Title: Girlfriend bitten by dog in the face at the Humane Society

Question:
Hey guys,

Thanks in advance for reading through this. My girlfriend and I live in Phoenix. We signed up to be ‘foster heroes’ with the Arizona humane society, and were quickly granted the ability to foster a dog we picked after signing up for the program. This was our first time fostering a dog and we were pretty excited. This past Saturday, we went to go pick up the dog we had selected for foster care. When we went to load the dog in our car to leave their location, the dog bit my girlfriend in the lip. My girlfriend tried to pick up the dog to load into the car. The bite was pretty bad. After taking the dog back to the foster unit, I  took my girlfriend to the hospital. She received six stitches on her lip. The hospital billed her insurance so I am not sure what the cost of the procedure was. She was prescribed and is taking anti biotics for the gash. The wound on her bottom lip was one centimeter deep.  The healing process will take around four weeks, we are not sure what the lip will look like after the stitches dissolve. My girlfriend is still shaken up from the incident.

We believe the humane society absolutely dropped the ball with us. They did not properly prepare us on how to take care of the dog while in our care. They gave us food, medicine, and other supplies to use with the dog. However, they did not tell us that the dog was violent or would bite. They did not tell us how to load or touch the dog. They did not inform us of the proper care the dog needed. We were completely in the dark in regards to care and I believe that is why my girlfriend received her injury.

My girlfriend is better but is now working while having the stitches in her mouth. Again, we do not know the full extent of the damage of the cut or what scarring or disfigurement it might leave. Before we left their location, we signed a waiver that put us in sole responsibility of the dog and exempted the humane society of any bites that might happen while in our care. However, this bite happened while on their property. We never had sole responsibility of the dog.

We have not talked with the humane society since the bite took place. I have spoken with an attorney who wants to pursue our case. But before we go further with the lawyer, I want to make sure this is worth the cost to pursue. I imagine attorney fees will high and I hope to not throw money away.

The whole situation is horrible and I feel just as bad for my girlfriend who suffered the most from her good intentions

Answer: Most rescue groups who use volunteers have insurance for this kind of thing. The Humane Society is definitely one of them.


Title: Grandpas friend went into surgery and got wrong leg amputated, then still had to get the correct one amputated in another surgery. what are he chances he has a case?

Question:
title pretty much says it.
Edit: I'm in Connecticut

Answer: Your grandpas friend needs to consult a medical malpractice lawyer. Its very possible he has a case, but med mal is VERY fact specific.


Title: Who would have the rights to a picture? The owner of the face or owner of the paper a picture is printed on?

Question:
Okay so let's say you took a portrait type of picture of trump. You then went and got that picture printed etc. Who owns that picture? The person who's on the picture or the owner of the paper?

The person in the picture never consented btw

Answer: Generally, the rights to a photograph belongs to the person who took the picture.


Title: [OH] Child Custody: Court will not let us have a say in our defense

Question:
Backstory: Stepdaughter does not know her biological father at all. The original deal with through the child support agency is that when he saw her, he'd at least provide something. He never came and saw her for 17 months. I've been caring for her and have been a father to her since she was 6 months old.

Now that her mother and I are married, he is trying to stop my attempts at adopting her by fabricating messages that he has tried to see her, but is not allowed (we have phone records stating otherwise)

We recently had a pre trial and he was automatically granted supervised visitations in a public place.

My question and concerns are is that why were we not allowed to defend ourselves with the evidence we have? It's not only phone records but pictures of drug and alcohol abuse that he puts on facebook.

And i'm not trying to take his daughter away from him. He got the best deal anyone could want not having to pay child support and not obligated to see her. Under state law what he has done is abandoned her, and i'm trying to give her the best life possible.

If this is not the right place for this, let me know where I should post it.

Thanks for your help!

Answer:
 Terminating parental rights is a very serious thing, especially against the will of the parent.  If there is any doubt, the court will err on the side of caution and keep the rights in tact.  However, this is not purely a "win" for him.  He now has to show the court that he is willing to make an effort to visit his child, and, now that his location is on file, you can start collecting support.

This is not uncommon.  He's being given a "last chance" by the courts. Document everything, push extra hard for support (possibly ask for garnishment due to his previous failure to pay), and make him fully choose to be a father to his daughter.

If he skips out again, then you can use that to your advantage to push again for termination of his paternity.


Title: Child Photography Laws (WA state)

Question:
I took my son to daycare this morning and came home to do homework. One of the workers at the daycare is a close friend. She came over for lunch and told me that a police officer came to the school to let the staff know that there was a woman taking pictures of the kids while they were playing on the playground.  It was during my son's playtime outside so he may have been photographed by this individual.

My friend told the administrator that she should at least let the parents know that it happened. But they haven't. For me, I now know this but haven't heard any confirmation from the staff or administrators themselves. It bothers me that I had to sign a photography consent form for my son to be photographed (which I declined) and yet there's an individual taking photographs of, potentially, my son without my express consent especially when the school doesn't have my express consent to photograph him either.

What are the laws around photography of children on a playground while sitting in a public parking place in Washington state? I'm trying to understand the nuances of the situation but I can't really get a straight answer.

My husband sees it as being fine because it's protected by the first amendment but for me, I think because I'm going to school for social work, I see the okayness but I also see the potential nefariousness of it also. But then, I think mom mode is speaking also because some stranger is photographing kids, including mine potentially.

Legal thoughts? What can I learn from this situation?

Answer:
 Nobody outdoors and plainly viewable from a public place has a reasonable expectation of privacy, no matter what their age.   There's nothing sexual or obscene about children on a playground, hopefully.

The consent form probably isn't for photographing your kid, it's for using his likeness commercially.

Evidently the occurrence was creepy enough that a police officer investigated it.   But I don't think the school has any obligation to notify parents of the incident unless they deem it a risk to the students at large.  Probably the photographer committed no offense, civil or criminal, presuming they weren't enjoined by a court order of some kind to avoid the school or one of its students.

I'll give it a 95% chance that the photographer was a private investigator working on a custody case.   You can't send a male to do that kind of surveillance work.

I'll further guess that the police and the administrators know which kid was being surveilled, and that their custodial parent has been notified.    As it's NOYB for everyone else, there's no other notification.Answer #2: If the child is visible and in public, then it is perfectly legal to photograph that child.


Title: Separated, and wife said she want to sell my car. TX

Question:
We have been separated for few months
 She said she needs money and that she was going to sell my car. She has a copy of the title. And apparently is signed ( I don't remember signing it). Her name is not in the title. The car was bought before the marriage

Answer:
 Can you report the title as lost?Answer #2: Go to the DMV and request a duplicate title. You might even be able to do it online. Then, she can't really sell the car because the copy of the title she has won't be the most current, valid copy.

Also, you don't give a lot of details, but can you report the car stolen? It is, after all, yours, and she won't return it.Answer #3: Related question, could she get a title loan with OP's (alleged) signature on the title but without her name on it?

When she is unsuccessful in selling the car, this might be her next course of action. If she's trying to sell OP's car out from under him like this it's not unlikely that she'd try to get a title loan and then not repay, leaving OP in hot water.


Title: Was My Car Towed Unlawfully and, if So, Am I Titled to Reimbursement?

Question:
Am I Entitled to a Reimbursement? Here's the situation: I parked my car on Friday at 6:00 PM next to a park by my house. By 11:00 AM Saturday morning my car had been towed. I was unaware that I parked in a temporary No-Parking zone, like most people who get towed, but my situation was different. The signs were nailed to three trees lining the sidewalk of a large park. They were placed so low on the tree-trunk that I couldn't see them from the road. I also, of course, did not notice them when I got out of my car. I took pictures that show the tree foliage caused a shade that obstructed the view of the signs during the daytime. It also shows the signs were placed at or below five feet above the sidewalk. At nighttime this effect was even worse because the park was poorly lit. When I asked authorities they said the signs had been there the night that I parked. Below I describe the area where I parked and summarize my argument. I'm seeking reimbursement for my towing fees since I am a broke college student that had to pay this out of my own pocket. Please advise, any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

A DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA WHERE I PARKED: The side of the street that I parked on was connected to a large park (about 200 yards in length). This park has three small trees and two large lamp-posts on the sidewalk which encloses it. The park is dimly lit with no lights besides the two old lamp-posts. The No-Parking-Signs were placed on these trees at a height of about five feet above the sidewalk. There were no signs placed on the light-posts. During the day I would leave work at 6:30 AM and not get back until 6:00 PM, when it was significantly darker.

I believe the No-Parking signs were rendered ineffective for the following reasons. Firstly, the parked cars on the street blocked the visibility of the signs from the road. The California Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CAMUTCD) and the California Vehicle Code (CVC) state that traffic control devices must be placed so that they are "visible to the reasonably prudent road user." Secondly, the tree foliage shaded the signs to the point that they were practically invisible at night. However, the CAMUTCD states that signs should be placed so that they "optimize nighttime and daytime visibility." Thirdly, the lighting in the park was not adequate to make the signs readable from the distance in which I normally parked. I usually park around 60 yards away and there are only two lamp-posts on the 200 yard stretch of side walk. I can provide photos that these only dimly light the area.

Just to reinforce my point, on Friday night there was a normal amount of cars parked on the street so I know a lot of people in my neighborhood got towed, but I didn't go around asking everyone to get the specifics.

Answer:
 >  there seemed to be no reason that I couldn't park my car as usual

Other than, you know, the signs telling you not to.

You're not going to get reimbursement.


Title: My stalker won't stop contacting me and threatening me. I don't know how much more I can take and I don't know what to do.

