Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Can I get student loan forgiveness if I work for a state university?
In general, working for a state university may make you eligible for some student loan forgiveness programs, but it depends on the program, the type of loans you have, and whether your employment fits the program rules....
How do I ask the court to review child support after my ex got promoted?
In Massachusetts, a promotion may be one reason to ask the court to review child support, but the court usually looks at whether there has been a material change in circumstances and whether the current order still fits...
What happens if I bought a used car yesterday and the check engine light came on during the drive home?
If the check engine light came on during the drive home after you bought a used car in Iowa, that does not automatically mean the seller did something unlawful, but it may raise concerns about the car’s condition, the se...
Is it legal for a landlord to make me pay for professional carpet cleaning even though I left it clean?
In Iowa, whether a landlord can charge you for professional carpet cleaning usually depends on the lease, the condition of the carpet at move-out, and how the charge is being labeled. If you left the unit clean and the c...
How do I handle police asking me to come to the station for a voluntary interview?
If police ask you to come to the station for a “voluntary interview,” the most important thing to understand is that voluntary does not always feel optional in practice, even though you may not be under arrest. In genera...
Is it legal for a prenup to protect a house I bought before marriage?
In Florida, a prenuptial agreement may be used to help protect a house you bought before marriage, as long as the agreement is valid and clearly addresses the property. In general, couples use prenups to define which ass...
Do I have to pay a dentist for a crown that fell off after 10 days?
In general, you may still owe a dentist for treatment even if a crown falls off after 10 days, but the answer depends on the facts, the dental office’s policies, and what was agreed to before treatment. In New Jersey, as...
How do I calculate penalties when my final paycheck was not paid within 24 hours?
In Utah, the answer usually depends on whether your employer was required to pay your final wages within that time frame under the facts of your separation. If the final paycheck was due but was not paid on time, penalti...
Can a Gym Keep Charging Me After I Canceled in Person?
In general, if you canceled a gym membership in person, the gym usually should not keep charging you for future billing periods after the cancellation takes effect. But whether charges may continue depends on the contrac...
Can my landlord charge me a $250 late fee if my rent was only three days late due to a bank holiday?
In Texas, a landlord may be able to charge a late fee if the lease allows it and the fee is treated as part of the rental agreement. But whether a $250 late fee is enforceable usually depends on the lease language, the a...
Do I have to notify guests that my home security camera records inside the living room?
In Oregon, whether you need to notify guests about an indoor security camera in a living room depends on the facts, especially where the camera is located, what it records, and whether anyone has a reasonable expectation...
What are my rights if I was never served with the child support case paperwork?
If you were never properly served with child support case paperwork, you may have important due process concerns. In general, service of process is the formal way the court gives notice of a case and tells a person how t...
Can I copyright a short story if I used AI to brainstorm the plot but wrote every chapter myself?
In general, yes, you may be able to copyright a short story if a human author wrote the actual expression in the story, even if an AI tool helped brainstorm the plot. Under U.S. copyright principles, copyright protection...
Do I Have to Pay HOA Fines If I Never Got the Violation Notice?
In general, whether you have to pay an HOA fine after not receiving the violation notice depends on the HOA’s governing documents, how notice was supposed to be delivered, and whether the association can show it followed...
What are my rights if my insurance company delays my roof claim for more than 60 days?
If your insurance company delays a roof claim for more than 60 days, you may have rights under your policy and under Montana insurance rules, depending on the facts. In general, insurers are expected to investigate claim...