Title: [Dallas, TX] Father was rear-ended while driving a rented truck from his work that was not insured, dad was sued directly

Question:
My father was rear-ended on the highway in Dallas TX early last year, one of the owners of my dads previous employer had rented a truck in his name but did not buy insurance, instead the company owner put his own personal car insurance on the policy. When this happened my dad did not have a car so he did not have his own insurance policy.

My father was rear-ended by a person on the phone on the highway when he stopped to pay a toll (Rental car didn't have an EZTag), you would assume that the person rear-ending would be at fault but doesn't mean they can't sue.

There was no damage to either vehicle, damage is for pain and suffering and distress, but the lawsuit is for $350,000, police was called but no police report was filed on site since there was no damage to the cars, at a later time the other driver filed a police report at a police station without my fathers knowledge and is using that on the lawsuit.

The original lawsuit had my fathers name and the rental car company's name, for a while, the rental car company had their legal department handing the lawsuit but all the rental car company did was get the rental car company out of the lawsuit.

My fathers company (Who's owner was in the rental agreement) has done nothing about it, their name is not on the lawsuit, only my fathers name is on the lawsuit, and have distanced them self from the whole thing.

My father is 80 years old, he has since the accident retired from the company he was working for, my father is now showing subtle signs of dementia.

My mother also suffers from a disability.

My mom and dad are retired, they own their home but all their income is barely enough to cover their expenses, now my father is going to need to hire his own lawyer since his previous employer isn't paying for it.

My parents where supposed to moving to retire in Mexico, its a common place for American retirees to move to because of lower cost of living, but they are so stressed, not sure if they can put a lean on their house (Its homestead in Texas), but also if their plans are to sell the house and move, if they sell the house to buy one in Mexico, could this money be taken as part of the lawsuit, can their Social Security garnished?

I live in California, have never lived in Texas so I don't know what the rules are.

This is still an ongoing lawsuit, how is this type of frivolous lawsuit legal.

You would think that the lawyer suing my dad would want to go after his previous employer who's name was on the truck rental lease, he is a business owner and I would think insured, but instead the lawyer who is going after my father who is retired, has mild dementia and limited income.

How is it possible to file a lawsuit by the person who rear-ended you? and for $350,000? Thats an insane amount.

Being that this is something that happened while my dad doing work for a company, and the company failed to properly insure their equipment, could a workers comp claim be filed against this company?

Can't believe how easily his employer has washed his hands off this lawsuit.

Answer:
 Yes they could lose their house over this. They need an attorney. This isn't self help.Answer #2: Some states and policies, insurance follows the car and the driver. Therefore you need to get ahold of the owner of the vehicle at the time and see if insurance will do anything. It may /may not be covered.

Relax. People do frivolous lawsuits all the time. The hope is that insurance will kick in and they will try and get as much as they can.

That being said, he has to show $350k worth of damages. Did anyone go to the hospital? The "emotional distress" bull crap doesn't fly. He won't win.

That being said, it is a lawsuit, and he needs to find counsel.

Absolute worse case scenario, he is what they call judgement proof and 80 years old. If he has no assets they are unlikely to be able to collect (which they won't win anyway).

I'm surprised he was only suing the driver. That doesn't make sense. Usually they sue everyone and see what sticks. Especially the business, because your average worker doesn't have $350k laying around.


Title: [IL] Trying to obtain power of attorney over a mentally ill adult.

Question: What sort of attorney do we have to look for?

Answer: The kind that likely doesn't exist. If this adult is mentally ill, they likely don't have the capacity to execute a POA. You likely need to petition for guardianship over the adult.


Title: Suing a company/website

Question:
location: san francisco, CA

ok pleaaasee no judgment, but would it be wise to go about suing (small claims) a website that promises real psychic readings if they were frauds and not real psychics and didn’t relay accurate or true info? don’t wanna get myself into something that hurt me in the end.

Answer:
 There are no real psychics.

All of those things are for entertainment purposes only.

You have no legal recourse.


Title: My (Arizona) landlord never provides adequate notice of things that directly affect me. How can I leave?

Question:
I am 3 months into a 1-year lease and already I'm fed up with my landlord's lack of notice regarding pretty much anything ever.

Yesterday my landlord decided to paint the exterior of the house. She did not notify me of this, which would be fine if it weren't for the fact that my designated parking space is close enough to be reached with substantial paint spatter. She claims to have knocked around 9 to suggest I move my car, but I work 8-5 (and take public transit there/back) so when I didn't answer she went ahead anyway.

Then there's the week before when she brought in someone to work on something in the house. They unplugged and moved the refrigerator.  I was visiting my parents for a few days and by the time I returned it had been unplugged for 4 days because they forgot to plug it back in.

Two weeks before that she actually managed to give me notice of something - that they were going to redo the floor in the entryway (kitchen specifically) of the house and I wouldn't be able to go into the kitchen for 48 hours. She only gave me 19 hours notice and wouldn't offer any alternative housing because by her logic I should just stay inside the house and not come/go or want anything from the kitchen for 48 hours. I found somewhere else to go...only to show up after 48 hours to learn work hadn't even started yet, it was starting that day because according to the guy doing the work she delayed it for silly stuff.  So overall I was out for 4 days for what was originally 19 hours notice of 2 days.

Then two weeks before THAT my water was turned off for a day without any notice. The city said that they called her and scheduled it with her personally 3 weeks prior but she never told me. Since I was unaware I did normal things like take a shower, run the dishwasher, start laundry...causing the water heater to empty and it was damaged. You can guess how helpful she was about getting it fixed.

This stuff happens constantly. I have lived here only 3 months and already have a list of 27 times something she did affected me but she either did not notify me at all or gave me a level of notice that wasn't really adequate for the scale of the situation.

After 3 weeks of living here and 3 events I sent her a certified letter (and kept a copy) saying that I understand I have certain rights regarding notice of entry of the house, etc., but that beyond that I would appreciate advance notice of anything major.  I sent another 2 weeks later after she removed several of the house's windows overnight.  Did you know Arizona has moths and bats aplenty?  I do now.

She never responded but I finally got her to talk to me about 2 weeks ago. I tried to be firm and explain why these things are an issue for me and she basically brushed it off saying that she must legally give me notice of entering the house but I'm not entitled to anything in emergencies, and that she can do whatever needs to be done outside without my permission. While that may be true it is making it incredibly difficult to live here.

How can I get out of this? She was very quick to remind me I'm locked into a 1-year lease so I don't think she'd let me walk away, and I don't think she's done much that's actually illegal - just awful for me.

I'd appreciate any advice you might offer.  Thank you.

Answer:
 IANAL but I *am* fairly certain that *removing* windows overnight without giving you adequate time to find a place to stay or offering to cover you a place to stay would fall under some sort of endangerment to your person. There's a reason we *have* windows and not just screens.Answer #2: IANAL, nor AZ resident, but I had similar things happen in a place I rented. It's amazing to think about what landlords think they can get away with. Not sure about the repairs to the exterior of the building, but here's what I found:

>III. Granting Access

>A. Your landlord has a right to enter at reasonable times to make necessary or  agreed-upon repairs or alterations, to supply necessary or agreed-upon services, to inspect the home, or to show the home to prospective or actual purchasers,
lenders, tenants, workers, or contractors.

>**B. If the landlord wishes to enter for one of these reasons, he must give you two
days’ (48 hours) notice.**

>C. Your landlord only has the right to immediate entry in an emergency, or by court
order.

[SOURCE](https://www.azag.gov/sites/default/files/sites/all/docs/civil-rights/fha/TenantRightsResponsibilities.pdf)

Best of luck, OP.Answer #3: Certainly violates quiet enjoyment, safety, and notice requirements.  Is there an agency there that helps people deal with rental issues?


Title: My dog was accused of biting another dog but never did!

Question:
We were walking through a public dog park in a nearby town that doesn’t have any rules or anything listed except to clean up after your dog, after about 30 minutes a man approached us yelling back to someone asking “is it this one?” and pointing at our dog, multiple times. That’s when a lady approached us and started saying that our dog bit her dog. We, being shocked and confused, were like “OMG what, I am so sorry” and she just kept saying things like “we’re not mad but I’m a vet tech and my dog is going to need stitches and it will cost $500 and you’ll have to pay for it”. So after about twenty minutes of this lady badgering and talking down on my wife while claiming she’s “not mad” but if we don’t pay, her and her husband will have to “look into something else” and just filling her speech with empty threats and assumptions about our dog that she needs behavioral training and that we're “so young and I’m looking out for you”, she made my wife write down her name and phone number and then our home address and saying that she already knows she’s going to have to get other people involved because she knows we won’t pay the bill. Just constant empty threats and belittling. Meanwhile, my wife is just staring at her in shock because this has never happened to us, we were with our dog the entire time and she played with many dogs while we were there. They showed us their dog, and it did have something on its rear area that looked more like an old cut that had opened or something because there was absolutely no blood. After we left we had called that towns police department and animal control and explained the situation giving them the lady’s name and information and we filed a report over what happened and how we don’t agree or believe that our dog had caused anything. We didn’t have any proof showing that it was our dog, because of how the wound looked and because there were at least thirty other dogs in the park. We spoke with animal control from that town and they said that it sounded like a scam and to have the lady call them if she tried to contact us.

