Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
Do I have to pay HOA fees if they were never disclosed before I signed the lease?
In Maryland, the answer often depends on what the lease says, who agreed to pay the fee, and whether the HOA charge was part of the rental terms at all. In general, a tenant is usually responsible only for charges the le...
Can I get my student loans discharged if the school falsely certified my eligibility?
In general, possibly yes, but only in certain situations and depending on the type of loan, the school’s conduct, and the facts surrounding the certification. If a school falsely certified your eligibility for a federal...
How do I identify an anonymous account that posted defamatory comments about my business?
In general, identifying an anonymous account that posted harmful comments about a business can be difficult, and the process usually depends on the platform, the available evidence, and the applicable law in North Caroli...
How do I handle a personal injury claim when the business refuses to give me incident report paperwork?
In Georgia, if a business refuses to give you an incident report after an injury, that can be frustrating, but it does not necessarily stop a personal injury claim. In general, the report is only one piece of evidence. Y...
What happens if my car is repossessed without prior notice?
If your car is repossessed without prior notice, that usually means the lender or repossession company took the vehicle because the loan may have been in default, and they did so without first giving you a warning on the...
How do I recover money from an old savings account my parents opened for me as a child?
If your parents opened a savings account for you as a child, the first question is usually whether the money is still in an active account, was closed out, or was transferred somewhere else. In general, the steps to reco...
How do I enforce a small claims judgment against a business that closed?
If you won a small claims judgment against a business that later closed, enforcement can still be possible, but it often depends on what happened to the business, who owned it, and whether any assets or insurance remain....
What are my rights if my private student loan interest rate increased without clear notice?
If your private student loan interest rate increased without clear notice, you may have rights under your loan contract, general consumer-protection principles, and any notice rules that apply to your lender or servicer....
How do I dispute a $980 charge from a hotel that claimed I smoked in a non-smoking room?
If a hotel charged you $980 for allegedly smoking in a non-smoking room, the dispute usually turns on the hotel’s terms, the evidence it has, and whether the charge was authorized. In general, hotels may impose smoking f...
Is it defamation if someone says “I think” before making a false factual accusation online in Indiana?
In general, adding the words “I think” does not automatically protect a person from a defamation claim in Indiana. If an online statement still communicates a false factual accusation, a court may look at the whole conte...
Can a hospital refund check become unclaimed property if I moved and never received it?
Yes, a hospital refund check can sometimes become unclaimed property if it was issued to you but never cashed, deposited, or otherwise claimed, including situations where you moved and did not receive it. In general, unc...
What are my rights if I was burned by hot coffee because the lid was not attached correctly?
If you were burned by hot coffee because the lid was not attached correctly, you may have a potential claim under Maryland personal injury or product liability principles, depending on what caused the injury and who may...
Can a phone company keep billing me after I ported my number out?
In general, a phone company should not keep charging you for service that has actually ended, but a bill after you port your number out does not always mean the charge is improper. In many situations, carriers continue b...
What happens if a medical bill went to collections even though I was on a payment plan?
If a medical bill was sent to collections even though you were making payments under a payment plan, it may mean the provider or collection agency believes the account was still past due, the plan was not recorded correc...
What are my rights if my voice recordings were used to train an AI narration tool?
If your voice recordings were used to train an AI narration tool, you may have several possible legal concerns, but the answer depends heavily on the facts. In general, the key issues are how the recordings were obtained...