Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Can a contractor put a lien on my house if I already paid the general contractor in full?
In general, yes, a contractor or subcontractor may still try to file a lien against a homeowner’s property even if the homeowner already paid the general contractor in full. The key issue is often not just whether you pa...
Is it legal for an officer to arrest me for DUI based only on field sobriety tests?
In Indiana, an officer may sometimes make a DUI-related arrest based largely on field sobriety test results, but the legality of the arrest usually depends on the totality of the circumstances, not just the tests alone....
Can a Contractor Put a Lien on My House Over a Disputed Invoice?
In Georgia, a contractor may be able to file a mechanic’s or materialman’s lien on a house if the legal requirements for a lien are met. A disputed invoice does not automatically prevent a lien from being filed. In gener...
How Can a Landlord Take Action Against a Problem Rental Next Door in Georgia?
In Georgia, a landlord who is bothered by a neighboring rental property usually has limited but sometimes meaningful options, depending on the facts. The available steps often depend on what the “problem” is, who owns th...
Can a Landlord Evict Me for Complaining to Code Enforcement?
In general, a landlord in Texas may not legally punish a tenant for making a good-faith complaint about unsafe or unlawful property conditions, but the details matter a lot. A complaint to code enforcement can sometimes...
Can I modify alimony after the divorce if my income drops?
In Maine, a drop in income may be a reason to ask the court to modify alimony, but it does not automatically change the order. In general, the court will look at whether there has been a material change in circumstances...
What happens if a payday lender is still withdrawing money after I already paid the balance they quoted?
If a payday lender keeps taking money after you already paid the balance they quoted, it usually means there may be a payment-processing problem, a dispute about whether the account was actually paid in full, or an error...
Do I have to keep paying alimony after my former spouse remarries?
In Alabama, remarriage of a former spouse often matters a great deal in alimony cases, but the exact effect depends on the type of alimony, the court order, and the facts of the divorce. In many situations, periodic alim...
How do I renew an antiharassment protection order before it expires?
In Washington, a person with an antiharassment protection order may be able to ask the court to renew the order before it expires. In general, renewal is something the protected person asks the court to consider, and the...
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...
Do I have to pay medical bills upfront while waiting for the car accident settlement?
In general, you may still be responsible for medical bills after a car accident even while a settlement is pending. In South Carolina, the fact that you are pursuing a car accident claim does not usually stop hospitals,...
Can I ask for sole custody if my spouse has a substance abuse problem?
Yes, in Maine, you may ask the court for sole custody if you believe your spouse’s substance abuse makes shared parenting unsafe or not in your child’s best interests. In general, family courts focus on the child’s safet...
Is it legal for a rental car company to charge me for damage found days after return?
In general, a rental car company may try to charge a customer for damage that it says was caused during the rental, even if the damage is discovered after the car was returned. But whether that charge is legally enforcea...
What are my rights if a storage unit company auctioned my belongings even though I paid online the day before?
If a storage unit company auctioned your belongings after you paid online the day before, the first question is whether the payment was actually received, posted, and credited before the auction took place. In general, a...
I paid a plumber upfront and he ghosted after opening the wall. What’s the best next step?
If you paid a plumber upfront in Pennsylvania and the plumber stopped responding after opening the wall, the best next step is usually to document everything, try to preserve your evidence, and send a clear written deman...