Title: [TN] Can I use a pre-existing Montana LLC to not pay TN sales tax on a watch?

Question:
Hey y'all,

So I'm planning to buy a new watch in the next couple months as a reward for completing an internship in NYC (assuming I get a FT return offer, knock on wood). I've identified a store that has decent prices, and I like to do business in one of my home states and support the local economy. That said, I'm not interested in paying an extra $1k to the state government if I don't absolutely have to.

I currently have a Montana LLC that was created to hold some assets in common among a few members of our family, but due to some deaths in the past few years I am the now the sole owner of this entity. This LLC currently only has vehicles within it, but I have personally held Montana real estate holdings that should mean I'm allowed to use it for ownership of assets without running afoul of the traditional problems of using a Montana LLC for tax avoidance.

For the record, while I'm a TN resident and this would use a Montana LLC, I'm currently a student in IL and planning to move to NY on a temporary basis if I get an FT offer, so the watch would barely be present in TN after acquisition--which I believe has been the standard for car taxation using MT LLCs.

Here's my questions:

1) Can I as LLC proprietor/owner transfer cash into the LLC and have it buy the watch instead of me and therefore avoid the sales tax in TN?

2) If so, can I as proprietor directly represent the LLC in the transaction, or would I need to use a third party as representation in the acquisition? I'm concerned that it wouldn't pass a sniff test but I'm not certain of the leeway given to LLC proprietors/owners in such matters.

Thanks!

Answer: Even if you order the watch in Montana through the LLC the LLC will still be required to pay use tax on the purchase in Montana.


Title: [Delaware] My sisters and I sold inherited land to a state agency but my father had sold some of it a few years before his death and didn't tell anyone.

Question:
They are asking for the value of the land(about $10,000) be sent back to them by the end of the year(5 days).
I feel like they are moving really fast on this and wondering if I have any options. Shouldn't their lawyers or land surveyor have made sure we owned the land before they payed for it and do I have to pay them back so quickly if at all.

Answer: Was a title company involved at all, or did you have title insurance?


Title: Nearly 5 months ago I sold a Macbook on Craigslist. The buyer contacted me for a password. Am I screwed?

Question: [deleted]

Answer: If you reset it, it sounds like the account she created on boot up had a password and she forgot it.


Title: [MA] Man posted nude photos of me online (I'm underage)

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 If he is in possession of and distributing child porn, then he can get in serious trouble.

But in order to prove that it IS child porn, the authorities will likely have to be able to say "And here is the child featured in the work."

So there is really nothing substantial you can do anonymously or without your family finding out.

Also, you did technically create and distribute child porn.  While it's pretty unlikely that you'd be charged here, it **is** possible.  You'll want to talk to your parents (and maybe a lawyer) before you proceed further.


Title: (NY & UK) My overseas godparents are holding my inheritence until I am 25. I have been refused basic care without it.

Question:
Hey guys! I've never posted here before, so please, please bear with me. I promise this was as short as I could possibly make it!

I am 20 years old, and three years ago my parents died in a car accident. I was to inherit a million dollars from them on my 25th birthday, but for the time being the money is in an account held by my godparents (let's call them Mark and Mary - both in their 50's) and a family lawyer. I live in New York. Mark and Mary live in England. There are two problems.

PROBLEM ONE:

Anyway, to keep things short, an agreement was made that Mark and Mary (not real names) will send me money every 6 months to use as living expenses. I bought a condo, under their advice. I did not chose it. This income they send bi-yearly pays for all of my bills. For income to cover food and necessities for myself, I rent out my spare bedroom to a tenant.

A very, very, very long and complex story made short: I asked Mark and Mary exactly what being a landlord entailed, they answered with "You're an adult, do whatever feels best!" And that resulted in my tenants NEVER paying their rent. I was never educated on the first and last month upfront rule, or how to evict a tenant if they refuse to leave. Essentially speaking, I've been a prisoner under their rule. I thought that I must have been an incompetent human, but what I didn't realize is that there are ways around these things like contracts... Which I was, simply, never told about. But I have no idea if that holds up in any kind of legal argument or not. Aren't these people supposed to take the role of my parents as caretakers?

To keep an even longer story just as short: Mark and Mary now believe that I "betrayed" them. They refuse to give me any more money. Considering they set me up for failure in every way they possibly could, I began to get suspicious that they may *want* the money themselves. I don't believe they're purposely trying to kill me or anything in order to receive it, but I do believe wholeheartedly that their intentions are to give me no guidance so that it will be inevitable that I will fail. I had to drop out of school and even with a full time job and a proper tenant now, I can not afford this condo (it is owned outright in cash, I should mention) by myself. There is a maintenance fee sent by the condo each month and I don't know what the consequences will be if I don't pay it. Will I get my house removed from me? That's the impression I've gotten so far.

So I guess my question is: can I find a mediator? Somebody to judge their harsh methods as inappropriate to be my caretakers? A lawyer? When I bring up how unfair I believe my treatment is, I am always met with the words: "If you think we're unfair, you can hire a lawyer when you're 25, but good luck getting one without money." (Word for word from an email).

Do they actually have any responsibility to take care of me? Or are they not obligated to because I am over 18? How is somebody with an inheritance waiting for them to turn of age meant to live on their own? Are there any laws protecting me? It seems absolutely insane that because I was orphaned, I have no safety net protecting me from poverty, no matter how hard I work.

Can my godparents take away my house because it was used with money that wasn't mine *yet*?

Some things I'll also mention:
I found a tumor, and was refused money to have it biopsied. I still don't know if I have cancer, and it's been five months but they refuse to send me money for the procedure.

I was promised, in our agreement, that I would never starve so long as I was under their "care". The $0 in my bank account and my constantly declining body mass index says otherwise.

It's not a written agreement, everything has been done through phone calls and emails (although the emails on their side are always EXTREMELY vague, with no definitive answers, and always saying "phone us" instead). It's very sketchy to me. The entire thing has never been right and it truly looks as through they were protecting their asses legally from day one.

So, guys, how do I protect myself? My godparents are very rich, and whatever lawyer they can afford will be better than mine which is something I am truly terrified of. Honestly, I don't even know how to find a lawyer with $0!

Anyway, if I'm screwed then oh well. People have been homeless before and at the very least I might only have to be for the next five years (unless, of course, Mark and Mary find a way around this).

PROBLEM TWO:
Since my parent's accident, I've suffered extensively from PTSD. They have refused money for a therapist, but they have said that they will pay me to have a long term residential stay at a psychiatric ward. I have never been a harm to myself or others, and I want to know how likely it is they can force this on me. I would also like to know what they can do with my money if I am deemed unable to care for myself. Will they extend the age I receive it? What power do they have over me when it comes to this? I am actually a very calm person around other people and they mentioned this option casually rather than in a moment of distress. I don't think anybody with good intentions would want me institutionalized while they hold my money. They even mentioned that in an inpatient facility, I would have my home and my cat taken away due to my mental state. I am, truthfully, not sure why they are making a big deal out of this and it seems mischievous and perplexing, especially when the only contact I've had with them has been over the phone.

TL;DR:
My godparents agreed to send me money from an inheritance that belongs to me every six months, due to misinformation on their part I couldn't possibly have met the quota they set and now they refuse to ever help me financially ever again. I will be homeless soon. I've been refused cancer treatment and physical therapy and health insurance and food. They are also threatening me with institutionalization, which doesn't fit my character in the least as I have never shown them any signs of emotional distress or anguish and everything has been professional.

Thank you guys so much for any responses. I promise I'll respond as quickly as I can but I can't afford internet so I'll answer while I'm at work!

Answer:
 if it's your money now you have a right to it and can sue for it, if it isn't your money now or there are terms nothing here is improper. it is not their responisbility to teach you how to be an adult.

edit, and before we continue, you are already hitting most non landlocked triggers, so be very careful about activating my really pissy mode.


Title: [US-WA] I had a full dryer of work clothes stolen from the dryers outside my apartment. My apartment manager claims to have looked at the tapes and not found the thief, and then deleted them and refused to give me a copy. My renewal is coming up. How should I proceed?

Question:
I had about $150 in clothes stolen from the dryer in the hallway outside my apartment one morning. I filed a police report that morning and talked to management, who said they would look into the tapes. They then claimed to have found nothing, and deleted the tapes after a mere two weeks (!) of me pestering them for answers. I did not use the court system to get a copy of the tapes, which I realize was a huge mistake if indeed it would have been possible.

They are now stonewalling my attempts to get some form of compensation or even just an apology (oh gee I'm sorry that happened but there's nothing I can do and also there's no way to contact anyone above me to complain about me tough break for you). I need to decide whether to renew by the 10th of the month (6 days), and I think I have been mistreated but I also don't want to be homeless (it is the cheapest apartment complex around my area without roommates so I have little leverage). Do I have any recourse?

Edit: six days not four.

Answer:
 > Do I have any recourse?

You're asking two questions.

First, does the complex hold liability for the theft of your clothing?  The answer there is almost assuredly "no".

Second, do you have to renew your lease?  The answer there is also "no".Answer #2: Why do people leave their property unattended and unsecured, then get upset when the inevitable happens?Answer #3: Since OP filed a police report isn't it illegal for them to delete the tape? Is that not considered tampering with evidence during an ongoing investigation?Answer #4: Apt Mgr Here: The apartments are not responsible for your clothes.  Cameras sometimes are not that good, angles are off.  We have storage for 30 days and other place for 24 hours.  You would spend more money hiring a attorney (to make a court order) then it would cost to replace your cloths.


Title: Earning Airbnb income on H1B visa. Is this a big deal?

