Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
How do I file a small claims case against a wedding photographer who never delivered the photos?
If you are in Massachusetts and a wedding photographer took your money but never delivered the photos, small claims court may be one possible way to seek repayment or another monetary remedy. In general, small claims cas...
Can I sue for emotional distress after my dog was injured in the car accident?
In general, you might be able to bring a claim for emotional distress after a car accident that injures your dog, but the answer usually depends on the facts and the law in your state. In Wyoming, as in many states, the...
Can police use a statement I made voluntarily before they asked any questions?
In New Jersey, a statement you make voluntarily before police start asking questions may sometimes be used by law enforcement. Whether it can be used often depends on the circumstances, including whether the statement wa...
What happens if the prenup says my spouse keeps the house but I paid for renovations?
In Connecticut, the answer usually depends on what the prenup actually says, how the renovation money was treated, and whether the agreement clearly addresses improvements to the home. If the prenup says one spouse keeps...
My Neighbor’s Pool Water Flooded My Yard — Can I Make Them Fix It?
In general, if a neighbor’s pool water is repeatedly or unreasonably flowing onto your property in South Carolina, you may have options to ask for the problem to be fixed and to seek compensation for damage. The legal th...
Do I have to accept the dog owner’s offer to pay only my urgent care bill?
In general, no—you usually do not have to accept a dog owner’s offer to pay only your urgent care bill if you believe your losses are greater than that amount. An offer to cover one bill is often just a settlement propos...
What are my rights if my upstairs neighbor’s pipe burst and ruined my furniture?
If an upstairs neighbor’s pipe burst and damaged your furniture, you may have rights to seek payment for the loss, but the source of those rights depends on the facts. In Maryland, claims of this type often involve prope...
What are my rights if a daycare closed unexpectedly and kept my $800 deposit?
If a daycare in North Dakota closed unexpectedly and kept your $800 deposit, your rights usually depend on the enrollment agreement, any refund policy, and the facts surrounding the closure. In general, a deposit is ofte...
Do I have to pay rent for days when my apartment was unusable because of sewage backup?
In Louisiana, the answer often depends on how serious the sewage backup was, how much of the apartment was unusable, and what steps the landlord took to fix the problem. In general, if a major sewage backup made the apar...
Do I have to pay child support if my child lives with me half the time?
In Alabama, having your child live with you about half the time does not automatically mean child support goes away. Child support is usually based on a court’s order and on how the state calculates each parent’s financi...
How do I handle a moving company that lost my $2,200 TV during a cross-state move?
If a moving company lost your TV during an interstate move, the first step is usually to gather every document connected to the move and the missing item. That often includes your bill of lading, inventory list, estimate...
Do I have to pay rent if my apartment is unlivable due to a fire?
In Alabama, the answer usually depends on how badly the fire damaged the apartment and whether it is still legally or practically livable. If a fire makes the unit unsafe to occupy, tenants often wonder whether rent stop...
Can a Landlord Make Me Pay for Replacing the Entire Carpet?
In general, a landlord may try to charge a tenant for carpet replacement if the carpet was damaged beyond ordinary wear and tear during the tenancy. But a landlord usually cannot require a tenant to pay for a brand-new c...
What happens if a contractor misses deadlines repeatedly without updates?
If a contractor repeatedly misses deadlines and does not give updates, that often creates serious practical and legal problems for the project owner. In general, the first issue is that the work may be in breach of the c...
Employer Raised My Hourly Rate by Mistake and Won’t Fix It—Am I Liable?
In New Jersey, an employer may sometimes try to recover wages that were paid by mistake, including an hourly rate that was accidentally set too high. Whether you are legally liable usually depends on the facts, including...