Comments on: Need answers to your legal questions? Check out LawInfo’s Free Legal Resource Center! http://blog.lawinfo.com/2008/10/20/need-answers-to-your-legal-questions-check-out-lawinfos-free-legal-resource-center/ Lawyer Blog | Attorney Blog | Read and Post Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:47:12 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Lindsey http://blog.lawinfo.com/2008/10/20/need-answers-to-your-legal-questions-check-out-lawinfos-free-legal-resource-center/comment-page-1/#comment-4544 Lindsey Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:13:44 +0000 http://blog.lawinfo.com/?p=3351#comment-4544 Hi Danny. Hmm... that's an interesting one. Certainly, if you are ever sued you want to speak to an attorney right away. There are usually strict deadlines in place by which you must respond or else risk a default judgment against you simply by failing to answer. Whether or not they have any "legal standing" or could win a lawsuit filed against you would depend on a bunch of other facts about your situation. Wouldn't hurt to contact a lawyer in your area for a consultation. I'd probably try a labor and employment lawyer first, since you said you had rendered services for them. You can find a lawyer at www.lawinfo.com. Good luck! Hi Danny. Hmm… that’s an interesting one. Certainly, if you are ever sued you want to speak to an attorney right away. There are usually strict deadlines in place by which you must respond or else risk a default judgment against you simply by failing to answer. Whether or not they have any “legal standing” or could win a lawsuit filed against you would depend on a bunch of other facts about your situation. Wouldn’t hurt to contact a lawyer in your area for a consultation. I’d probably try a labor and employment lawyer first, since you said you had rendered services for them. You can find a lawyer at http://www.lawinfo.com. Good luck!

]]> By: Danny H. http://blog.lawinfo.com/2008/10/20/need-answers-to-your-legal-questions-check-out-lawinfos-free-legal-resource-center/comment-page-1/#comment-4541 Danny H. Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:11:50 +0000 http://blog.lawinfo.com/?p=3351#comment-4541 I have had a check from a college sent to me in the mail in my name. It had written on it that it was for a research study. I had helped with a research study and was not paid for it not to mention that they owe me for a grant given and accepted that they just did not put through despite requests and now will not give the grant money I am owed anyways. So I cashed the check. Now they called and sent an email stating that the check was ment for someone else and I it didnt belong to me. They said I had to repay it or else threaten legal action. It was a check in my name. I have every right to beleive that a check in my name for any reason made by them and addmitidly made by them signed and dated by them is mine. do they have any legal standing? I have had a check from a college sent to me in the mail in my name. It had written on it that it was for a research study. I had helped with a research study and was not paid for it not to mention that they owe me for a grant given and accepted that they just did not put through despite requests and now will not give the grant money I am owed anyways. So I cashed the check. Now they called and sent an email stating that the check was ment for someone else and I it didnt belong to me. They said I had to repay it or else threaten legal action. It was a check in my name. I have every right to beleive that a check in my name for any reason made by them and addmitidly made by them signed and dated by them is mine. do they have any legal standing?

]]> By: Kim http://blog.lawinfo.com/2008/10/20/need-answers-to-your-legal-questions-check-out-lawinfos-free-legal-resource-center/comment-page-1/#comment-3713 Kim Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:40:15 +0000 http://blog.lawinfo.com/?p=3351#comment-3713 I am the niece of a Mike and Cindy Smith [*all names changed by moderator*]. Mike and Cindy have had custody of Mikes niece's daughter, Jenny for the last 3 years. Jenny was taken away from her mother (Anne) at the age of 1 due to a tip to DFS from a friend of her mothers. Jenny was found with no toys, food, no clean diapers, her hair was falling out due to malnutrition and depression. Jenny has been in custody of the Smith's ever since. Jenny has evolved into our family as a daughter, sister, cousin, niece and granddaughter. She calls Mike and Cindy "dad" and "mom" and their three daughters "sissy". I am her cousin, my mom is her auntie and my grandma is her nanny. For 3 long years everyone legally involved has been telling the Smiths that there is nothing to worry about and that Anne has failed numerous drug tests and there was no way the courts could put Jenny back with Anne (Who Jenny refers to as her "play mom") Even Anne's attorney was caught begging Anne to drop the case because they were losing. Anne is living with her mother (who has been a drug addict for as long as I've been alive) and the father of Jenny. The judge made it mandatory that Anne not reside with either of them for they are bad influences. Anne disregarded what the judge had ordered. About a year ago Anne got pregnant with another baby. The court contacted all the hospitals in the area and ordered a mandatory drug test on Anne before delivering her baby. The drug test was positive. The baby was taken immediately and put into foster care. Even though there are all these facts that support that Anne is not a suitable mother it wasn't enough. Mike and Cindy had been taking Jenny to a therapist for about a year. The therapist had diagnosed Jenny with a mental disorder due to neglect at an early age. The therapist was key in the case. Jenny, today, is a sweet, energetic and smiley little girl. Jenny's hair has grown in thick, her fingernails are healthy looking. She doesn't eat everything in sight like she used to. She's gained weight. She has a place in our family. We love her with all of our hearts. She is as big of a part of our family as anyone else. Today, March 25, 2009, the district attorney (who had been telling Mike and Cindy that the case is practically won and that there was no way that Anne was going to get her parental rights back) has forgotten to subpoena the therapist. And instead of admitting to the judge that she forgot, she simply said she is working on reunification with the family. Our entire family is heartbroken. We are lost and confused. How could something so major fall through the cracks? I am begging for help and advice. I'm not a pro on law but I know that this is not right. I find it hard to believe that nothing can be done. This little girl has gone through enough. Going back to Anne would ruin her. If you have any ideas or would like to offer help, our family would be eternally grateful. Thank you. I am the niece of a Mike and Cindy Smith [*all names changed by moderator*]. Mike and Cindy have had custody of Mikes niece’s daughter, Jenny for the last 3 years. Jenny was taken away from her mother (Anne) at the age of 1 due to a tip to DFS from a friend of her mothers. Jenny was found with no toys, food, no clean diapers, her hair was falling out due to malnutrition and depression. Jenny has been in custody of the Smith’s ever since. Jenny has evolved into our family as a daughter, sister, cousin, niece and granddaughter. She calls Mike and Cindy “dad” and “mom” and their three daughters “sissy”. I am her cousin, my mom is her auntie and my grandma is her nanny.

