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I'm facing foreclosure on my home, and although it has been temporarily stopped, I owe $13,520 by June 30, 2025. I can only afford to pay $10,000 by that date. My home is valued at $210,000, and I owe $70,000 on the mortgage. The mortgage company will not accept anything less than the full... View More 
answered on Jun 11, 2025
Even if your lender has previously denied you, there are many alternatives to foreclosure including a repayment plan, modification, or forbearance. A repayment plan lets you make payments over time. A modification changes the terms of the loan to something you can afford. A forbearance stops the... View More
I was fired after reporting racial slurs made by an employee and after calling the cops on my manager for assaulting me. Despite never having been formally counseled before my termination, they claimed I had agreed to performance reviews. When I was fired, I signed a paper but immediately crossed... View More
answered on Jun 11, 2025
Whether your termination was wrongful will depend upon the facts as determined by the trier of fact, a judge or jury, considering all of the evidence introduced at trial. Evidence that you properly reported racial slurs made by an employee in close proximity to the time you were fired raises a... View More
I have been working as an independent contractor for a company for over five years, renewing my contract every six months. My contract states that I can control my own schedule and decide how much time to devote to services. However, the company recently emailed me stating that I must work a... View More
answered on Jun 10, 2025
You should contact the company that hired you as an independent contractor and let them know that your agreement with them allows you to control your own schedule and decide how much time to devote to servicing them. If you have other clients who also hire you as a contractor, it may be time to... View More
I live in a rural area without leash laws, and my dog approached a neighbor's fence where their horse was. The horse kicked through the fence, injuring itself. My dog was unharmed. The neighbor asked me to pay the full medical bills for the horse, but I offered to pay half. There are no local... View More
answered on Jun 10, 2025
It depends on whether you took reasonable care to control your dog. If you are negligent in failing to control your pet, you can be legally liable for any harm it causes. When there is a leash law or local ordinance, it can be per se negligence as a matter of law if you do not comply with that... View More
I am incarcerated and facing child support arrears issues. My attorney informed me on 4/21/25 that my discovery was due by 4/28/25. I sent the required documents by 4/25/25, but my attorney failed to find the email and only tried to submit them on the hearing day. The court didn't allow it,... View More
answered on Jun 10, 2025
Evidence like your VA disability and financial situation should have been considered in the proceeding determining the amount of child support you were ordered to pay. If that changed in your favor after the child support order was entered, it was incumbent on you to promptly file a motion to... View More
I purchased a used car from Autonation and bought a warranty through Veratas, which covers up to $10,000. Six months later, I've discovered it requires three times its worth in repairs, including major transmission issues, despite assurances from the salesman that the car had passed a 50-point... View More
answered on Jun 10, 2025
Maybe if the sale was not "as-is." Take you sale documents, your warranty documents, repair receipts, and any outstanding repair estimates to an attorney who practices in the area of consumer law in or near the county where you purchased the car. Most will provide an initial... View More
I made a sexual comment to someone on Snapchat who had previously told me she was 15 years old, but I forgot her age when making the comment. After she reminded me, I immediately blocked her. She mentioned that the cops would be called. Could I get in trouble for this comment?
answered on Jun 10, 2025
It depends on the comment. It also depends on where you were and where she was at the time of the comment. If you really did shut it down, and block her immediately, you are probably OK.
If you sent any explicit pics, that is a different issue. Sending nude or explicit pics to a minor, is... View More
I am a disabled veteran with child support arrears that have accumulated since 2001. My current income is significantly less than what it was when my child support was originally calculated, as my only income now is VA disability. I am currently incarcerated for contempt due to these arrears.... View More
answered on Jun 10, 2025
Thank you for your service. I don't have good news—you cannot modify your CS arrears like that. What should have taken place was a CS modification on your monthly obligation (different from arrears) when your income changed substantially. If it's been more than 10 years since your child... View More
I was involved in a Lyft accident last year in Texas, where the vehicle I was in was rear-ended by an uninsured motorist at excessive speeds. Both the Lyft driver and I were hospitalized, and I sustained significant injuries requiring cervical fusion, concussion treatment, and nerve surgery. Since... View More
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answered on Jun 9, 2025
Yes, Lyft’s uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can apply to you as a passenger in Texas under certain conditions—but it’s not always as straightforward as it should be.
Texas law allows passengers injured in a rideshare accident to make a claim under the rideshare company’s UM policy... View More
I am concerned about being arrested after someone indicated they intend to press charges against me for egging their car and garage door, which resulted in paint chipping. This incident happened the same night I was involved in another similar act. There has been no direct contact with law... View More
answered on Jun 9, 2025
This is a classic vandalism case. You can be charged with criminal mischief. The "class" of your offense would be determined by the dollar cost to properly repair the damage. If it is between $100 and $750, it would be a Class B misdemeanor.
