Title: What would be the consequence of writing and cashing a check, then telling your bank that you didn’t cash it and you think someone else stole and cashed your check? Filing a fraudulent claim of some sort with your bank? What are the consequences

Question: Edit: how would the banks know your lying? Does anyone know the process that goes on to discovering these thing?

Answer: That’s fraud.  Jail time would be possible depending on the stare and amount.Answer #2: In addition to having to pay the money back, you'd be looking at one or more felony charges which could result in prison.


Title: (Fl) ex wants me to drop child support so he can get his license back. If i were to do so would that effect my state assistance?

Question: He doesn't pay anything bc "he can't get a job bc he owes child support and can't get his license back without a job". I think me getting state assistance requires i have an active case to get child support.

Answer: The state wouldn't let you even if you tried if you're recieving assistance. There's nothing you can do - he needs to stop making excuses and find a job and/or request modification. Plenty of people find jobs riding the bus. Answer #2: People that owe child support can and do get a job. Everyone wants people that owe child support to get a job. He'll be garnished eventually, of course.


Title: Extraordinarily dangerous student driver this morning. Is there anything I can do to reign him in before he kills himself and/or someone else?

Question:
I want to preface this by saying I don't want to destroy this kid's life, but on the same token if he's not put into check he's going to kill himself and/or someone else.

After dropping my daughter off at her school I was traveling east on the road that connects the elementary school to the nearby high school (about 3/8 of a mile separates them). Behind me was a van. As I approached a speed bump I noticed a silver car approaching from behind at a high rate of speed. I could hear its engine revving very loudly. After clearing the speed bump the silver car moved into the opposite lane -- into the oncoming traffic lane -- and doing approximately 45mph illegally passed both the van that was behind me and my own car.

I then watched as the car -- a silver Honda -- cut back into the lane, but only for a moment. Right after passing us the road swerves a bit and forms a sort of "half blind" corner. (There's a sort of retaining wall there and a drop-off lane on the other side of the wall. If you stay in the correct lane you've got plenty of opportunity to see if anyone is pulling out of the lane, but if you cut inside like this driver did you wouldn't see anything until it was way too late.) I watched this driver cut inside the lane, again going into the oncoming traffic lane, in a sort of race track maneuver, still at a high rate of speed (at least 40mph).

I then watched the car make a right turn, *completely* ignoring the STOP sign at the intersection. The car was easily doing 20mph through the STOP sign and I saw the car lean hard as the driver sped around the corner.

After making my own stop to make the same right turn I proceeded apace. I then noticed that the renegade Honda driver had parked on the side of the road and a student was in the process of getting out of the car. I immediately pulled over and questioned him about his actions. He readily acknowledged his driving with the explanation of "I'm late," and paid no attention to the danger he put himself and others in through his utterly reckless disregard for the rules of the road.

I took a picture of the driver and of his car showing the license plate. Is there anything I can do about this? Can the school do anything? Can I go to the police? *Should* I go to the police? Again, I don't want to ruin this kid's life but I think if nothing is done he'll ruin it himself, or worse.

**UPDATE: I heard back from the director of school security, a retired local police captain. He has positively identified the driver from my photographs and will be speaking to the school principal about this student. I got the vibe that this wasn't the first time this student had been reported. So, I'm not going to the police as I believe such an action may do more harm to this kid than good, and I'm reasonably confident that appropriate action will be taken.**

Answer: You can report the kid and how he was driving to the police.  They may cite him, they may not.  You can also call the school and say what you saw, but again, they may do something (I don't know what), but they probably won't other than give him a talking to.


Title: [MO, US] Family friend asking for a favor

Question:
A couple of months ago a family friend helped me with my immigration papers by being a co-sponsor...so this friend contacts me today and asks if I could give him a power of attorney so he could start a business under my name. He is going through a divorce at the moment and said that it would only be for 2 months until everything gets finalized. I want to help him because he helped me with my stuff, even though his responsibility as a co-sponsor was pretty much just to vouch for me. He is responsible person and I do trust him, but I don't know how this would affect me legally/financially etc...

How can I protect myself? what would happen if things don't workout the way he planned? Is this a bad idea?

Answer:
 So he wants to start a business in your name so that it isn't an asset for the divorce?

Smells like he might want your help committing fraud.Answer #2: No. If the business is that important, he can wait the two months.  Not worth you committing fraud. Answer #3: No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no

IANALAnswer #4: That's super sketchy and illegal. I understand that he did you a solid for vouching for you but he didn't commit a crime by helping you. I hope he understands that. Answer #5: Don't do it.  This is considered fraud.  You will be responsible for whatever the business does.Answer #6: Lolnope. Never let anyone *ever* do anything under your name, even if it's ordering a pizza from Pizza Hut.


Title: Can my employer MAKE me work? (Tennessee)

Question:
**EDIT: Perhaps I gave the wrong impression based on some of the comments. I'm am not one of those who feel entitled or have a bad work ethic. Quite the contrary. The fact of the matter is that this company has had a track record of shady behavior (such as short changing me hours on my paycheck and having employees work without employee numbers because the company needed shift coverage). I was simply asking if the company could legally require me to work special events and/or holidays that were outside of my assigned work schedule.**

I am a part-time hourly worker (I was hired on as such) at a gym that is based up in the Northwest, but I work at one of their location's in Tennessee. This week I received the following email; names removed for privacy reasons.

"Hello All!
We have a huge event coming up that I am sure you have all heard of and it’s the (event name removed). Everyone who is not currently working during the time of this event is expected to participate in some way whether it be set up, the actual event, or clean up. There is a sign up sheet posted in the Office that you can put your name on or you can email me or (name removed) with what you can do. This includes all new hires as well…if you’re receiving this email you can work this event. The sign up sheet is as follows:

Set up:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Check In
1.
2.

Serve
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Decorating
1.
2.
3.

Tear down
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Everyone is expected to participate somehow or respond with a reason why they cannot work. If no response is received you will be automatically put on the sign up sheet where needed.

Thank you all!"

They send out this type of email and follow this "sign up" system for Federal Holidays as well. Can the company I work for legally do this and make me work Federal holidays and special events?

Answer:
 No, you are not a slave. You are a human being, and can refuse to work.

You absolutely can be fired for making that decision. Answer #2: They can make it a condition of employment, yes. This is very common in the working world. Lots of people have to work holidays.Answer #3: Well this reads as a bunch of self-entitled twattery.  You're free not to work, they're free to fire you in response.


Title: [New York State] I'm pretty sure I have weed in my system from working with library patrons who come in high. Could I seriously flunk a drug test and have no recourse?

Question:
I am hoping that someone might be able to shed some light on a problem that I am worried I will have when it comes time to apply for a new job.

I work in a library in a poor area. Not poor enough, though, that people don't have regular amounts of weed to smoke. I don't care what you do in your own time but these people come into the library smelling like skunk piss, B.O., and cigs. Most days I can just ignore it; you're always aware the place stinks but you try to put it out of your mind. Some days though, the smell is so bad that I actually begin to gag.

So, lol, I just learned about the concept of a "contact high" and that you can apparently flunk a drug test if you've been around weed enough to get it into your system. lol I am pretty certain that, by now, it is firmly in mine. If not from being around people who lit up before walking into the library, then from coming home to a guy lighting up near an air vent in my apartment so that the smell circulates up three fucking floors.

The thing is, I'm almost done with my grad degree and I anticipate working for the government. If I remain in the same system I'm currently in, I passed a drug test a year ago so maybe they won't test me again. But maybe they will as now I'll be a registered, titled worker. And here I am with weed in my system, almost assuredly. And if I end up in another system, yeah, there's going to be a drug test.

Is there any sort of protection/defense to this? I'm just at work and anyone there could vouch for what I am saying as we're all sick to death of smelling it in the first place but you can't very well kick these people out because it's as good as accusing them of an illegal act, even though they smell like they literally just took a hit and walked in the door...

**TL;DR** I work at a poor library with patrons who smoke weed, even right before coming in the library. The entire place stinks like hell most days, especially after teens show up. I'm pretty sure I've got weed in my system. I may have to take a drug test to get a job after I finish my masters in August. Could I seriously flunk the test and not have any defense as to why?

Answer:
 I can't believe this is a real post...They need to start teaching common sense in College.Answer #2: IANAL, but I *am* a smoker of around 20 years.  You absolutely will *not* get a contact high, nor will you have THC in your system, because of people around you simply carrying the scent of weed.  You'd need to be in a small room, car or otherwise cramped space with them while they actively smoke.

You're fine.

Get a cheap drug test kit and see for yourself.Answer #3: Can't believe youre close to getting a grad degree and you think you can fail a drug test by being in the same area as someone who is high.....Answer #4: This belongs in /r/bestofAnswer #5: If it worked like that, every college professor would test positive


Title: Is there a way to de-register from United States Selective Service Systems once I have my birth certificate changed to female? (United States: New Mexico)

Question:
Currently, I'm a trans woman living in New Mexico and I recently turned 18. I'm having my legal name change later this year, and I hope to get SRS (sex reassignment surgery) absolutely as soon as possible. Once I recieve SRS, I'll be eligible to change the information on my birth certificate to my legal name and legal gender. However, this won't be possible until at least 2017. (Suporn is booked to fuckall.) The SSS.gov website says that

> Individuals who are born female and have a gender change are not required to register. U.S. citizens or immigrants who are born male and have a gender change are still required to register.

so I suppose my question is in two parts. 1) Am I still required by law to register once my *birth certificate* says female, and 2) If, at this time, I am no longer required by the law to register, is it possible to *de*register myself from the SSS? I know I could file an appeal as a Conscientious Objector, but I'd rather just not get involved in being drafted in the first place if I have any option whatsoever, personally.
Topic:
Contracts

Answer: May be a moot point since it's very possible that females will also be required to register soon.


