Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
Can a Dealership Refuse to Return My Trade-In After Financing Fails?
In general, a dealership in Michigan may not be able to keep your trade-in just because financing did not go through, but the answer often depends on the paperwork you signed and how the deal was structured. In many car...
What are my rights if I was never served with the child support case paperwork?
If you were never properly served with child support case paperwork, you may have important due process concerns. In general, service of process is the formal way the court gives notice of a case and tells a person how t...
Do I Have to Pay HOA Fines If I Never Got the Violation Notice?
In general, whether you have to pay an HOA fine after not receiving the violation notice depends on the HOA’s governing documents, how notice was supposed to be delivered, and whether the association can show it followed...
Is it legal for a former tenant to post false claims that I illegally kept deposits?
In Hawaii, a former tenant generally may have some freedom to talk about a dispute, including saying they believe a landlord kept a deposit unfairly. But if the tenant posts statements that are false and presented as fac...
Is it legal for a car dealer to charge document fees that were not disclosed upfront?
In Texas, the answer usually depends on what the dealer disclosed, what the sales paperwork says, and whether the charge was accurately presented as part of the transaction. In general, a car dealer should not surprise a...
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...
Can a towing company refuse card payment and keep adding storage fees?
In general, a towing company may be able to set the payment methods it accepts, but that does not automatically mean it can add unlimited storage fees or ignore other legal limits. The answer often depends on the tow con...
Dog sitter lost my dog during a weekend trip. What can I realistically recover?
If a dog sitter lost your dog during a weekend trip, you may be able to recover some of your financial losses, but the amount and type of recovery usually depend on the facts, the contract, and California law. In general...
What are my rights if a hotel overcharges me for minibar items I did not use?
If a hotel in Hawaii charges you for minibar items you did not use, you may have the right to dispute the charge and ask the hotel to correct the bill. In general, hotels should bill guests accurately for items actually...
What happens if my boss secretly recorded our closed-door meeting without telling me?
In California, secretly recording a private or “confidential” conversation can raise serious legal issues. Whether your boss broke the law usually depends on the setting, who was present, whether everyone knew the conver...
Can I Press Charges for Fake Evidence and Reputation Damage in Georgia?
In Georgia, the answer usually depends on what happened, who made the fake evidence, and how it was used. In general, a private person does not personally “press charges.” Criminal charges are usually handled by law enfo...
Is it legal for a mechanic to keep my car because I disputed the repair charges?
In Indiana, a mechanic may sometimes be able to keep a vehicle if the shop claims it has a legal right to hold the car for unpaid repair charges. That right is often discussed as a mechanic’s lien or possessory lien, but...
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...
The car wash ripped off my side mirror and pointed to a “not responsible” sign. Does that matter?
In Georgia, a “not responsible” sign may matter, but it usually does not automatically end the issue. In general, a business cannot always avoid responsibility just by posting a sign, especially if the damage may have be...
How do I get my money back from a mechanic who replaced parts that did not fix the problem?
If a mechanic replaced parts but the original problem is still not fixed, there may be several general steps to consider. In Oklahoma, the first issue is usually whether the repair shop promised a specific result, made a...