Question:
A little background without possibly giving away my identity. I have a stalking case against this person. She was trespassed from my work for assaulting me and also damaging my property. There was not enough evidence to charge her for vandalism or assault. However, she threatened my life using her own number and I called the police and that's when he collected information for the stalking case against her. Unfortunately, when the police went to arrest her (I am also female), she had already moved out of state. Now the detective on my case does not know if the crime is happening here in FL, or there in IL... Where she continues to harass and threaten to harm me. This has been going on for 2 years. I have blocked almost 20 different phone numbers and Facebook profiles she has used to stalk and harass me. I don't know how much more of this I can take. I just want to be left alone, I just want to feel safe again. I don't have a lot of money (I am a college student) but am considering putting myself deeper into debt to file a civil suit against her. I am so sad. I am so tired of this. I am so scared. So emotionally exhausted from the threats of violence. She knows where I live and where I work. If anyone who has been through this has any advice please come forward.

Edit: thank you to everyone who responded with advice or just to comfort me. I have contacted the detective and he is contacting Mount Vernon PD. I am also speaking to a lawyer and getting a new number and using some of the things that were suggested on here. Thank you guys for taking the time to try to help me. If I have time or anything comes from this I will post an update in the future. Hope you all have a wonderful holiday.

Answer:
 Go to your college and check if they offer free/cheap legal aid (it might be the case).

Either way get all documentation of her stalking you together and find a lawyer in IL to file for a restraining order. Answer #2: Cop here, keep reporting this to your local police.

This crime is happening HERE where you are receiving the communication. It's possible that this level of harassment/stalking is now at the felony level and the local police should be working on locating this individual and putting a stop to this.

They have resources to contact this subject through the police in her jurisdiction and they may also be able to extradite her to your area so she can be held responsible for her crimes.

I'm sorry that this is happening to you and I wish you the best. I cannot imagine living in that constant state of fear and feeling like there is nothing you can do. Answer #3: Because this is occurring across State lines you need to file a report with the FBI. They may not do anything, but it is worth a try.


Title: A man orders an oyster soup. When he was about to eat it, he saw a pearl on it. When he get it, the waiter tap him & said that the restaurant own it. The man replied, I am the new owner, I ordered the soup & paid for it. So, who has the rightful ownership of the sai pearl?

Answer: We don't do peoples homework. Answer #2: Nobody. No edible oyster produces pearls.


Title: (CA) Arrested for DUI at a checkpoint in Torrance, CA.

Question:
(CA) I was arrested for DUI at a checkpoint in Torrance, CA in April 2016. I was charged with 23152(a) and 23152(b). My arraignment is this week and I didn’t hire a lawyer for financial reasons. My BAC was .19 (breath) and .20 (blood). I’m, for the most part, aware of the consequences of my mistake - i.e. fine, AA classes, license suspension.

My questions are: Will pleading guilty or no contest be the wrong move? Or will pleading not guilty increase my likelihood of receiving a plea bargain from the DA? Will I be forced to install an interlock device on my car? Is there any other information that would be useful for my upcoming arraignment?

Some additional information:
•	This is my first DUI charge.
•	I’ve never been arrested or in trouble with the law ever before.
•	I wasn’t driving recklessly, caused no property damage and nobody was hurt.
•	My bail was waived and I was released on my own recognizance.
•	I was very cooperative at the time of my arrest.

Thank you for the advice!

Answer:
 You need to request a public defender be assigned to your case.  I strongly advise against running this like a DIY project.

Being cooperative at the time of your arrest does not help you.


Title: How do those "You've won a free prize!" scam sites legally operate?

Question:
I'll start off by saying it's almost 5am here in Australia and I'm half drunk off sleep deprivation; I hope my post is coherently cohesive (cohesively coherent? I've messed up already).

I stumbled upon one of those fake iPhone giveaways thanks to a misspelling of YouTube, but being 3am I decided to investigate.

Aside from it being a transparent grab at your private information to immediately sell off for marketing purposes, the terms and conditions are written like any genuine competition. Naturally, all the clauses are written in their favour - competition runs until late next year, can substitute negotiated prize, can disqualify any entrant at their discretion, can cancel competition entirely. That's a given. But it has a host, a data and privacy policy, (mostly) well-structured T&Cs. It's as legitimate as an illegitimate scam company can be.

My main question is whether this is an authentic deal they're running here, dodgy conditions aside? Or did they just put a great deal of effort into making their site look more trustworthy?

If it is, why bother? What's in it for them? I would presume it has something to do with avoiding the law - at a guess, they could be prosecuted for ripping people off but are invulnerable so long as they're set up as a business... am I on the right track? Then what loopholes must they intend to exploit? I don't want to post a link to the specific site for obvious reasons so generalised advice/musings are welcome here

Alternatively if it is not, then again, why even bother? Why put so much effort in, what could they possibly gain when people who fall for scams like this in the first place would never read their fake terms anyway unless they got lost? It would just be unappreciated work.

Follow up question, based on the fact that the hosts set the comp to run for one year and plan to draw the winners ten days after the close date, am I to assume that these are the upper max legal limits? Google wouldn't turn up results for any official laws about competitions but this logic makes sense to me.

And lastly, how can they advertise it as "you're our lucky winner, you've been randomly selected" when it's outlined in the T&Cs that it's a game of skill, not chance, and the winner will be chosen from their 25 words or less response? (Side note, I couldn't locate where to fill out this 25 words prompt - I have no doubt it exists somewhere, I just couldn't find it - and incomplete forms will result in the entrant being disqualified, but their personal data still kept and used.)

Oh, and how about that suspiciously facebook-looking faux chat dialogue of previous winners bragging about their gains? How is that not in violation of both intentionally misleading the public and copyright infringement?

Last one, I swear. The prizes on offer are all valued at ~$1500, but the conditions state a max prize value of $1000. Is this just a dumb oversight, or can inconsistencies such as this somehow also end up in their favour? Because this one seems easily disputable.

... Had to add this in. Highlight:

We won't use your personal information for direct marketing unless:
a) you provide us with your personal information
b) we gather your personal information from you or someone else

Basically, "we will only use your personal information if we indeed have your personal information available to use".

(Will likely proof read this in the morning for clarity)

Answer:
 I think part of it is that someone would actually have yo take the time and money to sue to even determine if what they're doing is illegal.

And like you said, everything is carefully worded to ensure that it is just barely legal.


Title: Grandpa needs help!

Question:
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!  I am located in a rural town in Michigan.

My grandfather loaned his brother a bulldozer.  Before he could return the bulldozer, my grandfather's brother passed away.  His children are in control of his estate, and are refusing to return my grandfather's property.  They have also stated that he is not to be on their property, when he went to discuss the return of the bulldozer, and blocked his number and all phone correspondence.   My grandpa has a receipt from when he purchased the bulldozer.

My grandpa is in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's.  He is starting to forget little things.  Can someone please point me in the right direction so I can help him before he forgets?  My grandmother is frustrated and doesn't want him to spend money on an expensive attorney.  Thank you!

Answer: Your grandpa should file a claim with his brother's estate immediately. If he misses the deadline, he might not be able to recover the bulldozer. Answer #2: Call the police and ask for a civil standby to retrieve his property.


Title: Child out of wedlock, mother is currently only letting me see the child for 1 hour at a time at her moms house. is she establishing a legal precedent

Question: I know i can get a lawyer and get custody figured out but I'm trying to just let things chill with the mom.  My question is is she establishing some sort of legal precedent by only allowing me to see her for one hour at her moms house and not letting me leave the house. I am respectful of her wishes and I do not argue with her. She is acting this way because I got upset when she told me she wasn't moving back in and said things like, how could you do this to my son(my older child who is 14), i never want to see you again, it's my child too. It was an intense reaction but it ended peacefully and there was no violence. I have since sought out help and medication for my anxiety and am much more stable and wouldn't react the same way. she is afraid of all conflict because of her parents divorce. So what i'm trying to figure out is if she is just doing this because she's scared or if  what she is doing is setting some sort of legal precedent that will hurt my chances at custody.  it matters because i need to decide whether to just chill and hopefully have a good conversation in the future or if I should just get a lawyer and forgo any opportunity at peace between is. I'm in washington state

Answer:
 No, she is setting herself up for a really shitty time in court unless there is a damn good reason that you cannot be alone with a child.

Telling her you never want to see her again isn't even that bad. If she was concerned for her safety, she wouldn't want you in the house at all.

You definitely need a lawyer as soon as possible though.


Title: Employer makes us work on day off.

Question: So I work for a small company of about 20-30 people. It's family owned. I've worked here for a few years now. Every year around the holidays, we're expected to work on our day off. So my day off is Monday. If the holiday lands on on Tuesday, I'm told I need to work my day off. Yesterday was Xmas Eve and I worked because everyone has today off. Is it legal in the state of Colorado to make your employees work on their day of when there's a holiday that didn't fall on your day off?

Answer: As long as they paid you for working (including any applicable OT) it's legal.


Title: NY - people keep using my private driveway to turn around and damaging property

Question:
I have a “flagpole” property. We have a driveway that is included in our deed as our property and is labeled by our town as a private drive. The city does not take care of the road and refuses to even replace the street sign.unless we pay for it. This ‘road’ is off of a very busy street with a speed limit of 55 mph.

Unfortunately, although the road is only 50 feet long or so, people frequently make very fast turns into our street/driveway assuming it is a full length street. On numerous occasions we have had near misses with people hitting our kids, our pets, or our vehicles. To try to hammer home that it isn’t a turnaround or a real street, two weeks ago we tried putting planters out near the end of the driveway to indicate that it isn’t a street. Both have been hit, both plants and planters damaged.

My wife wants to take more drastic measures like a gate but I wondered if this is even legal. Further, are we liable for damages sustained while people use our private drive? Is it considered trespassing? Is there anything else we can do to prevent people from using our driveway without permission?

