Title: [VA] Mom has dementia and I don't know what to do about an inheritance check

Question:
Virginia \- My mom was diagnosed with dementia and deemed mentally incompetent last month \(only by doctors, not the state\). She's on disability and Medicaid. Her mother, my grandmother, passed away recently and there are papers that need to be signed from her will by my mom with a small amount of inheritance. It isn't much, but it is enough to effect her disability and her Medicaid. I have two questions, one, how can she sign it if she is mentally incapacitated? Once we figure out the signature part, how can we avoid it effecting her disability and Medicaid? Can we set up a special needs trust fund now, or is it too late for that? I know there is power of attorney and conservatorship, but obtaining that this late is costly and comes with a lot of responsibility I am not sure I want to sign up for. That being said, if I don't go that route, what happens to her? Who takes care of her bills, she is getting a lot of "missed payment notices" and stuff. Who makes sure her Medicaid and disability stay up to date? If she loses those...what will the nursing home do? Do I need a lawyer? I was laid off a week ago and just started unemployment \- so I am not sure how to afford these things. But I am afraid my mom will lose her assistance and I have no clue what I can do to help then. It took a very long time to get her into this nursing home because of her age. I am also not sure if the hospital is expecting her to pay for her time there.

A little background:

My sister and I aren't super close to my mom, but close enough we care to visit her and we want to make sure she is as happy as she can be. We knew she had oncoming alcohol induced dementia, but she refused help and seemed okay for the most part. Just forgot a word here and there. We didn't talk often and saw each other maybe once or twice a year. Her clinic called Adult Protective Services or her because she was very confused, showing up for appointments she hadn't made, forgetting how to drive home, saying she had bugs in her skin but tests came back negative for anything. APS came out and said she was fine and left. A few weeks later her landlord/friend found her very confused and talking gibberish, so he drove her to the hospital. That is where she had been for a whole month, they just placed her in a long term home yesterday. I didn't sign anything at the hospital at all, only visited her. She couldn't recognize me in the hospital and was restrained most of the time for trying to get up and being restless. Just 2 months ago at her moms funeral she seemed okay, not great, but not nearly this bad. It really progressed fast.

Answer: It is too late for power of attorney since she has been deemed incompetent. You will need to set up a conservatorship. Answer #2: I wonder if the social workers at the hospital where your mother was a patient might be able to help connect you with some services to assist you through this situation. They know a lot about what's available in the way of resources in the local area. Worth asking them, anyway. Good luck.


Title: The state of Alabama has suspended my driver's license because they say I am a minor who dropped out of school. I'm a 33 year old nurse.

Question: I have gone to three different DMV offices and have spent countless hours on the phone and I've gotten nowhere. I have also been pulled over and have to go to court because I got caught driving with a suspended license. So now I have to take a cab to and from work which is costing me a ton of money because I don't want to get charged again. Every time I go to the DMV I bring my passport, my license and my hospital ID to prove that I'm 33. The third time I went in person I brought my high school transcript and my nursing degree to show I graduated high school 15 years ago. Each time I go to the DMV they just give me some phone numbers to call. What else can I do here? I'm asking because I'm not well versed in the law and I don't know to navigate this. Thank you in advance to anyone who responds.

Answer:
 Thank you to both of you for the suggestion to contact my elected representatives. I did not even think of that. I will be giving them a call.Answer #2: since the DMV isn't helping, try contacting your state representative/senator with your issue and see if they can offer you any assistance.Answer #3: Have you called the phone numbers?

What happened?Answer #4: Did you ever receive written notification that your license was suspended?  From the Alabama DMV website:

"When your Alabama driver’s license is suspended, the DPS will send you a written notification. You have 30 days after the effective date of your suspension to surrender your driver’s license to the DPS. "

If you didn't, I wonder if you could be dealing with some sort of identity theft?  Someone manufactured a (perhaps very good) facsimile of your license and sold it to a minor.  Who got pulled over and had their (your) license suspended.

Check this page...

https://www.dmv.org/al-alabama/suspended-license.phpAnswer #5: Don't leave the DMV-wait there while they call the number. Dont move out of the line until they call someone from the back office who will let you back and make the call while you are there.


Title: If the police in Chicago were to search a university dorm for drugs or alcohol, and there was a trunk with a lock on it, could they legally break the lock themselves or force me to open it?

Question: I'm living in a dormroom in Illinois, and I was just always curious if they could do it.

Answer:
 With a warrant they could.

And school officials could order it opened and revoke your housing or kick you out if you refused.


Title: I was given a citation for theft at a walmart and I want to know if me or my SO have any case against them.

Answer:
 I am certain there is a completely separate version of events from the LP and other individuals in this story.Answer #2: > Do either of us have any kind of case here?

Lemme get this straight - you tried to steal from Walmart and you think you have a case because they stopped you from escaping?

No, no you don't.  You have no right to commit crimes.  You have no right to get away with your crimes.

I'm not sure what's going on with this phone or whatever, because your narrative is unclear.  If someone stole your phone, you may have recourse against them.  If you left it behind in the course of trying to escape your crime, that's on you.Answer #3: Stealing your password to log in would be illegal, but no, I don't see how doing a checkin on an already logged in Facebook account would be illegal. You stole, and when they tried to stop you you kept trying to get away. You really have no legal footing to do anything to them.


Title: How to fight Comcast to change the law [US] to make "Arbitration Clauses" invalid ?

Question:
I consider myself really fortunate to have never been on the receiving end of the BS that corporations like Comcast pull on people, but the stories I've read about them - for years now - have made me shudder at how horrible they can be and how wrong it is for them to take advantage of so many people.

AFAIK, there are two main pillars supporting their predatory and wanton scheme: legal monopoly and arbitration clauses. The monopoly prevents their customers from leaving and their arbitration clause keeps you from suing them when they do fraudulent things like add extraneous charges to your bill.

As I understand, when you enter into their service, you "sign" a contract, which is a civil matter. So my legal question is, in what legal jurisdiction is this contract entered ? In other words,  what court's (and thereby, what legislature to modify this law ) jurisdiction would a dispute of this contract this appear in (if there weren't a clause signing away your right to dispute it )?

What I'd like to know is, could a *city* enact a municipal law that nullifies "artibration clauses" for utilities and entertainment service providers ? Could a county ? Could a state ? What would it take to get something like this on a ballot ? Think how many angry Comcast, CenturyLink, and RCN, etc customers would come out of the woodwork  to get this on the ballot ? It would be enormously popular because the only people against it would be people who LIKE Comcast.

If you had a recording of you speaking to a customer service rep saying "Cancel HBO", they say "yeah", and yet, you keep getting billed for it, now you can go to small claims court and sue them each time this happens, which many people would *love* to have the chance to do. My guess is this would reign in Comcast and every other cable/internet provider's fraudulent practices very quickly.

Answer:
 Arbitration clauses are governed by a federal statute, the Federal Arbitration Act, and SCOTUS has given a very broad reading to the statute, including preemption of any state law that specifically targets arbitration.

The only way to change this is to lobby for change in the statute to exclude consumer (and, IMO employment) cases from its ambit.  Frankly, this is never going to happen under a republican Congress.


Title: [TX and SC] Boyfriend's ex-wife threatening to sue for alienation of affection?

Question:
Throwaway so it isn't attached to my main.

I'm currently with a lovely man; I live in Texas and he lives in South Carolina, and I'll be moving in with him fairly soon. He's finally got the money to divorce his ex-wife (they're separated) and I decided I would lay low and pretend to be just a friend if ever my name comes up in conversation.

However, someone has apparently told her he has a girlfriend, and she's threatening to sue his girlfriend (me, she doesn't know who I am as of yet and I'd like to keep it that way) for "alienation of affection". They've been separated for 3-4 years and I've been with him for a year. I'm afraid she's going to make his life difficult because of me, what legal leg do I have to stand on here?

CAN she sue me for that? She was claiming they could "make it work" on Facebook and trashtalking me and saying I'm way too young, a harlot, etc. (I'm in my mid 20s, he's 30) and that I took him from her. It's making me anxious and I would just like to know if this is something I need to actually be concerned about? They were NOT together when I got with him in any capacity and he has no desire to be with her at all (she was physically abusive) and just wants to divorce her.

Answer:
 Yes, she can sue you in a civil action.  It is doubtful she would prevail.  Six states still have the "alienation of affection" law that has teeth in it; North Carolina being the closest to you.

Take it from an attorney: do not have relationships with people who are still legally married to someone else if you don't want stress and complications.


Title: $1760 Cleaning charge against security deposit [AZ]

Question:
I rented a luxury vacation home in Sedona, AZ for 1 week in early May. After checkout, I confirmed at the front desk of the management office when I should be expecting my deposit back and they said 10 days. After 17 days, I received a credit back to my card of $1300 out of $3000 and no explanation.

After emailing them to explain the charges, they responded yesterday with invoices and pictures regarding some charges. Included there was an extra cleaning fee of $1010, which was in addition to the $750 cleaning fee already paid at booking. This makes the total cleaning fee $1760.

The management company did send photos which "speak for themselves". But I don't see anything significant, 1 photo is literally a garlic peel on the floor by the grill, another 1 piece of paper which flew in the pool (30 mph wind gusts for 3 days we were there), and 3-4 "stains" on the stone floors which looked like a small spilled drink stain. (I can provide pictures upon request, but want to keep this as anonymous as possible.)

