Questions for lawyers Found 360

I was out on a jet ski when a harbour officer told me that I was going too fast near the beach and gave me a warning. I did not realise there was a limit on the water. What are the rules? I would appreciate some clarity on what the law actually requires here.

I received a couple of convictions as a young adult over a decade ago and have kept out of trouble since. I still have to disclose them on job applications and it holds me back. Is there a way to have them treated as if they never happened?

I paid by card for a jacket from an overseas online shop that looked professional and even quoted prices in New Zealand dollars. Weeks have passed with no delivery and the seller has stopped answering emails. Do New Zealand consumer laws help me at all, or am I just out of pocket?

My mother passed away with some credit card debt and a small personal loan outstanding, and I am worried that as her child I might have to pay these debts personally. What is the legal position on inherited debt?

My 15-year-old was arrested after being caught with a group who broke into a shed. Police want to talk to my child and I do not know what rights they have. Do teenagers appear in the same courts as adults, and what should I be doing?

My father passed away recently and, as far as we know, he never made a will. We do not know what happens to his house, savings and belongings, or who is legally allowed to deal with his affairs. How does the law decide this?

My employer called me into a meeting, told me I was being dismissed immediately for poor performance and had me escort my things out. I had never received any formal warning, and my last review was positive. Can I challenge this?

I have a serious illness and I do not want to be resuscitated or put on a ventilator if my condition worsens. I want to record this in a way that is legally binding. How does an advance directive work in New Zealand?

I bought shares in a few companies a while ago and recently sold some at a profit. A friend said that share trading profits are not usually taxed in New Zealand unless you are a professional trader, but I want to be sure this applies to me.

I run a small cafe and signed a standard supplier agreement for equipment leasing. Later I noticed the supplier can change the price whenever it wants and can end the contract at any time, but I am locked in for years with hefty exit fees. Do small businesses have any protection against terms like this?