Answer:
 If it’s your property, why does your wife think it would be illegal to install a gate? Installing cameras can help as well in identifying the vehicles.

Have you filed police reports for any of these incidents?


Title: [US, CO] Mom’s work wants to start checking everyone’s bags before they leave (backpacks, purses, lunchboxes, totes). They are threatening to file a an Internal Loss Prevention Report if they don’t comply. Can they do this?

Question:
Topic:
Employment Law

Answer:
 Yes.

They can't make her show the contents of her bag.  They can file whatever report they want to about her in their internal processes.  And then fire her over that report.


Title: Workman's Comp nightmare and now I'm fired without being 'fired'

Question:
  I'm sorry for any spelling mistakes as this is my first time posting but ill try to provide as much detail as possible.
  I'm 22 year old I Nevada with no experience and no one to give me guidance for any of this, so I don't know if I'm extremely boned at this point or if theres something that can be done.
  I work for a company that makes electric vehicle batteries. My job has me working on and near large moving parts and machines in a manufacturing environment.
  On 9/17/2018 I injured my arm at work cleaning a part of a machine that was moving at the time. My right arm got caught in the machine and fractured my forearm. I was rushed to the ER where they had to do same day surgery for it. The medical diagnosis for it was 'Displaced fracture of olecranon process with intraarticular extension of right ulna initial encounter for open fracture type 1 or 2'
  In hindsight, cleaning a moving part was dangerous and stupid but a senior operator (technically my direct superior) did the same exact thing moments prior to clean the same moving part. We had no Standard Operating Procedure for that situation, no special tools, no specialized training. I had to talk with OSHA and they confirmed that it was wholly my job's fault.
  My biggest mistake was not hiring an attourney right away. Without even realizing it, I signed a C4 form for workmans comp. Its all been downhill from there. Here is a list of things I had to deal with so far.
-9/17/2018-Workplace accident and sameday surgery. Fracture was set and hardware installed in foream to keep it together.
-10/11/2018- I got a notice of my temporary disability payments ending because I returned to work on 10/08/18. I did not. I had to send multiple emails to HR and my supervisor so I can go back to work.
-10/15/2018-Returned to work. Physical therapy started around this time
-December/January- Surgeon rescheduled our appointment to a date that I physically couldn't make it to, requiring another reschedule after which I was told I haven't seen him in over 2 months when I was supposed to.
-1/7/2019- Second opinion doctor's visit since my surgeon kept brushing off the fact I can't straighten my arm at the elbow and told me its 'functional'. Both doctors now have told me it'll probably never be right again.
-1/28/2019- Released to full duty. Physical therapy ends.
-3/28/2019-Second surgery to remove the hardware (this is a reschedule since they didot have inpatient options the first time)
-4/28/19 to 5/6/19-Had a series of panic attacks both inside and outside of work.
-5/3/19- Released to full duty, no physical therapy reccomended. Arm still unable to straighten out completely
-5/25/2019- Partial Permanent Disability Evaluation (PPDE) denied.
-6/2/2019- PPDE scheduled after I had to fight for it
-7/3/2019-Went to my PPDE appointment.
-7/9/2019 to Present- Another series of panic attacks started by being in the same situation at work as when my arm was fractured.
-7/15/2019-HR informs me I cannot work in any position or in any capacity whatsoever until I either A. prove that this is ptsd from the accident on 9/17/2018 or B. get myself cleared for work by a proffesional. Until then I can't work so I don't get paid. I was essentially fired without being 'fired'.
   I don't have funds to fall back on whatsoever as I recently blew that to get stable transportation. This job has screwed up my arm that can't open straight anymore, all the nerves at the elbow are hypersensitive, and now I'm dealing with panic attacks that I believe are from the accident.
  I have no history of anxiety, panic attacks, ptsd or anything of the like prior to this accident/surgeries. I also have had no other injuries on my right arm prior to this accident.
  I have now missed work days due to my nerve pain and my panic attacks and so I went to HR since I can't keep missing days. Now I have no income for however long it takes me to either prove its ptsd or get mentally cleared for work by a professional.
  I don't have a regular doctor, and don't have the funds for any of this. I don't know what to even do now. I've been pushed around by my job and their insurance and it looks like have no way of pushing back.
  I just need advice as to what to do now, my life is crumbling around me and I don't know what to do.
Topic:
Personal Injury

Answer:
 Time for an attorney. This is one of those things that is very complicated.

With a break that severe, they should have set expectations on recovery. You were most likely never going to have full use of you arm after the accident.

I am not a doctor, and this is going to delve into the non-legal area, so if this is against the rules let me know. Let's look at your diagnosis.

>Displaced fracture of olecranon process

You broke part of your ulna bone at the elbow. Part of your ulna was no longer part of your ulna. Most importantly, the part of your ulna that helps make your elbow.

>intraarticular extension of right ulna

The break crossed into the surface of your elbow most likely damaging cartilage, and other soft tissues that are part of your elbow.

>open fracture type 1 or 2

Type I = an open fracture with a wound less than 1 cm long and clean;
Type II = an open fracture with a laceration greater than 1 cm long without extensive soft tissue damage, flaps, or avulsions;

I am really surprised your doctors didn't set expectations for recovery on this. You will probably never fully extend your elbow again.

Now for your panic attacks, that very well could have been caused by the accident. Workers comp should cover counseling. You REALLY need to see an attorney about this. You are protected under the ADA, and FMLA. You need to assert these rights immediately, and demand that HR enter the interactive process with you to determine if with accommodations could you return to your previous position, or is their another position they could place you in.


Title: A close friend of mine has been sexually harassed. A man got caught spying on my friend in a public bathroom. What are my options?

Question:
My friend entered a public bathroom in the mall to take a leak. The offender entered the bathroom, stood on the adjacent cubicle and peered in. After that, my friend loudly started verbally accusing the offender, catching everyone's attention. The ensuing chaos alerted the mall guards. The argument continued outside the bathroom and mall guards we're called to attention of my friend's aid. Last I heard, they we're calming him down and police were on their way.

From my understanding, the crime comitted is sexual harrasment, although I can't be so sure. My friend is male and the offender is also male. I want to know what my options are. How do I go about this situation and ensure the offender gets behind bars? I know sexual harrasment is really hard to prove and the proof of burden is on my friend. I'm not sure what laws are in place here too, since this happened in the Philippines. Additionally, if something like this were to happen to me, what should I do?

Answer: You don't really have any options. Your friend's option is to notify the police, and cooperate with any investigation, if there is one.


Title: NJ-Defendant filed motion to vacate after no-show judgement

Question:
Hi Legal advice,

I received a default judgement on 11/4 against my former landlord for not returning my security deposit.  On 11/6, he filed a motion to vacate the judgement giving 3 reasons:

The amount [I sued for and received double]

He missed the date due to his father being in hospice care

Not enough notice was given after court adjourned on the 28th

I am objecting to his motion based on NJ landlord/tenant laws for # 1, # 3 is kinda tough luck in my opinion, especially since he didn't notify the court he couldn't make it [or the court didn't accept his excuse, since this isn't the first time he called to say he couldn't make it that day].

(2) I am not sure about, since the first time he didn't show up, he said it was for a medical appointment, and the court said that was a valid excuse, pending documentation.  So my question is - is being the caretaker of someone in hospice care, and that someone not appearing to actually have a conflicting medical appointment, a valid excuse to miss court, with no notice?

Additionally, he says in his motion "I do not dispute that they are owed thier [sp] security deposit returned minus the damages at the end of thier [sp] tenur [sp]".  The law is quite clear regarding this, he must provide documentation via certified mail within 30 days of the end of the lease - does this effectively count as an admission that the judgement is correct?

*edit reddiquette is hard

Answer:
 >So my question is - is being the caretaker of someone in hospice care, and that someone not appearing to actually have a conflicting medical appointment, a valid excuse to miss court, with no notice?

Up to the judge.  You may have a judge that won't give a crap and tell him tough cookies.  Or you may have a judge having a nice day and let's the guy get back into the door.

>does this effectively count as an admission that the judgement is correct?

I think it's more of just an acknowledgement of what the law says.  He didn't admit that he didn't give you your documentation/deposit on time, therefore he's not admitting to the amount of the judgment.  He is setting himself up to argue that there were perhaps valid deductions, maybe he did send notice, or anything else of the sort.  It doesn't sound like he's pigeon-holing himself at all.

Edit:  [Here](https://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/rules/r4-50.htm) is the NJ rule regarding relief from judgments or orders.


Title: Getting kicked out of a comedy club

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Nothing illegal was done and personally? I would have done the same.


Title: [California] Mother threatening to take away the kids from father? He's not the bio dad. Please help?

Question:
I'll try to be brief, and if I'm missing something or need to add any more info feel free to say so. Also, I'm 19 so I'm not worried about myself in this situation, just about my younger brothers.

My dad has been putting up with a lot of my moms bullshit for years, and by that I mean her constant flow of different boyfriends (they are also still legally married, they married in Mexico but haven't been a 'couple' in years but never divorced). During that time she had two kids that according to her she is sure they are from another man. They haven't done a paternity test to figure out who the real dad is though.

Anyway, she recently got another boyfriend and my dad finally got tired of her. He told her she needs to finally leave, because she constantly brings her boyfriend over to the house that he pays rent by himself for, even though my mom and her boyfriend live somewhere else together.

Now she's saying she's going to take all her stuff and take the kids with her, but try to do it all legally. That would really hurt my dad as he was there when both of my siblings were born, and even gave them his last name. My dad has been supporting them financially and emotionally since they were babies. He's been the only stable dad in my siblings life, as their supposedly actual dad is an ex drug addict and never really cared much for them. And lastly, my dad is the more financially stable of the two parents, and that's saying a lot (he works as maintenance/janitorial position in a company that manufactures medicine).

