Title: [CA] My fiancee's former boss entered his name, address, and social security number incorrectly on his W2. He wants to charge my fiance $200, possibly more, to correct it. Is this at all legal? What's the best course for my fiancee to take to get his corrected W2 without paying money?

Question:
The title basically says it all ... my fiancee's former boss is being very shady about his W2. He gave my fiancee a W2 with several major errors that my fiancee doesn't want to risk trying to file. We need the W2 because we had a baby last year and need the tax break money. We also don't want to pay $200 and possibly more for the same reason.

My fiancee worked for a landscaping company with probably around 12 employees, most of whom were undocumented and off the books. The owner of the company has a history of very shady business practices (paying overtime under the table, hiring and underpaying undocumented workers, etc.) and is pretty much used to getting his way when it comes to ignoring employee rights. I don't think he'll cooperate on this without a fight.

Answer:
 Don't pay.  If the boss won't give him a correct W-2 for free, start the complaint process with the IRS.  In the meantime, you can file your taxes based on the actual income and withholding numbers on his final paystub for the year.

https://www.irs.gov/help-resources/tools-faqs/faqs-for-individuals/frequently-asked-tax-questions-answers/irs-procedures/w-2-additional-incorrect-lost-non-receipt-omitted/w-2-additional-incorrect-lost-non-receipt-omitted-2
Answer #2: This is not in any way legal. The company messed up, the company needs to correct it. Use the IRS link below, and this may also help you.

https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc154.html


Title: Reddit, my lawyer died, now what?

Question:
I'm a 24 y.o. white male in the state of MS.

I was arrested in 2012 for my 3rd DUI. I've since cleaned up, but there have been lots of barriers along the way to my trial. The officer that arrested me was later fired from the force for some kind of fraud scheme. The prosecution asked for all kinds of continuances and my lawyer required one after he had a heart attack November, 2014. Now, he has passed away.

I paid him a lot of money to represent me and now he's gone. The court had scheduled me to appear last Monday, and I notified my lawyer, and he said he'd take care of it, which I believe he has, but beyond that, I don't know what the status of my case is or what I should do now.

I know that the prosecutor still wants to convict me, but they were having trouble getting the officer to show up to testify. I don't know if this is still the case, but last I heard he was still under investigation. Before the heart attack, the plan was to just go and plead not guilty in the hopes that the officer wouldn't show up and they'd have no probable cause testimony.

Answer:
 Call the lawyer's office.  They likely(hopefully) have a succession plan of some sort.

Else, start calling around for a new attorney.


Title: [CA] I am a 31M who is owed $200 by a 18F. How can I go about contacting this person legally about repayment without venturing into harassment?

Question: So with an amount too small to bother with small claims court, are there any legal ways of contacting this person in order to try to get repayment? Being both older and male, I am very weary of the narrative of the older guy who won't leave her alone - even though I have no intention of talking to her ever again after getting my $200 back. So far I have sent three texts (waiting a full day in between in one) and calling once and leaving a message with no response.

Answer:
 Certified letter. Use high quality paper. People fear fancy paper.

Now answer the million dollar question: How did you come across giving an 18 year old girl $200 bucks?


Title: nervous i mightve screwed up

Question: So I was texting a girl on tinder and we had started sexting. I asked her if she wanted me to send a pic and she said yes. I sent a full body nude and she responded that she liked it. I sent her another close up of my member and she did not respond. I think she may have been offended. Could I get in legal trouble for that? I txted her rep easterly when she didn't respond telling her I didn't mean to iffend her. This was about a month ago and nothing has happened

Answer: Dude, relax. She probably just wasn't attracted to your junk. It's ok. Move on.Answer #2: How is this a legal question? Are you looking for relationship advice? Here it is: don't send pictures of your dick to women, they don't want to see it and she's out with some other dude who treats her with more respect.


Title: Ticketed for violating tree trimming ordinance. Any chance of getting the charges dropped?

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Trim it back, take a picture.  Go to court.  Plead your case (be polite).  Explain the error you made.  Pay fine if required.


Title: Housing discrimination

Question: Hello r/legaladvice I am wondering whether or not a few housing management companies are discriminating against me. First of all I am with 2 other roommates and we are all full time students with stable jobs with the university. We can place a full deposit and have cosigners or double deposits. However the housing adds and management companies have given some odd reasons why we can't even apply for homes. One said that one of us has to be a part time student for taxes. Another has says only Grad students and no Sophomore students. From what I have researched is housing can discriminate against students such as no students however they have to cover all students not just undergrads or grad students. So my question is it legal to do any of this selective discriminate? Is it legal to ask if I am a student or a full time/part time student? If it helps I am in Fort Collins.

Answer: Yes, it's legal to discriminate based on your status as a student


Title: Can one fire an employee for possibly being schizophrenic?(CA LAW)

Question: A coworker of mine has recently been behaving very oddly. She's always come across as insecure and like she was trying to stick out for attention. But she's recently told me and other coworkers stories that cross some lines. She goes through periods where she will miss days of work because she has an emergency/ personal issue. When she returns we get crazy stories about how her neighbors have put cameras into her home to watch her. She'll hit an emotional low with mass amounts of paranoia and then the following week be the most cheerful person you have ever met. This month she spent two weeks being in a horrible mood complaining about almost every little thing. Then suddenly this last week she came into work and hugged **literally** every single person who crossed her path **at least once**. I got two hugs. She was humming and singing at her desk. She asked to join my coworkers and I on a walk during break. She jumped out of her chair at one point in the day and declared it uncomfortable and starting changing out chairs with coworkers without permission. She made us touch a pen and wouldn't leave us alone until we did, but gave us zero reason as to why. She asked a coworker if she could stay the night at her house to get away from the voices. And when prompted as to why she was in a good mood she told my coworker that the neighbors who put cameras in her house are sending her telepathic images/memories of her childhood. **I'm terrified**. Normally her highs are followed by horrible lows. Sometimes she makes the managers listen to her complain and she screams and yells at them for hours about how stressed she is at work. All of us are uncomfortable. I talked to my manager and she doesn't know what we can do legally. Apparently this hasn't effected her work performance so we can't fire her for that. My manager is concerned we cant fire her for mental health issues in CA. We're thinking about drug testing her. *But what if it's not drugs and it is schizophrenia? What can we do?* **ANY** help is appreciated.

Answer:
 Assuming CA to be California and not Canada--you can fire somebody for hugging people inappropriately or bothering their co-workers for requests to stay with them whether it's from schizophrenia or general PITA-itis. You can fire her for missing too much work if it's not protected leave under a relevant law.  You can absolutely fire her for screaming at the managers.  It wouldn't hurt for your employer to consult with a lawyer to make sure it's doing it properly (the drug testing idea sounds like trouble to me--a workplace policy of drug testing the mentally ill?), but there are schizophrenics who hold down jobs without doing what she's doing. In short, your manager sucks.

That being said, it doesn't sound like her actions have been threatening, just erratic. An employer could have information that you as a co-worker don't in a situation like this and may wish to keep an employee on even through a difficult time.  From what you've said, though, this is because your manager is clueless and spineless. Manager needs to talk to somebody who knows the score here and understand that this needs to be handled, by firing or by management, rather than letting this employee scare off the rest of the staff.Answer #2: Not that it matters much, but I'm not so sure that's schizophrenia.  My MIL is bipolar and your description very closely matches her behavior when she was unmedicated.

You might consider calling Adult Protective Services if you start to be concerned about her safety or others.


Title: Tax question: I received a form showing I had only had health insurance for five months. I had it all year.

Question:
In June my employer switched from “normal” insurance to “self insured “ health insurance. BCBS of Kansas still runs things but we got new ID cards with different numbers. The benefits were the same.

The letter I got is from a law office that states I was only insured for part of the year.

So question: will I be getting another form or is this likely a mistake? Does my employer going over to self insured make it I didn’t actually have health insurance? If there is a mistake do I contact my employer( public school special ed coop) or the law office that issued the insurance letter?

Location is Kansas

Answer: You should get a second letter that shows your coverage for the other 7 months.


Title: [Virginia] I was hit by a car while riding my bike. They sped off. Officer said detective will contact me within 3 weeks

Question:
I was cycling home from a friends house when I got hit by a car.  I took off their mirror, which I ended up turning in to the police.

It happened around 2:30AM.  After I realized the car left and got my bearings straight, I ended up going home and sleeping it off.  I reported it the following morning around 9:30AM after my dad suggested I call the police.

My bike is worth about $1k and was damaged.  I don't know if the frame was bent, but the gears and pedals were certainly bent up.

This happened in a very well lit area right in front of some university parking garages, which probably caught it on tape.

After reporting it, the police officer said I could expect the detective to get back to me within 3 weeks.

I just want to make sure they get to the video before it gets deleted and I don't end up having to foot the bill for fixing my bike.

Is 3 weeks a normal amount of time to expect for a response?

Answer:
 Cops can drag their feet. You might try calling the university and ask if they will at least preserve the video until the cops get around to asking for it.Answer #2: A lot of security systems only keep recorded footage for a short period before overwriting it. You might want to get in touch with the university and let them know what happened in the hope that if they do have footage they can look it up and keep it before it gets destroyed.

They probably won't release the recordings to you, but they can at least keep it for when/if the police request it.


