Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
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...
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...
What are my rights if my spouse opened new credit cards using my information?
If a spouse opened new credit cards using your information, you may have rights related to credit reporting, identity theft, account disputes, and possible fraud concerns. In general, a spouse does not automatically have...
Can I sue a contractor for poor workmanship if I do not have a formal contract?
In Montana, and in many other states, the absence of a formal written contract does not always mean you have no legal claim against a contractor. In general, disputes over home repairs, renovations, or construction work...
Do I have to pay for services that were performed incorrectly and caused more damage?
In California, the answer is often “it depends.” If a service provider performed work incorrectly and caused additional damage, you may have arguments that you should not have to pay the full amount, or that you may be e...
Can I sue a business if I found a hidden camera in a restroom stall?
If you found a hidden camera in a restroom stall, there may be civil legal claims against the business, the person who installed the camera, or both, depending on the facts. In Virginia, as in many states, a restroom is...
Can my bank send my checking account to the state as unclaimed property if I have not used it in three years?
In California, a bank account may be treated as unclaimed property if there has been no customer activity for a long period and the bank cannot reach the owner. In general, that means the account has become dormant or in...
What happens if a subscription streaming service charged my expired card through a card updater program?
If a subscription streaming service charged an expired card through a card updater program, the charge may still go through even though the card you originally gave the company was no longer active. In general, card upda...
Can I Sue a Photographer Who Never Delivered Wedding Photos?
If a wedding photographer never delivered your photos, you may have a possible civil claim, but the answer depends on the contract, the communications between the parties, and what actually happened. In Illinois, dispute...