Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
How do I request child support if we were never married?
In New Mexico, a parent who was never married to the other parent can usually still ask for child support. The key issue is often not whether the parents were married, but whether legal parentage has been established and...
Can my landlord require me to move out for renovations when I still have seven months left on the lease?
In Hawaii, a landlord usually cannot simply end a fixed-term lease early just because the property needs renovations. A lease is generally a binding agreement for the full term, so if you still have seven months left, th...
What are my rights if my spouse has been financially supporting their new partner with marital money?
In Illinois, if a spouse may be using marital money to support a new partner, that conduct can matter in a divorce or other family-law case. In general, money earned during the marriage is often treated as marital proper...
Can a Daycare Keep My Deposit If I Changed My Mind Before My Child Started?
In Connecticut, whether a daycare can keep your deposit if you changed your mind before your child started usually depends on the enrollment agreement, the center’s written policies, and the facts of how the deposit was...
What are my rights if a brokerage account was reported as abandoned even though I still receive statements?
If a brokerage account was reported as abandoned even though you still receive statements, that may raise questions about whether the account was actually inactive or whether the brokerage followed the proper abandonment...
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...
My Neighbor Claims My Fence Is on Their Property — Who Has to Prove It?
In Michigan, the answer usually depends on what kind of dispute this is and what evidence each side has. In a boundary dispute, the person making the claim that the fence is on the wrong property often needs to support t...
What are my rights if my spouse destroyed financial records before equitable distribution?
In Idaho, if a spouse destroyed financial records before equitable distribution, that fact may matter a great deal, but the legal effect depends on what records were destroyed, why they were destroyed, and whether the mi...
Do I have to go to court for a misdemeanor DUI?
In general, a misdemeanor DUI in Oregon usually does involve the court system, but whether you personally have to appear in court can depend on the charge, the stage of the case, and the court’s rules. Many DUI cases sta...
Do I have to accept the first settlement offer from the insurance company?
In general, no—you usually do not have to accept the first settlement offer from an insurance company. A first offer is often a starting point in negotiations, not the final word. Depending on the facts, it may be lower...
What happens if my spouse will not sign the divorce papers after being served?
In Texas, a spouse usually does not have to sign divorce papers for the divorce to move forward. If your spouse was properly served and simply refuses to sign, that refusal may slow things down, but it does not necessari...
Is it legal for my spouse to track my phone during the divorce?
In Arkansas, the answer usually depends on how the phone is being tracked, who owns the device and account, and whether there is consent. In general, a spouse may not be allowed to secretly monitor your phone if that inv...
Can police keep questioning me if I say maybe I should talk to an attorney?
In general, police may continue asking questions if your statement about a lawyer is not clear enough to count as a request for counsel. Saying “maybe I should talk to an attorney” can sometimes be treated as ambiguous,...
Can My Apartment Charge Me for Trash Violations Caused by Someone Else?
In Washington, an apartment may sometimes try to charge a tenant for trash-related violations even if someone else appears to have caused the problem. Whether that charge is proper usually depends on the lease, building...
Do I have to pay child support during summer when my child stays with me for six weeks?
In general, yes, you may still have to pay child support during the summer even if your child stays with you for six weeks. In Oregon, the answer usually depends on what your current court order says and whether the orde...