Fast forward to three days later, my wife gets a call from OUR town’s animal control saying that they had a report that our dog was in a “scuffle” with another dog and will need to be reported and quarantined for 10 days. The report came from the animal control of the town that the lady lives in. My wife tried to explain to our town’s animal control that no we don’t agree with that and that we filed a report with the town that the incident happened in and they didn’t do much about it just kept repeating that this is what was given to them and our dog has to be quarantined. I called them back after she spoke to them and animal control said that she reached out to the vet and the dog did get stitches and it was $500 and the lady was planning to mail us the bill. She said if we wanted to dispute it we would have to do so in small claims court.

Are we screwed or is there something we can do about this?

I'm mostly concerned that they think our dog who has never bitten anything previously is now a dangerous dog but I also don't feel like we are liable for the expenses since we have no indication that our dog actually bit theirs.

Answer:
 The lady can send you the bill all she wants, you do not have to pay it (and shouldnt pay it) until she takes you to small claims and wins.  When you go to small claims, you do not need a lawyer.  You point out that they wandered around the park looking for dogs that may not or may not have looked like the one that bit her dog.

The dog quarantine can be done in your home if your dog has a current rabies vaccination, as required by law. Basically you dont take the dog out except on a leash, and report any symptoms of rabies (which your dog certainly won't have).

Are you even sure it was animal control that called you? Because everything she said is completely wrong.


Title: Boyfriend and I are planning on moving from WA state to Oklahoma with my son, am I required to tell his father?

Question:
[deleted]
Topic:
Custody Divorce and Family

Answer:
 First of all, what part of WA are you in where they let you "drop charges"? Washington is pretty strict when it comes to DV.

If you move, F can go to court, force a paternity test, file for custody, and force you to come back, at least for the court case, and then let a judge decide how to work out custody.


Title: Mafia shakedown tactics from company - fraudulent claim of business relationship

Question:
Hi legal friends, my girlfriend is basically receiving mafia shakedown tactics from a company that she has no business relationship with.

The story: We are renting a house together that has a security alarm system from the company Monitronics, and it is under contract with our old roommate. The lease ended, the roommate moved out, we signed a new lease, and the old roommate asked us to take over the alarm contract. My girlfriend looked into it and found out that we would be forced to take up the remaining 21 months on this thing, and our lease ends in 6 months, so we passed.

The problem is, the first thing they asked my girlfriend was for her contact information. Now she gets several calls a day saying that "her" account is past due and demanding payment. She is even receiving bills with her name on them despite NEVER HAVING SIGNED A CONTRACT. She calls this company all the time and they admit that she is not the account holder and promise that this will stop. On every subsequent phone call they deny the previous one ("I have no record of that.")

I called once on her behalf and they admitted she is not the account holder, acknowledged non-signing of contract, but then outright told me they wouldn't stop harassing her until my old roommate or my landlord pay them, and asked me to pressure them to do so. They asked for my old roommate's new address.

So they are basically intimidating my girlfriend so she will lean on the people who owe them money. I know our old roommate ordered her credit card to stop payment, so this company is turning up the heat.

My fear is: Can they kick this to a collections agency on a contract that my girlfriend NEVER SIGNED? Is that possible? Could they use these fraudulent bills as "proof" of a debt?

I'm not so concerned with the annoying calls and such, because she has blocked them, but what can she do to prevent a fraudulent collections claim? Am I being over-fearful?

Thank you! I would really appreciate your advice.

Answer:
 The old roommate owes them the money and you do not.

If there is a fraudulent collections claim, you will dispute it and presumably win; and you can sue the monitoring company for damages.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_Credit_Reporting_Act


Title: [WA, USA] Sent recurring scheduled monthly billpay of $85 to HOA, they say they never received a payment and tacked on a $35 penalty ... do I have to pay this?

Question: [deleted]

Answer: No, just prove to then you paid.  It'll help them track down where your money went to get it properly credited to you.


Title: Do private universities in the US have to follow ADA and offer disability services? Can they decide after the fact that you can’t use an accommodation previously given?

Question:
My university is private and I had accommodations with the disability services there. One written and agreed upon accommodation is missing class if I need to. I only missed one class but had points deducted from my overall grade because it was “an important class.” The deduction was just enough to get me a C, which is an automatic dismissal from the program.

I was told explicitly, in email, by the teacher that the missed class was the reason for the deduction even though he has a copy of my letter of accommodations. The same teacher told me many times I should leave the program before wasting more money because I’m too sick to ever get a job anyway. There were constant comments like this and other things that are generally shitty things to do, but not necessarily illegal. Just dickish. I’ve tried contacting everyone in the school but keep getting shut down. I just am trying to figure out how they are so blatantly doing something that I thought was totally illegal? I just want my tuition money back at this point. Is that a possible outcome?

TLDR: Is it legal to give me written and agreed upon accommodations then ignore them after I use them?

Answer:
 > I just want my tuition money back at this point.

Likely not, you will more likely just get the accommodation and the grade adjustment.

There isn't an ADA coordinator or like you can take your complaint too?

Edit: Whats the name of the person who works in education?Answer #2: NAL, but if it was written and agreed upon, I would take this to the dean and anyone above the authority of your teacher. The only caveat I could imagine is that you fell behind in coursework, which in my university experience, *is* enough for failure of or dismissal from a course regardless of an accommodation. If you've been keeping up with coursework, record your grades and present those as proof. Unfortunately, if it comes down to you falling behind academically, I truly doubt you're going to get your tuition back.


Title: A friend had a seizure during her shift, on her first day of work at a new job. Ambulance, ER, IV fluids, overnight stay, the works. Her first seizure in 3 years (third in 10 years). Hospital bill is around 5k. Does she just pay it all, or how does that work, in California?

Question: Company says it's a pre-existing condition, not covered by workman's comp (?).  She still has to apply for COBRA, and had not done so prior to starting.  We are not familiar with COBRA or their policies at all.  She seems resigned to the fact that she simply has to foot the entire bill.  Is there a better way?

Answer:
 Workman's Comp isn't likely to apply.

Try /r/insurance. This isn't a legal matter.


Title: Do I have a right to information about me?

Question: I live in Louisville KY. My wife went to the hospital black Friday 2015 for pancreatitis from drinking. I could not be present because of money problems. A social worker got involved but my wife could not talk to the social worker because she was on pain medicine. Her mom talked to the social worker and filled out the hospital paperwork for my wife. The terms for being released from the hospital was she could do inpatient or outpatient rehab for a month. But if she chose outpatient rehab, she could not see me, contact me, and has to live with her parents during the month of rehab. I want to know if I have a right to the information said about me. My wife's parents have never liked me so I know they had to make some stuff up. Also, is it possible to sue for libel or slander if I can obtain this information?

Answer:
 > I want to know if I have a right to the information said about me.

Nope.

>Also, is it possible to sue for libel or slander if I can obtain this information?

You can sue but I don't see you winning Answer #2: You absolutely do not. If your wife went to a psychiatrist and discussed you that would not mean you could call them and find out whatever she said about you. That's not how medical privacy laws work - this isn't information about *your medical history* and those laws you're thinking of would not apply to this situation.


Title: What can I do about people snooping through my messaging apps and finding out unwanted information.

Question:
This may sound pretty stupid. But is there anything I can do about this. I’m pretty tired of people doing this. I feel violated and unsafe. Is this actually illegal. It so, what can I do?
Topic:
Computer and Internet

Answer: How are they getting into your messaging apps? Who are these people?


Title: Doctors completely overlook something i constantly informed them of

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Typically hospitals do not perform dentistry. Have you seen a dentist? Because you should really see a dentist.


Title: My mom is being sued for a car accident that wasn't her fault 3 years after the accident.

Question:
This is a lot to type up but basically my mom was taking my little sister to school one morning and this guy pulled out in front of her and she t-boned him. She had the right of way and he pulled out right in front of her from stop sign, it was not a 4 way stop and she had the right of way. The car was totalled and My sister got a head injury. My mom is lower income and it was the first car she ever bought brand new and she had just finished paying off a couple years prior. It was clearly the guys fault but none of us thought to take pictures. We're in california if that makes a difference.

We ended up seeing the police report and it was fucked. According to it my mom was somehow at fault even though she had the right of way and it had my sister listed as the driver for some some reason. My mom tried contesting the police report as there was no way she could have been at fault, went as high up as she could with the police dept but no one was willing to hear her out. Because of the report his insurance would not pay, but neither would her insurance as they didn't see her as being at fault. I had a second car at the time so I was able to help her until she found a decent cheap car but she never received anything from insurance. It's been 3 years and we kind of thought it was done and we were trying to move on from it. My mom calls me last night and tells me she's been served and the guys is now suing for some bullshit amount of money like 250,000.00, for time lost, bodily injury, ect. I saw him when I went to pick my mom up and he seemed like he walked away fine. My sister on the other hand sustained a head injury and suffered possible neurological damage. We're all lost, we have no idea where to go from here. It's probably irrelevant but My mom is 60 and works as maid at a hotel, there's no way she would ever be able to pay without this devastating her. If anyone has any advice or or direction I would appreciate it, we've never really had experience in being sued so we're not sure what to do.

Answer: She should notify her auto insurance provider about the lawsuit. The insurance provider who she had at the time of the accident is the one that matters. That is realistically all that can be done at this point.


Title: My apartment complex’s towing company towed my car, even though I have a parking pass? [Georgia]

Question: I just got towed by my apartment complex’s towing company. I have a parking pass, but I forgot to put the sticker onto the front of my car. I talked to a person at the towing company, and they said that I should talk to my property manager to have it released. I explained this to the property manager, and she talked to the towing company. They said that nobody talked to them about my car, and that I have to pay the money. I just wanted to know if there is a way around this, and if I can have my car released for free.

Answer:
 > I have a parking pass, but I forgot to put the sticker onto the front of my car.

