Title: Did I Get Ripped Off By This Landlord With My Deposit?

Question:
I was interested in a new apartment and found one that looked good. I applied, was approved, and paid the security deposit. Before signing the lease, I wanted to double check if my car would fit in the parking (live in a dense city in California) since I wasn't able to test it the first time I visited the unit because of time pressure. It turns out my car wouldn't fit easily since it's an SUV. I emailed the landlord a day or two later that I'd need to back out. I hadn't signed anything at this point. He got really upset, told me I lost him, other clients because the unit was taken off the market for a couple days. He got super aggressive and defensive after this, and I felt like he wasn't going to refund my deposit. After calming him down and apologizing for backing out, he only refunded 75% of my deposit. I was afraid to push further since he had all my personal info, credit, and work history, etc. Is this expected, or should I have done something differently to get the full 100% back? Thanks.
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer:
 Often the initial deposit is intended to hold the unit. The landlord has taken the unit off the market and turned away other potential renters due to your indication that you would be signing the lease. In most places (CA and many towns within have very different LT laws than other places) that would then serve as the security deposit during the tenancy.

25% doesn’t seem that bad to me considering his damages.


Title: [KS] Parental rights question

Question:
My fiancé has a son, and the biological father has been constantly demanding stuff. Things like his schedule for Boy Scouts, Baseball practices and games, and seeing his son more often.  We do let the kid see his dad every now and then, and always let him talk to him on the phone.  The issue is he doesn't pay for anything. He doesn't pay for any activates, for school, child support, pretty much anything.  The last dime he spent on him was when he needed new shoes, he said he would get them, and ended up giving us 40 dollars and 20 bucks in Khols cash coupon.

Background: My fiancé was married to this guy for a couple of years. He has issues with drugs, and was in and out of jail.  The last time he went, he went to prison for 3 years.  My fiancé has full custody, and it was determined that custody would be determined again after he got out. He got out last year, and we haven't been back to court. She lets the kid see the dad because she doesn't want to deprive him of that, but it's been a slow process. He has stolen from her family, friends, pretty much everyone. Even his own family doesn't want him in their house.  Last weekend was the first time we let him spend the night other at the dads apartment, but he still insists on being more involved. Of course he doesn't want to give any money for literally anything, but demands it.  He got the kids baseball schedule online after we said he couldn't have it, and would let him know what games he could go to.  We did the same thing with soccer. He went to like 2 of his soccer games, and promised to the kid he would be at another 2 but never showed up. He constantly lets the kid down, and is still demanding stuff left and right. She doesn't want child support because she doesn't want to go to court and him get any kind of custody.  I don't think he would pay it anyway, but I wanted to see what the law states we HAVE to do.  I know if we went to court he would look like an ass for not paying child support ever, and his arrest record is pretty long.  Can anyone link me the articles regarding parental rights, or what rights the biological father might have.  The more information the better.

Answer:
 She needs to go to court for child support and get an order if she wants him to pay. If he is unfit to have joint custody or 50/50 parenting time, a court won't give it to him, and if he isn't unfit, your fiancé needs to give it to him. Visitation does not depend on child support and a judge is not going to look kindly on you dictating which of the kids' baseball games his father can go to (among other things).

Edit: in most places they heavily favor biological parents sharing custody 50/50 because it is in the best interest of the child. Whether his arrest record factors into that at all depends on what he's been arrested for.


Title: [Ohio] Exgf wants a gaming system back, yet she has told me before that it is mine.

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Legally if she gifted it to you then you don't have to give it back.

In life advice you may want to spend the 100$ to buy one off kijiji and just move on with your life.


Title: Visited girlfriend in Louisiana for three weeks and her landlord now is charging me $450 for being at the place.

Question:
My girlfriend is a med student renting a place in Louisiana for 3 months and I came to visit her for a bit. We thought the landlord was under the impression that she knew that I would be there but was caught of guard and now is charging us $450 for the three weeks. My gf has **no lease signed** since its a very short period and is afraid of upsetting the landlord since she has all of the 3 months rent paid ahead, and we can't just leave since it would be really hard to find a place here. The landlord also mentioned that its against her Christian beliefs that Im here (which is fine.. her house her rules) What can we possibly do in this scenario?

We're very afraid that we can't talk about this or negotiate the price at all since the backlash would be her evicting my girlfriend.

Edit: Just spoke with the landlord and she was screaming at me saying that I pulled one over her. She implied that I would've never shacked up like this at our parents house and I can't do this at her house like this. She said that she can cut it down to $225. She said that if I'm not comfortable with this, we can pack up and leave.

Answer: Tell her it's against your religious beliefs to pay money to someone that you never agreed to pay.


Title: Quit my job today and I'm told I have to sign papers [NC]

Question:
I just quit today. My manager said he was in the works of giving me a 25% off-cycle pay increase. Then offered to match the 40% raise that I'm actually getting. I turned both of them down.

He did say that there's documents that I **have to** sign when I leave. I don't feel comfortable with that. How do I go about not signing them?

Answer:
 There are no documents you have to sign when you quit a job.

> How do I go about not signing them?

It's hard to sign papers if you're not even in the building. Just don't sign any papers, there's no trick.


Title: [Orange County, California] Got a job and a month into it my boss called me a derogatory term, contantly used said term up until I decided to leave.

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 You can consult a lawyer if you want to, but given the facts as stated, I doubt it's enough for a successful lawsuit.

Now that you've left, why don't you report it to HR and try to make life better for others.Answer #2: It's worth at least talking to a lawyer. Most lawyers offer free or discounted initial consults. They'll use this time to talk about your claim and determine how strong or weak of a case they think you have.

The worst possible outcome in doing so is that you wasted an hour explaining things only to ultimately be told there's not much to be done.Answer #3: > I've also had managers tell me about how they would never directly fire someone because it opened them up to things, instead they would just cut their hours until they quit. Which is what a lot of people feared would happen to them.

IANAL, but... constructive dismissal? Can anyone with more experience there chime in?


Title: Wrongfully in jail? (California)

Question:
So long story short.

My brother was driving behind his friend. The car his friend was in was stolen. His friend gets stopped by the police. Friend decides to drive away and crashes into a police car and gets shot in the head. My brother was not involved in this part, however, four days later, he was asked to make a statement. He never came back home and we were told he was in jail for the things his friend did along with a couple other of their friends. What can I do?

Answer:
 Your brother was assisting someone who stole a car and then crashes into a police car.  And you think he is in jail wrongfully?

Get the best lawyer you can afford.  Get that lawyer today.  Answer #2: There's a shitload more to this story. At a minimum if he knew the car was stolen and assisted in any way (including driving the non-stolen car) then he is on the hook for conspiracy for car theft. How they hooked him into conspiracy to commit ADW is going to be interesting. Answer #3: Get a **lawyer right now** . This can end bad for your brother. Did your brother know the car was stolen ? And more important did he tell the cops that he knew the car was stolen ? And did he participate in the theft ? If yes and if he talked to the cops, he is in deep trouble.

> charged with assault with a deadly weapon that isn't a firearm, car theft, and conspiracy to commit a crime.

Edit: If you could give us some details about what happend we can be more usefull.

Answer #4: Bail him out. What exactly was he arrested for and charged with?


Title: My boss won’t send my W2

Question:
Actually she’s my previous boss, as I worked at the place September-December. I could not get a W4 to fill out until the literal last day I worked there (I also requested my pay stubs and she said they weren’t necessary so didn’t give them to me?), and I’m in college so I requested her to send it to my family’s address so they could send it to our accountant. She said ok.
On Jan 14, she texts me a picture of my W2 and asks if she can email it to me. It’d be hassle to have to print it out but I said if she had the PDF, sure, anyway. Yesterday, she asked if I received the email. I haven’t. So she says to check it again because she sent it again. Still nothing. I give her another email to send it to. Still nothing. What can I do? I am so utterly frustrated with her at this point.

Answer:
 There's definitely at least a couple of labor violations here. Did they ever have you fill out an I9?

You should gather up any written communication you have and speak to your states department of labor.Answer #2: You can contact the [IRS](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/form-w-2-missing-irs-can-help) if she won't send it to you

Since you have a picture of it, you can also file [Form 4852](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4852.pdf) (PDF) if you don't have it by tax dayAnswer #3: She's got until Jan 31st to put it in the mail. If you don't have it by Feb 14th, follow [these](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/missing-your-w-2-heres-what-to-do) steps from the IRS.


Title: (TX) I've just received a notice saying I'm being sued for a car accident that happened 1 year and 10 months ago.

Question:
On November 4, 2016 I was a part of an accident that I ended up being at fault for and, in short, my car hit the back of a stopped car going at around 10-15 mph, causing damage to the front and back of the car stopped car.

The person and their passenger were people I personally knew, the passenger filling me in in the weeks to come that they and the driver were fine. Despite what they said, the driver did go see a physician (I believe in the family) and get them checked up.

My insurance did what insurance does and covered the damages and I thought that was that. It was only until today that I got a letter hand delivered (the deliverer walked to my door and just handed me the document after I gave my name) saying they are suing me for all, past and future, physical, emotional, mental, and other damages they'd incurred.

Now I'm suspicious that there weren't any real serious injures and they are just suing me to milk the case/ they didn't get what they wanted from my insurance. Any contact I had with the driver following the accident didn't bring to light any discomfort of injury and the passenger didn't hear that anything was wrong either.

I plan on consulting a lawyer and talking with my insurance but what else should I do going forward?

