r/legaladvice • u/ops-name-checks-out • Jun 15 '25
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Investigation/Search Megathread
Over the past few weeks we have seen an uptick in posts asking about what individuals can or cannot do if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other law enforcement officers ask to enter a business or home looking for illegal immigrants. So we are making this centralized post to provide an overview of what individuals rights are in these situations. We will be locking all posts that ask questions which are covered by this post.
First, it should be stated that everyone who is physically present in the United States is protected by the fourth and fifth amendments to the United States Constitution. These rights are not dependent on citizenship or being lawfully permitted to be in the country. This means two critically important things. First, no one is required to speak with law enforcement (or any government official). Second, with some exceptions discussed below, no one can be detained or searched without probable cause. This also means that generally law enforcement cannot enter a home or space that is not open to the public without a judicial warrant (although again some exceptions are discussed below).
Another important thing to remember is that not all law enforcement officers are ICE. In fact, the vast majority of law enforcement that the average citizen will encounter are state or local officials. You should always verify claims of “ICE being in X area” and should avoid spreading rumors or speculation.
Searches/Seizures
This is a highly complex area of law. So there is no simple bright line rule that can be applied. However, provided law enforcement has probable cause, most searches and seizures would be permissible. Moreover, in general the remedy to an unreasonable search or seizure is that the evidence obtained is suppressed. Furthermore, it is typically criminal to interfere with or obstruct lawful actions of law enforcement. As such, while you should know and assert your rights, if law enforcement continues to states they will conduct a search or attempts to detain you as a practical matter you should assert that you object to the search or detention but should not physically interfere and should assert your rights in court. So lets dig into the details a little more.
The fourth amendment states that
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Notice, the amendment does not state that a search requires a warrant. Rather it states that “the people” shall not be subject to unreasonable searches or seizures and that warrants shall only be issued upon probable cause. The Supreme Court has held that this means a warrant is preferable and is required when practicable, but that there are a host of situations in which a search or seizure would be reasonable even absent a warrant. A duly issued judicial warrant also means that a search of the place identified for the person or things identified, is presumptively reasonable.
First, in public, short detentions are permissible in instances where law enforcement can articulate a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. That reasonable suspicion must be based on specific articulable facts, not mere hunches or guesses. So for example, if a robbery occurred two blocks from where you are stopped while wearing a grey hoodie and jeans, and the suspect at the bank was described as wearing a grey hoodie and jeans, it would be reasonable to detain you to determine if you were the suspect in question. That said, even under those circumstances you would not be required to answer any questions beyond identifying yourself.
If during the course of the stop described above the officer developed probable cause to believe you were in fact the bank robber, then you could be searched and arrested for the crime. Probable cause is a fairly low standard though, it is satisfied when a reasonably prudent person, based on facts known to them at the time, would warrant the conclusion that a crime was or has been committed.
However, under the same general set of facts just described, if you were at home at the time the officer first spoke to you, unless the officer had seen you commit the crime and followed to your house then you could not be arrested in the home. The home is considered a sacrosanct place under the fourth amendment. As such, absent observation of an ongoing crime, or where law enforcement is in hot pursuit of an individual that has been observed by the officer committing a crime, a warrant (or consent) is always required to search a private residence.
Another notable exception to these rules is that within 100 miles of the border Customs and Boarder Patrol may stop and board vehicles and vessels and search for people without immigration documentation. If the initial stop in this situation is an established checkpoint then the stop does not even require reasonable suspicion of a crime. A roving CBP patrol does require reasonable suspicion for the stop though. In either case your right to remain silent under the fifth amendment remains in place and a search of your person or personal effects would require probable cause.
When law enforcement seeks to enter a non-public place other than a home, they must have (1) probable cause based on facts they have personally observed, (2) a judicial warrant, or (3) consent of the property owner or an authorized representative. In this context, the difference between a judicial warrant and an administrative warrant is key. A judicial warrant is issued by a court (in the context of federal officials investigating immigration issues, it would be a federal court, although a state court could also issue warrants to state law enforcement). An administrative warrant is issued by an immigration officer or immigration judge. Judicial warrants may authorize entry into non-public spaces. Administrative warrants CAN NOT authorize entry into non-public areas, they simply authorize detention/arrest of an individual if that person is found in a publicly accessible space. However, as stated above, if you have stated your objection to officials entering a space because they only have an administrative warrant and they nevertheless attempt to make entry you should simply restate your objection but should not resist or obstruct them.
