What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? New York
I am the landlord who rented an apartment to a tenant (call her Mary). Mary moved out in 2012 to overseas but left some damage. I deducted repair cost and returned a portion of her deposit. Mary didn't agree to the damage, then her New York friends tried to help her out by suing me.
*Note* Mary has never been back to US since her 2012 moving out to this day.
The 1st lawsuit was in 2013 in civil court. The summon showed Mary's name but her friends' address and phone number. On the court date, Mary's friends showed up asking the judge to video conference with Mary through Skype. Judge rejected them, dismissed the case, but allowed Mary to refile.
Now I just received exactly the same summon days ago in 2014, same Mary's name with her friends' address and phone number. I know Mary on facebook and can see she is still overseas. So I assume she will not come again.
- I am assuming Mary's friends filed the lawsuit by faking Mary's signature.
Q1) is that material?
Q2) If so, how do I get the original complaint with the signature? I can compare with Mary's sig on the lease.
Q3) do I need hire an expert to prove the signatures are different?
Q4) can I ask to dismiss the case if the sig's don't match up?
Q5) can I sue Mary's friends for fraud?
- If Mary doesn't show up again this time,
Q6) can I sue Mary's friends for harassment?
Q7) what other options do I have?
Thank you in advance!
I am the landlord who rented an apartment to a tenant (call her Mary). Mary moved out in 2012 to overseas but left some damage. I deducted repair cost and returned a portion of her deposit. Mary didn't agree to the damage, then her New York friends tried to help her out by suing me.
*Note* Mary has never been back to US since her 2012 moving out to this day.
The 1st lawsuit was in 2013 in civil court. The summon showed Mary's name but her friends' address and phone number. On the court date, Mary's friends showed up asking the judge to video conference with Mary through Skype. Judge rejected them, dismissed the case, but allowed Mary to refile.
Now I just received exactly the same summon days ago in 2014, same Mary's name with her friends' address and phone number. I know Mary on facebook and can see she is still overseas. So I assume she will not come again.
- I am assuming Mary's friends filed the lawsuit by faking Mary's signature.
Q1) is that material?
Q2) If so, how do I get the original complaint with the signature? I can compare with Mary's sig on the lease.
Q3) do I need hire an expert to prove the signatures are different?
Q4) can I ask to dismiss the case if the sig's don't match up?
Q5) can I sue Mary's friends for fraud?
- If Mary doesn't show up again this time,
Q6) can I sue Mary's friends for harassment?
Q7) what other options do I have?
Thank you in advance!