Question:
Hi,

I recently bought a house in US and honestly it is too big for me. I put one of the rooms up on airbnb just for fun and to improve my social interactions. I started charging fairly less and got many customers for last few months. some of them stayed for couple of nights, some for 10 - 20 days.

Now, I just found out that I would have to pay taxes on the money I am getting via airbnb. I am getting close to 1000$ from airbnb on an average per month. I am working with an employer and currently hold H1B visa. Does this cause any trouble for my status? How can I explain this better to IRS and not get in trouble? I did not understand any risks to my status that airbnb might put me into and now I am worried that it might affect my current job. Any advice? I appreciate any help.

Answer:
 It sounds like this would qualify as "passive income" which *appears* to be allowed under H1B visas. You will need to pay taxes on it.

Take some of that $1000/mo and consult with a local H1B/immigration lawyer, and possibly a CPA familiar with these issues. Make sure everything is done according to the laws and regulations, and it *looks* like you'll be okay. But again, a lawyer can guide you.


Title: [Illinois] Girl Venmoed herself $2400 from my phone at a party how can I get this money back?

Question: Backstory, I'm 18 and just graduated high school, was at a party celebrating graduation at a house across town, and met this girl from another school and we clicked, we talked for a while and heavily made out, after which she said she had to go to the bathroom, but would "take sexy pics of herself" while there for me if I gave her my phone. She came back 5 minutes later and we talked and made out a bit more, until she said she had to leave. Sure enough there are sexy pics in my camera roll, but the next morning, i check my email and found this girl Venmoed $2395.43 (everything that was in my Venmo account) to an account that this was the only transaction on. I requested the money back via Venmo request but she still hasn't responded, all i have is her venmo (from this payment) and "sexy" pics of her in my camera roll. How can I go about gettting this money back?

Answer:
 Hopefully this is obvious enough not to require saying, but don't be tempted to use her nudes as leverage to get your money returned.

At the moment you have done a dumb thing, but you've got three good options: contacting Venmo, reporting to the police, and/or directly suing her.  The fastest way to close off those options and/or get into serious trouble yourself is to start blackmailing her - regardless of how justified it feels.


Title: Haven’t had my KIA back after nearly 5 months... no end in sight.

Question:
Back on August 31, my 2013 Kia Forte Koup SX engine just crapped out. The car had 55k miles. All was good and dandy the warranty provider agreed to fix the vehicle. Whenever I was notified my warranty would cover it, I was told that there were no engines available to replace mine. The parts were on back order. I assume due to the recall on other vehicles made that year that for some reason my vehicle was not included on.  So yesterday the dealership calls me and tells me that my warranty was only to cover 10 days of a rental car. I’ve had this rental car for like 4 months. Putting that whopping total to near $3,700... my car still hasn’t even moved since the parts are still on “back order.” I called Kia corporate, their “escalations” department. I’ve spoken with them multiple times prior due to the fact that my car being inoperable for this long makes no sense. My warranty and them are supposed to “get back to me.” I guess what this boils down to is there is no way in hell I can afford to pay for this rental. I don’t even think it should be my responsibility as Kia is the one at fault for not having adequate engines supply to repair it. Can I take legal action so they pay for all of this? I’m still making car payments on a car I don’t have and now this rental car. I don’t know what else I can do.
Topic:
Consumer Law

Answer:
 Consult with a lawyer, you probably have a case here. I would bet you wouldn't have to file once you contact the lawyer and ask for payment and/or a usable car.Answer #2: Sorry this is happening to you. My 2012 engine crapped out too and it took 6 weeks to get it replaced.

The dealers weren't helpful and Kia wasn't helpful during that time either.

But you may be out these costs. Consult with a lawyer asap.


Title: I want half of the the Parental Leave, but she is taking it all??

Question:
Hi there,

I live In Nova Scotia. A co worker and I have created a new life, which will arrive in July! (Yay!). However, her and I don't really get along. I've been trying to sit her down for a talk for over a month but she keeps putting me off (not so yay..). I believe she is just trying to put me off until the baby comes so that I don't get any time with the baby. I told her I wanted 50/50 time, but since then she has stated that she will breast feed (a good thing, but I'm sure she is just trying to find ways that my family and I won't get acess to the baby)...

But anyway!! My question really resides in the Parental leave... does she have full rights to decide who gets to take time off work?? Do I have no rights?? If she gets things her way, she will be off work for a year with the baby and I feel like she will screw me over somehow.

I plan on going into town and talking to someone official next week. But any advice here could potentially really help me out!

Answer:
 I'm American...she gets to take a whole year off?? Wow.

Here in the states, you'd file for custody/visitation so you'd be able to ensure you see your child.

I'd definitely talk to someone about it ASAP.

Congratulations.


Title: N-600 questions

Question:
So, please help me understand what the benefits of becoming a US citizen are. I have been mulling over it but the price of the form filing is rather high and the only real benefit that I see is that I get a US passport. Is there something I am not seeing? Any tips or advice would be recommended. The reason that I am asking is that my family does not want to allocate 1170 dollars for this form and that I think i will be fine without citizenship in the US. Any help would be appreciated!

Edit: I live in Ga, USA.

Answer:
 Benefits of citizenship:
1. As a US citizen, you cannot have your residency revoked and be sent home to another country.

2. You can vote. Major win, here.

3. Right to use a US passport.

4. You can obtain certain jobs limited to citizens only.

5. No renewal period. Green cards have a maximum 10 year period before renewal, and the citizenship will match the cost of renewing your permanent residency over time.

6. If criteria for permanent residency ever seriously change and you're in violation of them, you potentially could lose your status.


Title: A surprising bill from Doctor's office

Question: I'm in upstate NY, I don't have health insurance and when I let the office know about it they said I would have to pay upfront, so I did. I payed at the day of my visit and then in about 2 months I got another bill from them... Does anyone have experience like this? I left the office with an impression that I don't have to pay anymore...

Answer:
 From personal experience as a self-pay patient, they first charge you a fixed fee up front in order to be seen by the doctor as a sort of good faith payment.

Once you have been seen and any tests/diagnoses have been made, they then calculate your total bill and apply the up front payment to that amount and send you a bill for whatever the remainder is. The bill you received should reflect all of this, including the amount you paid the day of the visit and all billing codes associated with the reason for your visit, diagnosis or tests performed.

Usually, the office staff are happy to answer any questions you have about your bill and arrange a payment plan that works with your budget, so long as you are polite about it. They love retaining patients who make any amount of effort to pay their bill without raising a fuss and will do anything in their power to make it as painless as possible to your wallet. They tend to get a lot of irate calls and pleasant patients make their day. I suggest giving this a try.Answer #2: In general medical bills do not get calculated right after your visit. You may have paid for the visit but not x or y procedure/meds.

Call the office and ask


Title: [Oregon] My brother needs to contest paternity for a kid that likely isn't his, how does he do this?

Question:
Obviously I am not going to give away any crucial information. My brother is being fucked for an incredible amount of child support. There is strong evidence that the kid is not his. He has requested a DNA test to establish paternity, but the mother will not comply, and just keeps fucking with him. How can he officially contest paternity and get a DNA test?

If someone can please help it would be very appreciated. We have spent time online but cannot find any information. We really need help figuring out the right way to start the process.
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer:
 You need to go through Oregon DCS.

http://www.oregonchildsupport.gov/forms/docs/csf030574p.pdf

Here is the form that hes gong to have to fill out.

I would recommend filling out the form and then either calling or taking it to the DCS office in his area.


Title: Excavator Left In Yard

Question:
In December of 2018 I was approached by the owner of a excavating company who was doing some work in a neighborhood that is being built next to my property. The man wanted to store an excavator in my yard and told me it would he would have it out of there in 30 days. He said he would pay me $300 dollars and I agreed. No contract was signed just a verbal agreement. Well, now this machine is still in my yard. Ive spoken to the owner of the machine 5 or 6 times in the past month asking him when he is going to come and pick it up. He keeps telling me that he is waiting on a part to fix it but nothing ever happens. Its been over 6 months an I just want it gone. I dont want any money from him, I just want him to take it away.

Do I have any legal action I can take to force him to come pick this up? State is Michigan.

Answer: Before you do anything with the excavator you'll need to send him a letter telling him that you're going to dispose of it if he doesn't remove it by a set date(30 days).  Just make sure to put what your plans are for it and the exact date he has until to remove it.  You'll want to send it certified/registered so you have proof of delivery.


Title: Wife wants sole legal custody

Question:
Hi r/legaladvice,

My wife and I have been married for 4 years and have a daughter that is 1yr and 9 months. We have been living separate for one year with my daughter has lived with my wife ever since.

Not sure if it matters, but my wife  and I were off and on throughout that year until the end if March where we completely broke off after she found someone else. I tried very hard to fix things but in the end was unable to. It led me to become depressed and I decided to move to Florida with family at the end of May.

Throughout the year that we were separated I sent my wife $140 every week, and visited my daughter at least 4 times a week. I maintained this visitation schedule until I moved to Florida, but never stopped sending her the weekly child support.  Since moving to Florida I am able to Factime my daughter regularly, and came to NJ (yesterday) for Father's day. We have a court appointment to meet with a mediator on Wednesday so will be here til then.

While here I spoke to my still wife to try to come to an agreement before speaking with the mediator. I want to continue Factiming my daughter regularly, I want to temporarily lower the child support to $100 temporarily while I get on my feet in Florida (I'm making quite a bit less than I was in NJ), I want to be able to bring my daughter to FL once I have a stable job and living space, and until then I want to be able to visit my daughter a few days every few months (3ish)

My wife currently had legal custody of my daughter and that is fine with me. She now says she wants sole legal custody of my daughter and is unwilling to budge of the child support if I don't agree, and she also tells me she will not allow me to take my daughter to FL until she is much older (maybe around 3-4 years old).

