Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Is it legal for a prenup to include penalties for infidelity?
In Kentucky, a prenuptial agreement may be able to address infidelity in some way, but whether a specific “penalty” is enforceable depends on the exact wording, the circumstances, and how Kentucky law treats the rest of...
Do I have to serve the respondent myself in a Washington harassment protection order case?
In Washington, you usually do not have to serve the respondent yourself in a harassment protection order case. In general, service is the process of giving the other party formal notice of the case and the hearing, and i...
Can I bring a claim if I tripped on a broken sidewalk outside a store and needed stitches?
In Virginia, a broken-sidewalk trip-and-fall may sometimes lead to a claim, but the legal analysis usually depends on who owned, controlled, or was responsible for maintaining the sidewalk and whether that person or busi...
What happens if I settled my property damage claim but later found more damage?
If you already settled a property damage claim and later discover additional damage, the settlement may still control the situation. In general, a settlement is meant to resolve the claim based on the facts known at the...
Is it legal for an insurance company to use a salvage title value even though my car had a clean title?
In general, an insurance company may try to value a vehicle based on what it believes the car would bring in the market after a total loss, but that does not automatically mean it can treat a clean-title car as if it alr...
Can a debt collector contact me on social media about an unpaid balance?
In general, a debt collector may be allowed to use social media to try to contact a person about an unpaid debt, but that contact is usually subject to limits. The collector generally cannot use social media in a way tha...
How do I stop my bank account from being considered dormant while I am living overseas?
If you live overseas, the main way to reduce the risk that a Massachusetts bank account is treated as dormant is usually to keep the account active in the ways your bank allows and to monitor all account notices closely....
Can my landlord evict me for having a pet if they knew about the dog for six months?
In Missouri, a landlord may sometimes try to evict a tenant for having a pet if the lease or house rules prohibit pets. But if the landlord knew about the dog for six months and did not object right away, that fact may m...
How do I change alimony after I lost my job and my severance runs out next month?
In Georgia, a recent job loss and the end of severance pay may be reasons to ask the court to modify alimony, but they do not automatically change the obligation. In general, a court may look for a material change in you...
What happens if I was hit by a driver with a suspended license?
If you were hit by a driver with a suspended license in Colorado, the fact that the other driver was not legally allowed to drive may matter, but it does not automatically decide who is financially responsible for the cr...
How do I handle a car accident where the other driver gave me fake insurance information?
If another driver gave you fake insurance information after a car accident, the first step is usually to treat the situation as a documentation and reporting problem as well as a claim problem. In general, you may want t...
Can a Landlord Evict Me for Having Guests Too Often?
In general, a landlord may try to act if guests are causing a lease violation, a nuisance, or a problem that affects other tenants or the property. But simply having visitors is not always a valid reason for eviction. Wh...
Can a prenup keep my retirement account separate if contributions continue during marriage?
In New Jersey, a prenuptial agreement may be able to help keep a retirement account separate, but that does not automatically mean every dollar added during the marriage will stay separate. The answer usually depends on...
Do I have to prove the dog owner was negligent to recover damages in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, whether you must prove a dog owner was negligent to recover damages depends on the legal theory you are using and the facts of the incident. In general, some dog-bite and dog-attack claims may be based on...
Do I have to move out by the date written on a notice taped to my apartment door?
In New York, a notice taped to your apartment door does not automatically mean you have to move out by that date. In general, a landlord or other party usually must follow the proper legal process before a tenant can be...