Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
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...
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...
Can I Sue a Mechanic Who Kept My Car for Months and Still Didn’t Fix It?
In Florida, a mechanic who keeps your car for a long time and still does not repair it may create a legal dispute, but the answer depends heavily on the facts. The key questions are usually what the mechanic promised, wh...
Can I Sue a Neighbor for Loud Music Every Night?
In Montana, loud music from a neighbor every night may become a legal issue if it seriously interferes with your use and enjoyment of your home. In general, repeated noise can sometimes support a private nuisance claim,...
Do I have to pay a parking garage ticket if the exit gate was broken and no attendant was there?
In general, you may still owe money for parking if you used a garage, but a broken exit gate and no attendant can raise questions about whether the garage can fairly enforce the charge. In Utah, the answer usually depend...
What are my rights if a dog bit me while I was delivering food to someone’s house?
If a dog bit you while you were delivering food in Washington, you may have legal rights under personal injury law and possibly workers’ compensation, depending on how you were working and whose dog it was. In general, a...
How do I stop a subscription that keeps charging after cancellation?
If a subscription keeps charging after you canceled it, the first step is usually to gather proof that you canceled and to review the account terms you agreed to. In many cases, the issue is a billing error, a processing...
Is it legal for a prenup to waive rights to the marital home?
In general, a prenuptial agreement may be able to waive or limit a spouse’s rights in the marital home, but whether that provision is enforceable depends on the facts and on Hawaii law. The answer is usually not a simple...
Can my landlord charge late fees every day after rent is five days late?
In Kansas, the answer usually depends on the lease and any limits that apply under state and local law. In general, a landlord may only charge late fees if the lease allows them, and the fee terms must be enforceable und...
Do I have to pay a debt collector who added $300 in fees I don’t recognize?
In general, you may not have to pay fees that you do not recognize unless the collector can show that those charges are actually allowed. A debt collector usually must be able to explain what the $300 is for and why it w...