Title: Texas. Ex friend of mine is threatening me with small claims court over dog food and a leaky cold therapy machine, the replacement is in the mail and will be here next week.

Question:
Hello legaladvice. I'm sorry for the wall of text. This forgetful asshole needs some help. Also, please forgive any format errors, I'm on my phone.

Guys. I'm exhausted. I've now cut off all communication with her and have been speaking with a mutual friend as a mediator. Last year I shattered my knee. My friend lent me her cold therapy machine. This year she was in-between jobs and in-between homes. She's a live in caregiver and her client passed away unexpectedly.

While moving her stuff into storage she broke her foot. She stayed with me for about a month while waiting to move into her new job. We quickly discovered that the cold therapy machine was leaky. My husband and I said we would try to fix it, but if we couldn't, we'd be more than happy to pay half of a new machine.

Then, stupidly, I forgot about it. She was still in my house and I could just bring her ice packs while she rested.

She has two dogs. I love dogs. They stayed with me whenever she needed them to be watched. They stayed with me for two or three weeks after she moved out. I took them to the vet to get checked out and have their shots updated. One of them needed eleven teeth pulled. She gave the go ahead for the surgery, she payed me back for the surgery, I took care of the dogs needs while it recovered.

I bought a huge bag of dog food for $50, as well as the wet dog food for ol'toothless. I was out of my original dog food and the food that she brought for her two dogs. She had said that she wasn't sure when the dogs could move in with her, so I stocked up.

I was at Physical therapy when she came to pick them up. She had repayed mefor the surgery and gave me some extra for taking care of her babies. I think it was an extra $150 or $200.

When I got home she had already left taking dogs, wet dog food, but got pissed about the price of the big bag of food, which I told my husband to help her pack up half of if I missed her. I called her when I heard she was upset and she was upset that I'd bought an expensive brand and that she couldn't afford that.

I told her I had bought it with the money she gave me from the vet bill and the little extra, and that no money was needed and half that food was hers.

She hung up on me after we went back and forth.

Cue complete radio silence from her for two months.

I sent her texts asking about me getting a new therapy machine that she could have if I could use it during my upcoming one replacement coming up in April.

Silence.

She had left some clothes at my house, can I bring them to her?

Silence.

Then two days ago I texted her saying that I was hurt and feeling ignored and was saying my goodbyes. She responded by reminding me about the therapy machine.

Shit. I forgot! So I just went ahead and ordered her a new one, it's on the way and will get here next week, last week in March. I sent her the confirmation number and let her know I was feeling hurt and was going to distance myself for a while. As soon as the machine comes in, I told her, I'll give it to a mutual friend who live near me and she can bring it to my friend.

Que walls of text of anger and hurt, and said that if I did not have the machine and $50 cash on her porch by tonight, she'd be filling a police report and taking me to small claims court.

I told her that I'd contact the seller about expiditing the shipment, but I couldn't get it to her tonight. I also stopped texting her back and started speaking with the  mutual friend because we were both too upset.

So. It's tonight and she's confirmed to me through text that she's blocked me and will go ahead with her plans.

I've never had this situation come up before. The damn machine is coming. I can't make up for forgetting, but I can get her a new one as soon as they deliver it to me.

I just... Could really use some advice. I've shot of an email to a lawyer that specializes with arbitration, but all this happened after-hours, so I hope to hear back from them tomorrow.

From what I have heard from here, I'm supposed to direct any communication through whatever lawyer I can afford to hire, stop talking to her, and just sit tight. Is there anything else I could do, should do?

Thank you for your time. Any help would be relieving.

Answer: If the police question you, that's when you get a lawyer.  You don't need one for small claims.  If you are served, then show up to the court date.  My guess is, she is issuing empty threats and will do nothing.


Title: Car dealership promised to return my rental car to the rental company. They didn't; I got billed $500 for returning it late by 10 days (it must have been sitting on their lot)

Question:
Location: Boston Area
When: July-Aug 2013

TL/Dr:Car dealer didn't facilitate the return of my rental car to rental company and it sat on their lot for 2 weeks without my knowledge. I suddenly got billed by the rental company for all that time.

Background:I had a rental car from Enterprise (covered by insurance for a couple weeks) while I was quickly visiting many dealerships trying to be a new car. I purchased a vehicle from an area Honda dealership. There happens to be an Enterprise dealership HALF A MILE from the Honda Dealership where I bought the car...convenient!--BUT...the time I was picking up my new USED car was AFTER the Enterprise location closed, so I called Enterprise and notified them that I would like to drop it off after hours (they offer after-hours drop off) at that location (I called them because it was not the location that I first rented the rental from--I also called the original Enterprise from which I initiated the rental)

Enterprise said, oh well you don't even need to bring it here, we have a relationship with that Honda Dealer, you can leave the car with them at the dealer (again, the dealer is less than 1/2 a mile from the Enterprise place). Awsome!

So I go to pick up my new used car; I tell the salesperson I spoke with Enterprise down the street and they said I should leave the car with the Honda dealer. He said he wasn't sure how it worked, but he would take care of it. I asked my salesperson where I should leave the keys and/or paperwork. He said to just leave the keys on the driver's seat and leave it unlocked.

Now, I thought everything was said and done. But, a month later, my mom get's the credit card bill and Enterprise charged us $500 for returning the car 10 days (it actually may have been 2wks) late. What?!? We called Enterprise and said this is impossible; I called Enterprise and we were told to leave the car at the Honda dealer, what do you mean it was returned 2 weeks late? They said the car wasn't returned for 2 weeks, but nobody said anything about having been in touch with Honda or anything. Enterprise said it was Honda's problem....

So we call the dealer, which starts off a 4-month (it conintues to this day) back and forth calls of the dealer essentially trying to do nothing about this. At first, the salesperson calls and denies ever knowing about the said rental being left with them, asking if I had him sign anything? Then my mom calls the used car manger who promises to fix this; to call enterprise and make this right. Eventually he says, "No worries, I'm cutting you a check"...but weeks go by. My mom calls and he says that he called Enterprise and they claimed to have called me many times about the rental...I have my phone records....no calls. They dealer is no longer cooperating with us.

We paid $500 dollars for our rental to basically sit on the Honda lot. I don't know if my salesperson simply forgot (he seemed new) to facilitate the return, or what? Alternativley, one could argue that Enterprise should have figured out what happened to the car considering I called them the day I dropped it off and told them I was going to be doing so.

What should I do?

Answer: I would call your credit card company and dispute that charge.


Title: Brother is a degenerate, mother wont do anything

Question:
   So first off I live in Wayne County, Michigan, with my Mom and Brother, and my brother is the stereotypical lying drug user who my mother enables. She gives him money all the time, and never punishes his bad behavior, him and I have almost gotten into physical confrontations before but my mother never speaks up, she is afraid of him. He is 23 years old, about to be 24, and has gotten nowhere in life. I am 18 years old and trying to stay focused and do well in school, but I am truly in a terrible environment with him around. I've had long talks about her needing to kick him out so he can make his own way in life and grow up but she is too stubborn and always resorts to, "Well where is he going to go?"
   My brother has confided in me that he is a crack addict and has also murdered someone in a drive by shooting just to aquire money to sustain his addiction. We were once drug busted by the swat before when we lived in a different city, I was 12 and he was 17 so his sentence wasn't very severe. However, now we live in a rental home and my mother is scared of getting evicted if there are drugs found within the house. So my question is, is there anyway to remove my brother from my life without my mother getting kicked out of her house?

TL:DR My brother is a sociopathic drug user who is a leech to my entire family. We live in a rental home in Michigan and I want to know if I called the police and informed them of the drug paraphernalia within the house, and they busted him, would my mother get kicked out of the house?

Answer: Yes. Everyone could be evicted for illegal activity in the home.


Title: How to get neighbor to stop 5am target practice

Question: Pretty much everyone who lives around here doesn't get up until like 630am, (at least that's how it used to be). Until my crazy old man neighbor who talks to himself decided to get up every morning and fire one shot at exactly 4:59am. He is beyond pissing me off, can't get any sleep, don't want to immediately call the cops, but the man looks like some kind of serial killer so I'm not going to approach him myself. What should I do to catch some zzs? Earplugs would work in theory, but then the alarm wouldn't nudge me.

Answer: You don’t- the police do


Title: [USA] Can something this trivial turn into a problem?

Question:
So I have a very small problem, that i'm worried could escalate into a legal issue.

Basically, a "friend" of mine purchased an item on Amazon. yet changed the shipping location to my residence so I can use the product first, and return it them them after I had finished.

Our friendship took a sour turn, and now they're demanding said product to be returned to them before our communication is cut. Soon afterwards, they started threatening me that they'll attempt to take some form of action against me if I do not return their property.

Is there anything they could possibly do legally? While I do plan to return their product as soon as possible, I worry that they could attempt to screw me over if something happens.

Answer: Your friend could potentially file a complaint with the police for theft, or sue you civilly for the amount of the item.


Title: I want to purchase anti trump stickers and put them all over town and hopefully not get caught. If I do what kind of legal trouble can I get into. How can I make this as safe as possible?

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Legal advice: don't trespass, vandalize, and make sure you have permission of the owner of whatever you're putting it on.  Then there is no risk and no trouble.


Title: is it illegal to let a minor stay with you when they have been kicked out of their home?

Question:
my friends has been kicked out of her home by her mother. she has asked me if she could stay the night. however, my mom is worried she could get in trouble with the law. i’m worried about my friend & i want to be able to help her out.
Topic:
Juvenile and Youth Law

Answer: Your mother can contact CPS and tell them that this minor child has been kicked out of their home and that she is providing shelter until they are permitted to return home, and that she is not attempting to keep the child from their parents.


