Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
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a card updater program, the charge may still go through even though the card you originally gave the company was no longer active.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...
What are my rights if my insurance claim is denied without explanation?
If an insurance company denies a claim without giving a clear reason, that can be frustrating and may make it harder to know what to do next. In general, policyholders have the right to ask for the reason for the denial,...
What happens if a contractor used cheaper materials than what was listed in our written agreement?
If a contractor used cheaper materials than what your written agreement called for, the situation is often treated as a possible contract dispute, and sometimes also as a consumer-protection issue, depending on the facts...
Can a Bank Reverse a Fraud Credit Months After Giving It to Me?
In general, yes, a bank may sometimes reverse a fraud-related provisional credit months after it was issued, depending on why the credit was given, how the bank investigated the claim, and what the account agreement or a...
How do I dispute a credit report entry for an apartment debt I do not recognize?
If you see an apartment debt on your credit report and do not recognize it, the first step is usually to gather as much information as you can about the account and dispute it with the credit reporting company and, often...
Can an Ex-Wife Keep a Car That Belongs to Me in Colorado?
In Colorado, whether an ex-wife can keep a car that you believe belongs to you usually depends on who legally owns the vehicle and whether it is marital property, separate property, or subject to a court order. If the ca...
Is it legal for a lender to charge late fees while my deferment request is pending?
In general, the answer depends on the loan documents, the lender’s policies, and whether the lender has formally approved the deferment. A pending deferment request does not always stop late fees by itself. In many situa...
What happens if I miss one credit card payment by 12 days but paid it before the next statement?
If you are in Ohio and you missed one credit card payment by 12 days but paid it before the next statement, the most common result is that the account may be treated as late for that billing cycle, even if you later caug...
What happens if my credit card company denies a fraud claim I reported immediately?
If a credit card company denies a fraud claim you reported right away, it usually means the company has decided, at least for now, that it does not believe the charge was unauthorized or that the claim is not covered und...