Other charges include damage to a sink, a toilet handle repair, some damage to a wall. (They provided no photos of these, just invoices for another $500+)

I want to argue on each point, because I wasn't exactly happy with the service and condition at the rental**, but I was also wondering if I can also claim they wrongfully withheld my deposit for too long. Am I protected under the AZ residential tenant landlord act when this was just a vacation rental for 7 days?

My deposit was returned 17 days after checkout, and itemized after 20 days.

**(found a dead rat in a closet, cockroaches in another, delayed check-in due to forgetting to leave the keys, trash bins already full, water leaking under toilet)

Answer:
 I have had 4000+ sq/ft houses professionally cleaned by teams for less than $1000, and you were charged $1700? For a week stay?
For such a short term stay, I'm unclear if this is actually a landlord issue or a service agreement type of deal, but you're almost certainly getting screwed because they expect the majority of their luxury-staying, traveling guests aren't going to stick around to argue over it.

You might consider contact your credit card and see if they can do a charge-back, with the caveat that it can start additional trouble reversing a mostly-legit bill.


Title: [Question] I called the cops and now I realize I was wrong.

Question: I live in michigan. ok so long story short my friend was driving and i was in the passenger. it was red so we stopped, and we could see the other cars on the other road start driving but then they stopped. Then we saw cars from our road just keep on going (around 5-8 cars went on a red light). I freaked out thinking the lights were broken because both lanes were going so I called the cops saying either 5 people ran a red light or the lights were messed up. So i later find out from a friend who was driving in front of us that that was a funeral home drive where they have the flag on their car and they can go on reds. I didn't see any cars with flags (atleast I didn't see them, maybe they had, but they had the hazard lights on but at the time i thought their car was broken or something). Will I be in trouble with the law? Should I call them back telling them it was a funeral thing?

Answer: Assuming this is not a troll:  No.  You reported what you thought was an infraction.  It's up to the cops to investigate and decide to write someone a ticket.  It isn't your job to do this and you did nothing wrong other than possibly troll us on /r/legaladvice.  Which is not yet a misdemeanor.


Title: Let’s get to the bottom of this: is it illegal to record someone without their permission?

Question:
And is it illegal to post the recording on social media?
Topic:
Computer and Internet

Answer:
 It depends on the state/country and whether you're a "party to the conversation" or not.

The reason why it's so difficult to get a definitive answer is every state has a different law on this issue.

However, most likely if the recording you've taken is legal, it's also legal to post the recording on social media.


Title: Leaving job soon. They may threaten a lawsuit.

Question:
GEORGIA. US.

Im leaving the pest control company i work for. I will be moving to a different one and am informing the customers that I am changing employment. Many of them have asked me to come see them when I make the jump and i have told some that I would be in the neighborhood if they wanted me to leave a card.

Also, many of them have asked why I am leaving and why I am the fifth tech they've had in a year. I've been telling them honestly that the management is horrible.

Theyve refused to provide gloves to handle pesticides whose labels clearly call for gloves ("we dont buy gloves" was the response i got). They constantly belittle staff and threaten to send us home for minor infractions (talking back). We are paid commission based on our production, but are told we cannot leave before 4pm (even if we have been out since 6am). They charged a woman for a month where we performed no service because she was not at the house but recovering from brain cancer. She even offered to tack on an extra month at the end of the contract if theyd just not bill her for that month and the office refused. This job is poison and i hate talking bad about them but I honestly feel cornered  and have no outlet - until a customer asks... Then i tell them about a lot of these issues.

I signed a non solicitation agreement and non competition clause. Will this be a problem? Also could my telling customers some of these issues count as slander - even if people could back these claims up?

Answer:
 >I signed a non solicitation agreement and non competition clause. Will this be a problem?

I'd be willing to bet that your plans would be in violation of those agreements you signed. Your location would go a long way towards determining the enforceability of those agreements.

Edit: you edited while I was posting. Thanks for including your state. Just a note: right to work has absolutely nothing to do with your issues whatsoever. Answer #2: > I signed a non solicitation agreement and non competition clause. Will this be a problem?

Depends on what these agreements say. You are certainly soliciting their clients if you tell them you're leaving and ask them to follow you to your new employer. That's pretty much the textbook definition of solicitation.  I would get a lawyer to review what you signed in detail and advise you what you can and can't do or you may find yourself facing a hefty lawsuit.Answer #3: >  I will be moving to a different one and am informing the customers that I am changing employment. Many of them have asked me to come see them when I make the jump and i have told some that I would be in the neighborhood if they wanted me to leave a card.

Any decent non-solicit and non-compete will prohibit you from poaching or serving your former employer's customers for a time, regardless of who initiates the contact (or how). *That's the core purpose of such a contract.*
Answer #4: >GEORGIA. US. Right to work state

Right to work has to do with unions. You mean 'at-will' employment.


Title: (Massachusetts) my landlord moved in his pregnant girlfriend and her mother.

Question:
I have a somewhat unique living situation. My girlfriend and I moved to the city and singed a lease to rent a bedroom in a 3 bedroom house where the landlord lives in another bedroom. The third bedroom has another tenant. We were told his girlfriend would be moving in with him in a few months.
One day she shows up and is obviously pregnant. They are adding a bed to the living room for her mother to live with them. Essentially I was given no prior information about a newborn or the woman's mother living in the common space. I can only imagine that the house is going to become very crowded and very loud and at this point all we want to do is find another place and get out asap.
**Is there anything we can do to break our lease once we find a new place?** We are lucky to be month to month, but we are contracted to give notice before terminating the lease and the landlord has a security deposit and last month rent as potential leverage if we try to skip out sooner than 60 days.

Answer:
 If you're just renting a room and your lease doesn't guarantee anything with regards to the common areas, I doubt you'd have any recourse here.Answer #2: Given how tenant friendly the LL/Tenant laws in MA are I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the possibility of breaking the lease. I would read [this overview](http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/docs/tenantsrights.pdf) of LL/Tenant law in MA. You might then consider contacting MassLegalHelp.

If they've turned a common area into a bedroom (especially if you're in Boston) there are probably too many people to fit into the apartment legally. If all else fails you might call Inspectional Services. If ISD cites the landlord for overcrowding having you move out is an easy solution for him. Also, MA has an anti-retaliation statute so if you report him to ISD, even if they don't cite him for anything, the courts will presume that any rent increase, eviction action, or other issue is an illegal retaliation for 6 months after you filed the complaint.


Title: [Wisconsin] Can I create a shirt that says "kill the cops"?

Question:
I want to get into making tee shirts for myself. I have no intention of selling them. One my designs has the slogan "kill the cops". Its a play on the idea of streetwear culture "copping things" but also has the political connotation to it.

Could I get in any trouble from authorities for making and wearing a shirt like that? Is that seen as a threat or am I protected?

Answer: Offensive language has frequently been protected as free speech so long as it is not obviously attempting to seriously incite violence or a panic. However, that being said, just because your free speech is protected DOES NOT mean that you will be free from consequences of your language. Wearing something so obviously inflammatory will almost certainly provoke a response from others. If you aren't prepared to bear the absolute brunt of that, don't do it.


Title: Sexual harrasment at work?

Question: [removed]

Answer:
 It's not sexual harassment.  That's conduct of a sexual nature.   This is, possibly, harassment based on sexual orientation.    You didn't tell us your state, so we have no idea whether your state has protection for harassment based on sexual orientation.   It's not clear that it's actionable based on this incident anyway.  You can talk to your supervisor.

Can I offer you a protip, from someone who's probably been working a lot longer than you have?  Work is for working.  If you don't discuss your personal life, your politics, etc. with people you didn't choose to spend your time with and can't simply choose to disassociate yourself from, you'll be much happier.  You've been there a month, so you didn't even see what kind of people you were dealing with before you started sharing this stuff.  Seriously, nod, smile, talk about the weather.  Sports are fine, if you're interested.  That's it.  Your politics and personal life should be private, no matter what anyone else does, especially and particularly when you are new.


Title: Loud upstairs neighbor, need some advice.

Question:
Hey all,
I been living in my apartment(NY) for over 5 years now. A year ago a lady with her husband and around 4 kids moved into the empty apartment upstairs. They have been the absolute worst people to deal with. Loud bangs, stomping, jumping etc. even at 10+ PM at night. Recently this has gotten much worse as they are now jumping around 5/6 AM sometimes 3!! in the morning. I'm no longer waking up due to my alarm, but simply from their lour noise every morning.
I've tried talking to them to keep the noise down, spoke with their landlord and calling the police over the past year. It seems like this somehow made it worse as none of the above did much to put that family in place and now they feel like no one can stop them from making loud noise. I also recently found out they now have 2 more family living in there with total of 7 or 8 + people(IN A APARTMENT MADE FOR 4 PEOPLE MAX). Is there anything I could do in this situation?

Answer:
 What is your location? Some states are pretty good about holding a landlord's feet to the fire regarding incessant noise, whereas others are not.

>I also recently found out they now have 2 more family living in there with total of 7 or 8 + people(IN A APARTMENT MADE FOR 4 PEOPLE MAX)

How do you know this? If you can prove it, a call to the local building inspector or fire marshal may be in order.


Title: [NY] Being taken to small claims court over allegedly owed rent

Question: [deleted]

Answer: The burden of proof is on them to prove there was a discussion about rent. You definitely want to respond and show up in court with whatever evidence you have, though.


Title: [FL] injested an edible last night...

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 It's assault nearly everywhere to drug someone against their will.

Call the police.Answer #2: I know you are floating this as a test balloon, but it really isn't going to work. If you tell the employer you were drugged involuntarily they will ask for a police report. If you file a police report and it's investigated, you run the risk of being charged with a false report.

Not a lot of good options.