Title: Someone is sueing my employer on behalf of all employees and I got a letter saying if I don't openly deny being included that I lose the right to sue my employer. Is that legal? (California)

Question: The person is sueing the entire corporation and has been for a couple years now. I got a letter asking if I wanted to piggy back the lawsuit but in so lose the right to sue on my own. It also states if I don't want to join but don't reply I am automatically part of the suit I just don't get part of the settlement. And lastly it states if I want no part at all I have to fill out a form, which includes the last four of my social btw, and send it back. Is this true? They can't possibly just umbrella me in my silence right? What should I do?

Answer:
 It's a class action lawsuit? Opt in if you want to be a part of the class (and as such you would be entitled to a portion of whatever settlement is offered to the class), or opt out if you want to retain your right to sue on your own, because you believe you have a strong enough suit to pursue against them individually.

It's legal.


Title: Can an uninsured driver sue?

Question:
If an uninsured driver is in a not at fault accident, can they still sue the driver who was at fault for the damage to their own car, medical bills and loss of earnings? (California).
I know there are some No Pay No Play laws in CA, though I believe this only prevents the uninsured driver from claiming for personal injury pain and suffering. I'm not certain about this so can anyone clarify please?

Answer: Yes they can.


Title: Parents trying to contact college student after he drops out and stops answering calls and messages from friends and family

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 If the student is an adult, the university police have no obligation to tell the parents anything. If the parents are concerned about his well-being, they can call the police (non-emergency) and request a wellness check, but the police _also_ won't tell them much if the son is doing fine.

Adults in the US have no legal obligation to remain in contact with their family.


Title: I was taken in an ambulance against my will (after a car accident) (no injuries), what made this worse was I had to piss really bad

Question: dfg

Answer:
 >  they pretty much forced me to go.

How did they "pretty much" force you to go?  Details are going to be important here.  Why how did they "force" you to go?

You cannot be forced to go to the hospital unless:

* The police have you in custody (like under suspicion for DWI in this case)
* If they have reason to believe you cannot care for yourself due to intoxication or mental defect
* If they have reason to believe you are a threat to yourself or others


Title: Ran away from the cops under the influence

Question:
I'm in Illinois fyi -

So I went out with a co-worker after work and when leaving the parking lot, a cop was standing on the sidewalk.  He walked up to my car and knocked on my window, I rolled it down and he said:

"Please put your seat belt on and get off your phone"
"Ok"
He then looked down and I had 2 beer bottles from the previous evening that I brought to the dog park.  After seeing that he said, "why don't you pull into this parking lot right here"

I had been drinking enough to blow over (5-6 beers)

I said "ok" and turned right on red.  For some reason I panicked and gunned it, when through a few ally's and parked in a housing district.

He wasn't in his car, nor asked for my license.  Without his car I don't think he has any video on it, but would assume he checked my plates.

However, he was parked in a parking lot very close to the bar and on foot.  I thought there was a law forbidding cops to be withing 1,000 feet of a drinking establishment.

I'm assuming I have a warrant out, but had questions:

How do you find out if you have a warrant out for your arrest?  I can't find any free ones online.

What will my warrant be?

Does anyone know of the 1,000 feet rule?

If I turn myself in, will I go to jail or just have to pay a fine?

Answer:
 Never heard of that law. It sounds absurd on its face.

I always run a plate before contacting the occupants of a car for officer safety and investigatory reasons. If he did that then you'll likely be identified.

Edit:  you'll likely go to jail. Running from the cops is a misdemeanor at a minimum.


Title: CA - Posting medical information on Social Media that was overheard on a scanner.

Question:
I'm writing in for a friend that doesn't understand how Reddit works.

In our county, we have public access to an online scanner for the county fire and county police. My friend, who i'll call Jayne, listens to the scanner and posts relative information about what is happening into a facebook page so others can know the happenings. On various occasions she's posted exact addresses, names and medical conditions of the person in which emergency crews were responding to.

Recently she received a threat saying if she did not stop posting information (name and address specifically) that she would be sued for breach of HIPAA violations. She justifies that she is not in the wrong because she is listening and sharing public information as she hears it that is already been broadcasted county wide.

On my part as a first responder I know that I cannot disclose any private information because my fire department can receive a lawsuit and/or fine for disclosing any information to the public.

With that context, I have some direct questions;

* As a member of the public with a scanner, can she post that information?
* What type of fines would she be looking at / what type of jail time?

Thanks for reading!

Answer:
 > Recently she received a threat saying if she did not stop posting information (name and address specifically) that she would be sued for breach of HIPAA violations.

Unless she is a health care provider and she receives this information through work, HIPAA does not apply.

If this information is put out over-the-air, it's public, and she's got no issue with re-publishing.


Title: [California] Minor's parents got arrested, immediate family wants to send her to her aunt in West Virginia as she is the most capable of caring for her. How should one go about doing this?

Question:
Hello all, I would very much appreciate any advice about this situation because this family is very distraught and looking for help.

On Thursday, August 6, my boyfriend's mom and dad got arrested and put into jail. His dad was arrested for violating his probation (didn't attend a previous court date and failed to meet with his probation officer) and his mom is being charged with a count of felony identity theft and a misdemeanor count of identity theft. I have absolutely no idea what she did or how she was doing what she did because his parents had been homeless for over a year and we never were in touch with them. All I know about them from the past year is that they were staying in hotels, friend's houses and in their car. However I'm not seeking advice about them, I'm seeking legal advice for their daughter, my boyfriend's sister. She is 15, turning 16 in November, and has been staying with his mom for the entire duration of their homelessness.

It appears that the mom won't be able to make bail, and thus will have to wait for her court date in jail (could be anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, more time if she's guilty). When she was arrested, the daughter was brought to my house (where my boyfriend and I live) because we were the closest relatives to the location where the mom was arrested. My boyfriend and I live with my parents, and have neither the finances nor the means to take care of the sister.

Thus comes the advice I'm asking for.
I have spoken with my boyfriend's grandfather, grandmother, uncle and aunt (grandparents live in Oregon with great-grandmother, can't take care of her; uncle lives in a few towns over but doesn't have the means to take care of her)... We have all agreed that the aunt is the only relative who is extremely financially able to take care of her. But she lives in West Virginia. I have spoken with her personally and she is willing to pay for everything, e.g., school, medical, recreational, misc. Out of all the relatives, the aunt is at the highest socio-economic status and is always traveling, buying new cars and going to events (like the superbowl and concerts). We all want her to move in with the aunt and we feel this would be absolutely best for this child's long term care (she'll be able to go to school, which the mother wasn't taking her to for the whole year that they were homeless), but the mom that got arrested is... well... she is kind of delusional. She has always been of a childish maturity level and can't think too far ahead, or even think about another person's life. She has been wishy-washy about sending her daughter to the aunt. We all believe that the mother will be willing to send her daughter to her aunt after we (the immediate family) have determined that this is our only option and explain to her that it's either this or she goes to cps.

Sorry for the long post, but what would be the best legal way to get this child into her aunt's care? What process should be taken? I have already prepared the Caregiver's Authorization Affidavit but I have a feeling more needs to be done.

I would really appreciate any and all advice. Thank you!!

Answer: Given that the mother is in jail for the foreseeable future, and the father is not available, it's going to either be a relative or foster care.  The system doesn't like to put kids who have relatives capable of taking care of them into foster care.  So effectively, the mother's opinion doesn't matter.


Title: My landlord told everyone what my occupation was and now it’s causing some issues...

Question:
I renewed my lease a few weeks ago on an apartment that I absolutely love. Been here for a year and happily  renewed, but it’s always after you sign a document that problems start to arise.

I am about to open my first business (a restaurant) and have not advertised anywhere that I am the owner. The only ones that directly knew were my landlords as I keep to myself and am too busy to really make connections in my complex.

After I signed my new lease (we recently got new management in our office so signing the lease was the first time I officially met them), they noticed that I wrote “business owner” under occupation and had asked to clarify. I told them and they were excited for me, bla bla bla.

Flash forward to the past few weeks after signing — I’ve had three people in the complex congratulate me on my new restaurant, my next door neighbor banging on my door asking to borrow money, and people asking for free food when it opens.  It’s even been so bad that I noticed yesterday that my door handle had been tampered with.

Talked to my landlords and they said I’m just “being paranoid.” I don’t know if there’s any action I could take, but I’m pretty annoyed. If it continues, I want to move elsewhere but I guess at this point I’m more concerned for my safety. I don’t like that people in the complex think I have money because I’m opening a restaurant and I especially feel uncomfortable that someone tried to tamper with my lock. Any advice?

Answer:
 The only thing I can suggest is to get a Ring-type camera so you can see who is at your door no matter where you are.

You might also want to rent a safety deposit box for all your important papers/items so if someone does manage to get in, they can't get those things.

Congrats on your business, I hope it is very successful.Answer #2: Nothing illegal happened.

If your lease stipulates that your landlord can't disclose your occupation (HIGHLY unlikely), you can take action on that breach.

Congrats on your restaurant!

note: assuming USA in generalAnswer #3: If you feel your door knob has been messed with you could put in a request for a fix. It’s just unlikely they will do that.


Title: Banned from local Chipotle for no valid reason.