If this is your first offense, you... View More
I sold a home in December and included in the purchase agreement was a condition that I, as the seller, would paint/epoxy the pool at my own expense. Due to weather conditions, it was agreed that I would complete this task after the escrow closed and the weather improved. I recently hired a painter... View More
answered on Jun 9, 2025
You should contact the painter and demand that he cure the work. If he refuses to do so, you should hire another painter to remedy the situation, pay that painter, and then sue the first painter you hired for the remedial work.
As a construction litigation attorney who has represented... View More
My father is serving a ten-year sentence in Federal State Prison after being wrongfully convicted of Medicare Fraud in Houston, TX. The case involved multiple individuals responsible for billing. Despite no new evidence, my father filed an appeal, which was dismissed by the judge for allegedly... View More
answered on Jun 9, 2025
Your father needs to hire an attorney licensed to practice before the Fifth Circuit who handles criminal appeals. That attorney will evaluate the procedural facts to determine whether his appeal was timely. Your father has 14 days to file a petition for panel rehearing from the date of entry of... View More
I am considering a medical malpractice case against a doctor who did not provide follow-up care after curing my husband's hepatitis C with Harvoni approximately 7 to 10 years ago. We were never informed about the need for follow-up testing and observation. Now, my husband is on hospice care,... View More
answered on Jun 9, 2025
Based on what you've shared, it’s very likely your case is barred under Texas law. Texas has a two-year deadline to file a medical malpractice claim, and an absolute ten-year limit (called a statute of repose) that applies no matter when the harm was discovered. Since your husband’s... View More
On February 17, 2025, I signed a contract that was intended to be solely a fuel contract, but I later discovered that factoring was included without prior discussion. Recently, Fleetsmart contacted me, stating that factoring with them is the only option. I've tried to get released from this... View More
answered on Jun 6, 2025
If the written contract you signed contains factoring, a lawyer needs to review that entire contract to determine what it says about terminating the contract. Another alternative may be to negotiate a release from Fleetsmart which may require a payment of some kind by you to secure the release.... View More
I would like to know how long it generally takes for a criminal appeal to be processed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The case was filed on November 9, 2023. Are there any specific factors that might influence the timeline for this appeal?
answered on Jun 6, 2025
The median time for the disposition of a criminal appeal from the date of the filing of the notice of appeal to the rendition of a final disposition decision by the Fifth Circuit is 10-11 months.
Delays in filing the clerk's record, the court reporter's transcript(s), or the... View More
I'm living in a rental unit in Waco, Texas and have been dealing with a persistent roach infestation for about a year, despite repeated complaints to my landlord. They send pest control, but it hasn't solved the issue. I've resorted to using extensive roach poisons, and I'm... View More
answered on Jun 6, 2025
Chapter 93 of the Texas Property Code provides a very detailed procedure for what is often called a tenant's "repair and deduct" remedy. When a landlord fails to maintain or repair the leased premises in accordance with its legal or contractual obligation, a tenant must give written... View More
I have been seeing a pain management doctor for 12 years and recently failed a drug test for substances I do not use. I offered to pay for a hair follicle test to prove my innocence, but my request was denied. Additionally, urine samples at the clinic are left piling up in the restroom where... View More
answered on Jun 6, 2025
You can change doctors, but any doctor is going to be very cautious about continuing a prescription for certain scheduled pain medications, especially opioids, after 12 years. It is extremely rare that the benefits of long-term opioid use outweighs the problematic side effects. Many doctors are... View More
I experienced a delay of over 15 days caused by a dealership while waiting for a repair covered by my extended warranty. During this period, I incurred rental fees due to the dealership's actions. However, the dealership is denying responsibility for the delay, and my extended warranty does... View More
answered on Jun 5, 2025
The answer to this question depends upon facts not included in your question. The extended warranty might include a rental reimbursement provision. How to make a claim for rental reimbursement and how much is covered depends upon the language of the provision. This is the legal responsibility of... View More
I received a form indicating that I am being sued by a debtor for a $3,000 loan from four years ago. There were previous communications about the debt, but I haven't spoken to a lawyer yet, and I'm unsure about court dates. What steps should I take next?
answered on Jun 5, 2025
Take the form you received to a lawyer as soon as possible. If the form is a citation for a lawsuit, you only have about 20 days to file a written answer. Do not wait. When scheduling an appointment with a lawyer, make sure you let the person setting the appointment know that you have received... View More
I bought a truck through one of my mom's friends and received a bill of sale, but not the title. I was unaware of any title issues or that the truck was stolen. I then wrecked the truck and now I'm facing charges for unauthorized use of a vehicle. I have a bill of sale, and I... View More
answered on Jun 5, 2025
IMO the testimony of your mom's friend will be critical. Your attorney will want to ensure that the friend does not have a criminal record and will corroborate that he was the seller, or facilitated the sale by the seller and had no reason to believe that seller was not the owner of the... View More
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