Answer:
 Call your insurance company. They should provide you a lawyer.Answer #2: Contact your insurance and fax or email them a copy of the summons/complaint you were served. The attorney for the plaintiff may have just had everyone served. Is the insurance company listed as a defendant on the summons?

Your insurance company should defend you, and they probably already are. My guess is you got served along with your insurance company. There is a 2 year statute for personal injury claims in Texas, so they may just be suing to extend the statute while they negotiate the settlement.

I'm not a lawyer, but I work personal injury claims for a large auto insurance company. Give them a call, they will take care of it.


Title: Refusal to release title.

Question:
Hi all, I could use some advice. I bought a vintage car, but the previous owner is refusing to release the title to me until I pay "Tax" to him. The car will not be driven in the state (CA) I live in, or even the country and he's refusing to give me any paper work stating I've paid this to him. This seems like a scam to me, the DMV website states he should have signed over the title to me on the day of sale, which was many, many months ago.
I have a bill of sale, and proof I have paid for the vehicle.
What are my options?

Answer:
 Go get the car retitled through the state DMV.

Be prepared to find out there’s a lien on the title seller didn’t disclose and you may have to sue him. Answer #2: Contact the DMV, ask for a new title.  Show the bill of sale and follow the procedure for "lost title".

If that doesn't work, see an attorney.  There's no reason to pay tax unless that was  part of the agreement - and in a person-to-person sale, that should be a part of the sale price, as he's not responsible for submitting taxes to the state, per se.  He should (though not everyone does) claim the income from the sale on his end-of-year taxes, which may affect his liability, but its not the same as sales tax.


Title: When can an employer dock pay from your paycheck?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Your employer is breaking the law.  In Indiana, an employer cannot deduct from an employee's wages unless there is an agreement (i) in writing; (ii) signed by the employee personally; (iii) is revocable at any time by the employee; and (iv) agreed to in writing by the employer.  Indiana Code 22-2-6.

Based on your post, I assume that such an agreement does not exist. However, even if it did, you would be free to revoke it and should be entitled to your full wage.


Title: Older woman harassing me on Reddit and offline, need advice.

Question:
I live in the United States.  I'm very hesitant about giving more information than that, but if I need to give it I will.

There's this woman in her 30's who has it out for me. She has harassed me in real life and on Reddit. She knows my main account name so I now have probably 5 throwaways I use for different purposes just out of paranoia. The main subreddit she harassed me in will not do anything about her because she is popular and runs their Facebook page, so I have had to stop using my city's local subreddit just to get away from her.

She has harassed me in real life by using her social status to tell bartenders not to serve me in certain establishments, claiming I'm nothing but trouble and probably more nasty things I don't know about. She has tried to get me kicked out of bars, antagonizes me, and bullies me, keeping me from participating in local events such as kickball.

Despite being very smart, she works a dead-end job, has an alcohol problem, drunk drives repeatedly, and is a bully to the core. Just having interactions with her used to give me panic attacks, but thankfully I've moved on from that and now I only feel sorry for her. However, I want this bullying to end.

She mostly stays out of my life and ignores my existence as I do hers, but every now and again she rears her ugly head. She actively tries to get me in trouble with the law and with other people. She uses my Reddit account as a means of bullying me by showing people what I post and she goes through my comment history to get personal information about me.

Technically, up to this point, everything she's done is perfectly legal and will not get her banned from Reddit. I don't know what I can do about getting her out of my life other than deleting my Reddit account, which I don't want to do for a second time. She is already blocked on Facebook, but she has me absolutely paranoid that she'll find out about all my throwaway accounts. I have so many because I'm afraid of posting in case she figures it out.

Can I go to the Reddit Admins about this or do I even have a case? Is there a way to block people on here that I don't know about? Could I get a restraining order or is that overkill? I just want to know about my options here so I can live paranoia-free from this scumbag.

**tl;dr:** Older woman harasses me on Reddit and in real life. Everything she has done so far has been legal. Short of deleting my main Reddit account, how can I make sure she stays out of my life? Can I get a restraining order?

Answer: So a woman in her 30s is an "older woman" now? Damn.


Title: Accident while driving for work. Suspension/hours cut with no timeline on whether or not I'll get them back.

Question:
I work for an airport parking company driving a shuttle to and from the airport from our lot. Last weekend I got in a minor accident with another shuttle company's shuttle that just scratched the paint on both shuttles and broke a bay door window on mine. Total cost of repairs is $50. Which, of course, I have to pay. But no big deal, at least I still have a job right?

Well then they went about knocking me down to 20 hours from 38 with no guarantee I'd get those hours back. They said I'd have to "prove myself" and it just is what it is for the time being. Take it or leave. I've worked for the company for a year and 3 months. Total of 2 call ins that entire time. Not to mention covering peoples shifts and taking on extra hours if needed. Including working 13 hour shifts to play overnight security when there was a rash of car break ins.

I am also under medicaid for insurance and food stamps since I could hardly get by as it was. Do I have any legal recourse or am I SOL for this job and should start looking for another? Or a second job I guess. Any info or experiences are welcome. I'll answer any questions I can.

Thanks in advance.

E: Oh and I'm in US New Mexico.

Answer:
 > Total cost of repairs is $50. Which, of course, I have to pay.

Your company's insurance should pay it, unless you were being negligent, but that varies by state and you didn't post your location so who knows for sure.

Cutting your hours because you got into an accident is allowable.

You can start looking for another job.


Title: From a scale of 0-10 how illegal would this be?

Question:
Let's say I reside in the UK; I've recently found an exploit to cash out more money and am planning on using it, the money is sent via PayPal. Would that be illegal, and on what level?

https://hqtrivia.com/legal/tou.html is their TOS

Advice would be appreciated.

Answer:
 Exploiting a defect in the software to obtain money you are reasonably aware you aren't entitled to would likely amount to theft or wire fraud. At least one of three things is likely, and there's some chance it's "all three."

1. They catch on quickly and reverse the transactions.
2. They sue you to recover the money improperly taken.
3. You go to jail and spend the rest of your life with a criminal record.Answer #2: Let me rephrase your question:

“Is it illegal for me to steal money from a company?”

Answer: Yes, it’s very illegal. Answer #3: What's UK for 'wire fraud'?

I'm going with whatever the UK for felony wire fraud is.Answer #4: 10/10Answer #5: /r/legaladviceuk would probably be a better place to ask, as this is primarily a USA/Canada-based sub.


Title: Questions about divorce and assisted living in Texas

Question:
A couple close to me is considering getting a divorce purely for financial reasons. She is living off of SSI, Medicare, and other assisted living resources and he works part time while going to school. Since they are married the money he makes gets factored into what she gets for her assisted living. Their thought is they get divorced but continue living together so that she can receive more assist living.

My concern is any legal backlash that could follow because of this be it an audit, being accused of fraud, or other issues.

Answer: This is most definitely fraud.


Title: Old Landlord from 4 years ago is now suing for damages and rent

Question:
Hey everyone. So about four years ago, two other roommates and I rented this place. When we left we were not given back our security deposit, nor given a list of damages, etc. Nothing. Then last September the real estate company sent us a letter saying that we owed money for unpaid rent and other costs.

All three of us made multiple attempts to contact them about the amount owed. When two of us continued to ask about paperwork such as a copy of our lease, the list of damages, etc, our calls were never returned.

Recently they sent us court paperwork saying we are not being sued for the amount. They finally sent us an itemized list. They not only used our security deposit for unpaid rent, but charged us for a door which we told them was broke and floor repair, which I don't believe is part of our lease. Not only that, they say they can't find our third roommate, even though he gave them his contact information and has called multiple times.

While I know we might owe a small amount of money, I don't believe we owe nearly as much as listed. How can we fix this situation?

Answer: From my quick scan if VA Law [here](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title55/chapter13.2/section55-248.15:1/), they had 45 days to let you guys know if damaged exceeding the amount of security deposit. Coming at you 3-4 years later? SOL.


Title: Landlord never cashed rent checks and is withholding security deposit (CA)

Question:
I moved out of my apartment near the end of June. The landlord never sent the security deposit to either my roommate or myself. After 21 days (legal time to return or provide reasons for withholding), I contacted him by text, email, and sent a demands letter. He responded to the email saying it should have been sent by his office and he would look into it. He also said he was out of the country.

Another few weeks went by and I followed up and didn't hear anything. I told him I was planning to file in small claims court. Finally, he replied to my email saying that he was still out of the country (I don't believe it) and that the deposit was being withheld because I had not paid two months of rent. I forwarded him emails he had sent me from the time period he said I had not paid where he said he had found my checks and we were all good. Now, he says it was actually someone else's rent check he found that happened to be for the same amount as mine. I looked through my records and those two checks actually hadn't been cashed. I offered to pay him the difference between my deposit and the amount of rent he hadn't cashed as long as he paid my roommate their deposit. He never replied.

Now, my roommate wants their money back and is contacting him again. Am I still liable for the rent amount even though I have emails documenting that he said I had paid? And could I be subject to later rent fees or would it not apply since I was told my checks had been received?  What would be the best course of action for proceeding in this situation, is it worth going to small claims court even though I now live far away?

Answer: Stop contacting and just sue for failire to return the deposit.


Title: FL - I broke a tooth at work 15 years ago and workers comp payed for the crown. Recently I lost the entire tooth and will need an implant which will cost around 3k. I no longer work there. Any chance workers comp will pay for that?

