Title: Person is threatening to sue me and "ruin" me after losing their job

Question:
Person posted racist remarks on social media; this person had listed on their public profile the company they worked for, and their position at that company. I contacted the company to send them screenshots of the racism and express my concern that someone posting such things was representing them. That person lost their job. Now, that person is threatening to sue me and "ruin my life".

I am in a different country from this person, from this person's business \(which to my understanding has had to be stopped\), and from where their previous employer is based.

I still have screenshots of everything.

Do I have anything to worry about here?

Answer:
 No. This is just venting on their part. Block them and move on.Answer #2: Someone who feels wronged by something you say about them isn't engaging in "malicious prosecution" even if they have no chance of winning.

Even  intentionally filing a lawsuit knowing it has no merit isn't malicious prosecution.

Malicious prosecution (generally) is filing a lawsuit you know has no merit, simply for the purpose of harassing the defendant.  But even then, simply *filing* the lawsuit and then withdrawing it or having it dismissed is not malicious prosecution.  There has to be something more than that.

There is already a remedy for filing a meritless lawsuit -- sanctions by the court and damages for the inconvenience.  Malicious prosecution is more about abuse of process than about trying to put a fraud before the court.  Abuse of process is taking advantage of the procedural rules themselves in order to cause someone repeated or ongoing inconvenience.

One complaint doesn't do it.Answer #3: Keep the screenshots just in case the harassment continues. Block them on Facebook. Consider making your profile non-searchable if they contact you from a dummy account - and contact Facebook and report them for harassment (because even online actions have consequences and the first amendment protects your from the government, your employer can fire you for being a racist idiot).


Title: [TX] Landlord did not have property in livable condition on my move-in date. Am I allowed to terminate lease?

Question:
This past weekend, 2 of my roommates and I moved our furniture to a house we are renting for college. Upon arrival, it was evident the previous tenants trashed the place before they left. We immediately contacted the property manager and had her come walk through the house with us. She claimed they cleaned and went through the house.

There were smoke alarms not attached and without batteries. There was an exterior sliding door without a handle or proper lock. There was a window with broken locks. The AC was not working properly (over 3 hrs to cool from 85 to 82). The AC filters had not been changed. There was a strong musky smell and we believe mold or mildew in the carpets with the smell.

There is a dangerously exposed corner on a wooden step. The thermostat was hanging by its wires instead of being attached to the wall. The chimney on the gas heater was not securely attached to the heater itself. The back door has a 1 inch gap all the way across the bottom that is exposed to the outside. 1 of the 2 showers is non-working, and the other is sloped slightly away from the drain causing standing water in the back of the tub.

It is quite clear to us that they did not look through this house between the last tenants moving out and us moving in. Our lease started August 5th and the previous tenants were out July 31st.

I sent an email with repair requests to the property manager. Should I send a certified letter with return receipt as well?

My main question is since the house was not ready on our move-in date (they claimed it was), are we legally allowed to terminate the lease? I know things like smoke detectors, exterior door and window locks, working AC, and mold/mildew free (I believe) are requirements for a livable residence.

Answer: Did you move in? If the place was not acceptable you should have refused to move in.


Title: MD - Non-married couple living together, one working while other receives welfare

Question:
To keep it brief, a close relative got an acquaintance pregnant “by accident” and had her move in with him to support her and the baby.  As soon as she found out she was pregnant, the girl quit her job and started collecting welfare benefits.  I don’t know all the details about what she is receiving except I know she is collecting SNAP and is on Medicaid (even though she is also insured through my relative’s work insurance, I didn’t know it was possible to have double insurance).  Meanwhile, my relative makes a low six-figure salary and financially supports her and the baby (who is now two years old).

I can’t help but feel like it would be illegal for someone to be collecting welfare benefits while being financially supported the way she is.  I also worry about my relative’s liability in the situation if this is in fact illegal, even though they are not married.  Thanks in advance for any responses!

Answer:
 There are MANY households with one working parent that qualify for SNAP and Medicaid/CHIP.  Heck there are households with two working parents that qualify.  It’s fairly likely that they are reporting his income because the government isn’t stupid.  If youve been getting SNAP without having had a job for two years they kind of, like, ask what you’ve been doing to be able to sleep indoors that whole time.

You can report it if you think this person is committing fraud.

Edit: Yes, even a low six figure income could qualify for public assistance if they have high enough qualified expenses for housing, insurance premiums and other things.


Title: Was a passenger in a non moving vehicle which was rear ended by another vehicle going 50-60 mph.

Question:
Yesterday I was sitting in the bucket seat (middle seat) of a 2004 Dodge 1500 truck at a stop light when a 2014 Jeep Cherokee rear ended us at a speed of 50-60 mph.

I work as a laborer for my brother and his work partner's contracting LLC, and we were on our way to work.  The driver and other passenger (my brother) are very close to me and we are keeping in close contact throughout this process.

I didn't sustain any major injuries, and drove myself to the hospital after the accident.  I received an x-ray of my spine where I was told that it looked okay, and was given a prescription for muscle relaxers and 600 MG Motrin.

I woke up this morning feeling as messed up as you'd guess and received a call from the other party's insurance company.  After giving my report she notified me of their settlement offer.

$500 - ER visit
$200 - personal time
$300 - missed work

$1000 - total

The opposing party claimed responsibility on the scene and was driving a work vehicle.

Is this what I should expect?  They will be checking with me tomorrow about this offer.  My bosses haven't received an offer yet for personal injury or our work vehicle.
Topic:
Personal Injury

Answer:
 No.

Do not accept.

If you have medical insurance, they will expect reimbursement from your settlement.

$1,000 is nothing.


Title: How does the legal system determine what's religious freedom or not.

Question:
I have always wondered, what is considered overstepping the law when it comes to the legal system and religion. For example, the courts have decided that interracial marriage is legal and also gay marriage is legal BUT a member of clergy is legally allowed to refuse to perform that ceremony based on religious grounds. One could argue that this is denying service to a protected class. It'd be like if you served burgers to people but refused to serve it to a black and white couple.

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That being said, if a religion claimed that polygamy was a required practice, the law could step in. Or if a religion said that marrying a 14 year old is acceptable because their Holy Book says so.

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What's the general rule of thumb when it comes to determining this?

Answer:
 A few things:

(1) Marriage is a civil function. When gay people are allowed to marry, it’s the government not prohibiting the legal engagement.

(2) Churches and religious leaders themselves are often explicitly exempted from laws on discrimination. It’s why a church doesn’t have to hire a janitor if they’re not Christian, but a burger stand can’t do the same.

(3) A marriage ceremony by a priest, etc. is a religious function. The government is not allowed to dictate the tenants and restrictions of religious practice. That is a 1st Amend. issue.

(4) Your question about polygamy, etc. is called “generally applicable laws.” If there is a law that applies to everyone regardless of religious faith (like you can’t speed down the freeway), it applies to people even when it incidentally burdens their religious beliefs (my holy book says speeding is godly). Now, the Supreme Court has buckled on this before (usually for accommodating Christian beliefs), but that’s how it’s supposed to work.


Title: (Virginia) I (non-custodial parent) am moving from US>Canada & need to write a relocation letter to the court.

Question:
Background: I am applying for permanent residency in Canada so I can stay with my partner here. My ex and I have a joint custody agreement that allows for us both to have unrestricted access to our son, but our son primarily lives with my ex because my ex has two other children and I don’t want my son to grow up without his siblings in his life.

My ex is also relocating, with our son, to Florida. I told my ex in September that we were moving to Canada and up until I told them we had to get our son a passport, they were mostly cooperative. Now my ex is saying that they are unwilling to get our son a passport, which I see as a full and willful defiance of our custody agreement. Beyond that, my ex has continuously failed to cooperate with other parts of the custody agreement over the last several years, including withholding visitations that are defined as my time with our son in the custody agreement, and failing to inform me of any/all school info, extracurricular info, and health info regarding our son, even when I have specifically asked for it.

In our original custody agreement, there is a section about relocation that states that I only have to inform my ex of my relocation as far ahead of time as possible since our son doesn’t live with me. In our final divorce decree, there is an addendum to the custody agreement that says I have to send a certified letter to the court, (with a copy going to my ex as well) in the event of my relocation. I haven’t done that yet because I’m still in Canada on a 6 month tourist visa, but I plan on writing that letter next week and mailing it out to both the court and my ex.

My questions are:

-What am I required to state in that letter?

-If I am concerned about my ex continuing to refuse to get a passport for our son and cooperate with me because of the current situation, should I mention that?

-If my ex moves to Florida before resolving this issue (ie, getting my son a passport and continuing *all* scheduled visitations) what are my options?

-I have no desire to amend the custody agreement beyond updating our locations. I simply want my ex to participate in the custody arrangement we both agreed to. Is that something I should emphasize in my letter?

-previously, I had a consult with an attorney in VA who told me that nothing should change about the custody agreement because of me moving to Canada since Canada + USA have such close ties and both participate in The Hague Convention, and because our son doesn’t live with me. (Also, I have no interest in being kicked out of Canada just to be sent to the states and charged with kidnapping, and I have reassured this hundreds of times to my ex.) Is this actually the case? What are some possible hurdles I might face?