Is she being unreasonable? Have I lived up to my responsibility? I don't want to give up legal custody as I still want to to be involved in decisions that have to do with my daughter but I don't know if I am at any risk here. Any advice is appreciated.

Edit: Sorry, what I'm asking is unclear. I want to know if she has a case, or if I am at risk of losing legal custody of my daughter because my wife decided she wants it. What can I do to protect myself?

Answer:
 Have you ever taken care of the kid, alone, for more than 24 hours at a time?

Are you planning to fly round trip twice to pick up and drop off the kid for these proposed 3 day visits?   You'd spend half the visit in airports, and unless you're planning on holding her in your lap the entire flight, you'd have to buy her a round trip seat too.  That's two round trip tickets per month.  Would it not make more sense for you to visit once a month and stay with friends or at an inexpensive hotel?  No airline is going to fly your daughter unaccompanied at that age.   It would make far more sense to bring her to Florida maybe once or twice a year, when you have extended time off.


Title: Managing partner at a recruitment agency substantively rewrites a resume and lies about years of experience and job titles

Question:
A good friend of mine in Texas is in a situation where he has been dealing directly with the managing partner of a recruitment firm while attempting to find a software development job.

The potential job the recruiter has lined up requires 5 years of experience and my friend only has 4.2. The recruiter pressured him to change this and he would not, instead he sent the recruiter/employer an impassioned letter explaining why his 4.2 years experience were worth any other developers 5.

That letter never made it to the employer, it seems the recruiter instead rewrote his resume, changing all years worked and job titles from previous jobs to turn an electrical engineering job into a software development job and extending by years the length of real software development jobs, as well as giving him promotions from junior developer to senior developer in real software job descriptions.

My friend only found out about the recruiters actions when the employer called him for an interview and asked about experience he didn't have. My friend was upfront with the employer, sent a legitimate resume when the issue was discovered, and asked for a copy of the fraudulent resume which he received.

The fraudulent resume is well beyond any kind of edit, it's a complete rewrite which is filled with obvious lies which email records with the recruitment firm as well as his publicly posted job histories easily refute.

What is the best course of action forward for my friend? He feels as though he could have been in severe trouble if he had received this job with a fraudulent resume without his knowledge, and certainly the actions of the recruiter have blown this opportunity for him. Is what the recruiter did illegal?

Edit: It seems that the consensus here is nothing illegal was done by the recruiter due to the unique legal environment in Texas of at-will employment and no legislation baring fabricated employment experiences. I find that very hard to accept. 18% of a 110k/year job is $19.8k in the recruiters hand at both the employers and recruited's expense. I was under the impression lying for money while screwing around with someones career and a companies work force would be illegal in any civilized area, but it seems I may be wrong. I can't believe Texas doesn't consider this level of willful misrepresentation by a trusted and contracted party fraud.

Answer:
 Falsifying your educational credentials is illegal under [Texas Penal Code § 32.52](http://codes.findlaw.com/tx/penal-code/penal-sect-32-52.html)

Falsifying your experience, dates worked, and other details isn't generally illegal, but of course it is completely unethical, and in an at-will state like Texas, would be reason to fire you with cause.

Many publicly funded organizations including state and local governments, agencies, boards, commissions and so on should perform background checks on this information, so it's really a stupid idea to do this.Answer #2: As someone who works with recruitment agencies as a hiring manager, if a firm I worked with did that, I'd drop them like a hot potato, and spread word to the other people in my company so they'd all do the same. So while I can't speak to the legal aspects of what to do, my recommendation is, make sure the hiring company knows what the recruiter did. Being fired by a client is a big deal for the recruitment agency.


Title: Got into a car accident without insurance, lady is running me up in prices. What are my choices?

Question:
I live in the St. Louis area and I recently got into a little fender bender. All in all, it was her fault for the collision but since I was still in the process of getting my insurance I couldn't go that route. We agreed to let this go under the table and I'll pay for damages under the table. I've seen these damages before, easily a $200-300 fix. But she started running me up, as in asking for a car rental because she needs one (she has a dented bumper). Not the autobody shop guy tells me it's going to cost me around $600. This is before her little charges. I'm facing around a $900 charges for a small dent in her bumper and that's going to ruin me. I have tuition to pay, rent, insurance (better late then never I guess), Internet and now this.

There was no police report done, all she has is a picture of my license and that's about it. I just want to know what my options are here before I have to move back in with my parents. I know of she took me to court it would be a civil case, just want to know what could happen and what the outcome would possibly be. Thank reddit.
Topic:
Traffic and Parking

Answer:
 What?  If she is at fault for the accident, you don't pay to repair her car.

To directly answer your question, she would file suit against you in small claims court and bring all the receipts; you would tell the judge it's her fault; and if there was a police report affirming this, then the judge bangs the gavel and rules for the defendant (you).

Edit: If there's no police report, and she disputes that it's her fault, then you show that the damage was to her front bumper, and you argue that therefore she was not driving such as to allow adequate stopping space between you and her, and therefore the fault is hers.


Title: Is there anything I can do about this POS doctor?

Question:
long story short:
I have guardianship of my 16yo boy (long time friend of the family whose dad couldn't care for him properly).  I took him to a doctor for an initial new patient visit.  After the checkup the dr asked to speak to him alone so I obliged and stepped out of the room.   Cut to a week later and I get a call from the school saying my boy was caught smoking weed and was suspended.  Turns out this doctor (and Im not putting the blame on the doc, im sure he had smoked in the past) told him when I left the room that it was "ok to smoke some weed after school once in a while".  Can this doctor be held accountable through some sort of malpractice suit?  I am absolutely disgusted that this child was seen for maybe 5 minutes and this asshole tells him its ok to smoke weed.  He is a 16 yo boy with an undeveloped brain!  How is that ok for a doctor to say to a kid? I thought doctors were held to some sort of standard?  Anyone have any comment/insight/info?  thanks so much...I am at a loss as to what to do.

Answer:
 You... you actually believe the 16 year old boy that told you his doctor said this?

Even if you could prove this was said, it's not malpractice and it's not really illegal to share an opinion. You may not like it but everyone is, like, entitled to their, like, opinions, man.Answer #2:  ಠ_ಠ Wow. You were outsmarted and owned by a 16 year old. Maybe you should put this kid in foster care or he's going to turn you into his servant pretty quick


Title: How would you legally be able to remove someone from your house who has refused to leave, who has no broken into your house? Say an ex-girlfriend or troublesome family member who refuses all demands that you vacate the home.

Question:
EDIT: that THEY vacate the home. in CA

Putting in no context. Say They do not live there. You invited them over, an argument ensued and you told them they needed to leave, and they refuse. No you feel threatened. What do you do?

Answer:
 Call the police would be the easy answer, more so if they broke in.

If they LIVE there that is a totally different thing.


Title: My gym has cancelled my membership because my autistic son kissed me in the hot tub

Question:
Minnesota.

I suspect I have no legal leg to stand on but...<sigh>... I hope someone will be able to find a direction I can take.

I've been a member for 20 years at a club that has many locations across Minneapolis/St Paul. (Can I name it here? I'm guessing not...) I can go to any of them, and some of them are swanky. My monthly rate was reduced and then frozen 20 years ago, so its important to me to keep my membership ($47/month), not re-apply ($110/month, maybe more).

On Thursday my son and I (I am male) went to a different club than usual. Its a little fancier than our home club and its nice to be fancy sometimes. At this point, you should know that my son is 14 and he has autism, and sometimes he acts immature for his age. This club has a hot tub in the locker room, and my son and I took our swimsuits off after a few minutes in the hot tub. My son was swimming around nicely, but came over to me three times, kissed me, and put his arms around me. Needless to say, we did nothing remotely sexual. He did not lay on top of me, for instance, just arm and head contact.

An older ~~bastard~~ gentleman at the club took offense to my son's affection and brought an employee over. We exchanged words, pretty civilly, but he was upset that the employee wasn't equally offended. The employee apologized profusely for the man's conduct, and I thought it was over.

Today I got a phone call from the company overseeing all the gyms. Thinking that they were going to apologize again, I politely listened. The man had escalated his complaint to management. Their risk team considers me and my son a risk, and they have terminated my membership.

I fear that contractually they can terminate memberships whenever they want for any reason, but yet I am hoping that there may be a slim chance that I have some recourse.

* No one sought my side of the story before my membership was cancelled. I fear that the man must have embellished what happened, because I can't even comprehend dismissing a membership over parent/child affection. I don't think this gives me any legal standing, but I would be delighted to be wrong.
* I'd like them to consider that my son is developmentally disabled. Voluntarily first, but legally if I have any legal recourse (along the lines of an ADA violation or something)
* To flesh out my options, I'm open to non-lawsuit based ideas. Who should I contact at corporate to best plead my case? HR? Do companies have private "ombusmen" or mediation options like they do for their employees? I don't think this is a cause that would draw a lot of support for picketing or media, and I don't think a BBB complaint would mean anything, but I'm racking my brain trying to come up with a way to pressure the company to change their position. The employee at the club who was at least a partial witness may stand up for me, he was polite to everyone but seemed genuinely shocked that anyone would whine about this level of affection.