Question: I am an ER nurse and got kicked in the jaw by a 2 year old while holding for an IV.  I am wondering if my former employer's workers comp insurance is still obligated to "make me whole" so to speak.  Would it be worth the time and effort to persue a claim?

Answer: I'm not a FL attorney, but in AZ once a workers comp case is opened they have to pay for related medicals to the end of time. I am not aware of any states that operate differently. This is a very good example of why your legal questions should be directed to an actual attorney.Answer #2: Dentist here. I have a worker's comp case that has been ongoing since the 90s and she recently was able to get her fractured tooth replaced with an implant. I did have to prove that she was regularly seeing a dentist and that the problem was directly related to the previous traumatic event.


Title: (CAN, AB) Willed $10,000; Mom has kept it from me

Question: My grandfather left $10,000 to myself and each of my cousins when he died.  Our parents were supposed to give us this money when we turned 18.  I'm 24 and my mother has continuously set new conditions on this money - she wants to wait until she can give it to me for a downpayment on a house?  I don't think she is supposed to set her own conditions on this money and I'm worried she may actually never give it to me.  What should I do?

Answer:
 Your mother can't set conditions unless those conditions were in the will.

Are you willing to take legal action against your mom? Keep in mind that this may damage your relationship.

Also, is it possible that she spent it and doesn't actually have the money to give you anymore?


Title: Employees over 60 are allowed to go home but no one else is given that option.

Question:
Please forgive formatting, on my phone.

I work an essential job and have to work my 40hour week.  However due to the coronavirus, employees over 60 were given the option this week to go home on something akin to "long term disability" because they are at higher risk. No one else was given that option.
We were teased about getting paid time n half for coming in during a pandemic but that has yet to happen.

For the record, I work in Pennsylvania, and the job can not be done from home.

Is this illegal, to let them go home but force everyone else to work?
I don't know enough about labor laws and HR rules.

Answer: Nope, not illegal and actually pretty nice of the company


Title: Broke my leg in a slippery campus parking lot, seeking compensation for work and medical bills?

Question:
Hello /r/legaladvice! Last week I was walking home and I slipped in a parking lot on my college campus that hadn't been salted. Required surgery on my broken leg and I'm currently at home recovering.

I am trying to work with the school to have my medical bills reimbursed, as well as trying to get compensated for the work I am missing. I have a job on campus.

What is my next step? I'm trying to get the ball rolling on this but I'm having trouble pinning down who I'm supposed to talk to. I've made a report with the school police department, but that's as far as I've made it. Also, I'm not even sure if it's even possible to be reimbursed. I'd really appreciate any advice you could give me. I live in Michigan, not sure if that helps. Thanks!

Answer:
 You will have to go through their insurance.
Getting a lawyer will make this an easier process for all of those involved.


Title: Hypothetical question about what constitutes murder:

Question:
Three people walk into a completely soundproof and completely dark room. There is a table in the middle of the room with a gun on it. One of the three picks up the gun, shoots, and kills one of the other two people. When the two survivors exit the room, they both deny shooting the dead man but refuse to say any more about what transpired in the room. There were no other witnesses to what transpired in the room.

What would be the legal ramifications if we couldn't prove beyond a reasonable doubt that either of the two survivors had committed the murder?

EDIT: A lot of people are saying conspiracy. What if the two survivors are from completely different parts of the world, and we can establish that they've never met or had contact before being in the room?

Answer:
 Interesting hypothetical, but a [neutron activation test](http://livingtextbook.oregonstate.edu/artic/media/neutact3.pdf) for gunpowder residue on the hands and clothing of the shooter would give them away.

[Warning: PDF link]Answer #2: > refuse to say any more about what transpired in the room

If I were a detective, I would suspect they were both involved in the shooting due to their refusal to speak. Perhaps they could both be charged with being accessories after the fact, or a criminal conspiracy to murder the third man.

Cue "L&O" bum-bum.Answer #3: Conspiracy.  Both are charged, with "one couldn't have done it without the assistance of the other."

Both end up in jail.  Actually one of them turns states witness when he realizes that this is the likely outcome, and the other gets twice as long a sentence.


Title: [Europe] Anonymously exposed my friend's cheating to his GF. The guy is raging and threatens "problems" and lawsuits.

Question:
My friend has been cheating on his GF for the last two years, and it happend three times. Two times happend within a year. I exposed him to his GF, sent her names and facebook profiles of the two girls he cheated on her with 2 years ago, and later i sent her screenshots of him raging in our "friend group" on FB. So two messages in total, with my info blurred out, all sent from a fake account without attached phone number.

Now, the guy is raging in our friend group, threatens police reports, claims he has friends in the police, and threatens lawsuits and "problems". Problems include "being never able to type again", or "getting fingers cut off by a bolt cutter".

All he knows, is that it's one of his 27 friends from the group, based on the information i leaked.

He also knows the fake facebook account i used, which i deleted shortly after.

He also has the screenshots i sent to his GF, which may be identifiable by dpi scaling but nothing else.

He knows nothing else.

What are my chances of being discovered, successfully reported to the police, or get sued for something stupid? Don't worry for my safety, this is exclusively a legal question. Can the police somehow discover who i am if he reports me? Can they tell him who i am? Can he sue me based on that?

I know some of it is country specific, but then i'd love to hear some general practice stuff, not specific to any EU country.

Thank you.

Answer:
 It's not illegal to inform someone they are dating a cheater Answer #2: This guy once had 27 friends? Now he has how many?

Seriously, from the sound of it, if he remains bent on discovering who outed him, it will more likely be by process of elimination and social engineering than by digital tracking.

My suggestion would be to sever ties with both him and his lady fiend. If you were alleged or even suspected to have a thing for her, your profile as a suspect would rise. Do you need the drama in your life?


Title: Tenants in default (unpaid rent) Smyrna, Georgia, would like to change the terms of their lease

Question: My tenants, here in Smyrna Georgia, are consistently late with rent. This month they haven't paid yet and so I would like to take this opportunity to change the terms of their lease, specifically the move out date/termination date from November 2017 to May 2017. I am also going to ask that they maintain upkeep of the yard. I know that I need to send them a notice of pay or quit, but is there anything else I need to do? What I don't want to do is have 2 leases, their old one and a new one that they can claim is still valid. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Answer:
 you can ask them to sign a new lease and write in the lease that it supersedes and terminates the prior lease.  but you'll have to induce them to sign. probably with cash. plus you'll have to induce them to do the yard work not currently required.

so you'll be paying them or forgiving the rent arrears in exchange for these new conditions.

and they won't do the yard work and they'll continue to be late. so you'll be paying them for nothing. and terminating on the basis of them failing to do the yard work is no better  than terminating for non payment/chronic lateness now.


Title: Apartment wanting to collectively charge everyone for a few peoples irresponsibility.

Question:
First time poster here so forgive me if this submission is not done correctly, but I could use your advice. I found this letter on my door last night and it just seems a bit... fucky. http://imgur.com/gafWIwn

I've never once left trash in the hallways and like hell I'm going to pay for others inability to pick up after themselves. I live in Kansas if that helps with the advice that may be given.

Thanks in advance everyone.

Answer:
 Send the landlord a polite letter that you are willing and able to pay any fees associated with renting your space but will not pay any fees beyond those charges.  The breezeways are a shared space and the landlord bears the responsibility for maintaining those areas.

If the landlord attempts to charge you any fees not authorized by the lease you will not pay them and any attempts to collect by the landlord could result in an illegal eviction.Answer #2: Do you own or rent? Is this fee included in your lease or condo/home owner documents?

Answer #3: They're just trying to scare whoever is leaving trash around into cleaning up after themselves. I would just ignore this unless you actually get presented with a fee/bill.


Title: Employer making me change my incident report

Question:
A few days ago, a customer at the store I work at tripped over a floor mat that was curling up, and had to be taken away in an ambulance. Since I was the only one who was around at the time of the fall, my boss told me I had to fill out an incident report. I filled it out basically saying the woman was walking and tripped over the mat that was curling off the floor. Earlier today my boss asked me to fill one out again, this time not mentioning anything about the mat. I imagine they're trying not to get sued or something. My question is, should I change it? I've had pretty bad luck with jobs in recent years, and so far this one has been good to me, so i don't want to have any problems. I also don't want to find myself in some kind of legal trouble for changing my report.
Topic:
Employment Law

Answer: Did you personally witness the mat curled?  If not, then update your report.  If so, let them know that you would prefer not to falsify a report.


Title: Got involved in online crime, unsure as to what to do next

Question: My brother, (17M) has been using the deep web to commit credit card fraud and buy drugs. He has been doing this for around 2 years and estimates around 15k profit from the fraudulent charges he has been making. I am very concerned about him and am unsure as to what to do next. He is worried he was "sloppy" and is now paranoid about being caught and contemplating turning himself in to reduce his sentence. Obviously before anything he should get a lawyer involved through my parents, although they are completely unaware that he has gotten himself back into said activity as when they knew in the past they took action and sent him to a treatment program. What should he do from here? Just wait it out and see if he gets arrested or is turning himself in a good idea? Clearly he's very worried about getting arrested.

Answer: No, he shouldn't turn himself in first. He should stop whatever he's doing and wait to see if he gets arrested.Answer #2: Location matters. He should tell your parents what’s going on, and they should shop criminal defense attorneys. Assuming this is in the US, he should not contact the police. If they want to talk his answer should be no. If he’s arrested he should make no statements, and ask for his attorney. Obviously he should stop defrauding people.


Title: A webcam model using the popular 'buzzmode' feature ends up having an orgasm which triggers a heart attack and dies. Who could the family sue and be most likely to win?

