Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Is it legal for a payroll company to send my final paycheck to the state instead of reissuing it?
In Nevada, a payroll company may be able to turn over an unclaimed paycheck to the state after certain steps are taken, but the answer depends on the facts. If a final paycheck was issued, lost, stale, uncashed, or never...
Do I have to sign a settlement release before I know whether my knee injury needs surgery?
In general, no one can force you to sign a settlement release before you are ready, but a defendant or insurer may make that a condition of paying a settlement. A release is usually a final agreement that ends your claim...
What happens if a business gift card balance is treated as unclaimed property?
In general, if a business gift card balance is treated as unclaimed property, the business may have to turn the unused value over to the state rather than keep it indefinitely. The exact result depends on how Michigan la...
Can I record a threatening phone call if I am afraid the person will deny it later?
In Massachusetts, the answer usually depends on whether recording the call would comply with state and federal privacy laws. Massachusetts is generally considered a two-party consent state, which means it is often illega...
Do I have to give a recorded statement to the property owner’s insurance company?
In Pennsylvania, you may be asked to give a recorded statement to the property owner’s insurance company after an accident or injury on someone else’s property. Whether you must agree depends on your role, your insurance...
What are my rights if my landlord issued an eviction notice after I called the health department?
In Kansas, a landlord generally cannot use the eviction process as retaliation just because a tenant complained about housing conditions or contacted a housing or health authority. If the notice came soon after you repor...
Do I have to pay storage charges while arguing with insurance about whether my car is totaled?
In general, maybe. In Rhode Island, whether you have to pay storage charges while an insurance company is deciding if your car is totaled usually depends on the insurance policy, who ordered the tow or storage, how long...
How do I respond to an eviction notice when I am protected by a temporary restraining order against the other tenant?
If you are in Vermont and you receive an eviction notice while you are protected by a temporary restraining order (TRO) against another tenant, the first step is to look carefully at who is named in the notice, who is be...
Do I have to pay for a subscription box that renewed for a year when I only wanted one month?
In California, whether you have to pay for a subscription box that renewed for a year after you only wanted one month usually depends on the signup terms, how clearly the renewal was disclosed, and whether you took steps...
Is it legal for someone to threaten to release private photos unless I talk to them?
In general, a threat to release private photos in order to pressure someone into talking, meeting, or complying may raise serious legal concerns. In Washington, the answer often depends on what exactly was said, what the...
How do I prove someone intentionally recorded me without permission under Penal Code 632?
In California, Penal Code 632 is part of the state’s wiretapping and privacy rules. In general, it addresses the intentional recording or eavesdropping on a confidential communication without the consent of all parties....
Can I get forgiveness if I am a firefighter employed by the city?
In general, the answer depends on what kind of “forgiveness” you mean. A city firefighter in West Virginia might be asking about debt forgiveness, disciplinary forgiveness, job reinstatement, benefits relief, or some oth...
Do I have to pay alimony from my bonus if the divorce order only mentions salary?
In Rhode Island, the answer may depend on the exact wording of the divorce order, the surrounding settlement or trial record, and how the court interprets “salary” in the context of your case. If the order only mentions...
Is it legal for a landlord to keep renting to someone whose dog already bit a neighbor?
In general, yes, a landlord in Hawaii may be allowed to keep renting to a tenant even if the tenant’s dog has already bitten a neighbor. But the answer can depend on the facts, the lease, any pet rules, the seriousness o...
My neighbor’s fence blocks the only sunlight to my garden. Is there anything I can do?
In Massachusetts, a neighbor’s fence blocking sunlight to a garden is not automatically a legal violation. In general, property owners are allowed to use their land, including putting up fences, unless a local rule, ease...