Title: Friends husband forced open bathroom door while I was changing now they have some of my possessions, violating all over again please help

Question:
[removed]
Topic:
Removed

Answer:
 Please condense this to exactly what happened in the bathroom, leave out all details about who people are or your history, and what effort you have made to regain your property.

If you were sexually assaulted, not wanting to upset your children is not a good reason to not report it. You can still file a police report (in the jurisdiction where it happened.)

Nearly everything you wrote is not relevant.

You need to hit enter 2x to make a new paragraph. Take about 10 deep breaths, get yourself calm, and edit your story down to about 3 paragraphs of facts and your specific legal question (s).


Title: Police are perhaps unwittingly harassing my SO

Question:
I am a resident of MN. Recently the friend of my SO was murdered and the police seem to be continually questioning her - at times spending more than an hour at her residence. I let this go the first few times it happened as I have respect for police trying to do their jobs in an investigation. However, it does not seem to be coming to an end. They were there again today and apparently were asking all kinds of questions that are really absurd - i.e. was she having an affair with the man who killed her friend? Unfortunately she is not one to tell the police "no" and does not realize that she has the right not to talk to them. She feels like not talking to them means she is "doing something wrong," but she absolutely wants this to stop. They come right to her house and I can tell by how she talks about it she is very very intimidated by the whole thing.

Understand that the person who was murdered was my SO's *best friend* and they this has affected her deeply. Every time she has to go through this questioning process this is an immense amount of stress on her and interferes with the grieving process.  On top of that my significant other is in a high risk pregnancy, and stress is absolutely the worst thing for her. She has already been hospitalized a number of times due to stress-related vomiting and subsequent dehydration/malnutrition.

I contemplated calling and speaking with someone at the police office and expressing my concern. I do not know who I would speak to exactly or if this is a bad idea. Would they even listen to me? My concerns for her health are more than valid. Perhaps I should be speaking to a lawyer at this point - I do not really have money for one at this point, but I am fed up with them continually questioning her about this as it is really hurting her. What can I do to help her here?
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer:
 She can and should decline to speak to the police further without a lawyer. She doesn't necessarily need a lawyer unless they actually arrest her, but it may be a good idea to have one on speed dial at this point. Answer #2: > I contemplated calling and speaking with someone at the police office and expressing my concern.

Don't.  She's her own person.  You stay right the fuck out of it.  If she wants it to stop, support her.  If she doesn't, then support her for that.

If the police are questioning her, it's because they think she has important and necessary information.  Information that will help catch or prosecute her killer, which your SO likely wants to help do.  Support her in whatever **she** wants to do, and stop trying to make decisions **for** her.


Title: Worked for lawyer, he represented me in landlord case, won, he won't remit now that I no longer work there.

Question:
Hi, and thank you in advance for reading this. A couple years ago I had a landlord that illegally held my security deposit. At the time I was a legal assistant at a law firm and he offered to help me win the case. We went to court and won, and eventually the landlord begins making payments.

I've since moved from that state (CT) to NY for college, and I've still stayed in contact with him via email.

He told me the following in writing, which I have copies of:

6/24/15 - he received check for $153 for wex/j. Lien, did Lien, $100 left in costs

6/25/15 - no fee for me as an employee/ex-employee

10/29/15 - told me he would remit in november

12/4/15 - told me landlord has been paying $100/mo

At this point I calculate the amount collected to be $600 + the unspent $100. The total judgment is for $2000.

I am hoping to call today and ask what is up but the truth is that he's kind of a scumbag and I don't expect getting the money to be that easy. He's a dick that's horrible to his employees, racist, and honestly downright abusive at times. I know only one person who was able to work there for over two years full time without leaving in tears. I don't mind playing hardball with him but honestly I just want my money and to never see him again.

Please let me know if there are any options for me and thank you so much for your time.

Answer: You can ask for him what the current status is for the case, and you can ask for a written invoice/statement concerning the current accounting of costs and payments received for the case.  But I suspect that he doesn't need to pay you anything (and really shouldn't) until the case is actually completed (that is, until he has filed with the court saying that the judgment has been paid in full).


Title: [RI] Grandmother lives in an apartment complex that is suddenly controlling everyone's heat.

Question: My grandmother and my disabled cousin live together in a government-funded apartment complex for elderly and disabled individuals. In the last few weeks, maintenance came into everyone's apartment and did something to their thermostats so now the thermostat can be changed, but it won't have effect on the actual temperature. The apartment head office controls it completely. The office said the residents need a doctor's note in order to get their heat raised. In addition, the heat Is completely off in the hallways. Is this legal?

Answer:
 Do you know how warm the apartments are? According to [§ 45-24.3-9.](http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE45/45-24.3/45-24.3-9.HTM), it must be able to heat to at least 68 degrees F. I would think if they have it set below that temperature, and you cannot control it, it would be in violation.

EDIT: Also relevant: [§ 34-18-22](http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE34/34-18/34-18-22.HTM) (6) Supply running water and reasonable amounts of hot water at all times as required by § 45-24.3-7, or applicable local codes if more restrictive, and reasonable heat as required by § 45-24.3-9, or applicable local codes if more restrictive, between October 1 and May 1, except where the building that includes the dwelling unit is not required by law to be equipped for that purpose, or the dwelling unit is so constructed that heat or hot water is generated by an installation within the **exclusive control of the tenant** and supplied by a direct public utility connection.Answer #2: if the residents pay their heating bill this is illegal.


Title: Do we have to sell the car to pay off my grandmothers debt?

Question:
In October, my Grandmother passed away leaving a credit card with 12k of debt on it. I met up with the bank and they closed her account and took whatever was already in it to put towards the credit card. My GM also had a car (a used car she paid cash for earlier this year) worth about 3k. My question is, do we need to sell the car to pay the debt, or can I transfer the title to my mother?

I am in Ontario, Canada. I already know that this debt will not need to be paid out of my own pocket, but in terms of assets I'm not sure what we need to sell to put towards this debt to cover my own ass.

Thanks for any advice!

Answer:
 Who is executor of the estate? It's their job to gather the assets of your grandmother's estate, pay off debts, and distribute the remaining assets (if any) to the heirs, according to the will.

And yes, if your Grandmother still has debts the car needs to be sold to pay them, the title cannot be transferred until and if the debts are paid in full.


Title: Notarizing an employment offer

Question: I recently received an employment offer and I was instructed to sign and return it to the HR manager. I’m wondering: do most job offers require notarization? No where in the offer or instructions did it mention a notary. I’m really just curious why notarization would be required and if MOST job offers require it. Thanks

Answer:
 Where are you located?

In the US, notarizing job offers is extremely unusual. Not saying it never happens, but it's not the norm.


Title: [VA] Roommate Reneged on Offer to Pay Penalty for Breaking Lease after Giving Notice to Landlord

Question:
My roommate began searching for a new job closer to his family [out of state - FL] about two months ago.  He spoke with the front office about the procedure and reported back to me "We have to give 60 days of notice and pay 1 month of rent as a penalty, which obviously I'll cover".

I agreed and when he found a job I signed the paperwork agreeing to break the lease.  On Wednesday he told me that he would only be paying for half of the fee and he wants me to cover the other half.  I told him that wasn't what we agreed on.  He said he didn't care and wasn't going to pay it.

I broached the subject again today and he asked why shouldn't I pay half?  I told him the reason I agreed to break the lease is because he offered to pay the full fee.  He replied "I don't care what I said".

My worry is I can't take him to small claims court because he is moving to another state on June 16th (our lease ends July 27th) and we haven't actually been charged the penalty yet so I can't have him served while residing here.  Further I don't know how much of a case I have given everything was verbal and the only witness is my girlfriend.

I'm not sure if this is relevant or helpful, but he also sold my TV mount ($80) without my permission to his friend as a bundle with his television.  I asked him to pay me for it and he claimed he payed for half, however I can prove he didn't as our payments and debts to one another are very well documented (app + electronic payments).  I don't mean to bring up a separate matter but I wasn't sure if I could have papers served regarding this while he is still a resident which might give me the opportunity to serve papers for the lease penalty when he is back in the state.

Answer:
 You have a witness, and a verbal contract is binding. You can lump the TV with the rent and take him to small claims. You can still take him to court - some courts allow for teleconferencing.

I suggest having someone present when he packs up.

PS: Getting the money from him may be hard - but you can talk to the court about the steps to garnish his wages.


Title: Flippers next door doing sketchy stuff (indiana)

Question:
The house 2 doors down from me had very obvious foundation issues after being unoccupied for 15 years.  The flippers have done things like put up a 2 x 6 to hid the damaged wood and painted it and then packed asphalt  up against it...which hides the spalling and crumbling bricks of the foundation amd other rotting wood.  They covered the degrading bricks in the window well with a thin layer of concrete and again took asphault over it so you cant see any of the seems.

My neighborhood is a lot of first time homeowners and this just strikes me as unethical.  The house sold for a premium price Is there anything i can do, to make sure that the new homeowners get the inspection they actually need to have?  (I know that the real estate agent who used to own my house arranged for the crew that did the work...so i can 100% assure you that the work done to prep for sale is skin deep and of low quality).

Answer: You can contact code enforcement and give them a heads up


Title: Deadbeat dad wants visitation and rights after 8 years. Help!