Answer: The family cat, because there would be no case here.


Title: While a rape is still being investigated can the person who was raped talk details about the crime?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Absent a court order to the contrary(very rare), you can talk about whatever you want.

It would not be smart to do so though.


Title: Why does a company state "this call is being recorded", but if I tell them I am recording they refuse to speak to me?

Answer: Companies are required to disclose the fact that they are recording you due to a variety of federal and state eavesdropping laws that prohibit the recording of calls without disclosing it to the other party to the call.  The reason they refuse to speak to you when you say you're recording the call is because you're likely dealing with customer service representatives who are hourly employees with no instructions on what to do when told the other caller is recording the call. They don't want to do agree to something like that without express authority from their employer and potentially jeopardize their jobs.    Answer #2: because they dont want you recording them. That seems pretty obvious.


Title: [Oregon]Client was satisfied with my work, sent me written approval and payment, but now wants a refund over half a year later

Question:
In November 2015, I was hired to take photos of a property in Corvallis that a man had purchased and he paid me a few hundred dollars to get it done. He emailed me a map which I followed. The property was unmarked. Inexperienced me did not have a contact, which I have since learned from.

After I took the photos and sent them to him, he was extremely satisfied with them and sent me the payment.

Now, in July 2016, he sends me an email requesting a refund for the entire sum he paid me and informed me that I took photographs of the wrong site. Several months after the fact, he chose to let me know.
What do I do in this sort of situation?

He does not live in my state (he lives in Colorado). However, his parents do live in my state and have seen the land themselves to be able to verify my photographs. He also acknowledged in an additional email in January that it is indeed his land.

The land is his own and he plans to build himself a house there.

I have found text messages he sent me in my old phone approving of my photographs and him verifying that he sent me payment after he gave approval. I have saved the screenshots.

It was more of a verbal agreement and there was not a formal contract, but I do have records of our correspondence regarding his approval of my photographs and his payment to me. The initial agreement was made over the phone.

Is there anything he can do legally to hurt me?

Answer:
 Do you still have the map?  Was the property unmarked on the map?Answer #2: Archive and save the verifications and approval from the client. Make notes so you can remember the timeline. Ignore this client and don't worry. Answer #3: At this point it sounds more like a customer service issue. The law appears to be on your side from what you have written. The question is more how much do you care about this particular client and what damage could he do if he decided to make trouble for you.

You might want to respond by providing him with the information you have given here, explain that you're sorry he has since decided he is unhappy with the work done, and see if you can come to an amicable agreement on the outcome. Reminding him that he did approve the work at the time and that you certainly would have recitified the issue at the time had he let you know then makes you the reasonable person. Asking him what agreement you can come to for the sake of customer service also makes you the good guy. If returning the money is out of the question, just let him know what you would be willing to do (if anything) and go from there. Be nice at all times and let him be the jerk. Helps your case in the public eye which is often more important than the facts at law when it comes to customer matters.


Title: [OH] Can a homeowners association restrict on street parking?

Question:
This is a situation that I have never heard of before and I just wanted someone else to weigh in on it.
The title pretty much sums it up.
There is a "one man" HOA that has posted signs in a small neighborhood of town homes which states that parking on the street will result in the vehicle being towed away.

This includes tenants who reside in the town homes.
From what I can tell, the neighborhood is fully developed and most of the property owners rent the units out to tenants. It looks (for all intents and purposes) like any other neighborhood.
So that is the question in left with, can an HOA really enforce a no street parking restriction?

Answer:
 Is this really an HOA or just some guy who claims he is? Answer #2: Also you should double check and make sure it's not infact general town ordinances about parking.

I know a few residential streets near me where street parking is always illegal because of how narrow it is.Answer #3: Do you own?  What does your Title say?  If you are part of an HOA it will say there.  If your property isn't part of an HOA then he shouldn't have any authority over you.  This doesn't necessariy mean he won't be able to tow you, but it does mean you will thrash him in court when you sue him for the towing and impound fees.

You could also ask the city if your street is a public street or not.  Just because it connects to a public street doesn't mean your street is.  Get clarification from the appropriate city department.  Probably planning and zoning but if not they'll be able to point you in the roght direction.Answer #4: Is it a public street?


Title: [GA] Legality of nanny cam in a nursing home/hospice

Question:
My FIL is currently in hospice, and has been for some time. He has dementia and parkinsons but has some days of lucidity but there are always periods of the day in which he is somewhat lucid, albeit slightly confused.

There have multiple occasions of as needed meds and scheduled meds not being given because of poor excuses. His respiration were too slow (10/min), he was too unresponsive, etc. We know this. He's dying. He still needs his meds, to prevent the tremors and pain. Its hospice, not palliative care. Also, there was a 7 hour period in which a family member sat in the room and not only did a nurse never put her head in the room, he did not get any meds. Two days ago, they lied about giving him a bath. He was wearing the same shirt from the day before, and we collect and wash his clothes.

The actual question is, I've set up the Alfred app, which allows live streaming and recording. I've turned off the sound feature and plopped it into a plant. Before I leave today, could someone tell me the legality of this? The only one who will have access to the stream is MIL who is POA

Thanks in advance.

Answer:
 A camera in a room that shows any nudity/clothes changing is a big no-no. Also most medical facilities have rules about video taping for not just staff privacy but also privacy of other patients. If your family member is in a hospice facility and your camera captures other patients wandering in/outside of the door that is a huge HIPAA violation.

For 700$/day you should consider a private care nurse or an aide to be with your loved one 24/7 if you do not trust the care of the hospice facility.Answer #2: Georgia is a one-party consent state when it come to audio recordings -- it sounds as if the video surveillance laws are murky. However, if your father in law has dementia, he can't consent.

Rather than making recordings, why don't you address this in a straightforward manner with the hospice or make arrangements to have him moved.Answer #3: (Less legal advice, more medical options; IANAL but I work at a hospital)

OP, the hospice facility may have a patient care advocate or ombudsman. They'd be a good person to talk to. It might also be useful to discuss their plan of care with the case manager, and see if they have any suggestions for dealing with deviations from plan of care. Best of luck.


Title: Question about late arriving ballots in Pennsylvania

Question:
I celebrated yesterday and I'm not really concerned about litigation attempts. But this is very interesting to me conceptually.

Is there any chance that late arriving ballots get retroactively disqualified in Pennsylvania? Unless I'm mistaken, the only legal victory for the Trump camp so far has been their motion to segregate those ballots.

Personally I would find it absurd for them to do so. But this is an unprecedented situation and I don't know election law. AFAIK the constitution says the election takes place on one day. Any chance a conservative supermajority court interprets that to mean late arriving ballots shouldn't be counted? Could those voters impacted somehow sue to have their ballots counted? I'm mostly just curious about how all of this works

Answer:
 I live in WA state which has voted 100% by mail for years.

Ballots here have always been accepted as long as they are post marked on Election Day, no matter when they actually arrive. It has never been a legal issue here.Answer #2: On a related topic, when I did early voting the week before the election, they were doing same day registration at the polls. My state (TX) has a registration deadline that was passed by almost a month. I’m curious why the deadline was ignored (although I’m betting it had to do with covid) and if those ballots were considered valid? I’m also so glad I was already registered and had the registration card with me since the massive line was for same day and I was in and out in ten minutes. I’m genuinely curious about the registration. The results are what they are. Regardless of who won, someone is going to be pissy.Answer #3: There is nothing wrong with a state accepting ballots which arrive after election day, as long as they are postmarked by election day. Plenty of states do that, and since the Constitution explicitly says that each state's legislature shall decide how to conduct elections.

The legal argument re PA is that the deadline was extended by the PA Supreme Court (relying on the state constitution), not by the PA legislature, which some say violates the Constitution.  If the Supreme Court agrees, those late-arriving votes will not be counted.  However, Biden has apparently won PA even without those votes.


Title: DWI, blood results under legal limit (TX)

Question:
I was charged with DWI over a year ago in Austin TX. Blew .09 on field breathalyzer. Got booked and got a blood test. Recently I got the results of blood results, .07 (legal limit is .08) and negative results for any other drugs in my system. I’ve reviewed the police dash cam footage of my field sobriety test; my attorney says it looks very good. I was very cooperative throughout my arrest and my arresting officer even made a note in the arrest report that I was exceptionally respectful and my behavior should be considered during sentencing.

The state prosecutor hasn’t filed the case because of the relatively weak case against me. My lawyer is pressing the prosecutor to either dismiss the case or file it for trial. I believe my lawyer is implicitly telling the prosecutor the case is weak, but I don’t want this to go to trial and cost me more money in legal costs. Is my lawyer doing the right thing?

If my blood results came back over .08 I believe we would have asked the prosecutor for deferred prosecution contingent on my completion of education courses, community service etc. I don’t know if this is still an option.

Apologies if I’m using any incorrect terminology. Thank you for reading. I appreciate any opinions from anyone with relevant experience.

Answer: Your blood alcohol levels would have been proof, but technically you can be convicted on the officer’s testimony alone. This is why your attorney is doing what he is doing. You need to be patient and let your attorney handle this for you- and it sounds like he is. You may still end up with deferred prosecution.


Title: Can US State "A" legally prohibit residents of US State "B" from entering State "A"?

Question:
Lets say the state legislature passes a law and the governor signs. The law states that residents of State B are not allowed in State A. This will be enforced through checkpoints at every major entrance to the state and checks at airports in State A that would not allow those determined to be residents of State B from leaving the airport (like a Tom Hanks situation). Determination of State B residency would be evaluated through things like State ID's and Vehicle Registrations.

