Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Do I have to identify which parts of my book cover were generated by AI when registering copyright?
In general, yes: if a book cover includes material created with artificial intelligence, it is often important to identify which parts were generated by AI when you apply to register the copyright. The key idea is that c...
What are my rights if my final paycheck is missing 18 hours of overtime?
If your final paycheck is missing overtime hours, you may have a wage-payment issue under Utah and federal wage laws, depending on the facts. In general, earned wages usually must be paid, and overtime is often treated a...
Is it legal for a spouse to file for divorce just to stop an immigration sponsorship?
In general, a spouse may be able to file for divorce even if the timing affects an immigration sponsorship, because divorce is usually a state-law family-law matter. But that does not mean a person can use divorce as a t...
How do I get my security deposit back when my landlord stopped responding after I moved out 45 days ago?
If you moved out in California and your landlord has stopped responding for 45 days, that usually raises a concern because landlords generally have to account for the security deposit within a relatively short time after...
How do I ask a judge to exclude a recording that was made without my consent?
In California, asking a judge to exclude a recording usually means asking the court not to admit it as evidence. That request is often made through a motion or objection, depending on the stage of the case and the type o...
How do I get student loan forgiveness for teaching special education in a public school?
If you teach special education in a public school, you may have access to federal student loan forgiveness or cancellation options, depending on the type of loan you have, the repayment plan you are in, and the specific...
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...
Can I bring a claim if a dog bite left a scar on my face?
In Virginia, a dog bite that leaves a scar on your face may be part of a personal injury claim, depending on the facts. A visible facial scar can matter because it may be considered a permanent injury, a disfigurement, o...
Do I have to use an income-driven repayment plan to get PSLF credit?
In general, no. For federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness, an income-driven repayment plan is often one of the most common ways borrowers make qualifying payments, but it is not necessarily the only way to receive PSLF...
How do I collect unpaid alimony if my ex refuses to follow the divorce decree?
If your ex is not paying alimony ordered in a divorce decree, there are usually legal ways to ask the court to enforce the order. In Iowa, alimony obligations are generally treated as court-ordered support, which means t...
How do I file a personal injury claim against a city for a dangerous sidewalk?
In Iowa, a personal injury claim against a city for a dangerous sidewalk usually involves more than simply reporting the injury and asking for payment. Claims against a city often involve special notice rules, shorter de...
What are my rights if police say the damage is over $1,000 but the shop estimate is only $650?
In Minnesota, the difference between a police statement that damage is over $1,000 and a shop estimate of $650 may matter a lot, but it does not automatically decide the legal issue. In general, police reports, witness s...
What happens if my last check does not include earned commissions from sales I already closed?
If your last paycheck does not include commissions you believe you already earned, that often means there is a wage dispute about whether those commissions were payable yet, how they were calculated, or whether any contr...
What happens if a hospital sends me a bill a year later for services I thought were covered?
If a hospital sends you a bill a year later for services you believed were covered, the first thing to know is that this can happen for several different reasons. In general, a late bill may mean the hospital believes th...
My Employer Changed My Timecard After I Clocked Out — Is That Legal?
In California, an employer may sometimes correct a timecard after an employee clocks out, but not in a way that causes unpaid work, hides hours actually worked, or reduces required pay. The key issue is usually whether t...