit-down with the chair of the HR department for the school board I'd attended under, and she seemed somewhat blown away by some of the stuff I'd said, but I was able to provide details in a way where she seemed pretty solidly convinced - or at least, she was being really empathetic, and she used the words "that sounds accurate" around the end of the conversation.

My problem is I didn't walk into that room having sought advice beforehand - legal or otherwise - so when we got to the end of the conversation, and she asked "what do you want us to do for you", all I could say is "I don't know - can we pause the conversation here, and I get in contact with you when I know? I think I need to ask for advice".

She agreed, and was friendly about things... but right now, I don't know what to do, or what to ask for. I knew I had to speak out about the harm that happened to me, and I feel a lot better for it, but at this point, I have no idea what I should have been prepared to ask for. I didn't really walk in with the idea of *asking* for anything. It didn't even register what I was properly being asked, if I'm being honest.

I haven't so much as asked for a formal apology, at this point, but that seems reasonable - but I'm also aware that I've been basically mentally unwell most of my life, and a lot of the harm that's traveled with me was what happened in that school, under that teacher.

I don't know what I should be asking, at this point. I know the school board would offer an apology, but that wouldn't bring me peace, or undo the harm that was caused. In this situation... what do I do? What do I ask for? What are options? I'm not looking to capitalize or profit on my suffering, I just want to deal with the suffering directly, and I really get the impression that if I don't work this out properly, this is going to haunt me my whole life.

I'm going to cross post this into a few places (including a few mental health subs, and maybe a teacher-oriented sub), but I kind of felt it would make sense to post here, too.

***EDIT*** - It was suggested that I provide more detail - I did that in [this reply](https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/7k7jkr/canada_confronted_an_abusive_teachers_behaviour/drcdxuh/)

Answer: It sounds like some therapy might get you where you need to be. Regarding legal issues, you may or may not have a claim. With the vagueness of the incidents there is not much that we can help with regarding whether you have a valid claim or not. In order to help we need details of the incidents to determine whether it leans toward accidental, negligence or malicious. And you just claiming one of them doesn't help.


Title: Someone put up a ton of anti-vax propaganda in an abandoned store front window on main street in my home town in Minnesota and they're pretending that the local school is responsible for it. Could I legally stand out front of the store in a hazmat suit and pass out pro vaccine pamphlets?

Question: [removed]

Answer:
 My number 1 thought on this isn't the act of countering anti-vaxxers (and personally think you are doing good work by being active in doing ao) but that the HatMat, Filtered respirator, etc would cause things to be viewed in a negative connotation or considered implies threats by apparel reaulting in:

609.72 DISORDERLY CONDUCT.

§

Subdivision 1.Crime.

Whoever does any of the following in a public or private place, including on a school bus, knowing, or having reasonable grounds to know that it will, or will tend to, alarm, anger or disturb others or provoke an assault or breach of the peace, is guilty of disorderly conduct, which is a misdemeanor:

(1) engages in brawling or fighting; or

(2) disturbs an assembly or meeting, not unlawful in its character; or

(3) engages in offensive, obscene, abusive, boisterous, or noisy conduct or in offensive, obscene, or abusive language tending reasonably to arouse alarm, anger, or resentment in others.

A person does not violate this section if the person's disorderly conduct was caused by an epileptic seizure.

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.72Answer #2: Hey, fellow Minnesotan! Are you will to say where this is? Or maybe PM me where it is? I'm so curious.


Title: Notice to Vacate for something not in the lease

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Assuming for the moment that your current lease ends on or before April 30th, there's nothing you can pursue here. Your landlord gave you more than 30 days' notice that they will not be renewing your lease. Minnesota requires _no notice at all_ that a fixed-term lease, and one period's notice that a periodic lease (such as month-to-month lease), will not be extended, so unless your lease specifies otherwise, you're done.


Title: Would it be illegal to buy every single printed copy of an album?

Question:
Say there's 900 copies, already released, used.

Would it be illegal to buy and own every single copy of said album? For no reason other than you just could?

Answer: It's not illegal to buy them all as long as they are for sale.


Title: Am I screwed?Family Law, PA

Question:
possible divorce looks like this :
married a bit over one year
Male makes 230K
pays for house ( house is newly fully mortgaged, no equity)
pays females student loans
pays all bills

no kids

female is stay at home wife

"takes care of household"

what are the chances of alimony and how long?
how long "should" divorce proceedings take

this is central PA not bigger cities

thanks

Answer:
 I would be surprised if there is any alimony with just over a year of marriage.  If it is ordered, it won't be for a long period of time. If you think you are headed for divorce go ahead and do it-- the longer you wait the more likely alimony is. Answer #2: You'll be better off throughout the process if you forget about all that red pill nonsense.

Alimony is only a factor in 12% of divorces, and it's not likely at all in a short marriage like yours.


Title: [CA] My mom just committed a misdemeanor while on probation for felony charges. Is she going to jail?

Question:
Hey everyone. I don't have the nitty gritty details, so I'm not sure if you guys can help, but I thought I'd throw this out there because I have no idea what else to do.

