Title: A Landlord Is Demanding I Pay Him $400 For A Contract I Never Signed

Question:
Hello, this is my first ever post on Reddit, but I do not know where else to seek legal council anonymously, and I preemptively thank whoever will read this and give me their advice. Here is my situation:

-I was looking for an apartment with a good friend for school but the school's financial aid screwed him over in mid July, leaving me with a few weeks to find a place

-I saw and replied to a Craigslist ad that I was interested in, contacted the OP (his name is Jack), verbally "*committed*" to the listing (a four bedroom house by my school) after visibly inspecting the property in person and being okay with it

-About eight days ago I received the contract and noticed that it, to me, was suspect (too much liability, the contract didn't even have amended my move-in and move-out dates, and they refused to give me a subletting option, which I had suggested)

-I learned that I could not meet the other two prospective roommates (including Jack) until after move-in, which would have been after signing the contract: which of course is a massive risk, to move into a house with two complete strangers and one I hardly know)

- A few days ago I learned that the guy I "verbally committed" to was lying to the homeowner: over the summer Jack and a friend/tenant (Brandon) were supposed to have paid the rent, however Brandon got an internship in another state which left him contractually obligated to pay of course; they found another guy (Eric) to pay for Brandon's rent living in the house **without ever having Eric's name amended to the lease and without the homeowner ever having learned about it**

-I backed out of the lease two days ago but I didn't tell the broker or the homeowner about Jack infringing the contract, because even though he demonstrated he was not trustworthy according to me, I did not want to screw him over

Now this is where it gets absurd
-I received an email this morning saying, from the homeowner who I've never met or seen, that I now owe him almost $400 because; explicitly: "[they] were dependent on the commitment that you made to them and they should not be required to brunt the expense incurred on your behalf."

What is my best course of action? This accusation, to me, is ridiculous: I never signed my name anywhere, nor have I ever even met the owner, who is the person accosting me of owing him money *(and not Jack or the broker)* : verbal agreements as you know are almost impossible to prove: in addition, I have scoured through my emails with the broker (her name is Margaret) and my Facebook messages with Jack to see if I in fact made any concrete, objective proof of such a claim, which I have not found, though of course I may be biased; even from Margaret's own email message forwarded to me, the home owner, and all the tenants from over a week ago, quote: "... I have been in contact with [my name and my parent's name] and ***they will most likely*** sign the lease in person at our office..." which in the broker's own words, admits nothing has been demonstrably verified, rather just, in her opinion, a high likelihood, *but not "they ARE going to, or they WILL BE, for example.*

I must apologize if I am being pedantic, but I am prone to overthinking and I have never before been in such a spot. I'm just afraid that they'll take me to court on the assumption that I said *I might* sign the lease, as opposed to them saying that I said *I would* sign the lease- it is important to note that the contract was conducted (and the homeowner himself is facilitated) through a well-known and reputable international realty group (I'm not going to name them, but they are very well known), and considering the nerve of the homeowner to demand I pay him for this "commitment", I would not put it past him to want to go to small claims court, even for something so trivial. Though of course I admit a possible bias, it seems to me that I hold all the cards in this argument, and that his (the homeowner's) message to me asking that I pay him this fine is ludicrous. How should I respond to this man?

Answer: You never signed anything.  You owe them nothing.  Ignore all contact with them, but keep copies of everything.  If they sue you, they're not going to win.  If they do sue you, make sure you show up to court or they will win by default.  You don't need a lawyer for small claims court.  These people sound crazy and I'm glad you dodged a bullet with this one.


Title: Quit my restaurant job today, without two weeks notice. Employer cites "job abandonment" as reason to withhold pay for this past week. Is he in the right?

Question:
**EDIT 1:** I called my parents and asked for their advice (I'm a 21 year old college student), and they basically echoed the advice in here. I let my boss know that I'll be coming in next Tuesday (payday) to pick up my paycheck, and that if he doesn't have it then we'll be contacting the family lawyer and moving from there (we don't actually have a "family" lawyer, just one that we know personally). If ya'll want I can give you an update next Tuesday.

Sorry in advance for the huge ass post.

**Location**: Georgia, USA.

**Possibly Important Details**: pay has been cash only. When I asked my boss after my first day why he paid me this way, he said that it was because the restaurant has a high turnover rate, people don't last long, and he dislikes having to go through the process of a W-2 and stuff, because if they're gone so soon "what's the point"? He said that after 30 days if I was still working, we could do all the forms and make sure all my payment up until then was correctly logged.

**Main Story**: I've been working as a barista/cashier at a restaurant for the past two weeks (first day was September 21st, 2 hour shift of register training), and it hasn't been the best experience. To make a long story short, the job kept leaving me frustrated after every shift, and I couldn't take it anymore, so I quit. I know that it's inconsiderate to do this without two weeks notice, but I was not looking forward to working more just so they could find a replacement.

After telling my boss that I wasn't coming back for another shift after today, he said "Well, when you go home look up 'job abandonment' before you come back." I did this, figuring he meant that my remaining pay was at stake. All the sources I looked at said that even if an employee quits without notice, the employer is required by law to pay any wages that are still due. I'll transcribe our text conversation:

> Me: Hey [name], I looked up job abandonment like you said, and I get what you're saying, but I just can't keep working at [place] anymore - it's just not working out. I'm sorry for letting you down.

> [Him]: No problem

> Me: I'll return on Tuesday to pick up my last paycheck.

> [Him]: You didn't read job abandonment

> Me: I read the part where it said that even if an employee abandons the job, if there are wages due, the law requires them to be paid.

> [Him]: See you in court

> Me: I'm sorry you feel that way.

I'm owed $224 for 28 hours of work this week.

I looked at [this](http://smallbusiness.findlaw.com/employment-law-and-human-resources/final-paycheck-laws-by-state.html) source and noticed that the "Georgia" section said "No law", but I figured that meant there was no law for how immediately an employer must pay due wages (just that if the employee still hasn't been paid by the time that they would normally have been, they can contact the DOL and file a complaint).

If a lawyer-person could help me figure out the answer once and for all, and tell me any steps I can take, I'd greatly appreciate it.
Topic:
Labor Law

Answer:
 Lol report him to the IRS. You get a % when the IRS comes down on his nuts for tax evasion.Answer #2: Two weeks is a courtesy. You are entitled to the pay for the work you did.Answer #3: >he dislikes having to go through the process of a W-2 and stuff,

The IRS doesn't care if he likes it. I wonder what other business related laws he doesn't like following.Answer #4: I agree on calling the IRS, But call the state DOR and let them know too.  They generally move faster and can get the avalanche rolling.
Answer #5: You wouldn't even need a lawyer.  Just contact the Department of Labor.  They will also be very interested in how he doesn't take part in the inconvenience of W2 forms and all that tiresome stuff.  Answer #6: GA is an at-will state. Anybody can be fired or quit at any time.

If he continues to withhold your paycheck, see if your lawyer friend will write a letter to him for you (people tend to straighten up real quick when they get a letter from a lawyer).


Title: [California] Sold a used car in California, now buyer wants refund/repair cost or threatening to sue.

Question:
Hi there,
Sorry for the long post.

I initially posted this in /r/askcarsales, but some nice soul out there recommended me to post it here as well to get more legally correct advice. Although I already got some great responses there, I thought it would be ok to get you guys's word on it as well.

I sold my used 98 corolla 3+ weeks ago to an old couple. I had priced it higher than KBB value because craigslist loves to negotiate. But this couple never bothered me with negotiation and bought it at the advertised price. Fast forward to 3 weeks during which they drove it around without issues, they get new tires and were recommended to get alignment done. The mechanic at alignment gave them bunch of stuff that needs to be fixed/repaired. Repair cost estimate is 1900 according to them. They were also told that wheels were in pretty bad shape and should be replaced as well. Now they are all over me to pay for the repair cost or atleast the half of it, accusing me that I knew about all of the repairs that would be required. I feel bad for them really, so I offered them 400 dollars, but they have put the limit on 600 and if I don't pay them, they are planning to sue me. Most bothersome part is the accusation of cheating. If they hadn't accused me and took me on a guilt trip I might have actually already refunded them 600, but who's to assure me that they won't threaten me again with something else in few days ? Also, I didn't do a single thing outside the moral/ethical or legal code. Please also note that the husband asked me if he could write 1200 as the purchase price on the title to save on some taxes. The actual sale price is double of that.
Any suggestions ? Advice ? I know I don't owe her a thing, but I seriously don't have the energy to deal with court case and worry about it everyday until it actually happens.
Thanks guys!

TL;DR - Sold a 1998 Corolla ~4 weeks ago in California, now buyer wants refund/repair cost or threatening to sue.

Answer:
 The law is with you on this.  All curbside sales are as-is unless one party can prove that a guarantee was given.

Spend a day sitting in small claims courts in CA.  On a typical day, two or three will be some guy trying to convince the judge that "This is a special case, and the as-is rule should not apply here".  They lose.  Just about 100% of the time.

"But you see your honor, I told him I had to drive it to Cleveland the next day and it only got me to Salt Lake City.  Obviously the car wasn't fit for sale."  or "I had it for six months and it had to be repaired seven times.  That's not fair." etc ad nauseam.


Title: Can an irrevocable trust be set up with one trustee while the grantor is living, but with a successor trustee to automatically take the primary trustee's place on grantor's death?

