Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
A neighbor’s basketball hoop is partly in the street and damaged my car. Who do I contact?
If a neighbor’s basketball hoop was partly in the street and damaged your car in North Carolina, the first contact is often the neighbor or the homeowner who controls the property where the hoop sits. In many situations,...
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...
Do I have to file a claim in the state where I live now or the state where the account was opened?
In general, the right place to file a claim depends on several things, not just where you live now or where the account was originally opened. The answer often turns on the type of claim, the contract or account terms, w...
What happens if a collection agency sues me but serves papers at my old address?
If a collection agency files a lawsuit against you but serves the papers at an old address, that can create serious notice and service-of-process issues. In general, a lawsuit must be served in a way that gives the defen...
Can I return a car if I find out it was previously used as a rental but not disclosed?
In Colorado, you may have options if a car was sold to you without disclosure of important information, including a prior rental history. But whether you can return the car depends on the facts, the paperwork, the seller...
How do I claim unclaimed property for a relative who died without a will?
In Iowa, unclaimed property belonging to a person who died without a will is usually claimed through the rules that apply to the person’s estate and to the state’s unclaimed property process. In general, that means you m...
Is it legal for a company to automatically enroll me in a paid plan after a free trial ends?
In general, a company may be allowed to convert a free trial into a paid subscription if the terms were clearly disclosed and you agreed to them. The legal issue is usually not the automatic billing by itself, but whethe...
Do I have to pay a debt buyer if they cannot show the original contract or account statements?
In general, a debt buyer may still try to collect a debt even if it does not have the original contract or detailed account statements in hand. Whether you actually owe the debt, and whether the debt buyer can enforce it...
How do I handle student loans if I became permanently disabled and cannot work?
If you became permanently disabled and can no longer work, there may be relief options for your student loans, but the right path depends on what kind of loans you have, who services them, and whether the loans are feder...
Is it legal for a tenant to secretly record a private conversation with the property manager?
In California, the legality of a tenant secretly recording a private conversation with a property manager usually depends on whether the conversation was “confidential” under California’s recording laws. California is ge...
How do I collect a small claims judgment if the business refuses to pay?
If you have a small claims judgment in Alabama and the business does not pay добровольно, the judgment does not usually collect itself. In general, a judgment gives you a legal right to try to collect, but you may still...
How do I prove a hidden camera captured private footage of me?
In North Carolina, proving that a hidden camera captured private footage of you usually depends on the available evidence, the location of the camera, and what the recording actually shows. In general, people often try t...
Can a store use hidden cameras in dressing rooms to prevent shoplifting?
In Ohio, a store generally should not place hidden cameras in a dressing room or other area where a customer has a strong expectation of privacy. Dressing rooms are usually treated as private spaces, and secretly recordi...
Can I get an emergency court order to stop someone from posting more false claims?
In some situations, a court in Wyoming may be asked to enter an emergency order to stop another person from making or repeating false claims. But that type of relief is usually limited, and courts often look carefully at...
What are my rights if an influencer falsely blamed me for selling counterfeit products?
If an influencer falsely blamed you for selling counterfeit products, you may have several possible legal concerns, depending on what was said, where it was said, and whether others believed it. In general, a false publi...