c/legal-advice-socal

Was dead set against legal aid clinics until my cousin used one in San Diego

I always thought those free legal aid clinics were just for people with super simple problems like name changes or something. My cousin got into a dispute with her landlord over a $1,500 security deposit in San Diego and she couldn't afford a real lawyer. She went to the Legal Aid Society of San Diego and they actually helped her write a demand letter and walked her through small claims court. The landlord settled for $1,200 instead of going to court. I figured they'd just hand her a brochure and that's it, but they spent two hours with her on a Saturday morning. Has anyone else had good or bad experiences with these clinics in Southern California?

2 comments

charles_chen93•27d ago

Got a free consultation call from a traffic lawyer who quoted me $500, then found a different one through a friend who only charged $200 for the same DUI case in Riverside

Used to just call the first lawyer listed on Google, but now I check with three lawyers in San Bernardino County before signing anything and always ask for a flat fee breakdown upfront has anyone else noticed huge price differences between firms for the same basic court appearance?

2 comments

aaron677•28d ago

Just found out my landlord can't ban my emotional support dog in Santa Ana

I was digging through the HUD guidelines because my landlord threatened to evict me over my ESA. Turns out California Civil Code 54.2 and federal Fair Housing Act both protect ESAs even in no-pet buildings. My landlord tried to say I needed a special license but that's total BS. Has anyone else here had to fight their landlord over this in Orange County?

2 comments

phoenix_campbell88•28d ago

Got hit with a $400 HOA fine for a fence I didn't even build

Moved into this house in Chino Hills last month and the HOA sent me a violation notice for a fence that was already falling over when I bought the place. Anyone else deal with inheriting a previous owner's mess and having to fight the HOA over it?

2 comments

baker.ben•28d ago

Vent: The backyard fence dispute that made me read my deed for the first time

Bought my house in Anaheim 8 years ago and never bothered looking at the actual legal description until my neighbor claimed his fence was 2 feet onto my side. Turns out the old chain link fence was exactly on the line, but the new one he put up wasn't. Cost me $300 for a survey to prove it. Anyone else find something weird in their property records after a neighbor fight?

2 comments

the_henry•1mo ago

Thoughts on Jafari Law Group vs Miller Law Group for IP stuff?

I'm trying to figure out which firm to go with for some patent and trademark work. I'm based in Irvine and looking closely at Jafari Law Group and Miller Law Group. Has anyone worked with either of these for IP protection?

2 comments