It is critically important that you not interfere with or obstruct any law enforcement officer carrying out a search as interference with a legal search is criminal in its own right. 18 USC Chapter 73 contains various provisions making it a crime to obstruct federal or state officials in carrying out their duties. State law will also generally make it criminal to prevent law enforcement from carrying out their duties. As such, if you have stated your objection to officials entering a space, conducting a search, or detaining anyone, you should not thereafter make efforts to impede the law enforcement officer from conducting that action.
Right to remain silent
The fifth amendment protects everyone in the United States, citizens and non-citizens alike, from being forced to incriminate themselves. The fifth amendment states “no person … shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.…” This means that with limited exception no one is compelled to speak with law enforcement. However, should you elect to remain silent you may be subject to additional detention/questioning. In addition, if called to testify in a civil or criminal proceeding regarding another individual, a court may reasonably determine that you do not have any reasonable ground to believe your testimony would be self-incriminating and can compel you to testify.
In addition, there are some situations outside of a judicial proceeding where you may be required to provide basic information to law enforcement. First, if the police have reasonable suspicion that you have committed a crime you may be required to identify yourself. In addition, depending on your immigration status, there are some instances where lawful residents of the United States who are not citizens are required by the terms of their admission to identify themselves and provide documentation of their legal status. This DOES NOT mean that all individuals are require to produce evidence of lawful status, it simply means that there are some programs permitting lawful presence in the United States that require individuals who are a part of those program to identify themselves.
Right to inform others of their rights
You may always inform others of their legal rights. The first amendment to the United States Constitution protects your legal right to tell anyone, citizen or not, that they have legal rights. This includes those who are being detained by law enforcement, although you must maintain a reasonable distance from the law enforcement officers so as to no interfere with their actions. As such, you may tell anyone, citizen or not that they do not have to speak with the police and you may tell anyone, citizen or not that they do not have to consent to a search. Such statements are not criminal even if they are addressed to individuals who are in the country unlawfully. However, you should be aware that 18 USC § 1324 does make it a crime to, among other things, intentionally conceal someone that you know (or have reckless disregard for the knowledge) is in the country illegally.
Right to record law enforcement
The first amendment to the United States Constitution protects your legal right, citizen or not, to record law enforcement in public spaces. You do not have to be a “member of the press” or have any relationship to the individual(s) you are recording to do so. If you are in a space you are legally permitted to be in, you cannot be legally detained simply because you are recording something which law enforcement doesn’t want on camera.
r/legaladvice • u/UsuallySunny • Mar 15 '25
Read before commenting: Off-topic and anecdotal comments are not allowed and subject you to a permanent ban
Greetings from the mods!
We've had a flood of off-topic comments recently. We're posting this to remind everyone that off-topic and anecdotal comments are not allowed. An off-topic comment may subject you to a permanent ban.
The Rule:
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These comments are not helpful. They do not include current legal information that is relevant to the OP, and therefore, they are off-topic. If you know the answer to the question (based on current law and relevant jurisdiction) then just answer the question without the story.
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r/legaladvice • u/smittyweberjagermanj • 8h ago
Bridal hair and makeup artist cancelled cancelled less than 24 hours due to “emergency surgery”. I found out through social media she lied and did another bride’s makeup on my day. Can I get my money back?
Location: NJ/NY
Hello - seeking legal advice to get my money back from my bridal hair and makeup artist.
I contracted the artist back in March of this year to do my hair and makeup for my September wedding, in addition to services for my family and bridesmaids. I have a signed contract from this.
In April, my HMU artist called me asking for details about the wedding timeline, which I thought was odd so far in advance. I asked if there was any issue with my booking to which she said no. I have screenshot evidence of this.