Question: Hope the title is clear. Let me know if I can clarify it at all. I know successor trustees are usually for primary trustee's death/resignation/whatever.

Answer: Sure, that is not uncommon at all.


Title: Startup Bankruptcy: So, I’m an early employee (err, was) in a startup that had some success, but outran the cash supply and ceased operations. Now, my investment (in the form of several years of reduced salary) is gone. How can I better protect myself next time?

Question:
So, ended up joining the company at half salary on the expectation that I’d be rewarded later. We were all new at this, so we were kinda winging it. Initially, it was going to be some sort of debt bond, but for a bunch of reasons, ended up with stock options. Company ran out of cash and ceased operations. Bankruptcy proceedings are likely starting soon. Options are worthless now. The next time I talk myself into joining a startup, is there some sort of legal agreement that I can enter into that would give me a claim as a creditor in case of bankruptcy proceedings? Is this commonly done?

Topic:
Business Law

Answer:
 Your best bet is to not agree to a reduced salary of any sort.  Any startup worth their mustard is going to be able to secure investors and pay their employees properly.

Your stock options are usually tied directly to the value of the company.  If the company goes tits up, your stocks are worthless and you have no standing to claim more.


Title: My brother wants me to move his items out of his wife's house while she's at work

Question:
My brother is going to divorce his wife (no papers have been drafted up yet) and he wants me to go with him while she's at work and help him move his stuff out of her house (the house is in her name, I don't think his name is on it at all) while she's at work.

This is in Illinois btw, is this even legal? I don't want to end up in jail because of helping my brother. I don't want to get wrapped up in this divorce drama either but he's my brother :/

Answer:
 With the exception of things she owned before they got married, he has as much title to things in the house as she does.   So, legally, there's no reason he can't move things from that home to somewhere else.

Now, when it comes divorce time...  assuming that they are not able to come to agreement on everything and have to ask the judge to rule...  judges WILL punish one person for being an ass about the possessions.   So if he were to EMPTY the house and leave her without basic necessities, that WILL bite him in the ass later, and he may find himself returning a bunch of things to her.

But if he's being reasonable, and taking just things that are:

His from before the divorce,

Items that have heightened personal value, or no value to her, even if they were accumulated during the marriage,

And reasonable items from the common property so he can live comfortable at his new place until the divorce goes forward, while also leaving her with what she needs to live comfortably for the time being,

he's probably fine.  He doesn't necessarily get to keep everything he takes - the judge may well order him to give things back if she asks for them and makes a good case.

All of that said, if divorce is going to happen, he should REALLY talk to a lawyer before moving out.   There are a LOT of financial and procedural factors that can greatly change how well he comes out of this disaster, and getting some advice before loading up a truck load of things may make hundred of thousands of dollars of difference in the final outcome.


Title: University is overcrowding my dorm room

Question:
California.

I live in a 15’2” by 12’4” dorm room. My university is having a housing shortage currently. We (roommate and I) have been informed that housing is coming in tomorrow morning to replace our two lofted beds with two bunk beds and that two more roommates are moving in tomorrow evening and we need to make space in our dressers and wardrobes for them to create a fair allotment of space, done no later than tonight. This is due to the housing shortage and they are trying to move other freshman who have been in temporary housing.

When asked if we would receive a reduction in rates, our RA told us “we’re working on figuring that out.” We do not have room for desks in our room and by losing our lofts, we lose valuable study space.

Furthermore, there is no extra room for more storage. We do not know where to put our belongings to make room for these as of yet named roommates. Currently, this is two dresser drawers, and half a small wardrobe for each individual.

Is this legal? Can we refuse to comply?

Answer:
 What does your housing contract say?

Does it guarantee that you will share your room with just 1 person no matter what?

My guess would be that the school has written a contract that would make this completely allowable, and that failure to do as they say would be grounds for your eviction.


Title: [California] Dog was hit by car - Driver does not want to help financially

Question:
Hey Reddit,

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First time posting here.

I was walking my dogs in the morning at around 6:50am in a residential neighborhood. I keep them less than 6 ft away from me at all times when walking and even closer to me while crossing the street (4ft or so) - there was no crosswalk.

As I was crossing, I heard a car's engine revving faster than usual, and I then saw the car coming around the corner. I quickly pulled my dogs closer to me, and the car came to a screeching halt. After the car screeched, it scared one of my dogs, and that dog managed to get out of its harness. After it got out of its harness, I told the ownerto please not start the car. However, her windows were down. She saw that I had one of my dogs, so she started going forward on the car. She ran over my dog with her rear wheels. She got out of her car, and we exchanged information.

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I got into contacted her, and she refuses to help out financially.

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Is there anything I could do legally to help her assist with the finances?

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TL;DR Dog was hit by a car and need help with finances.

Answer: She is not typically going to be liable for hitting an unleashed dog.


Title: Can you say that you're firing your employees because of sexual harassment?

Question:
Hey r/legaladvice!

So we've been seeing a lot of high profile people getting fired due to sexual harassment AND we've seen their companies announce they've been fired for sexual harassment.

Is it legal to announce that you're firing somebody for sexual harassment? Or at least that you're punishing an employee for sexual misconduct?

My university says this is illegal to announce and I'm suspicious.

Edit: Thank you for all of your advice!

So it sounds like: announcing why you fire somebody is NOT illegal, it's just risky since it opens up the university to defamation suits. Which presumably the university would win if it had enough evidence that a professor actually did harass somebody?

I didn't realize there was a possibility the university would put a clause in employment contracts saying they will not disclose why employees are terminated. I will look into this, thanks!!!!

Answer: It's not illegal. However, in many cases it's bad policy because it exposes the employer to defamation claims. Your university, like many other employers, probably has a policy not to disclose such things.


Title: My friend bailed on a house

Question:
Hey, legal advice,

Quick question. I had plans since about January to move across the state to live with an old friend of mine and his girlfriend.

I was supposed to move in last Sunday (May 31 2015), but he bailed on me on the Tuesday before. I'm coming to you guys with a question about the lease. I signed it the week before. All it required was a signature and a date, but I signed it and sent it to him saying that I'd live there for a year.

Is there any way I can get screwed in to being part of the lease even though I'm not living at the house?

I realize that I lost a friend in this. I'm hoping I won't lose out on anything else.

This is in Tennessee. I don't think he has my social security number or anything, but I wanted to make sure I'm in the clear financially

Answer:
 Questions we need answered:  Does your friend own the house?  If not, was he subleasing to you (so was your lease with him)?  If not, was your lease with a landlord?

And what exactly does "bailed" mean?

Generally an independent third party like a landlord would have a claim against you for the lease payments, even if you don't live there.


Title: How illegal is this? (wage theft)

Question:
I have a few friends who, until recently, worked at a small ice cream place nearby. Through our conversations I found out that on paydays, they either get a check or cash under the table. It switches every pay period. This is illegal, but not the problem.

The problem is that because the owners are "doing them a favor" by paying them under the table, they're taking out money for "taxes" in their cash paycheck. Taxes that they aren't paying, because they're breaking the law. They didn't even know this was happening until they tracked their hours and found they weren't getting paid full minimum wage.

How illegal is this? Prison? Shut the business down? Just a fine?

New jersey

Answer:
 Complain to state department of labor, state tax authority, and IRS.  Find a new job.Answer #2: How illegal is it?

Let's just say they're not just screwing their workers, they're screwing with the IRS.

Is it shut-the-company-down illegal?  Only if they can't come up with the 14% (both sides of the) payroll taxes, which they would be liable for, since they didn't pay the 7% they had to pay.Answer #3: This is "go to prison" illegal. If you take money out for taxes then intentionally do not forward that to the government that is a federal offense.


Title: Real Estate Law Advice in NJ, foreclosure, hoarder house, no money to dispose of stuff.

Question:
Hello- this is my first post here, so forgive me if I am not using proper format in the title.

My husband's parents own a house that is headed toward foreclosure. They owe the bank far more than it's worth. They have been in the house for almost 50 years, and my mother-in-law kept pretty much everything. Over the last several years, we have mostly cleared out/organized the interior of the house (except for a few closets that she wouldn't allow), but the garage is packed, and the attic (which is a substantial size) is too. They also have one of those metal "pod" storage containers on their front lawn, and it is full as well.

My father-in-law had a stroke last year, and has been living in a nursing home as a Medicaid long term care recipient since then. He is doing better, and would like to move out- but get an apartment instead of moving back into the house. Since he is on Medicaid, ALL of his income currently goes to pay for the nursing home, so none is available for clean up.

My mother-in-law is in ill health and in mid-early stages of dementia. Since we are unable to care for her, we'd like her to be in an assisted living or similar situation, where she would also receive Medicaid benefits. Again, this would leave no money for clean up (she gets a very meager amount to live on as it is, and can't afford it even now.)

My husband and I have significant health problems ourselves, and are no longer able to do the physical work required to clean it out. We also can't afford to hire anyone, or pay for dumpsters, etc.

We'd like to negotiate a short sale, or deed-in-lieu with the mortgage company, so they don't end up with a deficiency judgement in the end.  My father in law may be able to live on his own for many more years, and we don't want to harm his chances of a stable financial future. His credit is already bad because of mortgage non-payment.