Question:
Here's the story. I've been going to my local Chipotle Mexican Grill religiously for years. It's an excellent source of protein and healthy carbs for a low price, and it tastes great. I have been there realistically 300+ times in my lifetime, and would consider myself an outstanding customer (I let them know if they undercharge, I usually tip, I fill out their surveys etc... though none of that matters, it just adds to my anger). However, 3 months ago, one of the female employees gave me a wave, and I got her number. We met up that night, she led me on (told me she might actually like me... etc) and it ended up just being a one night stand. I'm not gonna lie, the next day when she told me we can "both be adults about this and move on," I was actually kind of hurt. I was really against doing anything that night honestly, but she begged. Though, this doesn't really matter either. Point is, I moved on, but continued to go to the Chipotle on a weekly+ basis as I always have done since the restaurant was built.

Today, (about 3 months after the incident) I went there normally, ordered my food to go (as usual), didn't acknowledge the girl (as usual), and was going to leave. However, I was stalled with some awkward casual conversation by one of the employees, only to find out that they had called the police on me. There was no prior warning, and they had never told me they were uncomfortable with my presence. It was a complete surprise. I was escorted out of the restaurant, and eventually they told me I am banned from ever going back there. Personally, I think it's discrimination because they would never do this to a female client were it a male employee, however, that probably doesn't matter.

I'm actually pretty bummed about this whole situation, as I love that restaurant. I really was just going for the food. I was being extremely respectful of the girl that led me on, and did absolutely nothing out of the ordinary to cause a disruption. I haven't said a word to her, texted her or attempted to contact her since a few days after our fling. The ONLY thing I have said to her was "can I get a water cup." Yes they have the right to deny service, but they need some sort of valid reason that can hold up in court, no? Should I sue them? I'm looking for a plan of action, because I'm starting to believe less and less that there is justice in this world

Answer:
 > Yes they have the right to deny service, but they need some sort of valid reason that can hold up in court, no?

No.

> Should I sue them?

You have no case.

Stop going there. Answer #2: They can deny you service for thinking your eyebrows look funny. They can deny you service because it's wednesday, or because it's hot outside. They can deny you service because they just feel like it. This is a risk you take when you sleep with someone who works at a restaurant you frequent. Find a new Chipotle.


Title: [Ohio] Apartment complex saying I'm required to have carpet professionally cleaned as part of normal move out

Question: I'm moving out of my apartment complex and in their checklist they state that I'm required to have a professional carpet cleaner clean my apartment and show them a receipt or pay a $50 fine. This was not noted in the lease, and I'm wondering if they are even allowed to require this. Anyone know?

Answer: Probably not unless you specifically agreed to it in writing and the landlord can prove that it was in such condition when it was leased to you, but it is assuredly cheaper to pay a $50 fine than to actually have your carpet professionally cleaned.


Title: At what age is it considered child pornography?

Question: I see most parents share nude photos of their infants, which is ok I guess. I wouldn't but it's legal I guess? But recently one of my relatives posted photos of her 7 turning 8 year old daughter nude in tge bath tub. My while family and all her friends think it's fine. I guess Im the minority in this case. Basically my question is what age does it have ramifications and is ok as long as it's the parents? I've just been feeling increasingly confused on the laws. Also I live in Canada, New Brunswick. Any knowledge on this subject would be great.

Answer:
 "Child" means under 18.

Bathtub photos of small children are generally ok, not to mention those kinds of photos are generally non-sexual in nature.

[https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-46/section-163.1.html](https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-46/section-163.1.html)


Title: Boyfriend incarcerated for domestic violence in santa clara county and is on parole

Question: Location: San Jose, CA. My boyfriend and I got in to an argument earlier this month and we were upstairs in his room at the time while his mother was downstairs. The door was closed so his mother did not witness anything. We were going back and forth arguing but he did not hurt me all he did was grab my arm. I ran downstairs crying and went out the door and he followed me yelling at me. His mother came out too and asked if he hit me. I was so upset that I told her yes. She called the cops and they questioned me and his mother and I told them lies that he had hit me that day and on previous occasion but it was all made up I was so mad. His mother told them she never witnessed him hitting me but called because I told her he did hit me. They took pictures of me but there were no marks or anything of course and they recorded my statement. I feel so bad for all of this because now he is in jail. I am 4 months pregnant and he might miss the birth of our baby because I lied. And I know it is so wrong. I went to his arraignment and addressed the court and told the judge that I was lying. They set another court date for him next month. He said his public defender told him he could be looking at 4 years. He has been on parole for about a year and a half and has never violated he was doing so good and I messed it all up. I just want to know what may happen to him or what I can do to help him and his case please let me know any information you may know or have that will help. Thank you

Answer:
 You need your own attorney because you can be prosecuted for filing a false police report. It's also entirely possible (and probable) that the DA doesn't believe that you lied that day and prosecutes him anyway.

Answer #2: >all he did was grab my arm.

That's assault, so....

>I was so upset that I told her yes.

So you made a credible report that you were a domestic violence victim, what did you expect her to do?

>I told them lies that he had hit me that day and on previous occasion but it was all made up I was so mad

You sound like a great person.

>. I went to his arraignment and addressed the court and told the judge that I was lying

This is meaningless, since so many DV victims recant their reports.

>I just want to know what may happen to him

We don't know what he's one parole for.  We do know that remaining law abiding is a term of his parole.  He violated that and so that parole is going to be yanked. The fact that you reported that he is a systemic abuser of his pregnant girlfriend will likely mean he's facing very serious assault charges and is almost certain to be convicted of those.  Depending on the parole violation, 4 years may be a reasonable guess.


Title: My soon to be ex-wife went on a drunken rampage

Question:
BLUF: Drunk wife trashes house.. will this help me win custody?

Long story short, we have been legally separated for approx 1.5 years after 7 years of marriage. We have a 5 year old which lives with her in another state. We arranged her to visit this month and leave my son with me until approx December. We generally get along and want the divorce to go over smooth.

BUT, yesterday night she got very drunk and emotional while I was out of the house and absolutely trashed everything. There was broken glass everywhere, 70” tv smashed, laptop scratched up and more. I called the cops who gave her a 48 hour no contact with my son and I.  The personal property is somewhat of an afterthought atm, my concern is my son.

I had never had much hope of winning a custody battle with her as she stayed at home and took good care of our son and I am military which I know doesn’t help. But now I’m thinking it might be worth the fight. I guess my real question is.. will her having this and one similar (approx 10 years ago) meltdown on her record help me. I feel safe to say she is an alcoholic, but have never had proof. This I think would help my case. Any suggestions?
Topic:
Custody Divorce and Family

Answer:
 It may help, but one drunken rampage is probably not enough to completely reverse a custody order, though ymmv as these are very specific and fact driven situations.

Sorry that we can’t be of more help without a lot more info regarding background, what the current order is, etc.Answer #2: Was your son in the home when she did this? If so, he could be in real danger if your wife is left alone with him again. Document EVERYTHING and talk to your divorce attorney ASAP.


Title: IEP committee gave child a new placement based on data and mother gets arrested for violating the custody agreement. (GA)

Question:
My friend had shared custody of her two children with special needs. The custody agreement said that she was not allowed to change schools for her children. Her children were having extreme difficulty in the school and the  IEP committee (comprised of the admin and evaluation team of both the current school and the specialized school they were looking to send the children to) decided, based on data and policies under IDEA, to place the children in the specialized school. While my friend supported the decision, she was not the sole decision maker.

She started proceedings to petition the courts for permission. They have the court day and a month goes by with no court ruling, and her ex (she later finds out) in ICU for a terminal illness. Her lawyer suggests to go ahead and allow the transfer to happen. A few days later she is arrested, put in jail for 3 days for contempt of court, and sole physical and legal custody was given to her ex (who has been given about a month to live). She has not seen or talked to her children since, and today her lawyer dropped her, so she's really up shit creek.

Is this a family law issue or an educational law issue, or both? I'm a teacher and don't understand how a parent can get arrested for the decision of a committee based on data and following the law under IDEA.

What kind of lawyer does she need to look for now? If her husband passes away soon what will happen? Does custody revert back to her or does she still have to fight for it?

Answer:
 You are missing some information. A parent is not arrested and jailed for contempt of a court order without being served with contempt papers and having a hearing.

Further a school committee has no authority to change or disregard a court order. Just because a committee thinks it is best for the children, if the other parent contests it, then the judge decides.

Is the other parent coherent? Does he contest mom moving the kids? Who filed the contempt documents (if that even happened) if dad is in the hospital?
Answer #2: Wait, the lawyer suggested that she go ahead and do it and then drops her after she's found in contempt. That's no bueno.


Title: Can a private school issue tickets for legally parking on public streets if it's "against school policy"?

Question:
I live in a small town in California, and attend a private high school within that town (most students do not live in that town, and commute from nearby cities). My school has a policy where students are not supposed to park on the streets, even if they are legally parked, and the school issues tickets to students who park on the street ($50 for first infraction, $100 for second, etc. with further penalties for future violations including meetings with parents and parking privilege revocation). The school also restricts and fines students who drive on certain residential streets in the neighborhood. These rules are outlined in a document sent to students. The school claims that these rules are part of the school's agreement with the Town Council, and that they were part of the contract that students signed to be enrolled at the

Passes to park on school campus are only given to students who drive carpools, as well as how far one lives from the school. (Students who live farther away are given priority, and better spots. There is, therefore, precedent for parking policies to be based on where the student lives.) There is also an off-campus lot, accessed by a school shuttle, without the carpool requirement; this lot, however, is unlikely to have spots available, according to the school parking coordinator.