Im just wondering what could happen since my mother claims my dad isn't my younger siblings bio dad. Can he even fight for the right to keep the kids? Would he have to pay child support for them? What if the guy my mother claims is the real bio dad turns out to be their real dad, will he have to pay child support when he doesn't even pay it already? And don't children get a say in who they want to live with? I thought I heard something about that they get a say on who they want to stay with once they are at least 8 years old, but im more sure either.

Im just a bit confused on all this as even if they are my dads kids they still have his last name, so I'm not sure how this will work out. Anyway, thank you all for reading, I appreciate any and all advice on this.

Answer:
 If your father was married to your mother at the time of the birth of you and your siblings, legally, he is presumed to the be father... especially if he is on the birth certificate.

That being said, since there is no court order, she has as much right to "take" the kids as he does. He needs to get a family law attorney to get a court order to officially specify custody and/or visitation between your mother and father.

There are many low cost or free legal aid services that can help you with this if finances are tight.

As to the "bio dad" issue. Unless the biological father steps up and w (assuming your dad isn't truly the bio dad), it is unlikely the state will remove the kids from being financially supported by your father. They have no interest in paying for the upbringing of the children when there already is someone doing that.

> I thought I heard something about that they get a say on who they want to stay with once they are at least 8 years old, but im more sure either.

The judge will decide who goes with whom, based on what's best for the child. Often a teenager (not an 8 year old) will be listened to as to their preference. This is no guarantee though.

Basically, your dad needs to get a family lawyer ASAP.


Title: Discriminating Professor...help please.

Question:
Hi everyone,

This is a really tough subject for me. But, here goes nothing. I was hospitalized not too long ago due to pneumonia. Unfortunately, I am in Marching Band and had to miss a few rehearsals and a performance for my college. Come to find, the makeup work for this class was insane compared to other classes.

My other professors, were SO sympathetic and told me to get better and worry about school after (I was in the hospital for 4 nights, 5 days).  However this professor, even when keeping constant contact, he provided me a regiment of how to make up work for the class. He was worried about the performance I missed (totally fair I get that). So we have something called Holiday Bands and how they work is people volunteer to go to them and the first X amount get paid while the rest are volunteers. So for my makeup, I was excused completely for the rehearsals. No negative impact. The performance however, initially started at completing all holiday bands (6). Then when meeting and arguing, trickled to 4, and now is 3.

The man had zero concern for my health and even told me all the documentation I provided he refused to read. Another professor had told me this sounds like extreme discrimination based off the following:

1. The professor has set standards that are not provided in any contract / documentation we sign for the class. Any reference of holiday bands or making up performances is NOT stated whatsoever other than an “unexcused” (note: my absence was excused), would lead to an auto failure.

2. The professors tone and lack of concern for my situation was absolutely concerning. I was on oxygen all hospital visit and was even forced to go to more oxygen due to no recovery. I am an asthmatic and the doctors think my asthmatic symptoms plus this led to a severe case of walking pneumonia. My professor didn’t care.

3. Other students who missed the same exact performance (one for a wedding and one for a university event that is voluntary) had the following makeup policies:
 A). Student 1 did NOT have to makeup anything for the university event even though she missed the same amount.
 B). Student 2 has ONE holiday band to makeup to receive the proper grade for the class.

* there are other students but it’s hard to get info due to the severity of the situation.

4. The professor in my meeting with him was COMPLETELY hostile. The man told me to be grateful he excused my girlfriend because SHE TOOK ME TO THE ER AND STAYED WITH ME. At first he didn’t excuse it. I called him out and he tried to tell me he thought she dropped me off. I told him taking me to the ER is not like taking your kid to school.

5. After elevating this to my associate dean for this class, who was on my side during our meeting and then turned immediately once meeting with him, has went to extra measures to see that I don’t perform due to health concerns. I supplied a doctors note 3 weeks prior to this clearing me and for them to do this at the end of my senior year and last bowl game / performance, was extremely personal.

6. When finding out they were trying to bar me from the game, in front of 370 other students mind you this professor pulled me aside in front of them all, I was so unhappy. This was just another stab at me. I felt retaliation for expressing a serious concern. We argued for a solid 35 minutes in front of students where I expressed my feelings towards how he treated me and whatnot. The grad assistant told me I should continue to take this up because it’s not fair. It’s so personal and it hurts. The best part he gave me an ultimatum too: end my semester early, get my A. Continue, then I have an incomplete until I makeup the performance I missed.

Simply put: I believe I was medically discriminated against due to the fact that I have a chronic illness and was hospitalized partially due to it. The professor did not accommodate me properly and had treated other students differently with the same absences as I had.

Additionally, a breach of contract was made due to him setting different standards for each student and changing it as he goes. I currently have an Incomplete until I meet all his demands. I find it so unreasonable and at this rate, want to pursue a route with legal. Do I have a case?

I am having such a hard time finding a lawyer in discrimination and education. It’s really draining me. I want this handled so other students NEVER have to deal with what this man has done to me. Please, any advice is appreciated. I feel personally attacked and targeted and students around me worry about speaking up due to retaliation. The university hasn’t been much help leaving me alone. Thank you
Topic:
School Related Issues

Answer:
 You can look for a lawyer if you want, but if you're looking for someone to take this on a contingency basis, you are going to have a difficult time.  You just don't have much in the way of monetary damages, and these aren't egregious facts.  His concern for your health is irrelevant.  He's your teacher, not you friend.

Also, you have far from an open-and-shut case here.  You have to prove you have a disability (which is different from an illness), that you requested and were denied a *reasonable* accommodation.  Forget about breach of contract -- that's ridiculous on these facts.

Getting a lawyer doesn't just "handle" things.  If you want to litigate you are talking about months or years being wrapped up in that process, and no guarantee that you win in the end.

Actually getting this handled quickly and reaching a satisfactory solution would mean involving the head of the department, the dean, the disability office, and anyone else in your school's chain of command that can work to resolve this without lawyers and lawsuits.


Title: Theoretical : are there aggravating circumstances if you do something actually legal?

Question:
I couldn't find a better title, and my question is far too general, so let me explain my thought process.

Let's suppose you are being robbed on the street. But you decide to run after the thief, and manage to stop him and recover what is yours. In the process, you break his leg, because you tackled him/her. But you didn't use excessive force, just what is necessary to stop the thief.

I suppose that everything would be alright, at least in most states of the USA.

But my real question is : suppose the thief is actually a 12 year old kid that runs quite fast, and you are an adult. You tackled him/her and broke his leg. Are you in the wrong?

[Inspired by this story](http://www.reddit.com/r/UnexpectedThugLife/comments/2vntf2/parent_thug_life/cojxh13)

Answer: Self defense is completely circumstantial.  So in a sense, every instance of self-defense falls into what you describe.  You can defend yourself as reasonably necessary, going beyond that removes the legal protections.  What is and isn't reasonable varies based on the specific situation at hand.


Title: [FL] URGENT IS THIS DOXXING

Question:
So I posted a post to r/iamverysmart and someone kept harassing me saying it was fake, to send screenshots and to send the phone number of the person. I sent my phone number. Dumb, I know, but is it doxxing? He has already said he contacted a lawyer
Topic:
Computer and Internet

Answer:
 Nothing about this is a legal issue.

Maybe stop using the internet without adult supervision.Answer #2: So you...doxxed yourself?

No. People claim they "contact lawyers" and "sue people" all the time. Block the dude.Answer #3: Uh. Is it illegal that you _gave_ him your phone number? No??

Also, it's not doxxing if you did it to yourself and also doxxing isn't illegal?

As for contacting a lawyer? For what? Shitposting on Reddit? Dude, just block the number and move on. He's winding you up.Answer #4: Are you asking if it’s illegal to give someone your phone number?


Title: I'm worried that one of my customers may commit suicide

Question:
I deliver groceries and one of our regular customers is elderly, disabled, and has made references to committing suicide saying that "If the world gets any worse I'll just check out". I'm concerned that she will actually do this because she seems completely miserable. She's old, she lives alone, I don't think anyone visits her, she's angry, drunk, and seems like she can barely take care of herself.

Is there any legal service for elderly citizens who need a caretaker in California? I think she also may have a certain amount of dementia but I'm not sure. I don't want to call the police because they will probably 5150 her and I don't understand how that would help her in the long run.

Answer: Call APS:  http://www.cdss.ca.gov/Adult-Protective-Services


Title: Wrongful termination?

Question: So, I was at work before opening and started to have a panic attack resulting in me not getting the store open in time which is a firing offense. Customer was standing outside and called and complained about the store still being closed. Panic attack was witnessed by the store manager and I have medical records showing how bad they can be and my anxiety diagnosis. Yes I didn't get the store open in time, but can they fire me for not opening the store on time because I was in the middle of a panic attack? In Oklahoma since I'm sure that'll matter. Thanks all.

Answer: Yes they can.Answer #2: Yes, you can be fired for that.  File for unemployment, appeal it if denied (which most people are the first time), and find a new job.


Title: Condo buyer claims the seller should pay his furnace rental bill

Question:
Ontario, Canada

A friend of mine recently listed and sold her condo apartment through a real estate agent. During the listing and drafting of paperwork she says she told her agent multiple times that the water heater and furnace were rental units and that she did not own them.

This information was never provided to the buyer, and so he is claiming he assumed the furnace and water heater were owned by the seller and would be transferred to him. Recently he received an invoice from the utility company and was shocked to discover that the units were rentals.

