Title: My brother (21) became friends with a guy (16) through steam and his father is threatening him for sexual harassment.

Question:
I'm sorry for the wall of text

My brother made friends with a guy, call him T. T and him met through minecraft and started playing other games. They would buy each other games and such. Well eventually they give out their numbers and they are texting. My brother said the majority of their texts were basically ifunny links and youtube videos.

My brother is from Arkansas, the guy lives in missouri.

Here's where it gets weird, the guy has always been cool with us. He would always join our teamspeak and play games with our entire group. He and my brother were just better friends. Well T's dad calls up the dean of my brother's college and tries to get them to kick my brother out of school (No clue what will come of that).  His father is now calling our parents saying that my brother was trying to sexually assault their son.

My parents are freaking out and I'm not sure what all could happen. My brother promises me he wasn't trying to do anything weird, and he is worried.

What can we do?

TL;DR: My brother made friends with a 16 year old out of state. They played games for about 2 years. They started texting each other 7 months ago. The boy's father is trying to say my brother was trying to rape his son. His father called the Dean to my brother's school to try and get him kicked out.

EDIT: I recently found out that the father has been trying to get in contact with my brother. My brother's phone has been broken so I think the guy flew off the handle because he couldn't reach him.

Answer: Your brother should ignore the kid's father, stop talking to the kid, and if the dean asks questions, talk to him about the situation.


Title: [Illinois] Parents were given a dog by a man who was giving him away because he couldn't care for him and now wants him back

Question:
Edit: Thank you all for the responses. We contacted our local PD and hey are going to come check it out and see if they should worry or advise them on the proper course. I've taken all your suggestions and gave them to my parents. They are very thankful for all of your help and I will update this when I know more this evening/tomorrow morning.

My parents took in a dog from a Facebook post about how he can't care for it and it spends 18+ hours a day in his cage and gets no human interaction because of a divorce he's going though and the wife wants nothing to do with the dog.

He's got 3 kids and the soon to be ex wife has custody of the kids and she refused to take the dog and him being a doctor he's never home.

My parents took him in Friday, they have all the texts with him saying "I can't care for him 18+ hours in a cage" etc and the guy forwarded the medical documents to my step father and they took him to the vet to get shots and to a groomer to get cleaned because it looks like no one has snipped his nails in a year and his fur was so bad.

He called this morning saying "yeah the kid (who is 7) is out of school now so he can care for the dog I want him back as soon as possible"

They don't want to give the dog up, he's such a sweet dog and so happy to have a huge home and yard to run in as opposed to a 2 bedroom small condo with no place outside for him to run. He was terrified when we picked him up from the condo and has been so happy the moment he got to my parents.

Dudes a doctor so my parents don't want to make this a legal battle but at the same time, they want to do everything they can to keep the dog because they can provide for the dog more than that shit head.

He was real shifty up until we picked him up and now he's pushing really hard.

They only thing they really don't have is the registration papers, but he gave pretty much everything else. I feel like he was being a shit head and looking for someone to take the dog until the kid got out of school if that's even the truth.

What can we do?

Answer:
 First thing you should do is to document anything you can regarding this gift. Screenshots of the FB post and any text or email conversations you have will help here.

If you can establish that this dog was given as a gift, then they aren't legally entitled to the dog.Answer #2: Something to also consider is that the kid is only off for the summer and that the dog will be facing the same awful conditions after school goes back into session.Answer #3: So.. while the 7 year old is taking care of the dog.. who is taking care of the 7 year old? How is a 7 year old going to take care of a dog?Answer #4: Does this guy know where the dog is now? Is he likely to show up and (1) cause a scene, or (2) steal the dog back?


Title: [CA] Fry's sold me a warrantee contract on a laptop and now says they have changed their policy, so they will not make good.

Question:
About 11 months ago I bought a high end gaming laptop and the full warrantee from Fry's. One of the selling points of the warrantee was that they would give me a loaner laptop of equal specs while work was being done.

I took my laptop in today because it is having issues, and they are telling me they changed their policy, and they no longer give out loaner laptops with gaming graphics cards. I told them they can't sell someone a contract and then change their policy, and not make good on the contract, and that to refuse me an equal specs loaner laptop constitutes fraud.

I am waiting to talk to the main manager person, who is "in a meeting".

Does anyone have experience with an issue like this, where a company makes a contract or agreement, and then "changes their policies" and does not make good on the contract?

**UPDATE:** I got a call back, not because of my visit to the store, but because of the email I sent to the Service department.  They decided to ignore the "new policy" and give me a better loaner that matched the specs of my laptop.  I think they realized that it would cost them nothing to loan the better one and keep me happy with good customer service.

Answer:
 At the moment this is more of a customer service issue than a legal issue. It can likely be resolved through customer service channels. No need to sue anyone.

>One of the selling points of the warrantee was that they would give me a loaner laptop of equal specs while work was being done.

Is this written down anywhere? Do you have anything that says this on paper?

If so, bring this with you to the store. Insist on speaking to a manager and insist that you receive what you are owed according to this statement. Don't leave the store until you get what you want. If the manager can't/won't do it, ask to speak to his manager. And then his manager. Keep escalating things until you get what you want. That statement saying the loaner laptop will be equal specs is critical. Without this statement you don't have much of a case to make.

Be persistent but also be firm and polite. Don't yell, but don't roll over either. The key is to be *polite yet firm* in your demands.

Keep going up the chain until you get someone with the authority to give you what you want. The first person you talk to likely does not have that authority. You may need to go up a few levels to find this person.

Squeaky wheels get the grease. Be the squeaky wheel. Make a nuisance of yourself until they give in just to get you to go away. I give it an 85% chance they'll give you what you want.

Source: I've done customer service escalations/complaints dept work for many, many moons.


Title: Did... Did I just get a free car?

Question:
First off, I'm going to pay my car loan. I'm not just dumping it, but here's the situation:

I bought a new(ish) car a few months ago from a dealership, and got a loan from my bank for purchase. So, yesterday, the title shows up in the mail. Like, the title. I've never gotten one of those before if the loan wasn't paid off, as usually the lending organization keeps it until all debts are paid. Furthermore, looking at the title, where it says "lien," the box is marked "none." So, theoretically, the car's mine, right? I mean, as far as the title is concerned, it's mine, free and clear.

I did contact the seller and they confirmed it was a screw up in their titling department. And while half of me really wanted to yell "too bad, suck it" and hang up, the part of me that believes in doing the right thing is sending the title back to them so they can fix the error.

But really... Did I just get a free car? And was I stupid enough to give it back?

Answer:
 No. 1) You most likely signed some type of financing contract which discusses your obligations for the loan. 2) No court is going to believe that a dealership just gave you a car for free. You'd go to court, they'd testify about what the deal was, and then you'd testify about what you'd agreed to (truthfully, because you're not going to perjure yourself).

Courts have dealt with clerical errors before. They happen. The law is designed to resolve disputes fairly, not to operate as a gotcha.

(Actually, they'd probably just repo the car instead of suing you.)Answer #2: You still owe money for the loan. It's just that the loan company didn't put a lien on the car. If you don't pay the loan, it may be that the loan company won't be able to repossess the car. But they can still sue you in court and obtain a judgment. They can still send you to collections.

It's no different than using your credit card to purchase something. The bank doesn't have a lien on that product. But this doesn't mean you got the product for free. You still owe the money. The bank will ensure they get their money back.Answer #3: No you did the right thing. The dealer’s gonna get their money regardless of what the title says. Contrary to popular belief, the legal system is smart enough to recognize and correct clerical errors, loopholes, and other popular ways that the interwebs suggest to get around the law.


Title: Is the word bandaid copyrighted?

Question:
I've been working on a personal game project for a while, and I wanted to use the word band-aid in the title. Now I see there's actually a website: band-aid.com ...

Is this word actually copyrighted? (yes I do plan to release the game commercially, in many countries, europe and usa included)

I'm from Romania, Europe

Answer: band aid is a brand owned by Johnson & Johnson. it's still a protected trademark in the US. Probably also in Europe. though it is an oft-used example of trademark erosion .


Title: I need help fixing some divorce paperwork right away!

Question: My mom and stepdad are going through a divorce. When my mom was working on the paperwork, she made a mistake. On the section where you are supposed to give a reason as to why you need spousal support (alimony) she gave some answers that my stepfather isn't happy with. We gave him his copy and an acceptance of service form for him to sign and turn in. He called me up yelling and cussing about how mom lied about her reason for needing spousal support, saying it makes him look like a bad father and all that crap. They agreed on alimony and child support, but he wants that one thing changed or he says he isn't signing anything. He says he will take her to court over it if we don't change it. Can you take someone to court over the verbiage of the divorce paperwork? What can we do? My mom says we can't just start the paperwork all over again because the summons and petition have already been filed! I am not a law student so I am pretty ignorant of this stuff. I don't want to end up going to court over something like this! What do we do?

Answer:
 You stay out of it.

This isn't your problem and your stepdad is a tool for trying to involve you. Your mom should discuss the issue with her attorney.


Title: [IN] Public High School Unlawfully Drug Tested Me

Question: I'm a senior, 17. There is a form that is handed out to everyone who participates in any sort of after school activity, or whom buys a parking pass at the school. This form states that your name will possibly be selected for "random" drug testing. I did not sign or return the form, but the school still sold me a parking pass. They called me down to drug test me on Friday and I asked them why they thought they were legally allowed to do that, they said I signed a form consenting to it. I replied that I did not. They refused to show me "the form that I signed" and wouldn't allow me to leave without taking the test. Where do I go from here as far as taking legal action against the school?