Title: Abusive and cheating husband. We just moved to NJ, what’s the fastest way to get a divorce?

Question:
All of this happened after we got married, beginning in December. Title explains most of it. My husband of a whopping 4 months sexually assaulted me, choked me, tried to kill himself in front me multiple times when I would try to leave. I have 20 minute audio proof of him screaming at me and a “suicide attempt” (I didn’t know he was going to try this again, he’s very manipulative and he was just screaming at me and I started to record and he goes to open up the car door while I was driving, acting like he would jump out). I have therapist notes, but I never called the cops after abuse occurred because he would have a knife in his hand and chased me out of the house when I was going to call 911.

Anyway, all of this nonsense began after I found 7 sex/dating apps on his phone and multiple Tinder chats with other women. I have screenshots. I left him finally, with the help of my coworkers, and want a divorce. He has agreed to it, surprisingly. The only issue is, New Jersey has a residency requirement of 1 year before we can divorce. We have only been residents since August, and now I am moving to NYC to get away from him. Only one party has to meet residency requirements, however, I do NOT want to be married to this man for another 6 months. It sickens me, and I’m afraid he will go broke and have to move back to his home state where the process will have to start all over again. Given the circumstances, and the proof I have, is there any way I can divorce him quickly? Thanks!

Answer: Not a NJ attorney, but I believe NJ has an exception to the one year requirement if the reason for divorce is adultery. You should call attorneys tomorrow morning in your area and ask about this strategy.


Title: (Colorado) first check from new employer is being withheld. What to do?

Question: My first weeks pay at my new job is being withheld. I need this check badly as rent is due on the first. My question is why do they do this and is it legal? I just started so I don't want to ruffle any feathers but I need this check.

Answer:
 > My question is why do they do this and is it legal?

It is fairly common for a first check on a job to take longer to come out (for various reasons). Have you spoken to your boss or payroll or HR yet?Answer #2: You started on Monday the 23rd and were paid the 27th? If so, I assume your pay periods are a Saturday  to Friday meaning you would be paid for the 23rd to the 27th until the following Friday


Title: Is it illegal to start an Instagram account for someone's dog as a prank? (Location: Texas)

Question: His image isn't going to be used -- just the dog's.

Answer: Impersonation of a Good Boy is a very serious crime, sir.  The Dog Police will be by shortly.


Title: [Canada/QC] Ex-employer suing me for funds I used that were expenses for project + wants all commissions we made. WTF?

Question:
Going to try and be and clear and concise as possible!

I was hired by this company to start a web design division, get clients, make small sites, etc... I signed a regular contract for that, which is very basic. Also signed an NDA, but no non-compete was signed.

Fast forward 12 months later, project failed, boss fires all sales team except me since he has confidence in my internet marketing abilities. I present to him a project that consists of showing banners and pop ups on mobile phones through various providers, where we have to deposit funds in the account and use the ad budget and try to have a positive ROI with our ads.

Note: We did not sign any paper whatsoever regarding this project.

The gist of the project is this:

- He pays me a slightly higher salary
- He pays for all the tools and training I would need to fulfill the project
- He also pays for all the advertising budget, which I warned him that once the money is deposited, he has to say bye bye to it, as it will be used and we will most likely not be in the green for at least a couple of months
- We split the commissions we make 33% me, 66% them

We both accept and get started.

3 months later, he tells me he can't fund this anymore and lets me go. I am given a letter with my 4 last cheques, which seems fair to me. I point out that there is a certain amount of funds remaining in 3 accounts that he deposited money in and I advise him that we cannot get a refund (as per the TOS of the services) therefore we both agree I would spend all the remaining funds on the best performing campaign and I leave the office.

2 days later I receive an email from him, asking me if I would prefer either getting those funds deducted from my pay or pay them to him directly. Furious, I reply that we will do exactly what we agreed upon in the meeting. There was a witness present as well (although not sure he will stick by my side if he wants to keep his job).

Second issue, he wants the totality of the commissions and not just 66%, saying that he meant *NET* profits of the entire campaign, which is clearly in the red at this point. This point was never even discussed.

Now he is sending his lawyer after me and wants all these monies back and I am just at a loss here. Because I am lawful, I had sent them screenshots of the amounts in those accounts, as well as the profits we had made. Now his lawyer is using those against me, saying my ex boss wants all that money back.

Does he even have a (unjustified) case against me here? I mean, gosh I could just say he owes me a million dollars and send him a letter from my lawyer ... which obviously I don't have any income to pay someone to help me with this at this time.

Any advice will be much appreciated, this is getting to me and I just want to put this behind me.

Answer:
 Take those last 4 checks and cash'm.  Once they clear, stop talking to this guy.  He probably has upper management breathing down his neck because he wasted a lot of money and is trying to recover as much as he can.

If you actually get served with papers saying he's filed suit, make sure you show up.


Title: Someone I know in PA [F18] has smoked, drank, and done molly while pregnant. Is there anything legally that can be done?

Question:
She's a casual acquaintance I know through college. She's known she's been pregnant since at least March, and I know for a fact she's drank, smoked, and done molly while knowing she was pregnant. I don't know if she continued to drink or do drugs, but I do know she continues to smoke regularly.

I'm pretty sure there's nothing I can do since I don't think any of that is technically illegal, but is there anything CPS can do after the fact?

Answer: You can call cps with your concerns when the baby is born. They can't do anything until there is a baby.


Title: Getting sent to court for "mistreating" chickens. what do i do.

Question:
a year ago the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) came to our house cause of a report on our chickens. we had a rooster and a some hens, but the rooster was doing his thing in the morning so my dad looked on the internet and found that tying a wire around the beak worked, which it did. he did  the same for 2 of the loud hens as well. we thought that we might get complaints about loud noises from our neighbors. the chickens got seized by the spca and taken to the vet, which it says we now have to pay for without being told of this until now. they have a bunch of evidence saying how the chickens are mistreated and how they got better after removing wires. we see that the wires were not a good idea and wont do it, but we still need to go to court.

sorry guys, i forgot to say where i live, New Zealand, Auckland, Northshore.

how can i smoothen things out. we're pretty low on money right now. we'd rather not be jailed nor pay too much.
says the maximum penalty is 12 months jail and/or $50,000 fine

Answer:
 >Getting sent to court for "mistreating" chickens.

And rightfully so.

>what do i do.

Get a lawyer, and hope the justice system is kinder to you than you were to the chickens.Answer #2: Where do you live that there are people that think this might be a good idea?


Title: [US,PA] A board of member and vice principal of my school district contacted my friends and me about making an app (unrelated to the school).

Question:
Background:

About a week ago, one of my high school's two vice principals, approached two of my friends and I (all of us are 16, juniors) about making an app. (details would give away where I live) All three of us have experience making apps and two of us have macs so we can make iOS and Android versions. We met with him on Wednesday and it turns out one of the district board members is also in on it. They fleshed out what they want the app to do at the meeting and it's pretty doable for us.

My questions:

1. They talk about this app like they're all but expecting Google to buy it out for Google Classroom, and they seem willing to drop quite a bit of money for this project. (they said they'd paying all three of us and they said to call them if we need to buy anything for it) Should I be worried about being part of a pretty risky business venture with school officials?

2. During the meeting, the v.p. said that when we schedule our classes in a couple weeks, we should send him a screenshot of our course requests so he can make sure we get the classes we want and so the three of us have lunch and possibly study halls together. I guess he can do that, but his seeming willingness to abuse his position is giving me second thoughts, especially considering #1.

They were pretty clear on wanting an Android and iOS app and I'm the only one of us three how knows Android well and how to use linux so if I back out, my friends might back out too although I haven't asked them.

Sorry if /r/legaladvice isn't the right subreddit, I feel like this is a better fit for /r/legaladvice than /r/personalfinance or any of the other subreddits I could find.
Topic:
Computer and Internet

Answer: Get your parents involved to handle the money situation of this. This will need legal documents to be drawn, contract agreement, etc. My advice is to not agree to anything unless its in writing.


Title: Paid half of minimum wage?

Question:
My brother and I are college students and applied to the same place during summer break.
We got hired during the interview and came in to work the next day.

Once we finished our shift, the manager told us that we will not be getting paid for what we did today because we were only training. She also stated since we are in our probation that lasts for 30-50 hours, or depending on our work ethic and how they see fit, we will only be getting half of minimum wage($6, minimum wage in Portland oregon is $12).

These rules were made by the owner. The manager was someone they hired who was being underpaid as well. She told us she did not agree with how they were running their business which is the reason she was quitting after today. Throughout all this, the owner was in the back hiding because we were making a scene in the store.

We tried getting other employees to quit, and most of them did. Except for the minorities who are the majority of the employee load. The manager is clearly using the language barrier and the fact that most of these people are immigrants to his advantage.

As I stated, we made a scene in the store and the owner ended up coming out to tell us this was legal under Oregon law. He told us if we signed a probation period paper (he probably written during our talk with the manager) he will pay us for the hours we worked today.

We did not sign anything and left without our money.

Isn’t this illegal? Is there anything I could do so they can’t scam anyone else?

Answer: Not paying you minimum wage is illegal. Not paying you at all is illegal. File a [wage claim.](https://www.oregon.gov/boli/WHD/Pages/W_Whhowinf.aspx)


Title: [TX] Neighbors dogs entered my property and killed over 200 chickens

Question:
My neighbor trains german shepard K9 units and their cage ripped open early this morning. I saw 6-8 dogs running at my property, and let me tell you, I've never gotten my shotgun and rifle out faster. I've been alone since my husband was killed a few years ago in a crash, but i've learned how to defend myself.

I killed 5, hurt 1 or 2, and another 1 or 2 got away. But they ruined a large fence, got into my livestock and murdered over 200 chickens in short order.