Two years ago my mom started a stint on meth and spent all of my great grandmother's (my Nana's) money. She was on my Nana's accounts but my Nana had been diagnosed with dementia so when the bank got wind of my mom spending all the money, they reported her for elder abuse. She was held in jail for 6 days and released. After a series of court dates which I did not attend (therefore I don't really know the exact charges) she was let off with 5 years probation time and two felony charges.

After the court dates my mom had literally nothing. No money, no vehicle, no home. I am financially independent from her, but my youngest half-brother is 9 years old and getting the worst brunt of it. His dad (my step-dad) went to jail (he was on meth as well, and was the one who got my mom wrapped up in this mess. Went to jail for robbing a house) and isn't going to be released until January. My mom was lucky enough to have her name on my step-dad's truck so she picked it up when he went to jail so she'd have something to get her to work and my brother to school.

Unbeknownst to me my mom was driving with a suspended license and expired tags. Last week she got pulled over and as far as what she's told me, was charged with a misdemeanor.

My mom is entirely convinced she is going to jail and that I'm going to have to take custody of my little brother. Is she correct in thinking this? She also feels that her public defender "doesn't give a shit if she goes to jail" so she wants to spend her last $100 on an attorney. Is this the right way to go?

Thanks for any and all advice, redditors!

Answer:
 I was threatened with prison for being "unreasonably drunk" when my PO came to visit me.

For a misdemeanor yes it is highly likely she will go to jail. You do not have to take in your brother; he will go to another family member or into foster care.

Edit: I was indeed incredibly drunk on my day off and my PO had every right to threaten me with jail time.


Title: Girl uploads fetishstic video underaged but pretends to be legal

Question:
I'm in the UK.
A girl uploaded a fetishistic video (no nudity or nothing, just very suggestive and fetishistic). And she pretended to be 19, she never showed her face, there would have been no way she could have been identified as a minor. However, her parents found out and contacted the police, as it turned out she was underage. I deleted the copies of the videos i had on my hard drive immediately, but could i get in any legal trouble over this?

Answer: As it turned out, there was no girl and this was all a scam anyway. Give nobody money.


Title: Do you think that it is unfair for convicted criminals, especially convicted sex offenders to be able to play the lottery? Should people who were convicted of crimes before it's too to give any money to their victims if they win?

Question: Hired by a case that happened in Florida a few years ago where a convicted child molester won $3000000 in the lottery. This provoked lots as to whether a criminal, especially sex criminal should be allowed to play the lottery and if any money he want should instead be given to his victim.

Answer:
 My take is that if you’ve paid your debt to society, that’s it— you’re done.

“Nothing good can ever happen to you again” isn’t what our society is built upon. Answer #2: If someone was punished for a crime and then released, you can't go back and punish them again and again all their life. They did the time, that's what they had to do, once it's done they are free. If they win the lottery, then good for them, maybe it'll help get their life back on track.

If they were ordered to pay restitution, then the money gained should be used to pay restitution first. You could also make it part of probation or parole conditions that in case they win the lottery then they have to give x% of their gains to victims or organisations that help victims.

Until then, when they are released, if they win the lotto then there's nothing to be done. It's their gain, obtained legally, it's for them to spend.


Title: [CA]Why can't I have a cup of water while I am working on the line at Starbucks?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 OSHA allows you access to potable water. You don't get to drink at the same time you are subjected to the overwhelmingly physically demanding task of providing delicious caffeinated beverages. Go take a swig from the bathroom facet. Too many morons think they can't survive in the world today without carrying a camelback of water constantly. It's bullshit. Billions of people survived for thousands of year without walking around 20 hours a day with environmentally damaging plastic bottles of water in their hands. You have access to the water on your break. Answer #2: I don't know of anyplace that has a food service license that allows employees to eat or drink where they prepare food.  You have to step away from the food, remove gloves before eating and drinking.  And then you wash hands and come back to the line with new gloves.  Keeping a straw and lid enables you to have a drink in a kitchen, but the way Starbucks is set up, there is no place to set the cup on the line that isn't in someone's way.  Keep your drink in the break room.
Edit: spelling


Title: This is a weird one. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Question: I live in Canada. I grew up going to a church with my parents, but when I was about 17 I stopped going to church without ever becoming a member. fast forward 6 years, and I'm 23. I get a letter saying that I'm being kicked out of the church, even thought I never agreed to become a member (everyone else usually professes their membership and signs some stuff around age 18) . the normal procedure is to read out the persons name from the pulpit, and basically give a long winded speech about how they are now Satan's pawns, lost to the world and all that. The problem with that is, most of my family and friends still attend this church, and a couple former employers too. excommunication is a very big deal to them, and would likely treat me a lot differently than if my name WASN'T read off in front of 400 people and put in the monthly newsletter(which I believe is distributed nationwide) . Is there anything I can legally do to keep them from doing this? to be clear, I don't want to attend church, I just want to leave without being publically shamed.

