Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
Can I qualify for loan forgiveness if I worked part time at two qualifying nonprofits at the same time?
In general, you may be able to qualify for loan forgiveness if you worked part time at two qualifying nonprofits at the same time, but the answer depends heavily on the specific forgiveness program, the type of loans inv...
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...
What Are My Rights If a Pawn Shop Lost My Item?
If a pawn shop lost your item in Nebraska, you may have rights based on your pawn contract, store policies, and general state consumer or property law principles. In many situations, the central issue is whether the pawn...
Do I have to pay a debt collector if the debt was already settled?
If a debt was already settled, you generally may not owe the full amount the collector is asking for. In many situations, a settlement means the creditor agreed to accept a reduced amount or a specific payment plan as fu...
What happens if my PSLF application was denied because my job title did not sound public service related?
If your PSLF application was denied because your job title did not sound public service related, that denial usually does not end the inquiry. In general, PSLF eligibility is not based only on how a job title sounds. Wha...
Is it legal for a private lender to sue me for a student loan from 12 years ago?
In general, a private lender may be able to sue over an unpaid student loan, even if the loan is old, but whether the lawsuit is legally allowed depends on several facts. The most important issue is usually the statute o...
Can a Home Warranty Company Keep Denying the Same Repair Claim?
A home warranty company may deny the same repair claim more than once if it believes the repair is still excluded under the contract, if the paperwork is incomplete, or if it thinks the problem has not been shown to be c...
Do I have to keep paying alimony after I file for bankruptcy in Montana?
In general, filing for bankruptcy does not stop an alimony obligation. Alimony, also called spousal support or maintenance, is usually treated differently from many other debts because family-support obligations are give...
Is it legal for my tax refund to be taken because of defaulted student loans?
In general, yes. A tax refund may be taken, or offset, to collect certain past-due debts, including defaulted federal student loans, depending on the facts and the type of debt involved. This is a common collection tool...
What are my rights if a rideshare company refuses to compensate for a driver’s misconduct?
If a rideshare company refuses to compensate you for a driver’s misconduct, your rights usually depend on what happened, what losses you suffered, and what legal duties may apply in Washington. In general, a company’s de...
How do I challenge a denial of total and permanent disability discharge?
A denial of a total and permanent disability discharge can often be challenged by first reading the denial notice closely and identifying the stated reason for the decision. In general, the most important first step is t...
What are my rights if my landlord gave me an eviction notice after I reported code violations?
If you are in Maryland and your landlord gave you an eviction notice after you reported code violations, you may have protections against retaliatory eviction. In general, landlords cannot legally punish tenants just for...
How do I handle a warranty company that keeps delaying repairs for months?
If a warranty company keeps delaying repairs for months, the first step is usually to document everything carefully. Keep copies of the warranty, repair requests, inspection notes, emails, text messages, call logs, and a...
Do I have to pay a plumber who fixed the wrong pipe and the leak came back the next day?
In general, whether you have to pay a plumber in Missouri depends on what was agreed to, what work was actually done, and whether the plumber provided the service you requested. If the plumber fixed the wrong pipe, the l...
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...