I'm sure I'm going to have to contact a lawyer eventually, but the relative strength of my case will help me decide whether to get a contingency lawyer or just pay my legal fees as we go. I also don't know whether going after the  company directly would be more effective, or if I should find out if they have insurance for things like this, etc.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help give me some direction and yes, I know, none of it is legal advice. :-)

Edit: wow, ok, the public has spoken. :-)  Please allow me though to clarify, and to offer up a comparison. First off, **the man who complained was completely nude in the hot tub...** so I think to assume he was outraged by our nudity is really strange in light of this. Secondly, there was an incident last year where a trans-woman at a nationwide gym chain exercised her right to use the women's locker room. [This made at least one women uncomfortable.](http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2015/10/07/transgender-locker-room-lawsuit) I'm sure her discomfort is reasonable at some level, but so is the argument that being trans is hard and the gym wanted to be welcoming to the trans-woman's identity. Its not a perfect analogy, but guys, raising a kid with special needs has its own tough challenges. I don't doubt that my son made the old man uncomfortable. And yes, I thought it was a LITTLE strange but I decided not to push him away. In my opinion, the man should shake off a little discomfort and go about his day. I'm disappointed that he didn't and I'm disappointed that my gym doesn't offer me some support here. Hopefully I can explain the situation and then maybe they will, we will see.

Answer: Naked in the hot tub?  That seems pretty inappropriate to me (though kissing does not particularly.)Answer #2: I am a female and I have a 22 year old special needs son. Him and I are obviously not ever nude in a hot tub, but I can sure understand the affectionate display and I do not think you should have been removed from the club. This may be an unpopular opinion but likely none of the respondents have a special needs child. I would go to the owner or corporate office of the facility.


Title: Is this internet use policy legal? CA, USA

Question:
My company finally decided to add an official internet use policy to the company handbook, as quoted below:

"Internet Usage Policy:  This policy applies to all COMPANY employees who have access to computers and the Internet to be used in the performance of their work. Use of the Internet is permitted and encouraged where such use supports the goals and objectives of the business. However, access to the Internet through COMPANY is a privilege and all employees must adhere to the policies concerning Computer, Email and Internet usage. Violation of these policies could result in disciplinary and/or legal action leading up to and including termination of employment. Employees may also be held personally liable for damages caused by any violations of this policy. All employees are required to acknowledge receipt and confirm that they have understood and agree to abide by the rules hereunder.

Computer, Email and Internet Usage:  Company employees are expected to use the Internet responsibly and productively.  Excessive Internet personal use is a violation of these policies and may be grounds for termination of employment.

All data that is composed, transmitted and/or received by COMPANY's computer systems is considered to belong to COMPANY and is recognized as part of its official data. It is therefore subject to disclosure for legal reasons or to other appropriate third parties.

The equipment, services and technology used to access the Internet are the property of COMPANY and the company reserves the right to monitor Internet traffic, monitor and access data that is composed, sent or received through its online connections, and usage of said equipment.
Emails sent via the company email system should not contain content that is deemed to be offensive. This includes, though is not restricted to, the use of vulgar or harassing language/images.

All sites and downloads may be monitored and/or blocked by COMPANY if they are deemed to be harmful and/or not productive to business.

Unacceptable use of the internet by employees includes, but is not limited to:

1)    Sending or posting discriminatory, harassing, or threatening messages or images on the Internet or via COMPANY's email service.
2)    Using computers to perpetrate any form of fraud, and/or software, film or music piracy.
3)    Stealing, using, or disclosing someone else's password without authorization.
4)    Downloading, copying or pirating software and electronic files that are copyrighted or without authorization.
5)    Sharing confidential material, trade secrets, or proprietary information outside of the organization.
6)    Hacking into unauthorized websites.
7)    Sending or posting information that is defamatory to the company, its products/services, colleagues and/or customers.
8)    Introducing malicious software onto the company network and/or jeopardizing the security of the organization's electronic communications systems.
9)    Sending or posting chain letters, solicitations, or advertisements not related to business purposes or activities.
10) Passing off personal views as representing those of the organization.

If you’re unsure about what constituted acceptable Internet usage, then ask your supervisor for further guidance and clarification.  All terms and conditions as stated in this document are applicable to all users of COMPANY's network and Internet connection. All terms and conditions as stated in this document reflect an agreement of all parties and should be governed and interpreted in accordance with the policies and procedures mentioned above. Any user violating these policies is subject to disciplinary actions deemed appropriate by COMPANY."

Copied almost verbatim from http://www.gfi.com/pages/sample-internet-usage-policy

My question: is this policy legal in CA the way it is worded?

I am fine with this in principle. They have a right to protect themselves. My issue is the wording.

Particularly of concern is the portions claiming any data accessed by company computers is considered to "belong" to them, and giving themselves the right to access and monitor ANY data that passes through the internet.  It casts a wide net with limits in how or what data they access.

So if I check gmail during my lunch break, they can claim ownership of all emails and attachments? If my phone connects to the wifi and I send texts that transmit through wifi, they can read them if they chose?

Can they legally ask me to sign this? Or should I just avoid using any of their resources for anything personal?

Edit: Sorry for formatting. On my phone and it looks good when I edit it.

EDIT 2: thanks for the replies. My boss (who copy/pasted the policy) has specifically told me he doesn't care if I do email or whatever during lunch or after hours, but with this policy in place I think I will just not use their resources for anything personal.
Topic:
Business Law

Answer:
 If its unacceptable to you, don't use the company internet for personal things.

Otherwise I don't get what you think would be illegal about it.


Title: Legal ramifications of pepper spraying a dog?

Question:
State is Oklahoma.

Hello, /r/legaladvice, I am asking this question before it becomes a potential problem.  There is an aggressive, obnoxious dog I encounter walking in my neighborhood, with a cranky, obnoxious owner.  This dog is allowed to run around without a leash in an unfenced yard when the owner is out, and it charges at passersby.  The dog is medium sized, I'd guesstimate around 30-40 lbs.  I am not walking through the owner's yard, and I am not walking a dog myself.

The last encounter I had with this dog, I threatened to kick it, and the elderly owner threatened me with legal action if I did.  Now, kicking it would be a last resort to avoid being bitten, as I have medical issues that affect my balance, so I am considering getting some pepper spray.  Pepper spray is legal for self defense in OK, outside of federal and state buildings, and airports, but I am reasonably certain this neighbor would attempt to make a stink if I spray his dog.  Reporting the neighbor to Animal Control would start a war that I'd rather not participate in unless the dog actually bites me.

TL;dr What is my potential liability for pepper spraying a dog?
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer: You should tip off Animal Control about an unleased, unsupervised dog charging people.Answer #2: You'd rather pepper spray the dog than contact animal control? Why? Also, you can file anonymous complaints.


Title: NY | Vacation Rental Cancelled by owner last minute

Question:
So we rented a lake house in upstate New York a year in advance for 11 people. The lease was from 8/19 - 8/26. We got an email from the owner yesterday, 8/16 with a picture of a letter he had sent on 8/3 along w/ a check by registered mail that he had sent cancelling our rental. The person who had signed the lease had moved (but also did the proper change of address forwarding, for some reason it never got forwarded).
It turns out the house had been sold in July to a new owner and he was the one cancelling the lease. We immediately contacted the new owner and the old owner to see what was going on (the old owner was now the property manager). Turns out the new owner scheduled construction (alarm system, sprinkler system and new dock) for this week and that was the reason he was cancelling the lease.
The property manager was complete unaware the new Owner had cancelled the lease. We had been in contact with the property manager just the week before with some questions about the rental and no cancellation was mentioned.
We contacted the new Owner several times and he repeatedly took the stance that he did not have to honor the lease. He suggested finding another rental because "this had happened to him before" and refused to move the construction. One thing to note is the dock is a key feature, we had rented a boat for the week and without a dock at this lake there is nowhere to put it. Also the cancellation period for the boat was 30 days so at this point we would be getting zero money back (~3K).
One person is flying cross country and a few others are traveling from the south to get here. Everyone had to take time off work.
Are one friend is an attorney but not in this state, but they contacted him and tried to have a reasonable discussion on a solution. He admitted that he did in fact assume the leases when he had purchased the property and had honored 8 out of the 9 in effect. The alarm needed to be installed because of insurance purposes by 9/1 but the other construction was because "he wants to do it". He also seemed to acknowledge what he was doing was not legal, but was of the "go ahead and sure me" attitude.
Right now we were able to find another almost comparable rental (4 instead of 5 bedrooms) but it is significantly more money due to the last minute nature and there are really only two properties on the lake that would fit or amount of people and available at such short notice. The new owner is refusing to cover the difference in rental price because it is too much ($2,400). At this point we will probably book the new rental because otherwise we are out 3k plus all the travel expenses for people flying.
Last but not least, the lease provide for 45 days notice from the Lessee to cancel. There is no provision for Owner cancellation but it does state that any changes to the lease needs to be in writing and signed by both parties.
Has anyone experienced something like this and was able to recover the difference in rentals?

**UPDATE: New owner saw reason, is overnighting a cashiers check with the difference**

Answer:
 > The new owner is refusing to cover the difference in rental price because it is too much ($2,400).

Too bad for him.

He leased you the property, cancelled, and now he's on the hook for a suitable alternative.

Surely it is worth $2400 for someone to drive up and sue him in small claims court.


Title: I need help settling an argument with my girlfriend? [Missouri]

Question:
My friends and I were at the park today playing basketball, when a couple of young kids started harassing us at the court. It wasn't a big deal, since they were by and large pretty funny. But at one point they stole my friend's wallet, which was sitting at a nearby table. Of course, I ran after the kid. I asked him to give it back, he refused, so I grabbed him (non-violently) by the shoulder and yanked it out of his hand. The entire time he was giggling and laughing, and he continued to follow us about, trying his damned hardest to be annoying. It was obvious that he was in no form of distress, otherwise I would have just let him keep the cask (which was about $60).