Question: Hi Reddit, I really need some advice. I have an almost 10 year old son who I've solely taken care of his whole life. I had him when I was 20 with my middle/high school sweetheart..sadly he got mixed up with drugs, did a lot of awful things and I had to leave him, my home, and everything I knew pretty much when I was 22 ( my son had just turned 2 at the time). During the past 8 years he's continually abused drugs, committed multiple crimes and been in and out of jail and prison. He has never paid child support or made much of an attempt at cleaning up his act. 6 weeks ago he was released from an almost 3 year stay in prison. He's now trying to contact me and says he wants to see our son. After 8 years of not being there and doing nothing for him I'm not interested in making any agreements with him off the record l. I just do not trust him. I told him if his intentions are true then he needs to establish his paternity and basically take me to court. He says he's going to do that but I don't think he actually has the financial means to do all of that right now. We live in Florida. My question is does he have any rights after not being there or paying child support in over 8 years? Do I have a legal obligation to let him see our son? If he actually does get a lawyer, what can I expect next?  Thanks for any feedback

Answer: Is there any sort of court order that gives him or you custody of any sort? If not I don't think you need to allow him access. To be sure though you probably need a family lawyer.


Title: Subletting apartment to someone who will rent it out using airbnb. Bad idea? Montreal, QUEBEC

Question: Some has offered to sublet my apartment but use it to post on airbnb. Is this a terrible idea? I'm skeptic and worried about something like bed bugs. Would I be liable for the cost if someone brought bedbugs into my building?

Answer: Terrible idea. You do not want a broker operating a hotel out of your leased apartment. Your landlord will almost certainly be very upset when he or she hears about this and may immediately move to evict for breach of your lease.


Title: [IL] My father, who has type II bipolar and severe depression and hasn't been a contributing member of society for 18 years, apparently hasn't ACTUALLY been seeing his doctor when he goes to his appointments. Only the physicians assistant.

Question:
He recently went to get verified for his disabled benefits and, because he really does think he's okay in relative terms, told them he is stable. He does nothing all day except watch TV, lives with my 82 year old grandma, wakes up at seven at night and goes to bed at ten in the morning. He takes multiple prescriptions, imagines things are happening in mine and my brothers lives, doesn't believe my mom is divorced with him. He has been like this a good portion of my life. So obviously, he isn't stable.

Well, the government told him they were revoking his disability pay. He needs this money to live, as my grandma's social security isn't enough to supplement them both. He barely has any idea what is even going on because he's so out of it.

Well, when my mom went to go get records of his state from his physiatrist, and they told her that he's only been seeing the physicians assistant. My dad would tell her he's okay, she would sign off and say he's okay, then send him home. We JUST found this out. And when my mom questioned them on it, they said that we should've been having a family member go with him to his appointments.

Obviously IANAL, but this sounds absurdly wrong. What have we been paying for? How has his actual doctor not seen his patient in years?! Is there any course of action I can take? We are primarily concerned with getting him his disability back, but also, I want to make sure this doctor is punished or looked into by some administrative agency for psychiatrists. There is no way that this can be acceptable, and if it is then I guess I am just naïve on the process.

Answer:
 The Physician Assistant, PA-C, is a medical worker with a masters degree that has passed national boards and is able to diagnose, treat, and prescribe to patients.

There’s nothing wrong with this.

To paraphrase part of your post, yes, you are naive to this process. Answer #2: A physician's assistant is a board certified medical practitioner.  She may not be an MD, but she is qualified and legitimately his psychiatrist in her own right.  Most of the practitioners I see aren't MDs, and in my experience they give better care than doctors do, but that's irrelevant.

If all he's been going for is checkups to make sure his meds don't need to change, there is absolutely nothing out of the ordinary about any of this.  Even if he did need a change, the PA is perfectly qualified to handle that.

Medical practitioners are not psychics.  If no one told her he's delusional, you can't in any way expect her to have known.  You can run all this up the flagpole with a malpractice attorney, but dollars to doughnuts they'll tell you the same thing.

Unless someone told this PA there are untreated delusions and she ignored it, I don't see where she's in the wrong.  Your best option now is working with her on an appeal to Social Security.


Title: If a person is legally presumed dead, then is later found alive, can they win a lawsuit to recover any assets their family may now have?

Question: Also, can a life insurance company win a lawsuit against the recipients of a payout (assuming the missing person didn't commit fraud)?

Answer:
 The Shire has no precedent for such lawsuits.

Hobbits almost never go on adventures of the sort that might lead to a presumption of death.Answer #2: The Prime Directive doesn't allow interference with other cultures. Unless the recipients were part of the federation or another warp-capable society, Captain Picard most likely wouldn't pass judgement and let the local laws prevail...even if they seem unfair.  Answer #3: ... Am I missing some kind of in-joke? All the other comments


Title: My dad is a surgeon being sued by a patient's family and I'm scared about the outcome.

Question: New York State, USA: My dad is a medical surgeon who does urological surgery for his practice at his hospital. He is the most caring, altruistic, careful and intelligent person I know. He's suddenly been depressed for a few months. Really depressed. I've never seen him like this. I finally asked my mom last night and she revealed to me that he was told two months ago that he is being sued by the family of a former patient of his from a long time ago who died due to surgery complications -- aka "medical negligence". This lawsuit's language calls him "incompetent" and "negligent" and a bunch of really nasty adjectives that he says "basically make him sound like the worst person to ever have existed on earth". These accusations are just not consistent with his character or his practice or any of the reviews he's gotten from other patients and doctors. This is his first experience with something like this, yet, I am trying to see just how bad this actually will turn out. I think a judge and jury will see that he has an impeccable record and will have witnesses that can testify to his character and how this was a true mistake (one that is tearing my dad up inside), but my father seems to be spiriling into a hole of depression, since this is his first experience with this. I guess he thinks that being sued = the end of your career.  Is this accurate? Realistically, for what I suppose is a medical malpractice lawsuit like this, what typically happens with cases like this? Are these kinds of cases common? Do plaintiff's statements tend to typically be this vindictive in their language? I'm just scared for my father, and really would appreciate advice about how to feel about this regarding outcomes.

Answer: Your dad has insurance for this. Chill, it'll be fine. It happens to many (if not most) surgeons at some point.


Title: Can a family member send a cease and desist to another family member?

Question:
I really did google and not really finding anything. My cousin just likes to call my grandma and upset her. Grandma only has a land line, we blocked her number but she just started calling from spoof numbers.

She's already in some legal trouble, so hoping a nice official looking leave grandma the fuck alone letter might scare her.

Answer: Anyone can send a cease and desist to anyone else.  A cease and desist holds no legal weight and "violating" it isn't a problem.  A cease and desist is just a formal warning before taking further action.


Title: [NJ] Child Support seems very high.

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Your take home doesn't matter, it's your gross.  It also depends on how much time you have with the kid and whether or not you're paying for insurance.

It's also a shares model, so it depends on moms income as wellAnswer #2: How many children do you have? What are their ages? What is your pre-tax/gross amount of income? We need more details. It's like asking "is a wage of $30/hour good?". Well are you a doctor or a cashier, because it makes a big fucking difference.


Title: Signed lease at apartment under construction, was verbally promised a check for 6 months rent If the apartment was not completed by the start of the semester. Apartment is looking like it might not be finished.

Question:
[Texas]

My agreement with the leasing manager was not captured in writing, however it was advertised on their Instagram page and I took a screenshot of it. My screenshot is time stamped 2 months after the post was initially made, so the deal was on their page for a pretty significant amount of time. The deal was my whole reason for signing with the complex because if the place wasn’t ready I’d be able to find a 6 month lease elsewhere until it was and it wouldn’t be on my expense. The Instagram post outlines the details of their promise exactly as it was said to me. The post has since been deleted by the apartment complex, my screenshot is my only proof the desk existed.

Would my screenshot be usable in a case against them? Should I get a lawyer now? I have no idea what I can do, or what I should do.

Answer:
 First off: have you contacted the complex about this? Either about the approx readiness date of the unit, or the compensation for failing to meet that? Lawyering up right off the bat usually isn't the best option.

If the unit isn't or won't be ready, and they refuse to honor the deal, then you get a lawyer.Answer #2: I work in construction, three weeks is a really long time so there's a chance it will be completed. They also just need to have your unit occupiable, a clear path to exit the building in an emergency and access for parking. You may not have access to the amenity spaces and they may still have landscaping work to complete. What's going on outside the building won't reflect how complete the actual unit is.Answer #3: They may have removed the offer because they no longer offer it to newly signed leases. It doesn't mean they won't honor existing deals.  I recommend that you first contact them to confirm they will honor the offer as agreed upon.Answer #4: 3 weeks is a long time.  Unless they are still framing, it is entirely possible to get everything done and get you in by August 15.   You may have a different unit, but you'll likely have a home for the year.


Title: Fast Food Restaurant denying of service

Question:
Some background information, I'm a straigt A, Hispanic, high school student in a predominantly black area.

After school, I decided to go to the restaurant I'm referring to and order something, but once I walked to the counter, the person operating it had told me they weren't allowed to serve highschool students. The only reason she knew I was one, was because I had my backpack with me. They're doing this because about 3 weeks ago, an incident occurred with kids from my school, where they vandalized some of the property. I have no affiliation with these kids besides we go to the same highschool, I don't even know who did it.

Was it legal for them to deny me of service based on those accusations?
What can I do about this?

Answer: They can absolutely refuse service to you for just about any reason they please.


Title: Shits getting deep!

