Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Do I have to go through probate in Alabama if my parent died with only a bank account and a car?
In Alabama, the answer is usually: maybe, but not always. If your parent left only a bank account and a car, probate may or may not be necessary depending on how those assets were titled, whether they had a beneficiary,...
Do I have to know the harasser personally to file under RCW 7.105?
In Washington, you generally do not have to know the other person personally to ask for protection under RCW 7.105. The key question is usually not whether you had a prior relationship, but whether the facts fit the lega...
The florist delivered the wrong flowers for a funeral. Can we ask for more than a refund?
In Pennsylvania, a wrong flower delivery for a funeral may be more than a simple customer-service problem, but the available remedies usually depend on the facts. In general, if a florist delivered the wrong arrangement,...
My Package Was Delivered to the Wrong Address and the Seller Refuses a Refund — Who Is Responsible?
In general, responsibility can depend on who controlled the shipment, what the seller promised, and whether the package was actually lost or misdelivered by the carrier. In New Jersey, as in many states, the answer often...
Is it legal for a landlord to require all tenants to pay rent only through an app with a monthly fee?
In general, a landlord in North Dakota may try to set the methods tenants must use to pay rent, but that does not always mean every app-based payment rule is automatically enforceable. A requirement to use a specific app...
What happens if a finance company repossessed my car even though I was only 12 days late?
In Iowa, a car loan or retail installment contract may allow repossession after a missed payment or default, but the exact right to repossess depends on the contract and the law that applies to the transaction. Being onl...
Is It Legal for a Gym to Require Certified Mail to Cancel a Membership?
In general, a gym may be able to require a particular cancellation method if that requirement is clearly stated in the membership contract and does not violate applicable law. That means a certified mail requirement is n...
Can I Transfer a Vehicle Into My Name Only Without Refinancing?
In California, it may be possible to put a vehicle title in your name only without refinancing, but it depends on whether there is an existing loan, who is listed on the title, and what the lender allows. Title transfer...
Is it legal for a landlord to charge for overnight guests?
In general, a landlord may be able to charge for overnight guests only if the rental agreement clearly allows it or if the guest’s presence changes the nature of the tenancy in some way the lease addresses. The exact ans...
How do I prove a pattern of harassment if most of it happened through Instagram messages?
If most of the conduct happened through Instagram messages, the messages themselves may be some of the most important evidence of a pattern of harassment. In general, a pattern is usually shown by repeated conduct, not b...
What happens if I buy a car and later find out the odometer was rolled back?
If you buy a car and later discover the odometer was rolled back, the situation may involve fraud, misrepresentation, or other consumer protection issues. In general, an odometer rollback means the vehicle’s mileage was...
Is it defamation if someone posts a fake warning about me in a local parents’ group?
In general, a fake warning posted about you in a local parents’ group may be defamatory if it makes a false statement of fact about you and harms your reputation. Whether it counts as defamation usually depends on exactl...
Is it legal for a landlord to require renters insurance after the lease has already started?
In Ohio, a landlord may be able to require renters insurance after a lease has already started, but the answer usually depends on the lease language, any later agreement between the parties, and general Ohio contract and...
How do I dispute an unclaimed property claim that someone else already filed under my name?
If someone else already filed an unclaimed property claim under your name, that can raise identity, ownership, or authorization concerns. In general, you may need to contact the state unclaimed property office, explain t...
Do I have to accept the first settlement offer from the insurance company?
In general, no—you usually do not have to accept the first settlement offer from an insurance company. A first offer is often a starting point in negotiations, not the final word. Depending on the facts, it may be lower...