http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers-search/federal-regulation.html Avvo.com - Federal Regulation Questions http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/gambling-laws-question--166180.html If an online site has a membership fee to get into an area to make bets for cash and prizes without betting there own money for said bets, does that violate gambling laws? Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:55:50 PST http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/can-a-non-resident-buy-a-home-in-california--165115.html I am a norwegian citizen and live here in Norway. But i want to buy a home in california, usa. Can i buy a home there? If i can, then what is the proper procedure to follow? Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:00:49 PST http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/can-i-get-out-of-a-contract-that-promised-a--propr-164716.html I bought a franchise ($70K) that promised a proprietary lead generation method/technique. I learned that the lead generation simply involves going to the courthouse, looking at probate files, and writing down the name and address of the executor and the decedent. Anyone can do that - there is no restriction and other people in this county are already doing it. I am not happy with the franchisor for a variety of reasons, and I have yet to make any money, but I think I can if I use my own marketing materials, which is not allowed. I signed a non-compete (2 years/50 miles) but would rather work for myself. Is the fact that the lead generation method is not proprietary grounds for nullifying the non-compete? Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:50:00 PST http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/immigration--what-do-they-look-like--how-do-they-p-164670.html I came to America on a waiver to visit my husband who I've been married to for the past 3 years.I had planned to go back to my country before the 3 months but in that time I lost my job in my own country and I had nothing to go back to. We decided to file immigration papers to make sure I didn't go out of status. I took the medical and filled out the forms, spent a lot of money but before i could submit the forms my husband had a car accident and had to pay a LOT of money out to cover it, money we needed for the visa. Now it is 6 months later and I am still without a visa and afraid if i leave the US i will never get back in. Will Immigration come for me? What will they look like and what is the procedure? Will I get a chance to fight to stay or am I done for? Thanks xx Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:13:15 PST http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/could-us-immigration-law-stop-a-us-citizen-s-spous-164591.html I'm a US citizen and have sponsered my husband who lives in UK. He had his Immigration interview recently, I was also present at the time. The officer quizzed us both separately and was unconvinced that we plan to stay together as a couple. This was most absurd news to me. I have provided them with full legal documents plus affidavit of support as I dont work. The officer was repeating and twisting the same questions again and again as to why dont I work. Finally I was asked to provide a notorized statement mentioning that I dont work. Do I need to prove it any further as I have already written in the form that I'm (petitioner) not working and my husband ( beneficiary) supports me ? Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:18:39 PST http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/can-the-bank-be-more-threatening-than-a-credit-car-164464.html I have over that is on one bill, my Line of Credit at my bank. They are saying things about legal action , is that just their scarier way of saying collections ? Should I be even more worried about them? Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:31:22 PST http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/i-ve-invented-a-new-card-game---how-do-i-go-about--164093.html I have invented a new card gane (non-standard deck), and I want to protect myself against lawsuits from game companies, which on the whole seem very willing to take legal action at the drop of a hat. My concern is that the rules of my game are a take off of another game in terms of the basic method of play. I have added a lot on to change the hazards/advantages in terms of playing certain cards, greatly increasing the strategy element and decreasing the luck and tedium factors in the original game. I know this must be hard to answer without my disclosing all of the rules details, but can you please guide me as to what factors go into the llitigation of cases based on rules similarities? I am struggling to understand at what point a game based on another game becomes legally unique. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:13:33 PST http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/statute-of-limitations-for-old-judgement--163141.html How long can an attorney collect on a judgement? A creditor sued my spouse - the court case was filed in Louisiana by a Louisiana based law firm. We were residents of Arkansas at the time, and never received notice of action pending. The suit was for a voluntary vehicle repossession. Car was purchased while he was stationed in GA, but she failed to pay for it as she had promised after the divorce. The judgement was levied in 2000 against only him, and has long since been removed from his credit. Last week we received a letter from the Attorney's office stating that he owed this debt, and he must repay (we are residents of Colorado now) or face garnishment. Which state regulates the statute of limitations? Is the debt still valid? What rights, if any, do I have as his spouse? Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:13:20 PST http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/can-a-bank-collect-interest-on-a-chargeoff--162847.html I had my vehicle repossessed 6 months ago and since then I have been making payments to pay off the balance of 5800 dollars in the amount of 200 dollars a month. I received noticed from the bank today that I now owe 6386 because of interest and late fees. My question is that 6 months ago when this was charged off I received a letter from them that the account was charged off and I am responsible for the payoff amount. That is why I have been paying them off every month but I will be paying for the rest of my life at this rate. Please help me. I do not want to not pay off this debt but I do not want to be a victim of usary either. Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:02:42 PST http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/i-had-a-misdemeanor-p-c-245-ten-years-ago-can-i-tr-162733.html p.c. 245 on 01-99 Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:01:55 PST