I was telling my girlfriend about this, and she got a little bit mad. She told be that I could have been charged with assault, and that I should have pursued a different option. But his parents weren't around, and I sure as hell wasn't going to let him run off with that much cash. Plus, I felt as if it would have been douchy to get him in trouble by finding the nearest adult (who wouldn't have had any more of a prerogative than me, since I'm 18 myself and they wouldn't have been a guardian). It was blatantly obvious that he meant no trouble.

As I understand it, assault is using unlawful violence that could hurt someone to resolve a perceived dispute. However, I honestly don't feel as if it had aggressive overtones, especially since he showed no signs of fear. Nor did I grab him hard enough to leave a bruise, it was just enough to momentarily apprehend him. But is my girlfriend right, could I have been charged with assault?

Topic:
Criminal Law

Answer:
 Legit thought this was going to end with you as the Prince of Bel-Air.

And frankly I was disappointed when it did not. Answer #2: >But is my girlfriend right, could I have been charged with assault?

Yes.


Title: My carry on was turned into the lost and found at an airport but American Airlines will not get back to me about it!

Question: I recently got numbed from a flight while on xanex and it kicked in between the flights. Sometime during then I left a bag in a terminal at PHL. A flight attendant found it and text me that she turned it into their baggage claim at PHL since then I’ve submitted a lost and found claim, and called multiple lines including customer service and the baggage claim. I’ve received zero reply’s from the voicemail that is the only thing you can connect to at the airport and the customer service always hangs up the phone on me while they’re ‘trying to call the baggage claim’ for me I’m extremely frustrated especially since it’s they’re fault for bumping me in the state I was in any advice I’m extremely upset and most of my underwear and socks are in it as well as potentially a friends Bluetooth speaker and my id. HELP!!!

Answer:
 How long ago was this flight?

I don't know about American specifically, but typically after a relatively short period of time -- around a week -- in the local (e.g. PHL) baggage service office it would be forwarded to the airline's central baggage service/lost and found center.

Instead of customer service, try American's baggage resolution center at 800-535-5225 and be prepared with a specific description of your bag and its contents (shape, color, weight, brand name, etc) as well as the circumstances of when it was mislaid.

I can't find a local phone number for the PHL Baggage Service Office for AA, and if it was picked up by an AA crew member and taken to the AA PHL BSO the airport will have nothing to do with it, but you can also try the PHL Communications Center at (215) 937-6937 and see if they can give you a local phone number for the BSO or check to see if it wound up at airport lost and found instead.

Also, while it sucks
> since it’s they’re fault for bumping me in the state I was in

I don't think the situation is in any way American's fault unless  they forced you to both take the Xanax and leave your bag unattended.

You may receive better assistance from the airline if you approach it as a "I screwed up, can you help me..." rather than a "You screwed me over, fix it..." situation. (TBH, even when it's completely the airlines fault I start with the former -- more flies with honey, etc.)


Title: I paid $489 for 2 extra points on my license and got my license suspended.

Question:
[deleted]
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer:
 So basically

You have 8 points

You received 2 more points which would bring you to 10 points. In NJ 12 is suspension

You got it knocked down to a lower violation(Unsafe Operation of a Motor Vehicle), and would receive no points. However, you have already received this violation 2 times before. This is your third time getting this. In the case of a third time you receive 4 points.

This brought you up to 12 points and you received a suspension.

http://www.njlaws.com/MotionRe-OpenTicket.html

It looks like this kind of thing isn't very easy to take care of though and no one talks about wanting to change an already changed ticket.


Title: My ex-wife occasionally refuses to allow my weekly visitation with my 4 yr old son out of retribution

Question: Long story short, my fairly recently divorced ex-wife occasionally refuses to allow my weekly court ordered visitation with my four-year-old son as a means of retribution. When I ask what the reason is, she simply replies "you don't seem stable".  I would like for someone to please explain to me the process of self – filing a motion for contempt. I have seen a few websites that appear to have downloadable state specific legal forms for a fee. I am currently unable to fit legal fees into my already stretched budget. Please help!

Answer:
 Consulting a family law attorney is the best option here, but if you really want to file a motion yourself you can try the following:

1. Find the forms at your local courthouse for a contempt motion.
2. Attach all relevant documentation, especially the original court order. Supporting documentation can be any printed out text messages and/or audio recordings on CD of your ex-wife making admissions of violating the order.
3. Fill out the caption for your motion. This is usually the caption from your original case. You also need to use the same docket number as the original case.
4. Fill out the body of the motion where you describe in as much detail as you can how your ex-wife violated the order. Each violation should be listed separately.
5. Fill out any other required forms (i.e. appearance form, summons, summary sheet, etc).Answer #2: The court is going to apply the amount of force necessary to compel compliance with the court order, but no more. So if when you go to court, the judge issues a fine and your ex-wife begins to comply with the all of the court orders, that will be the end of it. However, the penalties (which can include custody modifications, fines, and/or jail time) will become increasingly more severe if your ex-wife does not appear to make a good faith effort to comply.


Title: [Aus] Receiving Centrelink and about to have a compensation payout. Why is Centrelink entitled to a quarter of the payout?

Question:
I'm a 24F currently studying Masters. I earn about $300-$400 a fortnight and get paid $300-$400 a fortnight from Centrelink. I was injured in a car accident in November 2017 and expect the payout to be released in February 2019. I've had a look at the estimator for what Centrelink expects me to owe and it states the expectation of a gross 20k payout would be about 5k. This is what I would "owe" them for "overpaying" me for the past year even though I have no access to this payout. I understood compensation to be a payout mostly for my future losses due to it affecting my future work, not so much my previous losses from work as I had already planned to study. I fully accept my personal amount of money would be above the cut off for payments and I would not receive any further payments.

*  How can Centrelink be entitled to so much of this money?
* Is there anyone I can talk to about combatting the amount they are owed?
* Is there a way my payout can be given to someone else not on Centrelink? Is that fraud?

Answer:
 Centrelink works your benefits out based on what you expect to earn for the entire tax year.   So if you told them in June that you would only earn $15,000 for the year, they would pay your benefits based on that estimate.   As it is quite low, the benefits available would be higher.

If you suddenly earn $40,000 for the year, then the benefits you should have been paid would be lower.   That’s why they ‘take a quarter’.   You are simply repaying what is now an overpayment of your benefits

You need to confirm that your payout will be considered income as this might change how they calculate your benefits.     Also, if they do calculate this as income, you can expect your benefits to be lower for the rest of the year,


Title: My therapist violated HIPPA laws and told personal information to their former roommate

Question:
Hi, I (M20) had been seeing a therapist for my mental health issues and I received a message from her former roommate who told me that she (the therapist) had been coming home from work and telling her private information about her patients, including me. She was using our files to look us up on social media, and to look our addresses up on google maps, and was showing all of it to her roommate. Her former roommate couldn't stand it so she moved out after 3 weeks of living with her and filed a complaint with the company, and with the department of health. Shes urging me to also file complaints. I havent heard a word about this from the company (or office, idk what to call it?) and she said that they havent been telling the patients about it even though they know about her telling people our information.

There was no way for this lady to know I was seeing that therapist unless she had heard or seen my name somewhere, and she reached out to me via Facebook, which is where she said first saw me when the therapist showed her my profile. Also, the company neglected to tell me when I started to see this therapist that she wasnt even a certified therapist and that she was still a student with no certifications.

I am in Tennessee. I am planning on filing complaints against her and contacting the office of the therapy services to see why I haven't been notified about this. Is there any other legal actions against her I can take? Someone like her should NEVER be in a healthcare company if they are going to breach doctor patient confidentiality and HIPAA laws. I want to make sure she cant do this to anyone else. My husband suggested trying to see if I could sue or do something to get financial compensation for them breaching my rights as a patient and not even notifying me about it. I mostly want her out of medical practice but if I can get anything for all this stress of having my personal information shared to strangers I'll take that, too. This is ridiculous.
Topic:
Medicine and Malpractice

Answer:
 > see if I could sue or do something to get financial compensation for them breaching my rights

HIPAA provides for no private right of action unfortunately. You can file a complaint with her licensing board and an [HIPAA complaint](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint/index.html).Answer #2: You should also file a complaint with her school, her internship supervisor, and the state licensure board. All of this is extremely unethical and she should 100% know better if she’s made it far enough through coursework that she is seeing clients. NAL, but I do work in a private practice counseling office that works closely with our local university’s internship program.


Title: Landlord takes every tenant to court, and wins by lying. What can I do to prepare once my lease is up?

Question:
So I found out a few months ago that the landlord I am renting from in Wisconsin, has a history of taking almost every tenant to court. She owns multiple properties in two different cities. I've checked out her court cases online, and she has won every cases against her tenants. She also has many cases with the two cities she owns property in so I'm guessing she owes a lot of money, which is why she takes all her tenants to court with false claims.

I even went as far as to contact a person she just recently went to court with and it turned out to be her own niece. I asked her why her aunt does this and how she wins so many cases, and this was her [response.](http://i.imgur.com/uAQXC1k.png)

So given that, my girlfriend and I are preparing for the worse once our lease is up. The house we are renting has a lot of issues, such as a living room window being cracked, lights not working in the spare bedroom due to bad wiring, and the front door jam being cracked.

There was also an issue with the bedroom heater that went out in the winter. Our landlord came over with some random handyman who I do not think was a licensed electrician. While they were here I used my phone to record them talking and also the man working on the heater. I did this because I wasnt sure who he was or if it was even legal of him messing with the heater. He also left holes in the wall which my landlord said they would come back and patch but never did.

