Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Is it legal for a mechanic to charge $1,100 more than the estimate without calling me first?
In Indiana, a mechanic may sometimes charge more than the original estimate, but that does not automatically mean any overage is allowed without notice. Whether the charge is lawful often depends on what the estimate sai...
How do I dispute a gym membership that continued billing me after I canceled in person?
If a gym kept billing you after you canceled in person, the first step is usually to gather proof of the cancellation and the unwanted charges. In general, that means saving any written cancellation confirmation, receipt...
What are my rights if my retirement plan account was transferred to the state as abandoned?
In Maryland, if a retirement plan account is treated as abandoned and transferred to the state, you usually do not lose ownership of the money simply because it was turned over. In general, the state holds abandoned prop...
What happens if I buy a car and later find out the odometer was rolled back?
If you buy a car and later discover the odometer was rolled back, the situation may involve fraud, misrepresentation, or other consumer protection issues. In general, an odometer rollback means the vehicle’s mileage was...
Can a Car Dealership Change Financing Terms After I Drove Off?
In general, a car dealership in Missouri does not automatically get to change financing terms after you leave with the vehicle. If the sale was completed on the terms you signed, the dealership usually cannot later rewri...
Is it legal for a car dealer to add a warranty to my loan paperwork without explaining it?
In Texas, a dealer generally should not slip a warranty into your financing paperwork as though it were a routine term if you were not told about it. Whether it is lawful depends on what the paperwork says, what was disc...
What happens if I co-signed a car loan and the primary borrower stops making payments?
If you co-signed a car loan, you usually became equally responsible for the debt, even if you did not drive the car or receive the loan proceeds. If the primary borrower stops making payments, the lender will often look...
What happens if someone sends me 40 unwanted texts after I told them to stop contacting me?
If someone keeps sending you unwanted texts after you clearly told them to stop, that can be more than just annoying. In general, repeated texting after a clear request to stop may support legal claims or other remedies,...
What are my rights if my landlord refuses to return my deposit until I sign a release form?
In general, a landlord cannot use a security deposit as leverage to force a tenant to sign away rights, but the answer depends on the lease, the facts, and New Hampshire law. If your landlord is conditioning return of th...
How do I take a dog trainer to court after paying $1,200 and seeing no results?
In general, if you paid a dog trainer and feel you got little or no value, the first question is what the trainer promised and whether those promises were part of a contract, advertisement, or written agreement. A disapp...
Is it legal for a landlord to require renters insurance from one tenant but not others in the same building?
In Wisconsin, a landlord may sometimes require renters insurance as part of a rental agreement, but whether it is legal to require it from one tenant and not others depends on the facts. The most important questions are...
What happens if I violated probation after a DUI by missing a treatment class?
If you are on DUI probation in Delaware and miss a required treatment class, that may be treated as a probation violation. In general, probation conditions are court orders, so missing treatment can be viewed as not foll...
My Apartment Has No Hot Water for Days — Can I Get Rent Credit?
In New York, a lack of hot water for several days can sometimes support a claim for a rent credit, rent reduction, or other tenant remedy, depending on the facts. In general, landlords are expected to provide essential s...
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...
What happens if I defaulted on my federal student loans but want to apply for forgiveness later?
If you defaulted on federal student loans, that usually does not mean forgiveness is permanently off the table. In general, some federal loan forgiveness or discharge programs may still be available later, but default ca...