My car is not registered with the school, since I did not apply for a parking pass. Instead, I have been parking on the street, in front of the house of a very close family friend, about a block from the school. **I have an agreement with that family friend to park in front of their house.** (In case it matters, that family friend was, until recently, on the town council and the mayor.) However, the school has recently started giving me school-written tickets, and insisting that I pay them despite my explanation of my agreement with my friend. The school administration also told me that they will continue issuing tickets for parking there, and will subject me to further consequences.

Does the school have a right to issue tickets to students legally parked on public streets, especially those whose vehicles aren't registered with the school? Does the school legally have the ability to enforce these tickets? Do I not have a right, as a resident of the town, to park on its streets, and can I do so in my capacity as a resident of the town instead of as a student? What can I do about the tickets I have been issued?

Thank you so much!!!

TL;DR: Private high school issues tickets to students who legally park on the street, even if those students are taxpaying residents of the town and have individual agreements with local residents to park there, and their vehicles are not registered with the school. Parking coordinator is a dick.

Answer: This is not a legal issue but a policy issue. You have to take it up with the school board.


Title: [NC] Update, Boss still won't let wife use vacation hours

Question:
https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/3t65x7/nc_wifes_boss_wont_let_her_use_vacation_time_just/

As an update to my previous thread, the employer is not allowing my wife to work less than 40 hours/week.  HR won't let her use vacation on the timesheet if they work 40 hours. When she told them that she isn't allowed to work less than 40 hours, they said "sorry", and she is even having to work extra now to let another employee (previously established manager favourite) use her vacation.

We checked the handbook and it does not say at all how to schedule vacation.

She messaged her manager on the previous attempt to use vacation that she explicitly wanted to use her earned hours and not modify her typical schedule (it is set by him weekly), but her manager still just shifted her schedule to still work 40 hours.  She was not allowed to use vacation hours by HR.

We found the handbook explicitly states that vacation does not pay out and does not roll over at end of year. It also says (confirmed, copy saved) that if they quit with less than two weeks notice, their pay is retroactively reduced to minimum wage.

Her supervisor has complained about this practice before and asked them to hire a PRN to take over shifts for time out off to no avail.

What now? Anything?

Edit: the boss responsible is co owner of the company.

Answer:
 Dear god after reading it just now, the NC **Wage and Hours Act** is one of the worst things I've seen for employees in a long time. Basically every right they can give an employer they have granted to them.  I can't find an exact clause concerning unpaid vacation hours, but given that it grants the employer authority over everything else (mandated drug testing, no required observation of national holidays, no required breaks) I'd say your odds of successfully countering a work contract clause are near zero.Answer #2: And business owners like this wonder why they have a hard time keeping good talent.

What now, your wife finds a company that understands the value of a work/life balance and you ditch this company and let them eat the cost of training yet another employee.Answer #3: if they quit with less than two weeks notice, their pay is retroactively reduced to minimum wage.

LOL. Illegal.

What now? File a complaint with the labor board and look for a new job.Answer #4: IANAL. It may be illegal to retroactively reduce payment for hours worked.Answer #5: What happens if she asks for an entire week off?


Title: Life insurance ended less than 24 hours before my Father passed. (PA)

Question:
My father has been battling esophageal cancer since early 2012, and as of this Monday has passed away due to complications.

The issue is that his employer terminated him in December 2014 due to his inability to work. He was able to carry his health insurance over via COBRA, but apparently not his life insurance. We were told by his old company that it expired the day they fired him.

I just found out a few moments ago that my mother contacted the company who was providing the life insurance, and that it actually WAS extended for 90 days past his termination date. The last day was 3/1. My father passed on 3/2. It was less than 24 hours past the stated date. The company says that there is nothing they can do about it.

We are currently burdened with the funeral costs. It seems to be that on paper, they are in the right. However morally this just seems so awful. To my knowledge, he didn't even have the option to continue paying for it manually.

Any advice?

Answer: I'm sorry for your loss, but I can't imagine you have any legal recourse. Term life insurance ends at the end of the stated term.


Title: Is it legal for my employer to use my "tipshares" to pay the (minimum) wages of co-workers?

Question:
It's pretty standard for a server in a diner to be required to share tips with co-workers. At my restaurantin Virginia, the "tipshare" is 3% of total sales, entirely reasonable.

The problem as I see it, though, is that my co-workers only make minimum wage, they do not receive any tips from me cash or otherwise.

My manager told me that before our current crew of employees, the old servers agreed to this system as the only way they'd get the help they need from another employee - a server assistant that makes milkshakes for tables we tend.

Is it legal for my employer to use this money to pay their wages rather than to give them tips? Are we all getting ripped off here? What can I do if we're being taken advantage of?

Answer:
 If that's true, it's illegal.  Tip sharing can only be used to distribute the amount of money taken from servers into other people in the chain of service.  If the others get a flat minimum wage no matter what, that's basically just wage theft.Answer #2: Pretty sure this is illegal. If hourly employees are being paid with tipshare, then that means there is a fund with the tips sitting in the owners/restaurants account that isn't being paid to anyone. For example, if $400 was tipped out on Saturday night, yet labor costs were only $296, where is the rest of that money going?

Worked at a restaurant that did this for a bit and noped the fuck out as soon as I found another restaurant job. It is 100% illegal in any state for owners/management to take tip shares.


Title: Please help me get this ticket dismissed in court!!

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 >I've been having really bad luck driving over the last few years. Yes I speed, but no more than anyone else on the road.

>I have 5 tickets on my record since June 16, 2014

>this is my 6th ticket in a 2 year period of time.

No, you have a speeding problem.


Title: I am worried that a Google search I made is going to be a problem

Question:
Hey all. I have a question about a topic that has been bothering me for the past couple of weeks.

I was browsing /r/confusedboners here on Reddit when I came across a hentai post, which for those that do not know is anime pornography. It is something that I have never seen before, and I was curious about it and proceeded to Google reverse image search to find out more about the author. I am a curious person and whenever I see something that intrigues me I like to research the topic, whatever the topic may be.  I was able to find the artists name and I searched it on Google and viewed Google Images where the artists pictures were all over.

Now here is where my anxiety took over. I noticed that a handful of the artists images were drawn of nude minors in sexual scenarios. These photos did not seem right, and I saw that this genre was called "lolicon", which is cartoon pictures of naked kids in sexual scenarios. Seeing these photos did not sit well with me I googled "is lolicon illegal" and I was able to find out that in Canada (where I am) and the United States, it is illegal.

Since then I have been terrified that a few Google searches I made are going to result in me getting in trouble with the law, as it all started with me browsing Reddit, and then Google searching the artists name. I have cleared my history but it is still bothering me. I live a very safe, clean and lawful life, I am afraid that one complete honest mistake may change that... If it is illegal, how come it is all over Google, Google Images and Reddit? That is the question that is making me mad.

It has just really bothered me and I am worried that a complete accident could effect my life.... I am hoping somebody could give me advice on how to feel right now.

Answer:
 If you're in trouble, every single star, mod and most of the posters who respond in the sub are likely in trouble. I shudder to think what my google history says about me.

Do you have anxiety issues? This reaction seems a bit extreme.


Title: Marijuana is illegal to sell but not give away. What's the law say about selling a fancy bag and giving the marijuana away that's in it?

Question:
[removed]
Topic:
Illegal Troll Post

Answer:
 ITT: OP asks for legal advice, argues with the 98% of advice given that his idea is stupid and illegal.

Gotta love this sub.


Title: Outdoor radiator fell out of the wall because it was very poorly screwed on - Landlord wants to evict me

Question:
Hey, so this outdoor radiator unit is part of a heat pump system for the house. I live in the basement apartment. Earlier today, it just fell out of the wall. I'm not sure why, but the screws just finally gave out. Luckily, nothing was damaged except the wood- the unit itself and all the electrical components are fine and it's still working. But I've taken photos here to show just how poorly it was screwed in- you can see the screws weren't long enough to actually get into the wall much. They were maybe in the wall between a half inch to 1 inch. For screws that are supposed to be holding up a large, very heavy unit, this was clearly a shitty job. It also won't be that difficult a repair, seeing as it's just a matter of screwing it back into the wall properly.

Anyway, my landlord is pissed and he says I'm responsible, and I might get evicted over this. It's true that I might be partially responsible- It was bearing a little bit of weight for a tarp I had over some bicycles to protect them from water, and during rain storms there'd be a bit of water pooling on top. But not much, maybe 5 or 10 pounds of water. This was back in April when it's super rainy all month, and the tarp hasn't been on in months. It just gave out and fell today.

Now all that being said, they're trying to claim this is reckless neglegent damage to my unit. It was screwed into the wall so badly that any significant amount of weight would have ripped it right off the wall. So what should I try to argue to my local tenency board, here? If my landlord does seriously serve me an eviction notice, what should I try to do?

I have photos linked so you can see what I"m talking about.

 [https://imgur.com/a/U8kQ0gA](https://imgur.com/a/U8kQ0gA)

Answer:
 >It's true that I might be partially responsible- It was bearing a little bit of weight for a tarp I had over some bicycles to protect them from water, and during rain storms there'd be a bit of water pooling on top.

I would argue that having the tarp over the radiator was protecting the unit and wood it was attatched to from rotting and falling sooner. It looks like part of the wood split, possibly from previous rain damage. NAL


Title: I'm 16 and want to move out but parents said no, what can i do?