But other than this I have no real evidence that we did not cause the other damages.
We have made sure to keep all our rent receipts, so we can prove we have been paying rent.

Is there anything else we can do to prepare for a court case? We plan on getting a lawyer, but we do not have any witnesses except for my girlfriends family that could testify about the state of the house.

Answer: In addition to time-stamped photos on moveout, do a video walkthrough.Answer #2: Do you have the house move in condition document? That should highlight every issue pre existing. Also, get a reputable cleaning company to clean and keep the receipt. Finally, do a walk through with her in the house. Complete a house move out form with her looking over your shoulder. Try to have a witness on site for that.Answer #3: Remember you are hearing the side of someone who just lost in court. Her version is not exactly unbiased.Answer #4: Just take high quality photos of everything when you leave.


Title: Michigan - How to Respond to New Roadside Drug Testing Law

Question: [removed]

Answer:
 1.  I'm so sorry officer, under the advice of my lawyer I am unable to answer any questions at this time.
2.  I do not consent to any searches, seizures, or tests on me or my property.
3. I really want to be on my way, am I free to go?

You need to be polite, non-combative, and firm.   And no chit-chat (the longer you talk to the cop, the longer he can keep you there, and just possibly get you to admit something).
That's it.  Since you can you legally refuse a field sobriety test in Michigan, this test is no different.Answer #2: Defense attorneys in Michigan say you [should refuse these tests](https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2020/01/defense-attorneys-say-drivers-should-refuse-michigans-new-roadside-drug-tests.html).  The reasoning is that the tests are unreliable, and you are better off with a civil infraction (basically a ticket) than trying to fight a false positive in court.


Title: [Michigan] I will be unable to work soon due to surgeries, employer suddenly claiming I don’t have disability insurance

Question:
The company I work for has about 500 employees in our location. I have been there threeish years.

I need multiple major surgeries which are going to put me out of commission for months. I will not be able to work. One of the benefits my company offers is disability insurance, which has both short-term and long-term coverage. I just spoke to the benefits people about applying for FMLA, and how to go about starting the disability paperwork, and they looked at their system and said, “Oh, you don’t have that.”

I absolutley, 100% signed up for it. Each year, when they have us select benefits through ADP, they tell us to take screenshots in case anything goes wrong. I took screenshots. I showed them screenshots where I clearly have selected the disability insurance. I showed them screenshots of the confirmation screen, showing that I was signed up for the disability insurance. Their response is, “You don’t have that.” They are now claiming they didn’t take the money out of my paycheck. I don’t know if that’s true, because my check stub says things like, “Frm. Ins, AC2016-B, $62.38” and “Dscvben dismem ppa addtl, $122.50.” Those aren’t exact quotes, but you get what I mean.

Am I out of luck, here? They say take screenshots. I took screenshots. They say show them the screenshots. I show them the screenshots. They say, “You don’t have disability coverage.”

Answer: Try /r/AskHR. Seems too early to be a legal question since you don’t really know what happened yet.Answer #2: Sometimes mistakes happen and people don't get signed up. HR/the insurance broker should be auditing this information regularly to catch these mistakes, but sometimes they get caught by the employee first.Answer #3: You need to go to the VP of HR for your company - the top level.  You should be able to get their email address from your company directory.  You should cc the top level of your department or your plant manager, someone at that level that will know who you are.  Send the screen shots showing that you signed up for the benefit and send a screen shot of your pay check deductions.  Tell them if these deductions were not for disability benefits that you signed up for, you have no way of knowing that the deductions were not coming out because the notations on your paycheck are not understandable.  They should explain what the deductions are for and go back and fix it - just be aware if the deductions have not been coming out you may owe deductions back to the first of the year.  You shouldn't need to threaten any action, just make a complaint, ask them to fix it, and make sure someone in your chain of command is aware of this complaint.Answer #4: Have you asked them to go over your payroll deductions with you to see if you have in fact been paying for it? If you haven't actually paid for it, you may be out of luck. If they've been taking the money out of your checks, then it becomes their problem to fix.


Title: [MO] Just found out a company I own hasn't paid payroll taxes since July 2016

Question:
Greetings. I found out today that a company I own hasn't paid payroll taxes since July of 2016. I am the managing member. I have nothing to do with the daily operations of the business and I was completely unaware that payroll taxes weren't being paid.
The amount owed is an amount that neither I or my business partners are willing or able to pay.

Some points:

I am completely aware that this is irresponsible and unacceptable.
This is intensely embarrassing for me.
This is a startup that had ideals of helping people.
We've never made money.
I've been writing checks every two weeks to pay a portion of payroll.
I know this is a situation I need to get out of.
My main concern is for the employees and I will absolutely put them above my own needs.

Assuming the taxes aren't paid by Tuesday, what happens to me?

Answer:
 > The amount owed is an amount that neither I or my business partners are willing ... to pay.

willingness has nothing to do with it.  it is your obligation to pay whether you're willing or not.  have you at least been paying the portion that you've been withholding from your employees?


Title: Hypothetical

Question: Hypothetically let's say the police bring me in for questioning on a case I know nothing about but tell me I'm under arrest, so I cant leave. If they start to interrogate me and I dont ask for a lawyer but I start spouting random crap for hours can they actually do anything about it except listen and be pissed off?

Answer: If you are arrested they can just jail you on the charges and leave you to yourself, they don't have to listen  at all.


Title: Adverse Possession in New York, My neighbor doesn't want me to move my fence.

Question:
Quick background, I purchased my home about 8 months ago, when the survey was done it found the rear fence of the property (my fence) is between 2.4 and 2.8 feet (depending on which side of the property)  into my backyard. There are two properties that back up to mine, one has a fence (about 2.6 feet into my property, the other has no fence.

So, I spoke to the neighbor that doesn't have a fence, thinking this was going to be easier. I let him know that I was going to be putting up a fence in the near future, and that I'm planning on doing it on the property line, a little over 2' closer to his house than the current fence. I provided him a copy of the survey and told him I would be happy to discuss any concerns.

Yesterday I woke up to a team of landscapers planting 15' tall arborvitaes up against my fence, they trimmed the side facing the fence so the trunks are pressed up and literally tied to my fence.

So I'm looking for a lawyer now, but I want to throw two questions out to the community.

First does this neighbor have any right to do what he's doing, I read what I could find about adverse possession in NY and he seems to be going about it wrong if it is his goal.

Second, any advice on how to approach the other neighbor who has 6' privacy fence and his own row of arborvitaes on my property?

Answer:
 It almost sounds like he planted trees on your property. Thank him for the gift and then move the fence on the other side of the new trees.Answer #2: >First does this neighbor have any right to do what he's doing

No. You need to give him written notice (text or email should be fine) that his new plants are on your property and  he needs to remove them.

>literally tied to my fence.

If this has caused any damage then he will be liable for it.

As far as moving the fence, you need to get a property surveyor to confirm the exact location of the property line. Once that is marked you can hire a company to move the fence to the line. The trees are his property so you can't destroy them, you could offer to cover the cost of a landscaper to move the trees to sweeten the deal.

>Second, any advice on how to approach the other neighbor who has 6' privacy fence and his own row of arborvitaes on my property?

Get in touch with them, let them know that you intend to put up a fence along your property boundary, and offer to help with the costs of relocating their trees. You should wait until you have had your property survey done before you start moving anything, but you can talk to them beforehand. Like with your other neighbour, offering to help with the landscaper will sweeten the deal

Here are a few websites that might be useful:

https://statelaws.findlaw.com/new-york-law/property-line-and-fence-laws-in-new-york.html

https://www.propertyshark.com/Real-Estate-Reports/2019/01/15/how-to-resolve-a-neighborhood-fence-dispute/Answer #3: I would double check for any deed restrictions to make sure they don't have set back lines for fences.


Title: Am I legally obligated to pay this woman back?

Question:
You guys can roast me all you want because this really is a story that sounds like it should be made up but here it is. This occured in Seattle, Washington.

I got into a car accident in July driving my then “friend” car. I didn’t have insurance at the time and she did under her aunt’s name but she had none herself. Both cars were totaled even though I don’t think the damage to the car of the woman I hit was enough to be totaled but oh well.

Anyway since I didn’t have insurance I was dealt a big ticket which I paid fine but the lady’s mother wants to collect the total price of the vehicle which she still had a loan on. I agreed with her $200 a month for 25 payments total ($5000) To make up for it since I am in college and didn’t have the funds to pay for it up front.

However, I am running low on money (to live on and buy myself food, etc) and am wondering how I should proceed from here. Should I ask her if I can postpone the payments until I secure myself financially or am I completely obligated to keep paying her.
Topic:
Insurance

Answer:
 You're obligated to pay for the damage you caused.

If you quit paying, she can sue you and she'll likely win if the accident was your fault.


Title: Golf Ball from Next Door Golf Course Heavily Damaged Car Windshield - What Can I Do? - Missouri

Answer: Do you not have glass replacement coverage with your insurance?  I can almost guarantee you the golf course isn't going to want to pay.


Title: [California] Got a ticket for taking a right turn on red right arrow. Red arrow wasn't present, only a red light where it's ok to turn right.

Question:
Hi guys, I recently got a ticket in Southern California for taking a right on a red right arrow. Only I didn't take a right on a red arrow. I have been making this drive for 6 years and it is the only intersection between my incredibly short commute between my work and my home. I know after many years of doing this drive that the red arrow is only present when the crossing traffic coming from my right has a left green arrow as a way to prevent you from taking a right turn and possibly being hit by someone making a legal u-turn. Once the green arrow for a left hand/u-turn turns to a red arrow, my red arrow where I am taking a right turn becomes just a red standard light because the crossing traffic still gets to go but now you are allowed to turn right once it's clear.