Also: for those of you whose first bit of advice is to log everything, I have an extremely detailed log of all interactions between myself, my son, and my ex, as in, it’s searchable by keyword so I can pull up custody agreement violations by what section thy violated. Hashtag organized. :P

Sorry, no TLDR. :(

Answer: You need a new custody order. This new order will allow you to get a passport for your child and also set out exact visitation times. You need this. You do not want to keep going with the current, unworkable schedule. You need a lawyer. NEED. International custody issues are complicated and are not DIY


Title: About to sue a private elementary school for causing and covering up a head injury, resulting in PTSD and years of a TBI being left untreated. What can I expect the school's lawyers to dig up on me or say about me? [United Kingdom]

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 >All of the lawyers are in discovery at the moment.

If you really have an attorney doing discovery related to you case, then you should talk with them, not random people on the internet.


Title: Underwater on a lease?!?

Question:
I renewed my lease last fall for this coming year (started in August) at $595/mo; I looked online, and the property management company the offering the same style units for 525/mo- a substantial difference. Hell, my roommate is paying 495 because he signed his lease late (rooms are rented out individually).

In addition, if I was to renew my lease for the 2016-17 year, it'd be 535/mo. How can I go about rectifying this? I'm new to Pennsylvania, so I'm not sure how the renting laws work.

I like where I live, and would like to go tomorrow and speak with the property manager. Anyone have any suggestions?

Answer:
 It's common for landlords to offer lower rates to get new tenants. The time to negotiate is *before* you sign. You can certainly try to negotiate next time you go to renew.

"Underwater" refers to owing more than something is worth.Answer #2: The price other people pay is irrelevant here. The price that matters is the price you two agreed and signed. There is no law that requires the LL to resign at a lower price. There is no reason for the LL to do so either.

It isn't unfair either. You weren't forced to sign, and if they want to rent it for a higher or lower price for reasons they are allowed it.

You have no recourse legally.

a LL will often offer lower prices to new people to get them in.Answer #3: You already renewed and need to pay the higher rate you agreed to. That's all there is to it.Answer #4: What do you feel needs to be rectified? They offered you a renewal amount, you accepted and signed a document.


Title: Falsely arrest, need advice!

Question:
Before I explain what happened, all I am asking for is advice on a legal level. I do not want or need comments about the relationship please and thank you
Here is what happened:

We are located in Indiana. My husband came home drunk, which we hand an agreement of no drinking. An argument started and got loud, I called his brother and asked him to come remove him from the situation before it escalated. After calling his brother the situation became a little more heated so before it got worse I called the police to mediate until his brother came to pick him up. He is not liked by the police in our town, perfect example just this week he has been pulled over for ridiculous reasons 4 times just so the can try to find reasons to give him a ticket. So the came quickly, imediately put him in handcuffs and removed him from the house. I explained to them over and over that all I wanted was them to be there to deescalade the situation until his ride came to get him. But after talking to both my husband and I and seeing that the house was a mess (a table flipped over) they arrested him for domestic battery even though I kept telling them that there was no violence and that they had no reason to arrest him. There were no marks bruises and I was not in pain, I asked them there to prevent the slight chance of that kind of situation happening. After threatening me with disorderly for being upset while they arrested him and they took him away we spoke with a lawyer ($1500 later from bonding him out) and the lawyer explained the charges would be dismissed due to lack of evidence. No marks no bruises no pictures they took no statements and read no one their rights. After all of this and all the harassment before this situation we are considering making a case for wrongful arrest, however when he was put in the police vehicle he was being loud and kicking at the Windows, he is worried that if we try to create a case for a wrongful arrest that they will charge him for disorderly conduct because of how he acted in the police vehicle.

I'm not 100% about the laws and fine lines so I'm wanted to hear some opinions because if he wouldn't have been wrongfully arrested he wouldn't have reacted the way he did, and have the risk of being charged with disorderly if he wanted to peruse legal action for the wrongful arrest. We are tired of being harassed and have police driving by our house numerous times a day for no reason, and we don't know at this point what will happen if we take legal action.  Any advice?

Answer:
 This is not wrongful arrest.

Seek help for your obviously abusive relationship (or just leave).Answer #2: The police arrested him because you called them and when they got to the scene he was aggressive and it looked like there had been a fight.

The charges may be dropped or dismissed, but this does not make the arrest wrongful.

No-one here thinks the likleyhood of the cops having it in for your husband is higher than the likleyhood of him breaking the law a lot. But if, for arguments sake, they are after your husband I suggest he sober up and pull his head in. his actions (kicking the glass) are not going to get him far in the event this happens again.


Title: [Maryland] I gave my car keys and vehicle to my mechanic 2 days ago to take it for repair. He has been gone for 2 days and won't take my calls. His car is in my driveway. Anything I can do?

Question:
To be specific, I gave my car keys and vehicle to my mechanic 2 days ago. He was supposed to take the car to a shop for repairs and return it by the end of the day. That was Thursday. At the end of the day he called me saying that the repair took longer than expected and that he would return the car to me the next day in the morning. The next day, Friday, I called him over 20 times on his cellphone and he never picked up. Finally, around 7 pm he called me (totally unapologetic) saying the repairs were complete and that he was on his way to my house. I waited until 1am, called him several more times around 10, 11 and midnight and went to sleep around 1am after no answer from him. Today, Saturday, I've been calling him non stop since 7am and he won't pick up the phone, when in the past (he's been my mechanic for a few years) he would always pick up the phone. The car is insured. What should I do? How long should I wait before reporting it stolen? Would the insurance even pay up given the fact that I gave him  the car keys and initially authorized him to use my vehicle? Any other ideas? By the way, his car (a beat up $3.000 car) is still in my driveway. I already captured his car plates and vin number just in case, since I don't know his last name nor where he lives. Any advice?

Update: After about 20 missed calls today, guy finally picked up the phone and assured me he was on his way and that he would be here by 11:30 am. Since I didn't know if this was the last time he would take one of my calls, I decided to go all in and tell him that if the car was not in running condition, I would be more that happy to go wherever he was and have the car towed by my roadside assistance company, no hard feelings. He assured me this was not the case, that all repairs had been complete, and that he would be here by 11:30 am. He hanged up, and when 11:30 came and went with no sign of the guy, I started freaking out again. Finally, he showed up at 1pm. Just seeing my car pull into my driveway put my soul back into my body. I check the car for the repairs, and everything had been installed as he said. I gave him his money and he left. Not even an apology. After he left, I went back outside and decided to REALLY inspect the car. I found a scratch on the passenger door that was not there before. A big one. About 4 inches long. And it was deep too. Apparently he decided to mask the scratch with some cheap lacquer or some synthetic type of sealant. I don't know what it is. It looks like shit. But I guess after contemplating having my car stolen, or at the bottom of a cliff and to finish paying for a car I couldn't even drive, a scratch on a door is pretty small by comparison. My car was perfect. It had no scratches and it was my baby. And this twat fucked it up. But at least come Tuesday, I will be able to drive it to work. The last 24 hours were nerve racking for me.  Thanks to all of you who took the time to respond. I really appreciate it.

Answer: Call the police


Title: My insurance won't approve a single case agreement and wants to force me to go to an incompetent surgeon.

Question:
I'm transgender and am scheduled to have surgery in a few months. I scheduled this surgery about a year and a half ago because it takes a long time to see a surgeon due to the fact that very few surgeons do this procedure. This surgeon is out of network, and at the time, I could fine no surgeons who were in network. Apparently there is one surgeon in the national network, but he is also out of state, has done very few operations, and I personally know someone who went to him and had serious complications. Now they don't want to approve a waiver for me to have the operation out of network because they want me to go to this new surgeon. What are my options? I'm extremely desperate here, and I appreciate any advice.
Topic:
Insurance

Answer:
 A "competent" out-network surgeon may not be covered. If insurance is only covering in-network surgeons, and the only one in-network you don't trust to complete the job successfully, you'll either have to shell out the money for an out of network surgeon or risk it with the in-network.

I would NOT risk something like this. You'll have to weigh your own options, but this isn't a lifesaving surgery (like heart attack surgery for example) and may be classified as "optional", which limits your insurance resources.

Talk to your insurance with your friend's testimony about this surgeon and tell them you don't feel comfortable with this individual and fear complications that wouldn't otherwise happen with the out of network surgeon. If they approve it with this new information, great! Otherwise, you'll have to weigh the options again.


Title: Was just offered either a severance package to leave OR if I decide to stay I will be placed on PIP. This came out of nowhere.

Question:
Hey everyone,

I started at this company on March 19, 2018 where I work remote as tech support and after my week long training I had 1on1’s weekly with my manager to go over performance and how I was doing.

Every 1on1 I had with her no negative feedback was said, and she had stated I was doing great and for me to keep up the good work.

I had my 1on1 this past Monday so I jump on a video chat and seen that not only my manager was in the chat room but so was my director and a HR rep.  As soon as I got on, my director had stated I was not on par with the rest of the team and they can either offer a 3- lmonth severance paid at 100% for me to leave or if I decide to start I will be placed on a PIP.

I told them first off, this comes as a huge surprise.  I had multiple weekly 1on1’s with my manager and nothing negative was ever said to me about my performance and I know every company is different but employees are usually given coaching opportunities that lead up to a PIP if no improvements were made.

They had said that this was not the case, clearly.  So, I had them send over the PIP document because I wanted to see what improvements needed to be made by me.  I reviewed it and it was basically every aspect of the job role as far as process, empathy, efficiency, etc.  mind you zero ticket examples were provided.

So, my director told me I needed to make a decision by 3pm and I had told my director I do not feel comfortable with making a decision unless I see these ticket examples.