It is not a closing-the-border/seceding situation, all other people will be able to come and go normally. Only those from State B are affected.

Any ideas on the legality of this scenario?

Answer:
 Sure - it's fairly well established that the US recognizes a right to travel, and that states may not impair that right. The specific legal basis is quite broad, but includes constitutional rights, including the privileges and immunities clause of the constitution. A blanket "no entry" law prohibiting Texans from visiting Washington would almost certainly be struck if challenged in court.

Narrower laws - such as laws requiring quarantine - are more sensitive, as regulations on _how_ people travel are sometimes lawful. Such laws would have to pass constitutional scrutiny.Answer #2: No. People traveling between states is commerce travel itself. One of the arguments in the first NYSRPA case was that people couldn't take their licensed and registered guns outside the city to go to ranges in other states.


Title: (MI) With joint legal custody, can the custodial parent have complete control over parenting time?

Question:
My husband has joint legal custody of his son. The mother is the custodial parent with full physical custody. They have never been married. In the 8 years they've had their son, they've stayed out of court, meaning a custody schedule has never been filed, and meaning that we've never had a lawye break down line by line the exact permissions that each parent truly has within their legal scope.

For the most part, we've always been able to compromise on a schedule, but recently - for reasons we haven't quite pinpointed, whether it be jealousy over finding out about my recent pregnancy, another episode where the son dropped an unfair "I hate you" bomb to her, or what - but  3 days before the new school year she has sent us an email completely changing the time my husband would see him: from every day for a few hours with one overnight (email correspondence confirms this agreed upon schedule, but it has never been filed) to one day a week for only 3 hours, with the occasional overnight on Saturdays.

My husband has contested this, but she states that because she has full physical custody, she has full control of the parenting time schedule, and that while he can attempt to contest it at FoC, in the meanwhile anything she says goes.

Is this true? I thought that with joint legal custody you must make all decisions together, regardless of where the child lives primarily?

Answer:
 > they've stayed out of court, meaning a custody schedule has never been filed

That means that there is no legally enforceable schedule that exists.  If she suddenly decides that he doesn't get to see the kid, that's fine.  If he decides she doesn't, that's fine too.

If your husband and his ex can't figure it out on their own, then they need to go to court.Answer #2: There are no court orders so she can change whatever she wants. She can remove all visits if she wants.

Go to court


Title: [Nevada] Landlord had their attorney send me a cease and desist for talking to the press about rent increase

Question:
My landlord is raising my rent 44%, in our state there is no regulation to prevent them from doing so. Since I got the new lease agreement I have been very active in talking with my elected representatives and local media outlets. Today a news crew came to interview me about it and ran a story on it. After the landlord found out they had their attorney send both the news organization and me a cease and desist letter, saying that if I continue to do what I'm doing they will take legal action against me.

I had sent the landlord a heated email a few days ago letting them know I think that this rent increase is unethical and that they are in my opinion ruining our community. My landlord also serves on the board of a local non-profit where part of their stated mission objective is addressing affordable housing, so I sent that organization a letter letting them know I think her actions are not in line with their values, and suggested she should be removed from her position.

I was under the impression that my actions were covered under free speech and that I have a right to voice my opinions and talk to whoever I want about whatever I want. But in this letter they call my actions unlawful.

My question is, 1) What should I do with this letter, ignore it or respond to it? 2) Have I broken any laws by communicating my frustrations to local officials, the media, or the non profit? 3) What kind of legal action can they take against me?
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer:
 Free speech applies to the government's inability to regulate what you say; it doesn't generally apply to private entities.

That said, I'm not seeing offhand what legal action they could take for making truthful statements concerning the landlord's actions. If you were telling falsehoods or making stuff up, that could fall under slander or defamation, but it's not illegal to tell the truth or to express an opinion. Also, Nevada has an anti-SLAPP law on the books concerning your right to petition your elected representatives, and your landlord does ***not*** have the legal right to stop you from communicating with or petitioning the government.

At this point, I'd ignore the letter and keep on communicating with local officials. If you are actually sued, you need to hire a lawyer, but your version of events does not seem to make a lawsuit likely.Answer #2: What, no mention that Nevada has a SLAPP statute like California's?

You're communicating, to the public, about an issue of public interest.

If you actually get sued your landlord is going to have to pay your legal fees.Answer #3: Sounds like they are trying to equate your opinion as a fact. Not sure that would fly for them. Do some research and see what other areas similar to yours seem suitable for rent increase.Answer #4: If they are factual and your opinion then I don’t see the issue.Answer #5: Contact the lawyer's office listed on the C&D to see if they did actually issue it.


Title: Blog is copying my work

Question:
Hi this is my first time asking a question here.

So part of my job at work is to write blogs for the company blog. A few weeks ago I noticed that another blog (for a company that offers services almost identical to the services my company offers) is copying my work. Sometimes, they'll change the first paragraph or a few words in the blog, but most of what they publish is copied word for word from my own writing.

I recognize that because it's completed for the company I work for, my company legally owns the intellectual property rights. All I know is that my company sent their company a cease and desist letter, but they're still copying my work. My coworker (who is kind of my manager) told me that he stopped caring because no one else at my company seems to care. He also said that the other blog is only "paraphrasing" my writing, which is something I don't agree with. They're still copying what I write but they change a few sentences or words so it doesn't look like the entire thing is copied.

It's really bothering me. I know my coworker doesn't care but I work hard and it annoys me that someone else is taking my writing and research and claiming it as their own. Is there anything I can do? Or do I just have to get over it considering the fact that my company owns the rights to my work?

Answer:
 >Or do I just have to get over it considering the fact that my company owns the rights to my work?

Yup. Even if there is infringement, your company can choose not to enforce their copyright. That decision rests solely with them. Further, damages are likely to be minimal.


Title: Insurance won’t fix my sunroof after an accident

Question:
So I was in a car crash a month ago (other driver was at fault) and my car was repaired. When I got it back I could hear that the sun roof sounded as if it was open a crack (I checked and it was not) and I could feel air coming in. I was hit head on and my roof was damaged from the impact. I called my insurance agency to tell them my car was not fixed. They tried talking their way out of it, saying the car must have had prior damage (I got this car brand new less then a year ago and it’s been regularly serviced form tayota and it was in perfect condition).  this weekend I was driving on the highway going 65 and my whole sunroof (glass and sliding interior door) was ripped out of my car and flew into the highway almost causing the man behind me to crash!! It was clear there must have been a crack or imperfection from the “repair” cause an air tunnel at highspeeds resulting in my sunroof collapsing. Anyway my insurance agency keeps saying they have never heard of anything like this/ trying to place Blame on me and my family but what’s frustrating is the car was perfect before this guy hit me! I’m so annoyed I feel that my insurance agency is failing me and I’m left with a car that has a massive hole in the roof! What are my options here?
Topic:
Traffic and Parking

Answer: Seems like the responsible party might be the mechanic, not the insurance.


Title: Recently let go from work. First time it's happened, and I'm not exactly sure what my rights are moving forward. [Pennsylvania]

Question:
Hello, reddit.

So, I worked at a small company and I'm fairly certain one of the big bosses didn't like me. He had always been a bit hostile though I assumed it was his personality at the time. A month or two back, I was pulled in for a "performance review" where they said that I wasn't doing as well as they wanted. None of this had ever been mentioned to me before this point. In the review they said that I both needed to ask more questions, and be more independent, as well as work more regular hours. The strange hours were for a short period when, due to a broken ankle, I needed to get a ride into work instead of driving myself.

Regardless, I worked on the issues laid forth, and during my last one on one with my manager, he told me that I was doing much better, and that I had been taking care of a lot of things we talked about.

Then, less than a month later, I got pulled into the side office and told that I was being let go for not performing to their standards. Keep in mind, this is literally the second time they have even mentioned that there was an issue at all. With absolutely no feedback other than to tell me that I had been doing much better.

They gave me a document to sign for my severance package that would give me 3 weeks pay in return for not suing them. I do not have any documentation on the 'why' of why I was let go. This includes documents on benefits, COBRA, left over vacation time, etc. I cannot access any of my benefits information myself, as I was locked out of my email as soon as I left.

I have not signed the severance agreement yet. And I'm wondering what my next options are. I want to know if I have grounds to file for unemployment, as my reasons for being let go were not consistent or well defined. And I was given no indication that there was an issue beyond that one meeting. In fact, it was directed the opposite; that those things were all improving.

I also need to know if signing the severance agreement would bar me from applying for unemployment. It seems like the document is only talking about forfeiting the right to sue them. Though one clause where they mention that this agreement would be a "final settlement of accounts between the parties" and that the company "will have no further obligations" has me worried that it would effect unemployment options.

I mostly want to know what my options are for the next steps, and if I need to seek out a consultation or more from a lawyer (and, if so, what type of lawyer I should be looking for). I'd also like to know if there was a different reason they chose to let me go, if they would have to tell me that (I did not receive a letter of dismissal or anything explaining the situation. The only paperwork I received was the severance agreement).

 I live in Pennsylvania, about 45 minutes West of Philly. If there are any more questions I can answer or information I can provide, I would be happy to do so.

Answer:
 PA is an employment at will state; they don't need a reason to fire you. They can fire you for just about any reason aside from a few very specific exceptions (such as your status in a protected class), none of which appear to apply here.

