Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
What Can I Do If My Apartment Has Repeated Sewage Backups?
Repeated sewage backups in an apartment can be a serious habitability issue, especially if the problem affects health, safety, or the use of the home. In general, a landlord is usually expected to keep a rental unit in a...
My Phone Repair Shop Lost My Device — What Can I Recover?
If a phone repair shop lost your device in Illinois, you may be able to recover the value of the phone and, in some situations, related losses caused by the loss. What is recoverable usually depends on the facts, includi...
What happens if I bought a used car “as-is” and the transmission failed within a week?
If you bought a used car “as-is” in Delaware and the transmission failed within a week, the first question is usually what the sales documents actually say and whether the seller made any promises that override or limit...
Is it legal for a landlord to deny my application after taking a $75 fee?
In general, a landlord may be allowed to deny a rental application even after collecting an application fee, including in Rhode Island, if the fee was charged for processing the application and the landlord did not make...
Is it legal for a landlord to give an eviction notice because my child is too loud during the day?
In Florida, a landlord may be able to give an eviction notice if the child’s noise is tied to a lease violation, a nuisance, or repeated disturbances that affect other tenants or neighbors. But a notice is not the same t...
Can I sue if a dog bit my child at daycare?
Yes, a lawsuit may be possible in some situations, but the answer depends on the facts and on Wyoming law. In general, a dog bite claim after an incident at daycare may involve more than one possible legal theory, includ...
Can a car dealer change the price after I signed the purchase agreement?
In general, a car dealer may not simply change a signed purchase price just because it later wants a higher amount. A signed purchase agreement usually matters because it can show the terms the parties agreed to, includi...
What are my rights if my spouse emptied our savings account right after I asked for a divorce?
In Illinois, the fact that a spouse emptied a savings account soon after a divorce request can raise serious legal issues, but the legal effect depends on who owned the account, where the money came from, and what a cour...
I ordered a custom dress and it looks nothing like the sample. Can I refuse it?
In general, maybe. If a custom dress is materially different from the sample, the finished item may be treated as nonconforming to the agreement, which can give the buyer a basis to complain, refuse acceptance, or seek a...
What are my rights if a tenant in my building keeps threatening me in the laundry room?
If another tenant in your building keeps threatening you in a shared space like a laundry room, you generally have the right to feel safe where you live. In Washington, repeated threats may raise issues under housing, ha...
Does My Aunt’s Husband Automatically Inherit Her Share of Michigan Property?
In Michigan, an aunt’s husband does not automatically inherit her share of property in every situation. Whether he receives anything usually depends on how the property was titled, whether there was a will or trust, and...
What happens if one section of the prenup is invalid but the rest seems fair?
In general, one invalid section of a prenuptial agreement does not automatically make the entire agreement invalid. Courts often look at whether the rest of the contract can still work on its own and whether the parties...
Can I use a secret recording in court if it shows a contractor admitting they overcharged me $2,800?
In California, a secret recording may sometimes be useful as evidence, but whether it can be used in court depends on how the recording was made and what kind of case you have. California is generally considered a two-pa...
Do I have to answer questions after police read me my Miranda rights in New York?
In general, no. If police read you your Miranda rights, that does not mean you must answer their questions. A Miranda warning usually informs you that you have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. You...
Can I sue a grocery store if a shopping cart collapsed and injured my foot?
In general, you may be able to bring a claim against a grocery store if a shopping cart collapsed and caused a foot injury, but the outcome usually depends on the facts and the available evidence. In Virginia, these situ...