Question: The house I am currently buying. I had a septic inspection. The home owner stated he installed it, and talked with the inspector before I arrived. When I get there the inspector told me everything checks out the home owner installed the system. I questions this and he tells me,  oh that may have been said in confidence between him and the current owner. When I payed this guy to inspect on my behalf! I ask the home owner  through my realtor when it was installed what size and if a permit was pulled. His response- don't have documentation. Did it inspect well? are we still proceeding? Disclosure states yes to major additions renovations without a permit.  *electric but I was fine with that and prepared to fix it  before I moved in. But another possible 15k for a new septic will put me in the red. I am checking the county if a permit was pulled. I am to close on the 30th. And will need to be out of my house on June 7th. Should I walk and be inconvenienced with a double move and losses for paying rent on 3+ bed. (Family of 5) Is there legal action? Should I pay for further inspections (video record)? I am out $800 in current inspections.

Answer: What's your legal question exactly? If you can't afford a new septic system you probably should not buy his house.


Title: Fiancee went to dermatologist, ended up with facial scars and an infection (New York)

Question:
My fiancee went to a dermatologist's office a week ago to have a cyst and a mole removed from the back of her neck. The doctor injected the novocaine, and then neither he nor the nurse were paying attention as she passed out and fell off the doctor's table, giving her a slight concussion and lacerations on her face, which required 5 stitches. She was immediately sent to the ER for a cat scan.

A few days after the incident, an infection developed around the site of the injections, which required another trip to the ER, where they prescribed strong antibiotics.

She's feeling much better now, and she is not the type to pursue any kind of legal action, but I'm wondering if this could be grounds for a lawsuit against the doctor for negligence, especially if something were to develop from the infection or concussion down the road. Can someone give me some insight on this?
Topic:
Medicine and Malpractice

Answer: Medmal lawsuits are notoriously difficult to prove and are very fact-and-state-dependent. I'd seek a lawyer in your area.  You have to prove that the standard of care was breached. Novocaine is not normally a "knock you out" kinda drug, so it's hard to say that the doctors should have known she was going to pass out. Additionally, when you go to the doctors office for a procedure they usually make you sign a waiver acknowledging possible adverse outcomes, pretty sure infection is covered in something like this. Sucks to be your friend but from the facts it appears she doesn't have a case.


Title: Harassing neighbors just put an anti harassment order out on ME?!?

Question:
This is so much longer than I expected but I'm hoping someone can help me.

I received notice and was served today with papers that my neighbor's exwife (wife when it's convenient for them legally) in a 4 plex apartment complex has filed anti harassment order against me because I finally stopped letting her shit on me verbally and emotionally after an accident last year. I am an unemployed 5x back surgery/ PTSD / GAD anxiety wife.
---------------
Her statement: 9/14/18 Sonia was yelling obscenities  At me out of her kitchen window, approached me and my husband aggressively yelling and came to my vehicle calling me names. Sonia has a very large rottweiler residing in her home he has viciously attacked my son on 916 2017 the way our complex is designed me in my family have no choice but to pass her house to get to our unit her dog aggressively jumps towards my kids through the screen door and Sonia screams at me and my family on a consistent basis she called me absurdities daily and has come to the point where she's approaching me in my vehicle and I'm able to go to my home safely without an aggressive competition I have witnessed so new using her right as a scare tactic with others yes she lives there permanently and I believe as soon as the order is over she will continue to harass me.
-------------

I wrote a letter to the judge after being served because that's the only way I'll be able to "talk" in public. I've included pictures of the apartments, my doors, the fencing and a letter she wrote me in DEC. '17 claiming she knew what she was doing by being mean to me on purpose but wanting to be my friend and love me... very confusing and uncomfortable. This woman DID NOT LIVE HERE when I moved into the apartment. She recently broke up with her 3rd baby daddy boyfriend and had no place to go but back to her EX's apartment with her 3 baybay kids from all different dads were she leaves them to go hang out with her NEW boyfriend. The complex is small privately owned and I never even signed a lease but they have one on file from before they separated so they're using it against me basically lying like she's lived here the whole time.

My dog can feel all the nasty emotions and reacts to it every time. I do what I can but admit I'm tired of the bullshit. I have no elders in my life to look up to or ask advice and no family to offer support other than my husband who has to stay out if it anyway. Please read the letter to the judge and if possible I just need advice. Thank you.

1
To whom it may concern,

In April of 2017 I moved to Tacoma from Sammamish under extreme duress. I have PTSD and
suffer from acute generalized anxiety. I had just spent the last 4 years taking care of my mom
24/7, had her placed in a nursing home by family members while I was on vacation and had to
clean, pack and sell her house and move under horrible emotional circumstances.

The first time I met Sarah, it was me crying in the parking lot of my apartment in a complete anxiety ridden state only a day or two after moving in. She did not live at the complex when I moved in but
used to with her husband, one of her children’s fathers. She offered to call our mutual friend and
my landlord, Katelyn Royer, for me. I later learned she was still married to my neighbor but had moved in with her youngest child’s father, her new boyfriend and no longer lived in that complex. She was there a lot to pick up kids and drop off and because she and Katelyn were friends.

I learned in the beginning of living in the apartment that the Petitioner had wanted to move into
the apartment and was disappointed I was moving in. She also was upset that Katelyn and I had
a friendship, it was very obvious. She has stated several times to more than one person that
she is jealous of the time I spent with our mutual friend.

At the time I owned two dogs, one was my ESA English Mastiff, Charlie who recently passed
away 2 months ago. The other dog is Loki, the rottweiler my current ESA with a doctors note,
who was and still is in training at Bob Smith’s K9 Association in Parkland. At the time of our
move he was very young and only recently had become potty trained. I am unsure of the exact
date of the incident that the Petitioner is trying to say my dog violently attacked her son.

In this incident which all parties agreed was an ACCIDENT, Loki was playing with me in the
parking lot of my apartments. The petitioner Sarah and her son Inri, were also out in the parking
lot with our mutual friend Katelyn. Katelyn sat down on the sidewalk and was playing around
with Inri, then gathered Inri in her arms and still holding Inri in her lap, called Loki over who had
come to me a few feet away in the parking lot, she was talking doggy/babytalk and as most
dogs will, he got over excited. At this time Loki is only 6/7 months old. When he got excited he
scratched/nicked Inri on the nose in his excitement. I was extremely shocked myself and
immediately took Loki inside and asked what I could do or how I could help. I was rebuffed
because emotions were high and Inri went and got checked out and received care.

After the incident my husband and I made sure to make the area with the dogs was and is as
secure as possible to ease any tension on the property, we built a new fence, checked the dog
run and installed a security gate at our front door. Loki has never left our house without a leash
or an e-collar since that happened.
My husband also met with the petitioner Sarah, her current boyfriend at the time BLANK and the father of her second child, BLANK BLANK JR,.

During that conversation which I witnessed but did not participate in, ALL PARTIES AGAIN AGREED IT WAS AN ACCIDENT and that we (my husband and I) did everything we could to make everyone more comfortable and the dog wouldn’t be around young children as a preventative measure from then on. My husband stressed that we wanted to be responsible dog owners and never wanted discourse with our neighbors. We even went as far as to ask if they
would feel more comfortable switching apartments with them so they wouldn’t have to walk by
my door.

After the incident Sarah and I did not speak. My anxiety and PTSD flared up very badly and I
have had a hard time even leaving my apartment. Most days I am an hour or more late because
I couldn’t just walk out the door. I live in very real fear and anxiety every day and some days are
better than others. Sarah and all of her family members are aware of my situation and have
even expressed concern for me at times before the incident that lead up to this protection order
request.

The Petitioner does not tell you that although the situation with the dog was unfortunate, she
and her family continued to make me feel uncomfortable and held responsible for what was
declared an accident that happened over a year ago.

The Petitioners do not state that they walk by my apartment either very slowly and stop in front
of my door on purpose OR stop and then keep walking instead of continuing to walk just to
agitate my dog almost every time they come to the apartments.

The Petitioner does not state that her oldest daughter and my granddaughter are friends and
most days play outside together.

The Petitioner does not tell the court she told her oldest daughter top disregard anything I say “You don’t have to listen to her” (which I got yelled in my face after the children got into an argument several weeks ago) or that her oldest daughter has been playing/dancing in front of my kitchen window all
summer/after school and death stares me from outside or just watches inside my apartment.

The Petitioner does not tell you that every time they walk by my apartment they feel compelled to look inside my window OR my open door and try to listen in on private conversations. I have caught them before.

The Petitioners also do not tell you that the other people in the complex do not get barked at when they walk by like they do. They have misguided angry feelings towards me and not only can I feel it all the time but so can my ESA dog.

In DECEMBER 2017 the Petitioner wrote me a letter (which I have attached PLEASE READ)
apologizing about her bad behaviour but the damage had been done and I didn’t want to have a
relationship with her even as an acquaintance. I read the letter several times and went on to
observe her actions that went against every single thing she had stated. That being said, I did
not respond to her letter and I think she got very upset by that because the disrespectful and
cross looks and behavior never stopped. She has made it very clear several times that she is
jealous of my relationship with her friend, our mutual friend.

This entire summer I have been trying to train my dog Loki with my security gate closed but front
door open and he has been making great progress at only 2 years of age. Unfortunately the
Petitioners continue to talk trash and agitate my dog months after the incident and having cross looks exchanged and no communication or mutual understanding.

The incident that has brought us here today, I am not proud of however, the Petitioner is not
telling the truth.

I had been working on watching for signs in order to close the door before the barking because I
don’t like the barking all the time either and the end of summer is here and training a dog is tiring at times. Sometimes I am close to the doorway and sometimes I am in another part of the apartment so it takes longer for me to shut the door if I have to. At no point EVER has the door been opened by the dog.