My manager ends up chatting me saying she is ready to go over the examples.  I told her I want a rep from HR present so she ends up sending me a video chat link 2 hours later after our previous conversation with HR on the the video chat as well and provides me with 5 ticket examples which was all bullshit.  All the tickets that were provided was from my 1st week out of training and doing the job solo also, NONE of the ticket examples aligned with the improvements that were needed from me on the PIP, plus I had every ticket reviewed by a senior representative.

She then proceeded to tell me if I was going to rebuttal every ticket? and I told her I SURE AM.  That they are trying to place me on a PIP with no real proof.  Then, the HR rep tells me I can only think about the future and not dwell on the past.  I told her easy for you to say, the past is the reason why I am here and if anyone should be on a PIP it should be my manager since she failed to let me know how I was doing during the multiple 1on1’s that I had with her.

So, they said those are my only options and will give me more time to think about it.  Then the HR rep from our screenshare ends up calling me on my phone and I told her I do not deserve to be on a PIP and this is shady what they are doing so I tell her you know what I do not want to work for a company who does stuff like this I will take the severance because I am not signing the PIP.

She says okay, then my director writes me sends me a zoom link so I can video chat with him.  I asked him “ you support this?  This is real not accurate and has nothing to do with my performance.  He tells me that it was unfortunate and that they had high hopes and says okay we will send you the contract and that was that.

Since Monday I have yet to be paid for the past 8 days leading up to my previous pay date.  The HR rep tells me yesterday that I will receive payment for those 8 days tomorrow (Thursday) and I should receive the contract today (Wednesday)

I ended up receiving the contract and they want to pay me once a month for three months which I wrote them I have to be paid twice a month.  Also, a bunch of other legal stuff that I am too afraid to disclose since I am not a lawyer.

To anyone with any expertise or knowledge about situations like this can you please help me? Or did I do the best thing?

Answer:
 It sounds like you can take the package or be fired.  The package at least provides you with some cash.Answer #2: Arizona is at\-will employment, meaning you can be fired for any reason, no reason, or a fabricated reason \(so long as that reason isn't illegally discriminatory or in retaliation for a select few things\).

You selected the severance package.  I am unaware of any Arizona law that would require them to pay you twice a month to satisfy it.

I'm not sure any of this information would be different in California.


Title: (Maryland) Ended up suck from dirty toothbrush

Question:
My wife used my toothbrush and dipped it in the toilet after she used the bathroom. I brushed my teeth and ended up with a throat infection. I only found out because I read though her texts and she was bragging about it to her sister.

We are currently going through a nasty divorce. What is my legal recourse?
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer:
 A.  You wouldn’t be able to prove that you got sick due to the toothbrush being in the toilet.

B.  You only have proof it was in the toilet because you snooped on text messages. Admitting that could cause more trouble than you anticipate.

C.  Even if you had non-problematic proof of toilet-dunking, and you could prove sickness case as a result, it’s not obvious that is legally actionable. Or even if it fits the legal definition of a crime, not likely any prosecutor wants to inject criminal charges into a messy divorce.

D. Maybe you got sick from eating poopy ass? (Post history).


Title: Can my boss pay me in personal checks?? (Illinois, USA)

Question:
I work for a coffee shop for someone who also owns a franchised ice cream shop (it's relevant). Now, he pays us in personal checks, shows deductions, and I am W-2. The deductions are on a printout from INTUIT but under the company of the ice cream shop. This immediately throws up all sorts of flags as I do not work for this ice cream shop and I most certainly am concerned there is some wrong-doing in this process. The last thing I need is to loose my job to some moron who is committing some tax fraud. I appreciate any help, advice, or suggestions any legal professional can provide!!

If possible, give evidence or current law in regards to your information provided.

Edit: a big thank you to all of the help and information you have all provided. I sincerely mean that. I simply have worried about the legitimacy behind his financial efforts and have effectively been seeking closure in my doubts. Thank you again for your time and information.

Answer:
 Why don't you ask your boss?

It's likely he operates both businesses as a single entity in some way.Answer #2: if he operates his business as a sole proprietor and not an Incorporated or LLC, then it's perfectly fine.  It's legally no different than if he had the name of his company on the check, which he can have a company name as a sole proprietor too--it's called a doing business as (DBA) name.   As a sole proprietor putting the DBA name on the check makes no difference--the business is tied to his social security number regardless.

https://www.sba.gov/starting-business/choose-your-business-structure/sole-proprietorship


Title: Tired of dealing with my family, one last ultimatum then Im going to attempt to emancipate from my family

Question:
Basically what started this current drama with my mother was i was kicked out of my charter school for having a lighter. Yes, a lighter. This was also after school hours. We got an argument and she was threatening to send me to my dad in Houston, three hours away, who has no empathy and is incredibly selfish. Would you mind reading my rough draft so far. She wants me to come home but i fear its just going to go back to how it was before, I just wish to go to the free public school of my choice and for her to cut me some slack sometime, Fair warning its rather long. Im not going to lie my parents and I have both made mistakes but theyre not willing to change, they expect myself to follow the path they have made for me. Damn this explaining sounds really bad but I just wrote this thing in 3 hours straight and my brains fried. I'm actually quite proud of it, not going to lie. Some background, Ive had depression, panic attacks, anxiety, and an eating disorder for the past year. In recovery though its going good though :)

Sir/Ma'Dam I come before the court today to wish to emancipate myself from my parents MY FATHER, and MY MOTHER. I understand that a main issues with minor emancipation is that they will have suitable care once theyre released from the care birth parents. My goal is to prove not only can I accomplish this, but that my mental health will thrive once I become emancipated from my current home. I personally believe that me being considered an adult could be the best possible action for me to flourish and grow to be a remarkable member of society.

Firstly the main issue would be housing, as I am 16 and it would obviously be difficult to rent an apartment on part time wage by ones self. Well, I have two places already that will take me in and care for me while i go to school, one in each district of the two high-schools in MY SCHOOL. Although I have picked to live with the THEIR LAST NAME that reside in the MY SCHOOL DISTRICT . I also have my post graduation planned in which my friends and I will group rent an apartment as the rent will be distributed and cheaper for all that way, which would be quite suitable on part time wage and while preferably going to ACC to get my basics done. You see I dream of becoming either a astrophysicists or a clinical psychologist. I currently have a job and am employed part time for as many hours as i can take at Whataburger to provide extra finances to cover my health care, and other necessities that i might need as well as saving for my future. I have already made reliable transportation for schooling, work, and where ever i might need to go until I can save enough for a car or enough to take out a car loan.

Now I digress into my parents, My father was the cause of my daily childhood panic attacks up until they got a divorced and he moved away. He has also always been, although hopefully unintentionally, i would consider verbally abusive, while he might not mean to it still happens and is the main reason I do not like living with him as it does nothing but worsen my mental health. Instances that stick out being acting me when I was deadly socially awkward child if i actually had any friends at all: the answer was no, or constantly making me feel pressured to lose more weight by always asking my how much I weigh I do know this was in good intentions though, it did leave negative repercussions. Frankly, he was just in the army lifestyle to long and doesn't understand basic human feelings or empathy, this is a direct quote from my mother while she may not admit it she said it quite often to me while i was growing up and was not only lovely to hear as a child it is the best way i can describe i. Which might I had the constant talking down of my father from her was just great to hear constantly growing up, it was needed though as he- cheating on my mother most of the marriage, attempting to switch his life insurance away from his family and children to a mistress at the time of his, and allowed his different girlfriend at the time to ridicule me while i was in tears obviously upset and thought nothing wrong of it. There is medical documentation of the panic attacks from when I got examed by a doctor at around 13 I want to say, my mother was informed of the girlfriend incident and although agreed it was wrong she also has her reasons as to why i feel i should be emancipated from her.

My mother and I do not get along, not just your normal teenage i hate you get along but we just cannot work. Theres many factors to this, I will admit that some of it might be due to the black and white thinking or that someone is all good or all bad from my BPD, which is a personality disorder that causes a variety of things. Such as depression, anxiety, black and white thinking, impulsive behavior, severe honestly rather uncontrollable anger outbursts, and loneliness. Ive been through therapy to help me cope with dealing with them. Even though I try to control this and although is has helped Im simply doing my best and still getting sub-par to below par results. I try my best but some times I just cant help feel as though she does not accept me and i would go as far to say that she dislikes me. I can fake being happy around her most the time in the attempt to stop an argument from happening. Its honestly starting to become a chore to fake being content around her, and I feel that me doing this is not a fulfilling life. I have talked about this multiple times to my close friend and cousin, Morgan Lyons. She can attest that I do not get along with my mother and she has indeed cause me much sadness, and directly made me want to hurt myself in ways that are unhealthy that I would not prefer to talk about. Although I would like for it to be known that I am better at controlling those urges as I have stopped caring as much about her and my fathers view of me, I will talk more about this later. She for quite an extensive time she dismissed all my depression, former eating disorder, and mood swings as just teenage hormones and I went a while without getting help with made my mental health fall into a all time low and made me question my very own self, which lead to my first suicide attempt which she did not even know about until months later when I informed her during an argument where i was trying to show how much she underestimated my depression. Even though I tried to tell her multiple times before I was officially diagnosed that I assumed I had BPD, she assumed I didnt know what i was talking about and dismissed me. She is a major factor in my depression due to the expectations I feel she sets, although she denies these I cannot get over the feeling that she prefers my brothers over me and I feel as though I can never live up to them and am a worthless disappointment in her eyes, these were factors in suicide attempt one and two. If you were wondering my suicidal thoughts and depression has immensely dropped since I started doing more of what I feel is beneficial for me, my health, and my growth as a person and less of her goals for me such as me choosing my schooling, getting a job, and allowing myself more times with my friends as they are what make me genuinely happy in this world;  I am a naturally very independent person that strives in being in charge of my own actions and setting my own goals and quite frankly, acting more like an "adult" so to say has raised my mental health it but has subsequently cause more and more arguments with my mother though. Shes is an immense trigger to the anger part of my BPD, and does not understand that her belligerent yelling and style of punishment of taking away the only things that make me happy does nothing but only make me more upset with myself, her ,and trigger the impulsive part of my BPD. I've tried to get her to just talk to me and listen instead of just punishing me, but she fails to understand my point of view. I feel that I would do better off away from my family. Ive also been starting medication on an anti-psychotic that helps stabilize my mood. Although it can only do so much, it helps a little with the environment Im currently in although I feel that if I was allowed to be my own person I would really have a proper chance to get my BPD on complete control. Ive told this to my mother and my therapist multiple times, she has yet to try change though.