It was about 8pm, virtually no cars on the road so I took my right. The cop who was hidden in the parking lot next to me with no lights on (so I had no idea he was there until he got me) said I turned on red. I calmly explained that it must be a mistake because I make this drive just about every day and always obey the system because it's only a red arrow for about 10-20 seconds max and that my house is less than a 1/4 mile from the intersection. He didn't care, as I figured he wouldn't, and he wrote me a ticket for a right on a red right arrow. I know in my heart that it was just a standard red light where it's ok to turn right when it's clear, yet I now have what could be upward of a $500 ticket that I truly cannot afford.

Is there any way to fight this? I imagine it will be my word vs. an officer's, but I hope to have SOMETHING to contest this with aside from just my account of the event and I have no idea what I could do other than plead my case.

Thanks for the help /r/legaladvice!

Answer:
 Take a video of the light.

For what it's worth, the back of the light has a little indicator that shows when the light is red, so the cop behind the light can see what the light shows, in most intersections.Answer #2: You can go to the intersection where this took place, take pictures of the light, and present them. Google Maps screenshots might also be helpful.


Title: Fired for saying "God damn it"

Question:
I got fired from my job in fast food yesterday because I said "God damn it" at work. I did not work for a religious organization of any kind. Nobody got reprimanded for swearing either, I've heard much worse there.
Is this religious discrimination?

Answer:
 > Is this religious discrimination?

noAnswer #2: It’s more likely a customer heard you and complained, or a manager just didn’t like your language.Answer #3: No. Firing you to fail to uphold company standards or reasonable professional norms is not discrimination. Answer #4: Most places of employment have policies on profanity in the workplace, consult your employee handbook or speak with someone in the human resources department.


Title: [CA] Started LLC, members forced me out. Want to settle.

Question:
-Started California LLC
-In lieu of pay, gave two members majority of ownership.
-I also was employee of aforementioned LLC
-Other members forced my termination of employee status
-Other members attempted to buy my share of the company
-Offered me $1000 check which I declined to deposit.
-Offered me $5000 check which I also declined.
-20 months later, the company has grown and is doing at least $100K a year.
-I am now ready to settle.
-What do you guys recommend?

Answer:
 >What do you guys recommend?

Hire an attorney to help you determine the value of your interest and negotiate payment.


Title: [NJ] Pulled over and ticketed for tailgating yesterday, leaving for a semester abroad tomorrow.

Question:
So yesterday I was driving to work (in some rain) and my thoughts wandered for a minute (packing your life into one suitcase is difficult). I realized I was really close to the driver in front of me, and was about to back off even though he was under the speed limit when a cop saw me while going the other way, did a U turn to come up behind me, followed me for a minute and pulled me over. It was my first time being pulled over at all, let alone ticketed and I was as calm as I could be and very polite to the officer. He seemed to be reluctant when he pulled my license and saw I was impeccably clean but gave me a ticket for tailgating with "court date required" checked off and a court date in october. I told him I was leaving and wouldn't be back til December but he said it'd be fine and I would be able to get the court date moved, and that I should go plead not guilty and get the charge lowered, and that that should be no problem. I was confused as to why he was ticketing me if he thought I should fight it (end of the month quota?) and I called the court to get the date moved the next morning (today).

Municipal court lady tells me that it's not so simple as moving the date because if the court date is 60 days or more after the incident the MVC comes in and suspends my license (?), and seems really sympathetic and overwhelmed as to why the cop did what he did. She tells me tailgating is actually 5 points on my license(!!) and a $85 dollar fine, which seems absurd for my first ever offense when I wasn't road raging or speeding. She set my court date for after I come back and says she'll try to catch the MVC and explain the situation before they suspend my license, but that letting them know now probably wouldn't do anything because "they like to follow their set procedures".

I've been driving for 5 years and this is my first offense. I'm about to go study abroad with a partial scholarship and since my parents pay my insurance I feel terrible as all hell for this stupid mistake. The court lady suggested that I try for "unsafe operation" but after a little research it seems very expensive... But probably better than points on my license? Is there anything I can do to make this bad situation even a little bit better?

Answer:
 >I was confused as to why he was ticketing me if he thought I should fight it (end of the month quota?)

He thought you should fight it so you wouldn't get fined as much, but his job is still his job. Meaning he watched you commit a dangerous driving offense and he is sworn to uphold the law. Imagine the discipline he receives when someone complains on him for not doing his job with someone breaking the law right in front of him. He can be identified through his vehicle ID number and suspended or fired in a heartbeat. Also, quotas are mostly a myth.


Title: Can I sue a fiction novel author who has used my full name as one of his character in the novel,and that character has misbehaved.

Question: Can I sue a fiction novel author who has used my full-name as one of his character in his novel,and that character misbehaved. I just found it when i was googling my full name on google. That book has been published around 3 years ago.

Answer:
 How common is your name?  Do you know the author?  Is the character similar to you in any way beyond your name?

You don't have a case.  Especially because most works of fiction include that disclaimer about similarities with real people being coincidence. Answer #2: No. You don't know the author, the author couldn't care less about you.


Title: 2nd DWI for my sister about 30 minutes ago. Will the place that served her alcohol be held liable?

Question:
TEXAS if it makes a difference.

So I think this is my sister's 2nd DWI? She's had a few. I don't really care what happens to her in the legal system at this point. She needs to go to jail. My concern is the friend that had alcohol that she drank.

My friend (let's call her abby) is a hairstylist and was working on my sister's hair. Another client of Abby's had some wine and my sister  (20) asked for some and drank maybe 4 glasses and was already buzzed from drinking at work earlier today. So my question is, will the police come to her establishment seeking to find parties involved?

Answer:
 No, the place that served your sister is not liable for her DWI. While your sister is not old enough to drink legally, her choice to drink and drive is all her own. I'm assuming no one poured the alcohol down her throat, put her in a car, started it, put the car into gear and pushed her foot on the accelerator...right?

The place that served your sister could be liable to the state for serving alcohol to someone who is underaged, sure. That doesn't help your sister though.

&#x200B;


Title: Venue is canceling my parents' anniversary due to "government mandate" even though there is no such mandate.

Question:
My parents have their 50th anniversary celebration scheduled for this Saturday evening at a local restaurant.  The manager just notified me this morning that for the "safety" of guests they are canceling the event and will be returning our deposit.

I would like to clarify that we are in South Dakota which has no stay at home orders or anything like that.  Everything is operating normally here.  The restaurant is still open.

Do we have any legal basis to do anything about this?  If we have to move the location last minute it's going to cost a lot of money.  Can we ask them to reimburse us? They are clearly trying to get out of this by blaming the government, even though the government hasn't done anything.

Answer:
 > South Dakota which has no stay at home orders or anything like that.

[Are you sure about that?](https://doh.sd.gov/documents/COVID19/COVID_ExecutiveOrder.pdf)


Title: My landlord states I did not pay last months rent

Question: I live in Washington state, Skagit county. We moved into this apartment 3 years ago, and the apartment complex transferred ownership. We originally paid partial first month of $266, last month's $825 and a $300 security deposit. We are trying to move and our new landlord states last months rent is not paid and is now the deposit is $1150.  They state our old lease is invalid. Is it legal for them to transfer our original money and use it as a deposit instead of its original purpose as last months rent?

Answer: You could easily shut them up with a proof of transaction (like a receipt or a bank statement with money being sent to their bank acct )


Title: Landlord refuses to accept updated renter's insurance policy because of the provider. Recommends a much more expensive alternative. (Arkansas)

Question:
When I first moved in to this apartment back in September of last year, I provided proof of renter's insurance through State Farm. They accepted it and I went on with my life. Today I went in to meet with my agent to make some changes to my policy to lower my premium. One of these changes affected my renter's insurance. I still have all of the minimum coverages required by my apartments, but when I turned in the updated policy, they refused to accept it stating that they don't take State Farm. They gave me a brochure for a provider they would accept but the difference in the premiums amounts to hundreds of dollars a year. Can they refuse a specific provider like that? If any, what is my recourse?

Edit: After discovering there is no clause in my lease that forbids a specific provider I brought it to their attention and told them they must accept my policy. They responded by saying they needed me to sign an amended version of my lease with the added clause "State Farm is NOT a valid provider." I refused to sign and they accepted my policy. I doubt they will allow me to renew without that clause when the time comes.

Answer: Have they said why they don't consider State Farm a valid provider?  If it covers what they need it to cover, why does the provider matter in this case?


Title: My sister is being violently threatened and is getting 0 help from police.

Question:
Keeping it as vague as possible because the person making the threats is insane. We live in Texas. This person has gotten and posted my sisters specific address on social media and has made violent threats towards her recently. This follows a huge string of harassment lasting over a year from this person. After the most recent threat was made my sister contacted police again but was once again told they couldn't do anything until the harasser actually physically does something. My sisters life is in danger and because this isn't a domestic dispute they're brushing it off. All my sister wants is a legal order that says this person cannot be near my sister so that from there she can take it to court because we KNOW that order will not stop this person.

Basically I just need to know how do we get police to take these threats seriously? My sister is home alone and afraid for her life.

Answer: She should contact an attorney, and/or a nonprofit organization that deals with stalking/harassment/domestic violence. Threats made online can also be reported to the FBI (they probably won't do much, but it's worth a try), and to any websites where they are posted (after screenshotting them). She should also go stay with a friend or family member if possible, or look into a domestic violence shelter.