Answer:
 >wouldn't allow me to leave without taking the test.

So you consented to take the test in order to leave faster. Whether or not you signed the form is irrelevant because you gave them permission anyway.

>Where do I go from here as far as taking legal action against the school?

You have no damages. There's nothing to sue for, and no laws were broken.Answer #2: > Where do I go from here as far as taking legal action against the school?

You don't go anywhere, because you have no case. If you don't want to be tested, don't use the school's parking facilities or participate in any extracurricular activities.


Title: Wrongfully diagnosed as schizophrenic in order to cover up police conspiracy

Question:
Hello. I've posted here before, but I don't recall the username of that account otherwise I'd just use that one.

I don't want to get into so much detail because last time this subreddit reacted poorly to it.

Basically, I believe that he police are covering up a murder, and I've been trying to prove it. The murder is of someone very close to me. There has been several key files that have been misplaced or "lost", and there has also been many facets of the official story that don't add up. But I'm not going to get into that since I will write a lot.

I was speaking with a therapist about this person whom I lost and whom I have been trying to prove has been murdered by the police. This was a court ordered thing because prior to me meeting her, I was attempting to uncover evidence of the police cover up, but there was a misunderstanding in which the police showed up and had me involuntarily committed.  I believe that the courts and the police are aware of the cover up, so the therapist I've been talking to is also on "their side" though she most likely does not know the specifics of the cover up. She has been told to diagnose me with schizophrenia.

In many ways, their plan here is well-played because a person diagnosed with schizophrenia is not believable, so me telling you about a police murder conspiracy sounds schizophrenic and paranoid. And I understand if anyone reading that thinks that as well, however, if you were presented with all the facts that I have collected, I'm sure you would think differently. Also, having me diagnosed as schizophrenic is also useful to them because the prescribed medication makes me unable to think at all, and it makes me notice details less, which keeps me from looking in to the conspiracy.

But anyway, I don't have money for a lawyer to help me go through these facts. I had attempted to bring this story to the press, but when I include that I was diagnosed schizophrenic, they stop listening. The other reason why the journalists refuse to write the story is that a lot of evidence of the person who was murdered has been destroyed/lost/hidden. My parents had much of that proof, but one of them has past very recently.

My main problem right now is that I'm still being court ordered to see this therapist, though I have missed a few appointments now. She is the government's way of keeping tabs on my activities, so I am forced to lie, but I cannot lie well on medication, of which she often checks that I take and also tests me for other medication since I have found out that taking certain medication will cancel it out.

I need a way to get rid of this court order.

Answer:
 I'm going to go out on a limb here and say I think the diagnosis is correct and you should continue talking to your therapist and taking your meds. Answer #2: I'll be honest upfront here and based on what you've written say that I support the diagnosis and the need for you to continue treatment.

I've put a link below this to help you find a support group for schizophrenia outside of your court ordered therapist that you will be able to approach with a lot more confidence then you seem to be able to do with your current therapist.

Hopefully they can put you in touch with somebody who can help you.

http://www.sardaa.org/Answer #3: Consider voluntarily committing yourself to another facility to be evaluated. If they give you a clean bill of health, maybe that would allow you to appeal the order.


Title: Dealership in Texas says I need to pay $1000 down payment after we agreed to no down payment and I drove off with the car

Question:
Not sure if this is a spot delivery scam or not.

I got approved for a 10,000 loan through bank of America. Went to the dealer, we got everything signed and drafted up, no down payment, I drove off. Couple days later, the finance guy contacts me saying that the bank wants a 1000 down payment "due to the mileage on the car" and some other factors.

I asked him to send me copies of all the paperwork we signed and here's what is says.

On the Bank of America approval letter, it says the loan amount is subject to a maximum advance of 130% and a loan to value ratio of 145%. The finance guy highlighted these numbers when he sent me his copy.

After all the fee's the car was to be $10,000.19. There was also a $1889.17 finance charge added bringing the total sale price to $11,889.17. All of this was agreed upon and signed. It states no down payment was done.

They called me and said the bank is asking for a $1000 down payment. They did say it would decrease my monthly payment by about $20 if I payed it. They also said I could give them $500 and they could see if they could come up with the other $500.

All this seems super fishy and just overall bad practice. It's like they sold me the car without doing their due diligence and are trying to hound me for their mistake.

Am I wrong to deny them any money? Can they take my car away from me?

Answer:
 Tell him that you insist on dealing with thebank directly, rather than through an intermediary, and that he should have the bank contact you.  I predict this will never happen because the dealership is scamming you.

You should also be doing this in writing (email is fine) and not over the phone, so there will be a clear record of who said what to whom.Answer #2: If the car failed the valuation, that might be a problem for your loan.  You said the car was sold for $10k, but what's the blue book on it?


Title: Sister Sexually Assaulted by Her Manager: Need Legal Advice

Question:
My sister was out when her manager showed up. He groped her. She told him to stop, and he tried again a few minutes later. He then followed her to her car. She reported the incident to HR, and they want her to come in and have a meeting with him (fucking hell?!?), and put her on the schedule. She's really worried about losing her job at this point due to financial issues. She told them she would not be coming in. The incident happened on Friday. What are her rights at this point? Where do we go from here?

Note: I've already listed all of the local resources, but haven't been able to locate a pro-bono lawyer (she makes minimum wage and can't afford anything else). We live in Colorado.
Also, I understand the comments about contacting the police. Clearly that's on the agenda. Thinking it may be best to get a restraining order against him.

Answer: Has she contacted the police since a crime was committed against her?Answer #2: Has she made a police report yet?


Title: Son accused of sending obcene picture to minor (FLA)

Question:
A few months ago we were visited by a couple deputies asking to speak to my son. They said he was on facebook messaging and sent a "friend" of his a picture of his privates. He had recently turned 18 and she was 15 or 16.

He told them that he doesn't remember sending the pic and is fairly certain he didn't. At the time he had recently been diagnosed with ADHD and major depressive disorder and unfortunately was not taking his meds.

The time frame they gave us for the message was around the time he got himself baker acted. They said ok and left.

Today we got a visit from a sheriff's investigator. She wanted to speak with him but he wasn't at home. She wants him to call her so she can speak with him. I haven't seen him yet to give him her card. He's doing so much better now. Is steady with his meds and has been working so hard to get his life back to "normal".

There is no way we can afford a lawyer. I don't own a home and I'm handicapped on an SSI monthly check. How much time in jail is he looking at if convicted and is there anything we can do to avoid a conviction and him having to register?
It kills me to think his life is over for making an absolutely stupid mistake (if he did it), especially if taking his meds would have stopped this from happening.
We're in Florida, BTW.

Answer:
 >There is no way we can afford a lawyer.

This is one of those situations where you cannot afford to NOT have a lawyer.

Does your son work?  He needs to get a job, beg/borrow money.

If you want to ensure your son has the best outcome, you need to beg/borrow money from friends and family.

Do not let him speak to the police without a lawyer.  This is 100% serious shit.


Title: I am afraid for my daughter

Question:
I was in an abusive relationship with my daughter, from the time she was born until she was 3 years old ,I decided it was time for us to run with her,so we did and i got divorce from her real dad,who then decided to give up all his rights to her ,only if I agree that he would never have to pay me child support, so to get him out of our lives I agreed .
So i taught at the time getting remarried would solve or cure our pains ,and protect her and i. I was looking for security,love ,kindness and everything you can think of any person needed in life, so I did got married for the 2nd time,not knowing I was getting into a kinda similar or worst situation being married to my enemy.
1.(Well my oldest who is now 13 years, and I'm so afraid for her because he is now making comments to her ,like :"oh I can see your boobs are getting real big,and I bet I can tell you what color your niples are,because you took after your mom and looks like her.
2. Then he demands hugs and kisses from her and when they are driving down the road she must lock fingers with him and if she don't ,when she gets home she has to pull weeds in the yard. He takes her phone away that I got her for her and her little sisters to call me on when they are over there. He also took the lock off her bedroom door so she can't lock it whenever she is in there ,no matter if she is changing or reading.
3.Then two weeks before Christmas she came home and said mom ,in sacred and this is not getting any better,she was crying ,saying she was trying to get dress in her closet ,she was naked and he knew she just got out of the shower ,and he came in her room ,and started to pull on her closet door ,and then grab and told him to stop ,that I'm not dress ,and he kept pulling on the door and finally he give up and a few mins ,she said when she was done ,she taught he was gone ,and when she open the doors he was laying there on her bed waiting for her. .....

THIS IS ANOTHER PART OF HOW IS ALL BEGAN !

My now 2nd exhusband now, and his parents talk me into having their son/my ex to adopt my daughter and that it would be better for her so her real dad don't try to get back into her life, so I agreed.
After being married to this guy for four years ,along with two other girls added to the family,now age 5 and 6, and my oldest being 13 now... I was ask by one of my family members to have a cousin to come stay with us for a few months until she find a job and housing and all. Instead I found my ex husband on my cousin twice in the guest bedroom, after his guilt he moved out ,which that situation didn't last long for him and we ended up divorce.
Back in June of 2015 we had another modification for patenting time,we had the court appointed a psychiatrist to interview all of us separately and then she reported back to the courts.
My daughter ,who he adopted ,had repeatedly told the psychiatrist how she felt about her step dad and how he treats her like dirt over there ,and how he has his girlfriend call her names and they laugh at her. She even stated she don't care for him and she rather not go over there because she is stress out and he spite her if she only mention my name or say she wants to call me ,he would punished her for every little thing she do over there. She is not to go into the fridge ,and if she forgets and go in for something to drink she gets punished or insults. Her little sisters are allowed to go in but she is not. They court didn't wanted to her my daughters voice ,the judge says to us we are stuck with her for the next threes years weather or not we like it. I taught we were not treat fairly ,she believes him and his lying girlfriend, who is a former drug addict. And took his sad and lying stories over my daughter's. I got sole decisions making with 50/50 and him getting away with proving medical. He pays child support $28 a month. He demands me to get medicaid on the girls and refuses to put them on his insurance because he said he needs to save money,whiles his kids can only get limited care when seen by the doctors. And many more things that I can add but ,just tired now,and can write more later on or answer any question ,and I do appreciate any kind advice,I am at the end. No one would help us. But I'm still trying..

