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Car Accidents, Civil Litigation, Real Estate Law and Personal Injury
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Washington
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Q: Do I have a case after hitting a fallen tree at night?
I was involved in an accident in Washington where I hit a 30-foot tree that fell across the road. It was dark, without street lights, so there was no way to see the tree in time to stop. There were no road signs or warnings indicating potential hazards. The accident resulted in my van being... View More 
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Emery Brett Ledger
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answered on Oct 18, 2026
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answered on Oct 18, 2026
The county saying no is not the end of the road. A county's denial of your claim is its opening position, not a ruling on whether you have a case.
The real question in Washington is notice. A county has a duty to keep its roads reasonably safe for ordinary travel, but it is not... View More
Q: Can I leave my house to my disabled son without risking his benefits?
I want to leave my house to my disabled son without setting up a Special Needs Trust (SNT) so he doesn't lose his benefits. He is currently receiving SSI and Medicaid, and I don't have any other large assets. Is there a way to do this that ensures he won't lose his benefits?
Andrey Mangushev
answered on Oct 18, 2026
answered on Oct 18, 2026
Wanting to protect your son without paying for a trust is understandable, but leaving a house outright to someone on SSI and Medicaid creates two separate problems. Under Fla. Stat. 409.9101(3), Medicaid benefits paid to a person after age 55 become a debt recoverable from that person's... View More
Q: What are the FL statutes of limitations for a teacher-student relationship if considered a crime?
What are the statutes of limitations in Florida for a teacher having a non-physical relationship with an 18-year-old student if it was considered a crime? In this instance, the teacher expressed feelings for the student, but there was no physical relationship. A friend of the student reported this... View More
Andrey Mangushev
answered on Oct 18, 2026
answered on Oct 18, 2026
A report to a principal and a school investigation involving a teacher and an 18-year-old student is serious even when no physical contact is alleged. Fla. Stat. 800.101(2) prohibits an authority figure, meaning a person 18 or older employed by a school, from soliciting or engaging in sexual... View More
Q: What to do about rental company demanding $2,000 for car damage after tire incident?
I rented a car in Florida, and four months after returning it, the rental company contacted me demanding $2,000. They claim that there was damage under the car caused by the spare tire going flat. Initially, the tire blew out, and then the spare also went flat. At the time of the incident, I was... View More
Andrey Mangushev
answered on Oct 18, 2026
answered on Oct 18, 2026
A demand that arrives four months after you returned a rental car, with no damage noted at drop-off, deserves a careful response rather than quick payment. A personal rental charge can qualify as a consumer debt under Fla. Stat. 559.55(6), and Fla. Stat. 559.72(9) prohibits a person collecting a... View More
Q: Can a spouse be added to a Florida deed despite mortgage with deceased co-owner?
My husband and his late mother were joint owners of a home in Florida, with both names on the deed and mortgage, holding title with rights of survivorship. After his mother's passing three years ago, my husband seeks to update the title to reflect his sole ownership and wishes to add me, his... View More
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Oct 18, 2026
answered on Oct 18, 2026
I am very sorry for your loss, please accept my condolences and sympathy for you and your family on the passing of your mother-in-law. A probate for this asset (likely Mom's Homestead), is not necessary due to the deed and the "rights of survivorship wording", only assets in... View More
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