I've heard that they would still have to clean out the house if they did one of those two options.  Is there any way for them to make a clean break from the house, without having to clean it out? We don't want them to end up with fines or being sued when all is said and done. Is there any way to just take the necessities and walk away from the rest?
Topic:
Real Estate law

Answer:
 I'd just walk away.

You didn't say who the mortgage was with but almost all of the big banks agreed not to pursue deficiency judgements, and that includes Green Tree if they have it now.

Plus, realistically, he has no assets for them to take anyway.

I really wouldn't worry about the already damaged credit rating of guy who is like 75 or so.


Title: Someone I work with called my mother at work and told her they believed I may have committed suicide but refused to give a name of who they were then hung up... I am 23

Question:
I am located in Ohio.
Now that that's out of the way I'll get on with it.

So I am 23 years old and hold a management position at my place of employment. I lead a team on a production line as well as many other tasks. I injured my back on Wednesday at work. I went to work Thursday and struggled. Friday I called off to rest my back. I'm not 4 so I didnt text mommy and daddy to let them know I took the day off being I have my own house. My mother got a call and the receptionist told her the person didnt give a name. My mom answered the call and said "hello, this is Momma Dontpaintmeblack" the person then asked "Are you Dontpaintmeblacks mother?" To which she said yes and confused she asked why and who she was speaking with. The person stated they wished to remain anonymous and proceeded to tell her they work with me and said I no call no show and show up hours late, they have noticed I've been acting weird and i didnt show up for work and they were worried something happened to me or I hurt myself and they thought she should know.  None of the above are true. I am always at work. Sometimes a few minutes late but if I take a day off I notify my bosses as well as my staff first thing in the morning. Which I did indeed do Friday. My mother recieved the call at 1030am and I notified everyone at around 730. My mom tried to call me but I didnt answer because I was asleep resting my back.

So my mother sobbing calls my father, whose car broke down the day before. She left work and rushed home to my dad standing in the driveway waiting. He jumped in the car and he took her to work being it's on the way to my house and she "couldn't stand the thought of being there and seeing anything". so my dad rushed to my house and pounded on the door and I woke up terrified.  My dad works 3rd shift so he ended up being up for 2 days because he wasnt able to sleep during the day because of this incident.

I spoke with everyone at work and everyone said they didnt do it. But ome person acted very weird. The problem is the caller was a Male and the one acting weird was a female, my operator, who talks constant trash about me behind my back. I dont have the authority to fire her for her performance( which is lacking) or any other behavior. I have a log off all incidents of insubordination, blatant disrespect for coworkers, and anything else that violates a policy.  I believe she asked her husband to call and do it. She is shady and every person I spoke to believed that to be that case without me ever having mentioned my theory.

My bosses state that she will be fired on the spot if I have proof. They have my back. However this caused a lot of issues with my mothers work, loss of money for my mother, and obviously cause my parents to be terrified.

I'm in no way seeking monetary compensation, or jail time for anyone. I simply want the wrong to be corrected. I want a simple apology and I would like her to no longer remain employed at my place of employment if it was her.

What steps should I take? Is it basically a dick move I can do nothing about? The only thing i can think of is to get the number that called but i dont really know what all this type of situation creates as far as legality  for the workplace. I surely dont feel comfortable at work like I used to. She drags my name through the mud daily and my employer basically tells me they dont have just cause to fire her.  Any help is appreciated.  Thank you in advance!

Answer:
 How did she get your mom's work number? Is it listed as your emergency contact? If so, it should be pretty easy to show who accessed your employee records that day if she used a work computer.Answer #2: > [I (an adult) took time off from work and someone called my mother and told her they thought I had committed suicide. This greatly disturbed my parents. I suspect it was a woman I work with who got her husband to call but I have no proof.]
>
>I'm in no way seeking monetary compensation, or jail time for anyone. I simply want the wrong to be corrected. I want a simple apology and I would like her to no longer remain employed at my place of employment if it was her.

You are coming to the wrong place. The law may be able to deliver monetary compensation, or jail time but it cannot compel an apology nor force your employer to fire her.

Your employer does not legally need "just cause" to fire her. It sounds like your problem is that you want them to fire her based on your unproven suspicions (which legally they CAN do) but they aren't willing to.

Try one of these:

* Push harder for her to be fired.
* Find a new job.
* Continue keeping notes if she does other things to you and present them to management.
* Just move on and avoid excessive contact with her at work.

In case you were wondering, I listed my suggestions from worst to best. Consider choosing a suggestion from the end of my list.


Title: Landlord holding security deposit, claims we ran a business out her property. (CT)

Question:
I could write for hours of the nightmare story that is this landlord and what she's put my wife and I through over the 11 months we had the displeasure of being in her property. But I'll focus on this latest, and hopefully last, nightmare though.

We moved out on June 30 and on July 30 the landlord texted us to say she has retained a real estate lawyer. Her reasoning was she searched my wife's name online and found a business associated with her name, and running a business is a violation of the lease agreement.

The claim is completely false. Nothing has been done with this business since she lived at home during and shortly after college... Four years ago!

She also claimed there was damage to the walls but admitted herself the place was left spotlessly clean and said nothing of this when we moved out.

In the text she said we would receive a letter from her lawyer stating the next steps but it's coming up to a month since her text and we've heard nothing.

Last week I got sick of waiting and mailed her my intention to sue in small claims court for double the security deposit (it's been over 30 days since we left and no itemized list of damages) and will send it to the court now I've got confirmation she received it via certified mail.

I would greatly appreciate any advice on this whole situation. I've been ill with stress over this and some advice or reassurance we're on the right path would go a long way.

For example, how do we prove we didn't run a business from her place? Is it even on us to prove that, or is it on her to prove we did? Thanks in advance.

Answer:
 Don't threaten to sue, do it. She's well beyond the time she should have returned the deposit.Answer #2: >We moved out on June 30 and on July 30 the landlord texted us to say she has retained a real estate lawyer.

>In the text she said we would receive a letter from her lawyer stating the next steps but it's coming up to a month since her text and we've heard nothing.

Lol to this. If she really had a lawyer, her lawyer would be the one talking to you, and her lawyer would be telling her to STFU and stop sending you texts.

>For example, how do we prove we didn't run a business from her place? Is it even on us to prove that, or is it on her to prove we did? Thanks in advance.

The onus is on her to prove that. If she doesn't have a printout of something pertaining to the business that shows the address of the place you've been renting, she's going to have a hard time.

Aaaand it's moot anyway, because even if you were running a business, that's not a valid reason for withholding your deposit.

Bring whatever proof you can think of, such as incorporation documents showing the official address of record of the business, but don't worry about it too much.


Title: What legal concerns should the filmer of cellphone footage have before they post videos online? Especially if the intent is to publicly shame another.

Question:
This is hypothetical, but a concern that I have in the event I am ever in a situation where I am filming or being filmed in public. Let's keep this to United States laws. And if it varies from state to state, choose your favorite area of expertise.

With the rise of cell phone footage being used to publicly shame individuals what legal recourse do the subjects of these videos have? Or alternatively what concerns should the posters of said videos have about breach of privacy or something similar.

Filming individuals can have good outcomes, such as protecting oneself from police abuse of power, or publicly calling out racism. That's not what I want to debate.

I want to know what legal concerns should the filmer and filmed have.

Answer:
 If you edit the video in a way that the story you construct is both not true and damaging to the subject, you could open yourself up to a defamation suit.  But in general if you're in public you can record and distribute whatever you record.Answer #2: My understanding, is that in general, if you are in a public location you have no expectation of privacy and therefore can be filmed. I'm sure there are nuanced details to this but generally speaking, don't do anything you don't want on the internet in public.Answer #3: My special needs son was having a meltdown in front of his school, the principal and another teacher (both awesome educators who care about kids) were helping him. Another parent got out her cell phone and started to record. The principal told me about it and said that he tried to shield him by keeping his body between my son and the parent’s phone. I was so upset another parent would do this—-and had a worry that the video was going to show up on Reddit as a public freak out.

I appreciate this question. What are the legal concerns of her making this kind of video?

It actually happened again at a youth group visit to a Major League Baseball game. This time my son was celebrating and dancing and hollering when the team scored— a random person started to film him. Another dad on the trip put his hand out to block the footage and told the person to knock it off. Yes these were both in public, but they’re of a minor. Any legal repercussions possible?


Title: Custody and where child should go to school

Question:
Hello, so my ex and I (never married) share joint legal and physical custody of our son. Per our court papers it says we need to agree upon certain things such as school/medical decisions and whatnot. He is wanted to keep our son in a public school that does not pertain to either of our addresses (it used to) but we both have moved. I do not agree to keep him at this school, and since I have technically more time with the child per out custody agreement, I feel he should go to the school pertaining to my address. I am just unsure how to go about it because I know he won't agree to it, and I'm scared he will cause a scene at the new school with court papers sayin g he didn't agree for his son to go there. I need some advice!

San Marcos, ca

Answer: If you are unable to agree and your order doesn't specify where the child goes to school or who gets to decide, you have to go back to court and let a judge decide


Title: (OH) What is realtor's liability regarding lockboxes?

Question:
My home is for sale. I no longer live there, so it is vacant. When we went to cut the grass, we noticed that the door was left unlocked and all the lights were on.

