Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
Do I have to keep paying a personal loan if the lender will not give me a payoff statement?
In general, yes. If you still owe a valid personal loan debt, the fact that the lender will not give you a payoff statement usually does not eliminate the underlying duty to keep making payments. A payoff statement is of...
Is it legal to record a conversation in a busy restaurant if the other person did not consent?
In California, the answer is often no if you are secretly recording a confidential conversation and the other person did not consent. California is generally considered a two-party consent state for confidential communic...
What are my rights if my fiancé threatens to cancel the wedding unless I sign?
In Kansas, as in many states, a person generally cannot be forced to sign an agreement just because their fiancé threatens to cancel the wedding. Whether you have legal rights depends a lot on what you are being asked to...
Can I sue a contractor in small claims court for abandoning a $4,500 kitchen remodel?
In Virginia, a dispute over an abandoned $4,500 kitchen remodel may sometimes fit within small claims court, but the answer depends on the facts and on the amount of money you are actually trying to recover. Small claims...
How do I handle a business that recorded my call and shared it with a third-party vendor?
If a business recorded your call and then shared that recording with a third-party vendor, the first question is usually whether the recording itself was lawful and whether the later sharing was allowed. In Washington, c...
How do I get a refund from a travel booking site that canceled my reservation but kept the service fee?
In Tennessee, the answer usually depends on the booking site’s terms, how the fee was described, and what the site actually promised when you booked. If the site canceled your reservation, you may have a stronger argumen...
What happens if my car is repossessed without prior notice?
If your car is repossessed without prior notice, that usually means the lender or repossession company took the vehicle because the loan may have been in default, and they did so without first giving you a warning on the...
How do I sue a contractor who caused water damage during repairs?
If a contractor caused water damage during repairs in Minnesota, the situation may involve a contract dispute, negligence claim, or both, depending on the facts. In general, a homeowner or property owner usually needs to...
Can a contractor demand additional payment after the project is finished?
In general, a contractor may ask for additional payment after a project is finished, but that does not automatically mean the homeowner or customer must pay it. Whether the demand is valid usually depends on the contract...
Is it legal for an insurer to ask me to sign a blank medical authorization form?
In general, an insurer can ask you to sign a medical authorization form, but a request for a blank or overly broad authorization can raise concerns. The main issue is not just whether the insurer can ask, but whether the...
Can a court settlement payment become unclaimed property if the law firm cannot reach me?
Yes, a court settlement payment can sometimes become unclaimed property if the money cannot be delivered to you and remains unclaimed for a period of time. In general, when a law firm or other holder is trying to distrib...
What happens if a customer leaves a Google review falsely saying my restaurant gave them food poisoning?
If a customer posts a Google review falsely claiming your Texas restaurant caused food poisoning, the review may create serious business and reputational harm. In general, a false statement of fact published to others ca...
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...
Can I claim lost income if I drive for DoorDash and my car was in the shop for two weeks?
In general, you may be able to claim lost income if another person or company caused the car damage that kept you from driving for DoorDash, but the answer depends on the facts and the available proof. In California, los...
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...