I am in the process of getting this changed on my own because arizona will not assist me or provide legal help due to a conflict of interest because he applied when filing for divorce, even though he would not qualify, and now I am no longer eligible.

I have two open CPS cases one criminal and one sexual. I am filing for an emergency order this morning and also to change the current order. The last time I was in front of the judge she felt this was parental conflict and the children were just caught in it and her words "well I'm the judge for this case for the next 4 years and I'm not changing anything". So I guess my fear is if this doesn't help it will only make it worse. I can't say what will happen, but if I do nothing I would be responsible if something bad happened.

Update: Spent the morning at the court, submitted all the proper paperwork. Waited about 30 minutes to find out the order was denied and a hearing is scheduled in a couple of weeks. I have to serve the papers and drop the children off with him. Called back to CPS to let the case worker know what happened. I will now contact my state representative to see what else I can do.

Went to court, the judge made no changes but did schedule to hear my daughter, and the judge pretty much said if there is no evidence she will have to continue to go over at my ex's house. So the judge set a mediation for my daughter at the  conciliation Court to interview her next month and then after she is interview ,we have to go back to court for a hearing. So I guess we have to wait and see what would be the judges decisions in about three months time.

Answer: TL;DR: OP is divorced from her second husband. During the marriage he adopted her 13 year old daughter. Ex-husband has 50/50 parenting time as per a court order. Ex-husband is engaging in seriously inappropriate sexual behavior against the terrified 13 year old. OP has no money and can't get a lawyer and is trying to figure out how to address this in family court to stop his parenting time.


Title: 8 Year Old on Bike Hits Illegally Parked Car

Question:
Lake Stevens, Washington

My 8 year old son was riding his bike on the sidewalk in our residential neighborhood and he went down a driveway curb to cross the street. The sun blinded him temporarily, and he collided with a parked car.  The parked car /2013 Mazda 6)  was illegally parked on the left side of the road (facing the wrong direction on a residential road). My son was fine, luckily, and there were several witnesses who saw the collision.

I went to talk to the family and game them my contact info. They guy said he has a friend that works at  a great body shop and he would get an estimate.

&#x200B;

So he took the car to the shop and said it was $1700 worth of damage (from a several scratches my sons bike caused).  I asked for a second estimate and it was $1200, if we did not use insurance.

So I talked to my insurance guy and he said that the car was illegally parked, and  we can probably fight it. If so,  I should talk to a lawyer.  I offered to pay for the guys insurance deductible and he refused, as he didn't want his insurance rates to go up. He will probably take us to court unless I pay up ASAP.

&#x200B;

The odd thing this is, the guy included a few "other scratches" in the damage photos on the car that his wife said that she did (right after the accident).  Then two weeks later, the guy called me and said the damage "other damage"  was NOT there before my son ran into their car, and his wife was incorrect.   His wife said she cause the some of the damage near the lower right front bumper and many of the their witnesses heard her say that SHE caused that damage.

&#x200B;

I'm not sure what to do, but it feels like this guy wants me to pay for damage that my son did not do.

Question: if if the car is illegally parked, do they still have a valid claim or is it considered "Comparative Negligence" and we are we both at fault? .

 $1200 to $1700 seems like quite a bit of money from a 2 MPH kid bike collision.   I've seen worse damage for less, on a BMW. I was expecting $500 to $800 max, but wow!

Link to diagram: [https://imgur.com/xwDC6Px](https://imgur.com/xwDC6Px)

Answer:
 \[car\] facing the wrong direction  = irrelevantAnswer #2: How is the direction of the car relevant?

Comparative negligence? The car was parked and not moving. How can a non-moving object be negligent in a collision?Answer #3: Pay for the damages or you will get sued for sure.  The guy can park going the wrong direction- that doesn’t matter to you at all on anything but an emotion level.  They guy could get a ticket for parking incorrectly, that doesn’t mean that you aren’t libel for the damage caused by your son.  The fact that your son was blinded by the sun also super doesn’t matter.

Your son (your chattel) causes damage.  Just pay and don’t be a dick.Answer #4: Former auto adjuster.

When a vehicle or anything else moving for that matter hits a stationary object the moving party is at fault.


Title: My trade school is not what it appears to be

Question: I’m currently enrolled in a Paul Mitchell partner school and it is a complete joke. I am extremely upset... the majority of students (about 50 people) have paid anywhere between 18k-21k, either out of pocket like myself, or by taking out student loans. The newest group of students, which started FIVE weeks after my group, only had to pay 9k because they “re-evaluated” the cost of our supplies and whatnot and decided that was the new cost of tuition. I do not think that is fair at ALL. We are all getting the same education, same supplies... and actually my group (there are six of us) did not get all of the supplies in our contract such as physical copies of books, but instead get only a two year subscription on our iPads, even though we paid for the books. There is SO much more wrong with this school (it is completely falling apart) but the tuition is my biggest concern. WHAT CAN I DO? I think current students deserve to be refunded the 9k-13k we were robbed.

Answer:
 Class-action lawsuit, maybe, if you can collect some evidence that they're not providing you the education and career opportunities you were promised.

I know a bunch of people that were ripped off by scammy for-profit trade schools, so I hope you can beat them.


Title: Divorce

Question: Married a woman who's parents do not like me and talked her into divorce, if I don't want a divorce is there any way I can request for time to prove the marriage can work? Any help would be great.

Answer: No, you can't compel someone to stay married to you against their will.


Title: *Update responsible for dog bite after stranger child...

Question:
update to [this](http://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/2zxi2a/responsible_for_dog_bite_after_stranger_child/)

Not really what I expected but pleased.

The mother and the daughter just left my house.   The mom came to apologize and had her daughter apologize for coming into my house.

Apparently, she is only 4 and has done things like this before.

She did not require stitches and the bites were not as bad as I was thinking. (blood always makes me think it's bad) They just cleaned her up and bandaged it up. I let her know the dog was UTD on her shots but no proof was asked for.  We chatted a little bit and everything was friendly. She seemed very reasonable and sincere. Just stressed out.

They just moved there last week and the mom just had another baby. They were distracted when their kid got loose and started walking down the street. She saw my dog at the door and "just wanted someone to play with"

My dog is actually quite friendly and has been around kids before. She has never bitten anyone before. I'm not really sure why she chose to bite her. If it was simply because she saw the kid as an intruder or if she did something to the dog. It does not show the attack on the camera.

The little girl then asked if she could pet my dog and I said "no".

I will still be cautious and save the video just in case. But it seems like this is the end.

Here she is:  [Imgur](http://i.imgur.com/mg4Qw50.jpg?1)

Answer:
 If only more people acted this reasonable.Answer #2: If your dog is normally nice and kid friendly, my guess is the kid poked it or pulled its tail or something. Answer #3: Honestly, I still say you call the police (non-emergency) and ask if you can do a report without pressing any charges. New mom, shitty neighborhood, takes one trip to salon for someone to say "ooo you should sue and get dat money honey" and suddenly she has some ambulance chaser trying to say having a cute dog and an unlocked door is an attractive nuisance.

Note: This is overkill, I just don't trust people.Answer #4: Good to hearAnswer #5: "The little girl then asked if she could pet my dog and I said 'no'."

hahahaha, i'd be pissed at that little girl tooAnswer #6: Thanks for the update.  Glad everything has worked out well!Answer #7: Glad to hear it all worked out okay for everyone.  Remember to lock your door in the future.


Title: Can I or my family sue the High school for receiving a concussion during football practice?

Question:
First time poster

During August of last year I had a helmet to helmet contact during football practice which resulted in the a concussion. Since then I have been diagnosed with post concussive migraines which have made it impossible for me to attend school for nearly the entire school year. There was a liability waiver that was signed two days after the helmet to helmet contact occurred. Myself and my family have spent tens of thousands of dollars on medical care to remedy this issue. The reason I am curious about the legality of this issue is due to the time at which the liability waiver was signed.

Answer:
 Were you not aware of the dangers of tackle football when you began to play?Answer #2: Why would the school be responsible for this event?  What did the school do that caused your loss?

It would seem that this lies squarely in the ordinary risks of participating in football.


Title: Ex Threw Away My Furniture [FL]

Question:
Throw away account for obvious reasons.

Anyways, I was dating a guy when my apartment lease expired so I moved in with him. I ended up meeting someone else so I packed up my clothes and valuables and left one day while he was at work.

I texted him that we should see other people and that I'm moved out but that I'll be back in a week to move my furniture out. The day we were going to pick up my furniture, my ex says he threw it all away.

I demanded he replace my furniture or pay me to replace it or I'll sue him. He said he'll sue me for not paying rent. But I'm not on the lease and I never agreed to pay rent and he never asked for rent money when we were together.

I have the receipt for my furniture which totaled to right under $5k. Would a small claims filling work? I have evidence of my ex admitting he threw away my furniture while he has no evidence that I agreed to pay rent. So it should be an easy court victory for me, no?