The buyer has now, through his lawyer, contacted my friend and demanded that she pay his monthly rental fees. He claims that because the furnace and water heater were not included on a list of leased or rented assets, that he assumed they were owned by the seller and would be transferred to him with the property.

With this information, where does the legal responsibility fall?

In the case that my friend informed her real estate agent that the furnace and water heater were not owned but rented, and the agent failed to provide this information to the buyer and his real estate agent, (but also did not list these items as transferred chattel) does the buyer have the right to make the demands he is making? If so, should my friend be required to pay the new owner’s monthly fees?

I hope this makes sense. Let me know if there’s anything I can clarify. Thanks!

Answer: With nothing in the sales listing or contract about the furnace and water heater, it's reasonable for the buyer to assume that they own it - as opposed to renting it.  If your friend, the seller did inform their real estate agent, it's going to be a he said / she said problem.  The sellers agent should probably cover this - under their errors and omissions insurance.


Title: Maybe violated work visa a decade ago. CBP is scary. Now what?

Question:
This is more of a question about how/where to *get* legal advice, than a request *for* legal advice.  But naturally, there's a bit of a backstory, and maybe I'm just being paranoid.

A decade ago I was working in the US on a TN visa.  Canadian, crazy poor, young and stupid, I tried to do everything myself without legal advice.  The work ended, the visa expired, and I went home.  Then I had a few social visits to the US with aggressive and frankly frightening interviews with CBP.  Based on their questions, I'm guessing I violated my work visa.  Now I'm afraid that if I go back to the US, I'll be detained there forever, and if that happened, I'd miss my new family a lot.

It looks like my major screwups were:

  1. The TN sponsor was my own Canadian company.  I never made a secret of it, but nobody asked, either... until the pushy CBP interviews afterwards.  Anyhow, the lack of arm's length seems to be a problem.

  2. Based on the advice of a US accountant from a big firm chosen for experience with cross-border stuff, I created a Delaware corp to hold some assets.  I used the accountant to file taxes properly, and did everything entirely above-board, but CBP still had a lot of harsh questions about it.  Some of which I couldn't answer, because... accounting.  Anyhow, they used words like "shell" and "company", and not in a friendly way.

  3. I didn't fully understand the transfer payments for moving the money back to Canada.  The US accountant cleared them, and my Canadian accountant didn't have anything to say about it, but maybe there's some kind of US tax issue here that nobody noticed.  I got clearance letters from the various tax agencies, but CBP didn't seem to care.

Around 2009 I had a CBP interview that was the final straw.  The interviewer called a supervisor over to look at the computer screen, they had a longish whispered conversation, and the supervisor told the interviewer "I don't care, your call."  If it's bad enough that it requires a judgement call, it's bad enough to worry about.  After I got home from that trip, I FOI'd my DHS TECS record to see if I could find out what the hell was wrong.  The record is 30 or 40 pages long, and I'd say 30% of it is redacted "to protect law enforcement techniques and ongoing criminal investigations."  Fuck!  Ongoing criminal investigation?  There's no statute of limitations if there's actually an investigation.  I haven't gone back to the US since.

Fast-forward to now.  The Delaware company was dissolved in 2009 and records destroyed five years later in accordance with US law.  I'm wondering if I really need to be scared... but I have a wife and child, and we'd all be pretty pissed off if I went shopping in the US and got arrested for something I didn't know I'd done wrong ten years ago.

So...

  - Am I being paranoid here?  Do I need a US immigration lawyer?   An international business lawyer?  Some other kind of help entirely?  Basically, who do I need to consult to find out whether I have a problem, without actually putting myself at risk of being incarcerated in your terrifying american penal system?

  - If I'm not being paranoid, is there a way to figure out whether there are outstanding arrest warrants, or other reasons for CBP to keep me?

  - If there are no warrants, is there any way to clean the slate with DHS / CBP so I don't have to answer a whole bunch of difficult questions about the dimly remembered past, while in a "no-civil-rights-zone"?

EDITS: Clarity, and note about clearance letters.

Answer: Paging /u/demyst


Title: I'm starting probation soon... are these seriously the only rules? It doesn't seem as restrictive as I expected. Or am I wrong?

Question:
Well, I'm starting probation soon (or maybe it has already begun?), not too sure, I've been given the documents about the probation order and have had my rules quickly read out to me. I have not yet spoken to my probation officer, which I will have my first report in 2 weeks.

I read the rules myself and it doesn't seem as restrictive as I thought it was gonna be? Not communicating or seeing this person; attend counseling, treatment; not consume alcohol; perform 80 hours of community service—am I missing something here? I've been doing all these things prior to being convicted... I'm quite relieved, but is this to good to be true? I don't wanna break any rules and get in anymore trouble, so do I not have a curfew? Restrictions to leaving the city? Traveling?

Answer: Ask your P.O.


Title: Ransom for a phone?

Question:
So my father misplaced his phone somewhere this morning, most likely dropped it getting out of his car. After calling it several times and using the Find my phone app, the person in possession of the phone picked up and asked for money in return of the phone. Is this legal at all? I’m not too sure whether or not to get the police involved.

Not sure if this the right place to ask this.

Ps. Sorry for the formatting, on mobile.

Answer: no its not legal. if you had a reward out then sure but that's your fathers property this is theft of property at this point. if you have find my phone get the address of the phone and report it as stolen. the address will really help them recover it.


Title: Do I owe my boss the deductible? (South Carolina)

Question: I caused an accident in one of our work trucks. The repair estimate was about $2,000 and our insurance deductible is $500. The owner of the company says it's my fault and I should pay the deductible. He's been pretty reasonable about it and offered to set me up with a payment plan that's more than fair but I'm not sure if I legally have to pay him.

Answer: While I can't speak on if you legally owe your boss the deductable... if it's determined that you don't legally owe him it - do note that unless you have an employment contract stating otherwise, he's likely not legally required to continue your employment.


Title: Advice on an inappropriate interview I had today

Question:
I had an impromptu interview today (apply in person situation).  It was for a medical office receptionist position.

Keeping it short, this woman asked me my age, if I had or was planning to have kids, and my political views.

It's a small private practice, not affiliated with a larger medical group.

What government agency can I report this to?

I'm in Florida.

Answer: You have nothing to report yet. Those questions are not illegal. Discriminating against you based on your answers to those questions may be illegal.Answer #2: Asking the questions is not illegal.  Discriminating against you based on age or family status is illegal, if you are not hired and you can prove that's the reason you weren't hired.


Title: Sexual Consent form.18 and 16 years old?

Question: So I recently turned 18 and im about to get into a relationship with a 16 year old and I live in North Carolina. I understand that the age of consent is 16 years of age here, but even if she gives verbal consent that not always enough in the eyes of the law on sex with minors. So I was wondering if I could make a document in writing giving written consent and having her sign. If its possible then I was wondering if you guys could give me a example of what it should look like.

Answer:
 Christ.

No. Just no.

[Did you really have a kid when you were two?](https://www.reddit.com/r/Parenting/comments/2dlpxe/my_son_and_the_internet/) That's remarkable. Are you in any scientific journals?Answer #2: You can make as many documents as you want and have her sign them in the presence of a priest, rabbi, and guru.

They will do you no good whatsoever, as consent can be revoked at any time.

Also, date someone your own age.


Title: Can my health insurance company do this to me??

Question: 2 years ago I went to the emergency room and later the hospital sent me a bill for around $8500. I had insurance with AETNA and they picked up about $7000 of the bill and I paid the remaining $1500 to the hospital. Yesterday I received a call from a collections agency saying I owed the hospital $7000 because a few days ago AETNA took back the money from the hospital where i received care 2 years ago. Can they legally do this???? and if so, why would they take it back after 2 years??? I am in the United States.

Answer: You are going to have to call Aetna. They may or may not have had cause to do so. Call and see what happened.


Title: Michigan: Had to cancel a wedding venue with 199 days notice due to my mother being diagnosed with aggressive cancer and they want to keep 25% of the room cost

Question: [deleted]

Answer: The contract explicitly states that canceling more than 30 days out from the event will result in you forfeiting 25% of the cost as an administrative fee. Not only is it legal, you signed a contract stating so. You are SOL on this one.Answer #2: Come on OP, you signed a contract agreeing to that stipulation and now you're trying to weasel your way out of it? That's not cool at all.


Title: [USA-NY] Can a "No personal video recording is permitted at this restaurant" policy be enforced? Is it legal?

Question: New York is a single party permission state.  The restaurant in question is a McDonalds.  This sign has suddenly appeared at the doors, and I have no idea why.

Answer:
 Sure it's legal.  They don't have to let you on their property, at all, and unless you follow their rules, you don't get to stay.Answer #2: These people don't know what there talking about.

Its a private establishment and such can deny entrance/right to remain to anyone who does this otherwise legal act.


Title: Stupid question, but can I have my Social Security Card laminated?

Question:
I have a tendency to forget my wallet in my jeans, and having *just* received a replacement card (not for water damage, just losing an old wallet), I'd really like for this one to stay in better condition.

I just wonder, is that sort of thing, uhh, "allowed"? Or are there reasons that I can't (or simply *shouldn't*) have it laminated?

Answer: There is absolutely no reason to carry around your social security card.  Put it in a safe place.  Pretty much the only time you will need the actual card is when you get a new job.


Title: [WI] Landlord is charging me for Emotional Support Animal

Question: [deleted]

Answer: A dog peeing on the carpet is not normal wear and tear, what in the world are you talking about? Pay for the carpet cleaning but insist on a receipt for the actual expense.


Title: [Missouri] I lost my license for a year when I was 19, Monday I have court for a speeding ticket and lack of insurance. What kind of punishment am I looking at?

