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I was involved in an incident where a friend of mine was injured on a rental boat. He was pulling up the anchor and asked me to give it some gas to unstick it, but I gave too much throttle, and the rope caught around his finger, cutting off the tip. The rental agreement stated that misuse of... View More 
answered on May 7, 2025
There is a difference between a claim and a lawsuit. If your friend is pursuing a claim, he can do that directly with the insurance company. However, if he is filing a lawsuit, you will be sued as the defendant since you are the alleged negligent party. Whenever a person is named in a lawsuit,... View More
I have been the sole owner of my father's commercial property (3.4 acres, including a house and five rentals) in Georgia for the past 16 years, holding the deed in my name. Five years ago, my father passed away after writing a will, which was not recorded, dividing the property among me and my... View More
answered on May 6, 2025
Yes, your ownership of the real estate is not affected by the will of your father. The will can only distribute real estate and other assets actually owned by your father. Also, because you own the property individually, you cannot ask your siblings to contribute to the cost of upkeep, maintenance,... View More
I am a tourist with a foreign license and was charged with hit and run while driving my mom’s car. Although I was issued a citation, the officer checked "no accident." What should I expect in court regarding this charge?
answered on May 5, 2025
A Georgia criminal defense attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for three weeks. Until you are able to consult with a criminal defense attorney, there are also civil law aspects to think about. You should discuss the accident with your mother so that she could take appropriate... View More
I have 50/50 joint custody of my daughter, and her mother has violated every aspect of the court order. I have repeatedly reported to CPS that my daughter is being abused by her mother's boyfriend and cousins, with evidence including photos and reports, but CPS has closed each case after... View More
answered on May 4, 2025
There are no reasons a child should be physically abused and if DFCS is failing (typical) then your next stop is Law Enforcement. You will also benefit from a lawyer to ensure your child's complaints are being heard. Even if that means asking a judge to assign a Guardian Ad Litem for her.... View More
I was involved in a vehicle collision where neither party was seriously injured. Over a year later, I've been served with a complaint for damages from the other driver, claiming her insurance company mishandled her case. She states that suing me is necessary to sue her insurer. I have to file... View More
answered on May 4, 2025
Generally speaking, Georgia law provides 30 days to file a response to a lawsuit (known as an Answer). The 30 day "clock" begins to run from the date of service. Missing the 30 day deadline can bring with it dire consequences as then a default can be entered.
In your case, I... View More
My husband passed away and left me our home in Georgia. I am a Florida resident looking to sell the house in Georgia quickly. The house is still in my husband's name, and there is a small mortgage on it. I am the sole beneficiary and there are no other parties involved. What steps should I... View More
answered on May 2, 2025
If probate has been filed in Florida, you can file for ancillary probate in Georgia. If there are no probate assets in Florida and probate hasn't been filed, you can file probate directly in Georgia. If your husband had a will, a petition to probate the will in solemn form will need to be... View More
I am considering putting the father of my child on child support; however, he is not currently listed on the child's birth certificate, and there are no existing custody or visitation orders or informal agreements. Does starting child support give him any legal rights or claims to visitation... View More
answered on May 1, 2025
Filing for child support does not give any legal rights to the father. However, if you initiate a child support action, he may file to legitimize and to assert his legal rights. Then he could ask for some form of custody and/or visitation. So by taking him to court for child support, he may file... View More
I want to buy perfumes in bulk from manufacturers, repackage them into smaller bottles, and sell them under my brand. These perfumes are originally from big international brands, but I plan to use my own logo and trademark on the packaging without referencing the original brands. I don't have... View More
answered on May 1, 2025
Yes, you can do this, but there are some requirements you have to comply with. Obviously doing it the other way around - selling your own perfume under another manufacturer's brand - would not be OK at all. But since you are not claiming any affiliation with the original manufacturer, their... View More
I have been receiving long-term disability payments since January 2018, which offset my normal income. Recently, I received a lump sum settlement offer of $53,000; however, the letter I received states that the value of my claim is $86,000. Although I haven’t yet responded, I was told I could... View More
answered on Apr 30, 2025
This is a really significant decision you're looking at, and it's smart to be thinking through both the settlement amount and the tax implications carefully before responding. Lump sum offers can be complex, and getting guidance is key.