The Petitioner and her now again husband came home and I could hear them talking/getting out
of their cars and Loki started to get excited so I went and closed the door, I said sorry loki we
don’t have to deal with those F****** people.” and closed my door. I went into my kitchen as I normally do when they walk by because they stir up so much emotions and I turned up my music loud and started to clean and talk to myself so I could calm down. The only way they could EVER hear me say ANYTHING in my OWN apartment is if they stopped long enough to listen as the fan is almost always on and there is usually music on or television on if I am in the
kitchen cooking. I do not yell things out my window as it has been closed or had a fan in it for
months. I have every right to say whatever I please, whenever I please in my own home if I feel
frustrated or anxious and it makes me feel better.

I did tell her we can talk now I’m right here and what the heck, why can’t she talk to me instead of the owner etc. I was terribly upset and was talking with my hands. She rolled her eyes at me, rolled up her window and pulled out of the parking lot to park on the street. I promptly had an anxiety attack after trying to speak with the Petitioner and having her drive away, I went inside my apartment and outside again, visibly shaking.

The Petitioner does not tell you that she then had her husband? Ex-husband? who outweighs me by at least 100 lbs and towers over me physically, come confront me like I was a grown man. The partitioner and her husband? ex-husband? accused me of things that never happened and he proceeded to threaten me that if that accident had happened to his daughter that things
would have been “different” and that my dog barks at them every time they walk by and not
everyone else and the Petitioner is so nice everyone likes her so why don’t I? Obviously being a
partial party he wasn’t trying to help the situation and it was clear very quickly but, I tried to talk
with him and squash it again, it was not a neutral conversation and ended because he walked
away to go respond to the the Petitioner who was yelling at him from her van, not because there
was a solution.

I am upset that instead of being an adult, The petitioner wanted to talk trash, try and intimidate
me and try to stir up trouble and is now trying to put an anti-harassment order out against me all the while doing things to cause trouble.

The Petitioner also did not state that she tried to go to the owner of the building over the situation and and didn’t like the response she got from him, in which he stated that I would have the door closed now anyway because it isn’t summer and there’s nothing anyone can do if the dog barks at her through the door.
So she decided to go to court and give a false statement. I have never been unkind or anything of the sort to her children, her husband/ex-husband or boyfriend/ex-boyfriend. She continues to make things difficult and now instead of addressing it privately she has brought it to court. I truly believe she is trying to harass me into moving out or getting me pushed out of the apartments. She has NEVER approached me to squash things privately or talk things out. She has been disrespectful and childish for months because I did notimmediately respond to her letter and she does not like that I still live there.

On or about the beginning of May, the respondent decided to come back to the apartments and
stay with her her husband? Ex-husband? And she knew I still resided there. She made the
conscious decision to come back to live in an apartment were she supposedly fears for her life
and her children’s lives? She made the choice to stay here rather than stay anywhere else. She
knew I wasn’t going anywhere and that my dog still lived here. I have never even spoken
directly to her except on occasion to tell her not to talk trash or stop agitating the dog through the door onpurpose, except for the incident on or about September 14th. I have made it my mission not to
engage with her or her family BECAUSE of everything that had already happened and I hate
confrontation especially with the opposite sex because of my PTSD and anxiety issues.
I do not believe that this anti harassment order against me valid or reasonable. I have lived here
for over almost two years now and I do not think that someone who feared for their life would
move BACK into a small 4 complex apartment building if it were true, after already residing
somewhere else and who knew before moving that I wasn’t leaving my home.
Please assist me in this situation as it is obviously out of my hands.

Thank you Sincerely,

-------END OF LETTER----------

Help, help, help.

Answer:
 Okay, there's a ton here and I am having trouble parsing all of it and determining what it is that you want to know.

However, general recommendation for dealing with problem neighbors is fairly simple:

1) Document your interactions. Keep a journal and communicate in writing (text/e-mail) with someone else about the interactions that you are having.

2) Record. Having a camera pointed at your front yard can create an unbiased record of who is harassing whom. They aren't that expensive and can often turn up valuable information that you wouldn't otherwise be aware of, or back up your account of events should a hearing occur.

3) Emergency orders are often granted easily, but you should be aware of the hearing. You will be given the opportunity to defend yourself at the hearing where a judge will look at the event in more detail to determine if a more permanent order is warranted or not, be prepared to defend yourself at that hearing.


Title: My boss told me I'm not allowed to ask him about my pay? (Illinois)

Question: My boss forgot to pay my commission last week, so I pointed out to him that he missed it. He got irate with me and said I'm not to ever question him about my pay again. Is that legal? Also, I can see him threatening me personally if I stand up to him about this. What can I do here? Additionally, if he does threaten me, can I quit and get unemployment?

Answer:
 get a new job. file a wage claim. Answer #2: If he threatens you personal harm, get the evidence and tell him in no uncertain terms that you will not tolerate being threatened. If it happens again, quit and file for unemployment. I doubt he will challenge it. If he does then you can file a charge of constructive discharge with the IDHR.

Also - Illinois is NOT a 1 party state. Please be very careful and understand the law before recording any conversations. Illinois has very strange recording laws, extreme on the privacy angle.

Cheers!


Title: [Hypothetical][California] Could I sue someone for baptizing my child against my wishes?

Question: [deleted]

Answer: If you're a staunch atheist, you don't believe in God so I'm not sure how that would be distressing. It just wouldn't mean anything to you. You'd have to sue for damages and I don't see what damages you'd have.


Title: Eviction in Missouri.

Question:
A recent medial procedure took me out of work for a few months and put me in debt while recovering. I'm fine now and working but I am being threatened (have been notified) that if I don't pay up by the fifteenth they will move forward with the eviction process. I have told them multiple times my situation and will be able to come up with the money by then but I am still being threatened.

What are the consequences of just ignoring this all and abandoning the property? My lease ends on the 11 of Oct anyway and this month is the last full month I'm supposed to pay.

I just need guidance on what to do moving forward because I hate dealing with these people and I want out.

Answer:
 You'd be responsible for rent through the end of your lease, and likely a bit beyond it since you're not giving proper notice.

Also, you hate dealing with them? How do you think they feel about you? They aren't the ones refusing to pay their bills.


Title: How to evict tenants who aren't breaking the law? (Ontario)

Question:
Asking on behalf of a 90 year old family member. I looked into his financial situation, which no one has apparently done for years, and here's the issue:

He owns a second house (apartment). He has been renting it out for decades. He is kind and non-confrontational and thus hasn't raised the rent in twenty years. I come investigate and see that he is losing money on the apartment every month. These people are paying less than half of market value.

So I convince him to ask the tenants to start paying a reasonable amount rent every month (well more reasonable but still hundreds of dollars less a month than anything they could dream of finding in the area). They talk among themselves and their response is something like "You can only legally raise it 1.8% a year, we won't agree to anything more so you'll have to take us to court if you want it." That's essentially a $10-12 monthly increase when they're paying ~$600-800 below what new tenants easily be.

They're, of course, legally in the right. They haven't broken any laws or missed rent payments, as far as I can tell they would have to be able to get kicked out. So what recourse does he have to evict them? Is he stuck losing money every month to give these people a house to live in indefinitely?

Answer:
 The fact that he hasn't raised the rent in 20 years is really his own problem, in a legal sense. There are very restictive reasons as to why you can kick out a tenant in Ontario.

Given that he is 90 he may want to consider selling the house. Answer #2: He has no recourse. He should have raised the rent every year. He should start raising the rent the maximum amount every year.

I feel your pain here, I have four tenants who are paying absurd amounts like $481.72/mo based on the fact that the rent has been raised the max for like ten years in a row, and if they left I could easily get $800-$900/unit.


Title: My grandfather was falsely accused of child abuse by his daughter. She's posting posters of his picture, name and text saying along the lines of "this man abused me and threatened to kill me when I was 15 if I told anyone. Around our home town and neighbouring cities. Is there anything he can do?

Question: I understand the sensitive topic of this but for some backstory. She might be mentally ill.  She also accused her ex-husband of abuse as well, claiming he would beat her. I believe this came up when he wanted a divorce and the false accusations she brought to my grandfather when he denied giving her money. She also accused him of abusing her daughter, which her daughter denies. She's a college graduate and married if that matters and she denies he ever did anything to her. All his other sons and daughters don't believe her and have sort of ceased all communication from her. But she started posting these posters with his name, photo and text claiming she was sexually abused by him. I understand everyone may not be on my grandfather's side but he would never ever do something like this. He's very sick but still working and this is causing stress on him. Not anyone of his other 8 sons and daughter believe her. She did file a police report I believe years ago but I don't believe anything came of it.

Answer: Try to get the courts to issue a restraining order for harassment and go for a cease and desist letter as well. Then start the lawsuits for slander, defamation of name and character, harassment, etc...Answer #2: It may be worth talking to a local civil attorney to have them draft a cease and desist letter to her. If she doesn't stop, then he can escalate and sue for defamation.


Title: Is it possible to discharge student debt through bankruptcy under extreme conditions?

Question:
Asking for my brother in AZ. I'm wondering if he can file bankruptcy and include a student loan from Sallie Mae.

He currently has no income or job, no home, no assets and is a drug addict. A couple times in the past he has gotten clean and gotten a job paying minimum wage. Sallie Mae has a judgement against him and garnishes 25% of his paycheck. At this point he is not making enough money to keep an apartment, will lose his home and next his job, and ends up on the street.