Question:
When I was 19 I lost my license for a year because I got pulled over with no insurance a few times. I am 22 now. Last month I got 2 tickets, one for going 94 in a 70 and another ticket for lack of insurance.

What kind of punishment am I looking at here? If I get insurance now and provide it for the judge will he get rid of the insurance ticket?

Inb4 I need to just grow up and get insurance and not speed.

Edit: Is there anyways I can view my court records. I'm not sure if my old insurance tickets were ever properly taken care of
Topic:
Traffic and Parking

Answer:
 You need to grow up and get insurance and stop speeding. Hopefully your license will get suspended again.

Driving without insurance,  as you already know can mean that your licence gets suspended for a year and/or you may end up paying a 400$ fine or spending 15 days in jail.

Given that only a few years ago you were convicted of the same thing (possibly after multiple tickets?) A judge is much less likely to be anything close to lenient. The fact that you were also dangerously speeding won't help you.

If you want to minimize the consequences get a lawyer.


Title: (Connecticut) How can we stop my girlfriends mother from spending her daughter's college fund?

Question:
(I doubt this is an entirely appropriate flair but it's the closest they provide)

Long story short, when my girlfriend's maternal grandfather died, he left $8,000 dollars to each of his daughter's three children, being my girlfriend and her two brothers. This was meant to help them pay for collage, and was set up in a way that each month of their senior year they would receive $800 dollars. (While this seems convoluted, we have a theory on this so bear with me).

But it turns out his daughter never mentioned that to her children or her husband.

A few days ago he was going over her account records and noticed an $800 deposit. When he asked, she guiltlessly admitted the following.

Since his death, every time one of her kids hit senior year my girlfriend's mom got a monthly deposit of $800 dollars which she proceeded to spend. It's been around 12 years since his death and she spent all of her two sons college fund money without telling them it existed and has just spent the second month of my girlfriend's.

We suspect my girlfriends grandfather did not trust his with a $24,000 dollar deposit to keep safe for at least 4 years before her oldest son would hit college age and need the money. Perhaps he found a way to space the deposits out so she couldn't spend it all at once, and that by waiting until their senior year the prospect of paying for college would be too "real" for her to shamelessly use it for her own purposes.

Unfortunately, being seniors in highschool means that they're minors for the majority of this stretch and the money is in fact going into their monthers account, I believe legally establishing it as hers. The family has never had a ton of money, the oldest son never bothered with college, second oldest is working 30+ hours a week and paying for community college and as I mentioned, my girlfriend is 17, (as I am) and a senior in highschool.

While she now admits to the existence of the money she won't explain why or what she used the money for. She has a history of slight mental illness and is unemployed due to health issues. Her husband, my girlfriends father, is working full time but in a number of seasonal jobs. This $8000 dollars ($6400 now) could mean the difference between community college and the school she wants to go to but her father hasn't gotten over the initial shock of the lie yet and when he does it's unlikely he'll fight her on this. She refuses to discuss it with any of her children who are understandably enraged with her and I just want to know if there's anything that can be done to save the last $6,400 out of the $24,000 that was supposed to go towards her children's education. Any advice?
Topic:
Wills Trusts and Estates

Answer: It depends on the specific provisions of the grandfather's will or other estate plan.  The mother may owe the children the money, or she may not.


Title: Usenet.nl charging me $105. Am I screwed?

Question:
Location: Maryland, USA

About two months ago, I signed up for a trial of the usenet.nl website. I needed to find my college textbook, and didn't want to actually pay for it. I never found the textbook on the website, and never downloaded it.

I got an [email today, saying that my account is suspended](http://i.imgur.com/zX8AWQE.png), and that I must pay a fee of $105. I planned to cancel the service, but I never got around to it. (I know, i'm an idiot.) They have my [home address on file, although I cannot find any indication that they have any payment info](http://i.imgur.com/WLYEF7P.png). I'm 17 years old, and although I could financially pay for it, I really don't want to because I never got anything out of it.

So what i'm trying to ask is, if I refuse to pay for the service, what would be the outcome? Is the best solution for me just to pay for it?
Topic:
Contracts

Answer: Pay what you owe. This is all your own fault and nobody else's. Next time just buy the damn textbook dude.


Title: [NY] Car totaled by uber driver

Question:
Today when I (18 y/o) was driving, an uber driver who I am nearly certain was distracted, hit and totaled my car. I may have a concussion and possible back injuries. Can I get Uber involved in this case?
Topic:
Traffic and Parking

Answer: File a claim through your insurance and let them decide who to subrogate against.  If you only have collision insurance, then file a claim against the driver's policy.  You may need to later file against Uber as well, but start with the easy route.  [Here](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/i-was-hit-by-an-uber-or-lyft-driver-what-now.html) is a good article about dealing with insurance and liability of rideshare companies and their drivers.


Title: Fiancee's ex boyfriend texts her repeatedly

Question:
Hello.

This is occurring in the State of Wisconsin.
My fiancee has an ex boyfriend from high school that keeps texting her, wanting to talk and reconcile. She has not interest in speaking to him whatsoever, as he was abusive during their relationship.

We do not respond to the texts. We have told him to leave her alone and that we would be contacting the police.

Do we have any course of action?

Answer:
 I don't think they make a phone nowadays that doesn't block numbers. They make it so caller isn't even aware they are blocked.

Answer #2: Your course of action is to block the number and block him on any social media accounts.  Once you've taken all of the steps necessary and the harassment somehow continues, feel free to make a police report and/or peruse a protective order.


Title: I do not feel safe with a coworker after an inappropriate outburst by him. My boss wants us all to come in for a meeting tomorrow to discuss what happened despite my stating that I do not feel safe or comfortable doing that.

Question:
I'm shaking as I'm writing this. I and my husband are on-site property managers. Last Fall we had new on-site managers move in and pretty much from the very beginning they have been difficult to work with.
There will inevitably be people that you don't click with in the workplace so initially we just shrugged off any weirdness.
That winter we were responsible for snow shoveling and one of their tenants walked over while we were shoveling and asked when their side would get done. Long story short (not sure what info matters here) when we texted that night to let them know to just give us a heads up for when they were busy all day next time and we can work it so we don't have to pay a babysitter for the extra time and we can give them our schedule as well in case we are gone all day.
After that text everything went downhill. They accused us of being passive aggressive and of doing things out of spite.
I have tried explaining over and over that this isn't malicious. My husband and I genuinely want to have a good relationship with our co-managers especially since we rely on each other to cover when someone travels or is sick or has work at a different job. My husband works full time elsewhere and if a tenant is checking in or out during the workday then the other managers cover and we would reciprocate by covering their next check-in or mow their property. Point is we need to work well together.
Yesterday my husband and I took our 3 kids to the playground on the property that they are responsible for. Immediately we see 2 young kids throwing charcoal everywhere. The slides were completely dusted with charcoal and many pieces were strewn in the bark. I told them to stop and that they need to clean it up and went with one kid I knew from our buildings to talk to his mom. My husband went and talked to the other managers because we weren't sure who the other kid belonged to and the park was a giant mess and needed to be cleaned now. I didn't want to go with him because of how much tension there was between us but my husband said they were fine and it actually made me feel better. Like finally everything was back to normal.
The parents handled the situation pretty well and were great about coming out and making the 2 boys clean. We waited for the other managers to come out with the broom but they never showed. Parents were waiting with kids to play on the jungle gym as were we so we went and grabbed our stuff and pitched in. With us and 3 other parents helping it got finished in 20 minutes or so. Many hands make light work!
Then one of the moms asked where the managers were and why they didn't come out to help. She asked if she should bring it up to them but was nervous. My 5 month old was sleeping on me and I felt good about how it went fine with my husband and I felt good about how we knocked it out and now they didn't have to do it. I would feel so grateful if the situation was reversed. In hindsight if the snow shoveling was seen as passive aggressive then this might just make things worse.
I knocked on their door still holding a sleeping baby and I could hear muffled talk on the other side of the door and started shaking. I was super nervous.
The man opens the door and his face was clearly angry. I was taken aback by the blatant anger and let them know that we finished cleaning up the charcoal so they didn't have to worry about it.
He got angrier and said "we didn't ask you to do that."
I said "You didn't have to, we were waiting anyway and everyone pitched in. Why is doing nice things for you met with such anger? I have never felt so misunderstood and frustrated after doing a nice thing! If you can't have anyone else cleaning up something when you didn't then get it done yourself instead of staying inside because it makes us and definitely you look lazy if none of the managers are helping!"
He started yelling "BECAUSE YOU DON'T DO THINGS NICE WITHOUT BEING PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE!"
I told him to not yell at me especially holding a baby and started walking away quickly my heart pounding and my limbs shaking.
His wife came out and yelled "GET BACK HERE!" I turned around from my more comfortable distance and yelled "DO NOT TALK TO ME!" I did cover my infants ears when I yelled but yelling while holding her was absolutely terrible... I have never been in a situation like this.
I kept walking away. Then he screamed "Hey!" So I turned again (should have just kept walking) and he had followed me to the stairs at the entryway of the building and had his arm up pointing aggressively, eyes wide and nostrils flaring, he screamed "DON'T YOU EVER COME TO MY HOUSE AGAIN AND CALL ME LAZY, OR ELSE!!" He was incredibly intimidating and it took me a second to process it.
I am not proud of this since I had my daughter but the mom in me was suddenly roaring because of how this was all happening when he could see me holding my baby. I covered her ears and yelled back "THIS IS INSANE AND WILDLY INNAPPROPRIATE! YOU DO NOT YELL AT OR THREATEN YOUR COWORKERS AND ACT LIKE THIS IN YOUR WORKPLACE. YOU NEED TO LEARN HOW TO BE CIVIL WITH PEOPLE YOU DON'T LIKE. YOU CERTAINLY DON'T DO THIS ALL WITH A BABY PRESENT! STOP FOLLOWING ME!"
He yelled "THIS ISN'T MY WORKPLACE IT'S MY HOME!"
"IT'S ALSO YOUR WORKPLACE AS AN ON-SITE MANAGER AND WE ARE YOUR COWORKERS!" Then turned and walked refusing to turn back around.

