Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
My Wedding Venue Closed Without Refunding Deposits — What Can I Do?
If a wedding venue in Florida closed and did not refund your deposit, the first question is usually what your contract says and whether the venue actually canceled, breached the agreement, or is going through a bankruptc...
Can I keep the house in an equitable distribution divorce if the mortgage is only in my spouse’s name?
In California, the fact that the mortgage is only in your spouse’s name does not by itself decide who gets the house in a divorce. California is a community property state, so the court usually looks at when the home was...
Husband Owns the Car and Controls Finances—What Rights Do I Have During Separation?
In Oregon, your rights during a separation usually depend on the overall financial picture, not just whose name is on the car title or who manages the bank accounts. If you are married and living separately, the law gene...
What happens if my spouse bought a car during the marriage but titled it only in their name?
In Louisiana, a car bought during a marriage may still be treated as part of the marital property picture even if the title lists only one spouse’s name. Title alone does not always control ownership questions, especiall...
Can a landlord deny me housing because of my credit score alone?
In general, a landlord may consider your credit score when screening rental applicants, but the answer depends on the facts and on whether any fair housing or consumer credit rules apply. A credit score by itself is not...
What happens if I co-signed a car loan and the primary borrower stops making payments?
If you co-signed a car loan, you usually became equally responsible for the debt, even if you did not drive the car or receive the loan proceeds. If the primary borrower stops making payments, the lender will often look...
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...
How do I fight an eviction notice based on unpaid rent that was covered by rental assistance?
In New Mexico, a tenant who receives an eviction notice for unpaid rent may be able to challenge the eviction if the rent was actually covered by rental assistance. In general, the key issue is whether the landlord has p...
Can an HOA tow my car from my driveway because the registration sticker is expired?
In Florida, an HOA may sometimes be able to have a car towed from a driveway if the vehicle is violating the community’s recorded rules, parking restrictions, or property-use requirements. An expired registration sticker...
Can a company record my support call if I stayed on the line after hearing the recording notice?
In Massachusetts, the answer may depend on what notice you received, what the recording said, and whether the call was being recorded in a way allowed by law. If a company clearly told you the call might be recorded and...
Can I Dispute a Vet Bill After My Pet Died During Treatment?
In general, you may be able to dispute a veterinary bill after a pet dies during treatment, but the strength of any dispute usually depends on what happened, what was promised, what records show, and what the bill includ...
Can a collection agency report the same debt twice under different company names?
In general, a collection agency should not be able to make a debt look like two separate debts just by using different company names. If the same account is being reported more than once, that may be a sign of duplicate...
Do I have to prove the statement was fact and not opinion?
In many defamation disputes, yes — the distinction between a statement of fact and a statement of opinion can matter a great deal. In general, a false statement of fact is more likely to support a defamation claim than a...
How do I take a landscaper to small claims court for charging $900 and leaving my yard unfinished?
In Iowa, a dispute like this is often handled as a small claims or other civil money dispute if the amount involved is within the court’s limits and the facts support a claim for unpaid, overpaid, or refunded work. In ge...
Is it legal for a rental car company to charge me for damage found days after return?
In general, a rental car company may try to charge a customer for damage that it says was caused during the rental, even if the damage is discovered after the car was returned. But whether that charge is legally enforcea...