Title: [TX] State Child Support withdrew $10k from joint checking account.

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 They can levy any account his name is on. This is just one of many reasons not to comingle finances unless you're married. She's not getting the money back.Answer #2: IANAL, buuut....

1) Your mother has no legal obligation to his kids, even if they were married. Not her kids, not her problem.

2) They can take from a joint account, yes. In a joint account, all of the money is both people's, not half the money is entitled to each holder.


Title: (OK) questioning the legality of a school board member (conflict of interest)

Question:
This may be a question more for /r/politics, but just wondering if there is even a story or shit it might be legal. The head of the school board is also the sole owner and employee of some kind of business consulting firm. Her linkedin shows this company (some bullshit name like integrated solutions) has a net worth $140k. Pure speculation at this point, but I am pretty sure we can find out if that is being paid by the district. Wouldnt that be a huge conflict of interest? The teachers union is really worthless and we really cant figure out why the local media hasnt noticed or picked up this story (again, pure speculation and probably a bit of paranoia but we think people are getting paid). This is all public information anyone with google can find.

The district is now making even more cuts and this is already one of the worst districts in the country.

As a simple classroom educator, what would be the steps to exposing this or at least investigating this (again with really no helpful or supportive union).

Edit: Bot doesnt want to recognize OK for Oklahoma, there bot you happy!!!!!

Answer:
 first off, school board meetings, the meeting minutes, and meeting materials are all available to the public under Oklahoma's Open Meeting Act. almost everything they vote on is fully available to you, with the exception of certain disciplinary actions taken against students/employees and initial interviews conducted by the Board for a job position.

you have zero proof that this board member's company has any contract or direct dealings with the school district. any proof that may or may not exist will be within all of those public materials.

even if this board member's company is engaged in business with the school district, that does not constitute an automatic conflict of interest. *if* they are, and *if* they recuse themselves from voting on any matter directly relating to their company, that's usually more than enough to satisfy any ethical issues.


Title: Update: Got Citation when I was rearended (GA)

Question:
After going over information, it's come to my attention that a small issue could be a bigger factor than I originally thought.

The officer issued the citation to my dad. We share a name, but we have different Driver's license and I was not born in 1958.

So my dad will have to come to court and plead not guilty, will the case be thrown out in light of this mistake? What impact could it have?

Thanks!
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I was rear-ended and cited for an improper lane change by a very dumb cop who allowed the other driver to leave before citing me, before I could show him that his evidence was wrong. The evidence was based on prior damage and I have photographic proof via Google Street-view from 2 years ago that contradicts the Police Report which has other mistakes regarding location and interactions. Also, the other driver's insurance has claimed liability.
I have to go to court to fight the citation. Should that proof and the liability from the other insurance be enough to get it dismissed? Or is it a good idea to get a lawyer? I really don't want to pay hundreds of dollars to get this tossed out when it was completely the fault of poor policework and I want to believe I have all I need to get it tossed out immediately but I have no experience in these matters.
I thought this would be simple but I am getting mixed messages.

Answer: Yeah.  Your dad is the one being cited, and he'll have to show up to dispute it.


Title: [CT] Housemate has been beating his dog for the past half hour. What can I do?

Question:
[Connecticut] I recently took a job near Mystic working for a fitness company and am in a temporary house for the next month or so, though I am trying to leave as soon as possible.

My housemate, Doug, has a dog, Lilly, some kind of mutt. Lilly is kept in Doug's room all day, and from what I can tell is let out of the room only twice every day; once in the morning and once in the evening

Today, I came home from work and went into my room, and after a while heard Doug yelling at Lilly that "I'll beat your ass until you piss the cage. I don't care" and other such things numerous times, and lots and lots of sounds of physical struggle and impacts on the floors. I'm currently still in my room waiting for Doug to calm down from his fit of rage, since I'm smaller than him and terrified of what he'd do to me.

What are my options? I don't want him to hurt this poor dog anymore, but I'm afraid of retaliation if the police show up, since there's no one else in the house at the moment. I don't have another place to stay, but I'm working on it ASAP. I looked up CT recording laws, and it looks like I can't recording him beating this dog because of the two-party consent laws?

I'd really appreciate some help.

1. Can I record this guy and give the recording to the police?

2. How can I best protect this dog but also myself?

3. Anything else I should be aware of in navigating this situation? Have I put myself at legal risk by not reporting the crime in progress?

Answer: Call the police.


Title: Fired

Question:
[deleted]
Topic:
Employment Law

Answer: File for unemployment and look for a new job.


Title: Can my husband call the police if I take my baby?

Question: I want to leave and divorce my husband but I won't be seeing a lawyer until Monday. If I take my 3 month old with me to my parents house and he calls the cops what can happen? How do I make sure the baby stays with me until we go to court? Help ASAP. (Married to the father living in Arizona)

Answer:
 1.  Can he call the police?  Yes.

2.  Will the police do anything?  Not if they are aware that you & the child are safe.  Without a custody order you both have full rights to take the child.

3.  Call the police in your current location & where you will be, and let them know you are leaving voluntarily & are fine.  Then go.

4.  Document, document, document.

5.  Make sure that the household you move to has no illegal things going on, because visits by the police are pretty likely, and that often leads to searches.  So no marijuana, no prescription drugs without prescription, no guns without licenses (or available to the infant), etc.


Title: Evicted tenant abandoned lots of belongings in the house I am renting, and after 6 months my roommate got rid of all the abandoned items. Landlord is angry saying He had no right to. Who is in the wrong here? [United States, Colorado]

Question: I started renting in a house 6 months ago where a tenant was evicted. When he got kicked out, he left tons of stuff: some furniture and a closet full of books. My room mate was tired of having all the stuff in his space and got rid of most of the books. My Landlord found out yesterday and is furious saying that they weren't allowed to touch the evicted person's belongings till they gave the guy notice, and that it would belong to my landlord afterward since the evicted tenant owed her 3000 dollars. Who is in the wrong here?

Answer:
 Yeah. Roommate is in the wrong. He cannot just decide to throw other peoples things away. They were not his. The landlord, if he is sued by the evicted guy, could turn around and sue your roommate for doing that. He would likely win. Answer #2: I mean... your roommate is in the wrong, of course. These books were not his property, so what in the world made him think he could just toss them?Answer #3: I'm mostly surprised that the landlord wasn't required to put the evicted tenants belongs in storage when they were evicted, it's a requirement here.

Can't say if the landlord is right but your roommate is wrong, that's for sure. It wasn't his stuff, end of story. Answer #4: Not sure the specifics in Colorado, but the items technically belong to the previous tenant and then to the landlord. In California landlords are required to give the previous tenants at least 3-6 months to claim the items, after which ownership reverts to the landlord regardless of if the previous tenant owed back rent or not. Your roommate is at fault for disposing of the items, however the landlord is also at fault for not securing them properly until the ownership could pass to him. Don't throw anything else out and demand that the landlord remove the items from your unit as they are not allowed to use your living area for their storage.


Title: Help. My brother tried to blackmail a government official during his work duties. How bad is it going to be for him?

Question:
Please help. I'm worried and scared for my brother. I don't know what is going on. He works in a field that has oversight by the government (I don't want to say what because I don't want to identify him too much). I don't know the details about what was going on at his work but there was something that was definitely illegal and/or against the rules going on. Him and another co-worker told someone who works in the regulation office that if she didn't stop the office from looking into them he would send pictures to her bosses of her smoking marijuana and using a bong (which naturally would be against the rules of employment for that office). My brother and two other people from his work were arrested anyway. When he got arrested they told him she told her bosses about the pictures and she has since quit and doesn't work there any more and they know about the blackmail.

My parents got my brother a lawyer but the lawyer only talked to us once and won't talk to us anymore right now and we haven't been able to talk to my brother since he got arrested. I'm freaking out and so are my parents. How bad is this going to be for him? This happened in California but the federal government is involved. Please help legal advice. I need to know what might happen to my brother.

Answer:
 > How bad is this going to be for him?

Pretty bad, probably.

Your brother needs an attorney.  I don't know if he will qualify for a public defender, so he may need to retain an attorney.Answer #2: If I was in your brother's position (I wouldn't be, but hypothetically here), I certainly wouldn't want my lawyer to disclose facts about the case to family members, especially ones with a habit of posting about these things on reddit.

The lawyer is correct and competent to keep you in the dark. Stop trying to pry any more details out of him or your brother; you could really screw him over just to satisfy your piece of mind.Answer #3: What has he been charged with? I'm thinking whatever shenanigans he was up to and then the attempted blackmail.


Title: My professor spazzed out on me in front of my class because of a review I posted online relating to them. He threatened to expel me. Advice?

Question:
I'm attending a public state university. I posted a piece of my professors work on a forum and a lot of people (3000+) saw it, which means unfortunately so did he. He pulled me out of class and yelled at me in the hallway (Note, all of the students could still hear) about how this is against student honor code and he could *if he wanted to* report me to to dean. This basically ended with me in tears because I'm a huge baby with anxiety shit, walking back into the classroom past everyone because I sit in the front, grabbing my stuff, and going home. This was a few months ago and I've learned my lesson (don't post about professors when they can figure out who you are), I guess, and nothing ever came of it.

My question is, does his case have any validity? If so, wouldn't sites like ratemyprofessor (where MUCH worse things are said) be against student honor code? I've looked through my school's 'student honor code' and could only find stuff about plagiarism, and everywhere else I've looked hasn't turned up anything. I asked my academic advisor (he's a student) and he also said he doesn't know anything about what my professor threatened. He even suggested reporting THE PROFESSOR to the dean because everyone who's had him has had nothing good to say about him.