Then it's your fault.

Pay the towing company.


Title: Worker's comp denied a procedure recommended by the surgeon twice- options? Advice? (Texas)

Question:
I will try to keep this as brief as possible considering the circumstances. In March my husband Mark broke his dominant arm  and dislocated the elbow (Monteggia fracture with broken ulna and a piece broken off the radius as well) while at work. He had surgery to repair the break and much physical therapy and etc. Worker’s comp has been covering all medical up until this point. He still has poor range of motion that therapy is not helping much anymore (105 degrees flexion, 5 degrees supination) and the surgeon wants to perform a manipulation procedure under general anesthetic to break up the scar tissue and adhesions that are restricting Mark’s movement. Worker’s comp has denied authorization for this procedure twice, claiming it’s not necessary. We all disagree. My husband cannot feed himself, brush his teeth or scratch his nose with his dominant hand anymore. He cannot flip the hand palm up anymore to hold coins, cup water or anything else you do when you turn your hand over.
Immediately after the original surgery the doctor was able to move Mark’s arm with full ROM while he was still under anesthesia- flexion, extension, pronation and supination so we know it’s not the break that’s causing this. The surgeon told us if my husband does not get this procedure done within the next month it will be too late as the scar tissues will be too tough to break apart without possibly reinjuring him.
We visited TDI today and with their help sent in a request for an Independent Review Board (IRO) to look at Mark’s case. We are supposed to receive a response within 20 days but we’re afraid that if this ends up going to a dispute it will be too late for Mark. The doctor told us as a last resort we could close out the worker’s comp case and file though our health insurance, but I’m afraid this would hurt us in the long run. Since Mark also had a chunk of bone knocked off the head of his radius it’s possible in future he’d need a head replacement from worker’s comp.
He is still undergoing PT and while we’re waiting on the IRO the doctor has requested that Mark be fitted for JAS braces to try and improve his range of motion.
We don’t have the money to hire a lawyer. Worker’s comp paid him 4 weeks of indemnity at 66% and then Mark’s been on light duty where they’re paying him just enough that worker’s comp won’t cover the gap. We been very frugal but we’ve had to dip into savings to cover expenses.
What should we do? Keep trying to get worker’s comp to cover the procedure and hope it’s still possible after all? Say fuck it and file through our health plan? Jump off a bridge?

Thanks for reading!

Answer: Get a workers comp lawyer, they work on contingency so you won't have to pay.


Title: Is it legal for my landlord to contact my parents without my consent? [Massachusetts]

Question:
I recently had a problem in my apartment. For background, plumber had concerns I had done accidental damage to my apartment because of lack of cleanliness (I have numerous health problems and sometimes have trouble cleaning, I’m definitely not proud of this but didn’t violate the terms of my lease in any way). Landlord inspected and didn’t find any damage. I’m hoping this is all over. But before his visit, landlord said he was “doing [me] the courtesy” of not contacting my parents about the whole thing. That’s fine, as far as my father’s concerned, he’s the guarantor on my lease. I’m glad he didn’t get him involved but I know I’d have no basis objecting if he had. But he also specifically mentioned my mother and cited a letter my mother sent him asking him to help me settle in as a justification for potentially contacting her and updating her about my doings. She is not on my lease, provides me no financial support and isn’t my legal guardian in any way (I'm in my 20s). He wouldn’t have been asking anything from her, just informing her. Is this legal?

I’m aware there’s little I can do about the situation as of now, since he didn’t actually contact her. But since he framed it as a favor not to inform her, I’m concerned he might do so in future if any other problems ever come up. If he does, do I have any legal right to object here?

Answer: He can contact your second cousin's brother in law twice removed if he wants.  You do not have a privileged relationship with your landlord.


Title: Is it legal in California to ask a woman on a date more than once?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 It depends on all the facts surrounding it. Simply asking twice is not harassment or stalking. Screaming "Will you go out with me?!?" after you bust into the women's bathroom to ask her, while humping a rubber chicken that has her picture taped to it, might be. Answer #2: It is neither inherently legal nor inherently illegal. Reader requests for a date can be part of a pattern of behaviour that amounts to stalking or it can be completely defensible, depending on context.

However, if a romantic prospect shot you down, leave it be. You won’t do yourself any favours by repeatedly asking.


Title: [IN] Legality of a felon visiting a firing range with friends.

Question:
Hi everyone,

Im asking this for a work buddy. He is a felon. Not serving time and his suspended sentence has been completed. No probation. Non violent crime and not involving firearms.

He wants to visit a firing range with some friends. But he is unsure if he can. We know he can't own or possess a firearm. But how would that law apply in a controlled situation like that. The arms used would not likely be rented but owned by his friends.

He doesn't want to accidentily get in trouble again. Any advice on this front? Thanks in advance.

Answer: He cannot touch firearms or be in constructive possession of them. To be safe he should never be in a room with unsecured firearms. Answer #2: Legally he is not allowed to touch a firearm or ammunition.


Title: Employer retaliating against me for requesting Faid Family Leave in NY.

Question:
NY State. New account for security.

Ive requested a PFL form for December when my baby is due. Ive filled it out and sent it to HR and they assured me that it will be taken care of and they apparently have to wait till November 1st to process the form (not sure if thats true or if they are stalling).

Couple months ago I received a summons on my way to work causing me to come in late (i was NOT given any disciplinary action for this tardy). This summons has nothing to do with work since I was off the clock and not on work property.

I found a concerning email in one of the higher up email by searching my name and it was from HR stating if they should process my PFL form or not because I received a summons couple months ago. However, there was no reply to the email. So I dont know what they plan for me.
I have photo evidence.

This seams outrageous since the summons had nothing to do with work and its my personal life.

1. It clearly states an employer cannot retaliate against me for requesting this lawful request. They have changed my shifts to PM shifts as well which I clearly told them I cannot do. And also the email I found.  Is this considered retaliation?

2. Am I running out of time? I requested the leave for beginning of December and October is about to finish. They claim they have to wait till November to process my request.

3. I had already sent my request in summer and Ive since then asked if I could update my request so I can take 8 weeks instead of 4 and they said yes. I sent them my updated request and it states employer must send back form with employer part filled out within 3 days. Its been a week and no response from HR.

Basically, legally am I protected? If they fire me before December can I do anything legally?

Feel free to ask questions on anything I might have missed.

Answer:
 >I found a concerning email in one of the higher up email by searching my name and it was from HR stating if they should process my PFL form or not because I received a summons couple months ago.

Maybe I'm not understanding correctly, so you were looking through some exec's email when you found the one referencing your situation then took a picture of the email? If so, that act alone is enough to be fired for unless searching their email is within your work duties and even then the purpose for looking through emails is very limited in scope for things like detecting if someone is sending sensitive work related files or data out of the company. This doesn't cover searching for your name in in a superior's email. What were you thinking? This will not go over well if you try to use that as "evidence", expect to be let go if that is what you did and it is found out.


Title: Adderall Prescription and Medical Marijuana Card

Question:
I qualify for a medical marijuana card in Michigan due to the muscle spasms I get from my ADHD.  I've had an Adderall prescription for years but now a new law requires doctors to drug test patients before each new prescription.  If I get a MMC would it exempt me from failing the test due to marijuana?  Every lawyer/doctor I've consulted online so far has not been able to give me a definitive answer.

I need my Adderall prescription so I can focus during college but marijuana is the only way I've been able to diminish the muscle spasms in both frequency and intensity--plus I really like smoking.  If I talk it over with my doctor at my next visit in a few weeks, is there any chance I can still smoke once I get my card and not have to worry about failing the drug tests?

Answer:
 >	plus I really like smoking

This is a terrible look bro, particularly when combined with the fact that you dont have a medical card and are just self medicating, makes it sound lile you just like getting high.

You need to ask an actual doctor in Michigan, not internet randos.Answer #2: There is no law that prohibits doctors from considering a positive test for THC metabolites as a fail and not prescribe controlled medication. This is not a legal matter and is a matter of medical ethics. If a doctor believes that THC and adderal are unsafe for you to take concurrently, they may absolutely refuse to prescribe.

&#x200B;

If a doctor believes that your THC use is harmless, they may prescribe the adderall. However, your attitude of "I just really like it" is going to sway any doctor away from prescribing you a habit forming drug that is frequently abused.


Title: Is it legal for an employer to continue to have you work even with prior knowledge of your termination

Question: (TX) Hey everyone, so I as just informed I was let go from my job Friday but when I asked my manager when this decision was made she told me it was during the manager's meeting, which are held on Mondays. The thing is I also worked Thursday as well, so all my managers had known for 3-4 days of my termination but  did not bother to tell me anything and I was only informed immediately after I clocked out on Friday, but to get to the point, is it legal for an employer to do this ?

Answer: Why wouldn't it be?  They can fire you whenever they want, generally speaking.


Title: Should I contest? Traffic infraction: no signs indicated no u-turn, but he claimed it was illegal. SF business district.

Question:
[From CA DMV](http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21461.htm) :

*VC Section 21461 Obedience by Driver to Official Traffic Control Devices Obedience by Driver to Official Traffic Control Devices*

*21461. (a): It is unlawful for a driver of a vehicle to fail to obey a sign or signal defined as regulatory in the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, or a Department of Transportation approved supplement to that manual of a regulatory nature erected or maintained to enhance traffic safety and operations or to indicate and carry out the provisions of this code or a local traffic ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to a local traffic ordinance, or to fail to obey a device erected or maintained by lawful authority of a public body or official.*

The above is what he cited me for, but I did not violate any traffic signs. I made a u-turn [here](https://www.google.com/maps/@37.781134,-122.460281,3a,75y,71.53h,70.18t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1soKxmGEFROwEesKhMx6RILQ!2e0), and as you can see the sign says no left turn, but does not prohibit a u-turn like [this](https://www.google.com/maps/@37.782336,-122.47236,3a,75y,337.15h,69.15t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s6RIMZYh7rMWeKyWaBuKbyA!2e0) sign does in another area of SF. If anything, he could have **maybe** gotten me for making a u-turn in a business district but he made no mention of this whatsoever.