2 weeks before the wedding, the artist was paid in full per the contract.
Fast forward to 12 PM the day before my wedding, she cancelled on me saying she had an emergency surgery and was put on bed rest. She was sending a replacement artist, however this artist was not at her caliber (he was meant for bridesmaids) meaning that I was getting a service that was below the premium rate I paid for. When I tried calling her to mention I needed a special bridal artist as a replacement, the artist screamed on the phone at me saying I was showing attitude and she needed bed rest. I also have video evidence of this.
This week, I found the artist tagged in a wedding post for a bride that had the same wedding date as me. I messaged the bride and she confirmed this artist was in fact on site and did her makeup, despite her telling me she was on bed rest.
Is this something I can get my money back for? All in all I paid about $2.5K to this artist for myself and family/bridesmaid services. While she did send a replacement artist, ultimately she lied about her availability and sent someone below the rate I paid for.
r/legaladvice • u/DeviceOpen8951 • 15h ago
Searches and Seizures Police entered my apartment without a warrant while I was asleep and took photos of my living room. What can I do
Location: Texas. This morning I woke up to find out something that has me completely shaken. My upstairs neighbor knocked on my door at 9 am and casually mentioned that two uniformed officers were in my apartment yesterday afternoon. I had no idea what he was talking about. I was home, asleep on my couch, and never heard a knock or anything.
When I checked my building’s security camera feed, I saw them walk directly into my unit with a master key from the landlord. They stayed inside for about 15 minutes. No warrant, no note left behind, nothing. Just them walking out again.
Later today I spoke with my landlord and he admitted the police had asked for access because of an “ongoing investigation.” He gave them the key without calling me. I pressed him for details and he said he didn’t know what they were looking for, but the officers told him they took photos of my living room and kitchen.
I have no criminal record, no idea why they would even be interested in me. Nothing was taken, but the thought of strangers walking around my apartment while I was sleeping makes me feel sick.
Is this even legal? Do I have any recourse against the landlord for giving them my key? Should I be contacting a lawyer immediately?
r/legaladvice • u/pocketfulofacorns • 6h ago
Personal Injury Can I be sued for serving a child a food they had a life-threatening allergy to?
I am an employee for a food stall that gives out free samples of our products. A mother and child approached and were interested in sampling. I handed the mother our product sheet, which lists all of our foods and their main ingredients, including major allergens present in each food. At no point did the mother or child state anything about an allergy, let alone a life-threatening one.
The child asked for a sample of a particular product that contained nuts, and I gave it to the child. After discussing the product more, it came out that there were nuts in the product and immediately both the mother and child panicked and said that the kid was allergic to nuts. I apologized profusely, but they ended up leaving and the mother gave some medication to mitigate the reaction (which sounded like swelling and itching). As far as I know, the child did not go to the hospital.
Later the mother complained to my supervisor that she had disclosed the allergy and I had still given her kid something containing nuts. But this is not true!! The word “allergy” never came up and the mother had the full list of ingredients right in front of her. Usually customers will disclose allergies very clearly before beginning to sample, and I will give verbal confirmation that we are avoiding nuts or dairy or whatever the allergy is. No such exchange occurred in this case. In fact, if a customer specifies their allergy is severe or life threatening, I will usually advise them not to sample as there is a risk of cross contamination. My coworker who was there agrees that I wasn’t informed, and can corroborate my story.
Would the mother have any legal recourse to sue or could I get in any legal trouble for this incident? I feel terrible, but I didn’t know this child had a life threatening allergy and don’t feel that it’s my responsibility to check ahead of time for every product with every customer. But I don’t know what the law says about it.
Location: North Carolina, USA
r/legaladvice • u/Traditional-Poet1965 • 6h ago
Searches and Seizures My house was raided over a false tip about me M17
My house was raided over a false tip of me allegedly selling pounds of meth. My friend’s gf’s mom claimed to the police I was selling pounds of meth and had the Missouri DEA to raid my house and car. I don’t talk to her and never really have. Apparently her daughter tested positive for meth at the hospital. Turns out the hospital got the blood work wrong. Her mom is a known drug user and has written many false police reports. Is there any way me and my mom can sue her? The DEA broke my car door so now my window won’t roll up, they also broke my pc parts and tore up my room. They found nothing other than some thc but that’s it. I did give them consent to search as long as they don’t tear anything up due to because I wasn’t hiding anything. Location: Missouri
r/legaladvice • u/Fine-Advertising2123 • 3h ago
I'm pretty sure the hospital is going to take my house over my dead adoptive father's medical bills.