The real estate agent put a lockbox on the front door so other agents have access to show it to potential buyers. If they don't lock the place up after a showing, who is liable if someone breaks in?

Answer: Talk to your realtor and make sure they know what you found. Also, talk to your insurance agent to check your coverage while you sell your house.  There maybe a clause that voids the type of coverage you have when there is an extended vacancy at the property.


Title: Website posted by ex ruined my marriage and is driving me to suicide.

Question:
I live in Canada and 3 years ago an ex girlfriend of mine decided to post a website devoted to me. She basically went on a tirade and got extremely jealous when she found out I was dating. The basis of the story is that her and I met and after a few months moved in together. It was her house and I had just moved to the province for work. Originally I was staying in a house that my employer had for workers but it was too much for her to keep driving back and forth to pick me up cause I didn't have a car. I had just split up with my fiance a year earlier and she had basically taken me to the cleaners which forced me to work in another province. This girl and I met through a dating website and she seemed pretty down to earth so when she asked me to move in I figured since I work a lot and am always traveling for work it would be convenient for when I was home to see her easier. After a few months of being there she started getting very possessive and always arguing if I wanted to do anything on my own. She would accuse me of cheating when clearly I wasn't.  We would get in huge arguements and I would walk out to calm down. Then her way of dealing with it was buying me something nice and kissing up until I forgave her. After a while I got tired of it all. Then my work gave me an offer where if I used my own truck for work they would pay me milage.  So I went looking for a truck. When I applied they denied me and said I had too much revolving credit out. So she offered to put it in her name.  I was hesitant at first but then realized that it would help make more money and help at the house too. I agreed and we put it in her name.  I paid bi weekly and would email transfer the payment every 2 weeks. A couple months goes by and my work schedule was 3 weeks on and 1 week off. One week they had an incident so they shut down a week early. I came home to her and found a pair of mens jeans in the room and a t shirt. At first I thought maybe her brother stayed over but the sizing was off. Then I started to see her always taking her phone into the bathroom. The following day she tells me that she's pregnant. At first I was shocked because we were protected and she told me she was on the pill. Then she started getting very controlling.  We fought constantly. Eventually I told her it wasn't working out and that I would still be a good father but we would co parent. She stayed nice at first because she was worried I would leave completely.  A couple months later I meet a girl on a job site. Her and I hit it off and start getting romantically involved. She worked for another company but was on the same job site . We didn't do anything while at work but when we had our time off I drove to her to see her. We ended up starting a relationship.  After a while she gave me her resume hoping I could get her into the company I worked for. I still was using the truck under my exes name but paying for it biweekly. At one point I even had my boss call her and ask her to change the truck over to his name but she didn't want to. She said it was fine. Then one day I am with the new girl and her phone goes off and I notice it's my exes phone number. I hear my gf basically just answering her but not being confrontational.  She hands me the phone and I immediately ask her why she's calling.  She had found her resume in my work bag that was in my truck. So she called her to find out if I was with her. Right away I tell her we broke up months ago and she had no right.  She then calls police for her vehicle and tells me I'm gonna a get it. Naturally my gf and I split up and months go by and the whole time I am trying to get the truck changed over and she won't do it. Then the due date for the baby is coming and she tells me that it's been pushed over a week. She tells me she doesn't want to do it alone and asks if I will come and I say of course I will. She tells me she is going for dinner with her father and that she will come to my house to talk after.  I agree to this. Next thing I know a guy shows up at the door and serves me papers . Appearantly she already had the baby and never even told me about it. Papers were for child support.  Moving on a month later I get a text message from a friend with a link to a webpage. On the webpage is me and an entire fabricated story by her ( she doesn't put her name on it though) . Also is a story from the girl I was with who she called.  They had gotten together and created this slam website .I confronted her and she denied being the creator of it. Said it was the other girl. The other girl refused to take calls and last I heard fled the country to go back home. It's been 3 years now and I recently got married in July. 2 days ago my wife tells me that the website is too much and that she wants to leave. My wife is from Mexico and we were in the process of getting her landed papers. Everything was great until last week and now my wife won't answer texts and last I heard has just gone back to Mexico without saying a word. I have been locked isn my room for 2 days depressed and didn't even go to work for 2 days. I should mention that about 8 months ago I hired a company that specializes in website removal. The website now has gotten way more troll stories from people I've never even met before. One from an American girl claiming we got stopped at the border and she left. This was clearly fabricated because I had not been to the states since 2001 and she said this happened in 2008. The site is moderated and they choose what to post up. I have had friends post positive things and stories and they never get posted. Only the negative made up stuff. The company I hired to get it taken down never update me. They said it's $9500.00 to get it taken down to which I agreed and it's been almost 9 months I think now and no progress has been made. I have been turned down for jobs, lost friends and girlfriends and now my wife because of it. I am depressed and suicidal and don't know what to do? I read this sub time to time but finally decided maybe someone else can help. Every day I am constantly reminded and it's getting harder and harder to get up. I'm about to lose my job which is a great job if I dont go to work. I am mentally drained. I need help and fast. Please reddit give me hope! Hope I did this right and sorry about run ons. I know it's a long story but trust me this is the short version.
Topic:
Computer and Internet

Answer:
 I have no idea what is going on here and I have read this 3 times to try and understand it. You need to go back and break this into paragraphs and describe exactly what your ex has done that you believe is illegal or what is defamation.

That’s said, its typically not illegal, even in Canada, to tell people accurate things about you.


Title: Girlfriend is being sexually harassed at work in South Carolina

Question:
My girlfriend works at a fairly large company and she is being sexually harassed at work.  The male has made remarks to her while licking his lips, stared at her chest openly, and tried to grab her today.  What is her best option?  I'm Canadian so I can't do anything to help her and I don't know local laws.

I was also just told he's a gang member and brags about it on his breaks.  Should she report him to the police after filing a sexual harassment claim?
Topic:
Labor Law

Answer:
 >a fairly large company

I assume they have an HR department? She needs to let them know what's going on.


Title: Being threatened with 7 day notice by landlord due to toddler noise

Question:
I live in Jacksonville, Florida. Me, my girlfriend and our two year old daughter moved into a new apartment about two months ago. We live on the second floor. In 7 years of living in apartments I have never been complained about. Until I moved in here.

My downstairs neighbor has, twice in the last month, complained to the leasing office that our daughter is running and jumping and making too much noise. The first time the office called us, a month ago, we began working with our toddler and correcting her when she would run or jump. But she still does it sometimes when she gets excited.

Today, I received another phone call from the community director telling me that our downstairs neighbor has again complained about the "unbearable" noise made by my 30 pound toddler over thanksgiving. I was told that if another complaint came in I would be given a 7 day notice to correct the problem.

We have scheduled a meeting with the other tenant and the leasing office, to take place next week. But, today I went into the leasing office to talk with the community director about the issue. I explained that our daughter has a speech delay and has a difficult time expressing herself and understanding what we are trying to communicate. She is going to therapy sessions twice a week as soon as our insurance ok's it.  We correct her when she jumps or runs, but she is a toddler and gets excited. We don't let her do it for continuous amounts of time. We have bought a foam mat that is in her bedroom to try to dampen the noise she might make.

What I want clarification on, is what rights am I afforded? Am I reasonable in thinking that there needs to be an objective measure of acceptable activity during normal hours? My daughter is up from 8 to 8 like clockwork. Do I have to tell my daughter that she can't play at all inside of the apartment? I asked the community director if, if the issue cannot be resolved, we could switch apartments. She didn't say no, but she didn't say yes. What is my best course of action here? I really don't want to be evicted because my toddler is being a toddler. And not even a very rambunctious one at that.

Your help and advice is appreciated.
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer: You have the right to a reasonable accommodation for your toddler.  Reasonable varies from place to place and situation to situation.  Frankly speaking, neither "Well it's during the day!" or "Well she's a toddler!" are reasonable responses.  You're doing the right thing for now, which is to try to find a reasonable middle ground.  There may not be one, in which case you want to negotiate an out of the lease in lieu of eviction.


Title: Have a question about a warrant being issued for my arrest due to me not responding to a ticket I never received. Jefferson Hills, PA.

Question:
About a month ago I was in an accident with an ATV that was being driven illegally on a public street.  The officer that responded advised me and the other driver that he would be emailing us a report later that evening.  I received an accident report, not a citation, via email later that night as the officer had stated.  Fast forward to about a week ago when I have a constable knock on my door and advise me that he was there to arrest me.  In the paperwork he showed me that the officer issued the citation about nine days after the accident.  I was advised, by the constable, to go down to the magistrate and just say the I found a note on the door, which he handed me, and told me to take care of it or he would be back by to arrest me.  An employee at the magistrate told me that a copy of the citation had been mailed to me (I did not receive) and that a certified letter was mailed out (I did not receive) and eventually returned unopened back to the magistrate.  At that time a judge issued a warrant for my arrest and the constable was sent to my house.

How is this legal?  Right?  Is it legal?  The reporting officer had my email (which he had already communicated with me on), my phone number, my home address....and he not only chose to not ticket me on the scene (which I do not feel I am guilty of due to the circumstances of the accident - I will answer question about this if needed, but my main concern is almost being arrested for a $129 ticket I knew nothing about), but also chose not to contact me and advise me that he had issued a citation.  Also they added on a $70.70 fee for the warrant/constable fee. How is this legal when they have no proof that I was made aware of the citation in the first place?