Answer: No. Nothing you can really do here. Plan an event at the same time and invite these folks, maybe they'll skip the one week?


Title: [Utah] Ex Husband is using my credit cards.

Question: I was divorced over a year ago, made him give me his card back. While we were married I added him as an authorized user. Today I got a call that my limit had been reached, I found out that he had called and ordered a new card (after we were divorced). He has ran up thousands of dollars of debt. I know I can't dispute the charges, what are my options?

Answer: Did you call the credit card company and remove him as an authorized user when you took his cards away?


Title: A boss told an employee she would be fired if she didn't have sex with him. She said no and he said he would frame her for fraud if she didn't. She has a lawyer and voicemail proof. Was it criminal or just scummy?

Question: This happened at my workplace, a fortune 500 company in the state of New York. My coworkers are debating whether his actions/threats were criminal or were just scummy but none of us have any background in law. We would appreciate answers from anyone who knows the laws around this and the management and company aren't talking about what happened because her lawyer is saying she'll sue. Thanks! (Also posting with a throwaway for privacy reasons because people I know irl know my reddit account)

Answer: Extortion is illegal.Answer #2: I think a prosecutor might charge attempted rape.  Third degree rape in New York involves sexual intercourse without a person's consent.  You could certainly see where a threat to fire someone unless they have sex with you could lead to sex without consent.  An attempt is where, with intent to commit the crime, the person "engages in conduct which tends to effect the commission of the crime."  I think it is a jury question whether his actions were enough to be an attempt.  That is really up to the discretion of a prosecutor in New York.Answer #3: Sounds pretty damn illegal to me.  Police time.


Title: [NY] Nephew stole $10,000 worth of guitars

Question:
My nephew (28) is a heroin addict/dealer. My husband is from NY but moved to Australia 7 years ago to be with me. Over the last 5 years our nephew has stolen 15 guitars and some amps totalling around $10,000 that were stored at my MILs house. There is absolutely no doubt as to who stole them as he stole from everyone without consequence. We were assured over the years that he had not stolen any of my husband's things. My husband is over there now and has discovered that he's been lied to (whether deliberate I don't know)

The problem is we have no idea when all the things were stolen. Just a time period, plus there's no receipts etc, it's a 25 year collection. Our nephew is now in another state, moved there after his last stint in jail. He won't apologise because "he was high all the time and doesn't remember and it's in the past so doesn't matter anymore"

Is there anything my husband can do? Police report? Sue? Thanks for any help

Answer: Well, I suppose that your husband could sue whomever was "holding" his property for the return of that property or for the value of that property, and then let that person sue whomever they think took that property.  But I am sure it's unlikely your husband would want to do that, and I'm not sure how likely he would be to prevail in such an action.


Question:
Back in July, I was caught eating a $2.75 cup of popcorn chicken at WalMart and throwing the cup away without paying for it. I wasn't arrested, but I had to pay a fine of $60. Technically, I believe this qualifies as class C misdemeanor theft. According to the official jury summons slip I have, one of the qualifications for jury duty is:

&#x200B;

>not have been convicted of, or be under indictment or other legal accusation for, misdemeanor theft or felony.

&#x200B;

So the burning question is: Does shoplifting popcorn chicken get you out of jury duty?

(I'm phrasing it to sound humorous, but it isn't a joke. I earnestly need to know this.)

&#x200B;

Answer: Were you actually convicted, or did you pay the money directly to Wal-Mart?


Title: (TX) boyfriend totalled our car, impound won't let us take the carseats used for our 2 kids

Question:
He went to clean out all the stuff in our car, and the people said they cannot legally let him take the carseats home. We already bought new carseats for them and never planned to use the old ones in the car again, so we don't necessarily need them. One of my friends used her kids old carseat as a booster at their dinner table, and I had a few other crafty ideas to repurpose them around the house.

Now, I understand if they really can't give them up. I'm not completely heart broken over losing them.  I am just wondering if not letting us have them is legal, or if just a policy they have. I tried to Google about it but can't find anything.

Answer:
 > We already bought new carseats for them

Great. Because in addition to what /u/thepatman wrote, people should not re-use a child carseat after a car crash. The chance of the seats being structurally unsound is very, very high, endangering your child. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that carseats *might* be okay to re-use if ALL of the following conditions are met:

1. The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site;
2. The vehicle door nearest the safety seat was undamaged;
3. There were no injuries to any of the vehicle occupants;
4. The air bags (if present) did not deploy; AND
5. There is no visible damage to the safety seat

The tow lot may have a policy of not releasing carseats due to these factors, they may fear being held liable if the seats are re-used, but as patman said I am not sure what legal argument they are using. Answer #2: Did insurance pay to have the car seats replaced? If so, those car seats are the insurance company's now, not yours.Answer #3: This is an insurance/liability thing. Even if the car seats weren't occupied or the crash was minor, insurance will replace them and destroy the old ones. Like bicycle helmets, they're considered a one-crash-only item.

I was involved in an accident and was asked multiple times if there were child safety seats in the car at the time (there weren't). When I inquired they informed me that this was the case.