Thanks. If this isn't the right subreddit, my bad. If you could point me to the right one that would be great.

EDIT: Didn't meant to seem like a total jerk. I do feel really bad about the whole thing and have since decided never to post mean stuff about people in the future. Professors are people too, even if they're silly.

EDIT: to clarify, I posted a poster which he made to a graphic design forum and stated that I didn't like it. When people asked me about his teaching performance, i responded that I didn't think he was very good for multiple reasons. The thread got out of hand and a lot of people started to get pretty insulting. I deleted the thread right after the confrontation.

Answer:
 > I posted a piece of my professors work

You posted something he wrote? Or did you write a review?Answer #2: Did you post it as an example of something, and criticize it (positively or negatively)?  Because that sounds like a pretty ironclad fair-use/educational context.  For example, I post a poster, and say 'This poster is the worst example of use of negative space I have ever seen, and he is the one teaching 2-d design!!!' that's completely permissible under US law, you're posting an opinion.

Now, free speech like that has consequences, namely, he can see it, be angry, and yell at you.  But I would find it surprising if you were subject to disciplinary action for speaking _about_ his work.

If, on the other hand, you did something like claiming the work was yours, you most likely did infringe the honor code, and should face the consequences by talking to the dean yourself and telling him or her what you've learned about infringement.


Title: I was legally crossing a crosswalk when a car that was turning saw me and stopped suddenly and got rear ended. Did I have to stay?

Answer: No, but it's polite to do. You can provide testimony for the car that was rear-ended if needed.


Title: Question about legal risks to openly talking about criminal behavior

Question:
Hello r/legaladvice,

My question is: what legal risks, if any, am I opening myself up to by talking about a rape that I committed 2+ years ago (2014) for the purposes of trying to be accountable and prevent future rapes?

I did not face charges at the time of my offense, and I am wanting to open up about it so that it is clear that I am not hiding it. What is the worst case scenario I am opening myself up to by doing this? Can the state or another party (assume they are highly motivated to get to me) press charges if I and the victim (who I am healing my relationship with) do not cooperate with the investigation? What are the legal issues surrounding publicly confessing to a crime for the purposes of accountability and edification?

If it makes a difference, I am in Atlanta, GA, USA. Thanks. Please do not discuss anything but my case, I am just looking for an answer, not one of these broader conversations which winds up being problematic. I am trying to atone for my biggest mistake and something evil which I did, and if anyone could give me advice on this matter I'd greatly appreciate it.

Answer: The legal risk is that you could be arrested and prosecuted for your crime.


Title: Can I claim every single receipt from last year as a business expense if I make it into an art sculpture?

Question:
I have an idea for an art project that involves making a giant sculpture out of my receipts. The exact dollar amount and content of each receipt is completely necessary to the idea of the piece. The materials listed will include something to the effect of "receipt for reclining chair of $40.58 ... " etc. I live in New York City, but am mostly interested in the federal tax laws.

EDIT: Thanks for replies so far. I received a resounding "No" which stems from the argument that I didn't pay for the receipts but the goods themselves. In response I have a clarifying question:

But if the exact content of the receipt is necessary for the work of art, and it would be impossible to obtain a legitimate receipt for that amount from that store (its legitimacy is also necessary), doesn't it follow that I necessarily had to have purchased that item, and therefore it is a legitimate expense in regards to the art piece?

Answer:
 You didn't pay anything for the receipts, so I don't see how you'd claim them as a business expense.Answer #2: You want to deduct the value of the goods the receipts are for right? No. Answer #3: OP, have you overlooked the fact that a business expense can only be used as a deduction from income *from the business*?Answer #4: >But if the exact content of the receipt is necessary for the work of art, and it would be impossible to obtain a legitimate receipt for that amount from that store (its legitimacy is also necessary), doesn't it follow that I necessarily had to have purchased that item, and therefore it is a legitimate expense in regards to the art piece?

The resounding "no" remains.  No one will fall for this.  The IRS won't buy it, a judge won't buy it, a jury won't buy it.  It won't work.


Title: Webcam can see through my bedroom

Question:
I rent in Chicago. Next door is currently a construction yard where a big building is going up. Online they have a 24 hour Webcam where you can see through my bedroom when the blinds are up.

Was curious as to what my rights are here.

Answer:
 Put up amusing but tasteless signs for the camera? Answer #2: Could someone walking past have the same view?  If so, then there's likely nothing wrong with it and you should simply leave your blinds closed.  I assume the webcam isn't like zoomed in and focusing specifically on your bedroom.Answer #3: Close your blinds?

You can ask them to point their camera a different way. Answer #4: Apparently, you have the right to believe that there's some difference between a person looking through your open window and a webcam looking through your open window.


Title: ISP not delivering advertised speed

Question:
Hello, this seemed like the best sub to post my question on, but please feel free to point me to more relevant subs if you know of one.

My ISP recently forced us to use the next tier of their internet packages because we went over the 300GB monthly limit 3 times in within the last 12 months (by less than 10GB each month).  The old plan was 100mbps and 300GB of data, versus the new plan of 150mbps and 600GB of data.  They are the only worthwhile ISP in the small town where I live, so my options are rather limited.

Anyway, I have been running some speed tests (I plan on making a detailed log) and have noticed that I am not getting the advertised speed of 150mbps.  It hits around 100-117 (my old plan was 100mbps, and it was normal for it to actually hit at, near, or slightly above 100).

Are there any actions I can take to justify the actions taken against me?  I'd prefer to have my old plan back, but I would at least like to get the advertised speed if I have to pay double the price for it.  Given how little I went over, I don't see how it justifies the large jump (I know, they offer services etc...).  Thank you!

Answer: **UP TOO 150Mbp/s


Title: What happens when my job requires me to deal with an agency I'm suing? (Massachusetts)

Question:
Long story short, my family is a foster and adoptive family through DCF, ran into some issues with regards to a homophobic worker, we now have a lawsuit pending against DCF.

I am a clinician/administrator, and one of my jobs is soon going to involve a lot of contact with DCF, going to their offices and so forth.

I know that DCF's policy regarding my family is that only their attorneys will address anything with me (we couldn't even get a letter from them verifying something unrelated to the lawsuit). But is there anything to be aware of in terms of communicating with the agency as a professional? Do they have the right to be informed that I'll be on their property and having access to their people and records? Would they be allowed to decide that I'm not allowed direct contact with their people? Or can I just do my job and wait and see if anyone has a problem with it? For those who are unfamiliar, they have something like 30 offices and thousands of employees, so I wouldn't encounter people who know me personally except at one office that I'm not likely to work with. Am I risking anything by being at their agency without running it by their lawyer? Thanks.

Answer: Definitely run this by your lawyer before you even set foot on any of the property owned by DCF.Answer #2: You already have an attorney it sounds like or the company you are working for? could use some clarification


Title: Is it possible to copyright an idea?

Question:
I have a book/movie idea that I've told a few friends about and gotten support on. While I don't quite have time now due to school and work I have the idea and the basic plot of what it is about.

Is it possible just to copyright an idea that is about as long as a summary? Or do I need the full thing written or just an outline, etc?
Thanks in advance.

Location: United States

Answer:
 > Is it possible just to copyright an idea that is about as long as a summary?

You can copyright the summary. I don't know what you mean by "an idea".


Title: New Jersey - Girlfriend's boss cutting hours from her paycheck

Question:
My girlfriend works for a fairly small educational company in New Jersey. She is an hourly part time employee paid at $18/hour and she has that number in writing. Shw has been with this company for about 3 months now, andshe gets paid monthly. Last month her paycheck seemed pretty light, $1240 after taxes, and her pays tub showed that she only worked 85.0 hours. Her previous paycheck showed that she worked 75.0 hours. She clocks in and clocks out when she begins and ends her day, but has not been given set hours.

As we suspected that he was cutting hours, this past month she kept very close track of her time. This is ALL time that she is there and working. This past month she worked over 105 hours and her paycheck was again for 85 hours.

She has spoken to other employees there who are also having the same problem. Apparently their boss has replied to these concerns by stating that some of their hours are 'volunteer hours' or that they are losing an hour a day for lunch, even though they are required to be at the job and watching after children as they eat their lunch.

Obviously she is going to quit, and already has a couple of other interviews for next week. What if anything can we do to recover the money that she is owed for work she has done and not been paid for. What about any complaints for tampering with electronic time sheets? All advice is appreciated!

Answer:
 > their boss has replied to these concerns by stating that some of their hours are 'volunteer hours'

That's some bullshit if I've ever heard it. She (and her coworkers) should go contact the [New Jersey DOL](http://lwd.state.nj.us/labor/wagehour/wagehour_index.html) and file a wage claim.


Title: [NY] USPS delivered package to wrong house, am I entitled to a chargeback? [x-post r/personalfinance]

Question:
On May 20th I purchased a webcam from an eBay seller. It was shipped USPS. On May 24th it was marked as delivered. No package at home, found some people online claiming this isn't super uncommon and it could show up in the next few days, as it might had been accidentally scanned. But it didn't.

On May 26th or 27th, can't recall which, I went to my local post office and explained the situation. My information was taken, including the tracking number, address, and my phone number. I was assured it'd be looked into.

After never receiving any calls or the package, I returned to the post office on June 2nd. This time the person I spoke to was a little more helpful and was able to confirm to me that the package was delivered to the wrong address. According to him, they delivered it to 139 - I live at 131. He told me that they would have the carrier attempt to retrieve the package and deliver it to my house. I was told I would be contacted with more information.

