Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Can a contractor put a lien on my house if I already paid the general contractor in full?
In general, yes, a contractor or subcontractor may still try to file a lien against a homeowner’s property even if the homeowner already paid the general contractor in full. The key issue is often not just whether you pa...
What are my rights if my landlord recorded our maintenance dispute and posted part of it online?
In Illinois, your rights may depend on what was recorded, how the recording was made, and what the landlord posted online. In general, a landlord is not automatically allowed to record private conversations or publish th...
Is it legal for the insurance company to total my car even though I want it repaired?
In general, yes. In Florida, an insurance company may be allowed to declare a vehicle a total loss even if you would prefer to have it repaired, depending on the policy, the damage, the car’s value, and the insurer’s est...
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...
What happens if I confessed before the officer told me I had the right to remain silent?
In general, a confession made before a police officer gives Miranda warnings is not automatically thrown out. The most important question is usually whether you were in custody and being interrogated at the time you spok...
Can I Dispute a Credit Card Charge for a Service That Was Never Completed?
In general, you may be able to dispute a credit card charge if you paid for a service that was not completed, not provided, or was materially different from what was promised. In a New York case, the basic question is of...
Do I have to pay taxes when I recover money that was escheated years ago?
In general, recovering money that was previously escheated does not automatically mean you owe tax on the recovery. The tax treatment usually depends on what the money originally was, whether you already paid tax on it,...
Can I sue if someone edited screenshots to make it look like I admitted to a crime?
In Virginia, edited screenshots that falsely make it look like you admitted to a crime may sometimes support a civil claim, but the exact legal theory depends on the facts. In general, the law looks at what was published...
How do I split tax debt from a joint return in divorce?
In general, tax debt from a joint return is treated as a financial issue that must be addressed during the divorce, but a divorce decree does not automatically change how the tax debt is owed to the IRS or, if applicable...
What are my rights if the landlord accepted rent after the eviction notice deadline passed?
In general, if a landlord accepts rent after an eviction notice deadline has passed, that acceptance may affect the eviction process. In some situations, taking rent can be treated as waiving the default or as evidence t...
My Roommate Refuses to Pay Utilities That Are in My Name — Can I Sue?
If your roommate agreed to share utilities and then stopped paying, you may have a possible repayment claim. In Virginia, as in many states, the answer often depends on what agreement existed, what proof you have, and wh...
What are my rights if a telehealth provider recorded my appointment without clear notice?
In Illinois, a telehealth recording made without clear notice can raise privacy, consent, and professional responsibility concerns, but the exact rights involved usually depend on the facts. The key questions are often w...
Is it legal for a business to keep uncashed refund checks instead of reporting them to the state?
In Kentucky, a business generally cannot treat uncashed refund checks as if they are simply its own money forever. In many situations, money represented by an uncashed check may be considered unclaimed property, which ca...
Can I be charged under Minnesota Statutes Section 609.595 if I keyed someone’s car and the repair estimate is $900?
In Minnesota, keying someone’s car can potentially lead to criminal charges because damaging another person’s property may be prosecuted under the state’s criminal damage to property laws. Whether Minnesota Statutes Sect...
Is it legal for a landlord to charge pet rent for an emotional support animal?
In general, a landlord usually may not charge pet rent, a pet deposit, or other pet fees for a properly requested emotional support animal, because an emotional support animal is typically treated differently from an ord...