Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
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...
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...
Can My Ex Keep My Dog After We Broke Up If I Paid the Vet Bills?
In Washington, the answer usually depends on who legally owns the dog, not just who paid the vet bills. Paying for veterinary care can be important evidence, but it does not automatically make someone the owner of the pe...
Is it legal for a store to delete security footage after I asked them to preserve it?
In general, a store may not be free to delete security footage once it has notice that the footage may be needed in a legal dispute. But the answer depends on the facts, the type of claim, and whether the store had a cle...
Do I have to pay a parking ticket issued on private property?
In general, a parking ticket issued on private property is not the same as a government-issued traffic citation. A private parking notice is usually a demand for payment from the property owner, landlord, business, or a...
How do I deal with a car rental company billing me $1,300 for scratches I did not cause?
If a rental car company bills you for scratches you believe you did not cause, the first step is usually to gather the rental agreement, pickup and return photos, and any emails or texts about the car’s condition. In gen...
What happens if my bank closes my account while a dispute investigation is still pending?
If a bank closes your account while a dispute investigation is still pending, the closure does not necessarily end the investigation. In general, a bank may still review the dispute, gather records, and decide whether an...
Do I have to sign a medical release for the insurance company after a car accident?
In general, you do not automatically have to sign whatever medical release an insurance company sends after a car accident. In Rhode Island, as in many states, an insurer may ask for records or authorizations so it can e...
Is it legal for a landlord in Alabama to keep my security deposit for normal carpet wear?
In general, a landlord in Alabama usually should not keep a security deposit just because carpet shows normal wear from ordinary use. Security deposits are commonly used to cover unpaid rent, lease violations, or damage...
What happens if I was in an Uber accident and both drivers blame each other?
If you were in an Uber accident and both drivers blame each other, the situation usually turns into an insurance and evidence dispute rather than a simple one-driver claim. In general, fault has to be sorted out before i...
Can a prenuptial agreement protect me from my fiancé’s credit card debt?
In general, a prenuptial agreement may help set expectations about debts before marriage, but it does not automatically stop a creditor from trying to collect a debt that already exists or was incurred in ways the law tr...