Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
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...
What happens if my credit card company denies a fraud claim I reported immediately?
If a credit card company denies a fraud claim you reported right away, it usually means the company has decided, at least for now, that it does not believe the charge was unauthorized or that the claim is not covered und...
Can I get an emergency court order to stop someone from posting more false claims?
In some situations, a court in Wyoming may be asked to enter an emergency order to stop another person from making or repeating false claims. But that type of relief is usually limited, and courts often look carefully at...
Can a Hospital Bill Me Years After the Visit?
Yes, a hospital may sometimes send a bill long after the visit, but whether it can still collect depends on several legal and practical factors. A late bill does not automatically mean the charge is invalid. It may happe...
Is it legal for an apartment to charge a mandatory valet trash fee I never agreed to?
In general, an apartment complex may charge a valet trash fee if the fee was part of your lease, a lease addendum, or another agreement you accepted. If you never agreed to the fee, the main question is usually whether t...
Do I have to certify my employment every year for PSLF?
In general, annual employment certification for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is not always legally required, but it is often strongly recommended. Many borrowers use employment certification to help track quali...
My neighbor’s fence blocks the only sunlight to my garden. Is there anything I can do?
In Massachusetts, a neighbor’s fence blocking sunlight to a garden is not automatically a legal violation. In general, property owners are allowed to use their land, including putting up fences, unless a local rule, ease...
Do I have to go through probate in Alabama if my parent died with only a bank account and a car?
In Alabama, the answer is usually: maybe, but not always. If your parent left only a bank account and a car, probate may or may not be necessary depending on how those assets were titled, whether they had a beneficiary,...
Can a store use hidden cameras in dressing rooms to prevent shoplifting?
In Ohio, a store generally should not place hidden cameras in a dressing room or other area where a customer has a strong expectation of privacy. Dressing rooms are usually treated as private spaces, and secretly recordi...
How do I handle a divorce when one child wants to live with each parent?
When parents divorce and one child wants to live with each parent, the situation often involves both custody and parenting-time decisions. In general, Vermont courts focus on the best interests of each child, which means...
Is it legal for a landlord to use an eviction notice to force me to sign a new lease?
In general, a landlord should not be able to use an eviction notice as a simple pressure tactic to force a tenant to sign a new lease. An eviction notice usually has to be tied to a lawful reason under the rental agreeme...