I would also like to point out that although she called the police and reported me as a runaway, she was the one that took away my only connection to any help, my phone, and told me to and i quote "Keep walking dont come home" as well as " I dont care anymore just leave". This was on top of locking me out of the house, and attempting to leave the house in her car to leave me with no food, water, or chance to clean myself up. I had also not eaten yet that day this was around 5pm or 6pm so I was obviously very hungry and I was also dirty and smelled rancid and needed a shower. I then walked 3 miles through fields of mud, and jumped a barded wire fence all while it was raining to a friends house where I was given water and my friends mother let me use her shower as i was covered in mud, slightly bleeding on my legs and knee, was sweating, and felt like i was going to faint from dehydration by the time i arrived. From there I then called the friend that lived in the house to come pick me up as he was not currently home and I needed one of my good friends there for me as my family had turned on me, where he then took out to eat and bought me food by this time it was almost 7 i want to say that my stomach was growling in pain from hunger. This shows not only do i have a better support system with my friends and their family than my own family, but that my family honestly could care less about me as I was left in the rain, with no remorse.

As long as I could remember I never felt comfortable talking to my family about sensitive or personal topics. Ive always found comfort and felt more so like i belonged and was accepted with my friends than that of my own family. My brother Drew and I do not really get along, we either ignore each others existence, which i will be honest does bother me quite a lot, or we fight over something. Ill just be honest, my family and I have completely different views on almost everything politics, how to handle issues, and well just life in general we have different ideas of how it should be spent. Ever since i battled depression I've picked up the motto of focusing on what makes me happy, what makes me want to get up in the morning and well just live like a normal person would. I feel as though if I was given the right to be considered an adult I would be able to do this easier, as I wouldnt have my parents trying to push me to be someone I dont want to me.

Now then, Ill be honest Im far from perfect, but no one really is perfect. Ive said and did my fair share of things that were in hind sight unnecessary, I do acknowledge that and take blame for things I had said and done and for that I am sorry. Im not trying to make my actions and words seem okay, but for the majority of the past year Ive been doing through major depression and honestly a couple identity crisis scares, the last one even very few of my friends have known about. So while im not justifying my actions, I would like to make note that a lot of time I was just so upset at myself that I just needed an outlet and maybe I said something or did something that I honestly really didnt mean I just hurting on the inside immensely and took it out on you guys. I will take full blame for what I've said, but mostly I want you to know every hurtful thing i said I truly didnt mean it. Im sorry, once again. I really do care for you guys and wish you the best, but I feel as though this is the best for me. To be my own person, I hope you dont hate me for this.

Answer: Have you considered how you will financially support your recreational drug habit, while supporting yourself independently?   Will you be able to keep your job if you get drug tested?  Will your friends parents be supportive of you bringing drugs into their home?  Does your drug use have anything to do with your strained relationship with your mother? Answer #2: did you have an actual question?


Title: I got laid off and have to move provinces, but my roommates are trying to deny me that right. Read On..

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 You moved into a different house than the one your sublease was in which means you have no lease or sublease with the current property. Youre not leasing the roommates, you lease a piece of property.  They have nothing that binds you to the property youre in now.

So leave.


Title: What is the number reason why employees legally lose to employers?

Question:
Saw a TikTok video of a discrimination lawyer who said it’s due to insufficient documentation by the employee.

Another lawyer said it is very often lack of access to critical information employers are not obligated to handover until the discovery process.

What are your thoughts?

Answer: Most employers don’t put discriminatory motives in writing and when questioned later don’t admit to it. More often than not it’s incredibly difficult to prove an employee’s claims even if the are credible.


Title: [GA] My ex wife committed suicide, family needs help settling her estate as cheaply as possible

Question:
I don't even know where to start.  She didn't have much money in the bank, and owed on a small personal loan.  Basically all she had was a car, some furniture, and clothes.

Also what needs to happen to get survivors benefits for her kids, health insurance,  etc

This all happened last Tuesday, and so far the landlord won't let us in the house to gather her things, or find any kind of legal docs about custody of the kids.

Please, any help at all is much appreciated.

Answer:
 I'm sorry for your loss.

Landlord won't let you in because you have no legal right to enter right now. Given the size of the estate the best course of action is to follow the procedures for [small estates](https://www.legalconsumer.com/inheritancelaw/topic.php?TopicID=7&ST=GA) in Georgia. You or whomever can be appointed to represent the estate, and enter her apartment, and everything else.

Good luck.


Title: Stuck by neighbors used needle in trash

Question: So i live in Utah and currently stay with my mom in a house that's made into four seperate apartments units. The owner says that he knows we only have 2 trash bins for the four different units but that we have to make it work. Anyways our neighbors (junkies) have provided us with all the evidence needed that they are in fact users, leaving needles all around the house and in the laundry room that has a passcode on the side of the house. There's a passcode to the front door which gives you access to the units as well. Im also positive they distribute what they abuse because they have their customers entering the passcode door and waiting in the house like its a lobby and I've seen the deals go down through my peep hole. So a couple days ago my mom came home and went up to me saying she lost her phone and that she just got back. We go to the car and she cant find it then she tells me she threw something away, maybe she must've thrown her phone in the trash on accident. So she goes in the trash digging while i take my phone out to call hers and suddenly i hear a prick and a yelp. I instantly knew she got stuck by something but i didnt know what and we check to see and what do you know, its a damn needle. I quickly tried to make her wound bleed and rushed her to clean it with warm water and soap so that i can take her to the ER. Turned out my moms phone was inbetween the seat of the car. My mom took a picture of the needle sticking out of the trash bag in the bin and sent it to the owner but we've already complained about things like this before and they do nothing. I know the owners know because they would go clean the laundry and around the house undoubtedly picking up those used needles. Well it turns out the pills they prescribed my mom to prevent her from getting HIV cost around $3,800 for a bottle. Its a messed up situation and uncomfortable to feel that your residence is a biohazard.. is there any way we can take legal action?

Answer:
 You can report the drug dealing to the police.
You can (or ask your landlord to) install sharps disposal bins.
You can sue your neighbors for the anti-HIV medication.
You can speak to a local tenant lawyer about whether breaking your lease in this situation is legal.


Title: My Friend's Workplace Got Bought and He Lost All His Benefits - Mom's Life Depends on Healthcare

Question:
So my friend works at a weekly motel in Las Vegas as a maintenance man. The company got bought out and he was told he's lost everything: vacation, seniority, discounted rent, healthcare, and he's on a 90-day probation now. His mom had a double stroke several years back and she has dialysis several times a week.

He had an offer from another company a few weeks ago that wasn't as good as his situation then, but is much better than it is now. He's looking into talking with them again but regardless, is there anything he can do now to make his situation better? Are there any laws protecting employee benefits in a takeover?

Thank you so much for all your help!

Edit: Wow! Thank you for the advice guys. Another thing I'd forgotten to add was that she's not eligible for Medicaid. They went through the process and from what I remember she 'hadn't worked enough in her lifetime' or something to that effect.

Answer:
Dialysis for several years? His mother is eligible for ss disability. She should apply.
https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/6.00-Genitourinary-Adult.htm

"Under 6.03, your ongoing dialysis must have lasted or be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months."Answer #2: There are no laws to help your friend keep his benefits, however there might be some help for his Mother. It sounds to me like she would possibly qualify for disability benefits and the Medicare and/or Medicaid that comes along with that. Have your friend contact the Social Security Administration. In the meantime she can possibly visit the local Emergency Room for dialysis. Answer #3: Your friend is not legally entitled to receive benefits, unless he is part of a union, under an employment contract, or the new owner agreed to a transfer of such benefits.

A new owner means a clean slate. Your friend is fortunate that he even kept his job, as the new owners aren't obligated to continue employing people who were employees of the previous owner, unless that was part of the brokered deal. Answer #4: Your friend should see if he is eligible for something called COBRA. COBRA lets you keep your old insurance for a period of time (usually 1 year) provided that you pay the full cost of the insurance (I.e. Not the employer subsidized amount).

If eligible, that will at least give him a little time to figure things out, even if it will be expensive.


Title: Recently discovered the room I am about to move into does not comply with fire codes. Lease already signed. Can I break lease? [x-post from r/landlord]

Question:
I'll try to be concise with the information:

I live in New Jersey

The lease is signed by my two friends and myself.
The landlord, in a recent discussion (over a month after the lease was signed), recently disclosed that my friend and I, living in the double, would have to hide our beds during fire inspection because the room is not to code for a bedroom. We were not aware the room was illegal when signing the lease.