*VC 22102: No person in a business district shall make a U-turn, except at an intersection, or on a divided highway where an opening has been provided in accordance with VC § 21651. This turning movement shall be made as close as practicable to the extreme left-hand edge of the lanes moving in the driver's direction of travel immediately prior to the initiation of the turning movement, when more than one lane in the direction of travel is present.*

Still this would be a great stretch because I made the U-turn at an intersection, which is not prohibited by this law.

Maybe I'm second guessing myself too much but I really want an educated opinion on this, since it's my first time ever getting in trouble with the law. Is my reasoning legitimate enough that I could successfully contest this? I have heard many say that there's a good chance the officer won't show up and I'll win by default, but I don't want to take my chances here for several reasons. The fine for the ticket is already high at $234. I do not want a point on my record for this stupid mishap. Plus, I can barely afford to pay my insurance each month as it is being a young college student with a job that has sparse and unreliable hours each month, so an insurance increase would break my bank.

Answer: unless you defied the laws of physics, making a u turn involves making a left turn. Sorry but you have no case and should eat the ticket. By crossing into the oncoming lane of traffic you violated the sign and are thinking about the semantics of this too much friend.


Title: Am I Obligated to pay rental car fees after an accident?

Question:
Last week I hit a parked car, while driving a car I borrowed for moving. Today I was contacted by the owner of the car, who said that my insurance would not cover the rental car, and so could I pay for that please.

Now I'm only basing this off of the two accidents I've been in where I was the one not at fault, but neither of those times was I given a rental car, or offered reimbursement for my rental car, and so I'm thinking that I have no obligation to do the same.

I'm a writer, I just moved, I have less than a hundred dollars in my bank account right now and there's NO way I can afford to pay her rental car fees. She originally had asked me to pay for the damages out of pocket instead of going through insurance; I'm wondering whether this is something normally covered by a drivers own insurance.

&#x200B;

If I am held liable for her fees, what do I do if they're more than forty seven dollars? I literally do not have any other money to give her. Can she sue me or the owner of the car?

Answer:
 You should talk to your insurer to find out why they’re not paying.

But generally yes. Liability in a car accident may include loss of use during repairs.


Title: Drip timer failed open, impending large water bill [Ohio]

Question:
My wife and I were doing some yardwork this weekend and noticed the yard was incredibly soggy.  It turned out the drip timer we are using to water ~35 trees failed with the valve open.  I immediately made a video showing the locked-up interface on the drip timer, the fact that it failed in the open position, and the water running through the property to a drain in the back.

The timer is only ~60 days old and was purchased from Lowes.  I'm worried that we will soon be receiving a massive water bill.  Is either or both Lowes and the timer company liable?  Any recommendations on how to proceed are appreciated.

Answer: Unlikely. If you're talking about a five-figure water bill, it would be worth at least talking to a lawyer. But absent some sort of specific guarantee from the manufacturer, you're probably stuck.


Title: [US]Honda Declined a Clearly Valid Recall Refund. What step do I take next?

Question:
Question: What, if any, options do I have at this point for attempting to recover the amount I paid to fix the recall affected vehicle?

Background: In December of 2015, my 2008 Honda Civic started to overheat while driving it. I took care of it very well, it was garage-kept, and service records show that I had regular oil changes throughout its lifetime.

I took it to a reputable chain auto shop, where they struggled to diagnose it at first, initially incorrectly diagnosing it. After holding onto it a while longer, the shop correctly diagnosed the issue, finding a crack in the engine, due to the overheating. The overheating occurred from faulty parts described in this service bulletin, 10-048.

I was not aware of this until later on in the year when i caught wind of this recall, realizing this is what had happened. I contacted Honda recall team in September of 2016 to seek a refund. The recall refund process was extremely unorganized, as there is no online portal, my case was repeatedly forgotten about, i had to call virtually every time for progress to occur on my case, and they would ask for more and more evidence as time went along, rather than asking me up front for everything, presumably to drag out the process and hope for me to simply give up.

Finally in May of 2017 ( 8 months later!!! Note that they told me it would take 6-8 weeks ) they simply rejected my case and offered me a service coupon, to which I rejected. The engine cost to replace was a little over $3000.

I provided every scrap of evidence, service records, etc. there were no other causes for the failure, in fact that isn't why it got declined. They gave me one sentence over the phone saying that because the garage misdiagnosed it initially, they aren't going to refund me a dime.

Now, I'm not trying to rip off anyone here, I simply want whats rightfully owed to me at this point. Hell, had they offered me 1/3 of the price to just go away, I would've gladly accepted that. However for them to offer my a coupon and essentially throw their hands up feels like a slap in the face, especially after having me on the hook for 8 months and asking me to retrieve everything under the sun for them regarding the vehicle. What I don't like is that it was a faceless decision made by the company themselves with no unbiased 3rd party to validate the claim or not. Is there anything at all I can do at this point? I feel like they just had me on the hook for a while to show that they " care" with the full intention of declining it from day 1. I've tried reaching out to multiple people, gone to the garage, called Honda, tweeted etc.. but to no avail. Is there anything I can do at this point? Thank you in advance.

Answer: Your only option is to sue Honda.  It's not frankly clear that you have a legitimate complaint, so you should discuss this suit with an attorney before proceeding.


Title: GF's mom admitted opening up lines of credit in her name.

Question:
Short story: My GF's mom is mentally unwell and has a history of verbal/emotional/financial abuse, particularly towards my GF (23). Specifically, a few months ago, my GF found out multiple lines of credit, including a loan had been taken out using her Social Security info by her mom.

This past weekend, the mom acknowledged this was wrong (and seemed to imply this was also the choice of my GF's father, deceased in February 2018).

Question: Is there any way to... transfer debts, if the fraudulent party really does want to do something to make amends? How else could this be handled if the Mom does want to help resolve her daughter's fraudulent debt?

Thank you!

Answer:
 There are two options here. She can either accept the debt as her own to protect her mom or begin the fraud process by filing a police report which may result in serious criminal charges being filed against mom.  If she repays the debt on her own she can sue her mom.Answer #2: Freeze her credit!

I believe it can be done online at the 3 credit bureaus. This will prevent opening additional lines of credit without un-freezing.

If an account was actually opened by her father who is deceased, she could report this ID theft without implicating her mother.

The other options are throw mama under the bus, or pay off the debt herself.


Title: Utah traffic court ticket. I don't get a court assigned attorney, HELP!

Question:
Got a traffic ticket for going 22 over, yeah I know, and I had a hearing. I wanted to go for a plea deal so I plead not guilty. The judge said that since there is no chance of jail time, didn't get reckless driving, the court will not allow for an attorney on their dime. So I either pay or represent myself.

What are my options?

Topic:
Traffic and Parking

Answer:
 >What are my options?

To pay, or to represent yourself.  You can likely find a traffic lawyer for a relatively small amount of money.  But there are no magic answers here.


Title: Concerned for Niece's Safety

Question:
My sister bounces from house to house. She will meet a guy and move in. Sometimes she takes her 4 year old to live with them sometimes she leaves her at our mother's house.
She's taken her to live with a registered sex offender in the past. She has recently moved in with another man and has taken my niece with her.
I am extremely concerned for my niece and my sister doesn't seem to understand the risk of moving her child in with strangers.
Is there anything I can do?
I want to intervene before this innocent child gets burned by her mother's mistakes, but I'm afraid I will be told that nothing is currently happening so she's fine.

Answer: A parent has a constitutional right to parent their child. The law presumes the parent is fit to raise their child. The law won't usually overstep that right and rebut that presumption unless the child is either in ***immediate*** danger or has been neglected or abused. The problem with "immediate" is that everyone has their own definition of what that may be.  If you suspect there is an immediate danger, you have one of two options: (1) you can contact CPS and let them investigate or (2) you can file a private action alleging that your sister isn't fit to raise her child and seek custody of your niece.


Title: Tenet broke the lease(nc), six months early. I have some questions

Question: Let me give a bit more back ground here, we have a home in North Carolina, and we are living in California due to a job. Started renting out our house. Our tenets were going to rent for a year, so they could build. Without any notice, we did not receive this month's rent. After calling the agent we were working with he claimed that he thought he was in contact with us. He claimed that the wife had a doctors note to not live in the house any more because of the NEW carpet. He also advises against taking these people to court because the fees would be more than the rent in question (though it would be another six months of rent). Can anyone help please?

Answer:
 > After calling the agent we were working with he claimed that he thought he was in contact with us.

Who is the agent?  Is it a property management company who controls the day to day operations of the rental?Answer #2: I'm not sure about NC, but in most states you do have a right to make a claim for all of the lost rent, BUT you also have an obligation to try to minimize your damages by trying to re-leasing the property ASAP.  And if you do re-lease the property then you can not claim lost rent for the months that there was a new tenant paying rent.  So, likely your property manager already has a new tenant lined up or thinks they will soon, and they know you will only be able to get one month's rent out of a case.  If the security deposit will cover that, then you have very little damages.Answer #3: What fees?