After again not receiving any calls, I returned on June 7th. The post office supervisor informed me that they were unable to retrieve the package, again admitting that it had been delivered to the incorrect house.

I contacted the eBay seller for the first time - as I was hoping to work it out with USPS - on the same day, June 7th. I explained the entire situation to them and politely asked that, if possible, they could send another webcam or refund me the cost as I never received it.

They replied giving me too options. They said, and I quote:

> Hello, We are sorry to hear that. Since we shipped your order to the address that was provided to us, we should be free from the responsiblity [sic] for this loss. But we would like to share the loss with you. We could refund half of your payment or send another one if you would pay the half of your original payment. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

They claim that because they shipped to the correct address, they are not responsible for this issue. They try to make it sound gracious that they are offering me half refund. I do not want to sound ungrateful, but my limited understanding of the law seems to tell me that I am entitled to a full refund.

eBay's money back guarantee - which this purchase was covered by - indicates that eBay will ensure I receive a *full* refund if I do not receive an item I ordered. However, if for some reason eBay is unwilling to issue one, the Fair Credit Billing Act states that I am entitled to a chargeback of funds for "goods and services you didn’t accept or that weren’t delivered as agreed."

My question primarily is, does USPS' mistake constitute as "weren't delivered as agreed"? The eBay seller, eBay itself, and my credit card company are all capable of contacting USPS and confirming that it was delivered to the incorrect address and that I never received the package.

Any other advice, such as how to respond to the seller's offer, is greatly appreciated. I really want to be solid on if I'm entitled to a chargeback before I reply to the seller and decide to accept or counteroffer.

Cheers,
Frustrated customer
Topic:
Consumer Law

Answer:
 Shipping is the responsibility of the seller, you can go to paypal. Odds are they will side with you, if not charge back with your cc provider. You will need something from USPS confirming they delivered to the wrong address. I worked for eBay support years ago and have bought and sold a few thousand items on eBay. I have charged back a good number of times for a lot of reasons. maybe 5-10 out of every 100 items.

Just phone up paypal.Answer #2: Chasing the delivery is the sellers job, open a complaint with Ebay and get a refund.


Title: Cancelling a gym membership by refusing to pay???

Question:
About 2 years ago I joined a gym and surprise, surprise never really went. To pay for this, the gym was drafting from my debit card every month. Well that card was compromised and I have since gotten a new card. I have also moved to different town. I believe that I've met the time frame for which I'm allowed to cancel without paying anything extra. However, last time I tried to cancel they said I couldn't because I still had some time AND something about I also couldn't because even though I moved, they had another chain within 40 miles of my new city.
Anyway, they have sent emails saying they couldn't draft my account anymore...but my question is, do I have to give them my new card info? Or can I just keep ignoring them? I don't think I gave them my social or anything, so I wouldn't think they could report me to a collection agency or anything...Plus they're saying I owe them like $200 in late fees which I'd like to avoid, also.

Answer:
 Removing the method of auto-payment does not release you of the liability for what you agreed to pay in the gym contract.

Read your contract for clauses that outline the specific cancellation procedure you must follow, then follow it.  Simply stopping paying when you're contractually obligated to pay is going to get you sued or sent to collections.Answer #2: You need to properly cancel the membership. Not giving them your card number will just result in more late fees and more monthly fees accumulating.


Title: Gave a guy a phone number of a guy selling drugs

Question:
So a friend of mine text me asking if I knew anyone that would want to buy cocaine (his old roommate gave it to him when he moved out and neither of us do cocaine), I only know one person that would want to and it is some deadbeat that lives above my friends apartment. So I shot him a text and asked if he wanted to buy some and he said yes, so I gave him my friends phone number.

Well I got a bunch of phone calls from this kid and he is pissed off saying that it sucks and its half drywall, I am just worried that he would be dumb enough to call the cops and then it would link back to me? What should I do he said he just wants his money back but my friend said "transactions final".

Answer:
 Yes.  You are now part of a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances illegally.

So you've got that going for you.


Title: [MA] Hypothetically, could someone be issued a default judgement for $1 Billion dollars if they were to be sued for that much?

Question:
Hi,

I was watching a video on Youtube where this guy describes that he was sued for One Billion Dollars. His circumstances are basically that he hosts a popular site called textfiles.com which is a huge collection of digital things. Old BBS post, news clips, old Shovelware compilations and much more.

He happened to host this book that was at one time offered for free on the internet, that described how to avoid taxes from the US federal government. It was later taken offline but, the guy hosting the site wasn't aware of that and the author of the book found out and demanded payment.

The guy ignored his demands and was later sued by the guy. The guy did all sorts of crazy math and whatnot and the total at the end was just over One Billion. He did actually show up to court with a lawyer and the case was thrown out.

My question is, hypothetically if he failed to show up to court and a default judgement was given to the plantiff, could the judge award the amount he was suing for, the One Billion dollars?

Answer: Of course.


Title: Can I sue my landlord for not setting up phone payments?

Question:
[deleted]
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer:
 > Is this criminal?

Not even close.

Your landlord is only obligated to accept the payment types specified in the lease.


Title: Daycare operating out of an apartment building.

Question:
Hello,
I currently live in the Boston area and there is a daycare operating out of the apartment building I live in. There are kids screaming and yelling from basically 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, and the noise is absurd. I feel like I can't get anything done from my apartment because their noise in incessant. I've checking the zoning regulations and the area is a residential area, but I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on specific things that can be done and how I should go about doing them? Thanks

Answer:
 Is this a daycare in an apartment, or is this a daycare facility in your building?Answer #2: Have you talked to the landlord? What does your lease say about operating a business from the apartment? What are the rules about the conduct of children?Answer #3: Is this a legitimate operation or some fly-by-night thing?  You might look into whether they are licensed or not - Massachusetts has a lot of rules regarding this sort of thing.  Here's a site where you can look up licensed child care facilities (although they say that some facilities may be exempt from the licensing requirements).

http://www.eec.state.ma.us/ChildCareSearch/EarlyEduMap.aspxAnswer #4: How many children? There is a limit on how many children can be in "home day care."


Title: Are gay men a protected class (yet) under hostel work environment laws? (US, MO)

Question:
I've been getting harassed quite frequently by a few coworkers as of late. I find it really shitty I've worked so long for a company and my boss doesn't give enough of a shit to stop it. I did manage to get the sexual side of the harassment stoped when of one of my dumb ass coworkers (years ago) decided write a love note to another coworker and forge my name to the bottom of it, and proceeded pass it around to everyone for a chuckle. The note was foolishly left where I would not be able to miss it, but the management response was just to tell everybody *that* is off limits, so they stoped with *that* type of harassment. So the sexual harassment stoped. I don't know how they found out I'm gay, I keep my sexuality out of the office, but nonetheless they did.

The harassment has gotten to a point today, not even two hours after I tell my boss I will be quitting if 'so and so' don't knock it off, and he went and told them to knock it off, another employee seeing the harassment continuing confided in me that they are just doing this shit to try and get me riled up, and that I should let it go. I do not intend to. I've been harassed by people of this personality all my life, I'm not going continue to take it, even if it costs me what has other wise been a very good job.

Answer:
 Unfortunately, in Missouri, sexuality is not a protected class. If you're in KCMO proper, then it is. I believe STL has the same protections, but if you're outside of one of the main cities your options are to grin and bear it or to find other employment.

If they ramp things up to physical harassment, involve the police.


Title: My employer has signs in the bathroom saying, “Employees must wash hands before returning to work.” What legal recourse can my employer take if I don’t wash my hands?

Question: I don’t work in food service so health codes aren’t applicable

Answer:
 They can fire you. If you're lucky, they won't tell your coworkers why.Answer #2: Assuming you're in the US, you can be disciplined or fired for any reason that isn't protected (sex, race, religion, class, etc).

You can definitely be fired for being gross.Answer #3: If they want to punish without any risk your employer could legally fire you.

If they wanted to go hard and had a bit higher risk tolerance they could tell everyone who called thereafter for a reference that they fired you for not washing your hands.

If you have a boss with a money to burn and or a personality disorder they could buy advertising across all forms of media saying you got fired for not washing your hands.

You could sue them for the latter two, and may or may not prevail . They aren’t likely to do those those things but it wouldn’t be illegal if they did.

I suppose they could just call you poophands around the office or require you to wear rubber kitchen gloves whenever you came out of the bathroom too.

Im sure I could think of more.

Wash your hands. Answer #4: They can fire you.  They can tell other people that they fired you because you don’t wash your hands.Answer #5: Get fired.


Title: My identity was stolen by a former room mate and I now have proof. Where do I go from here? (CA)

Question:
I posted this to finance advice a few days ago but some things have happened since then. Here is the condensed version.

* a credit card was opened in my name with my social security number and cell phone number.

* the address on this card however was my former friend and room mates old address before she and her husband moved in with me and my husband.

* 1,836 dollar purchase was made on it from Apple.com

* called apple and discovered that two iPhone 6 Plus were bought and sent to the iPhone store down the street from where we lived. The person who picked it up was my room mates name. She also used a fake number for the credit card and apple purchase. The fake number is her cell phone number with 2 numbers reversed.

* I have proof of this fake number and the use of her old address in my credit report which I printed out.

* I also got the serial numbers of the two iPhones bought under my name.

Now this all happened in July while we still lived together I California. However, she and her husband are now in Ohio and I am now living in South Carolina. I am not willing to let this rest. This was a former friend and someone I stuck up for when everybody else was against her. I stuck up for her when she was accused but was never proven to have stolen another friends card. This was someone I trusted and this is how I have been paid back. With a phone call months later from a credit card company and iPhone purchases.

