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I work for a non-profit organization in NYC, where employees are given new contracts annually. I am currently pregnant and due in June, and notified my employer about my pregnancy back in January. Recently, I was offered a new contract for the upcoming year with a significant compensation decrease... View More 
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answered on May 29, 2025
To answer this question properly, a lot more information is needed. One question I would have is whether other employees similarly situated were presented with reduced compensation packages. It is one thing to suspect you are being penalized with a salary reduction due to your pregnancy and another... View More
My tenant and I verbally agreed to extend a one-year lease without signing a new written agreement. They've been paying rent via direct deposit monthly, from the 1st to the last day of the month. The tenant sent a 30-day notice on May 4th, stating they intend to vacate by June 3rd, citing New... View More
answered on May 20, 2025
Dear Manhattan Landlord
New York State Real Property Law Section 232-b is not a statute that relates to tenancies in New York City.
A NYC tenant is not required to provide advance written notification to end the month to month tenancy. In order to avoid owing the entire rent due... View More
I hired a dog sitter through Rover, which considers sitters as independent contractors. Unfortunately, she lost my dog, and I had to return early from a trip I had planned for 5 months. I incurred over $2,000 in trip costs, spent $400 on a drone expert, and hired a professional dog trapper to... View More
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answered on May 18, 2025
I am sorry to hear about the distressing situation with your dog. In New York, you may have grounds to sue the dog sitter for your financial losses and potentially for emotional distress, but the success of your claim will depend on several factors.
First, you can pursue a claim for the... View More
My estranged husband and I were both listed on the title of our mobile home. Before selling it, we discussed that he would not receive any of the earnings from the sale, and he agreed to this when signing the bill of sale. We are not currently going through a divorce or legal separation. I have... View More
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answered on May 19, 2025
If both you and your estranged husband were listed on the title of the mobile home, New York law generally recognizes that you both have an ownership interest in the property. However, the situation is more complex because you mentioned that your husband agreed not to receive any earnings from the... View More
At the closing for my short sale, there was no document stating that the short sale had been approved, even though the bank's loss mitigation department told me it was pre-approved. The real estate attorney affiliated with the agent I dealt with was meant to represent me, but I insisted on... View More
answered on Apr 28, 2025
Since you already have an attorney the proper person to address this would typically be your own attorney. Since no one on this forum has been privy to the details of this deal, we cannot give you better information than those who have been privy to it.
It is ultimately the seller’s... View More
I recently discovered that a scheduled rental increase was not applied to my rental statements for six months. Although my landlord claims the increase is included in my lease agreement, I never received any notification during those six months. The lease specifies that rent increases should be... View More
answered on Apr 23, 2025
Dear Queens Tenant
I gather that the landlord hadn't served a Rent Demand or suggested that the landlord will seek a determination in Housing Court.
You could share the rental dispute problem with an attorney. But if the claimed retroactive rent is less than one thousand... View More
I've been informed that my sister and I allegedly cosigned for an agreement stating my father would give a cow to a lady. Neither my sister nor I recall this agreement, and it supposedly happened when I was between 12 and 16 years old. The lady claims my father should sell the cow and give her... View More
answered on Apr 10, 2025
The experienced contract law and business law attorneys here would know these types of settings best, but your question remains open for almost a week, and you probably don't want this to escalate into a headache. You could reach out to one of them to ask about your best immediate actions. A... View More
I discovered after the death of my ex-romantic and art partner that much of his artwork was based on my photography and social media posts. I want to publish his art alongside the references he used, but I am concerned about the legality of including certain images.
Some of the photographs... View More
answered on Apr 7, 2025
1. Using Referenced Images for Commentary or Analysis
Including the original reference images alongside your ex-partner’s artwork for the purpose of commentary, critique, or scholarship can potentially fall under Fair Use, especially if:
The inclusion transforms the original... View More
I discovered after the death of my ex-romantic and art partner that much of his artwork was based on my photography and social media posts. I want to publish his art alongside the references he used, but I am concerned about the legality of including certain images.