I'd like to help him get his life together. Would this be worth a consultation with a bankruptcy lawyer? I could help pay for a lawyer if he has a chance of getting results.

Answer:
 > Would this be worth a consultation with a bankruptcy lawyer?

It is worth consulting with a bankruptcy attorney.

It is possible to discharge student loan debt, but the standard is not "extreme conditions."  The standard is "permanent and total disability."  While tragic and unfortunate, nothing you've described appears to be a situation where student loans would be discharged.

Worth a consult, and possibly worth filing if the other debt is substantial enough.


Title: [FL] Can my boss fire me DURING paid leave and not pay me for the rest of my PTO?

Question: I am currently working at a job and have 5 PTO days coming up. I'd like to give my 2 weeks, but my new job starts at the start of March. Basically, the middle week between  now and then is PTO. If I give my notice DURING my paid leave, via email, can they fire me effective immediately and not pay the rest of those PTO days if they have already been approved?

Answer: Yes, your employer can fire you while you're on paid leave.  Your employer's policies would dictate whether they pay out your PTO or not, there are no Florida laws requiring them to do so.  If they have a policy stating they *will* pay, then they should do so.


Title: If a google driverless car ran over and killed someone how would the case be tried?

Question:
lets say a google car is driving along and hits a pedestrian and kills them. lets also assume its clear and cut case that it was 'the cars' fault.

who would the defendant be? google? a programmer at google? would it be a criminal matter? civil?

business idea: a driverless ambulance chaser following driverless cars

Answer:
 No one knows yet.

Edit to add:  The reason the question isn't settled is because there's no legislation (at least any that I know of) dealing with this issue yet.  You can bet that before these things are even allowed on public roads, laws will be passed that will attempt to regulate how scenarios such as this will work.


Title: Landlord charged $200 for light paint touch up, replaced locks for no reason, $70 for time spent going to hardware store, $25 time looking for burnt out bulbs, etc

Question:
$520 was taken from our deposit. We asked for a breakdown and it’s kind of shocking. Originally we had an illegal blind cleaning fee in our agreement, which is illegal under Oregon state law. It was $200+. We had it removed and think these charges were retaliation know we moved out of state.

We were also charged $22.50 for them to make a checklist. $22.50 to fill out work order paperwork. Two separate charges of for getting stove drip bowls and bulbs, $67 and $37. Charged $70 to replace locks and make keys. 4 sets of keys were dropped off at the rental office. Charged $15 for the can of paint on top of $200 for touching up a wall. $22.50 for time spent replacing 3 smoke detector batteries. There’s more... do any of these charges make sense? There was no real damage.

Answer:
 Dispute it.

Unless the locks were damaged or you failed to return all the keys, there's no reason to change locks.

If the "touch-up" was for normal wear and tear, you cannot be charged for it.

If you weren't responsible for changing the smoke detector batteries, then you aren't paying for it.

Dispute it in writing, give a due date for the refund, and sue your landlord in small claims if they fail to refund your deposit.


Title: [Idaho] Religious roommates kicked me out with no notice, now demanding I pay electric bill

Question: [deleted]

Answer: I'd use their illegal eviction as leverage to not pay the electric bill. Idaho Code § 6-303(3) states you're required a three day notice for eviction before they can even begin eviction proceedings in court. You were given no notice, which if pursued, is typically a criminal misdemeanor.


Title: Lost my Job 600 miles away from home. Can I break my lease? (Illinois)

Question: Hello everyone, this is my first post on r/legal advice but I really need some help. I was fired from my job on July 10th, 2018. Since then I have been searching for a job with no luck. I had moved 3 states away from my home just for this career, and now I want to move back. I’m only 21 and this is my first time I tried living on my own.  I moved into this apartment in November and I have a year long lease. Is being fired from your job enough reason to have a lease broken? Any advice right now helps. Thank you for your time.

Answer: You would have to look at the terms of your lease, but typically this wouldn’t be grounds to break a lease.


Title: Am I at risk to pay anything if the game company I co-founded goes under?

Question:
Hello /r/legaladvice,

I co-founded a small startup game company within the last year. I work as the CTO so I don't know much on the business/legal end of things. We used crowdfunding to get our first game off the ground, and got the funding we needed. Or so I thought. Turns out the goal amount that was raised was less than what we needed, however we are required to do what was promised.
If this company goes under, am I at any financial risk? Thanks for any advice you can give.

Answer: It depends on how the company was legally formed.   If you didn't do anything (i.e. didn't form an LLC or something similar) your personal assets could be at risk if the company fails and debt is owed.


Title: Neighbor insane threatening me with a gun

Question:
I am afraid. My neighbor is bat shit crazy. He is extremely paranoid and pointed a gun at me three times while threatening me I better not alert the police.

He thinks people are after him, on my own property I go out for example I went out last wednesday and he came rushing out and told me put my arms up or else and I did, and then he went back inside and told me I better not tell anybody. I was out last saturday as well, because I had to get to work. He came out and did the same. then he came out this morning and pulled the gun back like he was about to fire.

I'm afraid to call the police as a result of his threats. I can't move because I own this property and it isn't easy to sell it. His dogs comes to the fence barking at me. He moved in a few months ago I've been here for two years. What can I do? I have to go outside early so I can go to work, I can't get fired.

Answer: Your neighbor’s brandishing a gun and threatening you. You call the cops for that. Answer #2: Idk but if someone threatened to shoot me several times I would probably call the cops.Answer #3: Call the police.  File for a restraining order.Answer #4: Sounds like you already know your options (move or the police) and you're going to have to sack-up and call the cops.Answer #5: Calling the police is your best option. Answer #6: Not a lawyer but brandishing in most states (don't know about AR) is a felony. I believe AR does not require gun registration, and if your crazy neighbor is already a felon with a gun, he's looking at some serious consequences, as federal law prohibits felons from owning guns. Calling the police could solve your issue permanently if he is as crazy as he sounds (as in put him in prison or worse). You might consider installing security cameras as well for concrete evidence. Answer #7: If you don’t call the police, eventually this nutcase will pull the trigger.


Title: [NY/NYC] Landlord seeks to terminate lease

Question:
Relatively simple question;  landlord intends to do construction work to the house to legalize renting to a third family (she cannot legally do so now with the current certificate of occupancy).  We're one of the two legal tenants and everything is aboveboard.

We knew she was intending to do construction but prior to renewing our lease in December it was thought that our apartment would not be affected.  At that time, she was afraid that the excessive noise/work/etc may be too much for us so we discussed the possibility of a 6 month lease.  Then she gave us the lease renewal for a full year anyway.

Fast forward and now we've received a letter from her indicating she wishes to terminate the lease effective July 31st (as the current lease is good until 12/1).

Recent surgery has us hurting in the financials a bit (in addition to body) and we really don't want to move just yet.  I've prepared a letter offering her the option to buy out the remainder of the lease or trust us to try and find our own new housing on our schedule.

I thought termination of the lease would have to be a mutually agreed upon as it is a contract so I'm just wanting to have another set of eyes on our situation and make sure I'm not doing something or sounding foolish.  Appreciate the help.
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer: You are correct that she cannot just cancel without cause. You can all agree on a move situation/arrangement or you can stay out the remainder of the lease. Her paying you is generally what happens when a landlord wants to cancel a lease.


Title: WI - Can I be Charged if Underage Guests drink alcohol on Boat While I Drive?

Question: A friend of mine wants me to drive a boat she is renting for the day. I have my boaters certificate and am over 21. I won't drink or supply alcohol, but if an underage guest brings/consumes alcohol can I get in trouble for being the driver?

Answer:
 Wis. Stat. § 125.07(1)(a)3:
>No adult may knowingly permit or fail to take action to prevent the illegal consumption of alcohol beverages by an underage person on property, including any premises, owned and occupied by the adult or occupied by the adult and under the adult's control.


Title: Not driving my car for more than 7 days constitutes a parking violation?

Question:
I rarely have to drive my car.  It's currently sitting in a spot that has no permit parking, isn't a tow zone of any kind or any other reason it would need to ever be moved.  It's parked along with a bunch of other cars on my street, as are always - and legally - parked.  I received a ticket for an abandoned vehicle because I hadn't moved it in 7 days. Is that a legal ticket? Should it be?
Edit: I live in Uptown, Chicago, Il USA

Edit 2: I appreciate all the info.  This particular law is stupid and it sucks.  I'm gonna go throw a temper tantrum now, but I'll be back in time to mutter my complaints at no one who will listen.

Answer: Before cities had these rules, the streets got littered with abandoned cars that nobody ever came back for. Now if that happens they rack up tickets and eventually get towed, leaving space for people to park.


Title: Condo Board legality question.

Question:
I'm looking at purchasing a commercial unit that exists as part of a freehold condominum.

In the city that it's located in, the bylaws state that a portion of the unit can be sectioned off as a dwelling unit for the owner.

I'm 25 years old, and love working on cars and other projects.  This place is essentially a two floor apartment with a 2000sqft garage in the back.  Basically paradise to someone like me.

The problem is that the condo board rules clearly state that the unit can not be used for residential purposes.

This is in Ontario Canada, so I was wondering if anyone could give me any insight into what my options are.

Answer:
 When you buy into a condo, you are agreeing to follow its governing documents.  Just because the city permits using part of such a unit for residential purposes, unless the law specifically says so, every condo is not required to take implement it.

Make sure you get this sorted before you buy, and don't buy with the intent to disregard condo rules -- that's going to create nothing but hassle for you.


Title: Am I money mule? How do I stop it?

