Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Can I record a call with an insurance adjuster if I say I am recording and they continue speaking?
In Massachusetts, the answer can depend on the consent rules that apply to the call and on the exact facts. In general, Massachusetts is treated as a state with strong privacy protections for communications, so you shoul...
What happens if someone says they are recording after the conversation already started?
In California, whether a recording can be made after a conversation already started often depends on the facts, the setting, and whether the law requires consent before recording. In general, if a person announces that t...
What are my rights if child support was calculated using the wrong number of overnights?
If child support was calculated using the wrong number of overnights, you may have the right to ask for a correction. In general, overnight time is one of the facts that can affect child support calculations because many...
Do I have to pay a debt collector who refuses to provide written verification of the debt?
In general, a debt collector’s refusal to provide written verification does not automatically make the debt disappear, but it can matter a lot for whether and how you respond. If you are in Nebraska, the exact rules may...
Can I sue if the other driver’s insurance only pays for aftermarket parts?
In New Jersey, the answer may depend on what the damage claim is really worth, what kind of parts are being used, and whether the payment offered is enough to restore the vehicle to its pre-loss condition. In general, an...
How do I get student loan forgiveness for teaching special education in a public school?
If you teach special education in a public school, you may have access to federal student loan forgiveness or cancellation options, depending on the type of loan you have, the repayment plan you are in, and the specific...
What are my rights if my spouse is hiding cash income from rental properties?
If you are in Oklahoma and believe your spouse is hiding cash income from rental properties, you may have rights depending on whether the rental income is separate property, marital property, or tied to jointly owned ass...
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...
Is it legal for someone to contact my family members after I told them not to contact me?
In general, it may be legal for someone to contact your family members even after you told that person not to contact you, but that depends on the facts and the reason for the contact. In Washington, as in many states, a...
Is it legal for a spouse to file for divorce just to stop an immigration sponsorship?
In general, a spouse may be able to file for divorce even if the timing affects an immigration sponsorship, because divorce is usually a state-law family-law matter. But that does not mean a person can use divorce as a t...
Is it legal for a store to allow a customer’s dog inside after it growled at people?
In Indiana, a store may be allowed to let a customer bring a dog inside after the dog growled at people, but that does not automatically make the decision safe or risk-free. The legal answer usually depends on the type o...
Apartment management lost my rent money order and says I’m late. How do I prove I paid?
If apartment management says your rent is late because it lost your money order, the key issue is usually proof. In general, a tenant may need to show that the rent was actually delivered or cashed, or at least that paym...
Can I be charged with DUI if I used marijuana earlier in the day?
In New Jersey, it is possible to be charged with DUI-related offenses if marijuana use is believed to have impaired your ability to drive, even if you used it earlier in the day. The key issue is usually not only whether...
Can my landlord make me pay an extra $150 a month because my adult son moved in temporarily?
In Maryland, a landlord usually cannot raise your rent just because an adult family member visits or stays temporarily, but the answer often depends on the lease, the length of the stay, and whether the person is being t...
How do I dispute a hospital bill that includes duplicate charges?
If your hospital bill appears to include duplicate charges, the first step is usually to compare the itemized bill with your records and any explanation of benefits from your insurer. Duplicate charges can sometimes happ...