Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Can a landlord charge late fees when their online payment portal was down on the due date?
In general, a landlord may only charge late fees if the lease allows them and the fee is otherwise lawful under Tennessee law. If the landlord’s online payment portal was down on the due date, that fact may matter becaus...
Can I get a temporary antiharassment protection order before the full court hearing?
In Washington, a temporary antiharassment protection order may be available before the full court hearing, depending on the facts and the court’s review of the request. In general, these temporary orders are meant to pro...
What are my rights if my spouse opened new credit cards using my information?
If a spouse opened new credit cards using your information, you may have rights related to credit reporting, identity theft, account disputes, and possible fraud concerns. In general, a spouse does not automatically have...
What happens if a credit card company raises my interest rate to 29% without warning?
If a credit card company raises your interest rate to 29% without warning, the first question is whether the increase was allowed under the card agreement and applicable law. In general, credit card issuers can change in...
Can I reopen a divorce case if I later discover hidden assets?
In general, maybe. If a divorce is already final and you later learn that a spouse may have concealed assets, West Virginia law may allow some type of post-divorce request to address the issue. The exact option usually d...
What are my rights if the insurance company wants me to use a specific repair shop?
In general, an insurance company may recommend or prefer a particular repair shop after a claim, but that does not always mean you are required to use it. In Maryland, as in many states, the details usually depend on you...
How do I respond legally to a defamatory post without making things worse?
In general, the safest response to a potentially defamatory post is to slow down, preserve evidence, and avoid posting an emotional reply right away. A public argument can sometimes amplify the post, create new conflicts...
Can a Collection Agency Sue Me After the Statute of Limitations?
In general, a collection agency may try to sue even after a debt is old, but whether that lawsuit is allowed depends on the statute of limitations, the type of debt, and the facts of the account. In Arizona, as in other...
I paid for a wedding makeup trial and the artist canceled the wedding booking. Should the trial be refunded?
In general, the answer depends on what the parties agreed to, what the trial fee was meant to cover, and why the wedding booking was canceled. A makeup trial is often treated as a separate service from the wedding-day bo...
Can I ask for child support arrears to be forgiven if the other parent agrees?
In California, you can ask about child support arrears, but the other parent’s agreement by itself usually may not be enough to make the arrears disappear. Child support is generally treated as the right of the child, no...
Can police use my answers if I was handcuffed but told I was not under arrest?
In general, yes, police may sometimes use your answers even if you were handcuffed and told you were not under arrest. The key question is usually not the handcuffs alone, but whether your statements were voluntary and w...
What happens if I fix the lease violation before the notice deadline?
In general, if you fix a lease violation before the deadline in the landlord’s written notice, the landlord may have to treat the violation as cured. In some situations, that can stop further eviction steps based on that...
Do I have to pay for a prepaid service if the business permanently closed?
In general, if you prepaid for a service and the business permanently closed before providing all of it, you may not have to keep paying for the unused portion. The exact answer depends on the contract terms, how the pay...
Do I have to take alcohol classes after a DUI conviction in Alabama?
In Alabama, you may have to complete alcohol education or treatment after a DUI conviction, but it is not automatic in every case. Whether a court orders classes often depends on the facts of the case, the offense level,...
How do I prove a conversation was private enough for two-party consent rules to apply?
In Washington, whether a conversation was private enough for two-party consent rules to apply usually depends on the facts and the context of the recording. In general, the key question is not just whether the conversati...