Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Is it legal to record a customer service call in California if the company says the call may be recorded?
In California, the fact that a company says a call may be recorded does not automatically mean you are free to record the call yourself. California generally has strict rules about recording confidential communications,...
Do I have to attend mediation before a divorce trial in Alabama?
In Alabama, you may have to attend mediation before a divorce trial, but it depends on the court, the judge, and the facts of the case. Mediation is a process where the spouses try to reach agreement with the help of a n...
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...
Can I record a call with an insurance adjuster if I tell them at the beginning?
In California, the answer is usually no if the other person does not agree. California is generally treated as an “all-party consent” state for recording confidential communications, which means telling the insurance adj...
How do I know whether a public sidewalk conversation is private enough for Penal Code 632?
In California, the answer usually depends on whether the conversation was carried on in a way that a reasonable person would expect it to be confidential. A public sidewalk is a public place, so that setting often makes...
What happens if I stop paying a credit card that already charged off two years ago?
If a credit card account has already been charged off, stopping payments usually does not make the debt disappear. A charge-off generally means the original creditor has treated the account as a loss for accounting purpo...
Is it legal for a contractor to record our payment dispute without warning me?
In Pennsylvania, whether a contractor can record a payment dispute without warning you depends a lot on how the recording was made and what was said. If the contractor recorded a conversation and you were part of that co...
Can I sue a website for refusing to remove defamatory comments posted by users?
In New Jersey, the answer is often complicated and depends heavily on who posted the content, what the website did, and whether federal law applies. In general, websites are often protected from liability for user-genera...
What are my rights if my landlord gave me a 7-day notice for damage I did not cause?
If you are in Kansas and your landlord gives you a 7-day notice demanding payment or saying you are responsible for damage you did not cause, the most important point is that a notice is not the same thing as proof. In g...
What happens if a dog owner says their dog never bit anyone before?
In Texas, a dog owner saying their dog never bit anyone before does not automatically end a claim. It may matter, but it is only one fact among many. What usually matters is the full history of the dog’s behavior, what t...
Can a landlord deny me housing because of my credit score alone?
In general, a landlord may consider your credit score when screening rental applicants, but the answer depends on the facts and on whether any fair housing or consumer credit rules apply. A credit score by itself is not...
How do I get child support started if the other parent refuses to provide an address?
In Minnesota, it is often still possible to start a child support case even if the other parent will not give you an address. In general, the child support process does not depend on getting the other parent’s cooperatio...
What are my rights if a debt collector uses abusive language during phone calls?
If a debt collector uses abusive language during phone calls, you generally have the right to be treated fairly and without harassment. In Missouri, as in many states, debt collection practices may be limited by federal...
What happens if the paying parent quits their job to avoid child support?
In Wisconsin, a parent usually cannot avoid child support just by quitting a job. Courts often look at whether the parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed and may decide support based on earning capacity rather...
Can an HOA tow my car from my driveway because the registration sticker is expired?
In Florida, an HOA may sometimes be able to have a car towed from a driveway if the vehicle is violating the community’s recorded rules, parking restrictions, or property-use requirements. An expired registration sticker...