Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
Is it legal for a private student lender to refuse to provide the original promissory note?
In general, a private student lender may be able to refuse to hand over the original promissory note, depending on the loan terms, the lender’s recordkeeping, and the purpose of the request. In many consumer lending situ...
My Roommate Moved Out Early and Left Me With the Whole Lease — Can I Recover Their Share?
In Colorado, you may sometimes be able to recover money from a roommate who moved out early and stopped paying their share, but it usually depends on the lease, any roommate agreement, and the facts of what each person p...
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...
Can child support be taken from disability benefits?
In general, child support may sometimes be taken from disability benefits, but the answer depends on the type of disability benefit and the facts of the case. In Utah, as in many states, the key issue is often whether th...
How do I get a subpoena for records from a social media platform?
In general, getting records from a social media platform usually involves a subpoena, but the exact process depends on the type of records you want, the platform’s policies, and the court rules that apply in your New Mex...
What happens if I consolidated my loans and my old qualifying payments no longer show?
If you consolidated your loans, it is common for the payment history tied to the old loans to stop showing the same way it did before. In general, consolidation creates a new loan and the older loans are paid off or repl...
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 pay the full balance if the eviction notice includes months already paid by a charity?
In general, if part of the rent listed in an eviction notice was already paid by a charity, that payment may reduce what is actually owed for those months. An eviction notice or rent ledger that shows charges for months...
A package locker malfunctioned and my package disappeared. Is the apartment complex responsible?
In Virginia, an apartment complex may be responsible for a missing package only in some situations, and the answer usually depends on the lease, the property’s rules, who controlled the locker system, and what caused the...
What are my rights if my car warranty claim is denied due to “lack of maintenance” I can prove?
If a car warranty claim is denied because the company says you failed to maintain the vehicle, but you have proof that you did the required maintenance, you may have grounds to challenge the denial. In general, a warrant...
Can I get student loan forgiveness if I have worked for a nonprofit hospital for 9 years?
Maybe, but it depends on the loan program, your employer status, your payment history, and whether your past service and payments meet the program rules. In general, working for a nonprofit hospital can be relevant to ce...
What happens if my loan was forgiven but the balance still shows on my credit report?
If a loan was forgiven, that usually means the lender or servicer has agreed not to collect the remaining balance, at least under the terms of the forgiveness. But a forgiven loan may still appear on your credit report f...
Do I have to pay an early termination fee if my internet service was down for 18 days?
In general, maybe not automatically. If your internet service was down for 18 days, that outage may matter when a provider tries to charge an early termination fee, but the answer usually depends on the contract language...
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...
Is it legal for an insurer to ask me to sign a blank medical authorization form?
In general, an insurer can ask you to sign a medical authorization form, but a request for a blank or overly broad authorization can raise concerns. The main issue is not just whether the insurer can ask, but whether the...