Q. My father-in-law recently passed away at his apartment in Maine. My wife is his only living relative, and she has not had contact with him for over a decade. As we understand it, he left no will, and had no assets, but plenty of debt. Will my… Read More
Q. I am a landlord in the process of evicting a tenant, and I can’t believe how unfair the laws are for landlords! It already has cost me lost rent, and I know this guy is going to trash the place before he goes. And then, if he… Read More
Q: I was just involved in a car accident that wasn’t my fault. I’m not sure about the extent of my injuries yet (though I do feel pretty stiff and achy), and I’m not sure whether it’s serious enough to hire a lawyer. What should I do in… Read More
Q. My daughter at college has just been served with papers alleging she has illegally downloaded movies off the Internet. First, is it worth it to hire a lawyer, or should we just pay the money they are asking for? Second, if she did this off my computer… Read More
Q. When I was a kid, I made money by mowing lawns and shoveling snow. Now that I’m old enough to want to hire some kid to do the same for me, my wife says we can’t, that we have to hire professional services with their own insurance,… Read More
Q: My daughter wrote a check to herself on my checkbook for $3,000 and forged my name, and the bank cashed it. This caused other checks to bounce. The bank says it’s not their fault, and won’t reimburse me, but aren’t they responsible for making sure the signature… Read More
Q: My brother from California was visiting me here in Maine over the holidays and was charged with an OUI and has a court date here in Maine next month. Of course he’s gone back home. His job requires him to drive and he can’t risk losing his… Read More
Q: I am an exotic dancer, and my long red hair was part of my stage persona until a hairdresser ruined it. My regular hairdresser was out on maternity leave when I needed it colored, so I went to a different one, and she ruined it. It’s pink,… Read More
Q. I want to sell my house, but in this market I’m inclined to do it myself to avoid a realtor’s commission. I’m pretty sure I can handle the advertising and showing, but the paperwork when we actually transfer the property worries me. Any advice?… Read More
Q: About a year and a half ago I was a passenger in my aunt’s car in California and we were hit almost head-on by a 17-year-old driver who was driving too fast and came into our lane. I suffered upper body injury. I have used my aunt’s… Read More
Q: Why are public notices in newspapers (especially foreclosure notices) so detailed, complicated and difficult to read? – Bob Zimmerman of Guilford A: Even I find these notices difficult to read – and I’m a lawyer. The terrible language is the result of the writer… Read More
Q: A hobby I have pursued for years is beginning to turn into a business. I’m still doing it out of my house, filling orders that we get over the Internet from all over the world. We’re doing it as a family business with kids and cousins and… Read More
Q: I own a four-unit apartment house a block away from a public school and suspect that one of the tenants is growing and selling pot. The tenant has kids, and the family is actually very nice. If I report him to the cops, what will happen? Will… Read More
Q: My friends are advising me to declare bankruptcy because I owe so much on credit cards and can’t pay all my bills each month. I don’t want to lose my house, but won’t declaring bankruptcy make things worse? How can I tell if I should or not?… Read More
Are you awash in debt and your friends are advising you to declare bankruptcy? Perhaps you’re a landlord with a tenant you suspect is peddling pot and you’re pondering whether to report the enterprise to police. What are the implications for you and the suspected… Read More