Answer: Florida small claims is $5,000 or less so you should sue in small claims.


Title: [WA] might be getting charged with theft, how can I handle this with my employer?

Question:
A drunken prank with a coworker went wrong when the item we stole from an apartment lobby never turned back up...we are currently waiting for details from the police department but I fear I’ll be charged with theft.

I’d imagine the employer finds out somehow, I work corporate finance for a large tech company. If we’re charged I can’t imagine there’s any chance of us not getting convicted, and I’m guessing our jobs are absolutely in the line.

Do we discuss this with the employer once we’re charged? Is there any way they don’t find out or any benefit to not disclosing it?

Answer:
 You get a lawyer and follow his or her instructions.  You don't discuss it with ANYONE unless (s)he tells you it's okay.

Answer #2: Of course there is a chance of not getting convicted. That's why you stfu and only talk to your lawyer about this. Every person you talk to about this with the exception of your lawyer and a priest in a confession booth increases those chances.


Title: URGENT -TX - Can my ex's father kick me out?

Question:
I am in urgent need of help. Here is the background:

I currently live in a mobile home with no mortgage with my ex. I do pay lot rent, and I am on the lease, to the property owner (different from mobile home owner). I left my apartment and moved into this mobile home with my girlfriend. We then decided that I would cover the bills and she would go back to school.

Fast forward: On the 2nd of this month my girlfriend broke up with me and we discussed me moving out. Over the course of the following week we were back and forth over working things out. She then left the home due to all the arguing.

Today, while exchanging civil emails with my ex about what amount of time to give me is appropriate, I received multiple texts messages from her father claiming that I have not paid any expenses (I am sure that's what she told him) and have been a squatter in this house. He has advised me that he will be arriving here at 6pm with the police to remove me.

Can he do this? I have mail coming to this address making it my legal residence. Can he legally have me removed without serving me anything?

Edit: Yes, I understand he can evict me. But can he have me physically removed from this home without going through the proper channels. Someone said I the lot is considered my legal residence and the lot location is where i get my mail. Basically, I'm being told that I have rights to the lot and not the home.

Update: I just received an email from the ex, which I can tell was actually written by the mother. It reads as such:

I made the agreement regarding you staying until the 30th because I'm scared of you. I'm scared of the emotional abuse myself and my children are subjected to when in your presence. I resend any and all previous agreements between the two of us. Seeing as your presence is so emotionally damaging, we will no longer be able to be your ride to and from your job. I will not subject my children to your abuse, even for a short 15 minute car ride. I have been informed by the home owner that the eviction process is being started, due to non payment of rent to him. I have vacated the premises and since I am no longer living there, will be cancelling all utilities first thing tomorrow morning. I think immediately vacating the premises voluntarily is a sound choice. One you should probably consider duplicating."

Now what?

Update 2: I have just received an email from the father. It is an official Texas document, "Agreement to Pay Due Amount Under Lease" with a balance due of $1,570 on September 18th. It has mine and my girlfriend's names on it. This is a made up balance and there has never been any agreement, oral or written, between the father and I regarding this house. Only now is he claiming that there is a monthly payment on the house.

I don't understand why this is escalating the way it is when the ex and I agreed on the 30th. Does he not see that his efforts are only giving me rights for a much longer period of time? He is cutting utilities today stating that they were on only for his daughter. How can he play daddy and landlord at the same time?

Update 3: Spoke with an attorney who confirmed that every thing he is doing is illegal. Frankly, I'm sick of all of this and already have a new place. Just waiting on my move in date. Today I received, by email, a lease with anticipated move in "4/1/15"... I have lived there since February... A request for employment verification... And a request for rental history. Not sure exactly what he's trying to pull with this stuff.

Answer:
 Nope.

You're on the lease. He (the father) can't do anything at all.

The landlord would need to evict you and that takes 30 days, assuming he even wants to evict you.

If your rent is paid on time there is nothing anyone can do to in order to get you out. Answer #2: The police will only remove a resident on the orders of a judge. The judge will order the removal only after a formal court petition. The judge will then decide whether the eviction is correct.

That ain't happening by 6pm tonight.

There are some particulars that matter in the long run: who owns the mobile home? what does the ex's father have to do with any of this?

So, you have to right to stay in your home. It would be sensible to resolve the situation with the ex in a speedy manner; it sounds like you are doing this already. Avoid all concentrations with the father. If the ex needs to retrieve some stuff, it might be smart to not be there and instead have a friend in your place. Overall, try to tamp down on emotional levels to avoid a situation that becomes a legal one.


Title: Step dad adopted me

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Re: the edit

You need to talk with a lawyer, because the military benefits are keeping you alive and I would not undertake a legal adoption of any sort without consulting a professional. Because yes, undertaking that action could very well put those benefits at risk.

None of the above advice prevents you from seeking to strengthen a relationship with your bio-dad outside of the legal arena. But before you take legal action, understand the consequences.


Title: I’m owed $20,000, can something be done legally?

Question: In short, I work for a small company in California and approx 1.5 years ago we began to experience financial issues due to the industry climate. The owner of the company approached me (I am the program manager and report directly to him) and asked if I would be willing to defer payments during this period of financial uncertainty. Of course in hindsight I should’ve never agreed to this however now at present I am going to be leaving the company as it will likely be dissolved within a couple months as we were not able to weather the storms. I am extremely concerned that I will not be paid what I am owed as the owner has taken out loans and cannot take out any more. He is an extremely poor planner and does not have any reserve funds to pay me what I am owed and he will likely end up filing bankruptcy as he dumped everything he owns into the business. So my question is: is there any legal recourse I can take or am I essentially fucked? I’d love and appreciate any insights!

Answer: You can sue and get a judgment, and even try to garnish his bank accounts, but you can't draw blood from stone. If you know for sure he has nothing I wouldn't bother.


Title: I signed over my land. HUGE mistake!

Question: You have had acres of land for years, and  wanted to build a house there, but your credit is terrible from lack of purchases. So the only option you have is to sign the land over to your fiance so that he can sign to get the house built there. Everything is in his name, and you are the co-owner. All was well until about a year after you moved; you found out that he was cheating. So you have been fighting for a couple of years now, you hate each other, and you want him to leave because you owned the land before, and you pay all of the bills except the mortgage, which was supposed to be his responsibility, but you have still paid numerous times. Turns out, he hasn't paid the mortgage in months, and the house is about to be re-poed, along with your land. Is there anything you can do to keep my house and land, and get them put in your name?

Answer:
 Hurray for second person posts!

You can retain a lawyer, sue for partition, and ask the court to force the sale of the property and ask for most of the proceeds to be given to you since you put most of the money into the property.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partition_%28law%29

You may also be able to ask the court to remove him from the property (probably you'd have to pay him some compensation for his contributions).  Ask your lawyer!


Title: Advice please

Question:
Hey guys,

I'm not 100% sure what to do in this situation because it deals with my parents. A few things have happened and I would like a legal perspective on it.

The first issue is my mail. I am 21 and live at home. My mom had opened my mail before without me asking. And the other week I found on the counter about 8 pieces of mail (places wanting me to sign up for a credit card). They were all in my name but flipped over so I didn't know they were mine. I waited to see what my parents would do. The other day they were gone. Today I walk into our office and I just felt the need to look thru the pile of papers they have sitting there for shredding because I had a gut feeling they would be there. I was right. So I wasn't given my mail, and they opened it without me knowing, AND they Are throwing it out.

Another issue is my grants from student aid are not where they are supposed to be going. My parents told me that they would have them sent to the bank account at bank of the Sierra that they have had me on that was a child's account. (In my mind it was a child's account so when I was 18 I could access it). Well the past few months have been rough at my house (they are controlling) so I decided to go to the bank and see how much money I had if I needed to get it out to move out. Well turns out is a custodial account. Therefore my mom HAS to sign it over to me. I explained the situation and how much I believe is in there from the estimate I got from my school and the bankers basically said that it's not in there and that I should move my accounts over immediately. They looked worried for me. So basically my money isn't where it should be. (This should have been about $9k)

Then a few years ago my grandpa brought up to me in front of my mom that he gave them $10k to give to me. I was blown away because I never had heard of this... my mom looked so upset he mentioned it. That day I brought it up with my dad and he straight up tried to lie saying that I didn't have that money and my mom basically told him that I knew. It's never been brought up again and my grandpa tried suicide shortly after that and he hasn't been the same in the brain since (overdose). So asking him about it really isn't an option.

Also, when I first set up a bank account with chase (my parents don't have control over this one) they came with me to set it up. Well the banker told me that there was another account there in my name that was a child's account, he asked if I would like to switch it over or just let it eventually switch automatically. I was so confused and I was like 18 so I looked to my parents for approval on what to do. They looked upset that I knew and they told me to say no to switching it. So I did. Well I started to think about that more recently as well and I went to the bank to ask about it since nothing was switched over and I'm 21. Well the bank told me that there was no record of it. But I also know that they wouldn't have said there was an account in my name if there wasn't..

The last thing gets a little tricky. I went to Wells Fargo recently to get a separate bank account completely that my parents know nothing about. Well I also applied for a credit card. They told me the next day that my request for it was denied due to a recent approval for a credit card (jcpenny) and something about a mortgage. But they couldn't tell me anything about it, they just said that's what the report shows. I have never owned a house in my life so it makes no sense. Not only that but I also went down to public records and I looked myself up and found nothing in my name.

I'm so confused and frustrated and I feel like things are being hid from me.

If you have any advice I would appreciate it. Thank you!

