Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Can a Landlord Charge Me for Replacing Appliances That Were Already Old?
In Wisconsin, a landlord may be able to charge a tenant for appliance damage in some situations, but the answer usually depends on why the appliance needed replacement, what the lease says, and whether the appliance was...
What are my rights if a fake account is impersonating me and posting racist comments?
If a fake account is impersonating you and posting racist comments, you may have several possible legal and practical options, depending on the facts. In general, impersonation and hateful posts can affect your reputatio...
What are my rights if my car insurance lapsed for one day and I had an accident that same night?
If your car insurance lapsed for one day and you had an accident that same night, your rights can depend on several things, including what kind of coverage you had, whether the policy was actually canceled or only unpaid...
How do I prove my old employer was a qualifying nonprofit if it no longer exists?
If an old employer no longer exists, proving that it was a qualifying nonprofit usually means reconstructing the organization’s status from records that still exist in government databases, tax filings, corporate filings...
Can I ask for child support arrears to be forgiven if the other parent agrees?
In California, you can ask about child support arrears, but the other parent’s agreement by itself usually may not be enough to make the arrears disappear. Child support is generally treated as the right of the child, no...
Can I get alimony if we separated after 22 years but never legally divorced?
In Utah, the answer is usually not simple. In general, alimony is a support order that comes up in a divorce case, not just because spouses have been separated for a long time. If you are still legally married, the fact...
Can a Landlord Make Me Pay Rent After Finding a New Tenant?
In general, a landlord may not be able to collect the full rent from a tenant for the same time period after the unit has been rented to someone else. If a landlord finds a new tenant and starts receiving rent from that...
What are my rights if a company recorded my sales call after I said I did not consent?
If a company recorded your sales call after you clearly said you did not consent, that may raise legal issues in California. In general, California is a two-party consent state for many confidential communications, which...
Is it legal for a towing company to tow my car from a private lot without clear signage?
In North Carolina, the legality of a tow from a private parking lot can depend on several facts, including who owned or controlled the lot, whether the driver had permission to park there, and whether the lot gave notice...
What happens if I defaulted on my federal student loans but want to apply for forgiveness later?
If you defaulted on federal student loans, that usually does not mean forgiveness is permanently off the table. In general, some federal loan forgiveness or discharge programs may still be available later, but default ca...
What are my rights if my wages are being garnished but I never received notice about the student loan debt?
If your wages are being garnished for a student loan debt and you never received notice, that may raise important due process and debt-collection questions. In general, a creditor or collection agency usually must follow...
Used car failed inspection the same week I bought it. Does the seller have to take it back?
In Massachusetts, a used car failing inspection soon after purchase does not automatically mean the seller has to take it back. The answer usually depends on what was promised, whether the seller knew about a problem, wh...
Do I have to pay a cancellation fee if the service provider rescheduled multiple times?
In general, maybe not—but it depends on the contract, the provider’s policies, and what happened before the cancellation. If a service provider repeatedly changed the appointment date or time, that may affect whether a c...
How do I know if a voicemail message counts as consent to record the rest of a call?
In general, a voicemail message does not automatically count as consent to record the rest of a live phone call. Whether it counts usually depends on what the speaker actually said, whether the statement clearly allowed...
Do I have to report my injury to the store manager before leaving the premises?
In general, there is no single universal rule that says every injured customer must report an injury to a store manager before leaving the premises. But if you are hurt in a store, telling a manager or another employee a...