Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
What are my rights if my loan servicer gave me wrong advice and I lost years of PSLF credit?
If a loan servicer gave you wrong advice about Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and that advice caused you to lose years of qualifying payment credit, you may have several possible avenues to explore, but the exact...
Can a Dentist Charge Me More Than the Estimate After Treatment?
In general, a dentist may sometimes charge more than an estimate after treatment, but that depends on what the estimate covered, what you agreed to, and whether the final bill was explained clearly. An estimate is often...
Do I have to pay HOA fees if they were never disclosed before I signed the lease?
In Maryland, the answer often depends on what the lease says, who agreed to pay the fee, and whether the HOA charge was part of the rental terms at all. In general, a tenant is usually responsible only for charges the le...
Is it legal for a dealership to refuse to return my deposit after I decided not to buy the car?
In Kentucky, a dealership may sometimes be allowed to keep a deposit after a buyer changes their mind, but not always. The answer usually depends on what the deposit was for, what the paperwork said, whether the deal was...
Can I return a car if I discover undisclosed frame damage?
If you discover undisclosed frame damage after buying a car in Colorado, you may have legal options, but there is not a simple automatic right to return the vehicle in every situation. What matters usually depends on the...
Do I have to pay for prepaid services if the business shuts down?
If a business shuts down, whether you still have to pay for prepaid services usually depends on the contract terms, how much of the service was already used, and what Alaska law may allow in the circumstances. In general...
Is it legal for a dealership to change financing terms after I signed the contract?
In general, once you sign a car sale and financing contract, the dealership usually cannot simply change the financing terms on its own. If a contract is fully formed and enforceable, both sides are generally expected to...
Do I have to pay a cancellation fee for a gym that closed permanently?
In general, if a gym permanently closes, a cancellation fee may no longer be enforceable because the gym may no longer be able to provide the services the contract promised. But the answer depends on the contract terms,...
What happens if my auto insurance company says my car is totaled but their payout is $2,400 less than my loan balance?
If your car is declared a total loss and the insurance payout is less than what you still owe on the loan, you may still be responsible for the remaining balance. In general, the insurer’s payment is based on the car’s a...
Do I have to pay my deductible when the accident was completely the other driver’s fault?
In New York, the answer is often: maybe at first, but not necessarily in the end. If you use your own auto insurance coverage to repair your car, your policy may require you to pay the deductible up front before the insu...
What happens if a repair shop charges me for parts I did not authorize?
In Massachusetts, a repair shop generally should not add charges for parts or work that you did not authorize, but the exact answer depends on what you agreed to, what the shop disclosed, and how the repair was documente...
Do I have to preserve the device if I find a hidden camera in my hotel room?
If you find what looks like a hidden camera in a Pennsylvania hotel room, it is usually a good idea to preserve the device and the surrounding scene if you can do so safely. In general, the condition of the device, where...
Is it legal for a roommate to leave a phone recording in the kitchen during a private argument?
In Pennsylvania, whether a roommate may legally leave a phone recording in a kitchen during a private argument usually depends on the facts, especially where the conversation happened, whether the people involved expecte...
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...
Do I have to pay taxes on student loans that are forgiven through PSLF?
In general, federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is designed so that forgiven federal student loan debt is not treated the same way as regular taxable income. For many borrowers, the forgiven amount under PSLF...