You re-rent the place and then go to Small Claims Court for either the lost months of rent or settle for the upper limit.

Fire your agent.


Title: [TX] Attempted insurance fraud after car accident

Question:
I was in a car accident in October. I am legally at fault for the accident.

I received a call from my insurance company about a week later stating that all occupants of the vehicle involved were claiming injury after the fact. I heard nothing else until today when my insurance company called again and informed me that they have not yet received any medical bills, but that my policy had a $60,000 limit for medical. They do not expect it to exceed that, but alarm bells rang when they told me that five people were claiming injuries. There weren’t even five people in the vehicle involved. I paid to get a copy of the crash report, and the driver is listed as a 33 year old woman who is also the owner of the vehicle. There was not even a woman in the car.

A man was driving the car and his passengers were three children. This was outside of a mobile home park. The man who was driving called someone after the accident. Minutes later, a woman walked from the mobile home park to the scene of the accident, took the children, and walked away on foot. She was nowhere near the car or the scene when the accident happened. She is now claiming injuries. SHE WASN’T EVEN IN THE CAR WHEN THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED. Somehow, these people lied to the police and said that she was the driver and it ended up on the police report.

I guess my question is, do I have any options here? What is the best recourse? These people are clearly committing insurance fraud and lied to the police. I’ve contacted the PD and the officer who wrote the report (so he’s the only one who can amend it) is currently out on medical leave. I emailed his lieutenant and told him what happened and have yet to receive a response. I’m obviously upset that a woman who wasn’t even in the car at the time is trying to cash in from my insurance policy after lying to the police and my insurance company.

Thanks in advance for reading and for any advice you may offer.
Topic:
Insurance

Answer:
 Tell your insurance company everything you know and let them handle it.  It's their case and their liability.  Don't talk to the police yourself.  Don't pursue justice on your own.

If these people blow through the $60k liability and try to sue you for more, then hire a lawyer.


Title: [CA] A guy who works at my construction company hurt himself at work and now is trying to get workers compensation through my insurance.

Question:
Okay, asking this for a friend.

A guy who works for my construction company hurt himself on a saw one day, severing several of his fingers. They were reattached at the hospital. I paid his time off and he came back to work for me after he was well. This was a year ago.

After his injury he came back to work and performed a substandard job because of his injury. He has been slow and unable to work at full capacity. His coworkers complain that he is unable to do his job. Now after one year he is trying to claim workers compensation through my insurance.

This guy is not performing well and I would like to get rid of him. What legal recourse do I have to fire this guy without incurring repercussions?

Answer: You’ve been told twice that he can’t file a workers comp claim and that’s wrong. He can file a claim and things will not go well if you try to prevent him from filing. Let the workers comp process play out, conduct an IPM, go see an employment lawyer before you try to let him go.


Title: Was asked for sons SS number so he could be put in a Uncles will.

Question:
My teenage sons father called me today to get our sons SS . My sons fathers brother Who I have never met ) wants to put all his nieces and nephews into his revised will before he goes in for major surgery this week and contacted my sons father to get his kids SS number. I have never heard needing someone SS number to add them to a will and asked that the lawyer handling the will contact me so I can check to see he is legit. My sons father see no reason to not give it out . The Uncle is in Indiana and we are in Calif .

 Is this normal for the lawyer to need the SS number of heirs to draw up a will or is this a red flag that things need to be looked at closer ?

Answer:
 I think it's likely that  what your son's father or uncle are referring to has his "will" may actually be a beneficiary designation form for an insurance policy or a retirement plan or some account which requires him to designate beneficiaries. For those types of forms, a Social Security number often is required. Ask for clarification.Answer #2: If he is adding your son as a beneficiary to something like an IRA, then yes asking for the SS number would be typical. I have done this in the past. For a will, Not really necessary.Answer #3: He shouldn't be putting social security numbers into the will.  Wills become public records, and you don't want your SSN in a public record.

If there's a reason that the executor might need the SSN for tax reporting purposes, then the will should say something like "No person may receive his inheritance until he provides such information to the executor as is reasonable for the administration of the estate and for any related tax reporting."


Title: Lottery Winnings & Child Support

Question:
How does winning the lottery affect child suppport obligations?

Specifics: My child lives in NH, I live in MA. I pay child support to her mother. Ive never missed a payment, but would be paying directly rather than through employer deductions. Does my support obligation increase if I win a large sum of money?

Answer: She'd have to petition the court to have the child support agreement amended. I can't imagine they would say no if you won a large sum of money, it makes sense that you should pay more since you have more.


Title: Cop searched my purse during traffic stop and found E am I screwed?

Question:
Throwaway account because my mom knows my main account.

I moved to San Francisco two years ago and I don’t own a car so I never got a California driver’s license. My out of state license expired a few months ago and I just use my passport card for valid ID.

Last week my friend drove up from Pacifica and we went out for drinks and had a few too many so I took her keys and told her she should take an Uber home, and I would drive her car back to her the next day.

When I drove her car to Pacifica, a cop started following me just before I got to her house. I pulled into her driveway and he stopped behind me and turned his lights on. He told me he pulled me over because my friend’s windshield had a big crack, which is true but I could still see easily.

He asked for my license of course and I told him I didn’t have one any more, and he had me go sit in back of his car and I sat there crying my eyes out.

Then he asked if I had any ID at all and I told him I had a passport card in my purse. He went back to my friend's car and got my purse and looked through it and found ten extasy pills. I told him they weren’t mine but he didn’t believe me because they were in my purse.

I got handcuffed and arrested for driving without a license and possession. My friend came out and since it was her car he gave her the keys.

Driving without a license I can accept but I can’t have a possession record I am applying to nursing school soon this will screw me so I have to try to fight it. Can I fight the possession charge because I never agreed he could look in my purse? I thought he was going to get the purse for me so I could give him my ID. I had tampons and birth control pills and other private stuff in my purse and I feel he shouldn’t have been looking in it.

Answer:
 While it's certainly possible to have the search thrown out, this will be very, very fact-specific to exactly what happened and what words were said. Get yourself an attorney, especially if your planned carreer depends on it.Answer #2: Driving without a licence is a misdemeanor. A offense for which you can be arrested for. At the time your arrested, your purse has to be searched for weapons, and it's contents inventoried. If the purse was seen by the cop in your possession or within your span of control inside the car, its contents are yours. whether or not you've ever seen them before.

with 10 pills, I'm honestly surprised you weren't charged with possession with intent to distribute, a crime much more serious than mere possession.

you need to consult attorney ASAP.


Title: My friend's University billed her twice?

Question:
Hi guys, sorry if I post this wrong or something, I've never posted anything here before, but anyway ---

   My friend goes to Cornell University and she was in the School of Engineering at the beginning of first semester, she changed her mind and switched to School of Arts and Sciences, no problems there. Now almost finishing up her second semester there, she finds out that her bill is $80,000 instead of $40,000 because they billed her for School of Engineering as well when she had already switched out. It was online that she was getting billed for it  but she hadn't checked her online account till now, and their Bursar office says everything after first Semester dealing with the year's finances cannot be changed. Is she screwed? She never took any classes at the School of Engineering! Please help! Thank you in advance!

Answer: She needs to talk with a Dean or high-level administrator, not the low-level lackeys in the bursar's office. The "can't change it rule" makes sense for a parking ticket or a meal plan, not for $40k in tuition.


Title: NY - Handwritten license plate or Printed replica license plate, lesser of 2 evils?

Question:
So long story short, I borrowed a friends car, which is registered in California, for a road trip and the license plates went missing, drunk night "prank" which was absolutely stupid.

Anyway, I'm in NY and will be here for another month. In order to get replacement California plates, the car has to physically be inspected in California to make sure there's was no tampering involved.  I understand that both are illegal, but was wondering if the printed replica that I laminate to make it look appealing would be considered forging a government document.

The car is registered and I'm on the insurance. I tried the 30 day temp registration route but since the registered owner of the vehicle isn't with me, they didn't grant one.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Update: Neither option is smart. Got it. Thanks! Also, make sure that most of you do not become my friend. I'd be afraid of swatting a fly in your house and getting some kind of lawsuit on my hands.

Answer:
 >In order to get replacement California plates, the car has to physically be inspected in California to make sure there's was no tampering involved.

Where did you get this information?

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr11

The CA DMV offers replacement plates by mail.  Forging plates sounds dumber than the original prank.Answer #2: > was wondering if the printed replica that I laminate to make it look appealing would be considered forging a government document.

Yes, definitely.  Don't drive the car without plates.


Question:
Can I be sued by Harvard for committing a series of crimes while wearing a Harvard sweatshirt because doing so tarnishes their reputation?

Does it matter if I did it intentionally or if it was coincidental (just wearing the shirt at the wrong time)?

Answer: They sell those sweatshirts to the general public. It would be unreasonable for anyone to assume that the mere fact that you're wearing a sweatshirt means you're affiliated with the institution, much less representing them.


Title: Private Citizen Building A Public Roadway In a Town for Property Access

Question:
So earlier this year I purchased a small piece of land in an old mining town in Colorado. When I purchased this land I knew I would need to extend the current street to access the property, and this is a right guaranteed to me by the Colorado Constitution under the section for Mountain Law and as public right of way already existed I would not need to establish easements. So as soon as the snow melted I got the surveyor and engineer to work designing the road and then got the utility company to begin the process of moving a guywire out of the right of way.

&#x200B;

Fast Forward to today and my road is designed and all points are surveyed, but I've run into a couple of issues.

