Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
Can I Sue a Wedding Photographer Who Lost My Photos?
If a wedding photographer in Texas lost your photos, you may wonder whether you can bring a legal claim. In general, the answer depends on the contract, what the photographer promised, how the photos were lost, and what...
Do I Have to Pay HOA Fines If I Never Got the Violation Notice?
In general, whether you have to pay an HOA fine after not receiving the violation notice depends on the HOA’s governing documents, how notice was supposed to be delivered, and whether the association can show it followed...
Is it legal for a family member to record a private phone call about an inheritance dispute?
In California, the legality of recording a private phone call often depends on whether all parties to the call consented to the recording. California is generally treated as a two-party consent state, which means a perso...
Is a No-Refund Policy Enforceable If the Business Canceled the Appointment?
In general, a business’s no-refund policy may be harder to rely on if the business itself canceled the appointment and did not provide the service that was paid for. That said, the answer often depends on the wording of...
Do I have to prove my identity to recover funds listed under my maiden name?
In general, yes, you may have to prove your identity if you are trying to recover money or property that is listed under your maiden name. In Pennsylvania, as in many states, the holder of the funds usually needs enough...
What are my rights if my credit union says my account was dormant but I logged in online last year?
If a credit union says your account was dormant, but you believe you accessed it online last year, the first issue is usually what the credit union counts as “activity.” In many cases, a simple online login may or may no...
Do I have to accept store credit instead of a refund for a defective product?
In general, whether you have to accept store credit instead of a refund for a defective product depends on the store’s return policy, the type of product, what was promised at the time of sale, and any applicable Arizona...
Is it legal for police to question a minor without a parent present after reading Miranda rights?
In general, police may be able to question a minor without a parent present, even after giving Miranda warnings, depending on the circumstances and Indiana law. The fact that a parent is not in the room does not automati...
Do I have to repair my car after receiving an insurance payout, or can I keep the money?
In general, whether you have to repair your car after an insurance payout depends on what kind of claim you made, who owns the car, and what your insurance policy says. In Montana, there is not a simple one-size-fits-all...
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,...
What happens if I buy a car and later find out the odometer was rolled back?
If you buy a car and later discover the odometer was rolled back, the situation may involve fraud, misrepresentation, or other consumer protection issues. In general, an odometer rollback means the vehicle’s mileage was...
How do I dispute an unclaimed property claim that someone else already filed under my name?
If someone else already filed an unclaimed property claim under your name, that can raise identity, ownership, or authorization concerns. In general, you may need to contact the state unclaimed property office, explain t...
Do I have to accept the first settlement offer from the insurance company?
In general, no—you usually do not have to accept the first settlement offer from an insurance company. A first offer is often a starting point in negotiations, not the final word. Depending on the facts, it may be lower...
Is it legal for child support enforcement to freeze my bank account without warning in Arizona?
In Arizona, child support enforcement may be able to take steps that affect a bank account when child support is overdue, but whether a freeze can happen without warning depends on the facts and the collection process be...
Is it legal for a towing company to tow my car from my assigned apartment space?
In Tennessee, a towing company may be allowed to tow a car from an apartment space that is assigned to a tenant, but the answer usually depends on the lease, the parking rules, the signage, the apartment community’s towi...