I made it back to the playground and one of the moms asked if I was okay. This was so scary and embarrassing. Embarrassing because of the trashy yelling in public and the lack of basic civility with a coworker.
I no longer feel safe living here and working with them. I cannot express just how terrifying it is to be yelled at like that by a man I work with. Our boss wants us to all come in tomorrow afternoon to deal with it. I told them I didn't feel safe seeing him again but had no problem coming in separately. My boss sent me a text that said I would be perfectly safe, but I wasn't safe in public, outdoors, holding an infant. Honestly I keep crying just dreading tomorrow...
In no scenario would my husband ever yell or scream at someone like that. Let alone a female coworker, holding her baby! There is no justification for that kind of overreaction.
They are really young 18-20ish range. (Not sure) and probably have no professional experience dealing with conflicts but it still doesn't excuse it. I will never understand the logic behind thinking we are going out of our way to shovel snow or clean messes that aren't ours just to stick it to them. Like "Look we made your workload easier and did something nice, don't YOU look foolish!" It doesn't make sense. We take out garbage for some of our elderly tenants and sweep entryways and carry in groceries for tenants. We have no problem easing the burdens of others but this is the only time it has been interpreted to be something negative.

I struggle with anxiety which is why this is probably still so fresh for me. I don't want to make it worse by having to be in the same room with him and hear his justifications. It just makes the rock in my gut sink further and makes me want to crawl into bed and never leave.
Do I have any legal protections in the workplace when something like this happens? Am I forced to face him to keep my job or should they respect my wishes/do I have legal grounds to expect that? Is him retaining his job normal in this kind of situation? I don't want to lose this job. It allows me to stay home with our kids while working. This is in Washington State.

I am so sorry if this was too much info or not enough. I've never posted here before and am just desperate for something that can keep me out of that room while not getting fired...

TLDR: Coworker yelled at me and was really aggressive and intimidating while I was holding my 5 month old. Boss says we have to go in and talk about it together even though I genuinely do not feel safe and my anxiety is getting difficult to handle knowing I have to see him tomorrow even after I told my boss how unsafe I feel. I have no problem talking with my boss separately.

Answer: This was over long and I only skimmed. The concept that "you don't feel safe," if meant in the physical sense, isn't reasonable per the situation described. Your boss would like to have a sitdown, you don't have legal protection from attending.


Title: Sent money to possible fake profile in Snap (WA)

Question:
My friend told me about the following issue:

He (in his 20's) contacted a girl who had a profile on an adult hook up website (with a 18/f Age)

They only contacted through the snapchat messaging app, never met each other. He told me that the girl told him he was 16 at some point through snap. He had asked for pics in exchange for money in snapcash but she said no but had a friend that would. My friend apparently received 2-3 pics through the other other girl and sent a snapcash payment to the other girl. They both stopped responding to him after that.

From what i understand he never received anything from the girl who said was 16 but had the 18/f profile. He just received pics from the other girl who'se age he doesn't know. He does not have anything saved on his phone. and never sent anything explicit of himself.

He sees the payment posted to the account.

As of now he thinks of a few possibilities:

1 - A police sting/operation - although it's been 6 days since the incident with no contact

2- A scammer that now has his bank account info since the payment was posted and sent from his account.

I told him to delete all apps and account/email so he doesn't find himself in this situation again. Apparently the 16/F's profile is still on the adult dating site (showing with a 18 age)

Would anyone have any advice on the sort of charges he's looking at and how he should prepare to defend himself?

Answer:
 This is exactly like a post from last night, to the t. Though some elements have been omitted.

Tell your "friend" this is a scam. Also tell your "friend" that they need to stop trying to pick up underaged girls. Your "friend" will eventually end up in jail if he continues his creepy actions.

Like this is the exact same post from last night. Dude talks to a girl, she tells him she is 16. Then he asks for pictures in exchange for money, and recieves explicit photos from the girls friends, which he then pays for.

There is no friend, you are just reposting the same story on here over and over. You are a creep, get your life together.


Title: [Rhode Island] Tenants left, gave us no contact info, am I able to go into the apartment tomorrow?

Question:
Hey guys, luckily, my tenants from hell left on the day we agreed on, so no going to court!

The sad thing is, they sort of ruined my house a bit. They fishbowled the house and closed the windows last night so my bottom floor and my brother's apartment above us smell of weed. We can see inside the house and they left broken furniture and trash all over. We're fine with just giving them the deposit and never having to see them again, but I'm wondering if we are able to go into the property tomorrow? I'm hoping to have a contractor come in and I want to start cleaning up.

They gave us no contact info whatsoever, so I'm not sure if they are ever coming back. I'm just hoping to do everything legally.

Answer: Do **not** just give them their deposit if they left you a mess. Charge them appropriately and take it from their deposit. That's just good landlord practice - tenants need to be held responsible for their actions, and you need to value the time and materials you use as an owner/landlord. Treat it like a business and you'll have a much easier time if you rent again. Please feel free to PM me if you'd like some tips for getting good tenants next time. Congrats on avoiding eviction!


Title: Told I may not get a promoted because the next level is "an old boy's club"

Question:
I'm a top performer at a California-based tech company, and have been there longer than most people. Yet on the leveling ladder, I'm lower than half my team.

We have a promotion process which centers around our "peer mentors" presenting our promotion cases to a committee. Management helps us select the peer mentors and refers to them in emails as our mini-bosses.

I just met with my peer mentors to go over my promotion case that they will be presenting. They spent nearly half of the meeting telling me that they will fight for me, but that the level I'm applying for is "an old boy's club" and that some male members of the team may be intimidated by me. My gender and sexism on the team was brought up by them explicitly and discussed at length. As a female in tech, I've heard of gender discrimination stories, but have never experienced it directly. The company that I'm at is a very high profile, and my pay scale is extremely high. The difference between my level and the next level up would amount to over $1 million over a few years of employment. At this point I'm considering getting an employment attorney.

Questions:
*I think I can easily get the old boys club stuff in writing over our internal chat. Should I do that right away so there's evidence?
*I'd like to speak to an employment attourney but don't know how to find a good one. I don't think they would take me seriously with a lawyer off an infomercial, and the amount at stake is pretty high. How do I begin the search for a reputable lawyer that has handled similar cases successfully in the past?

Answer:
 The problem with this is that there are many variables we don't know right now, you have not actually gotten an answer yet and there might be someone better qualified to be promoted other than you.

If you do want to take legal action you will need to prove that if you do not get the promotion or someone else gets it, that it's because of discrimination of your gender.

But as of right now? Just keep the evidence in writing just in case.

I'm not familiar with california lawyers, but i do believe there is a Lawyer referral service that you can use.

Answer #2: Discrimination based on your sex is illegal, but proving it is going to be difficult.

Consult the CA Bar Association for attorney referrals.Answer #3: The info about the “old boys club” that you’re looking to get in writing, is it from one of the members? Or just an opinion of one of your peers?  This would matter.  It sounds like the people fighting for your promotion are not in the “club” and are jut your peers not a boss.  If you get something in writing from them it could just be getting them in trouble if this comes to a lawsuit.  Are they allowed to speak for the higher ups?  If you can actually get one of the senior directors or whatever their title is to tell you then it won’t matter what lawyer you hire.


Title: [Michigan] Close friend was raped and she wants to report it and doesn't know where to start.

Question:
The incident happened 3 years ago right after a sporting event she was a part of. Afterwards while hanging out with her team and friends of the team two men took advantage of her while she was in a room by her self and proceeded to undress and rape her. She reported it to the university we both go to. The university said they will forbid them from being in any class with her and make them keep their distance from her using campus police. Over the next 3 years they consistently talk to her sit in public spaces right near her and last semester the school let one of them sign up for the same class as her. The school has always had the same response of "sorry we will not let it happen again." and change the subject as soon as they can. Then she would say she wants to report them and needs them to be away from her. Again, "Sorry we will not let it happen again".

Evidence she has:

* Written apology from one of the two men that did the incident
* The school saying they will keep her sports scholarship without her having to play the sport in writing
* All of the emails of the school saying they will do something when they don't with many eye witness accounts of it occurring
* When she told the school she was going to report it they "accidentally" removed her sport scholarship and made her do a 4 month battle for it back even with the document of them saying they will keep it in writing from their office.

Things we have found out about the school:

* They are concerned about public image more than their students safety
* Will gladly offer hush money to keep you from reporting a crime so people will want to fill in their new program which is primarily female dominated
* If she lets it stay as is, nothing will happen and they will just keep with the "I'm sorry" and change the subject like they did to her today.

She wants to report it but doesn't know how and she asked me so I came to the place where I was sure I could answers to her questions.

1.  How do you report a crime like this when you have a confession so it doesn't become a "he said she said" sort of thing?
2. What sort of action does she need to take to make sure she doesn't lose her scholarship?
3. What sort of cost will this cause her or her family because she doesn't have the most money in the world as a university student?

If there is any more information you require to give better advice please let me know. Thank you in advanced for any assistance that can be offered.

I have to go to work in about an hour so I will check in periodically while I'm there and answer any questions that require a lot of thought in about 7 hours.

As a note she said I could post this as long as I kept everything anonymous per the side bar rule, "Posting personally identifiable information will get you banned."
Topic:
School Related Issues

Answer: Police.


