Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
What are my rights if a contractor damages my property and refuses to fix it?
If a contractor damages your property and then refuses to correct the damage, you may have several possible rights under Alabama law, depending on the contract, the facts, and the type of damage involved. In general, a c...
Our upstairs neighbor’s bathtub leaked into our closet and ruined clothes. Do we deal with them or the landlord?
In Illinois, the answer is usually that you may need to deal with both, but for different reasons. If the leak came from an upstairs neighbor’s bathtub, that neighbor may be the person connected to the source of the wate...
Is it legal for a mechanic to begin crash repairs before I approve the final estimate?
In general, a mechanic or auto body shop should not begin significant crash repairs without some form of customer authorization, but the exact rule can depend on the paperwork you signed, the shop’s policies, the insurer...
Is it legal for an insurance adjuster to offer me $1,200 less than the body shop estimate?
In Arizona, an insurance adjuster can sometimes offer a settlement amount that is lower than a body shop estimate. That is not automatically illegal. In many claims, the insurer uses its own evaluation process, and the a...
My storage unit had water damage and they say insurance was “required” but never explained. Who is responsible?
In Texas, responsibility for water damage in a storage unit usually depends on several things at once: the rental agreement, any insurance requirement in the contract, what caused the water damage, and whether the facili...
My Apartment Flooded From the Unit Above — Who Pays for My Damaged Furniture?
In Illinois, the answer usually depends on what caused the flood, who may have been negligent, and what insurance coverage is available. If water came from the unit above, the upstairs tenant, the upstairs landlord, the...
What happens if my student loan servicer lost my prior payment records?
If your student loan servicer lost records of your prior payments, that usually does not mean the payments never happened. In general, servicers are expected to keep account histories and apply payments correctly, but re...
How do I handle a house cleaner who stole jewelry but denies it?
If you suspect a house cleaner took jewelry and denies it, the most important thing is usually to stay calm and document what happened. In Vermont, as in other states, theft allegations can be difficult when there is no...
Is it legal for a towing company to keep my car until I pay cash only?
In Nevada, a towing company may sometimes keep a vehicle until lawful towing and storage charges are paid, but the details matter. Whether a company can insist on cash only depends on the agreement, the type of tow, the...
Is it legal for a towing company to tow my car from my assigned apartment space?
In Tennessee, a towing company may be allowed to tow a car from an apartment space that is assigned to a tenant, but the answer usually depends on the lease, the parking rules, the signage, the apartment community’s towi...
What are my rights if the insurance company wants me to use a specific repair shop?
In general, an insurance company may recommend or prefer a particular repair shop after a claim, but that does not always mean you are required to use it. In Maryland, as in many states, the details usually depend on you...
How do I identify an anonymous account that posted defamatory comments about my business?
In general, identifying an anonymous account that posted harmful comments about a business can be difficult, and the process usually depends on the platform, the available evidence, and the applicable law in North Caroli...
Is it legal to record a customer service call in California if the company says the call may be recorded?
In California, the fact that a company says a call may be recorded does not automatically mean you are free to record the call yourself. California generally has strict rules about recording confidential communications,...
Can I get student loan forgiveness if I work for a 501(c)(3) animal shelter?
In general, working for a 501(c)(3) animal shelter may help you qualify for certain student loan forgiveness or repayment programs, but it does not automatically mean your loans will be forgiven. The main question is usu...
Do I have to call the police if I discover a hidden camera in an Airbnb rental?
If you discover a hidden camera in an Airbnb rental in New York, you generally are not legally required in every situation to call the police just because you found it. But in many cases, contacting law enforcement may b...