Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
Can I sue a towing company for charging $650 after my car was parked for 20 minutes?
In Alabama, a towing charge this high may feel unreasonable, but whether you have a legal claim usually depends on the facts. The key issues are often whether the lot or property had clear tow warnings, whether the car w...
Can a Debt Collector Contact My Parents About My Credit Card Debt?
In general, a debt collector may be allowed to contact your parents in limited situations, but usually not to discuss your debt in a way that pressures them or treats them as if they owe the money. In Missouri, federal d...
Dry cleaner shrunk an expensive wool coat and offered a $25 credit. Is that all I can get?
In Massachusetts, the answer is usually “it depends.” If a dry cleaner damaged or shrank your wool coat, the amount you may be able to recover often depends on the terms on your claim ticket or receipt, the cleaner’s pol...
Is it legal for a debt collector to text my relatives about my overdue bill?
In general, a debt collector usually cannot freely text your relatives about your debt. Under U.S. debt collection rules, collectors are typically limited in who they can contact and what they can say. They may be allowe...
Do I have to keep paying my loans while my forgiveness application is under review?
In general, you may still have to keep making payments while a loan forgiveness application is being reviewed, unless the loan program or servicer has placed your account into an approved pause, deferment, forbearance, a...
What happens if a contractor never pulled permits and the city fines me $1,500?
If a contractor did work without pulling the required permits and the city fined you, the homeowner is often the person the city looks to first in New Hampshire. That can be true even if the contractor was the one who fa...
What happens if an online retailer says my package was delivered but I never received it?
If an online retailer says a package was delivered but you never received it, the situation is usually treated as a delivery, billing, or customer-service dispute first, not as an automatic legal violation by either side...
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 a used car dealer to sell me a car with a bad transmission and say it was sold as-is?
In New York, a used car dealer may often sell a vehicle “as-is,” but that label does not automatically excuse every problem with the car. In general, an as-is sale means the dealer is trying to limit warranty obligations...
I bought a used phone and it was later blacklisted. Can I get my money back?
If you bought a used phone and later learned that it was blacklisted, you may be wondering whether you can get your money back. In general, the answer depends on why the phone was blacklisted, what the seller knew, what...
My Storage Unit Auctioned My Stuff After Sending Notices to the Wrong Email — What Can I Do?
If a storage facility auctioned your belongings after sending notices to the wrong email address, there may be legal issues, but the answer depends heavily on the lease terms, the notice method used, and Georgia law. In...
Can I cancel a timeshare contract within 10 days if I signed it while on vacation?
In general, maybe—but it depends on the contract terms and the law that applies to your purchase. A timeshare agreement signed while on vacation is often a high-pressure transaction, and many timeshare purchases include...
How do I collect if I win a $1,200 small claims judgment and the business still refuses to pay?
If you win a small claims judgment in South Dakota and the business still does not pay, the judgment does not usually collect itself. A court judgment is a legal debt, but you generally still have to take collection step...
The roofer says the leak is “normal settling” three months after replacement. What can I do?
In Pennsylvania, a roof leak that appears a few months after a replacement may be frustrating, but the right response usually depends on what the contract promised, what the roof was supposed to do, and what evidence exi...
Can I Get a Refund If an Online Seller Sent Me a Fake Item?
If an online seller sent you a fake item, a refund may be possible in New Jersey, depending on the facts, the seller’s policies, and how the purchase was made. In many situations, receiving a counterfeit, knockoff, or ma...