For 3 long years everyone legally involved has been telling the Smiths that there is nothing to worry about and that Anne has failed numerous drug tests and there was no way the courts could put Jenny back with Anne (Who Jenny refers to as her “play mom”) Even Anne’s attorney was caught begging Anne to drop the case because they were losing. Anne is living with her mother (who has been a drug addict for as long as I’ve been alive) and the father of Jenny. The judge made it mandatory that Anne not reside with either of them for they are bad influences. Anne disregarded what the judge had ordered.

About a year ago Anne got pregnant with another baby. The court contacted all the hospitals in the area and ordered a mandatory drug test on Anne before delivering her baby. The drug test was positive. The baby was taken immediately and put into foster care.

Even though there are all these facts that support that Anne is not a suitable mother it wasn’t enough. Mike and Cindy had been taking Jenny to a therapist for about a year. The therapist had diagnosed Jenny with a mental disorder due to neglect at an early age. The therapist was key in the case.

Jenny, today, is a sweet, energetic and smiley little girl. Jenny’s hair has grown in thick, her fingernails are healthy looking. She doesn’t eat everything in sight like she used to. She’s gained weight. She has a place in our family. We love her with all of our hearts. She is as big of a part of our family as anyone else.

Today, March 25, 2009, the district attorney (who had been telling Mike and Cindy that the case is practically won and that there was no way that Anne was going to get her parental rights back) has forgotten to subpoena the therapist. And instead of admitting to the judge that she forgot, she simply said she is working on reunification with the family.

Our entire family is heartbroken. We are lost and confused. How could something so major fall through the cracks? I am begging for help and advice. I’m not a pro on law but I know that this is not right. I find it hard to believe that nothing can be done. This little girl has gone through enough. Going back to Anne would ruin her. If you have any ideas or would like to offer help, our family would be eternally grateful. Thank you.

]]> By: Mike Ryko http://blog.lawinfo.com/2008/10/20/need-answers-to-your-legal-questions-check-out-lawinfos-free-legal-resource-center/comment-page-1/#comment-3680 Mike Ryko Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:06:13 +0000 http://blog.lawinfo.com/?p=3351#comment-3680 Thank you very much Lindsey! Best, Mike Thank you very much Lindsey!

Best,
Mike

]]> By: Lindsey http://blog.lawinfo.com/2008/10/20/need-answers-to-your-legal-questions-check-out-lawinfos-free-legal-resource-center/comment-page-1/#comment-3674 Lindsey Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:11:13 +0000 http://blog.lawinfo.com/?p=3351#comment-3674 HI Mike. Congrats to your wife on the new job, but I certainly understand the problems it has raised with your rental. LawInfo's Free Legal Resource Center has a variety of information about breaking a lease. Check it out here: http://resources.lawinfo.com/Search.html?q=breaking+a+lease HI Mike. Congrats to your wife on the new job, but I certainly understand the problems it has raised with your rental. LawInfo’s Free Legal Resource Center has a variety of information about breaking a lease. Check it out here: http://resources.lawinfo.com/Search.html?q=breaking+a+lease

]]> By: Lindsey http://blog.lawinfo.com/2008/10/20/need-answers-to-your-legal-questions-check-out-lawinfos-free-legal-resource-center/comment-page-1/#comment-3673 Lindsey Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:09:54 +0000 http://blog.lawinfo.com/?p=3351#comment-3673 Hi Tony. I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Under COBRA, workers have a right to continue their employer-sposored heath insurance, though they are responsible for paying the premium. Check out: http://resources.lawinfo.com/Search.html?q=COBRA. As for whether the termination of coverage in your situation was wrongful, I suggest you speak to an attorney. Also, have you checked out the info in LawInfo's Free Legal Resource Center? Here are some ideas for you: http://resources.lawinfo.com/Search.html?q=insurance+cancellation http://resources.lawinfo.com/Search.html?q=workers+compensation Hi Tony. I’m sorry to hear about your situation.