I've never had a problem with my neighbor and don't really know what to do here. I know that these dogs are worth 20-40k each and i'm scared that i'm going to have to front that bill.

I was also quite afraid, i've seen what these things can do to people. I saw one jump 10ft into the air and grab a steak that was absolutely destroyed by the time the dog reached the ground. I kept my distance.

Anyway, how do I do this? Animal control? the police? a lawyer (what kind)? the neighbor? just ignore it? I don't know I could just bury the birds. I can take a loss of 200 as I have more than 50k head

I liked one of the dogs alot too, it broke my heart putting down Runner.

Answer:
 Texas has a defense of livestock exemption from nuisance animals including neighbor's pets. Notify your neighbor, the police/animal control, and prepare a suit for the damages. Damages include cost of replacing the chicken wire, and cost of each of the killed or injured livestock. You have the right to be made whole.

TX 822.013

http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/txstatutes/HS/10/822/B/822.013

Reminder to other posters, it is a rule of the sub to take posts at face value.


Title: I want to get a restraining order against my abusive older brother. Do I have a case? How do I start?

Question:
Location is California

I live with my older brother and he has been abusive toward me and my elderly parents for the past 15 years. He regularly has episodes where he gets really angry and attacks me, throws things at me (cups, plates, anything he can grab. He once threw rubbing alcohol into my eyes), threatens to beat me, and recently exposed himself to me while he was really angry at me as a way to offend me. I have video on my phone of the time he was shouting at me and exposed himself. He is also currently on probation for having beat an ex and has a restraining order against him from that same ex.

My parents are too scared to kick him out and won't do anything about this. I feel scared and unsafe in my own home and I feel like getting a restraining order is the only option I have. Is this a viable option for me and if so, how can I get the process started ASAP? Thanks.

Answer:
 What happened when you called the police all those times he assaulted you? Didn't they offer a restraining order whole they were arresting him?

When was the last incident?

And no you cannot get an RO as a self help eviction. If your parents want him living there then the solution is for you to move out


Title: Girlfriend cannot afford her rent on her own, trying to find a new place with her but I cannot break current lease (New Jersey)

Question:
[deleted]
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer:
 This is a disaster waiting to happen. There is **nothing** positive about you two moving in together.

Legally, you signed a contract with a shitty roommate. Unfortunately, that shitty roommate isn't doing anything to justify your landlord voiding your contract.


Title: [NC] If an insurance company assures me a procedure will be covered for a $20 copay, and it ends up not being covered, are they in any way responsible?

Question:
I have some medical testing I would like to undergo in the future. The office told me that for some insurances, it's only a copay of $30, but if not then it will be $1400.

I called my insurance company and asked them if the procedure is specifically covered, and they were like, "Well.. it's outpatient, right? And in network? Then yeah, looks like it's a copay."

However, I'm still nervous that there might be a surprise. If the insurance company assures me over the phone that it will be covered and they end up denying it, do I have any legal recourse? If I recorded them saying it over the phone, would that help my case? Is there any way I can get them to guarantee it or anything?

Answer:
 You can ask your insurance company to get prior authorization or prior certification. This is a confirmation number that's generated after the insurance company gets medical information from the doctor's office that prescribed the testing that explains why you need the test. If the insurance company says they don't require prior authorization for the procedure you can ask that a number be generated anyway just in case. Most of the time either the doctor's office or the testing facility will take care of this before you get the testing done. This number (which can be an authorization number or a case number depending on the insurance) is the proof you can use to claim that the testing was authorized by your insurance in advance.
Edit: I should add that you do need to know the procedure code (called the CPT code) and the diagnosis code for the condition that makes the testing necessary.


Title: Old employer left SWIM a key.

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Criminal trespassing. Possibly theft. Possibly burglary.

Almost forgot: being called a nitwit for using that silly acronym. Answer #2: SWIM = Someone Who Is MeAnswer #3: >Theoretically if she was to use it to get in after hours, what are the legal implications?

You would be committing a crime. Surely you know that.


Title: Legally becoming some sort of relatives with someone in Alabama.

Question: Okay here’s the story. We have a group of 4 guys living in a house. The city states that we can only have 3 people living there unless 2 of them are related. So we could have 4 if they were related or married. So because none of us are related, they are going to kick one of our roommates out. We need to stay in the place for one more year. Is there any way for our roommates to become relatives for one year somehow legally? Could we have our roommates get married temporarily?

Answer: A sham marriage? No, nobody will advise you that's a good idea.  You're breaking a local ordinance somebody has to move it's pretty cut and dry.


Title: Pulled over for going 77 in a 70... but the ticket says 40...

Question: I was just pulled over going 77 in a 70 in Alabama. The cop that pulled me over walked over to my car and said “the speed limit does not mean around 70, it means 70.” He gave me the ticket and walked away, and when I looked at it, it said I had been going 77 in a 40. I know this is absolute bull crap because everyone else was going around 70, and the cop (who I slowly passed before getting pulled over) was also going around 70. The problem is there are some construction zones that are 40 mph on that highway, but I know I was not in one at the time- how Can I prove this? Also, is there anything I can do about a ticket when I was only going 7 mph over? I mean, I know it’s the law but jeez...

Answer:
 Typically speeding tickets can be easily fought without an attorney, but one this bad may need an attorney's help to clear.  Something this bad typically carries a massive fine and license suspension. If you how an attorney, have him take photos of the area you were pulled over in, better yet a video showing the road and the construction zones, and where you were pulled over.

Does your ticket say what mile marker you were located when he pulled you over? That should be a pretty good indicator of where you were pulled over vs. where the construction zones are.

Double check this mile marker on your ticket as being accurate. If you got a dishonest cop, he could just as easily write the number of a marker inside a construction zone. Have your attorney subpoena dash cam footage.Answer #2: Was the ticket a print out? 7 and 4 are right next to each other on number pads, it could be a typo.Answer #3: You need to go to an attorney about this. If you were pulled over on I-59/I-20 outside Ttown where all that construction is going on, it's entirely possible the construction zone was designated as such even if there was no apparent construction going on.

This could be a mistake, but if it's the area I'm thinking of, you need to be doubly sure.


Title: Noisy tenants upstairs putting a restraining order on me for complaining to the property manager. What can I do?

Question:
This happened in California at November 1, 2015

I moved to a 2 story apartment complex last year and live below a family that is noisy. Everyday the little boy upstairs is jumping, running, and walking loudly. The mother of the boy stomps her feet too. The mother and son has also fought a few times before and the entire neighborhood could hear them screaming at each other and what sounds like throwing things.

I've texted the property manager 3 times (1 in early Sept. and 2 in early Oct. and late Oct.) and he has gone upstairs to talk to them. They would be quiet for the rest of the night but the next day chaos would presume.

Today I heard the little boy scream and heard loud stomping and big things being dropped. I called 911 and explained what happened, the cops showed up and talked to the family upstairs. About an hour later the mother and (quiet) daughter talks to the property manager and then knocks on my door.

The mother told me that the cops said a neighbor called because a child was being abused (not what I said to 911, there should be a recording of this). She's hurt by those allegations and is wondering why I never knocked on her door to talk to her, I would rather have the property manager talk to her because I don't feel comfortable knocking on her door.

Here's the biggest what the fuck of all: The mother said she will go to the court tomorrow and file a restraining order on me because I keep complaining. She said from 10 am to 10 pm they are allowed to do whatever they want

Here's one reason why I called the cops: I had a conversation with the landlord a few days ago and she told me that if they keep being noisy I should call the cops. I'm guessing they are tired of knocking on their door too. She also mentioned the 10 pm rule (I'm guessing the landlord and my neighbor had a conversation about this before) and that just because it's the middle of the day doesn't mean they can stomp their feet and run around.

I explained to her that they're stomping their feet and being loud almost every day. The daughter in contrast said that her grandma has heard loud music being played but admitted she doesn't know if it's from my house or the other neighbor downstairs. She says there's loud music in the afternoon but I am at work during those times.

Without me complaining, the landlord has already talked to the family upstairs due to noise a few times. He would hear the boy running and he would knock on their door.

I would really just like to have some peace and quiet when I am at home, weekends are pretty terrible as the little boy is always running around.

What can I do? What should I do?

Answer:
 >What can I do? What should I do?

Keep living your life.

It's highly unlikely that any court will issue an ex parte order stating that you can't contact your landlord or the police about noise issues coming from the apartment above yours.

And I'd suggest moving when your lease is up. Little boys run. A lot. And they don't get quieter with age. Answer #2: Legally you can't do much.  They get to walk around, and yes, small children can be surprisingly loud running around.  They are not legally obliged to keep quiet for you 24/7.

On the other hand, they certainly can't do anything about you making complaints.  A restraining order isn't going to do anything, except ensure that you can't complain to them in person.  It cannot restrain you from calling the police (btw, use the non-emergency number in the future) or the landlord.


Title: Will overturning Roe v Wade also overturn subsequent cases that cite it?

Question: If that Mississippi case later this year overturns Roe v Wade, will cases that rely on it, such as Lawrence v Texas also be overturned?

Answer:
 SCOTUS like to stay as narrow as humanly possible in order to maintain their image, especially in the Roberts era of the court (Masterpiece is a great example). In the very rare likelihood that they overturn Roe, that does not automatically overturn following rulings in different areas of law, but it could indicate their intent to revisit it.
Regardless, Roe isn't the central abortion case anymore, Casey v Planned Parenthood and the undue burden standard is what is currently precedent.


Title: Absolute sobriety vs dui

Question: I have now gotten an absolute sobriety in WI, 09', a dui charge in mn 11', and now another dui charge in WI 15'. Is the absolute sobriety considered my first? Or is my second charge, which took place in Minnesota, considered my first? Because of the nature of the Absolute Sobriety Law itself?