Question:
I'm 16 and want to move out but my parents said no, what can i do?

My parents are badly mentally abusive to me. Last year they got us into a situation where we where evicted from our home and in the process i lost everything including my health insurance (i lost my health insurance because they just plain stopped paying it due to us moving around alot, we moved 10 times in the span of a year) (i have an illeostomy so i cannot be without my medical insurance) I cannot even return to high school as I'm considered homeless (Nevada law is different, and without a billing address they wont touch me). I live in a 1 bedroom extended stay hotel, i dont even have a bed i sleep on the couch. My parents blame me for there every actions, belittling me, mocking me, threatining. Theres even days i go without eating because they cant even take care of themselves. My father is special needs and im forced to take care of him, giving up my own needs and education for him

My boyfriends family has offered me a place to live, and are willing to get me the proper healthcare i need, to feed me, my own room with a bed, and proper education. I asked my parents if i can leave and be with them, and they told me no, stating in there daughter, ill be with them, and that i HAVE to take care of my father.

I dont wish to get cps involved as they'll place me into my aunts custody who is just as bad, and cps hasent helped me before. I have no money and no way to file for emancipation, as well as the courts would turn me down because where im at, you have to be married or living seperate.

Is it legal for me to just leave and go live with my boyfriends family, or will we be in legal trouble if i do? What can I do to get out of this dangerous situation?

Answer: You answered your own question: nothing. If you refuse to involve cps, what do you want to happen? You will not be taken from your parents unless you’re in imminent danger. Are you in physical danger? If yes: contact the police! If not? You’re in crappy situation for sure, but it’s not life threatening. Your solution isn’t acceptable unfortunately.


Title: Urgent Care is charging me full price for a visit after insurance mix-up (Michigan)

Question:
In December of 2014, I got sick and went to Urgent Care and I gave them my insurance card for Health Alliance Plan ("HAP"). What I had forgotten was that starting on the first of December, my job had switched to Blue Cross as the provider.

Fast forward to the end of July this year, and I get a call from Urgent Care billing saying that HAP rejected the claim and that I need to pay the full amount. I explain the mix-up with the insurance cards and offer to give them the information for the Blue Cross card. They explain that Blue Cross has a six month time limit for submitting claims, and it's been nearly 8 months at this point, so I can't submit it to them.

The call in July is the first I had heard about the issue. Until last week, I had never received a bill or gotten any notification that there was a problem with the insurance, so my contention is that I shouldn't be on the hook for the full amount.

They contend that I should have notified them that I had given them the wrong card, which I don't see how I could have realized the mistake if I was never notified that there was a mistake to begin with.

Do I have any recourse?
Topic:
Credit Debt Bankruptcy

Answer: You're responsible for ensuring that your insurance is valid when you submit it for treatment. You'll be on the hook for the full amount.


Title: A business in the UK irritated me. What legal means do I have to get back at them?

Question:
It is a petty dispute.

How far can I go with harassing them? Would I get into legal trouble for posting bad yelp reviews, signing their email up to receive spam?

Answer:
 You know the best legal way to get them back?

Go to their competition and spend your money with them.

Coincidentally, that's also the most grown up thing to do.


Title: Neighbor’s dog pushing down our fence

Question: Hello, all. I was at my in law’s house the other day, and my kids and their cousins were all in their backyard playing. Next door, a huge aggressive dog was snarling at the fence, trying to get over and get after my in law’s dog. I asked my mil about it, and she said that the neighbor’s dog has knocked the fence down at least twice and come into their backyard and after their dog. (The fence is about 4 feet high and wooden, with openings between the slats to see through.) The dog will also come running and snarling if you make eye contact with it. My in law’s don’t think they can do anything about it since the neighbor’s both work for the local police department. I felt extremely unsafe with my kids playing back there, and I wanted to know if I can pass along any advice to them, since my my nieces and nephews play back there all the time. (We’re not over as often.)  This is in the state of Georgia.

Answer: Working for the PD doesn't absolve them of responsibility over their animal.  But firstly, you need to _actually inform the owners that a problem exists_ and give them reasonable latitude to do something about it.Answer #2: Build your own fence on your side.  A chain link fence might work well to keep their dog from coming over.


Title: SERIOUS Found out elbow fractured after hospital released me

Question:
So I'll keep this short: involved in accident 3 weeks ago. Hit and run. Guy fled the scene but I got his plate. Went to the hospital I told them my neck, left elbow, right and right shoulder. Because of that stupid pain scale they only ordered x rays for shoulder and right arm. But I told them my left arm hurts too. They just gave me pain meds sent me home. I contacted a lawyer I started PT next day. I told them every day my left elbow still hurts. Last night I just couldn't take the pain went back to same hospital because it's closest to my house. X ray. Turns out, SURPRISE, its broken. IT TOOK THEM 3 WEEKS. Because it took so long I made need surgery. Do I have legal basis for a lawsuit here?

EDIT: This happen in Chicago

Answer:
 I doubt you will find a lawyer to represent you. No permanent injury. Not enough pain and suffering.

An ER is to "put out the fire". Keep people from dying, stop the bleeding, Fix the most apparent problem and get the patient out. It is not for providing complete care.

You should have gone to an Orthopaedist after the ER.


Title: (CA)My fiance's [33/M] ex-inlaws have been harassing us since we got engaged. The only reason they're still in contact is because of my fiance's son. Do they have any kind of custody rights or can we cut them off with no problems?

Question:
My fiance has been married before and had a baby with his ex-wife before she died of a colon cancer shortly after the baby was born. He doesn't talk much about her but I definitely get the impression the marriage was going downhill based on that fact and other things he says about her personality.

His son is two years old and his ex-inlaws still have visits with him and see him. Apparently his ex-inlaws and my fiance got along fine until I came into the picture and started coming along on their visits. His ex-MIL treats me like I'm trying to ruin their "picture perfect" lives and replace his mom (Um, no. Not in the slightest.) and the dad pretends like I don't even exist. I know they've talked shit about me behind my back despite me trying to be nice to them and told my fiance that it was too soon for us to be dating. Recently things have taken a turn for the worst and their constant verbal/written harassment to him about me re: our engagement has made me want to cut contact with them completely. My fiance is in agreement. But I am concerned about any legal action they might take against us if we cut off the visits to my fiance's son and stop communication. Do grandparents have any kind of right to keep visiting their grandchildren?

NOTE, I do not want to cut them off forever, just until they learn to treat me with respect. I don't think that's unreasonable.

Answer:
 California absolutely has grandparents rights.  It's very likely he gets dragged to court if he tries to cut them off.

 Why are you going along on visits to them anyway?  You dont have to speak to them ever again if you dont want, but you have no right to interfere in their relationship with their grandchild.  Answer #2: You have zero rights to the kid at this point, but the grandparents do. If they cannot behave in your home, have your fiancé host the visits elsewhere (grandparents’ house, a park, whatever). You can stop all communication, but they can in fact take your fiancé to court over it.


Title: Friend arrested. 3000 dollar bond. (TX)

Question:
So, my friend got arrested for having a pipe and "usable amount"(less than a gram) of weed on him.

I have been told his bond is set at 3000 dollars but looking up the relevant laws to it, it seems higher than it should. Can someone point me in the right direction on where to look for information?

Answer: Bail must be reasonable. That is reasonable. Tell him to call a bail bonding company and he can be out for $300.


Title: I have a tenant who was served a notice to leave on March 2. After that, can I change the locks and not allow him in? Can I call the police if he comes back?

Question: I also live in the same house. These laws suck. We gave him a 60 day notice and he's racked up the utilities and allowing "guests" to stay over just to piss me off. Even when he's gone. What's my best option folks? I'm ready to do some bad things to him. I hate his freeloading ass and want the most terrible things to happen to him.

Answer:
 In a word: no.

In several: you have to file for eviction and let the courts handle this. Self-help evictions are illegal in every state, last I checked.


Title: [NY] What qualifies as being kicked out of my parents house

Question:
Hi, so I'm 21 years old living at my parents house in NY. So, for as long as I can remember, I've wanted to get out of my parents (mom and step dad's) house. Since probably 7th/8th grade, i've been dreaming of leaving. The reason being is my parents are irrational emotional people who want things done their way when they say it, no questions asked. This has led to issues such as: Them yelling at me for getting my own Netflix subscription, them yelling at me for mowing the lawn after they've told me to mow the lawn, etc. etc. Anyways, so there's been a lot of arguments over the years, but the central theme of all these arguments usually boil down to one thing: Chores.

We live on 8 Acres of land, with lots of house improvements to work  on plus lots of vehicles and such to maintain. There's always something that needs to get done. However the issue is my parents want chores done exactly when they ask, or we get in trouble. The problem is things like, my school schedule and work get in the way. I wanted to leave for a 4 year school when I graduated High School,  however my parents refused to cosign school loans, so I was stuck going to a community college for 2 years. I've taken the last year off to try and work and save money, but now I'm going back to college this August to work on another degree, this time I have enough of a credit score to try and get my own loans.

One of the many punishments my parents like to do is shut off the internet. They'd do this at will and lately have been doing it every night because we "need to learn to go to sleep by a certain time to get up and do chores!" When I say "we" i mean me (21) my 18 year old brother, and 13 year old brother. All because, according to them, we don't do enough chores. They would do this also while I was in community college- I was at school 9-5, hour drive each way. So i'd leave by 8am. then I had work 6-11, would come home and the internet would be off, so I wouldn't be able to do homework. Before I had a car, the didn't allow me to go to work because I hadn't done enough chores- had to call out a couple of times because of it.

