Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
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...
Do I have to pay for rental car damage that was noted before I drove off?
In general, if rental car damage was already noted before you drove off, that fact can matter a lot. If the company’s own records, inspection sheet, photos, or app check-in show the damage before you took possession, it...
Is it legal for a former tenant to post false claims that I illegally kept deposits?
In Hawaii, a former tenant generally may have some freedom to talk about a dispute, including saying they believe a landlord kept a deposit unfairly. But if the tenant posts statements that are false and presented as fac...
What happens if my spouse refuses to list a cash savings account on financial disclosures?
In Delaware, as in many family-law matters, spouses are generally expected to make full and honest financial disclosures during a divorce or other financial proceeding. If a spouse refuses to list a cash savings account,...
Can a Landlord Shut Off Water During Repairs Without Notice?
In Illinois, a landlord generally should not leave a tenant without essential water service any longer than necessary, even when repairs are being made. Whether a temporary shutoff is allowed usually depends on the facts...
What are my rights if my landlord gave me notice for unpaid rent but never fixed the broken furnace?
If you are in North Dakota and your landlord gave you notice about unpaid rent, the first question is usually whether the rent is actually overdue and whether the landlord has followed the lease and any required notice p...
Is it legal for a state to keep interest earned on money after it is escheated?
In general, the answer depends on the law that governs the unclaimed property and on what happened to the money while the state held it. Escheat or unclaimed property laws usually let the state take custody of abandoned...
Can I withhold rent if my landlord does not fix a leaking ceiling?
In Illinois, you may be tempted to stop paying rent if your landlord does not fix a leaking ceiling, but that can be risky. In general, tenants do not want to assume they can simply withhold rent without understanding th...
Can I Sue a Moving Company for Scratched Floors and Missing Boxes?
In general, a moving company may be responsible if its workers damaged your property or lost items during the move. Scratched floors can sometimes be treated as property damage, and missing boxes may sometimes be treated...
Can I request back child support if the father was not listed on the birth certificate?
In Virginia, the fact that a father was not listed on the birth certificate does not necessarily prevent a child support claim. In general, child support depends on legal parentage, not only on what appears on a birth ce...
Do I have to give a recorded statement to the dog owner’s insurance company in Alabama?
In Alabama, you usually do not have to agree to a recorded statement for the dog owner’s insurance company just because the insurer asks for one. An insurance company may request a statement as part of its claims investi...
What happens if we bought a house before marriage but paid the mortgage with marital income?
In Michigan, a house bought before marriage is often treated as separate property at the start. But if marital income was used to pay the mortgage during the marriage, that does not always leave the property unchanged fo...
Do I have to pay a debt collector if they cannot prove the debt is mine?
In general, a debt collector should be able to identify what debt it is trying to collect and why it says you owe it. If a collector cannot provide enough information to connect the debt to you, that may raise a serious...
How do I handle a notice to vacate when the landlord says their family is moving in?
If you receive a notice to vacate because your landlord says a family member is moving in, the first step is to read the notice carefully and keep a copy. In Nebraska, the exact rules can depend on the type of tenancy, t...