Answer:
 First: Because your Absolute Sobriety ticket was in Wisconsin and your present charge is as well, it does not count toward your OWI total, though it will certainly be noticed by the judge.

Second: Have you considered the fact that having an running OWI "total" is a tremendously bad thing?

Third: I don't want to sound preachy, BUT QUIT FUCKING DRINKING AND DRIVING! Plus, if you get yourself into a twelve step program now, it might impress the judge enough to keep him/her from making things more difficult for you because this is your 'third' alcohol offense.


Title: MASSACHUSETTS I have my 15 year old daughter pepper spray as a just-in-case. I told her that if she was caught with it (you have to be 18) to tell the truth and say I have it to her. What would happen to me if she used it?

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Your daughter could be charged with unlicensed use of a weapon.  I suppose you could be charged as an accessory to that.  Though I'm not totally clear on how that works if you initially purchased it lawfully.  I have a hard time imagining a teenage girl being charged if she used it to fight of a legitimate attacker.


Title: [General] Is it legal for a landlord to allow people into the apartment of a deceased tenant.

Question: I was watching the news on the San Bernardino shootings and saw that the media had been allowed into the shooters apartment and I was curious about the legality of them being allowed into the apartment by the landlord.

Answer:
 What the Hell Just Happened on MSNBC and CNN?

http://www.theatlantic.com/notes/2015/12/what-the-hell-just-happened-on-msnbc/418893/?utm_source=SFTwitterAnswer #2: At minimum, the landlord had no legal authority to allow anyone inside the apt other than the executor of the deceased's estate. Only the leaseholders have authority to allow access to a rented apartment other than in emergency situations. Since the leaseholder's here are deceased, the only person allowed inside would be the executor of their estate if they had a will, or the executor appointed by probate court.

Every single one of those reporters and cameramen  are trespassing. The publishing of the ID's and SS number's could probably fit in under identity theft.  The family of the deceased should absolutely be looking into a lawsuit against the landlord and news agencies.Answer #3: In general, there are plenty of circumstances where they can.  In that specific case, it's problematic because it was a crime scene.  Answer #4: What surprises me was that media were allowed to wander around when there might still be evidence there.Answer #5: Absolutely nothing there was even remotely legal.  Although its been suggested the landlord may have early stage dementia which directly contributed to all of this.  Answer #6: Here's a video of the bizarre events if anyone wants to see it.

http://gawker.com/msnbc-reporter-rifles-through-san-bernardino-shooters-a-1746220523


Title: Employer opened credit card with my name on it

Question:
Hey all,

The other day my employer told me he got me a company credit card and when I received it it had MY NAME on the card as well as the company name.

"FIRSTNAME LASTNAME

COMPANY NAME"

&#x200B;

Should I have any worry that my name is on the card? I just thought it was odd that they could attach my name to a card without involving me.

&#x200B;

thanks

Answer: Most company credit cards will have the employee's name on it but the credit etc is on the company not you. If you concern just verify with them.


Title: Test for marijuana by ICE.

Question: Is it possible to be tested for marijuana if I am arrested by ICE agents? I am on an F1 visa and I recently had a drug charge dropped and dismissed , is it possible that I could be tested for marijuana if I say I don’t smoke?

Answer: If you're in the custody of ICE agents, marijuana is the least of your troubles.


Title: [Time sensitive] Search warrant.

Question: Georgia: I'm currently waiting with friends outside an apartment while the police obtain a search warrant. How long are they allowed to keep us outside the apartment until they get a search warrant? It's already been 2 hours.

Answer:
 The only rule is a "reasonable amount of time."

Basically, if they are making good faith efforts to obtain the warrant as fast as reasonably possible, they can keep the premises secured during that time.

Note that it's likely that you are not detained and can go elsewhere right now, and if there are things you need inside, they may let you go get them with a police escort.  But they can keep you outside while they are getting the warrant.

If there are things inside that you don't want them to find, now would be an excellent time to start trying to contact an attorney.Answer #2: Longer than 2 hours.

/u/citicop , any concrete numbers?


Title: Is it legal to name a band after a brand name?

Question: For example, if somebody were to name a band Coca-Cola or Nike, would that be allowed?

Answer:
 Didn't go too well for [Green Jellö](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Jell%C3%BF).Answer #2: in theory, since neither coke nor nike are in the music business, it wouldn't be a trademark infringement.

except it would be, because you're trading on their popularity and recognition for your own benefit, which is the definition of trademark infringement.

even if it's not, you'll draw an immediate cease and desist from their staff lawyers. then you'd have to go to court with some very expensive intellectual property attorneys to figure out whether you have to change your name or not. if you lose, you both have to change your name and pay their legal fees, which are going to be way more than your band can reasonably hope to make in ... ever.

pro tip: find a different name. even if you think it might be legal to use their name, it'll be way cheaper not to.


Title: (Nyc) I was out of town for a month. I just came back and found out that my landlord gave away my spot on the lease (7 months left) to my roommates friend! What can I do?

Question:
I moved into a place I found on CL. The landlord is a large company with lots of rentals in manhattan and the building is a big one (20+ units). My roommate also found the place on CL through the same broker and we moved in without knowing each other. We haven’t gotten along and don’t have lifestyles that align. I planned to move out at the end of the lease but my roommate has been trying to get me to leave ASAP so his friend can take my spot. I’m on the lease too so I’ve refused.

I had a family thing come up and had to leave the state for about 2 month. I pay my rent online and have done so while gone. I came back from the trip today to my roommate telling me I have to move by the 1st. He showed me a copy of a new lease effective the 1st that has his friend instead of me as the tenant. Apparently he told the landlord I abandoned the apt and that I wouldn’t be paying rent next month. Landlord sent someone out to see (my roommate had taken all my stuff out of my room for this apparently, I don’t have much furniture and sleep on the floor on a mat so that’s not hard to do) and ‘confirmed’ that I had abandoned the apt. They then allowed my roommates friend to apply and issued a new lease for them starting next month.

At no point did they call/email me to verify anything. They just took my roommates word and gave him a new lease.
What are my options now? I called the landlord today and it went nowhere. The leasing agent basically said that they have proof I abandoned my room and that the lease says that if I abandon the property for more than 30 days (I was gone 67 days)  they have the right to rent to someone else. They are 100% lying about the proof because they NEVER SPOKE TO ME AND IVE BEEN PAYING RENT.

What are my options here? Can the landlord do this?

Answer:
 What do you want to happen here?  I doubt they can unilaterally do this - so if you want to stay in the place, you almost certainly can.

That said, if your roommate sucks, this could be an opportunity to escape your lease.  Possibly with some extra cash if you play hardball.

Also: please clarify:  You and roommate were put together to sign a joint lease, as opposed to them renting out single rooms on separate leases?Answer #2: Do you have a copy of the lease and your key? It sounds like you're legally entitled to live there, so I'd move back in and force the issue. Make the landlord find a solution.Answer #3: NYC has strong protections for tenants and advocacy groups with whom you can be in touch (in addition to an attorney). I am not sure whether the abandonment clause is enforceable if one of {you + your roommate} the party to the lease was present. But these organizations should have someone that will know.Answer #4: You need to hire a lawyer. Seriously.  Like tomorrow.


Title: Would I have a case against Johnson&Johnson?

Question:
So my mom died a few months ago from terminal ovarian cancer. They caught it at stage three a few years and gave her a hysterectomy and even claimed she was "cancer free" (though the surgeon said he was able to get all of the tumor except for a bit stuck on her colon but I didn't question them because I'm not the one with the medical degree). The cancer came back less than a year later and progressed to stage four despite all kinds of chemo.

Anyway, ever since she was a kid she used Johnson&Johnson baby powder daily. She even used to use it on me but I stopped when I got to high school. She used the stuff literally everyday, even when I was the one taking full care of her and bathing her she'd make sure I sprinkled some on her. She used the stuff until she died and we've still got three bottles of the stuff in the bathroom.

Recently I heard that baby powder is linked to ovarian cancer Johnson&Johnson knew but decided not to say anything. A few people have successfully sued and I was wondering if I could too.

Answer: Beyond the scope of this sub.  Consult with an attorney.


Title: Is a 911 Operator a Public Safety Officer or no?

Question:
I've looked it up but all I can find is "Public Service employees such as Police Officers, Firefighters, and EMTs, FEMA Employees, and certain public employees who work with FEMA."

911 Operators are FEMA certified, but I don't know if that's enough. It's really important, because I can write off about $800 if I am. I'd really rather not commit Tax Fraud, though.

I'm in Pennsylvania.
Topic:
Tax Law

Answer: Post in /r/tax


Title: Roommate used my security deposit to pay his rent with no consent and refuses to reimburse me

Question:
(Indiana) Hi reddit,

a little background on the scenario.

* I leased a house with 3 other roommates last year when I was in school in college.
* After our lease was up and I went home for the summer it turned out that one of my roommates was over 2 months behind rent and after our landlord contacted him numerous times for payment (I did not become aware of this until recently)
* they eventually both agreed that he (the landlord) would collect my portion of the security deposit as form of his (The roommate behind rent) payment.
* My other two roommates still lease the house so their security deposit was not taken
* My roommate assured the landlord I was aware and informed about the situation (which I was not).

I have been asking my roommate for the rent for over a couple months and he either does not respond or makes excuses. Today I learned about his rent situation and pressed my roommate one last time for the rent and he became upset and made the claim that he does not have to give me anything. I would like to press legal action to get my security deposit money back but lack any experience.

Any advice on how I should go about this?