So now, my parents have started shutting off the internet. They have threatened to kick me out before for not doing chores (which has always upset me-that instead of wanting to work with me my parents rather kick me out), but it's mainly because either they punish us anyways, or because I was busy and could not do them. I told my parents unless they leave the internet on at night, I'm not longer helping out. The reason being (and I've told them this) is why should I bother to do chores, if they still shut off the internet when I need it? (I work during the day and the night time is when my friends are free to play video games). So tonight they said if I don't start doing chores within 2 days, then it's my choice to leave and I should find somewhere else to live. The problem I have with this is since they're not explicitly "kicking me out" and instead phrasing it so I'm just walking out, idk if I would be able to get help from things like FAFSA when it comes to paying for college, or from runaway/ homeless teen facilities near me.

The other thing too is my parents make over the amount of money for free tuition in NY, but saved nothing for me for college. So I need to take out loans for everything for college (over $20 grand a year). While if I'm kicked out, I might have a chance to get some assistance.

Other important info: My brothers also dislike living at home. My now 18 year old brother moved in with my dad for a little bit about 3-4 years ago. However he was going through a lot of mental problems at the time, and so ended up coming back to live at home. The reason I don't move in with my dad is because he's 2 hours away, and my job, friends, and life are where I am currently. That and the college i'm about to go to is 3 hours the opposite direction from my dad's house from where I currently live.

At the moment, I spend most of my days at work or with my girlfriend. Before I was with my gf (8 months ago), i would take any excuse to be out of the house because whenever I was home I was getting yelled at for either not doing chores, or doing them poorly, etc. etc. I would go for hike, hang with friends, do whatever I could to get out of the house. My girlfriends parents have offered me a room, should I get kicked out, until I go to college in August.

Another thing to note is at the moment, I basically only go home to shower and sleep at night. I pay for all the food I eat, pay for my car insurance, car loan, cell phone bill.

Another reason I dislike living at home is because of how my parents punish us: They've locked me out of my own bathroom before, they've refused to let me cook in the house (i eat a lot of frozen dinners because I get home late from work), and they shut off the internet whenever they feel like (then yell at me because they miss overtime announcements).

Anyways, so the reason I'm writing this lengthy post is because I'm trying to explain my whole scenario. I'm also trying to see if them strongly saying "get out" without actually saying I've been kicked out still counts as them kicking me out.

Edit: Other relevant info: My dad had called CPS on my parents in the past, however their investigation found nothing. Also, my parents for years and more so recently when talking about college, have said they live paycheck to paycheck, with not much extra money. My mom just came home with a 2017 Chevy Malibu 2-3 days ago

TL;DR: Does telling me I have two days to either do chores or choose to leave still count as being "kicked out"

Answer:
 OK seriously you are 21, a legal adult. Do you WANT them to let you leave because you can leave whenever you want.

I suggest doing chores if you're living there rent free, but legally you don't have to.Answer #2: You are a month to month tenant. Your parents need to give you written notice to leave, and if you don't leave, they can start the eviction process.

You will not get college funding without their information until you are 24.Answer #3: I'm not sure what you are asking, if you want to leave, just leave.

If you are asking if making you do chores is an unlawful eviction or something, then no, it isn't. They should be charging you rent.


Title: Landlord has been blackmailing me, my basement is flooding and now he’s trying to evict us (OR)

Question:
I have a landlord who literally does nothing but collect payment from us. I’m in section 8, work and go to school and ALWAYS pay my rent on time. He knows that I get financial aid, and every time around the time I get my refund he claims that I haven’t paid rent in over a year and owe him $3,000-4,000 or he’s going to tell section 8 and evict me. If you have an eviction or don’t pay rent they revoke your voucher. I usually just give him my whole financial aid refund because I’m so scared of losing my place, it’s in a decent part of Portland, OR. But after the second time of him doing this I started keeping print copies of my money orders which prove I got money orders and sent them to him each month. Recently my basement flooded and is still flooded, I called for the first time in 6 years to ask with help and he freaked out cussing me out saying I owe him $4000 (AGAIN) and that he wants me out and he’s gonna evict me. Is this considered retaliation? Doesn’t he have to help with basement flooding? Also do I have a case with the blackmail situation or is it my word vs his? Can I record him or something? I can’t keep doing this I’m so short on money but can’t afford a down payment and first/last rent for a place, especially in Portland.

PLEASE HELP REDDIT

Answer: Um....this is highly illegal.  Your school may have legal help for students, I would check that out.  Stop giving this man money, he cannot evict you just because he wants to.  If you have records of paying this man, tell him to go pound sand.


Title: Having issues with neighbors about our yard?

Question:
I live in New Jersey and recently my family has been being harassed by one or several of our neighbors about our yard.

For several years, we have kept our yard neat and tidy, but due to personal issues that were occurring for the past couple months, we ended up neglecting our lawn care (where our grass and shrubs grew much longer than usual).

Although we have never had an issue with something like this before, ever since last week my family has been repeatedly receiving calls (several times a day) from an anonymous individual who claims to be from our neighborhood, demanding that we clean up our property in an incredibly unpleasant and nasty tone.

Every time we pick up the phone and attempt to speak with the man (I’m not sure if it is a recording of some sort?), he talks right over us, repeats his demands without listening to a word we say, and hangs up.

What made my family INCREDIBLY uncomfortable was not only the fact that he consistently called our home several times a day, but he also ended up finding out what my parents’ work number was as well and kept harassing them too.

Although we have attempted to find out what number the man is calling us from, it always ended up leading to a blank number.

Although we did cut our lawn and shrubs, we still ended up receiving a letter in our mail box from our neighbors/neighbor where they requested once more that we not only keep our yard in check, but also demanding that we repaint certain aspects of our home as well.

At the end of the letter, our neighbors/neighbor stated that they make take legal action if we refuse to clean up our home due to how it affects their own property values.

Therefore, I am curious as to know, but is my family obligated to follow through with ALL of their demands?

I completely understand their requests for us to mow our lawn and cut our shrubs consistently, for we do plan to make efforts to continue to keep our property trimmed, but do we have to repaint certain aspects of our home such as shutters?

(When I searched it up online, having shutters repainted can cost up to $100s of dollars and often times more, especially if there is more than one that needs a new paint job)

My parents and I are very VERY worried, not only because of how some unknown man has repeatedly harassed us through the phone (and how this person found my parents work number), but also because of how we cannot afford to have our shutters repainted at the moment (we are currently struggling through several financial issues).

Therefore, I am curious as to know if there is anything that my family can do about this, especially if we keep getting harassed by phone and our neighbor/neighbors continue to make costly demands?

Can our neighbors sue us or call the police on us if we JUST choose not to repaint our shutters? If they do call the police, will they give us a warning first or fine us right away?

Answer:
 Do you have HOA rules or town or county ordinance regarding maintenance ? If not, just do what you can and ignore the calls. Answer #2: Call your phone company and report the harassing phone calls, they should have a special department to handle this. They also may suggest reporting it to the police. Did the letter have any of the neighbors names on it? I would keep a date/time/context log of the calls etc. for further evidence.

https://www.privacyrights.org/consumer-guides/how-put-end-unwanted-or-harassing-phone-calls


Title: My Dad scammed me out of $5,000, should I sue? (ID)

Question:
(Idaho)

My Dad lot me five grand and now seems to think he's not responsibile when he explicitly said he would me.

More details

I'd been away on a work trip for over a month. He asked me about my job and how the trip is, as well as how much money I'm making and I decided to gloat about how I'm rolling in it after this.

After this he invited me to see the Pacqiao and Mayweather fight. He jokingly told me I should put 5 grand on Pac. When I pressed him further he stood by his word, more seriously saying that he had all the faith in Pac winning. I still didn't believe him and still said I wouldn't do it until he said:

>If he loses, I'll pay you your 5 grand back

So... to me it looked like a pretty good situation. I can either win big, or lose nothing.

It didn't work out that way. My Dad is acting like a total asshole. He's not picking up the phone, blocked me on his Facebook. He's telling everyone I'm trying to extort him. He even went so far to say I'd hire an illegal debt collector to come get it from him. (I fucking won't, but I can't tell him that)

Edit: **I made the bet outside of him and entirely legally**

Do I have any kind of case here?

[Thanks guys](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estoppel#Promissory_estoppel)

Answer:
 You were not scammed.  You simply made a really bad decision. You bet the money (illegally?) and lost.  Legally you cannot do anything about it.

You need to think about your future here.  If you keep pressing it, it will lead to bad blood and cause a divide.  Is loosing 5 thousand worth more than the relationship with your father? Answer #2: It sounds like the apple didn't fall far from the tree.


Title: [Maine] Sister says she's suing me for DNA testing her daughter resulting in the dissolution of her marriage. Was entirely innocent on my part, does she have a case?

Question: [removed]

Answer:
 She's likely going to have no case as far as the dissolution of her marriage. The court will see her cheating on her husband as the dissolution of her marriage, not the DNA test. However, her daughter can't legally consent to a DNA test, so be prepared for that.