Regarding what an appropriate counteroffer... View More
As an American citizen planning to marry a Japanese citizen, I am concerned about immigration and potential unwarranted deportations or detentions happening under the current administration. We haven't started any immigration or visa application processes yet but have read multiple stories of... View More
answered on Apr 29, 2025
You definitely are watching too much television and the fear migraine that they espouse. Your Japanese fiancé would be considered in the immediate relative category. Immigrants in this category are treated like the gold standard and always will be. So you have nothing to worry about as long as... View More
I received a summons for legitimation and there are only 2 days left to file my answer. I have been attempting to obtain a veteran-assisted attorney but have not been successful yet. The attorney I contacted said they need at least 48 to 78 hours to review my situation. Can I file an extension... View More
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answered on Apr 28, 2025
Go to the law library in your county and they will have answer forms. Sign up for Odyssey efiling to make sure you get notification of all court dates and documents.
My grandmother, who is still competent, put her house in the name of her daughter, who has power of attorney over all matters. However, she wants to leave the house to someone else in her will due to a strained relationship with her daughter. The house has been my grandmother's for 20 years,... View More
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answered on Apr 24, 2025
Power of Attorney does not convey ownership. The daughter simply steps in the shoes of the principal(grandmother) for a specific amount of time. Upon the principal's (grandmother's) death, the property remains in the principal's (grandmother's) estate and if a Last Will and... View More
I am a father trying to allow my daughter's mother to have visits with her, but the mother has threatened not to return our child. There are currently no court orders or formal custody agreements in place. However, I have safety concerns about my child's living conditions with her mother.... View More
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answered on Apr 21, 2025
If there is no custody order and you are not married to the mother, you have no rights. The mother has full custodial rights, which means she doesn't have to bring your child back. You have to file for legitimation and obtain a custody order.
I am a father trying to allow my daughter's mother to have visits with her, but the mother has threatened not to return our child. There are currently no court orders or formal custody agreements in place. However, I have safety concerns about my child's living conditions with her mother.... View More
answered on May 1, 2025
If there are no court orders or custody agreements then the mother has sole legal and physical custody of the child, if you all were not married when the child was born. If you were married when the child was born then you both have the same rights and either of you can have the child. You... View More
I have just received the official final order dated April 17, 2025, concerning custody and child support, and I want to relocate to Maryland for my pending marriage. The petitioner has a history of cocaine abuse, domestic violence, and has not had a relationship with our child since she was 2... View More
answered on Apr 21, 2025
If you received an Order dated April 17, 2025, I highly doubt a judge would entertain any modification at this time. Because if you were to file for a modification, the case is going back to the very same judge. And since it has been only days since they signed the Final Order, I can't see... View More
I am seeking full custody of my 2-year-old child as I plan to divorce my husband, who is in the military and doesn't spend much time with our child during his days off. I am a stay-at-home mother, providing full-time care for my child, and we currently live together. How can I achieve full... View More
answered on Apr 21, 2025
You will need to file for divorce, have your spouse served, and in your petition you should state what relief you are seeking regarding custody, visitation, child support, and marital property. You will then have to present your case at trial and let the court know what you are asking them to... View More
I have 50/50 custody of my child with my ex-husband, and there's currently no restriction on who can be around our child. My ex-husband's new girlfriend has two children who have harmed my child on several occasions, resulting in injuries like a black eye and a large bruise. I have... View More
answered on Apr 21, 2025
The only way you can restrict who your children can be around is to take the other parent back to court and modify the current visitation so that it addresses who the children can and cannot be around. Because anything that is not in a court order does not apply, and neither party has to follow... View More
I live with both parents, but one parent may be considered unfit due to a history of domestic violence. They were recently arrested for simple assault, and a court case is pending. Despite this, we are planning to file for joint custody. How might the recent arrest and history of violence influence... View More
answered on Apr 21, 2025
It is highly relevant but also very common for courts to deal with. The important part is the messaging to the Court, as the Court needs to balance Criminal Justice obligations with the best interests of the parties. Luckily this is in Civil Court, not Criminal, but you are still going to want to... View More
I live with both parents, but one parent may be considered unfit due to a history of domestic violence. They were recently arrested for simple assault, and a court case is pending. Despite this, we are planning to file for joint custody. How might the recent arrest and history of violence influence... View More
answered on Apr 21, 2025
No one can tell you how the simple assault may or may not effect a custody proceeding. A simple assault that was not witnessed by the minor children, did not involve the minor children, etc. may not be something the court decides should impact that parents custody and/or visitation. But only the... View More
I was born in 1971 and experienced mental and physical abuse until age 18. I didn't understand at the time that certain actions were legally considered abuse. I'm now considering civil and criminal claims in Georgia, potentially including compensation through property claims. What is the... View More
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answered on Apr 20, 2025
Unfortunately because these crimes occurred before 1992, the statute of limitations has probably lapsed for doing anything criminally or civilly long ago. However, these kind of cases are legally complex, and specific circumstances can alter the calculation; you would really need to speak with an... View More
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