Lease does not specifically state that the double will be habited as a bedroom, in fact, does not mention any rooms, only the property as a whole. However, it is unrealistic to expect 3 people to live in one single so we hope that this is not a problem.

I have only very limited knowledge of the laws so I ask, can we break the lease and get a full refund of our security deposit?

Please let me know if there is a better place to post this question and thank you in advance for your help!
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer:
 Do you know why the room is "illegal"?  Does it not have a window, perhaps?  Or is it too small?  Because it's going to be difficult to argue that you were unaware the room was illegal if it's illegal because there's no window.  You *were* aware the room didn't have a window, you just didn't know about that being a requirement for a bedroom.

But, if the landlord wants you to hide your beds, just tell him that you won't do that, but you will move out if he agrees in writing to break the lease and return your full security deposit.  Answer #2: On a practical note, the landlord is stupid if they think "hiding the beds"'is going to work if there is an inspection. Are you going to throw the beds on the roof? Put them out on the porch and tell the fire inspector a porch couch wasn't comfy enough?


Title: Committed debit card fraud as a bank employee

Question:
Around November of last year I was not in a good mental place. Stressed about not making enough money for my family, trying to get in a house, never enough groceries in the house, piling bills. Enough of excuses.

A customer had a damaged card and I replaced it for him. The bank system allows the damaged card to be used until the new card is activated. I used the damaged card for a few weeks for groceries, going out to eat, and random costs. Come December the customer launched and investigation and by end of January I was terminated after the investigation. I was interrogated and made to sign a confession.

Months later I thought it was behind me. I started a new job, we paid off our bills, and we were good. A few days ago my wife called me saying the police was there. I went home, was arrested as a "fugitive" living in Alabama and the warrants were In Georgia. Im on bond right now, awaiting court. 26 counts of credit card fraud all felonies.

Long story short. Ive never had more than 2 speeding tickets. I'm not a bad person but I really fucked up. What are the chances I can avoid jail time by means of first time offender, community service, parole, or restitution? I will work my ass off to pay every dime I owe and I'm fined. But I have a family and we just found out we are having another child. I will not survive prison. 2 days in jail showed me that much.
Topic:
Criminal Law

Answer: You need to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney asap.  Given your signed confession and the fact that you're facing 26 counts of felony credit card fraud, it's extraordinarily unlikely you'll be able to avoid jail time.  And if you're convicted, you'll have to pay restitution to the victim regardless.


Title: Does my grandma have a valid age discrimination case?

Question:
Hi Legaladvice,

I'm here on behalf of my grandma that was terminated from her job without reason. She's 75 and works an office job in Arizona. She's been there for over 35 years and has nothing negative on her record. No writeups, warnings, complaints, etc. Never misses work and always on time. No health issues that would hinder her performance in any way.

She found out by checking a newly released list of assigned duties to each employee and she wasn't on the list. When confronting the boss about it in September of last year, they told her that they just forgot to mention that she's being fired in December. No details of reasons were given.

When December came, she was expected to leave the office without question. She was never asked to sign anything confirming the termination. She was never given a formal reason and was the only one fired. It just so happens that she was the oldest one in the office, however that had nothing to do with her performance.

From small offhand comments and rumors that we're made, it was obvious that she was fired for being old. It's hard to prove but I thought it was fishy how they treated her too.

My question is, what's the process for terminating an employee. Can they just ask her to leave one day and be done with it? She was constantly given the run around when requesting a meeting with the big boss and the plaque they gave her had the wrong years on it. It's obvious that they didn't care.

There's probably more but does she have good reason to at least speak to an attorney?

Answer:
 As others have stated, they can fire her for any reason other than being part of a protected class.

Now, you don't have any real evidence that she was fired for being Old (other than a couple rumors)

However, an employment lawyer would likely give a free consultation, and be able to give more insight.Answer #2: Arizona is an at will employment state meaning your grandmother could have been fired at any time for any reason or lack of reason. There is no evidence here of age discrimination.


Title: Found a Signed Check

Question: My friend found a signed check on the street for $200. It is signed on the back where it says "endorse here". What would happen if my friend tried to deposit it into his bank account? This is in California. I told him to return it for moral reasons, but what are his obligations legally? Can he deposit it into his bank account? Would the bank verify his identity?

Answer: if the check cleared there would be a crystal clear paper trail for his larceny and would almost certainly be found out, reported to the police, charged with a crime and then have a criminal record for the rest of his life.


Title: My phone number is still being distributed by the last person to have it

Question:
Title has the basics, but here are the details. Lengthy, so tl:dr at the bottom.

I changed phone numbers from my hometown's area code, to a phone number in the new city I work/live in, over six years ago now. I expected the usual mix of, "Is Ms. Delinquent there?", to which I always responded that no, she no longer has this number, have a nice day.

Over the past six years, I have gotten phone calls and texts from everyone and everything possible. Her friends and family, asking if she's going out with them tonight or coming over. And these weren't weeks after I got her number - it was years later, and it continues to happen. I get every debt collector and "lawyer" under the sun, threatening to sue her and sue me for protecting her. Every sort of IRS/fast cash/health insurance scam under the sun.

And my favorite one - the automated calls from the elementary school her kids attend alerting me of their attendance status or lunch account balance. Thankfully these ones stopped about two years ago, but it took nearly two full years for me to get someone to change the student's account to delete my number, and I had to actually go into the school in person.

Now it's very clear to me that this is not an upstanding member of society. There are obvious debts, and and I'm certain that she doesn't want to be found. However, I'm pretty fed up with it all. Over the past weeks I've been getting a boat load of texts from election agencies, encouraging me to vote and giving me links for voting information, all with her name attached. I ignored all of them, except for the one this morning that showed a polling location that was not my own. I opened the text and sure enough, it included an address, which got me thinking...

&#x200B;

Do I have any sort of legal options to take against this woman? I know her name, email address, and now a home address where she at least used to live. I'm sure that 90% of the texts/calls I'm receiving are from old information, but some of the things I've gotten indicate to me that she's still using my number. Is there any point to me attempting to send a cease and desist letter, or am I stuck forever fielding the calls of her friends, debt collectors, and hungry school children?

&#x200B;

tl:dr - Woman is still using my phone number she gave up over 6 years ago. What are my options?

Answer: You can change your number, which is an immediate, cheap resolution.


Title: College Students make HUGE mess (KS)

Question: Hello all, a friend and myself are in need of some legal advice from the great minds of Reddit. We are both seniors at a state university here in Kansas who committed an extremely irresponsible act of vandalism. On February 26th after a night of drinking we got the bright idea to spray a fire extinguisher inside the front room of a fraternity house causing a significant amount of "damage". I use quotes because nothing was physically broken just covered in a thick layer of dust from the extinguisher. The company that operates the fraternity house has agreed not to press charges if we are able to come up with the $8,000 that it cost to have the place cleaned up. Here's the catch, as of now they are only giving us 7 days to pay them back in full. I feel like this is an outrageous time frame for two college students to come up with that amount of money. After speaking to the frats attorney he said that if we are able to come up with a plan to obtain the money they might allow us more time to pay them back. I don't qualify for any personal loans to my knowledge and asking family members for help is long shot. What should we do? We are looking at felony charges for a completely non-violent crime as we only made a gigantic mess. We are very regretful of our actions and are both in good standing with our university. I have considered a gofundme campaign but I'm not sure if people are willing to pay for others mistakes. Also I was told that making a claim to my home insurance could possibly cover the damages but I need more information to decide if we want to go that route.  I look forward to reading everyones comments and they are all greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Answer:
 >  they are only giving us 7 days to pay them back in full. I feel like this is an outrageous time frame for two college students to come up with that amount of money.

They are being extraordinarily generous in not calling the cops right away and you think *THEY* are being unreasonable to want to get this cleaned up right away? You are lucky they are giving you 7 days. Either pay it and have it cleaned or face the criminal and civil consequences. I suspect you and your frat brothers can sell enough stuff to get the money? Maybe someone needs to sell TVs or sporting equipment or even a car or two.Answer #2: Did you offer to go help clean it up? If so you'd have reliazed that it's by just vacuuming up some powder. That stuff is designed to get into EVERY crevice.

Find the money. You're a senior, so 21-23? You aren't a  "dumb teen". Hiring a lawyer to defend against felony vandalism will cost more. It may be nonviolent, but you have greatly inconvenience a lot of people because you chose (drunk isn't an excuse) to act selfishly.

a gofundme will only make you look like even bigger idiots.

If you were regretful of your actions, you wouldn't be putting "damage" in quotations, nor would you be minimizing the damage you did ("we only made a mess"). You're only regretful because it's going to cost you something.

Also, have you replace (or recharge) the fire extinguisher her? If not, why not? You used it.


Title: Got a bill for damage that allegedly was caused by my son about three years ago to a neighbors car [Georgia]

Question:
So about three years ago my son and a bunch of kids where playing in a neighbor's driveway and apparently, he possibly scratched a car. At the time, nothing was said, and honestly I forgot about the incident.

Fast forward to today and he comes home with a note from the neighbor explaining that she's enclosing a repair estimate implying  of course she'd like us to pay for it plus rental car.

My initial reaction s to ignore the whole thing as she has no documentation of who did the damage or when. Is there anything else I should worry about?

