Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
How do I get student loan forgiveness for teaching special education in a public school?
If you teach special education in a public school, you may have access to federal student loan forgiveness or cancellation options, depending on the type of loan you have, the repayment plan you are in, and the specific...
What are my rights if my insurance company undervalues my totaled car by $3,000?
If your insurance company says your car was totaled but offers less than you believe it was worth, you generally have the right to question the valuation and ask for a review. In New Jersey, the amount an insurer pays of...
What happens if a finance company repossessed my car even though I was only 12 days late?
In Iowa, a car loan or retail installment contract may allow repossession after a missed payment or default, but the exact right to repossess depends on the contract and the law that applies to the transaction. Being onl...
What are my rights if my former friend secretly recorded me during a private conversation in their car?
If this happened in California, you may have privacy-related rights, but the answer depends heavily on the facts. California is generally a two-party consent state for confidential communications, which means a private c...
How do I dispute a cable bill with unexplained charges?
If your cable bill includes charges you do not recognize, the first step is usually to review the bill carefully and compare it with your contract, promotional offer, and past statements. Unexplained charges may be the r...
What happens if my car is repossessed even though I made a partial payment?
If your car is repossessed after you made a partial payment, that does not automatically mean the repossession was improper. In Iowa, as in many states, the lender or repossession company will usually look first to the l...
Do I have to pay a debt collector if the debt was already settled?
If a debt was already settled, you generally may not owe the full amount the collector is asking for. In many situations, a settlement means the creditor agreed to accept a reduced amount or a specific payment plan as fu...
Is it legal for a landlord to charge an application fee and deny me without explanation in Rhode Island?
In general, yes, a landlord in Rhode Island may be allowed to charge an application fee and may also be allowed to deny an application without giving a detailed explanation. That is often true in ordinary rental screenin...
My Employer Won’t Let Me Take Meal Breaks but Edits the Schedule to Show Them — What Can I Do?
In California, workers generally have meal-break rights, and employers usually cannot simply show a break on the schedule if the break was not actually provided. If your employer is changing records to make it look like...
Can I sue a contractor for unfinished kitchen work if we only had text messages and payment receipts?
In general, yes, a contractor dispute can sometimes be pursued even if the agreement was mostly handled by text messages and payment receipts. In Montana, as in many states, the lack of a formal written contract does not...
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...
What are my rights if a moving company lost two boxes with my tax records and family photos?
If a moving company lost two boxes containing tax records and family photos, you may have several general rights under Mississippi law and the terms of the moving contract, but the details depend heavily on the facts. In...
How do I get a refund from an airline for canceled flights booked through a third-party site?
If your flight was canceled and you booked through a third-party website or travel agency, the refund process can be more complicated than if you booked directly with the airline. In general, the first question is whethe...
Can Employers or Businesses Keep Photocopies of Driver’s Licenses?
In general, a business or employer may ask to see your driver’s license to verify identity, age, driving privileges, or eligibility for a transaction or job duty. Whether it may keep a photocopy is a separate question an...
What are my rights if my shipment was marked delivered but never arrived?
If a shipment is marked delivered but you never received it, you usually have the right to ask for an investigation, request proof of delivery, and seek a replacement or refund depending on the facts and the seller’s pol...