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I was the plaintiff in a small claims LA court. The defendant appealed and was granted a new case. I was never served, had no notice of this until today when I got a paper from the court that the case had been heard, that I was not there and that the judge had my judgment set aside and vacated. What do I do now?
December 30th, 2024
I am a small family-run paving contractor who completed a job for a private homeowner based on a clearly written and agreed-upon contract. The homeowner was repeatedly asked if they were satisfied with the work and confirmed they were before writing a check for the agreed amount. However, they later stopped payment on the check, claiming dissatisfaction. Despite attempts to resolve the issue amicably, the homeowner became abusive and refused to pay. What steps can I take to recover the payment for the work done, considering the homeowner's hostile behavior and refusal to cooperate?
August 8th, 2024
I hired a contractor to paint and do some work around my house. I paid him half the quote upfront, but he never started the job and has not responded to my calls or messages. I suspect I've been scammed. What are my options?
August 25th, 2023
After using one law firm for mediation, can the same law firm be used for litigation if an agreement is not reached? If a law firm represents me in litigation, can the same firm's lawyer act as a mediator? If a mediation lawyer knows the defendant's lawyer, is there a conflict of interest? After starting mediation, can the defendant's lawyer or other party talk to the mediator? Does initiating mediation automatically stop court litigation? If both parties agree to a 'stay' or 'pause' in litigation, do they need to go to court with lawyers, or can it be done by phone?
January 10th, 2024
I received a letter from Pettinato & Associates about unclaimed funds held by the state of California in the form of shares of a company. The value of the holdings is around $28,000, and they ask for 10% of the recovery amount with no upfront fees. Should I pursue this, or should I contact the State of California directly?
October 24th, 2024
I hired a contractor to do various work on my house, but the work has been delayed and substandard due to various issues including a wasp sting and unplanned absences. I have already paid a retainer and some supplies. What are my legal rights if I decide to terminate the contract and hire another contractor? Am I responsible for the wasp sting, and do I have to pay the contractor any more money?
January 22nd, 2023