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Q: Is it harmful or child abuse if a child is frequently around a person with a felony DV warrant?
I am concerned about my 5-year-old granddaughter's safety. My daughter is in a relationship with someone who has a felony domestic violence warrant in California. The police have been looking for him, but he refuses to turn himself in. My granddaughter is frequently around them. I'm... View More 
Yuliya Kelmansky
answered on Sep 24, 2026
answered on Sep 24, 2026
Simply allowing a child to be around someone with an outstanding felony DV warrant does not automatically constitute child abuse in California. However, knowingly exposing a 5-year-old to domestic violence, dangerous behavior, or a substantial risk of physical harm could raise child-welfare or... View More
Q: Could the abnormal vagus nerve positioning justify post-surgery vocal cord paralysis, or might there be medical negligence in my mother's surgery outcome?
My 74-year-old mother underwent surgery on June 27, 2024, at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle for a left partial glossectomy with left modified radical neck dissection due to recurring tongue cancer. Post-surgery, she developed left vocal cord paralysis, causing symptoms like a weak,... View More
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Emery Brett Ledger
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answered on Sep 24, 2026
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answered on Sep 24, 2026
Vocal cord paralysis after tongue or neck cancer surgery is a known risk when dissection runs near the vagus nerve. A known risk, though, does not automatically mean the outcome was acceptable care.
In Washington, a medical negligence claim turns on whether the surgeons met the standard of... View More
Q: Are inherited IRA's part of probate in Iowa?
Is an inherited IRA with named beneficiaries considered part of probate in Iowa?
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Eric A. Checketts
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answered on Sep 24, 2026
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answered on Sep 24, 2026
Generally, no. In Iowa, an IRA with a valid beneficiary designation passes directly to the named beneficiary upon the account owner's death and is not part of the owner's probate estate. Iowa Code § 633.357 specifically provides that IRA assets passing pursuant to a beneficiary... View More
Q: What does the father need to move the 19-year-old's residence to him?
I am the mother and legal guardian of a 19-year-old who currently resides with me. My child is employed, not attending college, and they wish to move their permanent residence to live with their biological father at his partner's house. I agree with this move in principle. Given that the... View More
Rebecca LaRocque
answered on Sep 24, 2026
answered on Sep 24, 2026
The father does not need to become a guardian for the 19-year-old to live with him. A 19-year-old is not a minor. If your child can make their own residence decision and there is no current adult-guardianship order restricting it, they can move with the father’s household’s agreement; a... View More
Q: Am I required to share a self-harm video with the father in a 50/50 parenting agreement?
I have a 50/50 parenting agreement with the father of my 11-year-old child. My child has recorded a video related to self-harming behavior. While the mental health professionals have the evaluation results, my child has requested that the video not be shared with her father. Given our shared... View More
Rebecca LaRocque
answered on Sep 24, 2026
answered on Sep 24, 2026
Not necessarily. A 50/50 parenting-time arrangement does not, by itself, require you to send the father a copy of a video your child made. The answer depends on your parenting order, including any provision about sharing health information, and on whether the video is part of a provider’s... View More
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