Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
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 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,...
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...
Can a court settlement payment become unclaimed property if the law firm cannot reach me?
Yes, a court settlement payment can sometimes become unclaimed property if the money cannot be delivered to you and remains unclaimed for a period of time. In general, when a law firm or other holder is trying to distrib...
What are my rights if my landlord served an eviction notice after I asked for a reasonable accommodation?
In general, if you live in Maryland and your landlord served an eviction notice after you asked for a reasonable accommodation, that timing may matter. A request for a reasonable accommodation is often protected under fa...
How do I dispute a student loan that appears on my credit report twice?
If a student loan appears twice on your credit report, it usually means the loan may be reported more than once by the same furnisher, by related servicers, or under slightly different account information. In general, th...
My Neighbor’s Tree Fell on My Fence During a Storm — Who Pays?
In North Carolina, who pays for a fence damaged by a neighbor’s tree during a storm usually depends on why the tree fell and whether anyone was negligent. In general, if a healthy tree falls because of strong winds, rain...
Do I have to pay for a service contract that I never signed?
In general, not signing a service contract may be an important fact, but it does not always end the analysis. In Wyoming, as in other states, whether you may owe money can depend on whether there was some other agreement...
Do I have to pay filing fees for a harassment protection order in Washington?
In Washington, the filing fee question for a harassment protection order often depends on the type of order, the court handling the request, and the facts of the situation. In general, people looking for a harassment pro...
Is it legal to use AI to make illustrations in the style of a living artist?
In general, it may be possible to use AI to create illustrations that resemble the style of a living artist, but that does not mean the practice is always legally safe. In the United States, the answer often depends on w...