Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
What are my rights if my spouse is pressuring me to sign a divorce agreement without reading it?
If your spouse is pressuring you to sign a divorce agreement without reading it, you generally do not have to sign it right away. In Maryland, as in many states, a divorce settlement or marital settlement agreement can h...
How do I stop a debt collector from contacting my relatives about my unpaid credit card?
In general, a debt collector’s ability to contact your relatives is limited. They usually may contact other people only for a narrow purpose, such as trying to locate you, and they generally should not discuss your debt...
Is it legal for a landlord to give me an eviction notice because I complained about mold?
In Arizona, a landlord usually cannot lawfully evict a tenant simply for making a good-faith complaint about mold or another housing condition. In general, tenant complaints about habitability problems may be protected a...
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...
What Rights Does a Software Engineer Have After Building a Startup MVP Alone?
In general, a software engineer who builds a startup MVP alone may have rights related to compensation, ownership of the code, equity, credit, and contract enforcement, but the exact rights depend heavily on the facts. I...
How do I handle a solar panel company that promised savings but my electric bill went up?
If a solar company promised that your electric bill would go down but it went up instead, the first step is usually to review exactly what was said, what was written, and how the system is performing. In general, a highe...
Can I Protect My Interest in My Father’s House if There Was No Will in Illinois?
If your father died in Illinois without a will, his property is usually handled under Illinois intestacy law. That means the house may pass according to state law rather than according to informal family expectations or...
Is it legal for a subscription service to require 30 days notice to cancel?
In general, a subscription service may be allowed to require 30 days’ notice to cancel if that term was clearly disclosed and is not otherwise prohibited by applicable law. In Utah, as in many states, the details usually...
Can I file for harassment if the person only threatened me once but the threat was serious?
In Washington, a single serious threat may sometimes be enough to support a harassment filing, depending on the exact words used, the surrounding facts, and whether the threat would reasonably make a person fearful for s...
Do I have to hire a lawyer for an RCW harassment protection order hearing in Washington?
In Washington, you usually do not have to hire a lawyer for an RCW harassment protection order hearing. These hearings are often handled in civil court, and many people represent themselves. That said, having a lawyer ca...
Can I Break My Lease If My Neighbor Keeps Threatening Me?
In general, maybe—but it depends on the facts, your lease, and what steps you take to document and report the problem. In Colorado, a tenant who is being threatened by a neighbor may have options beyond simply moving out...
Can my landlord charge me for replacing the whole carpet when only one corner was stained?
In Missouri, a landlord may sometimes try to charge a tenant for carpet replacement if the carpet was damaged beyond ordinary wear and tear, but the amount charged usually has to be tied to the actual damage and the land...
What happens if my student loan servicer applied my extra payment to future bills instead of principal?
If your student loan servicer applied your extra payment to future bills instead of principal, the practical effect is usually that you may not reduce your loan balance as quickly as you expected. In many situations, the...
What happens if a stock image site removes my AI-generated image for copyright concerns?
If a stock image site removes your AI-generated image for copyright concerns, the most immediate effect is usually that the image is no longer available for licensing, download, or sale on that platform. In general, the...
Is it legal for a landlord to threaten eviction by email without giving a formal notice?
In general, a landlord may be able to communicate by email, including saying that eviction is possible if a lease problem is not corrected. But a threat to evict is not always the same thing as a lawful eviction notice....