Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Can I be charged with DUI if I used marijuana earlier in the day?
In New Jersey, it is possible to be charged with DUI-related offenses if marijuana use is believed to have impaired your ability to drive, even if you used it earlier in the day. The key issue is usually not only whether...
Is it legal for alimony to continue after my ex starts receiving Social Security retirement?
In Nevada, it is generally possible for spousal support, often called alimony, to continue even after an ex starts receiving Social Security retirement benefits. The fact that a former spouse begins collecting retirement...
Can alimony be changed if my ex got a $20,000 raise after the divorce?
In Missouri, alimony may sometimes be changed after a divorce if there has been a substantial and continuing change in financial circumstances. A post-divorce raise can be one factor that a court may consider, but a rais...
My Employer Reduced My Commission After the Sale Closed — Is That Legal?
In Florida, whether an employer may reduce your commission after a sale closes usually depends on the commission agreement, company policy, and when the commission was earned under the applicable arrangement. In general,...
What are my rights if my car insurance company says my accident claim is worth less than the repair estimate?
If your car insurance company says your accident claim is worth less than the repair estimate, that usually means the insurer is questioning some part of the repair bill, the damage estimate, or the value of the loss. In...
What are my rights if my coworker keeps following me to my car after work and making threats?
In Washington, repeated following, threatening comments, or other intimidating conduct by a coworker may raise both workplace safety and legal concerns. If the behavior makes you reasonably afraid for your safety, it may...
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...
Is it legal for an insurer to reduce my settlement because I had arthritis before the fall?
In general, an insurer may try to argue that a pre-existing condition such as arthritis affected the value of a fall-related injury claim. That does not automatically mean the insurer is allowed to reduce a settlement si...
My boss asked everyone to come in 30 minutes early for “prep” but says we clock in at opening. Is that wage theft?
In Florida, this kind of situation may be wage theft if the “prep” time is work that the employer requires or controls and you are not paid for it. In general, when an employer asks employees to be present before opening...
What happens if the harasser lives in Oregon but keeps contacting me while I live in Washington?
If someone in Oregon keeps contacting you while you live in Washington, the key issue is usually not where the harasser lives, but where the effects of the conduct are felt and what kind of conduct is happening. In gener...
My neighbor installed a camera that records audio on our shared porch. Is that allowed?
In Maryland, a neighbor’s camera on a shared porch may be allowed in some situations, but audio recording can raise additional privacy concerns. The answer often depends on where the camera is pointed, whether the porch...
Mechanic replaced parts I never approved and won’t release the car unless I pay. What now?
If a mechanic replaced parts you did not approve and is refusing to release your car until you pay, the situation may involve a dispute over authorization, repair charges, and possession of your vehicle. In Michigan, the...
My boss told coworkers about my medical condition. Is that legal?
In New York, a boss telling coworkers about your medical condition is not automatically illegal, but it may be unlawful depending on what was shared, how the employer learned the information, and whether any privacy, dis...
Can I get temporary child support while the divorce is still pending?
In West Virginia, temporary child support may be available while a divorce is still pending, depending on the facts and the court’s orders. In general, courts can enter temporary, or “pendente lite,” orders to address ch...
Is it legal for my employer to deduct $300 from my paycheck for broken equipment?
In general, whether an employer in Alabama can deduct $300 from your paycheck for broken equipment depends on several facts, including the terms of your agreement, the type of equipment, whether the deduction would cut i...