>I want to know if I have grounds to file for unemployment

Yes, you can file for unemployment. They may appeal, and you can counter their appeal.

>It seems like the document is only talking about forfeiting the right to sue them.

>if I need to seek out a consultation or more from a lawyer

What legal issue do you think you might have here? From what you've described, they haven't done anything illegal.


Title: In possession of girlfriends EBT Card.

Question: Salt Lake City, Utah. My girlfriend had left her ebt(food stamps) card in my car. When I noticed, I put it in my pocket to remember to give it back to her. While still in possession of the card I was stopped and searched by police. They charged me with unlawful acquisition, possession, or transfer of card. My girlfriend and I live together and buy groceries together. Should I be worried about this charge or will it be dropped when we explain the situation? I have been stressing out because it is an F3 felony and I don’t love the idea of becoming a felon because I had my girlfriends EBT card.  Thanks in advance for the advice!

Answer:
 >Should I be worried about this charge or will it be dropped when we explain the situation?

You should be worried about this charge *and* you should talk to your lawyer about whether or not it may be explained away.

>because it is an F3 felony

Right.  Don't talk to the police or try to explain this away except upon the advice of your attorney.


Title: My stolen sax came back to me after a few years, but my parents took an insurance payout (CA/CT), can I ever insure this instrument against future theft?

Question:
Throwaway for, uh, reasons.

&#x200B;

I had all my instruments jacked out of my practice space 4 years back while I was in college. Filed the police report, listed the SN#s with every shop in town, the whole deal. My parents were able to make a claim with their homeowner's policy since these horns used to be my father's. I was in school for music, and it's kind of hard to complete my degree with my tools stolen. We used half of the money for a new saxophone for me, the rest my parents pocketed.

&#x200B;

Two of them were found in a pawn shop and I had to buy them back at cost (the local very corrupt police department would have been useless to recover the instruments). We gave the insurance company back the money that those two horns were valued at. One horn, a valuable vintage saxophone, was still missing. It was valued at nearly $10k. My parents live in CT and their homeowner's insurance is out of CT.

&#x200B;

4 years later, I get a call from a local repair guy saying he found my horn. He bought it off "some kids for a few hundred bucks", asks me to pay to get it back. I paid him said "few hundred bucks" for my horn and now I have it. The thing is busted AF. The horn in its current state is no longer worth \~$10k it had been insured for. It is significantly damaged, and possibly FUBAR. My parents know I bought the horn back (they helped me with the money), but won't tell me whether or not they paid the insurance company back after we recovered it.

&#x200B;

I'm not sure if my horn is still technically "stolen property" even though I'm the original owner. I obviously don't have $10k, the horn is also in very poor condition. I work in music ed. in the Bay Area, so I can't say I'll ever have 10k in liquidity between rent prices, and student debt.

1. Is this going to bite me in the ass? (In the event that they didn't pay the insurance company back the $$$$.)
2. I'm saving up to have it repaired and looking into insuring all of my instruments and audio gear. Can I insure my instrument?
3. If I went to insure this instrument would my parents' insurance company try to reclaim my horn?
4. Does that insurance company have any ground to claim my horn?
5. Is there a statute of limitations on this kind of thing?
Topic:
Insurance

Answer:
 The instrument now belongs to your insurance company. You need to turn it over to them, if they want it.Answer #2: Unless your parents repaid the insurance company, the company owns the horn now. They paid your parents for it, they own it and they may try to reclaim it now or at pretty much any time in future if/when they learn about it. The safest thing to do is to get in touch with that insurance company and explain the circumstances. They may be willing to sell it back to you for its current value as a FUBAR sax, and then you can insure it, repair it, whatever. (If your parents did in fact repay the insurance company, then it currently belongs to your parents, and what happens now is between you and them. If they own it, they can sell it to you and you can insure it.)

In many jurisdictions, the statute of limitations on filing a suit for recovery does not begin to run until the lawful owner (Insurance Co.) discovers the identity of the person holding their property.


Title: My Mortgage company has not paid my insurance company my homeowners insurance.

Question:
Ill keep this simple.

My Mortgage company has been late and neglectful in paying my home owners insurance bill to the insurance company, and if they continue to fail in this, I am curious what my legal options might be.

I purchased a house a year ago, and everything has been great so far.

I noticed a letter from the insurance company about two weeks ago that said they had not received their homeowners insurance payment, that it was late, and that they were going to cut it off if they didn't receive the payment, by this Thursday. I contacted the mortgage company and they would take care of it. I received a voicemail from my insurer that they had still not received payment, and that I would be cut off this Thursday (2 days from now) if they didn't have the check in hand on Thursday.

I just got off the phone with the mortgage company again, and they assured me they would take care of it, deliver the check, all of that. I expressed my concern and asked for a confirmation that it was paid. I'm still concerned needless to say.

I don't have the fine print in front of me, but it was my understanding that the mortgage company would pay them from my escrow account, so essentially I've already paid for this. I'm not happy for obvious reasons. My mortgage payments have been PERFECT to them.

&#x200B;

My first question is, is there anything I should do other than informing them that this was absolutely unacfuckingceptable politely and professionally through the proper channels.

And the second is, if they drop the ball on me, don't pay it in time, and I loose my insurance, of course it depends on the fine print but assuming it is their responsibility to pay, is there any legal repercussions for them, and/or whistleblowing.

I'm not a rash person, I don't yell or loose my cool, but if they don't pay I will be more than pissed, and I want to make sure I'm somehow vindicated for this stress and lack of professionalism, So, legal folk, what would you recommend?

Answer:
 Your best recourse is to pay your insurance and taxes yourself and ask for the reimbursement from your escrow.Answer #2: I agree you should just pay your insurance so it doesn't get cut off.

Then contact your state's attorney general and file a complaint about the way your mortgage company is handling their responsibilities.  You can usually do this online.

In the complaint, state the problem and dates and times you contact the mortgage company to resolve the problem and provide any proof you have that your insurance company has contacted you about the late payment.

Also ask to be relieved from the obligation of letting your mortgage company escrow your taxes and insurance so you can just pay them yourself.  Most lenders will require you let them escrow taxes and insurance and some will allow you out of that requirement for a fee, usually, $300-$500.  State that you don't want to pay the fee in your complaint.

My mortgage lender paid someone else's taxes with my tax escrow.  After 18 months of trying to get my money back, I made a complaint and had my money back in two weeks and was allowed to pay my own insurance and taxes with no fee.

I believe it happened so fast because complaints to the state are communicated to the lender's legal department and they get more attention that you will just calling and trying to go up the chain of command.

Don't let your homeowner's insurance lapse.  That can make it impossible for you to insure the house.  Insurance companies don't mess around when it comes to assessing what kind of risk you are to insure and this includes paying your bill on time.


Title: Current divorce--wife asking for potential adultery exemption.

Question:
South Carolina

Throwaway (although I have a feeling I'll be back)

One of the sticking points in my current dumpster fire of a divorce is that when my wife left me and I went to see her to ask why, I found her hanging out with another guy who I've never seen before...who saw me and ran off. She insisted that this was not a guy she was cheating on me with, although the way they were acting and the way she was dressed/made up didn't do anything to assuage my suspicions.

Aside from this being a big deal for making my heart want to implode, it also had a potentially disastrous implications for her. In my state, adultery by one party pretty much guarantees that the other one is going to get steamrolled in a divorce ruling--especially if they don't have kids (we don't). Also, my state has no legal separation period. You must live apart for a year, but you are still considered married until the divorce is officially finalized (yes, this is in the Bible belt).

During our divorce proceedings, which have become very contentious, my wife and her lawyer have so far refused to acknowledge or respond to any references about him or our encounter. I hired a private eye, but they did not observe her doing anything untoward.

Flash forward a few months--we receive a temporary order for the separation period, which both of our lawyers have an opportunity to read and suggest changes. Her lawyer comes back with a portion that reads as follows:

>...that a mutual restraining order shall be issued restraining the Parties from any control, restraint, harassment, or interference, directly or indirectly, from the other personally and as to their respective activities, **including, but not limited to, social activities, as fully as if they were unmarried.**

Is this my wife and her lawyer's way of creating a loophole so that she can date and/or see her maybe-boyfriend again? My lawyer insists that it's not, but it definitely sounds that way to me.

Answer:
 Yes, that's what they're doing. Don't accept that and/or challenge it any way possible.Answer #2: Trust your lawyer over Reddit for interpretations of a contract and South Carolina law. And think about what you're fighting for, and what you're willing to pay for it.Answer #3: This is a commonly included clause in separation agreements in my area. IANAL, but I have seen that exact phrase in separation paperwork, and know many whose agreements include it. It IS a pass for adultery during separation, imo, but it is how separations are often played out.

That does not mean you have to agree to it.

Edit: Grammar, yo.
Edit: ClarificationAnswer #4: Well maybe it's because you hired a PI to follow her?Answer #5: I would think "social activities" would not include actual adultery, which is a private activity.  I don't think being in social situations with another man would be construed as adultery, however appropriate or inappropriate one would deem them to be.

Absolutely bring the issue up with your lawyer, though, and inquire about why they think adultery would not be included.  Perhaps a simple explanation from your lawyer would help you understand why that language is appropriate or inappropriate.


Title: Am I protected against retaliation from my gym by bringing up a safety concern?

Question:
A couple of months ago, I got into a shouting match with a personal trainer at my gym.  I had permission from management to use a back room with extra equipment, but the trainer disagreed, threatened me physically, shouted a number of invectives, and then ultimately slammed the door to the fitness room (tearing a sign from the wall) promptly locking it thereafter.  I brought the violent encounter to the attention of management, but they claimed it was a case of he said he said, and no action would be taken.