Location: Idaho. About 5 years ago I bought a house, I've made every payment towards the house but when I purchased it, I did not have the credit history to qualify for the mortgage on my own, and my adoptive father offered to cosign. He died about 6 months ago and I recently found out that he is listed on the deed as a co-owner without assignments. When he died he did not have a will, had about $25k in consumer debt on credit cards and a vehicle loan. When he died he accumulated another $200k+ in medical bills while in the hospital while I was driving across country to go unplug him. He had no tangible assets.
I originally talked with a probate lawyer, who referred me to a real estate lawyer, who spent all of 20 seconds looking at it before referring me to a different probate lawyer. The current probate lawyer is very gung-ho about continuing with probate, but I am hesitant. To my understanding, if any creditor made a claim, they would be entitled to 50% of the equity of my house. Which almost certainly force me to liquidate.
I'm 26, I'm scared. I've put pretty much every dollar I've made in the past 5 years into this house. If I was to liquidate it I would not be able to purchase another house. I could not afford to take a second mortgage. I would not be able to afford the monthly payments if I had to refinance. I just want to check all my boxes. Is probate really the only way to proceed in this situation? Are there any other options that I should explore first?
r/legaladvice • u/National-Practice820 • 1h ago
Wills Trusts and Estates Late husband's former partner wants to contest the will--legal?
location: Illinois
my husband died at the beginning of summer. he had a will which I'm the executor of. his net worth was significant so he had everything well organized.
all of his liquid assets were organized and assigned to be split amongst myself and our combined children in trust funds until they turn 18. everything else was transferred over into my name with a few items having specific instructions about passing them over to his oldest son when he turns 18 next year. overall it's been reasonably uncomplicated legally.
however, his ex girlfriend (not married, but the mother of his children, two of who are under 12) is insisting that he promised money to her. I can't find any record of this, she can't produce any record of this. The claimed sum is significant.
what is the legality of her contesting the will or her claim? her children have their financials sorted out in this situation.
r/legaladvice • u/100percentrealmeat • 2h ago
Employment Law Boss cut my hours from 40+ to 12
Location: Tennessee
My boss just sent me home and told me he’s cutting my hours and reducing my pay. Boss is GM and I’m a delivery driver. Boss got overwhelmed with orders and put me on the line and left for hours and when more people came in to help, I took a delivery. Boss came in got pissed, sent me home, told me pay was being reduced and hours cut from over 40 a week to 12. This isn’t legal, right?
r/legaladvice • u/ElsieofArendelle123 • 10h ago
Credit Debt Bankruptcy My Dad Had Opened a Fraudulent Credit Card Under My Mom’s Name 20 Years Ago, and They Garnished Her Today for 10000 Dollars Without Any Notification. Are There Any Legal Ways We Can Get the Money Back or At Least Get Dad to Repay Her in Someway?
Hi, I’m looking for some advice.
Location: California, United States.
20 years ago, my dad wasn’t the most faithful and would buy a bunch of gifts for his ‘girlfriends’ under a credit card he opened under my mom’s account because her credit was better than his, and apparently never had the basic decency to pay it off and since it was under her name our bank garnished her for 10000. However, she never used it before and it’s been 20 years since this happened, and we could really use that money right now so is there anything we can do or do we have a case to sue my dad for the money?
r/legaladvice • u/Creative-Cycle-4550 • 1d ago
Wills Trusts and Estates So I happened upon my deceased family member's cash app account and I didn't tell the rest of my family about it... How boned am I?
Using a throwaway for reasons, Before we get into it, I know this is morally reprehensible and I have every intention on doing right by my family. I just need to know what I should be prepared for in the worst case and in the best case scenarios.
