Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
Can a debt collector contact my employer about my debt?
In general, a debt collector may be allowed to contact your employer in limited circumstances, but there are important restrictions on what they can say and why they can contact your workplace. In Connecticut, as in many...
My Wedding Venue Closed Without Refunding Deposits — What Can I Do?
If a wedding venue in Florida closed and did not refund your deposit, the first question is usually what your contract says and whether the venue actually canceled, breached the agreement, or is going through a bankruptc...
Is it legal for an auto repair shop to charge $900 more than the written estimate without asking me first?
In North Carolina, a repair shop usually should not treat a written estimate as meaningless. In general, when a customer receives a written estimate, the amount is meant to give the customer a basis for deciding whether...
How do I handle medical liens after receiving a personal injury settlement?
After a personal injury settlement, medical liens can affect how much money you actually keep. In general, a lien is a claim that a provider, insurer, or other party may assert against part of your settlement to recover...
What are my rights if a hidden camera recorded me changing clothes at a gym?
If a hidden camera recorded you changing clothes at a gym in Illinois, you may have serious privacy concerns and possibly several legal options, depending on the facts. In general, recording someone in a changing area is...
What are my rights if a storage unit company auctioned my belongings even though I paid online the day before?
If a storage unit company auctioned your belongings after you paid online the day before, the first question is whether the payment was actually received, posted, and credited before the auction took place. In general, a...
Can I file a claim if a hotel bedbug infestation caused bites and medical expenses?
In West Virginia, a hotel bedbug situation may sometimes lead to a legal claim if the hotel failed to use reasonable care to keep the room safe and the infestation caused your injuries or losses. That can include bite-re...
How do I deal with a home warranty company that keeps denying valid repair claims?
If a home warranty company keeps denying repair claims that you believe are covered, the first step is usually to gather and organize the policy, your claim records, repair invoices, photos, and all communications with t...
How do I apply for student loan forgiveness after teaching at a low income school for five years?
If you have taught at a low-income school for five years, you may be asking about federal teacher loan forgiveness or another federal student loan relief program. In general, these programs are separate from each other,...
Can I Sue a Used Car Dealer for Selling Me a Stolen Motorcycle?
If a used car dealer in Louisiana sold you a motorcycle that turns out to be stolen, you may have legal claims, but the available claims depend heavily on the facts. In general, a buyer who unknowingly receives stolen pr...
Can I Sue a Hair Salon for Chemical Burns?
In New Jersey, a person who suffers chemical burns at a hair salon may sometimes have a claim against the salon, the stylist, or another responsible business if the injury was caused by negligence or another legal wrong....
Can a School Charge Me for a Laptop My Child Says Was Stolen?
In general, a school may try to charge a family for a laptop that was issued to a student if the school believes the device was lost, damaged, or not returned as required under school policy. But whether the school can a...
How do I get my $1,200 deposit back from a contractor who never started the job?
If a contractor took a $1,200 deposit and never started the job, you may be able to ask for the money back through a demand letter, direct negotiation, a payment dispute, or a small-claims type court process, depending o...
What happens if I changed repayment plans and my forgiveness tracker stopped updating?
If your forgiveness tracker stopped updating after you changed repayment plans, it usually does not mean that you lost eligibility automatically. More often, it means the loan servicer or tracking system has not yet fini...
How do I handle a contractor who didn’t finish my roof before a storm caused damage?
In Kentucky, an unfinished roof job followed by storm damage can create more than one problem at the same time. You may be dealing with a contractor dispute, a property damage insurance claim, and possibly a question abo...