 Also, I'm pretty sure this is revenge for us involving a personal situation.

Edit: removed kinda personal details

Answer: You can ignore it. If sued, you must respond, otherwise, you can have a default judgement entered against you.


Title: How do lawyers, accountants and plumbers know what to charge without breaking price fixing rules?

Question:
It seems professionals and trade people tend to fall into a few tight bands of pricing within their profession. Usually there is a group that is average price, a top tier group and one with lower than average prices (usually people clearly starting out, targeting small businesses, etc.).

How do they know what the market value is without talking to others offering the same services.

Location is the U.S.

Answer: Is this homework? Because it sounds like homework.Answer #2: Before my wife opened her practice she found out (already knew) what attorneys were charging in her field(s) in our area and then undercut them to build up her practice (needed the volume). As time went on she raised her fees to be closer to what others charge. Since she is small there is less overhead so she can still charge a bit under what others charge.


Title: Having a hard time getting bail money back

Question:
Throwaway because we haven't told friends/family about this incident.

I live in California, but the issue at hand is in Savannah, GA.  In 2011, my wife and I were traveling through GA and an unfortunate misunderstanding landed one of us in jail.  $1000 cash bail was paid (no third party or bondsman),  all of the court dates and requirements were met and attended and everything was finalized and put to rest.

Fast forward to two months ago.  We get a call from the attorney we hired in Savannah, GA saying the court has $1000 to return to us.  I had admittedly forgotten about the bail money, so it was a nice surprise.  I was put in contact with someone at the city court house who told me the check would arrive in 7-10 business days.

It has now been 2 months and multiple phone calls since they said "7-10 business days", and 4 years since the case was closed and the bail was due back to us.  It drives me up the fucking wall to think that if the tables were turned, and I was 4 years delinquent on paying THEM $1000, there would probably be a warrant for my arrest and another $1000 in interest.

I am going to make another phone call today or tomorrow, and I am hoping that the awesome folks in /r/legaladvice can give me some ammunition.  Thank you!
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer:
 In cases like this, especially when you pay a cash bond as the primary payee -- e.g., you didn't have a relative or a bondsman secure your bond -- it's usually a matter of one side not talking to the other.

It's usually relatively simple to clear up; the fact that you are out of state, is going to make things a little more difficult, since you cannot go down in person. Instead, draft a simple letter explaining the situation, request the return of your bond within 10 business days and provide your mailing address. Send via certified mail to the same clerk who contacted you by phone.

Is there anyone you trust, who lives within driving distance of the courthouse, who could act on your behalf in person?


Title: Is this legal or weird in anyway? Jobrelated(US)

Question:
Recently managed to land a job with minimal effort on craigslist.(first redflag for me) After about a week of emailing back and forth, got my first assignment.

I will receive a large sum of money with my first paycheck. After the check clears, I am supposed transfer the rest of the money overseas to a specific address. They will send back a package that I am supposed to hold until I meet up with my employer for the first time.

Should I be worried?

Answer:
 > Should I be worried?

Yes, because this is a massive, massive scam.  Email them, tell them you're done, don't do anything with what they send you.Answer #2: Have you been sleeping for the last 15 years? This is a scam. Stop all contact.Answer #3: In case you're wondering, what's going to happen is you deposit the check, send them the "rest of the money" and then the check's going to bounce.

It can take quite a long time for a check to clear sometimes, and people confuse their bank making the funds available with the check clearing.

Answer #4: This is absolutely a scam. You deposit the check, send money to them and a few weeks later the check comes back as fraudulent. Your bank is very pissed off, you are out the money.

We see this all the time in /r/scams.Answer #5: This seems like a job to you? That someone needs you to legally, get a check for a large sum of money, cash it then send the remainder to an unknown overseas address. Then, you will receive and unknown package, then meet an unknown person. This seems all normal.

Are you mad?


Title: (Hypothetical) What are the limits of being banned to use a computer by a court?

Question:
I've heard that if accused/convicted of certain computer related crimes that you could be banned from using a computer but what are the limits of that? Nowadays computers are in seemingly everything.

Are you allowed to use a McDonald's self service screen? What about a self service at a shop?

I'm guessing using a card machine wouldn't count but what about those little calculator things you use to verify your bank card for payments? Technically your bank card has a computer in it to verify your pin, does that count?

Can you use a (non smart) phone that has a microcontroller in it? Could you use a smart TV?

Could you use blinking Christmas lights? I'm pretty sure a microcontroller is used to control them.

What about a car? Pretty much any car made in the last 20 years has microcontrollers in it for safety reasons.

I was just wondering what the limits of it were? It feels like such a broad ban given how many things computers are in now, especially in things you can't really avoid. Is there a clause that says "only if you have sufficient control of it" or something?

Answer:
 Those orders are usually very specific in content and application.  There is even guidance available on how to do it from the courts.

See for detailed explanation:

https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/computer-internet-restrictions-probation-supervised-release-conditions


Title: Is dropping silverware on the floor, and putting it back with the clean ones, a health code violation?

Question:
A co worker of mine feels the need to boss others around, but does things like this on a near nightly basis!  I'm wondering how big of a deal this is as far as legalities go

This is in Hawaii by the way.

Answer: In Elbonia, workers caught doing that are required to lick the floor twice for every item returned to the clean bucket.


Title: Is my neighbor allowed to take my trash?

Question: I threw away a bag of old women's clothes(nothing like underwear, just normal clothes) and my neighbor took them from the curb into his house, except a few items that he didn't want, I guess. He's a much older guy that lives alone. I don't really want him to have my clothes but I don't want to get the police involved, just going to be more careful from now on and maybe ask him about it since we talk sometimes. But I still want to know if he was even allowed to do this? Thanks.

Answer:
 The person saying its ok is wrong, it depends on your area.
Its not allowed in NYC for example.


Title: Local sheriffs office came in my bad saying they had reports of underage drinkers.

Question:
The local sherriffs office had 5 officers come into my bar and asked for my bartender. I told them i am the manager what can i help them with? They refused to speak with me and demanded to speak to my bartender. When she made her way down they said they had an anonymous call saying we were serving alcohol to underage persons, took a look around and told us that no one looks underage, (did not ask a single customer for their identification) just make sure we are iding people. Soon after they left, half of my customers followed. This is the second time they have entered my bar for a bogus reason. Is there a legal action i can take to prevent this? Florida
Topic:
Business Law

Answer: You're asking if there's legal action you can do against police officers doing their job?


Title: Not allowed to discuss wages?

Question:
This is more of a curiosity than looking for legal advice. Just wondering how legal my workplace's policy is. I'm in Oregon, for the record. My workplace is a call center that deals with medical supply distribution.

A few months ago in a meeting, we were told not to discuss our wages with other employees. While my boss didn't outright say that we would be fired for talking about them, that was definitely the message. I can't remember exactly how it was phrased, because I've never seen it on paper, which is part of what makes me think it's kind of shady.

I imagine it is to keep people from asking for raises and potentially to attempt to keep the concept of unionizing quiet. However my tiny tin foil hat is also concerned that it is to keep imbalance in pay quiet.

For the record, this place is also notorious for keeping people as temps as long as possible and for not giving raises unless you throw your weight around a bit. For example I was just offered a new 'position' helping our legal team with data entry, but it wasn't actually a new position, just extra work on top of what I do now and no more money.

More or less, my question is: In the state of Oregon, is it legal to tell your employees not to discuss wages and to threaten to, or actually fire someone, for doing so?

Answer:
 It's illegal in Oregon. And every state. Because it's federally illegal.

Section 7 of the NLRA specifically protects this unless you're an exempted employer. There are few of those. Answer #2: As others have noted, it's completely illegal for an employer to prohibit you from discussing wages. It's also illegal for an employer to fire you for discussing wages.

However, given the basic non-existence of labor protections in the USA, it's a simple matter for an employer to fire you for any other reason but really have their motive for firing you be that you discussed wages. Basically you'd have to prove in court that they fired you for discussing wages, and they can easily defend themselves by saying they fired you for no reason at all (at will employment!)  and unless you have some evidence that it was due to discussing wages that'll be the end of that.

&#x200B;

Basically, if you discuss wages your employer can fire you with little to no risk of any actual repercussions.


Title: Client Threw Business Under Bus Has COVID-19 Problems and We Have to Take the Hit

Question:
It's really hard thinking of a title. I own a business providing security software services to small businesses, in the United States (business registered in Florida). Had one client (from Canada), after my business provided the service, wire transfer the payments in April. We have a 30 day refund policy. We have documents where the client digitally signed (Rightsignature takes note of signer's IP address) authorisation forms. We also sent her receipts.

Then June (this month), the client sent an indemnity form to the client's bank stating she made an investment to a fraud. My bank told me the funds has to be recalled and my account would be closed. Despite sending said documents to an "agent who investigates" what's going on, my bank account is still closing and I only lose the remaining balance to my account. Apparently, I can still open a new one.

What can I do or could have done? The client told us is really because COVID-19 gave her financial problems, so she threw us under the bus. How could I have prevented this?

Answer:
 > The client told us is really because COVID-19 gave her financial problems, so she threw us under the bus. How could I have prevented this?

Do you have proof of this? Either way you will want to hire a lawyer to iron out the issue with your bank (if you can't after explaining or giving them the proof of their lies) and also to go after the client for any breach of contract/monetary losses you incur.

Might also want to update your TOS/refund policy with the lawyer to offset any future costs related to this if it occurs again in the future.


