Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
How do I file a claim against a caterer who canceled my event last minute?
If a caterer in Massachusetts canceled your event at the last minute, you may have a contract dispute, a consumer complaint issue, or both, depending on the facts. In general, the first step is to gather the written agre...
What are my rights if my landlord refuses to return my security deposit within 30 days?
In Illinois, a landlord’s obligations about returning a security deposit can depend on the type of tenancy, the lease terms, the reason the deposit was withheld, and whether the landlord followed the proper notice requir...
What are my rights if my insurance company delays my storm damage claim for two months?
If your insurance company has delayed a storm damage claim for two months, you generally have the right to expect the insurer to handle the claim in a reasonable and good-faith manner. In Alabama, as in many states, the...
Can a Gym Charge Me After I Tried to Cancel My Membership?
In general, a gym in California may still charge you after you tried to cancel if the cancellation was not completed in the way the membership contract requires, if the gym had a lawful right to bill for a notice period...
How do I handle a moving company that lost my $2,200 TV during a cross-state move?
If a moving company lost your TV during an interstate move, the first step is usually to gather every document connected to the move and the missing item. That often includes your bill of lading, inventory list, estimate...
How do I prove I paid child support in cash when my ex denies receiving it?
If you paid child support in cash and your ex denies receiving it, the main issue is usually proof. Cash is hard to trace, so courts often look for any reliable evidence that supports your claim that the payments were ma...
Do I have to pay a debt that is not on my credit report but a collector says I owe?
In general, yes, a debt can still be owed even if it does not appear on your credit report. A credit report is not the same thing as a full list of all debts a person may owe. Some debts never get reported, some are repo...
My employer changed my commission plan after the customer already signed. Which rate applies?
In California, the answer usually depends on the terms of the commission plan, when the commission was earned under that plan, and whether your employer gave effective notice of the change before the work or sale was com...
What are my rights if my wages are being garnished but I never received notice about the student loan debt?
If your wages are being garnished for a student loan debt and you never received notice, that may raise important due process and debt-collection questions. In general, a creditor or collection agency usually must follow...
What happens if my credit card company denies a fraud claim I reported immediately?
If a credit card company denies a fraud claim you reported right away, it usually means the company has decided, at least for now, that it does not believe the charge was unauthorized or that the claim is not covered und...
How do I split tax debt from a joint return in divorce?
In general, tax debt from a joint return is treated as a financial issue that must be addressed during the divorce, but a divorce decree does not automatically change how the tax debt is owed to the IRS or, if applicable...
Can I register copyright for a song if AI generated the melody and I wrote the lyrics?
In general, you may be able to register copyright in the parts of a song that were created by a human author, but not in material that was generated entirely by AI without sufficient human authorship. If you wrote the ly...
How do I make sure my small business stays separate property in a prenuptial agreement?
In Georgia, a prenuptial agreement may be used to help keep a small business separate property during a marriage, but the agreement needs to be drafted carefully and signed properly. A prenup generally can identify the b...
What are my rights if my bank refuses to reimburse unauthorized ATM withdrawals?
If you are in Kentucky and your bank refuses to reimburse unauthorized ATM withdrawals, your rights usually depend on the facts, your account agreement, and the consumer-protection rules that apply to electronic fund tra...
What happens if a repair shop charges storage fees without notifying me?
In Massachusetts, a repair shop that charges storage fees without telling you first may face a dispute over whether those charges are valid or collectible. In general, a business that keeps your vehicle or other property...