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.
Inside the Jury Room: Rules and What Jurors Can and Cannot Do
After closing arguments and jury instructions in a criminal trial, the jurors leave the courtroom and begin deliberating. A foreperson typically helps organize the discussion as the jurors work through the evidence and instructions they were given. Depending on the court, they may use their notes, examine admitted exhibits, or ask the judge to clarify an instruction or provide testimony again. They are still bound by one basic rule: the verdict must come from the evidence presented in court, …
Meta Social Media Addiction Lawsuit
Meta's social media addiction lawsuit ended with a proposed settlement worth up to $17.1 billion, along with significant restrictions on how Facebook and Instagram operate for children and teenagers. The settlement requires Meta to make changes involving screen time, nighttime access, age verification, notifications, personalized feeds, parental controls, and other features designed to keep young users engaged. It also puts independent oversight behind those changes, making this much more than …
What Is Assumption of Risk?
When you take part in a sport, recreational activity, or other potentially dangerous activity, you may be considered to have accepted certain risks that come with it. In some cases, that can limit or even prevent an injury claim. But there is a difference between accepting a risk you knew was part of the activity and accepting responsibility for every injury someone else may cause. The details matter, as does the law where you file your case. If you've been injured and have questions about your …
Manslaughter vs. Murder: What Is the Difference?
Murder and manslaughter are both serious homicide offenses, but they involve different levels of criminal culpability. Murder generally involves malice or another heightened mental state, while manslaughter generally covers an unlawful killing with less culpability. The exact line between the two depends on the state where the alleged crime occurred, because states define homicide offenses differently and may use different categories or names. Use the Super Lawyers directory to find a criminal …
Unsecured vs. Secured Debt: Risks of Backing Credit Card Debt With Assets
Credit card debt is usually unsecured, meaning the creditor does not automatically have a claim to your home. That can change if you voluntarily use real estate as collateral. By granting a creditor a lien or mortgage interest in your property, you may give that creditor additional rights and create the possibility of foreclosure if the secured obligation goes unpaid. When bills pile up, securing debt with your home may seem like a way to get better terms or bring an existing balance under …
Hidden Fees in Debt Consolidation Loans: What Law Requires Lenders To Disclose
Debt consolidation lenders generally have to disclose key information about the cost of a consumer loan when federal Truth in Lending Act (TILA) rules apply, including the annual percentage rate (APR) and finance charge. Those disclosures can reveal costs that aren't obvious from an advertised interest rate alone. A loan that promises to simplify your finances can still come with an origination fee, closing costs, a prepayment penalty, or other charges buried in the paperwork. Some fees may be …
What Does a Bankruptcy Trustee Do in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13?
Once you file for bankruptcy, a trustee becomes involved in your case. A bankruptcy trustee is the person responsible for overseeing key parts of your case, but what that involves depends on the type of bankruptcy you file. In Chapter 7, the trustee reviews your finances and may sell non-exempt property to pay creditors. In Chapter 13, the trustee has a longer-term role that includes reviewing your repayment plan, collecting payments, and distributing money to creditors. For legal help with a …
The Debt Consolidation Trap: Legal Protections Against Scams
Debt consolidation can simplify your payments; debt settlement can sometimes reduce what you owe. Neither option gives a company a free pass to charge whatever it wants or promise results it can't deliver. If a debt relief provider demands money before doing the work, guarantees that it can eliminate your debts, or glosses over the consequences of its program, you may be looking at more than a bad financial deal. If you believe a debt relief company took advantage of you, a credit repair lawyer …
Which Debts Can and Cannot Be Discharged in Bankruptcy?
Filing for bankruptcy can give you relief from substantial debt, but it doesn't give every creditor a reason to stop collecting. Many ordinary unsecured debts, including credit card balances and medical bills, can generally be discharged. Other obligations, including child support, alimony, most student loans, and certain tax debts, generally remain after bankruptcy. If you're unsure whether your debts can be discharged, a bankruptcy lawyer can help you sort through the rules and determine what …
What Is the Automatic Stay in Bankruptcy and How Does It Protect You?
An automatic stay is a legal mechanism of bankruptcy law that generally prohibits creditors or other entities from taking collection actions against a debtor who has filed for bankruptcy. The automatic stay can give you immediate breathing room when you're facing collection calls, wage garnishment, foreclosure, eviction, repossession, or a lawsuit. In most cases, the protection begins as soon as you file for bankruptcy, but exceptions, termination rules, and requests for relief from the stay …
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