Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
What happens if my spouse refuses to turn over bank statements in divorce discovery?
In a Colorado divorce, refusing to turn over bank statements during discovery can create serious problems for the noncooperative spouse. Discovery is the part of the case where each side usually exchanges financial infor...
Is it legal for my employer to put a hidden camera in the break room without telling employees?
In Florida, the answer often depends on where the camera is placed, what it records, and whether employees have a reasonable expectation of privacy in that area. In general, employers may have some ability to monitor wor...
Can my landlord evict me because I refused entry when they gave only 30 minutes’ notice?
In Virginia, a landlord usually cannot treat every refusal of entry as an automatic eviction event. In general, the answer depends on the lease, the reason for the visit, how much notice was given, and whether the landlo...
Can a Landlord Make Me Pay for Replacing the Entire Carpet?
In general, a landlord may try to charge a tenant for carpet replacement if the carpet was damaged beyond ordinary wear and tear during the tenancy. But a landlord usually cannot require a tenant to pay for a brand-new c...
What happens if someone sends me 40 unwanted texts after I told them to stop contacting me?
If someone keeps sending you unwanted texts after you clearly told them to stop, that can be more than just annoying. In general, repeated texting after a clear request to stop may support legal claims or other remedies,...
What happens if I was partly at fault because I was looking at my phone when I fell?
If you were looking at your phone when you fell, that fact may affect a claim for injuries, but it does not automatically end the claim. In Colorado, fault is often compared between the injured person and other responsib...
Do I Owe a Cancellation Fee If the Service Provider Missed the Appointment?
In general, if the service provider missed the appointment, it may be hard for them to justify charging you a cancellation fee for that same appointment. A cancellation fee usually exists to cover the provider’s lost tim...
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...
What are my rights if my landlord refuses to return my security deposit within 30 days?
In Illinois, a landlord’s obligations about returning a security deposit can depend on the type of tenancy, the lease terms, the reason the deposit was withheld, and whether the landlord followed the proper notice requir...
How do I dispute a car loan balance that includes add-on products I never agreed to?
If your car loan balance includes add-on products you believe you never agreed to, the first step is usually to gather the loan paperwork and compare every charge against what you remember signing. In general, add-on pro...
What happens if a debt collector keeps reporting the same debt every month on my credit report?
If a debt collector keeps reporting the same debt every month, it usually does not mean you have a brand-new debt each month. In general, the account may be shown as an ongoing collection tradeline, and the monthly updat...
Is it legal for a state to keep interest earned on money after it is escheated?
In general, the answer depends on the law that governs the unclaimed property and on what happened to the money while the state held it. Escheat or unclaimed property laws usually let the state take custody of abandoned...
How do I challenge a DUI if the officer’s body camera was not working?
If an officer’s body camera was not working, that may make a DUI case harder for the government to prove, but it does not automatically defeat the charge. In Vermont, as in many states, a missing recording is only one pa...
How do I prove which dog bit me if two dogs were loose at the same time?
If two dogs were loose at the same time, proving which dog bit you can be difficult, but it is often possible to build a factual record from witnesses, photos, medical records, animal control reports, and other evidence....
Is it legal for a cosigner to be denied release after 48 on time payments?
In Nevada, the answer usually depends on the wording of the loan or lease agreement, the lender’s policies, and whether the agreement actually gives a right to cosigner release after 48 on-time payments. A person who cos...