Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
Should I Try to Settle Credit Card Debt for a Parent With No Money or Assets?
In general, the answer depends less on whether you want to help and more on whether you are actually responsible for the debt. If the account is only in your parent’s name, you usually are not personally liable just beca...
Do I have to pay a debt collector who refuses to provide written verification of the debt?
In general, a debt collector’s refusal to provide written verification does not automatically make the debt disappear, but it can matter a lot for whether and how you respond. If you are in Nebraska, the exact rules may...
Do I have to consent to being recorded during a telehealth appointment in California?
In California, the answer is often yes if someone wants to record a telehealth appointment that includes your voice or confidential medical conversation. California is generally considered a two-party consent state for r...
What are my rights if a debt collector threatens legal action without proof?
If a debt collector threatens to sue or take other legal action without showing proof of the debt, you may have rights under federal debt collection law and possibly Missouri consumer protection law. In general, collecto...
Do I have to pay for repairs if the other driver’s insurer accepts fault but says their policy limit is too low?
In general, if another driver caused the crash and their insurer accepts fault, that does not necessarily mean the insurer will pay all of your repair costs. The insurer usually owes only up to the policy limit available...
Loaned a Friend $450 and They Won’t Pay Me Back—What Can I Do?
If you loaned a friend $450 in Iowa and they will not pay you back, your options usually depend on whether you can show that the money was a loan, what the repayment agreement was, and what proof you have. In general, a...
What happens if a finance company reports incorrect late payments?
If a finance company reports late payments that are wrong, the information may hurt your credit report and credit score, even if you did not actually pay late. In general, inaccurate late-payment reporting can affect loa...
Do I have to hire a locator company to recover escheated funds?
In general, no—you usually do not have to hire a locator company to recover escheated funds in South Carolina. Escheated or unclaimed funds are often held by a state office until the rightful owner, heir, or another auth...
Is it legal for a landlord to require renters insurance from one tenant but not others in the same building?
In Wisconsin, a landlord may sometimes require renters insurance as part of a rental agreement, but whether it is legal to require it from one tenant and not others depends on the facts. The most important questions are...
Is it legal for police in Alabama to search my car during a traffic stop without consent?
In Alabama, police may sometimes search a car during a traffic stop without your consent, but not in every situation. In general, the U.S. Constitution limits searches and seizures, and police usually need either your co...
Can my employer make me pay back training costs if I quit after two months?
In New York, an employer may sometimes try to require repayment of training costs if you leave soon after starting, but the answer usually depends on the written agreement and the way the repayment was structured. A repa...
What are my rights if a brokerage account was reported as abandoned even though I still receive statements?
If a brokerage account was reported as abandoned even though you still receive statements, that may raise questions about whether the account was actually inactive or whether the brokerage followed the proper abandonment...
How do I know whether a public sidewalk conversation is private enough for Penal Code 632?
In California, the answer usually depends on whether the conversation was carried on in a way that a reasonable person would expect it to be confidential. A public sidewalk is a public place, so that setting often makes...
Is it legal for a subscription app to make cancellation available only by phone during business hours?
In general, a subscription app may not be able to require cancellation only by phone during limited business hours if that practice conflicts with applicable consumer protection rules or the terms the company promised at...
What happens if I settled my property damage claim but later found more damage?
If you already settled a property damage claim and later discover additional damage, the settlement may still control the situation. In general, a settlement is meant to resolve the claim based on the facts known at the...