How long after I file a civil complaint in southern PA small claims court will the hearing take place?: I lent someone money, and they have been refusing to pay me back. I plan on taking them to small claims court, but am unsure of how long the process is after I file the civil complaint.
James’s answer: Generally, this is what happens: 1) suit filed, 2) constable or certified mail service on the Defendant, 3) trial, 4) 30 day appeal period, 5) collection activity. If the Defendant does not duck service, your hearing will be scheduled in 30 to 45 days.
Neighbor has his down spouts against my fence.
How can I get him to move it?:
My neighbor has been asking to move down spout.
I went to zoning officer, he will not do anything.
The water runs into my fence and yard.
I am 70 yrs old
Lived in house 45 years. No trouble till he moved in. I can not afford a lawyer.
James’s answer: I am not an Illinois lawyer. However, Illinois courts generally apply the "reasonable use rule". This rule balances the rights of landowners to manage water on their property with the need to avoid causing undue harm to others. Other states have the "common enemy rule." What the two rules have in common is that under both one cannot concentrate the natural flow of storm water and directly discharge it onto a neighboring property/
If you share a sewage pipe with multiple neighbors and the pipe requires replacement, are all neighbors liable for sharing cost: Father lives in a house where several house share a sewer line. The line was damaged and sewer water was backing up in his house and his neighbors. Father called a plumber who was able to diagnose the problem and informed him the main pipe (several people share) required replacement. My father paid to have the pipe replaced. Does his neighbors have an obligation to pay a portion of the replaced pipe or is my father left paying the whole thing since he did not have an agreement with his neighbors?
James’s answer: A shared sewer line is the same as a shared driveway or any other type of easement. The parties who benefit are obligated to share their proportionate share of required maintenance and repair. If one party pays, that party has the right to collect from the others.