Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
What happens if a debt buyer sues me for an old credit card balance from 2017?
If a debt buyer sues you over an old credit card balance from 2017, the first thing to understand is that a lawsuit is serious even if the debt is old. In general, a debt buyer is a company that purchases charged-off deb...
The moving company broke my TV but their claim form says they owe pennies per pound. Can they do that?
In general, a moving company may try to limit how much it pays for damaged household goods, including a TV, through the contract or claim paperwork. A “pennies per pound” statement usually means the company is relying on...
Do I have to pay a cancellation fee if my gym never told me the contract auto-renewed?
In Florida, whether you have to pay a cancellation fee after a gym contract auto-renews usually depends on the contract terms, what notice the gym gave you, and whether the gym followed any legal notice requirements that...
What are my rights if my mechanic installed used parts instead of new ones without telling me?
If a mechanic installed used parts instead of new ones without telling you, you may have several potential rights depending on what you were told, what you agreed to, and what documents you signed. In general, a repair s...
Can I sue in Alabama if someone used AI to make fake images of me online?
In Alabama, you may have possible civil claims if someone used AI to create and post fake images of you online, but the answer depends heavily on the facts. The legal issue is usually not just that the images were made w...
What happens if a debt collector sues me for a debt older than the statute of limitations?
If a debt collector sues you for an old debt, the age of the debt may matter a lot because a statute of limitations defense can sometimes limit or defeat the lawsuit. In general, the statute of limitations is a deadline...
Do I have to delete a recording if I later learn the other person did not consent?
In California, the answer depends on several facts, including how the recording was made, what was recorded, and whether any consent was actually required in the first place. In general, California is known for having st...
How do I deal with a home warranty company that keeps denying valid repair claims?
If a home warranty company keeps denying repair claims that you believe are covered, the first step is usually to gather and organize the policy, your claim records, repair invoices, photos, and all communications with t...
Can unused wages from a temporary job be turned over to the state in Maine?
In general, wages earned from a temporary job are still the worker’s property until they are properly paid out, and they are not automatically “turned over” to the state just because the job ended or the wages were never...
Do I have to pay for cable service that was bundled into my rent even though I never used it?
In New York, the short answer is usually that it depends on what your lease says and how the charge was set up. If cable service was truly part of the rent or a required amenity under your lease, you may still owe the am...
Is it legal for a dealership to refuse to fix a warranty issue because I missed one oil change?
In general, a dealership or manufacturer may not be able to deny warranty coverage for every missed oil change automatically. The key question is usually whether the missed service actually caused or contributed to the p...
Is it legal for a repair shop to hold my laptop until I pay a diagnostic fee I was never told about?
In Alaska, a repair shop may be able to keep possession of a laptop for unpaid charges in some situations, but the answer usually depends on the facts, the paperwork, and any agreement you made with the shop. If you were...
I bought a mattress online and the return window ended before it fully expanded. Any rights?
In California, you may have some options, but the answer usually depends on the seller’s return policy, the product listing, and whether the mattress was defective or not as described. A mattress that arrives compressed...
Is it legal for a store to refuse to identify the cleaning company responsible for the spill?
In general, a store may be able to refuse to volunteer the name of a cleaning company, but that does not necessarily end the matter if someone was injured in a spill. In Arkansas, the legal question is usually not whethe...
Is it legal for a tow company to charge $575 to release my car after it was parked overnight at my apartment complex?
In Tennessee, a tow company may be able to charge a substantial amount to release a vehicle, but whether $575 is lawful usually depends on several facts, including where the car was parked, whether the tow was authorized...