Also my parents have all my vital info still like my social security card and medical card and such... I also live in California if that makes a difference.

Answer: I think you should post this to /r/legaladvice


Title: Emergency Room Bill

Question:
I went to the ER with a fractured hand. After xrays and hours of waiting, they sent me home with the diagnosis of “contusion” (bruising), and told me I could ice it and continue taking Tylenol for pain. About a week later I went to my primary doctor for an unrelated concern, and she immediately pointed out that my hand looked pretty bad. They pulled up my chart and it was added that I had a boxers fracture - which they never bothered to tell me so I could receive treatment. She sent me to orthopedics, I had to have all the xrays redone and I was given a fitted splint, and had to go on FMLA for about 7 weeks. Now I have an $800 ER bill that I don’t feel comfortable paying for a misdiagnosis and lack of treatment.

TL:DR
ER doctors misdiagnosed me, added the correct diagnosis to my chart later, but left me untreated. now charging $800 for services I had to have done a second time.

Answer: The purpose of an ER is to save your life not fully treat you. Were you given discharge instructions to make an appointment with your regular doctor?   You owe this bill regardless.


Title: College is Threatening to Blacklist me from Scholarships

Question:
Just to preface this, I do intend to do what my college is asking me to do, but I just want to know the legality of the threat I'm perceiving exists from the tone of the email I got.

This morning I received an email about a merit-based scholarship I received about a month ago. This scholarship was funded by an alumni event and is given out lottery-style to random students with high GPAs. The email is asking me (in a rather odd tone) to write a thank you letter to the donors who made the scholarship possible, and seems to convey that I will face consequences for failing to write and turn in a letter (I'm assuming being no longer eligible for future scholarships). I will quote the email below so that the tone is clear. They don't outright state anything will happen if I don't write this letter, but the whole tone of the email is very strange.

I do intend to write the letter, and it may have just been a poor choice of words on their part, but would there be any legal violations if my college really had a hidden list blacklisting people from merit scholarships from something like not writing a thank you letter to donors?

Email:

"Dear u/thelittlestleafeon,

Due to your outstanding GPA, we were able to award you the \[name of scholarship\] for the Fall 2018 semester. Funds for this award were made possible to the \[school\] community by private donors. To show your appreciation, we ask that you please write a brief thank you letter for the award that you received. These letters encourage our donors to continue their donations that allow you and other students to receive scholarships that help reduce the cost of attending \[school\]. Without their donations, we would not have been able to award you this scholarship. Please submit the letter via email or in person by 4pm on Friday, December 14th."
Topic:
School Related Issues

Answer:
 That doesn't sound threatening at all Answer #2: ...Seriously?

They're asking you to say thank you. Because you're being given free school money. This isn't you being blacklisted or threatened. This is EXPLAINING THE REALITY OF HOW DONORS AND SCHOLARSHIPS WORK.Answer #3: If you don't show what they consider to be proper gratitude they can absolutely refuse you any additional scholarships.

And there is nothing strange about the tone of that email that's all in your head.


Title: I am a dialysis patient of 10 years & wasnt prescribed potassium lowering medicine until ~ 15 months ago. I was told it was just for emergencies. I had dangerous levels for years damaging my heart, and I have a murmor now.

Question:
It wasn't until I had transferred to a different clinic, and a traveling/split location nurse asked me why I wasn't taking one of two commonly prescribed medicines.

I got angry and asked the other nurses & dietician why I wasn't prescribed that, and they (yes all female) made some comment about how I shouldnt need the medicine if I was more responsible with  my food intake and not get them that high...

As a side note, potassium and protein go hand in hand with nature for the most part. Dialysis patients do not process protein well and they need as much as they can get. Meaning I would be eating legumes, more meat etc if I was taking meds that lowered the potassium, obviously. They were talking to me as if I was going home and eating a bunch of bananas or something.

I was not educated on this, and they began trying to get me to leave after I made somewhat of a scene, and began treating me poorly after that, as in not turning off the common alarms on the machines when they could, etc.

Any time I brought it up they would turn around and change the subject to transplant etc.

I have all this documented and there is a grim trend of my potassium levels being above the "dangerous" level of 6.0+

Topic:
Medicine and Malpractice

Answer: You seem to be raring for an unnecessary fight. Have a calm conversation with your doctor about the benefits and risks of starting that medication. Every medication comes with its own risks. It's not the nurse's job to explain the doctor's rationale. Treat them nicely - you'll get better care that way.


Title: Do I have the right to ask my flatmates dad to never return to the flat? (UK)

Question:
Recently there was a bit of a misunderstanding.
My flatmate has consistently lied to her parents about me and my other flatmate. We're not sure what about but whatever it is never bothered us until a few nights ago he came into the room I was in pointed a tool at me and told me to not speak to him when I said hi.
It was terrifying.

Our tenancy ends soon so even if I went through the legal process of having him be unable to legally enter the flat anymore, by the time it took affect we'd have moved out. At the time I didn't respond to him but I have recently written him a letter (not sent it yet) asking that he refrain from entering the flat anymore.

Am I actually allowed to do this considering my flatmate also pays rent for the flat and he is her father?
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer: Of course you can ask. Absent a court order, however, you can't stop him if he is invited by your flatmate.


Title: Beyond changing my number what can I do? (NY)

Question:
Had the creepiest Tinder date. Didn't get creepy till after the initial public meeting and we agreed to move to dinner. Asked to ride in my car to restaurant. Ok, a little weird but not unheard of. At this point I didn't really want to continue but I figured I would at least be clinically interested for one more hour.
Person gets in my car and confesses that they have run my phone number through social media search engines and had mined my Reddit acct, knew my full name and other details. I'm viscerally pissed and my skin is crawling. I throw the person out of my car and say that they absolutely cannot contact me.
Beyond changing my number what can I do? Knows make and model of my car.
Any danger I might be in? Going to change my number, blocked theirs with my carrier. Can this constitute a restraining order?
I had a stalker 5 years ago but that's a different set of laws, that person actually threatened harm.
Please advise?
Thank you.

Answer: nothing you can do, nothing is anything but creepy at this point. Everything this "person" did is totally through social networks etc, not one illegal thing. If you are overly concerned, change your number, change or make a new reddit account. Honestly if someone is interested in you and you use social media at all (including reddit) and they are savvy enough, you are an open book. Until something is threatened or it takes an even more odd turn, you have nothing.


Title: Got a speeding ticket 92mph in a 65 in Cali.

Question:
I am 22 I have never had a ticket before. It happened today. Are there any tips you guys got for me?
I go to community college full time.
Live with grandma.
Have savings from previous job that I use for gas, and food.
I'm an idiot.... Definitely wont be speeding again
I didn't realize I was going that fast. My car is pretty smooth at high-speeds.
I know I was speeding. There were no cars in front of me.

Topic:
Traffic and Parking

Answer: First i can believe the not realizing I am going that fast if it was up to 10 over the limit.  Almost every 30 is complete recklessness.  You are most likely going to get heavy fines, they could charge you with reckless driving, and possible license suspension. You are not getting off easy


Title: Mother forcefully taken to hospital because police thinks she has E.D.S

Question:
Edit: E.D.S. as in emotional distress syndrome.

Hey guys, so my mom was handcuffed by a team of police and forcefully taken to a hospital 2 months ago for a mental evaluation; they wrongly accused her of emotional distress syndrome(they're not even certified psychologists; how dare they think they can magically diagnose her). She was standing in her own property taking photos of construction that was going on along the boundary line of an adjoining lot, a portion of which is under dispute. There were no physical altercations nor any cursing. She does not drink, smoke, nor do drugs. She was forced to take a variety of tests. Her results came out as normal, and the psychologist thought that it was crazy how she ended up there. The hospital also sent her a bill for $1000.00. My mom has also sent a complaint, but has yet to hear back. We are located in NYC btw. I'm not sure what to ask, but I would appreciate any advice on this matter.

Answer: Police are not psychologists. Hence why they take her to be evaluated by one.


Title: Can I sue a restaurant for not paying tips?

Question:
Ontario, Canada

I had been working at this restaurant from January 2017 till April 2017. The restaurant owners never paid us any tips. It got to a point when some waiters even started telling the customers to stop paying them tips. The owner found out and then he told all the waiters to stop saying that, and if the customer asks if we get the tips then say yes.

We were also paid below minimum wage (10 CAD an hour)

All the waiters are paid by CASH and there is no contract so there is nothing on paper that says we worked there. But there is a CCTV camera that records everything so there is that one proof.

Furthermore, I am an international student trying to support myself at UofT. Maybe this changes things?

Hence, considering all that, can I sue the restaurant? And if I can what sort of result am I looking at?

Please advice. :)

Thank you so much in advance.

Answer:
 You want Ontario's Ministry of Labor Claims rather than a personal law suit.

https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/es/forms/claim.php


Title: Do stand-your-ground laws apply to other people's private property?

Question:
Say I am staying in a hotel in Texas.  Someone knocks down my door at 2 AM and I happen to have a gun.  Can I legally shoot that person in a state with stand-your-ground laws?  Does private property vs public property matter?

Let's throw another wrench in the question.  Say you're staying at a hotel that says they have the right to kick you out of their room at any time for any reason.  It's still 2 AM and the door is kicked in.  It is the hotel staff.  In your groggy half-asleep stupor you shoot them.  Would stand-your-ground still be a valid defense?
Topic:
Criminal Law

Answer: Is this your homework? Merely knocking on a door at night does not a self defense situation make.  No one is kicking in a door without ill intent unless that have made efforts to identify themselves and awake you meaning it's no longer self defense. If they are kicking in with ill intent this isn't even a stand your ground situation.


