Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Is it defamation if someone falsely says my nonprofit misused donations?
In general, a false statement that a nonprofit misused donations can be defamatory if it is communicated to someone else and harms the nonprofit’s reputation. A statement like this may be especially serious because it su...
Is it legal for an insurance company to deny my claim because I waited three days to report the crash?
In Arkansas, an insurance company may try to deny or reduce a claim if the accident was not reported right away, but a delay of three days does not automatically mean the insurer can legally deny the claim. In general, t...
What happens if one section of the prenup is invalid but the rest seems fair?
In general, one invalid section of a prenuptial agreement does not automatically make the entire agreement invalid. Courts often look at whether the rest of the contract can still work on its own and whether the parties...
What happens if my car was totaled but I still owe $7,000 more than the insurance payout?
If your car is totaled and the insurance payment is $7,000 less than what you still owe, you usually still remain responsible for the remaining loan balance unless another source covers that gap. In general, an insurer p...
Do I have to get consent from every person on a conference call before recording it?
In California, the answer is often yes: if you want to record a conference call, it is usually safest to assume you need consent from everyone involved before you hit record. California is generally treated as a “two-par...
Is it legal for a landlord to charge me for replacing appliances that were already old?
In general, a landlord cannot usually charge a tenant for replacing an appliance just because the appliance was already old and reached the end of its normal life. Ordinary aging, normal wear and tear, and depreciation a...
Is it legal for a landlord to reject my service dog because the building has a no-pets policy?
In general, a landlord in Rhode Island usually cannot reject a service dog just because the building has a no-pets policy. Housing rules for assistance animals often treat service animals differently from ordinary pets,...
What happens if my business forgot to report unclaimed customer refunds by the state deadline?
If your business missed the Delaware deadline for reporting unclaimed customer refunds, the first thing to know is that the issue usually does not disappear on its own. In general, unclaimed property rules are designed t...
How do I handle a crash where the other driver was texting but the police report does not mention it?
In general, a police report is only one piece of evidence after a crash. If the report does not mention texting, that does not necessarily mean the issue cannot be raised later. In New Mexico, as in many states, fault an...
Is it legal for a student loan servicer to change my due date without notice?
In general, a student loan servicer may not be able to change your due date without following the loan contract and any applicable federal or state notice rules. Whether a due date change is allowed often depends on the...
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...
Can my car insurance raise my premium after an accident that the police report says was not my fault?
Yes, in some situations your car insurance premium may still go up after an accident even if a police report says you were not at fault. In general, a police report is important evidence, but it is usually not the only t...
How do I handle a warranty company that keeps delaying repairs for months?
If a warranty company keeps delaying repairs for months, the first step is usually to document everything carefully. Keep copies of the warranty, repair requests, inspection notes, emails, text messages, call logs, and a...
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...
Do I have to serve the respondent myself in a Washington harassment protection order case?
In Washington, you usually do not have to serve the respondent yourself in a harassment protection order case. In general, service is the process of giving the other party formal notice of the case and the hearing, and i...