Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
A grocery store slip-and-fall happened but I didn’t report it until the next day. Did I ruin my case?
Not necessarily. In South Carolina, reporting a slip-and-fall the next day does not automatically ruin a claim. The timing of the report can matter, but it is usually only one fact among many that may affect how a store,...
What happens if we bought a house before marriage but paid the mortgage with marital income?
In Michigan, a house bought before marriage is often treated as separate property at the start. But if marital income was used to pay the mortgage during the marriage, that does not always leave the property unchanged fo...
Can a Car Wash Be Liable for Scratches on My Vehicle?
Yes, a car wash in Texas may be liable for scratches on your vehicle in some situations, but liability is not automatic just because damage appeared after a wash. In general, the key question is whether the car wash acte...
Do I have to pay for health insurance on top of monthly child support in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, the answer is often: it depends on the wording of the child support order and the facts of your case. Monthly child support and health insurance are related, but they are not always the same obligation. A...
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...
How do I handle a divorce when one child wants to live with each parent?
When parents divorce and one child wants to live with each parent, the situation often involves both custody and parenting-time decisions. In general, Vermont courts focus on the best interests of each child, which means...
Do I have to settle my personal injury claim before the statute of limitations runs out?
In general, no. A personal injury claim usually does not have to be fully settled before the statute of limitations expires in order for the claim to remain alive. What usually matters is whether the injured person takes...
Do I have to split rental property purchased before marriage but paid from joint funds?
In Rhode Island, the answer is often: maybe, but not automatically. Property bought before marriage is commonly viewed differently from property acquired during marriage, but the way the property was paid for, maintained...
What are my rights if a hair salon damaged my hair and refuses compensation?
If a hair salon in South Carolina damaged your hair and refuses to pay, you may have several possible consumer-law or civil-law arguments depending on what happened, what was promised, and how much harm you suffered. In...
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...
Can a Vet Charge Me for Treatment I Did Not Approve?
In general, a veterinarian may charge for treatment that was authorized, reasonably necessary in an emergency, or covered by a signed consent or estimate agreement. If you did not approve a procedure, medication, test, o...
Do I have to pay HOA dues included in rent if the lease does not mention them?
In general, if your Maryland lease does not mention HOA dues, the answer depends on what the rental agreement actually says, how the rent was set, and whether the landlord communicated that HOA dues were part of your pay...
My Landlord Refuses to Add My Spouse to the Lease — Is That Allowed?
In New York, a landlord may often have some discretion about whether to change the named tenants on a lease, but that discretion is not unlimited. Whether a refusal is allowed usually depends on the lease terms, the land...
How do I renew an antiharassment protection order before it expires?
In Washington, a person with an antiharassment protection order may be able to ask the court to renew the order before it expires. In general, renewal is something the protected person asks the court to consider, and the...
Do I have to leave if I received a notice to vacate but no court papers yet?
In general, a notice to vacate does not always mean you have to move out immediately. In Oregon, a notice to vacate is often an early step in the eviction process, but it is usually not the same thing as a court order. I...