Title: Alzeheimer's Catch 22 in California

Question:
I need a lawyer who can help my mother who has dementia. My siblings and I are all named as executors (my sister and I have PofA for finances, and my brother is named as executor of her trust), but my sister's been lying, charging a bunch of expenses on mom's credit card and moved her alcoholic adult daughter into my mother's vacation house against my mom's wishes and hasn't paid her any rent (been three years now).  My brother lives out of state and has long-term alcohol and drug problems, has been in and out of jail and has a long record. He's been harassing her for money--telling her to send him cash and being a general a-hole to her.  He recently told her to wants to move back.

This was all reported to Adult Protective Services by my mom's counselor.  I talked with the social worker, and they told me I should get a restraining order against my brother, and as far as my sister goes, the money-taking seems to have stopped, and they said they can't do anything about the niece squatting in her house because it's in another county.  When I tried to get a restraining order, the court said I need an attorney because it's so complicated as far as power of attorney goes.

**So, the crux of my problem.......**

* No lawyer will take my mom as a client because she doesn't have capacity.
* I would have to be the client and pay the bills.
* I can't afford to pay the bills--literally \*no\* extra money or credit.
* My husband makes too much money for me to qualify for low income/pro bono attorney, but we are barely able to pay our bills every month.

Anyone have any ideas of what the heck I can do?  This has been nonstop drama for the last four years or so, and I'm losing my mind with worry.

Answer:
 You need to ask the court to become her conservator.

http://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-conservatorship.htm

> my mom's counselor

Who is this person? What role do they play?


Title: Grandma was a victim of fraud. Need advice on how we can recover her money.

Question:
Earlier this week my grandma, who lives in California, discovered her bank account had been drained due to a scam.  We are looking for guidance on how to get her money back.

A company reached out to my grandma to discuss an anti-virus software for her home computer.  The company had a deal for $299 which she purchased.  A few days later the company called back stating she had overpaid and needed her checking account information to apply the refund.  Grandma discovered her bank account has been drained over the course of 3 days, 2 days after the last withdrawal.

We contacted the bank 2 days after the last withdrawal. The bank has stated this is not fraud and she is responsible for the money.  A police report has been filed and grandma’s accounts have all been changed.  We have changed account numbers and requested new checks and debit card.

What actions do we need to take to get her money back?

Answer:
 Unfortunately, both the fraduster and now the money are not in the United States. If the bank can't or won't stop or reverse it, there's not much recourse. Answer #2: You're almost certainly not getting the money back.Answer #3: Go to police and back to the bank. It most certainly is fraud. Answer #4: How much was drained in total? There may be federal help if it's a large amount.Answer #5: You won't be seeing that money back unfortunatelyAnswer #6: Big question.  What account info did your grandmother give?

If it was just her account number and bank routing number,  then yes, the bank absolutely can claw back an unauthorized ACH debit that was initiated at another bank.  She had up to 60 days following the statement being issued showing the activity to report it.  If this is the situation,  escalate at the bank.  They should be familiar with the regulation.  If this is what happened and your grandmother's bank doesn't claim back the funds, your grandmother can easily take legal action against the bank and win.

See FRB Regulation E:

Consumer Liability for Unauthorized Transfers

Event:
Unauthorized transfer(s) not
involving loss or theft of an
access device

Timing of Consumer Notice to Financial Institution:
Within 60 calendar days after
transmittal of the periodic
statement on which the
unauthorized transfer first
appears

Maximum Liability:
No liability.

If she gave the criminals her online login id and password, she has no recourse.

Either way, she's out the $299.  She authorized that payment.


Title: Help! Student Athlete was awarded athletic scholarship at private university and now school has drastically reduced amount on signed NLI

Question: Athlete was awarded 25% in athletics scholarship PLUS 23% in academic merit scholarship. Finance dept is now saying that the two awards should be combined to equal only the amount stated on the National Letter of Intent so they reduced the athletic scholarship to add only a few thousand on top of merit scholarship. Coach is promising it will be resolved, but just in case, is there any legal recourse to recovering the committed amounts for BOTH scholarships? Please help!

Answer: A good place to start is gathering documentation you have of both scholarships, who promised what and in what terms. Both should have come with terms and conditions that should explain what happens if the student gets additional scholarships. It is possible the scholarships will not be cumulative, my scholarships in college specifically stated in the terms that if additional scholarships were gained that the equivalent awarded money would be revoked.


Title: Can my boss ask me if I’m pregnant?

Question:
Location: Ontario

Can my employer ask me if I’m pregnant, my contract is due for renewal and I’m actively trying to get pregnant. My boss keeps asking me and it’s making me uncomfortable because one I’m negotiating my contract, two experiencing infertility having lost two pregnancies and three she’s watching everything I’m eating and drinking and making comments  such as “bathroom again? When I was pregnant I had to pee every 10 minutes”  or “I hope that’s decaf”

I have considered going to HR but I want to have something to back me up. Our HR is not the greatest and like to bend the law as far as they can.

From what I understand an employer cannot discriminate against pregnant employees, however they don’t need to necessarily explain why my contract was not renewed.

Thank you!
Topic:
Employment Law

Answer:
 Your boss can ask, in as much as it's not the asking that's against the law.

However, HR is likely to step in, because asking if you're pregnant so close to your contract renewal - and especially being pushy about it - drastically raises the risk that you'll file a human rights complaint alleging discrimination if they don't renew your contract.


Title: [NC] Wife wants a divorce, finally said she's moving out in 2 weeks. 18mo old daughter. What are some things i need to watch out for? Do's and Don'ts

Question: We have a house, married a few years, and have a kid. She wants to separate and move on. I'm guessing i'll have to sell the house/stuff/etc - any things I should look out for financially? We were going to sell this house and buy a new one once i paid off debt (guess i wasnt fast enough). And should i get an attorney now or wait until we start the paperwork etc?

Answer:
 Get the attorney ASAP.

You’ll need someone experienced in child custody issues. Answer #2: You know it's coming. If you get an attorney now it could end up saving you a alot more money in the long run.


Title: [INDIANA] Could I do my 40 hours community service at the Church of Cannabis?

Question: They said I can do any non-profit organization

Answer: You've gone and smoked yourself retarded. May god have mercy on your soul.


Title: As a roommate, am I obligated to give a 30 day leave notice if I haven't signed a lease?

Question: \[Delaware, USA\]  Hi everyone.  I would like some insight on my situation and could use any helpful input.  I've recently moved into a room someone is renting out.  I haven't signed any documentation and haven't provided a security deposit.  It is a simple agreement between homeowner and "tenant".  The only form of documentation that is made is a simple paper receipt after a cash transaction for the upcoming month.  However, the homeowner requires that I provide a 30 day leave notice before leaving.  My integrity leads me to act accordingly either way, but I am curious if I'm legally obligated to do so.  I do live here, but it is not proven through any signed document.  Besides mail, car insurance address, and (soon to be) license address, the only "proof" that states I reside here is me on the surveillance footage on the driveway.  So I ask anyone reading this to please provide any input to this sort of situation.  It's very nice to know what can and can't be done, and search engines can be overwhelming at times.  Thank you all.

Answer:
 A lease need not be written. It is usually a good idea to have a written lease, but you can create a tenancy orally. Unless you agreed to a longer term (up to a year without a written lease) you likely have a month to month tenancy.

 Under [Delaware law](http://delcode.delaware.gov/title25/c051/sc01/index.shtml) a month to month tenancy requires 60 days notice from the first of a month. So letting you leave after 30 days is actually less than the law requires.


Title: [WA] Is this some kind of abuse / neglect?

Question:
I have a friend that lives in Washington state.

He is 24 years old, and has a visual impairment.

In the 4th grade his parents decided his school wasn't teaching him well enough, so his parents decided to home school.

His education stopped at that point. He spent his childhood watching the same 3 movies on repeat, playing video games, and reading the same 3 books over and over again.

He still lives at home with his parents.

He collects ~$750 a month from the government, SSI, which is deposited in to his parents account. His parents say they need the money more than him.

Each month they give him $150 to spend on himself, but keep the rest to buy food for the family, and pay rent.

I know the parents are able to spend their childrens money on stuff that benefits them, but I thought that was only until they were 18? Also, if he asks to have more money one month for whatever reason, they refuse him.

His parents have him file taxes as an independent, so he can get the SSI, but they claim him as a dependent, to get tax breaks. I know you have to do what you have to do, but he doesn't understand that this is illegal, and that when the government finds out they'll want there money back, and he'll be responsible for it, not his parents.

Is there anything I could do to help him out?

Is this something adult protective services would be interested in?

He's been "working" for 6 years to get his GED, and has made a grand total of 0 progress in that time. He used to be able to do basic division, but can't even do 90/9 now. He never learned world history, or American history, or read any books aside from the ones from the franchise he is obsessed with ... and he isn't getting the help he needs, he's just being taken advantage of.

EDIT: The IRS statements were from him directly, and may be inaccurate.

Answer:
 > His parents have him file taxes as an independent, so he can get the SSI, but they claim him as a dependent, to get tax breaks.

No they don't. Because the IRS doesn't allow that.

APS might be interested in elements of what you're saying. You sound like you don't have the actual story of what's going on.


Title: Was Rudy Giuliani actually arguing about the 2nd amendment today or was it a typo?

Answer:
 It’s supposed to be “second amended complaint”. So yes, it’s a typo.Answer #2: I'd appreciate serious responses, the best jokes have been already on Twitter
1. He wants to wear shorts sleeves next zoom calls (right to bear arms)
2. Wants to shoot himself/his mouth off
3. Judge wants to shoot himAnswer #3: It is a typo asking for leave to amend their complaint.  You can actually see him spell it correctly at the bottom.

