About Andra DelMonico, J.D.
Graduating from Stetson University College of Law with a J.D., Andra brings a straightforward approach to legal writing. With over a decade of freelance writing experience, she has a wealth of experience in writing about a broad range of legal topics. She has ghostwritten for individual attorneys, law firms, and businesses. When not writing, Andra spends her time boating and motorcycle riding with her family in sunny Florida.
Articles written by Andra DelMonico, J.D.
How To Legally Evict a Family Member or Guest Without a Lease
A written lease is not always required for someone to have the right to remain in your home. If an adult child, former partner, relative, or guest has been living with your permission, you may need to provide notice and complete a formal legal process before you can remove them. The steps for removing someone from your property depend on factors such as how long they have lived there, whether they contribute financially, and how your state defines their legal status. If you need help protecting …
What To Do if You Are Sued for Eviction by Mistake
Receiving an eviction lawsuit by mistake does not mean you have to accept the consequences. Whether you were named because of a clerical error, mistaken identity, or an old lease, you should respond quickly. Ignoring the lawsuit could lead to a default judgment that creates unnecessary legal and financial problems, even if the landlord filed against the wrong person. For legal help with your eviction notice, speak with a landlord-tenant lawyer through the Super Lawyers directory. Can You Be …
Can a Landlord Legally Add New Service Fees Mid-Lease?
A landlord generally cannot add a brand-new service fee in the middle of a fixed-term lease unless the lease agreement already allows the charge, the tenant agrees to the change, or state law provides an exception. Fees for trash service, technology, utilities, or other amenities may vary based on the lease language and whether the tenant already agreed to pay those costs. If your landlord has added a fee you did not expect or agree to, a landlord-tenant lawyer can help you understand your …
Does a Change in Property Management Mean You Have To Sign a New Lease?
A new property management company stepping in does not automatically erase your current lease. In most cases, the lease you signed with your landlord remains in effect, and the new management company simply takes over the landlord's administrative responsibilities. You may need to update contact information or payment instructions, but signing an entirely new lease is usually not required unless certain circumstances apply. A landlord-tenant lawyer can review your lease and explain how a …
What Are Your Rights if a Landlord Discards or Destroys Property in Eviction?
A landlord usually cannot simply throw away a tenant's belongings after an eviction. State laws often require landlords to follow specific procedures before removing, storing, or disposing of personal property left behind. If a landlord removes property too early or destroys belongings without legal authority, a tenant may have a claim for damages. For legal help, connect with a qualified landlord-tenant attorney through the Super Lawyers directory. Can a Landlord Throw Away Your Belongings? …
Can You Break a Lease Early for Domestic Violence or a Toxic Relationship?
Yes, you may be able to break a lease early because of domestic violence, but the answer depends on your state's laws and your specific situation. Many states have legal protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Those protections usually do not extend to relationships that are simply unhealthy, unhappy, or coming to an end. Leaving a harmful relationship is rarely as simple as packing a suitcase. Housing, finances, and personal safety often become tangled …
Scam Alert: Do Process Servers Call You on the Phone?
A process server does not notify you of a lawsuit by making a threatening phone call or leaving a voicemail. Proper service of process is a formal legal procedure handled under state civil rules, and it requires delivery of court documents, not warnings over the phone. Process server scam calls rely on urgency. They tell you a case is already moving forward, that you must respond immediately, or that consequences are imminent. In reality, the legal system does not operate through surprise phone …
What To Do if You Are Sued by Mistake?
It’s possible to be sued by mistake. Whether your name was confused with someone else's, the wrong company was identified, or someone else's actions were linked to you, you should take the lawsuit seriously and respond before the deadline passes. Whatever the reason for the mistake, the court won't automatically know a mistake was made. Understanding what happens next can help you respond with confidence. For legal help with responding to a lawsuit, speak with a civil litigation attorney …
Is Polyamory Illegal? Plural Marriage and Multi-Partner Relationship Laws
Polyamory is generally legal in the United States, but marrying more than one person is not. While consenting adults are free to have relationships with multiple partners, every state prohibits entering into more than one legal marriage at the same time. That distinction affects everything from criminal law to inheritance, child custody, property rights, and health care decisions. Many people assume the law treats all multi-partner relationships the same way. It doesn't. If you're wondering …
What Is FOSTA-SESTA? Online Sex Trafficking Laws vs. Internet Censorship
FOSTA-SESTA is a federal law passed in 2018 that limits Section 230 protections for online platforms when they knowingly facilitate sex trafficking. The law was designed to increase accountability for websites that host or promote illegal trafficking activity, but it also reshaped how platforms moderate user content and raised concerns about online censorship and over-removal of lawful speech. The goal of FOSTA-SESTA was straightforward on paper: Close legal gaps that allowed certain online …
Find top lawyers with confidence
The Super Lawyers patented selection process is peer influenced and research driven, selecting the top 5% of attorneys to the Super Lawyers lists each year. We know lawyers and make it easy to connect with them.
Find a lawyer near you