Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
How do I handle a subscription box company that refuses refunds for items shipped after cancellation?
If a subscription box company shipped items after you canceled and refuses a refund, the first step is usually to review the company’s cancellation policy, billing terms, and any confirmation you received. In many consum...
What happens if my landlord shuts off my electricity because I complained about repairs?
If a landlord shuts off your electricity because you complained about repairs, that may be considered a serious housing rights issue in New Mexico. In general, a landlord is not supposed to use utility shutoffs as a way...
How do I cancel a subscription that requires certified mail notice to terminate?
If a subscription contract says you must give notice by certified mail to cancel, the safest general approach is to follow those instructions exactly. In Utah, as in other states, the terms of the agreement often matter...
Is it legal for an apartment complex to charge a monthly package handling fee I never agreed to?
In general, whether an apartment complex in Vermont can charge a monthly package handling fee you never agreed to depends on the lease, any later addenda or policy updates, and how the fee was disclosed. If the fee was i...
Can my landlord evict me for having a pet if they knew about the dog for six months?
In Missouri, a landlord may sometimes try to evict a tenant for having a pet if the lease or house rules prohibit pets. But if the landlord knew about the dog for six months and did not object right away, that fact may m...
Can I Sue My Roommate for Leaving Unpaid Rent?
In general, a roommate dispute over unpaid rent is a contract and shared-housing issue, not a criminal matter. In Massachusetts, whether you may be able to bring a civil claim usually depends on how the housing arrangeme...
Do I have to pay rent if my landlord failed to fix a broken heater during winter?
In Washington, a broken heater during winter can raise serious habitability concerns, but it does not automatically mean rent can be withheld without risk. In general, tenants still need to be careful about withholding r...
What are my rights if a contractor damaged my neighbor's fence while working on my driveway?
If a contractor damaged your neighbor’s fence while working on your driveway, the situation usually turns on who caused the damage, what the contract says, and whether the contractor acted carelessly. In Alabama, the nei...
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 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...