A party is allowed to amend their complaint (the document that begins legal proceedings) once as a matter of course.  A party may amend to bring in additional parties or claims that were not mentioned in the initial complaint.

If a party wishes to amend their complain a second time, the party must ask the court for permission, which is what Rudy is doing here.Answer #4: I think he meant a [Second Commandment](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Commandment) Complaint, since it was made in service of a false idol. /sAnswer #5: This shows the importance of proofreading. That is how I got started; I am now a paralegal and about to go to law school.

It is not the worst typo that I have seen, but since it is in a document in a proceeding followed by many people it is perhaps the most embarrassing.Answer #6: If Gargamel had a law degreeAnswer #7: Please see attached glock for details on the 2nd amendment complaint.


Title: Will my friend go to jail for dating a 15 year old when he's almost 18?? (Illinois)

Question:
I tried to find answers online and couldn't.

My friend recently started seeing a 15 year old while he's 17. He turns 18 in 2 months. I've warned him that there's a possibility of legal  consequences later. He told me everything he's doing is legal, but I find that very hard to believe.

If the 15y's parents find out can they sue?
Is there any way for him to go to jail for dating a minor once he's legally an adult?
If they go further than kissing will he go to jail if somebody finds out?
Does it matter that he's 18 if they started dating before he turned 18?

I just don't want to watch him throw his life away for some stupid high school relationship.

Thanks in advance!
Topic:
Juvenile and Youth Law

Answer:
 Dating? Fine

Sex? Illegal, the age of consent in Illinois is 17, and there is no close in exception, so even today if they have sex he is committing a crime.

If the parents tell him to stay away and he doesn’t he could be charged with various crimes such as contributing to the delinquency of a minor.


Title: [PA] Landlord admits heating vents were installed improperly, is working to fix, but heating bills are nearing $300/month and the temperature is dropping

Question:
Title pretty much sums it up. I live in a new apartment complex and when it was built the heating vents were installed near the ceiling making if difficult to heat the unit. On top of this the maintenance manager explained our element would need a "buck booster" to attain "100% usable heating" I have no idea what this is but it's either a joke in the HVAC world like headlight fluid, or a device that boosts the power (volts, wattage, resistance?) running through the coils...im not an electrician obviously

The maintenance manager admitted this to us and explained they would put us on the list to get it fixed in the coming week or so along with a couple other units with the same problem.

In the meantime my heater has been running nonstop for the last 3 weeks and my electricity bill for a 2bed apartment was about $250.

This month will undoubtedly be higher.

And to top it all off this morning I saw the temperature had dropped to 63. We've had it set to 67 and it hasn't gone above 65 for weeks. We're in the middle of a cold snap right now and I'm concerned it will continue dropping into dangerous territory.

Do I have any options here? They're fixing it free of charge, but it's going to take days, possibly into next week before they can get the parts, schedule the technician, and complete the necessary work of relocating the vent and I'm looking at a $300+ electricity bill when it's usually around maybe $60.
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer:
 Ask your landlord if he/she would provide a space heater while you wait for the fix.  Remind them that PA law mandates that the landlord provide heat capable of reaching 65 during the day and 60 at night between October and April.

You really have no recourse over the electric bill, though.  The landlord must provide heat, but it doesn't have to be for free and it doesn't have to meet any particular efficiency guarantees.  You *could* have a fire marshal take a look in case there's some kind of danger related to the poor heating, but (1) that's probably not the case, and (2) be careful what you wish for; if the fire marshal finds a danger you may have to leave *immediately*.  Answer #2: ^^^IANAL

Electric heaters are 100% efficient.  They turn 100% of the electricity used into heat.  Positioning them near the ceiling means that the heat is produced near the ceiling, and as hot air rises, the air near the ceiling will be warmer while the air near the floor will stay cooler.  If you have a ceiling fan, try turning it on in "winter" mode (probably a little black toggle on the motor) at low speed in order to circulate the air a bit better.

A buck booster increases the voltage.  This will increase the power used by your electric heater, and consequently the amount of heat produced.  Answer #3: > "100% usable heating"

What does that even mean? You never get 100% efficiency with anything? Some heat will always get away.

> In the meantime my heater has been running nonstop for the last 3 weeks and my electricity bill for a 2bed apartment was about $250.

You have electric heat? That isn't an unreasonable price especially with how cold it has been.


Title: Should I report my brother-in-law?

Question:
Hello everyone.

I would like to begin by saying that i'm sorry for the wall of text, I want to give as many information as possible.

Ok so, i'm located in Quebec, Canada (yes native french speaker sorry for any mistakes or typos). My sister-in-law (who is suffering from a moderate case of dysphasia) recently decided to move in with her boyfriend of a few months. She's in her early twenties and he's almost thirty years old.

During the Xmas holidays, they went to a party and both drunk an insane amount of beer. While my sister-in-law decided to get to bed early and stay there, her very drunk boyfriend took his car and decided to head home...He actually crashed in a car in a random neighborhood (which woke him up and he realised what he was doing) and left the scene and headed home. Fast forward the day after, he realises what happened and notice his car is so broken that if he'd take it again, it would probably break on the spot.

My sister-in-law panicked and came to my house to seek advice from my wife(her sis) and I. What she told us is that he doesn't remember which neighborhood the acident happened (nor the damage done to the other car) all he claim is that when he realised he was DUI and crashed, he just drove home. We both told my sis-in-law to tell him to contact his insurance and report to the police to maybe, try to fix it up a bit but he decided to stay quiet about it.

Now his car is in his parking at home (mostly totalled), he claims he doesn't know where the accident took place so it would be stupid to go to the police and admit he did DUI and that he caused damage to someone. He told my sister-in-law to stop talking about it and to never tell anyone else because he doesn't want to get caught. He doesn't really care about his car because he's now taking my sister-in-law's car (and she's not very thrilled about it).

My sister-in-law is very docile because of her disability and she fears that if she doesn't let him take her car or if she would speak about the accident to someone, he would leave her (she's very insecure and he's manipulating her but its another story).

A few days ago, he took her car while he was drunk again. My sister-in-law phoned my wife to tell her and, while she was mad at him, she will absolutely not scold him, out of fear that he will leave her.

Now my question is, should I report him? My worries are about the foggy details on the accident (like him claiming he doesn't recall in which neighborhood it happend, the damage done to the other car, etc). The only ''evidence'' that remains is his car parked at home and the possible testimony from my sister-in-law (but I doubt she would unless she's obligated by law).

Can I do anything? Please let me know what I can do about it.

Thank you!
Topic:
DUI

Answer: Personally? I'd report him. I've done DUI defense, and I'll tell you more than anybody else that driving drunk is stupid and should be punished quite harshly. Not only are you putting your own life and property on the line, you are putting other people at great risk. If there's not enough evidence, that's for the police to decide. But at least your conscience will be clear.


Title: Got fired for taking pictures of my manager illegally searching through my car

Question: I went into work punch in, went in the office to grab my bank and in the office is all the tvs with the surveillance videos I was looking at it on my way out and I saw my manager hovering around my car I then saw him looking each window open my doors and then pop the trunk. I talked with the GM about it and he said well you need to erase the pictures and then a few shifts after that my GM came up to me and said I'm tired of your shady shit you're fired is this proper or is there anything I can do about this

Answer:
 File for unemployment. And if this is a chain complain above the store level and send them the pictures.Answer #2: Perfectly legal for them to fire you. Answer #3: I think the pictures were incidental.  You got fired for shady shit.  Were you dealing at work or coming to work high? Answer #4: Wisconsin is an "at will" employment state, so I would think that your employer was within their rights to terminate your employment.  You may still be able to file for unemployment, but I would expect the business will fight that.

Also, from your posting history in /r/opiates, one might assume that this might have something to do with illegal drug possession or use, especially if they know your reddit user name or know of your "recreational activities."Answer #5: > then pop the trunk.

Are you saying your manager broke into your car and you have photographic evidence of this? Call the police. Won't get you your job back though.


Title: Fired for not signing 3 written warnings, please help...

Question:
I’m going to try to keep this as short as possible but also want to give you guys an idea of the kind of people I’m dealing with here so please just bear with me. Also I’m on mobile, sorry....

I’ve worked with this company almost 3 years now as a quality assurance specialist. My main duties include managing all of our company procedures and forms. Each department will tell me what changes they need to a form/procedure, I’ll make the change and have them review and approve the changes and then I finalize it and update our system. My boss is always the final approved for all procedures and forms - I can not update anything without their signature. For 2 years, I had a wonderful boss and we worked really well together. I had a lot of freedom in my position, I didn’t need constant direction or supervision and my boss just left me to do my work and I would go to him for approval signatures when I needed. I have been praised by upper management for how efficient and self-sufficient I am and how I’ve taken my position to a whole new level. I’ve been given opportunities such as being trained on auditing and sent to classes to further my knowledge in areas like Microsoft office and have been told multiple times that I am being developed for bigger things to come for me.

Cut to last year, they put my boss over a new department and put my new current boss over my department. This person (A) has been with the company for about 15 years and has been moved a total of 7 times due to complaints of harassment by each department. They have promoted and demoted A because of their inability to work with others and were reluctant to put A in the current position due to their past. Now - for a while, things were...ok. A came to our department with no knowledge of our system or how things worked. I was patient and explained things as we went along about our procedures/forms and the process. Problems started off as small and I brushed them off thinking it was just due to their lack of knowledge. However, every time I would try and correct A or tell them how our department operates, I would be instantly cut off and told “yeah I know, that’s what I said” or “no, I never said that”. Things only got worse from there - micromanaging, questioning every single thing I would bring to them for approval - which was fine, they were the boss and I would explain everything so they could understand but was met with the same attitude which ultimately showed me that they were never wrong. Very frustrating.

