Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Can my landlord keep my deposit because I didn’t give notice if the lease already ended?
In Virginia, the answer often depends on what the lease says, whether the tenancy truly ended, and whether the landlord can point to a lawful reason to keep some or all of the deposit. If the lease ended and you simply m...
Is it legal for the insurance company to total my car even though I want it repaired?
In general, yes. In Florida, an insurance company may be allowed to declare a vehicle a total loss even if you would prefer to have it repaired, depending on the policy, the damage, the car’s value, and the insurer’s est...
Do I have to pay for repairs if the other driver’s insurer accepts fault but says their policy limit is too low?
In general, if another driver caused the crash and their insurer accepts fault, that does not necessarily mean the insurer will pay all of your repair costs. The insurer usually owes only up to the policy limit available...
How do I split tax debt from a joint return in divorce?
In general, tax debt from a joint return is treated as a financial issue that must be addressed during the divorce, but a divorce decree does not automatically change how the tax debt is owed to the IRS or, if applicable...
Is it legal for a rental car company to charge hidden fees after return?
In general, a rental car company may charge fees after you return the vehicle if the charges were disclosed in the rental agreement, pricing terms, or other contract documents you accepted. The key issue is usually not w...
Can Someone Go to Jail for Blackmailing a Minor With Nude Photos?
Yes, in Illinois, blackmailing a minor with nude photos can potentially lead to jail or prison, depending on what happened and what charges the government files. In general, threatening to expose, share, or use intimate...
Is it legal for a waiver to block my claim after a zipline harness failed?
In South Dakota, a signed waiver may affect an injury claim after a zipline harness failure, but it usually does not automatically end the analysis. Whether the waiver is enforceable often depends on what the form said,...
Landlord says the cracked window is my fault because I “must have slammed it.” How do I fight the charge?
In Ohio, a landlord usually cannot simply assume you caused a cracked window just because the damage was discovered while you were living there. In general, the landlord must have some factual basis for blaming you, and...
What happens if I bought a mattress online and the company refuses to honor its 100-night trial?
If you bought a mattress online and the company refuses to honor a promised 100-night trial, the issue is usually about the seller’s contract terms and any consumer-protection rules that may apply in Delaware. In general...
How do I dispute a cable bill with unexplained charges?
If your cable bill includes charges you do not recognize, the first step is usually to review the bill carefully and compare it with your contract, promotional offer, and past statements. Unexplained charges may be the r...
How do I respond if my landlord gives me a notice for unauthorized occupants but it is just my babysitter?
If you are in Vermont and your landlord says your babysitter is an “unauthorized occupant,” the first step is usually to read the notice carefully and compare it to your lease. In general, landlords often use terms like...
What happens if the other driver says I changed lanes but dashcam video shows they drifted into me?
In Louisiana, dashcam video can be important evidence when the two drivers give different accounts of how a crash happened. If the other driver says you changed lanes, but the video appears to show their vehicle drifting...
Can I make a claim if a road rage driver intentionally hit my car?
Yes, you may be able to make a claim if another driver intentionally hit your car during a road rage incident. In general, an intentional crash can support civil claims for property damage and, depending on the facts, pe...
Is it legal for the court to impute income to me after I changed careers?
In general, yes — a court in Indiana may be allowed to impute income after a career change if the court believes your current income does not reflect what you are reasonably able to earn. This usually comes up in family...
What are my rights if my spouse refuses to leave the home after I filed for divorce?
In Maryland, filing for divorce does not automatically make one spouse entitled to force the other spouse out of the marital home. In general, both spouses may have rights to live in the home until a court orders otherwi...