Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Can an internet company send me to collections for equipment I returned with a tracking number?
In general, an internet company may still try to send an account balance to collections even if you returned the equipment, if the company’s records do not show the return, if the return was processed incorrectly, or if...
Do I have to pay a cancellation fee for a home security contract if the system never worked?
In general, maybe not—but it depends on the contract, what “never worked” means, and what happened after installation. If a home security system was never functional, you may have arguments that the company failed to pro...
Do I have to keep paying my loans while my forgiveness application is under review?
In general, you may still have to keep making payments while a loan forgiveness application is being reviewed, unless the loan program or servicer has placed your account into an approved pause, deferment, forbearance, a...
What happens if my old employer turned over an uncashed $1,200 paycheck to the state?
If your old employer turned over an uncashed paycheck to the state, that usually means the employer treated the money as abandoned property under state unclaimed property rules. In general, the employer does not keep the...
How do I prove a conversation was private enough for two-party consent rules to apply?
In Washington, whether a conversation was private enough for two-party consent rules to apply usually depends on the facts and the context of the recording. In general, the key question is not just whether the conversati...
Do I have to follow a prenup if my spouse cheated during the marriage?
In general, a prenup is still a binding agreement even if one spouse cheated during the marriage. A spouse’s infidelity does not automatically cancel a prenuptial agreement just because the marriage broke down. Whether t...
What happens if I found unclaimed property under my old address from 12 years ago?
If you found unclaimed property tied to an old address from 12 years ago, the main question is usually whether the property is actually yours, whether you still have a legal right to claim it, and whether the holder or s...
What are my rights if my student loan balance increased while I was in an approved deferment?
If your student loan balance increased while you were in an approved deferment, the first question is usually whether the increase was expected under the loan terms. In many student loan programs, some interest may keep...
How do I expunge a dismissed criminal charge from my Alabama record?
In Alabama, people often ask about “expunging” a dismissed criminal charge because they want the arrest or court record removed from public view. In general, expungement is a legal process that may allow certain Alabama...
Do I have to pay child support if we share custody exactly 50/50?
In South Carolina, sharing custody exactly 50/50 does not automatically mean that neither parent pays child support. Child support is usually based on more than just the number of overnights each parent has. Courts typic...
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...
What happens if I accidentally recorded someone’s private conversation on my phone?
In California, accidentally recording someone’s private conversation can raise legal concerns, but the consequences usually depend on what happened, how the recording was made, and what you did after you realized it. A b...
What are my rights if a used car dealer sold me a truck with undisclosed flood damage?
If you bought a used truck in Alabama and later learned it had flood damage that was not disclosed, you may have several possible legal and practical options depending on the facts. In general, buyers may have claims if...
What happens if my landlord gave me a 5-day notice but the lease says I get 10 days?
In Colorado, the answer usually depends on what kind of notice the landlord gave, what the lease says, and whether the lease term is allowed under Colorado law. In general, a lease can add tenant protections, but it cann...
Can I copyright a photo that I took myself but enhanced with AI editing tools?
In general, a photo that you took yourself may be eligible for copyright protection because you created the original photograph. But if you then enhanced it with AI editing tools, the copyright question can become more c...