What can I do to ensure that this doesn't just get tossed in a "whatever" pile? Despite us all being in different states now. I am planning on going to the police station tomorrow here to file a report but should I also contact Ohio as well? What is the best course of action.

Thank you.

Answer: Follow [the steps provided here](https://www.identitytheft.gov/). Answer #2: The crime occurred in California so you will need to contact the agency where you lived and file a report by phone.  You may also be able to file a report with your local agency and they will forward it to the proper agency in California. We provide this service but I can't speak for your local police.


Title: Can you face jail time for egging a house?

Question: First and foremost I just want to say that I am aware of my mistake and I know that from now on I will have better judgment, but there’s nothing I can do now other than take it as a life lesson. Last night a group of my friends and I (there were three of us and we’re all 16) were hanging out and one of my friends, we’ll call her Sandy, suggested that we go egg the house of someone that she didn’t like. I just got my license so I’m the only one out of my friend group that can drive, and of course just wanting to have a little fun, we all agreed to do it. Long story short we end up egging the house, it wasn’t until we were already done and we were leaving that we were made aware that the house had security cameras. I’m terrified that we will be recognized and that charges will be pressed against us. I’m typically a good kid who doesn’t do anything wrong. I make straight A’s in school and I’ve gained a lot of trust from my parents. I let the thrill get the best of me. If the owners of the house do decide to press charges against us, can we face any jail time? I think that’s what’s scaring me the most. Please help. For insight I’m from Texas.

Answer: Being a "typically good kid" that gets good grades and has mutual trust with your parents is not an excuse for vandalizing someone's home. Eggs eat away at paint, especially if the owner don't discover it right away. That homeowner will probably need to repaint their exterior walls to fix it.  I AM NOT A LAWYER. More than likely, the homeowner will ask your parents to pay for the paint job and other damages. They MIGHT take them to small claims court if your parents don't pay. You will probably receive a slap on the wrist.  Highly unlikely you will receive jail time. The homeowners might not even press charges.


Title: I live out in the country and the neighbor kid (around 9-10 years old) has been out behind our property shooting guns all day. One of the shots either ricocheted or was intentionally sent through my backdoor window lodging in a window frame. Police were called, no evidence, and neighbors lied. Help!

Answer: I'd suggest putting up security cameras where he shoots. Get proof of him aiming at your house and sue them


Title: (Vermont) I was left money and other stuff in a will. The will is being contested. How do I get out of receiving anything and forever give up my rights to contest the will?

Question:
Hello r/legaladvice. I know my question is odd because most people would be happy to receive an inheritance but I want to give it up and want nothing to do with it.

Both of my parents come from rich and well off families. The will was from my grandmother (my father's mother). When she died and the will was read I was informed by letter that I had inherited money as well as some other stuff. Both my families live mostly in Vermont and she died there. I live in Wisconsin now. I left home on my 18th birthday and I have never seen or spoken to another in my family since. Both sides of my family are messed up. Think child abuse, backstabbing, cheating, incest, fraud, drugs etc. They look perfect and rich but they are not and I want nothing to do with any of it. I left 10 years ago and I've changed my name and been "symbolically" adopted by my mentor. I had to sell bottles for money and take the greyhound with the clothes on my from a thrift store. I don't want the money. I hate them.

Since she died and her will was found there have been other wills found by people in the family and someone she did business with. Now everyone is fighting in court and I received a letter about it. I know most people probably think I am weird but I don't want this. Is there some legal way I can give up or forfeit my share and not go to court? I don't want any of the money or stuff now or ever. Do I just write a letter or fill out a form or is it more involved? Thanks to anyone who reads this!

Answer:
 Chapter 83: Uniform Disclaimer Of Property Interests Act

http://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/chapter/14/083

What has to be in your written disclaimer:

http://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/14/083/01953

Once you disclaim your inheritance, there's no going back.  Think very hard before doing this.


Title: Wondering if I am able to get the authorities involved for theft of a truck from a big company.

Question:
I recover trailers for my company. After the battery dies in the tracking system, I do some digging until I can find the location it’s at now at. The other day I found one and sent a driver to pick it up. But the lot we are storing it in says they could not release it to us.

They said that since April 2017 the trailer was being used by a very popular company and it’s there’s now. I told them that’s now how that works and not only will they not give us our own trailer, but now admitted they owe us for two years worth of rent insurance on it at $500 a month.

Last update I had was that one of my supervisors was going to send them the title stating it is in our name and then a representative for big company said they have to wait for authorization to give us the trailer so they don’t get in trouble.

So my question is, if nothing has been worked out by Monday when I go into work, do I have any legal standing to call the cops? Is that some sort of theft, fraud, or grand theft auto? Or is it something that at least would get the authorities to make them return it us?

Answer: Driver shows up with title and registration and can take it, if they don’t let him take it he can call the cops right then.  Rent/etc. is a civil matter.


Title: In a trial situation is it mandatory for victims to testify

Question:
Lets say an indictment consists of twenty victims each with several counts but those individuals were brought into the indictment from collateral information gathered and not by thier own complaints

In a trial situation would all 20 need to appear in court and testify to successfully prosecute the charges or such a thing would not be necessary if the evidence itself is strong enough

What if only 5 testify from the 20
Could the court force people to testify if they are part of an indictment from information gathered second hand?
What is none of the 20 are interested to testify

Answer: Can you court force something to testify? Yes. It's called a subpoena.


Title: Have a Brain Damaged Mother in Washington - A Way to Turn Her into a Ward of the State?

Question:
Hello Legaladvice,

There's a TLDR below.

I am seeking to have a guardian assigned to my mother and make her into a ward of the state. I posses her power of attorney (durable, assets, health) and have unofficially handled her finances and living arrangements for the past two years. We both live in the Seattle area in the state of Washington.

Here's her condition:

* Long history of alcoholism (20+ years)

* Suffers from moderate brain-damage and dementia as a result of falling and hitting her head on concrete six years ago (after drinking too much, of course), which cracked her skull and caused her to bleed into her brain.

* Steals and lies to support her alcohol addition.

* Is able to feed and clothe herself, but cannot be left on her own.

* Doctor has officially declared her unfit to live without medical supervision.

* If left alone, will seek out alcohol and drink herself into a stupor, usually injuring herself.

* She is easily agitated and usually cannot be reasoned with.

* Has a long police/hospital record due to her drinking.

* Currently living in an private adult family home in the Seattle area (paying out-of-pocket, but her money is almost out).

* Makes only about $850 a month in fixed income.

* Needs to be switched over to Medicaid in the next 45 days or so (I'm currently working on it).

* Current adult family home wants to kick her out because of problems she's causing there, so probably needs to be moved to a
new adult family home (currently working on this too).

* Divorced from my dad as two years ago.

* Moved her up to the Seattle area about 11 months ago.

* I have her PoA (durible power, assets, health decisions).

* She currently has no guardian assigned to her. I act as one using the PoA, but not unofficially a guardian.

In the past two years, I have moved her to three different homes. First, into her own senior-citizen apartment for three months until her drinking again got her into trouble and injured. She ended up in a rehab center for a few weeks and the apartment complex released her from her lease. They were glad to, since she was being highly disruptive to everyone there. After that, I moved her into an adult family home, where she quickly made enemies with the nurses and caused trouble. She was there about six months. Then, last November, I moved her into a different adult family home (this time up in Seattle), where she has been since. But, again, she is causing trouble there by sneaking into the rooms of other patients, stealing their snacks and any money she can find, agitating the other dementia patients, and interfering with the nurses' efforts to care for the other patients. They are pressuring me to find another home for her, citing concern for the care of the other patients.

I'm newly married and sick of her poisoning my life. I want to move on with my new life and walk away from the whole situation. I have been dealing with her alcoholism for most of my life (ever since I was 8 years old) and now this for the past two years. Is there a way that I can turn over her care to the government or some agency and just walk away?

Thanks in advance for any advice or help!

**TLDR:** I would like to have a state guardian assigned to my brain-damaged mother. She's massively alcoholic, cannot care for herself, is a danger to herself and others due to her drinking, needs to be switched over to medicaid and moved to a new nursing home or adult family home (she's causing too much trouble in her current one). I have unofficially handled her affairs for years and I'm pretty much done with it. What can I do?

Answer:
 start here: http://arcwa.org/library/guardianship#begin

try contacting an elder law attorney.


Title: Can I break my rental agreement (without 30 day notice) if my upstairs neighbors are threatening me and my partner? - Clagary, Alberta

Question:
I'll try to make a long story short. Also, sorry for any errors as I'm posting from my phone.

My boyfriend and I have been having problems with our upstairs neighbors from day one. They party almost every night with no regard for us downstairs. New Years eve it got bad. We could hear the son beating up his mother so I called the police.

I guess the son already has a record because it lead to his arrest yesterday after they caught him doing something else.

Now the mom and his girlfriend are pissed and believe this is all my fault, so they spent all last night stomping on the floors, blasting their music and cursing at us, calling us every expletive under the sun. Loud enough for us to hear everything.

We called our landlord to ask him what we should do and he agreed to phone the police and that he would call the mom. That made the yelling and cursing turn into death threats. They told me they knew where I worked (and then said the location) and said they were going to find me and kill me. They yelled at us to call the call the cops again so they could murder us.
My boyfriend's brother and his friend came over immediately to keep an eye on us so we could call the police. I had a friend come get me and dispatch said to go with them and get me to safety.

