Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
What are my rights if my student loan balance increased while I was in an approved deferment?
If your student loan balance increased while you were in an approved deferment, the first question is usually whether the increase was expected under the loan terms. In many student loan programs, some interest may keep...
Is it legal for a subscription service to charge me after I canceled during a free trial?
In general, a subscription service may be allowed to charge you after a free trial if the terms said the trial would convert to a paid subscription unless you canceled by a certain date or method. The key question is usu...
How do I dispute a credit report entry for an apartment debt I do not recognize?
If you see an apartment debt on your credit report and do not recognize it, the first step is usually to gather as much information as you can about the account and dispute it with the credit reporting company and, often...
What are my rights if a daycare charged me for a full month after I withdrew my child with two weeks’ notice?
In North Dakota, your rights usually depend first on the daycare agreement you signed and what it says about notice, tuition, refunds, and withdrawal. If the contract requires a full month’s notice, the daycare may be re...
What are my rights if my college closed before I finished my degree and I still owe $18,000?
If your college closed before you finished your degree, you may have several possible rights and options, but they depend heavily on the facts. In Illinois, the first question is usually what kind of money you still owe:...
How do I handle a personal injury claim when the business refuses to give me incident report paperwork?
In Georgia, if a business refuses to give you an incident report after an injury, that can be frustrating, but it does not necessarily stop a personal injury claim. In general, the report is only one piece of evidence. Y...
The florist delivered the wrong flowers for a funeral. Can we ask for more than a refund?
In Pennsylvania, a wrong flower delivery for a funeral may be more than a simple customer-service problem, but the available remedies usually depend on the facts. In general, if a florist delivered the wrong arrangement,...
Can a Hospital Bill Me Years After the Visit?
Yes, a hospital may sometimes send a bill long after the visit, but whether it can still collect depends on several legal and practical factors. A late bill does not automatically mean the charge is invalid. It may happe...
Can unused wages from a temporary job be turned over to the state in Maine?
In general, wages earned from a temporary job are still the worker’s property until they are properly paid out, and they are not automatically “turned over” to the state just because the job ended or the wages were never...
My Contractor Used Unlicensed Workers — Can I Cancel the Contract?
In California, the answer often depends on the facts of the job, the contract terms, and what “unlicensed workers” means in your situation. In general, a contractor using workers who do not hold a required license does n...
What happens if a contractor used cheaper materials than what was listed in our written agreement?
If a contractor used cheaper materials than what your written agreement called for, the situation is often treated as a possible contract dispute, and sometimes also as a consumer-protection issue, depending on the facts...
Do I have to pay a fee to claim money that was escheated to the state treasury in New York?
In New York, you usually do not have to pay a fee just to search for or file a basic claim for unclaimed property that was turned over to the state treasury, often called escheated property. In many situations, the state...
Do I have to get consent before recording a mediation session about a consumer dispute in California?
In California, the safest general answer is usually yes: you should assume you need clear consent before recording a mediation session, especially if the session is confidential or involves private dispute-resolution com...
What are my rights if a car wash damaged my side mirror and the sign says they are not responsible?
If a car wash damaged your side mirror in Montana, a sign saying the business is “not responsible” does not always end the issue. In general, a business cannot always avoid responsibility just by posting a notice, especi...
How do I dispute a phone company charging me for services I never activated?
If a phone company charged you for a service you believe you never activated, the first step is usually to gather your bills, account records, and any messages or screenshots that show what was charged and when. In gener...