Thanks, in advance, for an answers.

Answer: It is legal. The court has records that  says you were mailed the citation and that you did not show up to court. Whether or not it happened, at this point, is immaterial. You have an arrest warrant and need an attorney.


Title: Would it be legal for an organization a politician explicitly does not support to make a SuperPAC ad for them?

Question:
My friend and I were talking about SuperPACs and their alleged lack of relation to their candidate. If we understand right (and we might not) a SuperPAC cannot have the explicit support or funding from a candidate. They have to be two seperate entities with not communication or planning between the two parties.

If this is true (or even if its not I guess), would there be any legal issue surroundings surrounding a US group a candidate is explicitly against running a campaign ad on their behalf?

**example:**

Could an organization like the KKK or the Westbound Baptist Church create a SuperPAC and run ads giving support to Hillary Clinton?

I would imagine that Clinton would not want to be associated with these groups. Could she do anything to prevent them from running these ads?

While unlikely, I can imagine a scenario where an opponent can direct these kind of hateful organizations to do so to ruin a candidate's credibility.

Is this how SuperPACs work? If not how do they differ?

Thoughts?

Answer:
 >Could an organization like the KKK or the Westbound Baptist Church create a SuperPAC and run ads giving support to Hillary Clinton?

Yes

>I would imagine that Clinton would not want to be associated with these groups. Could she do anything to prevent them from running these ads?

No

>While unlikely, I can imagine a scenario where an opponent can direct these kind of hateful organizations to do so to ruin a candidate's credibility.

Coordination between a SuperPAC and any candidate is illegal, so that part would not be ok.


Title: VA - I am selling a POS car today on Craigslist. The car needs a new computer, but otherwise is in fine working order. Am I opening myself up to any liability if I document KNOWN issues with the car?

Question:
The car is being offered at ~50% of the going rate for well functioning comparable models.

The CL ad states that there is a known computer issue but otherwise runs fine.

I'm just trying to be as transparent as possible.

Answer: Keep screen-prints or photos of the ad. And be prepared for people to be total idiots. A friend once sold a car with "NO ENGINE" in the title and the description. Had to tell several people that no, they would not be able to "drive it home"


Title: Took out student loan for classes, school wont give me leftover money, says I owe for classes too.

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Flipping credit card debt into student loan debt is amazingly stupid. Especially when you add the cost of classes you didn't actually want to take.

If you weren't entitled to take a student loan it will be canceled. The school isn't going to just keep the loan money. But you do owe the school the money for the classes.


Title: I use a laundromat's wash & fold service, and my finished laundry was stolen after hours. Who is responsible for the cost?

Question:
I am located in Maryland, USA.  I regularly use the wash & fold service offered by the laundromat down the street.   I drop off my dirty laundry in a bag between 9am and 2pm, which are the hours that an attendant is present.  They clean and fold my clothes, then leave the bag sitting on a shelf inside the laundromat.  I never know what day the laundry will be done, and they don't notify me.  I just stop in every evening on my walk home from work.

I once expressed to the owner that I was concerned my laundry would be stolen, since the laundromat is unattended from 2pm to 10pm.  He assured me it wouldn't happen.  "Nah, nobody's gonna take it.  Besides, we have cameras."

Well, it turns out that someone *did* take it.  The laundromat owner has promised to look through the security camera footage and find a visual of the person who took it, which we can turn over to the police.  I don't have very high hopes, though.  It's sort of a seedy neighborhood with a lot of transient drifters.

If we can't ID the person, who is responsible for the (est $300-350) cost of replacing the clothes?  Should I ask the laundromat owner to cover all of the cost, half of the cost, or to repay me in services?  Or should I eat the entire cost?  I'm not really trying to find out how much I can get out of the guy.  I'm really just trying to figure out what is fair and just to both parties, and I don't have any idea how to go about that.

Answer:
 You're not entitled to the replacement cost. You are entitled to be made whole. You didn't get brand new clothes stolen, you got used clothes stolen. What ever the value of the used clothes are is what you would be entitled to if you can prove the value.Answer #2: My personal opinion is the business should cover replacement value.

Most of these places have clauses in their service contract that limits their liability to the amount charged...
In other words you would get the cleaning cost refunded.

Read through any paperwork they gave you to see if this applies.


Title: What is needed to re open an unsolved murder from 30 years ago?

Answer:
 Well, it's likely that if it's "unsolved" that the case was never "closed."

So to re-activate it, you'd need either some new evidence, or some other reason to convince the police to expend resources looking at a crime from so long ago when there are many new crimes and only limited resources.


Title: [USA, NC] Father has life insurance on me, I'm an independent adult, how is this possible?

Question:
I get having it while I was an adolescent but how is it possible that he can have a life insurance plan on me with himself (I assume?) as the beneficiary if I die? It's kind of unsettling!

It's not like I'm living with him or am a dependent.

edit: thank you for all the responses! I think I have a much better understanding of general insurance policies now. Follow-up question: what happens to it if he dies before I do? Does it naturally transfer to the insured person or is that wholly dependent on the policy?

Answer:
 Because the insurance company was willing to take out a policy.

May be a better question for r/insurance.Answer #2: Life insurance is owned by the person who pays for the policy and in theory you (general you) can take out a policy against anyone you have an insurable interest in.  Your fathers insurable interest is , he MAY be the person who pays for your funeral or childern's/future children's education or if its the type of policy that covers things other then death (E.g loss of limb) he MAY be the person to care for you.

An agent may have over sold him , life insurance is cheap on young people but one of the possible benefits is locked in ability to renew at specific rates without health disqualifies. E.g in 15 year you have 6 kids and find out you have cancer and can no longer qualify for a million dollar policy for $30 a month.

I believe some , not all ,states required the insured to be notified when a policy is taken out.


Title: What is the process for placing a voluntary lien on a house in Ohio?

Question:
I lent money to a young couple to buy a house.  The husband got involved with drugs and stopped paying me back.  The wife earnestly wants to pay but is having trouble making the payments.

I have heard about something called a voluntary lien and would like to place one on the house to protect myself, but I am unsure of the process.  (Had I sought legal advice before lending them the money, the lien would have happened at the time of the loan.)

Is this a process I can handle myself or should I seek a real estate lawyer out and have them take care of it?

Thank you for your help.

Answer: You can't put a voluntary lien on someone else's house without their consent. You will most likely need to get a court judgement and then properly file the judgement to get a lien put on their house.


Title: My Dad got scammed out of 140,000 dollars.

Question:
My dad is a computer parts distributor as a side job. He would usually get an average sized 6,000 dollar order every other month or so. But recently he got a big influx of orders for one specific part from lots of different buyer. The part was an i7-7700k processor. One of the buyers was called  Lockheed Martin and had an official looking P.O. And everything, they ordered 250 of the 300$ processors so my dad took everything he had out of his 401k, borrowed 60k from his brother in law, and charged his credit card 14k just to try to desperately fill the order. It turns out the buyer was a scammer and never paid. My dad is 60 now and has become a little forgetful and we are worried he may have Alzheimer's like his father and grandfather. But we are hoping that's not the case and he just let his guard down because he really believed it was really Lockheed. We don't know what to do now as he lost all of his retirement money. And now my mom is going to drain her 401k to try to pay her brother back because he hasn't found out yet and she would be too embarrassed to even tell him. We have some sliver of hope because my dad hasn't said anything to the buyer yet because they had another 200 processors ordered. My dad was thinking he could coordinate with the police to try to tail the ups truck at drop off because the deliveries have been at different random locations even though the same guy ordered them. Is there anything legal wise we can do? Anything is appreciated thank you so much. If you need any extra details please ask.

Location pleasant hill, CA
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer: So he bought the processors and had them shipped or he sent the money to buy the processors to "somebody". Also 250 times 300 is 75k how did it become 140k? Also whom did he buy the processors from? Are you sure they weren't in on it to?


Title: Property management company deducted $600 for paint charges from the security deposit. Is this normal?

Question:
Located in Northern New Jersey.

We stayed at the apartment for 15 years and only had it repainted once.

Please advise as to what actions we can take to get the full deposit amount back. I have taken pics of the whole apartment before handing over keys.   It appears they only deducted money for one item (paint throughout house)

Thank you for your time!

Answer: Unless you damaged the paint necessitating repainting then they likely shouldn’t be charging you. Paint needs to be re-done eventually, it’s normal wear and tear. Dispute the deduction, and sue them for your deposit if they refuse to return it.


Title: Is evidence obtained through illegal means admissible?

Question:
IE: If a neighbor breaks into my house and finds a dead body, can that grant probable cause to search my house?

Or another fun one, if my neighbor breaks into my house steals my laptop and finds something illicit on it, can it be admissible?

Can't seem to get a straight answer on this, not that I need it urgently. Just curious about the legality of this. It is my understanding that evidence obtained through illegal means for the purpose of court is inadmissible. But Evidence obtained or discovered without the intent to use in court is admissible.

Answer:
 I find your continual return to the dead body scenario somewhat disturbing...

No, you can't get your friend/neighbor to "break in" to your house and "find" your murder victim and all of the physical evidence and report it to the police to magically invalidate all evidence of your crime.

That would be silly.


Title: College Administrative Department being liable for emotional duress?

