Get free answers to your legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I own a 1.8-acre parcel adjacent to an 8.2-acre parcel, which had an erroneous deed of sale filed by its previous owner. The original deed granted access to a cabin for two people, including myself, to the 8.2-acre parcel. However, a subsequent deed incorrectly changed this access to only the 1.8... View More 
answered on May 7, 2025
If there is really no dispute among any of the current title owners of both parcels, it might merely be a matter of filing a corrective deed and trying to talk the registrar out of taxing the transaction. If the lack of a dispute is mostly from your perspective, then it is litigation. Either way,... View More
I am a California resident looking to hire a Virginia resident lawyer to draft a prenuptial agreement governed by California law. I seek advice on whether a non-local lawyer would be knowledgeable about California prenuptial agreements. Specifically, I need to include a spousal support/alimony... View More
answered on May 7, 2025
I think you are better off retaining California counsel who tells you they are familiar with or can become familiar with the federal pension issues. The Federal Government is in California and protecting pensions from it is part of a California lawyer's role when preparing a prenup. Further,... View More
I received my first traffic violation ticket under code 46.2-859 for mistakenly passing a school bus while students were onboarding. The incident happened a day before, and I was caught on the spot by the officer who issued the ticket. I am required to appear in court next month. What potential... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 4, 2025
The maximum penalty that you face is up to one year in jail, a license suspension up to 6 months and up to a $2,500 fine.
Every judge is different with these charges. However, it is more serious if kids were in the process of onboarding. This is something you generally want to prepare for... View More
Can I include non-U.S. residents, specifically my wife who isn't a U.S. citizen and resides full-time in the Philippines, in a Simple Will? We have one child, and I want to ensure my wife has financial protections when I pass away. My significant assets are held in bank accounts and a... View More
answered on Apr 26, 2025
You probably should sit down with a lawyer for a consult. You may not need a Will at all if all of your assets are liquid like bank or stock accounts. The beneficiary clauses work so well that such planning has long ago earned the informal name of a "poorman's will." There will... View More
I bought a home "as-is" about 5 months ago. Before purchasing, I asked the real estate company if there were any septic system problems, and they claimed there were none. However, I've learned from a neighbor that the real estate company was informed of septic issues before the sale.... View More
answered on Apr 26, 2025
The law on this is complex and not helpful to you.
First, Real estate agents (the 'company' in your question) only know what the actual seller/former owner tell them. Unfortunately, sellers either don't tell or lie to their agents about the property. If the seller,... View More
I received an email from "Legal Compliance <[email protected]>" claiming they have a subpoena from the District Court for the City of Ashburn. The email requests information about my account login activity, IP logs, and email content for January 2023 and states... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 25, 2025
Without reviewing the document, it would be difficult to assess the validity. That said, there is no District Court of the City of Ashburn. Ashburn is a location within Loudoun County, Va. but does not have a separate Court. The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement... View More
I work at a private animal shelter, and we are currently housing a dog that was brought to us by a police officer after the owner was arrested. We wish to file for legal ownership of the dog to facilitate adoption, as holding it long-term in the shelter isn't feasible. The dog was brought in... View More
answered on Apr 22, 2025
Perhaps there is some statute that helps, but I have never heard of one. A dog is property in most states, including the Commonwealth. An incarcerated individual doesn't lose their property without due process of law. The easiest answer is to ask her to sign over the dog as a gift, and, a... View More
I share ownership of a property with a relative. I live in one house while the relative, who is a part-owner, lives in another house on the same property. There is no written agreement between us regarding maintenance responsibilities. Currently, there is an issue with sanitation being allowed to... View More
answered on Apr 19, 2025
While actual responsibility may depend on the words on the title and the agreements between the co-owners, as to anyone outside the co-owners, it is very likely that every owner is jointly and severally liable for any illegal and unhealthy emission from your property. Further, it is reasonable to... View More
I am a US citizen planning to marry a Yemeni citizen in Egypt. The Egyptian embassy isn't accommodating any marriage certificate notary appointments. If we get the marriage certificate notarized at the Yemeni embassy in Egypt, will it be recognized in the US, particularly in Maryland?... View More
answered on Apr 14, 2025
So the US immigration service will recognize any marriage performed anywhere in the world as valid, as long as the marriage where performed, is recognized as valid. So if there seems to be any doubt that the service and ceremony that will be performed in the country in the Middle East will be... View More
In North Carolina, I received a traffic ticket for running a red light which led to a car wreck determined to be my fault. There were no injuries, and my insurance covered all the damages. The ticket was dismissed by the District Attorney on the day of my court date with no conditions. I had one... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 11, 2025
You generally would not receive DMV demerit points in Virginia for a charge that was dismissed. That said, the best way to verify whether NC might have reported the charge to Va. is to request a copy of your driver transcript from DMV. If you learn the dismissal was reported & VA has imposed... View More
My HOA has not held a membership meeting or election in over 10 years, despite numerous requests from members. The board met with the president in November 2024 and decided to double our dues without holding a membership meeting. In April 2025, the president said he would talk to the board about... View More
answered on Apr 10, 2025
The case law -- as you seem to appreciate already -- favors corporate democracy in governance. Courts are loathe to substitute their judgment for that of a duly elected condo board operating within its rules of governance and not violating law as to protected classes. So, your first step is to... View More
I'm a Canadian conditional green card holder, sponsored by my wife. I entered the U.S. on a B-2 visa in April 2023, married a couple of months later, and received my green card in March 2024. I have no criminal record or legal issues. We've planned a trip to Italy for less than 10 days at... View More
answered on Apr 2, 2025
Your conditional green card will allow you to exit and enter the United States for vacation trips. You should not stay out of the country for more than six months at a time, and you should bring your conditional green card with you at all times as well as your passport. As long as the conditional... View More
I have been a green card holder for five years, obtained through marriage, and we have been married for six years. We have reliably filed joint tax returns each year. When applying for citizenship, will previous years’ tax forms be reviewed, or do they just check that joint returns were filed?