Answer:
 >My roommate assured the landlord I was aware and informed about the situation (which I was not)

Sounds like the landlord made a mistake.  Tell him that you want your deposit back.  It's no more your concern that he gave it to your ex roommate to cover his rent then if he had purchased a bunch of ducks with it.Answer #2: While your roommate is definitely scummy, this falls on your LL, he owes you the money not your roommate, your LL can then go after your roommate for the money but that most likely will lead to nowhere


Title: I'm a witness in a civil lawsuit, and just got a "request" for documents. Do I have to?

Question:
EDIT: I'm in Louisiana, but the lawsuit is taking place (being filed?) about events that happened in Alaska, and all the attorneys are from Alaska, etc etc.

Someone I knew several years ago, and who was my friend at the time, is suing her old employer. I got deposed yesterday (god damned, that was not fun). Anyway.

The suit involves a fairly complicated series of events, including a long-ish illness, and I was present for a lot of it, including meetings/conversations/events that no one else was at, etc. Basically, I think I'm an important witness? Or, they seemed to treat me that way (the depo took five hours. maybe that's not that long? I don't know). I also don't know why I'm saying that... maybe to preface the question with a sentiment like, I'm not a witness they're going to just forget about.

Brief sort-of important fact: I'm also a writer, and after all this went down (but before there was any kind of lawsuit, or before I knew about any kind of lawsuit), I wrote an essay that involves some of what happened. It's nonfiction, yeah, but it's memoir; as in, it doesn't claim to be factual, only to represent what I remember.

As a "follow-up" to my deposition, my friend's lawyer wrote me an email that said "I would like to request your essay, and any and all emails, text messages, or facebook messages."

So, question is:

Do I have to do that? Or, rather, if I just ignore her email, am I doing anything wrong and/or illegal?

Thanks r/legaladvice. Really appreciate y'all.

Answer:
 You don't have to accede to a request.  You would to a subpoena - or you'd have to challenge the subpoena.

It's up to you how cooperative you want to be.  If you force a subpoena, you won't have any choice on complying.  If you negotiate, maybe you will.


Title: Seller won't give me keys to my business [CA]

Question:
I have recently closed escrow on a small business and the seller won't give me the keys. He is requiring that I pay him more money for the keys or at least signing a contract to pay him more money before giving me the keys to my business.

Here are the details of where we are.
We have closed escrow, escrow has been fully funded, and the check have been cut for both of us.
Seller is currently operating the business and using my inventory to generate revenue.
According to escrow documents possession was to take place on 6/1 as of writing it is now 6/6.
Seller is the owner of the building and we have a signed lease agreement as part of the escrow documentation.
I have offered a check for the lease deposit but seller refuses to accept the lease deposit check until more money is paid.
Seller has yet to pick up his check from the escrow office.

How should I proceed?

I feel like he's doing something illegal?

Answer: Did you go thru any sort of real estate agent or was it all one on one?


Title: Was my former employer breaking any laws?

Question:
I am a CNA (certified nursing assistant) and for a while I worked at a shitty nursing home that was chronically underfunded and understaffed. Many CNA's, including myself, regularly skipped lunch breaks in order to get all of our work done - it was pretty much impossible otherwise. If we didn't clock out for a break, 30 minutes would be automatically deducted from our time every day. There was an option, when clocking out, to note that no break was taken, but I rarely used it because 1) I don't think it made a difference, and 2) we would get in trouble for not taking breaks.

Anyway, after I'd been there a couple of months, the facility administration told us that we would be written up if we didn't clock out for lunch. We would also be written up if we clocked out more than 7 minutes after our shift ended. And we'd be written up if charting wasn't done. The unspoken expectation was that we would chart during lunch breaks, or after clocking out at the end of the day - in other words, work off the clock.

To me, this seems at least unethical. We were absolutely expected to do 30 minutes of unpaid work every day, but I don't know if it was actually illegal, since no one explicitly said we HAD to work off the clock. But they knew it was rarely possible to do all of that, and we were threatened with disciplinary action if we didn't find a way to comply. And they knew people were working off the clock but never said not to.

My solution to all of that was to find another job and get the hell out ASAP. I thought about reporting it, but it didn't seem worth the hassle.

However, I'm still curious, so what say you, good people of r/legaladviceofftopic? Was this actually illegal, or just asshole-ish?

Answer:
 It’s generally legal for a boss to assign you more work than can be done on time. And also to punish if you don’t get the work done.

It’s an asshole move and will probably cost them more in employee turnover, but most likely legal.

You made the right choice by getting out of there.


Title: Is it legal to rent a plane and drop propaganda leaflets in the United States due to freedom of speech?

Question: Is it legal to rent a plane and drop propaganda leaflets in the United States (maybe saying stuff like th people in the USA aren't free and they could be freer elsewhere) due to freedom of speech?

Answer: You wouldn't face any charges for the words on your pages, but you would face charges for littering, including various EPA-related issues if any of your leaflets happen to land in a wetland, and you might also lose your pilot's license, at least temporarily, for dropping things your plane.Answer #2: I feel like this would be littering


Title: Former employer changed my pay rate for my last paycheck without notifying me.

Question: So pretty much as the title says. Got my final check from my last employer. I worked a full pay period on salary (2 weeks), but when I got my last check they had moved me to an hourly pay rate that was substantially less than my salary.  Also, because I was on salary, I didn't clock in or out, so there are no records of my hours. Can they legally change my rate of pay for hours I've already worked without notifying me? If not, whom do I contact?

Answer:
 Contact your employer first to make sure that it isn't an error on their part.

If they don't rectify it, you can file a wage complaint with the department of labor.


Title: My mom is spending all the money dad got through his own work insurance.

Question:
My dad had a massive  stroke in April. He will be never be able to work again.. His work still paying him $1000 a week. Also  his work my dad $50000 to help with recovery upfront, .
So far she has got her self and cheap on fuel car. Then she bought two new horse shelters. She is spending the money very fast. I am afraid she is going to spend all the money and when my father actually needs something like a wheel chair there is going to be nothing left. This money should be paying bills and other things my dad is going to need over the next year.
Instead she is using the money for new
Horse shelters(she already has several that are in good shape.
Bringing in loads of rock for her drive way.
A new horse.
This list can go on forever.
Is there anyway to stop her? I’m afraid she is going to spend every cent. My dad will never be able work again. This money needs to last as long as possible.
Is there anything I could to so they don’t end up homeless because my mom can’t control herself?
Thank you.

Answer: How old are you?  If you're under 18, probably not.Answer #2: You should call adult Protective services in Canada. Not sure what the agency is called. Get them to investigate and as others have suggested look into getting guardianship for you father.


Title: 2nd DUI in California while still on informal probation for first one less than 3 years ago

Question: I'm a male in my early 20s and since the DUI which was a one vehicle accident in early December I have been attending AA at least 3 times a week. I went to court where I was reprimanded(?) and bailed out after given sentencing date in about 2 weeks. I was bailed out and am going to be at AA every day and I am looking into other outpatient programs. I have a job at a nice restaurant and have a 9 month old who I support with his mother (my girlfriend). Will I be facing any time? It was a high BAC both times

Answer: The judge isn't going to care that you have been going to AA 3 times a week yet still got total blotto and drove drunk. FYI.Answer #2: You're going to jail if convicted, mandatory 96 hours up to a year. Also you will lose your license for at least 90 days up to 2 years.  You need an attorney. It may be possible serve on the weekends to minimize disruption. Don't expect it to be so easy this time. Clearly AA is not working for you.


Title: (OH) Father fell and sustained an obvious head injury, the ambulance drove him home and left.

Question:
My 70+ year old dad was at an outdoor event by himself when he fell, apparently on his head. His wife answered the door to find my dad standing there bleeding and lacerated. She asked them what happened and the EMT (presumably) said he fell and they brought him home. Then he just turned and left in the ambulance, leaving my father there.

My dad looks frail and older than he should due to a recent illness, and knowing him, I'm quite sure he insisted on going home. However, this is a little old man with a head injury, how can they just listen to him?

He was disoriented and confused when he got home, and his wife took him to the hospital. He had bleeding on the brain, and was there for over a week. He narrowly avoided needing surgery.

He has no memory of how he fell or the 10 days after, and is still in the care of a small army of doctors.

My questions are can they actually do this? And if not what should my stepmother do?

Also, she's received the bill from the ambulance as well.

Answer:
 Competent people have a constitutionally protected right to refuse medical care and medical transport.

If he was responsive and passed their initial evaluations, they would have had no reason or cause to overrule his refusal to be transported.  I understand and empathize with the reality that it seems he has suffered concussion-like symptoms, but the system errs on the side of the patient's rights.


Title: They want me to pay an elevator. But I can’t.

Question:
Hi. I’m from Spain. I own a flat which was from my grandparents. I’m 26 and this topic is too big for me. I would appreciate any help.

My neighbours want to build an elevator that costs 26k € for each owner. I am currently working at Burger King while finishing an art degree. I cannot pay anything like this.

I told them about my problem and I suggested them to build the elevator with a key that only have the neighbours that paid it. I heard that this is a thing in some buildings where some owners don’t want to pay for this. I also suggested to pay later but all my solutions mean that they have to pay more each one, and this is something they don’t want.

They get angry at me even yelling at reunions, telling me to ask the bank to offer me some kind of loan to pay this work. But I cannot ask for more loans. I had one in the past and I am currently finishing the second one to pay the career. Now, with my work and my boyfriends help I can pay my last year but I cannot even think of paying 26k € in one year as they say!

If someone knows anything about this, or where else I can find information, I would be glad to read!

Thanks！
Topic:
Non-US

Answer:
 Don’t get sucked into taking a loan out for 26K because of some peer pressure.

That’s a huge amount of money.Answer #2: /r/LegalAdviceEU

Is there some apartment association?