Question:
I am a current junior studying poly sci/philosophy at my large state university. My freshman year I developed a small tech start up idea. I won a pitch competition for one of our schools "start up pitch competitions" and applied/competed to get into a very exclusive summer business incubator program. Since I was a "pre-law" student working on a geo-fencing app the school heavily promoted me. I was interviewed several times by the school paper, I was used as a reference point for people looking to get into the pitch competition scene, I personally was invited and traveled with the dean to 2 donor events to be a guest speaker promoting how great my college was for making it that your major doesn't limit your opportunities to explore. This lasted Jan 2018 - Sep 2018.

Come October, I attend a frat party I was invited to. I am not a member, but my friend was who gave me an official "ok-ed" invitation. I go and I see a girl from my high school named "Katie".
My junior year  me and Katie  planned to hook up, 100% legit, consensual, perfectly okay. Plans fell through, it never happened as we could not find a time that worked due to schedules or having privacy ect. We slowly stopped talking after that and I thought we ended on a "fine" note, not hostility.

The next morning I wake and my friend from the frat informs me I've been blacklisted from future parties because a girl told the frat that I sexually assaulted her in high school. Again, Katie and I have never had any sort of sexual acts between us.

I contact Katie and she panics asking what she can do to not make this into a problem. I tell her its to late and I go to the school.

I inform my adviser of the situation. He then tells me to inform the schools sexual misconduct office. This is where my issues arise, I honestly don't hold much towards Katie, because the school treated me much worse.

I inform the sexual misconduct office of the incident. They inform me the man I need to talk to isn't here but someone else can take my statement. I accept and give my statement to this new woman. As I transcribe the story above, a lot of hesitation, disbelieve, and questionable comments and "arguments" came up through out. Yes, I understand fact checking and getting the story straight, but these comments and arguments were seemingly hostile. She asks me what I want to get out of this situation. I said I was planning on taking her to court for slander. She informed me that it wouldn't be a good idea because  "Well, if she was a **smart** girl, she would just testify that it did happen, but she didn't want to pursue it anymore." and proceeded to note that it would then be in record that I did assault her which only makes it worse for me. Since this post is probably long enough, other details include the school running me around for 2 weeks before talking to me again in person, and then attempted to contact Katie via email and waited 2 weeks for no response to then only stall me longer.

When all of this happened, my attitude and mental health significantly changed. After parading me around the school, rather than offer anything any alternative to help they only make it clear that they are not going to do anything as the school, and also discouraged me from going to the police. I feel like they just told me to "give up" and I did. In the end the school got me to give up, and they never did anything about it.

There are a few more shocking quotes and instances, but I believe I've painted a clear image of the situation. I would just like to know if I have any legal action to take against the school for what I guess I would call emotional duress? I honestly wasn't too shook up by the girls actions, the school is what spiked my anxiety and depression.

I'm sure this post is all over the place so please feel free to ask any questions if anything is unclear, as I also wrote these 2 half at different times this week.  Thanks for any input or advice.

Answer:
 No, you would not be able to hold them liable for any emotional damages.Answer #2: You would not win such a lawsuit.Answer #3: Do you have any quantifiable monetary damages from your emotional distress? Doctors visits? Counselling? Medications?

Do you have a Doctor or Counsellor who would vouch that your quantifiable monetary damages resulted from this distress?


Title: Accused of voyerism, perversion, pedophilia by neighbour

Question:
I'm in the UK. Male. Early 20s.

Neighbour has been causing problems recently. Very negative attitude towards us. Made lots of complaints to harass us in the past.
Recently decided to clear up shrubs on our border.
They responded by setting up barriers around their land.

Today it is sunny, I am sitting in the chair in the sun.
They are doing something to their land, but still negatively talking about my land and how I use it.
I turn and look over to see what they are talking about.
I stand up to look in that general direction.
They accuse me of being a pervert, voyering at their infant child because I am out in the sun whenever their child is out in the sun (I cannot see their garden or their child when I exit my house, back or front).
I demand they get proof before making such a serious accusation. I dare them if they want to make attempt to do so without evidence I will respond appropriately.

I doubt they will make an attempt, but these are serious accusations that I do not want to be accused of.
I carry a cellphone capable of recording at almost all times.
I am in eyewitness distance at most times during the day.

Any advice is welcome. I take things fairly seriously.

If any information about me, or context is required, please ask.

Answer:
 Stop antagonizing your crazy neighbours. You don't have a legal issue yet, and you say you'd like to keep it that way.

If - big if - your neighbours make a police report, and if the police treat it as credible, and if they choose to investigate, and if you are eventually contacted, cautioned, or arrested, speak to a solicitor immediately. Until then, let them fume and keep your distance.


Title: Husband wants a divorce. I don't. Our assets are complicated. What now? (IL)

Question:
My husband of 4 years, partner of 10 wants a divorce. He is the minority partner in two businesses (one pre-marriage, one-post marriage) We own investment properties, (all bought post-marriage) some have tenants. All cash but there is an outstanding Heloc.

He's offered that I can live in the investment property we're currently living in and he'll pay taxes the first year. I can live there as long as I want (there's no mortgage) and when we sell we'll split the proceeds. He's the breadwinner and has supported me throughout our relationship so this seems fair.

He would never hurt me financially, I just want to make sure that if the divorce proceeds everything is untangled quickly and correctly. I don't want anything from either business.

Do we need a specialized attorney? An accountant? If it comes to divorce is there anything we can do to make this easy and cheap? We're in Illinois.

Answer:
 Divorce doesn't have to be expensive, especially when you both agree on terms. But a lawyer is very important to protect your interests The lawyer doesn't have to be involved at every step of the way. You and your husband can negotiate what seems fair among yourselves. But discuss that negotiation with a lawyer before you make the final decisions, and have a lawyer either put it in writing for you, or review what someone else put in writing before you sign it.Answer #2: Take what you can get. This guy being a businessman you bet he has a lawyer already working on this. You need to hire one for yourself and  let him work out the best deal for you.Answer #3: You definitely need a divorce attorney to advise you.  Divorces can become very complex when the marital assets include the ownership of businesses or income producing properties, which seems to be the case here.

*No attorney-client relationship has been formed.


Title: [IN] Breaking a lease due to roommates before we take possession?

Question:
I need to break my lease!

My soon to be roommates are on drugs and drink underage. I don't. I am on scholarships at our university and I have zero connection with that lifestyle. They've now moved to heavy usage of cocaine, LSD, and so on and I want nothing to do with it. Our lease begins August 18th and does not have a clause for breaking it. What are my options?

Answer: You can continue paying what you agreed to pay, but choose to live elsewhere. You can talk to the management company and see if they'd allow you to sublet. You can also ask if they would let you pay a fee to remove yourself from the lease.


Title: Suspended without pay due to having a disability?

Question:
Hey guys, looking for some advice on my situation I'm dealing with my employer...

I live in Arizona and have worked for my employer for 504 days. From 3/2017 until two weeks ago, I had been on short term disability through my employer because I was having extreme health flare ups.

My doctor diagnosed me with bipolar disorder and sent ADA forms to my employer which allows me time off (4 days per week, 10.5 hrs per day- which covers my work schedule because my shift is 4 10 hour days)

While on short term disability, I visited many Psychiatrists and specialists, and am now diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder type 2, generalized anxiety disorder, ADHD, and OCD. I was also approved by social security for disability during this period.

So now that my background is explained, I will explain the situation in question. I have been slowly working with my doctors with medication and therapy and have the desire to return to work.

 I was told by my old supervisor (who apparently just left the company before I returned) that I had an opportunity to go to a Work at Home position, which my doctor agreed he would release me for since it's a controlled environment. I communicated that to my NEW supervisor (I was moved to a different team while I was on short term disability), and she said I would need to go through training again as a refreshment, and I agreed.

I began training in my class last Tuesday and found out that there are no work from home positions available. Because my old team leader that I had communicated with is no longer with the company, that became a dead end so I just continued with training. During the past two weeks it has been hell as the company has had problems re-enabling my credentials in their system, but long story short, the training has been essentially useless, and I have not had any Hands-On refreshing in the class.

The problem arose yesterday when I had a meeting with my trainer and the hiring manager. The hiring manager demanded that I be put onto the floor, which is a call center environment, on Monday, instead of continuing with the training class and going into what is called residency- a four-week period of being on the phone's taking calls in a training environment. I alerted her that my Doctor was not approving me to be in a call center environment yet, but I would do my bestx and think I could handle it.

The stress from the meeting caused an anxiety and bipolar flare-up, and I had to take an ADA break, which ended up with me taking the rest of the day off. This is not an abnormal event- it has happened a few times before and there are certain rules that I need to follow with contacting our attendance line and just reporting the time off. And as usual, I followed those rules.

When I got home about 30 minutes later, I received a call from HR. She asked me for clarification on what my bipolar disorder is, which I explained what I know about bipolar disorder and Mania. It was at that point that she told me I was going to be placed on suspension without pay until this coming Monday so she could 'consult with her supervisor about how they may best accommodate for me', and not to return to work until she gave me a call on Monday. I was scheduled for an 8 hour shift with my training class yesterday that I was not allowed to go to because of this.

