Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
How do I dispute surprise billing from an out-of-network anesthesiologist?
A surprise bill from an out-of-network anesthesiologist can be upsetting, especially if you went to an in-network hospital or surgery center and reasonably expected the anesthesia services to be covered. In general, the...
Do I have to stop recording if someone says they do not agree to be recorded?
In California, the answer may depend on what kind of recording you are making, where you are making it, and whether the law requires consent from the people being recorded. In general, if a recording law applies, a perso...
Can alimony be changed if my ex got a $20,000 raise after the divorce?
In Missouri, alimony may sometimes be changed after a divorce if there has been a substantial and continuing change in financial circumstances. A post-divorce raise can be one factor that a court may consider, but a rais...
What happens if I record a confidential conversation only for my own notes and never share it?
In California, recording a confidential conversation can still create legal risk even if you say the recording was only for your own notes and you never shared it. The key issue is usually not what you later did with the...
Is it legal for a subscription service to charge me after I canceled during a free trial?
In general, a subscription service may be allowed to charge you after a free trial if the terms said the trial would convert to a paid subscription unless you canceled by a certain date or method. The key question is usu...
What happens if my bank let an automatic subscription charge go through after I revoked authorization?
If you revoked authorization for an automatic subscription and your bank still let the charge go through, the situation may involve both the merchant and the bank. In general, whether money can be taken depends on how th...
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...
Do I have to pay for a broken appliance if it stopped working due to age?
In general, whether you have to pay for a broken appliance that stopped working due to age depends on what the appliance was, who owned it, and what agreement controlled the situation. In Indiana, as in many states, the...
What are my rights if a hidden camera recorded me changing clothes at a gym?
If a hidden camera recorded you changing clothes at a gym in Illinois, you may have serious privacy concerns and possibly several legal options, depending on the facts. In general, recording someone in a changing area is...
My neighbor’s kids keep ringing my doorbell late at night. Is this harassment or just annoying?
In general, repeated late-night doorbell ringing can be more than a nuisance, but whether it counts as harassment depends on the facts. A one-time prank or occasional childish behavior is usually treated differently from...
How do I deal with a car rental company billing me $1,300 for scratches I did not cause?
If a rental car company bills you for scratches you believe you did not cause, the first step is usually to gather the rental agreement, pickup and return photos, and any emails or texts about the car’s condition. In gen...
My Car Was Repossessed With My Personal Belongings Inside — How Do I Get Them Back?
If your car was repossessed in Georgia and your personal belongings were still inside, the lender or repossession company usually must allow you a reasonable opportunity to recover non-car items. In general, a repossessi...
How do I take a pet sitter to small claims court for negligence?
If a pet sitter’s carelessness caused harm to your pet, property, or related expenses, a small claims case in Wyoming may be one possible way to try to recover money damages. In general, small claims court is designed fo...
Is it legal for debt collectors to call my parents about my student loans?
In general, a debt collector may be allowed to contact a parent about a student loan, but only in limited ways. Federal debt collection rules usually restrict collectors from discussing your debt with third parties. That...
Do I have to answer questions from detectives if they say I am not under arrest?
In general, no. In South Carolina, as in the rest of the United States, being told that you are not under arrest usually means the police have not formally taken you into custody. That does not automatically create a dut...