Title: Any chance of suing a professional cuddling service owner or having him criminally charged?

Question:
I live in Ohio, but this is supposedly an international service and the owner of a cuddling service has mistreated at least several professional cuddlers across the US. Some people have screenshots, and I think I should still have my email history. Without giving anything away about who I am specifically because this guy can be pretty scary, he's done all sorts of things from not posting a profile, including people in advertisements without their permission, racial and sexist remarks, threats and violent messages, AND... not paying the professional cuddlers if a client pays up front. I've also heard from someone that he sent them to a client for sex. This is supposed to be a legitimate cuddling company and the only cuddlers I have heard of, cuddled, and that is all.

Even if there's no chance of suing him as a pool, how do we get this company dissolved? I think he needs to be criminally charged for the things he does. Where would we start if we are scattered across the country? Many negative reviews are left, but he does things like gets the evidence posts deleted, claim his company is closed, things like that.

Edit: The posts were deleted on Yelp, because supposedly if you work for a company you aren't allowed to leave negative reviews.

Answer:
 I'm not following who this person is to you, or what he did to you. An international cuddling pimp who shorts his cuddling "employees"? Answer #2: If your not getting paid as an employee, file a wage claim. If you're an independent contractor, sue for payment. If you have been threatened, call the police. If your image has been used commercially without your permission, call a lawyer for a consultation.

There's no way to just shut a company down, and from your post it's exceptionally hard to understand who is doing what to who where.


Title: Was hippa law violated

Question: A memeber if my fire dept, while off duty and fishing from closed roadway, was almost hit by a drunk driver.  He assisted the driver who was arrested.  He then makes a facebook post about incident.  He did not name driver but did post picture of driver frim the back.  Did he violated hippa laws?  Thanks

Answer:
 It's HIPAA not PP. And "if a fire/rescue department is trying to determine if they're a covered entity, they need to look at all three prongs of the definition; most would not be a health-care clearinghouse, but some fire departments are part of municipal government entities that may be a covered entity by because they qualify as a health."

So the general answer depends on the nature of the fire department. If it is covered under HIPAA then is the photo from the back uniquely identifying, etc.Answer #2: Since he was off duty and not acting in an offcixal fact that he happens to be a fire fighter doesn’t make this any different than if a random person


Title: Involved in hit and run

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Not worth it. This is why you have insurance. Try to park away from truck drivers,they really aren't good drivers.


Title: [IN] Landlord hasn't properly fixed anything, ever. Now he won't fix our plumbing properly and my wife and I are exhausted.

Question:
Let's just jump into it. I've been renting a studio apartment with my landlord for 2 years, and just resigned my lease this past August. My wife and I have had numerous issues thus far with electricity, a gas leak, and now the plumbing in our unit and our landlord has not properly fixed anything. I'm not even sure if the people he's been sending over are technically qualified to do their job, because they never say what company they are with and they always come at odd hours (although this could just be due to freelancing, I'm not sure on the legality of that.).

The first grievance I've had was a small gas leak. Nothing major, they attempted to fix it and I'm pretty sure it never got done properly but my wife and I eventually got used to the smell and moved on. The second thing that happened months later is our electrical sockets popping out of the wall, which I'm pretty sure is due to it not being in the right place on the wall, as I tried screwing it back in but it wouldn't go into the wall at all. My landlord came over with an "electrician" and didn't fix the right plug the first time, instead choosing to replace one all the way across the room with a 4 plug outlet. The second time he superglued it to the wall and called it a day. All fine and good, except the outlet fell out of the wall again and we haven't bothered fixing it because it'll just be the same type of fix and I don't want to bother my landlord.

The next thing that happened was the most legitimately endangering thing in my opinion. The wall socket where our provided air conditioner gets plugged in was not set at the right voltage, causing the plug to catch fire. Nothing was damaged except for the plug thankfully, but it is right next to our bed which was kind of frightening at the time. Of course our landlord calls his electrician to come take a look at it, who proceeds to cut the lines for most of our kitchen outlets for some reason and fix the outlet in the living/bedroom. The kitchen outlets never got turned back on, so we have been using our toaster and other appliances on the floor in the living room ever since. Not preferable but we can deal with it.

Now here we are today. When our toilet flushes, it clogs and water goes up the bathroom shower and sink (feces, toilet paper, everything). I know this isn't due to us flushing anything abnormal because we've had problems with "sewer gas" before, which I'm not even sure why we would if things were draining properly in the first place. We have contacted the landlord twice about this issue, he sent a plumber over both times who proceeded to snake the drain, but each time after he left the problem would arise again IMMEDIATELY after. I'm fairly certain that it's not just the drain being plugged, but something wrong with the main line, so I don't think snaking it each time is going to help. This is where I can't handle much more. I'm afraid to use my own toilet, can't use my shower due to it not draining and being filled with feces, and can't use my bathroom sink as it has now started to do the same.

I'm not quite sure if there's much I can do in this case, it's only been like this for a week, but I've been having to go to my grandparents' to shower every day and I would like to know if something could be done about this, and if not what steps I should take to terminate my lease. My lease requires a $500 fee to terminate which I can't really afford at the moment as a broke college student. On top of that I would have to pay first months rent and a security deposit at most apartments due to having no credit. Any advice is appreciated and thank you in advance!

Answer:
 (EDIT: Wow, I sincerely apologize.  The document I linked to was not for Indiana, and that changes things significantly.)

If your landlord is aware that the sewer is still not working after both attempts, and you're still living in an uninhabitable unit, you can seek [legal action](https://codes.findlaw.com/in/title-32-property/in-code-sect-32-31-8-6.html).  In Indiana, you \*cannot\* repair and deduct, withhold rent, or abate it.  Your only remedy for this is to bring a claim in court, or get the property to be classified as uninhabitable (a constructive eviction, since the landlord isn't fixing critical items).  The statute for landlord obligations is [here](https://codes.findlaw.com/in/title-32-property/in-code-sect-32-31-8-5.html).

You should absolutely call your local housing inspector/code enforcement *right now, do not pass GO*, and explain what's going on to them.  They *will* deem the property uninhabitable if it is in the state you claim it is and give you options for what to do next.  You should also immediately consult any local tenant's rights organization that is local to you and tell them what's going on to see about options for breaking your lease.

If it were me, however, I would suggest that the first and best choice would be *not to live in a property with an active gas leak where things also randomly catch fire at the same time.*Answer #2: If anyone can link OP to that story of the guy who literally was going crazy from CO exposure that might be a good demonstration of the dangers of gas. Calling it small doesn't mean safer. No gas leak is safe.


Title: [OR] Mom just died with huge medical bills and mortgage, what should I do?

Question:
My mom just died after a period of several months in and out of hospitals/skilled nursing facilities.  She had no assets to speak of other than a house (worth maybe $120K, with $70k owed on a mortgage).  She was on Medicare, but I kind of assume that she has huge medical bills, although I live in another state [CA] and probably won't know for sure until I head up there and start sorting through paperwork.

I just started a new job and I don't have a ton of paid time off available.  I mostly want to avoid a situation where her creditors come after me or my half-sister for her debts, and I don't have a lot of time to deal with my mom's estate.  What's the best way for me to handle this?  Can I hire an attorney to act as executor on her estate for a reasonable fee?

Answer:
 You aren't responsible for her debts unless you signed for them. You don't really *need* to do anything if you aren't trying to get money from the estate.Answer #2: Just to be clear - you don't owe on her debts, but that doesn't mean creditors won't *try*.  Never ever agree to make a payment.  In fact, if you get a lawyer, just tell the creditors to talk to the lawyer.

I can't speak to what the fees will be, but an attorney would be paid out of the estate's assets and not yours, and he can claim reasonable fees prior to the creditors being paid.


Title: [NY] Mom got hurt at the gym, what is our legal standing?

Question:
My mom was at the gym, she was using a stair stepper machine when the machine malfunctioned and kicked up from one of the lower gears to the maximum speed through no prompting of hers. It immediately threw her off. Another woman ran over, told her she was a nurse and started helping her then told her the same thing has happened when she was using that machine at a different time but luckily she hadn't been hurt. My mom was not as lucky, in getting thrown off the machine she severely broke her foot. She was taken to the hospital by ambulance and that's where we learned the foot was broken. She usually works from home but occasionally has to go into the city for clients so for the most part her work won't be entirely uprooted but the obviously still a lot of pain on top of inconvenience. What is our legal standing? Can we sue the hospital for medical fees, pain and suffering, and/or other things we're not aware of? We intend to contact an attorney but I just want to know where we stand.

Also, if it matters the machine is (in hindsight) clearly not operating correctly but was in no way marked to indicate as such.
Topic:
Personal Injury

Answer:
 Yea, talk to attorney the gym or the manufacturer may have liability. **may**.Answer #2: Exercise had an inherent risk of injury. Malfunctions and accidents happen. The injured person surely signed an agreement saying they understand and took the risk anyway. That said the gym is responsible for making sure the equipment is maintained and may be to blame if it can be proved they were negligent in the maintenance of the machine or if warnings of potential hazardous malfunctions were ignored. If the machine malfunction was reported and ignored you may have a case. If the malfunction was never reported and a sensible schedule of maintenance performed and documented is available then you probably don't.
If your medical bills (current and future, don't forget about potential future bills here) may be enough to justify working with a lawyer to try and prove they were negligent.


Title: I’ve been receiving dick videos from an anonymous number from someone using pinger.