Realistically though, she's probably just talking a lot of shit because she's really emotional and her life is falling apart. This will likely be handled internally between your family.Answer #2: She has no case.  The cause of her divorce is her infidelity--the DNA just happened to bring the infidelity to light.  Also, the niece being 48% French and German does not immediately mean that the "Irish" dad is not the dad.  The guy on the commercial thought he was Italian, and it came back "Eastern European."  Answer #3: How old is your niece?  Answer #4: Being 48% French and German doesn't mean you have one mostly-French grandparent and one mostly-German one. That's what most people think, but they're wrong. In other words, that test doesn't prove your sister cheated, although her behavior certainly suggests she did.

I have one Spanish grandma, and have family trees and immigration records going back centuries so I know nobody else was Spanish. However, my test came back 44% Spanish. AND IT IS ACCURATE... here's an article explaining why. Long story short, we don't actually get 25% of our DNA from each grandparent. It's even possible to get 0% of your DNA from one grandparent and 50% from another -- it's all in how things recombined within the particular sperm and particular egg that made you:

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/human_genome/2013/10/analyze_your_child_s_dna_which_grandparents_are_most_genetically_related.html
Answer #5: A little off target but I just read that Ancestry.com now owns your DNA to perpetuity. You only own it until you die.


Title: I just got scammed by an alleged shipping company

Question:
Location: Simpsonville, South Carolina.

Hello. I first want to say I'm sorry for the sob story, but I don't know what to do and I'm in tears.

A few weeks ago I was looking to buy a bird, and a few days later I came across a website offering a wide variety of birds for sale. I called the owner and we spoke about a Quaker parrot, eventually after a few days I got pictures and everything seemed fine. He told me to pay through Western for a quick transaction.

Now, I've never used WU before. My job has a station in the building and thought it was a safe transaction like PayPal, just more expensive and convenient.

I sent the money, $150 to be exact, and they thanked me and said they'll ship the bird the next morning. The next morning came, today, and the airport called me. The airline was Viluxe Logistics and they said i needed to pay the crate rental fee of $200 to ensure safe transport, and that they'll refund $175 after it's delivered.

"Okay," I thought "Makes sense, it's rather cold and animal shipping isn't like regular delivery."

I paid them, through Western Union like they requested, and then shit hit the fan. They asked for another $200 for some kind of vaccine to help the bird in the shipment.

I was broke, I couldn't afford it. I asked if there was a way to keep the crate refund and just use it for the vaccine, they said no and something about filling documents for the crate. Then I asked if the owner just took the bird back if they could give me the crate fee refunded...

They said no. The only way they could refund it on their policy is if I paid for the vaccine and the refund is in cash only on delivery. And if I didn't pay, they would file animal abandonment.

I'm in tears now. I began to talk to the breeder for help and they said there's nothing they can do. They "already spent the money" and that they can't help pay or give me a refund for taking the bird back.

Two hours of calls and i report the issue to western union. They asked for the info and tracking numbers, then said they would file the report of fraudulence but there's no garentee that the money could be returned, they were sorry. (I can't blame WU, but it just really deepened the wound).

And now, I'm here. Still crying, broke, and don't know what else to do or who to turn to. I ask you, Reddit, for anything to help me.

tl:dr I'm out $400 because of a breeder unwilling to help me or refund me, and a pet shipping service refusing to give me a refund and threatening with animal abandonment.

Answer:
 This sounds like a very intentional scam, and I would be questioning everything about this situation. Is the breeder legitimate? Is there actually a bird? Is the shipping company real or part of the scam? Western Union should always be a red flag when conducting any sort of business. Although it does have legitimate purposes, it's the go-to method of scammers because there is no way to reverse the transaction.

If the person you sent the money to is out of the country, you are completely out of luck and should just take this as a lesson learned. My guess is that's the case since it's highly unlikely that someone sophisticated enough to set up this scam would be dumb enough to do it from inside the country and in a way that makes them identifiable.

If they're domestic, you could report them to the FBI (which you could actually do anyway, though it may not help anything). Hiring a lawyer to try to pursue this civilly will probably not be worthwhile.


Title: video camera in bathroom (NY)

Question:
A (female) friend of mine currently living in NYC in a homestay situation with multiple tenants including two 16-year-old girls was videotaped in the bathroom by a 17-year-old boy. He distributed the content via one site (undisclosed) and claimed he only started doing it "yesterday" and was quickly discovered. The homestay parents confiscated the phone and his PC and deleted the contents (to the best of their ability to locate the files), but there is no knowing where he distributed the content or if he backed it up to the cloud. No one believes he just started doing it either, but they can't prove otherwise at present.

I'm certain he committed a crime (likely multiple crimes for illegal surveillance and child pornography), but the homestay parents are reluctant to report because he is a minor and from Taiwain. My friend is Japanese and over 18 and the two minor girls are from Italy. I don't think origin matters in this case as they are all victims regardless.

My question is, is it a crime for the homestay parents to be aware of what happened and fail to report it? My friend is very upset that they are getting angry at her for telling them it is a criminal act that should be reported because they don't want to report what happened. They are dismissing it as the act of a horny teen and not looking at it from the viewpoint of the victims. I think something legal that says they have to report might put their feet to the fire.

Answer:
 The parents are likely not mandatory reporters, and generally there's no duty to report criminal activity. So, no.

You and any of the victims are free to call the cops.Answer #2: >homestay situation with multiple tenants

Is this through some sort of organization? Is it like a youth exchange camp? Is it a hostel? This could help determine whether or not they're mandantory reporters.

If I were you, Id go with these girls and report it to the police as a group. They dont have to report alone, and you can help navigate any language issues.

You cannot actually make anyone involved report this to the police though.


Title: Ex-GF (F/33) illegally evicted me and will not respond to my (F/26) e-mails about me getting my things - NYC

Question:
Hello Legal Representatives of Reddit!

I was in an emotionally abusive (with occasional physical abuse) and controlling lesbian relationship in which I lived with my ex for 8 months. The apartment is technically her's as she is the only name on the lease but I lived there and paid rent for 8 months making me a legal resident.

After being fed up with her jealousy, control issues, and anger issues I decided to leave her. We discussed that it would be alright for me to stay in our apartment until 8/1/2015 but on 7/17/2015 I invited a male friend of mine over to help me pack and move some things out. This enraged her and she ended up sending me a slew of attacking text messages which caused me to block her. My friend and I left the apartment and moved my things and upon returning found her waiting for us. She started screaming at me, saying I had to get my things out immediately and that my friend was not allowed in the apartment. I told her that I didn't feel safe with her alone and that my friend would be coming with me. She screamed in my friends face and pushed him when he tried to get past her. When my friend and I arrived in the apartment we found the rest of my things thrown to the front door (still inside the apartment) and my ex said that I needed to take what I can carry, take my cats, and get the **** out (just to clarify, she thought I was sleeping with my friend, it goes without saying that that was not at all the case).

She wouldn't let me friend in the apartment and was screaming at me saying things like "you see this? you see how I am? this is because of you, this is all of your fault" and pushed me into the wall. My friend heard her screaming and me crying and called 911.

I called my aunt and two friends to come over to help me because it was obvious through her actions that I was not safe to stay there. The DV cops came and told her that what she was doing was illegal and that because of my rights I was allowed to have anyone over who I wanted and she couldn't stop me. They also told her that she needed to give me space and let me pack because the only way I was going to leave is if she let me (rather than scream at me the whole time). I wrote out a police report, she was not arrested because I forgot to include the fact about her pushing me, and my aunt and friends helped me get my things.

She wanted me to write a "contract" saying I was leaving and not coming back for my things. It was my handwriting on a piece of paper. I included why I was leaving/not coming back as "I was not given a choice due to unsafe conditions (aggressive and violent behavior on the part of (ex's name) and was asked to leave last minute." My ex refused to sign this "contract" which, to my understanding, makes it invalid.

She asked for the apartment keys which I tossed on the bookshelf and she has since changed the locks. I have been in contact with her sister about the following:

1. The return of my modum since the internet has been in my name.
2. My request of half of a month's rent ($350) returned to me due to being kicked out with half the month left
3. The return of the deposit ($800) I put down on the apartment
4. Being able to go back for my things which I sent as a itemized list with the monetary value next to each item to my ex.

Her sister confirmed that she (sister) would be returning my modem for me and that I would be paid the $1150 I was requesting and that I would be able to pick up my things on the day I requested. When I asked sister if my ex would confirm this via e-mail, I received no response. I also have not received any response from my ex.

Note: I have text messages and e-mails that show my attempts at communication as well as texts from my ex that show how insane she is as well as texts from her sister confirming that I will receive the money I requested.

I have been working with an attorney through a non-profit for victims of domestic violence about getting an order of protection but now due to the silence I am also looking to sue in small claims court for the money she owes me.

Anyone have an advice or tips? If I decide to sue, can I sue her for anything else like the cost of moving, etc? Thanks!

Answer:
 She didn't kick you out. She tried to and then the police told her she couldn't. You left your keys and signed a paper saying you were leaving. Why did you do that? She doesn't owe you any rent back, because you were the one who chose to leave even after being told by the police that you could stay. I understand that you didn't want to be alone with her, but you still had the right to come and go and get your stuff until you gave that up. You could have gotten an order of protection against her and she would have had to leave the apartment until that was over.

Still, she doesn't have the right to keep your stuff. I recommend you call the police and give them the defense number to your other complaint. Let them know that she's changed the locks and won't give you access to your stuff. Ask for as escort. And no, you can't sue her for the cost of moving, because you made the choice to move out.