&#x200B;

First, the power company wants me to pay \~$5k to move the guywire. As this guywire impinges on the right of way to my land (but is actually several hundred feet from my property), and was placed as a mistake on their part (admitted by their surveyor), I don't feel I should have to shoulder this cost. So my question is, am I right to insist I do not have to pay for this, and how would I still get them to carry out this work?

&#x200B;

Second, I was approached by two members of the town council, whom I also share a land border with (additionally the right of way cuts through two of their parcels). One of them was fairly outspoken that the road not be built, while the other tried to walk back what the first one had said, and make it clear I had the right to build the road. Once they calmed down they did make it clear to me that they were very concerned about erosion because the roadway is above their house on the hillside. They also mentioned they had flooding issues that could be made worse by the new road. While I'm not really concerned with them standing in my way a far the the roadway permitting process goes. I am somewhat concerned that they could claim (after the road is built) that flooding in their house was the result of the new road, is this a reasonable concern, and how might I prevent this from happening?

&#x200B;

Thanks for reading and any help is much appreciated.

Answer: Public right of way and your right of way are different which is this. As for council concerns, yeah you're opening a can of worms. Real estate attorney before you go further.


Title: Child Custody Marijuana Use

Question:
Hello, I am a father who loves his daughter in the state of Florida. However, my ex-wife is trying to take my daughter away from me on the grounds that there is marijuana in my home. In the past 6 months, I had to move back in with my family as I had been facing, like many fellow Americans, the harsh reality of unemployment. I do not smoke personally, but my family members do smoke marijuana. My daughter is unaware of the smoking and lives a comfortable life with her own bedroom, a lot of toys, and a lot of healthy, organic food.

My ex-wife is trying to obtain full-custody as she is uncomfortable with our daughter living in a home where marijuana use occurs. I am now employed and trying to move out, however, I am afraid that in the mean time my pride and joy could be taken away from me. I have tried to do my own slipshod research and have read that I may need to get a house study done to help my case.

Lawyers of Reddit, could you please give me legal advice on the situation so that I may legally keep my daughter? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

(TL;DR: I live with my family who smokes marijuana and my ex-wife wants full custody of our child because she disapproves of the drug use. How do I keep partial custody of my daughter IN FLORIDA?)

Answer:
 I work for cps (though not in your state). You do not want to get any reports made that this is occurring.

I've seen plenty of cases where we get involved with a family because there's smoking happening inside, even in separate rooms.

Judges don't like to see people smoking weed in the house with kids.

if you get reported for this, there could potentially be some repercussions. Whether you believe it to be serious or not, I've seen temporary custody go to the other parent because of this plenty of times. And often it becomes a permanent custody change.

If you have to live there, she needs to be out of the house when they smoke. Every time, no exceptions. Moving asap would be wise, or have visits with your daughter out in the community until you do move.

Answer #2: You don't need legal advice, you need common sense advice. If you care about seeing your daughter you need to keep her away, completely, from marijuana. I can't even imagine ever letting my child live in a house where illegal substances were consumed regularly.Answer #3: Are they smoking marijuana inside of the house? Answer #4: It's pretty reasonable for your ex to insist that your child not live in a home where illegal drug* use is a regular thing.  You will have to find other housing.  Until you can secure other housing, you can and should still exercise visitation time with your daughter, just not overnights until you find a suitable drug-free home.

*I personally agree that mj should probably be legal, but it isn't right now.
Answer #5: Are they smoking illegally or medically?  (I don't know if fl allows medical so I'm asking)


Title: [SC] Had my fiance listed on the deed to my house. We seperated and before I was able to take her off the deed. Months before this, she forged my signature to take out a large lien using it as bail money.

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 There's no step two, here. You're doing the right thing by speaking to a lawyer.

The lawyer who notarized the document is likely in a world of hurt - think "might not get to be a lawyer any more" - unless there's some good explanation for why they believed you were present. Someone with a really good fake ID, or similar. I wouldn't tip your hand that you know something's fishy, yet: the last thing you need is for your fiancé's friend to skip bail while you're trying to get this sorted out.


Title: [California] How to loan money to a friend (with interest) without getting screwed?

Question:
My friend has asked me for a loan of $5,000 in order to fix up his house a bit before putting it on the market.

He has over $100,000 equity in the house and will no doubt have the money to pay me back once it sells, and I trust him to do that as we've been friends for over 20 years.

He also has offered to pay me back a flat sum of $2,500 for my troubles in addition to the $5,000 I loaned him, for a total of $7,500, once it sells.

He is willing to pay me the extra $2,500 in "interest" because he believes he will likely be able to add closer to $10,000+ in the final sale price of his house for investing the $5,000 in improvements before listing it for sale.

The house he's selling is in a very hot sellers market right now in Sacramento, California, and I do think it's a smart idea to fix it up with carpet and paint, etc. before selling, and that the house will likely sell quick without any major issues, as it's a newer house in good condition.

I know they always say to "never lend money to friends or family", but the prospect of making $2,500 bucks in 3 or 4 months is intriguing to me, and I'd like to help my friend out, as well. (Seems like this could be a win-win.)

He said he is willing to sign a contract, put it in writing, whatever it takes.

How should I go about doing this the 'right' way, making sure I protect my $5,000 investment as best as possible?

Is there any way to make this 100% risk free for me? i.e. Any way I can guarantee that, at the very worst, I will at least get my $5,000 back if for some reason it doesn't sell?

I researched a little on lending to family and friends but I couldn't find any articles that were specific to this situation. It sounds like I'll likely want to draw up a promissory note and get it notarized, but is this enough?  Should I ask for collateral? Get lawyers involved? Have the money taken out at close of escrow to make sure I get paid, rather than take his word for it that he will? Something else I'm forgetting, or should do?

I do trust him, but just having him sign a piece of paper and then handing him over a check for $5,000 is still a little scary to me and I want to make sure if we do this, we do it right.

Answer:
 > He is willing to pay me the extra $2,500 in "interest" ... in 3 or 4 months

That interest rate is probably usury and illegal.  Scale back.

> Is there any way to make this 100% risk free for me?

No.

> How should I go about doing this the 'right' way, making sure I protect my $5,000 investment as best as possible?

Put your agreement, including interest and payback time lines in writing. Be prepared to sue a friend if he defaults.


Title: Rhode Island. Can a boss ask to see my arms?

Question: Rhode Island. I work as a veterinary technician and recently started at a new clinic. I normally wear long sleeves under my scrubs because of an extra layer against cats claws. Today my boss asked me if she could see the inside of my arms with my sleeves pulled up. I said yes and showed her. She said that she was looking for track marks and was looking for users. I don’t think I give a junkie vibe; i’m over weight, come in early, stay late, am never alone with drugs worth using. Just asking because I am curious was she in the right to ask that?

Answer:
 A simple explanation is she’s missing drugs and is checking everyone. It happens at vet clinics more often, and I wouldn’t take it personally.Answer #2: Yes, there is no law against asking to see your arms.Answer #3: Yes, it is legal.   I would add, there is probably a good chance that recently some drugs went "missing"...

Don't take it personally, its a fact of life when you work around drugs.


Title: I think a kennel worker might have abused my family's dog (an injury that ended up killing him). What can I do?

Question:
EDIT: Added location.

This took place in Kennewick, WA.

My parents left the dog at a Kennel while they went away for a couple days. At that point, Lincoln was his normal, energetic and spry self. Upon picking him up, though, they noticed he was favoring one hind leg and that he wouldn't jump up into the car as he was usually want to do. They took him to the vet the next day, as he began showing signs of pain. The vet did a full check and couldn't find anything wrong. Assuming it was a sprain of some kind, he prescribed some pain meds and sent them home.

Over the next few days, Lincoln showed more and more signs of pain (whining incessantly) and gradually lost the ability to move one hind leg, then the other. By the end he couldn't move anything below his waist (couldn't walk, couldn't move his tail, couldn't even defecate). They took him to the vet, who re-checked Lincoln's spine and found "a depression" in the spinal column. When they moved his lower half while applying pressure to the back, they felt and heard grinding and popping. An X-ray showed a very damaged vertebrae that was almost certainly tearing up his nervous system, and also putting pressure on his Sciatic nerve. The vet said the wound had deteriorated so rapidly, there was already too much damage to ever undo. So my family decided it was best to put the dog down, which they did that night.

Lincoln had lived 6 years of his species' average of 10-12. He was fine before the kennel, and he was hurt afterward. His last days were filled with pain and paralysis.

Is there anything we can do to get any kind of restitution for this? Even if it's just to save another dog in the future? Backs don't just break by themselves. Lincoln could be downright difficult to catch when he didn't want to be caught, and I can see some punk Kennel employee growing impatient enough to give him a kick in the rear for his trouble. I can't think of anything else that could have happened - the kennel is wide open, it's grassy and soft, the dogs are kept in separate crates during nighttime. Of course there's no videos to pull and we've already called the kennel, who "can't recall" anything happening out of the ordinary.

Thanks in advance for anything anyone here can do for our family, we're all taking his death really hard.

EDIT 2: Thanks for the advice and condolences, everyone. It sounds like it'd be tough to pursue any action. To be honest, my interest is less about money and more about making sure this wouldn't happen to someone else's dog. Still, even that seems like it would be unrealistic to pursue. So we'll just miss him and keep his memories close. :) Thanks again, /r/legaladvice!

Answer:
 > Is there anything we can do to get any kind of restitution for this?

You can try to sue the kennel for your damages - the value of the dog and perhaps vet bills. However, this may be difficult - you would need to prove either:

1. That the kennel caused the injury deliberately or through negligent inaction
2. That they didn't take the appropriate steps to mitigate or fix the issue.