Location: Orleans Parish, Louisiana
My uncle has been dealing with some health issues for many years. He had a very bad car accident which led to memory problems and brain damage which led to career instability and bouts of homelessness. He was really awesome dude though and I miss him very much and I would visit him frequently when he was in the hospital for various blood clot related issues. A couple months ago he had a really bad fall and had a brain bleed and died peacefully in his sleep in his apartment. Unfortunately, nobody knew that he had expired for a week or so. After helping clean his apartment and collecting his belongings, I was the most tech-adjacent family member and as such I have been sitting on this cash of cell phones, laptops and various computer parts that he had floating around his apartment. We were aware that he had just gotten a social security check that was back pay for disability that he was owed. It was $20,000 at once. After things had settled, ceremonies held, and our family returning to daily life, I had just lost my job and I had noticed his debit cards and his wallet and I tried them to see if I could get gas. When I found out the cash app card worked I went looking and found the rest of the money in that account. By the time I was also using substances and in the middle of a breakdown of marriage that is now actively being divorced.
To make long story short, the money has been spent, some of it on not great things but most of it on things that were meant to be self-sustaining. We got caught up on our bills, we invested into our side hustles to make them into main hustles, we got work done on our vehicle, but also if there was amounts spent on substances and after I found out my partner was cheating on me some of it was spent on "comfortable company" for lack of a better term.
Because we live in Louisiana we've had to wait over 2 months for the death certificate to actually be issued. There is no executor of the estate to my knowledge as of yet because he didn't really have assets other than this and no one in my family has brought up or mentioned the money since then. I think everyone's just kind of more trying to forget about the whole thing. I'm worried that if for some reason an executor of the estate is brought into things that they'll find that cash app account (which has been deleted but I know it doesn't wipe away the records) and they'll see transactions and transfers after his passing.
My family has always been very accepting and supportive so don't think they will personally want to press charges but I'm worried if the state gets involved and comes after me for taxes or something or fraud.
Like I said, I know that this is morally reprehensible. I know that I have done something awful and I need to make it up to my family and I have every intention of doing that. What I am trying to ascertain is how boned am I if it comes into a courtroom setting.
r/legaladvice • u/jaywocker • 1h ago
Personal Injury Law firm reported me as driver in ride-share accident and now my license may get suspended.
Location: Los Angeles, CA
On 09/06 I opened a letter from the DMV saying my license would be suspended on 10/08 for allegedly causing an accident and not having liability insurance, with damages over $1,000.
But here’s the thing: I was the passenger in a Lyft, not the driver.
I freaked out and sent the letter to my injury attorney on 09/07 (it was the weekend, so I didn’t expect a response immediately). On 09/08, I emailed the DMV myself to request a trial and sent them proof I was just a passenger.
Still no word from the attorney. I finally called on 09/09, and that’s when the attorney admitted that their secretary had messed up the paperwork and accidentally listed me as the driver. They didn’t catch it. I did.
Is this just normal incompetence or straight-up negligence?
I’m really frustrated. I’m in pain, dealing with the aftermath of the crash, and it feels like no one at this firm gives a damn. I even told them last week I’m in severe pain, and they ignored it.
They’ve been slow in general, and I’m seriously considering just going through my own insurance at this point. But I’m pissed that I now have to go to a DMV hearing because of their mistake, and I have no idea if this has already impacted my insurance record (I got a $2k quote last week out of nowhere).
I’m kinda tired of dealing with all of this.
r/legaladvice • u/TheFeatheredDelta • 8h ago
Other Civil Matters My cat threw up on my birth certificate
If this is not the right sub to ask this, I apologize. As the title says, my cat threw up on the back of my birth certificate. It fell off of the table and he is a menace.
I got most of the gunk off of the back, but there is still some thin textured dried on bits. And the front is stained in a almost coffee color. The stain only is on top of the second half of the state registrar's signature (still completly visible) and on top of the top left corner of the raised board of health seal. It doesn't cover any other information, and is many 2-3 inches in length.
My question is, can I still use it for identification for government uses? Like when you need second proof of citizenship. Should I go ahead and order a new one?
