Business, Corporate & Commercial Law
Browse published legal information questions related to Business, Corporate & Commercial Law.
Can a Contractor Demand Full Payment Before Finishing the Job?
In general, a contractor cannot simply demand full payment before finishing the job unless the contract allows it or the parties later agree to a change in payment terms. In Georgia, as in many states, the written contra...
Is It Legal for a Company to Auto-Renew My Contract Without Clear Notice?
In general, whether a company can auto-renew your contract without clear notice depends on the contract terms, the type of agreement, and applicable Wyoming law. Many businesses include automatic renewal language in serv...
What Can I Do If a Contractor Took My Deposit and Disappeared?
If a contractor took your deposit and then stopped responding, it can feel overwhelming. In general, your options may depend on what the contract said, what work was promised, how much money you paid, and whether the con...
What Should I Do If a Mechanic Fixed the Wrong Problem and the Car Still Will Not Run?
If a mechanic fixed the wrong problem and your car still will not run, the first step is usually to document everything carefully. Keep the repair order, invoices, diagnostic reports, texts, emails, photos, and any notes...
Can a Hotel Keep My Deposit for Noise Complaints I Did Not Cause?
In general, a hotel may only keep a deposit if its policy, the room agreement, or another valid contract term allows it and if the hotel can connect the loss to the guest’s conduct or to an actual charge that the deposit...
Can a Car Dealer Sell Me a Vehicle Without a Clean Title?
In general, a dealer should be able to give you clear information about the vehicle’s title status before or at the time of sale. If a title is not “clean,” that can mean the title has a brand, such as salvage, rebuilt,...
Can a Repair Shop Sell My Car If I Do Not Pay the Invoice?
In Alaska, a repair shop may sometimes have a legal right to keep a vehicle until a repair bill is paid, and in some situations it may be able to pursue the vehicle through a lien or other collection process. Whether a s...
I bought a used phone and it was later blacklisted. Can I get my money back?
If you bought a used phone and later learned that it was blacklisted, you may be wondering whether you can get your money back. In general, the answer depends on why the phone was blacklisted, what the seller knew, what...
A store sold me a floor model appliance as new. Can I demand a refund?
In Texas, if a store sold you a floor model appliance as “new” when it was actually a display or floor model, that may raise consumer-protection issues. In general, the answer depends on what the store said, what the rec...
Can a mechanic charge diagnostic fees twice for the same issue?
In general, a mechanic may be able to charge more than once for diagnostic work, but whether charging twice for the same issue is reasonable usually depends on the facts, the repair agreement, and what work was actually...
Can a private school keep tuition after they asked my child not to return?
In Florida, a private school may be able to keep some or all of the tuition after asking a child not to return, but the answer usually depends on the enrollment contract, the school’s refund policy, and the facts surroun...
Can a pet boarding facility charge emergency vet fees without calling me first?
In North Carolina, a pet boarding facility may sometimes charge emergency veterinary fees without calling first, but that usually depends on the boarding agreement, the circumstances of the emergency, and what the facili...
Can a restaurant add a “kitchen appreciation fee” that servers never receive?
In California, a restaurant may sometimes add a separate fee to a bill, but the legal treatment of that fee depends on how it is described, disclosed, and used. A label like “kitchen appreciation fee” does not automatica...
Can a gym renew my annual membership automatically without warning me?
In general, a gym may be able to automatically renew an annual membership if the contract clearly says so and the renewal terms are disclosed in a way that is not misleading. In Massachusetts, however, auto-renewal terms...
I paid a plumber upfront and he ghosted after opening the wall. What’s the best next step?
If you paid a plumber upfront in Pennsylvania and the plumber stopped responding after opening the wall, the best next step is usually to document everything, try to preserve your evidence, and send a clear written deman...