You have issues with both. Especially with #2 - if your doctor couldn't diagnose the issue properly after a full exam, it's unreasonable to think that the kennel should have done so.


Title: MT/WA- my “husband” committed bigamy by marrying me. Who/ how do I report him?

Question: We were married in Washington state but we are both currently in Montana. We are separated already, and I’d love to annul ASAP

Answer: Annulment would be most quickly done using a family law attorney, who would be glad to answer your other questions as well. I do not know how aggressive the state of Washington is in prosecuting bigamy cases. Answer #2: Bigamy is a crime.  You should report it in Washington where you got married.  Provide law enforcement with the proof of the first marriage.  As for a divorce or annulment, you would pursue that in Montana with a family law attorney.


Title: [MA, USA] Lab canceled test and didn't inform us for a month. Now my daughter's undiagnosed/treated CMV may have caused untold damage to her nervous system. Is this cause for a MedMal case?

Question:
Hello!

My daughter was born 5 weeks premature and was in the NICU for two weeks for Apneia of Prematurity. During her stay she failed her hearing test twice and was referred to an Audiologist for an official diagnosis. To test to see if the cause of her hearing loss was caused by CMV they took a urine sample. CMV is a pretty serious viral infection that can cause seizures, kidney failure, liver failure, mental retardation, vision and hearing loss, death, and a whole hosts of other issues.

We were assured that she probably didn't actually have a hearing loss as the in-hospital test gets a lot of false failures and it was even slimmer chance that she had CMV. Regardless, a urine sample was taken and sent to the lab.

We asked after results for about a week and were assured that the lab was working on it and we would have the results in time for the Audiologist appointment.

We never got the results even after the appointment with the Audiologist. She was diagnosed with a severe hearing loss, though. When I asked the Audiologist (who works at the same hospital) what her results were from the CMV test, she assured me that CMV is rare and that the loss is probably genetic.

We finally asked the pediatrician within the same hospital system (baby is 5 weeks old, now) what the results were of the CMV. She couldnt find any record of the test in the shared electronic chart system and had to investigate. Turns out the lab canceled the order and the nurses and doctors never followed up. A new CMV test was run and she is positive. We are now starting a 6 week antiviral course to prevent any further damage from the CMV. We could have started this treatment weeks ago had the order been processed. The pediatrician blamed this all on the new computer software system and said that they keep having lots of communication issues thanks to the learning curve.

I have no idea what the damages are here, if there are even damages at all. Does this seem like its worth speaking to a lawyer about? Or should we just file an official complaint with the AMA?

Thanks all for your time and knowledge!

Answer: It definitely seems worth it. Contact a malpractice lawyer, who can tell you for sure.


Title: Smoked out

Question: When new neighbours moved in next door we got along okay, there wasn't much contact but definitely no hostility. But then winter came along, nearly every day they burn wood in their fireplace, most of the time the wind blows the smoke directly to our house. It smells horrible and if we leave the windows open for just a minute half the house smells like smoke, winters here (the Netherlands) are not too severe so we can open the windows. My brother has a dust allergy so fresh air is appreciated, but now he can't open the windows. We have asked them multiple times (always politely) to burn a little less so we can have some fresh air. I know the house, they are not dependent on the fireplace for heat or anything else. Furthermore I think the chimney is not placed according to regulations, but I'm not all that sure. Is there anything I can do to make them burn less or something else that will give us the opportunity for some fresh air?

Answer:
 There are few people on r/legaladvice who know anything about Dutch laws. You may have more luck asking on the generalist subreddit r/theNetherlands Answer #2: Laws aside, fireplaces/chimneys in proper working order should not be venting smoke into near by windows. This could be a maintenance issue that your landlord could/should fix. The flume could be stuck closed or it needs to be cleaned and smoke is venting out a crack or intake vent which lofts into your house instead of going up and out.

Legally I doubt you can make someone alter their fireplace habits but if it’s working as it should, this shouldn’t happen. Answer #3: NAL but I would be willing to to bet that you could potentially have the chimney examined, but they do have the right to use their own fireplace.


Title: Or-Children removed from home by DHS HELP!

Question: My children were removed from my home following multiple complaints by my parents. What is the best way to proceed in dealing with DHS, keeping kids in the home, and avoid further dealings in the future? Is it better to "jump through the hoops" thus potentially extending this DHS relationship indefinitely, or to act quickly on any infringements of rights as they occur.

Answer:
 You need an attorney.

To be frank with you:  in cases of custody/child welfare, no one gives a shit about "your rights".  What is important is *the best interest of the child*.  Generally, DSHS considers the best interest of the child to be, by default, return to the home of the parents.  When they remove a child from a home, it is because they see evidence that this home environment is actually NOT in the best interest of the child OR actively dangerous/harmful to the child.

You need to show DSHS that your home is the best place for your child, and that means responding to the complaints and correcting the issues that caused the children to be removed in the first place.

To keep the kids, you need to keep your home environment a place that is in their best interest.

Get a lawyer, stop focusing on yourself and your rights, and start focusing on the best interest of the children.

**IF** a serious breach has occurred, your lawyer can help you with that after the custody is sorted.  Answer #2: You almost certainly want a family law attorney.

We don't have enough information to advise you.


Title: [NYC] Bathroom in my apartment is broken and under construction for 2 weeks. Do I still pay full rent?

Question:
I sublease a room in an apartment from "Dan" who is the primary lease holder. There are 3 other girls in the apartment with me, we all have our own room, and we each write "Dan" a rent check each month.

Dan lives in the master suite which has its own attached private bath. The other three girls and I all share one bathroom in the main part of the home. Right now, the girls bathroom is broken and under construction for the next two weeks. Every time we need to bathe, etc. we have to go down the hall to a vacant apartment in the same building, and do our business there.

My question is, do I still pay full rent?

Any insight is appreciated. Thank you!!

Answer: Yes you do. However it is up to the landlord to provide livable conditions and reasonable accommodations. Although this is an inconvience for you it sounds like it is reasonable. If you do not pay rent and it goes to court you won't win. I would suggest possibly talking with Dan or the landlord and ask for a credit for the inconvience as they may discount that months rent but doesn't have to. I am not a lawyer and my comment is based on similar comments I've seen on this subreddit for various similar problems.


Title: GA - Statute of limitations on traffic violations?

Question:
So today at Christmas celebrations my sister handed me a piece of certified mail from the GA Department of Driver Services. It says that my license is suspended immediately pursuant to O.C.G.A 40-5-57.1 as a result of your conviction for the following offense(s) prior to reaching age twenty-one (21):
FL division drivers license speeding, more than 25 over. Disposition 08/07/2009. Violation 07/23/2009. Points 4.

This suspension went into effect immediately upon your conviction. The period of this suspension is six months. No limited driving permit is available for this suspension. The Department of Driver Services began calculating your eligibility for reinstatement on the issue date printed below unless you surrendered your driver's license prior to that date. O.C.G.A 40-5-61(e).

In order to reinstate your driver's license after you have served the applicable period of suspension, you must provide a certificate of completion from an approved defensive driving program at a licensed driver improvement clinic and pay a reinstatement fee of $210.00.

Then it states that I must appeal in writing within 10 days of this notice. My sister signed for this on the 14th, and handed it to me on the night of the 24th.

Date issued 12/07/2017.

Have I actually lost my license over an incident that happened over 8 years ago? I was in college then and making plenty of mistakes. I'm nearly 30 now and absolutely need my vehicle for my job. It seems insane that they could impose this on me this far down the line. If a lawyer may be able to assist it would be well worth it to not have to lose my job over, but I don't know what kind of lawyer I would be looking for or how to find one. The Florida officer told me that if I paid the fine it wouldn't affect my license at all. Otherwise I would have driven to their courthouse to fight it.

I can give any additional information necessary.

Answer:
 Usually this happens when offices do not coordinate and your offense gets backlogged. You think it disappears, and then suddenly it comes back out of nowhere and the civil matter is now in your face. This is bad juju because it should've been handled then. At this point, a simple call to the courthouse clerk can help shed light on... why now?

If that doesn't work, lawyer up time.

A traffic infraction is not criminal, so there is no statute of limitation, legally. An offense committed in a vehicle is valid for life if witnessed by a law enforcement officer and sworn in a narrative (aka affidavit).  This is the same policy for testimony. If a witness saw an event 50 years ago, it's just as valid as it happening yesterday.

Fight it! You got this.


Title: Is it legal for my employed to require that I work a fundraiser for free? (OH, USA)

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Are you normally paid hourly?


Title: Question about police suppressing evidence in this post on another subreddit. What do police have to gain by putting the wrong people in jail?

Answer:
 Part of it is career advancement. I'm not sure if this is true nation wide, but in MA part of being considered for promotions is your conviction rate. It doesn't matter if the person did it or not. As long as they get convicted, the officer gets a point in their book.Answer #2: I think there are several factors.  Pressure from above to meet statistics showing crimes solved.

Some may just be cynical and have blinders in about the evidence.  Look up confirmation bias.  They’ve seen plenty of people get off on technicalities, they are lied to all the time and probably believe this person did it.


Title: 🆘My stepson is dangerous and scary in my home. I can’t have him here for visitations. Help!

Question:
First off- I know this is sooo long.  However details are important.  If you make it to the end, thank you from the bottom of my desperate heart.  My marriage and family is in crisis- and on the line.

