User:Duff101/Chris and legal stuff

Chris and the Law

Rather than focus on Chris's interaction with the law (times he has gone to jail/been arrested), I decided to focus a little here on a few scenarios that Chris potentially could face. These include things like inheritance and potential lawsuits Chris could file if he wanted to. I am not a lawyer, but this is based on Virginia and US law.

Chris and Praetor

Praetor represents themselves as an LLC or limited liability company. However, there is no active Praetor LLC in Virginia or any state surrounding it, including the DMV area, West Virginia, or Pennsylvania. Therefore, Praetor have misrepresented themselves, and any contract they entered into with Chris is effectively void. In addition, Praetor's logo is marked with a trademark symbol "TM" when no such trademark exists. This is again misrepresentation. Virginia law allows small claims court (think Judge Judy, no lawyers or jury for small amounts, plaintiff and defendant represent themselves) claims for up to $5000. What this means is that even if Praetor keep whatever bargain they have with Chris, he can sue them.

Chris and Inheritance

What happens when Barb dies? Who gets 14BC? What will happen to Barb and Chris's debt?

The Debt

When a person dies, their debt is not inherited by their surviving relatives but instead what can be taken is taken from the estate to cover the costs, and then the rest of the debt is waived. Considering the Chandler's meager collection of assets, presumably the first thing to go would be any sort of savings Barb (doubtfully) has, and then things like the car. The house is a more complex matter, however.

The Fate of 14 Branchland Court

What happens when Barb dies to Sonichu Headquarters is pretty up in the air, and heavily depends on Chris's moves after her passing. The first thing will be to check the will, and see what remaining post-death assets go to which child, with Cole and Chris being the only eligible inheritees. If Barb does not have a will, she is referred to as "intestate." In Virginia, 1/3 of assets go to the surviving spouse and 2/3 to the children, or if there is no living spouse (Bob is dead) all goes to the children (after debt is settled).

In order to maintain control of the current Chandler residence, Chris will need to sign his name to the mortgage in place of his mother, effectively becoming the new debtor for the house, and its owner. It is unknown whether Chris's signature would be considered valid given his diminished mental state, though usually it is unless circumstances are extreme, such as a coma. As of January 2021, if Chris and Barb paid $800 a month there is around $65000 remaining on the mortgage.

If Chris doesn't want 14BC, the house will go to the bank, and be considered foreclosed. Depending on how long the Chandlers' continue to neglect the house, it may be a teardown, though what happens to the house itself post-Chris is unknown.