Question:
So I haf been applying for all these jobs and internships and all these thigs the past few weeks and one day this guy emails me about a job offer.  Without thinking I say yes and I am gave basic ingormation like name, adfress,  email,  phone number,  and date of birth.  Its been a few days communicating by email and i got suspicious and started googling stuff.

So the emails progressivly got less professional and after taking a closer look(which i should have dont from the begining)  it does not look legitimate.  Essentually the job would be " I am the middle man between the company and the suppliers.  I would handle getting money to the suppliers and making sure product was sent and accounted for " and then later on it changed into i would get a check and deposit it to my bank account,  keep a portion(my wage)  in my bank account and then send money to the suppliers which is completely sketchy.
The guy said he already mailed the check but i sont want that anywhere near my bank account.  USPS tracking said it would arrive in my mail box in 3 days.

Is there a way to just say no,  I wont deposit the check withiut having whoever this guy is or the police come after me?
I think its too sketchy and I do not want to do anything illegal or have my bank account frozen or be accused of theft or be a criminal.

Thanks in advance.
Edit: I am a college student in New York City

Answer:
 It’s not a money laundering scam, It’s the most common scam in the world: it’s a currently popular version of the advance fee fraud scam:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance-fee_scam

Basically they send you a fake/bad check. You deposit the check. The bank shows money in your account, they ask you to send it somewhere in an irreversible way such as Western Union, you withdraw money from your bank and send it Western Union. They pick up untraceable cash in person and walk away never to be seen again. The check bounces later after a week or two, your Bank remove the money from your account, putting into the negative if needed, and you lose all the money you sent away to the scammer.

The scammers a criminal and you can do whatever you want with that fake check except pretend it’s a real check, if you deposit in the bank you could get in trouble. But you can throw it out, light it on fire, report it to the police, fold it into an origami crane and email pictures of it to the scammer and tell him you don’t understand how checks work. Whatever you want to.


Title: Found out that an Ex-employee has (without consent or knowledge) recorded private conversations in the office.

Question:
We are located in Florida.

We recently had an employee stop showing up after failed negotiation attempts for a raise.

She said that she was using the rest of her PTO while she looks for a job. She didn’t have any PTO, and in fact, she was negative in PTO and we let her know that we considered her not showing up her quitting.

She sent our accounting department an email with conversations she had recorded with them, without their consent, where the accounting department.

In addition to that, we found out that she admitted to other employees that she had recorded almost every interaction in the office secretly and had them all saved. She was very very hard to get along with and would pick fights with everyone. Now I’m starting to feel like she might have been baiting people.

Everyone feels violated. Is there any legal recourse? If someone said something they shouldn’t have, is there any liability?

Answer:
 Florida is a two-party consent state.  That means that both parties to a conversation need to consent to the recording.  If she recorded private conversations illegally then that is a crime and you can report her to the police.

I'd argue even if the recordings *weren't* private or were recorded legally then the information in the recordings is the property of the company and should be turned over to the company (and privately deleted) now that she has been terminated.  But good luck with that.Answer #2: As you've already been told yes, that is illegal in FL. Whether or not the police take action IRT this is a separate matter.

You could, of course, mention to other potential employers in your field that you had an employee terminated for insubordination who you also discovered was wiretapping your office during reference checks/job history checks/networking meetings/etc.


Title: Mom is going viral on prank channel against her will

Question:
Long story short- my mom got pranked in a public area (outdoor mall). She signed no release. The prank was posted on a kinda popular prank channel (50K+ subs) and is being shared by those shitty Facebook pages. She's on the banner of the prank channel and (I shit you not) her reaction face is the avatar for the channel.

No one is harassing her or anything but obviously she is being goofed on pretty hard about her appearance. It's just really embarrassing for her. My sister (in a dumb move) emailed the pages to ask them to remove them. I worry about pissing off content creators with a large bully pulpit and sycophants.

Is there anything that can be done? If so, I do worry about harassment/blow back from the fans of these content creators.

EDIT: They live in Nebraska but video was shot in Las Vegas.

Answer:
 You will need to provide a location. Probably she can't force them to take it down.  These viral videos come and go the next one will be along before too long.Answer #2: > If so, I do worry about harassment/blow back from the fans of these content creators.

I'd worry about that too. I think any action you could take risks throwing gas on the fire. If they don't respond to your sister's emails, I would strongly consider letting it go.

I feel for your mom. But there is so much viral content these days, I have to imagine people will move on, other victims will get the spotlight, the goof troop will likely change their avatar when they find something funnier. Answer #3: Hey, OP. Just as a heads up, I was able to find the channel pretty easily with the information you provided.


Title: Potentially got rejected by university because of their fuck up

Question:
I’m 17 and about to graduate and one of the University programs I applied to, that was highly competitive, fucked up somehow. From their side I never actually did the interview with them, and my application was therefor canceled

Only I did do the interview. I proceeded to call them and the issue was resolved but my assumption is that because they’ve already handed out acceptances and such me being declined is because it’s too late due to their fuckup.

I’m not very educated legally and I was wondering (doubtful) if I have any options here? Specifically to force them to let me in? Or is this just a futile mission?

Any advice is much appreciated
Topic:
School Related Issues

Answer: You cannot force them to correct anything but you can request an exception based upon their error.


Title: Forced to clean blood? [IL]

Question:
Hey, so I work at an auto repair shop in Illinois.

The other day a customer came in who had stitches on his hand. We serviced his vehicle and he left. After he left I went to use the bathroom and I guess his stitches must have broke because there was blood all over the sink. I mean it was a fukken disaster.

I had no interest in cleaning up someone else's blood and reported it to my manager. He told me to clean it up and I told him I wasn't going to. After a bit of back and forth he finally cleaned it up himself. Later in the day he called me into his office and wrote me up for insubordination, he also said, "what the hell are you gonna do if I'm not here? Just let it sit there for other customers to see?"

I had been in the works for an assistant manager position, but I'm pretty upset now and I'm sure he doesn't have a good taste in his mouth either.

In short, am I obligated to clean up things like blood or other bodily wastes?

Answer:
 In most office environments, it wouldn't be "reasonably anticipated" that employees would have contact with blood in the course of performing their duties, so this isn't strictly covered by OSHA standards for handling blood spills.  However, one should still apply the following OSHA/CDC safety standard:  **Consider all bodily fluids to be possible carriers of blood-borne pathogens.**

I'm not going to try to summarize a safety protocol, but I'll refer the reader to three links with more information: [1](http://www.aftermath.com/content/blood-cleanup-procedures), [2](http://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/docs/default-source/jfy-businesses/cleaning_disinfecting_work_surfaces_contaminated_with_blood_and_body_fluid), [3](https://www.mtu.edu/research/administration/integrity-compliance/pdf/standard-operating-procedure-for-disinfecting-and-cleaning-blood-and-other-potentially-infectious-material.pdf).

EDIT: Refocused answer on safe protocol.


Title: Is it legal to conduct video surveillance at a small business without employees knowledge?

Question:
Thank you for taking the time to read this post.

A family member of mine owns a small business (less than 15 employees).  He has a small office with a couple of administrative assistants.  One of them has been stealing cash, and my family member wants to catch them in the act in order to press charges.  He found a discreet camera, but I am wondering if it is legal for him to record the employee without the employees being aware of cameras being set up in the office.

If you need any more info, let me know.  Thanks again!

Edit: located in TN

Answer: as long as there's no expectation of privacy it's fine.


Title: California - Employer has twice discouraged me from talking about wages with my coworkers - and that I will be terminated the next time it comes up - because it has created discontent.

Question:
Throwaway because other accounts may lead back to my actual identity.

**Notes going forward:** *my employer offered to pay me "under the table" (my words), when I was first hired, but I declined. I preferred to have my taxes taken out, despite my desperation for money at the time. They are a small business that has lasted 25+ years, and my boss is the founder.*

- *Also, wages and items are altered to keep some details down to a minimum.*

_____
Roughly a month ago, I was approached by my boss and we had a lengthy talk. They expressed disappointment in me for "stirring up trouble" (my words) with the other workers by talking about wages. I'm relatively new, and not experienced in my field, but I make $20 more an hour [$100/hr] than the rest of the staff. I learned that my wage is higher because I don't work as often as others, and some even have side jobs. My hourly wages were done as a kindness to me, to help me stay afloat at college. My boss "wants to be an ally to students and help them prosper" [paraphrased].

Originally, I asked my coworkers about their wages because I want to know my value as an employee. Since I was making $100/hr, I honestly thought they'd be making 50% more than me - it's sales - but they all make $80/hr base pay. However, everyone makes $100/hr on Fridays. One coworker even mentioned they would quit if their wages didn't increase soon (that coworker *is* still here, and I surmise it's because they desperately need the money - **remember:** ***actual*** **wages aren't far above minimum**). When I learned that coworker made 80% of my wages, I started asking everyone, and although some balked at the discussion, it wasn't until the discussion with my boss that I found out that everyone else makes $80/hr.