Which brings me to last week. We have a quality control department and recently they asked me to change a number of forms that they use. All of these forms in particular have the exact same format, there are around 20-30 of them and they are for different blends we do in our line of work. It is very important for these particular forms to be uniform, all of them the exact same to avoid failures which can be VERY expensive. I decided I would do the changes in chunks of 5-7 forms each time so as not to overload everyone with a giant stack of forms to review and approve. The first round was fine, everything got approved. There were two that I was putting into the system as brand new due to these to products being new to our company. Same format, just a new product. Now A is asking me to change these two in particular which does not match all the others and does not comply with what the supervisor over quality control wanted done to these forms. When trying to explain to A why I couldn’t make those changes, I was cut off and not allowed to talk and told “here’s what I’m asking, no - here’s what I’m telling you. You WILL do this because I said so.” I was frustrated and A knew this and laughed at me and I was dismissed. Later that day, I was called by HR to have a meeting. I explained to her my frustrations and was told that they would try and speak with A to see about coming to an agreement where we could all work together. I was called later that day for a meeting with A and HR. When I showed up, A had some emails printed out that she had sent me but did not print my responses to those emails, only what they had sent. The meeting basically went like this - I’m being insubordinate and disrespectful for not following orders. Every time I would try and speak to explain my side, I was interrupted by A and told to follow orders and that was final. I lost my cool at that point and said “I’m fucking done” and walked out of the meeting. Not proud of that but it is what it is. A came to me about 30 mins after that meeting and told me to clock out and go home for my behavior.  This happened last Wednesday. That evening, A called and left a voicemail instructing me to NOT report to work until 8:30 am (which is not my regularly scheduled start time) and to go straight to the plant manager’s office for a meeting. So, Thursday I came in for the meeting with the plant manager, myself, A and the HR manager. A was told to speak first and explain what was going on. When it was my turn, I was interrupted over and over by A and I felt that I was not really listened to by anyone in that room. HR pretty much sided with A when it was their turn to talk and at the end of the meeting, the plant manager asked me if I could continue work and do my job working with A. I replied yes and when he asked A if that was fair, her reply was “I need to speak with you alone.” I returned to work and about an hour after, I was called into A’s office by the HR manager where they had a written warning for insubordination for me to sign. I explained that I didn’t agree with the warning and simply asked what would happen if I didn’t sign it. HR would not give me a straight answer, just kept telling me to sign it. I kept asking what would happen if I didn’t sign and was finally told by HR “I don’t know what happens, I don’t know what the next step is. Just sign it.” I asked if I could take the warning to my desk so that I could collect my thoughts and write my reasons for why didn’t agree and sign it. They said I could not do that and that I was going to sit right there in A’s office and write them down and sign and I wasn’t going anywhere. I was pretty upset by this point and asked “since I can’t take this with me, I need to step out for a minute to calm down and i be back.” When I returned, they had the plant manager on the phone and I could hear them discussing suspending me for the rest of that day and Friday. HR took me to another room to talk with me and explained I was being suspended again and Friday and would need to come in on Friday at 3pm for a formal meeting to discuss what they would do with me. When I showed up for the meeting on Friday I was told that they had conducted an investigation and decided on 3 written warnings and that I would need counseling for my behavior and how to follow my boss’s instructions. I was told that if I did not sign all 3 written warnings that I would be terminated. So I didn’t sign them and I was fired. The way this company works - once you get 3/4 (I can’t remember exactly) written warnings, you get fired. I feel like they were going to fire me anyway, they just needed my signature.

I recorded the last 3 meetings. I don’t know what my options are but I feel like this is NOT right at all. I have A LOT of people that can be an excellent character reference for me and can verify that I am not insubordinate or disrespectful. One person even sued the company a couple years ago because of A’s harassment and WON THEIR CASE. There have been so many complaints filed against this person in the 15 years they’ve worked there and the company will not do anything about it. They just keep moving them around every time there’s a complaint.

If you stayed with me through this giant wall of text, thank you so much just for reading. Any advice at all would be so helpful at this point.

Answer:
 The hard truth is that in at-will employment arrangements, you can generally be fired for any reason, no reason, or even a fabricated reason, so long as that reason isn't illegally discriminatory or illegally retaliatory.  It does not, from what you've written, sound like your situation falls into either of those exceptions.

You can file for unemployment and begin the search for a new job.

If you were under a binding employment contract or in a union, things may be different.


Title: [CA] I have a physical condition that is disabling and I am over 18. Are my parents obligated to provide financial support of me?

Question:
Edit for additional info:

*not able to work

 *parents unmarried

*I haven't yet applied for disability, but I have an attorney who's interested in taking my case, so I believe I have a somewhat strong chance. I'd be applying for Adult Child benefits because I don't have any work history.

*parents are not my legal guardians; I am not under any kind of conservatorship

Answer: Typically no, but details could potentially matter.Answer #2: This is very vague. I also have a physical condition that is disabling, and yet I am a provider for myself and my family. Disability alone does not govern anyone's obligation to provide any kind of support for another. Answer #3: Unless they have guardianship over you, or receive funding from the state for your care as caretakers, no. Even then, the support does not have to be financial, it just has to be material (IE, they have to feed you, but do not have to give you money).


Title: Well here’s a weird one

Question: I am in CO. I’m getting calls from a 512 588 5777 that is a pre recorded message saying my social security number was flagged for fraudulent activities. It says to call back before legal proceedings against me began. I called the number and a man identified himself as an officer and then asked for my social security number. That made me nervous so I said I would call local police and he said okay and I hung up. I assumed it was spam and they would be scared and that would be it but they keep calling. Does anyone have any idea if this is legit? What’s happening? Why would legal proceedings AGAINST me begin? There’s nothing weird on my credit score or my card payments.

Answer: It's a scam designed to steal your personal information.


Title: Friend was arrested for .08 level, cops dropped me off at a Dennys in a city I did not know

Question:
Hello, so this is for my roommate. Last night her and her sister were driving back from a concert and they were pulled over. They gave her sister , who was the driver, a breathalyzer . She blew a .07 and they had her do it again and it was a .08 and they said it wasn't stable and handcuffed her and put her in the cop car. The cops then told my roommate they could take her to a gas station or a dennys. She asked what she was supposed to do, she doesn't know the place and her phone was almost dead, she told them it was at 15% and they said she could call an uber. What if she didn't have money for that, or so many other circumstances, it was 3am and shes a young woman in a city she doesn't know, at a Denny's . Just wanted to know if this is all up to snuff, sounds a bit shake on them dropping her off. I wasn't able to find anything online about it, my google fu could be lacking here though.

Edit : She is an adult and I appreciate all the responses, I just wanted to check because I have never been in this situation. Thank you!

Answer:
 They didn't have to give her a ride at all, she should be glad they made sure she got to a safe place to figure out where to go rather than having to beat feetAnswer #2: Yes this stuff is all up to snuff. They aren't her parents.Answer #3: >What if she didn't have money for that, or so many other circumstances

Then she should have made sure that she has a safe ride home. That is her responsibility, not the police's.


Title: Can a non-US father of an American citizen living in the USA with an American mother immigrate to the USA?

Question: [removed]

Answer: I have one single bit of advice for you: maybe look at visa equirements for several countries before you look at getting somebody pregnant in the hopes of getting a visa. (this is based on your previous post).


Title: Confidentiality agreement related to hostile work environment. Location:see note

Question:
Hello.

Tl;dr: Need help wording a denial to sign confidentiality agreement in harassment investigation.

I have made comments about the rampant sexist and harassing behavior at my company towards women and minorities. Seriously, the things I have seen would shock people from the 20's. It is absolutely endemic to the company, if not the industry.

Someone passed a few of the more egregious stories to HR and now they want to talk to me. I have already given notice as I have a new job in a new industry. They sent me a confidentiality agreement to sign before we talk. For years, I have known the best way I can change this industry is by enlightening the public and speaking to others affected. That requires relaying stories of what happened to me and my coworkers.

I do not want to sign this contract, especially as the wording is incredibly vague ("anything related to this investigation"). And I want the freedom to discuss these things in the future. I am not planning to sue or even include my employers name. But I am intending to educate using these experiences. Not to mention, many of them are already out there and I get asked about them on occasion.

My question is one of wording. How do I best convey my unwillingness to sign the contract? By law, they have to investigate anyway and I have told them explicitly that I will not tell them employee names under any circumstances. This is not the action of one or two people but an entire company that is complicit, at best, in supporting a hostile work force. What I want is them to address the matters and I provided a list of start points. (Sensitivity training, which they currently do not do. Company manuals made gender neutral instead of referring to traditional male roles in the masculine. Etc.)

Honestly,  I want it to be a warning shot. Fellow employees are talking class action. I would prefer that not come to pass. I want the company to improve the environment for all employees. As I am leaving, and few are ever in my position, I have a unique opportunity to facilitate the changes on my way out with few repercussions. But that means no confidentiality agreement. Especially one that protects them and leaves me open to liability.

Thoughts?

Location: I am not sure. Company is based in TX. I primarily work in IL, but many of these incidents have happened in other states.

Answer:
 > How do I best convey my unwillingness to sign the contract?

"I'm not signing this agreement".