Title: Moviepass

Question: I’m trying to determine what the law is for terms of service here. MoviePass advertised 1 movie a day for a year for ~$100. They explicitly said you can see the same movie all you want as long as it’s different days. You can’t refund it. On the Moviepass Reddit half the people are like hur dur it says they can change it. Can you really make nonrefundable contracts like that?  Could they say actually you can see 1 movie a month thanks for the money sucker??

Answer:
 They can change the terms if they reserved the right to do so, provided the changes aren't unconscionable.

Blackout dates would probably be acceptable, but going from daily to monthly probably wouldn't.


Title: [MI] My girlfriend had to pay $206 to use handicap parking at our University

Question: My gf has a broken ankle and had surgery and still can't walk without supp. She has a temp handicap card but to use the handicap parking next to her classes they required her to get a special parking pass that costs 206. This is already after she bought a student pass for over $100. Is it legal to charge such high prices for disability needs. She had to register for disability with the university and bring her placard in just get the option to buy this pass. This is at one of the largest public universitys in the country so it's not some small school. I assume we are screwed but just thought I would check. It just seems like they are taking advantage of disabled people.

Answer:
 I think that you are saying that the spaces next to her classes are in a different parking zone, which requires a different permit.

Kinda like... you have a disability placard, and you drive up to a parking garage.  You would still have to pay to get into the garage.  But, could park in the disability spots once you are there.


Title: College has been giving me classes that had nothing to do with my major for a year.

Question:
I live in the US (PA)
So, today I went in to pick my classes and saw there was a new adviser. We spent 3 hours trying to figure out why for the last year I was being given Computer Information System classes when my major is Computer Science. It turns out on the paper the advisers are given it says the department which is "computer information systems" which is the department Computer Science falls under. So essentially I spent the last year of my life taking courses that don't count towards my real major so I ended up switching my major to the one I have been taking classes for so this year wasn't wasted. I called my dad and told him about the situation and he insisted that I shouldn't have switched my major and someone there has to be responsible and I should get my tuition fees reimbursed. I insisted that it wasn't viable because I should have been aware of my situation too. There is no way i should have trusted someone with my future whether its their job or not. Eventually I just told him I know about this subreddit and I'll ask what my options are. So here is where you guys come in, is anyone at the school responsible for this? Is there a way to get the years worth or tuition reimbursed? Was accepting it and switching the major the right thing since I already have a year invested?

Sorry for the grammar its been a long day.

I was directed here by a fellow redditor

Answer:
 Each of the four universities I've attended have all explicitly stated in advising documents and applications that it is the student's responsibility, and only the student's responsibility, to ensure their classes are counting towards their desired degree path.

The advisor who misled you should be disciplined and coached on proper advising, but there is almost assuredly nothing they can do regarding you specific circumstances.


Title: Roommate threatening my animal

Question:
I've looked for a long while for a sub to post this on and couldn't find one that seemed to suit my issues better than this one, I apologize if it doesn't fit here.

Let it be known that I have a one year lease with three other girls, and I am the only one that has an animal signed under my name (3 of us have cats, 2 of the cats have not been signed under the lease).

I will try to shorten this story up best I can, please bear with me. Basically, one of my roommates (A) does not like me whatsoever, most conversations we have result in her baiting me into meaningless arguments that never get resolved (I've learned to stop responding to her). Recently I have started spending some nights at my boyfriends house & (A) has been having an issue with me leaving my cat at my own house overnight. (A) has her own cat, she hasn't bought food for it since she got it, she has been bumming off one of the other girls for a very long time, recently it has been said that she needs to buy her own food, to which she got upset and started a fight. So these two things put together has made her hate me more than ever, and she has said to my other roommates that she plans to drop my cat off at the pound.

Considering my cat has been legally registered under my name, and is also on the lease, is there any way I could legally proceed to prevent this or hold her accountable if she does steal my pet from me?

PLEASE NOTE- (A) is a bully, she is childish and petty and I do not wish to confront her above just stating that she would/could be held accountable for taking my own fur baby away from me.
Also, incase anyone is skeptical, I take very good care of my kitty, whenever I sleep at another house I wake up and go home at 8 am to feed her, she gets lots of love and cuddles.
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer: Please microchip your cat.


Title: Is it possible to sue a jaywalking pedestrian for damages to my car?

Question:
Let's say I have a green turn arrow, and the pedestrian crosses the street illegally, and I have absolutely no way to avoid them. If I hit them and they break my windshield or dent my hood, is it possible to sue them?
Also, let's say I got the whole thing on my dashcam, so there's "proof" to back up my story.

Answer:
 Sure you can sue them.

Whether you win depends on how the judge or jury finds your claim and the totality of the circumstances.

Example: were you driving faster than was safe?


Title: [FL, TX] Does my employer have to compensate me for 'waiting time?'

Question:
My job consists of me making appointments with our clients and driving to them to render our services. Sometimes as far away as 100 miles, though not often.

Typically, I have back-to-back work available from 9-5.

Occasionally, I will have a customer cancel an appointment or because of my client's schedules, I will have a 1 or 2 hour gap between appointments.

More often than not, I will be far away from home and it would be pointless to go home, because I do not have enough time or by the time I'd get there, it would be time to head out to my next appointment. Or I do not have time to service another call in the time in between appointments.

I am normally compensated for my traveling from site-to-site and *back* to the office.

My employer does not want to compensate me for the time I have between appointments. Even though during this time, at any given moment until 5PM, I am also expected to be available and ready to work if there is something I can do in that time period.

I checked out what [the DOL had to say](http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs22.htm) but I am still not sure. I am pretty sure this constitutes "engaged waiting" right? Is my employer required to pay me for this time?

I work in FL, but my employer is based in TX if it matters.

Answer:
 Your employer is required to pay you if you are in an engaged to be waiting state. But if your employer refused you already. I'd be looking for a new job.

Are the clients not charged cancellation fees if you're putting an effort and driving to them?

Are you 1099 or W2?


Title: (NC) Builder of 3 year old housing community refusing to disclose HOA budget or P&L.

Question:
We live in a Wake County, NC neighborhood of 50 homes and the builder also lives onsite and manages our HOA. Currently only 26 of the homes are complete so the way the covenants are written, the builder still has majority on any HOA decisions. There is no “board”, meetings, budget or p&l. As residents, we would like to know where the HOA fees are going and if there are funds available for any gatherings or improvements. The builder has ignored verbal and email requests for a copy of the financials.

Many of us have concerns about upsetting the builder because we are still within our one year warranty and the builders are also neighbors, but we’re starting to feel uneasy with the lack of information. Neighbors said these requests for meetings and financials have gone ignored for 3 years. Each house pays $400/year and the only common area is the sign at the front of the neighborhood. Any advice on how we can put pressure to get this kind of information or mandatory meetings and/or correspondence?

Answer:
 Look at the bylaws to get your start.

Are the roads owned by the development? They often are.


Title: Denied doctors note for Emotional Support Animal (ESA)

Question: [deleted]

Answer: This isn't a legal issue. Your doctor isn't obligated to prescribe you an ESA. As is, it sounds like you don't have any need for an ESA anyway, you just want an ESA note because your pet makes you happy and you want to try to use an ESA excuse to allow you a pet where one otherwise isn't allowed. That's not how it's supposed to work.


Title: Kansas: How can my parents protect their assets from the possible expenses associated with longterm care? If they need medicare assistance won't the feds break into their trust for reimbursement?

Question:
With a family history of dementia my parents are worried about their life savings disappearing.  If its possible to do so legally they would like to preserve it.  Before anyone jumps down my throat, I understand that people should pay for their own care if they can and if that means spending all of your life savings then so be it.  I am asking more from a legal/estate planning standpoint.  Either its possible or its not.

Does an irrevocable trust offer any protection?  Or transfer of assets during life while taking advantage of the gift tax and pre-death estate tax exemption?  Are there any structures that would provide such protection?

Not sure if this is the right sub, sorry if its not.

Answer: Irrevocable trust set up at least 5 years before they need care.  this is a job for a lawyer.


Title: I want to move from Tennessee to Florida with my uncle. I am 17 years old and my mom originally said yes, but she is getting cold feet in regards to being accused of abandonment of a child. Does she have anything to worry about? Can I do all of this out of court?

Question:
I want to move to Florida and I have everybody's permission, including my mom, stepdad, uncle, and my dad and step mom who live in Florida. I turn 18 July 4th and today is May 14th. I looked around a bit and I'm quite sure you can move out at age 17 with parent's permission. If this is true, what kind of permission do I need? Written, spoken? Can I do all of this out of court? Children spend summers at their friend's house or go on vacation with the friend's parent's and no courts or lawyers are involved, so that should be the same case here right?

Edit: Provide sources if possible. Common sense counts as a source.

Edit: Now Their problem is the legally responsible part. They are, so they want me supervised. A form link to sign over legal responsibility would be great. Thanks.

Answer: As long as everyone agrees there won't be an issue. If your mom changes her mind she can require that you return home, but otherwise you staying with a relative for a couple months before turning 18 is a non-issue. Answer #2: Your mom can sign a temporary guardianship form giving your uncle permission to house you, sign medical forms, etc.  That will be useful if anything happens between now and when you turn 18,and may help your mom feel more comfortable with the situation since it makes it clear she's not abandoning you, but rather is giving you permission to stay with a relative.  Lawyers are a great source, but you can get a standard template online.


Title: Apartment is falling apart, only second week here (New Mexico)

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 If they're mentioned in your lease you're entitled to have these appliances in working order.  However you have to give the owner reasonable time to fix them.  The stove broke on Sunday night and has yet to be fixed on Monday morning, you'll need to be considerably more patient.

The dishwasher part and drip pans probably need to be ordered and shipped, so again you'll have to give more time.  Those are minor issues in any event and you'd really struggle to make any kind of a case against the landlord over them.  If it comes to it just order these little things yourself and then try to get the landlord to reimburse you.