Title: Landlord changed my locks while I was out of town; may have thrown out my things

Question: I've been on a month to month lease for years; without an actual lease (obviously a mistake I'll never repeat again- lesson learned). Landlord said I could just pay each month as I'm a chill tenant and she's a chill landlord. Told her I was moving by June 1st; she said she'd just use my deposit as Mays rent (her idea). I told her I'd be out of town this weekend but would try to leave her a key as she was having a potential new tenant over to see the place and she's lost hers. Forgot to leave the key as moving was hectic and I was busy getting ready for my out of state trip. She was pissed she couldnt get in, and when I finally checked my phone to see her missed calls and texts she said she had changed the locks and cleaned out the things I hadn't moved yet, most of which were of sentimental value. Now she won't respond to my calls and texts.  Since she accepted my deposit as rent for May, isn't the place technically mine until June 1st? Does she have a right to change the locks before then?? Mostly I just want my things back; what rights do I have as tenant here? Should I take her to small claims court? This is in Georgia.

Answer:
 Self help evictions, including changing the locks, are illegal in Georgia. You may file a
55
lawsuit against the landlord for any damages you suffer due to his wrongful conduct. It is best if
this type of action is pursued with the assistance of an attorney. If you cannot obtain an attorney,
you can file a claim in the magistrate court of the county where the landlord is located.

I am not a lawyer but the Information was found [here](https://www.dca.ga.gov/housing/HousingDevelopment/programs/downloads/Georgia_Landlord_Tenant_Handbook.pdf) (page 55)
And yes you are legally still a tenant.Answer #2: Wow, this is terrible.  Yes, this is illegal and you will be able to sue your landlord for damages.

What I suggest to get started is send your landlord a letter, certified, demanding your things back, explaining the situation, and explaining that what was done is unlawful. Be firm but not rude. Give her seven days to return your items to your new address or a list of what happened to your items.  Give her a list of what you are missing if you can.

Sorry this is happening to you. In NY this is actually a criminal violation by the landlord but unfortunately few states are that tough on illegal evictions.Answer #3: In most states you are still the tenant and the local sheriff and police will allow you entry to property.  You have any mail with your name on it?   If your stuff is still in the house call and ask for the police to meet you at YOUR RESIDENCE and then tell them you are entering the property as per your rights as a tenant. If landlord is there sheriff will often tell them they Must allow you access until they do an eviction


Title: I have reason to believe my business partner stole money from our company. Seeking advice.

Question:
TL;DR - Baltimore, Maryland. I have reason to believe my business partner stole money from our company. What type of attorney should I be looking for? Is this a civil matter or a criminal one? Any additional advice would also be appreciated.

In 2015 I (Keith) had a friend (Nate) who owned a property (a shell) that he wanted to rehab and flip but he didn't have the funds to do so. Nate does real estate flips for a living. He was going thorough bankruptcy because he was sued by his last set of business partners (red flag I know). Another mutual friend (Nick) and I wanted to help him out and we saw an opportunity to make some money. so Nick provided the down payment for the property, and I was the guarantee for the note. Nate finished bankruptcy proceedings, and then we put the property in an LLC owned by all 3 of us. Our operating agreement said that Nate would handle the construction of the house, and Nick and I would do some administrative work but mostly act as silent investors. The original high-level project plan as laid out by Nate was as follows:

Note on house: $204k (which is in my name)
Cash to purchase house: $20k (provided by Nick)
Cash required to finish house: $30k (provided by Nick)
6-12 months of carry costs, interest payments on the loan etc: ~700/mo (provide by me))

A year went by and the house was not even close to finished. This caused a lot of tension between the 3 of us. Nick said we were short on money to finish the house so both Nick and I put another $20k into the LLC account to finish the property.

Long story short, Nick had an emergency that took him across the country for 6 months, and in that time I went through a terrible divorce, and my father died unexpectedly. Nate said he "had our back" and he would get the house done while we tended to these personal issues. In those 6 months very little was was done, and no payments were made to the bank. In all honesty I was in a very bad place and did not really follow up with Nate on anything during this time. When I got back involved with  the project, the bank had begun the foreclosure process. Nate said he put the last $20k we gave him into the house but had no records to provide as to exactly where that money went. The next shit that Nate pulled was to say that we need an emergency $38k to finish the house and avoid foreclosure. He sat down with Nick and I with a loan note from a hard-money lender for $38k. He said that not only can the house not be finished if we didnt take this loan against the llc, but also that he refused to work on the house if we didnt sign. Yes, I know it was bad idea to sign this, but at the time, between my ex and my father, I just wanted the house done and we signed.

So to recap on costs:
The original plan proposed by Nate was that the house would cost $30k to finish and sell.
At this point I have put in an additional $30K out of pocket for (about $15k in carry costs, and $15k additional).
Nick put in the original $55k ($20k to buy the house and $30k that was supposed to be enough to complete the house, and an additional $5k)
And the LLC put in an additional $38k from Nate's hard-money lender. So a project that was projected to cost $30k to finish, is now in for $88k, the house was never finished, and Nate will not account for where all those funds went.

The house was set to be auctioned by the bank so I put the company into Chapter 7 bankruptcy to avoid foreclosure for the time being. The sale of the unfinished house is now being handed by a trustee  appointed by the city. They think there will be enough equity in the house to satisfy the bank loan.

In the past 2+ years Nate has finished multiple other projects (flips) and also built a house that is his current residence. I am all but certain Nate was funneling funds from our project into his other ones. The entire situation is a mess and I feel that Nate simply took advantage of the hardships that both Nick and I were dealing with to move money out of the LLC for his own personal use. Needless to say our friendship is over, and I would like to go after him legally. I have not mentioned any of these issues with Nate, he thinks Nick and I are idiots and we are unaware of all of this, he think's that we will just write all of this off as a failed investment and everybody is hunky-dory. So, how do I begin to go about taking legal action? I can answer any additional questions if any of this doesn't make sense, Thank you in advance.

Answer: You are potentially owed tens or even over a hundred thousand dollars. You are beyond legaladvice territory. Call your local bar and get a business lawyer.


Title: Were my HIPAA rights violated?

Question:
I’m in North Carolina. I woke up with a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) and headed to a nearby Urgent Care. I got there at opening and before anyone else walked in. I told the receptionist I had a UTI and needed to be seen and prescribed antibiotics. She takes my license & insurance and tells me to have a seat in the waiting area which is directly next to the front desk with nothing separating the two spaces. It’s all open. She called me back up no less than 5 times during my 20 minute wait to ask me simple questions (phone number, current address, email address, etc. all in separate occurrences) and each time I walked to the front desk she’d say “Hi, [my name], you’re here for the UTI, right?” And each time I nodded yes. That, or any information, isn’t something the entire waiting area needs to hear. It got to a point. Where it seemed she was definitely doing it intentionally.
Anyway I’m finally taken back and seen. The doctor instructs me to go to the same desk and see the same lady to check out. I approach her and she ignores me and then tells me to take a seat in the main waiting area to check out which is kind of odd but I head over there and take a seat. After about 5 minutes of sitting there I approach the desk and ask what exactly I’m waiting for and she says “The doctor hasn’t printed off the prescription for your UTI yet so we’re just waiting for the paperwork. Take a seat and I’ll call you when it’s ready.” I sit down, annoyed, and the woman next to me makes a comment about how painful UTIs are and tells me she hopes I feel better. I’m thinking ok great people are definitely hearing all this but I’m not in the mood to argue with anyone right now. I finally get my paperwork and leave.

My question is is it a HIPAA violation to announce specific medical information about a patient at a volume that is easily heard by the public? Especially an excessive number of times? She definitely seemed to be doing it intentionally, and I’m not sure why as I’ve never seen nor met this woman before. I started recording it when it got to a point where I realized she was doing it intentionally, but I think NC is a state where recordings are useless unless both parties are aware they are being recorded... anyway, any information is appreciated. Thank you.
Topic:
Healthcare Law including HIPAA

Answer: Maybe, maybe not. In any event, all you can do is report it. You can report online with HHS, and you can report to the clinic's hipaa privacy officer.


Title: (Baltimore, Maryland) My car was towed - how can I take the towing company to court?

Question:
This morning my car was towed from behind my brother's house where he pays for his private parking space. I was parked parallel to him, and may have been over the line onto the neighbor's property by about 6-12 inches. I came out today, and my car was towed. I read online that in Baltimore, the towing company must be able to provide photographic evidence of the violation. I called the towing company (have not picked up my car as of now) and they say they do not have any photographic evidence, and claim they don't need it.

I don't really care if the owner of the property was within his rights to tow the car. It's $350 to pick my car up, and if they can't legally prove I'm guilty, I would like to take them to court over it. I don't really know where to begin though, any advice?

Answer:
 > I read online that in Baltimore, the towing company must be able to provide photographic evidence of the violation.

I find no such regulation.  Can you cite to that?


Title: Safe Drinking Water Act violation?

Question: I've been complaining to my landlord about discolored hot water for 2 1/2 months now, with no fix yet. I discovered this morning that when they installed a water heater they used 50/50 solder, containing 50% lead. Is this something I should speak to a lawyer about? It appears to be in violation of providing safe drinking water, but I don't know. I am in Massachusetts

Answer: Yeah, that has been illegal since 1986. Give the EPA a call and explain the situation. Answer #2: Is this public water or a private well?  If it is public water, then I would contact the EPA.  If this is a private well servicing less than 25 people, then the SWDA may not apply to them.  Are you sure they used the solder on the pipes and not the wires? Not many licensed plumbers would take that kind of risk to save a few cents. (My knowlege is in commercial construction, not residential)