Fast forward a couple of weeks, and the same trainer has made a number of attempts to intimidate me while I've been at the gym.  Most recently, he intentionally stepped into my path, obstructing my movement as I walked to the locker room.  I emailed management letting them know that this was unacceptable behavior and that they should take action.  I also noted that I had been documenting these instances with the intent of taking legal action if the employee's behavior was not addressed.  Within hours, I received an email notice that my membership had been canceled.  I called to speak with the manager, who admitted that it was because of my email, but claimed he was not retaliating against me.  Rather, he was simply trying to make sure I would be happy.  I stated that I'd be happy to keep my membership (my wife really loves the gym's classes), but simply wanted to avoid harassment.

Thus, my question is, is the gym in their legal right to cancel my membership in retaliation for my bringing this safety issue to their attention?  Are there any simple legal channels I can pursue to get my membership reinstated, or in the least get the gym to refund my membership fee?  I'm finishing my PhD in just a couple of weeks, and the last thing I want to do is spend time meeting with a lawyer.  So any help would be much appreciated.  Thanks in advance for your help.

Answer:
 You're living the dream, you got out of a gym membership, and you're complaining?Answer #2: Yes, they are likely within their rights to cancel your membership. Check your contract. Depending on how long you've been a member or how much you paid to join, you might have some luck getting a portion of your money back. Assuming you pay monthly dues in advance, I'd at least demand a prorated refund for the remainder of the month.

You threatened legal action before checking to see if you had any basis for a claim. That's a pretty good way to get banned from any establishment - they'd be foolish to let you keep coming back just so things could escalate and increase their liability. Vote with your wallet, join a different gym.


Title: Parents co-signed for a private student loan, their bankruptcy caused an automatic default (AZ)

Question: Girlfriend, 31, was re-paying private students loans when parents filed for bankruptcy (co-signers, 2 years ago). She got a letter saying the loan was now in automatic default. She called to ask about a re-payment plan, they won't offer one. She received a summons along with the parents today. Any advice?

Answer:
 Hello, I practice bankruptcy law and see ipso facto clauses all the time.

Lenders will always put this in their contracts, however they are not enforceable under the bankruptcy code. I believe AZ is in the 9th Circuit, and the 9th Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel and the 9th Circuit Courts of Appeal has released many opinions regarding the unenforceability of ipso facto clauses.

You can read more here regarding the controlling provisions of the code. You may want to get a lawyer and talk to your lenders or get a court order in your GF parent's bankruptcy to declare that the loans are not in default.

http://bankruptcy.cooley.com/2007/09/articles/business-bankruptcy-issues/are-termination-on-bankruptcy-contract-clauses-enforceable/


Title: [NJ] My SO's family lives in a low income part of Elizabeth. Every weekend the neighbors behind her will throw very loud parties past 2 A.M. and no matter how often we call the police for noise complaints, nothing is ever done about it. What other actions can we take to make this stop?

Answer:
 If the police are not responding to valid complaints, you can try to escalate.  For instance, call or write the Chief (politely -- more flies with honey and all that).  Or contact your city councilperson or local equivalent.  Or the mayor's office.

Your milage may vary.  But if you've tried everything else, reaching out to those sorts of people (civilly, don't let your frustration seep through or you risk coming off as a crank) is pretty much your only recourse.


Title: [CA] Ex wants to sue me over a gift.

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Contemplating giving something as a gift does not comprise the act of giving it.  You have possession of the car, and your name is on the title.  He has no case.

Of course, if you actually get served with an actual lawsuit, you should contact an attorney immediately.  But unless that happens, you can go about your life and not worry about this.


Title: My HOA management company told me I had to talk to there lawyer to pay HOA dues

Question: I was behind 5 months simple mistake bank error etc.. anyways they got a lawyer .So I was ready to pay but his assistant says you want to make a payment?I asked is it ok to make payments?She said she would ask the main lawyer .He gets back to me a week later and asks how much I tell him the amount and I dont hear back from him ...2 months later I get a bill from hoa $199 for talking with me (1 email) and 299 for looking over my chart or what ever and asking my hoa that they wanted to do(something he never actually did no hoa member ever got notified )Till last week when I asked what was going on(I never get a response from their lawyer)so recently I finally got an email from the lawyer saying they aproved it and saying that if I wanted to start that it would be an extra $299 for monitoring it(Hes definatly not qualified for).So this int my lawyer but my hoa is billing me for everytime i talk to him(They told me I have to talk to him).I had enough money to pay my hoa dues  but   now he has tacked on almost 1k extra.Do I have any options . Portland , OR   PORTLAND OREGON

Answer:
 I'm sorry, but that is very difficult to understand.

You need to famliarize yourself with the bylaws/contracts/etc. for your HOA.  It may be that they've built into the agreement that a member has to pay for their attorney's time whenever there is a dispute between a member and the HOA.


Title: A group of teenagers seeking to move out to live with their grandparents. How to go about this?

Question:
Hello, I'm a 16 y/o with 3 half-siblings that i've lived with all my life (I don't know my real father and have always seen them as my blood siblings) and we're seeking to move out of their fathers house and in with our grandparents as we are unhappy with our current situation. We live in Louisville, Ky.

Our father isn't the main issue here, while he is basically consumed 24/7 by his work, he loves us and does what he can for us, the issue is our step-mom and her children.

We live in a small, 3 bedroom house with a garage that we turned into 2 small bedrooms and there is 6 kids, soon to be 7 which is way too crowded.

My stepmom is the main issue as stated earlier. Simply put, shes a bitch and my siblings and I can no longer stand her after 4 years. My dad is also unhappy with her and they argue a lot, a couple months ago the police got involved and afterwards, she wasn't even supposed to live here till after the court made a decision on what happened but she has been staying here illegally since.  She frequently smokes weed, which is illegal here, and is basically permanently angry. She throws constant verbal abuse at my siblings and I and will get mad over every little thing, but treats her kids like angels. Shes very lazy, doesnt wake up till 3 pm some days and hoards most of the food in her closet, Ive basically only eaten ramen, peanut-butter sandwiches, and hot dogs for the past month as everything has gotten worse.

We are poor and can only really afford the bills and rent without much else.

My grandparents have already told me that they would let us move in, as they can tell that we are miserable there. They are also much better off financially.

The main problem is, we dont know what to do or who to talk too, Im not afraid of burning bridges with my dads side of the family  to leave this place if need be but Im pretty sure my dad would let us leave, im mainly worried about my stepmom getting upset and taking it to court. (Which we could win for the reasons stated above alone) We plan on talking to my grandparents tomorrow as my siblings and I all talked and decided that if we have to spend the summer here, let alone 2-6 years, well go crazy. What do we do? (Sorry for the clunky post)

Answer: If school is not out for the year talk to a counselor tomorrow. If it is, call CPS


Title: [VT] Caught texting while driving at 17, assessed massive fine and license suspended; how can I lessen suspension period?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 The court doesn't care about your social life. That's kind of the point, you're being punished. Also 25 miles isn't a "great distance." Your parents can work it out. You're also 17, and can have some say regarding who you stay with and for how long.

In the last state I worked in where I had minors negotiating tickets, the only time they made an exception was when the family was depending on money the minor made. And then the judge gave the okay to drive to work and back.

Other than that, it sounds like you were distracted by your phone. Maybe an attorney would help, if you want to go that route.


Title: My friend's daughter broke her tibia and now her daycare is telling her that she can't come to school while she's in a wheelchair. Can anyone help?

Question:
The daycare is a state funded facility in Volusia County, FL. My friend said that the reaction from the lady in the office was harsh, and she seemed very anxious in telling her that they couldn't accommodate her. Doesn't the Americans with Disabilities Act cover this?

We would be very thankful for any help drafting a letter to the school that makes official/legal claims instead of just arguing on principle.

Answer:
 Just so we're clear, is the daycare a private business or is it owned by the state?

Edit: Actually, it doesn't matter. Because of its temporary nature, a broken leg isn't a disability under the ADA. They're not required to make an accommodation for her. Sorry the news isn't better.


Title: (NJ) Won small claims case on security deposit. Defendant sending small monthly payment.

Question:
Wrote a letter "find 1st payment towards judgement #------"
and a check for $25.00

The award was well in the order of $1,800.00

Please let me know what I should do. This guy drives a Mercedes. He's not poor.

Answer:
 Sounds like someone has given him that old chestnut of bad advice, "As long as you're paying *something* they can't do anything."

They owe it all. Now. I'd send a demand for payment in full immediately, with a short time to pay (week? whatever you can get away with in your jurisdiction) and then execute the judgment against his car. Or his bank. Or his paycheck. Or, again, whatever you can in your jurisdiction.Answer #2: You have [some options](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/can-you-collect-judgment-29546.html). Was the $25 court-ordered? Edit: WRONG LINK BEFORE.


Title: (IL) Got in an accident last year, police and insurance ruled it was her fault, she is now taking me to small claims court in two weeks for $10,000

Question:
So last year I got  in a pretty bad car accident while driving somewhere at work. I was driving north on a one way, where I had no stop sign or stop light. I knew my turn was coming up and given I’d already missed a turn earlier which got me on this street, I looked down at my gps in the center consul for one second to then look up to my impending doom.