You're not entitled to compensation for groceries that you purchased in anticipation of using a stove.


Title: [CA] got fired from a movie theater years ago, but kept using my employee ID to get see free movies. Recently, the theater found out. What could happen?

Question:
A few years ago I worked at a movie theater and eventually got let go. But I still had my employee badge and since then would go to other theaters in that chain to see free movies.

Recently, an employee stopped me and took away my employee badge.

I'm worried he might tell the corporate office. If so, what could happen to me?

Answer:
 What COULD happen?  You could be charged with fraud & theft of services.  But odds are you won't be.

If you hear from the police, or from your former employer, don't talk to anyone & hire a lawyer.

In the meantime, hope they are too busy to deal with your thievery.Answer #2: Practically speaking, you aren't worth the trouble and chances are extremely low that you will ever hear anything more about it. They obviously don't scan the badge and match it up with any records, or you'd have been caught the first time you used it after you'd been let go.


Title: Domestic violence charges

Question:
Washington State

My (soon-to-be ex) wife filed a temporary protection order, claiming domestic violence and animal abuse. She's saying that she's afraid I'm going to kill her and hurt the kids. I've never laid a hand on her or the kids in a violent manner, nor have I threatened her with violence. The worst thing I've done is punch the hutch on my desk, no damage. The animal abuse she's referring to is the "scruff shake" I learned from a dog training book.

The hearing is next Thursday. I've consulted an attorney, but can't afford to retain him right now.

Answer: You should retain the lawyer. And so you know, it is not normal or okay to have done that. It was, oh, what's that word... violent, that's it. Answer #2: I notice from your post history that you own firearms. You need an attorney. In WA, those subject to a DV RO can't possess firearms. You need a lawyer to fight this for you.


Title: [small update] asked to return my "inheritance"

Question:
Original query [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/3kl04r/ontario_being_asked_to_give_my_inheritance_back/?)

Tl:dr. Money I was given by the POA for my dad while he was alive Is "owed back to the estate"

Update.  This came to a head this week when my brother the POA also executor called to say he would need my money in July.  However I stated that I thought there were other gifts made during the 10 years of him being a POA and I would really need to look at the financials and am not ready to just hand over whatever he said.   Silence.  He will go "try to find the records".  Thanks to u/-Themis- for the suggestion to ask for this.

Hot damn, siblings are complicated.

Answer:
 I'm starting to understand why my dad insisted on stating in his will that any loans given to his children were forgiven upon his death, and any gifts given while he was alive were not to be considered part of the estate.  Answer #2: OP, don't give any money to your brother until you are satisfied having had legal assistance to understand the information. Don't let him panic you by bringing up urgent obligations or deadlines.Answer #3: Money makes a lot of otherwise all-right people into greedy assholes. Sorry to hear your brother may be one of them.Answer #4: >Hot damn, siblings are complicated.

That was a very kind way to say that.


Title: [CA] Landlord threatening $1400 maintenance fees over portable washer and dryer

Question:
Location: Los Angeles

Backstory: My roommates and I live on the upper floor of a duplex and our lease expires in just over two months.  A week ago, my landlord entered my apartment to fix a doorknob.  While she was inside, she noticed my roommates and I have a portable washing machine, a 110 volt dryer (no gas), and building materials (wood).  She emailed us and said we had seven days to remove these items.  However, **we were very careful when reading our lease and ensured that these items are not prohibited anywhere in the agreement**.  We informed our landlord of this (in writing) and said that unless she could point to the sections in our lease which we were in violation of, we would not remove the items.  We did not hear back from her for four days.

Last night, she finally responds and informs us she is scheduling maintenance to be done as a result of us using the portable washer and dryer.  She says we will have to pay for the plumbing to be hydro jetted because the washer was hooked up to the sink (as it was designed to be) and for an air quality and mold test because of the dryer (a 110 volt unit which doesn’t use gas and is designed to be vented indoors).  She estimates that these tests could cost up to $1400 total.  **She did not make note of any sections of our lease that we were in violation of by owning a portable washer and dryer (which we requested).**

We have not requested that either of these be done.  In the first email our landlord sent us, she never mentioned damage to the plumbing or property, she only asked that we remove the washer and dryer.  However, since we did not comply with her requests, her tone is now far more hostile and aggressive even though we have not violated our lease.  She still has not identified the sections of our lease she claims we are in violation of by having the portable washer and dryer.  **She has not provided any proof that we're at fault for any damage that may or may not have occurred** (again, until this most recent email, we were never informed of any damage to the plumbing or property which makes us think there isn't any).

With regards to the wood we have, one of my roommates works as a carpenter and brings wood home to work on personal (never commercial) projects.  This wood was the only time our landlord actually referenced our rental agreement in her email.  She referenced a sentence which states “highly combustible items such as gasoline are prohibited.”  Considering gasoline is the example, we’re inclined to ignore this request as well.  There is plenty of unfinished wood in the apartment (doors, cabinets), so asking us to remove a few planks seems absurd and unenforceable.  We’re considering removing it simply as a show of good faith though.

Outside of telling our landlord that we won’t pay for this maintenance (which we plan to tell her) and possibly speaking to a lawyer, is there anything else we should do or be aware of?  Our thinking is that she’s trying to scare us since she still hasn’t identified a section of our rental agreement that prohibits owning a portable washer and dryer.  Our lease expires in early September and we have no intention of renewing or going month-to-month (for numerous reasons, including the landlord, we do not intend to stay beyond our current agreement) so we're just trying to get through these last couple of months.

Answer: How old is your apartment?  Most older buildings plumbing can absolutely get damaged from portable washing machines (the soapy discharge tends to cause blockages).  So even without a clause in your lease specifically prohibiting washing machines, you would still be on the hook for any (actual) damage you cause to the apartment or it’s systems.Answer #2: Your roommate, the one with the wood, already posted about this issue.


Title: [TX] This isn’t a major deal, but my step dad has been bringing me to work with him for a month, and hasn’t paid me. I’m not going to do anything, but I’d like to know what options I could have?

Question:
Every time I [25M] visit my mom and her new husband, I end up working for him. I single handily operate a forklift for a multimillion dollar shipping company with zero experience.

I’ve been doing this for 4 weeks now, and have worked a total of 8 weeks for him over the past 2 years.

I don’t ever bring up money because I want to start being independent from them. In fact when I do bring up money he starts talking about unions ruining this country.

So I’m leaving in a week, and I kind of want to have a talk with him when I leave, and just want to know a little something in case I need to throw a scare in him.

Thanks for any replies.
Topic:
Labor Law (Unions)

Answer:
 Why didn't you say no?

Presumably you would report this to the [Texas Workforce Commission](https://twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/how-submit-wage-claim-under-texas-payday-law) as a wage claim. You would likely only be able to claim what was worked within the last 180 days. But this is a bit odd. You can call them and get their opinion on the matter.


Title: [NY] How can we get our money?

Question: Long story short me and a friend lent 30 dollars to a friend who doesn't go to our school. We do know his address however. We were hanging and he needed money. Well it's been a few weeks and he basically blocked us on social media and isn't willing to pay us back. Is there anything we can do legally speaking? We are 16 so by legally speaking I mean getting police invoked etc. It's not a lot of money, it's just the principle of what this fucking idiot did

Answer: Legal avenues are going to be more work than the $30 is worth.  You could ask his parents to pay his debt.


Title: ~6 Months Still on Lease and Moving Out; How to Hold New Secret Tenant Accountable

Question:
California, US

Signed a 1 year lease with my GF -- both our names are on the lease. Fast forward 6 months and she's over the relationship. To break the lease is full rent for the last 6 months; which we can't afford on top of wherever we move (separately) next. Also, there's no way we can stay living together for 6 months.

Called the rental agency saying that it was a family emergency and if there was any way to sublet a room and get me off the lease -- no way. They would have to replace me on the lease with someone else who would have to finish the duration of the lease.

Now, my ex has someone who is interested in moving in -- someone she works with. But that someone doesn't want to put their name on the lease to takeover my portion. So far I agreed to pay rent and they pay me. Sticky situation, for sure.

My Question: Is there a way I can draft up my own contract that will hold my ex and her soon-to-be roommate accountable for timely payment to me, even though the soon-to-be roommate isn't "legally" allowed on the lease by the rental agency. Someway for me to hold them accountable to me, separate from the lease? And if they decide to stop paying me, could I use the contract in small claims court to recoup losses for myself?

Or maybe I just need to bite the bullet and keep living with her until I can find someone who will legally take over my portion of the lease.

Answer:
 >Is there a way I can draft up my own contract that will hold my ex and her soon-to-be roommate accountable for timely payment to me, even though the soon-to-be roommate isn't "legally" allowed on the lease by the rental agency.

Be super careful with regard to what's policy, and what's law.  Contracts that violate the law are unenforceable.  The right way to do this is to break your lease.


Title: Fell for a giftwrapping scam IN

Question:
I live in Indiana and it seems I fell for a work from home scam. I know embarrassing right? I was offered 1500 a month plus bonuses from a printing services company. After researching into it today, I found that they are connected to a similar scam offering the same exact "opportunity".

The job itself is that they send me packages and I gift wrap them and send them back out with the shipping label they provide me. I can only assume that they were purchased with stolen credit card numbers. I still have a few items but told them I refuse to work with them any longer due to my lack of confidence with them.

My real concerns are that I am now tied to credit card fraud and in possession of stolen items. What should I do next?

Answer:
 Lawyer. Lawyer. Lawyer.

Oh yeah. Get a lawyer.

Do not pass go. Do not talk to the police. Do not talk to the people scamming you.