Cops showed up and talked to them, but no arrests were made. They told us we should just move. Now I'm stuck hiding at a friends house wondering if it's even safe to go home to collect some things or of its safe to go to work.

We have the same landlord. He is aware of the problem, but not of the death threats since those came after our phone call to him.
I need to move. But I can't give him '30 day's notice , there's no way I can safely stay there for 30 days in order to get my damage deposit back. But I'll need it if I'm to put a deposit down on a new place in such short notice.

Can I break the rental agreement and get my damage deposit back if I don't feel safe in my place that I'm renting?

Edit: We aren't on a lease. It's a month to month agreement. Would our best option just be the give a 30 day and wait it out?
I don't mind waiting it out, I'm just afraid of leaving all my belongings in that place unattended.

Edit 2: We called our landlord three times and left a voice mail briefly discussing the threats of violence towards us and that we are serious about moving out.

His wife just got back to us to tell us he had a stroke this morning (shortly after our original phone call to him during the episode). She told us that the people upstairs are getting kicked out as this is not the first time they've pulled something like this.

We are going to give him and his wife a few days to settle and then stop by with some flowers and well wishes.

Whether we stay or not, I'd still like to remain on positive terms with him.

If we can stay where we are I'd prefer that. It's a perfect location. We'll just beef up our renters insurance in case they try to pull anything once they're kicked out?

Answer:
 No. You can call the police on the neighbours. Answer #2: Since I'm not a lawyer, I honestly would try to talk to your landlord and see if you can figure this out person to person.  Contracts and legality aside, he may understand that you're in a situation nobody would want to be in.  He would probably even understand that if he evicted the upstairs neighbors, they would still know where you are located and that could potentially be dangerous for you.

I own rental property and would definitely respond to this conversation.  The only thing I'd ask of you is probably a letter explaining why you're "breaking" your lease and describing your experience with your upstairs neighbors.  I would then want to have this (and any other documentation you could provide) reviewed by an attorney and see what my options are as a landlord to potentially remove the upstairs tenants as well.  But that part is on your landlord and not on you.

In short, I'm trying to assume your landlord is a human and might understand the awful position you're both in.

Edit: I can't grammar.Answer #3: If you continue to receive death threats, call the police every time - you want that documented.

City of Calgary noise bylaws can be found here: http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/ABS/Pages/Bylaws-by-topic/Noise.aspx

Read through City Standards SS 26-39

If you believe they are violating any of these call Bylaw Enforcement by calling 3-1-1.

Bylaw complaints are dealt with by issuing tickets, maybe hitting them financially will resonate with them more than getting talked to by police.


Title: Illegal pet fees???

Question:
So here is my story. I love in PA. I rent a town home and the landlords are terrible.all they care about is the money.
So my brother went out of town for a couple if days and asked me to watch his two month old shitzu. One of my neiborghs reported him as an aggressive animal. And now the landlord wants to charge me $250 illegal pet fee.  The puppy was at my house 3 days . now they are charging me late fees for not paying them the fine and they want to take me to court.  What can I do legally to fight this. I can't afford to pay it.  Plus the people that live next to me have had the cops called on them about 10 times in a month for loud music at 2am.  And the landlord says that it's not there problem. We have to learn to deal with it.  Can some one help me?????

Thanks

Answer:
 What does your lease say about pets?

Also, your neighbors having a noise complaint is irrelevant and has no bearing on your question.


Title: [CA/AZ] My mom inherented a house when my grandma died. My parents are now getting a divorce. Will that house be split between my mom and dad?

Question: My parents have been together for 30 years and have decided to get a divorce. About a year ago my grandma died a left a house (not the one they live in) to my mom. The house is in Arizona and they live in California. The house in AZ is in my mom's name. But will my dad be entitled to half the house when they divorce even though his name is not on it? Any links to a source would be greatly appreciated.

Answer: Both CA and AZ are community property state. There is a presumption that property acquired during marriage is presumed community property. Property obtained before marriage and after permanent separation is separate property. Property that is acquired during marriage by gifts, bequests, and devises are also separate property. Your dad will not be getting half of the house at divorce.


Title: [AZ] What is the most professional way to include a second page with this Motion to Modify Terms of Probation? Also a question on phrasing.

Question:
I'm filing in Maricopa County (Phoenix, AZ). The Clerk of the Superior Court has this [blank template](http://imgur.com/a/dOaux) for filing a motion in a criminal case.

I'm going to be requesting that most of my terms of probation are modified in some way (at my POs suggestion). The space given on the single page isn't enough. What is the best way to include a second page of text? Just do that same page twice? Write out a completely blank page and do it all there?

For the next part I am only looking for advice on best practices formatting the requests, and not the actual content of them.

The original terms (completely made up for my example) say something like (not going to be included in my motion). I am NOT asking for any of the below terms to be modified. They are random made-up examples only. I'm trying to figure out the best format (with bold/italics? with the original term? something different?) to use. None of the examples below are real or relate to my actual case.

Term 1: May not own or possess a firearm.
Term 2: May not consume alcohol.
Term 3: May not interact with other felons.
Term 4: May not travel out of the county.

So I want to write:

Modify Term 2 to read: May not consume alcohol in excess.
Modify Term 4 to read: May not travel out-of-state, but may leave the county.

Or would it be better to include the actual original term and my modified term so the judge doesn't have to look them up:

Modify Term 2: May not consume alcohol to read: May not consume alcohol in excess.
Modify Term 4: May not travel out of the county to read: May not travel out-of-state, but may leave the  county.

Should I throw some italics and bold in there?

Modify *Term 2: May not consume alcohol* **to read:** *May not consume alcohol in excess.*
Modify *Term 4: May not travel out of the county* **to read:** *May not travel out-of-state, but may leave the county.*

Or something completely different?

Thank you all for your input!
Topic:
Criminal Law

Answer: I would strongly recommend an attorney on this one. While we can't directly advise you on drafting a motion, I don't like your odds with any of your ideas here.


Title: [California] My HS counselor didn't submit his part of the paperwork for my applications, and now colleges are rejecting me for that reason. Can I sue?

Question:
Hello All.

I  (18M) am currently a high school senior in Online classes in California. During my college applications, my high school counselor, despite many, many promises on his part and email exchanges between the two of us, failed to turn in my transcripts, school report, counselor’s recommendation, and some other more minor paperwork as it relates to my college applications to ANY college to which I applied.

in mid-December he received, after agreeing to fill it out, the paperwork, and it was still missing in mid Jan through mid-Feb, (a full month post-deadline) when I received several notifications from colleges via email and snailmail notifying me that these portions of my applications were still missing, and that they must be turned in ASAP for my applications to be complete.

Even another month later, the paperwork (and the counselor) are missing, and many, if not all, of the schools I have applied to have cancelled or withdrawn my applications on this basis.

I would like to sue my counselor, as not attending university will severely affect my future plans.

Do I have a case?

Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer: Was this something you couldn't do yourself, it had to be done by the counselor?  Did you talk to anyone else in the administration?


Title: Should I fight this speeding ticket? (California)

Question:
I was driving home from practice at 10 PM and I was pulled over for speeding. The officer said he had me on radar doing 94, and I thought at most I was doing 85. I do usually go over around 5-10 mph on the freeway but who doesn't in California? This time there were extenuating circumstances. I was driving in the second most left hand lane going around 70. Then I'm blinded by this jeep's headlights who were tailgating me. I couldn't merge left since there was a row of cars and I couldn't merge right since there were two semis. I'm only 16 and I've had my license for about half a year but I've never been in this situation so I was scared out of my mind. I decided to just accelerate and pass the semis and the two cars and get a good enough distance away to merge left. So I pretty much gunned it cause I didn't want to be in the semis blind side and that's when I was gunned by the radar.

Now the cop knocked it down by 5 mph so I could go to traffic school but he said that if I were to go to court then he has in his notes that I was doing 94 and then it'd be up to the judge whether I could attend traffic school. It's my first traffic violation so I can just go to traffic school to make sure my rates of insurance don't go up but if I fight it I risk losing that option. So given the circumstances and what happened, should I fight the ticket or accept the fine? And if I do accept it what is the cost I'm looking at?
Topic:
Traffic and Parking

Answer: You should go to traffic school. None of your excuses are going to get you anywhere if you decide to fight the ticket.


Title: [NH] My 7 y/o daughter was issued medication based solely on what her mother had to report to the doctor. Which was all lies, and this isn't the first time she's used our kids to get her hands on medication, either to take herself, or for her bf, or to sell. PLEASE HELP US

Question:
THE PROBLEM: The doctor made no observations herself, she just had an appointment with  mom, mom says our daughter is crazy (I'm sure that's not the terminology she used, I'm sure she used more specific information with the doctor about it.) and then the doctor hands my ex a prescription for ADHD meds. Just like that.

Here's the problem. The school, us and our daughters mental health people all agree that she doesn't have an attention problem, she has an anxiety problem because she doesn't spend time with mom when she is there. Mom spends a GRAND TOTAL of 6 hours/week with our children. 2 hours per day- monday tuesday and wednesday. The mental health professionals have said they believe my daughter feels like she doesn't belong sometimes.

Here we spend LOADS of time with the kids. They feel loved here and remind us of that a lot. The kids are lucky to interact with mom even in the 2 hour windows that she gives them. Essentially those days with mom go wake up- go to school- after school program until 5:30pm (no reason to do this, she's not scheduled to work or anything, she just likes to pick them up when they are about to close the program for the night, often leaving my son and daughter there long after the rest of the kids are picked up by parents. Once they get home she cooks dinner, and then they all eat together and then at 7:00pm my daughter gets a bath and then is put to sleep while my son is in the bath and then he is promptly put to bed as well. She ignores them often and has blown up at them for some pretty dumb shit lately.

