Have legal questions? Justia Ask A Lawyer lets you get free answers to your legal questions from experienced attorneys. Whether you need guidance on family law, criminal defense, personal injury, immigration, employment law, real estate, or another legal matter, you can ask your questions anonymously and get the answers you need.
Justia Ask A Lawyer
Free Answers From Lawyers to Your Legal Questions!
View Questions by Practice Area
View Questions by State
Lawyers, Answer Questions & Get Points
Log In
Recent Questions & Answers
Q: Can I stop my ex-employer from continuing a show I created and funded?
I was terminated from my salaried manager position in Missouri in August, where I was solely responsible for producing, hosting, investing in, and marketing a monthly show for my former employer. I spent thousands of my own dollars on the show. While clocked in for the show's production, I do... View More 
Robert Grant Pennell
answered on Sep 11, 2026
answered on Sep 11, 2026
No. You were getting paid salary at the time, so anything you created is considered a work for hire. As far as spending your money on it, you should have sought reimbursement at the time. If the employer refused to pay for the expenses, and you chose to spend your own money anyway, then you made... View More
Q: How to probate an estate 14 years after death in California?
Fourteen years ago, after a relative passed away in California, no probate was initiated at the time of their death. An attorney, who initially began working on the matter, suffered significant setbacks like a fire and flood, and has since passed away. Unfortunately, the will has not been located.... View More
PREMIUM
Christopher R. Milton
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 11, 2026
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 11, 2026
You're not too late — California has no deadline to open probate. Probate Code §8000 lets anyone with an interest petition for administration "at any time after a decedent's death," even if the will is lost. Fourteen years is unusual, but it isn't a legal... View More
Q: How to handle DUI and unexpected weapon possession charges in Arizona?
I was pulled over for a DUI in Arizona, which is my first offense. During the stop, the officer found a weapon in the car, which belonged to a friend, and I was unaware that it was left behind. I informed the officer that there were no weapons in the vehicle because I genuinely didn't know.... View More
PREMIUM
Zachary Divelbiss
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 11, 2026
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 11, 2026
Treat these as two separate cases, because they are in most sitautions.
The weapon charge is the more winnable one. Arizona lets adults carry a gun in a car without a permit. The charge you are facing comes from telling the officer there was no weapon when there was one. Under ARS... View More
Q: What happens to a parental responsibilities case pending a protective order?
In Illinois, if someone has filed a petition for the allocation of parental responsibilities for minor children but does not currently have custody due to an ongoing order of protection against her for being a danger to the father and the baby, what happens to the pending case, especially since the... View More
Rebecca LaRocque
answered on Sep 11, 2026
answered on Sep 11, 2026
The parental-responsibilities case usually stays pending. The order of protection may temporarily give the father care/decision-making and restrict or suspend the mother’s parenting time while the safety issues are unresolved.
The final allocation decision still requires a separate... View More
Q: How to respond to a summons after agreeing on a settlement for debt collection?
I am in New York and have received a summons related to a debt collection case. I previously agreed on a settlement with the creditor and have begun making payments. However, I was surprised to receive a summons after the settlement agreement was put in place. Can someone advise me on how to... View More
Tim Akpinar
answered on Sep 11, 2026
answered on Sep 11, 2026
It would be best for the experienced collection attorneys here to advise you, but your question remains open for two weeks, and time is of the essence in your response (see the details of the summons, and note the method of service used). There could be any number of reasons. If it's a... 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.
