Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
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...
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...
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...
Is it legal for a car dealership to sell me a car that failed inspection the same week?
In New York, the answer usually depends on the facts of the sale, the car’s condition, and what the dealership told you before and during the transaction. In general, a dealership does not automatically act unlawfully ju...
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...
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...