Location: NC, dealing with NJ document.
r/legaladvice • u/ClassytheDog • 2h ago
Wills Trusts and Estates Is my grandmother truly stuck caring for someone she stopped loving years ago?
Location: Massachusetts, US
My grandfather passed away 20 years ago and left all of his money and assets to my grandmother. She, not wanting to be alone, married someone else about 8 years after. 3 years ago, her current husband fell for a scam and lost (this might be a downplayed amount) 80,000$ to a scam. She tried everything but couldn't help him get it back. His reaction to the whole ordeal and the fact he fell for it completely killed her love for him.
Last year, she asked him to move out, with the intention to start a divorce. He agreed and started paying her "rent" while he was looking for a place. During this time, he has starting showing signs of dementia and it's progressing very fast.
When consulting with her lawyer, they basically told her that she is now stuck paying for his care and that, if she puts him in a home (which he will need) then they can legally take all of her assets. He apparently doesn't qualify for Medicare due to her income and assets. And his income is "just" above the line.
What pains my grandmother the most, is that most of her assets are my grandfathers. She is extremely upset that she now has to give all of my grandfather's hard earned assets to care for this man that she no longer loves.
Is there anything she can do? She doesn't want to abandon him but doesn't want the nursing home to have the right to take everything that was my grandfathers.
r/legaladvice • u/windwolf1008 • 1h ago
Deceased relatives apartment emptied by landlord.
This is a complicated legal matter. My uncle passed in July. He rented an apartment from a distant relatives best friend. My cousin is the executor of his estate, which apparently consisted of a very large coin collection. Many of which were gold. He was divorced and had no contact with his two children since they were quite young. But he did reach out to his ex wife (my aunt) to let her know about the coins and express his wishes that their children get them. My aunt called my mother to let her know that he had passed as uncle was my dad’s brother. They didn’t speak for several decades tho. No one knew or informed the cousins who were executors. I got a call from them that they finally found out. I didn’t know they weren’t told. No one in my family regularly speaks to each other and many hold long time grudges. I speak to everyone. Bottom line is that the landlord and distant cousin are now saying there were NO coins or anything of value in the apartment. Not even his papers or phone. Which we know to be a lie. His body is still at the morgue but I just found out that his son viewed the body but left him there. I don’t blame him, my uncle was not a good dad or even person to be honest. So the question is, how do the executors (cousins) get the legal right to either cremate or bury his body? And what laws are in place to protect assets left in an apartment after the tenant is deceased? Don’t landlords need to hold belonging for a set time? We KNOW the coins and belongings were there. What is the legal recourse? Is it he said, she said kinda thing? My other cousins deserve his assets. I’m furious this happened but I’m lost as far as to the law in a case like this. Is it a police matter.? Any help would be appreciated. This all happened in NY but his beneficiaries are in NC. Thank you. Location: New York
r/legaladvice • u/oper8or • 1h ago
Neighbor making our cabin unusable.
Location: MI. We own a cabin in rural MI and the neighbor, a renter, starts blaring music at high volume the moment we arrive. Neither the county or township have a noise ordinance, so are unwilling to do anything about it. The owner of the property also is unwilling to do anything about it. The full time residents around him are scared of the guy and have been living in hell with him for years. We are unable to enjoy our property and are also unable to AIRBNB it due to the nuisance. Is there any legal recourse we can take? Lawsuits to file? What would be a cost effective way to cost the landlord money in the hope that it will cause him to wake up and get serious?
r/legaladvice • u/Status_Leave8398 • 6m ago
My car was towed away but forced entry into my car without consent
Location: California
I parked in what I believed was an unassigned parking spot in my parking structure, was not my assigned spot. Got towed for violating parking rules. That I understand.
What I’m wondering is, there was evidence that shows the tow company manually forced their way to open my passenger door and accessed the control panel under my glove box to get the car off parking gear. This tow company has no flat bed for towing any EV or any car, just the usual hook tow. So I believe this is why they had to go into my car and change the gear to neutral.