Title: Brother [45m] has let it slip that his fiance [35f] has stalled regarding signing a prenup for the last 6 months. They marry on Saturday. Dating 1 year. He's worth 20 million, she isn't. What can I do to help?

Question: He is ignoring the advice of his family, friends, and financial advisors.  Ontario, Canada.

Answer:
 He's an adult.  You can tell him it's a very bad idea, but at the end of the day, it's his choice.Answer #2: > He is ignoring the advice of his family, friends, and financial advisors. Ontario, Canada.

He's allowed to. It's his money. Clearly he hasn't made all bad decisions if he is worth 20 million.Answer #3: >What can I do to help?

Mind your own business.  Be happy for your brother on his wedding day.Answer #4: Start preparing an extra room with beer, BBQ and video games.


Title: Maybe just extorted someone, help! (Qc., Canada)

Question:
Hello All you kind and lovely people! I am sure most of you are occupied with saving the world and helping those poor souls in America fight the good fight. But hopefully I can find a little bit of guidance here.

Long story short, I provided sexual services to a man a few weeks ago. Through a series of unfortunate events and decisions, I was not paid. It's been 6 weeks and I've received excuses and promises. I was not in the mood for them anymore and felt like pushing a little harder.

Sadly, I was not aware of extortion laws in Canada, and had hoped the laws of sexual exploitation and monetary reclamation might supersede. Since doing some looking, it seems that extortion law in Canada is quite fuzzy. Hopefully someone may be well-read in recent Canadian or Québec course law to provide some clarity.

Ultimately, I stated that he has committed the acts of procuring sexual services and theft of services and that he's in the wrong. I stated that without payment, I would take action, without specifying what it was. Does that constitute extortion? If so, would I have grounds to defend myself given the preceding events? It seems you can threaten civil action and not be deemed and extortionist, but to threaten communication of the facts to a third party (including the police, apparently) is deemed extortion. I don't know who these laws were meant to protect, but my understanding is a hold over from parliamentary British times. And I haven't even looked into the intricacies and nuances of Quebec law.

Ultimately, let me know if there would be any deciding factors that I could clarify. And thanks greatly in advance for anyone's input. Best of luck to all those who are going through anything that would warrant legal advice, unless it's a happy wedding or something!

TLDR: Maybe extorted someone with some vague statements trying to collect money, wondering if I should be worried.

Answer:
 > Ultimately, I stated that he has committed the acts of procuring sexual services and theft of services and that he's in the wrong. I stated that without payment, I would take action, without specifying what it was. Does that constitute extortion?

Likely not. The "action" you can undertake is to sue your client in [small claims](http://www.justice.gouv.qc.ca/english/publications/generale/creance-a.htm) for the amount outstanding, and threatening to do so does not qualify as extortion. It's not generally reasonable to conclude, solely on the basis of a vague statement that you will take action, that you were specifically threatening to involve the police, or threatening violence, or threatening anything else that could constitute [criminal extortion](http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-46/section-346.html).

It's not generally a criminal matter to refuse to pay for services rendered. Without evidence of [fraud](http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-46/section-380.html), it's generally a civil issue. Given the somewhat complicated nature of Canadian prostitution laws, however, you should consult with a lawyer before proceeding with a suit, to ensure that you don't accidentally incriminate yourself in the process of compelling payment.


Title: Can work force me to pick up extra shifts to cover striking housekeepers?

Question:
I live in Maryland. My wife works part time (two twelve hour shifts) as a nurse in a hospital. She says her work is now telling her she must pick up an extra 8 hour shift a week to cover striking housekeepers. Is this legal? Is she allowed to say no without retribution?
Topic:
Labor Law

Answer:
 She certainly cannot be forced.

However, barring any contract or union agreement otherwise employment relationships in the United States are ongoing relationships based on consent between two free parties.

They could certainly fire her if she refuses to take on extra hours, just as she could quit for them only giving her 24 hours(or almost any other imaginable reason).


Title: Hired a landscaper to install an underground French drain, and he knowingly installed it on my neighbor's property

Question:
Over the past year, I hired a contractor to build a house. My neighbor next to me has also been building his house, and was about 4 months behind me in the building process. When approaching the end of the construction of my house back in April, my builder and I decided that he would install an underground French drain along the side of my driveway and between my house and my neighbor's house in order to catch water that would flow from his land. My lot is slightly downhill from his, and I was concerned about water and mud from his land washing onto my driveway and yard.

When it was time for installation, my builder had his usual landscaping company come out and do the work. At first it worked great, but over time less and less water would come of out the exit drain at the back of my property, even during heavy rainfalls. Meanwhile water and mud was staring to pool over where the drain was buried. This told me that the drain was clogged or there was some other issue with it that needed addressing.

After talking with my builder about it, he talked to the landscaper and discovered that the landscaper installed the French drain on the neighbors lot, which meant I couldn't dig it up or redo it. My neighbor had recently finished his house and doesn't want to tear up his new landscaping, which is understandable.

At first we assumed it was a mistake and the landscaper wasn't aware of exactly where the property line was. Then he told us that he did know about the property line but installed it on my neighbors property anyway. He claims my neighbor's builder and him got together and decided the best place for it was not next to my driveway, but a few feet over the line and not on my lot. Why they decided this, I don't know. It's been four months and my builder and I are just finding out. The landscaper didn't let anyone else know about it until now.

My perspective is this: I want a refund for the cost of the French drain (over $1000) since it's no longer working and now belongs to my neighbor since it's on his property. And now I'm in the position of having paid for something but having no control of fixing and maintaining it, causing the whole thing to be pointless. The refund would be coming from my builder since I ultimately paid him and he then paid the subcontracting landscaper separately.

The builder and landscaper are resistant though and are pushing back, saying that despite where it's located, it's still possible that the drain will do what it's supposed to do. In the end, if they won't give me my money back, what recourse do I have?

*TL:DR: Guy building my house hired a landscaper to install a French drain, and the landscaper intentionally put it on my neighbor's property. Now the French drain isn't working properly and my neighbor doesn't want me tearing up his landscaping to fix it. So I'm stuck with paying for a drain that doesn't work and is not even on my property and I want a refund.*

*Link to crude illustration. Green circle is drain, red line is the property line:* [*https://imgur.com/a/bNWpH2J*](https://imgur.com/a/bNWpH2J)

Answer: You have the order for the French drain somewhere in your paperwork? If so, you should look at getting it done correctly on your land, then sue the builder for that cost. He can turn around and sue his subcontractor for the fee if he wants, but that's not your problem.Answer #2: Especially when it comes to new construction, the city/municipality usually won’t sign off on the lot grading if it allows water to drain directly from one lot to another. Your neighbor's lot should have a swale that directs runoff from his property to the street. Especially no mud should be washing off from his lot onto yours. That means there will be a serious erosion problem over time. In addition to your French drain issue, I would investigate whether the grading is proper to begin with.


Title: I *may* have received life insurance money incorrectly. What should I do?

Question:
Father and Mother (deceased) in TX. I live in WA. Insurance company is in AL.

Dad has had lawyer this whole time, I do not (yet)

&#x200B;

The story so far:

Mom died beginning of this year due to cancer. Dad called insurance company to get payout. He had me fill out a bunch of paperwork for 'my' check after him having a month and some change of personally dealing with the insurance company. I ask for paperwork trail about where this money is coming from, as I know money can cause issues and don't want to get excited over anything without all of the facts. He provides none, insisting it's fine and to just fill out paperwork. I email and call insurance company multiple times with zero response or "We'll call you back, I can't help you with this because so-and-so has to review it". We both received checks over 100k and were paid out equally, directly from the insurance company. He then says the money is his: "it's what your mom would have wanted".  I ask for forms proving this. He gets defensive, angry. I insist he contacts the insurance company.

&#x200B;

Finally snail mails me some (seemingly) incomplete photocopy of a policy, showing me as secondary and him as primary. Nothing shows percentages of payout anywhere. The only thing is a line that reads "if no percentage is indicated, beneficiaries will be paid out equally". I explain to my dad the forms seem incomplete and, again, to contact the insurance company. I reach out to the company to ask for a full copy of the policy and any addendum made. I am then told that only my Dad has access to the full policy and that he needs to give me permission. I ask Dad to contact them and grant me permission for access. He snail mails me the "original" forms (photocopies) that he had photocopied and sent me previously (they are literally the exact same documents). I insist again that he contact the insurance company, as I want the forms sent to me directly.

&#x200B;

Another week goes by. Last night he sends me a forwarded email from a random lady at the company. There is no email text, only a single-page document attachment from several years ago that shows us both as contingents with 100% written next to it, but his name is half whited out and re-written under the "primary" section, also with 100% written on it (the hand-writing seems consistent, though there other illegible names written an scribbled out).

&#x200B;

Does this form prove anything? I also have not received anything from the company directly, and being as my dad is so bad with money, I have reason to be suspicious of his motives. If the insurance company paid me incorrectly, do they have a right to take it from me?

&#x200B;

Any and all insight is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Answer:
 If he was to receive all of it the insurance company would have sent him a check for all of it. They didn’t. Its 50/50 and he’s trying to scam you out of your portion.Answer #2: The insurance company did their due diligence and investigation and paid out per terms of the contract. If they made an error, they will be the ones to advise you of that. I would recommend no longer discussing this at all with your father and any time he brings it up, tell him you will not discuss it and to take it up with his attorney and the insurance company.

If you get any legal paperwork like a court summons or similar, then be sure to seek legal advice from an attorney. Until then, you really do not need to worry about this. Money brings out the worst in people and it's clear he is trying to manipulate you into giving him your half.