The other driver ran a stop sign going east (or did a rolling stop? Not totally sure, but at the time they had security footage. I have no idea whether the building would still have this. But I will say I don’t recall seeing her car there at all, leading me to believe she just blew it) and I side swiped her. She lied about what company she had in insurance with, which we didn’t find out til a month later. We thought she had none until Uber’s insurance called us about the accident. She was taken away in an ambulance but I don’t believe had any real injuries, and nor did I. Both our cars were totaled. The police ruled that it was her fault. I got my car paid off from the insurance money as well as around 1500 for pain and suffering from her insurance.

I quite frankly am confused why this is even happening. I was under the impression that they can’t sue you but have to sue your insurance. My guess is that she tried and failed and this is her last resort. Im pretty scared for a few reason. 1: I’d rather be paying student loans than this jerk that ran a stop sign. 2: me and my boyfriend have a joint checking account with around 10k in it that we’re using as a down payment to a house in literally 2 weeks. I’m nervous she’ll be able to get that money somehow? Don’t know if it would be wise to move it to just his account, as we paid into it fairly equally. Also don’t know if that’s a shady thing to do? Do you get a lawyer for small claims? How the heck is 10k considered small?!?!!? What are the chances she’s gonna win this? The police report just said I looked at my center consul, is that gonna screw me? I’m scared !!! Sorry for typos this is being written on a phone.

Answer:
 No, they have to sue YOU and then your insurance will pay out if they win.

Your insurance company should also provide you a lawyer.  Call them.


Title: (U.S., NE) Judge has set child support based on misinformation. Is there anything I (or my counsel) can do?

Question:
Posting on a throwaway. As in the title, I'm in the middle of a divorce. Our temporary hearing was at the beginning of March to set visitation /support. The judge took into account my current monthly wage from my day job, which is fine. However, he also factored in income from my business (which my counsel explained was closing by March 31st) and also did not give credit for expanded parenting time.
So as it stands now, my support payments are literally half my income. I net roughly 1600/month as my business is closed, and my payments are 803 for 2 kids.
My counsel requested a new hearing, and he has denied it barring extenuating circumstances. As a district judge, he's also set to rotate out of my district until Sept., and the next judge won't rule on anything she hasn't heard.

Is there anything i can do? Has my counsel overlooked anything? There's no way i can live on one paycheck every month while she is collecting buckets of money.

Answer:
 Why is your business closing if you were making money?Answer #2: If you have an attorney, listen to your attorney. They are more familiar with your case than we are. From briefly glancing at the Nebraska child support guidelines, judges are allowed to "impute" income to you even if you are not making the money.

Basically, the law allows the Judge to factor in money that could "reasonably be obtained" by the non-custodial parent.

You are going to have to most likely wait for a change in circumstances, and file for a modification of support. As for how likely you are to succeed? I do not practice in your state, not about to answer that.


Title: (CA) should I give more than 2 week notice?

Question: Have accepted a new job and wondering about pros and cons of giving my current employer 3 weeks notice rather than 2. It’s a small mom and pop company that I’ve been with for 8 years. For the last few years I’ve been running a department and currently no one on staff could effectively take over. Underpaid and straight up told I wasn’t “worth the last one” when I asked for a cost of living raise bump.  While I feel a bit like I’m screwing the company over since the new job is locked in. I’ve also not been fairly compensated and have been on the receiving end of sexual harassment there. Where the offender was only given a verbal warning. I’ve only stayed this long because I’m a single mother and liked the job security.  Thanks for your thoughts and insights,.. asking this had me finally create an account.

Answer:
 Keep in mind you may be dismissed immediately, whatever notice you give. Answer #2: Legally there’s no pros or cons. Giving notice is just a courtesy. Answer #3: > For the last few years I’ve been running a department and currently no one on staff could effectively take over.

Well, that's really not your problem, is it? Especially since you mention you were underpaid and the owners told you that you're not that great.

Two weeks' notice as a courtesy would be fine. You have no legal obligation to provide any notice, of course.


Title: Friend was hurt at our house and wants to sue landlord for pain and suffering

Question:
In August my roommate, wife and myself were having a party at our house. We did not inform the landlord about this and they found out about the events afterwords. We live in California.

We were around a raised fire pit and my roommate poured high proof liquor onto the fire. This caught himself and the friend that wants to sue on fire. Both spent 2 months in a burn center. Health insurance had covered all expenses, except deductibles. Our friend now wants to sue our landlord for "pain and suffering". He has said repeatedly that he does not want to pursue legal action against us. We have already contacted a couple attorneys and have ceased talking to him on their advice.

The real question is, does he have any chance of winning this "slip and fall" claim and if he does, can the insurance company/landlord cross claim. If that happens, we would have to sue our now current roommate since he was the one who caused the injuries.

Advice? Things I'm leaving out or not thinking of?

Answer:
 At the core of your question is *my* question, which is: What the hell did the landlord do wrong?Answer #2: He may not get to decide who gets sued here.  His insurance, which paid out for the hospital bills, can subrogate his claims and sue you, your roommate, the landlord, anyone.

Edited to add: If he had two months of hospital bills, I would be very very surprised if his insurance didn't come after anyone involved with either money or insurance.Answer #3: I don't see the landlord being liable at all. Answer #4: I'm confused: why is the friend trying to sue the landlord and not the roommate who was dumb enough to pour alcohol on an open flame?

The landlord wasn't the one who caused his injuries. The landlord wasn't present and was not involved at all, I'm presuming, with the event. He didn't even know about the party.


Title: My wife and I are separated due to an emotional possibly physical affair on her part. Recently she made a doctors appointment then called a local pharmacy...

Question: [deleted]

Answer: No.  You aren't entitled to her private medical information unless she wants to give it to you.


Title: Got a letter from MSB saying i owe the courts 520$ when i paid them last year. Is it a scam? It also says "MSB" accepts all major credit cards, western union, money gram and ace cash express. On the back it says delinquent fine. Witch i never got in trouble as a delinquent. I am 23 now is it scam?

Answer: Courts generally take most forms of currency but this sounds like a scam. If you are concerned call the courthouse and verify.


Title: [State of Kansas] 17 Year old dating a 20 year old, legal advice?

Question: [State of Kansas] totally hypothetical here, (since we don't want to risk this until we are sure of the boundaries legally) of the age of consent in the state of Kansas is 16, can a 17 year old (5 months shy of 18) engage in dating/sexual relations with a 20 year old? Or does the legality rest at 18 and up? We are reviewing the state legislature but are having a tough time finding the hard line. We don't want to run the risk of statutory rape charges.

Answer:
 In Kansas you are ok. Take a trip to California and it is rape.

Age of consent laws vary widely in the USA. Be careful.

It's only five months. Wait. The 20 year old is the adult here and should act accordingly. One slip up and it's the sex offender registry for life.


Title: Fixed a car for someone. Only charged them parts and they refuse to pay.

Question:
My exwifes now exgirlfriend had alternator go out on her car and when she went to pull over, hit a curb and bent a rim. I offered to fix the car for her and only charge for parts. Came up to only 125 bucks. During the repair they broke up and argued over the car. It's been in my driveway over 2 months now and the exgf is wanting the car and refusing to pay. She has the title to it.

What options do i have to get my money? I'm in georgia.

Answer:
 Take the parts off that you own then give the car back.Answer #2: You can file in small claims court. You don't have a right to keep her car.Answer #3: Here's what I would do.  Unlikely you'll get the $$ so you can do a couple of things.  You could have the car towed, and impounded.  She'd have to pay to get it out plus tow fees.  Not sure how that would go over.

2.  Pull the part out. Yes, I know it would be a pain to do so.  Plus, could you even return it at this point?

3.  Eat the loss, have her get the car and wash your hands of it.


Title: Doxxing

Question: I had made a post earlier about a woman calling on her fb group to make fake CPS reports against me. She is now currently doxxing me online. She has posted my address, my families addresses, my phone number, my employer and boss who she is encouraging people to call, and the CPS near me (she thinks) to try and get people to call. I have many screen shots AS WELL AS a YouTube video she made admitting it all. Do I have any legal ground to stand on? Fb gave her a 24 hour ban 🙄. It’s the weekend otherwise I would have called around to some local lawyers to get their take on this.

Answer:
 “Doxxing” is a violation of Reddit’s user policy. It’s not against the law.

Unless you convince the police it’s rising to a level of harassment, some listing truthful information online isn’t legally actionable; even if it’s information you preferred would be private. Not most of that information is available in a phone book anyway.


Title: Got Punched in the Face and filed a police report just asking what the next few steps would look like.(TX)

Question:
So I was at a music festival this weekend when some guy blind sided me and punched me on the jaw. He claimed i was "bumping" him and to watch what I was doing. I explained to him that hey this is a music festival, people are pushing to try to get in and get out. Then long story short he punched me breaking my permanent retainer on my bottom teeth and loosening two teeth as well. I found some cops at the festival and pointed him out. They got our informations and a police report was filed, I got a case number, and I was told that a detective would contact me in a couple of days to get my story.

Ive never been in a situation like this before. Can i press charges on him so he'll have to pay for my medical expenses and also to repair my retainer? Do i need a lawyer? Will there be criminal charges? I just would like to know what would be the best way to approach this situation. Thanks guys i would really appreciate the help.

Answer:
 This is a bit of a meta-comment, but I swear, this subreddit has more instances of people at bars / concerts / festivals simply minding their own business and being punched in the face than I'd have believed possible. This post is the second in the past 24 hours by my count.

I spent my 20s in bars, and managed to never get punched in the face once. Was I doing it wrong?