THE QUESTIONS: Who is the authority in New Hampshire to contact to report the practice and the doctor?

Can this be considered malpractice (I'm not going to sue or anything, but I want the necessary amount of accountability to be served out.)

Is this grounds (lying to doctors to get medication for a child who doesn't need it) for an ex-parte motion to request to retain full custody of my children until an investigation can be completed?

Can I legally avoid having to send them back to her because of all this? How?

EDIT: This is why I fucking love this website. Thanks for the responses, everyone.  I haven't even read them all quite yet, but some of you seem to have some similar Q's so here's a small update with the new information.

So I only had enough time to post this and then I had to beat feet to go pick up the kids. It's a long drive, we live a couple counties away from one another, about an hour to get to where their school is.

On my way down to them, the doctor I spoke to on the phone this morning about this (not my daughters actual doctor, she was out of the office so I asked who her boss was and then asked to be transferred to them. They did, and he got an earful at 9 am, when they opened the office.)called me back and said that another one of the doctors made himself available so if I wanted to meet with him, we could go over my daughter's record together. I asked for a copy of the entire record and received the copy as soon as we met. This doctor was a good guy, and he understood and respected my level of frustration over the matter.

Here's what we found out. 2 evaluations were done on my ladybug. I don't recall the name of the survey, but it is pretty much the standard for determining a diagnosis of ADHD. Mom filled one out and bug's teacher filled one out. I spoke with her teacher who was also very fucking surprised they were going to give her meds, she said she didn't think it was at all necessary. Bug is disorganized undoubtedly, and she can be found with her face pointing towards the windows in the classroom from time to time, but nothing so significant to warrant medication in her opinion. And she pointed out that even though she finds her looking out the window, she still seems to retain the information that was given before she was caught. She's not a subject matter expert on some meds being required. But she is the expert on my daughter's ability and actions at school. Then I got in contact with her mental health professional (I'm sorry guys, i don't know what kind of MHP she is, I just know that's what she does.) She ALSO agreed that it was over the top for my bug to be on meds and ALSO found it very odd that she was even diagnosed as ADHD as she felt it was anxiety causing her to be a bit unorganized and such.

The other evaluation was completed by mom. It's crazy as fuck, she wrote that my daughter regularly destroys her room (throwing things everywhere, ripping sheets off the bed and get this, ripping her mattress off her bed frame) ON A REGULAR BASIS?! I wish some of those guys from /r/quityourbullshit could follow me around through all this and just call her ass on some of this shit in real time.

Back to the Doctor guy, So as I was going through the notes with the doctor I noticed there wasn't really anything else to show for observations of my daughter. I asked him if this was all there was from that day, and he said yes. I then asked him if he would've done what her doctor had done given the record as it was in front of us. he was hesitant but he did say it could be a trial (the diagnosis was ADHD and the prescription is for 10MG of long release ritalin.) I said if I walked in to your office and said "I have tuberculosis, treat it."  Would you not make your own observations of my claim before administering aid?" He obviously said yes. and I said the difference here is your doc is handing out treatment before making her own observations or even asking any questions by the looks of these notes, and treating my daughter for something we can't say she has. You've tried no other form of treatment, you guys just went straight to pills. There is no record here of therapy and how that could affect her ability, I mention "mom of the year" and her antics, and I told him I'm much more confident we're dealing with anxiety, not ADHD. She lashes out at moms because she's starving for attention, not because she can't keep her bearings. Bug is such a great kid, she loves to laugh and make silly faces at people, and she makes friends wherever we are, she's talking to some other kid, or she'll strike up conversation with people in line at the store. She likes to read, and we read a story every night they're here. The problem isn't my daughter, the problem is mom.

Still waiting to hear back from my lawyer about the parenting plan and what our plan with this will be.

I'm fairly sure that's about it. Thanks again for all the replies.

Answer:
 IANAL, but experienced something similar in my custody situation.

Send the prescribing doctor the documentation from the mental health professionals who are treating your daughter. Also send him a copy of the custody order (hopefully you have at least joint legal custody). Also get your daughter's pediatrician to write up their stance. From my experience, the judge in my case stated that in the event of a conflict between the parents, the child's pediatrician has the deciding vote when it comes to matters of the child's health. Send all this by certified mail.

If the doctor values their professional license, they are likely to "nope" out of the situation and say that they will not prescribe medication until there is a clear direction as to who has the authority, or there is a consensus amongst the parents.Answer #2: Medical malpractice is very fact specific and it is unfortunately beyond the scope of this subreddit. It is highly recommended to speak with a medical malpractice attorney; your state's bar may be able to refer you to one. They typically work on contingency, meaning there is little up front cost to you. Similarly, consultations are typically free. It wouldn't hurt to meet with one, have them look over your info, and go from there.

*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/legaladvice) if you have any questions or concerns.*Answer #3: Do you know what kind of ADHD medication? If it is an amphetamine that she is diverting, then maybe you could have your daughter to do a urine drug screen to help prove this. I'm sorry this doesn't answer your main question, but it may be another route to helping your situation.


Title: Being taken to small claims court for fake pain and suffering after accident

Question: Hi everyone. A year ago my dad was in a car accident in Los Angeles, CA that was his fault. Today we got a notice saying the person my dad hit is taking my dad to small claims court for "pain and suffering". We don't deny fault but we know he is trying to take advantage of the situation to get money. He is asking for the max amount (10k). The documents say we are not able to be represented by a lawyer in small claims so I wanted to see if anyone had advice on how to present our side of the story? How do we say we do not deny fault but we think he is making up the majority of the "pain and suffering" claims for money? Also if you have been in a similar situation it would be good to know the type of things they would ask and what to expect. Thanks!

Answer: The first step is for your dad to contact his insurance company.


Title: I live with my boyfriend, in Florida, in a small apartment that's having roofing work done. They've worked every day for the last three days from 8am to 8pm, are ruining our lives, and leaving trash everywhere that has now injured both me and my boyfriend.

Question:
Here's a small synopsis of my situation:

* We live on the top floor of an apartment complex that is mostly families and a few graduate students.
* Roof work began three days ago with no formal notice from apartment management.
* The contractors do not speak English.
* They bang on the roof from 8am to 8pm every day, and take a break in the middle of the day for several hours.
* They leave trash on the ground and throw roof pieces haphazardly off the top of the building. I was hit by falling debris today, and then my boyfriend stepped on a nail that went through his shoe and ended up puncturing his foot.

We're irritated beyond belief. I suffer from insomnia, and their non-stop banging has completely up-ended my sleep schedule and I'm back to square one. Now, my boyfriend may need to get a tetanus shot. I just want to know if there's anything legal we can do to restore some normalcy back to our lives or maybe communicate with them effectively and ask them to reduce their work hours to something perhaps a bit more normal.

Answer:
 Your boyfriend should go to the doctor to have his foot looked at, then contact the contracting firm to get their insurance information so they can cover the costs.

Besides that, you can talk to your landlords about the quality of the work, but working from 8am to 8pm is generally acceptable.  Eventually, the work will be done.Answer #2: Have you spoken to management?

Legal options are impractical here.  Roofing work is going to be long finished before you could take any action.


Title: I think she has no legal right to my deposit

Question:
So I’ll be quick about this and try to sum it up. We signed a lease that said we’d start living in a house on the 19th. On the 17th a pipe busted and they said it wouldn’t be able to move in until February 1st. I told the landlord we would think about whether or not we wanted to wait that long to move in to a place. She said if we decided not to we could get our deposit back because this “wasn’t our fault” I ended up telling her we’d wait, but the next day me and my wife decided we didn’t want to wait. She’s saying she isn’t going to give me the deposit back and I’m curious on whether or not she has any legal right to keep my deposit. Keep in mind we never signed any other paperwork besides the lease stating we would move in on the 19th. Thanks for the advice.
Topic:
Real Estate law

Answer: She didn't deliver the apartment as contracted. You have no responsibility for the damage. ... Small claims court.Answer #2: Has the landlord offered temporary alternative accommodation? Is there anything in the lease about non delivery, or in the event of the space being uninhabitable for a period of time?


Title: My rent is being raised because one of the other tenants is moving out. Can i break my lease? (I cant afford the new price!) - California

Question:
My housing contract says that 4000 will be divided amongst no more than 5 people.

It does NOT specify anything about what will happen if fewer than 5 people are present.

But my landlord is going to raise the rent of all of us to 1000 after the other tenant moves out.

Is this grounds to break my contract for 12 months rent? Or will i lose my secuirity deposit by breaking my contract without proper cause?

My landlord also never said anything about if less than 5 people were here. She only mentioned my monthly rent and  wrote it in the lease as X divided by 5 people.

Am i screwed here?
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer:
 > My housing contract says that 4000 will be divided amongst no more than 5 people.

If it says "4000 will be divided amongst no more than 5 people", the plain language understanding of that phrase is that the rent is $4000, and you can divide that amongst a group of people but no more than 5 people. You can divide it amongst 1 person and have that one person pay $4000. You can divide it amongst 2 people and have them each pay $2000, or one pay $3000 and one pay $1000. However, you are not allowed to divide the rent amongst six people.

The contract *does* say what happens when there are fewer than five people present: the $4000 is divided amongst them.


Title: Got fired for filling out VERY detailed incident report.

Question: [deleted]

Answer: You weren't fired for reporting an incident; you were fired for being a smartass.  File for UI and don't list them as a reference in the future.