I've now opened a can of worms. My coworkers are upset at my boss, and are not happy the "noob" at work makes more than them. This can appear to my coworkers like my boss is showing me favoritism, especially since some have worked at this location for years. So my boss is telling me to stop talking about wages, because they're catching flak for it. It's my understanding that not only am I legally allowed to talk about wages, but it's also illegal for employers to discourage talking about wages, and especially illegal to terminate them for it. **Am I right or wrong? Can my employer legally discourage conversations about wages, and terminate me for doing so?**
_____
Incidentally, today during our second meeting, the fact that I was given a laptop for free from my boss early on into my employment is *also* a matter I'm not allowed to talk about. Okay, I can see that's not a legal thing, no biggie - and I talked about it because I felt blessed to finally get a nice laptop in my life (I'm broke, dammit)! This apparently adds to the narrative that I'm receiving favoritism (even though we all get a 50% discount on everything in the store). **HOWEVER**, today, my boss said [thinking out loud] that they should just start deducting $1 from each of my paychecks...until the employee discount price was fulfilled. *Essentially, they want me to slowly pay for something, via my paycheck, that was given to me as a gift, and want to do this because I brought it up a few times during conversation with others - which feels like retaliation.* Although $1 isn't a lot, every dollar counts for me, and now I come to my second question: **can my employer begin deducting from my paycheck for this laptop?** I never agreed to that deduction, and I have plenty of pay stubs showing a pattern of hourly pay and mandatory deductions that would establish agreed-upon wages.
_____
Footnote: we come to something that frustrates me, that could put me flat on my ass...because of fucking "at will" or whatever kind of bullshit employment we have in this state, my boss told me that if I continued to put away product in the wrong areas, I would be terminated. My boss mentioned that they have cameras everywhere (they do). I take plenty of time to ensure proper placement (which should be indicated on camera), but mistakes happen, though. As far as I can tell, there's no proof that I am the "culprit", but that it's more likely that everyone fucks up on occasion. I see this as their easy "for cause" trump card.

Thanks for reading, and I'll try to clarify any questions you may have.
Topic:
Employment Law

Answer:
 It's a bit of a long post.  Really direct question - do you have them threatening you for discussing wages in writing / text / Facebook / etc.?  If so, back it up and speak to a local employment attorney.  It's illegal to fire or retaliate against people who discuss wages with co-workers.  It may also be worth your time to file a tax avoidance tip.  Many states pay referral fees for substantiated tips that lead to collection actions against tax cheats.Answer #2: Congratulations. In the interest of your principles you've put a target on your back. The very first thing you do wrong, expect to be disciplined for it.

Open dialogue about wage is important for all of the reasons you've stated. It can also make your coworkers resent you. "Why is the new guy making bank while I get shafted?" You admit your boss paid you extra as a favor. You return the favor by pissing off the rest of the staff.

This is the real world. The result isn't going to be everyone getting a 20% raise. There's a finite amount of money. If he increases wages, there will be layoffs eventually.

Talking about wage is perfectly legal and is your right. You can't be retaliated against for doing so. Rubbing your higher wage in coworkers' faces who have more seniority is tactless as is turning them against a boss who tried to do you a favor. I hope you enjoy your moral high ground. Answer #3: Legally, they can't prevent you from talking about wages.  They can direct you to not waste company time or disrupt the workplace with excessive non work talk.

You've discovered the practical reality of the situation already.


Title: My cousin drowned while being watched by our grandmother and I want to know the legalities surrounding her rights as well as my aunt’s rights (the mother). Can either of them be “blamed” for the death of the child in the eyes of the law?

Question:
My cousin, 2, slipped into the pool at our grandmother’s house and our grandmother couldn’t get her out of the pool quick enough. By the time she did, my cousin wasn’t breathing. She tried CPR and called 911, but the paramedics announced her dead on the way to the hospital. We are all grieving and blame is being pointed towards our grandmother despite the fact that it was an accident. I want to know if she has any rights to protect her from being blamed for my cousin’s death. She was taken into hold by homicide detectives for a few hours after the incident. I also want to know if my aunt, my cousin’s mother, can press charges against her mother for the loss of her child.
It’s a very emotional time and I’m grieving for the loss of my cousin, but I can’t stand the idea of losing more of my family to legal issues and being torn apart by blame.

Answer: Your aunt can sue your grandma in which case your grandma would get her home owners insurance to defend. The insurance would probably just settle.


Title: [California] Got laid off, 2 weeks later management disparages me in front of whole company

Question:
I got laid off 2 weeks ago Friday. Eliminated my position. They way the company did it pissed everyone else there off, there was almost a mini revolt. Management had to have a couple meetings to sooth nerves. They'll lose at least 2 employees because of the way they let me go.

Fast forward two weeks. Monthly company meeting. Entire company there. In the marketing slide show at the end of the meeting they displayed a screenshot off of my facebook, showing one of my comments responding to a very racist asshat in a post about police brutality.

My question is this: In california, is this legal or illegal? Anything I could do with a lawyer for them disparaging my name in front of all my ex-coworkers? So fucking unprofessional.

Answer: What do you think is illegal about showing a comment you made on a social media site?


Title: NYPD screwed me and I need advice

Question:
I parked my car in what I was told was a safe neighborhood, with a LOT of expensive equipment in the back.  I had just moved out of my place that Friday and was sleeping at a friends house planning to leave early Saturday morning.

I parked in-front of a new residential building with 4 new cameras focused on the area where I parked.

When I woke up I found my car was broken into.  I called the police and filed a report, waited an hour for them to show up, then another 3 hours for their mobile forensics team to come and collect evidence.

The officers told me to call Monday for the police report, which I needed to get my renters insurance to cover the stolen equipment.

I called Monday and was told the officer was working a later shift and to call back later.  I did and the officer gave me the report and claimed he was going to the building to get the security tapes later that day, and said to follow up at the end of the week.

It seemed professional so rather than bug him Friday I called Monday.  When I called he said he hadn't gotten around to it yet and was going later that day.

I heard this from him 4 more times so I decided to contact the building security myself.  They said they never heard from the police and weren't asked to set aside any tapes.  I asked them to do it so they weren't over written but they said they won't do that with out an officer requesting it.

I followed up with the officer several more times and heard the same story.

My insurance claims because there's no evidence anything was stolen, only my window was smashed, that they won't cover the loss.

The tapes are gone, over written after 30 days according to the building, and the officer didn't lift a finger to prevent that.

What can I do?  This cost me over $20k which I can't recover at all.

Answer: The tapes are just a boogey man so the insurance can deny your claim. SOP for insurance companies is to deny initial claims since a large fraction of people just go away. So, the DIY approach is to file an appeal. Include a photo of the broken window, police report, list of stolen items, receipts etc. You might have better luck to have a lawyer draft the appeal.Answer #2: You have no recourse against NYPD. If insurance won't cover it your recourse is against the thief.


Title: I am being wrongly charged with oral copulation with a minor  help me please need advice

Question:
ok so heres the story i drove a friend to hook up with this girl who is a harlet she had sex with him and then the next week had a 5some and her mom found out and started pressing charges and then i get called in to the police station and im 18 and he said the girl said she gave me head and i said that was false and he said that i was lying and then i said i wasnt going to answer anymore question until i talk to an attorney and he told me that he was going to send in a report to the DAs office stating i wasnt complying with the investigation and this all happened couple months ago and then i hear from some of the other guys involved that they have a court date and they got it in the mail  now i didnt get anything in the mail and have no court date
should i be worried
do you think i would get arrested instead of them sending me a letter or put a warrent out for my arrest?
would you think since the girl was having a 5some that that would make her more reliable
i think this is just a he said she said case so what do you think the outcome will be

Answer:
 Q. What do underage women and the above paragraph have in common?

A. No periods.


Title: Can you sue bank account for freezing your funds and refusing to give you access to them for years on end?

Answer:
 Maybe.

It would really depend on the circumstances.


Title: YouTube Copyright Infringement and Piercing the Corporate Veil [VA]

Question:
About a month ago I started a YouTube channel where I would post videos I’d taken from a YouTube-equivalent website in Japan.  I’ve monetized some of these videos and the account is payable to my LLC.  If a copyright infringement suit were to be filed, would they be able to pierce the veil and come after me personally?
Topic:
Business Law

Answer:
 >would they be able to pierce the veil and come after me personally?

Very easily - literally one of the easiest ways to "pierce the veil" is when the LLC was set up for the purposes of committing an illegal act.

Answer #2: So you are fully aware that you are infringing upon somebody elses copyright, well basic advice is: Stop breaking the law.


Title: Phished by possibly an underage person. Am I at risk being in trouble with the law because of a minor?

Question: This is sort of hard to explain. I'm 18 I received nudes from a random number and they thought I was another person named Eric. They kept sending nudes and I sent back a nude of some random dude off the internet. They then revealed that I misused them and that they really knew who I was and preceded to call me by my actual name. They then said they were going to get the cops involved. If it Someone under the age of 18 trying to set me up how much legal trouble am I in here? USA

Answer: Did they ask for money or something of the sort? It's a fairly common extortion scheme. Regardless, cut all contact with them and you'll likely be fine.


Title: My safety as a pregnant woman in the workplace.

Question: [deleted]

Answer: legally they can't fire you for being pregnant. get and keep proof that they are trying to get you to leave quietly due to the pregnancy because you will need it if they fire you for another legally valid but flimsy reason. they're saying it's a liability to them because a dead fetus is more expensive than an injured waitress


Title: (Kansas) Why do credit counselors tell me that there's a law that forbids them from talking to my student loan companies to negotiate my debt?

Question:
Why does that law exist in the first place?

Is there really any point to that law? What purpose does it serve? (Not to merely aggravate student debtors and leave them up the creek without a paddle, right?) How does that law *help* anybody?

And is there a workaround; some kind of circumvention to that law?

BTW, please link to that law's page. Thanks.

Answer:
 I don't think there's any specific law that covers exactly that, but rather generally speaking you have no legal standing to negotiate a legal matter on behalf of somebody without power of attorney. You're the one that signed the promissory note, not them. And it could be that the student loan companies may not talk to them. Or it could be that simply isn't a service they offer.

There's no law that says a dry cleaner can't detail your car, they just won't do it.