Talk to a lawyer. Answer #2: Did you send them any money?  Did you pay for anything with your own money?Answer #3: You need to retain a criminal defense attorney to minimize your exposure to criminal charges.  Receiving stolen property (18 U.S. Code § 2315 I think) requires that you knew it was stolen.  You've done the correct thing so far, but an ambitious prosecutor could still make your life hard.  Get a defense lawyer and go to the cops *in that order* and do so quickly.Answer #4: Any further packages that arrive you should refuse and return to sender unopened.


Title: Need legal advice

Question:
I live in belgium and I am 15 my mother and brother has physically beaten me which i have no proof of, but a long time ago when my parents divorced I told the people who would choose who i live with that my mom beat me.
My mom is also emotionally disowning me which I read is illegal in belgium.

Answer:
 Contact the police if you are being harmed.Answer #2: Hello, i'm a 17 year old boy from Argentina, i readed your post on /r/atheism, and now i see this here.
If i can be honest, every minute you are in that house is a threat to your life, for what you have said they may kill you. Please, go to a police station and tell them what is happening to you, if you don't have any evidence at all try to record on camera some of the abuse, and go to the police as fast as possible. You don't have any marks in your body? Like bruises? Please, do this and keep us posted on /r/atheismAnswer #3: Hi there, I'm very sorry to hear this is happening to you.

The best thing to do is to talk to someone you trust. A teacher/ counselor at school, your general practitioner/ pediatrician or the cops.

You can also go the the website of the [Belgium Child Protection Agency (Kinderbescherming)](https://teens.1712.be/home) and send them a mail (or call 1712 to speak to a social worker) how they can help you.

***
Please remember this is not OK and not your fault!Answer #4: Tell the police or a teacher if you are being hurt.

IANAL and don't know Belgian law, but I do not understand how "emotionally disowning" can be illegal. It may very well be less-than-excellent parenting, but although many parents do, parents are not required to provide boundless empathy and support under all circumstances.


Title: Can I use a stock images to create a picture book I want to sell?

Question:
This is what the stock image site states:

"Standard license is okay as long as long as the primary value of the item being resold does not lie with the creative image itself."

If I create a 20 page picture book using 20 different stock images, shouldn't this be okay since each image represents only 5% of the book?

[washington]
Topic:
Intellectual Property

Answer: I'm sorry but this is a horrible business plan, who exactly is going to buy a book made entirely out of stock images. Back to the drawing board mate.


Title: Can I legally put a bumper "sticker" magnet on a car that does not belong to me (NY)?

Question:
I don't mean an actual sticker, just those magnetic things people used to put on cars.

It's for a senior prank, and my friends are scared we won't be able to walk at graduation if we get caught.

Answer:
 Don't do it. Answer #2: Nope. Destruction of property in any jurisdiction I've ever read. You probably won't get caught but that doesn't make it less illegal.

Interestingly, that's the same calculus the owner of the car will be running in their head while deciding how to deal with you.


Title: [CT] Ex-wife in contempt of court. Can she use this at a catalyst for child support?

Question:
Confusing, I know. Ex wife agreed to this:
Wife shall retain the marital home, located at *redacted* and shall be responsible for all costs associated with the property, including the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities.   Wife shall hold Husband harmless and indemnify him in regard to such liabilities. End quote.

So she decided to get impregnated by someone on the first date, married him three months after meeting him. He is a wealthy guy, and now that she has moved herself and my two kids into his home, she has decided to walk away from the aforementioned property. I have been informed that she is in contempt of court. I have never gotten a straight answer on what this will mean for her, however, when her and her new husband realized this, she stated that she would now require child support if I am to go forward with bringing her to court. This was the child support agreement from out decree.

Child Support: There shall be no child support payable to either party.  This represents a deviation from the Child Support Guideline amount of $ per week payable to Mother.  Said deviation is based on the shared custody arrangement, as well as the total coordination of family support, and because it is in the best interest of the children.   Each party explicitly acknowledges that the shared custody arrangement substantially reduces expenses for the children for the lower-income parent (the Mother), and that sufficient funds will remain for each parent to meet the needs of the children after the deviation.

    The Parties shall share work-related child care expenses, unreimbursed medical expenses, and educational and extracurricular activity expenses, with each paying 50%. *end quote*

I have met all of my obligations.

Can she petition the court for child support if\when I get a judgement against her? I have met all of my obligations, and she has essentially and willingly decided to go on an expensive disney vacation, and take extra maternity leave with her new baby. She chose to take the entire summer off.

I know that the courts view the money as "for the children" but they have never been without a thing, and I don't see how\why I would need to give her money for all of these irresponsible choices. I have recently completed a Masters in Information Technology, and took out loans while budgeting for the scenario we agreed upon. I am willing to pay for whatever my children need, that is not the issue. I will not be able to maintain the 50/50 custody agreement, which is what is best for my children, if she imposes this on me.

Any advice you can give me would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Answer:
 She can file whatever she wants. I don't suppose you have it in writing that she will seek support if you file for contempt?

I'm not a lawyer in CT, so grain of salt. If your agreement was entered recently, the court will see through her sudden change of heart. But that doesn't mean they won't change the order. If y'all have equal time, child support isn't likely to be too high.

Put out of your mind that she took maternity leave and has taken vacations. Not relevant to this.

Contempt penalties can range from having to bring obligations up to date all the way to jail time. You need to talk to a lawyer about what to do about the house. There are other options besides contempt.


Title: On the job injury and at the hospital before I was processed my employer came in and convinced me to lie and say it happened off-site while he stood watch while I was processed. I'm very nervous and off-set by this.

Question:
I came to Mount Shasta California (12 hours from home) to work for a man named Jacob for two weeks. I was fine working through out the week, periodically getting small cuts and bruises. Later on (4 days before I was due to leave) I hit my shin on a rock and it ended up getting infected requiring me to go to the hospital and get it treated. My leg swelled up and causes me to limp and in be high pain.

  Jacobs friend Stan took me to the hospital and much to my surprise Jacob was there waiting for us (me). He greeted me and repeatedly said that I should say  my injury happened off the job while I was hiking/hanging out. That was obviously a blatant lie but they were both standing next to me while the nurse asked me questions about it and was too nervous/scared to say the truth. Luckily I had valid insurance so that helped ease me into lying since I wouldn't pay out of pocket.

 It's been 4 days since I've gotten this injury and I can't work with my leg and will lose more money when I get home tomorrow and won't be able to work there either. I'm only 18 and the job was under the table cash in hand at the end of the week meaning I didn't sign a W-2 form or anything. I'm just wondering if I should call my insurance and tell them it was an on the job injury after all, or go to talk to the hospital staff so I can receive workers comp for the days I couldn't work.

Answer:
 I think if you tell your insurance company this was a work related accident you might be in the position of no one covering you. And I'm not sure you would be eligible for workers comp as this was an under the table job anyway.

Edit: I'll go so far as to say that you wouldn't be covered under WC. This is one of the prices you pay for working under the table.


Title: [Ohio] Is it illegal for a 18 year old to have a sexual relationship with a 16 year old? (Soon to be 17 yr old in 3 days)

Question:
So I just turned 18 a few days ago and I'm trying to make sure my bases are covered and me and my partner are in the clear.

I've been dating this girl for about a year now. She's a longtime friend who is about to turn 17 (3 days) (So i'm a yr and a few days older than her). We've had a sexual relationship for a few months now..

Now that I'm 18 is it still okay for me to have a sexual relationship with her? What should I be aware of? Obviously I know no pornographic pics but what about sexting? (Word play?)
Am I in the clear for physical things?

Any help would be great! We both are pretty interested in keeping this relationship going!Thanks!

Answer: Yes, it is contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Courts have held that it is inherently injurous to the moral of a minor to have sexual relationships with adults.


Title: (California) I'm being harassed. Here's what I did so far.

Question:
I have been dating this man since the end of December 2013. Prior to being with me he hooked up a few times with a girl who turned out to be a complete mess. He ended things with her to be with me.
That girl didn't take it well and she started messaging my boyfriend as if he was single. Asking him to come over for more hookups. He told her no, she didn't like it. She messaged a friend of mine, pretending to know me and asked for my phone number. My friend trying to be nice, gave it to her. She started harassing me. Texting me many times a day about my boyfriend being with her, him lying to me, talking to her behind my back, sexting. My boyfriend denied everything. I asked her to stop many times but she ignored my requests. She looked me up online and called my work. Leaving messages. She contacted my boyfriend's family and tried to turn the situation around. She pretended that her phone and facebook was hacked by her ex boyfriend, a man who kicked her out for cheating. However one time she texted me while I was over at my dad's. My dad called the same number she used, she picked up laughed and when she saw it was an older man, she denied everything. It's been going on for 3 months now.
What I did so far is ask her to stop. May times, she ignored it. I texted her back and called her. She never picked up or replied. She just kept texting me. I sent her a cease and desist letter. She ignored it.
So I got something called a civil harassment restraining order against her. My lawyer, someone in my family I asked for help also subpenaed her facebook as proof of her messages. Facebook agreed and we are waiting on them to get the papers.
Both my name and my boyfriend's name were added to the civil harassment restraining order by my lawyer. She can't contact us and we can't contact us.
However my boyfriend seems to think I'm being silly and overreacting and I should just ignore her. I think he replied to her once or twice on facebook, after I filled the civil harassment restraining order because he felt bad about her, which fulled her even more.

I was bullied in high school, I didn't want this kind of behavior to continue in my adult life. Especially by someone as unstable as she seem to be.
She still talk to me, and still talk to my boyfriend on Facebook.

I don't know what to do now.

Answer: Life advice: you haven't been dating this guy that long. He thinks you're overreacting and actually responded to this nut. Is he worth the drama and court fees?