Ask a Lawyer - Bangor Daily News

Failure to pay taxes never a 'business decision'

I went to a school board meeting recently that was pretty lively. more

By Donald Furman, Esquire | 3/14/10 | 294 views

Q. We leased our house to an unmarried couple for a year, but shortly after they moved in, they split up, and the man who stayed couldn’t pay the full rent. We tried to work with him for months, … more

By Sheilah McLaughlin, Esq. | 2/8/10 | 1128 views

Credit cards are tip of iceberg with identity theft

Q. I have been turned down for several jobs recently, and finally asked the last place I applied why, and they said it was because of a criminal conviction that came up on my background check. I was … more

By Zachary Paakkonen, Esquire
Special to the BDN | 1/4/10 | 1932 views

Do gift certificates expire?

Q. I gave my son-in-law a gift certificate to a big well-known online business. It was sent to him by e-mail, I got the confirmation, and it was charged on my credit card. He forgot about it for a few months, and then went to use it, and they said it was expired. more

12/21/09 | 2266 views

Latest trend in foreclosures stresses option for mediation

Q. I hear about home foreclosures happening everywhere, but I don’t really understand how it works. Can you give me some basic information? more

By James B. Maguire, Esquire | 12/7/09 | 2662 views

Talking to police can cause problems

Q. The police called yesterday and wanted to talk to my 15-year-old son about a bicycle that was stolen in our neighborhood. more

By Jonathan Handelman, Esquire | 11/16/09 | 3393 views

Burial with pet? Detail it in a will

Q. I am in hospice. They have let me have my cat with me here, but I know when I pass he is going to be heartsick. He will not adjust well to any new situation: he's 19, arthritic, blind in one eye. … more

By Christina Perkins, Esquire | 11/2/09 | 3037 views

The law and a good mechanic can help in used-car purchase

Q. I bought a car from a used car dealer for $8,000 cash, and within a week the transmission blew. The dealer says it wasn’t covered in the warranty and that there’s nothing he has to do about … more

By Sal Savatteri Jr., Esq. | 10/19/09 | 3538 views

‘Heat included’ can provide options for apartment landlords

Q. I own a small apartment house with an old but surprisingly efficient heating system, so heat and hot water have always been included with the rent, but now, with the oil prices getting so bad, it’s becoming a problem. more

By Sam Sherry, Esquire | 9/21/09 | 3598 views

Court order may help you pay for lawyer in pennyless divorce

Q. My husband has announced he wants a divorce and has moved out. We have been married for more than 15 years, and I have been a stay-at-home mom. Though we have a house and cars and money in the … more

By Tori Stenbak, Esquire | 7/6/09 | 4641 views