**The point being is that it appears that I was put on suspension without pay because I have bipolar disorder even though there was never any threats, flare-ups, violence, or any incident at all.**

At this point I have no clue what to do. I am a good employee and I've never had any disciplinary actions; I've never been late, written up for any issue, and before I went on short term disability, I was amongst the top 30 employees statistically amongst the 600 that work there.

I'm very sorry for the wall of text, it's a very complicated situation but I would appreciate any advice that you guys have for me because this feels like I'm being punished for having a disability and even though so far they have only taken 8 hours of work away from me, it feels like discrimination and makes me nauseous. I have no clue what they're going to try to talk about on Monday and what I should do from here. Please if anyone has any advice let me know.

THANK YOU!!!!

Answer:
 "Reasonable Accommodation."

What do you think is reasonable about "I literally cannot do the job I want to not be fired for"?Answer #2: What it boils down to is can you do the job with reasonable accommodations or can you not do the job with reasonable accommodations?

Answer #3: > The point being is that it appears that I was put on suspension without pay because I have bipolar disorder even though there was never any threats, flare-ups, violence, or any incident at all.

I'm sure that it feels that way to you, but what it looks like to me, based on what you have reported, is that you have stated that you cannot work in the call center and that you may not be able to handle the stress of difficult meetings. It is reasonable for HR and your supervisors to discuss whether these are accommodations that they consider reasonable.


Title: Being sued by two different people in auto accident

Question:
Hi, this happened in Connecticut. I hit a car from behind and that hit the person in front of them. It looked very bad as I was driving a sedan and it wedges under an suv. I was told I was at fault. My policy only covers 100k for both parties. However I am being sued for 400k by person in front and unknown amount by person I directly hit.. still waiting on lawyer to call me. He does think car I hit though will take me to trial. Nobody died and no broken bones from either party but contusions were mentioned. Is it possible I will be paying out of pocket at the end of this? Should I hire a separate lawyer or is my insurance lawyer adequate enough? I’m engaged and set to get married next year but think I should put it off as I don’t want my fiancé house to get taken away which isn’t even worth half the amount they are going after me for. Any suggestions and thoughts would be helpful

Thank you very much in advance

Answer:
 Use your insurance lawyer and push them to settle for your policy max. The quicker, the better.Answer #2: Your insurance will represent you. In the event the settlement amount exceeds your coverage, you will be responsive for any extra yes.

This is why low coverage limits are ridiculous. It costs an extra few bucks a month to get triple or quadruple the coverage, and a single car accident can easily see damages of 100k. But that's just my gripe with insurance minimums.


Title: What are an airline's legal responsibilities to a passenger who gets injured?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 The airline doesn't owe you anything.  You tripped and fell.  That's on you.  Answer #2: Based on what you described, I don't see a good claim.  People don't generally have a legal duty to help you if you're injured.  You admit you fell on your own and without any hazards or other outside factors causing it.  You had the opportunity to leave the plane to seek treatment right away, or to wait at the next gate for a cart, a wheelchair, or something else to get medical care and chose not to and instead walked on it knowing that it was injured.

It may be worth filing a complaint with the airline about the guy who wouldn't pick you up, but that's not going to be a lawsuit, just the internal complaint department.Answer #3: A serious question: what do you expect from the airline?

People fall. It doesn't sound like the airline was deliberately at fault; they didn't start backing the plane up as you were trying to enter, the skyway wasn't in poor working order, and no employee tackled you at random. They made a good faith effort to try to get you to your gate on a cart, and it didn't turn out. Not their problem. Answer #4: Work through your insurance. This is what you pay them for. If - _big_ if - the airport has any liability, your insurance will likely go after them and negotiate a settlement to recover what they pay on your behalf.

The company operating the airport is generally only going to be liable if your initial injury was due to their negligence or intentional act, or if they materially prevented you from seeking medical assistance. The airport doesn't have a duty to volunteer assistance on your behalf.


Title: California - Can an arrest on my record prevent me from getting a job?

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Yes, if they want to.  Most don't use arrests without convictions.


Title: can you legally do anything about someone slapping you?

Question: this is hypothetical because i’m not actually taking it to the police or pressing charges, but i’m just curious. at school today another 14 year old girl slapped me twice unprovoked. could i do anything legally about it, if i wanted to? or does it being at school get in the way of that? we live in the U.K.

Answer:
 Try r/legaladviceUK. Most folks on here are American, and our self defense laws are pretty different. As in, sometimes-you-can-use-a-gun different (not for slapping, but there are big differences nonetheless).

This isn’t a hypothetical if you think this situation will come up again.


Title: Is there anything I can do here?

Question:
I woke up for work this morning with a pretty intense headache. It was too late to bother calling in, so I threw some clothes on and made it to work. I told my supervisor I had a migraine and it had me feeling pretty down in the dirt and that I wanted to leave if we had a few extras.

When he told me I could leave, I was intercepted by the higher up supervisor who started interrogating me on why I didn't feel well. I explained everything to him and he turned me around and put me back into my work area. About thirty minutes later, they call me to come with them. They take me to their office and start asking me if I drove to work this morning, what kind of prescriptions pills I have, etc. I explained that I had no prescriptions and had taken nothing.

So they say "Well, your pupils are dilated" at me. I checked, and they were a bit bigger than normal, but I'm not sure dilated was the word. As soon as they tell me that, I see where this is starting to go. I protest that I told them I didn't feel good and had a migraine and that I was sober - that I would never even THINK about coming into work if I was under the influence of anything. I've been the hazmat responder and one of the better employees when it comes to safety (4 years in preload).

They tell me I have to take a drug test because I look like I came to work high. They told me they became suspicious of me because of my slow movements and actions and that I was "being suspicious". I usually try to be the life of the party when I go to work on preload, so I guess my silence this morning made them suspicious?

The issue is, I've been around and even smoked a little weed about a week ago. They technically didn't strong arm me into resigning. They instead worded it as "If you take this test and fail, every job you apply to will see that you were fired for drugs". Even though I was not high at work this morning, I chose to resign to avoid any long term consequences on the chance it DID come back positive. I was told if it came back positive with anything, I'd be immediately terminated and future employers would see I was terminated for a drug offense.

Once I turned in my resignation letter, my co workers were gathered for a meeting and told that I was fired for drugs.

I pulled the guy who ordered the test and came clean about the weed before I knew a test was on the way, but tried to make the best case that a joint a week ago was not impacting my work performance today.

Do I have ANY options at all? This job means a lot to me. The way all of this was gone about was shady at best. I reported the migraine long before I was told I was showing signs of being under the influence.
Topic:
Labor Law

Answer: What is shady? You came into work not acting normal. They had reason to believe that you were on drugs. They asked you to take a drug test and you refused/quit. Then you admit that you used drugs recently. Not really shady and they were right.


Title: Please help me understand

Question:
HOW LONG CAN THEY KEEP MY BOYFRIEND IN CUSTODY WITHOUT INDICTING HIM???

My boyfriend has been in custody in Travis County, TX since 02/07/2018 and still has NOT BEEN INDICTED. He has multiple charges, both misdemeanor & felony, one of which is a felony POCS bond forfeiture.
Topic:
Criminal Law

Answer:
 Does he have a lawyer? I think the bond forfeiture is what's keeping him in. Answer #2: Strictly speaking, he doesn't *need* to be indicted.

If he does in his particular case, then his attorney can help him figure that out.


Title: Unlawful? Trespass on my school property

Question:
hello r/legaladvice
backstory for context:
i am doing an early start program, where i don't attend my home high school, but rather take all of my classes and do 100% of my school related activities through a local community college. through this program, i technically still go to said high school and am allowed to attend and participate in all sporting events, dances, clubs, etc.
incident:
related, my car was egged the weekend before the incident and i was assuming it was a fellow high school student at one of the schools. on this monday afternoon (i didn't have class and neither did my friend, but schools were in session), my friend and i were driving around to 3 of the nearby high schools to look for the vehicle that egged my car, as we had recorded it on house security cameras. we were hoping for a license plate or vin number that went with the description of the vehicle to give to police as they had been called at the scene of the egging.

we showed up at my home high school, and i saw a vehicle that had looked similar, so i got out of our vehicle and took a few pictures of it, but never got more than a foot close to it and never touched the vehicle (taking pictures of the side, front, and back to compare to the security video).

within a minute, school administration came running out, yelling at me about keying cars. i didn't know what was going on, but i wasn't keying any cars. i spoke with them for a minute from my car about the incident, and then left as it was clear they didn't want me there.

later, i called the school if they wanted me to come back to talk about the situation and get what was going on sorted out. they connected me with the school's police officer, him telling me that i would be arrested if i ever came on the premises again, including the parking lot, school fields, anything. is this a legal trespass? i am a minor and my parents weren't contacted, and this was over the phone - nothing in writing.

the thing is, i WANT to be able to go back to the school. i want to be able to see my friends after school, go to football games, and maybe even participate in a sport or two. note that i have had very small issues with this school in the past regarding social media and standing up for my rights, but nothing unlawful or against the school policies, as i have never been suspended or expelled or even near that.

what do i do? is there a way i can get un-trespassed, if i am even trespassed? was their reasoning legal? is a school parking lot public property? grounds for a potential lawsuit?

i am located in the state of Oregon. checked a lot of local laws and everything's in the grey area.

