Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Can my landlord make me pay an extra $150 a month because my adult son moved in temporarily?
In Maryland, a landlord usually cannot raise your rent just because an adult family member visits or stays temporarily, but the answer often depends on the lease, the length of the stay, and whether the person is being t...
What happens if a contractor overbilled me by $2,000 and won’t correct it?
If a contractor overbilled you by $2,000 and refuses to correct the bill, the main issue is usually whether you can show the charge was actually wrong and that you raised the problem clearly. In general, a billing disput...
Do I have to pay an early termination fee if the service provider breached the contract first?
In general, a customer may have a legal argument against paying an early termination fee if the service provider breached the contract first. That is because contract law often treats a serious breach by one side as some...
Can my employer put my final check on a pay card with fees in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, the answer often depends on what payment method you agreed to and what the employer’s payroll practices are. In general, employers may use different ways to pay wages, including direct deposit, paper che...
Do I have to reimburse my health insurer from my car accident settlement?
In general, your health insurer may ask to be reimbursed from a car accident settlement if it paid medical bills related to the accident. Whether you actually have to repay anything often depends on the insurance contrac...
Can I cancel a timeshare contract within 10 days if I signed it while on vacation?
In general, maybe—but it depends on the contract terms and the law that applies to your purchase. A timeshare agreement signed while on vacation is often a high-pressure transaction, and many timeshare purchases include...
Is it legal for an auto repair shop to charge $900 more than the written estimate without asking me first?
In North Carolina, a repair shop usually should not treat a written estimate as meaningless. In general, when a customer receives a written estimate, the amount is meant to give the customer a basis for deciding whether...
Can I Get My Actual License Back on Suspension End Date if 24D Classes Aren’t Done?
In Massachusetts, the answer is often no, or at least not automatically. If your license was suspended and you still have unfinished 24D classes or another required alcohol education program, the Registry of Motor Vehicl...
Do I have to pay a cancellation fee if the company never provided the service?
In general, whether you have to pay a cancellation fee if the company never provided the service depends on the contract, the company’s policies, and the facts of the situation. If you agreed to a cancellation fee in a v...
My Employer Won’t Reimburse Required Work Supplies — Is That Legal?
In Illinois, the answer often depends on what the supplies were, whether they were truly required for the job, and how the employer’s policies or agreements are written. In general, employers may be able to require emplo...
Can a Towing Company Charge Me Hundreds of Dollars for One Day?
In Mississippi, a towing company may be able to charge substantial fees for a single day, but whether the amount is reasonable depends on the facts. Towing bills can include more than the tow itself. They may also includ...
Can a Car Rental Company Charge Me for Damage I Did Not Cause?
In general, a car rental company may try to charge a customer for damage discovered after a rental vehicle is returned, but that does not automatically mean the customer is legally responsible. Whether the charge is prop...
Do I have to pay a cancellation fee for a gym that closed permanently?
In general, if a gym permanently closes, a cancellation fee may no longer be enforceable because the gym may no longer be able to provide the services the contract promised. But the answer depends on the contract terms,...
Can I get student loan forgiveness if I work for a 501(c)(3) animal shelter?
In general, working for a 501(c)(3) animal shelter may help you qualify for certain student loan forgiveness or repayment programs, but it does not automatically mean your loans will be forgiven. The main question is usu...
Can a Security Guard Legally Detain Me After I Showed Proof of Purchase?
In Utah, a security guard may sometimes stop or hold someone briefly, but only within the limits of the law and the guard’s authority. Showing proof of purchase may resolve the immediate concern, but it does not automati...