Question: It’s been 2 weeks since the first video and there’s now been 5. I thought maybe they would stop, but 5 seems pretty aggressive/excessive. I’m wondering what on earth I can possibly do to find out who this person is, it’s weighing pretty heavy on me.

Answer: On Pinger, there should be an interface button to report the user.


Title: (Ca) Question about the rights of a minor.

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 So you want to read [A Song of Fire and Ice](https://np.reddit.com/r/asoiaf/comments/4dyeda/no_spoilers_how_do_i_convince_my_mother_to_let_me/).  Your mother doesn't want you to, for religious reasons.

In your other post, you constantly talk about wanting to change your mother's opinion instead of going behind her back and reading the book.  Because you want to show them they can trust you.

Now you are asking if it is even legal or not.....


Title: [Question] How do The Simpsons get away with so many "subtle" references?

Question:
Hi everyone.

I had a thought the other day about how The Simpsons creator and writers can get away with so much in terms of copyrighting and trademarking (I hope I'm correct in that sense). For example, using names like "Marvin Munroe", "McBain", etc. Most people know who they are really referring to/are based on and yet (as far as I'm aware) there hasn't really been any legal action taken.
Is it possible to create something very similar to the original and make a slight change to it E.g. making a game called "Smash Brandicoot" and have a similar character, etc, and not get sued?
Do similar laws apply to the UK and US?

Thanks for any information/advice on the matter.

Answer:
 Largely because it's parody, which is generally considered to be a fair use (both in the copyright and trademark realms).

Note that when you're talking about the Simpsons, they're not making something "very similar to the original."  A Parody requires enough similarity so that people will know what you're referring to.  But, if you're just making a slight change to another work, but largely copying the whole thing, then you're not parodying; you're just copying.


Title: [CA] A family member has died and my family is confused on what rights they have. Story time.

Question:
A member of my family recently died, I will be referring to him as Bob. Bob was married for years and years to Sue and had 2 children, Kate and Mary. Even after Bob and Sue split up they never divorced and he moved in with another woman, Jane. Both Bob and Sue have their names on the house they lived in while they were together (which Bob kept and Jane moved into with him, they never married) and Kate let him use some firearms she owns, some registered to her, some to Bob's parents (which Kate has power of attorney over) and some unregistered. They were left in the house when Bob passed.

Kate spoke to Jane and Jane told her that Bob had a will stating everything (Property, house and contents) would go to Jane, then to Mary when Jane died and that nothing would be leaving the house, even Jane's firearms. She also claimed that she would be the one who decided when/where the funeral took place (and is planning it for Kate's husbands' birthday).

Jane's son recently came to stay with her and has been helping her clean out the house. When Kate went to speak with Jane she noticed that some of the aforementioned firearms had been moved/were missing. Jane's son is known to be a thief which is causing Kate to worry that her guns may disappear and she will be unable to obtain them in the future.

Now this is where the story is currently at, I have a few questions regarding the situation.

- If Jane and her son take Kate's guns and the guns of those she has power of attorney over is that theft? Can Jane+son be arrested for it?

- Sue's name is on the house, can Bob have legally willed it to Jane?

- Jane has no legal relation to Bob, she just lived with him. What rights does she have?

- If Kate calls the police to obtain her firearms will they confiscate the unregistered ones that belonged to Bob's parents even if Kate is trying to get them back so she can register them in her name?

- Could Jane take the unregistered guns and put them in her name to legally make them hers?

- Does Sue or Jane have the right to decide on the funeral arrangements?
Topic:
Custody Divorce and Family

Answer:
 Just get an estate/probate attorney.... NOW.

There is a lot of cross over with families and wives and girlfriends and that's never pretty.

There will be some people with some hurt feelings and someone is going to get a lawyer at some point..... you might as well be the first one to start the landslide and get as much documented for the person you support before anything else disappears.

Death and divorce bring out the worse in people.....

Just.... get a lawyer and get everyone you can on the same side... and be prepared for this to not be a happy time.

I'm sorry, OP.

Source? (46 lines of text later? I will spare you... Drama happens. Do not delay. Protect your side and get an estate/probate attorney to take the grief and the headache. It will save a lot of sleepless nights and chaos. It's going to get sticky)


Title: My fiancé owes child support, will he get his stimulus check, or a portion of it?

Question:
Please, first, try not to judge us. He fell on really hard times this past year financially for reasons he had no control over.

Since we are engaged and have been living together, we filed our taxes jointly this year. Our return of course went to the child support debt. Will the same happen with our relief checks?

Answer: How did you file jointly if you are not married...


Title: I am not getting paid for doing small work related task. My managers manually change the timesheet and it doesn’t correspond to my actual clock out time.

Question:
I work as a server in a big chain restaurant in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Just recently, it came to my attention that managers manually change clock out times to match with with the time on the cash-out slip.
This means that we don’t get paid for doing the cash-out, which is a process that takes 5-7 minutes if it’s easy, or sometimes even 15 min or more if there was an issue with the gift card payments.

First, I wonder if it’s legal to do work-related tasks such as cash-out without getting paid for it. Second, I wonder if it’s legal for managers to manually change your clock out time (we use fingerprints for clocking in and out) to correspond it to the one in the cash-out.

There were numerous times that I printed my cash-out slip ahead of time to prepare my Cashout folder so that I leave as soon as my last tables leave. Now I am thinking that I never got paid for that time because the managers manually changed my clock out time to the cash-out slip time.
Also, there were numerous times where the cash-out took at least 15 min because managers were trying to figure out what went wrong in payments, and apparently I never got paid for this time. How is it my fault not to get paid over this?

I checked with the work app and there’s evidence that managers use the cash-out slips times for clock-outs and not the actual clocking out time.

I am so furious and I am worried to bring this to my managers‘ attention because I may get fired or something since no one ever brought it to their attention.
Topic:
Canada

Answer: Does your system allow you to print out a time clock? Mine does. If it does print out a time slip everyshift, take a picture and make a physical copy of each one. Track it. If your hours do not match. Go to the labor board because if I am correct that is illegal. And they can get HEAVY fines and you can get a huge settlement. Even in a right to work state.


Title: I saw this on Twitter. Can they even enter

Answer:
 This is about a story where Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump apparently did not allow USSS agents to use the bathrooms in their home while they were under USSS protection, forcing the USSS to rent a studio apartment next door so they would have somewhere to go to the restroom.

[$3000/mo, costing over $100,000 so far.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/01/14/secret-service-bathroom-ivanka-trump-jared-kushner/?fbclid=IwAR2xEnC-XrvPsm0K58ld1WIEjrsTW_AtT_SmjreLZf4CT9DvhXUR6xGjB2w)


Title: Curious about "Tips for Tots" legality (MD)

Question:
Not super serious, mostly curiosity, but it's been on my mind for about a week and I wanted some input.

A restaurant chain in my area (Baltimore MD) was doing a "Tips For Tots" drive last week. The promotion was that 100% of the customer's tip would be donated to the Toys For Tots charity.

I happen to know that servers for this chain make about $5.19/hr, and so I was wondering what the legality for this situation would be? (given that labor law entitles servers to their tips). My partner and I brainstormed some (admittedly iffy) potentials like:

* what if they're being paid higher than their typical wage for the night?
* what if they signed an agreement to donate their tips?
* what if they volunteered to work that day with the knowledge they would not receive tips?

So /r/legaladvice, is there any situation that makes this okay?

(I would have understood if the chain offered to *match* customer tips for donation but donating 100% of the customer tip just seemed skeevy to me. I was glad I saw the promotion sign before dining there because I don't like that a tip offered for good service would be taken from my server - even if it's for charity)

Answer: In this case, it's perfectly legal. This is an employee-started drive, where the servers volunteer to donate their tips for one day to charity, with some sort of corporate match (or, at least there used to be). I don't know if servers feel pressure to work that day or not, but it's legal to donate by choice.


Title: What to do with (probably) illegal ivory?

Question: My great uncle was a bit of a hoarder. He passed a few years ago, and one of the items that we salvaged from his house was what appears to be an elephant tusk. I was wondering what we should do with it, as it is currently sitting in a closet collecting dust. It would be nice to get some money off of it (student loans and all that) but I definitely don't want to do anything illegal. We live in the US (New Jersey), and I know there was a ban on ivory in 1989, though I'm pretty confident he got it before then (we didn't see any papers).

Answer:
 Antique ivory is generally legal to own in the USA, provided it [meets a set of legal requirements](https://www.fws.gov/international/travel-and-trade/ESA-antiques-exemption.html):

> To qualify for the ESA antiques exemption, an item must meet all of the following criteria [seller/importer/exporter must demonstrate]:

>A:  It is 100 years or older.

>B:  It is composed in whole or in part of an ESA-listed species;

>C:  It has not been repaired or modified with any such species after December 27, 1973; and

>D:  It is being or was imported through an endangered species “antique port.”*

D doesn't apply to your case, but A, B, and C do.Answer #2: I would call a fine auction house near your closest big city and ask them if they take antique ivory for auction.  Usually they have experts in certain fields and they have authority to resell them as well.  If your state says you can receive them thru inheritance, then no worries.  If you are still worried, then get an antique dealer who has a certificate to appraise the item and verify that it is pre-ban ivory.  Then go to the auctionhouse or where ever you want to sell it.  If you get stopped by a cop, you'll have the certificate and he will believe you when you say you are taking the item to auction and that it is pre-ban contriban.