Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Is it legal for a landlord to charge me a $300 lease renewal fee that was not in my original lease?
In Connecticut, the answer usually depends on what your lease says, whether you are being asked to sign a new agreement, and whether the fee was properly disclosed before the lease renewal took effect. In general, a land...
What happens if someone edits a recorded conversation to make me look bad?
In California, an edited recording can create legal problems, but what happens depends heavily on the facts. A recording that has been cut, rearranged, or selectively presented may be challenged if the editing makes it m...
Can my landlord charge me for breaking a lease if I left because of repeated flooding?
In New Hampshire, a landlord may sometimes try to charge a tenant for breaking a lease after the tenant leaves because of repeated flooding. But whether those charges are enforceable usually depends on the lease, the con...
Do I have to wait for the regular payday if I quit my job without notice in Utah?
In Utah, the timing of your final paycheck usually depends on state wage-payment rules and the facts of your separation from work. In general, if you quit without notice, your employer may still be allowed to pay your fi...
How do I sue a cleaning service that stole items from my home?
If a cleaning service took items from your home, the situation may involve both a civil claim and, in some cases, a police report. In general, a person or business that enters your home to provide cleaning services is st...
How do I file a claim after hitting debris that fell from a truck on the highway?
If you hit debris that fell from a truck on an Iowa highway, the first step is usually to focus on safety and documentation. Move to a safe location if you can, check for injuries, and call emergency services if anyone i...
What happens if my security camera records audio of guests talking inside my living room?
In California, a security camera that records audio inside your living room can raise significant privacy issues, even if the camera was installed for home security. Whether the recording is lawful usually depends on the...
Can my apartment complex charge me $150 because my trash bag was found outside the dumpster?
In Alaska, an apartment complex may be able to charge a fee if your lease or written rental agreement allows a trash-related charge, a house rule, or a separate fine for improper disposal. Whether a $150 charge is allowe...
What happens if a finance company repossessed my car even though I was only 12 days late?
In Iowa, a car loan or retail installment contract may allow repossession after a missed payment or default, but the exact right to repossess depends on the contract and the law that applies to the transaction. Being onl...
My bank reopened a closed account and charged overdraft fees. Is that allowed?
In general, a bank should not simply reopen a truly closed account and start charging new overdraft fees without some legal or contractual basis. But whether the bank’s actions are allowed often depends on the account ag...
Is it legal for a landlord to charge pet rent for an emotional support animal?
In general, a landlord usually may not charge pet rent, a pet deposit, or other pet fees for a properly requested emotional support animal, because an emotional support animal is typically treated differently from an ord...
Do I have to pay a medical spa for a prepaid package when the location closed before my appointments?
If you already paid for a medical spa package and the location closed before you used all of the services, you usually do not owe additional payment just because the business shut down. In general, the more common issue...
What happens if my landlord locks me out without going through eviction court?
In general, a landlord in New Mexico usually cannot just lock a tenant out and bypass the court eviction process. If a landlord changes the locks, shuts off access, removes the tenant’s property, or otherwise excludes th...
What happens if I received a recording that someone else may have made illegally?
If you received a recording that someone else may have made illegally, the legal consequences can depend on several facts, including how the recording was made, what you knew about it, how you received it, and what you d...
What are my rights if my insurance company delays my claim for over 60 days without explanation?
If an insurance company delays a claim for more than 60 days without giving a clear explanation, that can be frustrating and may raise concerns about whether the company is handling the claim fairly and in good faith. In...