Tehachapi News

Share Your Voice


Search:

Legal Eaze

All > Columns > Legal-Eaze
Legal Eaze
By: Maxine de Villefranche

Topics:
Posted by editor Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
Viewed 835 times
0 responses 1 comment
My brother and his wife just had a baby girl a few weeks ago. They live in Florida. His wife came to spend some time with her parents here in California and brought the baby with her. The next thing we know, the wife filed for sole custody of the baby in California and does not plan to go back to Florida. Can she do that?

A petition for custody needs to be filed in the Court that has jurisdiction in accordance with the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act (UCCJEA).
The “Home State” means the state in which a child lived with a parent for at least six consecutive months immediately before the commencement of a child custody proceeding. Obviously the baby is not even six months old yet.

Unless “emergency” jurisdiction applies, i.e. there is a genuine “immediate” and “substantial harm” to the child or the mother, the California Court will more than likely refuse to make a decision in the case because it does not have jurisdiction over the child.

However, if your brother has a violent temper and she fears for her own safety or the safety of the child, then “emergency” jurisdiction would apply and the California Court will make a decision either on an ex-parte basis or after a second hearing to allow both parties to prepare their argument in writing.

I bought a carton of Snapple tea bottles from a grocery store (24 bottles were included). A few days later, I picked up a bottle and was getting ready to open it when I noticed some strange green stuff inside the bottle. It grossed me out and I vomited the meal I had just eaten. I returned the bottle to the store and an employee took a report, but nothing was done to reimburse me for the trouble I went through. What can I do? 

Other than the dinner you lost, were you injured? id you have to go to the hospital or doctor for mental stress? There is little you can do because your damages are minimal. You could bill the store for the meal you lost.

The store where you bought the tea did not manufacture the bottles and it would be up to the manufacturer to reimburse you for the damages you suffered. If I was the owner of the store, I would probably offer you another carton just to appease you. Make sure that the bottle you are about to drink from is still sealed. It is possible that the bottle was “banged” around and the seal was broken. The “green stuff” you saw inside the bottle was probably harmless mold.

Maxine deVillefranche is an attorney and civil general practitioner with 13 years of experience. She practices law from her Tehachapi office as well. as her Lancaster satellite office.  She will answer legal questions posed to her by the readers, to the best of her abilities.  Forward your questions to maxinedev@msn.com or fax to (661)825-8880
Send to a Friend Report a Violation
Comment From: baskets

Mon Jul 10, 2006 06:48:28 PDT
Why is everyone always looking for a "reimbursement" of sorts? People today are so sue happy. They wait for any incident to try to collect money from others. No wonder insurance, etc. is so high for the honest people.
Report a Violation

Log In

Welcome to the Tehachapi News, your local source for news and events affecting the residents and businesses in Tehachapi.  The Tehachapi News is published every Wednesday, and available through home delivery and at rack locations throughout the area.

Forgot password?

Post Something! Register Now

Blogs

Disclaimer

The opinions and responses expressed by Bloggers on this site are theirs alone, and do not represent the opinions of the Tehachapi News or its employees. The Tehachapi News is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the Bloggers. Please read the terms and conditions for posting your opinions on this website.