answered on Mar 28, 2025
The citizenship application asks if you owe any overdue taxes, and you may be asked about tax filing history, as part of the good moral character determination. Depending on the officer you may also be asked to provide copies of your taxes/tax transcripts for the past 5 years and the officer may... View More
I was involved in a rear-end collision while stopped at a traffic light. I visited the hospital two days later and was prescribed painkillers. The pain persisted, leading me to return to the hospital a month later. I've been in contact with the at-fault driver's insurance company. They... View More
answered on Mar 30, 2025
They generally present claimants with a release. What you describe as a disclosure appears to have the general effect of a release in precluding your rights to future claims or money. One would need to see the exact terms of your documents to advise meaningfully, but in general their purpose is to... View More
I am involved in a civil DMCA-related case in Virginia, where I have been notified via email. I am not American and intend not to appear, resulting in a default judgment. The other party lacks any physical address or identification details for me. Given this situation, how long should I be... View More
answered on Mar 24, 2025
It would be useful to know a bit more about the case. For now, let me assume that you are accused of reproducing copyright material, and that the DMCA judgment will order you to take it down. As you mentioned, if they lack identification details or an address for you, enforcing the judgment may be... View More
I am tracing a judgment from 2008 that appeared on a title search related to Chase Bank, filed in Augusta County, Virginia. We want to know the particulars of this judgment. The JDL number is 080001170. The lawyers who handled the case have gone out of business. I haven't checked public... View More
answered on Mar 24, 2025
You may be able to get the information directly from the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Augusta County, but you will probably have to go there directly or have a title examiner in that area research it for you. If the judgement was docketed in the Circuit Court it will attach to any real property... View More
I am tracing a judgment from 2008 that appeared on a title search related to Chase Bank, filed in Augusta County, Virginia. We want to know the particulars of this judgment. The JDL number is 080001170. The lawyers who handled the case have gone out of business. I haven't checked public... View More
answered on Mar 24, 2025
You know who holds the lien -- Chase Bank. So, contact them. You might want a lawyer to do that, because, if it is an old lien, it might be invalid or arguably so, and you might be able to negotiate it down using a lawyer, especially with all the interest and penalties that likely apply.
While camping on a river, a game warden approached me and suspected us of trespassing. During our conversation, I was getting a cigarette from my pack when he demanded to see it and subsequently found an illegal substance. He searched without a warrant and based on his suspicion that we were... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 22, 2025
You have a lawyer, so explain the circumstances of the encounter to your lawyer. They'll be able to review the officer's account of the interaction and compare it with your own recollection. If they determine that there was a possible 4th Amendment violation they can file a motion to suppress.
I received a speeding ticket last Saturday for driving 75 in a 55 mph zone. However, my last name was incorrectly written on the ticket. I have not contacted the issuing authority about the error, and this is my first traffic violation. The ticket may have been issued out of town. How should I... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 18, 2025
I'm not sure what you mean by "issued out of town" but something to keep in mind is that a Virginia summons should include your license #, your address, other identifying information, and (usually) your signature. I wouldn't assume that this error would prevent the charge from... View More
In November 2018, I was charged with a DWI 1st in Virginia and soon after was admitted into a mental health facility for bipolar depression and anxiety. I was unable to attend my scheduled court date and was subsequently charged with Failure to Appear; there is now an outstanding bench warrant. I... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 16, 2025
I would certainly gather documentation showing the admission to and discharge from the facility. It would also be wise to consult with an attorney who practices regularly in the jurisdiction where this all occurred. They might be able to give you some insights into the standard penalties for the... View More
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