Some of the photographs... View More
answered on Apr 7, 2025
That's a great question, and I think that you should be on pretty safe ground because your use is transformative: it is designed to shine a light into your partner's creative process, which is quite different from the original purposes for which the reference images were created. I would... View More
I was involved in an arbitration concerning an advanced commission breach of contract dispute. When I left the company, my ledger showed a negative balance. The arbitration ruled in their favor, even though I wasn't present to defend myself. Now, I've received a letter stating they will... View More
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answered on Apr 6, 2025
They need to make a motion in court to confirm the award. Often when that happens, the other side cross-moves to vacate the award on one or more grounds. You need to get a lawyer to do that for you so that you can revisit the proceeding. You don't say if you appeared at the arbitration or not.... View More
I was involved in an arbitration concerning an advanced commission breach of contract dispute. When I left the company, my ledger showed a negative balance. The arbitration ruled in their favor, even though I wasn't present to defend myself. Now, I've received a letter stating they will... View More
answered on Apr 1, 2025
The key issue in responding to you is whether you "participated" in the arbitration. You say both that you were "involved in an arbitration" and that you "[weren't] present [at the arbitration] to defend yourself." Participating can be an issue of fact, so you... View More
I was involved in an arbitration concerning an advanced commission breach of contract dispute. When I left the company, my ledger showed a negative balance. The arbitration ruled in their favor, even though I wasn't present to defend myself. Now, I've received a letter stating they will... View More
answered on Apr 1, 2025
I'm sorry this happened to you. It isn't clear if you received a copy of the arbitration decision. You may want to obtain a copy of the decision from the hosting entity (American Arbitration Association, or other). If you contact the Case Administrator, they should be able to provide... View More
I am an independent contractor planning to leave the shop where I currently work to start my own business. There is no contract in place with the shop, and there have been no disputes regarding the ownership of my items. I have clearly stated receipts for all items I own. Do I need any additional... View More
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answered on Mar 31, 2025
As an independent contractor planning to leave your current shop, you can generally take any belongings you’ve purchased and have receipts for without legal issues. To avoid misunderstandings, it’s a good idea to create a list of your items with proof of purchase and photos. Notify the shop... View More
I live in Buffalo, NY, and am currently divorced but still living with my ex-spouse. I'm in the process of moving out, and we jointly own the property. He has placed cameras both inside and outside the house without my consent and is recording me. I've discussed my concerns with him, but... View More
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answered on Mar 14, 2025
It appears you are in the middle of a divorce and still living together.
First, I would request my Judge issue an order that there be no cameras or recording in the home or property.
If the camera's do not go away, you have a Court order you can move to enforce of bring on a... View More
I live in Buffalo, NY, and am currently divorced but still living with my ex-spouse. I'm in the process of moving out, and we jointly own the property. He has placed cameras both inside and outside the house without my consent and is recording me. I've discussed my concerns with him, but... View More
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answered on Mar 16, 2025
I understand that this situation is distressing, especially as you are still living with your ex-spouse while trying to move out. In New York, the legality of placing cameras inside and outside a shared home without consent depends on factors such as expectation of privacy, ownership of the... View More
I'm a tutor planning to file my taxes but haven't done so yet. Most of my earnings are on a 1099-K, but I also earned about $3,000 in cash last year from a single student through regular weekly payments. I didn't deposit this cash into a bank account and have no formal records of the... View More
answered on Mar 7, 2025
The $3,000 you earned would be considered as a self-employment income. When filing you tax return, you must report the $3,000 on line 8 of the 1040 Form. For line 8, you must include Schedule 1 in your tax return filings. Schedule 1 will also assist you in determining how much you might owe the... View More
I was kicked out by my business partner, and we do not have a formal partnership agreement. However, I do have my business bank agreement as proof of my involvement. What legal options do I have to address this situation and potentially reclaim my position or investment in the business?
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answered on Mar 6, 2025
You may have legal options, but without a formal partnership agreement, your case isn’t clear-cut. Your business bank agreement can serve as evidence of involvement, but more proof—such as financial contributions, communications, or profit-sharing—would strengthen your position.
If... View More
I worked at Company A, which was acquired by Company B. Post-acquisition, Company B terminated my employment. My separation agreement with Company B states I cannot make damaging or false remarks about the company or related parties, though I can respond to legal inquiries. Company A's former... View More
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answered on Mar 4, 2025
I would certainly speak with an employment lawyer, if you cannot avoid rendering the statement. If in fact, you are under a contractual obligation to not divorce, confidential information and you end up doing so then you might be in violation of such obligations and subject to whatever penalties... View More
I am moving out on April 12th, and I informed my landlord almost two months in advance. My lease agreement doesn't mention early termination or prorated rent, but states the security deposit can be used for late rent and damages. My landlord is demanding that I pay for half of the month of... View More
answered on Mar 3, 2025
Dear Pittsford Tenant:
You did not say when the lease expired. If it ends on April 30, 2025, New York State housing law suggests that the landlord is entitled to the full rent without any apportionment for the entire month of April, even if the tenant plans to move out on April 12th. Both... View More
I got married in NYC and later discovered that my wife was still married in the Philippines five years before we met. Her mother was aware but kept it from me. I've since filed for divorce and have obtained full legal custody of our children. I'm concerned about the implications on our... View More
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answered on Mar 13, 2025
I understand that discovering your wife’s prior marriage has created a lot of confusion and concern, particularly regarding the validity of your marriage and the division of assets. The situation you described has legal implications, and it's important to clarify the status of your marriage... View More
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