Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Do I have to sign a settlement release before I know whether my knee injury needs surgery?
In general, no one can force you to sign a settlement release before you are ready, but a defendant or insurer may make that a condition of paying a settlement. A release is usually a final agreement that ends your claim...
Can I Sue a Photographer Who Never Delivered Wedding Photos?
If a wedding photographer never delivered your photos, you may have a possible civil claim, but the answer depends on the contract, the communications between the parties, and what actually happened. In Illinois, dispute...
My job changed my schedule from days to nights with one day’s notice. Do I have any protection?
In Washington, a sudden change from day shifts to night shifts with only one day’s notice can feel unfair, but the legal protection you have depends on several facts. In general, Washington law does not give every privat...
What happens if my auto insurance company says my car is totaled but their payout is $2,400 less than my loan balance?
If your car is declared a total loss and the insurance payout is less than what you still owe on the loan, you may still be responsible for the remaining balance. In general, the insurer’s payment is based on the car’s a...
Is it legal to record a private meeting with HR about workplace harassment?
In California, recording a private meeting with HR about workplace harassment is a legally sensitive issue because California is generally considered a two-party consent state for confidential communications. That usuall...
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...
Our upstairs neighbor’s bathtub leaked into our closet and ruined clothes. Do we deal with them or the landlord?
In Illinois, the answer is usually that you may need to deal with both, but for different reasons. If the leak came from an upstairs neighbor’s bathtub, that neighbor may be the person connected to the source of the wate...
Is it legal for a car dealer to run my credit through six lenders after I only approved one application?
In general, a car dealer may have some ability to submit your credit information to more than one lender if you signed paperwork that gave broad permission, if the dealership’s financing process was explained that way, o...
What happens if I missed two alimony payments because my bank account was frozen?
If you missed two alimony payments because your bank account was frozen, a Colorado court may still treat the missed payments as support arrears unless the order was changed or the obligation was otherwise lawfully satis...
How do I fix my income driven repayment plan if my monthly payment jumped from $120 to $640?
A sudden jump in an income-driven repayment, or IDR, payment can happen for several reasons. In general, it may mean your servicer updated your income, your family size changed, your recertification was processed differe...
How do I get divorced if my spouse is incarcerated?
In Iowa, you can generally file for divorce even if your spouse is incarcerated. Incarceration does not, by itself, prevent a divorce, but it can affect how the case moves forward, especially when it comes to serving pap...
How do I deal with an eviction notice after my landlord refused to renew because of my service animal?
If you are in Iowa and your landlord refused to renew your lease because of your service animal, an eviction notice can feel urgent and confusing. In general, a landlord does not usually need to renew a lease at the end...
How do I present text messages to the judge at a harassment protection order hearing?
In a Washington harassment protection order hearing, text messages may be useful evidence if they help show the conduct at issue. In general, a judge is more likely to consider messages that are organized, readable, and...
Do I have to list every asset and debt in the divorce paperwork?
In general, yes—divorce paperwork usually asks each spouse to disclose assets, debts, income, and other financial information, and it is often important to be as complete and accurate as possible. In a Montana divorce, f...
What are my rights if my mechanic installed used parts instead of new ones without telling me?
If a mechanic installed used parts instead of new ones without telling you, you may have several potential rights depending on what you were told, what you agreed to, and what documents you signed. In general, a repair s...