Title: Tinder Predator

Question:
Crossposted from /r/askreddit and told I may find help here...

So I went on three dates with this dude and we hooked up the last time at his house. Things end with the typical fade away, I was fine with it. We weren't very compatible and I noticed a few minor red flags.

6 months later he starts emailing me, obviously looking for a reenactment of our summer fling. When I turned down his advances, he sends me a screen shot of myself, in his bedroom, while we were hooking up, half a year ago.

So obviously this douche nozzle filmed us without my consent. I reported it to the police and now, almost a year after I filed the report, I have to testify against the creep. I have no legal rep except the state's "victim advocate" who only seems to have experience with DV cases.

Has anyone else been through something like this? I can't find a way to report him via tinder (I deleted my account a looong time ago). My biggest concern is that he's still out there being a creep to other ladies on tinder...

Answer: If you want to report him to tinder, you can do so.  I would just start a help ticket through their support contact, give basic information (that you want to report someone who used the app to further criminal activity) and provide more information as needed when they ask for it.Answer #2: Trust your advocate. Testifying is testifying.


Title: Are students in South Carolina required by law to take the ACT or SAT for college admission within the state?

Question: I homeschooled my daughter.  The local state funded technical college accepted her without ACT or SAT scores.  She has one semester of college level classes completed with a 3.8 college GPA.  The 4 year state funded school she wishes to transfer to, is requiring SAT or ACT scores in addition to her high school and college transcripts.   My daughter has Generalized Anxiety  Disorder and Asperger's Syndrome.  Standardized testing situations are not recommended for her, as the testing is a trigger.  It is obvious that she is capable of college level work, yet the four year college will not consider her application without these test scores.  Can they legally refuse to consider her application because she does not have SAT or ACT scores, but has proven she is capable of college level work and would be a transfer student?

Answer:
 > She has one semester of college level classes completed with a 3.8 college GPA. The 4 year state funded school she wishes to transfer to, is requiring SAT or ACT scores in addition to her high school and college transcripts.

After only one semester, that is not uncommon.

> Can they legally refuse to consider her application because she does not have SAT or ACT scores

Admission requirements are usually not in statute and are at the discretion of the institution. So, yes.Answer #2: > Can they legally refuse to consider her application because she does not have SAT or ACT scores, but has proven she is capable of college level work and would be a transfer student?

Yes.  College admission standards are left open to the college to determine, unless superceded by state law.

However....

Both the SAT and the ACT allow for accommodations on testing time for students with ADHD or documented disabilities, including ASD and GAD.

https://accommodations.collegeboard.org/typical-accommodations/time

https://accommodations.collegeboard.org/documentation-guidelines/psychiatric-disorders

http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration/accommodations.htmlAnswer #3: Could your daughter do the test with accommodations? My son has similar diagnoses (autism,  anxiety, depression) and took the act with small group setting,  extended time, and breaks (I think he had twice as much time as normal and could take a break whenever he wanted, for as long as he wanted- as long as he finished in time).


Title: [OH] Teen driver - Rear ended another driver due to abrupt, unwarranted stop on wet pavement

Question:
This accident occurred yesterday (10/6/18) in Lorain County, Ohio. I should begin with describing myself. I am 17 years of age, and have had my drivers license for approximately 18 months without so much as a speeding ticket or warning from an officer. Additionally, I've completed a defensive driving course and received certification of that completion (we covered scenarios including: driving on simulated snow and ice, stopping on wet pavement in an emergency situation, swerving to avoid an obstacle at high speeds, and similar). Yesterday, I was driving alone to meet friends.

As I was driving, the car in front of me exhibited erratic behavior for several miles. They would oscillate between following the cars in front of them very closely, and then braking abruptly and placing themselves several car lengths behind the vehicle in front of them. Given that this was in a heavy traffic, city environment with wet pavement (at a time of light rain), I decided to back off and place myself several car lengths behind the vehicle in front of me despite traveling at only 30mph in a 35mph zone. As we approached a green light, the car in front of me was driving at about 30mph. The light changed to yellow while the car was approximately 2 car lengths from entering the intersection (undoubtedly past the point of no return at that speed and in the specified driving conditions), and the driver decided to hit their breaks and come to a stop with the front half of their vehicle well into the intersection.

I do not text and drive. I setup my music on my phone as I walk to my car. I plug in my phone, and then change songs with my steering wheel controls. I do not at any point answer texts or calls unless a friend is in the car with me to pickup the phone for me. Consequently, I was immediately prepared to react to the unexpected scenario in front of me. My vehicle (2015, new aggressive tires with only 3k miles on them, and in 4WD mode due to the weather) was unable to stop in time despite placing full braking pressure. I did not have the option of swerving to the left turn lane as it was already occupied. I rear ended the vehicle at approximately 10mph, and I captured a photo immediately (I spend too much time watching crash compilations on youtube, so this was my first thought as to what I should do), and then we pulled into a parking lot.

I highly doubt that I could prove in juvenille court that I am not entirely at fault. It is my word (a 17 year old) against that of a 50 year old respected individual. I firmly believe that I could not stop my vehicle without the collision occurring, and I believe that it is unfair for me to be assigned fault when their braking was unwarranted and entirely unsafe. However, my main concern is whether or not my license will be suspended. I am not worried if I am assigned fault and my insurance rates go up, all that I care about is keeping my license. The Ohio DMV states that licenses are only suspended for moving violations, DUIs, reckless driving, and similar, but a quick google search yields a result of a law firm in Connecticut stating that a teen driver found at fault will almost certainly have their license suspended.

That is all I have to say. Do you folks believe that I will have my license suspended? Thank you for your time and assistance.

Answer:
 > I rear ended someone and want to blame them.

No. It’s your responsibility to be able to stop and not hit someone on front of you.

Unless you have a citation this isn’t going to a court. You have insurance. Let them deal with it. Answer #2: Great story you have there...but

>The light changed to yellow while the car was approximately 2 car lengths from entering the intersection

You saw a yellow but planned to run it as well?

So car slowed down to stop for a yellow and you were to close to stop safely, in the rain.Answer #3: If you rear end someone, its hard to claim that your that you were notfollowing to close for the conditions.  If they were being erratic, you should have backed off further.


Title: I feel I should report the domestic violence of my ex but it was 4 years ago, now I am loosing my vision as a result of the violence. Am I being naive wanting to report it now?

Question: I was in abusive relationship when I was 21 till I was about 23/24. When we had arguments sometimes she would resort to hitting me, the way I was raised I didn't retaliate in any way, at first. When I did retaliate it would be to stop her from doing something to my things or to not leave her in a harmful situation, she had seizures. I lied to my parents and at the ER when I had concussions several times and a broken collar bones. I felt it was best for her and I if I say the truth because it could come back to hurt her, looking back I never thought about how it would hurt me. I'm 25 now and the side I had a broken collar on cause by her actions left me with pain every so often as a reminder of her. My concussions recently started to take their toll on my vision, the muscles for my eye brow are weak and don't support it making it droop into my field of vision. During times of intense studying and essay writing I inevitably get headaches. The thing is I want to report the domestic violence I faced but I feel that I'm being naive at this point. Should I let it go? Sadly I feel more inclined to let it go just because I'm male, as I did back when it happened. :/

Answer:
 I don't mean to minimize the harm you suffered but how do you figure concussions relate in any way to a weak eyebrow muscle?  I've never heard of such a connection.  I also think that headaches that started years after the abuse would be very difficult to link to the abuse.

That said, abuse is illegal, whether or not it caused these particular types of damage to you.

With respect to the real question, the statute of limitations depends 100% on the state in which this occurred.  So you need to put that in your answer.


Title: CA Employer forbids talking about income to other employees and states that they will fire over it.

Question: Hello, I started a job about a month ago. Overall it is decent, but it sketches me out how strict they are in regards to talking about pay. They mentioned that it is a fire-able offense and grilled us harder on it than they did about fraternization with students. It got even weirder when I asked if paychecks had come in yet to the person that generally hands them out and was given a mini lecture on how that's really a question for HR (who has been there maybe 4 days out of the 4 weeks I have been there). I understand CA is an at-will state, so if they want to fire over that, they can just go ahead and do it without giving a reason. I just wanted to get a little more info on this. I believe that this is also mentioned in the employee handbook. Thanks for the info!

Answer:
 It's sketchy, and it's illegal. Technically it's illegal to retaliate against you for talking about it, but if you are talking about pay and are warned to not talk about pay, and then you are fired (for no reason), you have a very strong case that you were illegally retaliated against.

Discussion of pay is one of those things that an employer has to allow. It's specifically protected by the National Labor Relations Act. There are caveats, but talking about it with coworkers is something you are allowed to do and they are not allowed to punish (and even looking like they're punishing it opens them to a lot of liabilities).

Your employment being at-will doesn't matter in this case. And if they get cheeky and fire you and decline to give a reason, you can still sue them. Judges aren't stupid.

It's a law that many employers violate.

Exceptions: Does not apply to supervisory employees, law only protects discissions with workers, employer can limit discussion in front of customers, and doesn't protect dicussion of other people's pay if you got that knowledge when you shouldn't be privvy to it (like if you have access to systems that contain their pay info and got it that way). It also doesn't apply to government workers, agricultural workers, domestic workers in a home, people employed by a parent, or independent contractors.