Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Our upstairs neighbor’s bathtub leaked into our closet and ruined clothes. Do we deal with them or the landlord?
In Illinois, the answer is usually that you may need to deal with both, but for different reasons. If the leak came from an upstairs neighbor’s bathtub, that neighbor may be the person connected to the source of the wate...
What happens if a contractor damaged my neighbor’s fence while working on my property?
If a contractor damaged your neighbor’s fence while working on your property, the situation is usually handled as a property damage issue, and the exact legal responsibility can depend on the facts. In general, the neigh...
Is it legal for my landlord to ban overnight guests after my boyfriend stayed over three weekends in a row?
In Hawaii, a landlord may sometimes try to limit overnight guests, but whether that is legal usually depends on the lease, the type of housing, and whether the restriction is reasonable. A landlord generally cannot just...
Can a Car Dealer Refuse to Return My Deposit After Financing Fell Through?
In California, whether a car dealer can keep your deposit after financing falls through usually depends on the exact paperwork, what kind of deposit it was, and whether the sales agreement was truly final. In general, a...
What happens if my car is repossessed even though I made a partial payment?
If your car is repossessed after you made a partial payment, that does not automatically mean the repossession was improper. In Iowa, as in many states, the lender or repossession company will usually look first to the l...
Can a landlord make me pay for pest control when roaches were already in the apartment before I moved in?
In Utah, the answer usually depends on the lease, the facts, and who is responsible for the infestation. If roaches were already present before you moved in, a landlord generally may have difficulty shifting pest-control...
What happens if someone violates a restraining order issued by an Alabama court?
If someone violates a restraining order issued by an Alabama court, the person who sought the order may be able to ask the court to enforce it. In general, a violation can lead to serious court consequences, and the resp...
Is it legal for a school employee to record a private meeting with parents without notice?
In California, whether a school employee may legally record a private meeting with parents without notice can depend on several privacy and consent issues. In general, California is known for having strict rules about re...
Is it legal for the insurance company to follow my social media after I make an injury claim?
In general, yes—an insurance company or its investigator may be allowed to look at public social media after you make an injury claim. If your profile, posts, photos, comments, or videos are visible to the public, they m...
Can I ask the court to order my spouse to return personal items and family photos?
In Utah, you can usually ask a court to help with the return of personal items and family photos, but what the court can do depends on the type of case, the facts, and whether the items are treated as marital property, s...
Do I have to accept the dog owner’s offer to pay only my urgent care bill?
In general, no—you usually do not have to accept a dog owner’s offer to pay only your urgent care bill if you believe your losses are greater than that amount. An offer to cover one bill is often just a settlement propos...
Can police use my answers if I was handcuffed but told I was not under arrest?
In general, yes, police may sometimes use your answers even if you were handcuffed and told you were not under arrest. The key question is usually not the handcuffs alone, but whether your statements were voluntary and w...
Can a prenuptial agreement protect me from my fiancé’s credit card debt?
In general, a prenuptial agreement may help set expectations about debts before marriage, but it does not automatically stop a creditor from trying to collect a debt that already exists or was incurred in ways the law tr...
Can I file for divorce without hiring a lawyer if we agree on everything?
Yes, in Utah, some people are able to file for divorce without hiring a lawyer, especially when both spouses agree on the major issues. That usually means agreement on property division, debts, child custody, child suppo...
What are my rights if police say the damage is over $1,000 but the shop estimate is only $650?
In Minnesota, the difference between a police statement that damage is over $1,000 and a shop estimate of $650 may matter a lot, but it does not automatically decide the legal issue. In general, police reports, witness s...