TL;DR, was in the parking lot (doing nothing illegal or wrong) of a school I used to go to, got trespassed and will be arrested if i come on the property again, even though it's my home high school.
Topic:
School Related Issues

Answer:
 Yes, it’s legal, particularly because you aren’t enrolled in classes at that school and don’t have an education-related need to be there. Being permitted to continue to attend certain activities on the property was a privilege extended to you by the administrator.

You may want to consider making an appointment to speak to the administrator who handles these matters, making it clear that you are requesting entry onto the property solely to discuss this matter, if that person works on school property and not off-site. Making a plea for leniency would be best in person.


Title: [Los Angeles, CA] Lent my dog to my former roommate and she won't give him back.

Question:
In July, I started a class that required me to be away from home for far too long to feel comfortable taking care of my dog. I lent it to my roommate, with the express understanding that she would return him when the time came, originally in September of this year. My former roommate, who was working from home at the time, felt like she could have used to company and offered to take care of him while I was busy. Great!

She refused to do so (via e-mail), admitting, in writing, that it was because they had "bonded." Unacceptable, obviously.

My original thought was to go to the local police station, so I did. They advised I request what the police called a civil standby, which is where the cops escort me to reclaim my property (in this case, my dog.) I almost did this but decided against it at the last second when research seemed to indicate that she could then sue me and have a stronger case than if I simply sued her first. She is a lawyer, so I felt that she would have the upper hand in court. So I waited.

As this whole saga progressed, eventually she decided (again, in writing, via e-mail) that she would give back the dog, but reneged AGAIN when she claimed to have taken him to the vet, who decided that the dog was "not fit to travel" (we are planning to travel with him soon, to go to his forever home.)

I have all the paperwork indicating the dog is mine; the dog is chipped, I have vet papers, etc. I feel confident I can prove, legally, that the dog is my companion, and not hers.

I'd really like to avoid having to go through the long and time-consuming process of small claims court, but want to get my dog back and not have to worry about needing to give him up again. Is the civil standby a viable option? Can she sue me if I do it and still win?

Thoughts?

Thank you in advance!

Edit: She was not my roommate at the time I lent her the dog; she housed him in her own domicile.

Answer:
 > They advised I request what the police called a civil standby, which is where the cops escort me to reclaim my property

Do this.  That is what the police station explicitly told you to do.

Stop screwing around trying to negotiate with someone who took your dog.

Small claims might not be able to force the girl to return the dog, and only order her pay you the cost of the dog.


Title: billed for a year of foodstamps

Question:
I was very recently informed by have received almost the majority of a year of my food stamps in an error. An administrative error they call it. Because I am considered an able-bodied adult, they would like me to pay them back for everything past the first 3 months. I have been collecting about a little under $200 a month. Which adds up to well over $2,000. I am homeless I do have undocumented difficulties something like ADHD that does make working at least long hours very difficult. I'm heading into the office tomorrow. Advice is welcomed.

Edit: Overpayed span was a little over a year.

Edit: US, WA

Edit: Despite the difficulties I've had I *have* been working. Though income of under 300.

Answer:
 There should be a way to request an appeal.

That said, you need to get your disabilities, if any, diagnosed, documented, and treated which I understand is difficult to do if you have no job and are homeless. But right now you have no proof you're unable to work other than your word, and that's going to be a problem for you. ADHD can be managed with medication and lots of adults with managed ADHD hold down employment just fine. Find a low income health clinic in your area.


Title: My mom is demanding I come home

Question:
Hi! I am a 12 year old turning 13 on Sunday June 14. I live in Alabama. I am at my moms house and I have been for about 3 weeks because of the virus. My other mom has not been distancing and refuses to share her location. Me, my twin brother and my mom are compromised. We have refused to come to her house after we went for 3 weeks and she refused to social distance. She is threatening to get the police involved and saying she is going to pick us up Monday. Do I have a say in whether I go to her house, the court ruled week on week of for coustody. On Monday I will be 13. Will I have a say if I go with her?
Topic:
Juvenile and Youth Law

Answer:
 Covid is not an excuse for mom1 to not adhere to the custody schedule. If she does not comply, mom2 can bring an action for contempt which may impact mom1’a custody.

If Mom1 is not happy with the current custody order she can bring an action to have it modified. Your wishes would be taken into account but the final say would be with the judge and courts generally aim for 50/50. But until any such action is brought the current custody schedule needs to be adhered to


Title: What rights does my infant daughter have against her life being documented and posted onto social media platforms?

Question: My wife persists on imagining and videoing my daughter and boasts/posts them onto all of her social media pages. I feel it is a breach of our family privacy for 1 and a massive breach of my daughters. Any insight towards an appropriate course of action is much appreciated!

Answer:
 This is a relationship problem, not a legal one. Answer #2: None. Your wife can post photos and videos of her daughter wherever she wants.Answer #3: > Any insight towards an appropriate course of action is much appreciated!

An appropriate course of action is talking to your wife about your concerns, not seeking legal advice.Answer #4: She's allowed to post pictures of her child on social media.Answer #5: This is a conversation you need to have with your wife not us on social media. Tell your concerns on the matter and try for so guidelines.


Title: [MN] Would I have to declare it if I traveled out of the country with over $10,000 in gold?

Question:
I'm travelling to Vanuatu in a few weeks and I was planning on bringing over $10,000 in cash with me on my flight. Unfortunately, I realized that if I were to bring that much money with me it would need to be declared that I am doing so.

I then had a pretty good idea. I'm now planning on purchasing gold and just bringing that with me instead.

Would this be legal to do without having to declare that I'm doing it?

Answer:
 The fact that your user name is “laundrygold” tells me that you are probably doing this for illegal purposes.Answer #2: a) I believe that gold is considered to fall under "currency or monetary instruments", though I may be wrong

b) How do you plan on exchanging that gold for currency on that tiny island?Answer #3: Bringing cash with you will be less suspicious than bringing easily-convertible goods or specie with you, certainly. Intentionally avoiding the declaration process will at best raise the TSA's suspicion of you, and at worst see you referred to law enforcement on suspicion of money laundering or smuggling.

Find out what the rules are in Vanatu, then follow both the TSA's declaration process and any relevant Vanatu entrance requirements, or leave your ten grand in the bank and bring something else.Answer #4: I am prettty sure that using any method, even legal ones, to get around the $10,000 reporting requirement is also illegal btw.

for example if you took 5k then went back and took 5k again with the intent to bypass the 10k reporting requirement that would be illegal in and of itself. Answer #5: Why not just carry cash and declare it?  It will be far easier than trying to sell gold on the island.


Title: Being sued by debt collector (third party); but I think they can't prove the debt. Anyone else have experience in this situation?

Question:
I opened a credit card two years ago with a small limit of $300. Ran into bad times, and it got charged off. Earlier this year, it pops up on my credit report as being owned by a third party; one that is popular for buying old debt.

I do not deny that I owe the original debt (~$270), but they are suing me for $670 with a ton of fees they claim were a part of the debt. I have not verbally acknowledged that I owe the debt.

They haven't provided a $0-current balance sheet with my charges and showing where the fees came from, and they haven't provided the original agreement that I signed.

When I went to the courthouse to answer the small claims papers, the attorney was there and met with me, and when I asked for those things, he just said "If we have them, we'll send them to you, but I'm going to go set a trial date." From what I read online as well, they will need to prove they own the debt. This means signed agreements showing information regarding the purchase of the debt (not just one sheet with a couple signatures on it that doesn't have my name or account number anywhere), balance sheets from opening of the account to when it was charged off (not just statements with my name on it that says I owe $XXX), and even a witness at the trial date stating that the debt had been sold.

Has anyone been through a situation like this? Any insight or input would be great.

Also, before the "Pay your debts" comments, I am all for doing that, but this company that bought my debt for pennies on the dollar is suing for way more than the original debt.

Oh, and Indiana.

Answer:
 They may not have the exact documents necessary and a small claims court may be OK with that.  Small claims is very informal.

If you want to know if they have them, you can serve discovery and ask for the documents.  The problem is, since it is small claims, your trial may be set before the discovery responses are due.


Title: [Australia] Would the following constitute child abuse

Question:
So I have been living with my entire birth family for the entirety of my life and as of late I have begun to learn that my father is not the best person to me and my sister.

We are constantly yelled and and reprimanded for minor things or things we did not do. He holds grudges for anything and everything we do for example using the fact that I lost a mobile phone at age 13 to not buy me big ticket items such as a phone. I am consistently punished more or harsher then my little sister. I receive more work and responsibility then my little sister . I am often blamed for the messy state of the house despite me not having a hand in its state. Holds unrealistic expectations of what I should be doing and acting. Refuses to let me out with friends without a way to contact home and then refuses to give me any way to contact home.

Is there anyway that this constitutes Child Abuse by Queensland law or any national or international law?

Answer:
 ಠ_ಠ Who else would you be living with your whole life besides your birth family, a kindly pack of dingos? Toughen up you whiny little Joey or I'm coming down under and personally boxing your ears. Jesus Christ.Answer #2: > I lost a mobile phone at age 13 to not buy me big ticket

Normal parenting. Not abuse.

> I receive more work and responsibility then my little sister .

Normal parenting

> Refuses to let me out with friends without a way to contact home and then refuses to give me any way to contact home.

Not abuse

Nothing you listed would likely constitute abuse unless Aussie law is very controlling of how children are raised