Under COBRA, workers have a right to continue their employer-sposored heath insurance, though they are responsible for paying the premium. Check out: http://resources.lawinfo.com/Search.html?q=COBRA.

As for whether the termination of coverage in your situation was wrongful, I suggest you speak to an attorney. Also, have you checked out the info in LawInfo’s Free Legal Resource Center?

Here are some ideas for you:

http://resources.lawinfo.com/Search.html?q=insurance+cancellation

http://resources.lawinfo.com/Search.html?q=workers+compensation

]]> By: Mike Ryko http://blog.lawinfo.com/2008/10/20/need-answers-to-your-legal-questions-check-out-lawinfos-free-legal-resource-center/comment-page-1/#comment-3671 Mike Ryko Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:22:06 +0000 http://blog.lawinfo.com/?p=3351#comment-3671 My wife and me just signed a six month lease for an apartment (we are in New Mexico). We haven't even paid the first month's rent yet; it is due in two days. My wife found out two days ago that she was hired for a position in New York City and we have to move out of here within a month (we were living with friends and trying to wait it out as not to have to sign a lease, but it was unbearable living with people). Our lease agreement states that the property management company will charge us a fee for early termination and that they will keep the security deposit. If we assist the management company with finding new renters, is the management company entitled to the entire six month lease monies? If they find new renters, there are no damages, right? (We realize that we have to pay rent until they find someone and will most likely have to pay the rip-off fees that they put into the lease agreement.) Thank You. My wife and me just signed a six month lease for an apartment (we are in New Mexico). We haven’t even paid the first month’s rent yet; it is due in two days. My wife found out two days ago that she was hired for a position in New York City and we have to move out of here within a month (we were living with friends and trying to wait it out as not to have to sign a lease, but it was unbearable living with people). Our lease agreement states that the property management company will charge us a fee for early termination and that they will keep the security deposit. If we assist the management company with finding new renters, is the management company entitled to the entire six month lease monies? If they find new renters, there are no damages, right? (We realize that we have to pay rent until they find someone and will most likely have to pay the rip-off fees that they put into the lease agreement.)

Thank You.

]]> By: Tony http://blog.lawinfo.com/2008/10/20/need-answers-to-your-legal-questions-check-out-lawinfos-free-legal-resource-center/comment-page-1/#comment-3665 Tony Thu, 22 Jan 2009 02:07:02 +0000 http://blog.lawinfo.com/?p=3351#comment-3665 I have been on workmans comp. for about 7 months.Just today I recieved a letter from my employer stating that I no longer had health insurance.After 6 months they say that they have a right to terminate my coverage.I was NEVER informed of this NEW policy.I am on different meds and so is my wife.We can not afford our meds that we need.Can my employer do this without giving me advanced notice? I have been on workmans comp. for about 7 months.Just today I recieved a letter from my employer stating that I no longer had health insurance.After 6 months they say that they have a right to terminate my coverage.I was NEVER informed of this NEW policy.I am on different meds and so is my wife.We can not afford our meds that we need.Can my employer do this without giving me advanced notice?

]]> By: Lindsey http://blog.lawinfo.com/2008/10/20/need-answers-to-your-legal-questions-check-out-lawinfos-free-legal-resource-center/comment-page-1/#comment-3564 Lindsey Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:05:55 +0000 http://blog.lawinfo.com/?p=3351#comment-3564 I can certainly understand what a frustrating situation this must be for you! If you haven't already contacted an attorney, I suggest you do so. There are usually strict deadlines by which you would need to file a lawsuit based on a claim of negligence or malpractice. An attorney will be able to advise you about whether or not the facts of your case amount to a claim worth pursuing. You can find an attorney through LawInfo's directory at www.lawinfo.com. Good luck! I can certainly understand what a frustrating situation this must be for you! If you haven’t already contacted an attorney, I suggest you do so. There are usually strict deadlines by which you would need to file a lawsuit based on a claim of negligence or malpractice. An attorney will be able to advise you about whether or not the facts of your case amount to a claim worth pursuing. You can find an attorney through LawInfo’s directory at http://www.lawinfo.com. Good luck!

]]> By: Lindsey http://blog.lawinfo.com/2008/10/20/need-answers-to-your-legal-questions-check-out-lawinfos-free-legal-resource-center/comment-page-1/#comment-3563 Lindsey Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:04:03 +0000 http://blog.lawinfo.com/?p=3351#comment-3563 This is a very common issue in employment matters. State laws vary. I do suggest you contact an attorney to determine what rights you have, given your employment contract, the employer's vacation policy, and the terms of your resignation. In some states, you can get "cashed out" for unused vaction time. Check out LawInfo's Free Legal Resource Center for more information at www.resources.lawinfo.com. Good luck! This is a very common issue in employment matters. State laws vary. I do suggest you contact an attorney to determine what rights you have, given your employment contract, the employer’s vacation policy, and the terms of your resignation. In some states, you can get “cashed out” for unused vaction time. Check out LawInfo’s Free Legal Resource Center for more information at http://www.resources.lawinfo.com. Good luck!

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