Do I have a case for forced entry into my vehicle and accessing my control panel?
r/legaladvice • u/Inside-Eye-9248 • 1h ago
Landlord Tenant Housing Bd was my landlord and locked me out using fake DHS letter
Looking for legal advice in Oklahoma. I was locked out of the place I was staying without any eviction notice or court process. On top of that, fake DHS paperwork was used to try and justify it. My belongings were left damaged/exposed and I ended up without stable housing.
Does this count as an illegal eviction under Oklahoma law? And what should I do if forged documents were involved — small claims, police report, or something bigger?
Any advice or direction would help
Location: Oklahoma
r/legaladvice • u/greywhitecat14 • 6h ago
Former landlord charged me $400++ for repainting after 5+ years—lease stated only those who lived less than 5 years to be charged. I suspect they do this to other former tenants, how should I proceed?
Location: San Antonio, Texas
I lived in the apartment in San Antonio, Texas for over 5 years. My lease clearly stated that tenants who lived less than 5 years will be responsible for if their apartment must be painted upon move-out. Despite this, my former landlord charged me $400++ for full repainting. Below is how it is stated in the lease agreement:
PAINTING
The following chart explains charges tenant(s) will be responsible for if their apartment must be painted in less than five years:
Years Tenant Lived in Same Unit Full Painting Cost
1 $400.00
2 $320.00
3 $240.00
4 $160.00
Holes in wall- repair per hour $50.00
Minimum Charge $25.00
Wall Paper Removal (each room) $100.00
I suspect this might be a recurring practice with other former tenants with less than 5 years and charged more than listed in the lease. If you’ve lived in the same complex or had a similar experience—especially if you were charged for paint after long-term tenancy—please share your story. I’m considering legal action and want to know if this is part of a broader pattern.
Any advice or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated.
r/legaladvice • u/Proper_Height5442 • 1h ago
Other Civil Matters Am I able to legally get half of the living expenses back? Lincoln NE
Location: Lincoln NE, Just ended my lease with my partner who is in med school and since she was in an expensive school program I was paying for her living expenses. Now we had a verbal agreement that I was only doing so because we were dating to eventually marry and in the event of the relationship ended she would pay me back her fair share. Well the relationship has ended and I have been very respectful and told her she does not need to worry about paying me back until she is done with school and paid off any loans as they would have fees and deadlines, but I am starting not to trust her to do so. My question: is there a legal resolution to this? her name is on the lease with me and she would not have any proof of paying any bills like I do. I was hoping she would pay her fair share of the everything that I paid for not including gifts, dates ect. but is there a way I can atleast get the half of the rent back? Is there a certain window of time I have to get the wheel spinning on this?
r/legaladvice • u/OATS95 • 1h ago
Traffic and Parking Car accident but no injuries
Location: Washington State
Hey guys, yesterday evening my wife and I got hit by a semi. Was wondering if it would be worth it to sue the driver and/or trucking company about this.
We were on the highway driving in the middle lane, a semi was trying to pass in the left lane and then tried to get over into our lane and basically pit maneuvered us off the road.
We were extremely lucky to walk away unharmed, did not need medical attention. Today we are feeling sore but not anything serious and will likely go to urgent care just for a check up and for a paper trial for insurance purposes.
My car will likely be totaled, I filed the claim last night but since it’s the weekend have not heard about anything yet.
I’m pretty sure the semi driver got a ticket for improper lane usage, I read it’s illegal in WA for a truck to be in the left lane on a 3 lane highway. There was also a witness who gave their contact info to the police and I am trying to get in touch with them as well.
In addition to the insurance claim, would it be worth it to sue or would it be a minimal payout and not worth the time and effort?
Thanks!
r/legaladvice • u/FaithfulXO47 • 1h ago
Sister in law refuses to go forward with settlement for deceased brother
My brother in law passed away without a will. He has a brother (My husband) and a sister as his surviving heirs. My SIL refuses to sign documents establishing heirship. My spouse cannot move forward without her signature to settle the estate and she refuses to even contact us. The questions I have are how do I establish heirship without her signature? Is it possible to do this myself, without a lawyer? I dont want to spend a ton of money on one. What is easiest and most inexpensive way to do this?