My 15 yo stepson “TJ” comes to our home every other weekend, sleeping over Fri-Sun.  He’s had behavioral problems for a long while; a nuisance in school, outbursts in his mom’s home, hurting animals, stealing, lying, cheating, and way too many instances of anger, jealousy, and seeking negative attention in our home.  He literally enjoys making others miserable- you would have to see it to believe it.  The smirk on his face says it all. However, in the last 3 months, he’s become physically violent; he has choked our little 2 yo baby (TJ’s dads new baby with me) after a petty and typical circumstance that a 2 year old would do, that pissed off TJ.  Once TJ was scolded by us, he threatened suicide and was beyond irrational- not understanding the severity of what he did to a small, defenseless child.  We took him to a local children’s psych ward (with us there the entire time) in which he was hostile with the medical staff, throwing equipment, spitting on the windows and walls, etc.  His mother, my hubby’s ex, was aware we were taking him to the hospital, in which she showed up 6 hours later in her bikini- after a sun filled day boating.

We were given an outpatient program, where TJ would have access to psychologist, behavioral specialist, and doctors who could perform an intense 3-day exam to properly diagnose his obvious mental health issues- and in turn, finally get him on the correct meds.  His mother doesn’t work, she is on state support, and gets a hearty child support payment each month.  In 3 months she has not made 1 phone call, or an attempt to get TJ into the outpatient program where he’d have all the resources in the world to help him, before he becomes a statistic, or just like his older brother who this same mother allowed to be an 8th grade drop out,  because he was such a “pain in the ass” to get him up in the morning. Are you seeing a pattern here?

Flash forward to 12/23.
The same little 2 year old who knows no better, accidentally stepped on TJ’s phone lying on the ground.  TJ lunges at him and says, “What the f***, (baby name)!!!!”  My husband (TJ’ bio dad) grabs him so he’s not able to harm our 2 year old again, and a 18+ minute struggle goes on- both extremely physical and verbal- my husband just trying to restrain him.  After removing our baby, and giving him to my teen daughters downstairs, I video the struggle, for my husband’s safety, video for law enforcement + health professionals, as well as liability these days.

During this struggle, TJ hits me 5 times- wanting to slap the phone out of my hand, but hitting me in the same time, each time.  Calling me a b****, a c***, among other words, as he’s nose to nose with both his dad and I.  During the whole ordeal you can hear me quietly telling him to stay calm, breathe, and this doesn’t need to escalate.  He then calls his mother on speaker phone, who tells him “its bullshit what we are doing. And don’t worry honey- they won’t call the cops because you have marks on you.”  (Well, we did call the cops.  4 came, and after watching my video, all 4 suggested we get an emergency order to go against the visitation schedule until he’s had major professional help.) and “I can’t believe your dad is choosing your baby brother over you...etc” only condoning and justifying his behavior. The irony- she calls, sends videos, texts, and FaceTimes us when TJ is acting out in her home, and DEMANDS his father “to step up and get his ass there, because she can’t do this on her own!”  So when we get serious; get cops involved, we take him into the hospital for threatening suicide, all things legitimate, not to mention he’s now resorted to assault and violence, she babies him.

After this incident I get a text, to only me, from TJ’s mom (ex wife) that reads: “I will not allow another woman to get between my child and his father.  You will take him on New Years Eve because I have big plans and reservations.  Who do you think you are?   Things are going to get real fucking ugly, real fucking fast.  I will be there with cops when I drop him off, so PLAN ON IT!  I’m so FUCKING SERIOUSSSS!”  I don’t reply.  Hubby has been on the phone with the outpatient program, and we both agree he will have to personally take TJ himself since mom obviously is incapable or just to self absorbed to put effort into anyone but herself.

👉🏽 This is where I need your advice!  I do NOT trust him around my two daughters, my 2 year old, nor myself now that he’s assaulted me.  He is huge, way bigger than me.  And in that rage, he’s a 10’  rabid bear.  My own custody with my girls is in jeopardy with this going on, my ex could easily take my girls away because of this toxic and unpredictable violent behavior!  But here we have his ex, TJ’s mother that only cares about her party plans and getting rid of TJ as fast as she can every other weekend.  Side note: my husband works 60-70 hours per week, so there’s not slot of options to see TJ in the weekdays.  But I cannot and will not have him in my home.  My husband even agrees, without ANY pressure from me.

PLEASE HELP!  What is the best advice you can give me for everyone involved? Am I being to overly protective?  Too harsh?  I’m just not willing to risk “what’s he going to do next.....”. Please help! 😢
Topic:
Custody Divorce and Family

Answer:
 You have to take a step back here. You are not the childs biological parent. The parents have the legal options not you. It's up to his parents to do something about this.

Your options are limited. Its your significant others kid and they likely wont agree to having their kid banned from your home. You may have to end your relationship and move out to keep your children safe.

I think you know what you need to do.


Title: Underage drinking at college in Pennsylvania

Question:
Hello, I was recently in a situation where I was leaving a party my fraternity was throwing and was issued a citation. I walked out of the party with a large bottle filled with a mixed drink (stupid I know) and a police officer originally just told me to pour out the drink and throw it away.

I was walking away when a different officer from a different police department ( the town’s police, not the schools) called me over and asked to breathalyze me. I obliged and only blew a .069.  At my school, your first citation can be expunged with an ARD program. However, at home in MA, I also went through one of these programs so I am ineligible for this.

I pleaded not guilty today and have 2 week to change that decision if I’d like, I’m just curious how I should go about dealing with this?

TL;DR - got arrested for underage drinking, can’t be expunged because I’ve gotten in trouble before.

Answer:
 You can speak to a lawyer to get the best outcome.

Stop drinking until you're 21.  The impact this could have on your long-term future is not worth the short-term joy you get from getting drunk.


Title: Currently separated, wife wants to push divorce date forward. Law in North Carolina is 1 year of separation.

Question: My wife is trying to get me to push the divorce date up considerably sooner than the 1 year mark. I've read that judges typically take your word for it but I'm worried about perjury charges. Any advice or precautions I should take.

Answer:
 You should contact a lawyer.

We also advise you not to break the lawAnswer #2: If she is really in a hurry, you can file for an at-fault divorce as she is committing adultery under NC law

That bypasses that 1 year requirementsAnswer #3: What's the hurry?


Title: Just got my bail revoked a week before my final court case, is it fine to just appear in court in a week? [Texas]

Question: [deleted]

Answer: If you had your bail revoked you should be in jail.


Title: [Eastern WA] I'm near the end of a fixed-term 12 month lease and my property manager wants to change how rents are processed, and also institute a rule requiring renter's insurance, neither of which are a part of my lease agreement.

Question:
My property manager sent out an email to tenants that effective January 1st, rents would either need to be paid by card online (incurring a pretty heavy 3% card fee) or by check with a $15 "processing fee"

My rent is around $750, so it's either paying with card and incurring a $22.50 card fee, or paying by check as I have for the past year and incurring a $15 "processing fee." Money orders also incur a "processing fee"

I think this is just an excuse to raise rents without legally increasing the actual rent. I've read through my lease and it describes that rent must be paid no later than 5 days after the first of the month, and on a page after what seems like the full lease contract, describes how rent can be paid online or at a physical rent drop location. Even though the page describing the ways to pay rent is after the page with the signatures, can it be considered a part of the lease? Do I have any legal recourse for the increase in my rent in the middle of my fixed lease term?

As well, my property manager says starting January 1st, all tenants are required to have renter's insurance. They will either be providing it themselves and charging $16.50/mo for it, or requiring proof of renter's insurance. This was definitely not a part of the lease agreement.

I'm planning on calling my property manager to talk about it in the morning.

If they insist on applying these changes to me even though I'm on a fixed term lease, can I consider this as them breaking the lease, allowing me to vacate before the end of the lease term?

I've read online on laws in WA regarding rent increases, but there's less information about rule changes, and I'm not even sure what to call the change regarding payment of rents.

Answer:
 Are you sure it is all cards that incur the fee?  Many only charge that fee for credit cards and allow debit cards to process for free.
'
What does your lease say are acceptable methods for paying rent


Title: My professor is requiring us to disclose our "culture or ethnicity" as an assignment requirement in an online class. Is that legal?

Question: I'm taking this online course. I'm in Indiana and so is the school. As part of the assignments, we are required to complete a service project with (at minimum) four hours of work with a person who is not of our ethnicity or culture.  I submitted my assignment in the class forums and now I'm being specifically asked by the teacher to say how the culture of the organization I'm working with is different than my own.  I was under the impression that it was illegal for a school to require this kind of information from its students.  Any help?

Answer:
 This is not illegal. This is basic census information.

It would be illegal if they used this information to treat you negatively.Answer #2: A) Not illegal

B) not what he's asking.

The professor isn't asking what you are, just whether you're different. So say "I'm not x (what the organization supports" rather than "I'm Y".

So if it's a faith based organization supporting disadvantaged Jews, you don't have to say "I'm catholic", you just have to Say "im not Jewish". Answer #3: > I was under the impression that it was illegal for a school to require this kind of information from its students.

Your impression is incorrect.Answer #4: Not illegal at all. In fact it's asked by just about every school, because race/ethnicity is one of the things they're asked to report to places like IPEDS.Answer #5: The school can know you’re black/white/martian, whatever. It only becomes illegal if they treat you differently based on that information. Answer #6: Not illegal. You may thinking of it being optional to disclose ethnicity on *application* documentation.

Very different thing.Answer #7: Not illegal, but the idea of "culture" is basically non-falsifiable in this case. You could claim you are acting as part of the culture of "college students" or "millenials" then anyone you help outside of that will fit the requirement.