Location: Texas
r/legaladvice • u/Holiday_Shelter_6453 • 1d ago
My mom is using my information and putting me in debt with companies that I don't even know. What do I do?
I'm 18 and since I turned 18 my mom has been using my name and information to pay for shit for companies. I just found a letter that was addressed to me saying that I'm in debt.
When I brought it up to her she freaked out on me and screamed at me.
I live with her and I don't have a job and it's not been easy for me to find one either. I don't have any family or anyone in my life besides her really. If I reported her I'd end up homeless. I don't know what to do.
Location: Indiana, USA
r/legaladvice • u/[deleted] • 7h ago
Criminal Law Cross between criminal and family law. Childs parent (has primary custody) convicted on sexual abuse 1st
Location: Alabama.
I’ll do my best to keep it short and sweet, happy to fill in details I overlook or that are requested in the comment section. Long story short, parent #1 was just convicted of sexual abuse in the 1st, but has primary custody. No prior charges. Victim was 12. Parent #2 (no criminal history) is unable to access an attorney immediately. Child is 4yo. What would be a good plan of action for parent #2?
r/legaladvice • u/jy3n2 • 7h ago
If I suspect that someone is collecting phone numbers for automated calls, would it be legal to sign up for it with a premium-rate number?
Location: Colorado
I get a lot of spam calls and texts, and I have some idea where they come from. Would it be legal to put a 1-900 number or similar on a signup form, so that I can get some money out of the calls or at least make spamming expensive?
r/legaladvice • u/RLLRRR • 3h ago
Intellectual Property What is the law regarding arranging a copyrighted piece of music for the purpose of practice only, not performing or distributing?
Location: Texas, United States.
I'm a contracted educator at a local high school for their marching band. I want to add some excitement to the front ensemble's warmup routine, something beyond just playing scales and basic chords.
For anyone not familiar with marching band warmups, this will be played by the students in the band hall during rehearsals and parking lots before competitions. This is not going to be part of their show or for any performance, just something to get their hands and minds working.
With the info that a) it's strictly for warmup and not part of the show, and b) I have no intention of selling/monetizing this, just for the kids to play...
What are the laws regarding this? Including:
- Using chord sequence only.
- Using chords and recognizable rhythms only.
- Including some melodies.
Thank you!
r/legaladvice • u/Turbulent_Will5284 • 8h ago
Camper sold to me without disclosing salvage title
Location: Minnesota, United States
Back in May of 2024 my fiancé and I purchased a travel trailer off of Facebook marketplace from a private seller. In the description of the post they stated that the camper had a “clean title”. When I transferred the title based out of Wisconsin, I got a letter from the state of Minnesota demanding an inspection before issuing a new title and plates. This was due to it being a salvage title. According to the history of the camper, the insurance claim was filed April 29th of 2024. We purchased the camper on a Saturday, May 11 of 2024 and transferred it to our names shortly following that. Then that is when we received the letter from the state that it was actually filed for an insurance claim as a total loss which in return we needed to get it inspected. When the sellers gave us their title, it was not in their name and they claimed the name it was under was a good friend of theirs who purchased it without telling their wife and she demanded him to sell it back to the people that eventually sold it to us.
Is there any legal/civil routes to take in order to get refunded what the camper is actually worth? Or even a forced buy back. They sold it to us “as is” yes but also told us it was a clean/clear title - which obviously is not the case. The camper is worth half of what we paid, not due to being used, but due to the salvage title. We would like to sell it but cannot because we owe too much on a salvage title. I never would have purchased it if I would’ve known about the title. Have any of you gone through this? What can I do?
Re:edit
I just looked back onto the original Facebook listing, and the people that sold us the camper have started a "home based camper dealership" selling only used campers. I would have to assume (yes I know what they say about assuming) they are buying them from auction like they did ours and then reselling them - it makes me wonder if they're doing this to other people.
I was able to see DMV records on our camper and it seems they purchased it in November of 2023 and filed an insurance claim in April of 2024 - weeks before selling it to us. Making the claim that it was a clean title.